Last week I looked at the scientific and psychological reasons for the differences between Trump supporters and Trump detractors. This research provided no ideas for finding common ground nor greater understanding for overcoming our differences. I am left with the mystery of why some people love the flavor of cilantro and some think it tastes like an un-food such as soap. Research suggests that these totally opposite reactions are due to chemical differences in our DNA. I am one of the 4-14% of people who taste soap when they eat cilantro and I know that no matter how many people tell me how good it tastes or how emphatically they insist, I am not going to like the taste of cilantro. So is liking or disliking Trump in our DNA? I don’t know.
My distaste for Trump begins with the constant, documented, lies (over 3,000 since taking office). It continues with his lack of knowledge of history, the Constitution and the principles of democracy; his lack of respect for the office of the presidency, norms, process and procedures; his lack of respect for women, minorities and people with disabilities; his lack of empathy; his rampant self-centeredness; his disrespect for American allies; and his kowtowing to ruthless autocrats who kill their opponents. It ends in the fear of his impulsivity and his Twitter feed. This is like being strapped in to the back seat of the car with a four-year at the wheel.
His focus is not on serving the people, but only on preserving his power. And it seems that he is willing to do anything to keep it. He admitted that even though he doesn’t really believe that the press is the enemy of the people, he says it just to jin up his base. What is really scary is that he can not see the potential deadly consequences of his words. He denies any responsibility for the white nationalists who sent pipe bombs to his liberal critics and the slaughtering of 11 Jewish worshippers as they were gathered in their sanctuary. He cannot see that his senseless rhetoric is emboldening demented racists. My distaste for cilantro hurts no one, but a lack of distaste for the actions or lack actions of this president can hurt us all and permanently destroy our democracy.
reilly m gray 