A sickness in the soul of America

Archived Opinion

A sickness in the soul of America

To the Editor:

The Eagles rock band has interpreted life in America over the last five decades. Yet, the lines that fit the last two decades best may be: “Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table. But you only want the ones that you can’t get.”

Don’t those lines pretty much describe Donald Trump? Born rich. Never vowed to serve anyone/anything other than the Trump brand. Elected President in 2016. Think of that! One of only forty-six people who have ever occupied that office.

Yet, he is constantly angry. Bitter. Ungrateful. Vowing to seek retribution if re-elected. Why? Unbridled greed. Unsatiable desire for more and more power. And! And! And, desperation! Yes, desperation. Desperation to return to the most powerful position on earth. To serve? Absolutely not. He is desperate to sway some of the legal battles that are hounding him. Don’t be fooled by his front, though. These cases are eating at him. He has a troubled look etched on his face. If his legal perils were not dogging him what kind of man would he be? These cases would eat at any American who has never been President. Yet, Trump clings to the illusion that he can return to power and, thereby, alter the course of his future.

Trump, and especially his supporters whom he has fooled, would do well to memorize these words of wisdom given to us by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing can work damage on me except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me and never am a real sufferer except by my own fault.”

America must find a way to heal the sickness that Trump has spread. He must be provided fair trials. Still, he must also be awarded proper punishment for his violations of the presidential oath, as well as with other illegal acts. The Constitution must prevail.