President, presidency: Sharing a few thoughts
I’d like to share a few thoughts regarding Donald Trump as the new president of the United States. I want to start by saying that I could not in good conscience support either Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton. Secondly, to all those saying that President Trump is not the “legitimate president”, the Constitution of the United States of America says differently.
I know that everyone wears slightly different glasses as they look at history and though I’m not technically a “historian” I believe I’m a reasonably good student of history. So I’d like to offer a few observations.
o I was born during the Eisenhower administration, and I do remember the election of President Kennedy. These observations are based only on those presidents then that I remember.
o With every new administration there is always a bit of a “Chicken Little” effect. “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” This year seems to be worse than any that I recall. At any rate, the doomsdayers and naysayers have yet to be right – the sky has not fallen, I don’t think President Trump will make it fall.
o As I said, I remember President Kennedy’s election, as well as LBJ, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and of course President Obama. Looking at these men it’s clear that none were all that their supporters longed for nor what their critics feared. Some were more effective than others overall, some had strengths in some areas and weaknesses in others. Some were extremely moral and upright men – Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush come to mind. Others, not so much. One certainly could be called “a crook”, but in many ways was still an effective president. But none were perfect. The point is that their presidencies can only be judged when we’re looking back at what we know historically rather than trying to predict the unknown future.
o To be certain President Trump is far from perfect. Of course our founding father, the framers of the constitution were not perfect either. I think they understood this and so intentionally framed the constitution so that the federal government does have a system of check and balances. Unlike the private sector the President cannot simply say to a federal judge, “You’re fired.” Nor simply decree, “because I said so.” Furthermore, even within his own party, President Trump is far from having the “universal support” that previous presidents have enjoyed.
o Finally there is the job itself. Remember what Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and President Obama looked like when they took office? Think of how they looked eight years later. The presidency ages people. It is draining. They are on call 24/7/365; there really is no such thing as a day off. A president is under constant scrutiny with countless people ready to tell them what a lousy job they’re doing, with little to no understanding of what the job really entails.
The point I wish to make is this: It’s not time to panic. We do need to give the new president a chance. Do I have misgivings about President Trump? Certainly. Just as I did with President Obama, President George W. Bush, President Clinton.
And just as I did for those men, as well at the presidents preceding them, I plan to pray for President Trump, as well as Vice President Pence and other leaders as well. I would urge you to do the same, whether you voted for him or not, whether you support his ideas or not, because he needs, we all need, all the help we can get.
Rev. Robin Collins is the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Staples.
