Thread
Sometimes Trump supporters, when confronted with the fact that he is a deeply dishonest man (5.4 misleading or false utterances per day washingtonpost.com/news/fact-chec…)
respond with “unemployment is low” and “stocks are soaring.” /1
Sometimes Trump supporters, when confronted with the fact that he is a deeply dishonest man (5.4 misleading or false utterances per day washingtonpost.com/news/fact-chec…)
respond with “unemployment is low” and “stocks are soaring.” /1
Aside from the fact that Trump inherited a roaring stockmarket (+221% between Mar. 2009 and Nov. 2016) and an unemployment rate that had fallen to 4.7%, there's a broader observation in that reflexive response /2
Americans should not have to lower their standards and think that such tradeoffs are acceptable, that they must choose one or the other. Americans can’t have a good economy AND a president they can trust and be proud of? /3
That Americans think such tradeoffs are acceptable - that it's perfectly acceptable to have a dishonest, reckless and immature President as long as the economy is good shows how low the nation has sunk in this difficult year /4
WWR is so old he remembers when Obama haters sneered that his wearing a tan suit was unpresidential. Now, some of these very same people say who cares if we have a president who supports an accused child molester or equivocates on the most vile forms of bigotry and racism? /5
They said Obama demeaned the presidency by making a BuzzFeed video that showed him trying on sunglasses and preening before a mirror. Is this worse than a man who brags about assaulting women? Attacks Gold Star families? Spreads fake videos? Touts bizarre conspiracy theories? /6
“We live in dangerous and uncertain world,” John F. Kennedy said three hours before his murder. It is dangerous and uncertain now. In less than a year, says a survey of 37 nations by the Pew Research Center, America has gone from a nation respected to one widely disrespected /7
Pew: A year ago 64% of those surveyed in 37 nations had a favorable opinion of America, now 49% do. A year ago, 64% had confidence in the American presidency, now 22% do. Trump claims the world once again respects the United States; it is utterly delusional /8 
Trumo has moved America closer to war with North Korea and Iran. The president’s failure to say even one bad thing about his good friend Vladimir Putin has further emboldened the Russian dictator in the Middle East /9
Putin’s unchecked support of Tehran has in turn increased the threat to Israel. China’s Xi XInping continues to outmaneuver the president; our allies in the region—many of whom now trade more with Beijing than us, are cautiously adjusting to a diminished America. /10
Whatever issues we had with past presidents, we didn’t wake up each day wondering what cringeworthy embarrassment awaited us. We never worried about Harry Truman acting like a buffoon, or Ronald Reagan crying like a child given a time-out by his mother. /11
Whatever their other faults, we knew that George H.W. Bush would be dignified and gracious, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter honest, George W. Bush steadfast. Whatever his other sins, we could count on Bill Clinton to show empathy when we were grieving. /12
We knew that in Dwight Eisenhower, the hand at the tiller would always be steady. Growing up in poverty, like Lyndon Johnson, or a broken home like Barack Obama, gave them an appreciation for those who began with little or nothing and struggled to lift themselves up. /13
In contrast to these and other Presidents, Donald Trump, an old man who has never known struggle, sacrifice or adversity, has none of those qualities. He often compares himself with Abraham Lincoln; he is worshipped by millions, perhaps 35%-38% of the country /14
As a difficult year draws to a close, WWR often reads about how Americans are worn down, exhausted by this president. Stay resolute. Citizenship is hard work. It requires passion for what you believe in, and fighting for what you want for your family and for your country /15
WWR has had the great fortune of traveling the world—53 countries so far—and am always humbled at how others dream of America and what it stands for. We must always remember--politicians aside--that the idea of America and what it stands for remains powerful /16
America remains the rarest of jewels. But it has lost some of its luster this year. It;s possible that things could get worse. All the more reason for us to remember what a gift we have, what a privilege it is to live in this wonderful country--and to never become demoralized /17
No matter how tired and worn out you may be, you’re not going to let someone take that away, are you? As the new year approaches, I say again: stay resolute. I know we can do it. “After all,” Ronald Reagan said, “We are Americans.” (end)
