Trump Has No Love of Country

 

We were pleased that Gerry Seitz enjoyed attending a Trump Rally (see “Letters”, October 23 issue) — even though he sounded disappointed that only a few tattoos were visible — but we were distressed that he would repeat the line, “Biden and the Democrats hate the country or appear to hate it and are negative.”

Joe Biden has spent his whole adult life serving the public, most recently as Vice President during a time of economic recovery and nascent prosperity. Indeed, those years stand in sharp contrast to the years prior, which featured the financial crash, and in sharp contrast to the past year with the highest ever recorded deficit — currently projected at over $3.1 trillion but still growing. The gains from the Trump corporate tax cut were not used to invest in the future, nor to build up reserves for a rainy day, but were predominantly used by corporations to buy back their shares and ensure executive bonuses.

When aiming personal criticism at Joe Biden regarding his love of the USA, it is worth remembering that his son, Beau Biden, interrupted his public service as the 44th Attorney General of Delaware to serve as a Major in the Delaware National Guard in Iraq. We are indeed fortunate that Beau Biden and his fellow soldiers wished to serve and were able…and did not suffer from disqualifying ailments like bone spurs. Joe Biden was proud to see his son put on his uniform and serve the country.

We found President Trump’s criticism of the late (and great) John McCain’s service in Vietnam less an endorsement of love of country and more his personal criticism of putting oneself in danger while fighting for one’s country. Indeed, the President was further angered when flags were lowered to half-mast on the death of his fellow Republican.

To those who love this country, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their patriotism are neither “losers” nor “suckers”, as the President has stated. They should be honored, just as John McCain’s military service should be honored rather than ridiculed by the President. Those who love this country are thankful for their service and sacrifice. Like nearly all Americans, we were saddened to read when, in November 2018, President Trump cancelled his visit to the Aisne-Marne Cemetery to honor the fallen due to inclement weather. It rains a lot in Northern France; American and Allied soldiers who fought in World Wars I and II learned that. On the other hand, Trump did once visit the grave of a soldier who had fallen in combat, the son of his then-Homeland Security Chief, former Marine Corps General John Kelley. According to General Kelley, Trump turned to him at the gravesite and said: “I don’t get it. What’s in it for them?”

Patriotic? We leave it to your readers to make that judgment.

As to feeling negative about the country? If being depressed because the U.S. held immigrant children in cages, separated them from their parents, and lost their records is a negative feeling; if being depressed that our President advocates quack cures like disinfectant cocktails and bright light is negative; if being tired of ad hominem attacks and rejection and criticism of science is negative; if being tired of daily Twitter tantrums by a grown man is negative…then, yes, we plead “guilty as charged”.

We want to Make America Better Again.

— James and Jenny Alban-Davies