Editor,
Mr. Shribman’s analysis of the upcoming 2020 election in his column published Aug. 29 is mostly accurate; however, he fumbled a couple of key points:
“The current president is seen to have an antiquated conception of American citizenship that views as alien to the American ideal those whose family origins are in Africa, Latin America and Asia.”
Ummm…no. Totally misses the real issue:
The current president is honoring his campaign promise to the 63+million voters who believe that enforcing American LAWS and securing our borders (i.e. sovereignty) are mandated by the Constitution, existing Immigration laws, and the Americans who elected him. President Trump is merely fulfilling his mandate to enforce the law. ILLEGAL immigration is completely unacceptable.
“a referendum on whether Americans’ conception of the presidency matches Trump’s comportment — in public, on social media, at international summits. In short, is Trump an aberration in the presidency or has he begun a new conception of presidential conduct?”
Only if you believe that “keeping promises” is an aberration.
Also, was Mr. Shribman asleep during the 1990s? I’m pretty sure it was President Clinton’s (mis)behavior and (mis)conduct in office that forever altered Americans’ conception of the presidency.
Donald Trump has been in the public eye for 40-plus years. His flaws were well-known and well-documented, but voters had grown tired of politicians and lawyers mismanaging the Executive branch. It was time to elect a pure businessman. Voters in 2016 chose Donald Trump – warts and all – specifically because he is that businessman, NOT a politician or a lawyer. His performance in office has exceeded our expectations and validated our vote. His reelection next year is all but assured.
As former-President Obama famously noted, “Elections have consequences.” A country that won’t enforce its own laws or its sovereignty will quickly descend into chaos and anarchy, inevitably resulting in the imposition of a totalitarian state.
Just like every Socialist state in history.
Rufus T. Firefly
Biddeford
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less