Trump inspires hate, violence

THE GREATEST contribution America gave to the world is its ideals and principles embodied in the founding documents of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

But every week (President) Donald Trump debases these founding principles. From the day he announced his candidacy he’s been a divisive and polarizing figure scapegoating Mexicans, Muslims and immigrants from Latin American countries. He’s engaged in personal, petty attacks on opponents. He’s called the press “the enemy of the people.”

Most presidents realize the grave responsibility that the interest of the country comes first, but not Trump. He continues to stoke ethnic resentment at his rallies by leading chants of “lock her up”and “build the wall.”

He’s erratic and impulsive and lacks the common decency and decorum required of his high office.

At a recent rally in Houston he declared he’s a “nationalist.” It’s fair to say due to his history he is implying “white nationalist,” the kind of loaded term, when it comes from the president of the United States, that results in violent attacks on targets by the far right.

Using inflammatory language referring to Democrats as a “mob,” is it any surprise that almost all the Democrats who were recently the target of pipe bombs were also the target of Trump’s personal attacks? Is it any surprise due to the polarized climate created by Trump and his supporters we’ve experienced a mass killing at a synagogue in Pittsburgh by a white supremacist, hate-filled individual?

Hate crimes are up dramatically nationwide in 2017 according to the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center . ... KENT ZOOK Albuquerque