Echoing ancient history

Regarding “A child president sits in the Oval Office” (Page A11, Jan. 8), Kathleen Parker’s column on President Donald Trump’s personality completely misses the mark. Trump has the personality of short-lived Roman Emperor Otho (69 AD) who bought the emperorship. If Parker had a bit more background in Roman history, she would probably also note the similarities of Hillary Clinton to Empress Livia (Augustus Caesar’s wife). Livia was known for her manipulation of the political processes in Rome.

In either case, Parker’s column misses the point that we the people have acquiesced to a Roman-style republic that has been corrupted by money, power mongering and political manipulation.

The Constitution of the United States was written with the underlying tenet that the American republic should not relegate itself into a Roman system where power brokers and money determined leadership. Unfortunately, the Republican and Democratic parties have co-opted the Constitution and circumvented this fundamental tenet that leadership and governance should be by merit (hence the reason for the Electoral College). James A. Babb, Friendswood