A leader should unite

There’s an old saying: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” For those who bought the Trump message in 2016, it may have seemed like a good choice. After all, he was a political outsider with good name recognition. Nov. 3 offers an opportunity to reconsider.

Trump asked, “What do you have to lose?” Now, Americans know only too well what was lost. The daily chaos and scandals that permeate the Trump administration are unprecedented in American history. I am still waiting for Mexico to pay for the “wall.” Since Trump hires only the “best” people, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that many face indictment or jail time. The swamp in Washington has only gotten wider, deeper, and darker.

It’s no accident that the terms “alternative facts” and “fake news” coincided with the election of Trump. He has offered nothing but division, fear, and distraction. Trump makes a mockery of the rule of law. Every criticism was answered with cries of “witch hunt” or “hoax.” His acquittal in the sham Senate impeachment trial demonstrates that the GOP dances to Trump’s tune.

He has done nothing to combat the climate crisis or address the scourge of gun violence. In the midst of a pandemic he has done nothing to mitigate, he wants to suppress mailin voting despite proven reliability. Trump’s callous immigration policies have separated migrant children from their families. Thus far, Trump has been shielded from justice by a policy that protects a sitting president from indictment. However, Trump could be justly exposed for tax, bank fraud, and other violations if not re-elected.

A president should unite the people and not govern according to whether you live in a blue or red state. As added benefit, imagine having a president who actually reads!

MONROE CARLTON Conway