‘Recipe for a dictator’

Donald Trump’s stunning lack of intellectual curiosity is well documented. His public gaffs on matters of geography alone are numerous enough to warrant concern that the leader of the free world is no mental giant. Hardly the “stable genius” he purports to be.

Perhaps a liberal studies curriculum would have provided Trump the money hungry college “student,” enough general knowledge of the world in so as not to embarrass himself at a party, in casual conversation or in a press conference or tweet that reaches millions worldwide.

But when voters select a president, they expect a little more. They assume the person they vote for reads books. They assume she asks questions and seeks information and opinions and counsel from experts. They assume the person is open to divergent thoughts, concerns and perspectives: that he knows what his weaknesses are and seeks the advice of trusted others who have a depth of knowledge to fill in those gaps. They assume he possesses a reasonable degree of humility and the ability to admit when he makes mistakes. Donald Trump is endowed with none of these qualities.

Instead he is brimful of narcissism, hubris, avarice, willful ignorance and immorality. Quite a recipe for a dictator. Hardly the ingredients for a president of our nation.

On November 3, search your souls and determine if such a vacuous excuse for a man should be re-elected.

Jarold Wright Santa Rosa