The names of the clowns have changed, they always do, but beneath the layer of grease paint it’s still the same old, three-ring circus. We have yet another Bush, I guess that means we can go from Big Daddy Bush to Bush Junior to Bush Lite if that’s your preference, but the biggest absurdity is Donald Trump.
Sadly, considering what the political arena has devolved into over the years, it doesn’t surprise me the way it might have in years past. After all, in an era where every presidential hopeful is little more than a poster child mouthpiece of empty promises, meaningless sound bites and cardboard, cookie-cutter personalities, Trump is a perfect fit.
Trump has the social graces of an angry water buffalo, but that’s OK. He has the social skills and media spin doctors to repair any damage his motor mouth might cause along the way.
Misogynistic? Have you listened to some of his comments concerning women who hold positions of power?
Racist? Again, listen to some of his comments regarding Mexicans and immigrants and you decide.
But these aren’t the issues I’m concerned with. No. What I’m wondering is how can a man who for over 30 years has resided among the upper echelon of not only America’s wealthiest — but the world’s wealthiest — possibly imagine he can relate to the working class?
According to the Financial Disclosure Statement filed with the Federal Election Committee, Trump estimates his net worth at being anywhere between $8.7 billion to $10 billion.
How can a person, any person, who has lived the kind of luxurious, opulent lifestyle that this kind of money provides possibly relate to the everyday struggles that the working class faces? And we’ve all seen the kind of lifestyle Trump leads. Now don’t get me wrong, I respect Trump for he earned his wealth, even though it was his father who bankrolled his first major project, but I digress.
When was the last time Trump had to choose between paying the electric bill or rent because his paychecks just didn’t cover both? When was the last time he had to come home to his family and tell them he’s been laid off because of budget cuts?
Answer? He hasn’t. He hasn’t had to feed his family Kraft Macaroni & Cheese four nights a week because that’s all he could afford. He hasn’t had to maintain a dying automobile with duct tape and prayers because he just couldn’t afford to get the necessary repairs done and he hasn’t had to master the life skill of juggling household finances the way working class households have to because so many are living from paycheck to paycheck.
Trump, as the financial genius that you so obviously are, you’re to be admired. As the real estate mogul you’ve become, you’re to be respected, but unless you’re prepared to write a personal check to bail the United States out of debt and until you can provide a logical, workable plan for fixing what ails our country and until you can relate to the working class of this country from our level — from ground zero rather than the glass and ivory tower you rule from, I don’t think you’re what this country needs leading us.
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