By Charles Thomas
Guest Columnist
Imagine, if you will, going to see a physician that is not known to you. While you wait your turn in the lobby, the physician’s assistant walks out and speaks with you, telling you that the doctor you wish to see is not qualified and, in fact, poses a danger to your welfare.
You pause for a moment dismissing his thought because, well, he is a doctor. Just as your dismissal wanes, the nurse comes out to relay to you exactly what was previously stated to you by the physician’s assistant, that the doctor is not qualified and is a danger to your health.
A logical mind would begin to conclude that it is time to get up and run, but before you can do that, another nurse repeats what was already told to you. Unfortunately, before you can make a quick exit, the doctor in charge makes a brief appearance declaring “that I alone can fix it.”
That scenario seems wild and far-fetched, but isn’t that exactly what we are confronted with regarding this upcoming presidential elections?
Like the doctor’s assistants, there are many who know Republican candidate Donald Trump so much better than you and I ever will. In fact, 39 out of 44 former cabinet members of the 45th president have all refused to endorse him. It is likely that some of those who refuse to endorse are disgruntled ex-employees. However, isn’t it likely that so many that refuse to endorse are just people who have a great love for America?
There are people like former Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Defense Secretary James Mattis, Chief of Staff John Kelly, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Joint Chiefs’ Chairman Mark Milley, just to name a few. Why would they speak up knowing that in doing so, they put family and friends at risk for harm and risk alienating themselves from the party they always belonged to, long before there was a fast-talker from New York who put his brand on their old party?
They are the remnants of an old party that at one time believed in the Constitution, believed in the rule of law, believed in the separation of power and respected our dead American heroes who gave it all. Those Republicans who chose not to endorse the Republican candidate have warned about the dangers associated with another four years of his leadership because he has told America exactly what he will do. It’s how he will implement Project 2025 and forever change America.
There has never been, in the history of this nation, a sitting president or former president have his own vice president and senior cabinet officials refuse to endorse him, not until now.
There are many facets in our lives in which we depend on the opinions of others to make important decisions, which car dealer offers the best deal or which company gives the best value for your dollar.
This fall, you will be called upon to either listen to those who were in the room, people like Mattis, Pence, Kelley and Milley, or listen to the one who claims that he alone can fix it. The American journey forward will be determined by whether you trust those who were in the room or the individual they warned you about.
I am fully convinced that the supporters of Trump know that he is a reprehensible human being, but their silly pride in not admitting that they have fallen victim to a professional con-man simply outweighs their love for America. For me, it really doesn’t matter who his opposition is this fall, because I will be voting more against someone than for someone.
Charles Thomas lives in Lima. His column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Lima News editorial board or AIM Media, owner of The Lima News.
