The Patriot and the Treasonous Threat to National Security.

I used to lean right, politically. I voted for Reagan and then his successor, George H. W. Bush. I never voted for Bill, but I’ll admit that it was during the Clinton years that I started to shift – mainly because I’m fiscally conservative. Clinton was able to balance the federal budget and hand off a stable economy to his successor and I respected that, but it was George W. Bush who solidified my shift to the left.

Some of you may remember when Bush was being blamed for EVERYTHING bad in the world, even shit that wasn’t his fault. I’ll be honest, I blamed him for a lot. His policies were so bad that they led to a Global Financial Crisis. (See my previous post, “It’s the economy, stupid.”) He started wars in the wrong parts of the world and never did catch Osama bid Laden. I also blamed him for my divorce. OK… maybe that one isn’t on him, but I will still argue a “kitchen sink” rationalization for why he deserves some of the blame.

My point is that George W. Bush was a horrible horrible president, even if he didn’t deserve ALL of the blame piled upon him. However, I do think that while he was making all the mistakes, he believed he was doing what was best for our country. His mistakes may have been stupid and misguided, but at no time did I accuse him of being unpatriotic. In his heart, I believe he loved this country and wanted the best for our citizens. I’m pretty sure that is still the case as he refuses to support his party’s current nominee.

There is a mountain of evidence confirming that Russia interfered in the 2016 election on Trump’s behalf and it is clear that they are at it again. Maybe Trump didn’t solicit the help and there’s no (public) evidence to suggest that he coordinated with them, but he knew about and was happy to benefit from their efforts. Bipartisan investigations have proven that Russian interference is most definitely NOT a hoax, which is what Trump wants you to believe. The indictments and convictions of Manafort, Stone, and others prove that persons involved in the 2016 campaign aided Russian efforts.

Trump administration officials will say that they have taken many actions against the Russians, but most of those actions came when pressured by Congressional oversight. Trump continues to advocate for Russia’s re-inclusion in the G8 even though they were kicked out for their actions in Crimea, which they continue to occupy. Trump has yet to denounce or retaliate against Russia for putting bounties on members of our military serving in Afghanistan. Trump consistently defends Putin, to the point of being treasonous, and ignores damning evidence collected and presented by our security agencies. Clearly Putin has something on Trump, and I think it’s more than just a video of him getting peed on by Russian hookers.

If that’s not enough, Trump has historically belittled John McCain’s service and the service of others, he constantly questions and ignores intelligence gathered by our security agencies, and recent reports suggest that he referred to American servicemembers as “suckers” and “losers.”

But… but… Trump has overseen large increases in defense spending!
Hmm… First of all, signing your name to defense spending bills passed by Congress doesn’t make you a patriot. Secondly, where did that money go? Troops got a 3.1% pay increase and some slightly enhanced benefits (whoo hoo), the Defense Department got a lot of money for planes they didn’t ask for or need, and they created Space Force. Apparently there is a grave concern about space ISIS?

But… but… Trump is bringing our boys home from foreign conflicts!
That should be happening anyway when appropriate, but when the timing is against the advice of your military advisors, seems Putin inspired, and is done to placate your base, you don’t really deserve brownie points. Also, his disregard for the wellbeing of our troops is not limited to ignoring the Russian bounties on their heads. Earlier this year over one hundred service members were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. His response? “I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things, but I would say, and I can report, it is not very serious.” In short, he may as well have told each of them to take 2 aspirin and go home to their mommies. He just doesn’t care.

I believe that Trump’s treasonous disregard for our troops, our allies, and our nation is why hundreds of former Republican officials (including many from the Trump administration) consider him to be a threat to national security. This includes a group of over 70 Republican national security officials who listed 10 reasons and signed their names to a statement calling him “dangerously unfit.”

Lastly, he is all but encouraging his followers to start a civil war if he fails to win re-election. What kind of monster does that?! The peaceful transition of power has been one of the hallmarks of our democracy. Elections have consequences. Hopefully his base remembers that when the time comes to tell Donald “You’re Fired.”