"Trump is a leader and willing to take risks to get things done. "
The difference is that before, Trump was taking risks in a business. He could always, and did, simply "take a Mulligan" by declaring bankruptcy and try again. It did not matter how many of his business enterprises failed, as long as more of them succeeded.
But there is only one United States.
He does not have the luxury of doing that as president. He can't declare bankruptcy and try again. His decisions affect international relations and he can't just tweet that "I was just joking".
Being PotUS is serious. Much more serious then running a family business, no matter how large. Much harsher consequences and no "Mulligans". He appears to be a tactical thinker, in a position where strategic thought is necessary.
It is a good fantasy to have a President from the outside, but the reality is that PotUS is not an entry level job. We should have learned that from Bush Jr and Obama.
Personally, I don't want an outsider as President. I want someone with the education and experience in running a government and working with congress. I don't think that Trump has much experience working
with people. I think all his experiences are with people working
for him. I think Trump is learning how un-fun being president really is.
Unfortunately, with this election, there was not exactly an acceptable alternative but that's another gripe.
Either choice would have been bad. We can thank the major political parties for that gift.
With his switching back and forth concerning past and present comments, I feel that he is eroding trust in our allies. What he says this month may not be what he says next month. That unpredictability is not a good way to foster a relationship of trust.
In the long term, I do not have confidence that Trump will be good for our nation. He and his family will make a lot of money. The MIC will make a lot of money. But the collateral costs may be unacceptable.
George W. Bush once said, infamously, that in the context of foreign police that he does not "do nuance". As soon as I heard that, I knew we were in trouble. Professionally, I work foreign policy and it is nothing but nuance. I fear the Trump is another person that does not "do nuance", in an environment where everything is nuance.
In his family business and TV show, Trump could expect everyone else to change to his way of thinking. But in domestic and foreign policy, he does not have that luxury.
I honestly don't think he is well prepared for this job. We, in this country seem to be working on a pattern. Bush jr, Obama, Trump -- entry level employees in an executive position.
The US is strong. I feel it is stronger then any one individual. I have hope that we will survive Trump. After all, what else do I have to hope for. But while we can survive one intern, can we survive three consecutive interns? Or a fourth if we continue to elect entry level people into the office of president? I hope so. Unfortunately, all I have is hope.
But who knows? Perhaps Trump will grow into the position. We have had inexperienced people as president all throughout our history. We can only hope that while Trump is engaged in OJT, that he does not do something irreversible.
He can't take a Mulligan
