Well, I've been at an ideological fork in the road for months...
Respect President-Elect Donald Trump or don't?
Some Background: I am 40 years old. I was raised in Texas as a Republican (big surprise). I was taught in predominantly christian school environments. I was raised in church - Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, Church of Christ. I attended christian universities. I married a christian woman and had two children; then later divorced. Once I began to care more about people and less about a bank account or guns, I became a Democrat. I also came out as gay. I'm now married to a man. I've voted for President George W. Bush (once). I voted for President Barack Obama (twice). I voted for Hillary Clinton. I describe myself as a staunch Democrat with a dash of Republican...because I'm a big enough person to understand there is value in both major political parties. There, now you have the necessary background.
Having said all this, I was raised to respect the President without question. I was taught that while you don't have to agree, you should respect him (or her). That worked seamlessly for me until we all encountered the now President-Elect Donald J. Trump. Never in the history of our nation has a President shown such a lack of respect for the people he's supposed to govern. This is when everything changed for me.
I thought to myself - {Wait a fucking minute... The whole respect the President thing worked great before. Why am I having such a hard time with this now?} Simply put, Donald continues to disrespect both the office of the President and the people for which he was elected to lead. And that, my friends, changes everything. No longer will I be shackled by a concept of respect just for the sake of said concept. Simply put, respect is earned. Every President in my lifetime has approached this solemn duty and the American people with the respect and gravity that the job requires. Every President, that is, until now. As with the law or social issues, things evolve as we enter into uncharted territory and our understanding of circumstances changes. This is uncharted territory. I will not use this moment to list Donald's many transgressions against the American people or the office of the President. His words (many just outright lies) and actions stand alone and need no context or clarity. Only someone wishing to justify his inexcusable behavior will say otherwise. This isn't about me not voting for Donald. This isn't about Republican vs. Democrat vs. Bernie vs. the Green Party. This is about what is undeniably missing from Donald's approach thus far - RESPECT. He has none.
The Bottom Line:
Respect is earned and Donald is currently facing a "respect bankruptcy". Until he pays his debt; until he stops trying to avoid giving the very thing he demands; until he starts behaving like a President; he will get no respect from me. If you want to act like a 70 year old temper-tantrum throwing child - You will be Donald. When you choose to grow up and show ALL the people of this great nation the respect they deserve - You will be President. Some things really are that simple.
