Those of us who believed the evidence was clear a long time ago that Donald Trump was intellectually, emotionally, and morally unfit to be president were not surprised by what he said on the sex tape released last Friday.
But what is shocking to us is the number of people for whom the tape makes no difference in regard to their support of him.
More than that, their reaction reveals just how much trouble our nation is in and the difficulty we face in doing anything about it.
First and foremost, their continued support – and even defense – of him makes it clear that they they are willing to dismiss a conversation that reveals Donald Trump is a confessed sexual predator.
In his own words Trump says he believes who he is gives him the right to assault women.
What kind of a man or woman says such a confession doesn’t change their support of him? The answer is someone who is not a very good and decent person themselves. They are condoning violence against women, against themselves, their wives, their daughters, their nieces, their friends.
That so many of those dismissing Trump’s words are evangelical Christians personally sickens me.
It is no wonder that they resist any genuine effort by people of good will to find common ground on moral issues. That would require a fundamental integrity their support for Trump proves they lack.
They say they are concerned about the moral state of our country, but what they should be worried about is the fact that some 40% of Americans, including themselves, are saying they still stand behind a man running for president who admits he is a sexual predator.
That brings me to something else the continuing support for Trump reveals, that the Republican political and religious right wing poses a serious threat to our democracy.
The basic reason why is that they refuse to deal in the world of facts. That means neither reason nor logic matters to them when it comes to solving problems. Like Trump, they persist in repeating charges and claims about Hillary Clinton and President Obama that have been proven to be false.
They show every sign of being so filled with hate that truth doesn’t matter to them. They tell outright lies and then defend it with sources that are themselves known for promoting lies.
As far as they are concerned, ends DO justify means. They care nothing about doing what is right, and certainly not what is right for the nation.
In Donald Trump’s world, if they were refugees they would never get into the country because they certainly don’t share our nation’s values.
If all that were not enough, continuing support for Trump also reveals the trouble our nation is in because it confirms the racism among Republicans I wrote about last time.
Can you imagine what the reaction of the people supporting Trump would have been had the tapes about him been about President Obama?
They would have vilified him to the point of wanting to lynch him without a trial just as they did to black men earlier in our nation’s history.
Short of that, they would demand impeachment proceedings begin immediately.
A letter to our newspaper summed up their racism in this way: “In June, a jury will decide if Bill Cosby should go to jail for committing sexual violence. In November, voters will decide if Donald Trump should be president of the United States.”
Our nation is awash in a racial divide we have tried to pretend doesn’t exist. Yet it shows itself over and again among Republicans and we continue to ignore it.
Republican or not, anyone, anyone, anyone who was not bothered by those who questioned if President Obama was a genuine American, but now says Donald Trump’s admission that he is a sexual predator does not affect their vote is a racist, period.
Our nation is not in deep trouble because racism exists. It is in trouble because one of our two major political parties tolerates it because it believes it works to its advantage.
Donald Trump will come and go, not soon enough for my taste. But the deep rooted problems that gave rise to his candidacy will remain.
The fact that Trump is as an admitted sexual predator, yet continues to have strong support among Republicans says quite unequivocally that the very people whose attitudes and actions lie at the core of these problems could care less.
And that is why the prospects of our country doing anything about them are hardly encouraging.
In his 1984 re-election campaign, Ronald Reagan declared, “It’s morning again in America.”
No one is saying that now, not least because Reagan’s own Republican Party is doing everything it can to ensure our nation remains in the darkness of an endless midnight.
linnposts.com 
What can I say? Simply one of your CLASSICS! Thanks
Jan, your last few posts have been well articulated, truthful and passionately presented. I agree with everything you have stated. Thank you.
And, this particular post is “clear as a bell” to most of us now in this country.
But, it is the remaining 35% that will remain after The Donald is gone, and they will still pursue their cause, whatever that is. Our mutual friend Wally, has said many times that “Islam” must solve its own problems, and I have said many times that if they don’t, the world must solve it for them. In a strange and unique way, I view the republican party to be in the same “boat”. In my view the republican party must solve its own problems if it wishes to remain as a viable party for the future of America. But, if it cannot, then America must solve it for them in some way. I don’t feel that they are capable of solving their own problems, and I am not sure that America will care to solve them for them. I am hoping that the Senate will turn Democratic and some sort of progress can begin. But, if it does not, we will remain in gridlock, and those of whom you speak, will continue their quest.
John Hamerski, Las Palmas
John, I think your observations are right on target. I share your hopes, but a lot will depend on the few Republicans leaders who have integrity. That does not include Mitch McConnell in the Senate. Paul Ryan is a question mark, but he may be able to exert some leadership and bring some maturity to the Party. If so, Priebus has to go. I agree that we need a strong Republican Party. The final question is, have its leaders waited too late to confront the radical right? Thanks for writing.
Jan, Your posts, as usual, are strong analysis and timely in topic and observations. This has been a wildly bizarre and discouraging election season. I was encouraged yesterday evening at Plymouth Church (Mpls.) during a 2-1/2 hr. “Moral Revival”. with a blunt message that what passes as “Christian” is consistently inconsistent with the original message. For some time now, we’ve been Two Nations — one with access and opportunities for many and one without. Either we work to be One Nation or we will be No Nation. Let’s hope for an awakening in many sectors that can redirect the current trajectory.
Thanks, Pen. We had hoped to get there, but didn’t. That message is one we all need to put into practice. Thanks.
Jan,
This is a superb denunciation of the despicable Donald Trump and his “blind” supporters. Your candid condemnation of Evangelical Christians(sic) and pure racists is on-target, necessary, and courageous. As you well know, back here in your hometown, we are treated to the hypocritical rhetoric of Jerry Falwell Jr., a man who heads-up the largest evangelical university in America and will influence thousands of naïve students, loyal alumni, and willfully ignorant citizens in Central Virginia. In his own way, Jerry is as disgusting as Trump, a point I think you make with great passion and resolve. Thanks, my friend!
Bill, I know it is not easy living where you live, but I also know your own voice of dissent in the face of the bankrupt Falwell influence is one others appreciate hearing, and still others need to hear. You keep writing, and I will do the same.
When Donald Trump made his bus statements, he was a Democrat. And he was following Bill Clinton’s “example” of behavior (even having DNA on blue dresses and other DNA toweled away by staff) “acceptance” of his behavior by the people, supported by Hillary’s denunciation of abused women. Also, I do not believe that Donald Trump is a racist. There is one “example” that was presented about rentals like . . . oh, . . . way back when . . . when it was “common” (done by many others) in a society that AT THAT TIME accepted behavior like that. You CANNOT judge PAST behavior in PRESENT reality–leave some room that he was wrong and is no more. This gives YOU the same kind of judgement: you may have been wrong in the past and have learned and changed your behavior. “Judge not . . . too quickly.”
You are like the rest of Trump supporters making excuses for him, making yourself as guilty as he is. He is the same man today he was ten years ago, that being proven by his words and behavior today. The stunt he pulled at the debate with the women who are Bill Clinton accusers was demeaning to the office of president he is seeking and an insult to the nation. He thinks he can get away with anything because he has people like you in his corner. Everyone who defends him owes the women of this country an apology as much as he does.
Jan,
An outstanding piece, that accurately describes the moral decay in our society, brought about by so called Republicans Christians!!!
Thanks for all you do.
With deep respect,
Leighton
Coming from you, Leighton, that is a comment that means a great deal to me, and I hope to other readers. Many thanks.
Jan, If Leighton Dodd says you are doing good things, you are doing good things! So nice to see comments from my 2 best friends on the same page 🙂
Bill, I completely agree, as I indicated in my response to Leighton. Your comment adds icing on the cake. Thanks.
Jan, once again your insights are clear and, to my view of the world, accurate. It is sobering, to say nothing odd saddening, that something like 60 million people will have voted for Trump. It matters not that he will lose. Those supporters will still be there.
It is disturbing in the extreme when people distrust not only their government, but the various institutions, even the people on the “ozther” side.
Even though D, Trump will most certainly lose, our basic probes of unity will not be Resolved.
Cheerz!
Gene
Gene, you name exactly why the election will not end the divisiveness and mean spirited public debate our nation is enduring. Trump supporters don’t care about truth or unity. They just want to rule over people like us anyway they can. They are very dangerous to our way of life, but think they are being loyal Americans. What irony.
Jan, You’ve already moved on with another blog but for days I’ve wondered how best to challenge one aspect of this one.
I think Donald is a vile candidate and no where close to being qualified to be president. On that we totally agree.
But I’m much less comfortable with the judgement of who is or is not “a good and descent person.” Hillary has plenty of baggage that is worthy of note. But more than that, I think many of us who will vote for Hillary are inclined to under appreciate the significance of the likely Supreme Court appointments. Considering what’s at stake, can we really be so sure how we would vote if the roles were reversed?
In addition, when thinking about the darker events of the past, internationally and/or domestically, I think it’s well documented that a lot of very good people, for various reasons, were ultimately guilty of making some really bad decisions.
I find your blogs insightful, educational, and inspiring. But I’m obviously uncomfortable defining who is or isn’t a “good and descent person.” Care to explain a little further?
Glad to try to answer your concern, Wilbur. I think it is safe to say that Donald Trump is not a good or decent person for the simple reason that he has said and done so many things that I don’t know how you cannot say that. He has revealed his mind and his heart in comments and actions, not only toward women and minorities, but toward business associates and political opponents. For me his mocking the handicapped reporter was the crowning blow before anything had been known. You cannot be a person of good or decent character and do that. You just cannot. The fact that he did, denied he did, and refused to apologize or say it was a mistake he regretted makes it worse. That is why his comments about women were not “locker room” banter. They revealed this character flaw that leads him to dehumanize other people. Sure, there are a lot of bad politicians, ministers, business leaders, etc. but when you cross the line he has crossed, it points to a much deeper problem that has to do with the kind of person he is. Voting for such a man cannot be justified on the basis of Supreme Court appointments. I strongly disagree with the conservatives on the Court now, but their potential appointment would have never caused me to vote for someone like Donald Trump. That is in my judgment a bridge too far for me. The worst a Hillary appointment could do is to maintain current law. I cannot believe anyone genuinely thinks the current situation is so bad that it is worth risking the damage to the country he would do. Something else is motivating them to disregard the dangers he poses. So that is why I wrote what I wrote. Hope this helps. Please feel free to respond.
Thanks Jan, I’m not for a minute defending Donald Trump. I think he is a vile, childish, incompetent candidate. I share your repulsion regarding him. I’m just wanting to allow for the possibility that some people who are descent individuals, because of issues and logic that I don’t understand, might still vote for the guy. Too dismiss millions of people as not being “good and descent” is a pretty harsh judgement, I think. Maybe it is simply a matter of semantics, of what the words “good” and “descent” mean.
Ah, I see more clearly what you are asking about, Wilbur. I said that people who say that Donald Trump being a sexual predator by his own admission (and enough women have come forward to confirm he was not talking hypothetically) doesn’t change their vote for him are not very good and decent people. I stand by that statement because I cannot believe anyone who is good and decent can believe such a person is fit to be our president. Trump is talking about criminal behavior. I simply cannot imagine how that would not affect how someone votes. So, no, I cannot believe people for whom such a confession doesn’t matter are good and decent.
Jan, You have nicely explained to Wilbur your point about the type of person who will support Trump despite his atrocious words and actions. I would only add that this is not a question of semantics at all. Words like “good” and “decent” (correct spelling) are commonplace enough that most people know and accept their clear meanings. There is no ambiguity inherent in either word, unless someone is looking for an angle or excuse to look past Trump’s undeniably “bad” and “indecent” behavior and vote for him. As you have stated, no good, decent person would do that.
Thanks, Bill. I think that should help.
Thanks Jan, I appreciate your thoughts. I guess I’m just not able/willing to pass that judgement on so many people I don’t know. On a lighter note, regarding my spelling error, could it be that in fact “descent” is indeed an apt description of Donald Trump. His entire campaign seems to be one of a hellish descent.