Trumpster: "Don't like the man, like what he has done." Really?

You probably have heard many Trump supporters justify their support for this man by saying they don't really like him, but they support the things he has done for their country-- notice, it's always "their country" or "my country.' but not "our country." They say things like: "He's not like me. I will never behave like him, but I am pleased with what he is doing for my country."

Nazi Slogan

Unfortunately, my friends, this sounds very much like what the Germans said about Hitler, They were willing to overlook Hitler's authoritarianism because they liked what he was doing--making Germany great again. They were willing to overlook his overthrow of the rule of law, because, after their defeat in WWI, Hitler's nationalist policies made them feel that "Deutschland uber Alles" was a good idea and that the "Final Solution" was part of making Germany great again.

And in Trump's case, his supporters like what he has done even though they don't want to be associated with his lack of morality.

Okay, so they like what he has done. Let's see, what has he done.

One of the most obvious things he has done is to divide our country as it has not been since the Civil War. Our enemies, particularly Russia, have been trying to accomplish this goal for years, and Trump accomplished it in a relatively short period of time.

In addition, he has in a few short years destroyed our country's reputation around the world. After he has unilaterally broken treaties and withdrawn from pacts and agreements, other countries no longer trust us. The American handshake has lost its credibility. His reluctance to fully accept NATO has some of our oldest allies wondering whether they can count on the United States.

Are these the Trump accomplishments that his supporters are so proud of?

Or perhaps they like his flirtation with the White Supremacists and the fact that racists now feel enabled by his rhetoric and behavior. Let's hope that is not what they like.

One of the things Trump has done that history will not forget is that he instituted policies that discriminate on the basis of religion. His Muslim ban goes contrary to our history and national character. Again, let's hope his supporters are not in favor of his religious discrimination.

And then there is what Trump has done on our southern border.  Separating children from their parents and incarcerating them is not something we should be proud of. How many lives have been irreparably damaged as a result? We can but hope his supporters are not considering these policies a positive.

Another thing. Trump was impeached because he withheld military assistance to Ukraine in order to encourage interference in our 2020 elections. Strangely, even the GOP senators who acquitted him admitted that he was guilty.

At this point, Trump supporters are saying "But, but what about the economy? Our economy is doing so well. The Stock Market is at record highs. Unemployment is low. All is well."

All is well if you are wealthy because you were given a large permanent tax cut and the stock market is doing well. If you are in the middle class, you received a temporary and modest tax cut. If you are poor, you have, in this economy, very limited opportunities to improve your situation and you are losing the promised "safety net."

And looking at the bigger picture, we find Trump's economic policies have caused our national debt to mushroom. Candidate Trump promised to eliminate the nation's debt in eight years. But in reality, his policies will add $9.1 trillion during that time. The debt would increase to $29 trillion according to Trump's own budget estimates. Our country's debt exceeds our Gross Domestic Product. Now Trump tells us not to worry because we will just print more money. That's his economic policy? That indeed is worrisome.

Trump's tariff war with China has had several unfortunate results for our country. In the first place, China now buys significant amounts of agricultural products from Russia and South America instead of from our farmers. Secondly, as a result of Trump's tariff policies, our government is paying American farmers welfare checks to compensate them for the lost trade -- another hit on the budget.

Manufacturing Recession

In addition, manufacturing and good-paying manufacturing jobs are in decline. According to the NYT, manufacturing is in a recession, and although the unemployment rate is low, those who have manufacturing jobs, still find it difficult to get a meaningful raise.

And since Trump took office the number of people living in poverty has increased, as has the number of working poor. A significant number of Americans don't feel he is making America great. Many of the working poor have to hold down two jobs to stay above water.

So, when someone tells me they don't like Trump as a person, but they like what he has done, I fear they have been drinking the Kool-aide purchased at a Trump rally, You drink that stuff and your brain goes to mush.