If you liked Donald Trump going into the first presidential debate, you probably thought he won the debate against Hillary Clinton.
If you liked Clinton going in, you surely thought she won.
If you were among the undecided or the depressed voters, you are probably still both.
There are good reasons to not vote for Clinton, as many friends point out, but the reasons to not stand with Trump, to not vote for him, far outweigh the reasons to not vote for her. My guess, though, is that many Americans will simply opt out of voting in the presidential race. They will vote down-ballot only.
Months ago, I began listing the reasons to vote “No” on Mr. Trump, because he is the antithesis of every value I learned growing up as a Boy Scout and later a U.S. Marine.
The Boy Scout Law asks boys and men to be “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.” The Marine values are honor, courage and commitment to do what is right at the highest level of ethics and integrity. Trump exhibits none of those traits or values.
I know this sounds naïve in the world that Trump sees, but it is also naïve to think that the country can do well led by a man for who values are irrelevant. Winning is all that matters for him. Collateral damage to people in the way be damned.
The list of “No Trump” reasons has grown to 100 (see my website for full account), with the addition of these three:
98. His Donald Trump Foundation is a personal piggy bank. Untaxed money owed to him or his businesses that should have been subject to tax flowed into the foundation; personal payments and political donations flowed out. It was either very sloppy or callous financial management that bordered on the criminal.
99. Grossly under-prepared for the critical debate, he broke all the rules, interrupting and overriding his opponent and moderator repeatedly. His disorderly or under-informed mind caused him to miss the point of questions. In short, he covers up for an undisciplined mind with bluster, bullying, repetition and theatrics.
100. He is oblivious to the truth, as his reversal of his birther slur, five-year slander, demonstrates.
Three more No Trump reasons; total now 100
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