This last weekend in West Bend was about as nice as life gets. The weather was near perfect, and the community’s parks were full of life.
A huge cast of gifted adults and dozens of kids put on a terrific show of the “Annie the Musical” at the Silver Lining Arts Center. Volunteers from the Ice Age Trail Alliance finished a new segment of the trail between the Polk Kames and the Fox Hill trails. Other volunteers ushered people to their seats at The Bend Theater for a concert. This year’s United Way campaign is underway, with volunteers and donors certain to make it another in a long string of successful fundraising for people in the community who need some extra help. The Museum of Wisconsin Art is launching a Frank Lloyd Wright furniture exhibit that will draw from far and wide.
Is life perfect here? Life is always a mixed bag, but it’s pretty darn good here, across Wisconsin and across America.
Yet our national political leader wears very dark glasses. President Trump sees an economy that is “carnage;” he sees an “invasion” of undesirables undermining the country; he sees “enemies” everywhere he looks.
One truism you learn early in business and organizations of all stripes is that the tone of the organization starts at the top – with the CEO.
So what kind of tone is set for the country when our CEO — President Trump -– says with vehemence: “I hate my opponent.” With his approval ratings at only about 40%, that means he has 60% opponents on how he is running our fabulous country. Does he hate all those opponents?
Our national CEO professes to be a Christian. Yet the CEO of Christianity, Jesus Christ, leads with love. As in “Love thy neighbor.”
At the local level and state level, Josh Schoemann, Washington County executive, opened his campaign with exactly that message: “Love thy neighbor.” That broad expression of belief may not be directly actionable in the political world, but it does set the tone for his office and for his campaign. Good for him.
Our congressman, Republican Scott Fitzgerald also sounded a collaborative note after the murder of Charlie Kirk. He said, “The choice before us is simple: either we recommit ourselves to free speech and civil disagreement, or we allow violence to erode the foundations of our Republic.” Good for him, too. No hate there.
Words matter in this life. So when Trump uses the word “hate,” you have to take him at his word.
In my view, our 79-year-old president has gone ‘round the bend. Only a sicko could see evil when 95% or more of Americans get out of bed every day and try to do good in this sometimes challenging world.
They go to work making products or delivering services for their fellow citizens. Most raise their families responsibly. They treat their elders with respect. In West Bend, as an example, they volunteer for one, often more, duties. They pay their taxes, even when they don’t agree with all policy decisions. A good percentage serve their country in the armed forces. They obey our laws. They try to be optimistic. They respect our Kettle Moraine lands, our lakes, rivers and streams, our air, and work to make them even cleaner.
Does Trump not see that positive reality?
Truth be told, he conjures up a negative picture so he can declare “emergencies” that don’t really exist. Then he has a fake reason to send the troops and ICE to intimidate the citizenry.
I have written before that he deserves an honorary doctorate in B.S. His speeches are looney, full of non-truths, illogical and mean-spirited. Enough of that already. Could he please just shut his foul mouth and get off social media.
Step back, Mr. President, and let Americans get about the work of building this generally wonderful country.
