Trump’s grandfather was an illegal migrant who emigrated to the United States in 1885 in order to avoid Germany’s mandatory military draft. Trump’s grandfather prospered in America by trafficking in prostitution, gambling and illegal liquor sales; among other things. Trump’s grandfather was denied permission to return to Germany because of his shirking military service and because of his unauthorized emigration. Grandfather Trump was forced to return to the US with his pregnant newlywed wife (Wikipedia). Where would the United States be today had grandfather Trump been allowed to remain in his homeland? We can only be wistful.
Avoiding military service runs in the Trump family. It must be a bad gene. It is legend that Trump conveniently avoided the military draft by having “a podiatrist who rented office space from Trump’s father [who] may have provided a disqualifying bone spurs diagnosis as a favor.” Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany and Barron haven’t volunteered to wear the uniform.
Trump did not know the historical significance of Pearl Harbor. He didn’t know why he was receiving a private tour of the USS Arizona Memorial. White House Chief of Staff General Kelly had to school uninformed Trump on the history of Pearl Harbor and for why they visited this hallowed ground.
Trump once referred to American war dead as “suckers” and “losers.” This was his rationale for skipping a 2018 scheduled visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France.
And now Trump wants to have a pointless military parade that is projected to cost upwards of $45,000,000 of our tax dollars. For what? To satisfy Trump’s narcissistic ego? This wanna-be dictator authoritarian wants to keep up with the likes of Stalin, Saddam Hussien, Putin and Kim Jong Un? Trump and his prostitute presidency is out of control (i.e. pay up! If you want to get bamboozled. I am being benign and polite.)
Trump wouldn’t know the symbolism of an “Eyes Right!” command or the symbolism of a 21-gun salute. So why have a budget-busting parade for a slow-witted president who is only interested in his own aggrandizement, vanity and ego?
A cursory glance at Trump’s “extreme toxic bill” in Congress proposes a $5 billion tax cut for the wealthy and for Corporate America to be offset by funding cuts to needy health coverages and food assistance programs; among cuts to other benevolent government programs.
Trump is the poster-boy for everything that is wrong with America: he doesn’t do what is right, his patriotism is fake, he doesn’t represent America’s true values and he certainly doesn’t stand up against institutions that betray America’s values. He continues to use the presidency only to enrich himself and his family.
Besides, most soldiers would rather have the day off than to march in a parade. Contact Senators Murray, Cantwell and Congresswoman Schrier and object by saying “I am mad as hell…and I am not going to take it anymore!” and ask, “Where are the coward Republicans?” Enough.
Stanley McKie
Enumclaw
