This nation lost an admirable leader with the passing of Sen. John McCain. Here was a man who put honor, dignity and nation above partisan politics, above personal gain, and above himself.
From refusing to allow the North Vietnamese to set him free early because he was an admiral’s son, to his response to a woman who believed then-presidential candidate Barack Obama was a Muslim, McCain put integrity ahead of his personal advantage. His legendary friendship with political rival, Sen. Ted Kennedy is exactly what is too often missing in today’s Washington.
The Senator was quick to admit a mistake. He returned to South Carolina to say he was wrong to support the flying of Confederate flags above statehouses. He often apologized to reporters after discovering he was wrong. Let us remind ourselves that these are the qualities we look for in a leader. These are qualities that, unfortunately, are sorely lacking in the current occupant of the White House.
Honor and dignity are not words associated with President Donald Trump. Who can honestly state they believe Trump puts the nation above personal gain? Whenever has Mr. Trump admitted to, let alone apologized for, a mistake. Something the late senator said brought me to write this comparison. He took great pride in “serving something greater than myself.” The Donald, as he used to refer to himself, serves The Donald first and foremost.
Dear Mr. President, it is time for you to act as honorably and selflessly as McCain. It is time for you, and your most ardent followers, to realize that it isn’t all about you, Mr. Trump. The economy is not all about you. The duty of the Department of Justice is not all about you. American foreign policy is not all about you. The special prosecutor’s investigation is not all about you. You sir are a servant, subservient to the nation.
It is time, Mr. President to understand, if not publicly admit, we are in the 10th year of continued economic growth; time to understand that the growth in 2017, for instance, had little if anything to do with your policies. It takes many months for any president’s policies or budget to take effect. Lest it utterly destroy your confidence Mr. President, you really should admit, at least to yourself, that if impeached, we would not become an impoverished nation. That was simply one of the most egotistical and ignorant statements ever uttered from the mouth of an American chief executive.
Bullying the leaders of allied nations while praising tyrants may serve your ego Mr. President, but our foreign policy is not all about you.
It is time Mr. President to put up or shut up about your displeasure with the attorney general. If he is as bad as you say then get rid of him. But sir, you had better come up with a more convincing argument that Attorney General Jeff Sessions has not “taken control of the Justice Department.”
It is time Mr. President to stop calling the Russian investigation a “witch hunt.” It is time sir, to acknowledge the work of America’s intelligence services and admit the Russians successfully interfered with the American election. Please put their word above that of Mr. Putin. It may damage your ego sir, but, again, it is not all about you. The Mueller investigation was created not to destroy your administration. It was created to get to the bottom of whether or not Russia interfered and if any American aided in that effort, willingly or otherwise. The investigation is not ended and you sir, should just let justice take its course.
Michael Adkins is the former chair of the Hancock County Democratic Party. He lives in Greenfield. Send comments to [email protected].
