My parents are Republican. I [kind of] understand the Republican political platform. It's one built on traditional values, one that desires free markets and conservative social principles. It's one that desires to protect our country and the people. But Donald Trump does not stand for Republican values. The people in his party don't respect him. He does not embody the family values, or the general values the party claims to espouse.
No, I don't agree with Clinton or the Democratic party on all their platforms and ideologies. Clinton is not the perfect solution to all America's issues and she ain't of perfect character either. But I think there are important things the we as Christians, and as Asian Americans, must reevaluate.
I lean more democratic than republican, yes. But my problem with Donald Trump is not his party, but him himself. Yes, his party may have better values, better policies, better temperament than he does. But he's the face. The representation of the Republican party, of "good conservative values", of Christian values. And I can't get over that.
I can't get over the fact that his hate and arrogance and misogyny and xenophobia and racism are what liberal/non-Christian America see in Christians. We are the representation of Christ. In Matthew 15:18 it says: "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." Do you know what has come from his mouth? Could he have a good heart? I am broken by the things he has said about people. I'm sure he has plenty of good things to say about the [white, goes-to-church (but not necessarily Christian)] American, but what has he said about minorities, about immigrants, about women, about anyone who doesn't look and support what he does? Nasty.
No, I do not think you are racist, xenophobic, sexist, misogynistic, or homophobic.
But darling, he is.
He most certainly, certainly is.
And I'm afraid that by supporting him, by voting for him, we've said - it's okay to be all those things, because you know, he'll help small businesses. He'll make America great again and bring back jobs so, it's okay if he says and does all those other things.
I wish, I wish people would denounce that. My trouble with people who closet-ly voted for Trump is that they couldn't say - NO! It's BAD that he does those things it's WRONG that he treats and acts that way. I support his economic and fiscal and international policies but it's that's NOT how you treat others!
But I haven't heard that. Not at all.
My qualms with Trump could go on forever. The worldwide markets are quite upset he was elected, and beyond his inability to actually run a business, he has no real political experience. We elected a guy, who has a hot temper, an inability to get along with people he remotely dislikes, and no experience, to be the leader of arguably the most powerful country in the world. PLUS, he has no reasonable support team or cabinet to help him with it.
I have just, a couple more things I promise.
As first generation Asian Americans, with parents who immigrated from foreign lands to create a life and a life for us here, we are privileged. Privileged that America allowed our parents in, privileged that they could work and build something for themselves and for us here, privileged that we got to grow up in comfortable neighborhoods in great schools because of their hard work.
How can we deny others that?
In Luke 6:32-36 it says:
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that...But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.And yes, above all, I know Christ is in control. I know God has a greater and better plan than we could ever, ever imagine and I know that he's conquered all. Thank God. Things will never be right with the "correct" president. We live in a broken world, with broken people. But we as Christians are to be His representations of the hope and goodness of Christ.
And I just can't see how Trump is any of that.
But the election is over, and the only way to move now, is forward. So yes, I implore everyone to pray. To pray for America, for Trump, for the people, and to love. To love everyone around us as Christ calls us to love.
end rant.
11.10.16
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