America in Trump's Image

We all know that there has been so much outrage on both sides in this election, that it's difficult to sort fact from fiction, and it's difficult to curb our emotions and be rational. We ARE heading into uncharted waters with an unqualified leader, but a lot of what we're scared of is trumped up (pardon the pun). 

The racism, xenophobia, misogyny, favoritism, and other failings we're attributing to Trump aren't all Trump, even if they exist in more than our indignation. They are America.

We've been coasting along for some time now, especially under Obama's presidency, thinking we're doing pretty well. We're the strongest, richest, smartest, most successful country. Aren't we? Or do we sound just like Trump, puffing ourselves up for our own satisfaction? We are the richest? Aren't we also the most in debt? Trump has a few bankruptcies. How do they compare with us raising the debt ceiling? 

Trump treats women like sex objects. Surprise -- so does most of the world. Trump says what he thinks people want to hear. He didn't make up that habit. Trump thinks he can fix the corruption in Washington. Who's to say he can't? He's certainly not the first person to want to do it.

I'm not a Trump fan, and I particularly dislike his use of Twitter to publicize childish comments and opinions. But when I look at Trump, I have to recognize that on many levels, he's an accurate reflection of America. We hate looking at the ugly truth just under the surface in our culture, just like Trump hates being criticized. But if we don't look at it, that doesn't mean it isn't there. 

We are racist. We are isolationist. We are wary of people who are different in any way, whether in ethnicity or gender identification or fashion statements or food choices. We want to be right. We want to be best. We want to win. 

As much as we demand Trump take a good hard look at himself and start the hard work of leading us with integrity, diplomacy, and fairness, we have to look at ourselves as well, and recognize that we aren't anywhere near as evolved as we like to pretend we are. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Click the image to access source -- a satirical article on the same subject.