February 20, 2017 – Not My President?
What does that mean? I was going to write something about presidential characteristics, but on the way home tonight I heard news reports about multiple demonstrations across the country with people communicating the slogan “Not My President.” I’m far from an apologist for our current administration, but I’m irritated by the message these folks are trying to send. Would they say “Not My Mother” if she did something they opposed? What about “Not My Son” if he demonstrated less than appropriate behavior? The United States of America has a President. We choose the President through our election process that historically has proven to be the most reliable manifestation of the art of democracy ever attempted globally. That is not hyperbole–its patriotism and its been defended by honorable men and women for nearly two and half centuries. I interpret “Not My President” to mean the protester is saying “I’m Not American.” At least that is what it meant the last time that phrase was used so openly and broadly in our nation as Abraham Lincoln was trying to keep our country together. Don’t take that to mean I put our current Commander in Chief on the same level as Honest Abe. I’m just disappointed that this President’s Day the focus is on division when we’re supposed to honor two Presidents who served with honesty and integrity in an effort to unite our country at two distinctly tenuous times in our history.
The rewriting of the statement to “I’m not an American” may be the most accurate representation to date. Untold thousands have died to preserve our freedoms and government. If you want to receive the benefits of America, you need to appreciate and defend the government of America. Perfect? No, but it still works if you work with it.