Instead
of mobilizing international coalitions to take on world problems, he
touts the doctrine of “every nation for itself” and has led America into
isolated positions on trade, climate change and Middle East peace.
Instead of engaging in creative diplomacy, he has insulted United States
neighbors and allies, walked away from key international agreements,
mocked multilateral organizations and stripped the State Department of
its resources and role. Instead of standing up for the values of a free
society, Mr. Trump, with his oft-vented scorn for democracy’s building
blocks, has strengthened the hands of dictators. No longer need they
fear United States criticism regarding human rights or civil liberties.
On the contrary, they can and do point to Mr. Trump’s own words to
justify their repressive actions.
At
one time or another, Mr. Trump has attacked the judiciary, ridiculed
the media, defended torture, condoned police brutality, urged supporters
to rough up hecklers and — jokingly or not — equated mere policy
disagreements with treason. He tried to undermine faith in America’s
electoral process through a bogus advisory commission on voter
integrity. He routinely vilifies federal law enforcement institutions.
He libels immigrants and the countries from which they come. His words
are so often at odds with the truth that they can appear ignorant, yet
are in fact calculated to exacerbate religious, social and racial
divisions. Overseas, rather than stand up to bullies, Mr. Trump appears
to like bullies, and they are delighted to have him represent the
American brand. If one were to draft a script chronicling fascism’s
resurrection, the abdication of America’s moral leadership would make a
credible first scene.
Equally
alarming is the chance that Mr. Trump will set in motion events that
neither he nor anyone else can control. His policy toward North Korea
changes by the day and might quickly return to saber-rattling should
Pyongyang prove stubborn before or during talks. His threat to withdraw
from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement could unravel a pact that has made
the world safer and could undermine America’s reputation for
trustworthiness at a critical moment. His support of protectionist
tariffs invites retaliation from major trading partners — creating
unnecessary conflicts and putting at risk millions of export-dependent
jobs. The recent purge of his national security team raises new
questions about the quality of advice he will receive. John Bolton
starts work in the White House on Monday.
What
is to be done? First, defend the truth. A free press, for example, is
not the enemy of the American people; it is the protector of the
American people. Second, we must reinforce the principle that no one,
not even the president, is above the law. Third, we should each do our
part to energize the democratic process by registering new voters,
listening respectfully to those with whom we disagree, knocking on doors
for favored candidates, and ignoring the cynical counsel: “There’s
nothing to be done.”
I’m
80 years old, but I can still be inspired when I see young people
coming together to demand the right to study without having to wear a
flak jacket.
We
should also reflect on the definition of greatness. Can a nation merit
that label by aligning itself with dictators and autocrats, ignoring
human rights, declaring open season on the environment, and disdaining
the use of diplomacy at a time when virtually every serious problem
requires international cooperation?
To
me, greatness goes a little deeper than how much marble we put in our
hotel lobbies and whether we have a Soviet-style military parade.
America at its best is a place where people from a multitude of
backgrounds work together to safeguard the rights and enrich the lives
of all. That’s the example we have always aspired to set and the model
people around the world hunger to see. And no politician, not even one
in the Oval Office, should be allowed to tarnish that dream. (Full Story NYT)
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