I want to vote for Donald Trump this year. I do. Despite the fact that Hillary and I are fundamentally aligned on nearly every single policy and philosophy and I'd do as much as possible to support nearly any woman in a (good) position of power, I cannot do the "same old, same old," and expect to see the urgent changes we need for our country.
So, nearly nightly, or even weekly when he's on hiatus, I watch Trump speak and reaffirm my decision to support him.
But, then he speaks again.
Here are 12 misspeaks, past and present, which keep repositioning me in the other direction.
1) "If I become president, we're all going to be saying Merry Christmas again, that I can tell you."
I'm a Jew. This one just isn't sitting well with me.
2) Referencing Starbucks decision to eliminate their annual Christmas-themed coffee cups, Trump has suggested boycotting the mega-coffee concern.
You're dissing my good friend. I don't like when you ignore her.
3) Megyn Kelly comments. All of them.
Since I wouldn't take this from a boyfriend/my husband, why would I take the blatant disrespect of a female from anyone else?
4) The birther movement was started by Hilary Clinton.
If I remember distinctly, it was YOU who was seen multiple times with a piece of paper in your hand, saying that Obama was not a naturalized citizen.
5) The number of illegal immigrants in the United States is "30 million, it could be 34 million."
That incorrect and significantly higher number caused me to believe that 1 out of every 12 people who walked by me on the street were undocumented aliens. This also caused me much wariness and a heightened sense of discomfort. I even remember looking behind my shoulder -- something I've never done. I can't live in the country of hope, opportunity and promise still handle that level of fear on a daily basis.
6) "Much more than 50 percent of parents out there are spankers."
Please do not reference me in your speaking engagements. What I do at home is my business.
7) On Mexican undocumented immigrants: "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
With indelible images of the Holocaust still looming right behind us, sweeping generalities about any group can lead to alienation, apartheid and, furthermore, genocide. I'd like to not see this happen again in my lifetime.
8) Mentioning Carly Fiorina, by saying "look at that face" or Arianna Huffington by saying she is unattractive inside and out, I again take great umbrage at this.
While I may not at all like my sisters, I sure as heck don't want to hear you say anything disparaging about them. Ever. Save this for your bedroom talk.
9) "@megynkelly must have had a terrible vacation, she is really off her game."
Again with the Megyn Kelly. What's this about? This is all so unbelievably stupid, that I'd prefer not to comment on your bad behavior. For this one, I was just happy that you didn't go on to suggest she was suffering from PMS, or had her period. (And, yes, I well remember that later "blood" comment, too...)
10) "Dummy Bill Maher did an advertisement for the failing New York Times where the picture of him is very sad-he looks pathetic, bloated & gone!"
Although this was said a few years ago, I was then watching you faithfully on Celebrity Apprentice, and was following your television antics with awe. However, I also remember thinking that the statements you said about others often uncannily reflected my own feelings about you. I also wondered if you felt the same way about yourself as you noted about many others.
11) "I have a great relationship with the blacks."
So what? I can't tell you the number of people in my lifetime who have told me that their best friend is a Jew.
12) Regarding not knowing the names of some of the terror leaders in the Middle East and the difference between Hamas and Hezbollah.
This is ok. We don't expect anyone applying for a job to know everything, let alone the other co-workers at their job. What's a few mistaken major-player names, anyway?
In trying to diagnose you using a variety of therapeutic modalities (I want to understand your perspective as a predicator for possible hiring), could it be that you suffer from a syndrome called "projecting?" Where your own internal turmoil provides the framework for the interactions you have on a daily basis? At the very, very least, I know that someone said so many really bad things to you when you were growing up.
Your on-going public feud with Rosie O'Donnell reminds me of a scorned lover. For that matter, add Carly Fiorina, Megyn Kelly and a host of other women you've disrespectfully and disparagingly mentioned in public during the past few decades. Are you sure you haven't been with ANY of them? Perhaps, THEY rejected YOU?
Mr. Trump, you have a few more opportunities to hook me in -- really hook me in. First and foremost, if you stick to the simple task at hand: applying for the job of president, perhaps you'll show me all the reasons why I and everyone else should truly vote for you. Many of us remember your past statements; but, at that point, you had a secure job. At this juncture, on the journey of your newest venture, we're very eager to hear whatever substantive you have to say.
And one more thing: please know this -- I'm really trying. I'm really, really trying to like you and ultimately support you. However, I'm afraid that on the night before the election, you'll say something bad about me or one of my friends/family, or even a local, national or world leader.
At that point, I assure you, I won't be able to give you my vote.