Who to "Root" For

 

In a recent post a friend from the right he wrote, "If you're rooting against the President, you're rooting against the nation." He then went on to correctly state that we could oppose policy, vote against him, and demand oversight. He also inferred that, by not "rooting for" the president meant that we were hoping for a tanking economy, foreign policy disasters, and national humiliation on the world stage. His general statement was that, hoping for the collapse of this administration was…, “reckless and it is anti American.”

His post presents a common theme that blindly accepts the actions of a leader because he is the leader. All opposition beyond the voting booth or disagreeing with simple policy is equated with being anti-American. I wrote a reply.

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When you say, “root for” our president, that infers that one actively supports that person and encourages them in their endeavors. Given that we are still living in a democracy, I will not “kiss the ring” of a self-declared authoritarian actively ignoring the rule of law, defying judicial rulings, and trampling on the rights of our citizens. I will support our police and military while they do their jobs and work within the law. I do not support the thugs within ICE who, under the guise of immigration enforcement and unspecified national emergencies, shred the Bill of Rights.

As for a tanking economy, foreign policy disasters, and national humiliation on the world stage, this president needs no help as he is doing what he can to bring all of that upon us. I would also ask, what does overthrowing oppressive regimes in other countries have to do with his nationalist America First promises.

So far, he used the U.S. military in Venezuela, at the cost of over $700,000,000, to capture two people. That’s over $350 million per person. The Maduro regime is now run by Delcy Rodriguez and her brother Jorge Rodriguez. How is this an improvement?

The WAR in Iran initially cost over $5 billion and continues to cost taxpayers $900 million to $1 billion per day. The political cost exceeds even that. It has triggered significant economic instability, caused a sharp rise in oil and gas prices, stock market volatility, and has placed a major strain on military ammunition stockpiles. It has added to geopolitical instability and the civilian collateral damage losses will raise the threat level for Americans.

While Donald Trump won the last election with a plurality of 49.8%, today’s disapproval rating is at 56%. Nobody is “rooting” for America to fail. This president is failing by his own actions. He is his own worst enemy. No amount of cheering him on will help. So, pointing out his failures and mistakes is not “anti American”, in fact it is the most American thing a person living in a democracy can do.