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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on Monday

Remembering Robbie

A Memorial Day reflection

Robert Reich

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on Monday

Donald Trump: The Anti-Public Servant Donald Trump will never understand the concept of public service. He's never felt the pull of wanting to dedicate himself to a cause bigger than himself. Maybe that's because he doesn't believe there IS anything bigger than himself. Maybe it's because he's the malignant narcissist he appears to be. But when you're president of the United States of America, you should at least be able to fake a belief in the value of public service.  Exhibiting horrific judgment yet again, Donald Trump addressed the graduating class of West Point. He wore his garish, red MAGA cap - which has become a symbol of hate, prejudice, and division - while he blathered on about billionaires and "trophy wives." Yes, that's right . . .  trophy wives. How demeaning and disrespectful to a group of young men and women who have decided to serve something bigger than themselves, to serve the American people, to serve their country. No, Donald Trump will never understand or value the concept of public service. A vivid  reminder of just how self-centered and egomaniacal he is, Donald Trump is throwing himself a birthday party complete with a military parade. This kind of dictatorial move is what we would expect to see in Putin's Russia or Kim Jong Un's North Korea. But it has no place in the United States of America. The reported cost of Trump's birthday parade is somewhere between $25 million and $45 million. Talk about a colossal waste of taxpayer money. Talk about ACTUAL fraud, waste, and abuse. If Donald Trump had even a thimbleful of concern for our military members and veterans, how might he spend those millions and millions of dollars? Just a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure and privilege of participating in an annual fundraising gala put on each year by a wonderful nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating veteran homelessness: Operation Renewed Hope  Foundation (ORHF). Founded in 2011, ORHF's mission is to provide quality housing and support services to our nation's homeless veterans. They provide a range of services assisting veterans in breaking the cycle of homelessness or preventing veterans from becoming homeless.   Hundreds of folks attended the annual Purple and Gold Gala to support veterans in need. The attendees were folks from all across the political spectrum coming together to celebrate veterans, participate in reverse auctions, and give back in some small way to those who served our nation.  How many homeless vets could have their needs met with $25 million?How many with $45 million? But would it ever occur to Donald Trump, even fleetingly, to take those millions and millions of dollars to help struggling veterans who sacrificed to protect the American people? Sadly, the answer is no. Trump wants those millions and millions spent to celebrate . . . him.

 

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