The American Experience: What it's like Living in Two Worlds

After WWII, when I grew up in the 50s and 60s, America was a beacon of freedom, and the Constitution wasn't under fire by an authoritarian malicious narcissist grifting off of the presidency.

There was almost a universal respect for the office of president. I studied the presidents in elementary school and had a working knowledge of democracy and American history. I was proud to be an American. Sadly, I'm not so proud being an American now.

I'm more embarrassed than proud. As I watch a convicted felon and sexual predator play president, I get increasingly disgusted at what he's managing to get away with despite violating every law of the land. The contrast between Harry S. Truman and Donald J. Trump are wider than the Grand Canyon.

The contrast between eras is striking and scary. My generation is faced with another version of America where the office of the presidency was respected, unlike now where it's reviled by a majority of Americans and foreigners who fear and loath Trump.

I remember a time when corruption wasn't rewarded unlike now. If a politician even had a hint of an extra-marital affair or was stealing from taxpayers that was the end of their career. Now being openly corrupt is no longer a problem as Trump ignores past precedents and appoints his minions to positions of power throughout the government.

We had (and still have) religious cults to deal with in the past, but now we have a cult in charge of our whole country. Currently our president is openly working on rigging our upcoming midterm elections. His loyalists in every state are doing their best to disenfranchise American voters. 

For someone who remembers John F. Kennedy campaigning around the country and encouraging all voters to exercise their rights, it's shocking to see what's happened to the presidency under Trump.

I'm not under the illusion that there were never wealthy individuals pulling the levers of power in past administrations. But now billionaires are openly running the country as they've assumed every position of power in the government with Trump's help.

I have a hard time seeing Jimmy Carter accepting a jet from a middle eastern country seeking influence despite it being an enormous emolument violation. But the generous gift from the Qatar government to Trump last year is now at his disposal. He openly accepts bribes from foreign countries who compete among themselves to give him golden goodies in exchange for favors.

As a nation we have lost our way and no longer can claim to be for freedom and equality for all. Watching this political and cultural transformation during the decade of Trump is the worst experience of my life, right next to serving in Vietnam as a Combat Engineer in 1970.

As it Stands, I'm not ready to give up on our country because I know what it could still be after Trump's exit from the White House.