By: David Lagerre:
When Trump Acts Like a Child, Americans Suffer
The Cost of Childish Leadership
Last night’s military tragedy showed us exactly who Donald Trump is. While families grieved their loved ones lost in the helicopter-jet collision, Trump couldn’t help but make it all about himself. Instead of bringing the country together, he pointed fingers and blamed others – just like a child who won’t take responsibility for their actions.
This isn’t the first time Trump has acted this way. His presidency and return to power have been filled with moments where he’s lashed out, blamed others, and refused to take accountability. Whether it’s name-calling his opponents with childish nicknames like “Sleepy Joe” or “Crooked Hillary,” or storming out of meetings when he doesn’t get his way, Trump’s behavior is more fitting for a schoolyard bully than the leader of the free world.
A Pattern of Dangerous Behavior
Think about what happened just days ago. Trump ordered his team to stop payments for Medicare, hospitals, and other programs that help regular Americans. Why? Because he wanted to fight something he calls “woke.” He didn’t think about how this would hurt real people:
- Sick people waiting for medical care
- Kids who need school programs
- Veterans seeking help
- Families trying to get home loans
Take Sarah, a single mom in Ohio, who relies on Medicaid to cover her son’s asthma treatments. “I don’t care about politics,” she said. “I just want my son to be able to breathe. But now I’m scared we won’t be able to afford his medicine because of some political game.”
This isn’t how a president should act. When I served in the military, we always had a plan and a backup plan. Trump just acts without thinking about what might happen to regular Americans.
Real Problems Need Real Solutions
During the briefing about the crash, Trump couldn’t even stay focused on the tragedy. Instead, he:
- Bragged about himself
- Attacked Pete Buttigieg with mean comments
- Made fun of safety standards
- Blamed others for his problems
He even said, “I have common sense, OK? Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t.” This is the same man who once suggested injecting disinfectant to fight COVID-19. Is this the “common sense” we’re supposed to trust?
Meanwhile, rescue workers were still searching for victims in the Potomac River. This shows exactly what’s wrong with his leadership – he cares more about looking good than doing good.
Why This Matters to You
Every time Trump acts like this, regular Americans pay the price. Whether it’s:
- Your grandmother’s Medicare benefits
- Your kid’s school program
- Your neighbor’s veteran services
- Your family’s healthcare
These aren’t just news stories – they’re real problems affecting real people in our communities.
Even some elected officials are speaking out. Senator Elizabeth Warren said, “This is not leadership. This is chaos. When the president of the United States makes decisions without thinking about the consequences, it’s the American people who suffer. We need to hold him accountable.”
What We Can Do About It
Here’s the good news: we can fight back. And we don’t have to wait for the next big election to do it. Here’s how:
- Make Your Voice Heard
- Call your representatives in Congress
- Call your Senators
- Contact your state officials
- Reach out to local leaders
Don’t know who to call? Google “[your town] representatives” to find phone numbers and email addresses.
- Send a Clear Message
Tell them:- You’re watching how they vote
- You expect them to stand up to Trump
- You’ll remember their actions at election time
- No seat is safe if they don’t listen to voters
- Get Involved Locally
- Attend town meetings
- Join local political groups
- Support good candidates
- Vote in EVERY election, even small ones
Building Power from the Ground Up
The Republicans got strong by winning small elections first – from school boards to town councils. We need to do the same thing. Every position matters:
- School board member
- Town council member
- County commissioner
- State representative
No job is too small to make a difference in your community.
More Examples of Trump’s Childish Behavior
Trump’s behavior isn’t new. It’s a pattern we’ve seen over and over again:
- Storming Out of Meetings: In 2019, Trump walked out of a meeting with Democratic leaders about infrastructure funding, saying, “I don’t do cover-ups,” after being criticized for his handling of the Mueller investigation.
- Name-Calling: From “Pocahontas” (Elizabeth Warren) to “Little Marco” (Marco Rubio), Trump’s insults are more fitting for a playground than the Oval Office.
- Refusing to Accept Defeat: After losing the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede, spreading lies about voter fraud and inciting the January 6th Capitol riot.
- Blaming Others: Whether it’s the media, Democrats, or even his own staff, Trump never takes responsibility for his mistakes.
These aren’t just personality quirks – they’re dangerous behaviors that hurt our country.
The Time to Act Is Now
We can’t just sit back and hope things get better. Every phone call, every vote, every action counts. Trump’s behavior shows us what happens when we don’t stay involved in our democracy.
Remember: America isn’t just about one person or one president. It’s about all of us working together to make things better. When we join forces, speak up, and take action, we can create the change we want to see.
Let’s get to work. Our democracy depends on it.
