To the editor:

The GOP convention theme was, “Re-elect Trump, because under Biden you will see economic disaster and burning cities.” Um… we ALREADY see that, just by looking around us. A mere four years after Trump replaces the Republican Party with Trumpism and becomes President, chaos reigns. Rioting, businesses in ruins, widespread economic misery, a major epidemic raging nearly unchecked, and our foreign alliances in tatters.

Goodness! After Trump’s 2016 election, I expected trouble, but not to this extent, nor to these depths. Trump’s governmental ineptitude is as epic as his historic business failures. Worse, in 2016 I would never have thought that both the leadership and the body of the Republican Party would abandon their principles, embracing the corrupt, stinking mess of Trumpism, and allowing the destruction of our non-partisan protections. All for a few Federal judgeships, and some tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent.

Look, I know President Trump could not have prevented the coronavirus from reaching our shores. But his ineptitude and active interference in controlling its spread led our country backwards. We are a world-wide disgrace, suffering countless needless deaths. Add to this the economic black hole we are falling into, with no bottom yet in sight.

Every president must deal with disaster. That’s why we HAVE a strong executive. Not for when the sun shines warm and bright, and rain comes in good measure. We have a strong executive for when Ebola threatens, or airliners crash into our skyscrapers, or foreign or domestic enemies attack. It does no good for Trump to whine about how unfair it is. Crises DEFINE presidencies, and presidents. Spirits of our past leaders look on the current occupant in disgust and dismay.

As for the rest of the mess we are in, especially our burgeoning social unrest, it is directly due to Trumpism. Our president gives legitimacy and voice to ugly fringe elements, stirring up reaction and counter-reaction. Of course social unrest ensues. And another four years stirring up hate and division guarantees more, at increasing levels.

Dark days forecast by President Trump are not in the future. They are HERE NOW. Not created by Biden, but by President Trump. Pity the mess that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris inherit, should they be elected, as I pitied Obama and Biden the mess inherited from the 2008 Great Recession. Obama and Biden prevailed, leading the way to an historic economic recovery not because of a magic plan, but because they were decent and truthful, caring deeply, working hard for everyone. You cannot say that about the current occupant of the White House.

Another four years of this? I can’t begin to predict what might happen with another four years of Trumpism.

Jim Bodine

New Ulm