Delusions

"It happened during his reign." -- Donald J. Trump

"Let my father rule." -- Tricia Nixon

Presidents do not reign. Neither do they rule.

   Words convey messages. Sometimes these messages are intended, and sometimes they reveal what the speaker really thinks.
   Republican candidate Donald J. Trump may not have intended to portray the White House as a royal palace, and he may not have consciously intended to equate the presidency with a monarchy.
   Nonetheless, when he said during a televised interview that the 9/11 attack happened while George W. Bush was President, implying that Bush was somehow responsible for it, Trump did say that the disaster "happened during his reign."
   And when President Richard Nixon was being severely criticized, daughter Tricia did say that the critics should leave him alone and let him "rule."
   For Trump to use a verb like "reign" shows a deep-seated belief that as President, he would hold absolute power, and no one should dare to contradict or disagree with him in any way, about any thing, in any detail, ever.
   Such an attitude may work in his corporate world, where as chief executive he holds all power. It does not, cannot, and should not operate in the political and governmental setting that is America. Trump has shown an intolerance for criticism before, most notably when it comes from journalists who ask penetrating questions, as well as from opposing candidates who criticize him. And instead of responding to the question or criticism, he resorts to abuse, insult and vilification. That's no way to run a campaign or a government. To believe otherwise is a delusion.
   To accept the delusions of such a candidate endangers the values of a free society.
   To blame the problems of a nation on members of a minority group is a strategy that has been used before. Inevitably, it led to disaster and tyranny.

   It can't happen here, you say?
   Oh, but it can, and very nearly did. Twice. And not the fictional account in the book by Sinclair Lewis.
   It happened first in the 1930s, while Franklin D. Roosevelt was President, and a cabal of corporate titans plotted a military coup. See "The Plot To Seize The White House," by Jules Archer.
   A similar action nearly happened when Richard M. Nixon was President and he wanted to activate the military to strengthen his hold on power. Fortunately, presidential advisor Henry Kissinger intervened to stop the move.
      So despite the politicians' standard defense of "What I really meant was ..." it remains true that we know what was said, and words carry the true meanings of what the speaker believes.