Trumpety Trump

I’ve never really been into nor get politics – maybe because of my Singaporean upbringing (yay for benevolent dictatorship!); but this recent US election sure got my attention. I’m also no expert in American politics – my education began with The West Wing, I still don’t get how something moves through Congress or the Senate, and I neither identify as a Republican nor Democrat. But, so much has been tweeted, published and said about this election; and I’d just like to process out-loud a little.

There are many theories on how or why Trump won. Democracy gone awry, people just wanted change, he tapped into the deep dissatisfaction that people had, everyone loves an underdog, the election was Hillary’s to lose, he is white and male, etc. But at the end of the day, it was a choice between 2 extremely unqualified candidates (John Piper); facts or alternative facts; they all fade into the grey sea of politics. I can’t in good conscience support or endorse either, and I don’t like either of them. I am so glad that I did not have to vote.

However, is it so bad that he won? Look at Absalom, Nebuchadnezzar, the Pharisees, Pilate; the norm in the Bible is bad leaders. Horrific leaders. Recent history can also attest to that – Hitler, Mao, Mussolini, Bill Clinton. How does Trump compare?

I’m not saying that we should reduce our standard for leaders, but we need to recognize that “good” leaders are rare and nothing short of God’s good grace. Having a “good” leader is a gift, not an entitlement. If we expect the worst, as is to be expected in this broken fallen world, then nothing’s gonna be “too bad”. So God gave the role to him, I pray that he will make the best of the opportunity he has been given and Christians can hopefully lead more quiet and peaceful lives and advance the Kingdom of God.

As to where I stand on the few topics (just my personal opinion) –

1. Yay for gun control. Ban guns, absolutely.
2. Nay for abortion. Feminists drive me crazy on this one. Thou shalt not kill y’all! And you can’t do whatever you like with your body, it’s not yours! Provisions to be made for ethically challenging situations like it’s either the mother or baby.
3. Basic human dignity for all – meaning you don’t discriminate against the minorities or abuse those who have a different gender orientation. They are still made in the image of God. Co-exist with them, respect them, befriend them, love them, try to understand them, walk in their skin, see them. But the LGBTQ have also irked me as well with all their agendas and "misusing" the First Amendment. It does not help that they dominate the media, and so the majority is sometimes persecuted by the minority.    

4. Immigration – I think there needs to be a balance between protectionist policies and welcoming diversity. The Commonwealth is very protective over saving jobs for “their people”. I think that’s fair. But one ought to still strive to be a good neighbor, take care of the widows, orphans and refugees, and not become a hermit.
5. Building the wall – Please don’t ignore what common sense and the experts are saying, or the price tag! Building a wall is no way to go – have we gone back to the days of Qin Shi-Huang? The Great Wall of USA?!
6. Execution and experience – both of which the current administration has been sorely lacking, as with the recent 7 countries ban fiasco. I hope they’ll learn from their mistakes, learn from the past, seek advice and second opinions.
7. Press Secretary – he’s like his boss.
8. First Lady - I think it’s ok if Melanie is an absent First Lady. She’ll not be missed, let her be. Out of the limelight. Please.