The Trump Train

It's actually easy to get on the Trump Train but I'm finding it is just as easy to get off - take a walk, clear my head and consider all of my choices of destination. 

While I'm watching debates or news I'm continually drawn to support Trump against the others - because he is different and they are not. The others all sound alike, repeating the same promises over and over while alternatively bashing Trump. 

I've been watching debates since I was a small child sitting in my father's lap. This is the first time I've actually been interested in them. Historically politicians make promises (they rarely keep) and it appears that Americans vote on the one they like based on appearance, religion or some other trait they may find appealing.  The public has depended on media for hundreds of years to give them facts about candidates because who has time to become an investigator? And, regardless of what some people think, everything you read on the Internet is not true. 

In reality, few of us have time to really get to know our candidates in the manner we should know someone that will be leading our country. We can't be too disappointed when their promises are broken because after all 'we don't really know these people.' The less we know about them, the less responsibility they feel toward us and the less we expect them to keep their promises. It serves their best interest to keep us at a distance. 

Trump is drawing crowds and votes because people feel like they know him much MORE than the others. Watching him on television each week, reading about him in newspapers and magazines gives us the illusion we have actually met this man, we think we know him. 

The other candidates are amazed by the American people's acceptance of Trump after they list his failures, his lack of experience and watch his brutal honesty in the debates. They don't understand why we refuse to get off the Trump Train and stay off of it. 

The fact is I jump off the train frequently, but I always get back on because I feel like I actually do know Trump better than the other candidates, even though I live in the same state as Ted Cruz. Every time I think I should reevaluate my opinion, consider other alternatives, I find myself back on the Trump Train, (usually smiling and laughing.)

Yes I have read and researched all of the candidates. I've watched their debates and listened to their promises and their criticisms against their competition. Trump joins right in with the bashing but Trump always has while the others have not, so I still think I know Trump. 

Many of us, not just me have grown up watching Trump, unlike the other candidates. His life has been plastered in magazines, newspapers and books for years. For the past 12 years we have gotten to know him even more so on television watching the Apprentice. 

We aren't stupid, dumb or uneducated as his opponents continue to suggest (in the kindest way a politician knows how to suggest). We know Trump is somewhat of a wild card. We know Trump hasn't always followed the rules. We know Trump has failed and we know he has managed to pull himself back up after failing. We know he is NOT like the others, and that's why we are on the Trump Train. 

It's the other candidates condescension that bothers us the most. It's the other candidates lies that bother us. Over the years - it's been our politicians' decisions that have damaged our country and our lives, not Trump's. He gets a bit of leniency because he hasn't been a politician and his dealings haven't affected us, unlike the other candidates. 

It's not because we are blind, deaf or dumb that we remain on the train. We hear you and we can read but we have been disappointed too many times by politicians, so we are willing to give this brusque but humorous man a chance to change our country. We also hear your criticisms but it's not enough. We hear how he has failed but it's your failures that are affecting us right now. 

It's not about what Trump has or hasn't done. It's not about his 'un-presidential' manner which personally I find entertaining and even endearing at times. It's about what politicians have continuously failed to do- serve the best interests of the American people who happen to be the majority. 

I watched The Brand is Crisis last night for the first time and I experienced several dejavu moments. I'm well aware that there is a risk in staying on this train. I understand it probably won't reach every destination on my list. I'm well aware it has the potential to 'lose control' and miss a connection or switch at an important Y on the tracks. 

There are those hoping, betting this Train will wreck. However, I think they are underestimating the power and abilities of this specific train. I think they are underestimating the Donald.  I believe, perhaps naively, that he has a good heart and the best of intentions. I don't mind his rough edges, outrageous remarks or personal desire for fame and glory. I like his amalgamation of republican traits sprinkled with those minute democratic considerations. 

I don't think the train can be stopped but for those politicians desiring to see a train wreck, they only need to look at the state our country is in after years of politicians implementing their will rather than the will of the People. So, "Step on board or move out of this train's way..."