
Laura is my stepdaughter by marriage.
Dear Laura,
Have you ever heard the saying: "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face?"
It’s a warning against pursuing revenge in a way that would damage oneself more than the object of one's anger.
It was one of my mom’s favorites and seems very appropriate concerning the election of Donald Trump.
It has also come into play with Governor Brownback. Rooting for our governor to fail over the last 6 years has had a self defeating quality to it. Kind of like cutting off your nose to…. oh I think you see my point.
Same thing applies to Mr. Trump.
I didn’t vote for him, talked him down both privately and on the radio, but guess what he still got elected. Forget the popular vote that just makes it worse.
But, working against him now becomes counter productive. I think he will fail, but he is my president and I owe him respect just like I respected all the other presidents I’ve lived through. I have often disagreed with them, but have attempted to always show respect in terms of what I called them, etc.
Laura, my biggest concern in suggesting we keep our dislike for Mr. Trump under cover is not as much that either one of us has that much influence except that we do have tremendous influence to some who are close to us – like Eli.
I was so impressed when you became a Bernie Sanders supporter. You knew I didn’t share your enthusiasm, but that wasn’t important. What was important was you got involved and we had great discussions and Eli was with you. There aren’t many six-year-olds as involved as he was!
I have to wonder what Eli’s thoughts were when you had to change to Hillary Clinton because he knew you didn’t like her very much either.
My hope is we can agree that while we aren’t big Trump supporters that refusing to give him a chance is not very smart because if he fails – so does America! Even President Obama is trying to meet him half way.
Which brings me to the other saying my mom was big on that is going to be my rule concerning President Elect Trump: “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all?”
Love you guys and hope you will think about this with me. America is so unique and it needs kids like Eli, Henry and Elle and my bunch – Tate, Trey, Alex, Isaac, Scarlett, Brooks and Hudson to see positive examples in their parents.
Today’s lesson: “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all.”
I’m Papa Steve