Would the Three Gates have prevented this national catastrophe?
Meaning: would a voter who respected the Three Gates have voted for him at all? Would a nation? Let's look at the way I used them. It is up to you to decide if my perspective is valid. The Three Gates are, of course, a set of questions you ask yourself before a word or action.
Is it true? I think that 45 totally blew the curve in terms of the size and depth and frequency of his lies. For me, "Birtherism" was enough, right there.
Is it kind? Watching him mock a disabled reporter, and then watching his defenders claim that wasn't what he was doing, told me he was cruel, and that his followers didn't care, and were willing to lie to obscure that truth.
Is it Useful? For me, while the past does NOT equal the future, it is still the best peek into the processes, beliefs, actions and capacities of a person. And here, it seems foolish to vote someone with NO record of public service into the highest office in the land. And unless one approves of his actions during his four years, it is obvious that he is unsuited to a high level of power.
What if Trump had served as, say, Mayor of a major city, or a senator? Well, either he would have learned the game and filed off his rough edges, or the system would have spit him out at a lower and less damaging level.
THAT is how I see the Three Gates in this regard. And yes, a moral standard would have protected our country. And I implore you to apply it in your own lives, so that you can BOTH improve your own life, and recognize dishonesty, cruelty and incompetence when it rises to an alarming level.
Because make no mistake: there is nothing new, or unique, about a Donald Trump in world history.. Just in American national politics. And something like him could happen again…but I would expect it to arise on the Left instead of the right. The pendulum WILL swing back.
Keep your eyes open for someone who uses lies as a preferred strategy. Who is heartless (but possibly masks it with blissful rhetoric). And whose record indicates lack of ability…or there is no record at all. Be careful. ONLY remaining alert will solve this problem when the next Trump appears, playing on people's terror. The biggest "Hail Mary" pass in American political history is about to crash and burn.
But there will be others who study his game plan, yes there will. Be ready.
Use the Three Gates in your life NOW. It might save our country, and our lives, tomorrow.
