Thought for the Week
Donald Trump is being inaugurated on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is weightier than it sounds. Why? Because, while Mr. Trump professes to “Make America Great Again” largely by protecting us against others, Dr. King strove to make America great by including others. Unity rather than division, inclusion rather than exclusion, was on my heart when I wrote An Open Letter to President Trump eight years ago. And it still is. So I’ve updated and reprinted it here:
Dear President Trump,
I’ve tried so hard to figure out what I believe the United States and the rest of the world needs from you. I can’t find the perfect words, but what I do know is this: It’s not about policies, it’s about, as Dr. King said, “the content of our character.” I won’t presume to judge what’s inside of you, but I believe that, in the long run, a leader’s, and indeed a nation’s, character are more important than their policies.
You rode to office on a tide of fear and anger, and these can serve a purpose when they’re directed toward things, rather than people. So, please, cease to ridicule and strive to listen. Find the humility to admit when you’re wrong. Seek counsel from those with other perspectives. Model in yourself what is so desperately lacking in our culture: civility.
When a young man saunters across the street in front of my car, forcing me to slam on my brakes, never deigning to even glance in my direction, I worry. Not about his hostility, but about his indifference. Because differences can be resolved, but indifference can’t. Indifference doesn’t care. It refuses to acknowledge the rights or even the existence of the other.
I beg you not to be that person, sir, but instead to find the root of civility within you that says to the other, “You matter too.” You’re famous for admiring winners. Well, real winners don’t climb over others, they pull others up with them.
I began by saying I didn’t know what we need from you. I now realize this letter should have been about what you need from us. And so, you have my pledge, sir, to pray daily for your success in modeling and drawing out of the American people not just greater material success, but greater civility, greater understanding, greater inclusion…
Greater character.
MT
Well said👋
Thank you, Francesco.
At you.
Thank you for this Mich! 🙏🏼🌹
My privilege, Cindy.
❤️❤️❤️
Jan. 20, 2025. Your letter remains applicable. I prayed for this nation this morning.
Thank you, Rob.
Just an outsider looking in…
“You rode to office on a tide of fear and anger, ”
No, he didn’t. That’s what the media and extreme left talking heads manufactured. If you bypasses their manufactured outrage, you’d fine it was the other way around.
This Canadian looks forward to the US recovering from the damage of the last 4 years. It may even help us finally turf our Prime Dictator (if we are allowed to have an election) and have a strong economic partnership with the US again.
Thanks, Re-Farmer. It’s helpful to have an outsider’s perspective. I agree that the mainstream press has had their own agenda in creating the Trump persona. But sometimes he will say things (usually spontaneous and off-the-cuff) that aren’t helpful in dispelling the negative image. Fortunately, the majority of Americans have now seen through all the spin and are looking at the Big Picture, and yes, I do believe we are on the road to recovery – we have to be.
How very gracious of you. And yes, those who will make America great will be those who protect our children’s future from more climate breakdown.
Amen, Mitch! I’m posting this updated letter to my social media. I pray that he gets the message and truly sees himself for who he is. I trust that God knows how to connect with him. Perhaps there’s a Saul to Paul season coming soon. We’ll just have to wait and see.🙏🏾
We will, Michelle, and thank you.
An open letter which should remain open. Good advice should be penned to the wall for future reference in times when its light is needed. Its instructions most often give one a starting point for change that’s continually evolving.
Thank you, my friend (is it “Hosea”?). And that, of course, is why this is an open letter.
I fear, dear sir, that in the unlikely event that the 47th President ever reads this, he’ll ignore it. He and the MAGA movement are America’s Id…a manifestation of the seamier, unpleasant side of our national character.
Your letter, of course, is more in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Well said!
Thank you, Emma.
Great observations!
Thank you, Luisa.
Truly my pleasure, Mitch 🌹
If only he would read this and really listen to the sincere truths provided. Well stated, Mitch.
Thank you, Pam.
From what this Canadian has observed, his rhetoric is seen as harmful and hateful to about half of the US population. The other half is excited and energized by it. Media hype aside, the divide is so obvious as to be painful. Unless he can heal the divide by reading your letter and acting on it, I fear for the future. For us all. We must all pray, fervently pray, for him and his advisors. 🙏✝️
We can only hope!
Spot on Mitch. Great observations, especially on the way Trump versus MLK bring people together. It’s a big difference and one that, I’m afraid, we’re going to see on a daily basis. But yes, here’s to greater civility, understanding, and inclusion!
He’s an odd man. His language leaves a lot to be desired and his outlook on the world very jaundiced.
Good letter, Mitch. I’d read it for you to him in the room, could that happen. He did come in on fear and anger and pledges more. He also got in by shenanigans played out by devils in hiding. I don’t think you need to tell him that, because he’ll know every day when the devils come to call, asking for what is theirs. But more importantly, it’s a good letter, Mitch. Strong, clear, reasonable, patriotic, and heartfelt.
Thank you, Christopher.
I wish he could read your letter. He has potential to be a Great leader. but not by stepping on others.
Nice thoughts, Mitch. I believe I’ll end my comment right there. 🙏
God can work miracles. Let’s pray that He does with this administration. Hearts and minds can be changed. Gutsy letter.
Amen! So well said and what I needed to hear as my heart fears what is to come but I know our God is above all and nothing is beyond His control!
Very, very true, Carolyn.
Thank you for a thoughtful post that is spot on.
My privilege, my Anonymous friend.
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Why do you promote your website uninvited on somebody else’s site. . .
Thank you, Katie.
I suppose some people don’t get that it’s intrusive, even rude.
I always include a compliment prior, and I genuinely am trying to spread knowledge. I don’t blog post on subjective or opinionated matters, I spread truth and encourage independent thought. I’m sorry if you do not want it on your blog
If only, Mitch…If only!
Beautifully written. I hope this is a plea that does not fall on deaf ears, but , short of a road to Emmaus type of conversion, I’m doubtful.
I have my doubts too, Lynn, but will continue to pray.
Beautifully said…
Laura Parks
Thank you, Laura.
A splendid, eloquent, prescient-and-still-urgent letter. I will link to it soon in one of my own posts if you don’t mind. Doff of cap to you for luminous language, and best regards. — Jim
Thank you, I’m honored, Jim.
Amen, amen, and amen. Beautiful words of wisdom to our President. Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesus are words to live by. Thank you for being you, Mitch! My head and heart nodded through all of this! I join you and others in prayer for great civility, understanding, and inclusion. 🩷🙏🏼
Thank you, dear friend.
Don’t hold your breath for him to be any different.
Looking from afar (New Zealand), there has been a lot of hype about Trump been impeached, arrested, how he’s like Hitler, etc.
It’s just fascinating just how the hysteria was built up over years.
Then you actually had an election which Trump won with a majority, which means all that media driven hysterical rubbish is just that -rubbish.
While certainly, the press can tend to hyperbole at times, and occasionally omits to focus on certain actions of our current president in the U.S. that revealed generosity and public-spiritedness, i do not think anyone should conclude that because someone won an American election, that that person must therefore be ok. Someone could win an election because people were too downtrodden and uneducated to read carefully and understand policy versus grandiosity. Someone could win because he had befriended a billionaire who started his own on-line media stream in order to broadcast a false narrative. Someone could win because expert propagandists infiltrated the feeds of many lonely, isolated people seeking solace within a country. Our newspapers here in the U.S. continue to report facts and news, and anyone who reads them who cared about the environment, competence, and fairness, voted one way. Unfortunately, a majority of Americans did not read real news and voted based on a mistaken impression.
Ultimately it’s your country (I presume) and I have no skin in the game. You are correct about the winner not nessesarily been a good person. 1940’s Germany loved Hitler and he was very popular.
Your reply simply underlines the fact that, there is so much hype, misinformation, fake news, etc, that it’s hard to get an accurate view of whats real.
Your reply could also be used against both candidates, by the way, which illustrates the insincerity of the system.
Thanks, Uncoffined. In posting on-line, one may be read by absolutely anyone, so I think it pays to be careful about statements of personal belief. My preferred and trusted news sources are run by seasoned, professional journalists who take the truth seriously, and include The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian, and a local daily paper here in the U.S.. I am a U.S. citizen. I tried to mention that anyone who cares about the environment and reads the paper would vote one way – that is for the Democratic ticket. In the U.S., former president Biden was able to pass a series of clean energy incentives and other legislation known as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Current president Trump plans to damage the work of his predecessor by blasting his followers with incorrect information about the environment, science, etc. I do not approve of this. He did win, but not by a large majority. He won because about half of Americans do not understand science and felt that they would do better economically under this person’s leadership, and also probably don’t like some cultural trends that he has promised to reverse. So yes, your point about there being tidal waves of rubbish overflowing in some people’s input streams is correct. But I would argue that it’s not right to label all media rubbish. There are for-profit media empires like the one built by Rupert Murdoch (Fox News), and credible ones. For-profit media is not a great source of factual information. I hope that you are enjoying life in New Zealand. Have a friend who studied there, and it sounds a fascinating country.
MLK turning in his grave
Great post, Mitch. I agree with most of it. I’m not sure I would put personal character above policy, though. We have had at least one President who was a super-nice guy – a born-again Christian, no less – but who made some huge mistakes that have cost our country dearly. We need both integrity and wisdom – and yes, we should pray for those in authority over us every day.
Only if he would read it and DIGEST IT. *Sighs*
This truly hits home and says so much by saying so little:
“You’re famous for admiring winners. Well, real winners don’t climb over others, they pull others up with them.
I began by saying I didn’t know what we need from you. I now realize this letter should have been about what you need from us. And so, you have my pledge, sir, to pray daily for your success in modeling and drawing out of the American people not just greater material success, but greater civility, greater understanding, greater inclusion…
Greater character.”
“Sigh” indeed, trE.
Judging by his words and by the people he surrounds himself with his intentions are clear and there will be nothing to deter his path of destruction and hate filled agenda.
You may very well be right, Holly, but I won’t cease to pray that, however impossible it may seem, you are wrong.
Great, well done, good luck
YOU have a dream. But I noticed he did not put his hand on the Bibles that Melania was holding.
I understand he did, actually.
I saw the swearing in and many videos that captured it as well. Unless there was some sort of manipulation or my eyes have really deteriorated in my old age, he did not.
Here is one report of many:
Sorry, here is the link:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-bible-inauguration/
Right you are. I got my wire crossed after hearing about the Bible Vance put his hand on.
No problem. I hope he just forgot. The main thing is he gave his word to serve for the good of your country, and I hope, for the good of all countries and all peoples.
Exactly, Mitch! Perfectly expressed wishes from the rest of us.
Thanks, Mary!
Well said, Mitch. 💖
Thank you, Sandy.
Perfectly penned, Mitch.
I join you in your prayer, ” Pray daily for your success in modeling and drawing out of the American people not just greater material success, but greater civility, greater understanding, greater inclusion…”
Best wishes
Thank you, and bless you, Chaya.
Stay blessed, Mitch.
Great letter Mitch. Well said. I will be praying for the American people. I believe he will “draw out of the American people… greater civility, greater understanding, greater inclusion…” not through modeling it but through modeling the opposite. Sometimes we learn what to do by seeing what not to do.
Very true. And thank you, M2M (I’m afraid I don’t know your name).
BTW, my name is Susan. 🙂
Thanks, Susan.
praying for you all in these really uncertain times xx
Thank you, Janet.
Joining you in prayer.
Great post. I’m with you, Mitch. Good leaders at any level, lead by an integrity that comes from a consistency of character, words and action. Your plea for civility, understanding, and inclusion involves thebalance of strength and humility reuired to lead a nation.
Thank you, Malcolm.
Well said, but I’ll be praying your president leaves my country alone, as well as Greenland and Panama. His talk of Monroe Doctrine 2, a US isolation policy against immigration, while claiming that he will expand US territory is both contradictory and terrifying. His withdrawal from the Paris Accord and WHO, along with his “Drill, drill, drill,” threatens the air we breathe and our health as much as it does yours. I won’t elaborate on the disservice he has done to women, other than to say many women will die because of it. And Musk’s Nazi salute? That was deplorable. It seems your president and many of his followers have learned nothing from history. That is truly sad.
Amen.
Well said Mitch. We here in Canada are riding on Trumps coat tails at present. Unfortunately we have had a void in leadership on the opposite end of the spectrum, benign neglect at best and a loss of focus which is actually worse, as it’s crushed our economy. So if any Americans think you’d be better off in Canada, if you come you better bring your own doctor.
A great letter that should be read by all politicians, in my opinion. Thank you, for both this post and your willingness to pray for leaders you don’t agree with. I wish more people did that!
Why, thank you, Ann. And I wholeheartedly agree about praying for leaders we disagree with.
We have to have hope, until proven wrong, if no hope, what’s the point, I’m pessimistic but hopeful, if that makes sense.
It does, and I agree, L.G.
Not going to happen, Mitch. Your wish is directed upon an individual consumed by vengence and power-lust, and who is hell bent upon mandating a history rewrite to evaporate the memory of what actually happened four years ago. We are past the point of hoping. (See your other recent post concerning 7 modern sins: worship without sacrifice.) Only thing which will result in progress now, besides utter destruction, is sufficient percentage of populace and government officials risking their security by speaking out forcefully, and acting.
It’s an Open Letter, my Anonymous friend, because it’s not just for the person it’s addressed to. My spiritual mentor C.S. Lewis prayed every day for Hitler. Did Hitler have a change of heart because of that? Hardly. But sometimes prayers for someone are there to stop them from the actions they’re trying to take.
Amen.. well penned, Mitch.
So, we seem to be waiting for JFK files, that’s good, that’s letting the public know its own history. Next, I want very much to know what the “drones” are out in New Jersey. I need the government to speak plainly. I need the government to actually respect its citizens for a change.
This is one of the most eloquent open letters I have ever read. I’m reminded of the Prayer For Our Country in Jewish prayerbooks that is recited on Shabbat services. I have always appreciated how this prayer with its call for blessings for the inhabitants, leaders, and advisors for peace, security, happiness, prosperity, and freedom feel apt regardless of who is in office.
Thank you, Dina, and good to meet you.
I Think Donald Trump Is a Insufferable Bully
Save your prayers and breath; he has his own agenda, and it only includes White Males or those who proclaim to be.
I Think Clownfish TV, JesterBell, The Critical Drinker, Midnight’s Edge are White supremacy
Afraid I don’t know who you’re talking about, Harper.
I Think Donald Trump will American Turning a into a Gilead
I Think Donald Trump carry around a Goat head at Mar-a-Lago Club
Sadly, his actions will only cause harm.
“First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”
-Martin Niemöller
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