By Alex Kerravala, Staff Writer
On October 21, 2017, all five living ex-presidents — Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama , united in attendance at a hurricane disaster relief concert, in Texas, organising aide for the victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Of course, it doesn’t take an astute reader to notice one important name is missing from this list; our current president, Donald Trump. He was too busy to attend a concert visited by every other living president, which was designed to support the people of the nation he decided to serve.
This, of course, doesn’t mean President Trump didn’t make make an appearance. Donald Trump, in his infinitely busy position, did the next best thing to show his support: he sent a video message! Nothing shows your love of a nation and its people quite like a video call, am I right?
“To Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Melania and I want to express our deep gratitude for your tremendous assistance” Trump said in the message. “This wonderful effort reminds us that we truly are one nation under God, all unified by our values and our devotion to one another.”
For once, I am willing to believe every word Trump says. He is right, after all. The president keeps his title after leaving the office, and it is not only for ceremonial reasons; after their terms, a president still feels responsible for the nation they once served.
These five men show their love and devotion, not only for the position they all once held, but to the country that gave them a chance to lead. They exemplify what it means to be president, devoting not just eight years to this job, but the rest of their lives.
This isn’t the first time these five ex-presidents have joined forces for the hurricane victims, either. In early September, they got together to beseech the American people to help their fellow man.
Then why is it a president that has the time to go golfing around 70 times in his first year in office can somehow be too busy to do his duty as not only the president, but as an American, to prove his devotion to this country and its people?
One could make an argument that there are few jobs with as many pressing issues as the Office of the President, and if something came up, some emergency, Trump would not have been able to go. But, as far as I can tell, the government was in no such state of disarray that Trump desperately needed to be somewhere other than the hurricane relief concert.
The House was voting on the tax bill, but that is completely unrelated to the Office of the President.
Actions speak louder than words, and despite his words, Trump has proven how he really plans to help the victims of these devastating hurricanes.
He promises help to all — well, all except Puerto Rico. While he donates his own money to help Texas, he cuts funds to Puerto Rico. Perhaps because they are not allowed to vote
in presidential elections, he doesn’t feel it necessary to help them. While every other living president shows their support in person, Trump sends a video message.
While other presidents would serve their country, Trump goes golfing.
As an American and a self-proclaimed patriot, I am appalled; Trump finds it necessary to help those that can vote, and no others.
He has the most recognizable position in the country, and his human kindness and morality goes as far as voters, and even then, it’s only when it is convenient for him.
To be completely frank, it is insulting to see him as president, to see someone so morally bankrupt hold one of the most important positions this once great nation offers.