Robert Haslag
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
Mr. Horstmann, I read your submission decrying the assumed “hate” anyone disagreeing with President Trump must feel. The acrimony of your criticism is troubling and represents the depth of the national chasm in our politics. In any event, you surely did not read my submission of early December 2018, directly addressing your premise.
Simply, you fail to understand someone passionately disagreeing with this president does not justify the assertion they automatically must hate him as well. There were clearly Americans who virulently opposed President Obama’s policies. Their terms were as oppositional to him as many now are in regard to this president. If your judgment that such intense opposition must be hate-based, you have equally accepted that our problem may be in your mirror as well. Hate has no value in this debate for either position.
I will not broadly assert that all opposing President Obama’s policies “hated” him, though surely some did. Nor will I broadly assert that none of the opposition to President Trump is not hate-based. I will state that broadly we do not hate President Trump. I do feel his policies and his characterization of the debate of those policies are completely detrimental to America’s future. Yes, these are my judgments about his qualifications but in no way do they indicate any particular, personal animus. They are solely qualification judgments.
I now cite a portion from my previous submission that may explain your error in your submitted thoughts. “Finally, this flawed thinking (your premise essentially) relies upon the erroneous presumption Democrats hate America and its institutions. Liberals do love this country and deeply respect its traditions, symbols and more importantly the precious gift of this Republic, its Constitution and the eloquent promise enunciated on the Statue of Liberty. I disagree immensely with the virulently, conservative voices represented here too frequently and the current Republican agenda. However, I do not hate Donald Trump. I do not hate the conservatives voicing their opinions here. I do not hate anyone on the basis of political disagreements. I do view our issues differently, passionately arguing alternatives with logic, facts and a preferred issue orientation. But I will never demean anyone personally. I will question sources and interpretations. However, I see us all as Americans. To believe otherwise expressly misunderstands that our political persuasion does not make us ‘enemies of the state.’”