Target: Donald Trump, President of the United States
Goal: Stop lashing out at and punishing Americans who disagree.
President’s Day is supposed to be a time to honor the esteem, dignity, and statesmanship that has historically been associated with the United States presidency. The respect with which people in America and around the world hold for the nation’s highest office is on a serious downward trajectory, however. The U.S. has plummeted in ranking on a global corruption index, and a series of inflammatory and often juvenile actions by the President of the United States has done nothing to restore that respect or the confidence that should come with it.
In the span of a few weeks, President Trump has renamed the storied Kennedy Center after himself and then abruptly announced its indefinite closure. He also offered to release infrastructure funding he had help up on the condition that Dulles International Airport and Penn Station – iconic pieces of infrastructure – be renamed after him as well. In addition, the president has continued a troubling tradition of posting and reposting provocative and hateful social medial content, the most controversial of which involved depictions of former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as dancing apes. Even after his own allies called for an apology for the racist meme, the president refused to acknowledge he had done anything wrong. Similarly, he has refused to reverse course following criticism of drastic changes made to the White House, including demolition of the historic East Wing and Rose Garden and demeaning amendments made to presidential plaques in the main hall that take childish jabs at his predecessors.
Most recently, the president has sparked another controversy by refusing to invite governors with a Democratic political affiliation to an annual gathering of governors. This meeting presents a rare opportunity for state leaders to meet and work together on issues of concern to their constituents. The decision prompted the leader of the National Governors Association, Kevin Stitt (a Republican), to announce the cancellation of the event in protest.
Sign the petition below to demand the president restore this event and end his derogatory and degrading actions for the sake of the American people.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Trump,
Your press secretary called the White House “the president’s home,” but never forget that it is above all the People’s House. All Americans should be included in any changes that occur to this house, just as all Americans should be considered and included for the decisions made on their behalf. The annual governors’ dinner is a bipartisan chance for productive discussion and progress. Do not take this rare opportunity away for politics.
Likewise, stop depriving Americans of badly needed infrastructure and programs to satisfy personal ego. All Americans, including your predecessors, deserve the dignity and respect that is supposed to be associated with the highest office in the land. Do not further sully this office or its storied history with inflammatory, hateful rhetoric. For once, let the United States be united rather than hopelessly divided. This is the way to truly make America great again.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Polina Zimmerman
