In the many bankruptcies of Donald Trump companies, outside investors lost heavily. But it was the everyday workers in business like the casinos that lost everything from wages to pensions and the stocks they were encouraged to invest in as an expression of loyalty.
The misplaced faith and loyalty to Donald Trump has generally been a one way deal. It reveals itself as a pattern of exploitation of common folks in the private sector and now in politics.
The 2020 presidential election saw the largest number of votes cast for the 2 leading candidates with Biden receiving 81,283,096 (51.3 percent) and Trump receiving 74,222,958 (46.8 percent) of the 159, 633,396 voters. The number of votes for the winner and loser stands as a new record.
To me that huge number of votes reflect a kind of loyalty to a party, to a candidate, to an ideology or to other values that make people decide to vote. More than that, for most of us, even though we place our faith and loyalty in others, we feel that by going to the polls we act on our own future. Faith and loyalty is a tricky thing in that it is freely given and yet it is not. There is an accompanying expectation that our gift to others will be redeemed in a better life for us, our family and our community.
The charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War on October 25, 1854 provides an extreme example of that gift as it describes what goes into making the ultimate sacrifice. In this instance, warriors in battle expressed their faith and loyalty to country and its leadership in a critical moment when dying was part of the call.
The charge of the British light brigade with sabers and lances against an entrenched enemy made no sense. The loss was enormous and yet that event became a glorious part of British history.
However, when does faith and loyalty causes one to be duped and become a patsy to use by others for their own benefit? When do we cross the line of commitment that brings suffering to ourselves and families without redeeming results?
These are the questions that many in Trump’s orbit should be asking themselves. I am referring to those that bought into the Big Lie of a stolen election, acted in its behalf on January 6, 2021 and are now on trial, convicted and/or in prison for their crimes.
I am also talking about those like Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira that are allegedly helping Trump cover up his alleged crimes and may very well pay a high price for their misplaced faith and loyalty. Many need to be reminded that being faithful and loyal is not the same as being manipulated.
The “one way” faith and loyalty to Adolf Hitler led Germany and Europe to a devastation so extensive and serious that it took years and much outside help to recover. It is revealing that Hitlers reaction to the defeat of his armies and the destruction of his country was to blame the German people for their lack of will.
We are entering a new presidential election cycle and a vote on November, 2024. A major challenge and irony is that evidently we are not done with the last election yet as former President Trump appears to be still running in that one as well as in 2024.
There are supporters doing his bidding outside the law. Because of misplaced loyalty, their fate awaits.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
