What was to be Self Respecting

On those nights that seem as dark within as without; when the dawn seems impossibly far away and you think there is no way you will make it alone, it is invaluable to know where a dozen warm friends can be purchased for 7.99 before tax.

I know there are other more mature forms of companionship that can be purchased, and look no judgement, but my personal proclivities don't include $200 an hour payments and a course of antibiotics.

So I pull up to the Krispy Kreme drive-thru window after 11 pm and I feign surprise that they are open.  And they kindly explain how their drive thru is open 24 hours a day.  And they humor this pleasant fiction of mine that I am not a repeat offender of good sense and healthy habits.

And similar fictions play out throughout the day all over the place because we live in a society that depends on people being responsible and reasonable, which we know is not always the case, but the continuation of these symbiotic relationships depends on our treating others as if they are responsible professionals and them treating us as if we are the same, and not emotional wrecks who are just waiting for the first opportunity to slink back home to eat donuts and read Alan Greenspan's new Janet Yellen fan fiction (bonus fan fiction content included at the end of the essay!*)

The 'clown' is the exception that proves the rule.  The clown sacrifices the veneer of self-respect to entertain the crowd.  This is an important and valuable role and over the centuries many of our clowns have advanced their art to make their entertainment poignant, informative, and even important.  

But let's be very clear, Donald Trump is not one of those clowns.  He is an oddly personable buffoon who has built his fortune by over-leveraging other people's money in real estate investments which have benefited from strong  overall real estate markets but the over-leveraging is evidenced by his consistent declaring of  bankruptcies  (1991,1992, 2004, 2009).  This is not an unusual or even deplorable approach, but it is consistent with the portrait of someone who garners capital and leverage by promising incredibly ambitious outcomes which he cannot control, and when he cannot deliver, it is not him who bears the brunt of the loss.

For most of the last decade he seems to have been engaged largely as a full-time entertainer where his bluster and outlandish antics have been rewarded with viewers and endorsement deals.

And now (if for no other reason than I don't want to scroll up and down when I proof read this) let's get to the point.  It's fine to love Donald Trump, clowns are lovable.  It's fine to agree with what he says (I don't make a habit of it, but it's fine).  But there is no reason to believe that this particular clown can or will deliver on any of the promises he makes during his performances.

No doubt he will be entertaining, such is the nature of the clown, but let's remember Pagliacci and that "La commedia è finita!" when you give the clown a knife.    
 

*Alan Greenspan's Janet Yellen fan fiction:

Alan's phone began to vibrate and the ringtone began, "I just met you, and this crazy, but here's my number...so call me maybe?"  The photo of Janet's stern face stared back at him as he looked at the caller info, he swiftly slid his finger across the screen to begin the call.

" Hello Janet."
"Hello, Alan, I need your advice again."
"I know Janet. I'm here for you. I will always be here. For all of you."