Abe Lincoln was a unifier; Trump is certainly not

To The Daily Sun,

July 4th, the Fourth, Independence Day; have special meaning as the celebration of the American and human experiment continues.

The program of the celebration in Washington was observed on TV. Certainly, President Trump was the most presidential he has been in quite some time. His appreciation for the military was notable. His message was clear, and not the usual Trumpian manner, defying the critics that expected a partisan speech or one that exemplified Trump.

The similarities end there. The contrast of Abraham Lincoln and Trump is drastic. The parade in front of the Lincoln Memorial must have had old Abe turning in his grave in Illinois. Mr. Lincoln was a unifier, Mr. Trump is not. Mr. Lincoln freed the slaves that served the rich white, aristocrats of the South; similar to working men and women, disrespected by millionaires and billionaires enriched by our labors. The irony of Mr. Trump having this celebration in front of a person that contrasted from him is deplorable. Mr. Lincoln was a far better president than any of us could appreciate.

Mr. Mitch leading the current day Republicans is not a member of the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln tried hard to bring our country together again after the disastrous Civil War. To date, Lincoln's efforts are slow to be rewarded. A message to today's Republicans, either you are with the American people or not. Most of us stand united in our efforts to promote our Democratic process. Republicans rebuke it. They are not conservatives. They attempt to affect negatively on the well being of our nation with restrictions on voting (unconstitutional), abortion, whom they wish to prosecute (if you are white and have money, you go free), and so on. Mr. Trump foments hate, bigotry, and division. Mr. Mitch needs to remember there was a time his Irish ancestry was also treated poorly!!

Women are treated as second class citizen status. When women are injured, it becomes double jeopardy for them; first being victimized, the second time in the courtroom. Just look at what happened to the young female students at Concord High School. The judgment cast upon them for reporting an offending teacher; who was later arrested for his attempts to seduce the younger girls is reprehensible. What if it was a boy? We are all citizens by rights, and equally entitled to all protections of law per the Constitution. Mr. Trump was notorious in his treatment of the female gender.

Those with disabilities (such as myself) were also disrespected by Trump. Mr. Lincoln cared for all of us, not just the select few who were white and rich. It was a narrow minded, bigoted individual, John Wilkes, who snuffed the life of Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln tried to move all of us forward as we healed from that deadly war. Being hearing impaired with cancer (stable), this writer senses the keen injustice provided by the party of Trump today. There was a time we all worked together to move our already great nation forward. Sadly, the attitude of us vs them prevails.

On Independence Day, many were on the beaches, BBQs, enjoying fireworks. The anniversary of this date celebrates something far deeper. It precludes all of us persevering together for the common public good; right to health, safety, happiness, and life. Most important; our right to vote without "qualifications" or restrictions. The women's suffrage movement promoted women to vote. Let's move forward to fight for all so restricted from voting.

Immigration and diversity is the strength of our country. This Independence Day is about them as well; along with the freedom to live, the hopes for future generations, and the right to celebrate this special day in the history.

Robert T Joseph, Jr.

New Hampton