Are we prepared for a possible Trump-like South Dakota governor?
We are mercifully near the end of campaigns by those wanting to be our Republican candidate for governor.
All four men have enthusiastically and unequivocally told us they are proud supporters of President Donald Trump and have great admiration for what he has done.
The word “Obsequious” means excessively eager to please or obey - it fits their campaigns perfectly.
Is a photo-shopped TV commercial with a candidate and Trump shirtless in a hot tub still to come?
One of these Trump coattail hangers will be a huge favorite to win in November.
Can we then expect Trump-like behavior and should we be prepared in South Dakota for things we are now enduring on the national scene?
Will our new leader “Be like Trump”? Are these things in our future? Consider the precedents Trump set for some actions by a Trump-like governor:
Tens of thousands of lies, exaggerations, mangled math, and historical fantasies.
Daily social media filled with profane, schoolyard insults and thin-skinned attacks on enemies.
Incompetent, unqualified, clownish executive appointees.
Shameless self-dealing and sweetheart contracts for friends and relatives.
A new name — his — for many state parks, state buildings, and Missouri dams.
Firing and replacing all state officials connected with the three losing primary candidates.
Granting pardons based on loyalty and/or “political contributions” from inmates.
Imposing tariffs on all surrounding states (unconstitutional, but worth a try).
Proposing stern looking pictures of the new governor on state documents.
Replacement of any state employees promoting solar or wind power.
Organizing supporters to attack the legislature if attempt at re-election fails.
Expelling or jailing residents he doesn’t like even of they have committed no crimes.
Regular public events where his staff members take turns praising him.
Policy ineptness learned from observing the Iran dilemma that’s looking more and more like a debacle.
Threats to create one Dakota by annexing North Dakota.
Personal insults and demands for firing against any newsperson asking tough questions.
Tax cuts and subsequent huge deficits (again, unconstitutional, but perhaps inevitable).
Boasting about how we are the most feared and respected state in all of the USA.
Who knows what else and how many more things will be worthy of emulation by January of 2027.
There is some hope. It’s possible the winning candidate will be one who doesn’t really idolize Trump and has just been saying so to attract those voters. In that case, we’ll not have a Donald Trump clone.
We’ll have a blatant, untrustworthy, hypocrite.
Mike Levsen is a former mayor of Aberdeen and a regular contributor to The South Dakota Standard.
Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons
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