Character Counts but Donald Trump Doesn’t Know How to Count

To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy: Ask not what the federal government can do for you…because the federal government under President Donald J. Trump and his spineless sycophants in the legislative and judicial branches don’t care about you and they don’t care about governing since they hold power simply to enrich themselves.

Members in power within the current three branches should be disqualified from holding public office, and their misguided initiatives, legislation, and rulings show us all very clearly that We the People must do the governing in coalition with like-minded people of all social identities to save what remains of our democratic republic and its institutions.

Character Counts:

The school-based program, Character Counts, is based on discussions of its “Six Pillars” of “universally accepted values…recognized across different cultures, socio-economic statuses, and religions and can be easily identified at school, home, or in communities.”

Projecting these Six Pillars as our lens of analysis, we can also assess our elected and selected government leaders. Choose someone from the federal government, Donald J. Trump, for example, someone from his Cabinet, someone in a powerful position in the federal legislature or in the Supreme Court’s Republican-nominated Justices, and evaluate on which of the Pillars they fulfill or confirm, violate or contradict, and which you might not be certain where you place them.

Here are the Six Pillars according to Counter Counts. These are not in rank order since they all hold similar value and weight:

• Trustworthiness: being honest and loyal, having integrity, keeping promises,
• Respect: following the Golden Rule, [valuing] differences, being courteous to others, dealing peacefully with others, considering others’ feelings,
• Responsibility: do what you are supposed to do, try your best, keep trying, being self-disciplined, thinking before acting, being accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes,
• Fairness: playing by the rules, sharing and taking turns, being open-minded and listening to others, not taking advantage of others,
• Caring: being compassionate, expressing gratitude, forgiving others, [forgiving yourself, admitting when you are wrong], being considerate of others’ feelings,
• Citizenship: help to make your home, school, and community a better place; cooperate with others; stay informed and vote; be a good neighbor; protect the safety and rights of others; protect the environment.

Proclamation on National Character Counts Week:

Near the end of his first term as President of the United States, Donald Trump issued a proclamation on October 16, 2020, on the topic of “character.”

I use this proclamation to narrate and assess how closely or astray from the written words Trump himself stands or falls.

“The foundation of any free and virtuous society is the moral character of its people. Personal responsibility, integrity, and the other values which define our unique American spirit underpin our system of self-government and inspire us to continue working toward a more perfect Union.”

[So far, I concur. We may be rather “unique,” but that should not imply “exemplary” since many countries around the world are also commendable. But the very fact that this proclamation – which Donald Trump obviously did not write though his name is attached – lacks any form of authority and credibility from the outset for the obvious reason that his “character” as a narcissistic sociopath places this document in the category of “hypocrisy” at the very best.]

“As we observe National Character Counts Week, we think of the special individuals in our lives who exemplify the character qualities to which we all aspire.”

[Donald, if you were in contact with anyone “who exemplifies the character qualities to which we all aspire,” like everything in your life, you certainly learned nothing from them.]

“In looking to these examples of honor and virtue, we recognize that character is a learned attribute acquired through consistent, purposeful action, not an inherent trait.”

[That’s for sure. The only “consistent, purposeful action” you demonstrated throughout your life has been to perfect your career as a con artist, a swindler, a promoter of lies and falsehoods, a marketer of deceit and deception, which, unfortunately, you have accomplished to the extreme.]

“We must resolve to build lives and communities grounded in moral clarity in order to strengthen ourselves, our families, our communities, and our Nation.”

[Many of us have resolved to do just that. It is sad that you, the President of the United States, have not resolved to do likewise, resulting in a weak and incredibly broken man.]

“From small acts of kindness to supreme selfless sacrifice, everyday heroes and larger-than-life American historical figures have deepened the roots of freedom of our Nation.”

[It should go without saying that you will never enter that Panthéon of noble patriotic heroes.]

“Individuals of integrity and principle lift us all to greater heights, evincing the same core virtues in both the depths of adversity and the heights of success.”

[Yes, THEY do.]

“We see this exemplified every day by the brave men and women of our Armed Forces” [Whom you deign to refer to as “suckers” and “losers.”] “who risk their lives to defend the cherished blessings of liberty we hold dear. We also see it every day in our communities from law enforcement professionals and first responders who devote their lives to the safety and well-being of others and face down danger.”

[As well as the courageous advocates for social justice who work every day as individuals and within social change movements to break down barriers to equality of opportunity for all people regardless of who they are.]

“Community volunteers and faith organizations reveal the character of our Nation through their selfless giving of time and assistance to people in need.”

[You’ve got that right.]

“In places of learning, teachers and mentors build up our character by cultivating social and cultural awareness, intellectual curiosity, and a sense of responsibility in our future leaders.”

[Unfortunately, you have corrupted our system of education with your banning of books and other curricular materials, demolition of the federal Department of Education, and turning concepts of “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” into epithets of scorn and derision. And as a nation, we need to raise the status of teaching to the highest rank it deserves with just compensation and educational resources to give all students the best quality of education possible for their individualized needs and interests.]

“And in our homes, family members and loved ones offer compassion and guidance that also play a vital role in shaping our values.”

[I wonder Donald, who and what shaped your self-serving distorted anti-communitarian values. To whom other than Ivanka and yourself do you have compassion?]

“The inherent righteousness of America’s moral character has perhaps never been needed more than in recent months as we have battled the coronavirus pandemic.”

[You have known this since you first heard of the virus, but you have consistently failed to take necessary leadership positions to mount a national strategy that could have significantly reduced the pain, the fear, the number of infections and deaths. Though the U.S. represents only 4% of the world’s population, we comprised 20% of Coronavirus deaths during the first year. Yes, Donald, you are complicit in the genocide of the U.S-American people.]

“In communities large and small throughout our country, acts of kindness” [Which you would not know if you happened to witness one.] “have touched millions of individuals and families, uniting us under one common purpose to defeat the virus.”

[It is so obvious that there is no way you could have written these words because you certainly cannot spell the word “uniting” since you are the “divider-in-chief.” It may take us several decades to begin to heal from the Post Trump Stress Disorder (PTSD) you have imposed upon our nation.]

“Americans have selflessly” [“selflessly” is another word you cannot even spell let alone practice.] “supported their neighbors in need, delivering food and essential supplies to the most vulnerable and evincing a deep capacity for generosity and caring. Medical professionals have worked long hours at great personal risk to provide care to the sick and injured, and military personnel have mobilized to provide critical medical assistance and help keep us safe.”

[So, if you actually believe these words, why did you place Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist with no medical training, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, who has effectively and dangerously dismantled our federal health research facilities? And why then have you dismantled the safety net programs of food assistance and worked tirelessly to restrict the most vulnerable among us to supplementary healthcare assistance?]

“Faith and community leaders have provided vital emotional support for those experiencing social isolation, and countless others have sacrificed to ease the burden on their family, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers.”

[Thankfully, we have many good and caring people who are continuing to help us get through these difficult times in the lack of national leadership. Thank you, good people!!]

“This week, as we” [You, Donald, cannot place yourself within a collective “we.”] “continue to unite as one Nation to both defeat the virus and safely reopen our country, we are reminded of how far decency and compassion can go in helping others during times of great challenge and uncertainty.”

[And we can understand this in contrast to those who, like yourself, lack any sense of decency and compassion. Many good people have decided long ago that we must take it upon ourselves to mobilize within an overarching anti-science and anti-public health vacuum and lack of guidance and leadership on the national level.]

“Every opportunity to show consideration for another person is also an opportunity to build habits of kindness and strengthen our character.” [Which you, Donald, have never learned.] “Our words and deeds leave imprints in our homes, schools, communities, and places of worship.”

[Remember that when you see how history records your character and your record.]

“Throughout this week, we” [Again, this collective “we” omits you.] “recommit to being more kind, loving, understanding, and virtuous. Together, as one national family, we must serve others with giving and grateful hearts to ensure our Republic remains strong, vibrant, and a beacon of hope for future generations.”

[Great words Donald, but can anyone really take you seriously after you have shown your true “character” time and time again?]

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution” [Oh, now you are referring to the Constitution. It’s about time.] “and the laws” [Which you have consistently broken. Good luck with the indictments yet to be handed down by the courts after you finally leave the Oval Office.] “of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 18 through October 24, 2020, as National Character Counts Week. I call upon public officials, educators, parents, students, and all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.”

“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord” [Only if one is a practicing Christian, which most people in the world happen not to be.] “two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.”

DONALD J. TRUMP

[If anyone doubts my overall assessment of Donald Trump, simply look at the disgusting and morally reprehensible statement Trump released on social media on December 15, 2025, after learning of the murders of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer, which even some of Trump’s MAGA followers denounced. Rather than taking the high road in attempting to bring the country together in a time of tragedy, this president furthered divisions by making it all about himself.]