The President of the United States spends his time calling people names.

Sometimes he drops slurs like the “r-word” on Thanksgiving – a word that has risen in popularity since his inauguration. Sometimes it is to call a reporter names when asked questions he cannot or will not answer. Sometimes it is directed at people on the margins of society. Always it is directed at those who don’t support him or dare question him (even if they once worked with or for him).

All of it is beneath the office. None of it would be allowed in my work place. Or the schools my kids attend. Or in most people’s living rooms.

And no, it is not strength – it is weakness. It is not “saying it like it is.” It is immature, willful insolence and it is how Donald Trump has acted for as long as you’ve known his name.

It’s not “just words” either. It is dehumanizing and dangerous language. And, for a person who claims faith in Jesus, “it’s just words” is an explicitly anti-Christ argument.

The current President lacks character and decency. We know this (or did until he became the nominee in a broken 2 party system). It shows up over and over again, in more than just words, but in words loudly and often.

Maybe you like some of his polices. I’d suggest there are others who could implement those things. Or perhaps that the policies championed by a person who never matured past middle school playground bullying may be just as problematic.

I’d also suggest the options are not binary. You don’t have to choose between either accepting (or condoning [or parroting]) awful behavior and Communism/Socialism/Anarchy/Whatever you fear. You have power in this process. You can speak up and say, “I support X, Y, and Z, but I cannot support this.” You can ask elected leaders, even ones you vote for or share a party affiliation with, to do better.

Criticism or accountability for people we usually support is a practice in freedom and integrity. And if you belong to the Church and typically (and/or publicly) support this administration, I’d suggest there is a world (including myself) desperate to hear you speak one word of pushback on the things we are seeing and hearing from the President.

The roaring silence sounds a whole lot like approval and applause.

Words matter.
Decency matters.
Character matters.
Power without character is deadly.
Wealth without character is bankrupt.
A nation without character is lost.
And certainly a Church without character is an abject failure.

We can and must be better.