It is always interesting to me when a politician expounds upon their desire to be known as “not political.” Or when promises are made that everyone, including the “politician” know cannot be kept. These were some of the very things that our current president said and did when he was campaigning. But he is not alone, it seems that these same statements and promises are made by most political candidates, and thus, such is the case in Washington yesterday, today, and I am certain it will be tomorrow.

We have heard promises for nearly eight years now that the Republicans were going to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare; their efforts (some 30-plus) continue to fail, but promises continue.

President Trump said he was going to drain the swamp known as Washington D.C.; the swamp seems to be getting murkier. When some of those inside the halls of Congress, and even within the White House, are becoming more and more concerned about the nature of his tweets, the veiled threats of firing his Attorney General, making personal attacks against members of his own party, it is time to for the rest of us to take notice. It isn’t even about the Russian connection anymore. The distractions from policy and progress have become the norm rather than the exception.

When Sen. John McCain, a beloved and honorable war hero who has given his adult life to service of our country, is the target of one of the president’s latest attacks, one has to step back and ask if their loyalty to President Trump has been misplaced.

Are there still loyal supporters of the president, you betcha! Are there still those who believe he is being prevented from doing all that he promised because of the “fake news” and the biased media? Is it the fault of CNN, MSNBC and others who are more interested in reporting half-truths rather than the important issues that he is trying to deal with? Are there those who believe that his agenda is being sabotaged by the liberals and “leakers” inside the White House who are determined to see him fail; There sure are! But who is really doing the most damage to the agenda, the policies, the promises and the credibility of President Trump? Could the answer be President Donald J. Trump? I think so.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the more outspoken members of the Senate, has not minced words about where he sees this presidency headed. Graham has not been shy about his frustrations with the President, but he has also been a supporter. Graham has been quoted as saying, “What’s so frustrating for me is President Trump sees the damage done by Obama to our military and he wants to repair it. President Trump sees how stupid the Iranian agreement is and he wants to get a better deal. President Trump is not going to tolerate North Korea having a missile that has the capability of hitting our homeland. President Trump has got the big stuff right. I am frustrated that we can’t get to the big stuff.” My question for Senator Graham can probably be answered in one word “TWEETING.” President Trump is his own worst enemy.

The saying about the need to engage the brain before inserting foot into mouth should be practiced by our President. Just look at his recent speech before a group of Boy Scouts causing the Boy Scouts of America’s chief, Michael Surbaugh to publicly dispel Trump’s remarks at a recent jamboree.

Surbaugh said, “I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree. That was never our intent. The invitation for the sitting U.S. President to visit the National Jamboree is a long-standing tradition that has been extended to the leader of our nation during his term since 1937. It is in no way an endorsement of any person, party or policies. For years, people have called upon us to take a position on political issues, and we have steadfastly remained non-partisan and refused to comment on political matters. We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program.”

But the President’s “bull in a china shop” rhetoric goes far beyond the Boy Scouts. He attacks anyone and everyone who disagrees with him, and his tweeting is out of control; and so is his penchant for surprises.

Putting the personal attack of John McCain aside, and forgetting the National Boy Scout Jamboree comments, it gets worse. His recent transgender policy (announced via Twitter) caused outrage from almost every corner of the military as well as Washington D.C. And he can’t seem to get past Attorney General Sessions’ doing the right thing when it came to recusing himself from the Russian investigation.

Our president and his administration appear to be in a state of perpetual chaos, and maybe it is time for each of us to take to Twitter and call for a cease to the madness.

I have gone on record of saying that I want this president to be successful, for I know that as our leaders succeed so do we. I will leave you with this thought, however, as you ponder the question of whether President Trump is indeed “making America great again?” According to Ezekiel, 34:4 “The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.”

Have a great day.

Vicki Westling is a Dunkirk resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com