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Cynthia V. Ward's avatar

Trump’s illness offers a real test of each person’s empathic capacity: Can you feel concern and compassion for the president as a human being, while vigorously disagreeing with particular policies or with things that he says? Seems like we used to be able to do that more easily. When President Reagan was shot, for example, my memory is that the country, across party lines, was not only stunned but also deeply concerned for his welfare. That was only 40 years ago.

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The Scarlette Tarte's avatar

For all I despised Reagan's political philosophy, the man could act decently to his fellow man. He and Tip O'Neil had a famous friendship for example. You can actually feel deeply concerned for the welfare of people like that, they show you their humanity.

I have yet to see anything like that from Trump.

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Emily's avatar

I’m just worn out with this president’s chaos and meanness. I don’t wish him ill really, but I do wish he would stop causing so much devastation in his wake. What I really wish at this moment is that he would just shut up and go away. If I’m failing the test of empathy, so be it. He exceeds my capacity.

Also, Trump is no Reagan.

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