Donald’s Dream: The Donald Meets Ben Franklin
By Bill Lauritzen
Donald Trump: It’s incredible, really incredible, having you here, Ben. Quite an honor.
Ben Franklin: It is an honor for me as well, Mr. Trump. Observing the course of history from up close, quite the spectacle, I must confess.
Trump: I did the best, Ben, the absolute best for this great, fantastic nation of ours. Believe me.
Franklin: And prior to your presidential stint, you had made quite a name for yourself as a businessman, correct?
Trump: Absolutely, Ben. I’ve built an empire, a very successful empire.
Franklin: That entrepreneurial spirit, it aligns with the essence of American ideals. It is a virtue I can appreciate. However, this ought not to be confused with governance. The goal of business is profit, but the purpose of government is to secure the welfare of the people.
Trump: Well, Ben, I’ve done a lot for this country, and the people love me for it. Jobs, economy, security — I did it all.
Franklin: I commend you for your efforts in stimulating the economy and focusing on jobs. Yet, it appears you have stirred up quite a bit of division and conflict. A republic, if you can keep it, I once said. And it is only possible through unity and respect for all citizens.
Trump: You don’t get it, Ben. I had to shake things up, to drain the swamp.
Franklin: While shaking the status quo can be commendable, it must be done with respect for the rule of law and the Constitution. These are the bedrock of our nation. A certain tact and diplomacy is required in leadership, I fear you may have missed on these.
Trump: That’s where you’re wrong, Ben. I’ve got the best tact, the best. And respect for the law? Nobody respects it more than me, nobody.
Franklin: It is a curious claim, Mr. Trump. For respect ought to manifest not merely in words but in deeds. An observation of your tenure suggests a propensity for bypassing checks and balances, for undermining the institutions that have held this nation together.
Trump: But I’ve got the people behind me, Ben. Record numbers at the rallies. They’ve never seen anything like it.
Franklin: Public support is indeed vital in a democracy, Mr. Trump, but it should not be mistaken for a carte blanche. The leader of a nation must also consider the minority, their rights and their voices. As I once wrote, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
Trump: Look, I’m not a politician, Ben. I’m a businessman. I get things done. That’s why they elected me.
Franklin: Your success in the realm of business is … somewhat questionable. Besides, the business of government is different. It requires a different set of virtues — patience, empathy, humility, and a profound respect for the principles that form the foundation of our great republic. I urge you, Mr. Trump, to reflect on these. Or you may find yourself here:
Trump saw an image of himself behind the bars of a jail cell …
Suddenly, the figure of Franklin began to blur, and his voice echoed in the room as Trump found himself awakening in his own bed, his heart beating rapidly, sweat pouring down his brow, the last words of the Founding Father reverberating in his mind.
