By Ruby Walden

Are you paying attention to what we are hearing from some of those vying to become the Republican candidate for the president of the United States?

The frontrunner, Donald Trump, has so much money he apparently thinks he can buy the world and put a fence around it. He says anything he wants — calling, for instance, some of the nation’s most intelligent people “ignorant” and “stupid” — and his facial expressions, hand waving and finger touching show his arrogance and dogmatism.

He has exposed himself and the true character of some of those he wants to represent. He is mirroring the actions of, and feeding on the examples set by, the Republican-dominated Congress for the last six plus years.

If he were as smart as he claims to be, he might be more appealing to those who have the welfare of the Nation at heart.

Don’t be misled: Operating a casino is not leading a nation. It doesn’t take much to collect money from slot machines programmed to take money from the weak and ill-informed. He cares nothing about those who lose their life’s savings, homes, bonds, stocks or even some who end up taking their lives. The more money Trump’s gambling patrons lose, the more Trump has to brag about.

He appears to think the office of the president is just a joke. Americans are seeking to hear from intelligent people with integrity and the ability to lead. Because he calls everyone except himself stupid, it appears he is looking only at his reflection in a mirror.

What is even more disconcerting is that some evangelical leaders are falling for Trump’s dogmatic, dictatorial and pretentious words.

What does a born-again Christian have in common with a multi- billionaire who is a meager provider and beneficiary of casinos? When did true Christians stop emphasizing the teaching of the Bible and salvation through personal acceptance of Jesus Christ? Have gambling and lying become the way to evangelizing the world today?

Who and what are they supporting? Don’t let a broken, confused and split political party that dug its own grave do the same thing to you who proclaim to be born-again Christians.

The root problems in America have been profoundly exhibited through the actions of the Republican Party since Barack Obama was sworn in as president of the United States. Not just a lack of leadership, it has been the lack of even the slightest bit of cooperation by those who allowed their racial inadequacies to trump their wisdom.

President Obama has proven his ability to lead. The only thing Congress worked hard to do was to try to make him fail. Their efforts reversed, and it is a Congress that failed in every sense of the word.

In spite of embedded hatred shown toward him by those responsible, the president has accomplished more for the good of the nation than they will ever be able to understand.

Ruby H. Walden is a lifetime citizen of Nansemond County and the city of Suffolk. Email her at wbyrdnst@aol.com.