Inquirer Editorial: Friends shouldn't let friends vote for Trump

Whether he wins or loses on Election Day, Donald Trump has already done untold damage to America.

Angry voters who think Trump will shake up Washington should be aware they are playing with fire.

His economic proposals, including steep tax cuts for the rich, would leave the country deeper in debt and could lead to a recession. His plan to slap large tariffs of up to 45 percent on goods shipped from China and Mexico would result in higher prices for consumers and the loss of up to seven million jobs, according to Moody's.

"A Trump win risks slower growth or recession if trade is restricted and fiscal expansion plans curtailed," analysts at Citi said Friday, adding that the S&P 500 stock market index would likely see an immediate sell-off of 5 percent.

Beyond the economic damage, Trump has promised to resume torture, deport illegal immigrants, and bar Muslims from entering the country. Such moves would spawn chaos at home and rifts with allies abroad.

Far from Ronald Reagan's "Morning in America," Trump's campaign is grounded in fear, anger, and division. He began his improbable run for the White House by claiming Mexican immigrants were drug dealers, rapists, and criminals. Trump has criticized large groups of people, including women, Muslims, African Americans, Asians, Seventh Day Adventists, the disabled, and even Iowans.

He has also ridiculed hundreds of prominent leaders, including Pope Francis ("disgraceful"); Sen. John McCain ("dummy"); Colin Powell ("weak"); Carly Fiorina ("look at that face"); Vice President Joe Biden ("not very bright"); House Speaker Paul Ryan ("very weak"); Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ("her mind is shot"); former Gov. Tom Ridge ("failed Bushie"); Mitt Romney ("choked like a dog"); and Chancellor Angela Merkel ("ruining Germany").

Trump has put down entire countries, including allies Great Britain and Germany, as well as China. He has repeatedly belittled President Obama and denounced his own country, calling it a "paper tiger," and saying "we are weak." At the same time, he has voiced admiration for Russia's ruthless and corrupt leader, Vladimir Putin.

Trump boasts of making America great again, but his rhetoric has only made it OK for many to hate again. Just last week a black church in Mississippi was set on fire and on the exterior wall vandals spray-painted "Vote Trump."

Trump's rallies are filled with supporters shouting profanity and inciting violence. At one event, Trump suggested if Hillary Clinton is elected, gun-rights supporters should take matters into their own hands.

Such talk is abhorrent and undermines everything that makes America a beacon of democracy. Presidents should inspire and unite, not spew venom and act like a bully.

If elected, Trump has also threatened to sic his attorney general on Hillary Clinton and go after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post, because he thinks the paper's coverage of him has been unfair. Such threats undermine the rule of law, which is what separates the United States from banana republics.

Donald Trump is bad for all Americans. A vote for Trump is a vote against the ideas and principles that already make America great.