Dear Colleagues,
This letter is from an individual, Andy King, and not from any campaign. But it is still about the election and a small action that we as educators can take to protect our country. We must defeat Donald Trump, and I am asking you to help by signing a short statement about his business record and economic policies.
Trump argues that his business experience and economic insight justify his election. But we all know that his wealth is based largely on his inheritance and not on his acumen[1]. His trade policies, his threat to default on the US debt, his plan to intervene in the workings of the Federal Reserve, and his tax ideas all would harm the US economy[2][3]. Clearly the response of US stock markets to his chances show that investors think that his plan would be devastating[4][5].
So, I am asking you to add your name to a simple statement to this effect. I know that it may have little influence in this noisy election, but we all must do everything we can. We have little time so please act now. I would like to publicize the list by Thursday or Friday!
Add your name by clicking here or by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P5YTY9V
***The Statement***
As business professors, we believe that Donald Trump's economic plan would be damaging to the US economy. He has threatened not to repay in full the US debt, proposed intervening in the working of the Federal Reserve, advocated restrictive trade policies, and proposed a tax plan that would greatly increase the federal deficit. Mr. Trump argues that his notoriety justifies his election, but his wealth is based on inherited money and position, and his knowledge of effective policy is denied by his public statements. We encourage every US citizen to vote to prevent his election.
To those of you in agreement, please send on this letter to several other business professors. To those of you on the fence, let me say that I find this election dispiriting, but I believe the choice is clear. In addition to the economic issues outlined above, consider Trump's unethical behavior, his racism and misogyny, his cavalier attitude to the use of nuclear weapons, his plan to remove environmental regulations, his threats to press freedom, his inciting of violence, and so on. If that is not enough, imagine how he might respond to something equivalent to the Reichstag fire. Nations have elected buffoons before, believing they could contain them. It has worked out well for no one.
Sincerely,
Andrew King
Professor of Business Administration
Tuck School of Business