Dear President Trump,

My, what a couple of weeks you’ve had!

But, before I offer psychological advice, first I’d like to say thanks again for the stock market boom last week. Unfortunately, this special prosecutor thing may change lots of things for both you and the market.

Second, thanks for agreeing to the $1.2 trillion spending bill that does not fund your wall, dismantle consumer protections, cut non-defense spending or undermine Obamacare, which three-fourths of Americans would like to make work.

I know you called the bill’s passage “a clear win for the American people,” but, given your campaign promises, how is this a “win” for you, or even a compromise? Is it like “winning” your Trump University lawsuit despite losing $25 million?

Third, thanks for finally admitting that your job is tougher than you thought. Your “unpresidented” disapproval ratings, the Russia investigations, the ongoing protests, and your staff chaos, firings and leaks and are clearly reflecting how tough it’s been.

Fourth, thanks for finally being honest and admitting that this “Russia thing” had something to do with your firing of FBI Director Comey. This and Mr. Comey’s memos about you asking him to lay off the Michael Flynn investigation, along with similar claims from other intelligence officials, will really help officials decide whether you were obstructing justice.

Seriously, not everyone can follow your loyalty before honesty expectation.

And Mr. Comey’s the “grandstander”? Look who bragged about U.S. intelligence and, as one U.S. official stated, “revealed more information to the Russian Ambassador than we share with our allies.” The Israelis are privately steaming about this.

Fifth, thanks for saying, “I don’t think Bill O’Reilly did anything wrong,” in referring to his sexually aggressive actions toward women, which seem so like those revealed in your taped statements. This at least lets me know that you are consistent in your attitude toward women.

Just this past week, I received a surprise invitation from the RNC to become, an “Inaugural Member” of the “Trump Presidential Task Force.” Wow!

My invitation included your direction to “keep winning” as part of “the national, opportunity for everyone, party of change.”

I’ll grant you that the Republican Party certainly has been a party of change under your leadership. Why you’ve changed the definitions of both winning and truth!

However, it’s a real stretch to call Republicans the “opportunity for everyone” party. Heck, you’re denying 24 million Americans the right to affordable medical treatment under your Trumpcare bill, which all major medical organizations oppose.

Pretty soon, you’ll learn that you can’t fool the public forever by reneging on your promise of “insurance for everybody” that will be “much less expensive and much better.”

I also don’t understand how Trump tax reform, which analysts agree enhances the fortunes of the wealthy at the expense of the lower classes, will result in “opportunity for everyone.” It certainly can’t trickle down like your family’s opportunities have.

Now, I have a bright, moral and conservative old friend who’s done well in business without a multi-million dollar stake from Daddy. He continues to defend you and laugh at me for taking your words seriously.

Like me, he would have preferred John Kasich to be president. But, he’s also told me repeatedly, “Trump only says bad things. … Hillary did them.”

What I tell my friend is that presidential words are actions, and you are especially dangerous with them. And it’s not just with your denigration of women, senators, Muslims, Mexicans, people with disabilities, war heroes, etc. Nor with your compliments toward Vladimir Putin or grandstanding, self-serving untruths.

Calling Kim Jong-un a “smart cookie” whom you’d be “honored to meet” and Egypt’s brutal, torturing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi someone “very close to me” who’s “done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation” undermines America’s exceptionalism as a beacon of democracy.

Past Republican and Democratic presidents occasionally worked with dictators, but they demonstrated moral leadership in the process. They did not admire leaders simply for being “strong.”

I teach my students how to deal appropriately with bullies, to consider consequences and to develop successful, honest coping strategies. I encourage friendships with morally sound peers that help them stay out of trouble. Think Angela Merkel. I even teach them chess to help them focus, think ahead, follow rules and anticipate the impact of their decisions.

How about if you did the same?

I’d really love for you to play chess with my students at the White House. They could model our mottoes of, “Winning with Humility” and “Losing with Dignity.”

Come on. You certainly need the practice — and the photo ops.

Sincerely,

Mike

Mike McGrew is a Carroll County school psychologist. His email is mcgrewclark@hotmail.com.