Like millions of others, I mourned the passing of Dolly Parton. I’ve learned a great deal about who she was through recent tributes.
She was caring and compassionate, always helping people, never talking down to others, and universally recognized for her heart. She even started a program that so far has distributed 305 million books to children globally.
She said in 2022, “I just give from my heart. I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m going to do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will.”
That brought thoughts of another 80-year-old, Donald Trump, the contrast between the two, and the nice things that might be said of him when he dies. There’s not much, actually.
He dodged Vietnam, blaming “bone spurs” that never seemed to
affect the rest of his life. He got over $100 million from his father in various forms yet managed to run businesses from universities to casinos into bankruptcies. He is legendary for stiffing contractors and workers, was found liable in civil court for sexual assault, his “Access Hollywood tape” is regularly quoted verbatim, and he hung out with Jeffrey Epstein. He has cut medical care for millions, started an unjustified war, and enriched himself by hundreds of millions of dollars as president. He makes enemies of allies, gives nothing without getting, and is vindictive to the core of his soul.
While Dolly was never overtly political, she was still a moral leader, and the shared similarities and differences between them are revealing. Five months age difference, both extremely wealthy and well known, yet separated by galaxies in conduct and outlook.
And then the thought came full circle. Imagine what an America run by leaders of her character instead of his would be like.
Bruce Marshall, Santa Paula
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Donald could learn from Dolly | Letter to the Editor
