PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

The Washington Post performed an excellent service a few days before final voting in this strangest-of-all presidential elections by listing some of the incredible things Trump has said along the campaign trail.

Plus, the editorial writers say that, when Trump is caught in a lie or an overstatement, he doubles down and contends that he and only he can deal with the issue.

I have thought that, along this campaign trail, Trump has showed signs of being mentally ill. He comes across as paranoid and so obviously self-centered that who knows what he would do if he had the nuclear trigger at his disposal.

The editorial writers closed with this paragraph:

“It is mystifying that so many Republicans, after criticizing Mr. Obama for eight years for showing insufficient pride in the United States, would attach themselves to someone who has such contempt for the country, its institutions and its values. U.S. generals have been “reduced to rubble,” the U.S. Army cannot fight, U.S. cities are “hell,” U.S. wealth has been “stripped” away by global interests, the electoral system is “one big, ugly lie.” To each of these disasters, Mr. Trump offers phony solutions (Mexico will pay to build a wall) or none at all. He has neither the interest nor the capacity to suggest actual policies.”

Here, then, is the list of Trump pronouncements.

• “If I decide to run for office, I’ll produce my tax returns, absolutely.”

Comment: Don’t bet on it. His refusal to release returns, the Post says, is an unprecedented sign of contempt for voters

• “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. . . . They’re sending people who have lots of problems. . . . They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

Comment: To Trump, all Mexican immigrants are rapists. Surely, the United States must do a better job of controlling its borders, including to the south, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who is not Trump is a criminal.

• “You’d be in jail.” (a remark to Hillary Clinton)

Comment: Every four years there are winners and losers in national elections. This time, if Trump loses, going against the pattern of history, he says he won’t accept the outcome.

• “I would bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.”

Comment: So, Trump, himself proposes that he would be a terrorist.

• “I’d like to punch him in the face, I tell ya.”

Comment: Trump’s instinct to fight with anyone who disagrees with him portends nothing but trouble if he sits in the Oval Office.

• “When you’re a star, they let you do it.”

Comment: Consider the incredible, over-the-top egotism of this comment. He’s a star so he can do what he wants to women.

• “Make America great again.”

Comment: For me, this comment always stirs up disquieting memories of what it must have been like in post World War I Germany when Hitler rose to power. Like Hitler in Germany, Trump says he alone can be the savior of America.

Now, some who may read this post will respond that Hillary Clinton has her own problems with ethics and integrity. To that, I answer, “yes, true.” But Trump’s pronouncements are far worse.

If that means, we, as voters, face a choice between the evils of less than honorable candidates, so be it. I’ll choose the one, Clinton, who at least has a semblance of qualifications to serve in the nation’s highest political office.