Who is Donald Trump and what does he really stand for?

Coach Is Right ^ | 8/31/2015 | Ed Wood

[HomerBohn]

When interviewing those who work for him (or who have or have had business dealings with him) negative stories about Donald Trump are curiously lacking. After all the employees he has had and all of the business deals made, there is an unmistakable lack of criticism. In fact, long term employees call him a strong and compassionate leader and say he has far more integrity and higher moral standards than many people may think.

And while it may surprise many, he’s actually humble when it comes to his generosity and kindness. A good example is a story that tells of his limo breaking down on a deserted highway outside of New York City. A middle-aged couple stopped to help him and as a thank you he paid off their mortgage, but he didn’t brag about that. Generous people rarely talk of the charitable acts they bestow on others.

But interesting as this may be, the thing that people want to know is Donald Trump’s plan for America. It’s funny how many people say they don’t know what it is, or act as though Trump is hiding it. The information is readily available if people would just do a little homework. But as most Americans won’t do their own research, here, in no particular order, is an overview of many of Trump’s positions and plans:

1.) Trump believes that America should not intervene militarily in other country’s problems without being compensated for doing so. If America is going to risk the lives of her soldiers and incur the expense of going to war, then the nations we help must be willing to pay the tab. Using the Iraq War as an example, Trump cites the huge expense to American taxpayers (over $1.5 trillion, and possibly much more depending on what sources are used to determine the cost) in addition to the incalculable cost in human life. He suggests that Iraq should have been required to give us enough of their oil to pay for the expenses we incurred. He includes in those expenses the medical costs for our military and $5 million for each family that lost a loved one in the war and $2 million for each family of a soldier who suffered severe injury.

2.) Trump wants America to have a strong military again. He believes the single most important function of the federal government is national defense. He has said he wants to find the General Patton or General MacArthur who could lead our military back to proper strength. While he hasn’t said it directly that I know of, Trump’s attitude about America and about winning tells me he would be quick to eliminate rules of engagement that handicap our military in battle and put our soldiers as risk. Clearly Trump is a “win at all costs” kind of guy and I’m sure that would apply to our national defense and security, too.

3.) Trump wants a strong foreign policy and believes that it must include 7 core principles:

a. American interests come first. Always. No apologies.

b. Maximum firepower and military preparedness.

c. Only go to war to win.

d. Stay loyal to your friends and suspicious of your enemies.

e. Keep the technological sword razor sharp.

f.See the unseen. Prepare for threats before they materialize.

g. Respect and support our present and past warriors.

4.) Trump believes that captured terrorists should be treated as military combatants, not as criminals, which is the treatment they receive from the Obama administration.

5.) Trump makes the point that China’s manipulation of its currency has given them unfair advantage in our trade dealings with them. He says we must tax their imports to offset their currency manipulation, which will cause American companies to be competitive again, drive manufacturing back to America and create jobs here. Although he sees China as the biggest offender, he believes that America should protect itself from all foreign efforts to take our jobs and manufacturing. For example, Ford is building a plant in Mexico and Trump suggests that every part or vehicle Ford makes there be taxed 35% if they want to bring it into the U. S. This would cause companies like Ford to no longer be competitive when using their Mexican operations. They would therefore move manufacturing back to the U. S. where jobs would once again be created.

6.) Trump favors passage of NOPEC legislation (No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act – NOPEC – S.394), which would allow the government to sue OPEC for violating antitrust laws. According to Trump, that would break up the cartel. He also wants to unleash our energy companies to drill domestically (sound like Sarah Palin’s drill baby, drill?) thereby increasing domestic production, creating jobs and driving domestic costs of oil and gas down while reducing dependence on foreign oil.

7.) Trump believes a secure border is critical for both security and prosperity in America. He wants to build a wall to stop illegals from entering and help put controls on immigration. (And he says he’ll get Mexico to pay for the wall, which many have scoffed at, but given his business successes I wouldn’t put it past him.) He also wants to enforce our immigration laws and provide no path to citizenship for illegals other than that which is currently included in the law.

8.) Trump wants a radical change to the tax system to not only make it better for average Americans, but also to encourage businesses to stay here and foreign businesses to move here. The resulting influx of money would do wonders for our economy. He wants to make America the place to do business. He also wants to lower the death tax and the taxes on capital gains and dividends. This would put more than $1.6 trillion back into the economy and help replace the 1.5 million jobs we’ve lost to the current tax system. He also wants to charge a 20% tax on companies which outsource jobs overseas. Those willing to move jobs back to America would not be taxed. And for citizens he has a tax plan that would allow Americans to keep more of what they earn and spark economic growth. He wants to change the personal income tax to:

a. Up to $30,000 taxed at 1%

b. From $30,000 to $100,000 taxed at 5%

c. From $100,000 to $1,000,000 taxed at 10%

d. $1,000,000 and above taxed at 15%

9.) Trump wants Obamacare repealed. He says it’s a “job-killing, health care-destroying monstrosity” that “can’t be reformed, salvaged, or fixed.” He believes in allowing real competition in the health insurance marketplace to allow competition to drive prices down. He also believes in tort reform to get rid of defensive medicine and lower costs.

10.) Trump wants spending reforms in Washington, acknowledging that America spends far more than it receives in revenue. He has said he believes that if we don’t stop increasing the national debt once it hits $24 trillion it will be impossible to save this country. Even though he says we need to cut spending, he does not want to harm those on Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. He believes as citizens have faithfully paid into the system, these services should remain available. The American government has an obligation to fulfill its end of the bargain and provide those benefits. Therefore, he wants to build the economy up so that we have the revenue to pay those costs without cutting the benefits to the recipients. He disagrees with Democrats who believe raising taxes is always the answer for when that is done, the economy is stifled. On the other hand, lower taxes create an environment which will help businesses grow. More workers will be hired and those new workers will also pay taxes. Together it generates more tax revenue for the government.

11.) Trump also wants reform of the welfare state, saying that America needs “a safety net, not a hammock.” He believes in a welfare-to-work program that would help reduce welfare rolls and encourage people to get back to work. And he wants a crackdown on entitlement fraud.

12.) Trump believes climate change is a hoax.

13.) He opposes Common Core.

14.) Trump is pro-life, although he allows for an exception due to rape, incest or the life of the mother.

15.) He is pro-2nd Amendment rights.

16.) Trump’s view on same-sex marriage is that marriage is between a man and a woman. He also believes that this is a states’ rights rather than federal issue.

17.) Trump supports the death penalty.

18.) Trump believes that there is a lack of common sense and innovative thinking in Washington. (Hmmm… looks like he believes in horse sense!). He says it’s about seeing the unseen and that’s the kind of thinking we need to turn this country around.

He tells a personal story to illustrate the point:

“When I opened Trump National Golf Club at Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles, I was immediately told that I would need to build a new and costly ballroom. The current ballroom was gorgeous, but it only sat 200 people and we were losing business because people needed a larger space for their events. Building a new ballroom would take years to get approval and permits (since it’s on the Pacific Ocean), and cost about $5 million. I took one look at the ballroom and saw immediately what needed to be done. The problem wasn’t the size of the room, it was the size of the chairs.

They were huge, heavy, and unwieldy. We didn’t need a bigger ballroom, we needed smaller chairs! So I had them replaced with high-end, smaller chairs. I then had our people sell the old chairs and got more money for them than the cost of the new chairs. In the end, the ballroom went from seating 200 people to seating 320 people. Our visitors got the space they desired, and I spared everyone the hassle of years of construction and $5 million of expense. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little common sense.”

On top of saving years of construction and $5 million in expenses, Trump also was able to keep the ballroom open for business during the time it would have been closed for remodeling. This allowed him to continue making money with the space instead of losing revenue during construction.

Donald Trump’s entire life has been made up of success and winning. He’s been accused of bankruptcies, but that’s not true. He’s never filed personal bankruptcy. He’s bought companies and legally used bankruptcy laws to restructure their debt, just as businesses do all the time. But he’s never been bankrupt personally.

He’s a fighter that clearly loves America and would fight for our nation.

Earlier I quoted Trump saying, “I love America. And when you love something, you protect it passionately – fiercely, even.” We never hear that from Democrats or even from most Republicans. Donald Trump is saying things that desperately need to be said but which no other candidate has shown the fortitude to stand up and say.

Looking over this list of what he wants for America I see a very necessary set of goals that are long past due. Before we criticize someone because the media does, maybe we should seriously consider what he has to offer.

[HomerBohn]

Nit-picking?

Surely there’s something of significance in Trump’s bucket list that you can get your teeth into.

I don’t have family members that have had experience with the size of ballroom chairs.

[DoodleDawg]

Even though he says we need to cut spending, he does not want to harm those on Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security.

OK so Trump wants to spend more on the military. He wants to spend more on veterans. He wants to spend more on infrastructure. He wants to eliminated business, capital gains, and inheritance taxes and cut income taxes to the bone. And he wants to balance the budget. How?

[taildragger]

"Good article BUT, can he deliver?",

The million dollar question DA37...

Will the House and Senate send him bills that mirror his objectives? Even if the Crying Cheeto and the Turtle get the boot we get who? Ryan? Who has aligned himself w/ K-Street and probably 80% of the House and Senate feel the same way are Ryan as well?

We will have to hold their metaphorical feet very close to the fire to get anything done, Or does Trump go over the media's head and rail against the Legislative branch as well?

[Tupelo]

Of course You are right. Of course Trump lied because he did not present the complete details when telling the story. Of course your “family member” has the complete details of the remodel to contradict that non conservative Democrat Trump.
I can only congratulate you for having the smarts and clairvoyance to see right through that charlatan.
Thank you very much

[HomerBohn]

I tend to agree with you. Those who espouse that line need to furnish statistics where that would appear to be the case.

[papertyger]

not all of his “free enterprise” giant stuff is that free.....lot of cronyism, supporting the Kelo decision, greasing the right palms. Thats an oligarchy, not free enterprise.

Procedural Paladins do not win against the guys making the rules. Yours is the voice for the status quo.

[HomerBohn]

The very reason I toss all mail from the RNC or any other party affiliated PAC directly into the trash bin.

Whenever they call I tell them I am no longer a Republican, but have changed my affiliation to Monarchist.

[Liz]

The Cantor/Bush alignment..... while inherently stupid...is more proof that the GOPe Mafia has abandoned the Conservative base....inanely believing they do not need the base to win.

Nice take---all of it.

Then-House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-Va), was considered untouchable and inevitable.

<><> Cantor had tons of money---spent 26 times his primary opponent's $100K.

<><> Cantor consistently polled an astounding 34 points ahead of his unknown opponent.

<><> Cantor was considered "inevitable" and "untouchable".

<><> Cantor had not even one ethics problems.

<><> Cantor sucked-up to an anti-tea party group.

<><> Cantor sucked up to the latino vote.

<><> Cantor showboated his leadership---was deeply into "diversity."

=============================================

BY CONTRAST HIS PRIMARY OPPONENT:

<><> ran as the one to term-limit Cantor;

<><> Brat roundly opposed, and was vociferous against amnesty.

<><> Brat ran as a staunch conservative (now in Congress he has a bonafide 100% conservative rating.)

<><> On election day, Brat got 18,000 more Repub out to the polls than the previous election that elected Cantor.

================================================

CANTOR IN DEFEAT----DUMBFOUNDED:

[Jim Noble]

Who is Donald Trump and what does he really stand for?

He's Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, and he stands for removing those who would destroy us from government.

My family is ready to vote today.

[C. Edmund Wright]

Yours is the voice for the status quo

you could not be more wrong...I mean, that's so ridiculous as to expose the intellectual weakness of your argument, which is abysmal. Cronyism IS the status quo. Kelo IS the status quo. Greasing palms IS the status quo. So was Stimulus, TARP and the auto bail outs.

Tell me genius, tell me how I'm the voice of the status quo when you're the one supporting a guy who's hip deep in the status quo????

[Blennos]

“The current ballroom...only sat 200 people and we were losing business...I took one look at the ballroom and saw immediately what needed to be done. The problem wasn’t the size of the room, it was the size of the chairs.

They were huge, heavy, and unwieldy. We didn’t need a bigger ballroom, we needed smaller chairs! So I had them replaced with high-end, smaller chairs....In the end, the ballroom went from seating 200 people to seating 320 people.”

I just ran this by a family member with some experience and heard it doesn’t add up. First of all, capacity is limited by table size, not chair size. The tables seat a certain number comfortably, and smaller chairs won’t change that. Second, the number of tables is limited by the size of the room. Then there’s the approval of the fire marshall to get a ballroom rated for 200 to be approved for half again as many. That has to do not with the size of the room alone but with the number of exits. If the tables and the room could fit 320 in the first place, the 200 chairs were not the problem; all he needed was more chairs, not smaller ones.

As an aside, the person I spoke to, had over 200 ballroom chairs. Perhaps Trump has such magic that he can sell old ballroom chairs for enough money to pay for new, but it would definitely call for magic.

I see no reason to doubt Trump's story here. I don't get the impression that he is a liar -- unlike so many politicians. Maybe the smaller chairs enabled more people to be seated at the same number of tables.

Trump has accomplished great things in his life. What he described seems well within the realm of possibility. Why not trust this guy until he gives us reasons not to?

[C. Edmund Wright]

your procedural paladins statement indicates you are thinking we need a dictator. Are you?

Be careful what you wish for?

[papertyger]

Tell me genius, tell me how I'm the voice of the status quo when you're the one supporting a guy who's hip deep in the status quo????

Because you are railing against the ONLY guy that doesn't fit the old model AND is presenting a serious threat to that model.

[satan]

Any integrity and moral standards are higher than what we have today.

[logi_cal869]

I expect a certain writer will be trolling this thread with his bully stick right soon; disinfect after the experience...

[C. Edmund Wright]

Yours is the voice for the status quo.

Yeah, right....love it when a bot steps in a pile...

[HomerBohn]

One way would be to take a gigantic meat axe to this monolithic central socialist government and reduce it to the bloated size of the New York State government....at least.

There are so many things that need to be done to economize and shrink this monster.

Just one would be to revamp this system of our convoluted and confusing system of courts and then to cut all benefits to bureaucrats AND judges. No more life tenure and bloated staffs for elected congressrats.

No foreign aid and no constructing gigantic costly embassies like Iraq, et al, under Bush II.

No useless wars.

No more subsidies for energy sources.

And on and on and on.

[tflabo]

It would be as Reagan said, ‘not more taxes but more taxpayers’...meaning an increase in jobs and less on unemployment. Its a mammoth task this country faces but an accomplished billionaire like Trump is far more appealing than the leftist drecks or RINO pukes can offer. Other than Cruz and perhaps Walker who else could pull this off?

[HomerBohn]

Thanks.

It seems like I’ve been here forever.

[C. Edmund Wright]

Because you are railing against the ONLY guy that doesn't fit the old model AND is presenting a serious threat to that model.

Once again, your estrogen has out kicked your intellect. I am not railing against Trump, I am railing against the 80% of his supporters who are blind worshipful bots. I'll vote DT happily if he gets the nomination.

I am trying to point out that he actually DOES fit the model you so blindly think he's going to tear down. He IS a universal care guy. He IS a crony. He IS a one man lobbying firm. He IS a believer in the power of big government to do great things. He IS TARP, he Is STIMULUS, he IS BAIL OUTS.

You, on the other hand, are blind.