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Now Is No Time to Be Voting for President Based on Emotion
NRO ^ | September 15, 2015 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 09/15/2015 3:43:16 AM PDT by nikos1121

In a country with more than 300 million people, it is remarkable how obsessed the media have become with just one — Donald Trump. What is even more remarkable is that, after six years of repeated disasters, both domestically and internationally, under a glib egomaniac in the White House, so many potential voters are turning to another glib egomaniac to be his successor.

No doubt much of the stampede of Republican voters toward Mr. Trump is based on their disgust with the Republican establishment. The fact that the next two biggest vote-getters in the polls are also complete outsiders — Dr. Ben Carson and Ms. Carly Fiorina — reinforces the idea that this is a protest. It is easy to understand why there would be pent-up resentments among Republican voters. But are elections held for the purpose of venting emotions? No national leader ever aroused more fervent emotions than Adolf Hitler did in the 1930s. Watch some old newsreels of German crowds delirious with joy at the sight of him. The only things at all comparable in more recent times were the ecstatic crowds that greeted Barack Obama when he burst upon the political scene in 2008. Elections, however, have far more lasting, and far more serious — or even grim — consequences than emotional venting. The actual track record of crowd-pleasers, whether Juan Peron in Argentina, Obama in America, or Hitler in Germany, is very sobering, if not painfully depressing.

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/424008/donald-trump-voters-election-egomaniac

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: patronizing; sowell; trump
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To: bigtoona

I think if Cruz was leading in the polls people would not be as fanatical and willing to excuse as they are for Trump.

See, Cruz (and many of the other candidates) have proven track records of supporting certain issues. They didn’t decide to be conservative some time this year.

They don’t talk about the good things that Planned Parenthood does.

They don’t give money to Clintons and Schumers and Pelosis.

They don’t talk about class warfare and raising taxes on the rich.

It’s not really a direct comparison.


61 posted on 09/15/2015 5:00:07 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: jpsb
Isn't there a logic law that says the first one to bring up Hitler has lost the argument?

Godwin's Law.

problem is, the Left doesn't apply it - they throw Hitler's name around like monkeys fling dung.

62 posted on 09/15/2015 5:00:14 AM PDT by Old Sarge (I prep because DHS and FEMA told me it was a good idea...)
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To: The_Victor

People have good reason to be mad. Trump may be the last gasp of our dying Republic. I think he offers a siren’s song rather than a true vision, but people are willing to try anything at this point. Truly, only God knows, and I doubt He’s very happy, either.


63 posted on 09/15/2015 5:02:51 AM PDT by antidisestablishment (If Washington was judged with the same standard as Sodom, it would not exist.)
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To: demshateGod
Bah! Trump good Sowell bad? This Trump thing has entered the realm of the ridiculous.

Embarrassing to see this behavior on FR. Hero worship, and yes, this reminds me exactly of the Obama worshipers. I have always thought that there was some difference in the thought process, the ability to reason, between US and Them, but perhaps I was mistaken.

I am not a Trump hater, in fact, he is moving up my list and is towards the top. I am looking and hoping for reasons to put him at the top soon, but that said, I am not blind to his shortcomings.

64 posted on 09/15/2015 5:04:16 AM PDT by Paradox (Sayin it like I see it, wherever and whenever I see fit.)
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To: nathanbedford

“I agree with you that the Hitler reference is over the top, not because it is inherently so but because it is out of bounds by convention.”

So what you seem to be saying is that Trump = Hitler, but you think that the author shouldn’t have said it because it hurts the argument that Trump = Hitler?


65 posted on 09/15/2015 5:04:35 AM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: SoothingDave
When a Democrat takes the white House in 2016, it will be because of this moment in time and the reaction people are having to this “savior” personality.

I was talking to some Bernie Sanders supporters yesterday. Yes, they are Socialist Democrats. One said, in a Hillary vs Trump contest he would vote for Trump...not because he agrees with most of his positions, but because he would shake things up in both political parties.

66 posted on 09/15/2015 5:07:00 AM PDT by sockmonkey (Of course I didn't read the article. After all, this is Free Republic.)
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To: demshateGod

A sure sign of losing it; Sowell just went full Godwin’s Law.


67 posted on 09/15/2015 5:08:50 AM PDT by Flick Lives (One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast. -- Heinlein)
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To: RFEngineer

rather than Hitler, there was another charismatic WW II leader Winston Churchill. He also had a very comforting emotional appeal that attracted the people as he led them through dangerous times


68 posted on 09/15/2015 5:09:47 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12, 73, ....carson is the kinder gentler trump)
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To: antidisestablishment
People have good reason to be mad. Trump may be the last gasp of our dying Republic. I think he offers a siren’s song rather than a true vision, but people are willing to try anything at this point. Truly, only God knows, and I doubt He’s very happy, either.

I understand the anger because I feel it too. But I really don't think it's a good idea to exchange their petulant child for ours, especially without some assurance that our guy will actually govern as a conservative. And I really am not looking forward to a presidency conducted in 140 characters or less.

69 posted on 09/15/2015 5:16:37 AM PDT by The_Victor (If all I want is a warm feeling, I should just wet my pants.)
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To: Tax-chick

He has alienated likely a large number of past business associates and no doubt that will great diminish all futures earnings and likely many current holdings. So yes he has risked much. If Obama’s stupidity gets us nuked all of his wealth will be for nothing. And if we elect another RINO we may lose everything as regular Americans. Look around this country or the world in general, what is any RINO doing to improve our nation.


70 posted on 09/15/2015 5:17:47 AM PDT by nclaurel
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To: Gen.Blather

Well there is one thing Trump says that is 100% true.

He’s a deal maker.

He’ll be more than happy to make deals with democrats which will move the dem agenda forward not backward.

That is a 100% guarantee out of Trump.


71 posted on 09/15/2015 5:18:16 AM PDT by IMR 4350
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To: nikos1121
I might humbly suggest that the great Dr. Sowell is being overly emotional himself on this subject. His fear of the current Trump mania causes him to throw out the 0bama AND Hitler comparisons?!! SRSLY?! Dr. Sowell, have YOU lost your mind?!

I sense the intelligentsia does understand the reason for the anger and the backlash against the DC bubble. But they still are treating the voters who are fed up as 'crazy wacko birds' for even considering Trump. Foolish on their part.

The best antidote to Trump is for the Majority Leader and Speaker of the House to fight against this LAWLESS pres__ent everywhere they can. Instead, they continue to refuse to do so, which makes Trump even stronger.

72 posted on 09/15/2015 5:20:39 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: nikos1121

Now, come back and drink your koolaid. I promise it doesn’t have any poison, this time.


73 posted on 09/15/2015 5:22:00 AM PDT by freedomfiter2 (Lex rex)
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To: IMR 4350

well mr dingy harry........ do you vote for my bill or do i I cut off the water to Las Vegas?


74 posted on 09/15/2015 5:22:40 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12, 73, ....carson is the kinder gentler trump)
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To: nikos1121

Vote for Trump in the primary if you hate the Republican Party more than the Liberals.


75 posted on 09/15/2015 5:24:02 AM PDT by elhombrelibre (Against Obama. Against Putin. Pro-freedom. Pro-US Constitution.)
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To: nathanbedford

For many people, anyone who speaks the truth about Trump is the enemy.


76 posted on 09/15/2015 5:24:54 AM PDT by elhombrelibre (Against Obama. Against Putin. Pro-freedom. Pro-US Constitution.)
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To: SoothingDave
I think if Cruz was leading in the polls people would not be as fanatical and willing to excuse as they are for Trump.

This is a VERY interesting point that deserves more discussion. I have scratched my head over the lower polling numbers achieved by Ted Cruz. He is every bit the Revolutionary that Trump would be, but Senator Cruz brings an impeccable conservative track record on top of it.

Yet, there he stands in single digits. I don't get it, but a lot of Trump's support is Cruz followers who are waiting for his numbers to rise.

77 posted on 09/15/2015 5:25:55 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: nikos1121
~ Well, It Was Done Before ~

Krugman: Good That Democrats Don’t Create ‘Cults of Personality photo Obama-Cult-Haraz-N.jpg

78 posted on 09/15/2015 5:27:42 AM PDT by SkyDancer ("Nobody Said I Was Perfect But Yet Here I Am")
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To: SoothingDave
There's a big difference between Obama and Trump. Obama's a proven liar. Trump has a reputation for making deals and staying with them.

Another big difference. Trump is born and raised in the USA, patriotic, made his fortune by playing by the rules and PROUD. Obama was raised in Indonesia and who knows where else.

Another big difference. Trump is loyal to the USA. Obama is loyal to the Mulim Brotherhood and ISIS.

Comparing the two is extremely insulting to Trump supporters. Perhaps as bad as Sowell comparing Trump to Hitler.

79 posted on 09/15/2015 5:30:12 AM PDT by grania
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To: bert

Yeah, that’s a valid comparison - Trump and Churchill. LOL.


80 posted on 09/15/2015 5:30:57 AM PDT by elhombrelibre (Against Obama. Against Putin. Pro-freedom. Pro-US Constitution.)
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