Posted on 04/29/2016 11:50:43 AM PDT by newgeezer
The sudden appearance of Donald Trump on the political horizon last year may have been surprising, but not nearly as surprising as seeing some conservatives supporting him.
Does Trump have conservative principles? Does he have any principles at all, other than promoting Donald Trump? A smorgasbord of political positions — none of them indicating any serious thought about complicated issues — is not a principle. Nor is cheering for himself and boasting about all the great things he is going to do as President.
Haven't we seen this movie before? Wasn't Barack Obama going to heal the racial divide, end the partisan bickering in Washington, have the most transparent administration ever, lower the cost of health care and let you keep your own doctor?
Had he actually done all those things, walking on water as an encore would have been an anti-climax. But instead, he did the opposite of all those things.
There was absolutely nothing in Obama's track record that should have led anyone to think that he would even try to do any of the things he declared he was going to do. But why spoil a great vision, and soaring rhetoric, by checking track records?
It was bad enough for the voters to make the colossal mistake of being taken in by appearances and ignoring realities. But to repeat that very same mistake with Trump, immediately after the Obama administration, is truly staggering. How many pied pipers are we going to follow off to parts unknown?
At this late date, there is no point itemizing the many things that demonstrate Trump's gross inadequacies for being President of the United States. Trump himself has demonstrated those gross inadequacies repeatedly, at least weekly and sometimes daily. Those who do not believe their own eyes and ears are certainly not going to believe any words of mine, or of anyone else.
What William James called "the will to believe" is still as powerful today as it was when he coined the phrase more than a century ago. But what is there about Donald Trump that taps into that powerful current of credulity?
The many betrayals of the voters by the Republican establishment, year after year, no doubt set the stage. And Trump is a great theatrical performer on any stage.
But is that enough? It has been enough politically to put some of the great demagogues of history in power, especially after the existing establishment has discredited itself.
The discredited Weimar Republic in Germany was vulnerable to the verbal attacks by Adolf Hitler that brought him to power. Now we know, too late, that Hitler turned out to be a bigger catastrophe — for Germany and the world — than the Weimar Republic.
Donald Trump is not an evil man like Hitler. But his headstrong shallowness and fecklessness make him a dangerous man to have in the White House, with our enemies around the world on the march, and developing intercontinental missiles that can deliver nuclear bombs.
A President of the United States has many heavy responsibilities beyond building a wall and fighting the Republican establishment.
Just the thought of Trump appointing justices of the Supreme Court, who will have lifetime tenure and make decisions, for decades, that will determine whether we will still be a free people, should sober up all who have not been irretrievably hypnotized by rhetoric or so embittered by the betrayals of the Republican establishment that they can see little else, including life and death issues.
For conservatives especially, there is finally a real choice for a change — and a sharp contrast with Donald Trump. Senator Ted Cruz has a track record that leaves no doubt as to his adherence to conservative principles. And he is as thoroughly versed in the issues facing this country as anyone who has run for President since Ronald Reagan.
Has Senator Cruz been flawless? Certainly not, and this column has more than once pointed out some of those flaws. But he has both the principles and the intellect for the job. Given the alternatives — Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — that should be more than enough this election year.
The outcome of this Tuesday's primaries may tell us whether the voters want to vent their feelings or to choose someone to lead the nation in a time of dangers, at home and abroad.
Our home page still says, "Free Republic is the premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web." Dr. Sowell is still recognized as a conservative voice, no?
Now, if this thread is deleted, I'll take that as proof that we're all in for Mr. Trump, and I'll not post any more dissenting opinion to be debated. And, we'll have to look elsewhere for any reasoned response to Dr. Sowell and others who share his opinions.
(However, if defeating Hillary is the purpose for prohibiting dissension, shouldn't ALL Republicans be protected from negativity? What happens if the nominee is someone else?)
Another great surprise is the level of pro-Trump opinion on conservative, libertarian, anti-government, Free Republic.
The outcome of this TUESDAY’s primaries may tell us whether the voters want to vent their feelings or to choose someone to lead the nation in a time of dangers, at home and abroad.
Tuesday has come and (cruz “is”) gone!
The average Trump person around here is the proverbial, "Mad as hell!" and seeing red. I think it is as simple as that.
I am reasonably sure that is what you are hoping, but to no avail. Dr. Sowell is not immune to making mistakes, in fact I am sure you can do little research right here on Free Republic and see a few of them.
“Conservatives” in government don’t seem to be getting much done, other than going along to get along with the Dems. Conservatives not in government want to give Trump a chance to achieve a few things that benefit America and Americans, which they believe he can do.
I am sad to see Sowell so misguided. The “never Trump” brigade have lost all perspective and all relevance. Just like Levin & Rush, no point in wasting the time, there is no accuracy, logic, or perspective to be found there.
Trump has made the media explode, ripped away the curtains and exposed their bias & agenda. Lots of “authorities” with feet of clay. Its great what a little sunshine will do.
The Donald >>> H->!
Post away!
Probably best not to call us stupid Trumpeteers and shout, “Never Trump!”.
Good column by Sowell, as usual. Thanks for posting it.
Sowell’s elitism drips from this article.
Ted Cruz is the selected, unique, properly-anointed elite Conservative.
Trump’s common sense conservatism is easily beating the snob conservatism of these two clowns.
How does a man who is shallow and feckless have 40 plus multi-hundred million dollar properties around the world in at least 14 countries accomplish that?
And, who has give our enemies around the world the green light to march and develop missiles and nuclear bombs?
Can anyone guess?
Just being conservative does not get the job done! As much as I admire Dr. Sowell’s intellect, Trump has a track record of hiring the right people to get the job done...if he does that as President, that is all we need!!!
Why be a douchecanoe in advance? Dr. Sowell is in the tank for loathe some Ted Cruz but he’s still Dr. Sowell.
Oh goody you start off with threats. That’s endearing and open minded
I frequently disagree with the good doctor this is one of those tomes
Plus many of us have read Trumps two policy books and his position papers
Heidi and Trd are at least as ambitious and callous as Bill and Hill
That same Dr. Sowell is a lifelong academic, and like most of them is isolated from the world and never hired a person in his life. He might get some things right but is in la la land at the moment.
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