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The Triumph of Perseverance over Failure
American Thinker ^ | 26 Aug, 2025 | Kevin Finn

Posted on 08/26/2025 4:20:29 AM PDT by MtnClimber

Some leftists are now claiming that conservatives are foolish to expect President Trump, who once went bankrupt, to turn the economy around. As leftist claims frequently do, it shines a spotlight on their willful ignorance of history.

Our society glorifies overnight successes and flawless trajectories. But it's worth refamiliarizing ourselves with the stories of individuals who have plummeted to financial ruin only to rebuild their careers and create successful businesses. These serve as powerful reminders of human resilience. Bankruptcy, a word synonymous with defeat, has marked the journeys of countless individuals who have refused to let it define them. Instead of wallowing in despair, they transformed catastrophe into catalyst, embodying virtues like perseverance and adaptability. When we examine the experiences of these figures, we see that failure is not a terminus but a forge for greatness. Learning from setbacks can propel one toward unprecedented achievements.

At the heart of these stories lies the virtue of perseverance -- the refusal to surrender in the face of insurmountable odds. The early entrepreneurial venture of Abraham Lincoln, for example, crumbled in 1833. As a young storekeeper in New Salem, Illinois, Lincoln accumulated debts equivalent to about $28,000 in today’s dollars after his business partner died, leaving him solely liable. There were no bankruptcy protections at the time, yet he managed to repay his creditors over 17 grueling years. This ordeal did not deter him. Instead, it ignited his political ascent. From failed campaigns to eventual election as president in 1860, Lincoln’s steadfastness preserved the Union during the Civil War, cementing his legacy as one of America’s greatest leaders. His story demonstrates that perseverance can turn hardship into a foundation for enduring impact.

Similarly, Walt Disney’s story exemplifies perseverance and creative reinvention. Born into humble circumstances in 1901, Disney launched Laugh-O-Gram Studio in 1920,

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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society
KEYWORDS: economy; history; industry; trump

1 posted on 08/26/2025 4:20:29 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

Leftists, who never had a real job, mock President Trump’s previous business failures.


2 posted on 08/26/2025 4:20:39 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

Ulysses S. Grant also failed at a business. Going back into the Army after the outbreak of the Civil War seemed, at the time, like a simple return to something he could do to earn a living. The rest is history!


3 posted on 08/26/2025 4:27:02 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: MtnClimber

Trump is doing OK, I’m just concerned that the next guy is just going to executive order all of Trump’s stuff away on day one and then we will be royally screwed again. One more bad president, a President Camacho, and stick a fork in us, we are done


4 posted on 08/26/2025 4:36:19 AM PDT by MarlonRando
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To: MtnClimber

And Democrat politicians never experience bankruptcy because it isn’t their money they’re spending. There’s always more tax-payer money, isn’t there?


5 posted on 08/26/2025 4:47:19 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady (The greatest wealth is to live content with little. -Plato)
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To: MtnClimber
Failure is part of learning how to succeed. That said, Trump is running a complex gambit on the economy. The working parts of tariffs, tax cuts, deregulation, abundant energy, and low interest rates must all come together for success.

The consequences of a misstep are high though. As most elections turn on the state of the economy, any thing less than success likely will lead to Democrat gains in 2026 and beyond. Quite possibly making MAGA a footnote in history.

6 posted on 08/26/2025 4:53:24 AM PDT by buckalfa (More chaos and disruption please.)
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To: A_perfect_lady

Riffing on an old Doritos commercial: “Keep on spending. We’ll print more!”


7 posted on 08/26/2025 5:01:08 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: MarlonRando

With the beautiful line up of possibilities for our future politicians, it would be a miracle if we were not to have wonderful opportunities for a continuance of GOOD LEADERSHIP.

WE ARE Sooo fortunate to have these YOUNG QUALIFIED, EFFICIENT, BRILLIANT IN SOME CASES, PEOPLE who are our future.

I feel secure in the coming years.

I almost forgot DE SANTIS!!!

If we FAIL with those dazzling darlings...then, we deserve to fail....

I DO NOT SEE THAT.

Go Vance, Rubio, Kennedy, Noem, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, Bondi, Patel, etc, etc, etc.

None of the above is a WIMJP.


8 posted on 08/26/2025 5:09:34 AM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: MtnClimber

Some leftists are now claiming that conservatives are foolish to expect President Trump, who once went bankrupt, to turn the economy around.....


But they expected the likes of Kamala and Tim to turn they economy around? LOL.


9 posted on 08/26/2025 5:14:41 AM PDT by rbg81 (=)
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To: Maris Crane

Let’s hope we can get past the cheating again and yes, we could get a Trump-lite next time.


10 posted on 08/26/2025 5:15:23 AM PDT by MarlonRando
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To: MtnClimber

That’s how stupid the lefties are.


11 posted on 08/26/2025 5:21:23 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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