Posted on 02/08/2016 6:47:05 AM PST by bigtoona
Why American cannot abide another ideologue as president
We recently enjoyed a belated holiday dinner at the home of friends. The dinner conversation was jocund, ranging from discussions about antique glass and china to theology and politics. At one point reference was made to Donald Trump being a conservative, to which I responded that Trump is not a conservative.
I said that neither does Trump view himself as a conservative. I stated it was my opinion that Trump is a pragmatist. He sees a problem and understands it must be fixed. He then sets about fixing it. He doesn’t see the problem as liberal or conservative; he sees it only as a problem. That is a quality that should be admired and applauded, not condemned. But I get ahead of myself.
Viewing problems from a liberal perspective has resulted in the creation of more problems, more entitlement programs, more victims, more government, more political correctness and more attacks on the working class in all economic strata.
Viewing things according to the so-called Republican conservative perspective has brought continued spending, globalism to the detriment of American interests and well-being, denial of what the real problems are and weak, ineffective, milquetoast leadership that amounts to Barney Fife, deputy sheriff – appeasement-oriented and afraid of its own shadow. In brief, it has brought liberal ideology with a pachyderm as a mascot juxtaposed to the ass of the Democrat Party.
Immigration isn’t a Republican problem; it isn’t a liberal problem – it is a problem that threatens the very fabric and infrastructure of America. It demands a pragmatic approach, not an approach that is intended to appease one group or another.
The impending collapse of the economy isn’t a liberal or conservative problem; it is an American problem. That said, until it is viewed as a problem that demands a common-sense approach to resolution, it will never be fixed because the Democrats and Republicans know only one way to fix things, and their impracticality has proven to have no lasting effect. Successful businessmen like Donald Trump find ways to make things work. They do not promise to accommodate.
Trump uniquely understands that China’s manipulation of currency is not a Republican problem or a Democratic problem. It is a problem that threatens our financial stability, and he understands the proper balance needed to fix it. Here again, successful businessmen like Trump who have weathered the changing tides of economic reality understand what is necessary to make business work, and they, unlike both sides of the political aisle, know that if something doesn’t work you don’t continue trying to make it work, hoping that at some point it will.
As a pragmatist, Donald Trump hasn’t made wild pie-in-the-sky promises of a cellphone in every pocket, free college tuition and a $15-an-hour minimum wage for working the drive-through a Carl’s Jr.
I argue that America needs pragmatists because pragmatists see problems and find ways to fix them. They do not see a problem and compound it by creating more problems.
You may not like Donald Trump. I suspect that the reason people do not like him is because: 1) he is antithetical to the “good old boy†method of brokering backroom deals that fatten the coffers of politicians; 2) they are unaccustomed to hearing a candidate speak who is unencumbered by the financial shackles of those who own him vis-a-vis donations; 3) he is someone who is free of idiomatic political ideology; and 4) he is someone who understands that it takes more than hollow promises and political correctness to make America great again.
Listening to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders talk about fixing America is like listening to two lunatics trying to “out crazy†one another. Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio are owned lock, stock and barrel by the bankers, corporations and big-dollar donors funding their campaigns. Bush can deny it, but common sense tells anyone willing to face facts that people don’t give tens of millions without expecting something in return.
We have had Democrats and Republican ideologues – and what has it brought us? Are we better off today or worst off? Has it happened overnight or has it been a steady decline brought on by both parties?
I submit that a pragmatist might be just what America needs right now. And as I said earlier, a pragmatist sees a problem and understands that the solution to fix same is not about a party, but a willingness and boldness to get it done.
People are quick to confuse and despise confidence as arrogance, but that is common amongst those who have never accomplished anything in their lives and who have always played it safe not willing to risk failure.
Trump has been very specific about what he wants to do. Most of that is what conservatives want: economic growth and good jobs; national security; secured borders and legal immigration; fair trade; respect for the law and law enforcement; local control of education; lowered and simplified taxes; robust middle class; limited government; respect for Christianity; and reduced regulations that harm economic growth. If he get this stuff done, I’ll be happy regardless of labels.
Agreed, his views may not follow the hard conservative talking points but they follow common sense! On healthcare, he specifically said that we need to repeal Obamacare and remove the state barriers and take care of the indigent, not allow these people to ‘die in the street’. I don’t have a problem with that.
The government only has the power that the Constitution gives it; no matter how “good” the current “shiny” thing looks that the government wants to do/implement.
Totally disagree. The Constitution matters, especially after 8 years of being openly ignored. Yes, Trump COULD get several things done faster, and most of them might even be what we would like to see (nobody knows what he will do, only that he has promised the political right that their wants will be met.... it wouldn't be the first time this millennium that we elected someone under that assumption)... but the manner in which he does it all will be copied by future liberal and socialist presidents. That is another of the many risks that Trump-loving conservatives seem to ignore.
I want someone that first represents my country. Cruz and Rubio represents foreign interests.
Make no mistake, I don’t agree with anyone who says we need to get more things done in Washington or create new programs to fix something. When I say he can ‘fix’ things, I mean he can make people obey and enforce our laws as they are written. He can fix common core by getting rid of it as he has stated. When I say fix, I mean I think he can roll back some of this nightmare.
Good article. It’s common sense that we need in this country right now, and that’s what a pragmatist is. I agree, Trump is a pragmatist.
>> But will the trains run on time? <<
Do you mean to suggest that Mussolini was neither a liberal nor a conservative?
Shame on you!
Nixon was a pragmatist, and instituted wage and price controls because he saw a problem that needed "fixing". And I think virtually every Republican condemned as a RINO would also defend themselves of pragmatic grounds, as would most Democrats.
Yes. In politics the Constitution and a politician’s devotion to it are the ONLY things that matter.
>> Trump has been very specific about what he wants to do <<
Laugh line of the month?
Which do you think he was?
>> he can make people obey <<
So that’s the President’s job? To make people obey?
Shouldn’t you be posting your thoughts over on DU?
Correction, not a liberal or conservative but an egotistical opportunist.
Trump first, everything else doesn’t matter.
“In other words, a liberal.”
Yep.
I agree with Mychal Massie. Trump is not a hardcore conservative but since he agrees with about 90% of what Mr. GG2 and I think he isn’t a Liberal because we are conservative. Here’s the deal I have said he’s a natural born problem solver and he’s conservative enough. I want to elect the guy and turn him loose for four years and see what he can accomplish.
Folks one thing Trump is really right about, the politicians are not gonna get you to the promised land.
In my opinion, that is opposite of what a pragmatist would do.
Price controls is what a socialist, politician would do to solve the problem. There are legions of examples of politicians doing that.
As a person who worked in business for many years, a pragmatist, i think I am one, sees a problem, identifies it and then proceeds to find a meaningful solution that works. That is not to say the solution is set in stone, but the solution gets things moving forward again to continue to meet the mission.
And, a big and is that as things progress the solution is constantly analyzed is appropriately tweeked to be more efficient.
I also liked the article and agree with what it said.
I’d also like to point out that even here at Free Republic, Donald Trump is getting almost 2 votes to every 1 vote for Ted Cruz in the FR daily caucus.
If Ted can’t win an election here, how in the world will he win an election in the rest of the country?
>> Which do you think he was? <<
You mean Mussolini?
I think he was a guy who:
1. started out on the left,
2. decided he could get more support by soft-pedaling his leftist ideas, and then by appealing to nationalist and anti-foreign sentiments,
3. developed a strong cult of followers based mainly on his vociferous personality rather than specific policies,
4. promised to return his country to greatness, especially by appealing to its frustrated middle class,
5. held monster-sized rallies,
6. took power and made the trains run on time,
7. led his country to disaster,
8. was ultimately disowned by his people, after yuuuge damage had been done.
Did I forget anything important?
Most folks have ceased from partisanship in posting fund raising appeals. It is unwise to alienate potential donors. Think!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.