Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Charles is back, (partially), after many months of battling post surgery complications and enduring lengthy rehabilitation. Please read his message about Trump, whom he has not been kind about at times with his observations. This article is interesting for all who want to see what Dr K has analyzed during his lengthy absence.
“This is from Charles Krauthammer who did not go for Trump, read what he thinks of him now!
Charles Krauthammer's interesting take on Mr. Trump:
To my friends "of a different persuasion" I'm not trying to sell anything or anyone but I do feel this is an interesting take on our very controversial president who I truly believe is not Republican or Democrat.
~ Harris Gardner
A TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP ...
A different take on Donald Trump: (a non-political agenda)
Trump Is Not A Liberal or Conservative, He's a "Pragmatist." (Definition: A pragmatist is someone who is practical and focused on reaching a goal. A pragmatist usually has a straightforward, matter-of-fact approach and doesn't let emotion distract him or her.)
"We recently enjoyed a belated holiday dinner with friends at the home of other friends. The dinner conversation varied 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 I neither view nor do I believe Trump views 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 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 and globalism to the detriment of American interests and well being, denial of what the real problems are, 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 wasn'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 the longevity of 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 Democrat 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 cell phone in every pocket, free college tuition, and a $15 hour minimum wage for working the drive-through at Carl's Hamburgers.
I argue that America needs pragmatists because pragmatists see a problem 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, but I suspect that the reason some people do not like him is because:
(1) he is antithetical to the "good old boy" method of brokering back room deals that fatten the coffers of politicians;
(2) they are unaccustomed to hearing a president speak who is unencumbered by the financial shackles of those who he owes vis-a-vis donations;
(3) he is someone who is free of idiomatic political ideology;
(4) he says what he is thinking, is unapologetic for his outspoken thoughts, speaks very straightforward using everyday language that can be understood by all (and is offensive to some who dislike him anyway) making him a great communicator, for the most part, does what he says he will do and;
(5) 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, John Kasich 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 is 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 worse off? Has it happened overnight or has it been a steady decline brought on by both parties?
I submit that a pragmatist is just what America needs right now. People are quick to confuse and despise confidence as arrogance, but that is common among those who have never accomplished anything in their lives (or politicians who never really solved a problem, because it's better to still have an "issue(s) to be solved," so re-elect me to solve it, (which never happens) and those who have always played it safe (again, all politicians) not willing to risk failure, to try and achieve success).
Donald Trump put his total financial empire at risk in running for president and certainly did not need or possibly even want the job; that says it all. He wants success for the U.S. and her citizens because he loves his country.
God Bless America
~ Dr. Charles Krauthammer

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

OK, bailing out ZTE in exchange for China putting half a billion dollars into a Trump project in Singapore does sound pragmatic.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

Are you sure Krauthammer actually wrote this?

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

I did not fact check this, but I will now,

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

It is attributed to a guy named Mychal Massie, a conservative and someone apparently thought if would carry more weight if Krauthammers name was on it. Sorry for the incorrect author, but I do think the take on how Trump approaches things is correct.

EyeSawYou

Misattributed for sure, but that is irrelevant in context of the article.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/krauthammer-interesting-take-trump/

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

I am willing to admit the error was mine in not fact checking this. I do go change the tile of the article to reflect the correct author. The message on how Trump approaches things is the message no matter who wrote it.

EyeSawYou

I agree, this is about the subject context of the article not the author.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

While pragmatism is admirable in many respects, it is best exercised in conjunction with careful consideration of the long-term effects of supposedly pragmatic acts.

Mr Trump seems focused on short-term results. Consider his tax cut package, touted as a boost to the economy. It gives some tax relief to middle class households; such relief will expire in, IRRC, 2025. This could result in, effectively, a tax increase on individuals. It grants long term, permanent cuts for corporations, apparently relying on the Laffer curve, which has failed in real-world trials - Kansas is a prime example. Funding the cut will add perhaps a trillion dollars to the national debt, which we and our children and grandchildren will have to pay. To fund the bill massive cuts were made in programs to aid the low-income portion of the population, for example SNAP. Well-fed children do better in school and later in life. It looks as though cuts in Medicare and Medicaid are in the offing for this "pragmatic" tax cut. A true pragmatist would realize that to achieve his goals reaching across the aisle would help a great deal. I've seen no desire for cooperation from Mr Trump nor from his supporters, who seem determined to demonize those who disagree with them. This Forum demonstrates this demonization very well.

skylane5sp Loc: Puyallup, WA

Do you ever verify anything before you post?

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

At least know what you are talking about before you post. ALL TAX CUTS MUST BE RE-RATIFIED AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SUSTAINABLE. All tax cuts. As for the Laffer curve, the theory the laffer curve uses for it's results is not supported by most economists. It is not accurate. Where the hell were you when obummer put us trillions in debt for obama care. You know, if you like your Dr. you can keep your Dr. and it's going to be cheaper. That BS. As for Snap, get your facts straight.l It is being restructured and individual states will administer it and fund it. So, if you live in California where most are on the dole, the poor working guy won't have much left after he pays for the losers and i******s.

As for Medicare, it is being restructured to make it harder for unethical patients and Dr.'s to c***t. Reimbursement and referral processes will change. It limits hospital stays when hospice is in order. As for SSI they are changing the structure of disability programs. It will eliminate the double dipping of unemployment insurance, disability, etc. Slowing down the c***ting and restructuring are all good things. Efficiency in programs are good. Why can't libtards grasp that?? Any change in anything and they think the sky is falling and they are in melt down mode. What a way to live life.

drainbamage

The error is yours only in that you got caught in the Krauthammer s**m that someone started and that was passed around all over e-mail and social media. But the essay is real and the content is very interesting. It never occurred to me that Trump is a Pragmatist, but it sure fits after reading what Massie has to say. Trump sees a problem, focuses on it, and fixes it the way he sees fit to fix it, and he's doing a damned good job, much to the left's distress.

EyeSawYou

I agree with the assessment in your first paragraph entry. The remainder of your post is based purely on misinformation on your part which the misinformation originated from the lying Liberal media and their sheep.President Trump and the Republicans requested the individual middle class tax cuts to be permanent. However, they needed 60 v**es to pass that part of the bill in which the Republicans do not have such luxury. If anyone should be blamed, it should be the Democrats because ZERO Senators v**ed for that bill.

Your other misinformation is with the Kansas tax bill, you failed to mention that the Gov did not give business and farmers a tax cut, he gave them tax exemption whereas they do not have to pay taxes. The Governor went way beyond and outside of the Ladder Curve, had he stayed within the boundaries of the Ladder Curve, we would not be having this type of discussion. So no, Kansas is in no way a good example of tje results of the Laffer Curve. By the way, did you know that when Bill Clinton and GWB cut the cap gain tax for the rich, the Government revenue increased dramatically in both instances?

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

And some people don't like him because whether they agree with him or disagree with him, he is still a mean, lying, c***ting, narcissistic asshole.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Well, since he won the presidency, I would say there are a lot of people who disagree with you.