dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

A friend sent this to me. First time I had seen it. I found it quite interesting. You may or may not find it interesting as well. Certainly thought provoking.

Dennis


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

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I've never seen it before either, so I won't vouch for its provenance ... but it nails the situation.

btbg

Agreed. Finally someone who recognizes that Trump is not conservative, and not a politician.

I would have called him a populist not a pragmatist, but they have similar characteristics and either way I do like that he tries to fix problems and is straight forward in what he says. Both admirable traits.

I suspect that there won't be a lot of liberal posts on this thread since it doesn't fit their world view.

Krauthammer is right on that the Republican's who have been in power have continued to spend and have helped get us to where we are today. Where I think he is wrong is that the Republicans that he speaks of are Republicans, but they are not conservative. They don't favor small government, reduced spending, and they are g*******ts instead of nationalists.

Krauthammer was a great analyst of politics and is greatly missed.

trainspotter Loc: Oregon

GOD BLESS President Trump, and rest in peace Mr. Krauthammer

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Straigtht from his book Things That Matter. A great read by a great reporter.

mwalsh Loc: Houston

Actually written by a Mychal Massie and published to his web site in January 2016.

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

Just about hit the nail on the head but surely a pragmatist see's a problem from his own personal assessment and perspective therefore it might possibly not be the solution that is correct. Not saying that Mr Trump is wrong just that considering all options could be a better route to making decisions.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Really????? What a ridiculous statement. Go help Canada and worry about your liberal ineffective leader.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

I have seen this before. It explains why Trump has the support he has.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Yes it does. I personally do not like some of President Trump’s mannerisms and have said so here a few times. I would h**e to be a direct employee under him. But he is a successful businessman. He looks at only the bottom line regarding America. As an American citizen I look at our bottom line too. I see prosperity where before there was growth but still a sluggish economy. Liberals tell us different but Obama would not have achieved the results Trump did in two more terms. While Trump works to make America prosperous, Obama worked to bring third world nations up to America’s lowest level. If you are an American, America must come first.

Dennis

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

Canada??

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

A man who identifies the problem and has a no nonsense approach to a solution is going to offend. But supporters know the solution is for the American people. The congress and the Senate have done zero on border security and they have had 50 years. Keep America Great!

trainspotter Loc: Oregon

Dilly...Dilly!

drainbamage

It is a very good article and rings true on several levels...however it was not written by Krauthammer. It was posted by Mychal Massie on his personal blog in January 2016.

https://www.weeklystandard.com/holmes-lybrand/fact-check-did-charles-krauthammer-write-an-op-ed-arguing-for-trump-the-pragmatist

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

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Yes, I know, I have seen it before, but the message is accurate.