Charles Krauthammer on Donald Trump
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 backroom 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.”
A Moment in Time With a Beluga Whale
While at Sea World San Diego, I had a moment in time where I was truly amazed. It was early in the morning and nobody else was around. While watching the beluga whales one stopped and appeared to look at me and opened it’s mouth, almost like a smile, and then it ducked under and went about it’s way. Then the whale swam back around the tank as if it were to check up on me. That was very cool and I don’t know if I will ever have another magical moment like that in my lifetime.
Being here in California there are a lot of different opinionated people and groups such as PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) around who like to bash Sea World for what they do. I am not one to pass judgement, but I can say that Sea World does seem to care about the creatures in the ocean. I have personally seen their vehicles race out to a beach to pickup and save an injured sea lion or harbor seal and then to only release it back into the wild. It’s like a hospital for ocean life and they help to inform, bring awareness to others, and inspire future generations to help protect the precious sea life that exists. That’s ok in my book.
Sympathetic Husband
This guy is sitting at home alone when he hears a knock on the front door. There are two sheriff’s deputies there; he asks if there is a problem. One of the deputies asks if he is married, and if so, can he see a picture of his wife. The guy says “sure” and shows him a picture of his wife. The sheriff says, “I’m very sorry sir, but it looks like your wife’s been hit by a truck.”
The guy says, “I know, but she has a great personality and she’s an excellent cook. “
Sexual Harassment?
Every day, a male employee walks up very close to a female co-worker at the coffee machine. He stops, inhales quite deeply and says that her hair smells nice. After a week of this, the woman can’t stand it anymore. She takes her issue to a supervisor in Human Resources and asks to file a sexual harassment grievance against the guy. The supervisor is puzzled and asks, “What’s threatening about a co-worker telling you your hair smells nice?” “It’s Frank,: the midget.”
Hotel Charges
An older lady decided to give herself a big treat for her 70th birthday by staying overnight in a really nice hotel. When she checked out the next morning, the desk clerk handed her a bill for $250.00. She demanded to know why the charge was so high.
“I agree it’s a nice hotel, but the rooms aren’t worth $250.00 for just an overnight stay! I didn’t even have breakfast.”
The clerk told her that $250.00 is the ‘standard rate’, and breakfast had been included had she wanted it. She insisted on speaking to the Manager.
The Manager appeared and, forewarned by the desk clerk, announced: “This hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center which are available for use.”
“But I didn’t use them,” she said ”Well, they are here, and you could have,” explained the Manager. He went on to explain that she could also have seen one of the in-hotel shows for which they were so famous. “We have the best entertainers from the world over performing here,” the Manager said.
“But I didn’t go to any of those shows,” she said.
“Well, we have them, and you could have,” the Manager replied.
No matter what amenity the Manager mentioned, she replied, “But I didn’t use it!” and the Manager countered with his standard response. After several minutes’ discussion, and with the Manager still unmoved, she decided to pay, wrote a check and gave it to him. The Manager was surprised when he looked at the check. “But madam, this check is for $50.00.”
“That’s correct I charged you $200.00 for sleeping with me,” she replied.
“But I didn’t!” exclaimed the very surprised Manager.
“Well, too bad, I was here, and you could have.”
Useful Inventions
1. Wash your hands and then use the water for your next flush.
2. Traffic lights in Ukraine.
3. This water fountain allows the water to flow down so dogs can drink too.
4. A mountain finder device in Switzerland.
5. An accessibility mat on the beach for strollers and wheelchairs.
6. This pill bottle lid tells you when it was last opened.
7. Seniors and handicapped people can extend cross time for this 8 lane highway.
8. This restaurant has a toe opener for those who want to avoid germs on the doorknob.
9. This shopping cart has a calculator so you know how much you’re spending.
10. This bar has a frost strip so you can keep your drink cold.
11. This tire tells you when it’s time to change it.
12. This mirror has a heated part so it doesn’t steam up after a shower.
13. These tiny model tents give you a look at what you’re buying.
14. This elevator shows how close to capacity it is based on the weight of the riders.
15. This inflatable mattress turns the back of your car into a bed.
16. Trash cans in Copenhagen are angled so that cyclists can throw their trash while cycling.
Statue of Major General Andrew Jackson
In New Orlean’s Louisiana was a statue of Major General Andrew Jackson. With the liberal movement to have historic statues removed this statue may not still be there. He is what the statue looked like. If you are interested in learning more about who Andrew Jackson was, what he stood for, what he accomplished, and what role he played in American history you can find more information by clicking here.
Hawaii Lava Boat Tour
Every time the lava hits the ocean more shoreline is created for the Big Island of Hawaii.
Nissan Cube
I don’t care what anyone says, the Nissan Cube is a fun car to drive. It is a small boxy car with style. It has the rear wrap around window and rounded windows on the sides. It is fun because it is a small car that sits like a truck. There is plenty of headroom and it very comfortably seats 4 passengers. The rear seats even recline. One of the best things about it is that it gets 27 miles to the gallon in the city and over 30 on the highway. Everything about this little car is just fun, fun, fun.