Pragmatist Trump
This article gives a little different take to Donald Trump.
Mychal S. Massie is an ordained minister who spent 13 years in full-time Christian Ministry. Today he serves as founder and Chairman of the Racial Policy Center (RPC), a think tank he officially founded in September 2015.
RPC advocates for a colorblind society. He was founder and president of the non-profit “In His Name Ministries”. He is the former National Chairman of the conservative black think tank, Project 21-The National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives and a former member of its parent think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research.
Trump is not a liberal or conservative, he’s a Pragmatist.
We recently enjoyed a belated holiday dinner with friends at the home of other 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 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, 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 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 the longevity of their impracticality has proven to have no lasting effect.
A 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 a 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 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 them 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, John Kasik [sic] 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 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 (or politicians who never really solve a problem, because its 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 has his total financial empire at risk in running for president - that says it all. Success for the US!
Mychal S. Massie is an ordained minister who spent 13 years in full-time Christian Ministry. Today he serves as founder and Chairman of the Racial Policy Center (RPC), a think tank he officially founded in September 2015.
RPC advocates for a colorblind society. He was founder and president of the non-profit “In His Name Ministries”. He is the former National Chairman of the conservative black think tank, Project 21-The National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives and a former member of its parent think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research.
Trump is not a liberal or conservative, he’s a Pragmatist.
We recently enjoyed a belated holiday dinner with friends at the home of other 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 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, 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 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 the longevity of their impracticality has proven to have no lasting effect.
A 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 a 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 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 them 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, John Kasik [sic] 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 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 (or politicians who never really solve a problem, because its 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 has his total financial empire at risk in running for president - that says it all. Success for the US!
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We do not fight collectivism because "it does not work." We fight it because it is unethical, anti-human, and evil.
You know competence would be refreshing.
I mean we could have "conservatives" like George Bush who expanded the federal education system with "no child left behind", add ed an expensive drug program to Medicare had a couple of decent wars and totally mishandled the post war process and then handed a fortune over to the banking system so that they could keep funding political campaigns.
Trump believes the answer to all problems are to get the government involved to strong-arm people into acting the correct way. From tariffs on Chinese goods, to a stricter immigration policy, to including education and healthcare as basic duties of the government.
He is an authoritarian, and he seems to be an equal opportunity one at that.
1. Immigration. He says we need to build a wall and restrict immigration. That's fine and good, but Congress is legally responsible for setting immigration standards - not the President (see Obama).
2. Trade with China. Yes, China's currency manipulation is a problem. But their economy right now is imploding because it was based on false consumption. I would also point out that before Trump does something to cut off most of the manufacturing needs of America, he probably should work with Congress to do something to improve the business climate here in the US. That brings me to ...
3. Taxes. Trump has argued that we need to lower corporate income tax rates. I agree. But then he also turns around and says he wants to force businesses to repatriate all their oversees earnings and pay taxes on those. So he wants to help business just as he turns around to hurt them. He's also said he wants to raise taxes on the wealthy. Didn't we just decide that we were going to lower the taxes?
Here are some of the problems Trump has identified and how he would solve them I outright object to:
1. Obamacare. He doesn't like it, he just wants to replace it. The problem is that his position is all over the map. In one speech he says he's all for single-payer. The next he says that healthcare is a government responsibility, but it should be handled privately. WHAT???
2. Free Speech. He doesn't like it when people say things about him he doesn't like, so he wants to be able to sue and or prosecute them.
3. Private land development. If there is a wealthy developer who wants to build a shopping mall, hotel, or golf course, where some private residents have homes, he just exercises eminent domain to take the land.
4. Executive Orders. If he sees that Congress isn't going to do what he wants, he is going to use an Executive Order to get it done.
So what I see is that being a "pragmatist" is all about getting to a solution - any solution - as long as there is one. I want solutions, but I want to take a more thorough approach to identifying the real problem and designing a solution where neither the implementation nor the end goal are end-runs around the Constitution. This is where I feel Trump is very suspect.
"[The Pragmatists] declared that philosophy must be practical and that practicality consists of dispensing with all absolute principles and standards—that there is no such thing as objective reality or permanent truth—that truth is that which works, and its validity can be judged only by its consequences—that no facts can be known with certainty in advance, and anything may be tried by rule-of-thumb—that reality is not firm, but fluid and “indeterminate,” that there is no such thing as a distinction between an external world and a consciousness (between the perceived and the perceiver), there is only an undifferentiated package-deal labeled “experience,” and whatever one wishes to be true, is true, whatever one wishes to exist, does exist, provided it works or makes one feel better."
I don't see trumps approach to problems as pragmatic, I see it more like asthmatic...gasping for solutions regardless of principles, reason or consequences. He thinks a "Crony" approach is just as good as any.
Trump is the guy who will make the trains run on time, because he genuinely cares about making the trains run on time. What Trump will not do is ask himself whether, as chief executive, he has any business running trains or even hiring someone to run taxpayer-funded trains.
Rand never imagined anyone like Trump. Her villains were all politicians, all out to make either a fast buck or a fast power grab, and none of them knew beans about how to make things run. Trump, for instance, would never have tolerated the stupidities and favoritisms that set up the Taggart Tunnel disaster. Nor, if you made him Director of Railroad Unification (Cuffy Meigs' job), would he have stolen and sold off everything in the way of railroad supplies he could get his hands on. And if you were to appoint him to run Rearden Steel, after its nationalization, and gave him carte blanche, he could make it run.
In fact--and some might think this the worst problem--if you offered him the post of Economic Dictator, or Top Coordinator of Economic Planning and National Resources (Wesley Mouch's job), he would actually be smart enough to make it work.
And John Galt and his crew would have had to wait a generation for the Great Collapse. Wait for Donald J. Trump to die and for the whole thing to crash down like a house of cards. Because Donald Trump builds the house of cards and, while he lives and is on the job, keeps it standing. But the minute he's gone, look out below! And he never once questions the fundamental principle.
Or would he? I wonder whether he would simply conclude that socialism can never be made practical. As William Bradford, the second Governor of the Plymouth Colony, realized after that first disastrous winter.
Trump may be a pragmatist when it comes to dealing in real estate development, but politics is entirely a different game. He has to learn on the job and as a result is bound to make mistakes. Lots of them. Now say the second guy on the boat takes a pill, feels better and takes over. Should the third guy be resentful?
Jeez, I love analogies.
On the other hand, the cat is out of the bag as to keeping the federal government small. Maybe it would be nice to have someone with a track record of delivering on time and on budget!
I do think that the problems of today are not conservative or liberal problems, but just problems needing to be solved. And we then need to move on. If taxation is 40% and really should be 0%, isnt it better to settle on 20% and move on. When the philosophy of the country is in better shape, it can and would be revisited to get it to 0%.
The power brokers on either side want to keep the status quo, and no wonder they hate Trump (and sanders for that matter). A lot of people now are angry at a system that manipulates them and they like that Trump is anti-establishment.
Hillary is the poster child of the manipulative establishment, and I would NEVER vote for her.
Cruz has been anti establishment and I really doubt the power brokers would go for him, unless he "says he is sorry" and promises to do their bidding in the future (gone would be the bible thumping constitutionalist- being traded for the nomination for president)
At least when in hot water he thinks before he says "I misspoke."
Doubt he lost any impassioned supporters but you don't win over new voters when you say deadhead stuff like you're going to punish women for having abortions.
That does not strike old dino as being at all "pragmatic."
We don't need another Adolf. The ultimate pragmatist out side of Stalin in the 20th century.
As any businessman knows, solving problems it the name of the game. Politicians are problem creators. Trump is not a politician.
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