Galt's Gulch

Donald Trump's 'kinder, gentler' version

Posted by $ WilliamShipley 8 years ago to Politics
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Line of interest:

Trump described himself as an Ayn Rand fan. He said of her novel The Fountainhead, “It relates to business (and) beauty (and) life and inner emotions. That book relates to ... everything.” He identified with Howard Roark, the novel's idealistic protagonist who designs skyscrapers and rages against the establishment.
SOURCE URL: http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/04/11/donald-trump-interview-elections-2016-ayn-rand-vp-pick-politics-column/82899566/

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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 8 years ago
    Hello WiliamShipley,
    Trump's statism, albeit in some ways in a preferred direction, policy wise, is still at odds with objectivism and small government. Still it is a pleasant sign that he appreciates something Rand. It is impossible to know what, if any, firm convictions and principles Trump holds and would govern by, due to caprice and contradictions in his past and present statements. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to get inside a politician's head and find what convictions they truly have? I fear once inside we would find only despotism or dust in most of them.
    Respectfully,
    O.A.
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    • Posted by MinorLiberator 8 years ago
      I agree. While not bad that he likes Rand, unfortunately, whether the interviewer was trying to make a subtle point or not, his campaign is nothing if not a "tyranny of groupthink". Not saying that others aren't, but he doesn't get a pass. And, to paraphrase another politician: "Sir, I've met Howard Roark. I was a friend of Howard Roark. You, sir, are no Howard Roark".

      But, good post.
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    • Posted by term2 8 years ago
      At least with Trump, political correctness is not used as a way to hide what he really thinks. He (and the rest of his family for that matter, as came out in the CNN town hall last night) has no problem telling us what he is thinking. I like that. Politicians like Hillary hide what they are thinking and just tell us what they think we want to hear. I am SO done with career politicians today, and that includes Cruz and Rubio, and even Kasich. They all make their money from politics. Trump made his money in business and really doesnt need to do this "run for president" thing at his age. I really think he is just fed up with politics, and has really touched a nerve with a LOT of people. 4 years of Trump would not be a bad thing- certainly a LOT better than any of the other electable candidates.
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      • Posted by DeanStriker 8 years ago
        We need WAY better than "4 years of Trump would not be a bad thing". Trump is just a somewhat different version of Tyrant.

        We need a GOOD thing, but nobody out there can turn this mess around... it's way too late.
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        • Posted by $ WilliamShipley 8 years ago
          What makes you think he would be more of a Tyrant than any of the others? Because he has a big ego -- don't kid yourself ALL of them have massive egos, some are just lest honest about it.

          He says he will work with congress, what he will do when they don't go along is an interesting question. He is used to having agreements to get things built.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years ago
    My greatest problem with Trump is the façade he places before himself. I know that there is a real man there if I could get past that barrier. The shield is composed of rhetoric and bluster, helping him avoid answering questions he is ignorant about and pandering to what he thinks his followers want to hear him say. Perhaps his mention of Rand and The Fountainhead is a chink in the armor which shows a possible part of the genuine Trump. But then, how can one tell?
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  • Posted by term2 8 years ago
    I watched the CNN town hall with Trump last night, and was very encouraged more by Ivanka's responses to the questions asked. I would say Trump is a pretty good father when it comes to raising kids, which is encouraging to me. All of them said he is a very hard worker with passion, and I think thats missing in our recent presidents. It will be a good think when he is elected. He certainly has my vote. The worst of all worlds would be years and years of listening to Hillary and watching what she would do TO us.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 8 years ago
    I can see why Trump would have liked Howard Roark. They do have some things in common, particularly architecturally and with regard to their architecture having to be done their way without modification, but otherwise their values are quite different.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years ago
    That's a very thin slice of what Trump has said.So thin I don't recall him saying it. It is not a representative view but as a leftist I can see why your side would be reaching out when your own candidates are so unacceptable.
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