“Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.” -H. L. Mencken (1880-1956)
As that which some might call a big-time grifter, Mr. Trump seems to have been a keen believer in Mr. Mencken’s opinion. Over the years, Mr. Trump’s commercial ventures suffered six bankruptcies including all his gambling casinos in New Jersey. The self-styled “King of Debt” himself apparently walked away whole, leaving his investors somewhat the poorer for having the deficient intelligence to believe in him.
The same can be said on a much larger scale for his first term as President when he promised to balance the federal budget but left it trillions of dollars deeper in debt. In making deals, the self-styled promoter of the “Art of the Deal” seems to have used creating a context of uncertainty as part of his strategy to bamboozle investors including American taxpayers. Yes, we felt desperate. Still do.
Now in his second term, President Trump appears to have honed his act and is enjoying success after success — economically, politically, and sociologically. Are these apparent successes real or illusionary? Therein lies uncertainty. Let patriotic Americans who subscribe to the vision of our Founding Fathers hope that President Trump’s apparent successes are more real than illusionary. With all his faults, he may be the last, best hope for our declining nation on fire.
Economically, his successes face a multitude of legal battles to be decided by non-elected lawyers wearing black costumes in a multitude of courtrooms. Outcomes? Uncertain!
Politically, his successes face a multitude legal battles to be decided by non-elected lawyers wearing black costumes in a multitude of courtrooms. Outcomes? Uncertain!
Sociologically, his successes face a multitude legal battles to be decided by non-elected lawyers wearing black costumes in a multitude of courtrooms. Outcomes? Uncertain!
Is such a system that which the Framers envisioned whereby non-elected lawyers wearing black costumes ultimately decide the fate of the nation? Let us not forget that lawyers are merchants of misery. They feed on uncertainty. Also, let us not forget that, as Charles Dickens wrote, the law is a stubborn ass, prizing procedure over common sense and detail over substance.
Recall an observation about Pharisees from the New Testament as follows:
“You blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” -Matthew 23:24
That which was said of Pharisees applies equally to lawyers. Their narrowness might be adaptive for their practicing that which masquerades as American law, but it is maladaptive for governing a nation. What does it generate? Uncertainty!
Such is the battleground that President Trump’s enemies, the Democrats and others, have chosen with some success to wrap him in legal knots, leaving the nation confused by uncertainty. Irony? The same weapon, uncertainty, that Mr. Trump used successfully over the years and continues to use successfully his enemies are using to oppose him successfully. Even when his enemies lose a verdict, they win tactically by keeping him tied in legal knots via miscreants like Judge James Boasberg.
Solution? End the uncertainty. How? Ah, therein lies the heart of the matter. Declare a national emergency in order to declare martial law? Save liberty permanently by ending it temporarily? Benevolent despotism is the most effective and efficient form of government. Its inherent problem? Benevolent despotism can degenerate into malevolent despotism.
In this case, the conspiracy between Father Time and Mother Nature saves us from President Trump becoming long-lasting Dictator Trump. His old age! Given that biological context, his time is limited in office and on Earth. Besides, he now really does seem to care about America as envisioned by our Founding Fathers and about the entire world as prescribed by Judeo-Christian dogma. It is said, criminals make the best cops. Perhaps, grifters make the best presidents.