OPINION: Local conservative wonders why Trump is getting traction

I never thought I’d see the day when Bob McClellan would praise a Republican. Yet in a letter a few months ago addressing Trump’s popularism, McClellan seemed to praise Trump for his fight against “big money” (the same big money Trump freely admits to using when necessary to buy political influence both Democrat and Republican and the very influence McClellan so despises). He also described Trump’s “appealing rhetoric.”

Well, for good old liberal Bob and all my conservative friends in the Flathead, here is a flash: Trump is not for conservative values... Trump is for Trump — always has been and always will be. And I for one am a bit tired of his junkyard dog, sophomoric rhetoric.

What exactly will Trump do as president other than call everyone stupid and demean his opposition with unsubstantiated insults? Do you really think Vladimir Putin, a former KGB thug, will be intimidated into backing off his expansionist plans because the Donald calls him stupid? Will the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cry if the Donald calls him a name referring to his head dress or will he fire off a nuclear weapon as he screams “Death to America”? (Just google the Supreme Leader’s face if you want to see evil personified.)

I am surprised by the number of supposedly thoughtful people who claim conservative values (Rush Limbaugh comes to mind) who seem fascinated with this self-promoting liberal who admits that as a businessman he would support the devil himself if it made him a buck. Surely we can do better than this for a president.

The following is a fictional accounting of a typical Donald Trump media interview, but the real thing is just as outrageous:

“Mr. Trump, what would you do to balance the budget and erase the deficit?”

“I’m really, really rich.”

“The deficit, Mr. Trump?”

“I’ll make Mexico pay for it.”

“But I thought Mexico was going to pay for the WALL, Mr. Trump?”

“You’re misquoting me... I said the Soviet Union.”

Whispering, “There is no Soviet Union... that dissolved in 1991. It’s now Russia.”

“That’s what I said; Russia will pay our debt. I am a great deal maker.”

“Russia is broke, Mr. Trump. Where are they going to get 18 trillion dollars?”

“There you go again (I like that line — glad I came up with it)... you’re misquoting me. You know I said China. And why do you keep using my name in every question?”

Whispering, “You told me I had to mention your name in every question... just like your buildings, airplane and helicopter.”

(Hmm, could this be an inferiority complex?)

“Is it true that you have had four bankruptcies, Mr. Trump?”

“That’s not me, that’s Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza and Trump Hotels and Casinos. This issue is closed — I won’t answer any more questions about it.”

“Mr. Trump, can you give us details of two of your foreign policy initiatives?”

“Who would you rather have negotiate for you... the Donald or those clowns in Washington.”

“You, of course, Mr. Trump, but can you give us one example? What about Russia’s aggression in the Middle East and the Ukraine?”

“I have no intention of tipping my hand to fools like Vladimir. You’ll have to elect me to see what I’ll do.”

“That sounds like what Nancy Pelosi said about Obamacare.”

“Who’s Nancy Pelosi? Is that another “gotcha” question? You’re being unfair. See if I ever give you an interview.”

Do intelligent people really believe that Trump will make every illegal alien leave the country? Who does he think will make the beds and clean the dishes in his hotels? And how long will it be before the Democrats march a couple of dozen of these illegal Trump employees in front of the cameras demonstrating his hypocrisy?

His denial that he ever said he would put 45 percent tariffs on China, as quoted by the New York Times (which the Donald dismissed by saying they were wrong — that he never said that) was unfortunately proven by a tape recording of that exact statement, which he made in the interview. Trump lies are never ridiculed; they are celebrated by his devotees. Do you really believe he will be bringing back all those manufacturing jobs?

Trump’s vast support even let him deny that he declared bankruptcy by saying he just used the law to his advantage. Of course he’s allowed to form separate corporations, and when they fail declare bankruptcy, sheltering his other companies and personal wealth. But that doesn’t erase the fact that he has engaged in multiple failed companies. Rather it is a demonstration of the inequities of the law in favor of the super rich... like Donald Trump.

I am afraid that the angry populace fueled by both political parties’ failures, can’t be assuaged by an election (since the 2.6 million bureaucrats will remain in Washington no matter who is elected). If you believe that even this brash, self-centered narcissist (sound like some other president?) will eliminate even one Washington bureaucrat much less a whole bureaucracy, you are indeed drinking the Kool-Aid!

As I have previously written, I believe that Sen. Rubio is an inspiring, bright, well spoken young man with solid ideas and would make a great president. Someone should quote Margaret Thatcher to The Donald: “Power is like being a lady... if you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” Same for being rich. I fear that between the nonsense of this showman, Donald Trump, and the usual Republican machine pushing business as usual candidates such as Jeb Bush, a worthy and inspiring candidate such as Mr. Rubio will be tossed to the side. Sad that our political system has fallen so far.

The only hope Hillary has is The Donald as an opponent. Sadly, this now seems inevitable.

Myerowitz is a resident of Columbia Falls.