Tuesday, August 25, 2015

What Has “The Donald” Done?

         Perhaps the fastest growing question that has arisen since Donald Trump entered the presidential race is, “What has “The Donald” Done? There is no simple answer to this seemingly simple question.
         Trump has arrived like a hurricane in the Gulf—full of confidence, power, fury,  the ability to do serious damage to anyone or anything in its path, and the total refusal to apologize. Donald has also done something totally refreshing for a candidate.  When asked a question, he answers it, Political Correctness be damned.
For better or for worse, no one knows what kind of potential president he will be. But one thing is certain—he brings leadership to politics and Washington politics especially. Trump is a businessman and he views politics as a business where many of the same rules apply as they do in the private business sector. He is results-oriented and he brings the aura of the warrior to his campaign. He believes that the art of the deal—getting things done—is accomplished through tough bargaining and once that has been accomplished, then there are no excuses for failure.
Cable news doesn’t know what to do with him. Even the folks at Fox are scrambling to sty ahead of him. But when the Foxies interview the man on the street, the responses are almost always the same. Trump does not hide behind the iron facade of Political Correctness. He tells it as he sees it. It seems to come from a deep inner belief, not a political position, or what the polsters have told him to say. And this seems to be resonating with people.
Trump is the antithesis of Obama. Where Obama acts like a haughty dictator while doubling as a college professor who is always lecturing us, Trump says, “…here is a problem and I will get it solved.” He seems to believe that political issues, like business deals are always solvable. It is matter of who has the strongest will. And in that department, I would not vote against Trump.
It is extremely possible that Donald Trump may not become president, or even win his party’s nomination. But no matter what, he has done something that is long overdue. He has said, “Political Correctness be damned.” It is time to return to the old adage that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then damn it, call it what it is—a duck.
For far too long, the country has weakened itself by embracing the concept of Political Correctness. This is a democracy killer. It has been said many times that the cure for free speech is more free speech.  One has the right to say dumb things, sometimes say insensitive things, to be downright ignorant. But that is the power of free speech in a democracy. If you think it but no one knows what you are thinking, how is change affected. But if you say it, then your ideas can be clarified, or dissected, accepted, or disproven by people with different views and life experiences. That is how we grow stronger as a country.
It comes as no surprise that many comedians—whose job is to live in the land of the politically incorrect-- no longer perform on college campuses. Too many folks seem to be offended by some of their jokes. It’s a good example of people who love to laugh at others but when the joke is on them it is suddenly not funny anymore. When’s the last time you heard a Polish joke or an Italian joke. Even the “dumb blonds” are upset. We have become a nation of thin-skinned people, easily offended, and always ready to call someone out.
Trump seems to instinctively know this. It also doesn’t hurt that as a billionaire, he has been saying what’s on his mind for decades. He is direct and forthright. And this makes a lot of people, and all of the networks uncomfortable. Is he perfect?  Heck no? Does he make one cringe at times? Heck yes. But is he catching people’s attention and making them think? Heck yes. And that is a very good thing. It almost feels like the shroud of Political Correctness is finally being lifted.
Why did so many people watch the first debate? Why did over 30,000 people go to a stadium is southern Alabama to hear his speak? Was it his message? Was it to see what outrageous thing might come from his lips next? Was it the drama? Was it the spectacle of it all? Say what you will but the man knows how to capture an audience.

Whatever it is, it has rocked the political establishment back on its heels. How can this not be a good thing.

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