Erick, while we often disagree, I generally respect you because you tend to call a fairly honest game. While so many on your side do not hesitate to do so, you rarely call a ball a strike. But now, you have joined in the baseless characterization of the Democrats' program as a "rush to socialism."
Here is Merriam-Webster's definition of socialism: "any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods." Although there has been some slippage of this definition in recent years, due mostly to the frequency with which socialism is associated with anything that might be viewed as a redistribution of income, you will note that nothing pertaining to income (its redistribution or anything else) is even remotely suggested by this definition. Rather, most reputable sources identify socialism's defining characteristic as government ownership of the means of production. Further illustrating my point, the Nazis accurately called themselves the "National SOCIALIST German Workers' Party" because there were certain private industries over which they sought to impose government control. THAT is what made them socialists.
Now given this definition, there are most certainly aspects of our society that are quite arguably socialist, including public schools, public libraries and two of conservatives' absolute favorites: the military and the police. In all of these instances, their functions could be privately administered. As concerns the police, for example, private companies could provide security services for a fee: no pay, no protection. Illustrating the socialist nature of our military, I believe Trump briefly considered outsourcing the war in Afghanistan to a company called Blackwater. So do understand, I would accept the term "socialist" as applied to a number of longstanding features of American government. I in no way seek a narrow definition. All that said, here's where you (and everybody else throwing the terms "socialism" and "Marxism" around) lose me:
Exactly what part of the Democratic program envisions a government takeover of previously privately administered functions?
Those who would like to know exactly what the first 100 days of Biden have wrought, watch this interview posted live last night just before the Biden speech with first Dr. Ben Carson, then Sec. of State Mike Pompeo. Each speaks from a different policy standpoint.
I became almost physically ill after learning all they shared.
I'm with Paul C. I agree with about everything you say except "insurrection". If that was an insurrection, what has Portland been going through for the last year? Now, of course, since the Biden administration is in charge of federal buildings, Portland's Mayor is trying to get people to stop the attacks on federal property and federal officers (not to mention private businesses and residences) that he gave "they got their reasons" cover to for more than 9 months. I voted third party in 2016 too, but I have to say Trump was the only one in political power who was right on the response to Portland's hooligan insurrection. The rest of the Republican party was pretty mute. Portland is a wreck and will remain so until it's leftist voters decide they want a working central city. I and most everyone else just don't go there any more. Tough luck on the people who live there, work there and have businesses and property there.
Erick, the only thing in the first two paragraphs of your essay which I question is your use of the word “insurrection”. If that was one, the organizer was Mel Brooks, so inept an attempt it was. Besides, anyone who claims that Donald Trump called on the crowd to actually enter the Capitol building is either misinformed or lying.
That said, it is so clear what the left is doing here that Stevie Wonder can see it. Whatever you wish to call what happened on January 6th, it pales in comparison to the obvious effort to subvert the Constitution and establish an authoritarian single party state in which the Harris/Biden administration is now engaged.
What the result of Congressional reapportionment is, who the Republicans run for Congress next year or for President in 2024, are all irrelevant if the center does not hold and the left achieves its obvious goals. H.R. 1 and S.B. 1 are the keys to whether it succeeds. If those bills become law, wresting control of Congress becomes impossible, and the Republic ends. Whatever transpires between now and next year, preventing the left from destroying election integrity is THE only truly important thing.
Thanks again for your honest assessment. May the Lord have mercy on our nation, hear our prayers and "cancel" those who "call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness..." (Isa 5:20 ESV). May we see an answer to the prayer the Lord Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father..." (Matthew 6:9-13).
There is no pundit in the country that I feel expresses my opinions better than you, Erick, but like with my own wife, I sometimes have quibbles with you. Even though I knew I'd be grinding my teeth every day of a Biden administration I still think we are better off Trump is gone. The woke fanatics would be turbocharged to levels we can't even imagine if he had pulled off another electoral college "win" while losing the popular vote by 5%. This man has hurt our country, our party and conservatism enough. I don't think I've ever been as pessimistic about the Republican Party in my life. I think we will be divided over our attitudes towards Trump for the next 20 years, it will be like waving the bloody shirt from the 1870's to the 1890's. The sooner he gets bogged down with court cases and out of our lives the better.
In any binary election you always choose what you deem to be the lessor of the two evils. Refusing to vote or throwing your vote to a candidate with no chance of success may give you a temporary thrill but it worthless in the long run. A few pissed off people in Georgia decided sit out the senatorial runoff rather than vote for the Republican they voted for in the general election thus putting us in the horrible mess we are in now. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Erick, voting third party in 2016 and then not doing so in 2020...what changed? Did "wasting your vote" come as a revelation to you? That argument isn't exactly new.
If you couldn't bring yourself to vote for Trump in 2016 *because of his poor character*, then why did you vote for him in 2020? His character didn't improve. Using media opposition and liking his policies are excuses *if character was indeed your top priority*. In other words, Trump didn't change. You did, and so did everyone else who did the same.
What changed for Erick is what changed for many people, myself included. First and foremost, Donald Trump instituted policies which benefited all Americans, whether or not they would admit it. As a result, we saw a resurgence of optimism and prosperity which no one thought possible. Secondly, whether or not you will admit it, America was again taken seriously on the world stage, even by our adversaries. We were on the verge of widespread acceptance of the state of Israel by the majority of her neighbors and the complete marginalization of Iran and the terrorists it sponsors. Now, the Mad Mullahs of Tehran are back, and the possibility of a new Mideast war is much greater than it was in 2016.
Results matter, Nancy. The policies espoused by Biden and his crew - Obama 2.0, as modified by the radical Marxists who started their takeover of the Democrats in 2018 - will inexorably lead to the end of the American Republic, the ascendance of China to at the least regional hegemony, and very possibly widespread war. Yes, Nancy, we changed. We changed because circumstances changed, and only a totally unserious person would fail to do so.
Maybe you didn't notice my emphasis, indicated by * signs, which specified the priority of character. If that wasn't someone's genuine priority, then your argument would have merit. If you change your mind because of policy, that shows your commitment to supporting good character wasn't solid, but was revealed instead to be contingent on circumstances. Erick is hardly the only person who's done just that. He's more honest than most, but it would be nice if he and every other such person would admit up front that character is NOT their top priority.
Exactly. If you or @Nancy L. Rogers want to know with specificity what has been destroyed and/or irreparably harmed in the last 100 days by the Biden administration, please listen to this brief but heartbreaking interview conducted last night just before the Biden speech, first with Dr. Ben Carson, and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Copy/paste the following link. Scroll slightly down to the first block and click "watch now."
Finally!!!!!! Well thought out and stated! Many of us in 2016 felt the way you finally came around to in 2020 regarding Trump. Good public policy outweighs “character”. The alternative choice in 2016 and 2020 were far worse for our country. We are seeing that first hand right now and it is a disaster.
The Biden admirations tax law proposal is a direct attack on the future of the small business owners of America. While Democrats have created an incredibly tough businesses environment, the suggested changes to the tax code will devastate thousands of family businesses and crush small town economies.
Under the new code, as business owners die their heirs will have to pay the required capital-gains taxes to save their family businesses.
The new tax code eliminates the at death step-up in tax basis “loop-hole”. In real terms that means a family must be prepared to pay capital gains income taxes within 9 months of the death of a parent who owns the business.
Assuming death sneaks up on the owners of a family plumbing business, in the average family would their be anyone who has the ability to raise the $100’s of thousands of dollars required to pay the tax dollars due?
Typically, in these already emotionally charged situations, additional stress is added as the family must sell-out within the 9 month period typically at fire sale prices. Large corporations step into the cash void and eliminate competitions while grabbing a business at a low price. More often than not these bigger companies hurt small-town economies since they already have accountants, bookkeepers and lawyers back near their corporate headquarters. They won’t buy their trucks from the local car dealer when they are big enough to deal directly with fleet companies. The local economy takes a hit with every sale and every small business in every small town will eventually face this Biden created tax dilemma
This tax law is great for big corporations who like to buy on the cheap, great for insurance agents who like to sell insurance policies and terrible for small town economies and family-owned businesses on a multitude of levels.
I was appalled at Trump as a candidate in 2016, but I looked hard at the options and voted for him. In spite of his arrogance and abrasive attitude, I was surprised to find he had policies with which I mostly agreed. And, to me, he seemed pretty much like every other rich and powerful man in his private life too. However, in spite of his personal faults, and we all have them, what I saw the media and the democrat party do to him and to thwart his policies was so disgusting, disturbing, damaging to the fabric of the country, that I frequently found myself championing him even when I kind of thought he should take it down a notch. The riot at the capitol was bad. Period. It was not an insurrection. Only one person was killed, and she by the capitol police. The riot was planned by people who were completely enraged at what they had seen from democrats and the media for over 4 years. It was a relatively small group. Most Trump supporters would never have believed anyone on our side would do something like that. Yet all of us are being tarred with the same brush. We are looking at one side with pure evil intent. Anyone denying that is still hiding their head in the sand. So siding with someone who may make you a bit squeamish because they are rude and crude is still going to be the better choice. Now, I, personally, hope Trump does not run in 2024. I, at this moment, hope DeSantis does. He seems to have the intestinal fortitude of Trump with a significant amount of diplomacy that Trump lacked.
Good article Erick. Trump may not be perfect, but I believe much of his interactive behavior is because he’s one of a handful of people that understood where things were headed with the Democrats and how corrupt the news media really is. Fighting Marxism and a state media requires a very different approach which is why 74 million people voted for him.
Great piece Erick, but I would extend this to Congress as well. My point being that fecal matter in the punchbowl like Pelosi, Schumer, and Schiff, along with their RINO counterparts, continue to get reelected despite the fact that there are often better choices - and sometimes MUCH better choices - who are swept aside or overlooked completely. Biden, who I objectively believe has serious cognitive issues, would likely offer little of this agenda without these puppeteers directing him and, in the case of the RINOs, playing ball. The best line in your whole piece should simply be shortened to "I hope for a better Republican candidate." Period.
A good friend of mine gave a wonderful example of the binary choice we had in 2020. She said, Imagine you have cancer. Do you choose the doctor who is brusk, an asshole who runs around on his wife, loud, brash, outspoken, narcissistic but a brilliant doctor who cares about you and will give you the best chance you have to live? Or do you choose the passive, incompetent, cognitively declining nice guy who doesn't know medicine as well as the a'hole, but will make you feel good about dying? This was the choice we had in 2016 and 2020......sadly, only once did we choose the right one.
The analogy fails when you realize the difference in duration. Doctors perform surgery or other procedures, but they don't run your household for the next four years. Their political ideologies and personal flaws don't usually affect their patients, so you're free to simply choose the one who believe is the more competent doctor.
What I'm saying is competency ON THE JOB is more important than personality flaws or private bad behavior. Even though ugly at times, the job Trump did as President lifted many Americans up, protected us and did much for the minority community. He put American first.
"In the private sector, he would have been fired." I don't really care about that, Nancy. The job he did for America and her people was spectacular. I get it, you don't like him. That's fine, but I don't have to like someone to acknowledge a job well done.
I agree that some things he did were good. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he did a great job overall. He does know how to sell himself to those who want to believe, though.
Erick, while we often disagree, I generally respect you because you tend to call a fairly honest game. While so many on your side do not hesitate to do so, you rarely call a ball a strike. But now, you have joined in the baseless characterization of the Democrats' program as a "rush to socialism."
Here is Merriam-Webster's definition of socialism: "any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods." Although there has been some slippage of this definition in recent years, due mostly to the frequency with which socialism is associated with anything that might be viewed as a redistribution of income, you will note that nothing pertaining to income (its redistribution or anything else) is even remotely suggested by this definition. Rather, most reputable sources identify socialism's defining characteristic as government ownership of the means of production. Further illustrating my point, the Nazis accurately called themselves the "National SOCIALIST German Workers' Party" because there were certain private industries over which they sought to impose government control. THAT is what made them socialists.
Now given this definition, there are most certainly aspects of our society that are quite arguably socialist, including public schools, public libraries and two of conservatives' absolute favorites: the military and the police. In all of these instances, their functions could be privately administered. As concerns the police, for example, private companies could provide security services for a fee: no pay, no protection. Illustrating the socialist nature of our military, I believe Trump briefly considered outsourcing the war in Afghanistan to a company called Blackwater. So do understand, I would accept the term "socialist" as applied to a number of longstanding features of American government. I in no way seek a narrow definition. All that said, here's where you (and everybody else throwing the terms "socialism" and "Marxism" around) lose me:
Exactly what part of the Democratic program envisions a government takeover of previously privately administered functions?
Those who would like to know exactly what the first 100 days of Biden have wrought, watch this interview posted live last night just before the Biden speech with first Dr. Ben Carson, then Sec. of State Mike Pompeo. Each speaks from a different policy standpoint.
I became almost physically ill after learning all they shared.
https://prayvotestand.org/?utm_source=SlickText&utm_medium=SMS&utm_campaign=PVS042821+-+Active
I'm with Paul C. I agree with about everything you say except "insurrection". If that was an insurrection, what has Portland been going through for the last year? Now, of course, since the Biden administration is in charge of federal buildings, Portland's Mayor is trying to get people to stop the attacks on federal property and federal officers (not to mention private businesses and residences) that he gave "they got their reasons" cover to for more than 9 months. I voted third party in 2016 too, but I have to say Trump was the only one in political power who was right on the response to Portland's hooligan insurrection. The rest of the Republican party was pretty mute. Portland is a wreck and will remain so until it's leftist voters decide they want a working central city. I and most everyone else just don't go there any more. Tough luck on the people who live there, work there and have businesses and property there.
Agreed. Thank you.
Erick, the only thing in the first two paragraphs of your essay which I question is your use of the word “insurrection”. If that was one, the organizer was Mel Brooks, so inept an attempt it was. Besides, anyone who claims that Donald Trump called on the crowd to actually enter the Capitol building is either misinformed or lying.
That said, it is so clear what the left is doing here that Stevie Wonder can see it. Whatever you wish to call what happened on January 6th, it pales in comparison to the obvious effort to subvert the Constitution and establish an authoritarian single party state in which the Harris/Biden administration is now engaged.
What the result of Congressional reapportionment is, who the Republicans run for Congress next year or for President in 2024, are all irrelevant if the center does not hold and the left achieves its obvious goals. H.R. 1 and S.B. 1 are the keys to whether it succeeds. If those bills become law, wresting control of Congress becomes impossible, and the Republic ends. Whatever transpires between now and next year, preventing the left from destroying election integrity is THE only truly important thing.
Thanks again for your honest assessment. May the Lord have mercy on our nation, hear our prayers and "cancel" those who "call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness..." (Isa 5:20 ESV). May we see an answer to the prayer the Lord Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father..." (Matthew 6:9-13).
There is no pundit in the country that I feel expresses my opinions better than you, Erick, but like with my own wife, I sometimes have quibbles with you. Even though I knew I'd be grinding my teeth every day of a Biden administration I still think we are better off Trump is gone. The woke fanatics would be turbocharged to levels we can't even imagine if he had pulled off another electoral college "win" while losing the popular vote by 5%. This man has hurt our country, our party and conservatism enough. I don't think I've ever been as pessimistic about the Republican Party in my life. I think we will be divided over our attitudes towards Trump for the next 20 years, it will be like waving the bloody shirt from the 1870's to the 1890's. The sooner he gets bogged down with court cases and out of our lives the better.
In any binary election you always choose what you deem to be the lessor of the two evils. Refusing to vote or throwing your vote to a candidate with no chance of success may give you a temporary thrill but it worthless in the long run. A few pissed off people in Georgia decided sit out the senatorial runoff rather than vote for the Republican they voted for in the general election thus putting us in the horrible mess we are in now. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Erick, voting third party in 2016 and then not doing so in 2020...what changed? Did "wasting your vote" come as a revelation to you? That argument isn't exactly new.
If you couldn't bring yourself to vote for Trump in 2016 *because of his poor character*, then why did you vote for him in 2020? His character didn't improve. Using media opposition and liking his policies are excuses *if character was indeed your top priority*. In other words, Trump didn't change. You did, and so did everyone else who did the same.
What changed for Erick is what changed for many people, myself included. First and foremost, Donald Trump instituted policies which benefited all Americans, whether or not they would admit it. As a result, we saw a resurgence of optimism and prosperity which no one thought possible. Secondly, whether or not you will admit it, America was again taken seriously on the world stage, even by our adversaries. We were on the verge of widespread acceptance of the state of Israel by the majority of her neighbors and the complete marginalization of Iran and the terrorists it sponsors. Now, the Mad Mullahs of Tehran are back, and the possibility of a new Mideast war is much greater than it was in 2016.
Results matter, Nancy. The policies espoused by Biden and his crew - Obama 2.0, as modified by the radical Marxists who started their takeover of the Democrats in 2018 - will inexorably lead to the end of the American Republic, the ascendance of China to at the least regional hegemony, and very possibly widespread war. Yes, Nancy, we changed. We changed because circumstances changed, and only a totally unserious person would fail to do so.
Maybe you didn't notice my emphasis, indicated by * signs, which specified the priority of character. If that wasn't someone's genuine priority, then your argument would have merit. If you change your mind because of policy, that shows your commitment to supporting good character wasn't solid, but was revealed instead to be contingent on circumstances. Erick is hardly the only person who's done just that. He's more honest than most, but it would be nice if he and every other such person would admit up front that character is NOT their top priority.
Exactly. If you or @Nancy L. Rogers want to know with specificity what has been destroyed and/or irreparably harmed in the last 100 days by the Biden administration, please listen to this brief but heartbreaking interview conducted last night just before the Biden speech, first with Dr. Ben Carson, and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Copy/paste the following link. Scroll slightly down to the first block and click "watch now."
https://prayvotestand.org/?utm_source=SlickText&utm_medium=SMS&utm_campaign=PVS042821+-+Active
This isn't about Biden. I doubt that any of us supported him, much less voted for him.
Excellent, and oh so true! 👏
Finally!!!!!! Well thought out and stated! Many of us in 2016 felt the way you finally came around to in 2020 regarding Trump. Good public policy outweighs “character”. The alternative choice in 2016 and 2020 were far worse for our country. We are seeing that first hand right now and it is a disaster.
The Biden admirations tax law proposal is a direct attack on the future of the small business owners of America. While Democrats have created an incredibly tough businesses environment, the suggested changes to the tax code will devastate thousands of family businesses and crush small town economies.
Under the new code, as business owners die their heirs will have to pay the required capital-gains taxes to save their family businesses.
The new tax code eliminates the at death step-up in tax basis “loop-hole”. In real terms that means a family must be prepared to pay capital gains income taxes within 9 months of the death of a parent who owns the business.
Assuming death sneaks up on the owners of a family plumbing business, in the average family would their be anyone who has the ability to raise the $100’s of thousands of dollars required to pay the tax dollars due?
Typically, in these already emotionally charged situations, additional stress is added as the family must sell-out within the 9 month period typically at fire sale prices. Large corporations step into the cash void and eliminate competitions while grabbing a business at a low price. More often than not these bigger companies hurt small-town economies since they already have accountants, bookkeepers and lawyers back near their corporate headquarters. They won’t buy their trucks from the local car dealer when they are big enough to deal directly with fleet companies. The local economy takes a hit with every sale and every small business in every small town will eventually face this Biden created tax dilemma
This tax law is great for big corporations who like to buy on the cheap, great for insurance agents who like to sell insurance policies and terrible for small town economies and family-owned businesses on a multitude of levels.
I'll file this in the folder, "Somebody's gotta say it!" Well done.
I was appalled at Trump as a candidate in 2016, but I looked hard at the options and voted for him. In spite of his arrogance and abrasive attitude, I was surprised to find he had policies with which I mostly agreed. And, to me, he seemed pretty much like every other rich and powerful man in his private life too. However, in spite of his personal faults, and we all have them, what I saw the media and the democrat party do to him and to thwart his policies was so disgusting, disturbing, damaging to the fabric of the country, that I frequently found myself championing him even when I kind of thought he should take it down a notch. The riot at the capitol was bad. Period. It was not an insurrection. Only one person was killed, and she by the capitol police. The riot was planned by people who were completely enraged at what they had seen from democrats and the media for over 4 years. It was a relatively small group. Most Trump supporters would never have believed anyone on our side would do something like that. Yet all of us are being tarred with the same brush. We are looking at one side with pure evil intent. Anyone denying that is still hiding their head in the sand. So siding with someone who may make you a bit squeamish because they are rude and crude is still going to be the better choice. Now, I, personally, hope Trump does not run in 2024. I, at this moment, hope DeSantis does. He seems to have the intestinal fortitude of Trump with a significant amount of diplomacy that Trump lacked.
Good article Erick. Trump may not be perfect, but I believe much of his interactive behavior is because he’s one of a handful of people that understood where things were headed with the Democrats and how corrupt the news media really is. Fighting Marxism and a state media requires a very different approach which is why 74 million people voted for him.
Great piece Erick, but I would extend this to Congress as well. My point being that fecal matter in the punchbowl like Pelosi, Schumer, and Schiff, along with their RINO counterparts, continue to get reelected despite the fact that there are often better choices - and sometimes MUCH better choices - who are swept aside or overlooked completely. Biden, who I objectively believe has serious cognitive issues, would likely offer little of this agenda without these puppeteers directing him and, in the case of the RINOs, playing ball. The best line in your whole piece should simply be shortened to "I hope for a better Republican candidate." Period.
A good friend of mine gave a wonderful example of the binary choice we had in 2020. She said, Imagine you have cancer. Do you choose the doctor who is brusk, an asshole who runs around on his wife, loud, brash, outspoken, narcissistic but a brilliant doctor who cares about you and will give you the best chance you have to live? Or do you choose the passive, incompetent, cognitively declining nice guy who doesn't know medicine as well as the a'hole, but will make you feel good about dying? This was the choice we had in 2016 and 2020......sadly, only once did we choose the right one.
The analogy fails when you realize the difference in duration. Doctors perform surgery or other procedures, but they don't run your household for the next four years. Their political ideologies and personal flaws don't usually affect their patients, so you're free to simply choose the one who believe is the more competent doctor.
What I'm saying is competency ON THE JOB is more important than personality flaws or private bad behavior. Even though ugly at times, the job Trump did as President lifted many Americans up, protected us and did much for the minority community. He put American first.
Trump's bad behavior ON THE JOB was hardly private. In the private sector, he would have been fired.
Trump did not run your household but Biden sure is.....
Again, this shows the failure of the analogy.
Yes, the doctor in Nan’s post won’t run her life for the next four years; however, he will have the ability to GIVE her those four years.
We'll survive, even with Biden in office.
Exactly.....and it is a shame that other “thought leaders” did not recognize what you did.
This isn't exactly the first time this and similar analogies have been made. They all make the same fundamental mistake.
"In the private sector, he would have been fired." I don't really care about that, Nancy. The job he did for America and her people was spectacular. I get it, you don't like him. That's fine, but I don't have to like someone to acknowledge a job well done.
I agree that some things he did were good. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he did a great job overall. He does know how to sell himself to those who want to believe, though.