Everyone is talking about the guest editorial in The New York Times by a "Senior Administration Official." Why? Because it confirms our worst fears about the current administration. These are the words of someone hired by Trump, and who is currently working as an important member of his team.
Notice this person's description of the problem:
"The root of the problem is the president’s amorality. Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision making.
Although he was elected as a Republican, the president shows little affinity for ideals long espoused by conservatives: free minds, free markets and free people. At best, he has invoked these ideals in scripted settings. At worst, he has attacked them outright.
In addition to his mass-marketing of the notion that the press is the “enemy of the people,” President Trump’s impulses are generally anti-trade and anti-democratic."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/trump-white-house-anonymous-resistance.html
This individual goes on to assure us "that there are adults in the room," working to make sure that Trump's impulsiveness and ignorance of the office he holds does not adversely impact the republic. Although I appreciate this person's willingness to share their perspective, please forgive me for not being reassured. What about you?
Notice this person's description of the problem:
"The root of the problem is the president’s amorality. Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision making.
Although he was elected as a Republican, the president shows little affinity for ideals long espoused by conservatives: free minds, free markets and free people. At best, he has invoked these ideals in scripted settings. At worst, he has attacked them outright.
In addition to his mass-marketing of the notion that the press is the “enemy of the people,” President Trump’s impulses are generally anti-trade and anti-democratic."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/trump-white-house-anonymous-resistance.html
This individual goes on to assure us "that there are adults in the room," working to make sure that Trump's impulsiveness and ignorance of the office he holds does not adversely impact the republic. Although I appreciate this person's willingness to share their perspective, please forgive me for not being reassured. What about you?
Of course it is not reassuring. The only thing this person did is reassuring Trump and his electorate that "the deep state' is working against this "independent" candidate.
ReplyDeleteDo people have short memory spans? Trump did not run as a Republican candidate although he works from that platform. The Republican party had tough negotiations with Trump on what to achieve and is scared to get wiped out if they do no administer to some of the demands of the (new) Trump constituency.
It is true that "the burocracy" works as a moderating force on political led decision making but the "coming out" of said person smells of treason. I mean Trump was elected democratically even if I dislike him personally.
Why do people need to put a lable on Trump as if he were a conservative. I haven't seen a more liberal president ever. They guy is from New York for pity sake.
Why do leaders need to be moored to principles IF they were effective managers? Which he isn't but believes he is because of his real estate "you re fired" empire.
He believes many things. (Like that he is an effective manager of world affairs, that he needs to put America first, that he is a good and tough negotiator, that he is a gentleman).
In reality he looks as awkward as the proverbial American visiting a british household and suddenly finding out these people are holding a fork AND knife while eating. But he still believes...................
nck
I agree with you that Trump is the poster boy of the ugly American, but the treason thing is completely off. Article III of the U.S. constitution states: "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."
DeleteI would like to see Trump go as much as you do. Let's be clear. However I see many press articles comment on how the op-ed article is not treasonous. While I would look at what the office of the public servant is, what papers they are making disappear from the desk of the elected potus and what entities are served or given "aid and comfort" by the withholding of information from the highest elected official of the nation.
ReplyDeleteBut hey. I would always support light over darkness, but since we decided to not trust man always we do have procedure to adhere to.
The best civil servant ever is probably that Soviet border guard who decided not to fire the atomic weapons in the eighties when the radar system malfunctioned. History will show if the "making papers disappear from desk of Potus will have been as significant an act of courage.
nck
I agree with you about adhering to procedures - they are the true guardrails. For me, that is one of the reasons this is so disturbing - this is NOT the way our system was designed to operate.
Delete