I Accept the Trump Kool-Aid: Guest MINDSETTER™ Wright
Monday, May 15, 2017
Harry Truman once referred to the Oval Office as the crown jewel of the federal penal system. It occurs to me, that for someone like President Trump, no truer words have ever been spoken.
When I was younger, I heard a quote that offered advice I would eventually follow. I thought it was Kurt Vonnegut, but now I'm not so sure... "Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in California once, but leave before it makes you soft." So, I lived in NYC for a year, and then I lived in LA for a year, and, you know what, that shit is gospel. No matter who said it.
Anyway, my point is... I think Trump lived in both places way too long. I'm speaking metaphorically, as I don't think he actually lived in Hollywood, but he certainly grabbed the bull, among other things, by both horns during his time there.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLet me temper my commentary with the following assertions...
Donald Trump is a World class businessman. Donald Trump is a master manipulator. Donald Trump understands how to make friends and influence people. None of the things I've mentioned are negative attributes, and, in fact, represent the main reasons he was elected President of the United States.
Now, I'm all for rejecting career politicans and thumbing our nose at the establishment. It's quite obvious to me that Trump was elected largely for those reasons. I get it. His rhetoric was appealing to many Americans, and he's the polar opposite of the Washington insider. His poetry was like crack cocaine to his base, and, there's no reasoning with an addict with an unlimited supply.
Honestly, I think his victory in November took him completely by surprise. Now, he's pissed about the number of people he needs to receive permission from before he does whatever the hell he wants. And, now we're back to Truman.
Trump Can Succeed
To be successful, an American President needs grace, wisdom, strength, resolve and compassion. I would challenge you to point to the attribute on this list that President Trump possesses... I'll wait... Look, I hope I'm wrong. I pray that President Trump will adorn the history books with his prodigious acts and deeds. The reality of it is, however, that we have a con man running the White House.
Yes, the President has advisors. Many of whom are incredibly intelligent and experienced. I hope he accepts their counsel and acts on their recommendations. The problem I have is that no one elected these people to anything. They all serve at the pleasure of the President. And, as we learned this week, they can be shown the door by him as well. "Night of the Long Knives" style...
When I imagine my President in the Situation Room interacting with the Chiefs, or looking at keyhole satellite photographs of a heavy water reactor being built in Iran, I have always found comfort in the fact that he or she is a serious person and draws his conclusions from a lifetime of knowledge and experience. Gravitas. That's what I want from my President. Not unofficial tweets, tax revenue draining golf weekends, and endless conflicts of interest.
Look, he's my President. I'm an American, and I accept the Kool-Aid. The framers made it very clear that the Executive branch of our government would be controlled by the President. However, they tempered that power with checks and balances that protect the citizenry... even in 2017.
Where to go from here...
I don't think President Trump is going anywhere. He has weathered stronger storms than anything Congress or the agencies can whip up. His personality type is not a fit for the straight-jacket that he has donned since January 20th. That being said, it's my guess that he rides this wave all the way to the beach.
I sincerely hope the beach is still there.
Jim Wright is the National Director of Catch a Rising Star Comedy Clubs. He lives in Providence.
Related Slideshow: Trump’s Win - What Does it Mean for Rhode Island?
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