Burning Down The House
I believe Donald Trump’s appeal shows what a lot of TEA Party folks are truly about: power. I honestly don’t believe that they’re concerned about big government, in general. They don’t like President Barack Obama, but I think that is because *they* are not in charge and he is not on their side. Consider some of the rhetoric that comes from Trump like using executive orders to “get things done” and pointing to Obama as setting an example to building a wall and making Mexico pay for it to coercing US companies to build products in the United States.
We get it, TEA Party. You hate us. You hate the Republican Party, and you’re willing to use your numbers to angrily nominate a hot-headed candidate who does more to bad-mouth opponents than actually talk about policy stances and a positive vision for America. I will argue that the GOP has had a few policy wins with a Democratic administration, but, yes, we could do more. I believe calm, level-headed Republican leadership can make that happen. Speaker Paul Ryan has done a lot to communicate the Republican vision of moving policymaking more towards the conservative realm and working to unite the different factions in the US House. Even with the progress of new leadership, it seems like a lot of conservatives would rather burn down the house just because they’re angry. My observation is that they want a candidate who will talk loudly and carry a “yuuuuuge” stick.
Trump’s top campaign line is that he can “get things done”. He doesn’t talk much about policy, but rather, he talks more about bullying the world to do what he wants to do. I believe it will do more to hurt the position of the United States in a time where the current administration has done more to weaken our stance on the world stage. If anything, it will make it tougher for us to do business. A President Trump may successfully bully Apple and other manufacturers to build in the United States, but who will we sell to if we anger our customers?
Charlie has said before that channelling anger leads to poor policy, and I would venture to say that it certainly won’t lead to decent conservative policy. I’m sure there are TEA Party folks in our state who are now wanting to see my head on a spit, but seriously think through the whole process. In fact, read and re-read the article from Kyle Wingfield about Trump’s rally this past Sunday. If you’re a conservative, it should strike some concern in your soul.
Trump’s statement about how he would “put a lot of pressure on Apple and these companies to make their product here” is not a conservative principle. I believe we can enact policy to encourage (not force…not coerce) companies to bring jobs back to the US and repatriate dollars that are being held overseas, but, again, Trump doesn’t talk about policy. He only sees the presidency as a powerful central figure, and he sees everyone else as dumb, stupid, incompetent, losers, flakes, and other insults that fly out of his mouth. It’s a sad state of how our body politic on the right has devolved due to anger. Cool heads and pragmatism has given way to anger and slogans on ugly trucker hats.
If you are a TEA Party activist and are seriously considering voting for Trump, consider this: exchange Trump for Obama or Hillary and consider the same rhetoric of how they would get things done. Would you be okay with that?
Checks and balances were instituted for a reason. Congress has ceded a lot of their power to the Executive over the past century, and it seems like Trump is willing to take advantage of that precedent…and a number of “conservatives” say that it’s a good thing when, not too long ago, they were leading the charge against it. It’s a dangerous precedent to continue no matter if a Republican or Democrat is in the White House.
About Author
nsmith
Father. IT Geek. Former 14th District GOP Chairman (2015-2017). Former Walker GOP Chairman (2009-2013). Resident of Chamblee. American. Georgian. Conservative.
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Great column Nathan.
Sadly, at this point I think there are very few Trump voters willing to peel away and vote for someone else. I really think the only hope at this point, and it is slim, is for Cruz and Rubio to stop attacking each other, perhaps one of them drop out (needless to say all the others definitely need to drop out – who really thinks Kasich has a chance?) and bring all the anti-Trump people together.
He is a dangerous (although I don’t think he’d go willy nilly with The Button), wreckless man who we really have no idea what he would do in the White House. Although I don’t think he would get that far. I think he’d get crushed in a general. Then his supporters will turn and yell that we weren’t supportive enough and in four years we’d be right back here in some form or fashion.
Trump is the result of years of “Vote for X republican, he’s better than Y democrat.”
Guess what, X keeps getting elected and isn’t living up to expectations. People are numb. Trump has the support of blue collar workers AND those with post-graduate college degrees. Odd combo.
^True dat^
There is at least one very good reason for Kasich to stay in the race. Ohio is late in the season and it’s all-or-nothing in terms of delegates for the winner (or something close to that). A Kasich win in Ohio could literally be the last chance to keep Trump from going over the top in terms of delegates.
Brokered convention then, huh?
Tea Party groups have endorsed Cruz, not sure you can blame them for Trump.
In fact, the ‘blame’ for Trump’s rise rests completely with the GOP and it’s years of arrogance toward the rank and file. This lead to the Tea Party groups being formed after they voted in ‘conservatives’ who did very little that was considered conservative upon taking office. Yet the GOP kept acting like Kevin Bacon in Animal House, ‘Remain calm, all is well’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAmPIq29ro – even as the party was imploding.
The burning house is a case of self inflicted arson. The party needs a big dose of self reflection if it plans on remaining relevant after Trump secures the nomination.
Trump is certainly a backlash to what has been going on in our fractured political world. Look no further than what is occupying our political scene here on issues. Tea Partiers are doing nothing but loading up on the current lead wagon. They know they were becoming irrelevant. To blame them when we rip to pieces any candidate that is not a fundamental purist to our list of personal demands is getting us no where.
Look no further than this or most reactions here, we don’t list what we see as positive but select areas for an all out assault. We will get what we bargained for.
I haven’t wanted Trump from the get go, but he beats Hillary (super delegate runaway) in every aspect. Most recent problem of dozens is her email. If the public thinks the Chinese military hasn’t read every SOS email, they are betting against overwhelming odds.
Wow, the Republican establishment’s hatred of the Tea Party is only second to that projected toward Donald Trump. The Tea Party wanted their concerns addressed and Republicans to stand and fight. The Establishment Republicans (I wonder when they will be “offended” by that term like they are by the term RINO) not only ignored them they were openly hostile toward them. John Boehner and Mitch McConnell both publically derided the Tea Party. This is a substantial conservative voting block and they have now revolted what did you expect them to do?
Look Bill Clinton made you guys look like chumps, W didn’t help your image any and Obama has spanked you like unruly school children. Regardless of what you may have accomplished your public image is being written by the Democrats so how do you think you look to the public? Establishment Republicans are the direct reason for Donald Trump. You created him.
If I were you I would embrace and work with the Tea Party. They have proven they are willing to work with you or you would not have Paul Ryan. Ignore and continue to deride them at your own peril.
“Establishment Republicans are the direct reason for Donald Trump. You created him.”
In a way, yes. Because for years and years the Republican Party has let the fundamentalist, extremist, religious folks have a stranglehold on them, solely because the Party wanted their support and votes. They thought the evangelicals would shrink back into the woodwork afterward. They didn’t and the Party began drifting at a rapid pace from its mooring pier. Trump is the outcome of this foundering which the Republican Party has been suffering through for many years.
“If I were you I would embrace and work with the Tea Party. They have proven they are willing to work with you or you would not have Paul Ryan.”
No, the Tea Party gave us Ted Cruz.
Frankly, RINO no longer has meaning when “activists” try to label 80-90% of Republicans as such. The ironic thing is that Trump is a johnny-come-lately to the GOP seeing that he was a big friend of the Clintons and Democrats….Trump is the very thing that a lot of his TEA Party supporters despise. And I feel like we’ve tried to work with and encourage the TEA Party to participate in the GOP structure. Unfortunately, a loud minority see it as an opportunity to advance their own agenda by either lining their pockets or “purifying” the Party.
As an outsider looking in and watching the Tea Party it is amazing they are still surviving. From the start they have been told how they should act and what they should stand for but mostly they were derided by almost everyone. It seems to me that their message of Taxed Enough Already and believing in smaller government went over like a lead balloon with the establishment politicians in both parties.
Nathan your right about the term RINO it really no longer applies. Republicans in local, state and federal government has spent more, created more and increased the size of government bureaucracies, and borrowed more and more money in order to do it. So I really wish Republicans would stop saying they believe is less government and lower taxes. Actions speak louder than words. I know I no longer believe them and isn’t that why this election cycle has turned out the way it has? No one needs to “Pruify the Party”. They are doing a great job of that themselves.
Pro Tip to the general electorate: Stop listening to every news outlet and vote your heart
If the Republican party wants to win the White House, it’s list of potential nominees should go in order of Kasich, Rubio, Cruz, and then Le Don. They have to assume the Dem’s nom Hillary and that’s the order of greatest opportunity to beat her.
If the Democratic party want to win the White House, its lists of potential nominees should go in order of Sanders…..and then Hillary. Assuming the potential opponents are in order: Trump, Rubio, Cruz, Kasich. Sanders outpaces all of them in the general, in that order.
The worst possible outcome with the most uncertainty? Trump v. Clinton.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/2016_presidential_race.html
But don’t worry folks, it’ll be Trump v. Hillary. And “the media” will have exactly what it wanted all along, a content heavy firestorm with no clear winner until Nov. 9th.
Keep on clickin’ America. THANK$$$$$$$$$
The Dems are most scared of Trump. He would hurt Hillary one on one via the issues. In one exchange with Trump he dropped the poll numbers of Bill and Hillary by over 10 points. The reason Trump has been going after Bernie lately he already knows Hillary weak spots. Iraq, lobbyist payola ie trust and Monica-gate. As the Dems pointed out if she is nominated the above will be tough for her to overcome. Just use google, you will see Dems are sacred. Hillary would rather have Cruz or Rubio verse Trump. And if it was about winning, Kasich is the logical choice. We know Kasich has a rough road inside the GOP……
Finally, the national polling numbers have to be off via the new voters Trump is bringing. He more than doubled the vote in Nevada alone. I am a Kasich supporter, but you cannot deny the facts.
No one is ignoring them. Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan are the “moderates” of the party now. The Tea Party won but they’re still pissed because we didn’t shut the government down for the last four years.
Them agreeing to Paul Ryan as Speaker was great but I wouldn’t say counts “as working with you.” There was literally no one else that was willing to do it.
Part of the point of an opposition Congress is to stop further bad legislation coming down the pike from the President. Since Republicans took over, I’m pretty sure they did that.
Unreasonable expectations and rhetoric set up by talk radio types and irresponsible politicians (some of whom may still be in the race for president) helped loose this monster and the party and the country is going to pay a big price.
………….Unreasonable expectations and rhetoric set up by talk radio types and irresponsible politicians………
Part of the problem is Erick Erickson, Ted Cruz…..say outrageous comments often….When they attack Trump for his rough comments it does not add up. It was always about firing people up verse any real substance. You are right that group has changed how leaders can communicate and get elected. Time for that crowd to do a mirror check…..
Have to say there’s nothing in Nathan’s article that I would agree with. As mentioned by others here, the GOP establishment has been tone deaf to their base and to the constitution for years…long before Trump. I can totally understand why no one would want to take responsibility for this disaster but to blame your own acolytes is pretty lame.
The only silver lining here is that once something is burned down it can be rebuilt. It’s just unfortunate that so many are willing to do that rather than concede their faulty policies and lack of integrity.
Nathan, you’re upset that a couple of generations of uninterrupted pandering to racist and nativist fears have played out for the gop as lesser educated, blue-collar folks come to realize that unfettered trade and tax cuts for the wealthiest have done nothing to address their legitimate concerns about their future economic livelihood, and so have moved on to someone even more prone to pandering. If only they’d go back to doing what they’re told, all would be well and Jeb! would be president. Bad Trump! Bad tp!
The fact is the tpers are fighting to control the gop, if they don’t have it already, and I’d argue they do. A big problem is a gop establishment that doesn’t want to fight as long as it can keep hold of the wheel, regardless of which cliff they’re heading for. McConnell’s pre-emptive refusal to even sit down with Obama’s SC nominee is just the latest display of the establishment trying to avoid being out-flanked by the tp. It may be obstructive and irresponsible tactics, but at least he’s still driving. In the end that strategy will work about as well as appeasement ever does.
I don’t know why you limit your analysis to Trump when Cruz and Rubio are each more direct products of the tp movement. Own those two, own Trump as well. It’s clear you’re not against the tp half as much as you’re against their signing up with an outsider.
+1000
The R party has been in shambles for a very long time. I think they need to (and almost certainly will) lose one more very winnable election in order to begin to fix some of what ails it. That said, the differences may be irreconcilable. If so, I wouldn’t be disappointed if the end result was the creation of a credible third party.
The funny part is that Senator Rubio has been excommunicated from the love of the TEA Party for trying to be pragmatic and try to open dialog with Senate Democrats (who were in control of the Senate at the time) on immigration.
The really funny part is that you continue to blame a fearful and resentful bloc of voters your party spent two generations training to become more fearful and resentful, just because they have found someone who does a better job stoking their fear and resentment.
To your specific point, Rubio’s immigration reform efforts fell apart because establishment gopers were too gutless to go to the mat in the House. Rubio now shows equal courage by claiming his bill was never intended to pass.
Who do you think these new voters are registering for? http://neighbornewspapers.com/view/full_story/27070933/article-Record-breaking-number-of-voters-registered-in-Georgia?
They aren’t going to change there mind.
Authoritarians…those are the Trump supporters. The research tells it all.
http://www.vox.com/2016/2/23/11099644/trump-support-authoritarianism
I would encourage everyone to read this… Clearly some of you will likely not be convinced but thought I would suggest it anyway.
https://ricochet.com/frontal-assault/
“But, of course, the “Republican establishment” is not going to ride to the rescue, because it is itself mostly a shell. Money doesn’t buy elections (see Bush, Jeb), and there is no one behind the curtain.”
The idea that there is some Establishment Cabal is ridiculous. 535 people are elected on a regular basis by voters in their home districts. There’s no conspiracy to put one over on the “base.” Legislating means building majorities and Trump fans (and Cruzzers for what it’s worth) are going to learn a hard lesson about the difference between majority and plurality.
You are so far out of touch with “We The People” that it is difficult to imagine.
“The Tea Party folks” are simply citizens that are fed up with government abuse and the complete lack of understanding, by our Elected Republicans (the Establishment – of both Government and the Republican Party), of the Principles on which this country was created.
This has to do with POWER all right – the total ABUSE of Power that the entire Republican Establishment is exercising every day – to the detriment of the Citizens.
We are NOT desirous of being in charge. We want those that we Elected to be in charge – but to represent US, their Employers, and the good of our country – not the Special Interests that pour money into YOUR coffers in return for Laws, Regulations and other favors for their benefit – at the UNWANTED expense of the Voters/Citizens.
We don’t hate YOU, we hate what your corrupt actions are doing to our ONCE GREAT Country.
Donald Trump is the FIRST Candidate, in all my life, of 77 years, that has stood up to The Establishment and told the TRUTH about what REALLY happens in Washington and behind closed doors in the Republican Party all over this nation.
You all have done such an exemplary job of concealing the Truth from the Citizens that there WERE very, very few that had ANY Idea of the magnitude of your CORRUPTION – The MEDIA being totally complicit with your goals & actions has been to you GREAT advantage all these years. They tell the public exactly what you want it to hear and no more. In their naivete they USED TO THINK they were being told the Truth.
There are millions & millions of us that LOVE the Republican Party – at least we love the PLATFORM – the Principles of FREEDOM and Honesty and Equality of Opportunity for ALL.
We do NOT love the principles that are Being PRACTICED – just the OPPOSITE:
You Exclude anyone & everyone that wants HONESTY in Govt, FREEDOM for The People, Smaller Govt, Personal Responsibility, the Opportunity to manage their own lives and COMPETE fairly against anyone, anywhere.
In the last election you convinced us that you had heard our message – if we elected lots of Republicans to Congress you would straighten it all out and restore our Constitution, Rule of Law, Fairness, Equality of Opportunity, encourage CAPITALISM and all the things that made our country GREAT – once upon a time.
You LIED.
You did NONE of these things. The list of excuses is infinite.
You talk about the “factions” in Congress – there are basically two:
1. Those in favor of taking all the money possible from Special Interests and working toward a New World Order where there will be NO OBJECTORS – this amounts to about 525 of the 535 members that were Elected by The People to represent The People.
2. Those in favor of FREEDOM, the Principles of our Founding Fathers, the LAW as written in our Constitution and Rule of Law – these MAY loosely encompass 20 of the 535.
What you still do not understand is the Trump is merely the MESSENGER – he is expressing the WILL and DESIRES and BELIEFS of nearly ALL the People. Yes, there are many against him – BUT, they are NOT against the Principles he has expressed – they embrace them. They have simply been LIED TO so much, so many times, that they don’t Trust him.
If all Republicans Trusted Trump they would amount to at least 90% of the Republican Voters, probably 75% of the Independents and who know how many Democrats – it would be OVERWHELMING.
They are DESPERATE to find an HONEST Candidate – one they can Trust to tell the TRUTH.
Now, for the FIRST time, almost all of them realize that they CANNOT trust the INCUMBENTS at all! – They are virtually All LIARS.
You all have done a superb job of DECEIVING our Citizens again.
You put up candidate after candidate – dressed in Sheep’s Clothing, each claiming to be a True Conservative – and our “Uninformed & Misled by the Media” Voters were STILL ABLE to figure out almost all of them- and they REJECTED them – for what they ARE – Trojan Horses sen out by the Republican Establishment.
Perhaps YOU should listen a little closer to Trump.
He said he would use Executive Orders to REPEAL all the Executive Orders that Obams issued ILLEGALLY – bypassing the Legistature (the ONLY ones authorized to make LAWS – and NOT authorized to pass on THEIR Constitutional Responsibilities to Unelected, Appointed Burearucrats that are making REGULATIONS in place of Laws).
Most of us now KNOW that virtually ALL of you, and the MEDIA, are shaking in your boots – you don’t want this GRAVY TRAIN to end.
You are benefitting from TRILLIONS of Dollars sent your way – NONE of which bring ANY benefit to We The People.
Stop the Baloney! Most Americans are at least a little aware that YOU & your MINIONS have GIVEN AWAY our Manufacturing Base – and with it went all the good jobs. We are now destined to be a country of “Service Inductries” to all the formerly 3rd World Countries that now have ALL OUR MONEY!
You talk about Free Trade – well, so do we. But, trading with countries that have PURPOSEFULLY DEVALUED their money to nearly half or its true value – so that we CANNOT possibly compete equitably – is NOT Free Trade. It is TRAITOROUS for you to represent it as such – Americans did, can & will compete favorably with anyone & everyone.
This is NOT a New Idea – it has been around as long a people have been trading (at least 10’s of THOUSANDS of years).
Every great, and most of the even not so great, Societies had Tariffs to make up for the invevitable inequities that were perpetuated by unsavory, selfish, power-seeking people. Our Founding Fathers were acutely aware of the dangers here – and that is one of the reasons they made sure that only IMPORTS could be Taxed – NEVER Exports.
Our American Companies are FORCED to “play the game” – as Congress makes the Laws. They are NOT going to break the Laws – BUT, they also are FULLY aware that Congress is CORRUPT, and it make laws that benefit those that GREASE the Political Wheels with MONEY.
They have 2 choices:
1. Play it straight – NO Bribes, No Donations – NO BUSINESS! You go bankrupt.
2. Play it as DESIGNED by the Establishment – Bribe any Official that can “help” you, make Huge DONATIONS to the Political Funds of
the Politicians that will make Laws & ALLOW Regulations that will help YOUR Business and SHUT OUT your competition.
This is VERY Profitable – for every BRIBE Dollar spend you will probably get back a HUNDRED or even a THOUSAND.
I’m certain that every truly American Company would LOVE to bring their businesses BACK to the USA – and they WILL if they can make money here.
Our corrupt Government has made it IMPOSSIBLE to make money without BRIBING our Elected Officials with Political Donations.
It’s just THAT SIMPLE.
Back to Trump. Some don’t know what to do. Is he REAL?
Some have been convinced – mainly by your most important PIMPS -The MEDIA, that he is doing all this for MONEY.
Some even believe that his EGO is driving him to DECEIVE The People – I don’t think so! – His EGO is driving him to WIN.
The LAST THING Trump wants is to go down in History as “another name on a long list of deceivers” – TRAITORS of The People.
And, MILLIONS are willing to Take A Chance! They believe what Trump says DOES have COMMON SENSE.
They understand that what he is saying YOU ALL have done over the years – IS Wrong! It has bought our Once Great Country down & down until Nobody (Except POLITICIANS and those that CATER to them) is doing well – certainly not Better!
They realize that we are on a slippery slope toward Socialism & Debauchery – where NO Society in all of history has survived – NONE EVER!
This is probably our country’s LAST CHANCE.
If he does even a little of what he promised to TRY to do, our country can be GREAT AGAIN.
Trump supporters KNOW that they have nothing to lose.
If he too is a LIAR & Deceiver, we will simply continue on the road that ALL the OTHER Candidates will certainly take us down.