A Trio of Opinions on Trump’s Presidency
It appears there are three basic groupings of Americans with respect to our new president. There are citizens who believe that Donald Trump:
• Is doing a wonderful job, has exercised solid judgement, has already taken actions that support their values, and is to be commended for following through on his promises.
• Support his presidency out of a feeling of duty to country, but view it cautiously (“give him a chance”).
• Has already shown that he’s declaring war on virtually everything decent that America stands for, and have vowed to resist him.
It’s hard to speculate the relative proportions of these three groups, if only because they change on a minute-to-minute basis as more is revealed about the make-up of his cabinet and staff, his policy on immigration, his attack on a free press, the rollback on the rights of women and various minorities, his foreign policy, and the status of his mental health as implied by his tweets and other statements.
If you’re looking for a high-level statement of the third group, here’s a video from billionaire Tom Steyer (pictured above) that deserves your attention.
Craig,
I think there’s a forth group. Those who are simply pragmatic. These people are not necessarily Trump supporters, but have come to terms will the fact that whether they like it or not, he’s President and will be for four years.
Setting aside his annoying personality,lack of diplomacy, and irritating addiction to tweeting, there’s a certain honesty in his displays of candid comments and naked arrogance.
The Trump administration will be like the proverbial Curate’s egg, parts of it rotten, while other parts are excellent. (although lacking the curate humility).
It’s probably fair to say President Trump will institute a lot of policies most people want to occur, but feel guilty about supporting openly.
US Presidents have spent decades since the WW2 , trying to be popular both home and abroad. The term ‘leader of the Free World’ was always taken perhaps a little too seriously.
Donald Trump’s “I don’t give a damn who I offend”, is at least candid. His plain-speaking may prove an asset in helping to implement his policies.
European pundits excitedly and enthusiastically claiming the PRC will replace the US as world leader, have a rude shock coming. The PRC is far more xenophobic and cynical than the US, and very duplicitous. However, wishful thing and mistaking propaganda for for reality, has long been a common trait among EU policy makers.
While all the kerfuffle of the transition of power is dragging out, along with the distractions of his peripheral ‘executive orders’ occupies media and public attention, no one seems to notice the almost complete lack of any comprehensive economic policy.
Curiously enough, some of the largest Democrat donors, including Warren Buffett and Tom Steyer, are now investing heavily in Donald Trump’s success in the economic sphere. I suppose they believe even if his claim of 5% growth prove even 50% accurate, gains for investors will be considerable.
On environmental issues, Trump is bad news for extremist alarmists, but not so negative for moderate environmentalists.
IMO the forth group will just get on with making the best of changing circumstances, instead of spending four years fuming, endlessly demonstrating, protesting, but accomplishing nothing.
@ Marco
You make a articulate case for a 4 th Group the Pragmatists – maybe you might add the financial opportunists perhaps? !!!
For now I will keep drinking and enjoying some good vino and dabble in some local town Sq pinata breaking parties and related.
there is a whirl wind of activities and one needs to let the Pixie Dust settle down. Lots of opposition globally but how much is serious TBD
the first 3 groups all making lots of noise. over all my expectations are quite Low and I fear that short comings will mount.
if he does go thru with some of his environmental extreme postions or allow his Cabinet to do so, well the damages could be much worse than you might think.
Open some Vino ad sit back and see what comes next.
Hi Silent,
Oh yes, I would definitely include ” financial opportunists” !