Volume 6, Issue 9
We do not elect the President of the United States standing on ceremony of canonization. The country did not vote for Mr. Trump to be the “Cardinal in Chief.” Moral character is important. Obeying the law and the Constitution is absolutely critical. Yet, personal characteristics, offensive to the intellect of elites, are not grounds for impeachment. Nor are they the ultimate measure of progress. Measuring progress depends upon a person’s definition of the facilitation of the pursuit of happiness.
For, in life’s perspective, measuring the progress of purpose clarifies meaning of government leadership.
History is replete with examples of men and women rising from unexpected stations in life, serving a nation or people with unexpected results. At times, these fortuitous leaders rose to an occasion or responded to a call. Gandhi faced a great colonial power, emerging from an area of isolation, successfully changing a society through unorthodox means. Donald Trump has been compared to King Cyrus in the Old Testament. Cyrus was a Persian king who served the Hebrew nation. He was not Jewish, yet he was benevolent in his use of power in aiding ancient Israel.
Certainty of outcome, and the leadership and circumstances from which it proceeds, often appears mysterious. Regardless of the protocol, it is the benefit of the defined objective purpose that is paramount.
In addition to measuring progress through the quantifiable results of objectives, every American citizen has an obligation to respect the decision of the ballot box. In the United States of America, we not only believe in, but our life depends upon, the sanctity of democracy. The democratic process, and our respect for it, is the essence of the foundation of our individual sense of purpose.
Donald Trump won a very narrow election. As President Barack Obama did in the last prior election. The difference is that President Obama was respected as the President of the United States duly elected by the people by our democratic system. Of course, he had opposition. But his right to govern as a declaration of the people was not in question.
E.J. Dionne, Jr., Washington Post columnist, Norman J. Ornstein, American Enterprise Institute scholar, and Thomas E. Mann, Berkeley professor, recently published a book, One Nation After Trump. The first sentence of the first paragraph in the introduction says, “American democracy was never supposed to give the nation a President like Donald Trump.” Really!! This book was written and published before President Trump had served one year. Their conclusion is beyond absurd. It is the height of intellectual arrogance. They may not agree with the election, but in their elitist attitude, they have surmised that democracy doesn’t work because the people are too inept to truly know what they want.
Let’s think about this a minute.
The Nuttle Report is being published on a Wednesday anticipating the announcement of three events. One, China’s President Xi amending the Chinese constitution to eliminate term limits, laying the foundation for his life-long leadership. Two, President Trump’s announcement that he is running for reelection and appointing a campaign manager. And three, the Swiss government embracing crypto currencies. China is imposing a communistic economic model that will ultimately clash with capitalism and free enterprise in the world economic system. Switzerland, like many sovereign nations, is preparing to navigate economically between these economic battle lines. These are the great issues of our times.
A communist economic system operates under a command philosophy that the state will determine, without the citizens’ input, what is best for one’s quality of life. Pursuit of happiness under communism is what the state tells you it is. In free enterprise, the government responds to the demand of the people. And, in doing so, the state facilitates the individual’s desires for pursuit of happiness.
If one were asked the question, would you rather have a totalitarian leader who acted perfectly in reference to proper comportment, but dictated the boundaries of your every decision, or would you rather have a leader who is unorthodox, at times in violation of proper comportment, yet believed in freedom and the unfettered pursuit of happiness, one would always choose the leadership of freedom.
If one were to only listen to the national news media and intellectual elites, one would be directed to come to the personal conclusion that America is in a desperate state. There are tragedies occurring in our country that leave us in shocked resolution. These incredibly unfortunate events tear at the fabric of our very national soul. As grievous as these abominations are, they are not the entire story. It is important in all trials and tribulations to understand, respect, and be grateful for our blessings, as we seek solutions to avoid future tragedies.
It is commonly accepted knowledge that the United States of America is a great nation based upon its economic power and military might. But, upon further examination of domestic societal benefits, an argument can be made that the standard of services provided to American citizens are superior to any kingdom or sovereign government in the history of the world. Citizens on welfare in America have a higher standard of living, based on an index of amenities, greater than the average citizen of most countries in the world. Our primary education system is available to 100% of the population. Our institutions of higher education are accessible. All children under the age of 18 in the U.S. have access to primary health care.
Is there poverty? Yes. Do we still struggle in the development of inner cities? Yes. Do we have an opioid epidemic in this country? Yes. Is there more still that must be achieved in civil rights? Yes. In spite of our problems, and in light of our achievements, we are never satisfied with the status quo. We are constantly striving to advance the rights and opportunities of all individuals. The American Dream is still within reach. It is worthy to debate the extent of egalitarian access to all national resources. But, to ignore our achievements and blessings is philosophically negligent.
The President’s tax cuts are working. The economy is growing. Jobs are being created. We are realizing that a nation has a right to control its borders. We want immigration. But to focus on immigration only and ignore the primary objective of securing our borders is irresponsible. By these measures, national purpose is being advanced, regardless of the President’s personality.
To understand the world today, and America’s role in it, requires a big picture view of what we truly have in this country and what we represent to the world. What we take for granted is the future hope of most nations.
What then is required to calibrate progress? A proper sense of purpose.
Each citizen must decide for himself or herself what is important, day-to-day, in the advancement of equal protection for the pursuit of happiness. This sense of purpose is separate from a sense of the personal characteristic of the President of the United States. With the possible exception of George Washington, every president has fought through and stood in the face of great controversy. If the measure of success was simply the personality of our leaders, then our country has failed its calling in history. Any student of history knows that this is not the case.
To participate honorably and productively in democracy, one must determine one’s sense of purpose for the generations. Values, commitments, convictions and the government’s mandate to enhance the objectives of national purpose is a citizen’s mission statement.
Democracy executed by citizens with a sense of purpose is always the choice over following benign leadership detached from principles.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?