09 Nov . . . And One of Us May Be a RINO
While reading my post last week titled “Goodbye, Mr. President,” a few people no doubt labeled me a RINO (Republican in Name Only) or accused me of having TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). I have had those acronyms directed to me previously, and I have given them significant thought. Probably more thought than do the people who sling those terms.
(As a side note, a political opponent once labeled me a “rhino,” which indicated he wouldn’t know a Republican from a rhinoceros.)
Below are my theories on who is a political phony and unhinged about Donald Trump.
Lookout for RINOs!
What is a real, genuine, legitimate “Republican” anyway? Is it someone with conservative political beliefs? If so, how would we determine who is a true “Conservative”?
If political conservatism means believing in individual freedom, limited government, abiding the rule of law, seeking peace through strength, demanding fiscal responsibility, standing up for democracy, relying on free economic markets, and honoring human dignity, that’s me. (See also my prior post on conservatism.)
So, now let me just say the quiet part out loud: if conservatism is not characterized by the above, but rather by (1) backscratching with ultrawealthy cronies, (2) accumulating personal power and perks, (3) disrespecting minorities and women, and (4) hating all Democrats and liberals – none of which I’ve ever understood conservatism to mean – then Donald Trump could meet his definition of “conservative.”
I will offer a few of the many examples of his failure to meet traditional conservative principles:
- Fiscal responsibility: President Trump used control of the White House, the Senate, and the House to “achieve” a $2 trillion budget deficit in the first fiscal year of his current term. (It was approximately $7 trillion total in his first four-year term.) Yes, the administration in the last year has presided over the spending of $7.4 trillion despite only $5.4 trillion in revenue. Symbolizing his spending habits, our president also has deployed taxpayer money to rename things after himself and to construct vanity projects (especially his ballroom, arch, golden White House/office, and helipad, and now even a D.C. golf course).
- Rule of law: President Trump has deployed our military to arrest the President of Venezuela so that he (Trump) could orchestrate the misappropriation of more oil than exists under the entire United States, and separately to kill hundreds of alleged drug-boat drivers without any judicial process. At home, he has deployed the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute his political enemies.
- Limited government and free markets: Instead of fostering free markets, as Republicans traditionally would, Trump has ordered U.S. government ownership of 40+ formerly-private companies, while levying tariffs and pressuring the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates.
- Democracy and peace through strength: Most disgustingly, Trump has been cozying up to authoritarian Vladimir Putin and communist tyrants Xi Jinping and Kim Jung Un, while picking fights with allies in democracies like Canada and Europe
That doesn’t sound either conservative or Republican to me. You decide.
TDS is a Real Thing
Mentally unstable, insane, mad, demented, disturbed, psychotic, unbalanced, “unwell” (as my mother used to say with an abundance of politeness) – all can be forms of a “derangement syndrome.” So, too, can nuts, wacko, and crazy. I plead guilty to fitting within each of those terms from time to time. To wit, I have been a diehard Minnesota Twins fan for six decades and may or may not have suggested naming our first daughter Kirby Puckett Wittrock; call this TDS “Twins Derangement Syndrome.”
Nevertheless, regarding Donald Trump in particular, I’m not so sure my consistent disapproval of his presidential performance and persona qualifies as a true psychosis. Moreover, if I am diagnosed with it, the same malady can be found in around two-thirds of all Americans and at least that many of the people in my suburban congressional district.
Perhaps the one who becomes most deranged whenever Mr. Trump’s name comes up is Mr. Trump himself. Have you ever noticed how kindly he takes criticism and setbacks in life? Have you ever thought his social media rants and other diatribes just might be symptoms of “unwellness”? Has it crossed your mind that he may be a tad too braggadocious or self-focused? Are his “unhinged” and “left wing lunatic” enemies the only ones who perceive him experiencing just a bit of difficulty with impulse control? Just asking.
At the very least, when the world is going crazy around and about one, doesn’t one sometimes have to ask oneself a question: “What is it about my words or actions that cause so, so, so many people to become deranged?” Do I need to look in the mirror, in the event it could possibly be me?
By the way, if you still think I have TDS or am a RINO, wait until you read the next and final part of this trilogy.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his periodic posts, as this blog will explore and promote the ideas of principles and non-extremism in politics.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
Tom Horner
Posted at 23:37h, 09 NovemberAs one who more than a few times has been tagged a RINO or a person afflicted with TDS, I appreciate your comments. Let me add three principles I think are especially important to a relevant conservative philosophy for today:
First, government has a role to play in the lives of people at those times when they are most vulnerable. This is an active principle, requiring thoughtful, effective, empathetic and limited assistance to people when life turns on them through no fault of their own.
Second, taxation should be fair and transparent. That means taxes should be progressive (not just in name, but in practice; it is not sufficient for the wealthy to pay higher rates when many escape taxation) and that a dollar earned by people in similar circumstances should be taxed comparably. There is no justification – other than politics – to exclude tipped income or overtime pay from taxation when other hard-working, low-wage people don’t have the same tax benefit. Now, put this in the context of health access. Why are employer-provided health insurance benefits exempt from taxation when many others (small business people, farmers, etc.) pay taxes on exactly the same purchase? The tax subsidy for employer-provided insurance not only is one of the largest tax subsidies but a very high percentage goes to very high earners.
And, third, government closest to the people should be the first option.
Thanks for your thoughtful commentary.
Gary Russell
Posted at 00:31h, 10 NovemberGreat comments, Tom.
Dave Racer
Posted at 00:44h, 10 NovemberAt his first election, I wondered if he had a mission to destroy the GOP. But I was wrong. He had a goal to remake it. Years ago, the DFL was home to economic liberals, and social/cultural factions took over. DFLers became Republicans, but I’m sure they ever adopted conservative principles. The Trump GOP is home to millions of disaffected Democratic voters, grass roots, passionate people – patriots. But not so sure they fit the GOP economic model. Pres. Trump brought them in, they gave him victory. How to build a workable coalition to offset the DFLs’ huge tent will be a challenge.
Quentin
Posted at 00:52h, 10 NovemberI would use the word “co-opt,” Dave. Thanks for chiming in.
Eric Milner
Posted at 00:57h, 10 NovemberTDS, it’s a real thing. Why do we do this to ourselves.
DKnight
Posted at 06:46h, 10 NovemberMaduro is a thug. He had warrants out for his arrest for years–everyone on planet earth knows that. China supplies cartels with drugs–and they send that evil into the USA. China also subverts America in Latin America and everywhere else–and everyone knows that too. What about other presidents–many, many of them–that asserted American power in our hemisphere? Monroe, Jefferson, Polk, Teddy Roosevelt et al–are they all bad guys too? Trump had tougher sanctions and sent more weapons to Ukraine than Obama–and Biden copied his policies. Trump has contested China and Russia more than many past presidents–so try to get past his sales techniques. For heaven’s sake, the Dems idolize socialism/communism and China, Cuba, etc. Uncle Bernie Sanders honeymooned in Cuba and our own genius, Gov. Walz hung out in China. What are you asking for Mr. Whitrock? Prez Harris? Prez Newsom? Prez AOC? Does anyone truly believe the Dems would spend less and reduce our giant debt? Do you want permanent leftism like CA, where they vote for months, have ranked choice voting and continue to devolve? How about medicare for all–when we can’t pay for Obamacare?–and the Canadians who have more socialist healthcare wait forever for common procedures. You don’t seem to understand what the Dems/leftiists/socialists want to do–and what they want to do won’t ever work. Rule of law…Jack Smith and Comey..Obama sending the FBI after a new administration–Russia, Russia, Russia–billions of tax dollars. No, Mr. Whitrock, the Dems are much more likely to use the power of the state to try to put political opponents in jail than the republicans. They did their best to put Orange Man in prison via the most ridiculous circus court in NYC, with charges that would never have been brought against anyone else. He was a nazi before he was sworn in–according to the Dems–are they civil Mr. Whitrock?. A gag order on a candidate for president. No–you and zillions of people who just voted got this all wrong. Trump has is issues–but the alternative is much worse. The Dems want to investigate Musk. If it was Prez Nikki Haley, the Dems and media would call her a racist xenophobe. The Dems/Media/Leftists hate all republicans Mr. Whitrock. Our national politics have become nasty and Trump is a result–not that cause. He has caused the leftists/media/Dems to bare their teeth. How about we live in the real world. This pollyanna/old time institutionalist approach to what we face won’t work. Politicians will never, ever perch on your imagined moral pedestal. In fact, your approach has allowed leftism to grow–because you ignore it or don’t want to see it. You would hang out with Rep. Massie if you were in Congress. He’s impeaching Hegseth for policy differences–a real grown-up move. The Dems will be impeaching everyone in the Trump administration in a few months. Once upon a time, impeachment was a rare remedy–now it is a vicious tool of politicians that lack good faith. When it comes to rhetoric–Trump will be known as an uncivil president–no doubt about that. But you write like you watch too much CNN or MSNOW–or listen to public radio. Leftist propaganda has gotten into your head–no surprise–we are all getting it from all directions. I pray we all start to recognize that propaganda for what it is–before its too late. It would be great if we could all discuss the world’s problems and search for common solutions like we were in Sunday school–but that isn’t how it works. The republicans did make some big mistakes–but the other side’s policies are much worse and may lead to disaster. My post may be a little sharp–but your obsession with Orange Man and some high moral opposite who will never exist–is frustrating. Good luck.
Quentin
Posted at 14:14h, 10 NovemberDarren—I would be more interested in your thoughts able the actual topic of my post: what it means to be a Republican and a Conservative (beyond “better than Democrats and Liberals”), and whether President Trump fits those criteria. My other point, regarding TDS, seems to be proved.