This is happening. This is Really happening.

Compassionate Conservatism


....and Donald Trump is in the lead for the Republican nomination.



....What?



When Donald Trump threw his hat in the Presidential ring, a lot of people, who were tired of a lot of things, did a little happy dance.  I'll admit,  I found this intriguing.  No political background, but an impressive entrepreneurial history would make the campaign trail  more interesting.  And wasn't this a huge problem in America?  Career politicians? I thought (and still think) so.

"Let him shake up the system,", I thought.  "He's got a snowball's chance of making the primary, let alone the election.  Maybe his popularity will send a message to Washington that we're tired of their b.s.."


I never believed it would go this far.  But fast forward to today and now, I'm a little nervous.


Who thought this easily label-able bad boy would make it to the front of the pack in this well choreographed process we call politics?  It appears that the only thing he has done with impressive zeal is to refuse to play the game by their rules and America is eating it up.  With zero political correctness and a seeming desire to make himself a press target, this opinionated tufted warbler has become, at least in the telling caucuses, a contender. 


So....fast forward to 2017, post inauguration.  What does THAT look like?  I'm being serious here.  I know some people are of the opinion that he will fail in foreign policy and fail in social services and there will be mushroom clouds and people starving in the streets and Vladimir Putin will buy a summer home conveniently close to the White House and oh, me, all is lost.  But what would it really look like?...

Here are some pictures of cute baby animals to get your blood pressure down.  Better?  O.k.

I am no political scientist, by any stretch. But I think I can see people for what they are.  I don't like Obama's smug attitude.  It always feels like he is hiding something.  Just my opinion.  But the previous administration had its problems as well. Honestly, every administration since I've been aware of politics has had a little something to hide.   I've thought for years that the skill set it takes to get to that level of politics has a bucket full of unattractive character traits.  It seems like Trump's unattractive character traits, might not be that much worse, and part of his appeal is that he makes no qualms about them.  It's his human-ness that makes him all the more attractive. 


I don't know that Barak Obama had any foreign policy experience, or economic experience on a global level, or conservation experience. (Or W. for that matter)  But yet, we trusted them.  Or at least, we trusted their advisors that, behind the scenes, guided policy.  Because isn't that how it works?

So, it seems that the presidency is part leadership, part project manager.  Those skills seem to be in Trump's wheelhouse.  If there are two areas that Trump can excel at, it's economics and running stuff.  And if he is wise in his selection of cabinet and staff, all will be well.  But that doesn't sell commercial spots on CNN, MSNBC or FOX.  Keep that in mind with the sensationalist propaganda on ALL sides of this election. 


My biggest concern with Trump is his incredible wealth and potential inability to relate to middle America.  To me.  Yes, we need a stronger economy, but we need strong families and greater opportunity for affordable education and to care for those the simply cannot care for themselves.

I want our borders tighter, I want our social services to be more discriminating to allow people that need help, faster help and people riding the system to be kicked off the bus.  How about some covert drive bys?  An Escalade in the driveway and Coach purse are not indicative of poverty, in my book.  People need help, yes.  America has not found the right way to help them up.  Our help programs need help.  Perhaps liberals fear those programs will be disbanded.  That would be terribly unwise, but an overhaul?  Please. And regardless of whether you believe Al Gore or not, there are trash islands floating around and rainforests being slaughtered and animal species wiped out in the name of economic progress.  We suck.  We have to get better at this.  Even at the expense of profits. 


 Less IRS agents, more program auditors.  Less blank-check food cards, more commodity cheese and beans. More mandatory recycling and less disposable crap.  Does that make me a mean republican?  Or a hippie liberal? Or compassionately conservative?


I haven't thought much of the other candidates, either Sanders or Clinton as they just aren't as, well, sparkly. But Donald, with his crazy hair and trophy wife and tanning-bed-eye-ovals might just create a new brand of world leaders.  And if he wins, I think it will be o.k.  But I need to see his heart.  Do we bring back jobs to strengthen our economy, or to strengthen our communities?  This is what will make or break my final decision.  The right thing for the right reason.  And so Mr. Trump are you a compassionate conservative or non-compassionate conservative?  I think America needs to know.
If you were flat broke, Mr. Trump, what would go to charity, then?  Can you even imagine?