Last week I took some time to listen to Donald’s Trump 2016 acceptance speech. In contrast, I listed also listen to Ronald’s Reagan 1980 acceptance speech. The differences cannot be any more stark.
I see trump as a person who has one foot planted firmly in the soil of Authoritarianism and Populism and the other toe dipping in the cesspool of Fascism.
Let us start with the opening
Trump:
“I have a message for all of you: The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon — and I mean very soon come to an end. Beginning on January 20th 2017, safety will be restored.
The most basic duty of government is to defend the lives of its citizens. Any government that fails to do so is a government unworthy to lead.”
and next statement a tirade of fear against crime, terrorism and immigrants
“Americans watching this address tonight have seen the recent images of violence in our streets and the chaos in our communities. Many have witnessed this violence personally. Some have even been its victims.
I have a message for all of you: The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon — and I mean very soon come to an end. Beginning on January 20th 2017, safety will be restored.”
“Nearly 180,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records, ordered deported from our country, are tonight roaming free to threaten peaceful citizens.
The number of new illegal immigrant families who have crossed the border so far this year already exceeds the entire total of 2015.
They are being released by the tens of thousands into our communities with no regard for the impact on public safety or resources.”
This ends what I believe of his theme and campaign
“Tonight, I will share with you for action for America. The most important difference between our plan and that of our opponents, is that our plan will put America first. Americanism, not globalism, will be our credo.
As long as we are led by politicians who will not put America first, then we can be assured that other nations will not treat America with respect. The respect that we deserve. The American people will come first once again.”
My question is here what is does Trump mean by putting America first; I do not think it putting American Ideas individualism, capitalism and limited government but a statist vision of putting American as a group and Government over and above all other even if infringes the liberty of others including American citizens and growing the size and scope of government. I believe the later that Trump will expand the role of government in his Law and Order vision casting.
Now lest look Regan’s opening remarks: Unlike Trump, Regan does not start with demonization of immigrants or fear of crime or police shooting. but a commitment of equal rights for women.
“More than anything else, I want my candidacy to unify our country; to renew the American spirit and sense of purpose. I want to carry our message to every American, regardless of party affiliation, who is a member of this community of shared values.
Never before in our history have Americans been called upon to face three grave threats to our very existence, any one of which could destroy us. We face a disintegrating economy, a weakened defense and an energy policy based on the sharing of scarcity.
The major issue of this campaign is the direct political, personal and moral responsibility of Democratic party leadership-in the White House and in Congress-for this unprecedented calamity which has befallen us. They tell us they have done the most that humanly could be done. They say that the United States has had its day in the sun; that our nation has passed its zenith. They expect you to tell your children that the American people no longer have the will to cope with their problems; that the future will be one of sacrifice and few opportunities.
My fellow citizens I utterly reject that view. The American people, the most generous on earth, who created the highest standard of living, are not going to accept the notion that we can only make a better world for others by moving backwards ourselves. Those who believe we can have no business leading the nation. I will not stand by and watch this great country destroy itself under mediocre leadership that drifts from one crisis to the next, eroding our national will and purpose. We have come together here because the American people deserve better from those to whom they entrust our nations highest offices, and we stand united in our resolve to do something about it.”
We need a rebirth of the American tradition of leadership at every level of government and in private life as well. The United States of America is unique in world history because it has a genius for leaders many leaders on many levels. But, back in 1976, Mr. Carter said, Trust me. And a lot of people did. Now, many of those people are out of work. Many have seen their savings eaten away by inflation. Many others on fixed incomes, especially the elderly, have watched helplessly as the cruel tax of inflation wasted away their purchasing power. And, today a great many who trusted Mr. Carter wonder if we can survive the Carter policies of national defense.
Trust me government asks that we concentrate our hopes and dreams on one man; that we trust him to do whats best for us. My view of government places trust not in one person or one party, but in those values that transcend persons and parties. The trust is where it belongs in the people. The responsibility to live up to that trust is where it belongs, in their elected leaders. That kind of relationship, between the people and their elected leaders, is a special kind of compact; an agreement among themselves to build a community and abide by its laws.”
and
“As your nominee, I pledge to restore to the federal government the capacity to do the peoples work without dominating their lives. I pledge to you a government that will not only work well, but wisely; its ability to act tempered by prudence, and its willingness to do good balanced by the knowledge that government is never more dangerous than when our desire to have it help us blinds us to its great power to harm us.”
The difference between Trump and Regan is Trump says believe in me and my ideas as leader and government is the solution, Regan say do not trust a single (vision casting) leader but the American Ideas the transcends leaders and the limitation on government. One way I see the difference is the number of times Trump refers to what he will do compared to Reagan. Trump mentions I will (as what I will do if president) 17 times and “I am” (as in I am going to) 11 times compared to Ronald Reagan using I will four times and “I am” two times.
One more chilling quote form Trumps speech.
“I am your voice. So to every parent who dreams for their child, and every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you tonight: I’m with you, and I will fight for you, and I will win for you.”
What does he mean I am your voice. I do not think this statement is Trump representing the voice of the community but in a fascist sense Trump declares himself leader who is the voice and authority flows from the community. In fascism individual doesn’t have a voice only the leader. Infarct Trump does not refer anything close to individualism in his speech.
Not only his speech is a eulogy of the GOP, but also to Reaganism, and ideas of individualism, capitalism an liberty that once made up the conservative movement. I will be voting libertarian this election.
