The Establishments war on Donald Trump
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Title: Mike Pence's Towering Hypocrisy
Source:
Reason
URL Source: http://reason.com/archives/2016/07/18/mike-pences-towering-hypocrisy
Published: Jul 18, 2016
Author: Steve Chapman
Post Date: 2016-07-18 08:57:28 by Willie Green
Keywords: None
Views: 1991
Comments: 9
In November 2010, Mike Pence gave a lecture at The Federalist Society's National Lawyers Convention, and I happened to be there for my first exposure to his oratory. I remember the speech because it was an exercise in pomposity and sanctimony so insufferable that I walked out before he was done. Only now do I realize it was also a towering specimen of hypocrisy. Pence's subject that day was the presidency, a topic on which he had—I can't say "has"—uncompromising opinions. His mission was to instruct his audience on the proper characteristics and conduct of anyone holding the office. Though he largely avoided the name "Barack Obama," it was clear he thought the 44th president is an affront to the Framers. The presidency's "powers are vast and consequential, its requirements—from the outset and by definition—impossible for mortals to fulfill without humility and insistent attention to its purposes as set forth in the Constitution of the United States," declared Pence, his gaze steely and his jaw firmly set. Of power, he said, "Those who are entrusted with it must educate themselves in self-restraint." "A true statesman lives in what Churchill called a continuous 'stress of soul,'" Pence informed his audience. "And that's why you must always be wary of a president who seems to float upon his own greatness." Pence told a story to illustrate the humanity and humility of Calvin Coolidge. "A sensibility like this—and not power—is the source of presidential dignity, and it must be restored," he said. "It depends entirely upon character, self-discipline and an understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie not only the republic but life itself. "It communicates that the president feels the gravity of his office and is willing to sacrifice himself, that his eye is not upon his own prospects but upon the storm of history, through which it is his responsibility to navigate with the specific powers accorded to him and the limitations placed upon them not merely by man but by God." For those who feared Obama's presidency would bring about the destruction of America, Pence solemnly invoked the "great generations" that have gone before us: "They are silent now, but from the eternal silence of every patriot grave, there is yet an echo that says, 'It's not too late. Keep faith with us. Keep faith in God. And do not, do not ever despair of this republic.'" I had interviewed Pence once and found him mild and affable, so the fire and brimstone surprised me. At the Federalist Society convention, he sounded like a politician slightly unhinged by Obama and trying to establish a reputation as a profound thinker. But when Pence accepted the second spot on a ticket with Donald Trump, he made clear that he didn't believe a word he said. The address is full of lines that would disqualify Trump from a moment's consideration. Trump has not the slightest trace of the humility and dignity Pence once deemed essential, and it's hard to imagine his being constrained by the limits of presidential authority. As for the Constitution, Trump thinks it contains an "Article 12" and wants to censor the internet without regard for the First Amendment. "Somebody will say, 'Oh, freedom of speech, freedom of speech,'" he snorted. "These are foolish people." Does Pence think Trump has ever endured "stress of soul" or even has a soul to be stressed? Does he think Trump has "character, self-discipline and an understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie not only the republic but life itself"? Pence warned us against any "president who acts like, speaks like and is received as a king"—a contemptuous description he used with Obama in mind. But no candidate has ever behaved with a more brazen air of royal prerogative than Trump. And a party whose principles have almost nothing in common with his views has meekly submitted to his majesty. Does Pence think Trump would be a president who "feels the gravity of his office and is willing to sacrifice himself"? Does he believe Trump would exercise his powers with respect for "the limitations placed upon them not merely by man but by God"? It's enough to make a cat laugh. If Pence would listen for the words echoing now from those patriot graves, this is what he would hear: "OK, now despair for the republic." Poster Comment: Trump joins the Establishment.Donald Trump would be the kind of president Pence has warned about.
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#1. To: Willie Green (#0)
Trump is doing what he needs to do to win.
Pence's lecture was about a President who was in office for two years and was abusing his authority. The author is speculating about Trump's behavior when in office.
Yeah... next thing you know, Trump will grant Amnestia to illegal Mexicans and expect American taxpayers to hire them to "tear down this wall," just like Reagan did.
No he won't. Politicians know which side their bread is buttered. Your typical Republican pol needs the votes of the rubes once every 2, 4 or 6 years, but his main interest is the millions upon millions in contributions from the capitalists. So, the typical Republican lies about being in favor of controlling illegal immigration, in order to dupe the eminently dupable Republican and right-wing voter, gets the vote, secures re-election, but simply continues keeping that border open, because the open border benefits the capitalists. But Trump is himself one of the capitalists. He is not getting wealthy from political contributions the way the Republican liar politicians are. He's already fantastically wealthy. Trump is, rather, seeking power for the sake of power, to be able to enforce his will, his view of things, through high office. He does not have a "get rich" agenda like all of the standard Republican politicians do. He aims to rule, and to change the country to suit his vision. So he doesn't need the money, only the votes. And the capital class knows that, and knows that HIS vision is not profitable for THEM, so they pretty much hate him. They can't control him. Trump, for his part, only needs the votes - he can rule without the money - so he's appealing directly for the votes, and he's doing so based on the things that his own vision of things have in common with huge numbers of voters. Trump wants power IN ORDER TO erect a Wall, shut down illegal immigration, and bask in the popularity of huge numbers of citizens. This makes him fundamentally different from the rest of the Republicans, in a way that is an alarming threat to their careers (as poodles for the rich capitalists). If Trump wins, there will be no amnesty.
Amnesty Twins, the Reconquista Brothers. Reagan, yes. Different time and place. Trump? No way. He has given no indication of it, and has been consistent over the years. If you're calling him an "Amnesty Twin", you're just making it up out of thin air. Nobody with half a brain believes that. (And had Reagan known what would become of his amnesty, he probably wouldn't have done it.)
He's been a consistent NYC progressive, except for the past couple of years that he's been playing a "conservative". He endorsed Mexican Mitt Reconquista Romney in '12. Reagan made an agreement with Tip O'Neil and some other high ranking Democrats to have a limited amnesty in exchange for little or none in the future in order to get the issue out of the way. Within Reagan's value system, as a matter of honor, such agreements were not to be broken. After making the agreement O'Neil & Company turn their backs on the agreement and began a crusade to open the doors to immigrant invasion and amnesty for invaders. The result was an eventual influx of 25,000,000 people who became almost instantly naturalized. Reagan's subsequent comment was that although O'Neil was personable and likeable, he was not to be trusted. His word was no good.
looks like the hillary forces here are ready to roll and get her elected
Trump joins the Establishment.
#2. To: Willie Green (#0)
#3. To: Vicomte13 (#1)
Trump is doing what he needs to do to win.
#4. To: Willie Green (#3)
Yeah... next thing you know, Trump will grant Amnestia to illegal Mexicans and expect American taxpayers to hire them to "tear down this wall," just like Reagan did.
#5. To: Vicomte13, *Border Invasion* (#4)
(Edited)
If Trump wins, there will be no amnesty.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#6. To: hondo68 (#5)
#7. To: Vicomte13, Reconquista Republicans (#6)
Trump? No way. He has given no indication of it, and has been consistent over the years.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#8. To: Vicomte13 (#6)
(And had Reagan known what would become of his amnesty, he probably wouldn't have done it.)
#9. To: Willie Green (#0)
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