Part 1: Unburdened

[Matt]

Preface: This post is something I've been wanting to sit down and compose since it was clear that Donald Trump had lost the election. I do not wish for this to have a back and forth on the veracity of that statement. There has been no evidence provided to substantiate widespread voter fraud, but I believe there were a number of events that occurred that derailed what objectively, based on historical context, should have been a Trump win. Ultimately the biggest factor is Trump's brash personality and childish behavior that did him in. I will discuss in greater detail later in this post. As with the non-existent voter fraud evidence, I do not want this post to devolve into an opportunity for one particular poster to rant about how he thinks the president is mentally ill. As far as I'm aware, none of us are doctors that are qualified to state that opinion or have had an audience to make that diagnosis.

The last four years have been a time of great chaos, and it remains to be seen if that will change after the inauguration of the new president on 1/20. Donald Trump is often blamed for the chaos of the last four years, and while he does himself no favors with his mouth or typing fingers, that is truly not an accurate statement. I would say that his election served as a catalyst for a lot that has happened, but the results also point to how the opposition has responded. No matter how you feel about the appropriateness of the investigations that have taken place, there can be no doubt that some people never accepted his win in 2016. I want to focus first on the accomplishments of the Trump Administration and some unfortunate frustrations from a right libertarian perspective, then why I believe the election played out the way that it did, and finally, where we go next as a country.

Based on accomplishments alone, Donald Trump would be revered by the right for generations to come. He has re-aligned the federal judiciary by appointing judges with a more conservative/originalist viewpoint, including three new Supreme Court Justices. He has cut burdensome regulations at a rate that far exceeds what he promised to do. He and his party ushered through a significant re-write of the federal tax code. He has made some real progress on peace accords in the world, and has not entered the United States into another foreign entanglement. He has espoused the values of an America first policy sometimes putting us at odds with allies on trade. Some on the right would have liked to see the wall built and the ACA repealed, but he was unable to achieve those goals. The merits of his actions can be argued as long as someone has the patience to argue, but the point I'm trying to get across is that whether you agree or not, Donald Trump at least tried to do most of the things he said he would do.

On the flip side of the accomplishments, you have a man that is an insufferable prick. This is a man that had opportunities to not douse controversies with gasoline, but never chose to go that route. While it is indisputable that the media is hostile to Donald Trump, there are actions he could have taken, but chose not to, to help flip the script. He could have been less combative with the opposition party. He was effective in pushing buttons of the left, both elected officials and members of the general population, and that only made matters worse for him. He chose to act like a petulant child, and in the end, it bit him, and those of us that were happy with a lot of his actual actions, in the ass. It has been very tiring to have to justify his behavior, and while I would have preferred for a right-leaning administration, the election loss has freed many of us on the right to be unburdened from this man-child.

In regards to the 2020 election, I will admit I don't know what would have happened if Covid did not exist. I'd like to think that the economy would have kept humming along and unemployment would have been negligible, but we don't know that. To be clear, Covid didn't help Donald Trump, but his personality was always going to be an obstacle to overcome for the middle of the electorate that decides elections. Covid allowed a lot of authoritarian actions, which to Donald Trump's credit, he did not participate. I realize the previous statement is likely to solicit debate on the merits, but I'm not interested in that in this particular post. We pretty much know where everyone stands on Covid. The issue with Trump's response is that he chose to be an antagonist in a situation that called for measured actions and communication. His administration did work with states on their responses, but he unnecessarily undermined the work that his team did by once again being antagonistic. The election played out in a manner that the accomplishments of the administration were recognized by a strong Congressional performance, but the character and conduct in office of the man at the head of the administration were punished.

Going forward, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be the President and Vice President for the next four years. My wish is that all of us, as Americans (including partial year residents like TT), can use this reset to change how we react to people who have different views than us. It is ok to have disagreements, and it is ok to hold political leaders to high expectations. I do believe that many governors have taken tyrannical actions - that opinion is not likely to change. I have severe issues with the public life of Kamala Harris as a former prosecutor who made many disturbing prosecutorial decisions in her prior role. I think that we need to know the true story of Hunter Biden's finances and if he used his name to enrich himself. I am concerned about the cognitive abilities of Joe Biden at his advanced age and hope he is able to complete his term in office. I specifically mention all of these examples as issues in the conduct of the jobs that these individuals are about to step into. I'm going to try to refrain from personal attacks. Issue-based attacks are fair game, though.

The next two years leading up to the mid-term, as Covid hopefully exits stage left ASAP. We'll be in a position as a country to evaluate how the electorate in each state feels about authoritarian actions taken by some governors. We'll be able to judge how the administration interacts with the new congress and we'll get a chance to have our say in the mid-terms. Looking at the current conditions in the country, there is reason to be optimistic for the future of the right in that we were able to make demographic gains in this cycle. It would be wise for those in power on both sides to let Donald J. Trump ride into history on 1/20/21 and to not let him take up anymore oxygen in the national debate. We all know he's going to try to continue to be an oxygen hog, but both sides need to put him on the rhetorical pay no mind list.

[bmw]

I'm not as optimistic as you are about our future. I'm currently of the opinion that the government's reaction to Covid (along with the lack of push-back from a majority of Americans) has already done a decade or more of damage, and I'm not sure we ever recover from that. We, as Americans, lost more freedom and liberty the past 9 months than what slowly eroded away in the 50 years preceding. The libertarian in me says our country as founded is FINISHED. When the national debate is not over whether printing free money for everybody is a good idea or not, but rather is simply over HOW MUCH free money we should give away, we're in big trouble.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

I'm not as optimistic as you are about our future. I'm currently of the opinion that the government's reaction to Covid (along with the lack of push-back from a majority of Americans) has already done a decade or more of damage, and I'm not sure we ever recover from that. We, as Americans, lost more freedom and liberty the past 9 months than what slowly eroded away in the 50 years preceding. The libertarian in me says our country as founded is FINISHED. When the national debate is not over whether printing free money for everybody is a good idea or not, but rather is simply over HOW MUCH free money we should give away, we're in big trouble.

Our freedoms were steamrolled by Trump during the last 4 years. His refusal to speak against the egregious police brutality and rise of white supremacy speaks volumes against him, and your refusal to face it speaks to even more about you.

[bmw]

Our freedoms were steamrolled by Trump during the last 4 years. His refusal to speak against the egregious police brutality and rise of white supremacy speaks volumes against him, and your refusal to face it speaks to even more about you.

The suggestion that Trump's "refusal to speak" as you call it out against certain issues somehow took away our freedoms as Americans is laughable. Meanwhile, I can point to hundreds upon hundreds of executive orders passed by various governors around the country that actually did specifically take away people's freedoms.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

Our freedoms were steamrolled by Trump during the last 4 years. His refusal to speak against the egregious police brutality and rise of white supremacy speaks volumes against him, and your refusal to face it speaks to even more about you.

The suggestion that Trump's "refusal to speak" as you call it out against certain issues somehow took away our freedoms as Americans is laughable. Meanwhile, I can point to hundreds upon hundreds of executive orders passed by various governors around the country that actually did specifically take away people's freedoms.

So, black folks don't deserve presumption of innocence? That affects their freedom very much. You're retarded.

[bmw]

This is already getting off-topic of where Matt started this discussion, but I'll simply respond that the suggestion that black people somehow became less free not only during the Trump administration, but also as a direct result of Trump's words is so far beyond ridiculous that it deserves no further response.....unless you have SPECIFIC evidence to back that claim up.

[Matt]

I'm not as optimistic as you are about our future. I'm currently of the opinion that the government's reaction to Covid (along with the lack of push-back from a majority of Americans) has already done a decade or more of damage, and I'm not sure we ever recover from that. We, as Americans, lost more freedom and liberty the past 9 months than what slowly eroded away in the 50 years preceding. The libertarian in me says our country as founded is FINISHED. When the national debate is not over whether printing free money for everybody is a good idea or not, but rather is simply over HOW MUCH free money we should give away, we're in big trouble.

I generally try to have an optimistic outlook, but I am also severely troubled by the unchecked, authoritarian steps some governors have taken. Where do we go from here, and how do we reset the expectations of freedom? I think we have a lot of promising young leaders nationally that will have the opportunity to step up. At the executive level, we'll have a Washington political hack in the WH for the first time in a long time. His mental faculties are in question and there is bound to be infighting amongst the socialists and the somewhat sane in their party. The likelihood of a leadership vacuum is pretty high for the first time since probably the Carter days.

[bmw]

I'm not as optimistic as you are about our future. I'm currently of the opinion that the government's reaction to Covid (along with the lack of push-back from a majority of Americans) has already done a decade or more of damage, and I'm not sure we ever recover from that. We, as Americans, lost more freedom and liberty the past 9 months than what slowly eroded away in the 50 years preceding. The libertarian in me says our country as founded is FINISHED. When the national debate is not over whether printing free money for everybody is a good idea or not, but rather is simply over HOW MUCH free money we should give away, we're in big trouble.

I generally try to have an optimistic outlook, but I am also severely troubled by the unchecked, authoritarian steps some governors have taken. Where do we go from here, and how do we reset the expectations of freedom? I think we have a lot of promising young leaders nationally that will have the opportunity to step up. At the executive level, we'll have a Washington political hack in the WH for the first time in a long time. His mental faculties are in question and there is bound to be infighting amongst the socialists and the somewhat sane in their party. The likelihood of a leadership vacuum is pretty high for the first time since probably the Carter days.

I'm less worried about who actually runs the country than I am about the general cavalier attitude that a majority of Americans have towards our rapid loss of liberty, freedom, and more specifically, towards how government is currently working vs how it is SUPPOSED to work (ie, that governors aren't supposed to have never-ending "emergency" powers). I'm also deeply concerned that the number one concern among many Americans during the current news cycle is not over when and if life will ever return to normal, but rather over how much free money the government is going to give them.

George Carlin was right - you get what you vote for. And what too many Americans are voting for is socialism instituted by petty dictators.

[Matt]

I'm less worried about who actually runs the country than I am about the general cavalier attitude that a majority of Americans have towards our rapid loss of liberty, freedom, and more specifically, towards how government is currently working vs how it is SUPPOSED to work (ie, that governors aren't supposed to have never-ending "emergency" powers). I'm also deeply concerned that the number one concern among many Americans during the current news cycle is not over when and if life will ever return to normal, but rather over how much free money the government is going to give them.

George Carlin was right - you get what you vote for. And what too many Americans are voting for is socialism instituted by petty dictators.

Unfortunately, the President needlessly brought the free money debate to the front and center. An effective communicator would make the case about how awful the loss of freedoms are and discuss the negative long term impacts. Trump always just wants to pick a fight, an inarticulate fight, too often. I suspect that anti-Trumpism is fueling some of the shortsightedness, and I hope that people reevaluate their stances when he exits in less than 20 days.

[Rate This]

I'm not as optimistic as you are about our future. I'm currently of the opinion that the government's reaction to Covid (along with the lack of push-back from a majority of Americans) has already done a decade or more of damage, and I'm not sure we ever recover from that. We, as Americans, lost more freedom and liberty the past 9 months than what slowly eroded away in the 50 years preceding. The libertarian in me says our country as founded is FINISHED. When the national debate is not over whether printing free money for everybody is a good idea or not, but rather is simply over HOW MUCH free money we should give away, we're in big trouble.

I generally try to have an optimistic outlook, but I am also severely troubled by the unchecked, authoritarian steps some governors have taken. Where do we go from here, and how do we reset the expectations of freedom? I think we have a lot of promising young leaders nationally that will have the opportunity to step up. At the executive level, we'll have a Washington political hack in the WH for the first time in a long time. His mental faculties are in question and there is bound to be infighting amongst the socialists and the somewhat sane in their party. The likelihood of a leadership vacuum is pretty high for the first time since probably the Carter days.

I'm less worried about who actually runs the country than I am about the general cavalier attitude that a majority of Americans have towards our rapid loss of liberty, freedom, and more specifically, towards how government is currently working vs how it is SUPPOSED to work (ie, that governors aren't supposed to have never-ending "emergency" powers). I'm also deeply concerned that the number one concern among many Americans during the current news cycle is not over when and if life will ever return to normal, but rather over how much free money the government is going to give them.

George Carlin was right - you get what you vote for. And what too many Americans are voting for is socialism instituted by petty dictators.

Most of the "powers" you guys are complaining about aren't new at all, they've just never been used... they mostly come from the 40's, 50's and 60's... many conservatives regard those decades as "the good old days". The mindset of the people at the time and their connections to "freedom!" sure look a little different in that context. One might go so far as to say they were in fact rather accepting of this then.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

You "conservatives" need to look back at how society handled the pandemic during 1918-20. Society banded together, and there was not such a hatred towards the government in trying to use safety measures. Dr. Fauci hasn't worked for 50 years in healthcare just to burden some poor southern hick by asking him to wear a mask. This shit actually works. Never has "free dumb" been so celebrated.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

This is already getting off-topic of where Matt started this discussion, but I'll simply respond that the suggestion that black people somehow became less free not only during the Trump administration, but also as a direct result of Trump's words is so far beyond ridiculous that it deserves no further response.....unless you have SPECIFIC evidence to back that claim up.

Read it and weep (along with the black families who have already weeped).

https://www.newsweek.com/hate-crimes-un ... rt-1547870

[Rate This]

You "conservatives" need to look back at how society handled the pandemic during 1918-20. Society banded together, and there was not such a hatred towards the government in trying to use safety measures. Dr. Fauci hasn't worked for 50 years in healthcare just to burden some poor southern hick by asking him to wear a mask. This shit actually works. Never has "free dumb" been so celebrated.

They had the benefit of world war 1 uniting them... as for a hatred of government shoving rules and protocols down everyone’s throats... that went about as well then as it is now... that part is repeating itself to a tee. It’s actually rather uncanny.

[screen glare]

“Ultimately” Donald Trump’s “brash personality” and “childish behavior” “did him in.” So says the man/woman who started this thread - within his/her long-planned essay.

There’s another bit of reading Matt should consider: A book entitled “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” wherein psychoanalysis professionals lay out their diagnosis of Matt’s “man-child” president in order to warn America and the world what Trump’s worsening psychological trajectory will entail, and will portend for those over whom a US president has power.

Magically - exactly what that concerned group of psychoanalysts predicted has - over the last four years - become evident!

Donald Trump is mentally ill. Period.

And I might add - life-long conservatives who are NOT cowards - left the Republican Party - and spoke out against Trump - near the beginning of his reign of terror. Because they are courageous patriots - placing country, Constitution, and democracy above a political party.

Matt tells us due to “election loss” he/she and other Trump
supporters/voters/admirers are NOW “unburdened” by the “man-child.”

But I say - you ALWAYS had the opportunity to free yourselves from the exhaustion and embarrassment of defending Trump’s symptomatic words and behaviors. You simply lacked the American patriotism and strength to break free from his con-game and bigotry.

For some of you - your pride got in the way. For others - Trump has succeeded in pulling you into his near-religious cult of white supremacy populism.

[bmw]

I do not want this post to devolve into an opportunity for one particular poster to rant about how he thinks the president is mentally ill. As far as I'm aware, none of us are doctors that are qualified to state that opinion or have had an audience to make that diagnosis.

I guess that this certain poster either can't read or is just being intentionally rude.