Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 6.15.16

LIKE I WAS SAYIN’
TWO FOR THOUGHT SAME TOPIC, DIFFERENT VIEWS TRUMP, FOREIGN POLICY AND TERRORISM
KELLYN BROWN
SUPPORTING THE TANDARD BEARER
SO
VER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS YOU’RE GOING
BY JOE CARBONARI
Donald Trump is too dangerous to support for
president. To support him is not conservative. It is risky, too risky. Braggadocio is not diplomacy. It does not serve. It invites disrespect and distaste in return. It leads to disorder and violence. Cataclys- mic warfare is a very real possibility. Donald Trump is existentially unacceptable.
Morally, the in uence of Donald Trump is prob- ably worse. It strikes at the foundation of our selves and of our social contract – what it means to be an American. It leads to a demeaning of ourselves and what we represent to the rest of the world. It makes us less great. We may be weaker and less e ective than desired in the world, but at least we purport to play fair and show respect for others.
The Trump approach does not. It is big-shoul- dered and sharp-elbowed. The faint-of-heart will struggle. Disorder will grow. This does not serve.
The support of Donald Trump is not a conserva- tive action. Any fool can wave a ag. The Trump approach is more of what gave us the greed of pre-recession Wall Street and the hate shooting in Orlando. They are overreaches of personal free- doms, loosenings of self discipline. They stem from a lack of respect for others, and cause disruptions in the social order. This does not serve us well, or make us great.
Many Montanans support Donald Trump. Let’s all give it some deep thought.
AMERICAN RURAL DIANE SMITH
A SPEECH I’D LIKE TO HEAR
to hear a lot about endorsements. First, the pre-
BY TIM BALDWIN
After the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Flor-
ida at a popular gay nightclub, Donald Trump seized the opportunity to express his reaction.
Among other things, Trump stated that America’s safety from terrorism depends on closing the border to Muslims; told Obama to resign if he did not iden- tify the attack as radical Islam; predicted this will happen again if we do not get “tough and smart;” and said he will be a president who protects America as a tolerant society.
Trump’s popularity comes from a basic distrust in establishment politics. Trump may become pres- ident on this factor alone. It would certainly be an experiment in politics –one unlike America has seen in a very long time.
Trump’s election could create a release valve for much of the pressure that exists domestically, but as for foreign relations, Trump could create more havoc than Trump supporters bargained for. On this score, Ron Paul gives Trump an F rating and claims he would never vote for Trump because of his author- itarian style.
Is Trump dangerous for America? Will he provoke war with Russia or China? Some think so. The prob- lem is, for many who think Trump may be dangerous, they will never vote for Clinton. What to do?
sumptive presidential nominees will say some- thing wrong; something from his or her past will resur- face; or, especially with these two, a new controversy will dominate the news cycle.
In response, Montana candidates for higher o ce and those already elected will be asked, “Do you endorse them?” Or, “Do you endorse what they say?” And many of our local politicians will squirm before answering, often along the line of, “I support the party’s nominee.”
For Donald Trump, it may be about his criticism of the judge presiding over a lawsuit against Trump Uni- versity who Trump claims is unfair because of his Mexi- can heritage, even though the judge was born in Indiana. For Hillary Clinton, it could be about the investigation surrounding the private email she used while secretary of state. Politicians and candidates will be asked, “Do you support that?”
It’s already happening among the country’s most powerful Republicans, who every day are drilled about something their presumptive nominee has said or done. Mitch McConnell is over it, telling the press “I was asked in the course of last week on numerous occasions to express myself on various utterances of our nominee. I have done that and unless there was some new com- ment today, I don’t have anything to add.” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan initially refused to endorse Trump, then he did, then he called him a racist, then he reiter- ated his support for the presumptive nominee.
This has had a trickle-down e ect in Montana. Emi- lie Saunders, communications director for Superinten- dent of Public Instruction and Democratic congres- sional candidate Denise Juneau, asked on Twitter last week whether Republican Montana U.S. Congressman Ryan Zinke would condemn “Trump’s dangerous attack on a federal judge?” Heather Swift, Zinke’s communi- cations director, promptly countered, “Who did Ms. Juneau vote for?”
To be sure, Clinton has her own baggage. From the private emails to Benghazi to the speaking fees she charged big banks, which, to many, was part of Bernie Sanders’ appeal and one of the reasons the Democratic primary lasted so long.
The di erence is Zinke has actively campaigned for Trump. He introduced Trump in Billings and said he talked about serving as the candidate’s vice president, although he seems unlikely to be picked. Zinke did reiterate to the Great Falls Tribune last week that he doesn’t’ “agree with Donald Trump on 100 percent of the issues.”
That line will continue to be used on both sides as the two most disliked candidates in decades were elected as the standard bearers for the country’s two major polit- ical parties. And the e ect that unpopularity has down the general election ticket could decide which party con- trols the U.S. Senate and perhaps who wins Montana’s statewide elections.
Elsewhere, some candidates are already hedging their bets. Illinois GOP Sen. Mark Kirk, who is in a tough reelection campaign, unendorsed Trump last week, citing the candidate’s temperament. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham has asked his fellow Republicans to do the same. Closer to home, Montana Sen. Jon Tester still hadn’t endorsed Clinton last week, one of the last Democratic Party holdouts.
A lot will happen between now and the election. What if Clinton is indicted? What if more lawsuits led against Trump are unsealed? Whatever happens, more than just the presidential candidates will have to answer for it.
Dear Voters,
I’m humbled and grateful to be your nominee for president of the United States of America. All of the candidates fought hard and it’s now time for us to come together. For America. And for each other. From the most crowded streets of our cities to the wide-open spaces of rural America, we are all part of this great and enduring journey called democracy.
As I’ve campaigned, I’ve come to understand even more deeply that democracy isn’t a destination. It’s a journey. We can never arrive, only aspire. Like a farmer, we Americans are asked to commit to some- thing we don’t often see but believe will blossom if properly tended.
I’ve heard your fear, cynicism, hope, exhaustion, and anger these past months. I’ve been touched by folks who’ve worked hard for too long without mak- ing real progress and young people who can’t nd work that pays a living wage. The frustration you feel toward those in our communities, businesses, and govern- ments that have exploited others for unfair reward or advantage is understandable.
Winston Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Of course. Democracy requires vigilance. When daily devotion is required, it’s always a steep climb, a true challenge.
But we’re Americans. We do what has to be done. That’s what makes us great. We are strong enough to lead, smart enough to grow, and courageous enough to care. Throughout our history, we have been at the fore- front of inventing and deploying new ideas; American adventurousness still runs deep.
I can’t do this alone though, I need your help. We all don’t have to like each other, or agree with each other, but we must be civil, accountable, and candid with our- selves and one another. We must all be willing to hear hard truths and accept the responsibility of competing interests – there will be winners and losers. We must bring our best facts and arguments to the debate, and then roll up our sleeves and get to work on solutions.
America is a symphony. Like the violin and oboe, the nancier and the coder can work alongside the welder and the nurse to create harmony, recognizing the unique histories and values each brings to her task. Yet in this symphony, I can only conduct and ask for your blessing and support.
Together we can build an economy that’s rich with opportunity and rewards hard work. Together, we can project leadership in the world even when we can’t solve all its problems. Together, we can build a future that is the envy of all.
Thank you for this honor. I look forward to work- ing for you.
Diane Smith is the founder and CEO of American Rural. Learn more about Diane by following her column here or visit American Rural at AmericanRural.org.
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JUNE 15, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM