“The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes – and ships and sealing-wax – Of cabbages–and kings – And why the sea is boiling hot – And whether pigs have wings.” (Lewis Carroll)
I’d like to announce that indeed, in 2016, pigs do have wings and can fly. I know this must be so, because I told someone months ago that I would only vote for Donald J. Trump, when pigs fly.
On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at approximately 0700 EST, the Common Constitutionist will enter my local polling facility, on the back of a flying pig, and cast my vote for the Trumpster.
To my regular readers and listeners, this will come as a surprise, as I have said repeatedly, that I will no longer vote for someone just to vote against the other candidate – even if the other candidate is the most corrupt individual ever to seek high office – bar none.
Many have said that our choice was a binary one and that I/we must choose the lesser of two evils. Fine, I would reply – but the lesser of two is still evil. There is always a third option and that is none of the above. If Trump wanted my vote he would have to earn it – give me a reason to vote FOR him, other than he is not Hillary. He had not done that.
And then, on Saturday, October 22, 2016, Trump stood in front of a crowd in Gettysburg, Pa. and gave a substantive policy speech. Some would say it was arguably the most important speech of his pursuit of the presidency. I would agree.
With this one speech, he has earned my vote.
I make no excuses for his many faults. He is an egomaniacal, blowhard, whose stock-in-trade is bloviation and exaggeration. I will not defend his personal shortcomings, nor campaign for or endorse him. I will simply cast my ballot for Trump.
As I stated, until the Gettysburg speech, his campaign had sunk to the level of Hillary and the democrats – mired in scandal and back-biting. Gone was any substance – anything meaningful. Then he laid out his 8-point plan for the first 100 days in office.
After reading the transcript I did a quick calculation of what it would take to win my vote. I decided that if he could triumph on just one third, or 3 of his eight points, that was enough to cast my ballot in the affirmative. Then I read it again.
He stated that on Day One, he will, 1: “roll out our plan to BUILD THE WALL, send criminal illegal immigrants home, and finally end the open borders nightmare.” Do I think an Israel-style wall will really be built? No I don’t – but he is wedded enough to the idea of cleaning up the illegal immigration/sanctuary city problem, that I believe he will indeed fight for this issue. That’s one of three.
2: “Begin renegotiating ALL unfair trade deals like NAFTA…” This is red meat for ignorant supporters and I don’t care much about it, so – no on that one.
3: “CANCEL all executive orders, bureaucratic rules, and crippling regulations that send American jobs overseas.” This is something that he as president can do immediately, with a few strokes of the pen. Any executive order/action can be undone with another executive order. That’s number two.
4: “Work with Congress to REPEAL and replace the disastrous Obamacare…” Until just recently I didn’t think there was much chance of this, but with the release of the well publicized rate hikes looming, the call for repeal could not come at a better time. It will still be an uphill battle – so probably no to maybe a half a point.
5: “Lift the radical Obama regulations on America’s energy industry to END our dependence on foreign sources and create new jobs here at home.” He will have to gut the EPA to do this, which will be harder than it sounds, so – half a point on this.
6: “Propose, pass, and sign into law a massive TAX CUT for all working Americans and unleash the job-creating power of our small businesses.” I’d loved to see it, but I don’t hold out much hope –at least not right away, so no point.
7: “NOMINATE Supreme Court Justices who will uphold the Founders’ Constitution and not legislate the liberal agenda from the bench.” Despite the Constitution not being the property of the “Founders,” and that he may never have read it, I believe now that he will nominate from his published list. Still, no point, as the democrats will miraculously pivot 180 degrees, coming to the conclusion that a six justice court really isn’t such a bad thing. That will be fun to watch.
8: “IMPOSE strict new ethics rules to restore the integrity of the Office of the Secretary of State.” Half a point on this, as it will depend on who he nominates. Strict ethics rules aren’t necessary with the right Secretary of State. Half a point.
That’s a total of 3-1/2 out of eight – just above my threshold.
Do I believe what his teleprompter told him to say? No more than any other politician – but also no less. In my estimation, his next step should be to publish a short-list of potential Cabinet appointees.
For those disappointed in my decision – oh well. I harbor no ill will toward anyone who chooses not to vote for Trump, and I understand completely – if your decision is substantive and not purely political.
Tags: 2016 election Donald Trump
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