Tim Dunkin
We need Trumpism without Donald Trump
By Tim Dunkin
This year has seen an especially contentious – but also especially interesting – set of primary races for the Republican Party. The entry of Donald Trump into the race last year threw a huge monkey wrench into what was supposed to be Jeb Bush's yacht ride into the GOP nomination. Now Bush is out, and Trump finds himself fighting tooth and nail with Ted Cruz, the last two (and a half) men standing out of an original 17 contestants.
But beyond simple issues of personality and politics, Trump's entry into the race (re)introduced an element of Americanism and populism into Republican politics that many had thought extinct after Pat Buchanan's departure from the 1996 primaries. In this way, at least, Trump distinguishes himself from all of the other candidates in the GOP races this year.
Yet, setting aside all of the hysterics coming from the Cruz and GOP-E proxies across the internet, we should understand that Trump is actually not that much different from most mainstream Republicans. Despite the rather fanciful claims that he is "just the same as Hillary!!!", Trump is actually pretty much in line with Cruz and other GOPers on a lot of things. He has repeatedly affirmed his pro-2nd Amendment stance. He has come out strongly against Common Core and for reforming the Department of Education. His tax plan broadly mirrors those of the other candidates and generally seeks to reduce taxes and flatten the bracketing structure. He has repeatedly affirmed what we would probably describe as a "soft" pro-life position (though it was interesting to see him take the pro-life movement's own philosophy to its logical conclusion, only to be attacked by pro-lifers for it). He is pro-military and in favor of fixing the Veteran's Administration. He is pro-law and order and supports the police over and against the regressive elements of chaos and riot in our society.
Yet, there are a few key areas where Trump differs from the other Republican candidates – and these are the areas where his purported populism comes into play. They essentially boil down to three areas – immigration, trade, and American nationalism. These are, unfortunately, three general areas where most Republicans, and many professing conservatives, consistently go wrong. In fact, most hard-core "Party politico" type Republicans and "mainstream" pundits are typically just as bad and anti-American on these issues as are the Democrats and liberals.
Indeed, one could quite easily say that the current divide in the Republican Party boils down to a choice between globalism, internationalism, and the destruction of American national sovereignty on the one hand, and the affirmation of our sovereignty, defense of our borders, and the protection of our unique traditional culture and mores on the other.
This is why it is such a shame that the figurehead for the defense of traditional America and Americanism has to be Donald Trump. I readily admit – Donald Trump is a singularly unlikable individual. While he has charisma and obvious ability, his refusal to think before he speaks, his arrogant demeanor, and his generally less-than-winsome personality combine to make him one of the least liked public figures in America (which is saying something). As a result, he brings a discredit to the growing movement which has formed around him – for lack of a more prominent spokesman – in defense of our culture and traditional way of life.
Yet, America needs this "Trumpism." We need to rein in and reverse the illegal immigration. We need to replace our current immigration system with one that benefits US, instead of catering to any and all who want to come here, regardless of skills, education, ability, or desire to actually work. We need to defend our traditional American culture, religion, and way of life. We need to get out of the trade deals pushed by the Free Traitors that benefit a small corporate elite at the expense of millions of American workers. We need to reject the globalist internationalism being driven by folks like George Soros, and affirm our commitment to the United States of America as a unique, organic, sovereign nation bound together by traditions of culture and civilization that go beyond the mere view of America as a "proposition."
If we could have these things, without Donald Trump being the "face" to them, that would be great.
Unfortunately, at this stage in the game, we're sort of stuck with him. Which means that it becomes more difficult for many Americans who would like to do the right thing and support American sovereignty and traditionalism to do so, since it involves supporting Trump to one degree or another. However, people need to think in the long term, and look beyond personalities. Trump will probably not get the magic 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination outright, and the ensuing brokered convention will most likely end up with another GOP establishment schlub like Paul Ryan being selected as the "consensus candidate." Supporting American national sovereignty and traditionalism doesn't have to rely on Donald Trump. Those of us who reject globalism and the assault on America can continue to stand for our traditions and culture far beyond a single election that looks like it is probably going to be a wash for us.
© Tim Dunkin
This year has seen an especially contentious – but also especially interesting – set of primary races for the Republican Party. The entry of Donald Trump into the race last year threw a huge monkey wrench into what was supposed to be Jeb Bush's yacht ride into the GOP nomination. Now Bush is out, and Trump finds himself fighting tooth and nail with Ted Cruz, the last two (and a half) men standing out of an original 17 contestants.
But beyond simple issues of personality and politics, Trump's entry into the race (re)introduced an element of Americanism and populism into Republican politics that many had thought extinct after Pat Buchanan's departure from the 1996 primaries. In this way, at least, Trump distinguishes himself from all of the other candidates in the GOP races this year.
Yet, setting aside all of the hysterics coming from the Cruz and GOP-E proxies across the internet, we should understand that Trump is actually not that much different from most mainstream Republicans. Despite the rather fanciful claims that he is "just the same as Hillary!!!", Trump is actually pretty much in line with Cruz and other GOPers on a lot of things. He has repeatedly affirmed his pro-2nd Amendment stance. He has come out strongly against Common Core and for reforming the Department of Education. His tax plan broadly mirrors those of the other candidates and generally seeks to reduce taxes and flatten the bracketing structure. He has repeatedly affirmed what we would probably describe as a "soft" pro-life position (though it was interesting to see him take the pro-life movement's own philosophy to its logical conclusion, only to be attacked by pro-lifers for it). He is pro-military and in favor of fixing the Veteran's Administration. He is pro-law and order and supports the police over and against the regressive elements of chaos and riot in our society.
Yet, there are a few key areas where Trump differs from the other Republican candidates – and these are the areas where his purported populism comes into play. They essentially boil down to three areas – immigration, trade, and American nationalism. These are, unfortunately, three general areas where most Republicans, and many professing conservatives, consistently go wrong. In fact, most hard-core "Party politico" type Republicans and "mainstream" pundits are typically just as bad and anti-American on these issues as are the Democrats and liberals.
Indeed, one could quite easily say that the current divide in the Republican Party boils down to a choice between globalism, internationalism, and the destruction of American national sovereignty on the one hand, and the affirmation of our sovereignty, defense of our borders, and the protection of our unique traditional culture and mores on the other.
This is why it is such a shame that the figurehead for the defense of traditional America and Americanism has to be Donald Trump. I readily admit – Donald Trump is a singularly unlikable individual. While he has charisma and obvious ability, his refusal to think before he speaks, his arrogant demeanor, and his generally less-than-winsome personality combine to make him one of the least liked public figures in America (which is saying something). As a result, he brings a discredit to the growing movement which has formed around him – for lack of a more prominent spokesman – in defense of our culture and traditional way of life.
Yet, America needs this "Trumpism." We need to rein in and reverse the illegal immigration. We need to replace our current immigration system with one that benefits US, instead of catering to any and all who want to come here, regardless of skills, education, ability, or desire to actually work. We need to defend our traditional American culture, religion, and way of life. We need to get out of the trade deals pushed by the Free Traitors that benefit a small corporate elite at the expense of millions of American workers. We need to reject the globalist internationalism being driven by folks like George Soros, and affirm our commitment to the United States of America as a unique, organic, sovereign nation bound together by traditions of culture and civilization that go beyond the mere view of America as a "proposition."
If we could have these things, without Donald Trump being the "face" to them, that would be great.
Unfortunately, at this stage in the game, we're sort of stuck with him. Which means that it becomes more difficult for many Americans who would like to do the right thing and support American sovereignty and traditionalism to do so, since it involves supporting Trump to one degree or another. However, people need to think in the long term, and look beyond personalities. Trump will probably not get the magic 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination outright, and the ensuing brokered convention will most likely end up with another GOP establishment schlub like Paul Ryan being selected as the "consensus candidate." Supporting American national sovereignty and traditionalism doesn't have to rely on Donald Trump. Those of us who reject globalism and the assault on America can continue to stand for our traditions and culture far beyond a single election that looks like it is probably going to be a wash for us.
© Tim Dunkin
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