Dear Baby Boomer Liberals:
Even though I don’t empathize with you, I understand you. I’ve observed your behavior, listened to your gripes, and evaluated your political positions in an active manner since 1968. I was there when your generation broke through the zeitgeist. You convinced the majority with the help of your press partners, to oppose the Viet Nam war, depose Lyndon B. Johnson, and damn all things Richard M. Nixon.
Analysis – Defining the situation
I recognize there is nothing sweeter and more exhilarating than the taste of blood after you’ve overturned those you consider to be “The Establishment.” Now, in the closing chapters of your life, you’ve decided to rouse those memories and apply lessons learned to demeaning, defeating, and destroying President Donald J. Trump. You’re able to dig deep into your memory bank and uncover the exciting stimuli of Leftist theology, righteous indignation, and group engagement. These actions ignite your soul, reminding you of a time and place of joy and certainty. It was easier then, because it was prior to your middle-aged adult life where responsibilities of work, family, and self-sacrifice took precedence over immature meanderings. I get ya!
Over six months ago, at Broad + Liberty, I composed an essay about Trump Derangement Syndrome being a “real thing”. Since that time, my observation has been validated by an op-ed composed by a psychotherapist that appeared in the Wall Street Journal. He specified examples shared by patients. Recently, James Carville publicly declared himself to be an outspoken and proud carrier of the TDS virus with his usual display of anger, meanness, and self-superiority.
Donald Trump is your perfect foil; he’s of your generation, self-assured, successful, and independent. To your mind he shows up as a braggart and, worse, he doesn’t do what you want him to do. You’ve supported smears, and trials of all types, with a mission of taking Trump down; the man and President is still standing. Like a science fiction villain he keeps rising, sometimes appearing stronger after abuse has been heaped upon him. He’s increased and broadened his support each subsequent time he’s run for office after his 2016 “shocking” upset of Hilary Clinton. How dare he!
I’m here to soothe your pain. Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help groups advise clients to take personal responsibility for their situation. Participants are encouraged to view their environment in an objective manner to cure their malady. Perhaps you’ll choose to adapt that perspective to rid you of your pain.
Prescription – Understanding Trump
Can you accept two simple items; Donald Trump is a bold and brainy man? You don’t have to like, agree, or empathize with him. However, his accomplishments prior to becoming President, provide us with information that may be helpful to explain him in a rational and practical manner. He’s happy, loved by his family, and plays golf at 79 years old. We can assume he has enough cash on hand to fully retire. He is a hard-worker and, by any serious measurement, not failing. He tries to deliver what he promised. Maybe, just maybe, half of the citizens of the USA who supported him aren’t crazy, misguided, or racist.
Donald Trump is Bold
Leaders don’t achieve success in the game of Manhattan real estate unless they have the courage to go up against the economy, tough competitors, or the decades-long Leftist control of the New York government system. After all, many city and state bureaucrats attain and keep their positions by demeaning capitalism and promising more free stuff to their Democratic voters.
A tip-off of Trump’s core was his visit to urban poor zones, during his first run for office, where he challenged the citizens with a core question; “what have you got to lose?” The outcome: he’s achieved a higher percentage of minority votes across the spectrum in the elections of 2020 and 2024. When he challenges the culture of NATO, the European heads-of-state may rail against him, but Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of the group, sings Trump’s praises. He chastises the members to make good on their financial promises and to increase their commitment to self-defense.
If you need more proof of Trump’s internal bravery, access YouTube and view the assassination attempt on him, once again, at Butler, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 2024. His reaction of “fight, fight, fight” is one of raw courage; one that can’t be anticipated.
Those who challenge his military draft deferments should not be taken seriously; they are hypocrites. The liberals of his time applauded anyone who burned a draft card, skipped off to Canada, or chose any tactic to avoid being sent to Viet Nam. Don’t doubt me on this: I was there at the time it occurred, in the ‘60s.
Donald Trump is Brainy
Trump’s critics tend to downplay his intelligence on a regular basis. They caricature him as an emotionally driven dolt, with minimal self-control. This skewed perspective denies his decades-long history as an entrepreneur, capitalist, and high-level negotiator. It’s highly unlikely for anyone to receive the support of self-interested partners and challengers if they believe the guy on the other side of the bargaining table is uncreative, ethereal, and sloppy. Business trust is earned based upon one’s vision, performance, attention to detail, and results. The bankers at Trump’s Manhattan trial disappointed his prosecutors by revealing they’d be pleased to lend him money in the future, based upon their past dealings with him and his organization.
A word developed and magnified by Democrats during the Obama Era was “re-imagine”. To do so requires a willing mind; one unstuck from history. However, complementary items of that concept require respect for what worked in the past, grinding it out in the present, and delivering a superior product in the future.
Donald Trump re-imagined a presidential campaign speaking directly to the citizen as more beneficial than fighting solely against the “other” party. He re-imagined a campaign where the Republican was the aggressor, reversing the strategies of George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney who opted to permit the Democratic opposition to treat them as a punching bag.
The Trump Team “re-imagined a border that could shut down the migration of illegal immigrants quickly as opposed to requiring the time and compromise of a legislative strategy. He “re-imagined” removing Maduro, the authoritarian and corrupt leader of Venezuela, with the assistance of a finely tuned military. They toppled him without one American casualty. Millions of lives are being helped by removing the scourge of South American drugs entering our country and addicting our citizens. Iran, as of the moment of composing this article….well, he’s on it.
Recommended action
If you’re unable to accept the two simple and provable items stated in this essay, you’ll remove some negative emotion, while enabling you to fight for your cause in a more strategic manner. It may not be as satisfying but you’ll appear calmer in public and sleep better at night.
If you’re still unable to accept the two suggested prescriptions, I’ll make it easier for you; are you capable of ingesting the notion that President Donald Trump is not the Devil?
Stew Bolno is a chronological peer of Donald Trump. He’s been a student, college professor, and consultant on leadership during his 50-year career. He’s followed politics longer than that time. His recent book is “Leadership Lessons And You: From A to Z – featuring Donald Trump” and he’s written scores of essays about him since he descended the Trump Tower staircase. Read more at LeadershipLessonsAndYou.com.