Postcards from the Heartland: Trump's base speaks out

Recently I read a conservative publication, a right wing newspaper from deep in the heart of Texas. My copy came via a friend with connections to the paper. I've told him I'm a liberal and a Hillary Clinton voter at that! But still he shared the paper with me. Here are a few of these Trump Base sentiments, followed by My Liberal Perspective:

Trump Base Beliefs:

1) Trump is under attack. Attackers include lefties, Hollywood people and even Republicans like Paul Ryan, John McCain, John Kasich and Marco Rubio.

2) He is a "poor man's billionaire."

3) Every media platform is against him.

4)  Trump is an earthy man because of his experience in the construction industry.

5) Trump borrowed money from his father, but turned the million dollar loan into an empire worth more than 10 billion dollars.

6) Trump raised his kids right by making them on construction sites-- driving back-hoes and heavy equipment.

7) Donald Trump uses a bullying style because it works and because of the intensity of the attacks against him.

8) Trump is learning to be less gruff as he gains experience as President.  

9) Trump is anti-establishment.

10) Trump has revealed the Washington D.C. swamp for what it is. He threatens the Deep State bureaucrats, special interest groups and lobbyists running our government like no other president.

11)The United States is actually being run by a shadow government and Trump has done his level best to reveal the situation.

12) Trump puts America first. His enemies are using the Russia collusion story in an desperate attempt to bring him down.

My liberal perspective:

I love the term poor man's billionaire and I think it does capture one of Donald Trump's paradoxes-- though a high roller, he rarely appeals to educated voters from the upper income demographic. His cabinet is full of wealthy people, not exactly a swamp-drainer.

I interpret the tough guy approach to politics as Trump's strategy more than a personality trait. As Trump's primary campaign unfolded he got a clear message from Republican primary voters-- the more outrageous and less politically correct you behave, the more we like it.

Trump has perfected a very direct style of speech-making. I heard one commentator state that Trump speaks with the cadences of a comedian. Trump is at his most effective when he stays away from the teleprompter. He becomes animated and entertaining.

Trump is an interesting contradiction-- very open about using Twitter in support of his complicated machinations but a master of distraction. Trump has instincts towards secrecy-- ask him about his income taxes and he changes the subject. 

The baffling combination of saying whatever crosses his mind, while changing his mind constantly- makes for a 24/7 reality-TV show. Nobody seems sure Trump is suitable for the presidency, but he's a master of marketing and media. And he somehow figured this out from a second tier reality TV show called Celebrity Apprentice...

The "You're fired!" tagline for Celebrity Apprentice works well for Trump's approach to government. Just ask Mike Flynn, Paul Manafort, Sean Spicer,  and James Comey. They all got the axe, bit the bullet, took one for the team. Jeff Sessions may be next, and the Donald may even add Robert Mueller's head to the chopping block. That will add some thickening to the plot.

Trump never hired Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie, experienced politicians with  media savvy. Trump doesn't like to share the spotlight with the heavyweights. But smooth talking Anthony Scaramucci has recently arrived on the scene. "The Mooch" grabbed some of Trump's screen time over the last 48 hours and may soon hit the highway for the same reason...

Trump as King Midas: chops off the head of James Comey

The Donald Trump era has the feel of tremendous hedonism. Donald Trump always struck me as a Midas-like figure, a man who craved gold. He gave his Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan a golden sheen for gold was clearly his favorite color. Maybe he dislikes the White House because of its pale tones-- so bland and pedestrian. Even his hair has a gold luster.

Then there is fame. Trump lusts after fame even more than gold. And he combined the two. He used his fame, branding the Trump name to get loans to build casinos and hotels create more wealth.Trump built hotels and golf courses, not exactly a Steve Jobs like achievement. His money never resulted from innovation, only from fame and branding. And he brags about his wealth, a sin rarely indulged in by the truly wealthy. What's the point? Rich people know you only create envy in others by reminding them of your superior wealth.

Trump's willingness to talk about his riches convinced me he does not really care that much about money. Attention gets him off, more than wealth. That's why he could handle the bankruptcies and bounce back, still ticking like a Timex watch. He measured the success of his wedding to Melania based mostly on celebrity stats-- pointing out that more than 250 celebrities showed up to the reception. He was eager to have Bill and Hillary Clinton show up for the festivities-- and they did. Trump loves famous people.

Trump cannot get too much attention; he craves more; and we crave more of him. Trump's love of all  manner of fame and notoriety reminds me of King Midas, the king who turned everything he touched into gold. The talent seemed wonderful until Midas found his fingers turning his food and drink into the solid yellow metal.

Trump may have overdone it on the fame front. Like gorging on too much food, the news cycle has been gorging on too much Trump. James Comey, the recently fired FBI director tried to join the fame orgy. He clumsily inserted himself into the election news. He couldn't wait to do it again and went back at Hillary a second time. Now, with these Russian hacker accusations, and possible Trump team collusion, things got dicier and Sean Spicier, and Comey found himself on the ropes.

Trump liked Comey's pre-election high jinks, inserting himself into the 2016 election needlessly, and thereby improving Trump's chance at victory. Comey seemed like a high school kid forcing his way on to the prom committee as he strived to impress his Republican friends. Forgot he was in charge of a police agency known at onetime for its discretion in these matters.

Comey got in over his head-- and now his heads been chopped off. Trump couldn't restrain himself.

Nowadays the news seems to arrive too quickly. Mike Flynn hired, shamed and then quickly fired. Comey remained in office, briefly, surviving momentarily despite the election controversy-- but Trump quickly dumped the guy. Comey seemed like a loose cannon. Trump only likes one loose cannon on the scene-- and guess who that is?!