Donald Trump’s erratic moral compass
By Alex Ellis
Looking back on the 2016 elections it becomes very clear that it was the year of populism. After over a century of back-and-forth control between establishment Republicans and Democrats, Americans were very eager for a change. This becomes very apparent when you look at the fanatic support between Bernie Sanders and his opponent, Donald Trump. Each candidate provided a clear alternative from his respective party’s line and as such garnered great support from the American people.
There are many arguments as to the how and why, but ultimately it was current president Donald Trump who came out on top when all was said and done. With one of his main mottos being “draining the swamp of D.C.,” Trump very clearly advertised himself as a staunch opponent of establishment politics. Though facing adverse opposition from long time Republicans, Democrats, and much of the American populace, he found himself in the highest position of power in the world. The only question that remained now is if he would keep his promises of being an underdog for the American people.
This is where we must start analyzing Trump’s decisions and criticizing them against his election promises.
First, let us analyze his positions on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. During the Obama administration, Trump proved himself a key opponent of the deal by giving such scathing criticisms such as “The Trans-Pacific Partnership is an attack on America’s business.” He did not stop there, leading to greater criticisms such as “Republicans should not be giving Obama fast track authority on trade. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will squeeze our manufacturing sector” and “The Trans-Pacific Partnership will lead to even greater unemployment. Do not pass it.” Seemingly a champion of small American businesses and their workers, he was able to garner great support during the last presidential election over his strong opinions over trade policies.
Now let’s fast forward to 2018, two years after he had taken over the highest office of government in our land. What does he think of the TPP now? In April, Trump proposed a rejoining of the trade pact, a sharp turnaround from his positions during the 2016 election. The shift in mindset was so quick that Larry Kudlow, Trump’s top economic adviser, said in an interview on Thursday with The New York Times that“This whole trade thing has exploded. There’s no deadline. We’ll pull a team together, but we haven’t even done — I mean, it just happened a couple hours ago.”
While the details of his internal trade policies are still under debate and review, Trump has made his views on international politics very clear.
In 2013, relationships between the U.S. and other countries had greatly broken down. In light of dictator Bashar Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons against his rebel enemies, the question aspired of whether or not the U.S. should become involved in the country’s rapidly declining civil war. While Obama wished to intervene on grounds of humanitarian abuse, Trump was very quick to digress. He argued that even if we were to intervene, it should be in secrecy, even going so far as to write, “In war, the elememt [sic] of surprise is sooooo important.What the hell is Obama doing.”
While in the midst of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, he very strongly advised against former president Obama to pursue further conflicts.
Trump asked the former president, “What will we get for bombing Syria besides more debt and a possible long term conflict? Obama needs Congressional approval.” At the time of the 2016 election, his staunch opposition to American interventionalism in foreign involvements was a main factor in many of his voters choosing to support him.
But let us turn now to the present. On the day of this writing, it is April 14, 2018. As of yesterday, Trump has agreed to participate — without Congress’ explicit approval — in a joint bombing attack with the governments of the United Kingdom and France against Syria. Such an aggressive action has attracted the attention of Russia, who only hours ago gave a statement saying, “A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.”
Given the constant flip-flopping of Donald Trump’s opinions on national affairs, many groups have come forth saying that our nation must unilaterally oppose his decisions for the sake of the national security of our country.
In my opinion, criticizing the principles of Donald Trump is neither wrong nor right — not because he is either correct in his opinions or infallible as the leader of our nation but because he has none.
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I disagree. President Trump has principles. I know, I DON’T KNOW. Erratic behavior, no doubt exists, but erratic behavior is only erratic to the consensus. Let’s zoom in, and take a historical perspective. He is one of a kind, and a human being. When we turn people into cardboard cut outs all analysis becomes 2 dimensional. You are a good writer, try a different topic. Nothing here but the same old story. Find your muse. Good luck.