Trump Triumph: Attacks Socialism at State of the Union Speech

After listening to Trump's State of the Union speech this evening, I'm feeling grateful that we are a long way from the days when the Republican politicians minimized the threat of socialism, a threat that is still growing in the dark hearts of so many powerful Democrat leaders.

I thought is was a smooth, easy to follow, well-written speech. It was meant to build his support beyond his base, demonstrate that he had nothing in common with the worst elements of his base, all while remaining faithful to his base, the white blue collar workers who put him over the top in the electoral college vote in November 2016.

The immediate reaction to the speech seems to be overwhelmingly favorable. A quick poll by CNN found that 76% of their respondents approved of the speech.

What exactly did I like about the speech? I liked his reminder that illegal immigration hurts the working class and advantages the wealthy educated elites.

"No issue better illustrates the divide between America’s working-class and America’s political class than illegal immigration," said Trump. "Wealthy politicians and donors push for open borders, while living their lives behind walls and gates and guards."

These elites enjoy the benefits of illegal immigration including downward pressure on wages while suffering virtually none of the negative consequences of illegal immigration including increased crime, violence, drug use, and competition for scarce jobs. Trump nailed down in a clear and vivid manner that the native born poor are not benefited by illegal immigration. They are harmed by it. Sometimes killed by it.

I was surprised by how little spontaneity and humor was in the speech. At a certain point, the president must also be the entertainer-in-chief. There was little to show of this charming side of Trump aside from his brief comment to Democrat female legislators applauding women in the workforce that he had an even better applause line coming.

The one element of humor for me was that House Speaker Pelosi made a big fashion mistake by wearing a piece of jewelry which looked like a ball gag.

The very best moments of the speech, for me, were is clear denunciation of the Democrats who think nothing of promoting clearly evil policies including socialism and infanticide. From the reaction on the House floor, it was obvious to me that too many Democrats fail to realize they are on the wrong side of history on both topics.

Trump reached out to minorities, Jews, women, and traditional Democrats through his choice of guests and calling out how his policies have benefited virtually all of the key Democrat party elements. He not so subtly reminded us that he was in favor of stopping the Nazis, liberating concentration camps, and protecting Jews of today from antisemitism. He held tight to his base through all of this by stressing his willingness to stop illegal immigration, harmful trade deals, and feminist inspired post-birth abortions.

I was thankful for his attack on socialism which he slide in after his talk about socialist Venezuela. "America was founded on liberty and Independence and not government coercion, domination, and control," Trump said. "We are born free and we will stay free." As he pointed out we will renew our resolve that "America will never be a socialist country."

These were reassuring words from the man who has the insight and the skills needed to save us from being a socialist nation.

John C. Drew, Ph.D. is an award-winning political scientist.

It's a Mighty Long Way from Cincinnati: Rogue IRS Agents Active in Laguna Niguel, CA Too

In all the mad rush of the last few weeks, I was not aware that IRS employees right here in Laguna Niguel - where I live and work -  were involved in efforts to harm Tea Party or conservative groups. I thought all of these rogue agents were gathered together far away in Cincinnati, OH. Now, I am expecting some of my neighbors out here to be doing the perp walk.

According to CNN, IRS staff in Laguna Niguel, CA
 participated in the effort to discriminate against
Tea Party and conservative groups.

They were doing so by making it harder for these groups to secure their status as 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) organizations.

According to CNN, Lois Lerner, who was the director of tax-exempt organizations for the IRS, indicated last month that the IRS had targeted these groups because they had those words in their names. She said the activity took place at the IRS office in Cincinnati, which handles applications for 501(c)(4) status.

CNN, however, opened up documents that suggest at least three other IRS offices did the same dirty deed including the one within walking distance from my home in Laguna Niguel. CNN reports that IRS officials in Washington and California contacted conservative groups to demand more information before approving the groups' requests for tax-exempt status.

The American Center for Law and Justice, a legal group representing numerous conservative organizations, provided CNN with four such letters: one each from IRS offices in Washington; Cincinnati; El Monte, California, and Laguna Niguel, California.

The Chet Holifield Federal Building
is something of an eyesore
in Laguna Niguel, CA.

I drive past that building in Laguna Niguel nearly every other day and view it from a distance when I take a walk in the park. It is chilling to know that Obama's re-election in 2012 benefitted, in part, from the intolerable and discriminatory things taking place in this odd looking building.

As you might know, Chet Holifield Federal Building was constructed in Laguna Niguel, California, between 1968 and 1971. William L. Pereira & Associates designed it with an unusual stepped pyramid silhouette. The unusual form references ziggurats, ancient Mesopotamian temples. Here in Laguna Niguel, we usually call in the ziggurat building for short. The parking lot of this building is a total mess. It really is an eyesore in terms of its exterior appearance.

I guess Obama and his crew were never afraid that one of the people working at this IRS office might contact me and share what was actually taking place in terms of harming Tea Party and conservative applicants. Given what I know about young Obama and his ideology - and what I know about his time in Chicago - it is not difficult for me to believe that Obama authorized discrimination against Tea Party and conservative groups. I do not think most people appreciate how much young Obama sincerely hated our American capitalist system.

I do not think most people trully appreciate what it means to be a friend of Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright or Alice Palmer. If they did they would terrified of the Obama administration and demanding that someone go to jail for this abuse of power.

John C. Drew, Ph.D. is an award-winning political scientist.

Hitler Working For Obama? Time to Appreciate the Controversy

I'm noticing that Democrats are howling mad that folks are starting to see President Obama as a second Hitler. Above, I've posted a video that illustrates the issues. These videos are pretty common on YouTube. Most of the one's I've seen feature Hitler complaining about a video game or a pop star. Here's a link to a NYT The Caucus Blog that discusses the controversy: http://bit.ly/57mx6

To the Democrats, the Obama as Hitler meme is an outrageous charge. What they are missing is the way that Hitler was loved by the German people, the way Hitler was eager to control private sector businesses, and the fact that the NAZI abbreviation actually stood for the National Socialist German Worker's Party. Hitler wanted his own Olympic Games to celebrate his regime too.

Reviewing Democrat outrage, it seems to me that they think independents and conservatives do not understand that Hitler's government killed six million Jews during the Holocaust. Liberals seem to attack this comparison without fully appreciating the honest fear of big government and Obama that fuels this comparison. I do not think they completely understand how much damage Obama has already done to our economy with his stimulus package or the considerable danger of moving the U.S. toward a single-payer socialized medical system.

I have been the victim of Democrat ideology - due to affirmative action - so I know how Democrat ideals create real pain and suffering for innocent people. The fact that so many Democrats seem completely blind to the hurt and damage they do makes comparisons with Hitler surprisingly appropriate and healthy for our nation’s future.

Here’s my take away, when large numbers of people are comparing you to Hitler, it’s time to slow down and ask what are you doing to create this sort of extremely negative feedback…

John C. Drew, Ph.D. is an award-winning political scientist.