Earn This

Lest anyone think that I'm infatuated with Mr. Trump, realize that I'm not so proud of having voted for him -- which I did -- as I'm proud I voted against Cankles.  I've been consistent about my opposition to Cankles, and just about anyone with a pulse would have sufficed over that harridan.  So I'm glad that she's lost, but I have to admit, I've come around a little on Mr. Trump.

So far, Mr. Trump has behaved presidential.  No moronic outbursts, no outlandish statements, he's being very somber and sober.  How long this continues is anyone's guess.

He sat down with Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes last night and couldn't be baited into anything that would make the front page of the Leftist media rags.  He answered questions soberly, thoughtfully, and even disavowed any violence perpetrated by his followers against Muslims and other minorities (contrary to both Cankles and the POTUS, who have been unremarkably silent toward all those protesters who see apocalyptic visions of a Trump presidency). 

Even so, Mr. Trump didn't get a mandate in the election.  There's still debate about the outcome of the popular vote, although there's little reason to believe that the Electoral College vote will turn out in favor of Cankles.  So Mr. Trump, as evidenced by the ongoing protests as well as by the narrow margin in the popular vote, has work to do.

Some of his platform is very, very disagreeable to people.  Some of it is scary.  And some of it seems to be unattainable.  There are people who will do whatever they can to stop him from carrying out his agenda.  Yet he has stuck to his platform pledges, by and large, and with a Republican Congress behind him, should be able to accomplish what he wants to do.

But that's not all he has to do.  That will satisfy those who voted for him.  But for those turned off by him, he has to reach out to them and show them that he's not the anti-Christ.  There are several things he can do to this end.

First, the composition of his cabinet is crucial.  He must involve minorities -- conservative minorities, but minorities -- and not just tokens.  They have to have important positions and be left to do what it is they were appointed to do.  The same with the SCOTUS.  There are plenty of qualified minority judges who could be elevated to the SCOTUS.

Next, he has to reach out to minority communities.  He can't compromise his beliefs, but he has to show them that his positions aren't based on race.  For example, get rid of all the gangbanging illegals, but go to the Latino areas and start initiatives to aid them in their transition to becoming Americans.  Lead the way on things like education, learning English and other ways of becoming fully integrated into this society.

Likewise, so similar things with law-abiding Muslims.  I'd shut off the refugee pipeline as well until such time as Congress figures out a way to properly vet refugees for terrorist ties.

With the black community, work with it to show that police violence won't be tolerated, but that black youths have to cooperate with cops.  Work on educational opportunities for lower-income people.  Make people qualify for welfare, but don't just strip it away from them.  Given them incentives that will allow them to get off welfare.  Don't just preach to them.

I'm not the one to make cogent suggestions.  I have no interest in politics and can't come up with good ideas.  Hire people who can, though, and the road will be much easier to travel.

I'm reminded of the final scenes of Saving Private Ryan, where the dying Captain Miller pulls the rescued Private Ryan to him and whispers Earn this with his dying breath.  That's what Mr. Trump has to do now:  Earn this.  It's an awesome privilege and a terrifying burden that he's assumed, but he asked for it.  Now he has to earn it.

Earn this, Mr. Trump.

(c) 2016 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles