2016 July 26^th

Cal Thomas tells us that Donald J. Trump’s acceptance speech hit some high notes. Then we find that he is critical of Trump’s delivery, the speech at 75 minutes was too long and it was not “well-modulated,” read, he shouted too much. The content, however, he found satisfying.

He tells us that 69.3 percent of those surveyed believe that we are on the wrong track. “Crime and violence are serious concerns.” Of course they are serious concerns; when aren’t they serious concerns? Politicians, particularly Donald J. Trump, who has been reading his own speeches, produce this “concern.” He has admitted that he gets his information from “the shows” so we have a nice feedback loop.

The facts are very different; FBI statistics show a steady decline in violent crime both in this country and in other developed countries. The death of police officers are the lowest in 50 years. This information is readily available to anyone with a computer and the wit to google the FBI article. That might be too much to expect of either Donald J. Trump or Cal Thomas. Trump’s only hope in this election is to convince a chunk of the population on two issues: the first is that this country is in terrible shape, ridden with crime and unsafe for people to walk the streets; the second is that only he, Donald J. Trump, can fix the problem.

There are corollaries; those in power are ineffective. (How else could this terrible situation have developed?) Bad trade deals are responsible for low wages. Never mind the rise of automated machinery and other labor saving procedures. (A machine can now assist a surgeon in the removal of your prostate, considerably reducing the time required.) We are being taken advantage of by our allies who aren’t “paying their fair share” of the mutual defense cost. Even Senator Cotton a rabid opponent of the President and a hawk on defense, has pointed out that these treaties are not “business deals.”

Thomas tells us that, “Poor children are trapped in failing public schools and Democrats won’t let them escape. Trump and his running mate promise school choice.” The first sentence is nonsense. Each state has a different method for handling so called charter schools. In this state, any child who wishes can attend a charter school, so what is this nonsense about Democrats not letting children attend charter schools? Students already have school choice…at least they do in Michigan.

On another topic: Stuart Varney, a Fox News reader, was recording the White House press secretary’s answer to a question about Michelle Obama’s speech to the convention. Among other things, she pointed out that slaves had built the White House and that her children could now play on the White House lawn. Josh Earnest, the press secretary was asked if Mrs. Obama’s remarks about slaves building the White House had been divisive. Earnest said, simply, “No,” and moved to the next question. Varney was apparently amazed that there had been no extended conversation. Of course Mrs. Obama’s remarks might well have been divisive…for folks backing David Duke, former KKK wizard, for Louisiana’s senate seat. But who cares?