In an article that's relevant to my last post Christain right-winger Michael Brown explains why he isn't vocal about his politics. But he again fails to justify why he isn't objecting to the clutching tentacles of the Trumpite canker which is gripping parts of the US democratic system, particularly the Republican party.
Below, I reproduce parts of Michael's article with my comments interleaved:
MICHAEL: My Loyalty Is to the Lord, Not to a Political Candidate or Party: If you’ve listened regularly to my Line of Fire broadcast or read my articles consistently, you’ll see that I’ve said or written very little about former President Trump for some time now. There are several reasons for that.
MY COMMENT: Yes, I noticed the absence of comment about Trump - see my previous post. Here are Michael's reasons for this absence:
MICHAEL: First, I have cut way back on political commentary in
general in order to avoid getting caught up in election fever, especially since
the presidential elections are more than 13 months away and there remains real
uncertainty about who the candidates will be.
Second, I generally do not comment much on legal cases (in
this case, indictments against Trump or the potential impeachment of President
Biden), since these are outside my areas of expertise.
Third, while I have made clear that I would prefer a
candidate other than Trump for the GOP in 2024, I am not a Trump basher and I
have no desire to needlessly alienate tens of millions of loyal Trump
supporters. Instead, my goal is to rally all of us around righteous and godly
causes.
MY COMMENT: Yes, like anyone in a democratic system Michael isn't obliged to come out on one side or the other of a party-political divide even though I think we can guess that he's happier with the GOP than he is with the Democrats. Also, he's probably wise in not commenting on legal cases.
All that would be true under normal constitutional politics, but the situation in US politics at the moment isn't normal constitutional politics: Like a banana "republic" the current political argy-bargy in the US isn't just confined to sharp criticism of policy: Instead, it is awash with accusations of serious corruption and fraud, not least election fraud. We also hear threats of jailing your opponents, perhaps even killing them. And of course, we are glancing nervously at all those AR15s in the hands of the Trump militias. This is not normal democratic accountable politics. It appears that the US democratic system is no longer trusted by a big slice of its populace, with Donald Trump inciting distrust with his talk of "draining the swamp" and calling the judiciary names. In fact, the situation has become pathological. But Michael Brown is behaving as if it's business as usual and he's failing to comment on the elephant in the room.
As I have made clear in this blog I trace these problems back to that political pied piper and cuckoo in the evangelical nest Donald J Trump. But it seems Michael Brown is just too scared to alienate Trump's many loyal followers on which his career depends. But Trumpism is hardly a righteous and godly cause. This doesn't mean to say that I would agree with the far-left, but on my assessment the tide of far-left dictatorship is currently further out than the tide of far-right dictatorship, a tide which is getting uncomfortably close!
MICHAEL: That being said, when an issue comes up that is worthy of discussion, and when that issue causes me to differ with Trump’s position, I will do so freely. That’s because my loyalty is to Jesus rather than to a political leader or a political party
These would be my sentiments regardless of who was in the White House. JESUS IS LORD. The rest of us are redeemed dust at best.
When it comes to my voting preferences, beyond the obvious question of the candidate’s character and trustworthiness, I always start with the abortion issue. How strongly pro-life is the candidate? Next, I look at where they stand on moral, family issues, such as same-sex “marriage” and transgender identity. Then, I look at their views on Israel, then on other relevant issues (such as national security, the economy, international relations, etc.). Other voters might start with the economy. Or race issues. Or border control. Or education. Or national security. I respect that, and that is their prerogative.
MY COMMENT: Fair enough, Michael is acting perfectly within his democratic rights to tender these opinions. He's proceeding. however, as if American politics is in a state of normalcy and he's ignoring all those shouts of "corruption" and the promotion of coercion. But here's a question: Would he sign a pact with a demon, if that demon promised to lobby for Michael's views?
MICHAEL: But we each have our priorities, and that is what informs our voting. When it came to voting for Trump in 2016, the biggest issue for me was the potential of him appointing pro-life Supreme Court justices, and he delivered on his promises, contributing in a massive, fundamental way to the overturning of Roe v Wade. For that, I am deeply grateful. But when he says that Gov. DeSantis made “a terrible mistake” by signing into law a ban on abortions after 6 weeks, I categorically reject his position. Trump’s whole approach, in which he says that “15 weeks” is a number that everyone seems to like, is misguided, failing to address the injustice of abortion. And he is quite wrong in thinking that both sides will like his pragmatic approach. (From the pro-life side, just ask Lila Rose.)
MY COMMENT: Does this mean that if Trump signed up to an anti-abortion & anti-gay stance which satisfied Michael, Michael would then vote Trump? I wonder! I have a feeling, however, that in his heart of hearts Michael does understand the Trump threat, but he can't afford to come clean in fear of alienating all those Trump popularists which are his bread and butter. As I have made clear in this blog Trump's concern is first and foremost for Trump Power. Trump is taking what to Michael Brown is a compromised position on abortion because Trump wants to maximize his vote in order to facilitate what looks to me to be a grab for absolute power.
MICHAEL: What happens when I dare take issue with Trump for his comments? I get comments like this, posted on our YouTube channel in response to the broadcast:
“Shame on you Mr. Brown for not remaining loyal to Trump.
Trump was CHEATED and you are looking for ‘better’ candidates? You profess to
stand for life but you can't even stand up for the man who overturned abortion
& was cheated. REPENT! stop being jealous. Deep down you know Trump is
smarter than you and it drives you nuts. REPENT. you think you can do a better
job...admit it.. but you can't..he is tougher & smarter...Trump has to get
done what is realistic because HE IS INVOLVED IN POLITICS...He is not your
pastor...if you Loved TRUTH you would LOVE REALISM...because they are the
same.” `
Putting aside the silly, schoolyard level attacks, the issue
is very simple: my loyalty here is to the pro-life cause, and if I believe that
Trump’s view is weak – as do many other pro-life leaders who are much more on
the front lines than I am – I will say so.
In a separate article, I’ll return to the larger issue of political pragmatism in the abortion debate, something advocated by Republican candidate Nikki Haley.
MY COMMENT: Through the words of a Trump acolyte, we learn what Trump demands above all - loyalty and probably an unquestioning loyalty at that; to hell with Michael's moral qualms about abortion if it gets in the way of Trump Power! And if you do get in the way of Trump Power, you stand accused of the ulterior motive of envy toward the superior being of Donald Trump and therefore you must repent of your sin of opposition to this demigod. Note also that our Trump acolyte equates Trump-Realism with TRUTH! In a sinister echo of dictator Putin, disloyalty, a concept closely related to treachery, becomes the unforgivable sin. Actually, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the above was written by a Putin acolyte interfering in American politics. In Trump's and Putin's eyes the Godfatheresque politics of loyal submission comes first, not moral standards.
But let's notice once again: Michael is getting carried away with his views on abortion, sexuality & gender and failing to comment on the real issue: the looming ogre of Trump Power.
MICHAEL: It’s the same when it comes to LGBTQ activist issues, number two on my list of priorities when voting. I take deep exception to Trump saying last December to a crowd filled with LGBTQ activists and their allies,
“We are fighting for the gay community, and we are fighting
and fighting hard.”
He also said at the gala event, held in Mar-a-Lago,
“With the help of many of the people here tonight in recent
years, our movement has taken incredible strides, the strides you’ve made here
is incredible.”
Sorry, but those sentiments do not get my support, even if Trump opposes the transitioning of children.
MY COMMENT: And again, the above is classic Trump: Once again we see the same Trump approach of convenience: To hell with principled policy and instead maximization of his support base by any means; in particular by telling people what he thinks they want to hear in order to get their support. At least I can give Michael a brownie point or two for standing by his principles in spite of pressure from Trump acolytes.
MICHAEL: So, when it comes to voting, I have my lines drawn in the sand. Should a candidate move from those lines, I have not abandoned him. He has abandoned me. Where the former president will ultimately land remains to be seen. But my loyalty is to my Lord and the causes I believe are important to Him. All other loyalties are filtered through that lens.
MY COMMENT: Trump abandons all those who aren't loyal to his Trumpness. The former president has long since landed where in fact where he has been all along: namely, as a steadfast supporter for Trump, Trump, Trump. Trump is a dictator in waiting who demands submission and to that end he is corrupting the American democratic system. That must be resisted, vocally resisted. But unfortunately, Michael is in a difficult spot: Much of his constituency is found among right-wing Trump support and therefore what comes first for him is this:
I am not a Trump basher and I have no desire to needlessly alienate tens of millions of loyal Trump supporters
Needlessly alienate? My dear Michael, Western freedoms are at stake here! The above quote sums up why Michael can't speak out against Trump; Viz: he'll lose a big slice of his income. He is an economic captive to Trump and that will l no doubt suit Trump down to the ground.
***
The Republican party should split into two parts: A Trump party and the original GOP. It would likely mean that the GOP would be out of power for some years until they have rebuilt their party. But then that's the cost of hosting the Trump parasite for too long.
If for the sake of argument we imagine that Trump becomes president in 2024 and a MAGA autocratic dynasty is the result, then my guess is that an alliance with a Putin dynasty would be an outcome, with this alliance setting itself against China. To this end it is likely that Putin is hanging on hoping that Trump gets into power.
RELEVANT LINKS:
1. On the Threat of Trumpism
Is the fever of Trumpism starting to break? (msn.com)
Taken from the article:
One day after he [Trump] posted “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING FOR YOU!” a woman called the chambers of the US district judge Tanya Chutkan, who has been assigned to the election fraud case against Trump, and said that if Trump is not reelected next year, “we are coming to kill you”.
A Trump supporter wearing tactical gear and armed with an AR-15 tried to breach the FBI field office in Cincinnati. He failed, fled and later died in a shootout with law enforcement.
2.Threats of violence to those who oppose Trump
Trump’s escalating violent rhetoric is straight out of the autocrat’s playbook (msn.com)
3. Trump's violent threats laying the foundation for autocracy.
Trump’s violent rhetoric underscores his plans 'for dictatorial rule': DC insider (msn.com)
4. Dismantling democracy:
Why Trump and the GOP are burning the entire system down | Opinion (msn.com)
5. Trump gets ever more extreme and deranged as he demands loyalty.
6. Trump and fascism
"The goal of fascism is to turn politics into warfare," said Jennifer Mercieca, a historian of political rhetoric at Texas A&M and author of "Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump." To do this, [fascist leaders] narrate a world of chaos, corruption and hypocrisy. They position their opposition as enemies who cheat, as untrustworthy and determined to undermine and destroy all that's good and noble. If the fascist can convince his followers that there is so much scary chaos and so many enemies, then the fascist rises to power because people want the 'strong arm of the fascist to solve problems."
From: Trump is following 'the fascist playbook to the letter': historian (msn.com)
7. Trump Junior criticizes the FBI
Donald Trump Jr points finger at FBI for Maine mass shooting (msn.com)
As Trump Jr once said, his father hand turned the GOP into "The Trump Party" (God forbid!). Does this mean that when the Trump Dynasty gets in power the FBI will be replaced by Trump Security? Perhaps even the American Military will be replaced by the AR15 wielding Trump Militias who will be upcycled to become the Trump Military. If MAGA takes charge, it will be Trump Everything!!!
8. Trump: A mob boss?
Mob boss Trump's threats to mobilize his mob are escalating | Opinion (msn.com)
