by Mark West | Jun 8, 2016 | Compromise, Conservative, Donald Trump, GOP, Political, Republican Party
Imagine a doctor who compromises the proven cure for an illness. Or a financial advisor who compromises a sure investment. Or a pilot who compromises the correct course heading. Or a Mt. Everest climber who compromises the proper amount of oxygen needed to scale the summit. Or a political party that compromises the very principles and values that built a great nation.
Compromise, when resorted to in the wrong scenarios, can have disastrous consequences.
Perhaps the only thing worse than being sincerely wrong is being willing to compromise the truth by diluting it with a lie.
The art of compromise is one that is an integral part of business, politics, relationships and more. It is typically employed when two parties hold opposing views and are at an impasse. And if compromise does not sacrifice truth or principle, then it can be a worthwhile strategy to advance one’s goals.
But when compromise involves abandoning one’s principles and truth, then it will certainly lead to failure and ultimate loss.
The GOP’s history of diluting and compromising its core principles over the last several decades has led directly to the rise of Donald Trump. As a result, Republicans are now being represented and led by a man who:
- Is an open and unapologetic serial adulterer, even boasting of his numerous and lurid escapades with “top women of the world.”
- Is well known for his willingness to verbally assault anyone that might pose a threat to him or that he simply desires to ridicule or mock. It matters not whether the person is an invalid, a woman that doesn’t measure up to his perfect 10 scoring, or a hundred other childish, misogynist or bigoted reasons.
- Routinely encourages violence against those who disagree with him.
- Uses mean-spirited racial slurs and disparages various ethnic and religious minorities.
- Values his own personal ambition, fame and wealth above most anything else.
- Affirms that America is not an exceptional nation, and he actually has never liked such a designation.
- Has never asked God for forgiveness and does not even see the need for such.
- Believes Planned Parenthood does good work.
- Would order the military to kill the wives and children of terrorists.
- Supported a ban on “assault weapons.”
- Has sided with the strong-arm tactics of government over the personal property rights of individuals.
- Is a big government crony capitalist, doling our millions to politicians, in order to buy personal & business favors.
- Is a serial liar, personally, professionally and politically.
- Advocated for universal healthcare.
- Supported partial birth abortion.
- Welcomed Bruce “Caitlyn” Jenner to use the women’s restroom in Trump Tower.
- Criticized the North Carolina “bathroom bill” and suggested that people should “use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate.”
The Republican Platform over the years, including in 2012, has been a manuscript that promoted not only our nation’s founding principles but it affirmed the values that have been synonymous with conservatives. But it’s one thing to enumerate a set of principles via a manuscript and yet another to put those principles into action. Sadly we have witnessed too many Republican leaders willingly compromise our founding principles, to the detriment of the party and the nation.
There are times when a person’s commitment to truth or principle requires personal sacrifice. In some instances that sacrifice may even cost great loss. We can look to our history to see great examples of men and women who were willing to sacrifice fame and fortune rather than compromise. One of Tennessee’s great heroes, Davy Crockett, is one such example. Despite facing certain death, Crockett came to the aide of his newly adopted Texas brothers at the Alamo and lost his life doing so. But in that final act, Davy epitomized the spirit he had chosen to live by: “Be always sure you’re right. Then go ahead!“
President John F. Kennedy famously once said, “Sometimes party loyalty asks too much.” When such loyalty demands the compromise of truth and principle, that loyalty must not only be abandoned, but it must be exposed for the failure it most certainly will cause.
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” John Adams, founding father.
“Truth has stumbled in the streets.” (Isaiah 59:14)
by Mark West | May 11, 2016 | Conservative, Constitution, Donald Trump, God, GOP, Political, Republican Party
As I’ve spoken for some time now concerning my complete rejection of Donald Trump and my support for #NeverTrump, the most common response I get from Trumpsters and Republican party faithful is this same old worn out comment: “But if you don’t vote for Trump, you’re voting for Hillary.”
If I’ve heard that comment once I’ve heard it a thousand times. And no doubt you have too.
But is that true? When one rejects one option does that automatically mean they are embracing another, even if they reject that one as well?
Let’s see if that argument holds water.
In America, one of the most popular vehicles is the pickup truck. I own one, a Ford F250 King Ranch to be exact. I love my truck, and it’s served me well. And chances are you, or someone you know, owns a pickup truck too.
I’m currently in the market for a new truck and as much as I like my Ford, I’ve looked at some other manufacturers as well. In doing my research, I came across the statistics of the top three selling pickup trucks in America. And they are: #1 Ford, #2 Chevy, and #3 Dodge.
For the sake of argument, let’s say that after I’ve done ample research I conclude that while I own a Ford, I believe a Dodge is more in line with what I want and need. So I decide to make the leap and purchase a Dodge. By making that choice though, did I just vote for or embrace either of the other two manufacturers? Or did my refusing to purchase a Ford and selecting a Dodge mean that I endorsed a Chevy?
Of course not.
I simply affirmed that a Dodge is more in line with my needs or wants. Or perhaps I’m convinced the Dodge is of greater value and quality. Regardless of my reasoning, buying a Dodge does not in any way affirm either of the other two options in our example.
Let’s go back to Trump, Hillary and what I will call Option #3 (which I believe will appear soon). If the Republican Party is the Ford in our example, I can attest that I have always voted for the Ford. Not because I’m a mindless Party zombie, simply following the party line and pulling the lever just because a candidate has the “R” after their name. Rather, I have always been a voter who kicks the tires first to see if what I’m about to purchase aligns with my views and values. If the candidate doesn’t, then I will reject him or her.
In 2016, with Donald Trump as the heir apparent to the Republican nomination, I will be unable to vote for the Republican Presidential nominee. I have written extensively about why I cannot vote for Donald, and here are a few articles. But at the end of the day, I will not trade the shot at a short term political win with the knowledge that I will stand before God someday and have to answer for why I affirmed evil with a vote for Donald. In fact, this verse, along with many others, is quite clear as to how a believer should vote when a candidate or his actions are evil: “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”
However, if the Democrat Party is the Chevy in our example, I can honestly say that this year, as in every election since I first voted for Reagan, I will again reject the Chevy. Hillary’s record is quite clear (as is Trump’s by the way) and her endorsement and advancement of evil throughout her entire life and career as a politician is without question (as is Trump’s as a businessman). So I will refuse to pick a Chevy at the polls in November.
But in my belief system, I cannot simply stay home and not vote as I understand I am accountable to God for my vote. So I will do my homework, and research the other options available to me. And at the end of the day, I will select Option #3, the “Dodge” in our analogy. And when I do so I will be selecting a Dodge. Not a Ford. Not a Chevy. And because I will select a Dodge at the polls this year, it does not in any way mean I am affirming the Chevy. Rather, I am rejecting both the Ford and Chevy options. They are both broken, inferior vehicles and not worthy of my vote, and hopefully not yours either. But if you chose to embrace one of them, have at it.
Just don’t be foolish enough to suggest that because I reject Trump and affirm Option #3, I am voting for Hillary. And I won’t suggest that because you reject Option #3 and embrace Trump you are affirming Hillary, particularly given that Option #3 will certainly be a Constitutional conservative with a track record to prove it.
by Mark West | May 4, 2016 | Barack Obama, Conservative, Constitution, Donald Trump, God, GOP, Political, Republican Party, Ted Cruz, Uncategorized
Trump Wins Indiana. Cruz Withdraws. And America Loses.
While the nation’s Trumpsters celebrated Tuesday night, I’m reminded of another celebratory night in November 2008 and again in November 2012. The cause for jubilation those two nights was another politician’s victory — the occasion of Barack Obama’s two elections to POTUS.
But every win is not progress. And every victory is not a cause for celebration.
We have only to consider the years since Obama’s election in 2008 to understand that sometimes winning is losing. And some victories can be defeats.
Trump’s pending coronation as the Republican nominee for POTUS, is one such loss and one such defeat.
It is a loss for the conservative cause as defined by Ronald Reagan’s three legged stool.
It is a defeat for social conservatism.
It is a loss for fiscal conservatism.
It is a defeat for a strong national defense.
And as such, America loses with Trump’s win on Tuesday.
As we’ve all learned in life, sometimes good guys do finish last, at least in the short term. And this week, Senator Ted Cruz was one such good guy. For those of us who have honestly examined Ted’s character, we have found a man of great integrity, with an unquestionable track record of fighting evil, defending good and standing for truth. Yet he lost.
But did Ted really lose? If you measure one’s life simply based on popularity, votes and the affirmation of man, then I suppose so.
But I know Ted, both from spending time with him and Heidi, as well as examining his record. And by doing so I know that Ted has kept the faith, he has fought the good fight, and at this point, while he may have lost a battle, I have full confidence that he has not lost the war.
So I am not discouraged.
You see, I’m a firm believer in the truth we find in Ephesians that informs us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Because of this we are reminded to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
So the real battle is not with the Republican Party, or Donald Trump, or even Donald Trump’s supporters (although they can certainly test our patience at times). No, the real battle is a spiritual one, in which we are all engaged, whether we recognize it or not. And sadly, that battle is being lost in our nation as a growing number of our neighbors, friends and citizens reject good men and women, choosing rather to embrace evil, corruption and depravity, on a larger and grander scale. And as they do so, they call evil good and good evil.
Case in point: the embracing of Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and so much more.
But while the values many of us hold dear and which were foundational to the forming of our nation are being lost, we can still win individually. You see, real winning is not measured by a poll or in a voting booth or even having the last word in a heated Facebook discussion. Rather, real winning according to God, is obedience to Him and His commands. And a follower of Christ is not called to win politically (although we must certainly engage politically). Rather we are called to reflect our love for God by simply obeying Him as Jesus instructed us to do when He said: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
So as Americans continue to reject God’s values on a greater scale, and our nation loses more and more, you and I can win by simply obeying. But honestly, obedience to God is a lot more difficult than simply voting for POTUS every four years.
But I would suggest that is where the real battle is, not in the political arena, but rather in our personal lives. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we probably already know this. The battles that are the toughest are not those I wage with a political opponent. No, the toughest battles that you and I will ever face are those within our heart, mind and will. And perhaps that’s why America is losing. Because too many of us have lost too many battles in our own lives. We’ve first failed to obey God individually. And as this behavior becomes the norm, our nation loses.
Thankfully though, the answer is simple as we are instructed in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.“
And when we do that we can expect to hear those winning words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
by Mark West | Apr 20, 2016 | Arrogance, Donald Trump, Elite, Flaws, GOP, Political, Republican Party
If you’ve ever played checkers, the card game Old Maid, baseball, or watched a sporting event, there is one basic fact that applies to all these games. In order to win, you must know the rules. If you don’t and your opponent does, you will certainly lose.
If you’re playing checkers, a loss generally means very little. But if you’re a coach in the finals of the AFC Championship, you’d better study the rules and know them well, or it could cost you a trip to the Super Bowl.
Since we were toddlers, we’ve learned that our world turns on rules. Some fair. Others not. But they are rules that must be followed.
April 15 is a day that involves rules that all Americans follow. The IRS, the agency that most Americans love to hate, has a rule book exceeding 70,000 pages long, many that reward the wealthy, special interests and lobbyists. Yet we all abide by the rules. It doesn’t matter that we don’t like them. We play by the IRS’ rules or else…
Of course, if we don’t like our nation’s tax rules, there is a process in place to change them, but complaining about them will accomplish little or nothing.
This 2016 Presidential election cycle is like everything else in life, there are rules that apply. Many of those rules have been in place for years, some even 150+ years. One such rule is the requirement that the Republican nominee must garner a majority of the states’ delegates, or 1,237 delegates.
Like many election cycles, 2016 has been contentious, to say the least. But unlike other cycles, Donald Trump, in tandem with the media, has not only hurled jabs at his opponents but he has, in the midst of the contest, begun to complain about the rules, citing that the system is rigged.
Trump has constantly complained and whined about the Republican party rules, demanding that they be ignored or revised to his benefit. But when was the last time you heard a NFL coach demanding that the rules be changed, in the middle of the Super Bowl, while the game is actually being played?
As I’ve thought about Trump’s droning on and on about the rules, how unfair they are, and his demand that they immediately be ignored or changed for his benefit, I’ve realized that Trump is displaying all of these four classic signs of a whiner:
Failed Strategy
A person often loses because he fails to prepare or develop a strategy to win. Winning consistently doesn’t just happen by accident. Rather winning is a planned event. No doubt you’ve heard that when someone fails to plan, they plan to fail. Strategy requires many components including brilliance and hard work. A team cannot simply waltz onto the gridiron, proclaim they are the champions, and then expect the trophy. Yet, apparently Trump believes that he can come up with a fancy slogan, sell baseball caps, fill stadiums, tweet 24/7, and then be crowned the Republican nominee. Sorry Donald, if you desire the most powerful position in the world, it requires more than just a glitzy PR campaign and some worn out cliches.
Incompetence
Even if someone were to hand a person a winning strategy, a person or team’s incompetence will lead to failure. We see people fail frequently because they simply don’t know what they are doing. There is no question that Donald Trump is a public relations expert. His ability to whip up a crowd, and play the media like a fiddle, is extraordinary. But his incompetence when it comes to understanding the rules of the game has been extraordinary. Time and time again Donald and his team have dropped the ball or have been beaten in the process of gaining delegates at conventions and caucuses. He’s like a football team who plays their heart out during the first half, runs up a lead, but then fails to show up to play in the second half. Donald’s incompetence has been shocking and reveals some insights into what a Trump Presidency would look like, and it’s not pretty.
Arrogance
“Pride goes before a fall.” This truth is seen over and over in life, sometimes even in our own personal experience. Sadly, arrogance is a trait that is oftentimes exhibited by individuals who have had some degree of success. And there’s no doubt that Donald Trump has experienced extraordinary success by some standards. But achieving success at one point does not automatically guarantee the next win. In fact, when arrogance enters into the equation, failure is soon to follow. And Trump’s attitude regarding the rules is pure arrogance.
Elitist
Have you ever noticed that many of our nation’s elite assume that the rules don’t apply to them? Whether it’s Congress exempting themselves from laws that the rest of us have to live with or it’s Donald Trump demanding that rules that have applied to dozens of Presidential candidates over the decades be changed or ignored for him, elites believe they are exempt from rules that others must follow. While this borders with arrogance, it is worse because the elitist not only believes he is special, he believes you and I are inferior to him.
One final thought about Trump and the rules. It has been ironic that Trump has never complained about those rules that seem to benefit him such as the scenario where he only garnered 32% of the vote in South Carolina but won 100% of the delegates because of the state’s winner take all rules. Despite this reality, I have yet to hear one of the other Presidential candidates cry “foul” because Trump received three times as many delegates from a percentage standpoint as he did in the popular vote.
So at the end of the day, we see Trump whining about the rules only when his strategy fails or his incompetence shows. And it’s then that his arrogance and elitist disposition surfaces, which should be a huge sign that this man is not ready for prime time or worthy of the Oval Office.
Credit: Trump caricature courtesy of DonkeyHokey https://www.flickr.com/photos/donkeyhotey/22868475614/
by Mark West | Mar 29, 2016 | Conservative, Constitution, Donald Trump, GOP, Political, Republican Party, Ted Cruz
As the race for the 2016 Republican nomination for President continues to heat up, we have passed the midpoint of the campaign. What started out as a field of nearly two dozen individuals, has now effectively been narrowed to only two viable candidates, Cruz and Trump, and a third who fancies himself a contender. (That “would be contender” is John Kasich, a guy who has lost 35 contests and won only 1!)
Donald Trump, the figurative elephant in the room, leads with 739 delegates while Ted Cruz trails Donald by 274 delegates, with a total of 465 delegates. To earn the Republican nomination a candidate must accumulate a simple majority of the 2,472 delegates available, or 1,237 delegates. The rule of requiring a majority (versus a plurality) has been in place for 160 years.
As I’ve discussed and debated the current status of the Republican campaign with many friends, and as we face the prospects that no candidate will garner the simple majority of 1,237 delegates required, the reality that the Republican nominee will be selected via a contested or brokered convention is becoming more and more likely. However, I am hearing a growing sentiment from many who are suggesting that if neither viable candidate has garnered 1,237 delegates, then Trump should simply be handed the nomination, if he has the most delegates. What this attitude does, though, is it actually disenfranchises the majority of voters who did not vote for Trump. Consider that as of today, approximately 21 million voters have cast ballots in the Republican nomination for POTUS. However, less than 8 million have selected Donald Trump, or only 37% of voters.
In addition to disenfranchising 63% of the voters to date, the other major issue that “handing” the nomination to Trump would do, is it would totally ignore rules that have been in place for 160 years. For a candidate to win the nomination, it’s incumbent that he put together a strategy to win based on the rules of the game. It would not only be unfair, but it would be arrogant and presumptuous for a candidate to enter the race for the nomination and then, when his candidacy does not succeed, he begins to grumble about the rules, rather than look in the mirror and realize that he is the problem, not the rules.
According to an article at The Federalist, since the Republican Party held its first convention in 1856, there have been a total of ten presidential elections where the candidates arrived at the convention without a majority of the delegates. The Party’s process to select a nominee consists of two steps: 1) voting for one’s preferred nominee and, 2) voting for delegates to represent the voters at the party’s convention. The first step results in the awarding of the delegates to the candidates based on differing rules by state, and the second step selects the delegates who will actually choose the nominee at the party’s convention.
When a candidate is able to make the case to the voters that he is the individual most suited to be their nominee, then he will arrive at the convention with his victory already sealed, as has been the case in 75% of the Republican nominations over its 160 year history. However, in those other 25% of presidential elections, for various reasons the leading candidate was unable to persuade a majority of the voters and/or delegates that he was their pick to represent them in the general election. In these instances a contested or brokered convention ensues, with one or more ballots taking place until the delegates are able to coalesce behind the eventual nominee.
Trump boasts often of his skills as a negotiator. So if he truly trusts those superior skills, then he should have no problem in convincing the additional delegates he would need to rally behind him and cast their vote for him on the first ballot. As a side note, its pathetic to hear Trump threatening that if he does not reach the 1,237 delegate and the nomination is not handed to him, there will be riots by his supporters.
So now we come to the question, if Trump does not secure a majority of the delegates by the convention or following the first ballot, what is the path to victory for Ted Cruz?
One of Ted Cruz’s strengths is that of planning, organizing and strategy. No one gave the freshman Senator a ghost of a chance to even be competitive during the 2016 cycle, much less be one of the last two viable candidates competing for the nomination. Yet here he is. And much of it can be attributed to: 1) the fact that Ted’s record affirms he is a consistent, constitutional conservative, and 2) Ted’s understanding of the rules of the game, and his ability to develop a team and strategy to win based on those rules.
So should Trump fail to secure the nomination on the first ballot, there’s a strong indication that many of Donald’s delegates will desert him on the second ballot. When you consider that a number of Trump’s delegates were awarded to him from “winner take all” states, it only stands to reason that some of those delegates will not support him on a subsequent ballot. For instance, in South Carolina, Trump received the plurality of votes and thus he received all 50 delegates in that “winner take all” state. However, Trump only garnered 32% of the vote. So it’s easy to see how that once those delegates are free to vote for another candidate, it’s highly likely many of the delegates will move to Ted Cruz. This is just one example of a number of ways in which Trump will likely lose delegates should he fail to win the nomination either outright prior to the convention or on the first ballot at the convention.
Finally, we should consider that not only is this process following rules that have been in place for 160 years, but one of our nation’s greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, prevailed on the third ballot at the 1860 Republican Convention to win the nomination and ultimately the Presidency. And there have been other instances throughout the history of the GOP where second or third place candidates became the nominee on multiple ballots as reported in this article at The Federalist.
So, if you’re a Ted Cruz supporter, continue to encourage others to support him, remember Ted and his team in your prayers, and share this article with others so they understand how Cruz can absolutely win the nomination if Trump does not reach 1,237 delegates before the convention. And if you are a Trump supporter, I encourage you to remember the rules of the game, hold your candidate accountable to them, and please don’t riot should Trump fail to win according to the rules.
