Mr. Trump has always promoted the American virtue of Freedom. He almost holds it to be THE great American entitlement. It certainly appeals to his so-called “MAGA” supporters. I phrase it that way because he actually does not limit it to Americans, but encourages others in the world embrace it.
Earlier this year, for instance, at a campaign rally in South Carolina, he proclaimed, “In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want.” For context, he said that this was his answer to the “president of a big country” who asked whether a President Trump would protect that member of NATO if attacked by Russia, even if the ally had not paid its share. “I said: ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay.’”
What he did not get to in those remarks (to be fair, he was distracted) was the follow-up, which would have gone something like this: “And after they do it to you, they should come after the others like you. And then the others whether they paid or not. And then, when those were all taken care of, Mr. Putin, you can do whatever the hell you want with us.”
The kind of freedom that Trump promotes does not thrive in USAmerica. It may be possible, if at all, only to the mountain man who lives alone in the wild. But even he must beware the grizzly bear.
The Long Clasp 