Of pilots and politicians

Occasionally, something really good appears on social media. Here’s a letter to the editor that recently appeared on Facebook attributed to Steve Garrington of Davenport, as he described his thoughts on the pilot of a plane he was on. He described watching the pilot enter the cockpit and thinking to himself how odd it seemed to be putting his life in the hands of someone he knew next to nothing about. If he met this pilot, would he even like him and trust him? 

Despite knowing next to nothing about the pilot, there was something Steve knew beyond a doubt; he knew that even if he was acquainted with  the pilot and greatly disliked him, he did NOT want him to fail. For his own sake and the dozens of others on that plane, He wanted that pilot to succeed. Steve went on to remind people the same thing should apply to the President of the United States. He described his lack of support for both candidates Obama and Trump, and how he was disappointed at their election, but how he was also pragmatic enough to never wish them to fail…. Because he knew that failure by Presidents and Pilots has tragic consequences. 

Therein lies a message for us, particularly “Never Trumpers.” Inevitably we will hear from those who say I wished Mr. Obama to fail. Not true. I firmly opposed many of his policies, but as with the ACA, I always hoped they would succeed and frequently stated, “I hope I am wrong.” There is a big difference between stating opposition to a position or policy versus hoping a president will fail despite that failure causing terrible consequences. During his time in office, Mr. Obama issued statements urging American males to live up to the responsibilities of fatherhood. I supported our president on this position, praised him for it in writing, and had  editorials published in two local papers expressing my thanks and agreement with his statements. 

Americans with Trump Derangement Syndrome should engage in self-examination. Are you so blinded by hate you refuse to acknowledge the reality of good things happening for American citizens? Are you so selfish you would rather have America fail than wish for Mr. Trump to succeed? Failure by pilots or presidents: no good can come of it.

Now a word about the recent commentaries by Mr. Leitzen and Mr. Van Gorp, both of which left me wondering if they have lost touch with reality. Standards of living in the world are at an all-time high and most of the American economy is booming. Agriculture is very tough right now, but there is reason to be optimistic that the new trade policies will help farmers greatly. Education is far too expensive, the cost of which has risen at triple the rate of inflation because of government intervention that throws so much student loan money around there is no incentive to control costs.    

It is interesting to note the Leitzen and Van Gorp commentaries share common characteristics, mainly trying to convince us how terrible things are in America while offering no specific solutions beyond a single payer health care system run by the government. Making a good living is not rocket science: get trained in a field that provides a good salary, whether at a trade school, a college, or a union apprenticeship. Stay away from debt. Save and invest 15% of your gross income; pay yourself first. Thinking that implementing Socialism in America would give us better lives is absurd, but no more absurd than complaining without offering specific solutions, which is just plain whining and to be perfectly candid, pretty darn annoying. 

So Messrs Van Gorp and Leitzen, let’s have a discussion. Tell us your specific solutions. It’s a discussion worth having.

In closing, Range Magazine always has a page of interesting quotes. Here’s one worth sharing. 

“There are some ideas so wrong that only a very intelligent person could believe in them.” George Orwell, English author, {1903-1950} 

God Bless until next time,   Jeff