An ‘Alt-Right’ Jew’s Hopes for Trump’s Presidency
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By Joshua Seidel January 19, 2017
The election of Donald Trump was a truly historic event. Not since Andrew Jackson have we had a president as closely identified with populism. Those of us who fought to get him elected are tremendously excited to see what this will bring. Here’s some of what I’m hoping Trump will do:
Pragmatic, Populist Economics
I want Trump to pursue economic policies that benefit his middle and working class supporters, and I’m not beholden to any particular economic ideology. If a free market application works in one case, wonderful. If tariffs are the solution in another case, pass them. Economics shouldn’t be an ideology — it should be a process whereby the country benefits. I don’t care what works, I care that it’s being effectively implemented. Republicans in the past have used economic ideology as an excuse to support policies that only benefit wealthy Americans. This is what Trump should challenge. Some specifics I’d like to see: middle class and lower middle class tax cuts, tax cuts on manufacturing companies, tariffs to protect our manufactured goods, and single payer health insurance (perhaps through Medicare expansion).
Yes, I said single payer health insurance.
Fight Left-Wing Identity Politics
The left got Trump elected, and as thanks, I’d like their institutional power checked. Our universities are a disgrace. Once the envy of the world, centers of debate and thought, the left has turned these once great institutions into Orwellian hate-spaces where no dissent is tolerated. We’ve seen the “regressives” and their ideology spread to the media and entertainment worlds, where people who make their living relying on freedom of expression want to deny it to others.
Trump must stand against this. He can use the presidency as a bully-pulpit to denounce the intolerant campus left, and actively pursue policies through the Department of Education and legislation. First, encourage states to end professorial tenure. There must be more ideological diversity at the university level, and ending tenure would be step in this direction. Next, end all federal funding for universities that promote hateful identity politics. If faculty wish to teach racism towards white people, let them do so with the tuition from wealthy whites who eat this message up, not my tax dollars. Trump should use the DOE to crack down on discrimination against Conservatives and attacks on Conservative speakers. Deny funding to universities where talks are disrupted, or where conservative thoughts and ideas are censored. By breaking the leftist stranglehold on places of higher education, we can help ensure a functioning Democracy.
Continue an Adversarial Relationship with the Media
It’s not really a “policy,” but it is as important as anything on this list. Those of us who supported Trump want him to continue an adversarial relationship with much of the media. We LOVED it when Trump called CNN fake news right to Jim Acosta’s face. We are giddy while watching CNN panels and Washington Post editorial staff clutch at their pearls.
There was a time I rolled my eyes at conservatives who claimed the media is “liberal.” Not anymore. Formerly respectable media companies: CNN, NBC, Washington Post, Time Magazine, etc, have thrown away any claim to objective journalism in order to bash Trump. He should bash right back. Deride them, insult them, and most importantly, don’t act as though they are important. There’s no Constitutional requirement to be polite to CNN. The mainstream media, like our universities, has become an intellectual echo-chamber with little or no dissent. From the perspective of many Americans, the mainstream media hates Conservatives, hates middle America, and the rest of us are fine with a President who doesn’t give them deference.
A Non-Interventionist Foreign Policy: Better Relations with Russia
Watching liberals and neoconservatives team up for more war and foreign interventions is interesting. Obama, cheered on by the likes of Bill Kristol, is sending troops to Poland. Obama’s Presidency, like that of George W. Bush, consisted of foreign intervention after foreign intervention, nearly all of which can be considered failures. The Arab springs have turned into Islamist nightmares. Relations with Russia, Israel, and the Gulf States are at a new low. Why? Because we are addicted to intervention.
I’d like to see Trump pursue a pragmatic foreign policy that puts the American people first. As with economics, I don’t want ideology to guide Trump’s hand, but rather a case-by-case, objective assessment of our relations with other countries. How does it benefit the American people to antagonize Russia? How does it benefit the American people to support the overthrow of leaders like Assad and Mubarak, when radical Islamic groups are the replacement? The Obama/Clinton foreign policy has done nothing but increase the dangers we face, while growing the hatred and distrust of the United States. Trump should pursue positive relations with Russia, while we work together to cool the global temperature.
Take Radical Islam Seriously
President Obama’s refusal to say the words “Islamic Terrorism” is an act of pointless cowardice. The blind spot liberals have on this issue is perhaps one of the biggest reasons myself and other Jews are rejecting the Democratic Party and moving to the right. Europe is the canary in the mineshaft. Islamic immigration to Europe has brought an increase in organized crime, sexual assault, and attacks on the Jewish community, who are now fleeing countries like France in record numbers.
Needless to say, I don’t want this to become the American reality. I want President Trump to limit immigration from Muslim countries, and immediately end the “Syrian refugee” program. I also want a different tone. Obama’s reaction to Islamic Terrorist attacks would include mentioning the crusades, claiming that Christianity is as much a terror threat as Islam. I’d like to see this repudiated by President Trump. In today’s world, no other ideology threatens humanity like Radical Islam. In every region of the globe it’s an issue, even in the Islamic world. Is it because of Christians that Christmas Markets in the EU have put barricades up? Are Jews responsible for the increases in airport security? A realistic, honest view of this issue is sorely needed.
On these issues and many more, Trump has been elected to bring great change. I look forward to the next 4 years!
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