I have a new piece up at The UnPopulist looking at Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s proposal to “institutionalize Trumpism” by creating a blueprint for Trump’s second administration—the plan he didn’t have in place the first time around.
When I first discovered Objectivism at age 39, I guess I assumed that, except for personal disputes, it would be a Kumbaya movement, since everyone was guided by reason. The rift over Trump has disabused me of that notion. I’ve long admired and respected Dr. Peikoff for his books and courses, but his statements about Trump and other matters in recent years make me think he’s showing cognitive decline. I’m still trying to understand how other Objectivists can overlook the evidence of Trump‘s unfitness for office.
I don't feel any need or desire to try to counter your analysis of Trump - he is unfit for office and that isn't disputed. But - I think it is unfair (struggling to come up with a better word than that) to never make mention or properly analyse the multiple and legitimately dangerous goals of the Democratic party (I specifically state "party" rather than "Harris" because I think it is throughout the D party rather than emanating from a single figure - even Obama behind the scenes!).
I don't find it surprising that you dismiss Peikoff's views on Trump. But what of his points regarding the Democrats? Do you dispute this: "The threats from Harris to the founding documents are philosophical in nature, not just verbiage, but permanent and fundamental changes, with all of the practical consequences this implies."...?
You have done a thorough job of analysing Trump as unfit - and I am in agreement that he is unfit. And that would be fine in a vacuum. But there is an election and a choice between someone unfit and an entire party that is (as Peikoff - rightly - says) unapologetically and with malice looking to make "permanent and fundamental changes".
I find it impossible to chastise anyone who thinks voting for Trump is better (or "less bad") than voting for Harris given the consequences of what Harris and the entire D machine would continue to do regarding fundamental rights in the US vs Trump's bluster (and the safeguards in place that would make it difficult for him to accomplish the worst of what he says).
Not to offend you, as I do find your argument compelling, but for one little thing that you…unlike our mutual affection of Trascinski, you very much make like Peikoff and make no mention of…
[My Preamble against Trumpers…not actual Republicans]. #REMEMBERASHLIBABBITT. The young looney tune lost her sacred life and bought a BIG FING LIE by one crook, line and sinker uttered over and over and over again by a shameless, mendacious, narcissistic, megalomaniac conman, sociopath, crony capitalist pig, casino card shark magnate, FTX, I mean NFT huckster, serial adulterer, reality tv porn star, anti-Truth Neo National Socialist, formerly the world’s biggest Twitter troll and America’s Now Biggest Sore Loser Donald J Trump. Gotta run on. Thanks for taking my rant, but respectfully, you kinda are asking for it, as I am compelled to defend Robert much as he does not care for my hyperbole!? ASHLI BABBITT STILL CANNOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT…That is all. ✌️🍺
Thank you for your astute analysis of what Trump Derangement Syndrome really means. I’ve observed it in Trump supporters: the selective forgetfulness, blindness, dismissiveness of Trump’s actual statements and beliefs.
And I’ve observed how the accusation of TDS by Trump supporters is designed to induce the same thing in critics of Trump.
As you said, Trump intuitively understands how to use these techniques of the Big Lie and the Impossible Truth. And he is getting better at it, more brazen, and more grandiose.
Okay, I will violate Godwin’s Law; the comparison is obvious.
It is horrifying and saddening, a slow impending trainwreck of our Constitution and liberties.
When I first discovered Objectivism at age 39, I guess I assumed that, except for personal disputes, it would be a Kumbaya movement, since everyone was guided by reason. The rift over Trump has disabused me of that notion. I’ve long admired and respected Dr. Peikoff for his books and courses, but his statements about Trump and other matters in recent years make me think he’s showing cognitive decline. I’m still trying to understand how other Objectivists can overlook the evidence of Trump‘s unfitness for office.
I don't feel any need or desire to try to counter your analysis of Trump - he is unfit for office and that isn't disputed. But - I think it is unfair (struggling to come up with a better word than that) to never make mention or properly analyse the multiple and legitimately dangerous goals of the Democratic party (I specifically state "party" rather than "Harris" because I think it is throughout the D party rather than emanating from a single figure - even Obama behind the scenes!).
I don't find it surprising that you dismiss Peikoff's views on Trump. But what of his points regarding the Democrats? Do you dispute this: "The threats from Harris to the founding documents are philosophical in nature, not just verbiage, but permanent and fundamental changes, with all of the practical consequences this implies."...?
You have done a thorough job of analysing Trump as unfit - and I am in agreement that he is unfit. And that would be fine in a vacuum. But there is an election and a choice between someone unfit and an entire party that is (as Peikoff - rightly - says) unapologetically and with malice looking to make "permanent and fundamental changes".
I find it impossible to chastise anyone who thinks voting for Trump is better (or "less bad") than voting for Harris given the consequences of what Harris and the entire D machine would continue to do regarding fundamental rights in the US vs Trump's bluster (and the safeguards in place that would make it difficult for him to accomplish the worst of what he says).
Good morning Mark T,
Not to offend you, as I do find your argument compelling, but for one little thing that you…unlike our mutual affection of Trascinski, you very much make like Peikoff and make no mention of…
[My Preamble against Trumpers…not actual Republicans]. #REMEMBERASHLIBABBITT. The young looney tune lost her sacred life and bought a BIG FING LIE by one crook, line and sinker uttered over and over and over again by a shameless, mendacious, narcissistic, megalomaniac conman, sociopath, crony capitalist pig, casino card shark magnate, FTX, I mean NFT huckster, serial adulterer, reality tv porn star, anti-Truth Neo National Socialist, formerly the world’s biggest Twitter troll and America’s Now Biggest Sore Loser Donald J Trump. Gotta run on. Thanks for taking my rant, but respectfully, you kinda are asking for it, as I am compelled to defend Robert much as he does not care for my hyperbole!? ASHLI BABBITT STILL CANNOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT…That is all. ✌️🍺
Thank you for your astute analysis of what Trump Derangement Syndrome really means. I’ve observed it in Trump supporters: the selective forgetfulness, blindness, dismissiveness of Trump’s actual statements and beliefs.
And I’ve observed how the accusation of TDS by Trump supporters is designed to induce the same thing in critics of Trump.
As you said, Trump intuitively understands how to use these techniques of the Big Lie and the Impossible Truth. And he is getting better at it, more brazen, and more grandiose.
Okay, I will violate Godwin’s Law; the comparison is obvious.
It is horrifying and saddening, a slow impending trainwreck of our Constitution and liberties.