Today’s paragraphs come to us from Wes Pruden, who writes for the Washington Times.
Here is what Mr. Pruden has to say about why the candidacies of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have had their surprising – maybe amazing – levels of success:
The enduring shame of the Republican leadership is that all this is the work of men too craven even to admit it even exists. Donald Trump’s sin is that he recognized opportunity and took it. He did not persuade millions of conservatives and independents that they had been betrayed by “leaders” who passively watch the destruction of the culture, of American institutions swamped by uncontrolled immigration, only to offer vague and sympathetic platitudes at election time. Even the platitudes are forgotten as soon as the votes are counted.
The voters now flocking to the Trump banner figured that out by themselves. This dawning of angry recognition is reflected in the aborning Democratic campaign as well. Bernie Sanders, too, saw similar opportunity and took it. If Hillary Clinton can stay out of prison she may inherit the prize plum of American politics simply by being there. The people responsible for this sad state of affairs are easily recognized. They’re the ones crying loudest. But what’s emerging out there will give them something to really cry about.
I award Wesley Pruden today’s honors because, in just two paragraphs, he has beautifully encapsulated why Donald Trump is overwhelming his (mostly underwhelming) Republican opposition, and why Bernie Sanders is giving the universally-known presumptive Democrat nominee, Hillary Clinton, a run for her money.
I wonder if “the establishment” in either party is getting the message.
I also wonder if I even want them to.
Maybe it would be better if the voters rid us of both parties’ “establishments”, so that we can move forward with what the country really wants, not what some of these complacent, sedentary fat-cats, have spooned out to us all these years…with the help of an equally sedentary media establishment.
