I love this guy. He articulates the values of Western Civilization and what it means for economics and policy so much better than many other people, including me. Listen and internalize this whole speech. It’s fantastic and it is more fantastic because of the venue. Stuffed shirt self-absorbed self-interested bureaucrats that sit in committee meetings and have no consequences.
The first few days of the Trump Administration have been heady for people who love freedom. Even card-carrying Establishment Uniparty Member Karl Rove wrote an editorial praising Trump in the Wall Street Journal today.
A word of caution.
First, as Mileil states in this speech, the battle has just begun. We are at an inflection point in history regarding the West. It is rare to have the opportunity to live through these moments, and we are fortunate to be here now.
Second, you can swing the pendulum too far. When you see a policy proposed, make sure it is rooted in freedom for everyone without restriction, private property rights, and individual choice. DEI and Wokeism didn’t work because they masqueraded as freedom but were actually about controls and restrictions.
Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit warned that “turnabout is fair playism” today. There is an urge to go after people with the same force that they went after us. Megyn Kelly has talked about it on her show. The woke lawfare and weaponization of the government should be countered with the same because that’s what they understand. A similar strategy to taking on the old playground bully, the best way to get rid of that bully is to bloody their nose.
That strategy and approach never sat well with me.
I don’t think we should roll over and show the belly. But, doing meaningful things that are appropriate will make a huge difference. For example, taking away all the security clearances of the people who lied about the Hunter Biden laptop is a great example. Those people do not deserve to have security clearances. They are not honorable people operating in the best interests of the United States and its citizens. They are only interested in enriching themselves.
Exposure to sunlight is the best disinfectant. Even if it bloodies our side in this fight. Some people look like they are on the side of freedom and capitalism today but will switch sides as soon as the wind blows differently. I am looking at you Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Satya Nadella. You and plenty of others jumped on the bandwagon, but you have to earn your spurs to join. You cannot just pay lip service and write a check. There is some blood and sacrifice that must occur.
Those of us who have been here since the beginning welcome anyone who has seen the light to come on over. But, bear in mind, we might harbor a lot of suspicion until the day comes when you have to make a choice and prove yourself. That choice should have a point of no return. Sort of like Elon Musk.
Trump is not perfect. He will make mistakes. The $TRUMP coin is one that I would call a mistake because while it’s funny, it chips at his credibility. But, Trump is directionally correct, and he is the only one who could have led this sort of movement at this time in American history.
It looks like to me that Trump has prepared brilliantly over the last four years for the next four. Even the people in Congress on his team will be stunned at how fast and far-reaching he goes.
Last night, I watched the Trump interview with Hannity. Amidst the rambling on both sides, I thought Trump said something brilliant. Hannity asked if all the criminals who were pardoned by Biden in his closing days should be hauled in front of Congress. A metaphysical burning at the stake if you will.
Trump immediately answered, “That’s for Congress to decide.”
This is an indication that the Trump Agenda is rather large, and it will be very difficult to execute. Taking your eye off the ball and prosecuting the past will hinder the effort to do what he promised to do if elected. It’s sort of like Hitler deciding to invade Stalingrad simply because he wanted to thumb his nose at Stalin. There was no strategic reason to do it. The same goes for hauling Fauci, Milley, and the Biden Crime Family in front of Congress. It will be a waste of time though it might satisfy the bloodlust we have for it because of how they betrayed and looted the country.
Better to release all the documents unredacted so we and historians can see what kind of people they are. Right now, they and their minions on the left are helping them try to save their reputations. Instead, they should go down in history like Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, Jefferson Davis, the Rosenbergs, and other ignominious Americans who betrayed their country in the pursuit for themselves.
For people in places like the Senate or House who think they can outlast Trump think again. The voters won’t forget, and people like Trump, Mileil, Meloni, and Le Pen are spawning a whole generation of like-minded people who will challenge you.
This isn’t a populist movement anymore. It’s a return to first principles of Western Civilization. Countries that embrace it will be fine. Countries that don’t will be left in the dust.
So many people think that we can simply work around the edges. We can enact “smart regulation” or try and correct it. Uh-uh. Mileil has a chainsaw for a reason and we need one in the US.
Today, I feel like booking some tickets to go tour Argentina. I remember all my liberal friends who wanted to see Cuba in the last days of Castro. They had some macabre fascination with communist Cuba. Communist Cuba can’t even make good cigars anymore. I’d like to see the last days of socialism/crony capitalism and watch it fall in Argentina as freedom/capitalism replaces it.
Man, you really nailed it with this, Jeff:
“This isn’t a populist movement anymore. It’s a return to first principles of Western Civilization. Countries that embrace it will be fine. Countries that don’t will be left in the dust.”
I was really impressed by Andreessen's interview on Uncommon Knowledge. Before that interview, I was pessimistic about DOGE. I came away far more optimistic: this is a generation long battle, DOGE is going to force programs to justify their authority and constitutionality, DOGE is going to spawn a process of bringing the public along.
I too hope that momentum isn't lost by prosecuting the sins of the past. Make the documents public, enable a resurging fourth estate to try these people in the court of public opinion and then having them fade into obscurity.