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Old 05-20-2019, 10:29 AM   #5
detbuch
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,688
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete F. View Post
"The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States. It will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters pre-eminent for ability and virtue."

Alexander Hamilton
Federalist 68
So then, "it will not be too strong to say" that Trump has the ability and virtue to be President. Obviously, by "virtue," Hamilton did not mean sexually "moral." Otherwise he would not have considered himself or others such as Jefferson to have the virtuous character to be President. So, if we are to have faith in what Hamilton wrote in the entire paper #68, it is therefor a "moral certainty", that Trump is "endowed with the requisite qualifications" to be President.

Most Presidents have had virulent detractors. No matter who is elected, that will always be so. The people who voted for Trump did so in opposition to the opinions of those who consider Trump unfit. Trump supporters consider him "pre-eminent" in "ability" and in having a sort of virtue required to doggedly pursue his convictions and goals. As does Lynne Patton in the above video which, I assume, you did not watch.

What matters, as Hamilton quotes Alexander Pope "For forms of government let fools contest--that which is best administered is best--". And to which Hamilton agreed by saying "that the true test of a good government is its aptitude and tendency to produce a good administration."

You seem to despair that Trump supporters overlook what you consider moral turpitude but are happy with his results. Hamilton would disagree with you.

Last edited by detbuch; 05-20-2019 at 10:57 PM..
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