The Patriot Post® · Friday Short Cuts

Insight: “The system of private property is the most important guaranty of freedom, not only for those who own property, but scarcely less for those who do not.” —Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992)

Observations: “For seven months, Republicans — myself included — have argued against the data. The data showed that Donald Trump would be a viable candidate. Many of us presumed he would eventually fade. … The polls that showed Trump winning the Republican nomination also show that he cannot beat Clinton. In 19 of the 20 past polls, Trump consistently trailed Clinton by around eight points. … Trump voters who disagree are only arguing with the very data that shows Trump will be the Republican nominee. The only way to avoid it is to avoid making Trump the Republican presidential nominee.” —Erick Erickson

Non Compos Mentis: “We’ve got a lot of [real life super heroes] in this room, so I want to acknowledge a couple of them. First of all, we’ve got Cecile Richards in the house, making sure women’s health care is on the front burner.” —Barack Obama

Braying Jackass: “McConnell’s blind rejection of Obama’s policies was simply the kinder, gentler Senate version of bitherism.” —Harry Reid

Demo-gogues: “This isn’t supposed to be a circus. The president has done his constitutional duty, he has sent us a nominee, and now it is our job in the United States Senate to hold hearings, to examine his credentials, and then to have a vote on him. That’s what the Constitution calls for. This has just really taken off in a direction that is a direct insult to the president, it is a direct insult to the Constitution, and now it is a direct insult to Judge Garland.” —Sen. Elizabeth Warren (The Constitution also says: “Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.”)

The BIG lie: “I think we’ve done a really good job securing the border. I think that those who say we haven’t are not paying attention to everything that was done the last 15 years under President Bush and President Obama.” —Hillary Clinton

Late-night humor: “This election is going to be the political equivalent of having lunch at Panda Express — nobody wins.” —Jimmy Kimmel