The Patriot Post® · Commenders of Chief: Lib Media Hails Trump Speech
It’s safe to say that whatever preconceived notions Americans had about President Trump’s first major address to the country went flying out the Capitol windows Tuesday night. Instead, the man who stood before both chambers of Congress did what he’s done throughout his entire political career: defied expectations. And no one was more surprised than the mainstream media. They, like so many Democrats, watched with astonishment as the new leader of the free world delivered what they freely admitted was a unifying and inspiring speech. Longtime critics gawked as a perfectly composed Trump reached out to the forgotten pockets of the country, reassuring them, poignantly, that “We are one people, with one destiny. We all bleed the same blood. We all salute the same flag. And we are all made by the same God.”
As I watched from the gallery of the House chamber, I was struck by the stark difference between President Trump and his predecessor. He left no doubt that his confidence in the American people is far greater than his confidence in Washington. Afterward, pundits of all stripes openly praised the president, including longtime detractors like The New York Times’s Glenn Thrush. “For any other president this would be a boring, laundry list speech. For Trump — amazing, responsible, detailed, uniting, presidential!” Time magazine’s Michael Scherer agreed, insisting, “This speech is the best sign yet that Donald Trump can learn how to use the power of his office.”
Unanimously, they agreed that the most emotional moment of the night came when the president recognized fallen Navy SEAL Ryan Owens, as his widow, weeping, looked on, raising her hands to heaven. “Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero,” Trump said to a standing ovation, “battling against terrorism and securing our Nation.” For military families, devastated by eight years of Obama’s indifference, it was a powerful reminder that a new chapter has begun for our brave men and women in uniform — a chapter marked by appreciation and respect. It was also, as a somber CNN commentator noted, “One of the most extraordinary moments you have ever seen in American politics. Period. He became president of the United States in that moment.”
Those positive feelings echoed across living rooms in America. Seven in 10 people who tuned in said they felt more optimistic about the country’s direction. Even Democrats left the speech thinking that it was better to try working with the White House (46 percent) than battling it (44 percent). As CNN pointed out, “The percent favoring his plans for fighting terrorism, addressing crime, improving the economy, handling illegal immigration, and dealing with Obamacare all jumped…. Majorities overall were positive toward his plans for the military, trade, foreign policy, the budget deficit, and taxes.”
At its core, though, the speech affirmed what most Americans have come to appreciate about the 45th president: his reputation — not just of talking about his priorities, but acting on them. Regardless of what they may think about those priorities, no one can dispute that he’s holding up his end of the bargain on major campaign promises — including taking his first steps to reverse the devastating trend of the government punishing people who live according to their deeply held beliefs. Unlike his predecessor, President Trump understands that if Americans don’t have the freedom to live according to their faith — whether it’s in the home, in the workplace, or in school — then we really can’t be free. Personally, I’m confident that President Trump will continue to defend those fundamental freedoms, which is why I do expect him to issue an executive order protecting religious liberty government-wide.
And that should include the people fighting for that liberty — our military. U.S. troops have faced not only a serious depletion of resources but of morale. That’s no surprise to anyone who watched the previous administration treat the military as a laboratory of liberal social experimentation. Obama’s agenda led to chaplains being disciplined for their faith and religious speech being censored. It’s time to reinforce our First Freedoms with policies that reflect the law, which allows men and women to not only believe but act on those beliefs.
After the spectacular failures of Obamacare, the demoralization of our military, the explosion of lawlessness, tolerance of corruption, and obsession with social engineering, Americans finally have the opportunity to rebuild the country they love. Tuesday night, President Trump opened the door wider to solutions that put our country back on the right track. Let’s hope that both parties show a willingness to walk through that door, together.
Originally published here.
‘Action Is Not a Choice’
Since 2010, House Republicans have held more than 60 votes to repeal all or part of Obamacare — but it’s the next one that matters most. For years, the GOP always had one thing on its side in fighting the health care law: America. With the exception of hard-core liberals, Obama’s signature policy never won any popularity contests with voters. Shortly after forcing it on the American people, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and team lost their majority in the House. And public support never improved. In fact, their opposition to the not-so-Affordable Care Act hasn’t budged since Healthcare.gov first opened (and summarily crashed). They’ve waited through skyrocketing premiums, conscience crackdowns, abortion subsidies, and limited choices to see Obamacare on the chopping block. You can’t blame them for being impatient. For the first time, they have all the pieces in place to topple the law that’s destroying jobs, freedom, family savings, and unborn lives.
And President Trump is just as anxious as the rest of us to get moving on his biggest priority. In Tuesday night’s address, he tried to light a fire under Congress to get its disagreements under control and deliver a plan that both sides can support. “Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better health care… Obamacare is collapsing — and we must act decisively to protect all Americans. Action is not a choice — it is a necessity.”
Hopefully, Trump’s speech will spark a new sense of urgency on fulfilling the GOP’s ultimate goal of dismantling Obamacare and ending the forced partnership between taxpayers and organizations like Planned Parenthood. The way forward is to repeal the law through the budget reconciliation process, and then harness the same power that led Donald Trump to the White House. From there, conservatives should replace the failed system with a well-thought-out, patient-centered, market-based system that frees Americans to focus on life — not the pitfalls and dilemmas of a government health care program. Help us remind them of that fact by contacting your representatives and urging them to focus on repealing the law they’re trying to replace! Time is ticking.
Originally published here.
Bakers Still Roll Models for Truth
There has to be space in our society for people who hold differing views. Isn’t that what liberals meant by tolerance? Apparently not, as Aaron and Melissa Klein know all too well. Like dozens of other family businesses, the Kleins never thought that their faith would be a liability to their booming bakery business. They were wrong. In a politically correct world, thy found out that costs of running a business are a lot more than dollars and cents. For these bakers, it was their First Amendment rights.
Their dream of opening a dessert shop near Portland, Oregon, turned into a nightmare when two lesbians refused to take “no” for an answer on their request for a same-sex “wedding” cake. As FRC’s Travis Weber points out, the Kleins were happy to provide any item from their shop to gay and straight customers alike. They welcomed everyone to come and shop at Sweet Cakes by Melissa. The only thing the Kleins declined to do was become part of a same-sex wedding ceremony; they didn’t want to be forced — by any customer — to create a cake that violated their beliefs. The same was true of any event contradicting their faith — like a celebration of divorce, an order they would also decline.
Still, liberals in the state hounded the Kleins with a ferocity that ultimately forced their store to close. Now, facing a $135,000 fine, the parents of five will finally have their day in court. Until now, they’ve been at the mercy of a biased administrative body in Oregon that even went so far as to impose a gag order on the couple. Our friends at First Liberty Institute are representing the couple, who are just asking for the right the Constitution already gave them: to live and work according to their faith. “We should all be willing to peacefully coexist with different opinions,” said First Liberty’s Kelly Shackelford. “That’s the only way freedom can truly exist. We hope the Oregon Court of Appeals will dispense justice for the Kleins and honor their constitutional right to religious freedom.” Join us in praying for the Klein family tomorrow as they defend what every American is guaranteed!
Originally published here.
This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.