I have this theory that a nation gets the leader it deserves. The leaders reflect the state of the nation. [I think I once saw this idea in the Maharal]. That explains the last two [three? four?] Presidents, who in my *not humble enough* opinion, were both pathetic human beings and an embarrassment to the country and what it is supposed to represent.
One of the Republican candidates for 2024 is a fellow named Vivek Alooooong-indian-name. I compare Vivek to Donald.
Everything Donald talks about ends up being about Donald. Every time Vivek is asked about himself he steers the conversation to the country and the people. Totally not about himself [not that he is totally devoid of ego but who is].
Donald has no coherent philosophy, world view or value system. He was once asked what his favorite book of the Bible is and he responded, as if it was a trick question, like, whattya mean, "the Bible!" - unaware that the Bible is broken down into 24 books. He was asked what values he taught his children and responded "the value of a dollar". Vivek, in contrast has an incredibly articulate and coherent view about everything related to what a leader has to deal with - foreign policy, domestic policy, religion and faith, the role of government, the economy, wokeism etc. etc. All clearly and articulately expressed, well thought out and researched.
Donald speaks on a 2nd grade level and can be vulgar. Vivek speaks on a post Ivy league level [he is a Harvard graduate] and never any vulgarity.
Donald has had 3 official wives and many [dozens?] of temporary wives.
Vivek - one wife who is a full time throat surgeon. If there have been others along the way he certainly doesn't brag about them as does Donald.
Donald has reams and reams of legal documentation about his real or imagined crimes and indiscretions. Vivek - none.
Donald is a pathological liar. Vivek - no such indication [although he hasn't really been tested].
Donald loves to brag about how much money he has [or doesn't]. Vivek has hundreds of millions if not more but doesn't make an issue out of it. B/c it isn't an issue.
Their intelligence levels and amount of knowledge can't be compared. Different league altogether.
Donald slings mud at his opponents. Vivek insists time and again that he is not against anyone. Only for a better future, a new vision etc.
Donald is sarcastic, cynical and pessimistic. Vivek - not.
The list goes on and on. By just about every metric he would seem to be more fitting for the job. [Although, we can't get outta hand. A Ra"m in a Yeshiva or the Rav of a Kehilla he won't be. Sof sof - he is a Hindu עובד עבודה זרה.]
[I don't want to be עובר on לא תחנם (see Avoda Zara 20) but this is not לחנם but for תועלת].
Neither of them talks during Chazaras Hashatz, Kaddish or Kedusha or runs out before the Rav's drasha or for the Kiddush club or skips parts of Psukei D'zimra or says Asher Yatzr without Kavana. Then again - neither do Shnayim Mikra or are Makpid on Zman Magen Avraham for Krias Shma, Tvilas Ezra and Zman Rabbeinu Tam on Motzei Shabbos. Neither say Hallel on Yom Haatzmaut or even on July 4th for that matter. So equal in those regards.
DeSantis is also much more impressive than Trump on many levels.
Yet, Trump is way way ahead of everyone in the polls. I would suggest that since America has sunk so much morally and on so many levels, this is our most popular guy [on his side of the aisle]. We have turned into a nation that spends far more time on social media and watching TV and movies than a nation that reads books so we get an anti intellectual President. Our faith is shallow so we get leaders whose faith is shallow. Our family structure is unstable so we get leaders with unstable families. Our speech is vulgar so we get leaders who speak with vulgarity. We are obsessed with money and materialism so we get leaders who are too. We lie - so our leaders lie. We insult and demean each other - so we get leaders who are insulting and demeaning. We have drug problems on a large scale - so in the White House they find cocaine and whomever it belonged to one thing is for sure, someone *closely* connected to the President has addiction issues [among others]. We have so much corruption and dishonesty in our businesses and corporations - so our politics is riddled with corruption and dishonesty.
Now - many those who understand politics way better than me [like just about everyone who follows it] would argue that with all of his moral, ethical and personal failings, Trump did a great job last time. That he can get the job done. Especially on the subject of Israel, he has been the most [some argue] pro Israel President ever. He is surrounded by Jews - some even Orthodox [as opposed to Biden who is surrounded by assimilated Jews].
So maybe he is the best man for the job. I don't know. Almost half of Republicans polled think he is and maybe they are right.
I just find the whole thing bizarre and ironic.
Mussar Haskels:
1] We have to daven that the best man get into office. The Jews *thought* that FDR was THE man and many almost worshipped him. Turns out, he was a very very bad President for the Jews. The only good thing we got out of him was his highway, the FDR drive.
2] משלי כ"א:א
פַּלְגֵי־מַ֣יִם לֶב־מֶ֭לֶךְ בְּיַד־יְהֹוָ֑ה עַֽל־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֖ר יַחְפֹּ֣ץ יַטֶּֽנּוּ׃
The king's heart is in Hashem's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
The Malbim, as always, rocks!
פלגי מים לב מלך ביד ה׳ – הגם שלב האדם הפרטי נתון ברשותו והבחירה בידו, לא כן לב המלך, אחר שבבחירותו תלוי אושר הכלל, ואם יבחר בדרך רע ישחית רבים ועצומים, לכן ליבו זה הכללי הוא ביד ה׳, והוא בענייני הכלל משולל הבחירה.
