Where we are now

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

Before I get into this week‘s subject, I want to recommend two books to anyone with an interest in true crime and/or history.

The first is Hezekiah Rasco: Child of Woe, Man of Sorrow by local author/historian Susan Cronk.

This thoroughly researched narrative describes the crimes of Mr. Rasco in Nodaway County a century ago. Not only is the story compelling, you will learn a lot about justice in rural America.

Cronk writes skillfully about crimes as shocking as any you may read about today.

I also recommend The Last Stand by Nathanial Philbrick who also wrote In the Heart of the Sea, the subject of a recent film, and Mayflower, which I also enjoyed.

The Last Stand is a detailed examination of George Armstrong Custer’s final days along the Little Big Horn. This is a good companion history to Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell.

Read ‘em up!

Now let’s examine where we are 10 months before the next presidential/congressional election. After all, we don’t want another last stand.

We are in the ebb-and-flow stage of the campaign. A candidate in either party may appear to be rising only to experience a setback that causes polls to plunge and doubts to surface.

Conversely, there is still time for a bottom-dweller to emerge by escaping familiar talking points and actually offering something new. To an extent, that’s what Obama did in ‘08.

I haven’t made up my mind about Donald Trump yet.

The man is a flash of audacity who bulls ahead despite attacks coming from every direction. He says things others too compromised by political correctness fear to say. I like that.

Trump’s political introduction has ended, and while we may feel obligated to a pol with creds, that doesn’t mean Trump can’t win his party‘s nomination, or, for that matter, the presidency.

Where does it say a president has to be a politician?

Neither George Washington nor Dwight Eisenhower were politicians, but both were excellent presidents.

Part of politics is taking chances, and the undercurrent with Trump is he will get done what those currently on the Left won’t even approach: namely, border security, the deficit and debt, an overly complex tax system, and creating good jobs with a future.

Trump also would be good for business, trade, and bringing jobs home.

His manner and delivery require work, but there is plenty of time for refinement before November.

My personal alignment of candidates on the Right has changed, and will likely change several times before the election. That is part of the process since candidates must sell themselves to voters who have questions and doubts.

Most voters gravitate to specifics and passion, myself included.

Presently, Sen. Ted Cruz, whose conservative positions come closest to mine, has a minor lead.

I think he is a man of his word and will take strong measures in securing the border, my No. 1 issue at this point.

After Cruz, I am willing to take a chance on Trump.

My concern is, will he listen to the advice of others, or is he too accustomed to following his own path to heed warnings?

I’ve had enough of that behavior the last seven years.

Marco Rubio is a solid back-up. He needs to freshen his message, but he remains Clinton’s worst nightmare for the demographics and key states he could pull. He is a political savant.

Dr. Ben Carson has by far the most engaging personality of any of the candidates. I doubt his chances more than his abilities.

There are several other capable candidates on the Right, but I doubt they have much of a shot against the aforementioned.

The long shot who could still emerge amid a media/party catastrophe? Jeb Bush.

Here’s a brief look at the Left at the moment:

Polls tell me voters are looking hard for an alternative to Hillary Clinton.

Awareness is growing that there is little philosophical difference between Hillary and Obama.

I neither like nor trust her or the company she keeps.

Bernie Sanders isn’t officially a Democrat; he is a declared Independent, but is actually a socialist by admission. Despite that substantial deficiency, he seems more honest to me than Hillary; however, he has limited appeal beyond the anti-capitalist crowd looking for freebies.

The Dems know that.

Who’s lurking still? Uncle Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren, waiting for a party summons.

The House and Senate will remain in Republican hands, I pray. Americans have seen what happens when the Left controls both houses and the Oval Office.

Larry W. Anderson’s novel, I, Eugenius, is available at Maryville Daily Forum.