Trump at the UN: Part 1, A Tale of Two Presidents and a Vision

INTRODUCTION

Part 1 of a 5 Part Series

Dixon, ILOn September 24, 2019 I had a court matter in Dixon, IL. During the nearly two-hour drive I was able to listen to President Trump’s speech at the United Nations. (A video of President Trump’s UN speech can be found at the end of Trump at the UN: Part 5, Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights and Liberty.)

As Trump spoke, I heard a man proud of America, its heritage, liberties and success and the duty of leaders serve to their own citizens while respecting the sovereignty of their neighbors.

A clear conviction was conveyed as the President delivered the signature message: “The future does not belong to globalists.  The future belongs to patriots.” The message was anathema to many in the audience whose countries have yet to accept the central premise of the Declaration of Independence: “all men are created equal.”

Trump heaped scorn on the socialist/communists of Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, He let the world know he understood and opposed the threats of North Korea and Iran.

Trump’s critique of China was straightforward. China has not adhered to civilized rules and agreements of international trade and has engaged in the theft of intellectual property and economic war for years. With the Chinese in the audience he voiced his expectations for Hong Kong.

President Trump at once painted a picture of the world’s potential while soberly assessing its realities. It was reminiscent of another American President.

Dave with Ronald Reagan at his boyhood homeRonald Reagan grew up in Dixon, IL. Following court, I toured Dixon and President Reagan’s home on this late September Wednesday afternoon. It was no special holiday, no time for a parade, yet…. The town was broom clean, brass balustrades in the old courthouse were polished like mirrors, five prominent tributes to President Lincoln caught my eye, large American flags dotted the town, and red, white and blue bunting adorned the balcony of a retirement home. I felt like I was looking into the soul of Ronald Reagan.

Lincoln Bust in the Old Lee County Courthouse, Dixon, ILI spent the two-hour return drive contemplating these three American presidents, so different in style, but with a shared vision for our country and the world.

The next morning, I awoke with pride in President Trump’s speech, the tributes to Lincoln and inspiration from President Reagan’s home still fresh. I went out to get the newspaper with innocent expectations of reading about Trump at the United Nations.

The expectations were shattered by the Chicago Tribune headline.

It was in big bold typeface suitable for announcing a world war:

IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

That day, and in the days since, there has been almost no coverage of President Trump’s message at the UN.  For those of you who missed it, it’s worth a read. The first part of his speech follows.

Trump at the UN: Part 1, A Vision

President Trump at the United NationsUnited Nations Headquarters
New York, New York

September 24, 2019

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Thank you very much.  Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, distinguished delegates, ambassadors, and world leaders:

Seven decades of history have passed through this hall, in all of their richness and drama.  Where I stand, the world has heard from presidents and premiers at the height of the Cold War.  We have seen the foundation of nations.  We have seen the ringleaders of revolution.  We have beheld saints who inspired us with hope, rebels who stirred us with passion, and heroes who emboldened us with courage — all here to share plans, proposals, visions, and ideas on the world’s biggest stage.

Like those who met us before, our time is one of great contests, high stakes, and clear choices.  The essential divide that runs all around the world and throughout history is once again thrown into stark relief.  It is the divide between those whose thirst for control deludes them into thinking they are destined to rule over others and those people and nations who want only to rule themselves.

I have the immense privilege of addressing you today as the elected leader of a nation that prizes liberty, independence, and self-government above all.  The United States, after having spent over two and a half trillion dollars since my election to completely rebuild our great military, is also, by far, the world’s most powerful nation.  Hopefully, it will never have to use this power.

Americans know that in a world where others seek conquest and domination, our nation must be strong in wealth, in might, and in spirit.  That is why the United States vigorously defends the traditions and customs that have made us who we are.

Like my beloved country, each nation represented in this hall has a cherished history, culture, and heritage that is worth defending and celebrating, and which gives us our singular potential and strength.

The free world must embrace its national foundations.  It must not attempt to erase them or replace them.

Looking around and all over this large, magnificent planet, the truth is plain to see: If you want freedom, take pride in your country.  If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty.  And if you want peace, love your nation.  Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first.

The future does not belong to globalists.  The future belongs to patriots.  The future belongs to sovereign and independent nations who protect their citizens, respect their neighbors, and honor the differences that make each country special and unique.

It is why we in the United States have embarked on an exciting program of national renewal.  In everything we do, we are focused on empowering the dreams and aspirations of our citizens.

Thanks to our pro-growth economic policies, our domestic unemployment rate reached its lowest level in over half a century.  Fueled by massive tax cuts and regulations cuts, jobs are being produced at a historic rate.  Six million Americans have been added to the employment rolls in under three years.

Last month, African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American unemployment reached their lowest rates ever recorded. We are marshaling our nation’s vast energy abundance, and the United States is now the number one producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world.  Wages are rising, incomes are soaring, and 2.5 million Americans have been lifted out of poverty in less than three years.

As we rebuild the unrivaled might of the American military, we are also revitalizing our alliances by making it very clear that all of our partners are expected to pay their fair share of the tremendous defense burden, which the United States has borne in the past.

At the center of our vision for national renewal is an ambitious campaign to reform international trade.  For decades, the international trading system has been easily exploited by nations acting in very bad faith.  As jobs were outsourced, a small handful grew wealthy at the expense of the middle class.

In America, the result was 4.2 million lost manufacturing jobs and $15 trillion in trade deficits over the last quarter century.  The United States is now taking that decisive action to end this grave economic injustice.  Our goal is simple: We want balanced trade that is both fair and reciprocal.

We have worked closely with our partners in Mexico and Canada to replace NAFTA with the brand new and hopefully bipartisan U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Tomorrow, I will join Prime Minister Abe of Japan to continue our progress in finalizing a terrific new trade deal.

As the United Kingdom makes preparations to exit the European Union, I have made clear that we stand ready to complete an exceptional new trade agreement with the UK that will bring tremendous benefits to both of our countries.  We are working closely with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on a magnificent new trade deal.

President Trump’s speech continues with Trump at the UN:  Part 2, China

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