The Donald is not (in our opinion) a particularly likeable person. He has significant personal faults, can be very irritating, and does not appear (to us) to be a strong advocate for liberty and freedom. He has compromised on many things. So we here at The Price of Liberty are no great fans of The Donald. He is boastful and arrogant, has many other character faults, and (like others who have held his office) he fails to understand the nature of human liberty and the proper role of human government. He has made a lot of mistakes, not just in his first term.

But we recognize that while he is bad, relative to those people who were the alternatives? He is definitely the least of two evils. (We are talking Obama, Clinton, Biden, and especially Harris.)

But we can all learn from them. And from Orange Man.

We recognize that there are many libertarians who are strongly never-Trumpers. We recognize that there are many, many Americans who see him as evil incarnate. Far more than those alternatives. Far more than the usual run of presidents. And we admit that there are quite a few people who would cheerfully unload a full tube of 12-gauge shotgun rounds into his head.

You can see this every day – indeed, every hour – online and on the cable and broadcast television and radio stations. Sometimes it is merely the tone, or a particular turn of phrase. Other times it is the most raw and virulent of rhetoric blasted at The Donald.

We find much of that obnoxious, and deeply offensive to us. Of course, we support the right of people to say that about him. People have the right to be stupid and say stupid things – even lies – even if what they say is hurtful and triggering.

The problem with too many of the Woke, never-Trumpers, and at least some of the opponents (and haters) of The Donald is much of what they claim are nothing more than lies.

A good deal of what the strongest opponents of the guy seem to be nothing but projection.

After years of refusing to accept that Uncle Joe was sliding into senility, we see more and more proponents of anti-Trumpism claiming almost daily that Trump is senile, suffering rapid mental decline, and (according to some) just inches away from death. Again, they can say whatever they want, and make much out of little. But they appear to be grasping at straws. The various “left-wing” media outlets excel in exaggerating and ramping up emotions over this. (Not that the right-wing media outlets and populists are any better.)

Of course, the “progressive” opponents to him freely scream out the “Fascist” and “Nazi” labels any time that Trump or his closer advisors and cabinet members do or say anything that they find objectionable. (As do Trump’s supporters, all too often.) But in doing so, we often note that they are attacking him for the same type of actions and efforts that their favorite politicians also have done. And continue to do so. And as we often do, point out that both old parties, and everyone in the Oval Office for nearly a century, have shown very strong streaks of fascism, national and other socialism, and even outright communist leanings.

Every negative change in an economic or social indicator, every failure to meet some goal, or failure to prevent something bad from happening, is thrown up as being Trump’s fault (or the fault of one of his “stupid” appointments to office). He is a natural magnet for criticism, condemnation, and a focus on their fears. The attacks seem divided into those who think and say these things are intentional on his part, and those who blame his incompetence for the bad things.

In all these things, the critics of The Donald open themselves to ridicule for their exaggerated claims and irrational fears. But as we know, that will not stop them from continuing to proclaim these things. But they damage their own credibility. And for every person they convince that The Donald is bad, bad, bad, they probably drive another into supporting him. But primarily, they are preaching to their choir: reaffirming the belief of those of like mind that their hate and fear are justified.

But to us, what both Donald J. Trump and his fervent supporters and most virulent of opponents demonstrate? That humans are incredibly bad at ruling other humans. And that no human is perfect enough, capable enough, or smart enough to run a country. Or even a state or county or town. Any more than a human (or a collection/committee of humans) can run an economy. A family? Maybe. A company – if small enough? Maybe. But not much more.

Think on these things.