The Price of Liberty

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” That old saying no doubt has to be updated, “If wishes were Harleys, wannabe bikers would ride.” Or something.

Clearly that is what a lot of never-Trumpers (of whatever political allegiance they claim) should consider: they wish Trump would roll over and die. And clearly, a fairly large number of people would like to see that happen and even provide some assistance.

We are referring to the articles that keep claiming that Trump is dying, has some incurable disease, or has galloping dementia. Various people – including wannabe doctors and some actual medical types have gotten fifteen seconds of fame by claiming that they have proof that the guy is losing his grip.

Like the rumors (or urban legends?) about Obummer and Michelle, the stories just don’t die: we keep hearing more outrageous tales. The mind boggles.

A lot of really bad habits and characteristics of people appear, as we saw during the terms of office of multiple POTUS. It is a very common theme back almost to the founding of the Republic: we would no doubt find the Presidents of Congress back in the days of the Confederation were both vilified and claimed to be at death’s door. Clearly due to their own failings, and sometimes attributed to a “just God.”

Usually, though, in the past, that was during the election campaigns, both first time and running for reelection. We see it done to Jefferson, to Jackson, and many others. Sometimes the fears and claims were true: Honest Abe was a tyrant.

It does appear that the rhetoric is ramping up, the deeper into the 21st century we go. Presidents are far from the only targets of such predictions, expectations, or hopes, of course. And now and then we have some madman who tries to fulfill the prophesies by their own actions.

Barring a successful assassination attempt or a carefully-scripted “accident,” it is unlikely that Vance will ascend to the Oval Office. But the never-Trumpers can definitely hope.

As for we who are lovers of liberty? A pox on all their houses. A just God is willing to forgive even the most evil of men – even politicians and government leaders. But it requires a little thing called repentance on their part: turning away from the evil deeds that have put them into power.