Any Color You Want...

Part 2 of the Election Reflection... (part 1)

“Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.”

-       Henry Ford

Henry Ford revolutionized industry by being the first to apply a division of labor to the production of the automobile. Known as the assembly line, its goal was the quick and efficient production of a vehicle so that costs (and ultimately price) could be driven down to sell more of them. Part of the process involved a ‘quick-drying’ paint which was being used in the process, and it was only available in black.

So, in a sense, the customer was given any option they wanted in color – as long as the choice was black.

As I write, the election of Donald J Trump is one week in the rear-view mirror. This, the second part of the Election Reflection series, post will deal with the topic of tolerance in America.

tol·er·ance

/ˈtäl(ə)rəns/

noun

the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

In the first GOP debate, the first question delivered to the crowded platform was,

“Is there anyone on stage, and can I see hands, who is unwilling tonight to pledge your support to the eventual nominee of the Republican party and pledge to not run an independent campaign against that person.”

Being the sole candidate responding, DJT raised his hand as boos rained down from the crowd. The moderators were “aghast” and even re-phrased the question as if The Donald had left his dunce cap off stage.

Exhibit A

Gotcha!

For days, the media lapped up and vomited out their indignation over DJT’s refusal to blanket accept the results of the nomination. Most of the candidates expressed ‘deep, heart-felt’ concern over DJT not being able to support the eventual GOP nomination, contrasting him against their own stalwart integrity and commitment to the GOP. In the following days, DJT eventually signed the pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee regardless of who it was – as ALL the other candidates had done.

In what was supposed to paint DJT in the corner, the following candidates could not honor their pledge when the tables were turned upon them: John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Lindsey Graham. Apparently the goose has different tastes than the gander.

Exhibit B

How Dare You! 

During the presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and DJT, the moderators (again) wanted to paint the GOP candidate into a corner by asking if the candidates will accept the election results. Now bear in mind, this is B.E. (Before Election) when the whole world just knew The Donald had about the same chance to be elected as a WV tooth has remaining in place. The obvious implication was: “Poor little, stupid Donald, will you embrace the inevitable Hillary win?”

When DJT refused to give a definitive answer, the world went apoplectic! Why, how dare this person unworthy to stand on the platform refuse the will of the American people and put our dear democracy in jeopardy! We have democratic elections and we transfer power peaceably – now DJT has put all of this at risk!

Fast forward to November 8, 2016 and the following days and what do we see? We see the monolithic group who disparaged Trump’s answer doing the EXACT thing they accused him of! See Exhibit C.

Hillary Clinton is now joining Jill Stein in orchestrating recounts in states where DJT won insurmountably. The B.E. HRC and the A.E. HRC are two entirely different people. Before Election Hillary called DJT’s comments truly “horrifying” and a “direct threat to democracy.” Hillary 2.0 (A.E.) apparently has summoned her inner Trump and is now doing the very thing Trump was excoriated for saying. Hypocrite.

Exhibit C

#NotMyPresident

Seriously? The bald-faced hypocrisy of the American Progressive knows no boundary. Did anyone see anything close to this type of a response from the American Right when they lost the election to Barak Obama? Do you think you would see this type of response had Hillary Clinton won?

The American Progressives chided and derided DJT when he refused to state he would accept the results of the election, and yet, when the results were not to their liking they are throwing a temper tantrum! Who now is putting our democracy in jeopardy? Who now is threatening the peaceful transfer of power. Just as in most things, the American Progressive gives the greater heft to what is said rather than what is actually done.

There can be only one.

For all their talk of tolerance, the truth is, the American Progressive can only tolerate one view – theirs. Henry Ford would be proud.