True enough. What we need to do is to abolish public education. But the mere mention of such an idea brings out such a horrified response!--Still, if we insist on it long enough, we may get somewhere. (After all, abolition of slavery eventually succeeded).

The American image, worldwide, has most often been a result of our more disruptive Presidents. Jefferson bucked what was expected when he refused to pay protection fees to the Barbary pirates, and established that America would not be the victim of extortion, like the Europeans. Theodore Roosevelt made a point of not negotiating with terrorist acts, and showing that America was in fact rapidly becoming a world power. There are more examples, but Trump actually fits the American image far better than Obama, who so badly wanted us to be seen as just another member of the global community.

There is a history of the world's perception of the United States as a unique institution, made up of troublemakers and risk takers. We are seen as well intended, lacking in sophistication, preferring the risks of individual freedom over the security of collectivism. Obama tried to change that image, and the rest of the world community wasn't receptive. Despite all of the media handwringing and public agonizing by some political figures, it seems that Trump has revived the American "cowboy" image that international figures so love and despise.

Trump is turning the status quo in the government on its head. Despite the progressive media reporting many people in the US now see's how corrupt the DC beltway has become. It's now up the citizens to do something about it. Will the Dimms be voted out of office or will the swamp get deeper?

Asking the right question can lead to the right answer. Any government wants to preserve its right to use violence to get what it wants, which is more control and the right to use violence to plunder its citizens for more power and more money. The rights of the individual to property and life is not its concern. The acquiescence of the public to the fate determined by the slave masters of the governors is.
The race known as blacks demonstrate well what most people want from their government. It is not protection in individual liberties it is the ability to plunder those 'others' around you. If this were not so no 'blacks' would not associate with the Democratic party ever considering its track record in how the party has consistently taken advantage of them and still does.
Philosophy for most has been reduced to what appears to be a question but is really a two part attack on liberty. "You want healthcare to be available to people don't you?" Which for the socialist means individuals don't have the right to choose because that would mean the poor would be left out unless violence can be used to plunder the people and determine for them if they will receive it.
I like your last paragraph, government and education has made an intellectual tar pit in the arena of ideas and philosophy, all who enter are mired and extinguished, quickly if they struggle or slowly if they wait.

"Question With Boldness...the very existence of God", as Jefferson would say.

We welcome Trumpets Statements and Questions, in the short term, it's been working out but be forewarned, the progressive snake has been cornered.
Truth be thy anti venom.

Brilliant as usual :-)

President Trump is a rorschach blot. You see someone with the temerity to question long-standing bi-partisan doctrines. If I look at the blot the right way, I can see the one about immigration. Our unofficial policy all my life has been that we think some immigration is a good policy, and it's easier to look the other way than to have a debate and make that case. On other issues I can sort of see it since, as you note, he frequently contradicts himself on important issues.

I suspect President Trump has some degree of a problem with drugs, alcohol, or mental illness that causes him to ramble contradictory random thoughts. Anyone who wants to can cherry pick from the rambling and show he has the audacity to raise serious issues.

I really hope I'm wrong about this. I hope it's an act, poor public presentation, unfavorable portrayal by journalists, or some combination of those.