Former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster: “There Is a Strange Tendency in the U.S. to Hold Trump Responsible for All Evil” [barf]

Der Spiegel: Who is the greatest threat to the free world at the moment? Russia, China — or Donald Trump?

McMaster: It is certainly the revisionist authoritarian regimes of Russia and China. But maybe even a bigger threat may be the loss of confidence in democratic institutions and processes. This problem existed before Trump. He reflects more than amplifies divisions in our society. Our loss of confidence is due in part to unchecked globalization that left many American workers without jobs. Many felt abandoned by the political establishment. Then came the financial crisis that made a bad situation worse. […]

Der Spiegel: Many of the U.S.’ partners view the man in the White House and not China and Russia as the main threat. According to a poll published just a few months ago, Germans trust Vladimir Putin and Chinese ruler Xi Xinping significantly more than they do Trump. How do you explain this rather sobering finding?

McMaster: I think it expresses a remarkable level of self-loathing and moral equivalency that is the bane of the West these days. We all live in democratic countries. We enjoy the rule of law, a free press and a market economy that rewards initiative — and at the same time, we fail to recognize how much autocratic countries stifle human freedom. […]

…There is a strange tendency in the U.S. to hold Trump responsible for all evil. He certainly contributed to the division in American society, but he is more a symptom than the cause. If Republicans and Democrats are constantly at each other’s throats, we will not be able to solve our country’s most pressing problems or strengthen our response to adversaries. …

McMaster's right.

Trump "certainly contributed to the division"?

Nope.

...the loss of confidence in democratic institutions and processes. This problem existed before Trump. He reflects more than amplifies divisions in our society. Our loss of confidence is due in part to unchecked globalization that left many American workers without jobs. Many felt abandoned by the political establishment. Then came the financial crisis that made a bad situation worse.

Odd how "divisions in our society" only exist -- according to media -- when there's not a Demwit in charge.

McMaster should have remarked European allies view Trump poorly because he is forcing them to expend their own money for their own defense, instead of foisting it onto the backs of the American taxpayer.

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