A Grey Choice

Jim Quinn, of the truly excellent blog The Burning Platform, quotes Franklin Delano Roosevelt from a speech in Philadelphia in June of 1936: “There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”

It seems apparent that America is facing such an important turning point in 2016.

Quinn has written extensively in spellbinding eloquence and intellectual fortitude about The Fourth Turning, a book written by Struass & Howe in 1997 which advanced the idea of generational cycles where decisions by particular generations of individuals have life altering consequences, not only individually, but for their generation and for generations to come. Similar to the Tytler Cycle, the thought centers that life is not led on linear progression, but rather a reoccurring circle of generational trials and tribulations, that if not dealt with effectively, can significantly alter the tract moving forward.

Both the book and Quinn's works on the subject I would highly recommend you seek out and consume.

Quinn summarizes in his writings the theory of a Grey Champion, who emerges at the time of the fourth turning, a period we have recently entered as a nation. Quinn discusses it as follows:

"The world is becoming increasingly chaotic and the American people are seeking a leader who can bring order, make tough decisions, and capture the zeitgeist of this moment in history. They are in search of a prophet generation (Boomer) Grey Champion, whose arrival marks the moment of darkness, adversity and peril as the Fourth Turning careens towards its climax. The Grey Champion doesn’t necessarily have to be a good person, but they must lead and display tremendous confidence in their cause and path. Franklin, Lincoln, and FDR have many detractors, but during their Fourth Turnings, they most certainly led, casting aside obstacles (sometimes illegally) and enduring dark days and bleak prospects for success. Is there someone of that stature ready to lead the American people now?"

Apparently conservative icon Sarah Palin thinks such an individual is Donald Trump, whom she endorsed at a campaign rally late this afternoon in Ames, Iowa.

Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump

“I am greatly honored to receive Sarah’s endorsement,” Mr. Trump said in a statement trumpeting Mrs. Palin’s decision. “She is a friend, and a high-quality person whom I have great respect for. I am proud to have her support.”

In many ways, the endorsement of Trump by Palin is not surprising, but most would have thought she would have sided with the true conservative in the race, Sen. Ted Cruz. However, there is no doubt her endorsement will provide Trump a significant boost in the campaign.

Like many others, Palin feels Trump is a powerful force that will wrestle the power away from government and give it back to the people, making America great again.  She may not be wrong.

In fact, if you subscribe to the thought process of The Fourth Turning, Trump does in my mind fit the criteria of what a potential "Grey Champion" would look like.  Trump seems poised to upset the apple cart, dealing establishment politicians a heavy blow and disrupting the status quo, which as Ronald Reagan once noted, was Latin for the mess we are in.

When asked about Palin's endorsement of Trump, Cruz campaign spokesman Rick Tyler said on CNN’s New Day "I think it [would] be a blow to Sarah Palin, because Sarah Palin has been a champion for the conservative cause, and if she was going to endorse Donald Trump, sadly, she would be endorsing someone who’s held progressive views all their life on the sanctity of life, on marriage, on partial-birth abortion.”

Bristol Palin

While Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol, and apparently Sarah herself, took great offense, Mr. Tyler is correct.

Although it may not be a central factor in the grand scheme of things, or as part of the emergence of a Grey Champion, Trump is not a conservative. Trump has previously supported eminent domain, bailouts, a single payer health care plan and a wealth tax.  Good grief!

Trump is so far away from conservatism, and given the potential of a Hillary Clinton presidency, which we feel would doom America as founded, we encouraged Trump in 2011 to play a real trump card and run as a Democrat to derail her.

An area which we disagree with Trump strongly on is when he often notes that our government is being run by incompetent people.  That through process is incredibly naive and dangerously incorrect.  The folks running our government, full engaged in orchestrating the transformation of America, fully understand what they are doing, and without any real push back from the GOP, have been quite successful in their endeavors.

Furthermore, Trump thinks, that with his intellect and proven success as a businessman, he can control the levels of government in a much more efficient manner, bringing America back to prosperity with the right administrator.

Except I wish to drastically reduce the levels of government, whether it is "administered" by someone whose ideas I champion or someone whose ideas I vehemently oppose.

Ben Shapiro wrote a great piece today, noting "The Palin Acid Test: Do You Care More About Conservatism Or Fighting The Establishment?"

Sarah Palin

I have been and continue to be a big fan of Sarah Palin, and this may the first time I have parted company with Palin. While I am also a fan of Donald Trump, and will gleefully support him should he win the GOP nomination, I will remain true to my principles in the primary, and like Shapiro, position myself at home with the conservatives.

However, it is worth noting, that as a subscriber to the ideas presented in The Fourth Turning, it certainly does appear Trump may be just who are nation is not only looking for, but needs.

We may not wish the Grey Champion to come again – but come he must, and come he will.” – The Fourth Turning – Strauss & Howe – 1997

Perhaps that is what Palin is seeing and feeling. Maybe I don't disagree with her after all.  The choice is Grey.