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by Rod D. Martin
July 27, 2016
So Donald Trump had the temerity to question our disproportionate funding of NATO again. And everyone’s going bonkers.
The Newsmax headline (and Newsmax tends to be pretty pro-Trump) reads: “Trump: Can’t Go Into World War III for NATO Allies Who Don’t Pay.” That’s one of the friendlier ledes.
Even many conservatives are horrified. But stop yourself and consider. People are hearing “we’re not fighting World War III for our NATO Allies.” But they’re not hearing the rest of the statement, which is “we WILL fight for them if they’ll stop freeloading.”
In other words, Trump is demanding we stop giving welfare to Europe.
Europe’s economy is almost as large as America’s: these are not the Marshall Plan years. And yet America foots 73% of the alliance’s total bill (as even the Washington Post admits, grudgingly), and many of the alliance’s 28 members are such freeloaders that even Obama has called them out for it.
Nor is Trump identifying a new problem. This has always been true, even during the latter years of the Cold War. But at least then, Ronald Reagan could legitimately justify America’s extra effort in the interests of deterring an actual World War III.
The chances of a World War III today are…a lot lower. So why should we put up with freeloaders?
Trump says he’s for NATO, and all he wants is for our allies to pull their own weight. Good for him. And shame on all the disingenuous pansies in Washington who are terrified of an American leader actually looking out for the interests of Americans.
Oh, and newsflash: if these countries did more to defend themselves, they’d be better off too.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
