George Washington vs. Donald Trump: A Clash of Generations

In a hypothetical scenario where George Washington and Donald Trump were able to sit down and discuss their views on government and politics, the contrast would be stark. For centuries, Washington has been revered as a founding father and a symbol of integrity, while Trump is known for his controversial statements and business acumen.

Excelling in Their Own Times

George Washington may have thought of Donald Trump with a mixture of amusement and amusement, given the notarized letter Trump claims to hold that suggests his superiority. However, both men would definitely have differing views on the nature of political careers and governance.

Washington's Perspective on Career Politicians

Washington, who once fought against the English and saw firsthand the corrupt tendencies of politicians, would likely voice his concerns about the nature of career politicians. His views were formed during a time when serving in government was less of a full-time occupation and more of a temporary duty for property owners.

George Washington said, "I think it's corruption by its very nature. As you know my peers wanted to make me a king right after we got out of the war with the English. As well, I was disillusioned by the English when I fought out West and it gave me a bad sense of politics. People get out of touch when they serve. They end up serving themselves and getting corrupt."

Trump's Contemporary Viewpoints

Trump, on the other hand, as a relatively newer political figure, would argue that political corruption stems from the idea of self-enrichment. He criticizes the 'good ole boy network' and suggests that people who succeed and become wealthy in government positions do so by serving themselves.

Donald Trump replied, "What do you think?"
George Washington responded, "Well, I just started serving in the government. I wasn't a career politician in the sense of being part of our government. There is politics in most aspects of life, but I think that people go rotten when they call self-enrichment politics or 'serving'... they end up serving themselves in a good ole boy network trading the betterment of the average citizen for self-fulfillment. You gotta wonder why no one challenges people who 'serve' and become rich doing it."

The Evolution of Political Service

Both men would likely agree that the nature of political service has significantly changed since their time. Washington would be perplexed by the modern political landscape, wondering how people can get rich by serving in government.

George Washington said, "Yes, as a matter of fact, serving in the government was an expectation of landowners when I was president. The order of things was you first owned land and then you 'serve,' giving your time but then needing to go back to your profession in order to make a living not the other way around. No one in the 1700s became rich by 'serving' in the government. That's why it's called serving. Nowdays people serve themselves getting rich from the job. You gotta wonder how and why people get rich on a hundred thousand dollar a year job."

The Power of Connections and Grease

Trump would acknowledge the power of connections and lobbying in modern politics. He might add that it takes a good network and bribes to stay in office and continue profiting from the job.

Donald Trump said, "George, well it’s more than a hundred thousand a year but point well taken. You gotta have lots of connections these days in order to be put into the money making seat. And then you gotta grease your peers' pockets to stay. That's why I have two salutes… one for the military commanders and another for the career politicians around me. The former with a five-finger salute, the latter with a one-finger salute."

A Sigh of Amusement

Washington would likely be amused by Trump's blunt and crass description. However, he would recognize the sentiment.

George Washington said, "Donald that's crass. Your damn right it's crass. How do you think a non-career politician got elected? Because people were fed up with the Beltway get-rich-quick scheme."

In conclusion, while Washington and Trump would certainly disagree on many points, their conversation highlights the evolution and corruption of political service over time. The fundamentals of integrity and service to the citizen remain constant, but the methods and motivations have changed significantly.

Conclusion

The conversation between George Washington and Donald Trump would be a fascinating exchange, offering a perspective on the evolution of political service and its perceived corruption. Both men, in different eras, would identify the same core issue: serving one's own interests under the guise of public service.