An Open Letter to Eric Bolling of Fox News

Good afternoon Eric,

That was a very interesting interview with Donald Trump.

Trump’s comment about asking the question as to whether or not Jeb Bush has the necessary energy to be an effective president was spot on. Bush and some of the other candidates like John Kasich lack the necessary energy in their demeanor and in their policy positions.

Neither Jeb Bush nor John Kasich for instance are for government decentralization. They both support “Common Core” which centralizes at the federal level decision making on education.

Decentralized systems provide greater energy and flexibility in accomplishing tasks. That is why the military utilizes decentralized systems where you would have a battalion (Army) or wing (Air Force) with (usually 3) subordinate companies (Army) or squadrons (Air Force) to accomplish tasks assigned to them. The military in their missions has a great need to get things done in a timely, efficient and effective manner. Lives depend on this.

President Coolidge, through his extensive executive experience as Mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts, Governor of Massachusetts and President of the United States, in my opinion was a systems expert. He indicated on many occasions the need for strong local government and the severe limitations of the abilities of a centralized bureaucracy. Here is some of what Coolidge had to say on the subject:

“No method of procedure has ever been devised by which liberty could be divorced from local self-government. No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline. Of all forms of government, those administered by bureaus are about the least satisfactory to an enlightened and progressive people. Being irresponsible they become autocratic, and being autocratic they resist all development. Unless bureaucracy is constantly resisted it breaks down representative government and overwhelms democracy. It is the one element in our institutions that sets up the pretense of having authority over everybody and being responsible to nobody.” - From: Calvin Coolidge, Foundations of the Republic p 410-411

“The greatest solicitude should be exercised to prevent any encroachment upon the rights of the States or their various political subdivisions. Local self-government is one of our most precious possessions. It is the greatest contributing factor to the stability strength liberty, and progress of the Nation. It ought not to be infringed by assault or undermined by purchase. It ought not to abdicate its power through weakness or resign its authority through favor. It does not at all follow that because abuses exist it is the concern of the Federal Government to attempt the reform.

Society is in much more danger from encumbering the National Government beyond its wisdom to comprehend, or its ability to administer, than from leaving the local communities to bear their own burdens and remedy their own evils. Our local habit and custom is so strong, our variety of race and creed is so great the Federal authority is so tenuous, that the area within which it can function successfully is very limited. The wiser policy is to leave the localities, so far as we can, possessed of their own sources of revenue and charged with their own obligations.” - From Third Annual Message of December 8, 1925

By the way, the authors of the Federalist Papers: Madison, Hamilton and Jay agreed with Coolidge on the need for government decentralization.

So, it is obviously true that in addition to Jeb Bush, John Kasich and others possibly not having the internal energy and enthusiasm to get things done and be effective presidents, they also lack an understanding of organizational design which requires decentralization to increase energy, as well as organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

As a business man and chief executive, Donald Trump knows this. That is why I support him in his campaign to become President of the United States.

If you are wondering why I have written you this email, I will let the always eloquent President John Calvin Coolidge answer this question for me:

“Truth dissipates misunderstanding and misconception. It is the function of a free press not only to make the truth available to everyone within its sphere, but to cherish and develop a public sentiment for all that is loyal to the truth. A free and enlightened press, by this means, becomes one of the safeguards of liberty.” - From President Coolidge’s book “Foundations of the Republic” p 363

With an unemployment rate of 3.2% and an inflation rate of 0.4%, and with industrial production up 70% and per capita income up 30%, economic conditions were much better under Coolidge than they currently are under Obama. However, in closing this Email I do so in the same manner and with the same words used by President Coolidge in his Sixth Annual Message of December 4, 1928:

“The end of government is to keep open the opportunity for a more abundant life. Peace and prosperity are not finalities; they are only methods. It is too easy under their influence for a nation to become selfish and degenerate. This test has come to the United States. Our country has been provided with the resources with which it can enlarge its intellectual, moral, and spiritual life. The issue is in the hands of the people. Our faith in man and God is the justification for the belief in our continuing success.”

Best,

J B Gabriel

Marlborough, MA