Jennifer Rubin: Trump glorifies himself; Pete glorifies public service (X post from Buttigieg group

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/07/03/trump-glorifies-himself-buttigieg-glorifies-public-service/?utm_term=.9350e660da32

The contrast could not be more striking: A narcissistic 73-year-old president who has used his office to enrich himself and his relatives is planning a militaristic, bombastic tribute starring himself (who else?). Meanwhile, the 37-year-old Afghanistan war veteran and mayor of South Bend, Ind., Pete Buttigieg, introduces a plan for national service.. . There is a lot to like in this. For one thing, Buttigieg’s plan loosens’ Democrats obsession with free college, and instead provides a post-high-school project whereby young people could earn something. Only about 30 percent of Americans go to college, a number out of whack with the time spent trying to give tuition away to generally wealthier students. In the debates Buttigieg pointed out that we should also look out for ways to make not going to college affordable. This program might lead to college, but it might also lead to non-college accreditation and meaningful work that doesn’t require a college degree.

In addition, Buttigieg’s proposal is a repudiation of the Trumpian autocratic promise that “I alone can fix it,” a tagline for every tinpot dictator who insists the answers are “easy” as long as he is in power. Back on Earth One, our nagging social and economic problems are complex, longstanding and not amenable to snap solutions. A core principle of patriotism and democracy is that the citizens attend to their own well-being; they are not passive observers of the Great Leader.

Ironically, Buttigieg’s plan is the sort of thing conservatives favored before they joined a cult supporting consolidation of power in the executive branch of the federal government. It encourages activity outside the federal government, fostering local and state engagement through the kinds of civic institutions that have withered in recent years. While Trump never leaves us alone, intruding into every crevice of society (Fourth of July, even), Buttigieg reaffirms that the federal government is supposed to be limited; it is our potential that should be limitless.

Finally, Buttigieg makes a compelling case for the program’s ability to foster understanding and unity across social, racial, political and geographic divides. . . This is quintessential Buttigieg — wonky and understated in presentation but deeply patriotic. If you’re keeping a list of good ideas from all the candidates for the next president to tap, put this one on it