Trump’s appeal is inexplicable
I’d like to thank Bill Wilson for his March 17 letter which, contrary to his intentions, most precisely delineates why support for Donald Trump is totally inexplicable even for avowed conservatives.
He states that Trump’s candidacy is desirable because he is a “political outsider.” He describes that (imaginary) character as one who does not indulge in “self service,” or amass wealth by taking from special interests. In fact, Trump’s candidacy is all about himself, as evidenced by his constant assurance that he can and will do everything on his own and that his wealth and prominence were and are entirely of his own making.
Wilson then claims that, as a tax-paying, successful businessman, he has “great concerns” about taxes and job creation. He states that the Obama administration has done nothing and that the “situation for the middle class has not improved for the last 12 years.” For this, he blames the “political class in Washington.” And, he is also willing to sacrifice integrity and honor to support a person who will assemble a team of experts to address our biggest problems, which Wilson states are drugs, the economy, health care, education and national security.
Strangely, I’ve heard nothing from Trump on these subjects, except that whatever our problems are, we can be certain that he has the solution.
My response to Wilson’s lament is as follows: First, dedicate your energy and effort toward attaining a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, since the lack of demonstrable progress in any of the areas listed is clearly the result of deliberate, unprecedented obstructionism on the part of Republican leadership. The president has proposed and, despite shameful opposition, enacted programs in each of these areas.
Second, if a “team of experts” is to be assembled that will do Trump’s bidding and save us from the political insiders, from whence will they come?
Trump is as political as anyone who seeks the presidency. But he is much more. He is totally lacking in integrity and honor. But, more seriously, he is dangerously intemperate and woefully ill-equipped to lead this country let alone the “free world,” as many world leaders have already made clear.
Bob Thornton
Washington