Palmer Events Center
Shock & Change
RECEIVED Sun., Nov. 13, 2016
Dear Editor,
Don’t assume that everyone who voted for Trump shares his traits: his bullying, his racist or sexist rants, or his penchant for “stirring up hatred” as Black put it [“Page Two: Where Do We Go From Here?” Nov. 11]. I didn’t vote for Trump, but many people I know and respect did vote for him because they were sending a message. They want term limits. They’re fed up with political correctness. They are sick of Washington getting into our lives, be it reproductive rights or forcing us to buy only their type of lightbulb, toilet, health insurance, etc.
Powerful interests control the two parties and the media with money. (Dems – trial lawyers and big corps; Reps – big corps, religious extremists.) They want a return to “citizen” legislators who have to move back home after a few years and face their friends and neighbors. Trump is nothing but a big middle finger to all of those established in all things political. And the Reps are in just as much trouble as the Dems because they now have two years to produce or they’ll be out as well.
The two major parties are no better than professional wrestlers – they play to the worst and most gullible of their supporters, and they are only really concerned about staying in office. They are an elite, out-of-touch group and the average American is sick of them. I’ve been surprised by the number of my black and Hispanic friends (as well as many women) who have emailed or posted that they are so glad someone finally pulled back the curtain just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. They are just as fed up as the “angry white men” the media keeps talking about.
Black says that Trump’s supporters were “those claiming racism, misogyny, and anti-immigrant prejudice.” I’m sure there were a few of those, but the vast majority of his support came from normal, decent folks who want someone to shock and change the whole system. They decided: If this jerk is the only one who’ll step [in] and try, I’ll vote for him because I’ve had it with the status quo.
Don’t assume that everyone who voted for Trump shares his traits: his bullying, his racist or sexist rants, or his penchant for “stirring up hatred” as Black put it [“Page Two: Where Do We Go From Here?” Nov. 11]. I didn’t vote for Trump, but many people I know and respect did vote for him because they were sending a message. They want term limits. They’re fed up with political correctness. They are sick of Washington getting into our lives, be it reproductive rights or forcing us to buy only their type of lightbulb, toilet, health insurance, etc.
Powerful interests control the two parties and the media with money. (Dems – trial lawyers and big corps; Reps – big corps, religious extremists.) They want a return to “citizen” legislators who have to move back home after a few years and face their friends and neighbors. Trump is nothing but a big middle finger to all of those established in all things political. And the Reps are in just as much trouble as the Dems because they now have two years to produce or they’ll be out as well.
The two major parties are no better than professional wrestlers – they play to the worst and most gullible of their supporters, and they are only really concerned about staying in office. They are an elite, out-of-touch group and the average American is sick of them. I’ve been surprised by the number of my black and Hispanic friends (as well as many women) who have emailed or posted that they are so glad someone finally pulled back the curtain just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. They are just as fed up as the “angry white men” the media keeps talking about.
Black says that Trump’s supporters were “those claiming racism, misogyny, and anti-immigrant prejudice.” I’m sure there were a few of those, but the vast majority of his support came from normal, decent folks who want someone to shock and change the whole system. They decided: If this jerk is the only one who’ll step [in] and try, I’ll vote for him because I’ve had it with the status quo.
Gary Millhollon
[Louis Black responds: After pointing out that those driven by prejudice were a segment of Trump's support, the column notes, "Another significant segment of support for Trump came from many deeply alienated Americans." Terms limits – which are basically anti-democratic, would leave bureaucrats and lobbyists with even more power. Given the number of congressional districts that are basically uncontested, gerrymandered into curious shapes by the Democrats and the Republicans, term limits might change out the faces but not the politics. What is absolutely needed is comprehensive, consistent, systemic re-districting making many more districts competitive. Which would help, but even that, as with term limits, is not a magic bullet. As to the Republicans having two years, Trump as a message may prove to be an unsettling surprise even for those sending it.]