A Lesson For Lester

Hi Lester, 

I’m Neil Henry’s cousin and I’m a Trump supporter.  I know I’m supposed to be ashamed of this, especially in California where I live, but I’m not.  Neil sent me your request re wanting to hear “what it is that good people find appealing about Trump.”  Maybe I’m misinterpreting your request, but it sounds like you’re of the opinion (as is half the country), that it’s a contradiction in terms that someone who is “good” could reasonably support a scoundrel like President Trump.  In any case, here are my thoughts. 

First of all, I should say that like many supporters, I understand Trump is a mixed bag.  He says dumb stuff, he can come off like a bully, he’s bombastic, and his personal insults can sound ridiculously juvenile.  I have never liked these qualities (although sometimes they’re pretty comical), but I have come to accept them because his overall policies have been good for the people of this country. Also, I believe Donald Trump is essentially a good human being, with good intentions and a sincere love for this country.  I suppose that’s the bottom line for everyone. My personal belief is that I’d rather see results than worry too much about bedside manner, especially when survival is at stake. 

The endless allegations of racism, sexism, and xenophobism have been widely and adamantly denied by those who know Trump well, including many outspoken African Americans, Latinos and women.  More importantly, such allegations are clearly not supported by Trump’s policies.  The few examples that are cited over and over by the press and Trump’s opponents are easily squelched if anyone cares to actually listen.  I chose to listen.   

Let me just say that I do not consider myself to be particularly partisan.  I try to listen carefully to both sides and not accept superficial, clearly partisan driven rhetoric (admittedly hard to escape these days).  I do not blindly support everything that Trump says or does. But I do truly believe that he is what this country needs at this moment in time when so much hangs in the balance.  And I truly fear for the country should Biden and his gang take us down the road that they appear to be on.   

I think it’s also important to acknowledge the utter failure of the present day media (including social media) to present the truth about Trump’s accomplishments, his character, and the dangers we are now facing.  It’s tough to separate the truth from the lies when you’re fed a daily dose of misinformation. What I fear most right now is not Biden in particular, or the left and their often misguided policies.  What I’m most afraid of is a rampant, self righteous ignorance…that between a secretive, untrustworthy government, and a biased media that has already shown itself to engage in outright censorship, the American people will no longer have the opportunity to know what’s actually transpiring.  If you think I sound like a conspiracy driven nut case, stay tuned.   

Some of Trump’s first-term accomplishments:

1)   Pre-covid, more Americans were employed than ever recorded before in our history. Millions of jobs were created, including several hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs growing at the fastest rate in 3 decades.  This, by the way, something that Obama said could never happen. 

2) The huge economic growth led to a 49-year low of new unemployment claims.

3) Median household income hit the highest level ever recorded.

4) African-American, Hispanic-American, and Asian-American unemployment hit the lowest rate ever recorded.

5) Women’s unemployment reached the lowest rate in 65 years; similarly youth unemployment, veteran unemployment and Americans without a high school diploma also reached record low unemployment.

6) Millions of people were able to get off food stamps.

7) After tax cuts, over $300 billion came back into the country.

8) Revised health plan to significantly lower costs, including for meds, nearing completion (pre-existing conditions covered).

9) Reformed Medicare to save low-income seniors hundreds of millions of dollars.

10) $6 billion in new funding to fight opioid epidemic.

11) Veterans programs revamped dramatically, including helping vets to receive timely medical care needed.

12) Uplifted African-American community through policies like First Step Act and opportunity zones—reformed criminal justice system, prison sentencing disparities, funded historically black colleges/universities.

13) Supports the police and other first responders and the right to protest peacefully while condemning opportunistic violence in the streets. Adamantly against de-funding of police.

14) New assistance programs that helped farmers immensely.

15) Recent major historical step toward peace in the Middle East.

16) Imposed tariffs on China and worked to effectively fight their abusive trade practices.

17) Took charge of Covid response when there was very little known about virus, held daily press conferences, etc. Has never received proper credit for his handling of pandemic. Appears vaccine now created in record time which no one else believed possible.

I could go on, but the point is Trump GETS THINGS DONE…for all Americans, including those most in need. And that’s what I personally care about, not politics.  Ironically, the Republican party, thanks to Trump, has now become the party of the people, the party of the working class. 

Go figure.  Anyway, this is probably much more information than you would have liked, but here it is.  I hope it’s helpful.  In any case, I appreciate the rare opportunity to rant. 

Best regards, (name withheld)

 

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This is as fine a statement of the truth of Donald J. Trump as any I have seen and agree with completely.  Mr. Trump's critics are rarely so analytical, accurate and just.  Their statements are emotional without substance or reason.  The good news is that the truth in this piece is telling us who we are and defines what we have to deal with in the days to come.

We would love to see what kind of response "Lester" made to this communique', if any.   Much as Mr. Trump has learned the great axiom of Mark Twain, "Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel," Lester has learned you never express half-baked politics to a sharp lady with a pen in hand.

Adrian Vance