Here’s something I guarantee will not be discussed in the mainstream media. Donald Trump has benefitted from huge crowds at his rallies, and continues to have an impressive lead in the national polls; old news. I don’t want to talk about a man who I believe is a national embarrassment; I want to discuss his supporters.

Okay, we’ve been told that they’re angry; so am I; my government is failing me and my family. We know that their support of Trump is a direct statement to the Republican Party that they refuse to accept ‘business as usual.’ But is there more? Are these men and women supporting Trump and his brash and un-American tirades? Do they align themselves with Trump’s expressed ‘beliefs?’

Political pundits continue to say: “I’ve never seen anything like this and I have covered politics for (number) of years.” I’ve been interested in American politics for nearly 60 years, and trust me, there has never been anything like this in modern history.

So, who are Trump supporters, and what do they really want from their government?

If they truly believe in Donald Trump, they are anti-Hispanic. They want a wall which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and would not discourage those who are intent regarding illegally entering our nation. They want all Muslims banned from entering our nation; they actually believe that they are all enemies of America. Everyone should carry guns, and use them at the slightest provocation. All other nations are bad, and Trump will make America great again. Violence is justified and solves problems. Hillary Clinton is a criminal; Bernie Sanders is a communist; Ted Cruz is a liar; and ‘little Marco’ is a wimp.

I’m probably leaving out other specifics, but the bottom line is that he is a racist and a bigot who denies the principles and ideals of our founding fathers.

If this means that 40 percent of Republicans believe as he does, what does that say about the American people? These men and women do not believe in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trump supporters claim that they are angry. Are they actually angry at our government, or are they angry that the world around them is changing in ways unacceptable to them? Do they believe in equality and human rights? Is the LGBT community a pariah for them?

Recent violence at Trump events have revealed not only anger, but also hatred. Sadly, although he denies the obvious facts, Trump encourages physical retaliation against his detractors. There is understandable concern that this situation will escalate, and people will be seriously injured, or even killed.

For months I refused to join many who labeled Trump a ‘fascist,’ or even claiming that he was similar to Hitler; now I’m not so certain that I was correct. His followers have several similarities to the supporters of Hitler and Mussolini. He purposely says anything which will create strong emotions within the crowd. He promotes elitism as he denounces all of his opponents, and all others who disagree with him.

If Trump’s crowds are representative of the ‘new America,’ I don’t like it and I know my country exists no more.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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