Donald Trump’s success is the result of a nation living in fear and hatred; there is no other explanation. In reality, he is no different from other Republicans who have won elections with the use of fear tactics and promoting hatred of minorities and people from other nations; Trump just does it with more vile and in a louder voice.

His positions on immigration and the Muslim world are against American principles and destroy the American dream. Any ‘absolute’ position on any issue by any thinking person, brings into question intellect and judgement.

One of the most important reasons America was once a great nation is its diversity and what we all learn from other cultures. Politicians have intentionally destroyed America’s greatness, but the majority of Americans remain admirable and continue to believe in our nation, and its ability to return to a respected and revered world leader.

Military might does not make a nation great; the quality of life, freedom, and independence for all are the ingredients of greatness.

There is only one similarity between Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan; they both campaigned under the Republican banner. But that’s where it ends. In reality, neither Trump nor his closest competitor, Ted Cruz, can honestly wear the badge of a Republican. They lack the principles of the GOP, and they have no respect for all of the American people; they would be dictators, and not servants of the majority.

The best example of Trump’s failure to promote Republican principles can be demonstrated by the actions of Reagan regarding immigration, and Trump’s rejection of all immigrants.

Reagan passed his immigration act in 1986. In his signing statement Reagan said: “The legalization provisions in this act will go far to improve the lives of a class of individuals who now must hide in the shadows, without access to many of the benefits of a free and open society. Very soon many of these men and women will be able to step into the sunlight and, ultimately, if they choose, they may become Americans.”

Reagan’s act did include increased border security, and enacted penalties for employers who knowingly hired undocumented immigrants.

It was this act which allowed a young woman and her family to move to the United States in 1990. Farhana, a Muslim from Bangladesh, was able to join her father who was already living in America. She took the more-American name of ‘Nancy’ to honor Reagan. Her uncle named his newborn son ‘Reagan’ for the same purpose.

The family moved to Brooklyn, and today Nancy teaches English at a public school, while her husband is employed with a ‘tech startup’ company.

Under Donald Trump, her family would have not been allowed to join the family patriarch. Because they were Muslim, they would be considered a danger to national security, and refused entry into the United States.

Before she recently passed away, Nancy Reagan spoke about today’s Republican candidates through her daughter, Patty Davis. She said that her husband would be ashamed of all of them; none held Republican principles close to their hearts.

These are the reasons that Donald Trump has experienced success; he is an extremist who has exposed a Republican Party which has become radicalized. Poor leadership, and a reluctance to join other developed nations in the 21^st century, has destroyed the once Grand Old Party. Trump is merely the result of years of failed actions from a party which once led the people of our nation proudly into the future. This is not the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, or Ronald Reagan. This is a sad truth. When our two largest parties worked together, our government worked, and worked for the majority.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Marion Doss

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