The Deplorable Values of a Trump Supporter
Image by Getty Images
By Neil Berro September 21, 2016
I suppose I am as deplorable as the next guy, as long as the next guy or woman is backing Donald J. Trump for president as I am proudly doing.
I’ve tried to determine the roots of my deplorability and I am sure I can provide enough cannon fodder for every politically correct progressive to find fault with my views.
Shall we begin?
I believe this country owes us rights and privileges and that we owe the country certain responsibilities back. I think John F. Kennedy got that right way back when he told us to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
I believe no one has the right to effect bigotry upon another, and that goes for all races. I also believe that positive discrimination to create social change is discriminatory, pure and simple. Merit wins. Merit must win. Our goal is a color blind and race blind society, not a society that says you deserve to have things better for you at someone else’s expense.
I have never tried to judge an individual by the faith they hold or lack of faith, but I can judge the faith itself. Islam needs a massive worldwide reform movement. It would start with a universal declaration that killing or injuring or attacking other people in the name of your faith is inherently fundamentally wrong. It should specifically address the invalidity of texts cited in the Koran that make fair game of any decreed to be unworthy, non-believers, or “infidels” in any manner. That would be an important update to the religion that might save lives and dramatically increase understanding.
I believe political correctness is a trend that is purposely regressive in nature. Designed nominally to open avenues of thought, it has the purposeful effect of shutting it down.
I believe some of the most essential arguments against illegal immigration have to do with both the challenge to fair play and the practical consequences of adding competitive job seekers to a pool of Americans who are most in need of jobs. I don’t believe in walls but I do believe in proper identification security in a technological world.
I believe Trump is absolutely correct when he calls for an “America First” approach. America, at long last, should put forth its own brand, should challenge the notion that trade, NATO support, all manner of international dealings are best when America yields the most. Our power as both consumer and producer should at least at the margins be adjusted in our favor; the net result may positively surprise us in improving our standard of living.
Trump’s appeal to clean up our infrastructure is painfully obvious to anyone who has flown into the many world-class airports around the world. Few will be found in the United States. Our bridges, roads and tunnels, at least in the New York metro area, look like they should permanently filmed in black and white— such is the era they evoke.
I have had deep skepticism that our current president has any goodwill towards the people of Israel, his orchestrated press releases about the “unprecedented aid” to Israel notwithstanding. The details of the “negotiation” between the US and Iran were about as clear as the White House’s determination to really stop Iran from cheating on its obligations in the nuclear arms deal. If anyone really believes there was or is serious intent by the Obama White House to force Iran comply with the terms, I’ll sell you some of the badly in need of repair bridges and tunnels. A rare chance to liberalize Iran was met with silence from the White House, as Iranians were shoved into jails and dungeons and their screams went unanswered. Add the handling of Benghazi and Syria, and political expediency ruled the day.
So yes, I am deplorable— especially to a hardcore leftist, someone who has never voted outside the Democratic Party or one so profoundly myopic in his or her zeal to be politically correct.
On the other hand, I can and will affirm that my values are deeply rooted in a positive interpretation of America truly open to all so we can at last start to get past this insidious war within ourselves. Nothing deplorable about that, I hope.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
