Trump taps wellspring of dissatisfaction

Posted 10/1/15

To the Editor:

This letter concerns the phenomenal rise in the polls of Donald Trump in the Republican contest for nomination. He now leads by a wide margin the Republican standard bearer, Jeb …

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Trump taps wellspring of dissatisfaction

Posted

To the Editor:

This letter concerns the phenomenal rise in the polls of Donald Trump in the Republican contest for nomination. He now leads by a wide margin the Republican standard bearer, Jeb Bush. One can ask, how did this ever come about? The obvious answer is that “the Donald” is popular. He taps into a wellspring of dissatisfaction about the direction of this country. In many ways Donald Trump is similar to Ronald Reagan in the early 1980s. 

Before that year most believed that he could never win the presidency, but Reagan saw a tremendous unhappiness among people about the direction of the country, he saw this trend and exploited it. Donald Trump is in a similar situation today. Most people are not satisfied with the status quo today and blame the culprit: government. No wonder all the Republican governors and senators running are in single digits.

What Republicans are looking for is someone larger than life, someone that people will be attracted to on an almost messianic level, someone that will use charisma to get things done. In many ways Donald Trump is like Reagan. Both are largely self- made men who made their presence known not in government but in other areas. Reagan first was a radio personality and a B movie actor before he got involved in government, Trump of course the businessman and later television celebrity.

Like Reagan, Trump is given to angry outbursts, outrageous statements and forgetfulness. Reagan talked about welfare queens, the evil Russians and before that the Communist conspirators. Trump talks about criminal immigrants, the evil Iranians and, on his Apprentice show, firing people who did not sell enough lemonade. But both men have or had a love of country that showed through the angry rhetoric.

Reagan beat Carter in 1980 because he loved the country more than Carter loved big government. In six months most of the big primaries will be over. Trump has so much momentum that he very well may win the nomination and the presidency. To do this he needs to watch more of what he says, to be more soothing and unifying in his rhetoric. Much the same way Reagan stressed that Americans and not government were capable of great things. With that kind of attitude, Mr. Trump may indeed create more jobs than any other president.

Kevin Vealey

Warwick

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    Dear Kevin,

    You're right. Trump is talking boldly about his ideas. So do I. Trump wants to "cut taxes". And here in Warwick, so do I. Trump wants to "cut spending". And here in Warwick, so do I. Trump, as you say, "may indeed create more jobs..." So will I. (with rebate checks for new businesses and new home buyers). Trump is spending his own money, putting his money where his mouth is. So am I. Trump is a successful businessman. I'm proud to say "So am I". Trump shows a total focus on the needs of the taxpayers, not just the needs of government. Here in Warwick,so do I. Donald Trump has a TON of money. O.K. he's got me on that one. But many of my supporters have jokingly told me "Trump is copying you", since he is repeating many of the ideas I have been saying since I announced in December, 2014.

    Kevin, nationwide and citywide we are TBAR'd Taxed Beyond All Reason. Here in Warwick we have had 15 tax increases in 15 years. In the last 10 years, we have lost 5,800 taxpayers and 4,666 businesses. I'm going to reverse that. I have a plan that is gaining support daily, and I welcome you to join me. Go to "correntemayorwarwick.com" I'm running as a Democrat. Trump is a Republican. But don't let that stop you from voting for either one of us.

    Take good care Kevin.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Thursday, October 1, 2015 Report this

  • Ken B

    The presidential election is over a year away. Trump is leading in the polls because he has high name recognition. The other Republican candidates have low name recognition. In addition, because Trump has been successful in business and television, many people think that he is a political outsider who will be successful in politics. However, these people don’t realize that Trump, among all Republican candidates, is the biggest political insider. As a rich and powerful businessman, Trump has made friends with all the major elected political officials in the United States. He has made major political contributions to both Republicans and Democrats and probably is welcome into their private homes. It is impossible to determine what his true political believes are. He has a habit of using ridicule and humor to demean his political opponents and all national elected political officials. Our greatest presidents have never acted in this manner. He obviously the poorest choice to be the Republican nominee for President of the United States.

    Friday, October 2, 2015 Report this

  • Ken B

    The presidential election is over a year away. Trump is leading in the polls because he has high name recognition. The other Republican candidates have low name recognition. In addition, because Trump has been successful in business and television, many people think that he is a political outsider who will be successful in politics. However, these people don’t realize that Trump, among all Republican candidates, is the biggest political insider. As a rich and powerful businessman, Trump has made friends with all the major elected political officials in the United States. He has made major political contributions to both Republicans and Democrats and probably is welcome into their private homes. It is impossible to determine what his true political believes are. He has a habit of using ridicule and humor to demean his political opponents and all national elected political officials. Our greatest presidents have never acted in this manner. He obviously the poorest choice to be the Republican nominee for President of the United States.

    Friday, October 2, 2015 Report this