A Rebuttal of Trump Criticism….
My colleague, Nancy, posted this on facebook – we thought it rose to the level of an observation worth documenting and sharing. Two videos follow – one with Chuck Todd and a second with excerpts from a ‘focus group’ that seems to portray Trump supporters as fearful, less educated, and naive Americans. (Note: Nancy is my cousin. We generally disagree on politics. She writes for thefiresidepost.com because she is articulate and makes observations relevant to the conversation.)
Nancy’s thought, captured from facebook:
“They speak and it’s as good as you think, depends from where you look. This is a blatant attempt to portray Trump supporters as uneducated and poor. From where I stand, that represents a majority of Americans who didn’t go on to college, but managed to find a trade or self employment. They aren’t filthy rich but have managed to raise families and are just tired of the restraints placed in and on their lives by Obama and his cronies. People who don’t have virgin ears and not worried about a few curse words. People who are hearing loud and clear what they have been talking about at their kitchen tables and in their living rooms for nearly eight years. If anyone wants to compete ‘hint’ they better pay attention and let these people know they have options other than Trump.”
Here is Mr. Todd on MSNBC:
Here is the focus group:
Comment by Nancy Belle on 15 December 2015:
Thank you Gary, I considered using ‘Fireside’ as the podium for this and I thank you for considering it to be worthy. I just need to clarify that I don’t support ‘Trump’ yet I do identify with and understand the many hard working blue collar folks who do. I truly believe that these people, the ‘bread and butter’ of our great nation, deserve a better candidate. One who knows and feels their concerns and is able to portray the truth they all know and need to hear. Able to speak the truth without the ‘crude and rude’. Able to show that they are strong enough to stand up and say “not my country, not any more”. Someone who sincerely represents the United States without apology and able to stand among the world’s leaders and reflect the light that is our country.
Comment by Gary Clark on 15 December 2015:
Nancy – some people think of thefiresidepost.com as liberal media. I like the way my son characterized us as “Stoking the Flames of The Cultural Conversation”. You do that very well. You and I have different views on many issues – but our differences are in technique – not principle. We both agree in this great nation. We believe in family, hard work, responsibility, education, reading, and participating.
You comment above shows a mastery of parallel structure in presenting ideas. This was a technique often used by Jefferson – particularly in the Declaration of Independence.
As Editor of thefiresidepost.com I ask only for opinions based on reality, honest facts, and particularly good writing. You have met and exceeded my expectations. 2016 is going to be a fun and frustrating year for anyone invested in American politics – that includes you and me.
A side note. Anyone can be a citizen – you just have to be born here, not much to it. When a citizen steps forward to engage the word with the intent of making it a better place then that person is an Advanced Citizen. Nancy, you are an Advanced Citizen.
Comment by Nancy Belle on 16 December 2015:
Thank you! I am looking forward to our exchanges in 2016. More importantly I am looking forward to a better and stronger USA that will follow.