EDITOR’S NOTE: Pioneer columnist Mike Randall’s most recent column included a call to action to Trump supporters to reach out to him https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/trying-to-see-trump-supporters-please-speak-up/ … here is a response that he received.
By Michael Randall
I have talked to people who work at media outlets, and they tell me they have offered a forum to supporters of Donald Trump, but never hear from them. In my last column I offered to publish statements from his supporters in this column and treat them respectfully while giving the writers anonymity.
I have received just one such statement; it was emailed to me by a man who found it on the internet. He said he looks for things to read to help him understand why people believe different things. When he saw my request, he wanted to participate. His full, unedited statement is as follows.
“This letter is in regards to why I and many American support Donald Trump. He puts America first that is extremely important. The Constitution is an incredible document. Through it allows anyone to flourish that is American. I do not believe racism exist anymore, except through the media. It’s like the media is looking for it on purpose.
“Let’s discuss the wall. Our country has been built on immigrants. I think it’s a necessity that we continue to let people in to live the American dream. However it’s pretty simple we just want proper vetting. I don’t want someone coming into our country that is here just to hurt us. 911 should have been a wake-up call for so many people. The wall needs to be built to limit the chances of another 9/11.
“President Biden is taking way too long to implement anything near the wall now he wants to change everything because he wants to be re-elected. It took bold Republican men and women to send immigrants to different sanctuary cities to show how things need to change quickly!
“I also want to make it clear, I do believe in a two-party system you have to have checks and balances you need both parties. There’s good men and women on both sides of the aisle Democrats and Republicans. The first four years of Trump’s presidency I felt like the economy was roaring I thought food costs gas were reasonable people were working. My business was improving and growing.
“I thought your comment about Putin was totally out of line. If I thought president Trump really thought Putin was a great man I would not vote for Trump at all. It’s his art of diplomacy through strength and open communication with foreign leaders in China too. President Trump showed great leadership. Trump’s not about war if you ever listen to him he’s absolutely going to do anything to avoid it. However again the media really pushes the narrative that he’s wanting to start a war. Just like Ronald Reagan was about defense and also showed great strength.
“The media is always make comments stating that Trump is a dictator type president. We don’t want a dictator president let’s make that clear. Putin is an evil man! I do believe if president Trump was in office these last 4 years Ukraine’s war would I’ve ended almost before it started. It upsets Donald Trump that Ukrainian people have suffered so much! I guess reading your letter it’s how you describe things or how you believe yourself are perceive what’s in front of you we look at the world differently.
“Only in America can you have open communication and be able to stand for what you believe in and that’s another reason why I love this country so much, that I can have a discussion with you and pretty much disagree but still respect you as a writer and a human being. Recapping everything, while concluding, if I thought Donald Trump was a racist or dictator I would not vote for him. He is not just like our President now is not a racist or dictator. Thank you for reading! Have a great day!”
I emailed this gentleman, asking if we could meet for coffee at Five Rivers Coffeehouse in Tillamook. He responded that meeting each other would be great. He looked for the location of Five Rivers online but said he couldn’t locate it. I gave him more detailed directions, and he responded, “I live in St. Louis, Missouri.” We both had a good laugh about our assumptions that each of us lived locally.
Our interactions (14 emails) and a phone conversation were pretty heartwarming for me. I could tell he is a kind, thoughtful person. We disagree about Trump, but if we lived closer to each other I think we would become friends.