America is great not because of Trump, but because of many dedicated citizens
Editor:
Anyone who tries to cover the good being done in Orleans County knows it is an impossible task. Local reporters Virginia Kropf, Jim Krencik, and Tom Rivers spare little effort in their vain attempt to do so. They cannot keep up with the efforts of Margie Buck, Debby Wilson, Jim Greanier, Bob Golden, Sister Dolores O’Dowd, Alice Preston and so many others who do the things that help make America great.
America will always have work to do, but it is great and has been for a long time. Those who try make mistakes, but still we strive to attain the lofty goals of “liberty and justice for all.”
As shown by things such as “Operation Provide Comfort” in Kurdish Iraq and our N.A.T.O. intervention in Bosnia, among many others, America’s commitment does not stop at the water’s edge.
In the past month, ample evidence of our national greatness has been inescapable. One needs look no further than the campaign trail.
How encouraging is it that, here in Orleans County, one Republican after another has expressed to me revulsion over what has been going on with his/her party? Several have told me there is “no way” they would ever vote for Donald Trump. Only one has expressed admiration for their frontrunner.
The reactions of Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and John Kasich to their party frontrunner’s demagoguery and incitement to violence have been admirable. They have nonetheless stopped just short of saying they would not support the brash billionaire should he become the nominee.
Though their genuine concern over what is happening to their party is interpreted as purely political, many Republicans have spoken without equivocation. Mitt Romney was one of many sincere, patriotic Americans to plead with people to wake up. As badly as they abhor Clinton and Sanders, they are speaking out. Such courage and concern are indicative of American greatness.
Overlooked by the pundits is the civility of Trump’s own followers. Despite their favorite’s shameless rhetoric and clear incitement to violence once the cameras roll, those who attend his rallies have not beaten up protesters and attacked the media.
Nearly to a person they have shown respect for the rights of others to protest even when the “disrupters” fail to respect a repugnant candidate’s free speech. The restraint shown by Trump’s backers has been exemplary in all but a handful of cases.
Donald Trump only wishes he was as decent as those “ordinary” people he purports to represent. In the face of his repeated attempts to shred civility, the thoughtful response of his legions could be seen as a tribute to our education system.
Just as those who do so much to positively impact Orleans County, it is the people whom our leaders seek to represent who make America the great nation that it is.
Sincerely yours,
Gary Kent
Albion
