Dear Donald Trump,
Congratulations. You won the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries. If history is any guide, you are on your way to the Republican nomination and quite possibly, the presidency.
You tell Republicans you are a real conservative. To most Republicans, that means Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan took guidance from Barry Goldwater; perhaps Ronald Reagan can be your Barry Goldwater.
Reagan spoke of getting the government off the backs of the American people.
I have read many of your books, and it’s not clear that that’s your goal.
You sound like a true conservative when you talk of lowering corporate taxes. You rightly condemn the EPA for destroying business and innovation. You talk of ending Common Core, and reducing or eliminating the Department of Education.
Most true conservatives applaud these stands, and there’s little doubt that Reagan and Goldwater would have as well. But then you turn around and say some contradictory and disturbing things.
A glaring example is your comment that you would use your power as president to give everyone healthcare. You do realize that’s socialism, don’t you?
I understand you are well off and that you can’t stand the idea of people being homeless without medical care. Well, this is (still) a free country, and you can help the poor as a private citizen through charity. But charity does not justify socialism.
When you say you will help the poor as president, you’re doing that with other people’s money. That’s not freedom, Mr. Trump. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton will make no compromises with the advocates of capitalism, so why should you, as the leader of the conservative party — make any compromise with socialism?
You talk of bad trade deals that Obama made with China. But are protective tariffs the best option? Why not remove the shackles that Obama and his ilk have placed on American businesses by cutting or eliminating as many taxes, regulations, and corporate subsidies as possible?
Why not turn America back into the truly capitalist, free-market economy we used to be?
Economically fascist China could not compete with an invigorated, laissez-faire capitalist America. According to many economists, protective tariffs in 1930 worsened the Great Depression.
In contrast, unhampered capitalism in the 19th century created a breathtakingly innovative era and the greatest economy mankind had ever seen. We still coast on its lingering momentum.
You talk of making America great again. Your pro-American sense of life draws conservatives to you. But what made America great, Mr. Trump?
Conservative icons Goldwater and Reagan would have replied, “Economic freedom. And a strong defense.” We know you favor a strong defense.
You promise to rebuild the American military and match its weapons to defend our once great nation. And you promise to protect the Second Amendment by appointing high court judges who will do the same.
Rest assured that conservatives will hold you to these promises if you are elected!
You will need to put your power where you mouth is.
You talk of deals. But the leftist establishment refuses to make deals. They do not compromise with anyone. They run roughshod over our laws, our supposed checks and balances, and our Constitution. Why should you compromise with them?
Why do you think so many of us, including those who will vote for you, are so very angry?
Many of us deeply appreciate your fearless opposition to political correctness, particularly in the face of creeping Muslim influence and threats against the United States. Your stance is unequivocally moral. Muslim fanatics aim to kill us. This is bad, and we must do everything possible to kill them first. You’ve got the right spirit and the right idea.
Hopefully you will harness that spirit to create a strong and disciplined policy of peace through strength. Then focus that strength onto merciless retaliation, with every bit of firepower we’ve got, against ISIS, Iran and other terrorist-sponsoring enemies of America.
America is once again at a crossroads, and, like Reagan, you have an enormous opportunity. In spite of Obama’s efforts to destroy us, we’re still here. Reagan was successful because he loosened the grip of the government on the economy.
He built up America’s defense and morale, and in so doing won the Cold War. Real conservatives want you to do the same. Do you want what real conservatives want, Mr. Trump? If so, please use your considerable talents of communication to tell us. The stakes are high, and this may well be America’s last stand. Don’t let us down.
Michael J. Hurd, Ph.D., LCSW is a psychotherapist and author with a private practice in coastal Delaware. He is the author of “Bad Therapy, Good Therapy (and How to Tell the Difference).” For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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