My Take: Pro-Trump rhetoric just doesn't pass the smell test

Gil Lalo
·3 min read
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I feel compelled to respond to the recent “doom and gloom” missive by Michael John De Waard in which he spews a laundry list of half-truths and lays them at the feet of the current administration and then ends with a quote from the preeminent thinker and frequent Oprah guest, Dr. Phil.

From his list, it is obvious that Mr. De Waard receives most if not all of his “information” from sources aimed at gullible folk on the right portion of the political spectrum. These media outlets (I can’t bring myself to call them news) only exist as long as they can keep low-info voters in a continual froth about how horrible things are in this country and how badly we need a second term from the Orange Horror so that we can Make America Great Again.Let’s take a quick look at De Waard’s issues:

  • Border crisis: The GOP turned on one of their own (again) and rejected the best compromise bill in generations at the request of Trump

  • Violent crimes committed by illegals: There is zero data proving illegals commit crimes at a higher rate than citizens; in fact, the reverse is true. While high-profile cases of crimes by non-citizens grab eyeballs on the aforementioned media outlets, they are the exception, not the rule.

  • Fentanyl deaths: A problem no doubt but alas one that has been with us for at least the past 15 years and one which I must point out, stems from LEGAL border crossings.

  • Global unrest: There has not been a time in my 63 years on the planet where this has not been the case. At least we currently have a president who is respected, not laughed at, and has strengthened, not weakened our global alliances.

  • Funding Ukraine and Israel: Yes. As we should. Somehow it has become a bad thing to contain Russia’s aggression in some conservative circles all the while throwing around the word “communist” to describe anyone they don’t like as though we are back in the McCarthy era.

  • Enriching Iran: Gotta plead ignorance on this one Michael. Help me out here with some facts, if you would.

  • Divided country: Yes, we are divided into people who support a rapist and the rest of us who don’t. Curious and a little sad. That being said, there has never been a time when the country was NOT divided. The Civil War, women’s suffrage, civil rights, Vietnam War, etc. — all come to mind as examples of a divided country.

  • High interest rates: A global issue with the U.S. having some of the lowest interest rates on the planet thanks to Biden’s policies.

  • Inflation: Again, global problem in which the U.S. is doing better than any other country thanks to Biden and the Fed. BTW: Can Mr. De Waard point to a time when prices went down?

  • Out-of-control spending and our national debt: Congress controls the purse. Is there a Republican plan to address this? Didn’t think so.

  • Crime rate: Hate to break it to you, but the crime rate is at a 20-year low and continues to decline.

  • Credit card debt: No answers here but I thought your party was big on “personal responsibility.” I’m not aware of anything the administration is doing to encourage credit card debt. In fact, Biden's administration has been active in eliminating bank junk fees and lowering merchant fees for credit card use.

In short Mr. De Waard, you got nuthin’. Try harder.

— Gil Lalo resides in Holland.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: Pro-Trump rhetoric just doesn't pass the smell test