Michael A. Clarke: Trump exposing some ugly truth about many Americans
It looks like the Donald Trump campaign has brought out some truths regarding the Republican Party and many of its followers. We see hordes of (mostly) white people cheering the wealthy real estate developer as he spouts anti-immigrant, anti-women, anti-black, anti-gay, anti-poor, anti-Muslim and a variety of other bigoted outbursts. Though many are outraged by his rants, the truth is he has made it OK for “real Americans” to come into the light and reveal some uncomfortable truths about what some Americans and some Republicans actually believe.
Though there might be Republican party members who adhere to the progressive policies of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, many Republican leaders and their followers throughout history have been on the wrong side of our country’s values. They have opposed voting rights for African Americans, integration of public schools, Social Security, Medicare, minimum wages, unions, the 40-hour work week, paid vacations and equal rights for women and gay Americans.
Bigotry, injustice and hatred are not virtues, but Trump and his followers are actually doing America a service. Their behavior clearly shows we still have a way to go to truly achieve the principles enshrined in our Constitution.
Michael A. Clarke, Salida
This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Michael A. Clarke: Trump exposing some ugly truth about many Americans."