As I watch the 2016 election unfold, I am slowly becoming a Trump supporter. If you had suggested six months ago that I would ever consider supporting Trump I would have laughed at you.

Why am I changing my mind? At first I thought Trump, while brilliant, to be an egotistical buffoon. However, as I watched him force the GOP contenders to address items like immigration and national security, which they were dodging, my opinion began to evolve.

I kept waiting for someone to expose him for the bully he appears to be. With thousands of employees and hundreds of major business deals, there must be someone that he stepped on badly as he climbed the ladder of success. What has shocked me is that no one has stepped forward and claimed abuse. I am sure that his opponents are carefully digging thru his past formud to throw. Having heard none thus far, I must conclude that he treats his employees well and is a tough but fair negotiator.

It is said he has changed positions on issues over the past 20-plus years. I do not find that overly disturbing because as time passes one must evolve. I am far more suspicious of the conservative or liberal ideologue who claims to have never changed positions. The world is changing rapidly and is becoming a dangerous place to live. We must elect a leader, who unlike Obama, is willing to work with Congress and modify his positions when necessary.

Someone who may have been a liberal sympathizer in the past is not all bad, Trump would have a working knowledge of and contacts within the Democratic Party and may be able to attract moderate liberals to his cause. Electing an uncompromising conservative may, on the surface sound great, but if a hardline conservative were elected we could be in the same position we are in now with a president who refuses to compromise.

It has been a very long time since this country elected a president who was not funded by big money men. This applies to both parties.

Would it not be refreshing to elect an individual who is not beholding to the big money that supplies the funds needed to run a national campaign and expect favors in return?

Would it not be wise to elect a successful businessman instead of a professional politician?

Would it not be beneficial to have someone in charge who was a successful negotiator in real life, rather than someone who’s business knowledge and negotiating skills came out of a book in a liberal college?

I have no doubts about Trump’s love of America or his leadership skills. I do, however, have some concerns whether our ruling political class would be willing to work with someone who was not one of them.

Perhaps its time to begin putting our professional ruling political class out to pasture.

Washington has become corrupt and if the voice of “We the people” is to be heard changes must be made.

 

Don Sorensen

Albert Lea