Anger no excuse for Trump vote

I am tired of hearing members of the media attempt to justify Republican voter support for Donald Trump as an acceptable response to their anger or fear.

Indeed our nation has experienced an economic downturn, and many good jobs have been sent overseas. Yet, wasn’t the time to be angry eight-plus years ago when the market crashed and gasoline was $4 a gallon?

When these voters and their candidates proclaim that they want to “take their country back” or “make America great again,” is this what they want to return to? Why have they postponed being angry? The unemployment level is down from eight years ago, the economy has improved and millions more have health insurance. So isn’t this delayed, sleepy-headed reaction of anger quite absurd?

People have always faced adversity in this country. When our countrymen fought in the Revolutionary War, many didn’t have shoes, a coat for winter or food. But they didn’t select a carnival barker for president. They chose George Washington. During the Great Depression, when people stood in soup lines and there was rampant poverty and unemployment, they didn’t search the local circus for a president. They chose Franklin D. Roosevelt.

If you must vote for Trump, at least admit that you actually believe the world will take a reality star seriously. But spare us the nonsense about being mad.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Anger no excuse for Trump vote."