Letter to the editor: Trump and opponents on ideals vs. men

I might have just gained an insight into what divides America so much.

If you read the reactions to President Trump’s speech at Mt. Rushmore, you’ll see The Wall Street Journal claim it was a great speech while others (New York Times, Washington Post and most cable news networks) saw it as a terrible, race-baiting dog whistle to the white supremacists.

Here’s the difference: Trump was speaking about the ideals of human freedom, equality and God-given rights, which our Founding Fathers, and subsequent leaders, strove to preserve in our nation’s principles. Like all ideals, we the people fall short. But we must still strive to honor, preserve and achieve those ideals. The men in our history who lived and worked to that end deserve our respect and admiration.

Trump’s opponents, on the other hand, are writing about the men, not their ideals. That’s why we now know who owned slaves. Because these men, like all people, fall short of their ideals. The left is using the human weaknesses of the Founders to discredit America’s ideals and founding principles.

This is an attack on America, not on statues. And it’s coming from within. Trump knows it and he is telling everyone. We must reelect Trump in November. Vote. Volunteer. Contribute.

Richard J. Krauland

East Franklin