I applaud Noozhawk for its support of freedom of speech and for not engaging in today’s media cancel-culture. However, columnist Randy Alcorn’s outrageous, unsubstantiated claims against 74 million Americans — including 65,736 Santa Barbara County voters — requires a response.
In his Nov. 29 commentary, Alcorn asserts that anyone who voted for President Donald Trump is “delusional or dissolute” — as in immoral, depraved, evil-minded. His rage has blinded his ability to see; his drums have deafened his hearing.
Years ago, I served with Alcorn on a statewide nonprofit board when he was CFO of the Santa Barbara News-Press, which was then owned by The New York Times, and I benefited from his opinions.
After reading last week’s hostile, vicious column attacking others, I hope he benefits from what I know, after talking to several locals and reviewing poll responses. The first goal in conflict resolution is actively listening in an effort to understand the issue from alternative perspectives.
So, why would anyone vote to re-elect Trump?
For starters, Alcorn could have asked one of the one out of three voters in Santa Barbara County who voted for Trump rather than choosing to speculate with answers that reflect Alcorn’s own entrenched angry disdain for him.
In a July 6 Wall Street Journal commentary, “Defend America’s History — and Retake Its Institutions,” Gerard Baker explains that “elites have failed and betrayed us,” which is why voters sought and continue to seek a populist candidate who is not part of the established elite or of either of the two main political parties.
The reasons why I voted for Trump’ re-election are not unlike those of many others I know and have heard from:
» He’s not a doublespeaking career politician, and he cares about our country and about every American.
» He’s authentic, saying spontaneously what he thinks without politically sanitizing his message. That’s refreshing, as is his toughness and bold expectations.
» He loves America, values American citizens, respects our Constitution, knows that every country requires borders, and he understands everyday citizens’ frustration at years of neglect from hypocritical elites who dictate from on high but never listen or respond to us.
» As a businessman, he’s focused on results, which is what our country needs, and he does not play into the hands of corporate giants and foreign leaders. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine developed in record time proves my point: no bureaucrat could have created the environment to achieve that.
» He earned my vote. He has accomplished much to benefit the middle, working and less fortunate classes, despite being under unrelenting attack from the unaccepting political left since his 2016 victory. His strength, stamina and achievements are necessary as we face a coronavirus-fueled recession that requires a massive effort to retain and restore jobs.
» He’s steadfast under pressure and devoted to duty.
» There were two choices on the Nov. 3 ballot. I voted for Country, Capitalism, Constitution, checks and balances, individual rights, property rights, minority rights, opportunity, jobs, the Electoral College, and for what he’s doing to protect citizens’ rights. I voted for the Republican Party platform headed by Trump. I don’t need to like any leader’s personality, or agree with everything. I’m not a socialist.
» He made me aware of what really goes on in Washingotn. Our country is in trouble from within.
» His opponents in both 2016 and 2020 were elite establishment, corrupt politicians controlled by corporate globalists. Our constitutional Republic requires checks and balances from a minimum of two party perspectives. A lopsided, one party-dominated America will fail.
» Trump is transparent. Even if I don’t like his personal character, I support him because I know who he is, who he is not, and that he fights tirelessly for us and our country.
Contrast my reasons with Alcorn’s epithets and accusations. They are nothing like anything he described.
I am one of the one out of three locals who voted for Trump. My voice is one of the ignored, unrepresented, fed-up American citizens of every political party registration who have had enough of a favored crony class unwilling to work within our constitutional framework to improve the United States of America.
While I agree with Alcorn’s statement that civics education should be required for all students, if his hateful and intolerant commentary is any indication of what he truly believes, why should we believe his desire to unite as Americans?
— Denice Spangler Adams is a longtime Montecito resident. The opinions expressed are her own.