Like many citizens, I've wondered and tried hard to understand why Pres. Trump has such a remarkable following. (It's obvious why he probably should not)! Then a friend sent me this raccoon story. It makes no difference about your political leanings, this is just a good explanation of WHY... (or it's as good as any I can come up with).

If you really want to know how most people feel, and this applies to both democrats and republicans, read below. It says it all.

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You've been on vacation for two weeks, you come home, and your basement is infested with raccoons. Hundreds of rabid, messy, mean raccoons have overtaken your basement. You want them gone immediately. You call the city and 4 different exterminators, but nobody can handle the job. But there is this one guy and he guarantees to get rid of them, so you hire him. You don't care if the guy smells, you don't care if the guy swears, you don't care if he's an alcoholic, you don't care how many times he's been married, you don't care if he has a plumber's crack, you simply want those raccoons gone! You want your problem fixed! He's the guy. He's the best!

Here's why we want Trump. Yes he's a bit of a jerk; yes he's an egomaniac; but we don't care. The country is a mess because politicians suck, the Republicans and Democrats can be two-faced and gutless, and illegals are everywhere. We want it all fixed! We don't care that Trump is crude, we don't care that he insults people, we don't care that he has changed positions, we don't care that he's been married 3 times, we don't care that he fights with Megyn Kelly and Rosie O'Donnell, we don't care that he doesn't know the name of some Muslim terrorist.

This country became weak and bankrupt, our enemies were making fun of us, we are being invaded by illegals, we are becoming a nation of victims where every Tom, Ricardo, and Hasid is a special group with special rights to a point where we don't even recognize the country we were born and raised in; "AND WE JUST WANT IT FIXED". And Trump is the only guy who seems to understand what the people want.

We're sick of politicians, sick of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and sick of illegals. We just want this thing fixed. Trump may not be a saint, but we didn't vote for a Pope. We voted for a man who doesn't have lobbyist money holding him back, a man who doesn't have political correctness restraining him. We all know that he has been very successful, he's a good negotiator, he has built a lot of things, and he's also not a politician, not a cowardly politician. And he says he'll fix it. And we believe him because he is too much of an egotist to be proven wrong or looked at and called a liar. Also, we don't care if the guy has bad hair. We just want those raccoons gone, out of our house, NOW.

This really needs to be in THE BAR (where I can tell you what I REALLY think of your little 'soliloquy'. I guess you can always find that 35% that's willing to 'drink the kool-aid' and try to use justifications like the above as an excuse to abandon any sense of decency and morality. BTW, the 'racoon' analogy is not that subtle. White Nationalism, the dramatic rise in Hate Crimes, heightened anti-Semitism; Hey, time to 'man up' and admit what your REAL fear is, 'the browning of America'.

Like I said, I'd be happy to tell you how I REALLY feel over at THE BAR.

chas

I agree... this should be in "The Bar." But I sure don't disagree with the idea that our nation is being invaded by illegals across our southern border. I can't speak for what's going on across the northern border but Chas, my friend... if you walk across the Rio Grande from the U.S. side and "waltz into Mexico"... guess where you will quickly reside?

Remember the U.S. Marine who was going hunting down there a few years ago, got turned around and took the wrong way while doing his best to return back into the U.S. and was arrested and chained to his bunk in a Mexican Prison?

Our immigration laws need to be re-written immediately and the opposing party is doing nothing. I call this TREASON and believe they should all be put in prison (Republicans and Democrats) until they legislate a corrective set of laws. Claiming asylum because George Soros has paid a bunch of ragweed lawyers to "coach" illegal entrants is pure hogwash. That would not work if you tried to enter Mexico, Canada, Venezuela or the U.K.

Obey our laws, respect our sovereignty and enter the country the correct way. Isn't this the way things should be?

Dave, because I think you're a decent (if badly misinformed) guy, I just can't bring myself to respond to you in an honest manner. I VIVIDLY remember your comments about those 'unpatriotic NFL players' so I was already quite aware of your, shall we say, political and philosophical leanings. In any case, I'm sure there are lots of "fine people" down there in 'West Mayberry'. Have a great day.

As-salāmu ʿalaykum

chas (who realizes that America was built on the right to PEACEFUL PROTEST)

Chas:

I served my country in Naval Aviation for more than four years and I did it voluntarily. I was raised during WWII and patriotism was instilled into each of us. We were encouraged to collect scrap metal, rubber and other vital materials that could be "re-purposed" for military use. You are 100 percent correct to assume I have philosophical leanings and love my country very much.

Regarding the NFL Players who refuse to stand and respect the National Anthem... a significant number of them are of African-American Heritage... and I would think that they, of all people would understand what that flag and it's anthem mean. The Yankee Troops that fought and died in the hundreds of thousands paid for the freedom of their ancestors. Despite the fact that they were defeating my ancestors, I love that flag and anthem and would have given my life for my country if that had been required on our patrols in the Pacific from Midway to Adak to keep Russian Bombers from making an "end-run."

I respect your right... and the right of anyone to protest peacefully... but that does not include the right to dis-respect our Nation if one expects to derive the rights and privileges enjoyed from that citizenship.

As I agreed, my friend from Georgia... this topic would have been better placed in "the Bar." Just as there are fine folks in "West Mayberry"... there must be an even greater number of fine folks there in Roswell. My purpose is peace... and this topic has nothing to do with music. We are all entitled to our viewpoints and I do not believe "salsaman" intended insult or harm. If I misjudged his purpose, I apologize.

Fides-non-timet...

----Dave

Dave, I too served my country (also in Naval Aviation) for ten years so I feel that I've earned the right to the same moral authority that you seem to be now claiming. Too bad those Yankee troops had to die for something that should have been a human right to begin with (unless of course, you think slavery was a righteous cause). I'm also sorry that you've been manipulated into thinking that NFL players protesting police violence against unarmed Black men has anything to do with patriotism, but then, that's what Trump is so good at - sowing the seeds of hate and division by preying on your worst fears and most base instincts. We listen to the over 8000 documented lies with deaf ears and turn a blind eye to the despicable behavior as long as he is stacking the Supreme Court (which SHOULD be an apolitical and totally unbiased branch of government) with right-wing judges whose every judgment is totally predictable and only and always reflects the will and ideology of the religious right. News Flash - the whole country is NOT religious right. Some of us actually believe in equality for ALL it's citizens, and that the most private and personal health decisions a woman can make should not be decided by a group of old - men.

I am smart enough to know that most people in your (and mine) age group are not likely to change their perception of how the world should be. In the end, we will die and what we think will be buried with us - BUT, while we're here, maybe we can enrich our lives by expanding our belief structure, by making our own judgments rather than being led around by a nose ring by those who use the masses to enhance their own stature and whose interests never, ever extends beyond themselves.

chas

Can we get back to being a keyboard forum instead of a cable news show? I come here to get away from that crap.

Morning, Nigel:

Thanks for moving this topic to where it belongs. I am content to wait for history to determine which "faction" was on the correct path. I may not be around to see it... but at least I "took a stand" for what I believe.

All the best, ----Dave Rice

Yes, thank you Nigel. I'm like Sparky. Quite frankly, I can answer the arguments based on unverified information from the NY Times and the Washington Post with just as much sneakiness as those that are posting this junk. I really do prefer coming to SN for arranger info.

The good takeaway is, responsible citizens like Dave and Chas are taking the time to flesh out carefully articulated opinions which reflect well intentioned concern for our country and it's citizens.

It's no surprise that I'm joined at the hip with Chas and his concerns. But I also respect Dave and, as an "Air Force brat",I see where he's coming from.

My take on the immigration issue is a little different. As a long-time liberal, I've done a lot to help illegals here in Kentucky, with what some would call disappointing results. In 10 years, undocumented renters have done $100,000.00 damage to two houses (burning baseboards, stealing A/C units, stoves, refrigerators, ripping out wire, etc.).

My take is, undocumented or not, these were sort of the bottom of the renter pool, so it's my fault for trying to help people
who would destroy property, illegal or not.

I supported a family of mom, dad and three kids, and became a big supporter of the Dream act. Dad was GREAT, but lost his horse farm job after 10 years thru the E-Verify process. The littlest boy is fabulous. A great high school wrestler, working to be a jockey. Now the bad news. The next boy is in constant trouble...stealing from my garage...taking 10 albums I was having him copy onto an I-pad ("lost" the device, too). Got hired as a motorcycle mechanic by one of my friends (with my help) and left with a lot of hard feelings on the part of the shop owners (don't know the details). The little girl wrecked a new motor scooter I bought her. I had to fire her from a job I gave her helping take care of the widow of my departed music partner, George.

Mom borrowed money to bring her parents from Mexico and promised to pay it back on a certain day. After 6 months, when she "hid" her three children from me, basically stopping all communications, when I confronted her, she said, "I cannot pay you back (ONLY $600.00, but the point is not the money but the betrayal)."Don't tell my husband."

Her parents, whom I spoke to frequently on SKYPE, are confused as to what happened to the relationship. They treated me as an adopted son and appreciated the help I was giving the family. I was going to pay for college for all three children. The girl is in law school, and will be as crooked as the best lawyers in the business.

I worry about little boy # 2 and hope mom gets really sick on her flight back to Mexico.

Thing is, while this activity and more sort of mirrors the typical stereotype we all know, the take-a-way is, there are good and bad people everywhere.

The other takeaway is, one bad apple (mom, in this case), can negatively impact lives in a major way...in this case, the lives of her own children. Mom's activities have soured many on immigrants in general around here.

I am disappointed at my interaction with these people, but have not abandoned my intention to help others.


I just need to be a little more careful.

Russ