Why Trump’s base wants a wall

Re “The best use for Trump’s big wall,” Opinion, Jan. 23

Jonah Goldberg writes, “If Trump wanted a clear — and immediate — win on illegal immigration, he’d evolve and recognize that the wall’s greatest utility might be as a bargaining chip.”

No, President Trump won’t evolve. Using the wall as a bargaining chip will not satisfy the members of his base. They see a wall; they understand a wall.

It’s the same way with the diversity lottery. His base sees only a fish bowl holding cards being plucked out by a blindfolded secretary. They do not understand that nobody gets in that lottery who has not already been vetted.

Nate Tucker

Costa Mesa

It was laughable for White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly to say that Trump’s thinking has evolved.

Sure, Kelly may have wanted to foster that impression. Why? Though he won’t admit it, he knows well that American business and agricultural interests — and, ultimately, price-conscious consumers — rely heavily on low-paid undocumented immigrant labor.

But Trump will not ditch his schtick: Divert attention from inconvenient truths, while dishing demagogic drivel that delights ill-informed, bigoted masses.

Kelly excels as chief of staff because he helps the president have it both ways: appeal to the bigoted masses, who thrive on Trump’s twisted tweets, and placate rational, better-informed voters, who favor Kelly’s more forthright comments.

Mel Farber

Pacific Palisades

Goldberg is right: It’s the employers, stupid.

My German-immigrant stepfather (here since 1957) complained vigorously about illegal immigrants: “I came here legally, they should too.” I asked him point blank, “You own a restaurant; do you check I-9 forms for all of your staff?” No one does, he said, because there wouldn’t be any cheap labor.

Therein lies the problem. If you offer jobs, they will come.

Wendy Winter

Altadena