Engage protest voters to regain their trust
During the past two years, I have struggled to understand the 50 percent or so of Americans who voted for President Donald Trump and his loyal supporters. I now believe that many of these votes for Trump were really protest votes.
Maybe 30 percent or so of these good Americans truly understand, believe and support the Trump agenda. (I am not one of them). However, I believe another 20 percent are voting for Trump ideas to loudly protest the years of inaction and bad behavior in Washington.
Too often, our Washington politicians have lost their way. The elected officials who have held office more than 10 or 20 years can be very poor role models. Too often, these longtime elected officials have accumulated tremendous power and clout. Too often, they use this power to make themselves look good, to accumulate more power, to help win the next election and to reward the companies and people who write large campaign contribution checks. (I would support 12-year term limits for Congress). Too often longtime members of Congress act like elitists who do not demonstrate any true concern for the average American.
Although I am not a protest voter, I can sympathize with a voter who feels that members of Congress are not truly looking out for what is best for the country or its citizens. Some party or group needs to focus on these protest voters and find a way to regain their trust. I will try to remain optimistic.