To the Editor:

After listening to Donald Trump’ s speech, I got the feeling that the earth was spinning out of its orbit and about to crash into the sun, and only Donald Trump could save us. According to Mr. Trump, crime is out of control, there is was a terrorist behind every building, Illegals are flooding across the border, and our very social fabric was coming apart. Only he, Donald Trump, has the secret plan to save us.

This very emotional plea for nationalism, America First, is just what many unhappy citizens what to hear. Much of what he said has no basis in fact, but a fact-based appeal was never his intent. Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of problems in this country and we do live in a very dangerous world. But the picture he paints is false and the solutions to the problems we face involve more than just, “I am Donald Trump, trust me.”

For example, in 2013 the violent crime rate was the lowest since 1970. About a third of that current crime is drug related. Where is the solution to the drug problem? It’s not “law and order” and more jails. We already incarcerate more of our citizens than any other country.

Obama said illegal “immigration is lower than it’s been in 40 years.” Politifact rated this statement as MOSTLY TRUE. The fact is, illegal immigration is at a very low rate. We do not need a wall with Mexico, we need a comprehensive immigration policy. I did not hear anything about that in the speech. 

The Middle East is a mess. The always simmering Sunni-Shiite civil war was reignited by our invasion of Iraq, and now Isis poses a threat worldwide. The greatest danger we face is homegrown ISIS followers seeking a violent suicide. 

Our best defense is the Muslim community. Every one of their leaders has pledged to cooperate in rooting out these terrorists. Yet Mr. Trump wants to ban all Muslims and turn that community into the enemy. This is not a solution. It is like pouring gasoline on the fire.

Race relations feel like they are at a low ebb. But, in fact, we are far from the bad old days of the race riots of the 1960s. Still, many have never accepted the fact that Barack Obama is our President. That, together with the recent police shootings and murders of police officers, has put the country on edge. Mr. Trump has done nothing to calm this dangerous  undercurrent of hate. In fact his actions have tended to only increase it. His call for “law and order” has sent the wrong message to both sides. This does not sound like a solution .

Perhaps in the coming months Mr. Trump will propose real solutions the terrible state of affairs he sees. But, at the moment, it appears all he sees is a way to channel the anger of his followers into victory for himself. 

Louis Vitale

Franklin