I write concerning the constant vilification of President Donald Trump in the mainstream media and this Forum. He is a self-described nationalist, not a globalist. Nationalism now seems to be a pejorative term used by the media to mean racism, fascism, white supremacy and anti-immigration. None of these characteristics are in the dictionary definition of nationalism. Nationalism properly considered means patriotism, regard for national sovereignty, possibly a bit of isolationism. The latter applies to Trump, not the corruption of the term used by the media to smear him.
The alternative to nationalism is internationalism or globalism. Would we really prefer a president who puts a global perspective above the national interest, our interest as Americans? I would hope that most Americans would place national sovereignty above open borders. That doesn’t mean closing our borders entirely. But immigration should be done in a thoughtful and regulated way, not forced down our throat.
I think we should fear the implications of open borders and loss of sovereignty in that globalism can’t be trusted to be democratic in any way. It is a slippery slope that could quickly turn authoritarian with no laws to rein it in. That said, before you trash the president, think about the alternative. The constant denigration of Donald Trump is unproductive. We are all Americans and should help him be what we want him to be, and that is the best president that he can be.
Dan Leggett
Hanover
Following the election on Nov. 6, syndicated columnist Dana Milbank wrote, “American voters had their say: They gave Democrats control of the House, a check on the chaotic and rageful Trump presidency …” (“A Restoration of Order? Don’t Count on It,” Nov. 9).
He went on to describe Donald Trump’s Wednesday news conference, at which the president “incredibly, proclaimed Tuesday’s loss ‘a great victory for us … very close to complete victory.’ ”
I don’t find it at all incredible. Trump’s goal was clearly to purge the Senate and House of Republicans whose campaigns didn’t emphasize supporting him. He was quite successful. He went out of his way to scorn the losers publicly by name.
Milbank noted that when Trump was asked Wednesday what he learned most from the election results, “he replied, ‘I think people like me. ”
If by “people” Trump means “Republican voters,” he appears to be right.
Robert Norman
Lebanon
I have a list that keeps growing. I think about it on my walks. But the more I think, the longer the list grows.
It is an endless list of us vs. them, including: Democrats vs. Republicans, public schools vs. private schools, the United States vs. the world, immigration vs. build the wall, freedom of speech vs. hate speech, and the right to vote vs. restrictions due to vote fraud.
We have black vs. white and the many subgroups that entails: Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter and kneeling to protest racial inequality vs. the militarization of sporting events. And now we have men vs. women. We have victims of sexual abuse vs. boys will be boys. Sadly we have women vs. women, but we also have, thankfully, men vs. men.
The common denominator (new math vs. old math) is President Donald Trump. Trump leads us by dividing us.
Rebecca Leake
Norwich
I would like to draw attention to the vote for New Hampshire secretary of state, which is just around the corner. The 424 incoming legislators we elected on Nov. 6 will choose the next secretary of state on organization day, Dec. 5 (the same date as the swearing-in ceremony for new legislators).
It is high time to replace the current secretary, who has held the office for 42 years and whose dubious credentials include participating in the discredited voter fraud commission and supporting two GOP-sponsored bills recently passed into law that impose significant burdens on eligible voters trying to exercise their most basic constitutional right. This was done under the guise of restoring voter confidence in elections in a state where there have never been problems with voter fraud.
This is an important opportunity to use our voices and let our legislators-elect know that we are watching and care deeply about the outcome of this race. You can send the name of your town or ward in an email to info@vanostern.com at Free & Fair New Hampshire to receive a return message with the names and contact information for your incoming representatives.
I am supporting Colin Van Ostern as the best candidate in this race.
Clyde Watson
Etna