Values or viewpoints?

Rob Leach (”Supporting Trump’s values,” Jan. 12)) is confused by the terms “values” versus “points of view.” He lists thirteen talking points, the beginning nine of which are either his own opinion that a sizable percentage – if not the majority of the country – would disagree with (like when he states “… only those who wish to join us in making America better should be allowed to come here,” as if that should be a struggling family’s primary motivation for migrating) or are notions that we would certainly agree with, but not in the ignorant manner Trump approaches them (such as the idea that evil exists in the world and needs to be eradicated).

His final points are nothing more than good ol’ liberal-bashing (“… reversing damaging policies implemented by Obama,” and “… [making] sure Hillary Clinton will never be president …”).

Bottom line: These are neither values in and of themselves, nor are they necessarily representative of values (once again, at least in the mindset our president uses in dealing with issues). Human values are the universal concepts we wish to see acted out in order to make the world a better place: being honest, showing true compassion, being respectful, having a sense of fairness, valuing due diligence, listening to others, to name a few. They are the things parents try to develop in their children, that teachers reinforce, that church leaders speak to.

What is so deeply agonizing to us liberals is that Donald Trump himself so glaringly represents none of these qualities, and that is why we repeatedly call him on it.

Warren Wheeler

Nine Mile Falsl