Dear Mr. Trump,
When you spoke at my college, I liked most of what I heard. That was before you ran for President of the United States. Yeah, your ideas about immigration were a bit draconian for my taste, but there were some ideas that I could really get behind. Early on, it was safe to say that I would vote for you.
Then, you began your campaign. Now you scare me, you really scare me. At first, I thought that your statements were for shock value, but they weren't. Honestly, I wish that I had your confidence, but you went too far. It is sheer stupidity to say you could shoot someone and not lose a vote. Your words encouraged your supporters to think it's OK to assault protestors. Your actions influence your followers and the message you are spreading is one that has been seen through history for ages. It does not have a happy ending.
I understand that you are very nationalistic, as am I. America is a country that people should be proud of, but the difference between my America and your America is simple. The America I am proud of consists of the Muslim child who came here on a raft from Syria, the Catholic woman who refuses to leave her husband even though she is treated like trash, the Sikh man who practices his religion even though there are threats that his temple will be attacked, the transgender man who was harassed all throughout school for being “different" and even you the venture capitalist who thinks differently than me. The America you are proud of consists of one group; the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant who thinks America is the best country in the world. In the end, our Americas are very much alike, but mine will prosper while yours will whither and die.
A businessman like yourself should see why your model will not last. If we think of America as a business, your America lacks diversity. A business’ portfolio should have a level of diversity that allows different avenues of revenue to come in. My America allows for this where yours does not. If you want a great example of how to diversify a government, look to the north at Prime Minister Trudeau. If you want my opinion, I think your view of America would be the death of the entire country if you got elected. Since you do not believe in diversifying the American “company,” the country will continue on the America-first track. While on this track, other countries will be offended by our closed-minded government and refuse to do business with us. In the end America will be left like pre-World War II Japan, cut off and isolated from the world.
Mr. Trump, there is another way! Conservatism can survive and thrive in a diverse country. If you hear nothing else in this letter, hear this— diversity is the key to survival in our global economy. I beg you to relax your stance on immigration, trade, and global relations in general. America and her people will benefit more working with others. Mr. Trump, I have no doubts you are a very smart man, but you need to get over your stubbornness. If you do not change your tune, I hope for America's sake that someone else becomes the next President.
-A College Republican
