I believe our town of Fountain Hills is in a dark place. Our leaders have been vocal in support and praise of Donald Trump even though many other Republicans have declared him dangerous, emotionally immature, bigoted, narcissistic and lacking the necessary experience to be president.

What then do our town leaders see in this man? I believe they see an embodiment of their idolization of violence, guns, nationalism, the flag, fundamentalist Christianity and machismo.

They love Trump’s refusal to be politically correct and his perceived ability to speak the truth, but that can’t be it since fact checkers rank his speeches the most untruthful. What is it, then? It’s fear!

Tea Party folks are afraid of many things: transgender folks might assault them in bathrooms; LGBTQ people may be granted the same protections that other groups already have; our culture is getting too brown; Muslims we’ve lived side by side with for centuries may terrorize us; the success of a black Harvard graduate as president will disprove the inherent inferiority of blacks; their guns will finally be taken away; and their love affair with macho violence will be reined in by bleeding-heart liberals, thus leaving them vulnerable. Unrealistic fears set them up for the comforting words of Donald Trump.

Just like Hitler, Trump is playing to their fears by giving them scapegoats. “It isn’t your fault that you don’t have a good job or enough money, it’s the fault of Mexicans, Muslims, blacks etc.” He’ll build a wall, ban Muslims from entry, protect the Second Amendment, take us back to a time of white male supremacy and make America theirs again. He says the things they’re thinking but can’t say in polite society.

Supporters of acceptance and equal treatment are just wimpy fools. Bigotry reigns. God help us all!