It's amazing that people actually think they can trust Donald Trump-- I mean, to do anything but advance his personal fortunes.  He is the most opaque candidate in recent memory.

I would accuse him of having opaque policies, except he doesn't have any.  Just a collection of vague objectives and slogans designed to appeal to the worst in us.

His opacity comes in the form of not providing health information and not releasing his tax returns.  Now he's said he can't because he's under audit, but that's not at all an impediment.  He can't because he doesn't want to, that's all.  Which leaves us to speculate as to what he has to hide.  Here are the likeliest reasons:  He exploits all the loopholes and doesn't pay any taxes at all.  He's not as rich as he pretends-- in face, he may be deeply in debt to Russian oligarchs (if not Russian mobsters).  This would explain his lapdog behavior toward Vladimir Putin.  I'll bet he doesn't even give as much to charity as he brags.  (Especially when his idea of charity is free rounds of golf at his resorts.  Costs nothing.  Or free copies of his stupid book.  Worth nothing.)

Hillary has released her tax returns going back to 1977.  Trump will never release anything.  But then, she's the untrustworthy one, isn't she?

When it comes to health, all Trump has given us is an insulting letter allegedly from his kooky Gastroenterologist, Harold Bornstein.  (Look him up.)  First of all, why does he even have a Gastroenterologist at all?  Does he have some sort of problem?  Tell us.

The statement reads like it was written by Trump himself.  It looks like it was a blank form, pre-signed and filled in, clumsily, by the Trump campaign.  It is written in an unprofessional way, lacks detail, misconstrues basic medical usage, and is full of typical Trump braggadocio and hyperbole.  Either the kooky Gastro thought he was being witty (fail!) or he didn't even write it to begin with.  Pick one.

Hillary Clinton respects us enough to provide us with a real health report.  It is a clean bill of health (contrary to the ugly online campaign of insinuation impugning her health, which was parroted by Bob Scroggins in the 8/31 Transcript.)  But then, she's the untrustworthy one, isn't she?

It's the Far Right that's not to be trusted.  They've always shown that there is no depth too low that they will not go beneath.  I ask, what kind of policies can we expect from people like that?  What kind of America would we have?  I shudder to think.  (But I do think, something they've never tried.)

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA

Rumor had it that Trump was softening his stance on immigration in his upcoming August 31st speech. Governor Chris Christie was even taking credit for the Republican nominee's strategic retreat to a kinder, gentler Trump.

Maybe it was time to retrieve the white flag of surrender awarded to former Speaker of the House John Boehner and give it to Trump to wave. Are we now to witness the usual Republican cave-in?

But just hours before his major immigration address in Arizona, Trump was on his jet to meet with Mexico's President Enrique Nieto. Was he walking into a Trap? Nieto's popularity had fallen to an abysmal 23 percent.

Here was Nieto's chance to skewer this conquistador and boost his flagging popularity. However, the newly-minted politician thought it was worth the risk; he accepted Nieto's invitation.

Then Nieto and Trump took everyone by surprise.

Trump was treated not as a presidential candidate but as a visiting head of state. The two men stood side-by-side at identical lecterns. Nieto opened the presser.

He began his 13-minute opening remarks by graciously saying, “I publicly express my respect to Mr. Donald Trump.” He then emphasized the importance of “collaborator efforts” to “modernize NAFTA” and “securing the border.” This was not someone batting at a gringo piñata. Far from a trap, it was a cordial welcome.

Then it was Trump's turn.

Would the brash newcomer on the political stage shoot from the hip and say something regrettable? Offensive? Even embarrassing? This was the second surprise.

In Trump's prepared eight-minute speech, he was equally genial and stayed on point. Trump enumerated and expanded upon five points: End illegal immigration from Central and South America and Mexico; Enforce a secure southern border with a wall that is mutually beneficial; Stop the movement of counter-band drugs and illegals going North and the return traffic of guns and cash going to the Mexican cartels; Renegotiate NAFTA; Keep manufacturing in our hemisphere.

Trump ended with, “A strong, prosperous Mexico is in the best interests of America. Both of our countries will work together for our mutual good.”

The Donald nailed it. He did not just look and act presidential; he was presidential. It was the real Trump; the smart, gracious billionaire who built his fortune by making successful deals. Negotiating disagreements, such as exist between the two leaders, is Trump's bread and butter. He's been doing it for 40 years.

Jetting back to Phoenix for his immigration policy presentation, it was the same systematic Trump: A physical wall will be build, not a hop-over fence; End catch-and-release; Criminals and gang members will be deported immediately; No federal funding for sanctuary cities Enforce all immigration laws with an additional 5,000 border agents and triple the number of ICE personnel E-Verify for employment with stiff fines for non-compliant employers; Use biometric identification for all immigrant border transits.

Trump concluded by ruling out amnesty. Illegals seeking legal status “will have one route and only one route; to return home and apply for re-entry under the rules of the new legal immigration system that I have outlined. When we have accomplished all of our enforcement goals, then will we be in a position to consider the disposition of these [illegals] who remain.”

Henceforth, said Trump, it will be American citizens who will be regarded first, not the needs of the illegals who made their problems by breaking the law, or the big donors and their agenda, or the multinational corporations, or the lobbyists, or the self-interests of the entrenched politicos.

“There is only one core issue in the immigration debate, and that issue is the well-being of the American people, nothing even comes a close second,” said Trump

Ann Coulter in her signature over-the-top style hailed it, “The greatest speech ever.” It was, expressed the give-no-quarter conservative, when Trump became president.

Among his base a collective sigh of relief was audible. He didn't buckle in Mexico or waiver in Arizona. Boehner can keep his white flag. Trump will stick with the red, white, and blue.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA