Trump flags an unwelcome sight in Ocean City: reader column

Palmer and Sandy Gillis | readers

Show Caption Hide Caption WH 'hopeful' Canada trade issues can be resolved Trump administration officials on Tuesday hailed their preliminary deal with Mexico to replace NAFTA and said they were hopeful that an agreement with Canada could follow suit. (Aug. 28)

It is sad and sickening to see the politicization of Ocean City marinas — and maybe soon, the sky above them — with the proliferation of Trump flags (and banners?).

America — with all of its faults — was and is already great.

We understand free speech and fully support the individual owners' right to display their support for Trump on their expensive yachts.

However, we are not quite sure it serves the intent they may be thinking. As individuals who are not Trump fans, the display of flags is as uncomfortable and revolting as a Confederate flag is to others (not us).

When visiting the beautiful marinas and restaurants surrounding these rich folks' yachts, it becomes difficult to digest our food. Having spoken to others, we realize many others feel the same way.

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In our lifetime, we have never seen such a display of nationalistic support for such a corrupt and divisive bully like Trump.

This is concerning to us and to many.

When Ben Carson was running against Trump, he regularly recited three words: empathy, humility and optimism.

Empathy. Trump's tactics on immigration has made many who come to this country uncomfortable, sickened and fearful. Sadly, many do not even want to visit our great country.

More: Lower Shore conservatives stand by Trump on immigration

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Talk to them. The legal, seasonal workers — who provide the drive and make businesses function in Ocean City — view those Trump flags with questions, fear and anxiety. It's not conducive to maintaining a positive workforce. It's their families and co-workers and the hatred in Trump's policies that cause America to be viewed by many around the world with fear of and disrespect for America — the “Ugly American” if you will.

The flags create a hostile, divisive atmosphere. Ask business owners who will answer honestly. Most Ocean City businesses are suffering from an increasing shortage of employees. Restrictions, lowered immigration caps and other hate-filled policies have severely reduced the area's labor pool.

Reader opinion: Divisions more about moral compass than politics

Remember, college students leave in mid-August. Foreign workers stay through the extended shoulder seasons. To many Ocean City workers, foreign and domestic, the flags represent another slap in the face.

These foreign workers pay taxes, then leave without taking from the system. I say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Humility. It is understandable these mostly "1 percenters" who own these expensive yachts vigorously display their support for Trump. They just received the largest tax cut granted in recent times — with the most divisive congressional vote. If you remember, the 1986 tax reform legislation was passed by a nearly unanimous Senate vote.

This rich persons' tax cut was passed only along Republican Party lines, and is a primary contributor to trillion dollar federal deficits for the foreseeable future.

Is this supposed to illustrate fiscal conservatism, a Republican hallmark? With more than 100 consecutive months of statistical economic recovery, according to Economics 101, you don’t stimulate an economy that's already rising.

Reader opinion: Republican brand of 'civility' is hypocritical

Reader opinion: Yes, we are a divided nation again without tolerance for all

Do we really want our kids and grandkids to be paying for our tax cut, which they will be doing? Do we want China — our largest debtholder — to reap more interest income?

Income inequality is at its highest level ever. The fat cats on Wall Street — who Trump campaigned to “go after" — have seen their worth doubled and tripled during Trump's short term to date.

Trickle-down economics? We think not.

Did Warren Buffet need or ask for a more than $100 million tax cut?

We think not.

Humility is a wonderful quality, so to all the yachts displaying Trump flags: It is because you hit the lottery by being an American. Your wealth has nothing to do with Trump.

To the people are not "1 percenters": It is yet another bitter display of the rich getting richer while the poor and average folks tread water or get poorer.

Yes, they may have received $10 more in their paycheck from the tax cut, but let’s see how they react when the price of consumer goods go up and absorb that “windfall.”

You know $15 MAGA hats will go up to $20, thanks to trade wars and Trump's misguided tariffs and rhetoric.

We are optimistic our great country will survive this fad of nationalism and divisiveness. The display of Trump flags? Yes, it's freedom of speech and we respect that.

Our freedom of choice is to try to keep ourselves out of view while we try to enjoy a meal, which means we stay away from these marinas with their great restaurants and facilities.

Many feel the same way.

Consider displaying an American flag. After all, it is this country that put you in a position to afford these beautiful facilities and the luxury of owning such a possession, not Trump.

Sandy and Palmer Gillis live in Ocean City.