Daily Times: Why Delco thinks Trump will make America safe again

By Loretta Rodgers, Times Correspondent

CHESTER TOWNSHIP >> More than 5,000 people packed Sun Center Studios Stage 2 Thursday night to get a glimpse of Republican Presidential nominee Donald J. Trump and hear his signature message of “Make America Great Again.”

Cars were lined down Concord Road from Sun Center past Northley Middle School and some individuals said they arrived at 2 p.m. for Trump’s 7 p.m. appearance.

“We are here to see our next president,” said Parkside resident Ronnie Klekota, accompanied by his wife Robin. “Mr. Trump stands for all the values we stand for and the values of our forefathers.”

Prior to entering the gates leading to Sun Center Studios, a group of protesters carried anti-Trump signs, but according to police, there were no major incidents.

Two individuals were removed from the venue prior to Trump speaking and another during Trump’s speech.

Wearing a pink T-shirt with the words, “Adorable Deplorable” on the front, Brookhaven resident Mary Lou Astle said she is supporting Trump because he loves America.

“I think he is a true patriot,” she said. “He wants to help the people of the United States. He doesn’t act like a billionaire. He acts like an everyday, regular Joe.”

Following remarks by Delaware County Republican Committee Chairman Andy Reilly, legendary Indiana Hoosiers basketball coach Bobby Knight introduced Trump to thunderous applause.

“I’m here because I love the United States,” Knight said. “I know you feel as strongly about our country as I do. Donald Trump is a guy that when he becomes president he will know how to work with anybody in the world. People know who he is now and they know two things about him. They know how smart he is and they know how damn tough he is. He is not going to be a wimpy president. You have an opportunity to elect a smart, tough man who will make a tremendous difference.”

Trump took the stage to chants of ‘USA, USA,’ at precisely 7 p.m. and told the crowd he is going to win the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the general election in November.

“We are going to win the White House and we are going to have a government that serves you, your family and your country, and we are going to do it on Nov. 8,” Trump said. “I’m going to make a simple promise and it’s called safety. We are going to make America safe again.”

During his hour-long speech, Trump spoke of the unrest currently taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“There are people living there who only want their children to be able to walk home safely from school, and to all the people living in the inner cities across the country I say these words to you tonight, ‘I am with you and I will fight for you, I promise,’” Trump said. “The job of a leader is to stand in someone else’s shoes and see things from their perspective.”

He also took issue with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton calling at least half of his supporters, “a basket of deplorables.”

“Hillary Clinton calls people who don’t support her deplorable,” Trump said. “I call anyone who doesn’t support me an American citizen who is entitled to equal representation under the law. I will be president for all Americans and will extend my hand to anyone interested in making their cities safer for our citizens.”

Trump said it is important to work with and not against the police.

“Sixty-five people have been shot in the city of Chicago since Friday,” Trump said. “The problem is not that there is too many police, the problem is that there are not enough police. Our police have a great responsibility, and we must do everything we can to make sure they are properly trained, they respect all members of the public, and that wrongdoing is addressed. Our men and women in blue need our support and our gratitude.”

He discussed the failures of the inner cities, stating that Democrats have been in charge for decades and nothing changes.

“It is time for a change,” he said. “It is time for a new American future.”

Trump spoke of job creation, women’s rights, education, childcare, tax reduction, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, drug abuse and addiction, trade, and security.

“For decades, Hillary Clinton said she’s been fighting for women and children,” Trump said. “I ask, why are 70 million American women and children living in poverty? She’s been there for a long time and says she’s going to fix this, fix that, do this, and do that, but what has she done for 35 years?... All talk, no action.”

Trump said the people in the United States want a commander in chief who will defeat “Radical Islamic terrorism, and defend our borders.”

“We will build the wall,” he said to cheers. “And Mexico will pay for the wall. They might not know it yet, but they will pay.”

He spoke of opioid abuse, stating that thousands of American families have been and continue to be affected.

“I will stop the drug flow across our borders,” Trump said. “These drugs come across the border and make their way into our urban and rural communities. This will change very quickly after we win in November.”

Trump said on his first day in office he will begin lifting all regulations that are hurting workers and businesses.

“America will be come the best place to invest in the future,” he said. “The next great American invention is right around the corner.”

And he spent quite a bit of time discussing how manufacturing jobs have left Pennsylvania and how jobs have been lost.

“If Hillary gets in, what are your chances of recovery? ... Zero,’’ Trump said.

He encouraged those in attendance to vote, adding that Clinton is spending a fortune on negative advertising.

“She has outspent me 50 to 1 in Florida, and we are leading there,“ he said. “You have 46 days to change the world, 46 days to make possible every dream you dream for your country and your state. You can deliver justice for every forgotten man, woman and child in this nation. The arrogance of Washington, D.C., will soon come face to face with the righteous verdict of the American voter – and that’s you. We will show the world that America is back, bigger and stronger than ever before.”

At the end of the rally, New Jersey resident Kathy Serra said she was very glad she made the trip to see Trump.

“He was amazing,” she said. “I believe in what he says. I am against globalization, and for the United States. He can stop illegal immigration and create jobs. He can indeed make America great again.”