The choice is between patronage, patriotism

Daniel Webster defines "patriotism" as the "love and loyal support of one's own country." Webster defines "patronage," in part, as the "power to grant favors, especially political ones." Can there be any question that these are the two choices for America's voters for the upcoming presidential election?

Illinois, with billions of dollars of debt, has seen the tragic result of 30 years of Democratic patronage. America today suffers from a dead job market, suffocating national debt, loss of income, worsened health care, weakened military, domestic and international terror. All the result of international and foreign patronage.

As Democrats begin their campaign for president, they start again with patronage. Hillary manifests this as she "buys" Bernie and his left agenda, enlists Obama to pander to the Black caucus, and juggles VP nominees.

I know there are those of you out there who believe that this election does not give you a "feel good" choice. But for me it has become a much clearer choice because I no longer look at the "personality" on the stage but the core beliefs that drive them.

While Hillary dances to donors, Trump proceeds directly (sometimes very directly) at issues that hit the typical voter in the stomach.

If we are honest, Trump says things that we secretly think but say only to our closest friends. He lays the naked fears of the nation on the table with no hesitation - not to shock but to inform and thus empower the "average voter" to make the decisions that special interests pervert.

While Trump's methods may be at times adolescent at the core, I believe his heart is in the right place - to advance America, not some special interest group.

This fall I am picking patriotism. It's the only choice.

Dale Plautz

Round Lake