I voted for Trump with my wallet, says J’can in Florida
Published:Sunday | November 15, 2020 | 12:16 AM
An Orlando, Florida-based Jamaican man is ruing United States President Donald Trump’s defeat at the polls to Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
Contractor Delroy Allen told The Sunday Gleaner that he is worried stiff that his earnings will significantly fall because of Biden’s early campaign promise to increase taxes for Americans who earn US$400,000 or more.
“I voted for Trump. I voted with my wallet. He gave the people who employ me a tax break and that trickled down to me. I have lived here since 2002 and my earnings increased under Trump. Now, I have to put plans on hold as next year my earnings are set to decrease if the taxes are raised, “ Allen said.
Trump’s cavalier style has not endeared him to the majority of American voters due to his penchant to verbally attack his detractors and his perceived alliance with right-wing white supremacist groups, taking a lot of flak for not openly distancing himself from those factions during a presidential debate.
That aside, Allen still remains loyal to Trump.
“He does put his foot in his mouth, and yes, he could have been more forthright about condemning white supremacy. He has condemned it on more than one occasion in the past, but the media chooses not to show that,” Allen told The Sunday Gleaner. “However, I would prefer to have a babbling Trump over others who threaten my livelihood.”
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmad Arbery earlier this year resulted in several prolonged protests about the treatment of black and other racial minorities in the United States.
Many Americans expressed disappointment with Trump’s failure to condemn the incidents, but Allen shares a different view.
NO EVIDENCE
“There is no evidence that George Floyd or Breonna Taylor were the victims of racist killings. Maybe the one in Georgia (Arbery) was motivated by racism, but to tie Trump to them is unfair and unjust. He is not responsible for those acts,” Allen said.
The Jamaica-born man is one of the estimated 20 per cent of black US citizens who cast ballots for Trump in this year’s presidential election.
Despite his continued support for Trump, Allen is disappointed with the 45th president’s refusal to gracefully concede defeat in the tradition of US democracy and the failure to release transition funds to Biden.
“That is not right and I do not agree with those moves,” he said. “I still back Trump, however. His presidency was good for me. I can’t say the same for [Barack] Obama as my earnings went down in those eight years after I did so well under the [George] Bush administration.”
A staunch believer in the US second amendment right which allows citizens the right to bear arms, Allen is also worried about the prospects of Biden moving to restrict those rights.
“The Democrats also want to take away my guns. I believe I have the right to protect myself and my loved ones. I cannot vote for those who want to deny me that right. I am a registered Republican, but I will vote for any party that protects my income and my gun rights,” Allen told The Sunday Gleaner.