In response to “Wouldn’t trust Clinton in the presidency,” page A4, Aug. 26 Herald:

I too get a “creepy, uncomfortable feeling” with this year’s presidential election. However, while Barry Clemons feels creepy about Mrs. Clinton “taking billions in tribute money to the Clinton Foundation,” I feel embarrassed and uneasy with Mr. Trump’s unsettling, ignorant and crude rants that his surrogates are forced to clean up, clarify, or explain on a daily basis. I feel uncomfortable with his small-mindedness, his lack of sympathy, and megalomania.

Mr. Clemons writes that Mrs. Clinton has collected “billions of tribute money.” The billions are actually $189 millions, but then, playing fast and loose with facts has also been Mr. Trump’s strength.

Mr. Clemons also claimed that “many world leaders . . . benefitted in exchange for money and influence,” without giving a single example. Another Trumpian hyperbole.

While Mr. Trump’s goal in life has always been to make money for himself, Mrs. Clinton’s foundation supports economic development, education, vocational training, and medical care to millions of people in poor countries.

So what if Mrs. Clinton can get $32 million out of the crown prince of Bahrain for a photo with her and Bill? More power to her. The 12 million people who received free anti-malaria drugs purchased with the prince’s money are probably not as worried as Mr. Clemons is. And, if “other highly placed luminaries were given Hillary’s face-to-face time,” it is alright with me as long as she can get some donation to build a girls’ school or a hospital or provide healthcare for the poor.

How much money has Mr. Trump collected and donated to good causes? In fact, has he lived up to his obligation as citizen of the U.S. and paid his fair share of taxes? The Clintons paid 43.2 percent in taxes and gave 9.8 percent to charity. How much did Mr. Trump pay and donate?

To be fair, he has provided housing for people in New York, as long as they were not black.

I don’t begrudge Mrs. Clinton hobnobbing with wealthy people. What bugs me is that Mrs. Clinton has always been one of those do-gooders, looking out for the less fortunate and making the rest of us look so inadequate and selfish.

James Behrend
Bainbridge Island