Mailbag: Ask these questions of the Trump candidacy

Donald Trump seems to be an endless river of controversial comments that strike a heck of a lot of people either nonsensical, or wrong-headed, or un-American, or both, or whatever.

And yet Trump seems like a pretty straightforward guy, a good businessman and a good father, who, in his own way, is trying to do the right thing.

But what is the right thing, and how do we all figure it out?

In courts of law they often talk about a “test.” It’s not like an algebra test, exactly. It’s more like an accepted standard against which the facts of a case can be compared.

So, maybe we should all establish an Anytown Test. Anytown, USA, as everyone knows, is that ideal American small city in which things run right, people are healthy and happy, and they all make money. That would give us all a standard against which to compare political proposals.

We need some ideas, but not too many. Ten seems like a good number. That would make it the Anytown Ten Test:

1.) Is this idea good for everybody or almost everybody? That is — is it fair?

2.) Will this idea make people healthier?

3.) Will this idea make people happier?

4.) Will this idea improve the schools?

5.) Will this idea improve recreation and sports?

6.) Will this idea improve the streets and the lights and the water?

7.) Will this idea make everyone safer?

8.) Will this idea increase everyone’s income?

9.) Will this idea make this a more fun and interesting and beautiful place to live?

10.) And finally, what is the evidence this idea will work?

It would be kind of fun to see who could pass the Anytown Test.

Steve Davidson

Newport Beach