My experience tells me that in many cases the controllers in Class D towers
have only radio contact with the traffic they are trying to "control."
They have no visual contact yet attempt to sequence landing traffic. Pretty
scary. I avoid Class D at all costs

I never had a problem with controllers in Class D towers. Some towers now have
radar, maybe not the newest, but they can track traffic. Of course things maybe
different here in SE Florida.
I make sure I have the Atis or Awos, then tell them who I am, where I am and
what I want to do.
Hank