There is just a week left in the most anticipated US election in history-with potential consequences spilling over into, virtually, every part of the world.
Both candidates are making their closing arguments to voters in swing states, and hoping to capture and make mutual history. While Vice President Harris is building herself around a more unified message of a ‘progressing’ America, Former President Trump is closing in on a more divisive and unhinged tone for the country. He’s hoping to make his second term, more of a monarchy than anything else.
He’s promised that there will be a civil war, in a post-election day world, regardless of the outcome. Let’s just take one instance-where in a recent interview with Univision-he told an undecided voter that January 6th was a peaceful day, full of “love”. Essentially, rioters storming the Capitol Building, the Cathedral of Democracy, killing and injuring police officers and civilians and endangering the lives of hundreds of members of the US Government, was in his eyes-a peaceful affair.
This is how dangerous it is for America to get him back. And the dangers are not just limited to the US The whole world has a stake in this conversation.
Mexico-the US’ southern neighbor and largest source of southern border immigrants, is at the forefront of this. Back in 2016, when Trump ran on the promise that the Mexican Government would pay for the large southern border wall, it really created a vacuum of relations between the two countries. In fact, it wasn’t until the USMCA (Newer version of NAFTA) was ratified, that there was a resumption of cordial relations.
The dangers are not just limited to the US. The whole world has a stake in this conversation.
Also in his first term, he harmed the US’ relations with the close NATO and military allies. And this-believe it or not-had a major part to do with what happened in Ukraine and the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump had weakened the US’ position with such lasting impacts and had spread such hateful rhetoric in his 4 years as President, that it took 4 years to reverse all the damage he left. Now, America has a chance to progress to newer heights, rather than stay in this endless loop of ‘to Trump or not to Trump’.
And also to the point of his first term, many in Trump’s closest circle have admitted that he was unfit to be President and clearly lacked the character to be President of the United States. His Vice President, Attorney General, both Secretaries of Defense, three of his Communication Directors, his Transpiration Secretary and so many more are included in the list of people who have voiced their dissatisfaction with his Presidency. And let’s be clear-this never happens. At multiple points, these officials quote Trump to have praised authoritarian leaders and praise the early Nazi ideology in hopes to adopt a World War II rhetoric-and not the right kind. General Kelly – Trump’s longest-serving Chief of Staff – said in an open letter signed by 13 former Trump Administration Officials, that Trump “preferred the dictator approach”, scorned the US Constitution and threatened to weaponize the US military.
In terms of partisan support, Trump has very less. Newer additions to US Politics, including ‘political activists’, who are actually just Social Media influencers, are a key demographic in his aid to popularity.
And apart from his problematic past with ‘people relations’, he’s also involved in a barrage of issues in courtrooms across America. This is a man who has not only been impeached more than once, by a legislating body, but also has been involved in countless harassment, election subversion, and obstruction, and financial fraud cases. If you’d recall, he was found to be ‘guilty’ on 34 federal felony counts by a New York Court back in April. That sentence is yet to be received by the President.
Honestly, there is a double standard in this race. Donald Trump is held to a whole other standard, in terms of his ethical dilemma and Vice President Harris is held to a completely different standard-where she can’t even phrase the right thing in any way but the perfect way. If it wasn’t so dangerous, it would be hysterical. Having more things disqualifying him from the Presidency, doesn’t put him on a weighted scale with the Vice President-it directly holding him liable for unfair and unbecoming behaviour.
Four years ago, I also penned my weekly article, on how unwise it would be for Trump to be re-elected President. Between then and now, I know that there’s more that’s come to light, that actively should and must disqualify him from seeking a second term in the White House. Kamala Harris is the clear choice for voters. She’s not President Obama, she’s not President Biden, she’s herself. She brings with her new ideas, and direct change, that encompasses legislative red-tape.
She is the right candidate for the job, and to restore America and the world back to an ideal state of order. And to those, who still believe President Biden and VP Harris haven’t done enough for the Palestinian People (perhaps one of the top voter concerns this time around), they may have a long way to go, but we know the other side, Trump, has said virtually nothing about finding a solution, and also has indicated that he would clamp down on anti-war protests. This is Trump, believe him when he tells you who he is.
The writer is a columnist and a linguistic activist.