New face of America
By Umema Babar
The United States of America, world’s third largest country covering 50 states, is not only the third most populous country of the world but it is also considered the most ethnically diverse nation.
After a very exciting, anxiety and laughter filled period of Presidential campaigns and debates, America had its 58th Presidential election held on November 8th 2016. It was an interesting and captivating series of events which not only Americans but the whole world followed because of USA’s soft and hard power, coupled with its dominance in the world economy. The candidates, however, were the biggest flames attracting moths from across the world since the past year. This amalgamation of apprehension and hopes had a very dramatic ending this November; one that has supporters of the victor rejoicing but those of the loser extremely wary of their futures.
The running candidates had created a lot of furore among its citizens and many others around the world who viewed the change in US leadership as a factor that affected their lives in other regions; like South Asia, South America and Middle East. The media and intellectuals had vociferously supported Clinton, who appeared moderate in comparison to fear mongering Trump, which is probably why her loss came as a great shock for many in the country and around the world. Although Clinton succeeded in achieving the majority of the popular vote in her country, Trump won the elections fair and square with 290 electoral votes.
The instability of the current world order may have made many question their absolute faith in Clinton’s probable victory, but many held belief that majority in the west could not have possibly turned as xenophobic and insecure as Trump’s very active and violent supporters. Unfortunately, what became apparent is that a racist, misogynist, ignorant and authoritarian candidate succeeded in understanding the US electorate, their fears and also provided them with the exact solution they deemed necessary to change their realities.
The overall review on the policies of both the candidates are as follows:
• Clinton wished to provide pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants; while Trump wants to deport them;
• Clinton wanted to raise taxes on high income households; while Trump wants to cut taxes for all income brackets;
• Clinton wanted to expand Gun control legislation; while Trump advocates “No limits on guns; they save lives.”
• Both the candidates oppose each other on the anti-Muslim issue. Trump wants to make America safe again by destroying radical Islamic terrorist group and wishes to ban Muslims from entering in USA. Hillary Clinton on the other hand opposed the mindset of banning Muslim immigration, putting extra surveillance details on them.
Apparently under Trump’s leadership Muslims, Mexicans, Latinos, and other minority groups will surely have fewer rights than other Americans.
The excitement did not end with the elections. Post-election saw thousands of anti-Donald Trump protestors shut down 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower, New York. Demonstrators not only in New York but in Chicago, Boston, Portland, San Francisco, Washington Dc, Oakland and many other States protested over Trump’s win and marched through the streets chanting “NOT MY PRESIDENT”. Protests against Trump and his campaigns spread all over the country bursting over anger. The Latinos protesters marched on Los Angeles City Hall chanting “I will not live in fear, fight back and stand up”. Trumps policies regarding minorities and other groups are being considered frustrating and devastating.
What one is left with is a lot for introspection. Trump won despite portraying the minorities as threat to peace. This year's election has already reignited many issues and has also affected the stock markets since President Trump wants to erect trade barriers which would damage supply chains. He wants to deport 11 million illegal immigrants which could reduce the size of labour force up to 5% and his tax plans are expensive.
After Brexit, this change in world dynamics has left many reeling and uncertain of the future. Surely what has happened is not unprecedented, but the electorate has, in its plurality, decided to live in Trump’s world of vanity, hate, arrogance, untruth, and recklessness. His disdain for democratic norms, is a fact that will lead, inevitably, to all manner of national decline and sets stage for a world suffering.
