1. Why do around 35 to 40% of Americans continue to believe, either in Trump, and/or believe that the Republican Party should guide the country?
While the presidential debates highlighted all that I find reprehensible about Trump, it did have me challenge myself to understand and describe this voting rationale. So here is a mixture of what Trump brings to the picture along with the party philosophy/strategy:
Trump lovers.This is a category of people that like his bombastic, outlandish, disruptive style, and that he is an outsider. They love his simple, and clever, slogans that feed their own fears and prejudices.
Trump’s business skills. Trump has positioned himself as a successful businessman, not an old, stuffy, scheming political hack, and that he brings his business skills to the art of getting things done.
Prosperity; the economy. Polls consistently show Trump’s handling of the economy is his strongest issue with voters.
Philosophical. There exists in the US a fear of the word socialism, and Biden has been painted with that brush, particularly after the Sanders run for Democratic leadership.
Peace, internationally. Trumps policy initiatives have avoided major military conflict.
Foreign affairs. Trump wants US allies to pay their fair share. Trump wants better trade deals.
COVID-19. Trump says he has balanced controls with freedom.
Health care. Trump continues his intention to get rid of Obamacare and “putting patients and doctors back in charge”.
Religious non-negotiables. Trump is anti-abortion and conservative on sexual politics
Law and order; gun ownership. Trump has a law and order focus; this includes no police force defunding.
Race. Trump claims he is “the least racist” person in America.
Energy and the environment. Trump will continue his deregulatory agenda for energy independence. He has some environmental programs but will remove the US from the Paris Accord.
Immigration. Trump has, and proposes, harsh restrictions on immigration.
China. Trump has taken some aggressive stances to end reliance.
Anti-Biden. Has been painted in uncomplimentary terms: old, slow, not bright, not up to the task, “cognitive decline”.
Counters to the above:
Trump lovers (and the rest of the US) still have to deal with knowing that, along with his many distasteful qualities, he just can’t speak the truth. Along with the lying he has other numerous, and serious distasteful characteristics. From many close sources, accounts of his flaws have been made public (his niece; Woodward; Kerry; Mattis, Bolton, etc.)
Trump is a poor businessman and likely is in serious financial straits; there are hints of dishonest actions. This clever businessman/financially sound image is collapsing.
American economic prosperity will diminish in a future with Trump. The Economist disagrees with his handling of the economy and have just come out endorsing Biden. US debt is climbing dangerously. Biden’s tax plans are sound and supported by Wall Street.
International peace initiatives are flawed and potentially dangerous under a leader who has no moral compass. From the Middle East to North Korea and even the Mexican wall, no deals are done. Iran is a much riskier nuclear threat. He has been defined by his former secretary of state, General Mattis as having “no moral compass” and whose decisions were “random, impulsive and unthoughtful”.
Without a global co-operative approach, foreign relations will continue to deteriorate, reducing US influence. Trump has isolated the US from the rest of the world, reducing its influence and power. American standing around the world has plummeted to a record low.
The health care system will serve fewer people, less efficiently and effectively under Trump. In an unprecedented move Scientific American have endorsed Biden, stating, “Trump has repeatedly tried to get rid of the Affordable Care Act while offering no alternative”. Health care, I believe, is a human right and should be available for all.
COVID-19 will be managed more effectively with a top down, collaborative approach, not a continuation of Trump’s flawed approach. The US approach to managing this crisis has been inadequate and the blame can be placed on Trump and his Republican supporters across the states. Trump continues to downplay the threat. The New England Journal of Medicine has published a blistering editorial taking President Trump and his administration to task over their handling of the pandemic.
Hard edge religious non-negotiables will be tempered under Biden. As a pro choice individual, along with supporting women’s rights and freedom of sexual orientation, I find no common ground with the religious right. This one can be argued on either side, depending on your beliefs and values.
Law and order will deteriorate under Trump; gun ownership will continue to increase. The Washington Post said, “Trump, every day reminds us that he is the instigator of violence, the source of chaos, the man indifferent to our well-being and a president who disdains the law and order. It is his opponent who offers the promise of calm, sober and competent leadership.” Gun violence will not be tempered by a Trump presidency.
Race relations will deteriorate with Trump; improve with Biden. Trump’s positions stoke racial divides, not calms them.
The environment will continue under siege wth Trump. Trump is a climate change denier. Biden has a sound and reasoned plan.
Immigration strategies will find a better balance between restrictions, need and historical values under Biden. Trump’s harsh restrictions are a threat to American competitiveness. They are also counter to America’s historic role in refugee resettlement and rights – back to the roots of America’s history.
Dealing with China needs an aggressive plan that’s a bi-partisan mix. Trump is not capable of working across the floor to develop such a plan.
Biden will be a unifier and a pragmatist; Trump is divisive and not collaborative. It is the Economist’s opinion that Biden “would alleviate some of the problems simply by being a competent administrator who believes in institutions, heeds advice and cares about outcomes”. Rolling Stone magazine endorsed Biden for president, saying that the US has lived “under a man categorically unfit to be president” for the past four years. “Fortunately for America, Joe Biden is Donald Trump’s opposite in nearly every category. The Democratic presidential nominee evinces competence, compassion, steadiness, integrity, and restraint.”
Harris will be a complementary and more visible VP. This was a wise choice for VP, both female and black – and young and clever.
2. Why do Canadians care about the coming US presidential election? (The corollary is, do we have a right to comment?)
Canadians, the closest neighbours and allies of the US, have real skin in the game when it comes to the outcome of the US election so we have a right to voice our opinions. The outcome affects us in the following areas:
1. Democracy (is in decline and under siege)
2. World leadership (“me first” attitude is reducing global co-operation and opening space for China, Russia, etc.)
3. Trade (uncertainties and restrictions will have broad repercussions)
4. Journalism (is under fire; a danger for democracy)
5. Environment (risking reaching accepted carbon targets)
6. Security (declining, with significant concern having Trump in absolute control over US nuclear capability)
7. Financial (some real future challenges)
8. COVID-19 (increased risks and economic consequences from US mismanagement)
9. US/Canada Travel (diminished along with further restrictions)
10. Biden as president (is more aligned with Canadian values)
Each one of these has consequences for Canada.
What I would conclude if I was a voter in the United States.
After reviewing the positions of the two parties, my simple conclusion is vote for the Democratic party.
There are some “deal breakers” for me in the above list (link between the ideal of democracy and the role of the press; leadership in the free world for America; environment protection; financial, and physical health and security).
However, in the long run, never mind all the reasons for voting this way or that, decisions of the magnitude that Americans will make on Nov. 3 should be based on one’s value system, ones principles:
- whether one believes in more or less government, or higher or lower taxes
- not on how to operate a health care system
- and not whether you do or don’t have a religion, or even a certain kind of God
For me the Republican Party has a flawed and morally bankrupt leader with an extremely flawed (or even absent) value system. He is doing almost irreparable harm to the country of United States and democracy in general. He, and as a result the Party, do not meet my values test.
Ken; Well said. Can we send this to our Republican friends. For us, tell us something we don’t know! Just wish we had a vote! TR
Thanks, Tom. Send it around as you wish. This one should go everywhere.
Ken: You summarized it well and I admire your highly considered views and conclusions. May God help us if we are exposed to another four years of Trump anarchy in the making. I actually drew the parallel with Hitler when he was first elected, and so far it is playing out. We (they) had better stop it next Tuesday. The
HI Ken – enjoyed your article, great analysis, but sometimes I believe answers to your question may be positioned somewhat simply. I was recently thinking about this conflict particularly after seeing that Jack Nicholas endorsed Trump and then Bobby Orr, for reasons that completely escape me, also jumped on his band wagon . . . go figure!! First possible answer . . . if you’re a die-hard Republican do you really care who the president is, as long he says he’s Republican? Answer, “No”. Secondly, as a Republican are you well informed and not taking cues from the likes of Fox News? Do you objectively weigh pros and cons or implications? Have you read what others have written about Trump . . . Bolton, Mary Trump. Cohen, Woodward, etc. etc.? Answer, “No”. And finally, as a Republican are you sure Trump has your interests, and possibly America’s interests first and foremost? Unfortunately the answer is, “Yes”.
You’re correct on all accounts, unfortunately. As Jacquard said “The first obstacle is the preconceived idea. We often only know what we are ready to see.” There is a lot of that going on in the US right now. Thanks for reading my efforts, Ken
How many bottles of champagne have you cracked open tonight and are you dancing in the streets. Yea, Biden🎉🎉