KEYWORDS
OR TERMS: Campaigns; Hillary Clinton; Donald Trump; Undocumented Immigrants;
Conflict of Interest; Clinton Foundation; America Voters’ Priorities; Gun
Violence; Safe Borders; Safe Communities; Job Creation; Illusory; Marginalized;
US Congress; President of the United States; America Life; Nationhood; Race and
Economic Divisions; Mudslinging; and, Harmonious Society
Are American voters listening to 2016
Presidential Candidates – are they paying particular attention to statistics,
mudslinging and or narratives coming out of either Donald Trump or Hillary
Clinton campaigns regarding issues of unemployment, immigration, race
relations, globalization and reckless gun violence in America? Does Donald
Trump sound credible with the message of deportation of “millions” of
undocumented immigrants in the first hypothetical hundred days of his
administration; or, his two-pronged message on what he intends to do with undocumented
immigrants if he had his choice? Are Americans now forgiving of Ms. Clinton’s
email scandal or murky waters of what Clinton Charity Foundation has been unto
or is currently involved regarding funds changing hands between donors and the
foundation? Is the issue of conflict of interest surrounding the Clinton
Foundation bemoaning the chances of Hillary Clinton for the White House oval office?
Further, Can Donald Trump or
Hillary Clinton mitigate the unprecedented criticisms against their candidacy
for whatever reason by critics or independent observers? Are American voters
poorly served, over several decades, with ineffective policies on unemployment,
justice, trade pacts, gun violence, loose national borders and sometimes
inconceivable promises of either of the major political party candidates, to
deliver to America whatever may alleviate the stress of life when either
candidates get into the White House? Are American voters’ priorities in many realms,
economic, social and political, including the burning issues of safe
communities, gun violence and jobs creation, being watched or paid closer
attention by either of the 2016 White House candidates? With some American firms
and companies closing shops and moving overseas, are the doors to economic
opportunities permanently being shot against Americans, while their choice to
replacing outgoing President of the United States, President Barack Obama, inauspiciously
being limited to two candidates with too much personal or political luggage,
that Americans would rather prefer other candidates that are not members of the
two major American Political Parties; and or, prefer a redo of the 2016 political
party’s primaries and caucuses?
Regardless of how either Hillary
Clinton or Donald Trump crafts their campaign messages, there is this
apprehension among some voters that both candidates are probably not the best
of choices at this time in American Politics. Further, there are some firm
convictions in some quarters that Donald Trump is race baiting while at the
same time, peddling fears and discontent among Americans in the public arena. Corollary,
there are fears as well in some quarters that the issue of trust in Hillary
Clinton’s candidacy for the White House oval office, is probably lost with her
State Department email issues and most recently, the difficult and
unprecedented circumstances that she may have played in furthering the goals of
the Clinton Foundation, while Ms. Clinton was the US Secretary of State. In
addition, there is the notion that both 2016 White House candidates are hardly
discussing or presenting better ways out of the malaise that continue to hold
Americans back on the bread and butter issues; with critics of either
candidates claiming that for the most part, Donald Trump has been playing
political football on the campaign trail, hoping to get back his campaign on
the right course after three reorganizations because of many inflicted comments and or
tweets from him. Albeit, Hillary Clinton’s proposed policies in some realm of
nation building, continue to be patronizing at best; and, almost anything else
that her campaign is currently advertising is failing to meet the needs and
urgency of some of the national problems.
American voters are weary of
difficult pronouncements from the Republican Candidate for 2016 White House that
appear not attainable. They are worried that the safe community campaign
messaging from Donald Trump’s campaign is nothing but a spin to give hope to an
issue that can hardly be resolved, without more proactive and reflective
legislation on second amendment rights and gun ownership in America. We understand that for decades the nation has been confronted with gun violence
issues; and on many occasions in the past, neither the US Congress or the
sitting President of the United States, has been able to actualize legislation
that satisfies the biases of the extreme opposition groups to the debate on gun
violence and second amendment.
In fact, the issue of gun
violence in recent memory has ultimately been perplexing not only to American
voters; but also, to the current occupant of the White House, who once
acknowledged that the national issue of gun violence has been one of the
failures of his presidency. Former and current American political party leaders
have failed to address the issues of gun violence and crime in the street from
gangs and ruffians, because of some competing priorities, which if you ask many
sane minds, would poo-poo any of their biases to stay on the extreme end of
solution to this national problem. Prioritized and patronized legislation by
Democrats in US Congress to address the issue of gun violence and second amendments
were fought actively and aggressively by Republicans in the past seven years
and any message of finding a permanent solution to the problem, immediately
after a reported gun violence in America, including mass killings of first graders, has always been
derailed and somehow illusory. Marginal and sometimes robust opportunities to
find a practical and permanent solution to the problem of gun violence through
enactment of common sense gun control laws have either received lukewarm
response or collapsed in US Congress floor debates, many times over.
A better approach or alternative
means of reaching middle ground reconciliations on some very important national
issues, have remained unattainable, not because America does not know what to
do, but because of the continuous ideological fight between the far right and
left and the ever present pandering of lobbyist groups and institutions. Our
legislatures have refused to define the goals of having reasonable gun control
laws, not just in terms of what solace and or peace it can offer public safety,
but also the desirability of such laws in the course of reality of enervated
gun violence in our various communities. Turf survival on second amendment
issues from opposing debate spectrum appears to be the order of the day. There
are many subtle ways that opposition groups have played on the immediate
strains and grief brought upon America by gun violence; however, it appears no
one must expect immediate solution to resolving the gun violence issues on
American streets because of the skittishness of some legislators to do what is
right and in the better interest of the public. Americans must not put their hopes
on any presidential candidate promising change on issue of gun violence unless
a resolution on what reasonable second amendment rights actually entails in
current day parlance of American life and nationhood, are thoroughly
interpreted and elucidated, and compromise on many grounds accepted as the best
option forward, in tempering the constant hostilities between the opposing groups to the debate.
If you think no promise could be
enough to assail the challenges of inner city gun violence; or spoon long
enough to permit America to sup with the devil regarding correction to inner
city gun violence, you probably need not look further than recent gun-related violence,
especially in either cases where an innocent citizen was shot while pushing a
baby stroller in inner city, Chicago, Illinois, and or, the brutal stabbing and
killings of two nuns and nurses in one of the most deprived areas in the state
of Mississippi? From the onset of increased gun violence in the past two
decades, we have ruled out the possibility of any challenge to our second
amendment rights to bear arms. The greatest opportunity for compromise on our second amendment right has been lost several times over; and, much as many communities impacted, have sought help to confront the malaise of gun violence, most have
been left frustrated by the antagonistic debates over the possibility of
limiting the second amendment right of citizens in a bid to confront
exacerbated gun violence in many inner cities. The current White House had issued some executive
orders just to keep America safe after the failure of US Congress to pass
reflective legislation to address this problem on more than three occasions, immediately after heinous mass shooting events across the nation. Can a new
presidential candidate sell the nation a promise to do anything about this
problem? For now, probably not. All we’ve heard from 2016 Republican flag
bearer is that he is going to roll back those executive orders that have kept
Americans safe relatively, once he is elected the President of the United
States!
How about the new terrifying over
dose deaths of Americans seeking to get high, or seeking a greater buzz, in
many American communities? Many people say this is now an epidemic and probably
a national calamity. Since solution to this calamity, like that of gun violence, can only come through mutual trust and compromise; it is imperative that Americans with opiate
or drug dependency issues, understand there is need to seek and accept help to help
them kick the habit. The nation also has an obligation to face the reality that
this unconventional problem, just like gun violence, is not going to go away
except, we actively respond to it with proactive public health policies and laws,
that will decriminalize drug use and facilitate behavioral adjustment and
treatment for many to get off opiate addiction; or, fashion out a new direction
for the distribution of killer opiate drugs in the pharmaceutical network in
America. America can confront this epidemic, not by promises from presidential
candidates that may not materialize, because of the recalcitrance in US Congress
and failure of some of our legislators to support reasonable legislation, that
may correct another anomaly, but rather, the absence of a desire to resort to
necessary adjustments that will discourage consumption of opiate drugs or drug
use dependency in American communities.
Hillary Clinton recently assailed
the character of her opponent on racism and bigotry; while her opponent, Donald
Trump countered she is just as guilty of the same allegation, she has fashioned
against him. Race and Economic divides have paralyzed many aspects of American
promise; however, America is now left with a perplexing challenge of bringing
up honest discussions of race relations and the increasing economic divides
among social and economic strata. The unforeseeable internal cataclysm or
racism that have over the decades cannibalize the psychic of some Americans,
have left some very dire and menacing situation on how America moves ahead on
resolving issues of racial conflict, or bringing about harmony among her peoples. To some people,
racial harmony is just another opportunity to violate long held beliefs and
privileges that have benefited the largest fraction of Americans – ‘the White
Privileged’. While the extreme and radical
members of this group have maintained that current stratification of the
population and opportunities are sacrosanct and must not be challenged, there
are many progressives who maintain that the cherished ideal of equality of
persons and races as embodied in America’s Constitution, is the ultimate
narrative for a solution to the issue of racism and racial inequality. Neither current
White House candidates has shown a strong backbone or valuable credentials to
address this burning national issue, except for name calling, no actual policy
proposal are concretely in offing; and, unless we address this and other socio-economic and political issues
confronting America today, we are less likely to achieve the so-called American
Dream; or narrative of a free and equal society.
More broadly, the two
presidential candidates for 2016 White House oval office, must acknowledge that
we need proactive policies and legislation addressing issues of racism, drug addiction, gun violence, immigration, unemployment and economic disparities, to
achieve a more harmonious, just and equal society. The nation need insightful
policies and legislation, far beyond what is available on the books today, in
order to urgently address these problems and or associated dilemma that have prevented
the nation from achieving the promises embodied in her ethos. Current presidential
undertaking through executive orders fashioned to address issue of gun
violence, inequality and bigotry, are just temporary bridges; and the nation
owes it to herself to do better; to confront her fears and to build on her potential to achieve a more equal union among the races and economic classes.
The new deal of the thirties, helped the nation transition from extreme poverty
to home ownership and better health status with the introduction of Medicare
and Medicaid. OBAMACARE has afforded other opportunities for a better
pluralized healthcare delivery and system. Failure at a reconciliation between
extreme groups in addressing gun violence and second amendment rights or,
underestimation of the subliminal effect of racism and the ever ready promise
from Republicans to abrogate OBAMACARE, continue to compound economic and
social freedom; and are parts and parcels of loss of opportunities that could
have corrected for economic disparity, health poverty, judicial system injustices and or racial harmony.
Mutual understanding across
races, through more exposures to nuances of each race is a reachable dream, not
distant as some demagogues would want Americans to believe. After five decades
of the Civil Right laws, it appears that some segments of the population have
not made up their minds to accept the reality of equality of races and
opportunities under the law. We, as a nation, cannot reduce the contemplation
of uncertainties of economic opportunities from legislation facilitating equality
of races, sexes, religions, national origin and sexual preferences under the
law because of the fear of the unknown; or because of our past preconceived notion
that having equality of races, will only erode long standing privileges and
opportunities that the greatest fraction or specific majority of American
population have longed enjoyed. We must challenge ourselves with the words of
Bobby Kennedy: “There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask
why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.” Let us see the
goodness in our fellow men and women, no matter our differences; let us help
ourselves by expanding opportunities for all Americans, men and women alike,
let use learn about the frustrations and pleasures inherent in denied
opportunities for peoples of all races, sexes, national origin, religion and
sexual preferences; and, accommodate those who are different from us, in
whatever realm; and, make America, a better livable space for all God’s
children.
Again, old illusions must be
discarded. Fatter paychecks and huge and obscene corporate profits through the
enslavement of labor may make corporate America richer and plumper; demagoguery
may even look fashionable, appealing and appeasing to a singular segment of Americans
in current campaign for the White House oval office; however, all these will
never make America Great– indeed, they may end up reinforcing a much negative
stereotype of individual races in America; and, result in a less harmonious
American Society or Culture. Dependence on exploiting racial tension and
differences may seem logical to winning votes in a general election cycle;
however, they will never eradicate the extreme tension that seem to degenerate
the nation to a less hospital environment and livable space. America must
reverse the trend and say No, to politicians who continue to divide us for
their selfish end; and, work to bring peace among all the peoples of our
nation; and continue to work hard to see that America remains that shinning
beacon of hope for every man and woman on the globe.
The premise of this essay is that
both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton hardly share the dream of many voters
regarding some national issues that continue to hamper our dream of a more
equal union and harmonious society, where we can build on the promise of America
excellence and narrative of promise. Neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton
appropriately crystallized the needs of the average American in their current
campaign efforts. This is why, we are hearing campaign mudslinging similar or
in the nature of: 1) Hilary Clinton once called black youths Super Predators;
2) Donald Trump referring to Mexicans as rapists and drug lords; and 3) Some
party’s stalwart discontenting the probable negative impact of derogation
comments about minorities. We all know better. Minorities in America of
whatever classification or stratification have sacrificed for this nation to be
as great as it can be; they have and continue to work hard to reap the promise
of a more equal union, where one race does not see itself as marginalized, one
religion bemoaned; or one segment perceived as unwelcome and not deserving. America
deserves accommodation of all peoples of her constituents; and the root of demagoguery
must not be allowed to fester any longer.
Truly, we all deserve to live in
a more equal society, protected by equal laws that make all of us know and
understand that we have a skin in nation building. Are some races privileged
than others? Are some groups less likely to be penalized for egregious
crimes just because of the color of their skin? Let us now work to correct the abnormality
in the system without succumbing to the mischief of politicians seeking to
divide us. Our nation still has a lot of work to do to make America a just
society. Corporations need to be better citizens, refusing to move
opportunities for employment overseas, under the pretext they would not face
higher labor cost and so can sell cheaper goods on the market. Cheaper goods,
higher corporate profits are not necessarily the end results of better decisions;
nor a companies’ decisions to increase corporate profit by shifting production
overseas, ever going to completely put these companies ahead of the
competition, while, millions of Americans are being thrown under the bus
because no one is asking them the accountability question for being member of
Corporate America. Globalization issues and trade pacts like NAFTA and other
regional trade pacts continue to be bone of contention; however, they do not
offer the full story about the challenge ahead of the nation.
Finally, we must now realize or
appreciate the fact that, leaders are priceless; however, politicians running
on promises are clearly a long shot at delivering on policies that can
alleviate the status of poverty and insecurity in America. Let us now resolve
only to give the best and most prepared and cautious the mantle of leadership
come November 8, 2016.
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