Why I can’t stay quiet on politics anymore

I usually don’t get too overtly political.

Mostly because I doubt most people care what I, or any one says, about politics. At this point, there are very few people who are willing to read a perspective that differs from their own notions of politics, politicians, and the overall process.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, nor should they, but I have a unique opportunity to share my views with friends, family, and colleagues not just in the US, but across the globe as well.

This concept was promoted by a mealtime conversation. At lunch yesterday, I was reminded again of how vested and keenly tuned in the globe is to what is going on in the United States. I sat with Danish colleagues who had a depth and knowledge of the race, which I, a self-professed political nerd, barely could counter with the recent Danish-elections. It was a humbling moment.

The world is watching. The world is listening. And for the most part, the world is really confused and curious as to how Trump is getting this far.

The stakes of the upcoming US election are too high to stay quiet and assume the voices of the better angels will prevail. Bear with me here and read on if interested, or keep scrolling on if you want.

I identify as an Independent.

More accurately, I am a “Jon Stewart Independent,” leaning liberal, but see the stupidity, hypocrisy, and eye-rolling moments from each side. I ignore the comments after articles because it’s just not worth reading about “Demo-rats” and “Republi-thugs”…which are some of the nicer things said.

As Michael Bloomberg (El Bloombito) said last night, “I don’t believe either party has a monopoly on good ideas or strong leadership…I know what it’s like to have neither party fully represent my views or values. Too many Republicans wrongly blame immigrants for our problems, and they stand in the way of action on climate change and gun violence. Meanwhile, many Democrats wrongly blame the private sector for our problems, and they stand in the way of action on education reform and deficit reduction.”

The divisiveness and hyper-political stances from both major parties has resulted in a “curse on both houses” view from the majority of the public, and the hard-core politicos stay nursed in their cocoons of Fox News or MSNBC, not understanding how the other side can think the way they do, and not making much of an effort to either.

Noting this, I’m voting for Hillary Clinton & Tim Kaine.

In this election, it’s not a contrast between Democrats and Republicans, or liberals and conservatives. At the policy level, where ideas are proposed, it is a contrast between (usually) logical, fact-based arguments on either end of the political spectrum. Outside of the standard political spectrum, happily ignorant, and proudly rejecting expertise and insights, stands Trump.

Trump, who when asked who he consults with on foreign policy issues, said “I’m speaking with myself, number one, because I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things.”

He, along with Bernie, has tapped into a deep anger and frustration in the American public, something that is reflected across the globe in Brexit, pro-nationalism movements across Europe and Turkey, and frustration with political leaders in Brazil and elsewhere.

Bernie was dismissed, ultimately, as being too idealistic with concepts which could never be fully realised without some significant repercussions. His legacy endures in the passion he stirred in all those who “felt the Bern” and were so disappointed he was not the eventual Democratic nominee.

Trump proudly stands tall, viewing his spontaneity of ideas and positions as an advantage to bring to the proverbial table against whoever he is opposing. Mexicans, immigrants, labour, NATO allies, women…and the list goes on. How can you beat me, he muses, when you don’t even know what I’m going to say? Strategic negotiation by surprise.

Or, more accurately, what he will reverse course on, or simply deny even saying, in the first place.

In recent history, has a leading presidential candidate in either party, been so significantly questioned about not just his policies and positions, but personality as well?

Al Gore, doomed by his insistence on being his own man and not living in the post-impeachment shadow of Bill Clinton, had detailed positions on numerous issues, though boring they were.

George W. Bush aspired to be the “education president” before 9/11 and its aftermath unfolded, leading down a path that he was reluctant to pursue, with its longer term implications and fall-out. While you can question his decisions, very can challenge his character or temperament.

John Kerry, caught in the choppy waters of swift-boating, flip-flopping, and parasailing, was still recognized as a statesman who could represent the country as its senior diplomat afterwards.

John McCain, before playing into the far-right demons of his party, was honourable and stood his ground on positions, willing to explain why he did so, and letting the chips fall where they may. A reason he was initially endeared by many on all sides.

Mitt Romney put forth ideas, that ultimately not very popular, had the backing of economists and other experts at their foundation.

In the case of Trump, I do not see positions, stances, or even a central character which inspire me, or make me want to have him represent my country, in any way.

Mario Cuomo had it right: “You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.” The current slate of Republican candidates, and even Bernie to some extent, got caught up in poetry during the primaries. And it’s understandable why. No one wants a 7 point plan on this, a 10 page policy briefing on that, and a point/counter-point discussion on anything when you’re campaigning to the base, pitching to the faithful, and pumping your fist at the opposition. Campaigning is about exclamations, eviscerations, and out-‘Murica-ing the opposition.

But, at some point, the poetic fluff has to give way to governing. A serious, tedious, and ugly process of incremental progress, setbacks, and yes, compromise. No one wants to watch the governing sausage being made, but if you’re pledging to lead a country — which is a winter blizzard blackout away from 320 million — with the eyes of the world, and future movement of global stock markets and central banks hanging on your words, you better commit to something more than broadsides, bombast and bullshit.

I am not voting for Trump because I’ve yet to see any resemblance of someone I want representing me, my interests, or my country, either domestically or abroad.

The latest example is his comments yesterday at a press conference where he explicitly told Russia to hack his political opponent’s inbox for emails.

No, really: “I will tell you this, Russia: If you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” he said.

Trump’s “post-clean up the verbal mess of whatever he just really said” team initially denied he even said that in the first place.

Trump’s communication advisor tweeted, “To be clear, Mr. Trump did not call on, or invite, Russia or anyone else to hack Hillary Clinton’s e-mails today. Trump was clearly saying that if Russia or others have Clinton’s 33,000 illegally deleted emails, they should share them.”

And today, Trump is dismissing all of this by saying he was just being sarcastic. I doubt any of this spin would be needed if the rebukes were not so harsh and swift from all sides, foreign & domestic.

Look, his supporters can argue what he said does not matter as much as the issue it raised about where thousands of emails went. And the core issue is a serious one. But to willing think words don’t matter and they only need to be explained or dismissed if enough people have a problem, is being ignorant of the awesome power a commander-in-chief yields.

And yes, you can argue it is typical Washington behaviour to mess-up and come back with a “well what I actually meant to say is…”, but when this becomes the norm, and not the exception, what does that say about a candidate?

I don’t want to tell you how to vote or why you should vote for Hillary Clinton. Even those who are voting for her are numerous minds.

Some will because she will break the glass ceiling as the first female president.

Some will because anyone but Trump.

Some will because they want to see the Obama legacy continue, disregarding her insistence that she will not be his third administration.

Some will because they agree with all or some of her views on issues.

I am because, even though I don’t agree with everything she says, or at times what she does (for example, the whole emails/private server issue was plain stupid, and her response to it was even worse. But I do not believe she did it maliciously, and if people do not see the hypocrisy in Trump shouting it is not fair because, if anyone else did what she did, they’d get in trouble…), in a democratic republic, you pick the candidate you agree with the most, and hope they will represent your interests the best. And in her case, whether on her website, or through her own words, I know where she stands on issues, what ideas she offers, and she is willing to work with various stakeholders to accomplish things.

For Bernie or Bust-ers, they are being ridiculous in threatening to sit out the election because he wasn’t the candidate. But, if they are so convinced he is the only leader they will support, then so be it. But I hope they question whether it’s the idea of the candidate they are chasing or a feasible reality.

I do not want to tell you who to vote for, but I will say this (if you’ve made it this far):

1. Vote. Get out there and vote. Make sure to register to vote. If you’re not sure how, go here: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

2. Whoever you decide to cast a vote for, go beyond sound-bites and spin. If you want to vote for Trump, go beyond “he’s a tough talker and his own person” theatrics and see if you can find a firm position of his you agree with, and will it feasibly be done. If you feel we should build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, fine. But how will this be done beyond making Mexico pay for it? If you want to vote for Hillary, look past the cracks in the glass ceiling and ask whether she will represent your interests.

3. Realise this: in a country that is nearly too big to rule via democracy, no one side will win, flat-out, all the time, on everything. Compromise is essential and ensures the minority is still listened to.

In a time when elections should not be taken for granted, every vote does matter, and where people are still struggling to have their voice heard in all lands around the world, now is a time to step up.

Best,

M