Rather a crook than a fool

In 2016, Americans face a choice; unprecedented in modern history. In a time of great challenge, when strong leadership is required more than ever against the pressing threats of our time, Americans are given a choice of either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump- ‘a crook’ or ‘the fool’.

The sheer fact that Americans must pick between these two choices, each horrible in their own right, is a sign of the dramatic deterioration of America’s political discourse. The American people are so much better than these two choices for President, and it is only these two that matter.

Those who say that Libertarian Gary Johnson or Green Jill Stein are in with a chance are just kidding themselves.

So therefore, let it be made clear: if you stand against the Donald and everything that he stands for, then you stand with Hillary.

I have previously been fierce in my criticisms against Mr Trump and his past words and actions speak for themselves. He panders to the worst in America, demeaning significant portions of our society. But what is even more concerning is the large swathes of the Republican Party — once the gallant party of Lincoln — who rush in their quick embrace of him.

Putting aside his inflammatory rhetoric, which I emphatically reject, Mr Trump’s positions (those which are consistent and coherent) on the issues are deeply concerning.

Just yesterday, Mr Trump effectively sanctioned Russia to cyber-hack America, a clear breach of America’s cyber-security laws. In the same press conference, he also said that he will look into recognising Russia’s control of the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. He actively advocates for that ‘physical’ wall between Mexico and America, a ban on Muslim migration and previously, surveillance of mosques, special ID badges for Muslims and even a ‘deportation force’ to deport the illegal immigrants living in America. He remains fiercely anti-trade, adopting what can only be described as an isolationist, protectionist attitude — reminiscent of 1950’s America.

These positions are not conservative. It does not reflect the Republican Party that I know and at the same time, it betrays the principles of Christ.

His cosying up to Vladimir Putin is particularly concerning. Over the weekend, it was reported that the damaging DNC emails leak was done by Russian hackers designed to cause havoc ahead of the Democratic Convention. The Russian President has gushed praised at Mr Trump, effectively endorsing him. And why shouldn’t he? Under Mr Trump, Mr Putin would effectively have almost free rein to pursue his aggressive and non-democratic approach and policies in Russia and within Europe, especially against the Baltic States.

Mr Putin must be stood up to, not appeased. And if Russia is deliberately meddling to disadvantage Mrs Clinton because they know that Mrs Clinton will not grant them a free rein, then I know who I want to stand up to Mr Putin.

Mrs Clinton is, perhaps, the most qualified person to have ever sought the presidency. But yet, she doesn’t come to the position with a clean slate. Her time as Secretary of State has been beset with problems and marred in failures. We only need to look at Libya, the Middle East and that disastrous ‘reset’ with Russia. And we can easily point towards the ongoing email scandal, which demonstrated a clear error in judgement and an attitude of ‘worthier, higher and holier than thou’.

But at the same time, America has always been a land of redemption and second chances. And so I hope and pray that Mrs Clinton will not make the same mistakes and errors of judgement of the past. I am willing to grant her a clean break because in a dangerous and uncertain world, America cannot entertain the bombastic, uncertain behaviour of Mr Trump.

She is also not the silver bullet for all of America’s woes.

A prolonged primary battle with rival, Bernie Sanders, has driven her left. She must now begin the track back to the centre ground, effectively ceded by Mr Trump, to capture the disgruntled Republicans and the undecideds. The selection of Tim Kaine is the right start but she must be careful not to be swayed too far to the left. The centre ground is where battles are won, and lost.

The next President will appoint a Supreme Court Justice, and possibly up to four. She must continue to pursue Merrick Garland’s nomination — a balanced, fair-minded judge who deserves his due process with hearings in the Senate right now. Future nominations must warrant careful consideration by a strong Republican Congress.
 
Her positions on taxes and on the economy leaves something to be desired, as does her position on the Keystone Pipeline.

But importantly, Mrs Clinton must seriously reconsider her opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal. The most ambitious trade of agreement of its kind, it brings together ten nations committed towards the elimination of tariffs, enhanced labour standards and greater environmental standards. Free trade is vital and important for economies to prosper and grow and this position, also taken by Mr Trump, must be reversed.

Despite these flaws, her other priorities reflect the serious challenges that America faces.

She advocates strongly for gun reform and gun control in America after a series of devastating mass shootings in America — highlighted by the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. There is an epidemic of guns in America, and common sense say that expanded background checks and denying terrorists buying weapons is plain sensible. Mrs Clinton must, and will, go further on this issue but again, she must be careful not to infringe the second amendmebt and each individual’s right to due process.

Other priorities such as reforming the criminal justice system to tackle the growing and high incarceration rate in America; fighting and destroying radical Islamic terror; the systematic and structural racism that many, in particular, African-Americans face in America today as well as fighting to end discrimination against minorities, women and the LGBT community.

Another pressing issue, potentially her greatest headache, will be enacting comprehensive immigration reform in America. It cannot be denied that America’s immigration is broken and needs an overhaul. She will need to ensure a strong border protection program as well as a clear pathway towards citizenship for illegal immigrants who do the work Americans don’t want to do, who pay their taxes, raise strong families and who come to America to fulfil the American Dream.

And the demand for Wall Street reform has never been greater. Leading Republican figures such as former Texas Governor, Rick Perry, have called for reform to end the corporate greed and crony capitalism we see in Wall Street and across big businesses. The restoration of a capitalist system which works for all, and not just at the top, is crucial. She must implement a 21st century Glass-Stegall, break up the big banks deemed ‘too big to fail’ and ensure that more Americans are getting a share of the pie.

To those who work hard each day so that they can break even each month; to those who stick at a job because they know that it is the only source of income they have; to those trapped in the cycle of poverty, underemployment or unemployment; to those who seek nothing more than a better life for themselves and their families, Mrs Clinton is your warrior.

When it comes to healing a broken nation, to wage the war against crony capitalists and to deal with the challenging issues; Mrs Clinton will listen not to the mighty, the powerful or the vested interests, but to you, the American people.

To the little guy out there who’s looking for someone to stand with them against a rigged system — Mrs Clinton, not Mr Trump, is on your side. Mr Trump is the epitome of crony capitalism — the manipulation of the system and the bullying of you, the little guy, to further his own interests. He is the symbol of the mighty and the powerful, of the rigged system.

Mr Trump’s attitude, his overtones and his demeaning demeanour does not necessarily disqualify him from seeking the Presidency. But it should, in the eyes of the people, disqualify him from being President. At such a crucial time as time, America cannot afford to go down the path of a Trump Presidency. Some people may abandon their principles at the altar of power, but in my eyes, Mr Trump is still a cancer on conservatism, a racial demagogue who is unfit to be President.

And the Republicans must press ahead with an agenda of regeneration and renewal after 2016. The party of Lincoln and Reagan shouldn’t become the party of Trump. The GOP is still the bastion of something great and powerful in America and its principles are still enduring and relevant in this 21st century. Republicans can, and must, be a force for good — an agent of great reform.

For these reasons, I am endorsing Hillary Clinton for President in 2016. She wasn’t my first choice — in fact she was nowhere near the top. I had hoped for a principled Republican — I would happily support and endorse the 16 other Republican candidates. But America has been dealt a tough hand and by this measure, Mrs Clinton certainly outranks Mr Trump.

Mrs Clinton is not the perfect candidate — no candidate is. Against Mr Trump, she is the steady hand. On the issues that matter, she has the right rhetoric. And with Mr Kaine by her side, I believe that this is a strong, experienced ticket, not the best, but sound nonetheless to help restore America’s strength in the world.

The road ahead promises more trying and difficult times. She will come to the office from a position of weakness — with high unfavourables, low honesty and trust opinion and low expectations. Many have written her four years as President as ‘Obama’s third term’ — the status quo. Sometimes, the status quo is worth keeping. But if Mrs Clinton can learn from her past mistakes, if she takes the sensible centre path, works in a bipartisan manner and diligently, I know that her time in office will be much more than breaking the glass ceiling and maintaining the status quo.