President Trump: Is There A Silver Lining?
For the majority of Americans who didn’t vote for Donald Trump (and the few that did but now have buyer’s remorse) it’s difficult to wake up today and not feel overwhelmed by grief and sadness at what just happened. There are many valid reasons for why you should feel that way, from his views on climate change and how he’s empowered hate groups, but, in the spirit of trying to be optimistic, I just want to park them all for a few minutes and focus on a few silver linings in a Trump victory:
He’s not Ted Cruz: Trump is a brash populist with many flaws but at least he isn’t a right-wing ideologue who would be willing to scuttle the country while clutching a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in another (unaware of the contradictions between them). His experience in business means he will lend himself to pragmatism, he’s all about cutting deals after all. It was inevitable that a Republican sweep would eventually happen and, on some level, it’s better that it happened on Trump’s watch. He’s come out to the centre of his party on many issues from trade to the use of eminent domain for advancing national causes and limiting money in politics. He clearly believes that government should have an active role to play in the economy. Perhaps a Republican led House and Senate might pin him to the right, but that brings us to our second point.
He isn’t beholden to anyone: He had no major donors and fought a bitter civil war against the Republican establishment, going so far as to win Paul Ryan’s home state of Wisconsin despite Ryan’s lackluster support. He doesn’t have to listen to them, he gets to dictate terms. This can, of course, come to naught if he maintains his indifference to the minutia of governing considering that the devil is always in the details, but on some headline issues he will be able to force through certain realignments that someone beholden to the establishment wouldn’t be able to.
America’s infrastructure will get a boost: One area that we might be able to physically see and feel a change will be in America’s infrastructure. That America’s infrastructure is in desperate need of a makeover is no secret. Both parties seem to acknowledge that, yet Washington’s business-as-usual has all but ensured that nothing gets done. Trump’s made this a central aspect of his campaign and, if he brings enough Republicans on board, it is something he could get done with broad bipartisan support.
He might actually get along with Russia: The erosion of the US-Russia relationship represents one of the biggest near-term security threats bringing with it, the threat of nuclear war. Perhaps a President Trump can deescalate the situation with Russia and create a modus vivendi between the two countries. Such a detente comes with valid concerns about human rights and uncomfortable friendships but it’s worth noting that, for all of America’s rhetoric, human rights didn’t improve in Russia over the past eight years either.
The Left might reinvent itself: A civil war within the Democratic Party will be protracted and messy. If Europe is any indication it might result in the complete collapse of the Centre-Left and the rise of much more populist left wingers. For liberals, the hope will be that at the end of this struggle a more progressive Democratic Party emerges, one that is in tune with both the social aspirations of the coasts and the economic well being of the Rust-Belt and other communities left behind by globalization.
There are major reasons to be skeptical and afraid of a Trump Presidency, especially if you are, like me, an immigrant. Even these silver linings come with major caveats. A detente with Russia will come at Ukraine and Syria’s expense. The Left, instead of re-inventing itself, could descend into a protracted and chaotic civil war (see the UK). All of that pales in comparison with what it means to have a President who has given rhetorical cover to hate and misogyny, doesn’t believe in Climate Change and seems keen on politicizing the judiciary. There will be plenty of great think-pieces out today that will underline those risks and more.
But, if you are one of the majority of Americans who didn’t vote for Donald Trump, it is important not to be hysterical and not to give up hope. At the end of the day America will endure. We were long overdue for a frank conversation about our economic model, place in the world and social contract. We will have that conversation and we will resolve it. And, always remember that this is a democracy you can always vote to limit his powers in two years (if you remember to vote), and there will always be some silver linings, no matter who is at the helm.
