How America may become sane again
Troubles are ahead for sure, but America is not doomed. The world as we know it will not end this week.
Those who believe otherwise underestimate the constraints on presidential powers, don’t appreciate the wisdom of the separation of powers doctrine, exaggerate the difference between the two candidates and assume all those who voted for Donald Trump support his full package.
As a Canadian Muslim often confused for a Latino working under a NAFTA visa (attacked by Trump) in Republicandominated Indiana, home of Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, this U.S. election felt like it was all about me.
In his self-proclaimed mission to “make America great again,” Trump labelled Latinos as rapists, criminals and killers, and called for a wall to stop the influx from Mexico.
“The Latinos” were not the only ones keeping America from greatness. According to Trump, “The African Americans” were lazy people living on food stamps in war zones, holding themselves and “us” back. The use of the article “the” clearly suggesting they are different from white America.
Muslims also represent the “other.” They are, of course, mostly terrorists (except for a few self-haters and snitches).
Fat. Pig. Dog. Slob. Disgusting animal. Ugly. Nasty. These are some of the choicest words Trump reserved for women.
The disabled, refugees, the less well-to-do and even the parents of a Muslim soldier, who was reportedly killed by a suicide bomber while saving the lives of countless Americans, were not off limits.
Nothing was sacred for Trump. He could do no wrong because he was always the lesser of the two evils. Lying was OK, because Hillary did not secure her emails. Not paying taxes just proved that he was smart. Anyway, Hillary’s big supporters did the same. Allegations of sexual assault were simply Trump being a man.
Yet, enough Americans still voted for him to become president. Americans have spoken out after eight years of Democratic rule. Most importantly, they wanted to “drain the swamp” of corruption that many believe thrive in the corridors of power.
It is crucial to understand that not all Trump voters supported the package of fear, lies, nativism, racism, sexism, American radicalism and xenophobia he peddled.
I personally know many Republicans who voted based on issues they felt were important for them, their families and their country, not because they supported all of the above. Of course, some (and that is too many) voted for those very reasons, but by and large most voted for change from the status quo. They were fed up with both parties.
Agree or disagree with the group, it consisted of an eclectic mix, including: evangelicals who wanted to make the country more Christian, those who favoured more restrictions on abortion and same-sex marriages and those worried about Clinton’s direction on the economy, health care, education, international aid, immigration and foreign military involvement.
Against all odds, Trump won despite the establishment being aligned against him. He won not because people agreed with him on everything, but because many Americans used him as the battering ram to break open the gates of the establishment fortress.
Just like most other nations, America is just another polarized and divided country. If the two Americas talked to each other as opposed to at each other, they may realize it does not have to be an all or nothing game. Listening and seeking to understand first is the first step to compromise.
The sad truth is that Trump may not be all that different from establishment candidates when the dust settles and he confronts the realities and challenges of governing a diverse nation with powerful lobbies.
His uncharacteristic victory speech where he thanked and congratulated Hillary, vowed to “seek common ground, not hostility; partnership, not conflict,” and pledged to “bind the wounds of division” and “be president for all Americans,” appear to be the first conciliatory steps.
Only time will tell if Trump will be able to balance the conflicting interests of the hodgepodge of voters who backed him and pull it all together to lead a deeply divided country.
In any event, catharsis is an important step in renewal. This release valve of pent-up frustrations opened by Trump may serve as a necessary step in the process of making America sane again.
Let us just hope that as Americans undergo this modernday civil war they uphold the Constitution and the values and ideals that make America great.
Faisal Kutty is counsel to KSM Law, an associate professor at Valparaiso University Law School in Indiana and an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. @faisalkutty.