Beware our own Trumps

THE ELECTION of Donald Trump is the best and the worse event of our time.

What was obvious from the start was that Trump and Hillary Clinton represented two sides of the same coin, a coin owned by the global elite.

While Trump regards Muslims, Mexicans and anyone who is not white as a threat, Clinton has been “in power” for 40 years.

She was there for both Iraqi wars, the invasion of Afghanistan, attacks on Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Libya and so many covert military actions. She spent 10 years with Bill Clinton in the White House and a decade with Barack Obama. She was also a senator for New York and before that she was with her husband when he was governor of Arkansas.

Hillary Clinton possibly has never done an honest day’s labour.

While Trump is maybe a horror, he has not yet shared in regime change or directed a foreign policy that has killed many globally. The difference between Trump and Clinton is that we know that she has been, in a sense, complicit in killing many.

Is it possible Trump will surprise us all by not going to war or killing innocents? While the world waits, we must learn and accept that while democracy is not perfect, it is better than the alternative systems that plague humanity.

The problem arises when ignorant or angry people are given the vote to which they are entitled but then use that vote cruelly to punish the rest of society.

A good example is our Parliament, where we have hooliganism and anarchy at times.

This is a result of a government that has allowed a few families to capture the state for their private benefit.

The frustration of the people is obvious as those who benefit from their political connections lack shame and display their corrupt wealth for the poor to witness.

In time, should poor black people feel they have little choice but to vote for opportunistic alternatives that inspire anarchy, everybody loses. Blaming colonialism and apartheid has its limits.

Already the ruling elite and well-connected black people must explain their contribution to the people’s suffering as blaming whites for everything is wearing thin. The recent election result testifies to this credibility problem.

Just as the rise of Trump reflects the people’s response to the state capture of American politics, so our people’s response is a reflection of the decline of the ANC.

Locally we will suffer as those in authority lack the vision to save our nation, all in the interest of a few with limitless greed.

For the security of society, the middle class must govern, if only to protect the poor from abuse by the rich.