MNA Feature Desk: On upcoming November 8, all eyes of the world will be upon the US voters as on that day they will run to cast their votes in election to select their next president from between the diplomatic Hilary Clinton and the notorious Donald Trump. For its influence on the world economy and politics, the president election of the United States will be of great interest.
Already the campaign of this election has been a matter of huge attraction over the world, especially due to the Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has already gained immense criticism for his un-president like comments on different issues. Trump has been disrespectful in his comments towards the Muslims, the immigrants and very recently towards the women. His campaign can somewhat be called a stunt rather than a strategic step to take America forward. He as a billionaire is well known to the Americans but as a presidential aspirant, his personality and approach has already brought massive criticism and many veteran Republicans have already deserted him on his quest.
Hilary Clinton, on the other hand, has been to the White House as ‘First Lady’ and also has huge experience as the Secretary of State to be called a perfect candidate to become the president. She has displayed her calm and understanding of politics, economy and foreign affairs in her speeches as a presidential candidate should do. She has been performing almost exact to the book and made the Democratic Party very hopeful about her win. In addition, she must be receiving the invaluable suggestions and advices from her husband, Bill Clinton, who is highly admired for his time as US president.
According to the great tradition, the presidential candidates were scheduled to participate in three presidential debates along with their running mates scheduled to participate in one vice-presidential debate. Already two presidential and the only vice-presidential debate took place. In both the presidential debates, Hillary looked stronger and more competent than Trump. The second debate took place in the morning of October 9, according to Bangladesh time. They were asked several questions on issues like; foreign policy, health care, tax reform etc. but controversies covered a large part of it.
The debate started with no hand shake between the candidates, which clearly depicted their disrespect to each other and their strong stands against each other’s personality. Later, after a formal beginning of the debate, the discussion started to move around the controversies.
Few days ago, a tape of Trump was released where he talks trash about women insulting to an extent which could not be done by any 59 year (Trump’s age at the time of the recording) old man. Trump was asked to make comment on that and immediately he apologized as he referred that conversation as ‘locker room’ talk and mentioned that he was not at all serious on that to insult women in general. But we must be confused if 59 year olds engage in so called ‘locker room’ talks if he is not genuinely pervert. Moreover, according to most of the viewers (except hardcore Trump fans), the apology was not at all sincere. Previously, Donald Trump also came under fire after saying that, his fame allows him to do anything to women, which even his wife finds unacceptable and offensive. It would have been nice if Trump had stopped after that but the notorious man turned on to the acts of Bill Clinton in his defend and that was not an instant move, rather a planned one.
Not only Trump, but also Hillary was under some controversies regarding her private email server few days ago. It was said and according to the FBI Director, James Comey found that, some mails were sent from her private server containing classified information though he requested the Justice Department not to press any charges adding that, Hillary was ‘extremely careless’. During the debate, at one point, Hillary said that, Trump should not be a man in charge of the law. In response to that, Trump said, if he were in charge, Hillary would be in jail. He added that, he will appoint a special prosecutor for Hillary referring to bring her under justice. Trump also referred to Wiki leaks’ claim that 30,000 emails were deleted from Hillary’s server. According to Trump and few Republicans, Hillary is above the law though Comey, who is a Republican and Attorney General Loretta Lynch gave her any special treatment evidently. Hillary during the debate agreed that it was unwise to use a private server while she was in the office.
While the debate came on the Muslims, Trump previously emphasized on temporary ban on Muslims on the American soil. In this debate, he used the term ‘Islamophobia’ to express his negative impression of the Muslims. He said that, ‘Islamophobia’ is a shame. Previously he called Muslims “unwise and extremely dangerous’. He referred that to be bad. On the other hand, Hillary said that, “We are not at War against Islam”. She referred to a fight against terrorist acts and rejected to associate Islam to that. On the issue of immigrants also, Trump seemed to be very inflexible as he repeatedly offended them. He also gave a plan of building a fence on the US-Mexico border to stop the Mexicans from entering America. He also planned to acquire the fund of building the fence from the Mexican government.
In terms of US policy in Syria, Trump seemed to be a bit reluctant as he said he will not attack Syria rather he will focus more on fighting IS. Trump also blamed Hillary for her role as Secretary of State for driving an alliance of Syria, Iran and Russia as they are fighting IS. He said that, Obama and Hillary’s policy made Iran ‘Strong’. Hillary, on the other hand, expressed her plan to arm the Kurdish fighters to fight IS rather than directly getting involved. However, she also did not give any plans to attack Syria.
On the issue of tax reform, Trump outrageously criticized Obama’s policy as he found that full of loopholes. He also admitted that, he lost $1billion to avoid paying federal taxes in 1995 as he has good knowledge of taxes. Though Trump was very loud on tax reform issue, he did not give a proper plan on the reforms he will commit. He just cited removing the carried interest loophole. However, Hillary gave a comparatively detail plan of 30 per cent tax rate for people earning more than $1million per year and additional 5 per cent surcharge for incomes above $5million per year.
On other issues also, Trump seemed to be somehow imprudently aggressive. Throughout the debate, Trump seemed to be more antagonistic, more egotistical and less wise. He also was dirtier in his approach. He seemed to be more focused on throwing mud on others to justify his own mistakes. He did not portray much of a strategic talent and seemed like a child in critical matters. On the other hand, Hillary was graceful and tactful and portrayed a president-likely calm and wisdom. She seemed to be more concerned of what is best for America. She in all aspect seemed to be more ready to become the next president of the US.
The approach of Donald Trump pushes us to think about his sanity. He is full of pride, arrogance and lacks a lot of skills and qualities that a US president must possess. If he becomes the president, lives of women, Muslims and immigrants will be under jeopardy. He might also create a lot of troubles for the people around the world as the US has significant influence on the global politics and economy. Hillary Clinton on the other hand will not act drastically as she will be driven by her strategic decisions. Here I will not say Hillary is the best person to become the US president but in comparison to Trump, actually there is no comparison. So, on November 8, I think, the people of America will actually provide the proof of their own sanity while all of us will have eyes on them.
Kaushik Ahmed is Chief News Editor, Mohammadi News Agency
(This Article was first published at The Daily Observer)