Is Trump the leader America deserves?

“I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don’t believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn’t want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I am not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn’t know how to return that treatment.” Malcolm X.

Now I know why Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr is celebrated in America more than Malcolm X. The world needs “political philosophers” and “practical politicians.” Politicians who are upright and do not tell white lies, like blooming troopers; Politicians who know what it takes to pursue decent policies for generations yet unborn. I have watched the debates of the Republican Party candidates and of the front-runner Donald Trump and I have yet to know which of the camps he belongs.

I keep asking myself. Is Trump the leader America deserves? Even the devil, needs to be given his due sometimes. Trump understands the system and has skillfully manipulated the media to his advantage and so far it is working for him. It was Adolf Hitler who said: “The great mass of the people will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one,” and I believe it to be true. So far big lies are making the rounds.

Trump advocates for Japan and South Korea to develop nuclear weapons, oblivious of the fact that the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a nightmare to the world because of the threat of rogue nations, rise of fascists who call for the de-nuclearisation of the world. Irresponsible states, therefore, must be harassed to stop nuclear proliferation and not for countries to build their arsenal as a way of self defence

The hysteria of the American people greatly contributes to Trump’s success, but a critical analysis reveals that his policy statements are founded on – airy-fairy ideas.

For emphasis, Trump says he would close the U.S. borders to Moslems. This is without recognition to the fact that Moslem nations are also trading partners with the United States and if they pull out their investment – it would affect the U.S economy. War against world terrorisations can’t be done in isolation without Moslem nations. Besides, independence and sovereignty are not ends in themselves.

Again, he would build a wall of China around Mexico to keep illegal migrants from entering the U.S, undermining NAFTA accords signed by the U.S, Mexico and Canada, which may spark a trade war between two countries that have had a long history of bilateral trade agreements. Not that I support unlawful migration which stretches any country’s resources to its limits, but an aspiring leader should be diplomatic about issues that can be handled behind the scene.

Further, he criticizes China’s economic policy towards America brazenly – and he forgets that the Chinese have over one trillion, 300 billion dollars worth of investments in the United States, not to mention what the alienation of China by him might do to flash points like Taiwan and what a crisis between these two foremost powers in the world might do to the scheme of things in the world.

Worse yet – Trump advocates for Japan and South Korea to develop nuclear weapons, oblivious of the fact that the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a nightmare to the world because of the threat of rogue nations, rise of fascists who call for the de-nuclearisation of the world. Irresponsible states, therefore, must be harassed to stop nuclear proliferation and not for countries to build their arsenal as a way of self defence.

Many pundits do not see all of his policies as sustainable anyway. ‘The establishment always has its way’. The Republican Party is pro-business and any policy that affects its economic drive and proceeds to be used for the good of mankind would cause a revolt especially in Congress. It is always easy for a presidential candidate to promise Heaven and Earth but when they get into office, the reality of office educates them to distinguish between phantoms and reality, matter and spirit.

Countries all over the world – need good leaders, these leaders, should always radiate responsibility decency and dutifulness and must try within the boundary of human limitation to end the wounds inflicted by centuries of bigotry and hatred.

Many pundits do not see all of his policies as sustainable anyway. ‘The establishment always has its way’. The Republican Party is pro-business and any policy that affects its economic drive and proceeds to be used for the good of mankind would cause a revolt especially in Congress. It is always easy for a presidential candidate to promise Heaven and Earth but when they get into office, the reality of office educates them to distinguish between phantoms and reality, matter and spirit.by centuries of bigotry and hatred

The world it seems prefers ignorance to knowledge, the fanning of the embers of hatred is preferred by politicians to reason, in order to hoodwink people, instead of real dialogue which makes people think.

According to Martin Luther King: “Man is man because he is free to operate within the frame of his destiny. He is free to deliberate, to make decisions and choose between alternatives. He is distinguished from animals by his freedom to do evil or to do good and to work the high road of beauty or tread the low road of ugly degeneracy.”

Trump needs to ‘evolve for all’ like Dr. Martin Luther King and refrain from the path Rev. Jesse Jackson’s took when he, off the record in 1984 during a conversation with a black Washington Post reporter, Milton Coleman, referred to Jews as “Hymies” and to New York City as “Hymietown” That statement which shouldn’t have been printed was authorised by Coleman to be printed by another reporter, a back slap from a black ‘brother’ reporter. Can you trust a press man? A controversy, which cost Jesse Jackson the nomination for the Democratic Party ticket for president in 1988.

It remains to be seen if Trump would, like Jackson, seek atonement for the divisive twaddle that has trailed his campaigns no matter the outcome of the elections.
• Abah, a teacher, speaker, writer, campaigner, consultant wrote from Port Harcourt. 08023792604; 07035017922