As a lifelong writer, my journalist ethic has prevented me from ever endorsing anyone, yet, that has never stopped me from commenting on elections, especially ones in which a sizable portion of the electorate appears to be flirting with the twin evils of fascism and apartheid.
Outside of that, he probably would be little different then his Republican and Democratic predecessors including the current president in regards to war. On top of Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States is currently involved in warfare against a half a dozen countries in the Middle East and Africa, primarily via drone warfare. It is highly likely that both candidates would continue those policies. The threat from the GOP nominee is probably greater only because, in the realm of nuclear warfare, he doesn’t quite seem to understand the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).
Outside of that, the difference between the two would probably be at the domestic level. As a resident of Arizona, in him, I foresee: The United States of Arizona. That should actually scare people. Imagine a nation that resembles what Sheriff Joe Arpaio and what former Gov. Jan Brewer have created; an outlaw and reactionary state with legalized racial profiling and legalized thought control; a prototype police state. It also means no health care for children and seniors, ignoring of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and where higher education has zero priority.
The University of Arizona, where I teach, is probably little different than most universities; there’s little support for the GOP nominee here. In fact, it is also hard to find “enthusiastic” support for the Democratic nominee. The other day it took Bernie Sanders to bring out thousands in support of Hillary Rodham Clinton (HRC).
In HRC, people don’t see change. For example, the brutalization and killing of people of color nationwide has always existed, though it appears to have become a plague under the current administration. The unprecedented deportation machine (2.5 million migrants) that currently exists was also created under this same administration. And the much-publicized wall (fencing) already exists. And the nation’s prison system, the largest in the world, which is primarily black, red and brown, is full. And what of the issues of corporate desecration of the earth and water in Standing Rock and Indian Country nationwide? All this under President Obama. So an HRC win does not presage relief for people of color. That is, if there is to be change, it will not come from her own volition as she essentially represents the status quo.
There indeed is a huge enthusiasm gap. Supporters for the GOP nominee are seemingly on extreme steroids. The bigotry that has been spewed out by their candidate has galvanized those who have always had those prejudices. So much so that, as he threatens to not concede, his supporters, with a disdain for democracy and people of color, are openly talking revolution.
