Donald Trump may be the best thing for America.
No, I haven’t gone crazy.
For the last year, the billionaire candidate has turned U.S. politics on its head, running a campaign that has him within a legitimate reach of being the most powerful man in the world.
But what Trump has really done is play off the fear and unease that some people have in a changing world. And in some cases, the rise of Trump has exposed a simmering intolerance here in North America that until now, for the most part, lived in the shadows. But it’s always been there. Even in Canada too.
So how this all plays out will be very telling.
If he wins, that’s a completely different story. But if the guy who prides himself on being a “winner,” gets destroyed at the polls, and the Republicans are sent reeling him, it will be a complete repudiation by the American people of the racist, bigoted, divisive and cynical ideals Trump has championed in the last year.
As political observers like to repeat in the news cycle, there’s never been a candidate like him.
Well, not in North America anyway.
Across the pond in Europe, guys like Trump have been making political careers for decades, spewing similar nativist/fascist rhetoric against people who look different, have different beliefs or love differently than them.
The rise of these political groups and would-be dictators in Europe has been viewed from afar here in Canada and the U.S., until now. This year, America is facing its own mini-Hitler moment.
At first, the thought of the The Donald as president, was admittedly funny.
But as we’ve all seen, the 2016 election has created a monster that has not only come to scare a good portion of Americans, but Canadians and people around the world.
His mockery of candidates, the political system and contempt for the media is one thing. That’s all part of his shtick. But his racist attacks, especially against immigrants and Muslims, is what really sets his campaign apart and casts a dark pall over American politics.
This is not about being politically correct, and don’t think for one second a Trump-like politician couldn’t rise to prominence in Canada. If Trump and his ideals seem ugly and wrong, they should, and those discussions about him at home or the office are a good thing.
For the record, I don’t think Trump is going to win. I have faith our neighbours to the south will do the right thing and sanity will prevail. In fact, I’ve bet money on it.
A rout of Trump on election night will not just selfishly fatten my wallet. It should also serve as a good lesson for years to come for anyone, both in the U.S., and hopefully in Canada, who thinks they can get to power by following his same sick blueprint.
Jeremy Deutsch is a reporter with the Burnaby NOW.
