It was a privilege yesterday to attend Indian American Seniors group. While in USA, 72+ years is called a silent generation, this group turned out to be pretty loud and clear. I was told that in Indian culture, 75+ years is the sanyas age. Sanyas means objective, socially relevant, well-meaning analysis based on personal experience of life. And what I heard there was discussion about 2024 Presidential Elections in USA and arguments: Why am I for Trump?
It is no news that Trump and Harris are face to face in 2024 US Presidential Elections. The previous term of Trump as the 45th President of United States of America was no normal. The Special Counsel Investigation into Russian Interference in The 2016 Presidential Election ran from May 17, 2017, to March 22, 2019. It costed American taxpayers approx. 32 million.
The conclusion of the report read as follows:
“Because we determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment, we did not draw ultimate conclusions about the President’s conduct. The evidence we obtained about the President’s actions and intent presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved if we were making a traditional prosecutorial judgment. At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”
It is not difficult to believe that many American will not take pride in the conclusion of this report, coming after 2 years at a cost of 32 million dollars. Trump called it witch hunt and it appeared to be so to many ordinary Americans. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) mandates that each state designate a chief election official to oversee elections in the state. So, the integrity of US elections is the responsibility of the election office.
Trump has been continuously through courts even after demitting office of the President. Any ordinary person would have got tired and worn out. But he has overcome even an assassination attempt on him. That proves his stamina as a fighter. I believe US President’s job is 24×7. You are in the middle of everything going around the world. You need a really mentally tough guy which Trump has adequately proved himself over the last 8 years.
A President’s term effectively begins in the year that follows the election year, like President elected in 2024, will have his/her policy influence from 2025. The impact of influence will of course continue till 2029.
It is amazing to see that despite so much of distraction during his Presidency, The United States’ gross domestic product (GDP) grew up by over 20%. According to reports, US GDP was $19,477.34 billion in 2017, $20,533.06 billion in 2018, $21,380.98 billion in 2019, and $23,594 billion in 2021. Not to miss, his term had the worst disruption of Covid. Nobody knew what to do. No medicine, no injection. Even on economic front, no one knew how much stimulus and how to administer it. Yet, the inflation numbers were 2017: 2.1% ; 2018: 2.4% ; 2019: 1.8% ; 2020: 1.2% ; 2021: 4.7%. The unemployment numbers were 2017: 4.36% ; 2018: 3.9%; 2019: 3.7%; 2020: 8.1% ; 2021: 5.3%. The S&P 500’s average closing price for 2017 was 2,673.61. For 2021, it was 4,273.4. That is up almost 60%. The Euro USD rate was 2017: 1.13; 2018: 1.18; 2019: 1.12; 2020: 1.14; 2021:1.18; fairly stable USD.
Democracies tend to be noisy. The full-time job of the opposition is to criticize the ruling party or government. Politics is the art of gaining power and the profession of retaining it, said someone so aptly. Election time particularly becomes chaotic. The reason is simple. Unsubstantiated allegations or completely futuristic statements may fly around. Fake news (narratives) is the common tool kit. Misrepresentation laws seem to go in recess during elections.
You got it: Why am I for Trump? Simple. He is really mentally tough guy.
Tough or strong?
Call it tough and strong.
DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text.