Jay Kuten: Hope versus fear in US politics

Hillary Clinton

Unsurprisingly, some Americans overexposed to the media's obsession with Trump are developing election fatigue. Correspondingly, here in Godzone, the media's continuing misleading leads to the confused idea that the primary season in the US is over and the race for the presidency is between The Donald and Hillary Clinton. Not so.

Both parties are in crisis. The Republicans are more flamboyant, but Democrats are also engaged in a struggle for the soul and direction of their party.

Secretary Clinton represents the continuity of the party's policies. Her endorsement by the New York Times even before the first primaries could have been written by her campaign staff. Her supporters tout the breadth and depth of her experience. She certainly deserves credit for her 25 years of political activity at the pinnacle of power, beginning with her activism as First Lady, despite that role's usual ceremonial function. She served as a senator from New York, then as Secretary of State.

The other prospective nominee, Bernie Sanders, was little known. The Times described him as a Democratic Socialist, credited him with good ideas about income inequality, the decline of the middle class and even need for restraint in the use of military force. But the editors said Sanders' plans were unrealistic (a harsh criticism in political idioms) while Clinton was pragmatic and could achieve her goals. Clinton, they conclude, is the electable bulwark against irresponsible Republicans

There are several problems with the Clinton resume. As First Lady she presided over a failed health care reform. She actively supported her husband's measures, the Omnibus Crime Bill, welfare reform and Nafta, now widely viewed as disadvantaging minorities, the poor and workers. As a senator, she received praise for bipartisanship but had no major legislative accomplishments. Likewise, as Secretary of State, even an avowed admirer, Michael O'Hanlon says: "[F]ew big problems were solved on her watch, few victories achieved. [She was] more solid than spectacular."

Mrs Clinton's biggest problem is trust as 56 per cent of Americans say they don't trust her. For Republicans, it's 82 per cent while with Democrats it's 36 per cent. For younger Democrats (19-35 yrs) the numbers approach those of Republicans: 72 per cent.

How can this be?

While they acknowledge her commitment to women's rights, critics question her hawkishness but, more importantly, her unwillingness to fully acknowledge mistakes. They cite her vote for the Iraq invasion, her push to overthrow Gaddafi, her ties to Wall Street.

What supporters see as pragmatism critics see as ambition devoid of principle.

Bernie Sanders, in contrast, has a 40-year record of consistency in support of civil rights and protections for workers and for veterans. Despite the label of Democratic Socialist, his young supporters hear authenticity in his message: To halt the inequality of wealth, opportunity and political power threatening their future and democracy.

Political adversaries such as Republican John McCain view him as honest and admirable. "He's an honest liberal. I've worked with people who tell you they are going to do one thing and then do another, and Bernie did what he said. And he was very effective."

New Zealanders could compare him to their revered past prime minister, Michael Joseph Savage. Savage's platform of free health care and schooling and provision of social security strikingly resembles Sanders' proposals 75 years later.

Fairness obliges me to declare my support for Sanders. I agree with his priorities. America needs to change the policies of the past 40 years that have resulted in increasing inequality of opportunity while concentrating wealth and political power in the few, threatening both stability and democracy. I'd like to know that everyone's grandkids will be safe and have universal health care and schooling commensurate with their abilities, unhampered by exorbitant cost. Sanders' foreign policy is balanced and rational.

Finally, I'm impressed with his character and instincts. I am unwilling to cast a ballot out of fear. With Sanders I can honestly vote for a better future for those grandkids.