HL Mencken once wrote that “democracy is the theory that ordinary people know what they want and deserve to get it well and hard.”
Americans will go to the polls on Tuesday in what is undoubtedly the most important election in decades, and not only for the Yankees, but also for the rest of the world.
For many here – as the acclaimed American satirist’s 1916 words suggest – the choice is an uncomfortable one.
Donald Trump is vulgar, unpredictable, and apparently willing to violate the rule of law for his own benefit.
However, what the rest of the world is overlooking is that millions of American workers actually see Trump as the safer, more stable of the two options, and not the renegade “change” candidate he is often portrayed as. abroad.
I’ve talked to business owners, Uber drivers, flight attendants, lawyers, police officers, firefighters, waiters, waitresses, Latino immigrants and passersby, and to a man, they all tell him exactly the same thing.
In short, Kamala Harris doesn’t have what it takes to be president, illegal immigration is out of control, and Democrats are too focused on “woke” politics rather than solving skyrocketing violent crime and the cost crisis. life.
Now, I admit, the sample size of my “research” is limited to a small section of delis, bars, and hotel lobbies in New York and New Jersey, but since they’re both blue states, it’s somewhat telling.
The US presidential race is too close to call and polls show no clear favorite (Donald Trump pictured)
Late-breaking polls have the race on a knife-edge, with data showing that seven crucial states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) could go either way.
In such a close battle, there remains a strong possibility that recounts will come into play in the disputed counties, delaying the official verdict for days.
A Kamala Harris presidency would likely provoke a sigh of relief internationally, as the Democratic candidate would be committed to maintaining the status quo of the US-led global order.
Trump, in stark contrast, could try to change it.
The Republic’s candidate has already promised to introduce massive tariffs on foreign goods in a move that could dramatically reshape global trade.
He has also hinted that his government would opt for a less interventionist strategy when it comes to war theaters in Ukraine and the Middle East.
On top of this, Trump’s unpredictability means that the very future of NATO, Europe and China relations, the so-called Quad alliance and AUKUS are all on the table.
For the most part, Americans don’t give a damn about these issues. His concerns are mainly internal.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, a swing state that could decide the entire election.
But one issue on the home front that potentially poses a major threat to Trump is the Republican Party’s continued encroachment on reproductive rights.
Only one woman I spoke to had reservations about voting for Trump.
He told me he was concerned that women’s rights to abortion would be infringed, but ultimately concluded that the economy was a more important issue and that he believes Trump will do a better job curbing inflation.
Similarly, Latino immigrants were willing to ignore the perceived “racism” of the Republican Party after a controversial joke at Trump’s rally in New York City earlier this week.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a poorly received joke about the island of Puerto Rico being “garbage.”
Puerto Ricans and other Latinos I spoke to — who immigrated to the United States legally and worked tirelessly to support themselves — said they are fed up with their taxpayer money being spent on Democrat-led programs to house illegal immigrants.
A surprising number of Latino voters will vote for Trump at the polls. In the photo: Hispanics for Trump show their support at a rally in Los Angeles in 2016
Of course, voter sentiment around these hot-button issues varies widely across the country.
And it is these contentious and complex issues that will inevitably decide who will be the next president.
The race is too close to call a winner, but one thing is certain.
There is likely to be a toxic backlash against whoever is elected, further destabilizing the already divided nation.
But no matter how bitter it may be, Americans can rest assured that in a democracy voters get exactly what they deserve.