Canadian elections — will the US be inspired?

Have you done enough to inspire your southern neighbours to choose someone like Justin Trudeau in 2016?

O Canada, what have you done? Have you done enough to inspire your neighbours on the south to choose like you in 2016? That is something the world is yet to witness. Canada declared a clear victory for Justin Trudeau recently, hence concluding the decade-long leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Republican equivalent of that country. What does that mean for the US? If the country wants to be cerebral then a lot, but if Americans are to take trash-talking Trump to the White House, we have some learning to acquire before the November finals of 2016. Interestingly the conservatives of Canada vote for conservative principles and values, unlike in the US, where Republicans tend to vote more on conservative social issues rather than the ideology.



Canada seems elated as does the PM-designate, and rightly so. Forty-three-year-old Trudeau came out strong winning by a decent majority in a country that only allowed him 34 parliamentary seats just four years ago. What changed in four years? More importantly, what did Trudeau promise the Canadians that got him their votes? Definitely something more tangible than just his convincing ad campaign and dynamic good looks. And now what is it that the Democratic candidates in the US, namely Clinton and Sanders, have to do to beat the GOP to clinch 2016?

Sell the idea of raising taxes on the rich, and sell it well. Market it effectively so everyone is willing to buy the idea, support it and see good, long-term value in it. Grandpa Sanders is already doing so; he has heart, but he needs energy. Hillary Clinton needs to say the same, but she needs authenticity. She needs the base to believe her. She has charisma, but is not relatable, though that can all change; we still have a year to go.



One of the biggest draws could be reduction in college tuition fee, and partial forgiveness of college debt. That could bring out the younglings to vote — the more realistic the incentives, the more support can be mustered through the younger vote bank. Investment in green infrastructure at home creates more jobs, reduces bills, and speaks of long-term goals like reduction in the dependence on foreign oil, plus it speaks to Democratic voters of the seriousness of the two candidates.

The Democrats also need to consider black voters in the real sense. Currently, they take the black vote for granted. They believe that since black voters do not, historically, vote for the GOP, hence their support of Democratic candidates is a certainty. That is over-confidence that they can do without. Candidates must set aside their expectations and work doubly hard to win real and genuine support amongst black voters. There must be emphasis on reducing incarcerations of blacks, less jail-time for them, more forgiveness, an unbiased legal system, a clear path out of the ghetto life and true incentives for education. Availability of jobs and the real American Dream for black Americans must be a priority. They already are a part of a system that has failed them and have fallen through the cracks of racism and empty promises; they now need honest redemption.



A clear immigration policy must be laid out for illegal Mexicans within US borders. The ones who are already in the US, raising children and contributing to the economy must be acknowledged and given some kind of legal status. Mexicans must be appreciated for their laborious contribution to meet the agricultural and harvesting needs on US farmlands. The exhausting work these hard-working immigrants put in must be appreciated by elevating their legal status. Policies like the ones in vogue in Arizona, or as outlined by Donald Trump must be deemed unacceptable.

The politics of the future is very liberal. Children born in the US, of all colours, religions, cultures and languages, are very inclusive. For them gender biases and racism is not just politically incorrect, it is actually incorrect. Immigrants, Caucasians and African Americans are very accepting of each other. Inter-racial and inter-religious marriages are a norm, plus the social media explosion and continued exposure to conventional media, tolerant or otherwise, has vastly aided in cerebral growth of future generations. They are much less biased compared to the older folks. This is the generation that understands the language of liberals like Trudeau. The political language and rhetoric of candidates like Trump, which is old-school and somewhat racist, requires a dictionary for understanding, and today’s young America is at a cusp of evolved understanding. Hence, the language of the GOP may soon become too archaic for them to comprehend.

Today, I wish Pakistan and India could be more like Canada

In simpler terms, liberals of America must push hard in these times since the coming generation is theirs to win over. They have an advantage; like Trudeau, Sanders and Clinton have the advantage of appealing to the logic of the voters. Now, how effectively they do it is something we have to wait and see. America will have the answer to this question soon, and much like Canada, the answer may just turn out to be the right one.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2015.

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