Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on the campaign trail. Photo by Josh Gremillion
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has promised to "make America great again" but just what does that mean? Steve Russell, a member of the Cherokee Nation, is terrified by the possibilities:
Over the years, I've come to recognize that most politicians—whether I've loved or hated them---have certain issues always near and dear, a life agenda that never goes away. For Hillary Clinton, that would be the welfare of children. For Bernie Sanders, that would be fair distribution of society's benefits. Figuring out Chris Christie was a real challenge until I heard him tell a story about a law school classmate whose life fell apart. I’m now convinced his issue is addiction treatment. For me, it's class mobility—that every other Indian kid from the boonies has a shot at the kind of fairy tale life I have had thanks to government’s role in keeping the doors of opportunity propped open. You can do all kinds of business with others outside their core interests. If you can give their core interests a boost without compromising yours, most recipients of that kindness will not forget it. . . . If you cast your vote based on how you feel about a candidate rather than based on what you expect them to accomplish, Mr. Trump has a plan to make U.S. government as dysfunctional as any tribal government. His plan would give Indians a comfortable feeling of superiority and relieve non-Indians from having to learn complicated stuff. Just close your eyes, click your heels together, and utter the magic words, “Make America Great Again!” But, whatever you do, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.Read More:
Steve Russell: The Wizarding World of Donald Trump (Indian Country Today 10/26)
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