# chhotebhai –
It is said that comparisons are odious; but we need contrasts. We keep adjusting them on our phones, TVs and PCs. Contrasts, however, are not limited to electronic screens. More importantly, contrasts, especially stark contrasts, help us understand many things in life. Comparisons and contrasts are perhaps the best way forward.
Over the last few months, especially after Kamala Harris entered the US presidential election fray, I have been keenly following the excessively long drawn out process of elections there. This in fact, is my first comparison and contrast. The US race stretches out for about two years, with primaries and then the election/ endorsement of the party’s nominee. In contrast, in India, we have just about 20 days for canvassing between filing of nominations and voting.
I feel that the US process is much too long drawn out, eliciting yawns and election fatigue. In contrast, I also feel that in India the 20 day window is too short; to really come to know a candidate and what (s)he stands for. This could at least be extended to a month. What I like about the American system is the procedure for selecting their candidates, where party delegates choose their candidate. In his first flush of electoral excitement Arvind Kejriwal did experiment with this in Delhi. Subsequently he too reverted to the High Command style of imposing candidates.
Another good thing about the American style is the debates in which candidates face off live on TV. Though not a perfect system it certainly helps to get to know the respective candidates’ strengths and weaknesses. In contrast, here in India, debate is almost non-existent, even in parliament. In the current regime in particular, presiding officers of both houses act more like classroom monitors, telling opposition members to shut up and sit down.
Another thing about the US system that I really like is the way that TV anchors/ hosts roast the candidates. There is also a high level of sarcasm and criticism. Again in contrast, YouTube hosts here like Dhruv Rathee and Ravish Kumar have to be constantly looking over their shoulders to see if the CBI, ED or some other government agency is coming for them. It must however be said to their credit that in the last Lok Sabha elections this Fifth Estate of social influencers played a major role in moulding public opinion.
If there is one area where the Indian electoral system is better than the American one it is the time lag between the declaration of results and installation in office. Once the results are declared and the legislative party leader is elected, it is just a couple of days before the swearing in ceremony takes place, usually on an auspicious date of the winner’s choice. In contrast, in the US, while the presidential results are out by the first week of November, the installation takes place two month’s later, in the first week of January. This gives trouble makers ample time to raise a stink, as Trump and his supporters did in January 2021; after he lost to Joe Biden.
An area where both countries seem to be on the same page is that of exit polls. After the 20204 Lok Sabha and now Haryana assembly election exit polls went horribly wrong I have lost all confidence in them. Even a veteran like Rajdeep Sardesai said that in future he would not stick his neck out to make any prediction. In the US the exit polls are even trickier, because they have to be done State wise as in each Sate it is the winner that takes all. That was how Hilary Clinton lost in 2016. Opinion polls showed her leading over Trump in popularity ratings, but she lost because of the “winner takes all” system in swing States. Again in contrast, in India, the “first past the post” system applies to individual constituencies only. I daresay that the Indian system is better.
Let us now address some critical questions. Who is better – Harris or Trump? Perhaps this needs to be broken down into four sub-texts. Who is better for America, who is better for the world, who is better for India and who is better for Christians?
Trump’s appeal is to “Make America Great Again” (MAGA). Perhaps this is what appeals most to his supporters, especially white males. Ironically, by saying this they are simultaneously admitting that America is no longer great! This hyper-nationalism, coupled with religious fundamentalism, has been used to devastating effect in India too. Trump alleges that Haitian migrants are eating pet dogs and cats. Modi points to threats from “others” like Muslims and Pakistanis. In fairness, Indira Gandhi also used the spectre of the “foreign hand” to stampede powerless people into her fold, to hold the sceptre of power. Going by public perception, not necessarily the best barometer, Trump probably comes out best in the answer to the first question.
Next, who is better for the world? I look at it from a single standpoint. Who has a stronger commitment to world peace? Unfortunately America has a dirty record from Vietnam to Iraq, Afghanistan and now Ukraine and Gaza. The US still holds bragging rights as the world’s policemen. The UN – what’s that? Hence it becomes a difficult question to answer. MAGA says why waste American money on defending Ukraine. Biden and by default Harris, have gone on pumping sophisticated arms and ammunition into Ukraine, directly benefiting its powerful arms lobby. Worse still it has unabashedly supported disproportionately devastating attacks on innocent and defenceless people in Gaza, and now Lebanon.
Firing missiles from a safe distance is not an act of bravery. Harris has made some noises about the de-escalation of the Gaza attacks and the easy access to assault rifles in the US; but in the final equation there is not much to choose from as far as world peace is concerned. However, I will now apply a yardstick that I often advocate – that a mad dog is more dangerous than an enemy. You can anticipate an enemy’s actions but not that of a mad dog. Guess who the mad dog is? The letters are similar to MAGA.
Now to the third question – who is better for India? Another tricky one. In 2020 Modi made an audacious call at an NRI rally in America “Abki baar Trump Sarkaar” (This time Trump for president). It was gross interference in the internal affairs of another country. Imagine if Georgia Meloni of Italy, with her melodi line, were to root for Modi in an Indian election. All hell would break loose. Fortunately, in his latest trip to New York, Modi did not even attempt to meet either Trump or Harris.
Harris is half Indian and Trump’s Vice president running mate, J.D. Vance, has an Indian wife, Usha. What impact this would have on American voters of Indian origin, I cannot predict. But I doubt if their Indian ness would have any impact on relations with India. That will be determined by realpolitik and lucrative arms sales to India. Trump had earlier referred to Modi as a friend. In the same breath he accused India of being the biggest abuser of trade tariffs. Here again it seems like even stevens.
Now to the last question – how do Christians view the two candidates? It is no secret that the Catholic bishops of the US have been rooting for Trump, because of his anti-abortion stance, to the exclusion of all other factors. These same bishops are also inimical to Pope Francis’ reformist and liberal agenda. Trump often refers to Harris as a Marxist left liberal.
In contrast I have seen a few YouTube videos of an Episcopalian priest Father David who questions Christians supporting Trump. He calls him a fornicator, cheater and convicted felon (criminal). He quotes Pope Francis to say that one needs to choose the lesser evil between the senhor (Trump) and senhora (Harris). While decrying abortion on the one hand Francis uses equally strong terms to criticise those who treat migrants like cattle. Francis, as we know, is very passionate about migrant rights. David also opines that the presidential race should not boil down to one issue – abortion. From a Christian perspective I would say that person who is more committed to peace and human rights is the person of choice.
There is one more issue that should concern world citizens, not just Americans – climate change. We know that Trump dismisses this as a joke. He pokes fun at electric cars and claims that windmills cause cancer! If this isn’t madness what is? Remember Don Quixote tilting at windmills? Not very different from Don Trump.
In the words of Pope Francis then, the Americans have to choose the lesser of the two evils. Hobson’s choice, comparisons and contrasts notwithstanding.
The writer is the Convenor of the Indian Catholic Forum