By Kabs Kanu
Donald Trump is a populist. He says and promises the things the people want to hear.
He will increase salaries by 10%. Who does not want a salary increase in this economy?
Trump will stop taxes on social security retirement benefits If you are a retiree, you know the import of that glorious promise. . He will abolish taxes on tips. Younger people are more engaged in vocations where tips are more likely to be given.
Trump says he will deport 10 million people in his first two years —–Name any American who would not want to hear that ; not only blacks and Hispanics who are being told that the influx of undocumented aliens was taking their jobs and benefits away from them . Even with white men, no work, no eating. Tell me who does not want to hear that space will be created for jobs to become more abundant and accessible in the country.
The Democrats are making a big mistake. They do not know the power of bread- and- butter issues in politics.
We made the same mistakes in Sierra Leone in 2018. We thought voters looked at the likeability and loveability of candidates.
Maada Bio’s munku- man looks and his thuggish, ruffian and uncouth personality were believed to turn off voters. But they did not. Bio said what the people wanted to hear. He promised to put chicken in their pots and more food on their tables and he had that go-getter and urgent personality, which voters like. He was rough and rugged, but all these worked in his favour. The 2018 election was rigged by Infa Allie but the votes Bio had even in the opposition strongholds facilitated it. Bio over performed, thuggish as he was.
People do not like “yorkor- Yorkor” candidates, even if, in reality, they often make the best Presidents.
Voters are like women. Looks do not matter to them. They admire it. But be as handsome and film – star looking all you want. It does not matter to today’s woman. What you bring to the table is what matters. Baraka sika, baraka fah. They will fall more for roguish characters as long as these men will make their lots better.
Ernest Koroma’s boyish, handsome looks did not win him the 2007 elections as some people thought. The issues Ernest Koroma campaigned on resonated with the people, even South easterners and he also looked like a man who knew where he was going, unlike his oldish opponent, Solomon Berewa. Ernest articulated populist views and promises and showed that he had the will and strength to deliver them, so voters flocked around him like a magnet.
Trump’s promises are touching the minds, hearts and wallets of the people. Who does not want his lot to bettered? Who does not want his bread to be buttered?
Kamala Harris is a remarkably beautiful woman. She is likeable. She is lovable. She has grace and dignity. Trump does not. He is not even handsome and he is not the kind of uncle or grandfather you want over for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Kamala is believable. But she is continuing Biden’s legacy, though she says she is not. Did Joe Biden achieve anything when it came to bread- and- butter issues? Did people have more money in their pockets and check books? When they went to buy groceries and basic commodities, were the prices manageable and the items more affordable as they were during Trump’s time? Was your life better under Biden than Trump? These might be the factors militating against Kamala, if you think she should have been doing much better in the polls.
Do not get me wrong. Kamala is everybody’s favourite to win, and she might or must nick it , but between her and Trump, who has the less complicated path to victory? Do people love human rights, moral and governance correctness more than their stomachs? You put all the dots together and don’t forget to close my door when you leave. I want to do some more serious work.
