Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is far from perfect. Over the course of her political career she has courted controversy, some of it manufactured by the political right – whose rabid contempt for all things Clinton is at times baffling – and some of it caused by her predilection to deny, rather than confront mistakes. Her cover-ups tend to backfire. Everyone but Clinton seems to get this. But what of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump?
Like Clinton, Trump is something of a polarizing figure and like Clinton, his life has been pock-marked with scandal. Should we be as angry at Trump as sections of the American electorate are with Clinton?
According to John Oliver, host of hit HBO show Last Week Tonight, the answer is yes, we should be.
Anger Mismanagement
For many, Clinton’s private email server was the last straw. Her response to the controversy was muddy and at times contradictory and left some doubting both her word and judgement. Such sentiment, in light of her handling of the situation is understandable, but it doesn’t detract from the fact hat that an investigation by the FBI was conducted.
It concluded that Clinton and her staff were extremely careless, but ultimately could not find a case that would support bringing criminal charges. As John Oliver pointed out on last night’s show:
“It’s not good, but it’s not as bad as it looks. Basically, it’s complicated, and like the movie, ‘It’s Complicated,’ it probably would’ve been best for everyone if it had never happened, but no one broke the law.”
That’s a key point there. Nobody broke the law.
Meanwhile, In the Land Of Trump
Trump’s pronouncements, lies and insults are like the flash from President Taft-era cameras; they blind us. We stand before him, blinking in disbelief as he describes how much he wishes he’d had sex with then recently deceased Princess Diana. We rub our eyes as we discover his campaign manager doesn’t want his children going to school with Jews. We lose sight of his conduct in the face of his words, and the actions of those around him.
Oliver attempted to cut through some of this white noise, focusing on two areas, his refusal to release his tax records, and his alleged use of his charitable foundation’s money for personal use.
In the case of the tax records, Trump’s claim that he is unable to release his records has already been debunked by the IRS, who have said that an audit presents no barrier whatsoever. As Clinton noted in last night’s debate:
“You’ve got to ask yourself, why won’t he release his tax returns? And I think there may be a couple of reasons. First, maybe he’s not as rich as he says he is. Second, maybe he’s not as charitable as he claims to be.
Why indeed. But his tax returns are small beer in comparison to the allegations of, you know, spending money earmarked for charitable causes.
Oliver seems to agree:
“The point is, this campaign has been dominated by scandals, but it is dangerous to think there’s an equal number on both sides And you can be irritated by some of Hillary’s. That is understandable. But you should then be fucking outraged by Trump’s.”
Outrage Us
Because Trump’s scandals are many. His refusal to rent to African-Americans, his belief that not paying taxes makes him smart, the lawsuits over his fake university, allegations of child rape and a thousand other things that have dogged Trump throughout the course of his campaign. These things eclipse anything Clinton has ever done and then some.
Sometimes anger is good, sometimes anger is what is needed.
So be angry at Clinton’s lack of transparency, at her sense of entitlement, her expensive hairdo or whatever else it is that pisses you off about her.
But when it comes to Trump be outraged. Outraged enough to vote for Clinton, if only to stop him.
Watch John Oliver’s genuine indignation at Trump’s scandals:
Featured image from YouTube video.
