Today, truth triumphed.
From the outcome of the 2020 elections, one thing for me is very clear: the American people have rejected President Donald Trump who took his hapless party down with him in an avalanche of lies.
He lied about the deadly pandemic, his political opponents and even about his own integrity in public life.
The whole world has seen how he recklessly politicised public health, mocked medical experts as idiots, ignored the scientists, condemned war heroes as losers and incited his core base among the fanatical neo-fascist falange. In desperation, he made China the scapegoat for all his failures.
Then he lied about the apparent transparent and credible electoral processes. He refused to concede as he is alleging widespread voter fraud.
Donald Trump lost by the image he had painted of himself among a majority of American voters as an existential threat mainly to public safety, the people’s health, social cohesion and the rights of women and minorities.
Those are the messages coming from folks who are banging their pots and pans, honking horns and playing boom boxes in American cities in celebration of the frontline voters and elections workers in the “swing states” who have made the difference, and secured the convincing victory.
From afar, many people see the victory of the American people as a triumph of democracy over failed leadership, authoritarian bullyism, fear, corruption, race hate and ethnic division.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (now President and Vice-President-elect respectively) stood out as credible, honest, truthful. If nothing else, they deserved to win. With their new-quality leadership America’s pivotal role in the world would be restored and respected.
I am elated over the victory of the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ticket, and of the Democratic Party. The Guyanese people have every reason to join the celebration.
Moses V. Nagamootoo
Former Prime Minister and First Vice-President
