President Elect Donald Trump, trumps Pollsters, Pundits & Pontificators by trouncing Hillary Clinton

 
Picture Courtesy: Reuters

Donald Trump won the Presidential Election hands down by winning 290 Electoral College votes to Hillary Clinton's 228. Contrary to expectations, Republicans kept control of the Senate as Democrats could gain only two additional seats increasing their strength to 48. They needed five to regain a majority. In the House, Democrats could gain only six seats increasing their number to 193, so the Republicans keep control with 238 seats.

This means Donald Trump will have the full support of the Senate and the House and all Committee Chairpersons in both Houses will be Republican. Democrats do have some leverage in the Senate as traditionally 60 votes are required to pass laws, to approve any Cabinet or Judicial appointments. Just as the Republicans have obstructed President Obama's appointees in Supreme Court and elsewhere, Democrats are likely to pay back in the same coin.

The serious challenges that are likely to face the United States and President-Elect over next four years are; resolving Syrian conflict, defeating ISIS and more importantly job creation within the United States, which was Trump's election promise.

A more confrontational situation could arise over Supreme Court appointments. President Obama's current nominee has not been approved and chances are, he will not be. There is a possibility that democrats may block Trump's appointees. This will leave the Supreme court split with four Conservative and four Moderate judges. Any appeals from the lower court that result in a 4:4 split decision make the Supreme Court redundant as in that case the lower court decision is final. More importantly, another two Moderate judges are likely to retire in the next four years. If Republicans try to pack the court with right-wing hard core Conservative judges, women's right to choose and a number of other important judgments involving social decisions may be thrown out of the window. This could cause a revolt in the United States with violent street protests with possibly resulting in an even more divisive America.

One hopes, Donald Trump will make his own decisions and not allow the right wing of Republican Party dictate him. After all, he won this election all on his own and he does not owe anything to anyone. Otherwise, he may end up being a one term President.

Pakistan Outrage

Musharraf initially made a commitment to the world in 1999 then in 2001 and again in 2004 that he will resign from his military position and bring back democracy to Pakistan, but each time he found an excuse to continue his military rule.

Sensing an increasingly independent judiciary he sacked Pakistan's Chief Justice in March this year - a power not bestowed upon him by the constitution. The Supreme Court overruled him reinstating the Chief Justice.

More recently his bogus election as President was about to be over turned by the Supreme Court when he imposed emergency rule, suspended constitution, decimated the Supreme Court and arrested all senior judges. This is a disgrace and an outrage and no civilised society should have to endure it. This is a desperate act of a desperate dictator trying to cling to power.

The Laws Societies around the world, Inns of Courts and all legal and judicial bodies should condemn this action and insist that Musharraf withdraw Emergency Rule, restore Pakistan Constitution, reinstate all judges of the Supreme Court, release lawyers and others arrested since the emergency.

If Musharraf fails to do this (say) in a week, a massive media campaign should be launched against him by the law societies around the world.

Breaking the Marble Ceiling

So Nancy Polosi has finally broken the marble ceiling. Congratulations Mrs. Polosi, I am sure a position well deserved. But it begs the question, why has it taken so long for a woman to enter one of the top four offices in the United States?.

While England is the birth place of democracy, United States has no doubt promoted it in its present form over the last 200 years. No other country has gone through the democratic process in the way the U.S. has, starting from creating a most marvellous constitution (largely preserved in its original form to this day) to a fair and a just society for all. Then why is it that this great country has not allowed a woman or an African American to become President, Vice President, Speaker of the House or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

India had a Muslim woman ruler in 1236 - yes a Muslim woman ruler by the name of Razia Sultana who ruled successfully and brought reforms to that vast land. In more recent times, women Prime Ministers have ruled in all the countries of Indian sub-continent i.e. Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bagladesh. So why is it that the marble ceiling is only being broken in the U.S. now? Could it be that hypocrisy has prevented women and African Americans from exploiting their potential for such high offices and the Male folks been saying one thing but meant another?

Well, the proof is in the pudding. It would be interesting to watch the 2008 Presidential election to see if the person elected to the office of President is for his/her qualifications and capability rather than gender or colour of his/her skin.

Hopefully Mrs. Polosi has broken that marble ceiling once and for all and the best candidate will win the next Presidential election.