KENNY PERSAD
DISILLUSIONMENT now hangs heavy over the US, a nation once heralded as a beacon of opportunity and promise.
The political landscape, fractured by chaos and division, reflects a deeper erosion of the ideals that once defined this country.
The famous plea, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," has faded into a distant echo, replaced by rhetoric that alienates rather than unites.
The light on the hill – a symbol of hope and moral leadership – seems to flicker and fade, while the foundation of the American experiment shows signs of strain.
For the poor, the marginalised, and the disenfranchised, this decay feels like an inescapable reality, a harsh betrayal of the promises they were once offered.
The election of a president with a criminal background has ignited a national reckoning about the integrity of American democracy.
This unprecedented scenario raises uncomfortable questions: How did America arrive at a point where a significant segment of the electorate willingly supports a felon to hold the nation’s highest office?
What does it say about the collective moral compass of a society when such a choice is not condemned, but celebrated by many?
This phenomenon is not merely a political anomaly, but a troubling indicator of a cultural shift, where the lines between right and wrong blur, and where loyalty to a figurehead eclipses adherence to the rule of law.
The former president’s rhetoric, particularly in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection, stands as a glaring example of this moral decline.
Referring to the events of that day as a "day of love" trivialised an attack on the very heart of democracy.
Such language doesn’t just obscure the gravity of the moment; it legitimises and emboldens those who reject democratic norms.
The refusal to concede defeat after clear judicial rulings against baseless claims of fraud reveals a dangerous prioritisation of personal power over national stability.
For a populace that once placed its faith in the integrity of its leaders, these actions have fostered widespread cynicism.
The resulting disillusionment fuels a dangerous apathy, where many begin to question the very legitimacy of the democratic process itself.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party, campaigning on a platform of change and social justice, has struggled to galvanise widespread support.
Though promises were made to uplift the marginalised and address systemic inequities, the electorate has shown, in part, a resistance to change.
For many, the uncertainty of the future has made them cling to the familiar, even when that familiarity is rife with moral ambiguity.
This choice reflects a broader national anxiety – a fear of the unknown that paralyses progress and perpetuates the status quo.
The erosion of moral and ethical standards in American politics carries consequences that extend far beyond the nation’s borders.
Historically, the US has held itself up as a model of democratic governance, a guiding light for nations str
