There
is an important race for the White House this November, perhaps the most
significant one in a number of generations.
But it’s not just the fate of our economy, healthcare, military, or
environment that are at stake. It is books and their future.
Depending
on who you elect – and what kind of Congress gets swept in with either one –
you will see significant policy differences when it comes to books, from the destiny of libraries and literacy programs to how we as a society come to embrace
books. Even the subject matter of some
books will be radically different depending on who occupies the Oval Office.
Books
grow and flourish when the public environment treasures them. The Democrats and liberals are always talking
about education and about helping those who lack the skills to compete or even
function. Under Clinton, you’ll see
increases in federal spending for public schools, libraries, community learning
centers, adult education, and literacy organizations. Under Trump and the Republicans you may see
no increases -- or even a cut in spending on such matters.
Just
look at them -- who do you think is even likely to read a book? Clinton speaks
with an intelligent sophistication. He
talks from the gutter and instigates a verbal brawl whenever he opens his
mouth.
Clinton
has written best-selling books. So has
Trump, although Trump’s co-writer for The
Art of the Deal recently
apologized for having helped build up his image, revealing that Trump is
truth-challenged and a threat to the world.
Clinton
always uses positive, progressive, unifying language in her speeches; Trump
looks to alienate, demonize, and criticize. She looks to tackle problems; he
merely likes to tackle people. They are
two strikingly different leaders and I can’t imagine him championing the book
publishing industry, one that’s filled mostly with Clinton supporters due to
the fact that educated, intelligent, well-read people do not favor having an
ignorant novice in the most powerful office.
We had stupid in the White House for eight years under Bush Jr. and look
at what that got us – two wars, two recessions, the nation’s biggest terrorist
attack and the doubling of the national debt.
Most
recently a black woman was up for nomination to head The Library of
Congress. The Republicans tried to avoid
a vote and dismissed her as too liberal.
They don’t have a clue about how to promote books, education, cultural
diversity, and exploring one’s brain power.
Too much of the Republican Party is filled with gun-loving nuts who wish
it was 1950 again. The Democrats, for
all their ambitions and failings, consistently support growing our cultural and
learning institutions. They now advocate
for debt-free college.
Trump
has no political record to run on so I can’t say how he’d balance a budget but
if his failed businesses represent his thinking, look out. He’ll balance
nothing and take us further into debt so he can cut taxes on the rich while not
growing crucial services such as education.
Trump
represents a post-literate brand of politics.
He’d sooner quote 50 Shades of Grey than a high-level book.
If
you Google “Trump on literacy” you see articles and blog posts that are critical
of him. Do the same with Clinton and you see all kinds of policy initiatives
and events come up. That is very
telling.
Clinton
has noted certain books that have influenced her and that she’d recommend,
including The Return of the Prodigal Son, The Color Purple, Little Women, The Poisonwood Bible, and The Clan in the Cave Bear. Trump’s
favorite books? The Art of War, The Power of
Positive Thinking, and The Prince. She’s about overcoming struggles for women
and minorities. He’s about holding power and
getting rich.
The
fate of books rest with who will sit in power. Let’s not repeat a Bush
presidency where the sword was mightier than the pen. Let’s have sanity and a
positive attitude towards reading and learning. Vote for Clinton, if you truly
love books – and this country.
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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog
are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter
@theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more
important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by
BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2016.
