Let’s not scapegoat The Donald . . .

We are all sickened by the racist and fascist rhetoric of Donald Trump. But let’s not be fooled, the Donald speaks for a large segment of people in the U.S. . . . racists, white supremacists, fascists, etc. Also, let us look at the official positions the U.S. has taken with the Muslim countries in the past two or three decades.

In the 1990s, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iraq. The discussion was either a military invasion or sanctions. What we conveniently refused to recognize is that sanctions are a form of war which results in the native population experiencing the consequences of those sanctions. It’s war without bullets but just as deadly. Studies show that as many as 500,000 Iraqi children died from malnutrition and lack of medical care and medications as a result of those sanctions. Madeline Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State, was asked whether the sanctions and resultant deaths of those 500,000 children were worth it. She responded, without hesitation, “Yes, it was worth it”. Would she have been so cavalier if the children in question were French or British children?

Madeline Allbright, Margaret Thatcher, and Condoleeza Rice are a few examples that clearly demonstrate that being a woman does not mean that your policies and actions will be more humane. I would add to that the name of Hillary Clinton who has consistently taken a pro war position and has stated that Iran may be her next target unless they behave themselves.

What’s interesting is that many liberal groups supported the imposition of sanctions as an alternative to the U.S. attacking Iraq militarily. Is it any better to support a slow, painful death of the Iraqi people as opposed to the quick death from bullets? I think not.

In 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq and destroyed the political infrastructure of that country as well as slaughtering tens of thousands of Iraqi people.

In Libya, during 2011, the U.S. began bombing that country in order to help the rebels overthrow President Gaddafi. Thousands of Libyans died and the country was thrown into a state of chaos which continues today.

Currently, the U.S. is bombing Syria, ignoring the sovereignty of that country resulting in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing that country seeking refuge in Europe.

My point is, we can get angry at Trump but let’s not forget those others who supported the U.S. actions and are also running for the presidency . . . Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. They are just as seriously implicated as the Donald in the fear and Islamophobia we are currently experiencing.

The difference between Trump and the others is that his hateful, racist, imperialistic rhetoric is presented bluntly. No fancy, polite, or socially acceptable commentary to soften the impact of what is being said.

The Donald’s role in this election appears to be one in which he stirs the pot of fear and hate and positions himself so far to the right that the electorate will run as quickly as possible to the polls to vote for Hillary as a vote rejecting Trump. All the other candidates look reasonable even Cruz and Rubio.

I don’t see Trump as a man with strong ideological commitments but rather as an narcissistic opportunist who will stand for anything that keeps him in the limelight. When all is said and done, he, himself, may wind up voting for Hillary. Maybe, she will appoint him as an ambassador to Mexico.

Dave Alpert has masters degrees in social work, educational administration, and psychology. He spent his career working with troubled inner city adolescents.