Within a week of assuming office as the 47th President of America, Donald Trump carried out his promised immigration crackdown nationwide. US military aircraft carrying undocumented immigrants took off for Columbia. The crisis, which emerged after the plane was denied landing rights, was resolved within a day. Such bilateral crises have entangled other nations for decades. Trump started walking the talk in no time of taking office.
He trashed the reservation policy, citing a merit-based system. An emergency was declared, and troops were deployed along the Mexican border. Worldwide, those attempting to enter the USA illegally are now compelled to think twice. Human traffickers have begun to have nightmares.
US aid to over 170 countries and thousands of programs were halted immediately. Before the ink dried on the decisions, letters were dispatched to governments, NGOs, and INGOs and the President’s executive order went into implementation right away.
In a country like America which engages in trade with almost the entire globe and where every small business is part of a vast economic network, data is ubiquitous. However, in other countries – those like Nepal - only the rulers have access to such data, if such comprehensive data exists at all. In the USA, live analytics are guiding decisions on what tax adjustments can enhance the country’s bargaining power without fueling inflation.
Even before Trump took the oath of office, cabinet ministers and appointments were finalized. Policies and programs were announced pre-oath, and within minutes of swearing in, they were signed into law. Newly appointed officials began executing plans from the Middle East to Russia within moments.
Before Trump even reached the chair, a ceasefire was brokered between long-standing adversaries, Israel and Hamas. In response to tariffs, nations from Europe to China softened their stance, preparing for negotiations.
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The "Made in America" campaign invited OpenAI to join hands with Japan’s SoftBank in starting a USD 500 billion base in a new city in America. USD 100 billion funding for its first investment has already been assured. Employment programs creating a whole lot of new jobs were initiated even before he took the oath. Dozens of his jailed followers and supporters received presidential pardons within seconds of Trump taking the oath.
It’s crystal clear now that both supporter and critic camps of Trump have a feeling within a week as if Trump were ruling the USA for over a decade!
What’s even more astonishing is the grand about-turn of many US-based policies and programs. But no strikes were called or "shutdown America" slogans were chanted. Only a handful of Democrat-leaning media outlets are meekly criticizing America for "intimidating and bullying" other countries, but apart from that, nothing. Absolutely nothing!
This is the pace of work in the entire world’s most prosperous country. Not even in a country with a whole lot of loot, such work pace can ever be seen.
In Nepal, if the Prime Minister is appointed today, it invariably takes three days for an oath-taking ceremony actually to occur. In the first round of oath-taking, only two-three ministers take the oath for a group photograph and smiles for camera lenses. Giving full shape to the Cabinet takes three-four months.
A single issue holds the entire nation hostage for months. Dozens of new laws need to be formulated and implemented but that has not happened although two general elections have taken place and nearly half a dozen governments have been formed since the implementation of the new Constitution.
Our country’s trade deficit is bigger than our national budget, and our revenue collections fall short of meeting even our minimum needs. Forget development and servicing a portion of a loan—we require additional loans or grants even to fix the potholes on our roads. We need foreigners to donate ambulances to ferry our sick.
Our politicians are never tired of mentioning the “great achievements the country has made” but our educated and young population is fleeing the country in droves, leaving our villages desolate and production stagnant. Yet the politicians fail to take note that the people don’t see a future for them in this country. Excessive dust and pollution has made the entire population unwell.
From inflation to unemployment, border disputes to food security, there’s an endless list of unresolved issues. Even if we worked nonstop without a moment's rest, these problems would take a lifetime to solve.
Yet, our pace and priorities are something else entirely.Very recently, the first thing that our current Prime Minister did - after recovering from a few days of being taken ill - was to inaugurate this and that; Prime Minister Oli ‘launched’ three petty projects by gracing the inauguration ceremonies!
Every day, there are speeches, gatherings, meetings, symposiums and seminars. These revolve around self-praise or blaming others. Discussions feature clichéd and irrelevant topics like imperialism, colonialism, sovereignty, fascism, democracy, communism, socialism, and capitalism.
The more intellectual among us might venture into debating US and Russian policies, rendering verdicts on global matters as if from a superior perch. Our national debates boil down to who is corrupt and who is more corrupt.
Our primary concern is when the next election will come, whether alliances will form or break, or whether elections will occur before or after coalitions.
Those who could get by even without a fast pace are racing ahead. And those like us who are miles behind lie sprawled on their backs.
One can debate whether Trump is good or bad for the world. But he is certainly good for the US and its global interests. That’s what the leaders of all countries are supposed to do – prioritize their own national interests. Perhaps, we need a Trump-like Nepali leader who not only preaches but practices the ‘Nepal first’ policy.
