Why I Support Tulsi Gabbard as the next US President

We do not know the outcomes of the democratic nominee for Presidency in the upcoming election. There are no sufficient data to show that one candidate will win over others. What we can do, however, speculate and put forth our views, based on evidence as much as we can gather, as to why we, as individuals, support one candidate over another. I personally endorse Tulsi Gabbard as the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party for 2020. Here are some reasons for doing so. First, I believe, the most important need for the United States and the world right now is to build broken communities and stand together, irrespective of our political, ideological, religious, and other views. The debates are fine, but what is happening now is an unhealthy bi-polarism that is affecting people of all political spectrum and not getting any work done. This ranges from foreign affairs, to immigration, to health care. It seems there is amnesia with regards to what constitutes the greater good.  Tulsi is one of the rare candidates who is willing to reach out to the other and extend dialogue, both domestically and internationally. A dialogue does not mean a settlement, it merely means opening up venues by which we can hear the other as human being. Tulsi spoke to President Trump to discuss issues involving the Syrian crisis. For me this is a very positive step. The Syrian crisis is looming over all of us and a dialogue is needed. Shutting the door for dialogue is, I believe, completely counter-productive. I strongly support having a President who is willing to go over to the other and have a dialogue with those they differ most. Further, it is absolutely commendable that she is the only politician to visit Syria and have a dialogue, a very brave act that shows her sincerity about dialogue and peace. Most of us see things in the foreign soil as black and white and have no knowledge about what is going on. A President who can reach out so far to dialogue shows that one can go beyond black and white make sincere efforts to understand the complexities of situations, places, and people.

As a Sanders supporter, Tulsi has some strong sense of the need of a public spending on some basic things for people’s well being. Within the domestic sphere Tulsi has been a supporter of a single payer Medicare for All. This would put the US at par with the rest of the world in providing health care to all of its citizens. In addition, she is a supporter of the Green New Deal and introduced the “Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act” that would transition away from fossil fuel sources to clean energy source. Further, Tulsi supports eliminating tuition at public colleges and universities that for families that make up to $12500 a year.

In addition, Tulsi Gabbard was part of the veteran and knows the toll war has on people’s lives. Tulsi Gabbard want to stop the wars and foreign intervention that is causing a lot money and misery to the American people. The wastage of money on foreign war is immense and the same money can be used in other causes. Furthermore, Tulsi Gabbard also knows the horrors of war and has protested against torture used in Iraq. Moreover, Tulsi Gabbard was the running mate for Bernie Sanders and more or less have the same values economic and social policies. Of these I think two are most important right now: Universal Health Care and Mandatory Free Public Education. Tulsi’s past record shows that if elected she will push for both.

There are certain misunderstanding about Tulsi’s stand on issues of deviant and non -heteronormative sexualities. Indeed a Strawman argument has been created from what she stands for. From what I understand, she opposed civil union at one point in Hawaii, saying that it goes against the majority view. This is different from saying that she is opposed to people with alternative sexuality preferences. Since then Tulsi has reformed her views and has supported the right of people of all sexual preferences. As a Hindu, Tulsi is backed by a 5000 year old tradition of tolerance towards multiple genders and sexualities. As a practicing Hindu, surely, she will adopt this aspect of her culture.

There is another misunderstanding about Tulsi, that some kind of Islamophobia is working in her politics. This is more a red herring. As a Hindu, Tulsi is aware of the plights of Hindu minorities in Islamic nations like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. She is also aware of the genocide of Hindus during partition and how since the partition of India Hindu who chose not migrated received second class citizen status in the neighboring South Asian nations. Being aware of and supporting the rights of minorities in majority nations whose laws are based on non secular principles, is not the same as being an Islamophobe. Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, are all Islamic republics. In some of these places Hindu minorities have been tortured, forcibly converted, women have been raped and so on. To speak for them is not the same as Islamophic, it is merely being vocal for justice. A similar case can be brought up with regards to her support of Israel. She is a supporter of peaceful settlement of the issue of Palestine and Israel, where there is no more loss of life on either side. Most of all, she is for promises to be carried out on either side.

Tulsi is a young woman and represents much of the interest that form the dreams and aspirations of young women in the United States. She brings in a new philosophy based on Ahimsa (non-violence) Aloha and dialogue that is much needed in a violent world.

There is indeed a smear campaign going on against Tulsi. Part of it could be that she is a young woman who does not fit the older white females and their aspirations. She is a person who represents the new America and has the capacity to create transformation that is much needed in America and round the world.

Rinita Mazumdar is a full time instructor of Philosophy and Culture Studies at Central New Mexico Community College and an affiliate Prof of Women Studies at the University of New Mexico.

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