(American Prospect) — In the course of trying to sell himself to African Americans—or to convince white moderates that he isn’t a despicable bigot by making a show of trying to sell himself to African Americans—Donald Trump has said that unlike Democratic politicians, he can deliver jobs. “You’re living in your poverty,” he says, “your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed—what the hell do you have to lose?” The 58 percent figure is bogus (as you might expect), and the rest of what he says practically oozes contempt (also as you might expect), but underneath it there’s an argument that’s worth considering, for African Americans and everyone else: Can Donald Trump deliver jobs?
That’s the supposed appeal of every businessman candidate: Unlike those Washington politicians, I have a deep understanding of the economy, and armed with this knowledge and experience I can do what they can’t. Or as Trump’s ads say, “In Donald Trump’s America, working families get tax relief. Millions of new jobs created. Wages go up. Small businesses thrive. The American Dream: achievable.” Well that sounds great! I hope that even if Trump loses he shares whatever secret wisdom he has with Hillary Clinton, so perhaps she can deliver us to this paradise on his behalf.
