THE US president does not have absolute power – except maybe when it comes to starting a war. And even that power is limited to what he can do for his country.

He does have the nuclear button at his fingertips, but he must consult and inform the National Security Council before making any moves. I’m sure he cannot press it with absolute disregard for the United Nations or G20, either.

But, it seems that Donald Trump cannot accept the fact that he does not possess the absolute power most dictators believe they have. His greater frustration comes from the realisation that the power he claims to have does not in actuality sit well with his new “nuclear option” related to Covid-19. The virus has infected humans, regardless of skin colour, worldwide, and his American sense of personal, absolute power can do nothing about it.

It is a powerlessness we all feel, and could become an illusion of great hopelessness for the average person.

US checks and balances

By design of their political intent, driven by a sense of checks and balances after internal wars, the founders of the US chose to rein in absolute power by making any declaration of war possible only with congressional nod.

Trump seems to believe or wish he is a king, and conducts himself as if he were really a monarch. In reality, he is no better than Alice in Wonderland.

The POTUS is no more than an immature child in the White House – which was built mostly by black slaves – and he does not have a maid to change his nappies.

Premised on the history of the Boston Tea Party and the North versus South strife over the meaning of independence and slavery, the opposing blue and red corners of US politics are embroiled in the highest degree of rivalry fuelled by anger and animosity.

Next step for the world

It may be time for the Third World to help POTUS with his nappies. I believe these countries, plus China, can pull it off.

After all, they achieved success at an international environmental conference in 1992. G77 plus China came to a deal with friends of the chair led by the Canadian deputy prime minister and much of their European Union allies.

A CFC phase-out was agreed on, and a global consensus reached. So, why can’t we emplace the climate issue front and centre now, and pull off another such deal? We are two-thirds of the world today, are we not?

My good friend and colleague Ambiga Sreenevasan wrote an excellent piece arguing for a greener agenda for Malaysia. I fully agree with the article, published in Malay Mail on April 28.

How can we in Malaysia, who have hitherto ignored much of the green agenda other than what we’ve had to do to be UN-compliant, move towards a better, smarter agenda with a worldwide reach in a time of a global crisis?

If that agenda is truly greener, cleaner and cheaper, we can get the world’s attention. Is this even possible, though? Or am I simply dreaming? But I do have a plan.

Empathy deficit disorder

This is a re-election year for Trump, and his strategists will plan a win by hook or by crook. To us in Asia, the crooked method appears to be the only option for him and his team.

They have failed in their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and fear this failure could lead to their downfall. So, they started a campaign to place all blame squarely on China due to the fact that the outbreak started in Wuhan late last year.

A number of Asian countries have done an excellent job of containing the virus, such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Therefore, it is disingenuous for POTUS to blame China months later.

Many have said he is a pathological liar, but I think he is a psychological liar because he entirely lacks the spirit of truth. His life is built on lies and not much else. – May 10, 2020.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.