In a January 2015 article I wrote about the conflict of visions within both political parties. In that article, I described the conflict as one of Globalism v. Nationalism. For decades the Clintons and the Republican Party establishment stood for (so called) free trade, a single global economy and a New World Order. I wrote:

The term globalization is how we discuss this conflict of visions and is used in two ways: as globalization with a small “g” and Globalization with a capital “G”. The former is a fact; the latter is a political ideology.

Small “g” globalization is the reality that technology, organizational advancements, and global politico-economic stability are increasing the level of interaction among nations, and as a result, formerly isolated people are rapidly learning what works best, abandoning ways that inhibit human development, and adopting ways of freedom and progress.

Small “g” globalism is a good thing, lifting many out of poverty and oppression. The challenge of globalization is global governance. How do we manage commerce and protect human rights and the environment in our highly integrated and rapidly developing world without jeopardizing the political sovereignty of nations and the personal liberty of individuals?

Leaders committed to capital “G” Globalism believe that the sovereignty of nations is a bad thing. Their goal is to dissolve all national boundaries, blend all cultures, and merge all nations into one big political/economic system.

In the 2016 primary campaigns, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders led a revolt over capital “G” Globalism. Bernie fell short, but Mr. Trump at the Republican convention in Cleveland completed the revolution within the Republican Party. The capital “G” Globalists were cast aside and a new Republican Party has emerged. Just as in its founding in 1854, this new Republican Party is a party focused on the needs of the people. Their platform, if maintained, will secure political control for Republicans as long as it remains focused on the people’s needs.

The public perception of Trump has gone from “it’s a joke – he isn’t serious” to a likely winner in November because of his refutation of capital “G” Globalism. Trump may have over-promised in his acceptance speech which remains to be seen, but if he can get government to do half of what he envisions, his party will be rewarded with confidence of a “right track” approach. How nice would it be if the public reversed their “wrong track” belief to a more positive outlook for America? This revolution in the Republican Party isn’t a first. We have several political realignments in our history:

Our nation was founded on a political realignment when the American patriots declared their independence from England and fought to establish the American Republic. The root of the perceived tyranny of England was over trade, resulting in the Boston Tea Party.

Again in 1854, there was an uprising from the political center of the citizens who demanded to be heard. The Tories and Democrats were deadlocked and nothing was getting done. The platform offered by a third party (Republicans) addressed the needs of the people and the Tariff Act of 1861 played a major role in the 50-year dominance of the Republicans.

In 1980, Reagan came to power after a decade of malaise and again addressed the needs of the people, and the Reagan coalition of Republicans, Independents and some Democrats was born. During the 1980’s, Reagan opened up trade with Japan but they immediately devalued their currency and pegged it to our dollar to gain a competitive edge. Reagan put a quick stop to it by imposing a 40% tariff on motorcycles and to make his point clear, he threatened to do likewise with autos. Japan got the message and began building plants in America, using American resources, American workers and American suppliers, easing tensions and re-balancing trade.

Each of the uprisings, revolutions or realignments had trade at its root.

Fast forward to today: Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump put America’s trade policy front and center in their campaigns. Bernie fell short of a realignment of the Democrats. Mr. Trump completed a major realignment of the Republican Party and has taken a lesson from Reagan. He has discussed policies that will once again re-balance trade and the voters are rewarding him. His following looks a lot like the old Reagan coalition.

Trump’s trade agenda will end decades of policies put in place in the 1990’s by the Clintons and continued by Bush and Obama regarding trade. The voters are responding as they did in 1980. This and the safety issue will carry Mr. Trump to victory in November. Even famed liberal Michael Moore stated on live TV that it is likely Trump will be our next president.

All indications tell me Mr. Moore is correct. Hillary has no way of working her way out of her past support of Globalism and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Picking Tim Kaine, a another big supporter of Globalization and TPP, cemented the perception of the voters that her administration would continue outsourcing American jobs for the sake of the “holy grail” of Globalism.

This election is still all about jobs and the economy and trade policy is the number one driver.

Frank Shannon served in the U.S. Army, was an engineering/operations manager for AT&T for 27 years, was the owner of a small manufacturing business for 23 years, served as Colorado Chair of the Coalition for a Prosperous America and moved to Mesquite in 2013.