Is Trump the Disaster we had to have?
By James Moylan
Since WWII the American government has been taken over by big business. Much of the American population does not vote, simply because they do not believe that their vote will count. And until recently, it was hard to disagree with this assessment.
When you think about the sort of country that the US has become, it is not hard to label it as a ‘rogue state’. It has 5% of the world’s population, consumes more than 50% of the worlds spending on armaments, it owns more than 82% of the world’s wealth and is directly responsible for 72% of the ‘two-state’ conflicts since WWII.
There has not been a single second since the end of WWII, in which the US has not been officially engaged in at least one war. And even in the wars where it is not ‘officially’ involved, it is usually deeply implicated.
The US currently has troops stationed in 118 of the 196 countries in the world. In these ‘official’ conflicts the US has killed more than 20 million people in 37 “Victim Nations” since the end of WWII. This estimate of causalities is dwarfed when the casualties inflicted in wars that were backed by American interests and undertaken using American armaments, are also taken into account.
In the Middle East alone, another 20 million souls have lost their lives when the ‘unofficial’ conflicts are added to the tally.
Why this huge army and armed presence? It simply reflects the reality that the US is now the home for the vast majority of the world’s wealth. The total value of all the assets on the face of the globe is a difficult sum to work out but, by all estimates, the US, or US corporations, control the vast bulk of all the assets that exist: anywhere.
The US government alone spends more than 7 million dollars a minute. All this in a country that tells its people that it cannot afford to provide a social safety net, a universal pension plan, or medical or hospital benefits, for its citizenry.
Aussies, like all of the western world, have been conned by our press into believing that the American alliance is essential for our safety. We are constantly told we need to be allied with this greatest of empires, if we want to remain safe.
However, few people bother to sit back and consider that the reason we need to be allied with the US is because we need to be protected from the conflicts that the US starts and controls. An alliance with the US is more akin to a protection racket than it is any sort of an open handed agreement.
America offers it’s ‘protection’ with a nod and a wink and a sly comment that: ‘It would be terrible to see something happen to your nice little country; wouldn’t it?’
Don’t get me wrong: I detest Mr Trump and virtually everything he stands for.
However, he is not a puppet of the establishment forces in the US, nor is he beholden to either of the corporately controlled political parties that have a stranglehold on the US political scene. So while he is a loose cannon, perhaps he is the loose cannon we need to have?
Trump is the face of corporate America when it steps out of its democratic drag. He is ugly, unhinged, greedy, and entirely self-centred. However, the damage he will inflict will be primarily restricted to the US economy and society. His lunatic actions are unlikely to unravel the social protections that are enjoyed by residents within many other countries.
So perhaps it is good to have a ‘leader of the free world’ who is openly, rather than surreptitiously, horrific? Perhaps it might cause the population of the globe to rethink the idea of ‘American exceptionalism’.
Is Trump really all that uglier than the last few incumbents in the White House? His ambitions are certainly disgusting and offensive, but Obama was happy to kill many thousands of people with unmanned drones, continue George Bush’s monetary policies, punish any country that dared step out of line with American financial interests, deport record numbers of poor and disaffected workers, increase military expenditure from obscene levels to even more obscene levels and expand and extend US military adventurism.
Perhaps Trump is just the raw face of American power where Bush and Obama and all the rest, were simply much the same thing, but wearing makeup and a fancy dress.
If the arrival of Trump causes the other 195 countries on earth to rethink their relationship with the U. S., can that be a bad thing? Maybe his arrival might even shake loose a little of the dead hand of control that the corporations exert on the American government and economy?
After all, it seems to have mattered little who was in the White House during the last fifty years: the corporatocracy was still in charge of the country.
Consider that even under Obama the banks got bailed out even after they had stolen trillions of dollars from the working public across the globe and had almost wrecked the global ‘economy’. Even after it was obvious that their actions were not only criminal but despicably unethical and greedy, not a single Wall Street banker was gaoled for their complicity in theft.
While the US continues to lock up a greater percentage of its population than any other country in the world, very few if any, of these inmates are guilty of corporate crimes.
The US corporate sector continues to cause massive destruction and murder across the globe, yet right now, as you read this, America has in its prisons and gaols more than one in every one hundred of its own citizens. However, these are mostly the poor, the disaffected, and members of minority groups.
In parts of the American continent a black man between the ages of 18 and 24 has a one in three chance of being in gaol right now. But not black businessmen. Or white businessmen. Or any businessmen.
If you steal to eat in the US then you will be gaoled; if you destroy the poor and disaffected population of an entire third world country, you will likely retire in comfort and be praised for your efforts. Perhaps one of the reasons they lock up such a huge percentage of their population, is because the inmates can never vote?
Perhaps another reason is because it provides for a workforce of millions who will work for the corporations for as little as 37c a day? The Russian Gulag system was never as populous, nor as efficient. Gaoling so many people must have some sort of a rationale: after all – it certainly does not seem to be doing anything to make America a safer place to live.
While Obama may have been black; he was nothing if not a part of the ruling class. The US gaol population continued to increase while he was in power. The disparity between the rich and the poor continued to grow. US corporations continued to plunder the world’s resources without check nor hindrance.
So while the change to a lunatic and ugly American President may be of significance for the American public, and while Trump might accentuate and worsen the hellish conditions for poor Americans within America, it is difficult to see how his presence can worsen the effects of the American empire outside of America.
The American Corporate Empire already has full control of the globe. It is hard to see how it can be made any worse.
So perhaps the reality that the American government is now being run by a monster who actually looks, sounds, and acts like a monster, may actually be a benefit?
Perhaps it might cause the population of the globe to question the nature of the propaganda that the American empire has been pumping out so skilfully over these many years.
Maybe we might even see a backlash within America? Maybe Trump is the disaster that we all have to have?
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Stephen Brailey
Return to home pageI agree entirely. Now, if we can only get people to wake up……..
Great article James, and I have also been wondering if Trump will actually be the wake-up call the teeming millions of apathetic voices need to get involved and change the world. I have been heartened by the active resistance marches, town halls and protests going on across the US and the rest of the world. I for one have been well and truly awakened although for me it was Bernie Sanders who turned on the light…albeit after a growing realisation we had to change for the last few years.
Additionally, i think Trump will break the illusions (as much as it still exists) that the ruling class actually know what they are doing, are destined to be in-charge and have any right to rule over us. Much as the events leading up to the French and Russian revolution finally proved the ruling class are NOT special, are NOT privileged and are NOT destined to rule…I think this period will be the “peoples revolution” and that the western democracies will wake up and become what they have always aspired/espoused to be.
So yes while hoping the trump experiment will not lead to getting blown up by an imbecile, I am optimistic this will finally mean the end of neo-con politics, trickle-down economics and maybe Governments actually caring for their people in the way the majority (going by the polls over the years) want their Government to be…funding services, protecting them from predatory capitalism, repairing the environmental degradation and damage that has been wrought, helping the needy, caring for the sick/injured, taking in refugees from conflict zones, and generally making the world a better place.
The real challenge from here is the establishment will do EVERYTHING they can to keep in power. In Australia we only have to look at Ashbygate, Utegate, Union Royal Comission, Credlin’s admission re carbon pricing, Abbots broken promises, Turnbulls spineless back-flips, Morrisons coal fantasies, Brandis’s contempt for the Law, Hunts delusions, Ley/Bronny rorting (as an example), Hockeys double standards (and dipping), meddling by the religious right, and the constant belittling and complaining about the opposition…all supported by the Murdoch press to see this will be a tough fight. They are heavily in debt to the donors who control what decisions are made and they have a lot of money to ensure their profits continue to flow without interruption.
Yes I think Trump is the disaster we had to have…but I for one am under NO ILLUSION the other side will lie, cheat, steal, and even sell-out the national interest to ensure they stay in power. I am actually thinking of how to make a contribution…perhaps even running one day…but the obstacles vs the corporate machine are substantial and more than a little scary. Voting is the only thing we have, and people have to come out and see the establishment for what it is…the voice of power and money….nothing more.
Marcus
“America offers it’s ‘protection’ with a nod and a wink and a sly comment that: ‘It would be terrible to see something happen to your nice little country; wouldn’t it?’”
For decades I’ve believed that we could – and should – go our own way, get rid of American troops and facilities on our soil ….
If Australia were targetted by a third party, the US would come to our aid regardless “if” there was to be some benefit to them.
If there was no benefit to the US, all the agreements in the world wouldn’t bring us US support.
They look after their own national/corporate interests – always have, always will (for the foreseeable future).
If anyone else’s interests coincide with those of the US, that’s what it is – a coincidence.
People only wake up after the roof has fallen in and even then they look for something or someone to blame not accepting the fact they should have done something to fix it before it happened.
Interesting article James, it is mirroring my recent thoughts.
And prior to finding this article I find this tounge in cheak post on my Facebook from an American aquaintance Deberra who reposted from her friend! How cool is that?
From a good friend, Laurie Moss Fried:
I am endeavoring to only post positively. Thank you Denise Balconiff for “The gift that is Trump”.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it looks like Trump is actually making America great again. Just look at the progress made since the election:
1. Unprecedented levels of ongoing civic engagement.
2. Millions of Americans now know who their state and federal representatives are without having to google.
3. Millions of Americans are exercising more. They’re holding signs and marching every week.
4. Alec Baldwin is great again. Everyone’s forgotten he’s kind of a jerk.
5. The Postal Service is enjoying the influx cash due to stamps purchased by millions of people for letter and postcard campaigns.
6. Likewise, the pharmaceutical industry is enjoying record growth in sales of anti-depressants.
7. Millions of Americans now know how to call their elected officials and know exactly what to say to be effective.
8. Footage of town hall meetings is now entertaining.
9. Tens of millions of people are now correctly spelling words like emoluments, narcissist, fascist, misogynist, holocaust and cognitive dissonance.
(9.5: sadly, FOX viewers still struggle with its, it’s, their, they’re, there, and precedented)
10. Everyone knows more about the rise of Hitler than they did last year.
11. Everyone knows more about legislation, branches of power and how checks and balances work.
12. Marginalized groups are experiencing a surge in white allies.
13. White people in record numbers have just learned that racism is not dead. (See #6)
14. White people in record numbers also finally understand that Obamacare IS the Affordable Care Act.
15. Stephen Colbert’s “Late Night” finally gained the elusive #1 spot in late night talk shows, and Seth Meyers is finding his footing as today’s Jon Stewart.
16. “Mike Pence” has donated millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood since Nov. 9th.
17. Melissa FREAKING McCarthy.
18. Travel ban protesters put $24 million into ACLU coffers in just 48 hours, enabling them to hire 200 more attorneys. Lawyers are now heroes.
19. As people seek veracity in their news sources, respected news outlets are happily reporting a substantial increase in subscriptions, a boon to a struggling industry vital to our democracy.
20. Live streaming court cases and congressional sessions are now as popular as the Kardashians.
21. Massive cleanup of facebook friend lists.
22. People are reading classic literature again. Sales of George Orwell’s “1984” increased by 10,000% after the inauguration. (Yes, that is true. 10,000%. 9th grade Lit teachers all over the country are now rock stars.)
23. More than ever before, Americans are aware that education is important. Like, super important.
24. Now, more than anytime in history, everyone believes that anyone can be President. Seriously, anyone.”
– Susan Keller (Copy and paste to share.)
Is Trump the Disaster we had to have?
No, but the idiots who voted him in now have to put up with him and his, “We’re here to fix things and make America great and be Number 1 again.” while the rich white men he has bestowed even more power to will begin to bleed the economy dry.
“America offers it’s ‘protection’ with a nod and a wink and a sly comment that: ‘It would be terrible to see something happen to your nice little country; wouldn’t it?’”
November 11, 1975. A few days after the Australian PM announced his intention to speak in Parliament about Pine Gap.
“”Whatever our differences, our two continents share the same heritage, the same values and above all, the same purpose to promote peace and prosperity through freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”
At a later meeting at NATO across town, Mr Pence made clear that US support for the Transatlantic defence alliance had a price, though.
Mr Trump, he said, “expects real progress” from European governments by the end of the year in increasing their spending on military budgets closer to a NATO target of 2 per cent of GDP.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-21/eu-welcomes-pence-assurance-of-trump-support/8288574
Seriously, that was Pence, over in the EU.
What sort of idiotic gobshite would commit to spending 2% of their GDP on ‘defense’ without having a strategic defence policy?
Oh, that’s right. Didn’t tiny do that?
And he spent billions on purchases from the Americans on planes that can’t fly if the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet. You know, too weathery.
It’s ok though. The dog of war is onto it.
“Speaking one month after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Sir Houston warned that “going solo is not an option”.
“The Government is committed to spending 2 per cent of gross domestic product on defence,” he said.
“It is likely we would have to increase defence spending to about, by my estimate, 3 to 4 per cent of GDP.”
Four per cent of the current GDP figure equates to approximately $66.6 billion.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-21/how-much-will-it-cost-australia-to-walk-away-from-trump/8290358
Wasn’t Angus Houston one of the geniuses that devised the Pacific solution to deal with refugee’s? You know, those people fleeing the bombs he wants us to spend more money on?
As you say Mr Moylan, at least the American monster doesn’t try serving you manure whilst telling you it’s foie gras.
Stephengb2014s, brilliant.
Thank you Mr Moylan, and commenters. Take care
A loose cannon that clears the decks but repopulates the swamp. As in “Fawlty Towers” he’d make enough material for a psychological conference.
Wow, what a thought-provoking article. Superb stuff, James.
Not a Hollywood version of the USA.Thanks for describing the reality of USA thought and actions, and the power of mega wealth,
Thank god you guys are starting to write with a awakening awareness. He, Trump may not be you perfect hero….BUT…..he is America’s salvation no matter how it seems right now. The evil ones that came before him screwed USA with slight of hand for many years. They only allowed certain news info to be told to the public. Because he is what he is and that is NOT ONE OF THEM…..he is the only one that will smash the elites world domination.
As messy as it seems right now Trump needs everyone’s support and fed constructive advice.
IF HE FAILS YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY OR BE FREE AGAIN.
THE LIVING OBAMA AND CLINTON’S WILL TAKE OVER AND YOU HAD BETTER RUN FOR THE HILLS.
(Yes I was shouting) Be damn.careful you all don’t shit on you own doorstep.
It seems that every now and again the general public need someone to come along that shocks them by their policies, polices that are so unfair that they stand out like dogs balls. In Australia, Abbott was one such person, in the United States it is Trump. Both of these men are extreme conservatives, who make the progressive leaders like Bill Shorten and Bernie Sanders look like Angels.
Great thought piece James…I was wondering where you got your figures regarding American ownership/military spending from?