Only in America: Looking at Trump from ‘Down Under’
As a young boy born in the year of the bombing of Pearl Harbour I have been privy, in my growing up in Melbourne Australia, to witness the way in which the United States insinuated its post-war mentality into the Australian psyche. Whether born at home or overseas and whether for good or ill, Australians became Americanised.
Perhaps, I should pause here, lay my cards on the table, and even offer a disclaimer. I confess I haven’t visited the American mainland. Honolulu is as far as I have ventured. There, I was suitably impressed by the hospitality of the people, struck by their obesity, and disillusioned by their ignorance of all things not American. I find them often crass, as well.
As an example, I recall a sightseeing expedition one Summer day on the magnificent Sydney Harbour. The ferry carried a dozen or so American tourists. As we rounded an estuary we encountered a large yacht race approaching us; their vibrant, colourful spinnakers in full sail. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful, but the loud Americans, more interested in the value of the mansions that dotted the cliffs, spoiled the moment.
On the other hand, I have a number of American Facebook friends with more developed sensibilities, some of whom I speak with regularly on Skype or telephone. These individuals are politically attuned to the downward course America is taking. In heartfelt conversation, they express their despair at the decline of what they once thought – rightly or wrongly – to be the greatest nation on earth. What they once regarded as an enlightened society strengthened by freedom of expression they now question as they see these same constitutional protections used by the Right to foment hatred.
Like me, they believe that in an enlightened society the need to legislate one’s right to hate another person is considered intellectually barren.
They mention the land of milk and honey and wonder why their fellow citizens still believe in the great American dream. They ask themselves if it was all just propaganda, a myth to distract the majority from the wrongs perpetrated against the minority.
Again, I had better pause lest you fail to grasp where I am heading. In Australia we have a saying, “Only in America.” It’s a phrase we say when something outrageously good or bad happens, as though such excesses can occur only in America. It might be violent racism, another Columbine, kids being slaughtered – any preventable, tragic loss of life that repeats time and again for which no remedy is forthcoming. All of this is beyond the average Australian’s capacity to understand. In contrast, we also use “Only in America” as a term of endearment when some outstanding achievement occurs: a significant scientific breakthrough, a sporting record, a foot touching the moon’s surface.
How is it, we ask, that the most technologically advanced country in the world is descending into the moral abyss of unscrupulous, partisan political skulduggery and unbridled capitalism?
Capitalism as practiced in the U.S. does not allow for an even flow of economic resources. With this system a small privileged few are rich beyond conscience and almost all others are doomed to be poor at some level.
Australians once applauded Americans for their ability to disagree on policy issues yet reach bipartisan agreement through compromise for the sake of the country at large. What happened?
Ronald Reagan gained power and legitimised the rise of Neo-conservatism and the Christian Right. This trend continued under George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and their cohort of ideologues. Believing America to be superior in every way to all other countries, they drove the U.S. towards a more aggressive, interventionist foreign policy and tried to reshape the nation domestically in their image, as well. Sadly, the Americanisation of Australia continues apace and our politics are now increasingly informed by the same corrupt and duplicitous mindset.
In 2013, following four years of leadership turmoil in the Labor Party, Australians in their absentmindedness elected Tony Abbott as Prime Minister.
Neo-conservative Republicanism had crossed the oceans and invaded our Australian way of life; a culture that once had fairness at the core of its being. It is now a place where less informed voters unfortunately outnumber the more politically aware.
Conservatives fed them all the bullshit they needed to hear. And the menu generally contained a fair portion of Americanised persuasive untruth. And the lying from Abbott began in earnest:
“Let’s be under no illusions: the carbon tax was socialism masquerading as environmentalism”.
With that statement and many more like it he took Australia into far right conspiracy theory politics.
After two years the public, and indeed his party had had enough of the politics of fear and replaced him with the more moderate and sensible Malcom Turnbull. Ironically though it now has a center left leader leading a far right party.
So emphatically poor of political morality is the U.S. now that there is a distinct possibility that an ill of mind billionaire entertainer in Donald Trump might trump a second grade movie actor to become the next president.
How a man of such ill repute, threatened by two countries to be disallowed entry, could even be nominated beggars belief. It even questions the sanity of those who would contemplate his election.
To think that the Republican Party could ever consider a megalomaniac like Trump as a nominee to run for the Presidency illustrates just how low the GOP have fallen.
Only in America.
From Down Under we see a sick deluded man of no redeeming features, full of racial hatred, bile and misogyny. A deluded pathetic liar unsuitable for the highest office in the land, if not the world. He sees complex problems and impregnates them with populism and implausible black and white solutions.
He is a person of limited intellect and understanding only capable of seeing the world through the prism of his own wealth. The far edges of knowledge seem to have passed him by. Matters requiring deep philosophical consideration seem beyond him.
His opinions on subjects of internal and international importance are so shallow that one would think he spent the entirety of his youth in the wading pool at the local swimming pool, or six years in grade 6 and never academically advanced.
He is a crash through politician with a ubiquitous mouth. Trump remains an incoherent mess who bounces back after each disaster thinking he has been impressive while those around him are laughing their heads off. Entertaining in a uniquely American way he might be to the hillbillies but leadership requires worldly character.
Is America to have, an ignoramus of first world order, as President?
It might be said that my description of Trump has descended into what Americans call hyperbole.
If I have, I make no apologies.
Wow. Only in America.
Its not as though there aren’t alternatives. America could elect its first women, Hillary Clinton, as President. She has knowledge, an abundance of experience and the quintessential quality of resiliency in the face of failure. She is no quitter.
On the other hand a man like Bernie Sanders has a way of grasping the intestines of an argument and presenting a plausible answer that is simple to understand, and at the same time enthuses and leads people into an all embracing narrative that inspires.
If character is a combination of traits that etch the outlines of life, governing moral choices and personal and professional conduct. Donald Trump is devoid of it. He is nothing more than a walking talking headline for all that’s unscrupulous about American politics.
Character is also an elusive thing, easily cloaked or submerged by the theatrics of a presidential campaign. His transparency is there for all to see. We sit before our televisions and watch his antics and ponder at the gullibility of the American people and say . . .
“Only in America”.
Mind you, we would say that about the quality of the Republican candidates, the power of Rupert Murdoch, the evilness of Fox news, of repugnant gun laws and the NRA who seem to have power over who is elected, the Republican hatred of Obamacare and the disdain for science and the utter contempt religion and televangelists have for logic.
So much so that I have come to the conclusion that one of the truly bad effects religion (any religion) has on people is that it teaches that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.
We become bewildered and confused when Americans describe themselves as the great democracy, yet few bother to vote and in an election can only do so on a work day. We are apt to laugh. We think that’s an absurdity. A contradiction of democratic principles. Is it really Government of the people, by the people, for the people as Lincoln proclaimed? “Only in America“, we whisper.
When talking about character I cannot but mention President Obama. Was there ever a president so constrained by his own Congress?
Republicans and the right-wing media with all their propaganda have sought to create a fictional President who is the opposite of the one known outside the States. Twenty five per cent of the population still believe he is a Muslim and a large percentage, including Trump, still believe he was born outside the States even though the facts prove otherwise.
Such is the power of the right-wing media (Fox News) and an accumulation of feral shock jocks. The GOP (the Republicans – the ‘Grand Old Party’) is even accused of deliberately not passing bills in order to make the economy worse. In fact, 54 Conservative Tea Party members actually signed a pledge to oppose everything the President submitted to the Congress. 33 Bills were put forward to outlaw Obamacare.
There are those who say that President Obama was, Indeed, a good man and a fine executive, but found himself under the “constraints” mentioned but was unsuccessful because he was not aggressive enough in standing up to the Republican Congress. Lyndon Johnson would have pushed similar policies on the domestic front but would have realised greater success because he was a “bastard” and master of the political deal. I cannot vouch for the veracity of that but in fairness it is worth mentioning.
However, we in Australia wonder what this remarkable man might have achieved had he not had so much obstruction.
When in his State of the Union address he ventures this observation.
“Look, if anybody still wants to dispute the science around climate change, have a go at it, you’ll be pretty lonely, because you’ll be debating our military, most of America’s business leaders, the majority of the American people, almost the entire scientific community, and 200 nations around the world who agree it’s a problem and intend to solve it.”
We look on with incredulity and listen to the sound of silence from the right and say . . .
“Only in America”.
Around the world we are at a point in time in our history where ‘change’ demands it be listened to. Where the events of recent times scream for it. It only requires a voice to demand it on behalf of the people. American conservatives will soon have to realise that for the good of the country their politics will have to change. That they cannot resist change in the foolish assumption that they can make permanent that which makes them feel secure. They must realise that change is in fact part of the very fabric of our existence.
But what is it that occupies the minds of men and women of the conservative right that they need be so malevolent in their thinking? That the power of wit, truth and persuasion with reasoned thinking and argument no longer suffices. That sledgehammer thinking will win every argument. What is it in the backgrounds of these people that causes their narcissism, their inability to accommodate difference or equality?
Is it that hatred is simply passed on from one generation to another? Is it born of ignorance?
There are in my view three psychological types: those who know; those who know when they are shown; and those who have no interest in knowing because of their inheritance of hate. They are the feral Philistines.
Conclusion
On Facebook last year during a discussion on gun control (a subject in which I find even the most moderate people lose all sense of objectivity) a person who I shall not name suggested that I had no right to comment on the subject because I wasn’t American. When I questioned him as to whether free speech was only gifted to Americans, he rather angrily shouted, in print, words of obscenity at me. I retorted that I felt that our support, fighting side by side in every major conflict, with America gave me every right. And I did.
We were of poor Irish background and my education didn’t extend much beyond primary school. My world view, and sense of social justice fermented in my youth and came to fruition over time and was influenced by the injustice I both saw, read about, and experienced.
Although we embraced the mother country it was American culture and politics that was to shape my future.
By the time I turned 21 I was firmly in the camp of social democracy. American music was my passion. American film my entertainment. Books such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck opened my eyes to the injustices of the world.
JFK was my hero as was Bobby later. This quote still resonates with me:
“The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages … It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom or our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile” (Robert Kennedy, 1968).
The United States has given us many things. Some things I have at times detested like its blatant racism and interventionist foreign policy but at the same time admired its preparedness to act as international policeman. We have both grown from immigration and are the two most multicultural countries in the world. There is a shared commonality.
Please continue to give of yourself America but under no circumstances give us Donald Trump. He represents everything that is wrong with your politics and we don’t wish to inherit any more of it. Enough is enough.
And recently came the news that Sarah Palin has endorsed Donald Trump. My eyes moisten. Days later she blames Barack Obama for her son’s arrest on domestic violence charges. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Only in America.
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Return to home pageBrilliant.
“only in America” Maybe true once, not now. We have ex PM and Minister in that land, making speeches, giving like full support. it appears our extreme right has joined up to their long election campaign.
How else does one explain actions Abbott and Andrews. Suspect more from his camp will follow.
Thank you John.
Great article, John. My only comment, or feedback, relates to Hillary as President. There is much in the public domain to be analysed, from this current CIA asset, who uses her private email server for State Department and politically sensitive correspondence. The fact that her private email server is connected to The Onion Router (TOR) puts her in the same category as the Silk Road operator currently serving jail time. Her active involvement in death betting lotteries is cause for concern, as is her use of the Defense Red Switch Network for Travelgate when Clinton’s mobbed up insiders operate long-range protection and gambling rackets through the White House and a global network of prison cells. These issues are never reported in the public domain, but ONLY IN AMERICA!
As a ’45er I couldn’t agree more having watched the “Americanisation” of this country over the decades. We have adopted the very worst characteristics of the US of A and ignored what where the best — and have now also been discarded by the Americans. “Poor bugger my country!”
Excellent report on “Only in America”. It’s very sad that the once mighty nation of the USA is heading toward totalitarianism. Instead of an influence for good, they’re heading in the opposite direction urged on by the opportunistic and hysterical rantings of a new generation of would-be oligarchs. And we’re on that path; we had a Prime Minister elected on a litany of lies, replaced by another, cut from the same cloth, but smarter and probably far more corrupt.
Every day, I hope that this country will rid itself of these parasites and returns to a country where the fair go for all is the prevailing view.
Good article Mr Lord,makes for some fine reading, and would rather see Sanders become Pres rather than Clinton.
I’d love to see the incoming administration – hopefully Democrat – call in our Ambassador and ask him to explain the Australian Government’s horrific treatment of refugees. Wouldn’t that be ironic. Our Ambassador, the man who cried in opposition when children were locked up yet happily supported it when in government.
Finally. Thank you.
A truly brilliant article.
American ‘exceptionalism’ ( a moniker they have adopted for themselves ) … implies superiority in all things. They blatantly use it, ( particularly the right wing does ) when speaking of their ‘good’ … but it equally can be said that their ‘bad’ is exceptional as well. …..
I could not agree more with your article, if I tried.
Excellent – and thank you John.
“that the most technologically advanced country in the world”. Something of an insult to countries producing robots, atom splitting, science research. on technology I would always list Japan ahead of the USA and possibly Germany and Switzerland as well with Denmark a consideration. Some amazing science and medical inventions have come from Australia too!
One of your best and most eloquently argued, John.
You write:
There are in my view three psychological types: those who know; those who know when they are shown; and those who have no interest in knowing.
My mantra is: (apologies to the feminists but it’s an old saying)
He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool – shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is a student – teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep – wake him.
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise – follow him.
…. and it wasn’t Rumsfeld.
Good one Geoff.
Well written John!
My mother commented many years ago that the US, envious of Britain and the traditions of other sovereign nations did two thing to compensate. 1/ made royalty of actors and Hollywood personalities. And 2/ mimicked in grandiose style, the pomp and ceremony that history had denied them. I studied American History in year 11 and learning that the Mayflower was populated by people of the belief that they were chosen by God to go forth to a new land and begin a new nation. As a school teacher I was asked to assess a US manufactured set of lessons in Geography. Of 52 workcards there was one that was not about America. I rejected it for its insularity but took note of the constricted nature of US education.
Where Trump is concerned and Reagan before him, the average, undereducated American seems to worship the achievements of someone who could become a bad actor and then a president or simply an obscenely wealthy person who aspires to be President. Any sins committed to gain that wealth or that presidency are absolved with the ignorance of worship from a nation steeped in religious fervour.
Like you John, Bernie and Hillary have my confidence too!
Totally wrong. They elected Abbott because their minds are hostage to the same fear, ignorance, chauvinism, bigotry and arrogance as their American cousins.
It’s the mentality that has been corroding this country for the past 20 years that created Abbott. Not the other way around.
Mars08 it was a play on words that Abbott used to describe Labors Victorian victory.
@John Lord.
I didn’t know that. I offer my apologies for my ignorance.
I’m extremely touchy at the moment after being swamped by the truly horrible, insensitive and ignorant comments that flooded social media the past couple of days. If that’s what it takes to be a proud and patriotic straaayn… leave me out of it.
Well said John – agree wholeheartedly.
The US middle (now mostly lower) class are hurting; and I think the large numbers attending Sander’s rallies indicates they are listening.
Sanders is building on a powerful democratic socialism narrative in the US – in some ways his courage, certainty of vision and determined charismatic delivery are reminiscent of Gough Whitlam’s inspiring rallies in the leadup campaign to the 1972 election.
Sander’s narrative has popular resonance, particularly amoungst the struggling lower classes.
It reveals years of preparation and a rare courage to openly oppose rampant US corporatism – instead promising to better the interests of the nation’s citizen’s rather than the business barons.
If he can inspire the struggling masses to get off their backsides and vote he will give the establishment a big fright – he could even win.
Had to share this:
Couldn’t help having a giggle at this simply audacious comment from a US citizen on Bill Mitchell’s blogsite
Barry Weingart says:
“I think they (and you) are missing the key point about all this. The US cannot really be compared to any other country on the planet due to our position within the structure of nations. I.e our military and nuclear power as well as our dollar functionality is on an entirely different plane than any other country. It’s apples and oranges. Our problem is our political system and its inability to take advantage of the situation.”
bill says:
“Dear Barry Weingart (at 2016/01/25 at 15:30)
Please explain exactly how the US “dollar functionality” puts it above other currency-issuing nations.
While you are doing that please also reflect on the defeat in the Vietnam War, the nuclear arsenal of other nations, the stuff-ups in Bay of Pigs, Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Africa, to mention a few.
Please also explain how such a great nation has an appalling poverty record, cities that are broke, and mentally ill citizens walking free on the streets in need of dire care. Then we will add a few more ‘exceptional’ issues once we get through those.
best wishes bill”
Agh yes Madame Clinton who lied her way through the destruction of Libya – a thoroughly criminal act if ever there was one. And Obama whose policy in Syria so alarmed his top military brass (Dempsey and others) with his support for jihadists there that they began secretly leaking intelligence to the Syrian and other governments in the hope that it would prevent another Libya style takeover by the head choppers. All this is public yet I guess you John like Obama don’t want to hear the truth.
Oh dear. Guess who’s back to talk his usual rubbish about anything other than the article.
That is a ridiculous thing to say. Take your rubbish elsewhere.
unlike you lord, my dad was an amercanophobe(he put churchill into the pigironbob basket) and I have rarely found anything worthwhile to change his assessment.
Although in two trips I found the people we met very nice, unless you forgot to tip.
The crux is available in every TV sitcom and in every film I have seen(very rare over the last 40 years) Americans can jump to conclusions, be viscous, then discover the truth and become trite, apologise and be forgiven/ing(to be fair I saw unforgiven and my premise was almost trashed).
The Americans have a chance with either democrat but they probably deserve trump.
I think we underestimated the power of the rabbott, his three years on unchallenged slogan hype, which persuaded workers to vote liberal has lasted, and, in the absence of a solid effort by the women of labor, will probably overcome reason.
I have long been suspicious of the search engine company’s bias, greed and power.
Put in ANGLOPHOBE
then AMERiCANOPHOBE
I think what this article has brought home to me, is, it somehow seems to be The German people before the second world war, under the Nazis they were hoodwinked and fooled by visions of a greater Germany, Having been around tourism the last 40 years i know the American tourist is not liked. When their humor changed from laughing at their own stupidity F Troop and all the other shows to being very moralistic about their humor, things changed, I don’t know why they had it all, maybe it is as simple as, the more you own the bigger fear you have of losing it. I can not see things changing, only from bad to worse, the American psyche is on some sort of roll or wave no one really knows where it’s going, but that so many there believe in armagiddion is more than a fanciful worry. And i am a dinki di Aussie i don’t have a fear of losing any material or monetary possessions, Wants are a pain lol. Oh and hi Mark how are the worms in your brain, you get then from raw meat cheers.
my brain is fine music – just had some fish and they can have longer worms than cow or pig but dont you worry it was cooked and I can still read and research – actually I have even given you all the clues to do your own research to see what I am saying … that is unless you have joined the conga line too and cant tell shit from clay.
A born and bred American, I’m dismayed – yet not surprised – to know this is the view that other countries have of the US. It may be hard to believe, but in spite of what it looks like, there exists a quiet majority of moderate ideologues. The average citizen, either conservative or liberal, has a more level-headed and realistic view of our politics than what we, very unfortunately, blare to the world via our news outlets and our obnoxiously loud fringe-dwellers. And those of us in that majority join you in shaking our heads as we watch the Pied Piper lead his merry band of hapless followers. It’s just as much a circus to us as it is to you. I know it looks hopeless, but don’t send us collectively on our way to the looney bin with the likes of North Korea. There’s still a good and rational core in the heart of America. To quote from the beloved children’s book, Horton Hears a Who, “Yopp!!!”
So true, a really good article.
The negatives mentioned however are unfortunately widespread now throughout the world. The world’s rich and powerful apply any successful scam (US or other) on their own turf. For example the Wall Street centred GFC banking sector fraud of taxpayers has been copied in Europe, Japan and more recently China.
Also I think the Russian KGB at the time of Gorbachev saw how Western democracy REALLY operated and saw that as a way of loosening state control but retaining all real power and stealing most of the nations wealth for themselves.
Kerri … Interesting – the comments your mother made on her perceptions of American( ism ). I think she was absolutely right.
Your comments about the assessment you were asked to make – on Geography ( American education ) did not surprise me one bit, in fact I have heard and seen it first hand, when I was in that country for some time, years back.
Their appalling lack of knowledge as to what is outside their own boundaries, was frightening. I do not infer 100% of Americans are like that – many enquiring minds reach out further, knowing there is something beyond to study and learn, and put to good use, rather than the paths they’ve been guided down in their primary, secondary – and even tertiary learning. … Most of those paths have “Old Glory” plastered at every corner, and a big handbook of American history and the Constitution, handed out. In fact, one young student admitted as much to me, when I was there. Some Americans travel – and are agog at the world, however, many American travellers are also mortally afraid of it, which is why ( I believe anyway ) many often act so loud mouthed, pushy and demanding. …. It is the way they protect themselves from the unknowns that they face. …. Not all, but too many.
Not only insular, but isolated as well.
The thought of Donald Trump becoming the POTUS sickens and frightens me. He is a narcissistic mysogynistic sociopath. There are many many Americans who feel exactly the same way. Unfortunately, what usually gets broadcast and what the world sees as an example of “America” is what is deemed to be “news”, that being everything horrible, sad, frightening or moronic. I have come to the point where I get my news from the internet and don’t even watch the national media. I have been appalled by the American media which seems to be a Trump broadcasting machine. It truly is sickening.
While I can appreciate your point of view, your lumping of Americans all together is it’s own form of racism if you think about it. While America has many flaws, it also has much beauty, and while it has many people who you might term uneducated baffoons, it also has many who are enlightened and reasonable individuals. Unfortunately, many Americans who identify with a particular party are what I call sheeple – they stick with the party they identify with even though it doesn’t make a lot of sense (I am talking about those who are part of what is called “the dying middle class” who support GOP idealogy, never realizing that the GOP has no interest in the average American, but only in the profits to be earned by corporations even it means smashing the little guy). I leave you with this thought, which I try to put into the heads of my fellow Americans – ” I don’t want you to think like me, I just want you to think. .
This Article reminded me of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc6PK7aqTO0&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs
Fascinating to discover this site. I am a 66-year-old American pretty damn close to giving up on this country.
“He is a person of limited intellect and understanding …”
Starting from that point in your analysis of the man I call Trumpers the Insult Comic Human, and looking at the next few paragraphs, you could easily be describing another candidate from, let’s say, 36 years ago.
Which of course is where the problem really started.
Thank You for this fine article. I needed it……..I am really sick of hearing Trump do campaign speeches with absolutely “no” content. But, if the material is not in there, it certainly can’t come out………Hillary is the ONLY intelligent choice…….
Good article, I’m reading from the middle of the USA. We really are not all like that and I think you know that, but for some reason, I feel compelled to state it. We just don’t have enough people who seem to understand they need to use their brains (yeah, that’s an understatement). Of course, a lot of people never read anything once they are out of school here, so that’s a big problem, too. If they can’t get it on the TV or their phone, forget it. I don’t think it’s limited to America either. The world seems fairly mad these days. I am a cynic at heart, but I’m rooting for Bernie and most of the people I know are, too.
My thoughts exactly, if I could think that clearly and if I could express myself so well. Well said.
As an American I thank you. Over the past few decades, and especially since 9/11, the country has been in what we pilots call a “dead man spin.” The next election here may be the most critical in the country’s history, for if anyone of the Republican candidates is elected it will be time to bid “democracy” farewell.
If Trump becomes President, all it will demonstrate is that the USA has “the best Democracy money can buy” plus yet another triumph of style over substance.
Is he really the best they can come up with during these difficult times?
To me they have always displayed the best and worst of everything – usually at the same time – and how much they believe in their own mythology.
With ballooning debt and decadence they seem a lot like Rome during it’s decline.
Here in Canada, we are also mortified at the thought of that evil clown becoming president. Because the US has such power and influence around the globe, I think that it’s perfectly acceptable for non-Americans to voice their opinions and I thank you for yours. I just hope that my American friends will do the right thing.
I am of a similar age John, but I am afraid my (limited) secondary education in no way “allows” me the same ability & thoughtfulness your always excellent articles etc display! Please keep up your writing skills! As for Buffoon big-hair trump, & now sarah bloody palin ( I cannot permit myself to even capitalise their names (!), God help all of us if they get elected! Imagine these two inbred idiots & the nra red necks in power? We will have world wars 3,4 & 5–although after ww3 we will probably all cease to exist, having been nuked by some country or other.
To Mary Corder … and Kirsten Samwel
I have taken a few shots at mainly Trump who is an utter horror, and at the seeming lack of education – or perhaps lack of pursuit of education that so often follows college in the U.S..
I would re-iterate that I know very very well, that there are many many incredibly well informed Americans, who have contributed an enormous amount to world society. There is no question about that.
I also would like to say, having been there – that it is one of the most beautiful and diverse ( in natural features ) countries on earth, and the way memorials, historic homes and areas of history, cemeteries, and many of the big cities ( in the ‘better’ areas ) are kept in such pristine condition … it is exemplary.
Unfortunately, I saw the other side as well – the poverty, the homelessness, drug use resulting in death, gob-smacking racism, and the areas that are known to be totally unsafe. …. Had a couple of near misses in those places ( by wandering where I shouldn’t have ), which were terrifying.
BUT – – those ‘worst’ aspects are in almost every country on earth. We have homeless / drug / alcohol / racism problems here too. But we also have excellent progressive and all encompassing education – and a continuance of study ( so far ) – the LNP might try to put paid to that in the near future. …. We are taught more about the world, than we are about our own country. ( guess we are expected to know about that anyway ).
Just a few thoughts – in case you misunderstood my post – ( I speak only on my own behalf ).
The C.E.O of the biggest marketing firm on the planet said at Davos. “We assure you (us the people) that Killary Clinton will be the next president.”Even though the FBI wants to indict her. So the race for the white house is already won before its started. Well it is a capitalist democracy it just makes sense. So John you dont have to fear Trump. Worse by a long shot is on the way.
Mechboyblu.
When people at Davos use the word “you” they most certainly are not talking about “us the people” ;they are assuring the people who own the planet.
I doubt seriously you are in that group.
I am a 68 yrs. old, Viet Nam vet, educated well beyond high school. I have traveled in Europe and Asia. So, you are correct sir, the “dumbass america,” cohort is huge! The deep south is the showplace of dumbass,but the rest of flyover ‘murica is close behind. Most americans know nothing about Democratic Socialism. They certainly know nothing of corporate socialism. The citizens from the bozo car do not even know that programs like Social Security, Medicare or Medicade are government programs – as in “take your filthy governments hands off my Social Security.” As someone mentioned earlier, Bernie is the right guy! I am also disgusted enough to say go ahead, elect that rich, elitist asshole trump. There is a large segment of people that are not million/billionaires that support trump cretin and will really be hurt by him.
I agree with JohnB on 28/1 @8.05pm. Bernie Sanders is exciting and offers Americans hope for reform and reversing the appalling inequities that have taken hold since Reagan. It is heartwarming to see people’s hearts and minds coming alive again. Don’t waste this opportunity!
We need somebody like Bernie in Australia right now too because we have immense problems of our own.
Go Bernie Sanders!
Great take John. I’m 13 years in Australia, the remaining 55 spread across the US and I echo the comments about America and ‘it’s not all like that’. I find it amusing that people still reflect on America based on tv shows and news outlets like Fox. It’s the exact same disease Australia faces with media in the hands of a few right wing zealots.
I find myself engaged in US politics again for the first time in a long time. The prospect of Bernie taking it to Wall St alone puts a smile on my face. I spent a number of years working and living in New Jersey and am way too familiar with Trump and his bs. I just don’t believe in the end he’s electable.
Some in America remember that the rise of the Neo-Con/Reagan juggernaut was greatly bolstered by the election of Maggie Thatcher a year before Reagan. America and Britain tiptoed hand in hand down to the road to what we have right now, every step of the way from corrupt big banks to manufactured wars. We were just “lucky” enough to have more guns so we get the mass shootings as the cherry on top.
I am a little reticent to use the word “only” these days as Europe rounds up refugees into camps and takes their property to pay for the privilege and the fruits of European and American Imperialism of the last century- last year, last month- are poisoning the world of today. Putin invades with impunity because Europe craves it’s energy, Africa is entrenching with the help of a rising communist-capitalist-fascist China, while it builds out of ocean sand new territory under the watchful and permissive eyes of it’s largest and most powerful neighbor- Australia.
If only people like Trump and the people who support people like Trump were only found in America. There’s plenty of shame to be passed around.
Kudos to you John, on an exceptional essay! Exceedingly well-written, well-considered, and congruent with my not-nearly-so-cogently-put-together thoughts and feelings on “The Donald” and his apparent niche here in America! I so hope that the “sheeple” as Brunner would describe them, do not have the final say.
@Kerri, your mother missed the mark on why Hollywood personalities were made out to be royals. D.C. realized that if they got into bed with Hollywood, then they could use them as their propaganda machine and I must say it has worked beautifully for them. Hollywood is now nothing more than D.C.s whore!
As for the election of Regan and Trump, foreign nations have not learned to look deeply enough for how they got there to begin with. Unfortunately, everyone wants to buy into this believe that somehow the current “imperial” nation is also the most undereducated. I’m not sure how those two can be reconciled. I’m deeply disappointed how quick other nations are to make such grand and general assumptions. Could we improve our educational system, absolutely, but then again, couldn’t most nations?
@Annie B, my daughter is currently living in your lovely country and has made the same assessment about your fellow countrymen, many that haven’t the first idea about the lay of our land. Sounds like Aussies need a good lesson in geography themselves. I would also really like to know where the idea of Americans not traveling came about. It is as preposterous as it sounds, as I know of very few people that have not crossed a boarder somewhere along the way!
Enough with the stereotyping of Americans’ and their poor behavior abroad; I can assure you I’ve seen plenty of “bogan” behavior on this side of the world. You all like to think of yourselves as proper, but step foot beyond your boarders and your true colors adorn! Simply Google Whistler Canada or better known as “Whistralia” or Bali for further prove of this. This behavior is common in Europe as well, the difference being, we Americans embrace cultural differences.
This may be difficult for an “average” Australian to comprehend, but intellectually speaking, what we have in America is no longer capitalism, but crony capitalism. There is a major difference between the two and the majority of Americans, I can assure you, like it even less than most of the world and certainly less than you Aussies. It is a cancer among our political realm that like with any cancer is most difficult to eradicate.
What the “average” Australian sees as “violent racism” is nothing more than propaganda used by our evil corporate media (Murdoch, where is from again, oh yes, Australia) and corrupt politicians. America does not have racial problems any more than the rest of the world, nor is it “inbreed” into us anymore then anywhere else, Australia. What the world is shown, however, is made to look like we are animals. Unfortunately, most can’t see this is by design with people who want the world to turn their backs on Americans so they can help bring her down to her knees, (I’m beginning to believe it is actually working, how unfortunate too as we should be working together as a people, not divided and conquered as a nation(s)). If you are truly interested all you need to do is Google George Soros and look up all of his foundations that fund this type of propaganda non-sense that the rest of the world eats up!
As for gun speak, I’m so sick and tired of you Aussies believing you have any right to judge another country without first walking in her shoes. When was the last time Australia was ever in a fight for her life or liberty? America is in one constantly, while you may not see it on the surface, it is there. What is it you Aussies like to say the “tall poppy” syndrome, there is always someone that is looking to topple her. Never mind the southern boarder drug cartels and gangs that your country will never have to manage or fear on a daily basis. I think you Aussies have watched far too much Hollywood crap to be able to separate fact from fiction, we are not the wild, wild west with bullets flying left and right, whizzing past your head as you step outside. As for you and your countrymen, it matters not to me if you want to lay down your weapons, but please stop being so offended by us choosing the opposite.
Malcolm Turnbull, really, that’s whom you’re pleased with as a politician? Talk about ringing the bell for crony capitalism! You complain about being Americanized, something of your own fault, not mine (I have no more control with D.C. and her history than you did with that) and yet you allow it to continue by singing the praises of politicians such as Malcolm. Wow, you Australians really are contrary!
“From Down Under we see a sick deluded man of no redeeming features, full of racial hatred, bile and misogyny.” It sounds to me that you could just as easily be describing an Aussie bloke as well! Look, we Americans don’t really like this guy anymore than you. What you’re witnessing is America’s middle finger to the establishment. You don’t have to like it, but we are every bit, if not more, feed up and disgusted with our politics and the deeply rooted corruption; remember we’re the ones living this nightmare for the past century and a half! Hillary, really, HILLARY!?! Boy, the world is lost on the reality for America and yourselves as we now have mutual destruction at play (not familiar with that phrase, just ask you PM). Trump is a clown, a distraction, stirring the emotions of people who have had it, but he is also being used for social engineering and it is working like a charm. As for Barack, will the world please just quit worshiping the ground he walks on already! You mention religion as a waste and yet treat Barack as the second coming of Jesus, enough already, especially you silly, conflicted Australians. As for Lyndon, spot on, he’s a family member of mine and it runs in the family (P.S.: Jack and Bobby were not saints either, no one in politics ever is)!
easy there cd, we are not all drongos. Trump will never make it and if Barry has been a disaster (and he has) Killery will be even worse. And I’m not sure who will suffer more – you or the rest of the world.
cd,
I’m on the side of all grassroots people who want Progressive change for the common good. If I lived in America, I would be voting for Bernie Sanders. I’m excited for the millions of Bernie supporters who line up on the streets in all weathers to hear his words of promise and commitment.
Also, if you read many of our comments closely, despite our robust advocacies for our own brands of politics and policy priorities, we generally are insightful enough to see our own Aussie flaws. AIM Network gives us a chance to vent our frustrations and promote our arguments of how things are and how they can be addressed.
@ cd ….
You have chosen many words that only suit your argument, and have totally disregarded the more positive observations spoken about your country. I made many of those positive observations.
No-one here has tried to deny in any way, that we have racism, guns being increasingly used ( issued by crims that reside or come here ) …. bogan attitudes, violence and even bordering fascism. And yes, you would have seen or heard of the ‘hoons’ that get around the world ( among the larger numbers of travellers than from most countries ) … that are from Australia. They, along with any other traveller from the U.S., Britain, Europe – anywhere, who misbehaves, is loud mouthed and aggressive, are an insult to us, as they should to be to any country they come from. However, most travellers from wherever, do behave well.
You have made an attack that is unprincipled on my country, but then – you would say we have done the same to yours. Jennifer Meyer-Smith summed it up – “we generally are insightful enough to see our own Aussie flaws.” . Unfortunately, there are many Americans who cannot see their own flaws, and flout their ‘Constitutional rights’ endlessly. However, that does not mean that ALL Americans are like that, and I will thank you to acknowledge that observation. There is good and there is bad, in every country.
You mentioned Murdoch – being Australian. Well yeah – he was BORN here, but is no more an Australian than a bald eagle is – as he took up total citizenship in America, and is American – no matter which way you want to cut it. Frankly, America is more than welcome to him. A media monstrosity.
You mention “drug cartels and gangs that your country will never have to manage or fear on a daily basis.” . How unutterably WRONG you are about that. …. We don’t have a ‘southern’ border to contend with, but the problems are here and on a per capita basis, darn near as bad as your own problems.
So don’t go preaching to us, thank you. We do not think of ourselves as ‘proper’ as per your statement, if anything we are too laid back, and self-effacing. As for our learning geography … I would put every cent I own on people here, knowing one helluva lot more about your ‘geography’ than you would or could ever know, or want to know, about ours. There is much proven fact about that, not to mention hearing it for myself, many many times, when living there.
Your comment ” I would also really like to know where the idea of Americans not traveling came about.” …. at NO time did I write anything like that. I did say I thought they were ‘mortally afraid’ of being out in the world that is not the U.S. of A. Perhaps I should have said they appear to be ‘unsure of themselves’ when travelling. There are many thousands of travelling Americans every day, and I acknowledge that. So please don’t go putting words in my mouth, that were never uttered.
You are obviously conservative right wing in your political thinking, and you have every right to be whatever persuasion you want. That is not in dispute.
I might re-direct your attention to my post ( speaking for myself ) of January 29, 2016 at 3:55 pm . If you had bothered to read that, you would see that your replies have been way off base. … If you are interested enough, I would like to think you might read it again.
Beyond this however, I have no wish to have anything further to say to you.
Annie B you say ‘You are obviously conservative right wing in your political thinking’, there is nothing in what cd wrote that supports your claim. Nothing.
Oh …. ‘ullo mark delmege ….
I would refer you to cd’s comment ( May 14, 2016 at 4:22 am ) … where she / he has a go about Hillary Clinton, and further on ( all in the last paragraph btw ) about Barack [Obama] …. and how we ( ?? ) treat him as the 2nd coming of Jesus and [ we should] “quit worshipping the ground he walks on”. If that doesn’t smack of right wing, I don’t know what does.
Go back and read it … if you dare or wish.
And stop trying to start an all in argument or brawl.
Ain’t biting beyond this mark, Mark.
Cheers ……… !!
Hear, hear Annie B. Nice to hear from you.
Same here Jennifer … good to see you again. …. Have been knee deep in puppy ( raising for Guide Dogs ) things, and haven’t been anywhere much, including Facebook for a while.
And – thank you …
Hope to see you again soon ……… 🙂
and you think Obama represents progressive interests… oh dear… you really haven’t been paying attention have you.
hee hee 🙂 …. mark d.
There is barely a progressive interest in the U.S. at this time ( including Obama who has back-peddled on so much of progressive bizzo’s these past few years ) …. the only one who is actually progressive is ( or might be ) Bernie Sanders, and I doubt he has an ice blocks’ chance in hell … but then, ya never know.
If you are able to read correctly, anything that is said here, you will ( might ) see, if you are so disposed, that my comments were directed at a person on this thread – pointing out that she / he was most likely conservative right wing. Had nothing to do with actual political manouverings, of which there are hundreds. ,,,,, and I do pay attention, mostly !! 😉
Of course, you might not have been speaking to me in your last statement – in which case I apologise ….
I doubt I will ever know though.
Cheers, chum ………
no they were most definitely directed at you. But as was pointed out to me decades ago the political spectrum (to keep it simple) isn’t just a left v right but also authoritarian v libertarian and in combination with the left v right with all shades and colours in between. As I said above I didn’t see anything in cd’s comments that would suggest he was a right winger. nothing. However you seem to assume Clinton and Obama are left – I don’t. These are the managers or rather the figure heads (bobbleheads) of Empire, death squads, wars, multi national penetrations and manipulations, big business and all the nasty shit decent people oppose.
Yeah – ok mark d …. you have made your point.
In terms of Clinton and Obama being Democrats, they are indeed left of centre. How far left is to be wondered at. You don’t think that ? …… Fair enough. That’s your opinion, to which you are entitled 🙂
As for : “These are the managers or rather the figure heads (bobbleheads) of Empire, death squads, wars, multi national penetrations and manipulations, big business and all the nasty shit decent people oppose.”
Cynical though it may sound, I have been under the impression that 99.99% of politicians the world over, the serious politicians that is, are ALL exactly that …. all of the above you have quoted.
A wholesale pack of dumb-arse, war mongering, power-hungry, self-indulgent, and unrestrained creeps, who will do anything, stop at nothing, to manipulate people, organisations, & more people to get what they want.
Monsters – the lot of them.
………….
A more apt descriptor might be which side of the divide they are on in terms of imperialism or independence. Clearly anyone representing Empire is on one side and therefore enemies of progressive movements. Clinton and Obama and all democratic party reps have shown that time and time again. The lesser of two evils? no not at all but equally dangerous.
@AnnieB
If I may elaborate on your comment about Americans’ fear of travel: it’s not that we fear travel, it’s that we fear repercussions of the visited nation’s society. Sometimes unfounded and others times justifiable. True scenarios: Australian on American soil; American to Australian, “Good to meet you, how was your flight”…”Love your accent, but I’m having difficulty understanding your slang. Maybe you can teach it to me”…”So tell me about your hometown and family”…”I’m meeting friends at a great place we like to gather to grab a beer, care to join”…”Love your animals, have you ever seen a (fill in the blank, usually kangaroo)?” (We ask this by the way because our “exotic” animals are so elusive, not because we are ignorant.)
Now American on Australian soil; Australian to American, “Are you from Canada?” American, “No, I’m from the States”, Australian turns on heels and walks away. Nice to meet you too! Or, Aussie to American, “Where are you from?” “America”. Aussie, “Seppo, what are you thinking with Trump and your politics and your bloody guns, I hate them all!” American, “Umm, what?” wishing the Aussie had just turned on their heels and walked away. Or, same friend that was asked to join American’s social circle to American, “I’m grabbing a drink/dinner with old classmates, maybe I’ll catch up with you later.” See the difference between a collective response and an individual response? Many nations want to bash us because of our individualism, but it’s not always a bad thing. Personally, I like to judge someone as an individual, based on the content of their character, not their nation, politics or religion. The collectivism of other nations is not a warm and fuzzy welcome nor is it inviting.
We don’t judge your nation as a whole based on several individuals and how they may behave; however, you all want to judge us as a whole based on collectivism. I completely agree that all nations have the good with the bad, so why are other nations so quick to judge an American under false pretense? Bogan behavior does not bother me so long as they are not intentionally cruel. Any American that is loud and obnoxious abroad is also going to be the same at home. Those types drive me just as crazy as they do anybody else in the world. My statement about Aussies being proper meant they behave differently at home than abroad; it’s just an observation of mine as well as others. Personally, I believe that when you go to someone else’s home, that is the time to be on your best behavior.
Your response to me was very defensive; see how frustrating it is to have someone point out all the bad while ignoring the good? Okay, so some comments and the commentary had a few drips and drabs of decency, but it was over all an insulting and one sided piece. As for Murdoch, take him back please, he is a force of destruction and we do not want him anymore than you.
I do not want to be a tall poppy, so please quit lumping me and other non-deserving Americans as one simply because of our nationality. My believes are no more right than wrong as yours, they are just simply mine! Please do not lump me in with George Bush, Dick Chaney and ilk, nor with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and ilk. I want no association with either, especially someone who can be so cavalier with “we came, we saw, we killed, hehehe: oops, it got an ambassador killed and my private email account with top secret information can’t be hacked, I haven’t done anything wrong.” I’m sorry, but that sounds every bit as bad as a neo-con like George and Dick. Please, no thank you, I don’t care what you or any other social countryman of any social country thinks! So what are we left with, one big mess that neither I, nor you can fix because at the end of the day what we truly have is a single party system. Don’t forget, Trump is a Clinton supporter!
@Mark
Thank you for getting it, I mean truly understanding with very insightful input! You have no idea how happy it makes me to know there is still an ally in Oz who sees the truth of our situation! This in particular, I could not have said better myself:
“[T]he political spectrum (to keep it simple) isn’t just a left v right but also authoritarian v libertarian and in combination with the left v right with all shades and colours in between. As I said above I didn’t see anything in cd’s comments that would suggest he was a right winger. nothing. However you seem to assume Clinton and Obama are left – I don’t. These are the managers or rather the figure heads (bobbleheads) of Empire, death squads, wars, multi national penetrations and manipulations, big business and all the nasty shit decent people oppose.”
cd,
all the more reason to be promoting Bernie Sanders. He far outstrips Hillary Clinton for ethical behaviour. He is a reason to give people hope and from what I see on social media, there is a lot of support for him.
Worse case scenario, the Sanders’ Progressive groundswell will force Hillary to be pulled back from extreme Right where I agree she is very comfortable receiving big donations from Big Biz, her natural preference.
Bottom line is however, she is better than Trump because he plays to the lowest common nastiest denominator just like the LNP Degenerates do in Australia.
PS While Left and Right might appear simplistic political terms, they still suffice to make clear delineations outside of parties and within. I also agree terms like authoritarian and libertarian are appropriate when discussing economic principles and societal structures. The one I promote is Social Economic Progressiveness!
cd – – – You have been ‘hoisted with your own petard’ here.
Showing a sense of superiority in your first paragraph. All politeness, kindness and niceties allegedly by, and attributed to, Americans in response to Australians …..
And then ? …. In the 2nd paragraph you show what you believe to be the kind of responses given by Aussies to ‘seppo’s’. . Mostly nasty. And ‘seppo’ is a word I have honestly never heard used before. I don’t give a damn if you believe that or not, but it is true. The word “yank” however is still used here.
You have mainly dealt with the individual here, and I have never heard more of an insult to ‘individual Aussies’, or for that matter, Australians collectively. ….
……..
You see, there are kind, polite Americans, AND there are kind, polite Australians.
There are unkind, rude and arrogant Americans AND there are unkind, rude and arrogant
Australians. Every nation has both types of people – nice and nasty, in their midst.
I don’t know where you have been to have experienced such uninviting behaviour by nations, collectively, but perhaps individually you must have come across a few nice folk in the world ? There is collective and there is individual. One does not necessarily reflect the other and vice versa. I hope you understand that.
I think you have described yourself in mentioning ‘defensive’ . You have condescended to admit to :”Okay, so some comments and the commentary had a few drips and drabs of decency, but it was over all an insulting and one sided piece. “ There ya go – a desultory admission to a little decency, and then the smack across the chops with the final 8 words.
I have many American friends, all of whom are nice individual people, with individual preferences in politics, very diverse backgrounds and work, and a couple of them are what one might call ‘a little eccentric’, but they are a lot of fun. I also happen to live right next door to an American and his Australian wife. He is a quietly spoken, polite person who works as a paramedic for our States’ Ambulance Service. At times he is open to conversation and at other times, not. I accept him as he is – an individual with a few little quirks of nature. Just as I presume he accepts me, as an individual with a few little quirks of nature.
That’s the way people are supposed to get along …. acceptance. Such a shame that it doesn’t happen often enough.
Digressing somewhat – not at all sure what your last statement meant. Trump is a Clinton supporter ??? … To me Trump appears to be a Trump supporter, and supports no-one else. He has come close to dividing the GOP, or so it is told both in the MSM and Social media. What ever happens in July ( here ) or November ( there ) one can only hope it turns out to be somewhere leading to the right path.
Personally I don’t like any politicians present today. They are all driven by one thing – greed for power.
You seem to want to take everything I say so personally and want to simply be argumentative. I’ve met lovely Australians and adored them while they were here. It seems to be more closed off to people (Americans) on your soil is all I was conveying. Again, not all, but more than not very surprisingly. Believe what you will about the senerios, but they are very real. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m actually looking to open up communication in hopes you all can see not to treat someone with such a closed and collective attitude. I honestly believe Aussies are so endearing because they open themselves up during travel, allowing people to see them as an individual. It just shocked me so see how closed they become once they are on their own soil. Again, not everyone, but yes. It has been fascinating to see.
I have always had a great appreciation for Australia. I think you all have something to be very proud of with your accomplishments and making yourselves world players in short order. I admire your tenacity! I only wish you all would not be so quick to judge Americans based on our politicians, simple!
Cut on me all you want, make assumptions all you like, all I’ve done is show you it’s not so nice being on the receiving side simply because of your nationality!
@Jenifer
I could not agree with you more with regards to your take on both Hillary and Trump, complete embarrassments! Even Bob Woodward is stumped to the point he has declared to dig and investigate as much as he can to try to understand how it is we are left with the two most negatively viewed politicians left standing. It will be curious to see if he has any success. It is like we are all living in the Twilight Zone. As for Bernnie, he’s just not solid on his policies and overreaching on an economical scale, laughable I know because the same can said and correctly so about Trump, (Hillary has not had anything really to say except for “I’m innocent”). Based on media speak here, they’ve already made the assumption it’s a run off between Tweddle Dee (Hillary) and Tweddle Dum, so buckle up ladies and gentlemen!
@AnnieB
Historically speaking, Trump has endorsed the Clintons, so why the change of heart when all of his donations were, as you had stated, “driven by one thing-greed and power”? Just a quick google search for a good read:
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/donald-trump-donations-democrats-hillary-clinton-119071
Yes, people change positions, but not usually someone like Trump. As for the GOP, they’ve been in self destructive mode for a long time now. It would appear Trump is simply putting the nail in their coffin, but the reality is they all scratch each others back no different then if they were all a single party, all in there for their self interests, be damned everyone else. By design, quite possibly, it’s difficult to know what his true position is other than being the clown, someone put in there to entertain while they slip Hillary in knowing she really had no way of winning without him because of her self deserved nickname as Mark pointed out, Killary. You’d be surprised how much she is kept out of the media here because she can’t shake her past off as easily as they had hoped. Years ago, it’s been said in private to a talk show host by both George Bush and George Soros’ second man; it does not matter who sits in the chair of the oval office, they have no real say in the direction of America and the ship has sailed too far out to be turned back. What that means, I guess we’ll all find out together, meanwhile, try to view the rest as entertainment meant to distract, but watch the other hand.
Hope that helps clarify that statement.
Had to laugh at this pic.
cd :
To your comment ( May 16, 2016 at 10:27 am ) …. I have finished with all that – nothing further from me on the subject. Have to agree to disagree on some points – otherwise …. end of.
…………..
Re : Trump / Clinton. Thanks for the info. Occasionally a politician will cross to ‘the other side’ .. has happened here, and elsewhere in the world I expect. There was a conspiracy theory going around on social media a while back, that suggested Trump was ‘persuaded’ to join the GOP with the main aim of finally breaking them up, to be the last nail in their coffin, as you have mentioned. If it were to happen, it would only be temporary, I suspect.
Many politicians play the game of ‘don’t look here – look over there’ … ( a game played relentlessly by the former PM of our current ruling party ) …. diversion tactics – well known, well practiced by the most ruthless of them. As for the power in the Oval Office …. I have long thought it is limited in fact – so many ‘advisors’, various agencies that attend to this and that, so when all boiled down the President becomes some kind of figure-head, which is sad as it is a very honorable office to hold, chosen by the people ( in the long run, provided there are no really serious shenanigans at the polling stations – which has happened here, and elsewhere too in the past ).
Interesting link you posted – Trump plays both sides against the middle, courting the Dems and allegedly joining the Reps. ( something I think many astute businessmen do to achieve their given purposes – at the time ). Which leaves him kind of ‘front and centre’ literally. hmmm …. sure will be interesting, to say the least.
@AnnieB
I agree on all counts that you mentioned. My final concern with Trump is that he will actually become delusional enough to believe he is truly worthy of the position and continue to make a further mockery of this country should they truly allow him to swear in, but I honestly don’t see that happening. A GOP group tank is already saying they will put an independent in that will take enough votes away from him and give the election to Hillary. Undoubtedly the plan all along. I truly think the powers that be only want her so they can get Bill in thru the back door. Like I said before, it’s all grandstanding for entertainment value and it is very sad indeed to see just how far the position of the title “U.S. President” has fallen.
As for the GOP, I don’t know how they’ll ever regroup as a party of “opposition” after this, but as you’ve said, it will be interesting to say the least.