I have to say that I was not at all surprised at Trump's electoral success; Lady M, however, was shocked.
I cannot claim to have any insight into US politics, but elections are won and lost on TRUST, and it does seem very strange that (even with a convicted felon candidate) the electorate still found Trump more trustworthy than Harris.
With the help of all those celebs and dancing girls, Harris couldn't convince the people that she would make a decent President. Trump may be arrogant and megalomanic, but I presume that he says what Americans want to hear. I very much doubt if he'll manage to expel all those foreign criminals he talks of, much as we over here can't stop illegal immigrants sailing across the Channel in rubber boats. Some things trip easily off the tongue, but in practice it's not so easy.
So what can the world look forward to? Trump has made many promises. He is anti-Abortion, he wishes to install serious protective tariffs on imports; especially from China. He wants to finish building his infamous wall, stop immigrants eating cats, reorganise the Health System, he wants to cut taxes, to stop the Russia/Ukraine war, and re-introduce Patriotism into state schools; amongst many other things. He has promised to 'Fix Everything'.
All this sounds perfectly laudable, and no doubt Harris would agree with a few of his aims. It now remains to be seen how much of his manifesto gets put into action.
Our new Foreign secretary, David Lammy, has been insulting Trump in the most forceful manner over the past few years, so our relations with the USA are off to a jolly good start. Well done Lammy!
The population of the USA is roughly 346 Million, you really would have thought that there would have been a few better candidates around; but who am I to criticise!
I'm happy. Trump whatever he is, he's not a politician. Politicians are at the bottom of my list of competent people and at the top when it comes to corruption.
ReplyDeleteIf his last term was anything to go by then the world should be a more peaceful place so sell shares in Lockheed Martin.
Time will tell but President Trump doesn't seem to be a vindictive man so I doubt Lammy will have to worry, that's a shame but we can't have everything.
I hear that Starmer is already thinking of sacking Lammy!
DeleteLammy should be safe then as thinking doesn't appear to be a forte of Starmer's.
DeleteIt seems very strange to us outsiders how anyone could vote for a racist, ranting, liar and felon. However... his promises were what your man on the street wanted to hear. Fix the economy, stop wars, close the borders and make America great again.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't surprised, just unhappy with the result. I was hoping for a first female President and coloured too. But I'm not American.
God bless em all
Some see him as the next Messiah, others as a maniacal pompous criminal. Anyway, he managed to beat Harris and that's all that counts. As you say 'God bless 'em all'.
DeleteRanting liar - sounds like almost all politicians, he's been convicted, most politicians manage to bribe their way out of that little problem (or, like Blair, have powerful friends in high places).
DeleteI'm still amazed that Starmer managed to get away with his lockdown partying in Durham, but of course he had been the boss of The Crown Prosecution Service.
DeleteThe beer and skittles in Durham are nothing compared with failing to prosecute rape gangs and Saville.
DeleteHe's got his work cut out hasn't he? Maybe he can come over here and sort the UK out as well when he's finished with America.
ReplyDeleteWhat; in two weeks time?
DeleteIt says much about more than half the US population if they vote for Trump. Obviously they are happy to be led by a lying, unstable, egotistical felon who should, by rights, be in jail.
ReplyDeleteSurely the rest of the world is not going to take him, or the US, seriously in future?
Like it or not, the USA is still one of the world's superpowers, and we need them to be on our side. That involves dealing with Trump.
DeletePolitics needs lots of money here and in USA, and over there an older white man.
ReplyDeleteTrump had plenty of BIG money backing him. I don't know about Harris.
DeleteWhere are the pro-Trump American bloggers? Are there any?
ReplyDeleteA lot of them probably don't like to admit to being Trumpers.
DeleteTasker what you have to remember is that the Democrats are still struggling to forgive the Republicans for taking their slaves away. Little wonder the Right keep a low profile.
DeleteI see Guardian staff are being offered free counselling to help them deal with Trump. Funny they didn't need it when three little girls were butchered in Southport and an old man committed suicide having being imprisoned for shouting naughty words at a Police dog...I invented the Police dog bit but I'm learning to lie and fast, I'm taking on our government at their own game.
DeletePerhaps we are slowly being shaken out of the dream that the world can be a better place.
DeleteTrump is already slipping into dementia. The evidence has been carefully logged. Imagine that - an angry, senile old man leading one of the most significant nations on this planet. Thank heavens for the 47% of Americans who did not vote for this would-be despot.
ReplyDeleteHe may well be, but Biden is well ahead.
DeleteI rarely, if ever discuss politics regarding either side of the pond but for what its worth, here's one American's thoughts.
ReplyDelete*Biden waited too damn long to step down.
*Therefore, Kamala Harris, who was for years buried far into the background of the Biden administration, had a mere 107 days to convince 161 million US registered voters she was a viable option.
*I do believe a great many American people resented being told by Biden, "Here you go, now vote for her instead of me" There was no due process involved. Kamala was literally and quite suddenly tossed into the fray to sink or swim.
*She started slow and it took quite some time for her to build momentum, necessary time that, through initial poor management was not afforded her.
*And finally, what's the old proverb? Ah yes, "Better the devil you know, than the one you do not" Many might absolutely hate Trump's guts, but they surely know what they're be getting.
This certainly is a simplistic pondering on my part of a hugely complex issue, but I do believe it strikes at and gets to the heart of the whole situation. Frankly, I did vote but admit I didn't want to give my vote to either of them.
I don't think it's 'simplistic' at all, I'm sure you're right. Let's all hope he behaves himself, and does good for the USA, rather than bring it down.
DeleteI'm with Lady M: Shocked. However we will survive and carry on. I'm reminded often (especially now) of H.L. Mencken's quote: 'No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.' Gotta go now. I'm busy digging my escape tunnel in the back yard!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but I always imagined he'd win. I suppose it dates back to when it was a Biden/Trump fight. I couldn't see Biden winning.
DeleteI agree with Camille and think it was also Trump’s ability to mirror the anger of many Americans. Many people vote on emotions - look at the Brexit vote. People voted to «get their country back” and had no idea what they were voting for.
ReplyDeleteTrump is talking about letting RFK near health! A man who spreads all sorts of nonsense about vacinations.
Politicians always say what the electorate want to hear, but this usually has nothing to do with what they later do. Just look at our new lot in the UK.
DeleteHmmm let’s look at the previous lot shall we?
DeleteHow many hospitals would be built?
Northern Powershhouse rail between Leeds and Manchester
Energy cap
build 300,000 homes a year
The list goes on and on.
Exactly. They simply say what they think we want to hear.
DeleteI'm so embarrassed for our country...
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're alone. Grit your teeth!
DeleteAt least it should be better for the boys holiday. No riots etc.
ReplyDeleteThey WhatsApped me yesterday from inside the Guggenheim. They're having a great time.
DeleteFour years of DT will be a rollercoaster.
ReplyDeleteLike Lady M. I did not think 50+ percent of American people could vote for a criminal. It is what it is. Four years will fly by and we must work to replace DT.
He might even be replaced before his four years are up!!!
Delete