Trump as US president might be useful

A very interesting article thatbags and thank you for sharing it. It makes me feel less scared about the possibility of a Trump presidency. Also a good insight from rhinestone about the truth of business interfering in education, maybe should be passed on to Ms Morgan.

WelshwifeI will private message you.

Well we have our challenges Jinglbellstocks. The Republican Party did everything they can to stop any legislation Obama wanted. They were disgusting from his first speech where they laughed and snickered at him. Like many things today where is the respect for your president. You don't have to agree with him.
Trumps ego is bigger than ever. I think if Sanders were to win those that don't like Hillary would vote for him. And all these super delete votes make me mad too. We need some real reform.

a not e

I think the horrer of the threat from Islamist fundementalists is bringing out a lot of racial hatred in the American people. I'm not sure you can blame them tbh.

The article makes it sound as if the presidential role in the US is practically worthless. Perhaps it is. Obama had enough trouble getting his "Obamacare" through Congress. The writer seems to think that he couldn't do much harm in four years in office. Hmm. Wouldn't bank on that. And I doubt if the results would do much to bring the American population to its senses.

I heard on tyhe Today programme that Bernie Sanders is still not completely out of the race.

B re. Your comment 09.45.59.

Zumba has freed my brain! I see what you mean about hoping for a good outcome & humanity.
You took a further leap than me.

That is very interesting Rhinestone . Which State is that with the schools? My son lives in USA - Michigan - and I have two GS at school there - the three schools - elementary, college and high, are fortunately nothing like you describe. One is in High school - two more years to go but is doing very well and has Varsity(?) badges - not sure here of all the terminology as a bit different to us - he has been in the honours system since he was old enough. The younger one has one more year at the elementary school. They did choose the area to live because of the schools.
He was saying to me last evening exactly what has been said here about Trump, Hilary and Bernie.

I have an American friend who is normally left of centre, yet she is supporting Trump!! Although we have discussed it, but not at great length as politics is not one of few strengths, my impression is she just doesn't want Clinton - what a choice for the American people!

Obeione You would not believe the times in my over 39 year career that I had to spend my own money in supplies. Add to that the fact I had to bring my own fan to my class because the only people who had air conditioning was the administrators. What really bugged me were the business people who were brought in to make decisions. They weren't going to root for the child. They rooted for the budget to be lower. When the school roof needed repairing they took bids for the work. Of course the least expensive won and that didn't mean quality. So I don't want a businessman for my president. I don't want one who will cut taxes on the backs of those who need it most. I may live in a dream world but I want one for the real people who work hard everyday of their lives. One who will do the right thing for the people and not worry about returning favors for the corporations who gave to their campaign. Donald just likes to brag about himself as evidenced by his speeches . We don't need the rioting that his campaign has evoked. We need people coming together not being ripped apart like his big foul mouth has done. I hope someday we get that.

Even the authors say:

“What we’ve written constitutes the only reasonable case for supporting Trump, and it’s weak.”

I think the reason the article was rejected by so many newspapers etc is exactly that - it IS a weak argument. And written in a rather dull way which is unsuited to most press ... and it also uses too many superlatives.

Thanks for pointing me to it anyway. There are some other articles on the Quillette site, such as the review of The Power of Passion and Perseverance and the article on protectionism which are worth a read. I hadn't seen this site before. Interesting.

Interesting what you say about schools Rhinestone. I didnt know that. It explains a lot.
I knew about the rest of your post.

Since I am an American I will tell you that we will be in deep trouble if Trump is elected. One of the reasons our educational system is a mess is that we now have business people involved in making decisions for educators. Having been a teacher I see that the money has not gone to the schools as it should. Imagine in this day and age teaching a class with no books for each student to take home. Imagine having to buy your own supplies. Imagine working in conditions that are unsanitary . Yes these are what the teachers have to endure and more. If Trump gets elected I would have to think about moving to Canada. He is vile in his talk about women and minorities. He talks impulsively and doesn't think. Our political system is outdated with our electoral college. You can win the popular vote yet not get the states vote. Each state is given electoral votes based on the population of that state. It's not a one vote one person election. Millions of dollars are spent on campaigning with no cap on monies spent. Usually big corporations give their money to back the candidates. So it's really the wealthy who run the country . ( you contribute to my campaign and I will do favors for you) Did you know Trump gave to Hillary Clintons last campaign? Bernie Sanders is standing up for the average person.( He actually got arrested in college for protesting for civil rights for all people. ) What took our country down in 2008 was the greed of the big corporations of which there was very little punishment. People are sick of that 1 or 2 per cent having it all and being able to be in the pocket of the politicians. There is a lot of controversy about Hillary also. The campaigning for a year is tiring and what is promised is not always given.

The white working class feel they have been left behind and so will vote Trump. It is a pity that Sanders could not get the nomination over Hilary. My American contacts do not like her any more than Trump. She is seen as 'old' and 'establishment' with too much baggage. Also, she isn't a very nice person or very likeable. Sanders would sweep the board. Americans will vote for Trump because he is seen as living the American Dream and they really believe he can 'make America great again'. Sanders would sweep the board if he got the Democratic nomination. Trump will be a dangerous President but a President's powers are constrained by Congress and the Senate so maybe the world will survive.

I guess I'm looking beyond the stirring up to a good outcome. I have to believe in that or I'd give up on humanity!!

Are not the aims the same though? To stir up, to agitate, to shake the American political system into some kind of new order. The outcomes might be different though.

Enjoying the discussion, but have to fly off now ....

Interesting viewpoint, finn. I'm not sure I agree that they are starting from the same point though, and definitely not that they have the same aims in view. Trump comes across to me as destructive; I think the authors are putting forward a constructive idea via what seems just at the moment to be an actually possible, very negative scenario.

Some of us are larks; some of us are owls. I don't give a fuck whether you read the article, jings, darling. Mwah.

It'd be lovely if you contributed something insightful, or even just 'ponderful', about the subject under discussion to the thread though.

I get the point of the article in that it aims to challenge political thought, but I think that is exactly what Trump is doing, in his own dangerous way. Both Trump and the article are singing from the same hymn sheet.

I might read it if it rains next week.

Me? Trivialise Donald Trump? Never!!!

I might be able to force my brain to read the article at my prime time of 11o'oclock tonight. I might report back.

Quillette is a new magazine for freethinkers, jings. If reading it makes me odd then odd I am. Stop trivialising, please.

I am not sure everybody got the point of the article - at least I think I got it

What on earth is Quillette, and why would anyone be reading it at 7 o'clock in the morning? #Gransnetsoddcharacters

The authors agree, after all, that "there is no good case for Trump [as US president]".