clinton v trump

Both obnoxious in their own way. Heaven help America.

I have been speaking to relatives in the States this afternoon and asked how it could be that out of such a vast population, a candidate such as Donald Trump could be the Republican candidate? To my British eyes he looks sadly lacking on many levels.

I was told that DT is popular with several segments of the population, not least (which seems incredible to me) young men in the 18-29 age group. There are apparently many of these who have little education, no job or poor job prospects but who dream of being wealthy as DT has promised them full employment and a wonderful future.

Away from major conurbations, there is a strong red-neck bias with people apparently liking the forceful way that DT puts forward his arguments. These, aligned with the religious population who often vote Republican mean that there is (according to my family although but I feverntly hope they're wrong!) a strong chance that DT will be elected.

Donald Trump appears inherently unstable in my eyes and although Hilary Clinton is not perfect, she seems the better candidate.

Yes!!!!! I Think

WW there is a "confucius he say" quote about ignorance and ignorance of that ignorance.

"He who knows, and knows he knows, he is a sage, seek him.
He who knows and knows not he knows, he is asleep, wake him.
He who knows not, and knows he knows not, he is a child, teach him.
He who knows not, and knows not he knows not, he is a fool, shun him."

Trump is one who knows not, and knows not he knows not.

Thanks to you American ladies for adding so much.It reminded me of a short video that I saw on an American forum,showing how his fans are so unquestioning:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MubunsD-7g

Just reading about the Dunning-Kruger effect .

It describes the cognitive bias whereby incompetent people are so incompetent that they don't realise how incompetent they are.

The most obvious case the article goes on to sugggest is the " proto-fascist misogynistic running for president of USA. It's not simply that he wouldn't know how to govern, but that he doesn't know he wouldn't know"

"The British politicians are another example where " they are so breezily confident they could handle the result of a Brexit referendum - from Cameron to Gove and Johnson to May. I would add I was always of the opinion that Osborne and Cameron fitted that description exactly when in government.

It can be liberating to realise that politicians are winging it all the time. They all suffer self doubt except those who fit the above description.
So there is a vast difference between those who realise that they are winging it and those that don't.

The politicians of our DUnning-Kruger era act like teenagers, entirely certain they know everything, precisely because they don't.

Rinouchka, I wasn't thinking of Hilary supporters or any supporters , this is why a said assassination not murdered

Anniebach: I don't think Hillary supporters would assassinate Trump. It is not in their genre. Rather, the risk of Hillary being a target, were the results to go in her favour, now there is a scary scenario.

Lewlew and Willa45, you didn't attend PS5 in NYC with me, did you? I feel I know you!

Yes, it is great to have access to Gransnet, although it is rare for me to have time to read all contributions, most of which are often wise, always interesting, even when in opposition. Hurrah for free speech!

Yesterday's FBI announcement filled me with dread. Waiting for final clarification. In the meantime, beware what you write in emails...and who uses your email server.....

Sadly that is a very real risk. Can't stand the fellow, but "democracy" by the gun is not what we want from a super-power.

The thought of Putin + Trump is scary beyond belief.

I think if Trump did become president he will be given the same treatment as JFK , bang

Fascinating though very scary comments.

The gun lobbyists are at work

Why a lot of people will vote for Trump while doubting his qualifications? They mistakenly think the Republican party will rein him in. NOT. He insulted everyone in the party's central group of influence. Called all his fellow candidates liars all the time. Haven't seen anyone near him with a barge pole now except Juliani and his running mate, Pence...who seems ambivalent about him as well!

Also, without any reservations or restrictions...

He's pro gun
He's pro gun
He's pro gun
He's pro gun
He's pro gun
He's pro gun
He's pro gun

and he's going to build a wall and make Mexico pay.

End of story!

I read a lot of Robert Ludlum's BOOKS (long before the movies). The Chancellor Manuscript was the story of the likely assassination of J Edgar Hoover. When I finished the novel, I was convinced he had been murdered by a select group of 'officials' to protect the public. Scary!

Anyways... I would think certain positions should not be political appointments, like the CIA, NSA and FBI directorships. They should be administered by a proper high ranking civil servant. (Not a Humphrey!!). This is how these things happen. And, the US Supreme Court, which is supposed to be impartial, has not been for half a century or more.

The system of Checks and Balances we were taught as school children does not exist among the Executive (Presidency), Legislature (Congress) or the Judicial (Supreme Court) which was created to prevent any one or more of them getting too much power.

Thanks all for listening and commenting... even if you disagree, it's good to question and debate. Sadly, that does not seem to be permitted among my family and friends in the US.

So it seems Trump is truly making America hate again... even his loss will leave a legacy of bad feelings for quite some time.

God help the US if he gets in. Hoping there are enough Republican voters who are willing to give up 4 years to the Democrats as an insurance policy. They have a better chance to regroup and come up with a better field of candidates next round than if Trump gets in. Him getting in now would likely hand the election back to the Democrats in 2020.

I am very grateful to be a British Citizen. For all the problems of living in a densely populated island nation, things seem to work out without roaring into civil war!

Loving Gransnet... am so glad I discovered it. Hope to see my DGD next week. She makes all my troubles seem trivial.

People who are not racists wouldn't vote for a racist , so trump supporters are racists in my opinion

Makes you reflect on all the conspiracy stories that suggested the CIA and the Unions were behind the assassination of JFK. No offence meant to anyone by the way.

I find it very scary that the FBI have chosen this moment to try and sink the Clinton campaign - in whose pocket are they?
Is there really any democracy in the US?

Lewlew, thanks to you and the other American posters here. it's great to have your views. My American friends living here have already voted for Hilary.

granny piper - I don't see how those well educated, normal, well balanced people you talk about could vote Trump. I also don't see how they can't all be racist as you suggest.

Morgana The FBI director, James Comey, is a Republican. Even Senator Cornyn (R-TX), the number two Republican in the Senate is wondering why this timing. Either he loves Trump or just is trying to save the Republican Party in a twisted way.

Even stranger... Comey was appointed by Obama! I wonder if he will have a job still under Hillary? What's the point in this timing except to do damage.

I still scratch my head over Guiliani's support of Trump...

So why are the F B I now pursuing hillary Clinton again re those e mails? I wonder why they want her to lose?

Lewlew, there is no hate from me, but plenty of others are willing to hate, i just think that although Trump is outspoken there are plenty of normal well adjusted, well educated people who will vote for him and THEY cant all be racist as some seem to think

Rinouchka
Such a wide number of Americans have been whipped into a frenzy by a man who sees himself as a winner and those who oppose him as losers. The sad thing is that, actually, he is not the least bit interested in them.

You got that absolutely spot on! He has no concept of public service, and never will have, full stop.

Thank you, Lewlew. You express my thoughts with clarity.

Grannypiper: I don't think any of the above posts from non-Trump supporting Americans suggest that all Trump supporters are racist. But the truth is that racism and xenophobia exist in the minds of a great many of his supporters. His thoughts mirror what they feel. Why they feel so hard done by is an important point, I agree. But is the answer to their problems to be found in the person of this rich, egocentric billionaire?

Such a wide number of Americans have been whipped into a frenzy by a man who sees himself as a winner and those who oppose him as losers. The sad thing is that, actually, he is not the least bit interested in them.

It is not differing opinions which is the problem here.

Well said, Willa