Trump. How could all those people vote for him?
Ochone ochone (Gaelic lamentation)
The problem is that no-one knows what he will do as he has been so inconsistent throughout the campaign.
The only thing he has been consistent on is Nato - Putin is delighted. The Eastern Europeans are scared and Europe should be worried.
Only it wasn't the unemplyed, the poor and those standing in food queues who voted for Trump was it?
It was, mainly, white, on decent incomes, and many with degrees. Sounds like it was those who wanted to protect what they have against those who have nothing.
A different demograph from many who voted Brexit in tne UK.
This is white Americs speaking. Those who think 'Obama Care' is disgraceful.
Trump intends to cut off imports of steel, as an example, from China and revive the US steel industry. Very laudible, until you realise that China holds 68¢ of every dollar of the US national debt.
A friend who is uk born and lives in the States, is horrified by the two candidates put forward, there is a great dissatisfaction amongst the working classes and they didn't want more of the same, Hilary they saw as not interested in them just big business. So although Trump was a joke he offered a away out, a different way. My friend was not able to vote as she decided to keep her British Passport, she has a wonderful job and good standard of living, but wants to come back to theUK, but her husband and two sons want yo stay in America. I quess what they did, the American people was a kind of revolt against what they perceived as a corrupt system. When you are in food queues and have no prospect if ever getting work and no money to seek it, you clutch at a way out. This is what happens if you don't listen to the people and just write them off.
Just as the Brexit rhetoric encourages xenophobia, and fascistic behaviour, so Trump rhetoric is doing the same.
Interesting as the question is as to who voted for Trump and why, I think it is also important to try to establish what he stands for. Difficult. But we do know that he has consistently said he sees,no point in Nato, that Europe should sort it's own defence out. He has no interest in Europe as far as I can see. Perhaps it is now important to give consideration to a European army.
This may be imperative as Trump is an admirer of Putin and his authoritarian leadership.
It seems the post war democratic liberal settlement is under threat.
MaizieD Surely not only how he intends to "make the country great again" but what he means by "great" and even by "again". I am troubled by what I suspect is meant by "great" in this context.
The Democrats should have been brave and stood behind Sanders - he also disliked the hierarchy and wanted policies that benefited ordinary people but that was where the resemblance to Trump ended.
How terrifying that a man whose win is being celebrated by the Ku Klux Klan and dozens more far right racist groups is now the President of America.
I think there is a political hierarchy in the US and here that has little connection with the average person in the street. Whilst they may be "elite" and self-serving, I don't think they are necessarily "liberal". The real power seems to lie elsewhere - not with politicians but with lobbyists for major corporations, and Obama never really had the power to make substantial changes - even Obamacare was fiercely resisted and nearly brought the country to a halt.
According to my sister, who's lived in the US for over 40 years, is a staunch Democrat and follows politics closely, it was well on the cards. She blames the Democratic Party hierarchy, who would have Hillary knowing very well that she was unpopular, and was perceived to be (and was) in bed with big business, Wall Street, the fossil imdustry, the Neocons, etc. She thinks it ludicrous that they are now blaming it on misogyny and calling her a victim because of her sex, when she's a hugely wealthy and powerful woman.
Says also that if they'd picked Bernie Sanders (her own choice) they'd have won.
She didn't vote for Hillary, but for a 3rd party candidate, since Hillary was safe in her state (Mass) anyway.
She says it was pretty obvious that vast swathes of the disenchanted who've been left behind would send a great big f* k off to the liberal elites on both coasts.
Shades of Brexit indeed.
Mrsmopp - That was always a great line! In the early 60s I grew to love musical theatre!! Did anyone else see 'King Kong' Bigger than Capetown?
Well, we do indeed live in 'interesting times'!
Peaseblossom -
'them', 'our own'??
Should you be able to examine the DNA of the people you encounter tomorrow you might find some surprising results.
I'm being well looked after overnight by Filipinas. They recognise their president's shortcomings but also his strengths.
Cardiff.Jsguar, you gave your opinion on religion so joined you an exchange of posts on religion
Washerwoman That's exactly the words that Irvine Welsh used: "the patronising liberal elite"
Stop the World!! I want to get off........
Anniebach: the OP does not make ANY reference to religion. Only those who have introduced it are responsible. It is they who should have a separate thread if they think it matters to them.
I can't help feeling that it's only worth voting against something if you've got a viable option to replace it.
'Making the country great again' doesn't quite do it. It's not only how are you going to achieve this but also, is it do-able?
Indications are that it isn't...
Jalima: Have you heard the man speak? Has he had any input? Whatever he is that does not have any impact on this thread.
Exactly Ana thank you.And Deeda I'm far from happy about Trumps election but with the kind of attitude that still pervades and presumes to tell people why they voted the way they did either here or on the US no wonder there's been a kick back.On the plus side was good to hear a more understanding view of why Trump got the votes from Bonnie Green on the radio today.
I don't think that's what was meant, Deeda. People didn't vote just to 'make a point' but for many other reasons, as Washerwoman says.
I wasn't being sarcastic willsmadnan. You complained about people talking about Trump rather than the Croydon tragedy, you could have complained about people talking about anything ( e.g. Christmas) rather than the Croydon tragedy couldn't you? I wasn't sure why you were cross with people discussingTrump,instead of Croydon. Didn't seem to equate.
I'm all for a protest vote and I've happily done things just to make a point, but there are times when it's all just too important to mess about.
Well Petra just watched the BBC programme Who is in the White House which ended with Fiona Bruce interviewing Jonathan Freedland from the Guardian and asking him to compare why America voted for trump with our Brexit .Comparing Trump voters and Leave voters as being like a dog responding to a whistle in that it's a call back to a less diverse society.There's a whole myriad of reasons why people voted for Trump,as voted for Brexit.And Irvine Welsh has probably got it right it's a vote against something .Against the patronising Liberal elite maybe ?
It's interesting as it seems the poor voted for Clinton, this was a vote for white supremacy.
petra, old habits die hard!
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