A bad day for the world

Didn't you just see this coming? What a terrifying prospect - not just the USA but Europe - here? A many horned beast of right wing fascists. There is no longer any place for the vulnerable or even those with values which don't centre on the me, me, me. I hope Donald remembers that his family were immigrants at one time.

I sometimes wonder, in one of my conspiracy theory moments if
1) Trump's nomination was "facilitated" because the Democrats realised Hillary's unpopularity posed some problems and thought a ludicrous opponent would guarantee her election
2) if it is all a put-up job anyway, as Trump and his missus certainly used to hob nob socially with the Clintons -BFF or so it seemed from the pics.
Cynical, moi?

There's some very interesting information here about who voted for Trump and Clinton. A majority of those earning less than $50000/year voted for Clinton. Immigration and terrorism were the most important issues for Trump supporters.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/08/us/politics/election-exit-polls.html

Most of us do not understand just how bad things are for the majority of Americans. They want change and that is what Trump has offered.

Remember Obama said change is coming but he abjectly failed to deliver. He allowed himself to get bogged down in the White House political machine and failed to win over Congress or the Senate. Now we must wait to see what Trump manages to do. He is a businessman first and foremost. Note his victory speech.

There is not going to be some huge upheaval. The world is not going to collapse. The American people have spoken and we have to accept that.

This from my daughter this am (she is much more eloquent than me)

I knew I didn't wanr to get up this morning, that awful feeling. The most depressing article I have read in along time. Thinking of my friends in Estonia, quaking at the thought of another bampot at their borders. Thinking of Marine Le Pen, rejoicing that a sociopath is now the president of USA. Farage no doubt shouting his big gob off too. May and cohort will no doubt grovel to the Trump altar for more of those free trade deals involving fracking, petrol dollars etc since there is no climate change, is there? Friends, i am depressed beyod words. We are reaping the fruit of rampant inequalities and demagogy of the supposed free press led by multimillionnaire barons who manipulate the vile mob instincts of a populace who have lost track of where the real enemy is, the deceitful rich and powerful, like Trump. I shall mourn in silence to-day the death of human decency.

Surely it's not all doom and gloom? This world is long overdue a shake up. The 'Establishment' has held sway over us all for far to long. As a long term trade unionist I say 'interesting times'

No shock, no surprise, just amusement at the look on the politicle elite faces when they realised that the peasants have revolted, again.

Oh yes I forgot - he is getting rid of the Environment Agency - of course there is no global warming according to Trump.

Thanks Granny23 your daughter just made me cry. Brilliant piece, I'm full of admiration but very

I blame reality TV. It's dumbed down people's brains!

petra the 'peasants' may have revolted unfortunately they have done so by electing Nero. He'll be watching whilst the US burns.

If that made you cry Trisher try this:

So it was a rough night. As my alarm woke me I was trying to convince myself it was just a nightmare I had in my sleep.
Then I came downstairs to find a post it from my daughter saying "I love you" on my desk and then she she showed me a flick book she made of a stick man diving. She is 7, she is clever, beautiful, fearless, full of dreams, creativity and ideas.
Any yet seeing her this morning stung my eyes with tears. Because this morning means that in the most powerful country in the world, it's now seen as OK to hate women, to put them down, to use and abuse them, to take away their rights to their own bodies, to think them less than men.
If every woman in the US had stood up for herself, had believed in herself and respected herself, this morning would be different. In fact if that were true, that man wouldn't even have been on the ballot.
But the fact is that when those undecided "swing" voters stood in a booth, they could manage to put aside reservations about a total lack of experience, about a man only interested in self promotion who has stirred up fear and hate against minorities, mocked the disabled, called bereaved service families terrorists, who wants to remove rights and healthcare and bully people for their religion. They could put all that aside, but they couldn't bring themselves to put a cross next to a well qualified woman, who wants to protect them, accused of everything, and convicted of nothing.
But my daughter is growing up in a world where truth no longer seems to matter as much as self interest and blame. Where dreams are crushed in favour of fear, where tribalism is more important than caring for each other. Where you would let others suffer, so you might keep a little more for yourself.
It's a world where it's OK to hate more than you love. To blame more than you understand.
My daughter said " I think the lady should have won."
So do I.

I'm so shocked and can't believe this happened. That man is an embarrassment. OH heard on the news that the websites about moving to Canada crashed last night. I'm not surprised.

Granny23- your daughter expressed so well how so many of us feel- thank you.

Homefarm as a trade Unionist you should be aware of how Trump treats his workers, poor wages, terrible conditions, no security ... Last time we were in USA was in the middle of Trump workers strikes in New Jersey and we talked to many of them about the dreadful conditions they worked under.

And 1000s more so for hispanics and blacks.

On the Mathew wright programme this morning a woman phoned in to inform us that the Peauto Ricans voted for Trump because they hated the Mexicans. How many more of the Hispanic community feel that way?
So it's not just the poor white racist morons, is it.

I take it you don't like Trump then :-)

To be honest if I was living in America I would have stayed away. There is not much to choose between them imo and if that is the best that the biggest, most powerful country in the world can do for candidates then it is a poor show. Surely there was someone better?

At least Mr Putin has sent a message of congratulation so I hope that will not mean that anyone has his/her finger on the button any time soon.

Maybe we will see a big bottom on the rock face instead of a face?

Another point to bear in mind Brexit was giving our opinions not voting for a world leader. Still very saddened for Americans. Not such a United States any longer.

Granny23- our 7 year old grand-daughter was very upset this morning too- she said to her mum 'but can't we veto him and have the nice lady instead' ...

I cry deep in my heart for our grandchildren- and even more so for the grandchildren of all the Muslim, black and hispanic grandparents in the USA - who truly fear for the future of their GCs in a way none of us can even begin to fathom.

Granny23- can you ask here if she minds if I shared (anonymous of course). x

I didn't think even the Americans were daft enough to vote HIM in!!
However US President doesn't have as much say in things as our PMs do so hopefully he will be checked from doing anything too radical.
DH worked in USA for years & it was explained to me at the time that they have 2 parties- one right wing & the other VERY right wing. All his ex colleagues are horrified by the prospect of Trump being elected this morning.
I rather doubt he will do any of the stupid things he suggested & will be kept in check. I sincerely hope so anyway.
I just wish they would shut up about it now. Radio 4 is impossible to listen to this morning. I'm not THAT interested to be honest but I would like to know if the people injured in the tram crash are OK!! Some hope.

Granny23, out of the mouths of babes! This man is no respecter of women or anyone else except himself it seems. He even let his own wife make a fool of herself by giving her the script of one of Mrs Obama's speeches to read out in front of the world. It will be interesting to see how long he is in post.

Was it ever a "United" States Rosie21 ? When was the UK last a "United" Kingdom?

Granny23 Thanks again. I'm going back to my research about suffragettes, a time when women had hope. Today is too awful.
Your DD is awesome.

Jaguar Obama had a great problem trying to get anything past the Senate and Congress as they both had a Republican majority and would not let him make the changes - it was surprising he eventually got the Health service changes through.

How sad that a man who lies through his teeth openly, proudly admits to groping women and dodging paying taxes for 18 years, denigrates women, blacks, immigrants etc etc can become the so-called Leader of the Free World. I'm sure his Scottish mother would have been very proud of him.
What happened to "give me ...your huddled masses yearning to be free" and "the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Only 250 years ago ALL white AND black Americans were immigrants. Obviously a new constitution and national anthem are coming too.