Why do national populists attack their countries old and respected institutions?

merlotgran

maddyone

I agree Whitewave that America’s tendency to elect old people is an issue.
I heard yesterday that JFK’s son is considering putting himself up for election. Not sure how old he is, but I imagine about 60.

I’m confused. Didn’t he die in a plane crash?

Yes I think that’s right -so is he a nephew - he is certainly a relative

eazybee

Nigel Farage is not 'attacking elitist banks', he is defending himself against untrue and unjust accusations, and in so doing has exposed malpractice of which many were unaware.

You must be joking.

Of course if Trump gets in next time, I suspect that the least of both Americas and the world’s worries will be his age.

Someone in their mid to late 50 s would be good.

MSM never show the umpt clips of Biden slipping upstairs, making baby's cry. Smelling hair. Falling Sleep in meetings. Walking the wrong way. Failing off stationary bicycle etc etc

I like the guy. I just think he's too old

I ·

maddyone

I agree Whitewave that America’s tendency to elect old people is an issue.
I heard yesterday that JFK’s son is considering putting himself up for election. Not sure how old he is, but I imagine about 60.

I’m confused. Didn’t he die in a plane crash?

I’m still impressed with Biden when I hear him speak. And he does seem to be trying to push through his political agenda as quickly as possible: maybe that’s an age thing. What I don’t understand in America is that the democrats try to help the poorer members of society who then support people like Trump. Probably because politicians like him persuade them that being helped in some way takes away their ability to be aspirational?

maddyone

Haha, well that’s not so good then is it? Maybe it’s a necessary qualification for running for the presidency. Trump is also mad, probably as mad as a box of frogs too.
I’m glad I don’t live in America, despite all the failings of the British system.

I’m glad I don’t live in America, despite all the failings of the British system

When you watch Trump, listen to his rhetoric, see his audience in their MAGA hats and T shirts (some with outrageous slogans) - our own current government (of which I am very critical) seem like an oasis of civilisation by comparison.

Casdon

It’s interesting maddyone, two of the greatest British PMs were the youngest ever and the oldest ever, with William Pitt younger and William Gladstone. I don’t think there is a right age, it’s about the person.

Yes that’s absolutely correct. But still feel age is an issue in American presidents.

Maybe retirement, like judges, at 75?
Probably still empty the HofC and definitely empty the HofL.
Perhaps better not get me started on the HofL. I definitely don’t agree with it. Second chamber yes, unelected no.

Well certainly 30+ seems a tad too young to me and I look a bit askance at someone in their early 40s - they need to serve a longer apprenticeship 🙂🙂.

I’m sure however my children would disagree with me and certainly my grandchildren who at 18 and 22 know everything about everything!!

It’s interesting maddyone, two of the greatest British PMs were the youngest ever and the oldest ever, with William Pitt younger and William Gladstone. I don’t think there is a right age, it’s about the person.

Perhaps retirement at 70? Mind you that would empty the HoL 😄😄😄.

Well maybe those who are PMs, President etc should go at 70 but those pontificating over legislation older?

Listening this morning, RS was saying that historically, our ex-PMs and ministers always went back to the benches and as a result there was a lot of heavyweight knowledge, but now ex-PMs etc just bugger off.

And conversely, when is young too young?

I agree that some age is an advantage because of experience gained through life, but the question is when is old too old?

Haha, well that’s not so good then is it? Maybe it’s a necessary qualification for running for the presidency. Trump is also mad, probably as mad as a box of frogs too.
I’m glad I don’t live in America, despite all the failings of the British system.

I read somewhere that he is as mad as a box of frogs😄😄 not sure if that is right.

60 seems a reasonable age, because I do think that where politics is concerned there is virtue in experience. I’m never happy to see very young leaders as I think they largely lack some qualities that you acquire as you age.

I agree Whitewave that America’s tendency to elect old people is an issue.
I heard yesterday that JFK’s son is considering putting himself up for election. Not sure how old he is, but I imagine about 60.

nanna8

Trump’s biggest ‘trump’ card is Biden of course. If they found someone more credible to lead the Democrats he wouldn’t have much of a chance. As it is, the situation could lead to a civil war . It is dangerous.

I was listening to a podcast and this subject was brought up.

Mitch MConnel - the Republican minority leader is 81, and this week he was giving a press conference, when he simply stopped mid sentence. Apparently the poor man simply stood there until his aids gently led him away.

I think that America’s tendency to elect pretty old presidents can be seen as a real issue. If Trump gets the nomination, then we will have two people who are 77 and 80 years old, and it seems to me that depending on such ancient folk is not necessarily the best thing.

However regarding Biden, from what I can understand, there is no one else who can defeat Trump, just as in the last election.
So the suggestion is that he will run again, because of that reason.

I do think that Biden is a pretty old 80 though, and of course we know that Trump has many health issues.

Trump’s biggest ‘trump’ card is Biden of course. If they found someone more credible to lead the Democrats he wouldn’t have much of a chance. As it is, the situation could lead to a civil war . It is dangerous.

There is a double spread article in the Observer today about Netanyahu.

Apparently military people are refusing to serve.

Also a good article by someone who took part in the protests, she is hoping that it won’t come to civil war.

I think that depends on the opposition to Netanyahu and how far he is willing to push it.

Dinahmo

eazybee

Nigel Farage is not 'attacking elitist banks', he is defending himself against untrue and unjust accusations, and in so doing has exposed malpractice of which many were unaware.

He didn't trouble to attack the banks when Muslim account holders found their accounts closed. don't think that anybody did.

Perhaps because it wasn't national news. Never heard of this myself.

I think someone has already mentioned Trumps familial relationship to Netanyahu, and Trump was more than willing to give Netanyahu his personal endorsement in order for Netanyahu to get re-elected. Trump went further, by turning his back on a long-standing US. Policy and moved the US embassy to Jerusalem - recognising Jerusalem as the Capital - a move that he knew would cause upset amongst the Palestinians, but delight Netanyahu, and one which the Americans had deliberately avoided.

And we are witnessing both men who at present under personal threat from the rule of law in their respective countries both attempting to turn this from the personal to a national tragedy.
Both men are in a fight to stay out of prison, and the best route both see which is in their best interests is power. Netanyahu is using his power cobbled together by working with the most extreme ultra-nationalists, who are racists ultra-Zionists and will never be willing to compromise over the Palestinian issue. So Netanyahu is willing to see the minorities like the LGBQT community under the biggest threat that they have ever experienced, together with other extremely unpopular moves in order to save his own skin.
Netanyahu is intent on staying out of prison, and for this he is willing to sacrifice his country to division, violence, hate and perhaps civil war.

A populist nationalist.

Well, the Capitol attack for starters…

Whitewavemark2

MayBee70

ie The populists make the electorate believe that they’re working for them. Who they are actually working for I really don’t know. And, the ultimate result, in some cases will result in dictatorships. Which, strangely enough is probably what a lot of people want in that they don’t then have to bother themselves with political issues.

Themselves and cronies, they are certainly not democratic whatever they say, and you will find almost without fail that in every case the population has been successfully divided rather than working for the good of the entire country.

Look at Israel. Look at the USA, look at the U.K. and in every case there is more violence and hate.

Where do you see hate Wwm2?