A new low

Keeper1

We got talking a few years ago now to some young Americans in Jamaica. They really had no idea an out the world outside of the US.

The thought that we had a monarchy but was a democracy

I met an American who asked me where I was from. When I said England she asked me "where is that" Other Americans have been astounded at that reply. They were people I met on my travels so they were more aware of the world. Non of them liked Trump. One even asked we wanted to swap him for Boris.

I do not like Trump and wish that USA had stronger candidates in both parties. To those of you who want to “Unbrexit” I wonder why you think other European Countries could meld into a unified military force to defend the continent with us? First of all these European allies have not been completely supporting NATO. However, the UK gives the largest amount of funds outside USA. It is only when Trump makes threats not to defend them that the Europeans have now put some money into NATO. Then how would such a unified EU force operate? It is not bragging to say our armed forces, given the right amount of govt funding, are the best in the world. Can you see France and Germany giving us command? UK Government has starved our armed forces ( not just the Tories) and we need to improve our efforts. However, I want to know how unbrexiting will improve our ability to defend modern Western Democracy against countries like Russia.

As an American, I completely agree with this.
You do have power. Trump messed up international trade by raising tariffs on China. That cost food and supplies for every country to increase because we are all connected through trade. If China has to pay more to export, then it raises prices and tariffs to every country it deals with. Those countries then have to raise prices and increase tariffs to other countries to pay for what they need to import. It's a vicious circle and the people pay for it. You can start being vocal to your Ministers, your news outlets, and social media letting them know you will not tolerate another Trump global fiasco. Those officials will start voicing concerns--they have more push if they are speaking for their people. If US industry feel like Trump is threatening commerce even just running for office, they will push on the GOP legislators and not fund Trump. You have power--use it. Speak up. Organize petitions, write letters... rally the people. We need all the help we can get. Think about this too--it seems the bad leaders are being bold just at the idea that Trump might come back into power. They know he will call them great people and back them. Putin wants his puppet back so funding to Ukraine will stop and the Middle East is having a mean boy frat party. You think that is bad now, if Trump is in office, the Middle East will burn as surrounding countries take sides. Then it will be too late to put that genie back in the bottle. Everyone will suffer. Refugee influx will increase, prices will sky rocket, and acts of terrorism will increase. What happens in one place impacts us all--they are all connected. Speak up.

"Trump is totally unhinged and yet still has a huge cult following"

.....so what does that say about many Americans?

The blue collar workers in the USA have a lot of very real grievances but how they imagine a narcissist like trump will help them is beyond me! Politics seems to have thrown up some hideous people but Trump is way ahead of most. He makes me shudder just to look at him. His comments around covid should have been enough to have him banned from politics for life.

HousePlantQueen

Namsnanny

Do insurance companies pay out if your bill isnt paid? Do the RAC/AA turn up on a dark winter's night when you arnt a paid up member?
A bit simplistic but much the same.

BTW, I'm being lazy here, but does anyone (op maybe?) have clear proof of Trumps and Russia collusion?
I've lost touch with it all.

www.chathamhouse.org/2024/02/putins-carlson-interview-shows-links-between-trump-talk-and-russian-messaging

Thank you for taking the time to post that link HpQueen👍
Unfortunately the piece was only opinion and supposition.
I was hoping to find more conclusive facts.
Thanks anyway🙂

On a train, I've been chatting with a naval rating. ( I assume - though they ate all super-skilled).
Just back from the Falklands, he has 2 days leave before embarking to the Red Sea. He reckons there will be a world war before long.

Goldieoldie15

And a lot of people still refuse to recognise that Russia helped to “get Brexit done”. And look how it benefitted from it.

Can you point to the evidence for Russia's involvement in Brexit, Goldie?

It seems strange that the Democrats stayed with Biden. There must be other viable candidates in the party, surely?
As for Trump, it's baffling (to us in the UK) how his popularity increases with every outrageous thing he does. At least our parliament got rid of Johnson, another amoral figure, though still a hero to some.
The geopolitical situation is so worrying and neither candidate gives confidence,though for different reasons.

I think he is a megalomaniac who is unstable
I can’t believe in the whole of America they have the candidates they do.

I feel it is tricky to comment on US politics. Biden's memory failings are worryingly dangerous ; Trump is unpredictable. Biden seems to be anti-British ; Trump more pro-British. In fact his unpredictability could be a plus sign in his favour as even Putin wouldn't be able to put him in a "box" and be sure what he is going to do next.

Whitewavemark2

If fraud, lying, cheating and failing to pay your taxes together with 5-6 of your businesses filing for bankruptcy make you a good businessman - then Trump is excellent.😄

He pretends well at being a good businessman. Maybe that's what I meant?! Haha. But only having the choice between him and Biden would terrifying me!!

I find the thought of Trump being re-elected quite frightening, as I do of Biden serving another term. However, I also feel worried that most of my American friends are looking to Trump being the American 'saviour' in a 'second coming'!!

That is just your own opinion. Not a fact.

Unless a more plausible democrat stands for election in place of Biden then it's completely possible that Trump will be the next president, a dire situation for the world.
What I find truly frightening is that US friends who are well educated who I have always thought of as sensible, level headed people are Trump supporters apparently because they think he is great for the US economy and will always put the US first

If we take this another way, what right does a country have to protection from NATO if it deliberately runs down it's defense capability and relies on others to pick up the slack? Trump has a horrible way of putting things but he may have a point if NATO members aren't pulling their weight. Don't get me wrong this is a horrible and unhinged person who is stirring up as much anger and hatred as possible to fuel his campaign, probably someone who is already rather too closely allied to Russia for comfort. Looks as if he's trying to break any 'special relationship' America has had with the UK or Europe in the past - he's very clear on that.... 'America first'! Our UK armed forces and general readiness for conflict aren't in a good place, looking like we're even losing the ability to make steel now - definitely not in a good place to respond if there is a war.

She has also been a good businesswoman.

I thought they were trying to get Michelle Obama to run for presidency? Would be a winner probably, as her husband was so popular- and as a coloured lady president would be a great big 'first'.Might be time for a huge change America.🤔

lixy

Yes, as a business man he has a good point about members paying their way. However the rhetoric about inviting Russia to invade was crass to say the least.

(Now I'm worried - I've agreed with both Trump and Michael Gove in the space of a couple of days; must be something in the water!)

Trump is a FAILED businessman. He has only been successful in acquiring more debt with his businesses and then declaring bankruptcy. Don’t give him credit fot none deserved.

I’m afraid !
I don’t know where this world is going with its insane leaders!
Nowhere is safe! Not one country has a decent leader or government!
Lessons from all wars, millions dead have definitely not been learnt!
Afraid very afraid 😢

The trouble is that many NATO members do not pay their dues. The UK does pay its fair share. Perhaps in peace time it hasn’t seemed necessary to some of the others. It must seem to the USA that many countries just expect them to come to their rescue. This is hardly fair - On the other hand, the USA has often rushed in where ‘angels fear to tread’ I don’t like Trump at all - but Europe should contribute properly.

And a lot of people still refuse to recognise that Russia helped to “get Brexit done”. And look how it benefitted from it.

I think Putin has scared many countries into paying their 2% at least, not the orange man - he just haunts our worst nightmares

recent radio4 prog talked about the danger of a civil war in the usa, far fetched? if trump gets in most likely. the world at the moment is more volatile than it has been in living memory.

It's frightening isn't it Amalegra and all we can do is watch.