A new low

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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🙂

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The prospect of Trump getting back in frightens me. Not just because of the effect on the whole world, but also (selfishly) because I have family in the US. If Trump wins, they'll want to come back to the UK (which would be lovely!). However, DIL is a US citizen, and the new terms of the Spouse Visa are prohibitive. I hadn't even realised that she'd need a visa, being married to a Brit.

It's crazy that a British citizen can't bring their spouse into the UK without being able to prove an above-average income, and pay thousands in VISA application fees and to use the NHS. The minimum income requirement (introduced in 2012) is currently £18,600, but it's going up to £29,000 this spring, and then to £38,700. The government say it's so that the spouse isn't a burden on British taxpayers, but in any case the spouse can't claim benefits and has to pay to use the NHS! The policy is cruel and inhumane.

If anyone feels like signing the petition, I'd appreciate it.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/652602

Trump is a dangerous psychopath, I just don’t understand how women or black people vote for him as he is so obviously racist and misogynistic.
And I will never understand why his wife stays with him who could love that, and it can’t be for the money as he would have to pay her millions

And I know one,a good friend of mine! He absolutely worships the ground Trump walks on...we've had many a disagreement over him. My other really good friend detests him and she was embarrassed to be an American when he was President...A country of 2 opposing halves...😒😢

Anniel

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.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Only NATO forces could defeat Russia, nothing to do with Un Brexiting.Hopefully the threat of this will deter Putin, he’d be crazy to take on NATO countries when he can’t even end the war in Ukraine, but then maybe he really is crazy now.

Trump is an unhinged bully and not a well man. But I will say he is the best conman Americans have ever seen. He is dangerous.

Kamiso

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.

Just like the blue collar workers in the UK thought that the self serving, Eton educated liar Boris Johnson had their best interests at heart I guess.

Syracute

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.

He has rather a lot of money for a 'failure'.

Please don't misunderstand; I do not like, give credence to or on any way support Mr Trump.
But I do think he is right on this one point that NATO is effective only if all it's members pay their way and do their bit.

lixy

Didn't he want to take the US out of NATO when he was president? He has always had 'America first' and an isolationist attitude.

Last October he reportedly discussed the possibility of withdrawing the United States from NATO if he’s elected president again.

Throughout his Presidency he jumped in and out of various UN agencies. He suspended mainly but completely pulled out of he World Health Organization WHO, UN Human Rights Council UNHRC and UNESCO UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

We cannot let him and his brainwashed followers triumph again.

Whilst I agree with the sentiment totally, I don’t have any idea how we in the UK, could do anything to stop,it.

The only people that can keep Trump out of the White house are the Democrats. What on earth are they playing at considering putting Biden up for re-election? I always thought they made a big mistake first time round with Hillary Clinton. Are they really silly enough to do it again?

JaneD666

I have a great deal of sympathy with your family's predicament having walked that path myself when my son wanted to bring his wife to the UK. Part of the problem though I think lies with our equality laws which make no distinction between someone born here of English heritage and naturalised Britons. It seemed wrong to me that my son had difficulty bringing his wife to live in the only country he had ever known.

Putin has endorsed Biden! What are we to make of that?

Did he do it to make sure more people voted for Trump because they do what to be seen to be voting the way the Russians encourage or is it because he sees Biden as being more of a push-over and wants him in charge rather than the very unpredictable Trump?

Putin loves playing games.

Sad little man.