Well, Trump has done it. POTUS. Against all odds. Against all predictions. It proves that the American Political Establishment, as well as the hapless and hopeless pollsters, are as out of touch with their populace as the Brit equivalents were with Brexit.
There are far too many ordinary people who are not having a good life. Who want change. Who need change. They want something to look forward to. Some belief that any aspiration will, even in a remote way, stand a slim chance of coming true. I am not talking about ambitions that are out of this world. A simple notion that they may, just may, have a chance of a job even, or a small degree of security or help if they fall ill. Just something to look forward to at some time in their, or their children’s, future. No matter how distant. When you see nothing ahead, no future, it’s depressing.
It seems no use for the leaders of the country, any country, ignoring the views of the people these days. The times – they seem to be changing. Was this presidential race, and Britain’s referendum, our Western way of showing “Arab Spring” like dissatisfaction?
I have always believed that once a politician has been elected, then that is it. They have made it. They have their snout in the trough. And it is a deep trough and the place at it is to be retained at all costs. This is over dramatic and exaggerated I know. But, my basic assertion is that none in governance are truly looking out for his/her fellow man, only themselves. At least after the first instance of entering “public service”. That cynical opinion appears to be coming a more accepted way of thinking.
I may be a cynic. True. But there is nothing wrong with cynicism. If this distrust then appears to be backed up by the antics of our “leaders”, perhaps it becomes something other than cynicism.
Long may cynicism reign I say, it is healthy.
But back to Trump. I thought, when I first heard him firing off some months back, that it couldn’t possibly last. That people would see through him. Write him off as a nut-job showman promoting his tv show. His outrageous policies – the building of the Mexican wall, banning Muslims from the US, the other ludicrous utterances, would all mark him down as a joke to be tolerated then ignored.
But, he has done it. He has bloody done it! How exactly is no longer a mystery. A lot of things have come together to give him victory.
Reason One, as I’ve suggested, he has tapped into the great unrest of the people generally, then said and promised, exactly what they wanted to hear. Distasteful though some of it was. Two, he was up against an opponent who was apparently despised and distrusted almost universally across the various classes of American voters. Three, he did not give up. He went on no matter. Every time he put his foot in it, he carried on. Each further accusation of some terrible wrongdoing, he ignored. He just carried on. “This is me” he seemed to be saying. “Whether you like me, or hate me, this is me. I am being honest.” So yes, many, perhaps most, did not like him and his attitude(s) but they seemed to believe him no matter what wrongs committed. “I may be flawed, I am sorry for that – but I’m honest” was his mantra. Unlike his opposite number who was saying “I’m honest and the best for the job by far” and no-one believed her.
Trump, if nothing else, showed us not to give up. To go for it. An attitude of “ride over all that they can throw in your way”. Show supreme confidence at all times. Believe that you are right above all else. Nothing, but nothing they do is insurmountable. No “false” mud thrown will ever stick. Just let it dry and brush it off.
I wonder what would have happened if our own version of Trump, Boris Johnson, had shown exactly that attitude. He was, apparently, “backstabbed” and meekly stood down from the race to be Prime Minister. Obviously there was far more to it than just that. But, what if he had shown the same resistance as Trump. The same doggedness and resilience to achieve. If Johnson had just carried on. Ignored all. Showed supreme Trump type confidence that he was the one and only. That no other was comparable for the job. That he was right, always right and the only possible option. Would he have made it?
I’m glad he didn’t of course. Of all our “leaders”, I believe him to be the most potentially corrupting or damaging. In my mind he is the one of a bad pack whose head sticks out above the others – but only just.
Well, good on Trump is all I can say now. The whole Presidential race debacle has little to do with me. It will have an outcome of course as we, like most of the world, are all affected by the USA in some way. Britain especially has always hung on to the coat tails of America. When America gets a cold, Britain sneezes is the old saying. My own version of “When America farts we shit ourselves” sometimes seems more appropriate.
There is nothing that can be done now. We must wait and see what sort of President this man Trump turns out to be. I am sure there will be no Mexican wall. I am sure no Muslims will be thrown out. I do not fear his finger on the nuclear button. At least no more than I have feared Putin, Kim Song-un or Iran.
It is what it is. Let America wipe its nose and get on with it.
We Brits should show them how with Brexit.