Well, the US is making the most important decision since, well, the last one.
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| Divisive Politics Now The US Norm? |
Yes, it's US Presidential Election day.
This time, it feels like it's a decision that could affect more than just the USA, with the futures of NATO, the Middle East, Iran, North Korea, China, and of course the Ukraine, all affected by whomever wins the US Presidency.I suspect that we all know what the policies and directions will be under each of the two candidates, and that most of us outside the USA think that it's a choice between instability or stability, irrational or rational, unconsidered or considered decision making. But inside the USA, it apparently appears very differently, and so, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks, the battle is very tight and could easily swing one way or the other for either candidate.
It's even possible that one candidate may refuse to accept defeat, and either challenge the result in the courts or even call for "popular rejection/protests" (aka insurrection). If this happens then democracy in the US could even breakdown and demagogue politics take control.
So the world watches with its breath held .... we shall know by tomorrow the likely fate of many unanswered questions.
An electoral journalist on the UK has just been on the radio and said his gut feeling is that Trump will win.
ReplyDeleteHe said two issues: China trade and tariffs (he cited the Chinese building car plants in Mexico, then exporting the cars to US rather than building the plants in US, and for example he will put 100% tariffs on cars built outside the US by Chinese firms).
And Mass immigration: Trump is promising mass deportations to regain US border control.
He felt these issues had a lot of traction and Harris had offered no alternatives to Trumps stated policies.
While he said Harris has given no real policy answers to any issue except more of the same, and has been vapid and lightweight.
Firstly, thanks for the comment.
DeleteI agree that immigration is a big issue as it was for the previous two Presidential elections, but I hadn't thought that China /Tariffs was playing large and I'm surprised abortion wasn't in the top two mentioned. Similarly gun control considering the spree shootings have continued across the country affecting children from all sides of the political divide/chasm that has opened up in the USA.
It appears from the earliest projections here that Trump is going to win. Harris won't be the 1st woman or 1st black woman to become President.
ReplyDeleteShe wasn't the right woman in the 1st place because she wasn't a strong candidate and had been picked for color and race as a VP running mate, not to be a Presidential candidate.
Hi Shirley (North Carolina?) .... well by the time I got to a PC to reply he'd won. I don't know which way you voted (as he won NC) but as the Chinese curse goes, we are going to 'live in interesting times.'
DeleteHe's virtually there already and popular vote as well. Where this leaves women's rights and the rule of lsw in the US as well as allies across the globe is anyone's guess. We are in for a turbulent 4 years and few are going to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHi .... well as mentioned to commentor above, by the time I got to a PC to reply he'd won. I don't know which way you voted either but I'll repeat that we are going to 'live in interesting times.'
DeleteThanks to both for the comments.