My blogs on the 2016 American presidential election have been anti-Trump for long. Early 2015, my blogs were still positive on The Donald. I doubt I have ever written a pro-Clinton blog. I have never voted for a left party in any election in my entire life and doubt it will ever happen. In principle, I would probably be a Republican if I would live in the USA.
There’s a huge problem though.
It’s quite rare to hear or read about a reasonable and sensible Republican. Most Republicans seem extreme believers: they deny climate change and evolution (Science), they believe in creationism (Religion, Science), they believe that greed is good (Money), they believe in White Supremacy (Philosophy), they believe in their Truths (e.g., birtherism, conspiracies), and they call Democrats left-wing liberals but admire the Russian President and his authoritarian kleptocracy (Politics).
There are some other candidates, like Gary “Aleppo” Johnson, Evan McMullin, and Jill Stein. Their media coverage has been quite low and probably for a good reason, according to comedian John Oliver in his HBO show Last Week Tonight. This show scrutinised several other candidates and came up with a hilarious video. Evan McMullin’s campaign was fully ignored though.
The perceived weirdness of Republicans is probably the main reason why most Europeans have always supported the Democrats. From a European view, the alternatives are not realistic, ridiculous or even frightening. This really makes me wonder: What’s wrong with America??
I could blame the American media and its fear-driven sensationalism. These media can however only thrive once there is a willing recipient. To some extent, it’s a chicken-and-egg situation between American media and its audience. You can always switch channel as there are plenty of them. In my view, Fox News and its audience are a clear example of symbiosis.
Donald Trump has finally removed the facade of moral decency within the Republican Party. For decades, it appealed to a majority of (white male) voters during many former American presidential elections (e.g., Nixon, Ford, Reagan, GHW Bush, GW Bush). Despite Trump’s continuous lies, he still has the support of some 40% of American voters. What’s wrong with the GOP??
Back in 2015, I once predicted that Donald Trump would cause the Republican Party to split into 2 parties: an extreme nationalist party and a conservative libertarian party. I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar will happen in the Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein might create a new and successful Green-Left party, left of the Democrats.
Coalition governments may become the future American reality. This may bring back some moral decency in American politics. It would prevent people like Trump saying: “I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election — if I win,” (eg, CNN, NYT). In 1887, Lord Acton wrote these famous words: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”
In less than 3 weeks it’s finally over. Before and after, things might get physical.
Olivia Newton-John – Physical (1981) – artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Let’s get physical, physical
I wanna get physical
Let’s get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
I’ve been patient, I’ve been good
Tried to keep my hands on the table
It’s gettin’ hard this holdin’ back
If you know what I mean
Note: this song is a female wink to The Donald’s version of let’s get physical
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