Thanks Nick for your thought provoking article. My self talk is to tell myself not to obsess about this election result as worry, fear and sadness won't make any difference so the only thought I want to express is how can someone who spreads dis & mis information, who is a convicted felon, who didn't peacefully transfer power or concede defeat when he lost in 2020, who attempts to bully opponents, who is friends with some very dubious world leaders end up as leader of the so called "free world" ?
A great question. I'd be really interested to hear from any Americans who could shed some light on why more than half the people who voted did so for this man.
I think "friends" is not what others think of him, I'm sure. They know how gullible he is to flattery so lay it on with a trowel while trying to glean as much information about how the US runs itself, protects itself and who are the most important people to cuddle up to. To be honest Jacqui, would you want a friend like him?? Why would anyone?? 🤔🤮
In the same way Moms for freedom work to ban LGBT and books about growing up as a member of a minority from US libraries. Freedom from woke, freedom from their fears I suppose.
This helped me a bit thanks to the avid reader in our family : "Umberto Eco was one of the greatest thinkers of our times and this is an excerpt from his essay on fascism. He was born in Mussolini’s Italy. He saw the system as being inherently unstable due to its complete lack of coherence. “It is at heart, a rejection of the Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, which it sees as the beginning of modern depravity - Fascism is therefore irrational. Thinking is emasculation and dissent is betrayal - The first call of the fascist is to create a fear of intruders - As the old proletarians become middle class, fascism will find a new audience among a new lumpen proletariat and anyone who feels excluded. It is therefore also racist and nationalist. - It is obsessed with conspiracies and this appeals to xenophobia. It scorns pacifism, science and expertise. It uses Newspeak to create a new reality, and seeks to control the judiciary, the media and the military. Socialism becomes a hate word and the elites to be despised are thinkers, scientists etc.
The outlook is terrifying .Trump can cut and burn at will. The environment already at risk will be further degraded, not to mention people who can't afford healthcare or housing; straight out of Ayn Rand's philosophy .
Trump played a blinder by appealing to the voters basest instincts, greed, fear, hatred. That playbook which is baldilux's and David Seealittle's bible
I do hope our left take the lesson on board - step up your game or it will be more of the same here.
We need to have strength to counteract the COC in NZ, at the moment all that seems to be coming out is murmurs and nothing concrete even though so much is clearly corrupt here.
It's unbelievably awful, Latino males voted for someone who is a threat to them because a woman wasn't acceptable? Nightmare.
Listening to the previous ambassador of the USA this morning he said the American people seem to be hell bent on voting against their own interests.Biden has brought down inflation & increased wages to where they have never been increased under Trump. They forget what a diabolical mess Trump made of COVID etc etc.
Yes Pauline that was an excellent interview and delivered in a measured and calm manner too. He pointed out something to the effect that Democrats assume that your average working man and woman are capable of figuring out for themselves when they are being lied to and manipulated. They are not and never have been. They listened to and believed Trump's lies. The same thing happened in NZ last year.
Until such a time as the Democrats and moderate parties everywhere learn to give it back on the same basis as the lying, cheating right wingers, they will remain in the wilderness. It doesn't mean they have to get down and dirty, but they have to counter all the lying repeatedly to get through to the multiple layers of dumb which unfortunately exist in all our populations. More importantly, they have to do it in a language these people understand!
For me Nick it is shocking yet quite understandable that the largest terrorist organisation in the world would elect a convicted felon to be the "boss". Now the reward and retribution phase starts as those "capo" who support the don grasp their rewards, Musk already has his election contribution repaid in the increase in his share price, while those for whom retribution await can be assured they will receive the worst of times. We in this little country of ours can but hope the worst case scenarios do not in fact play out. Maybe too close ties with the USA may need to be re-thought.
Damn! We all know the apology for a man, but Americans elected that person, so WHY has to be the dominating questions for the immediate future. It is too simple to think it is his personal appeal, he has none, so what to the Republicans want or expect? I wonder is it just the disruption as they so much distrust the "system" of politics. We have pretty much the same system here, was our last vote one for disruption? Or is it simply self interest vs people - community interest?
So disappointed. It seems like the average US voter has shown their true colours - they knew exactly what they were voting for this time. It will be a much bigger step back than last time. for human rights, and the climate, and the whole planet. Plus we have to see the Orange One in our news constantly. Sigh.
Stunned and I didn’t fully understand how people are hurting in USA and that they voted for a man who will not help them at all. This was a definite vote against the Democrats. Time will only tell what drastic measures Trump will install. He is old and senile and I believe he will be a puppet for the likes of Vance and co. As for Ukraine and Gaza conflicts it doesn’t look good with Trump in power.
Every time I'm in the USA to visit my son, I'm always struck by how conservative and religious Americans are. That still doesn't explain why they'd vote for Trump except the conservative and religious vote Republican. They'd swallow a rat to have the GOP in power. My daughter-in-law is mortified
I’ve been pondering the commentary on the shift of the working class to the right and their support for conservative parties as they feel the leftist parties have lost touch. The enigma for me is that the parties of the right have never been “ in touch” with the working classes and don't care about their interests. The left needs to think hard about this and how the right is controlling the narrative, even when the facts show that that narrative is untruthful.
I'm in the USA now (for work) and watching the pst election analysis by TV eporters it seems that Latino men voted for Trump because they don't feel comfortable having a woman in power. They also believe his lies that he will lift their standard of living. And Amercans want a male leader.
I am still stunned.........and you express my thoughts well. A couple of big hates for me....actually 3.
1. What a stupid acceptance speech by trump........its all about him, thats why he rambles, no boundaries about peoples time or interests. 2. The smug responses of the republican panel guys on CNN. 3. Seeing JonKey smiling and smug watching it unfold.
It was mindblowing.....but Harris/Walz was a class act. The rest will be history.
I can remember after trump was shot at in Butler, pre the RNC, he said he would be about healing the nation. We wondered about a new humble trump. Well that lasted about a week.
Now he talks of healing. Yeah right. Anyways, into the void we go.
Love Kamala Harris. Wish they had been harder and more principled on Israel's aggression and expansionism......but hey. Complex as from a political perspective. I was looking forward to a woman in charge. Thanks for the insights Nick. As always. Now to focus on Aotearoa shenanigans.
much as I am disgusted with myself for entertaining that solution...imagine the civil war that would follow if the blame is pinned to the left. what would have been gd is for him to have been convicted and sentenced early...is that Garland they talk of. I like that...orange roughy. I am coming to terms with it........just head down, butt up and get on with my dreams. America can look after their own, and sleep in the bed they ahve made for themselves.............well 50% of them. Harris was a pro and such a gifted woman in her concession speech. You could tell she had been thru the wringer...............I am trying to pull myself out of the inevitable downloading on it all........hindsight, such a wonderful thang.
Thanks Nick for your thought provoking article. My self talk is to tell myself not to obsess about this election result as worry, fear and sadness won't make any difference so the only thought I want to express is how can someone who spreads dis & mis information, who is a convicted felon, who didn't peacefully transfer power or concede defeat when he lost in 2020, who attempts to bully opponents, who is friends with some very dubious world leaders end up as leader of the so called "free world" ?
It isn't the free world any more!
An excellent question, which I also have asked myself!!
A great question. I'd be really interested to hear from any Americans who could shed some light on why more than half the people who voted did so for this man.
I think "friends" is not what others think of him, I'm sure. They know how gullible he is to flattery so lay it on with a trowel while trying to glean as much information about how the US runs itself, protects itself and who are the most important people to cuddle up to. To be honest Jacqui, would you want a friend like him?? Why would anyone?? 🤔🤮
In the same way Moms for freedom work to ban LGBT and books about growing up as a member of a minority from US libraries. Freedom from woke, freedom from their fears I suppose.
Overwhelming sadness! Democracy doesn’t work in this world if the rich and powerful can manipulate the minds and emotions of the masses
A mix of religious fervour and Musk's world. A toxic brew used for personal gain.
This helped me a bit thanks to the avid reader in our family : "Umberto Eco was one of the greatest thinkers of our times and this is an excerpt from his essay on fascism. He was born in Mussolini’s Italy. He saw the system as being inherently unstable due to its complete lack of coherence. “It is at heart, a rejection of the Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, which it sees as the beginning of modern depravity - Fascism is therefore irrational. Thinking is emasculation and dissent is betrayal - The first call of the fascist is to create a fear of intruders - As the old proletarians become middle class, fascism will find a new audience among a new lumpen proletariat and anyone who feels excluded. It is therefore also racist and nationalist. - It is obsessed with conspiracies and this appeals to xenophobia. It scorns pacifism, science and expertise. It uses Newspeak to create a new reality, and seeks to control the judiciary, the media and the military. Socialism becomes a hate word and the elites to be despised are thinkers, scientists etc.
Sounds, also, a little close to home...
Helpful, thank you Darien.
The outlook is terrifying .Trump can cut and burn at will. The environment already at risk will be further degraded, not to mention people who can't afford healthcare or housing; straight out of Ayn Rand's philosophy .
Trump played a blinder by appealing to the voters basest instincts, greed, fear, hatred. That playbook which is baldilux's and David Seealittle's bible
I do hope our left take the lesson on board - step up your game or it will be more of the same here.
We need to have strength to counteract the COC in NZ, at the moment all that seems to be coming out is murmurs and nothing concrete even though so much is clearly corrupt here.
It's unbelievably awful, Latino males voted for someone who is a threat to them because a woman wasn't acceptable? Nightmare.
Well said.
Listening to the previous ambassador of the USA this morning he said the American people seem to be hell bent on voting against their own interests.Biden has brought down inflation & increased wages to where they have never been increased under Trump. They forget what a diabolical mess Trump made of COVID etc etc.
Yes Pauline that was an excellent interview and delivered in a measured and calm manner too. He pointed out something to the effect that Democrats assume that your average working man and woman are capable of figuring out for themselves when they are being lied to and manipulated. They are not and never have been. They listened to and believed Trump's lies. The same thing happened in NZ last year.
Until such a time as the Democrats and moderate parties everywhere learn to give it back on the same basis as the lying, cheating right wingers, they will remain in the wilderness. It doesn't mean they have to get down and dirty, but they have to counter all the lying repeatedly to get through to the multiple layers of dumb which unfortunately exist in all our populations. More importantly, they have to do it in a language these people understand!
We are awake and the polls are moving our way now, plus the trolling has started, which shows they are worried.
Very well said Anne.
Thank you Geoff.
Like the multiple layers of dumb, as are the multiple layers of money ( and influence ).
For me Nick it is shocking yet quite understandable that the largest terrorist organisation in the world would elect a convicted felon to be the "boss". Now the reward and retribution phase starts as those "capo" who support the don grasp their rewards, Musk already has his election contribution repaid in the increase in his share price, while those for whom retribution await can be assured they will receive the worst of times. We in this little country of ours can but hope the worst case scenarios do not in fact play out. Maybe too close ties with the USA may need to be re-thought.
Damn! We all know the apology for a man, but Americans elected that person, so WHY has to be the dominating questions for the immediate future. It is too simple to think it is his personal appeal, he has none, so what to the Republicans want or expect? I wonder is it just the disruption as they so much distrust the "system" of politics. We have pretty much the same system here, was our last vote one for disruption? Or is it simply self interest vs people - community interest?
Self- interest I would think
I thought that also, but does that apply to about half on people in the US - also NZ it would seem?
So disappointed. It seems like the average US voter has shown their true colours - they knew exactly what they were voting for this time. It will be a much bigger step back than last time. for human rights, and the climate, and the whole planet. Plus we have to see the Orange One in our news constantly. Sigh.
Stunned and I didn’t fully understand how people are hurting in USA and that they voted for a man who will not help them at all. This was a definite vote against the Democrats. Time will only tell what drastic measures Trump will install. He is old and senile and I believe he will be a puppet for the likes of Vance and co. As for Ukraine and Gaza conflicts it doesn’t look good with Trump in power.
Every time I'm in the USA to visit my son, I'm always struck by how conservative and religious Americans are. That still doesn't explain why they'd vote for Trump except the conservative and religious vote Republican. They'd swallow a rat to have the GOP in power. My daughter-in-law is mortified
I’ve been pondering the commentary on the shift of the working class to the right and their support for conservative parties as they feel the leftist parties have lost touch. The enigma for me is that the parties of the right have never been “ in touch” with the working classes and don't care about their interests. The left needs to think hard about this and how the right is controlling the narrative, even when the facts show that that narrative is untruthful.
Poll out today Yay the Left!! No wonder they brought the Treaty Bill forward. Needed a distraction. Don't despair. Keep hope alive.
Unfortunately this result in US will embolden outrageousness in our COC, starting with this terrible Treaty Pinciples nonsense
Touché Sharron - see my reply to Pauline Arnold.
I'm in the USA now (for work) and watching the pst election analysis by TV eporters it seems that Latino men voted for Trump because they don't feel comfortable having a woman in power. They also believe his lies that he will lift their standard of living. And Amercans want a male leader.
yes, they aren't ready for a female leader, let alone one of colour.
sob.....
I am still stunned.........and you express my thoughts well. A couple of big hates for me....actually 3.
1. What a stupid acceptance speech by trump........its all about him, thats why he rambles, no boundaries about peoples time or interests. 2. The smug responses of the republican panel guys on CNN. 3. Seeing JonKey smiling and smug watching it unfold.
It was mindblowing.....but Harris/Walz was a class act. The rest will be history.
I can remember after trump was shot at in Butler, pre the RNC, he said he would be about healing the nation. We wondered about a new humble trump. Well that lasted about a week.
Now he talks of healing. Yeah right. Anyways, into the void we go.
Love Kamala Harris. Wish they had been harder and more principled on Israel's aggression and expansionism......but hey. Complex as from a political perspective. I was looking forward to a woman in charge. Thanks for the insights Nick. As always. Now to focus on Aotearoa shenanigans.
There is a while until they inaugurate the orange roughy , anything could happen, stroke, heart attack - a sniper that doesn't miss..........
much as I am disgusted with myself for entertaining that solution...imagine the civil war that would follow if the blame is pinned to the left. what would have been gd is for him to have been convicted and sentenced early...is that Garland they talk of. I like that...orange roughy. I am coming to terms with it........just head down, butt up and get on with my dreams. America can look after their own, and sleep in the bed they ahve made for themselves.............well 50% of them. Harris was a pro and such a gifted woman in her concession speech. You could tell she had been thru the wringer...............I am trying to pull myself out of the inevitable downloading on it all........hindsight, such a wonderful thang.
Giggled at your comment. I sense that all is not over yet. More to come, because the maths aren't mathing.
Bye bye America it was nice knowing you, Hello Gilead !!