That feeling inside you right now, the one that makes you want to gouge out your eyes, rip out your innards, gag, vomit or just break down and weep uncontrollably - that feeling... is apparently what has made "America great again."I feel it too comrades. President Donald Trump. To quote King Theoden: "How did it come to this?"
Instead of doing a 'he is so awful' and 'she is so awful' piece - both are truly awful btw - I thought I would try to understand why this happened, be introspective, and see where we can move forward and learn from this.
Before I do that, I must say, one, that they should abolish the electoral college. A system where you can win an election with less votes is baffling to me.Two. Trump is a monster. A monster that Politifact proved to be a demagogue and a pathological liar - 70% of what he said was proven to be false.
Three. Hillary blew it. She betrayed her own base by running to the right, attracting Neo-cons etc. This flagrant narcissist epitomised why people hate the establishment. "I'm with her" (ME, ME, ME). To lose to the most unpopular Presidential candidate in history, a 63% unfavourable rating, must mean you are doing an atrocious job. 'Basket of deplorables' - that will help your cause...
Four. The Democratic party screwed over the hope and the light that was Bernie Sanders with their rigged system and corruption.
And finally, five. America, you just chose someone who said he would use torture even if it doesn't work. Kill the families of terrorists. Wants to rip up the Paris Agreement on day one. Ban Muslims. Would give Saudi Arabia nukes. Repeal Obamacare, lower wages, the list is endless.
Ok so here goes.Republicans:
a) Purge your party of ideas such as controlling a woman's reproductive rights. Just back off.
b) People have the right to marry and love whoever they want.
c) Embrace science more. Do not let your religious views encroach on other people's rights.
Democrats and the left in general:
1) Eradicate the metastasizing cancer that is PC correctness and identity politics from your discourse.
Understand that people found Clinton just as horrific as Trump and that millions are not racist, sexist, misogynists, bigots, Islamophobes etc. Because many people who were not white males voted Trump. I voted remain but some of my friends voted Brexit. THEY ARE NOT ALL THESE THINGS.
2) Get out of your own echo chamber and try to take in other perspectives. Challenge your ideas. Do not become authoritarians and tell someone you should think a certain way because of skin colour. You do not own the moral high ground.
3) Be tolerant of people who do not agree with you. Emotional hysteria is unbecoming if you value reasoned debates.
4) FOLLOW BERNIE SANDERS BECAUSE HE IS THE LIGHT PRETTY MUCH.
The reality is, Trump represented a rejection of the corrupt political elite, despite the fact he is a charlatan and was born into a family with millions and billions and zillions and gillions.
He was seen as more trust worthy than her because of the fact that the Clintons have taken $3b from special corporate interests. The fact that she was caught on tape laughing as she helped a suspected child rapist walk free by doctoring evidence. The fact that she switched positions dozens of times, whenever it is politically expedient after receiving huge pay outs from Wall Street, Big Pharma, the military industrial complex etc. Seemingly being hell bent on starting a Cold War with Russia and... the emails.
He was seen as more trust worthy despite the fact that he has said some abhorrent things, has sexually assaulted women, dodged paying taxes for much of his life and was viewed as a greater catalyst for change. That is how bad she was. She lost to this abomination.
Many millions did vote for him due to bigotry, racism, discrimination etc, but many millions also voted for him because he had a populist message.'My name is Michael Caine', in the Batman Movies as Alfred the Butler, said: "In their desperation, they turned to a man they didn't fully understand."
Where to now Muuurrriccaa??
As the U.S wades into the tenebrous, unfriendly and unknown waters that is the future, it does not appear that there is much hope. A Republican majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and surely another right winger on the Supreme Court, yikes. I hope this cretin will not be given free reign as it could be disastrous. And I hope this obliterates the establishment and the grass roots campaign Bernie started can flourish and bloom into a rare and beautiful flower. Not just analysing its sun kissed beauty but bathing in its snugness and splendor.
There is more we don't know than we do and I think that is frigging awesome.
In the words of Edward R. Murrow: "Good night, and good luck."
