http://www.gocomics.com/stuartcarlson/2015/11/04
This cartoon misses the point. It assumes experienced plumbers (politicians) can do a better job than the amateur. Not everyone agrees. Donald Trump may be outrageous, which gives him a lot of free publicity, but he’s doing so well in the polls because too many people are fed up with politics as usual and are ready to throw the bums out.
As this Washington Post column, Class War Comes to the GOP says, the Republicans have promised a lot but have done almost nothing for their white, working-class supporters. The thing that interests me the most is that Jeb Bush, who has the largest campaign fund, is still in the single digits in the polls. That may change once people start actually voting, but so far the money he’s spending hasn’t helped him. He’s not connecting with the people who are fed up.
The Washington Post column asks,
… how long does Trump have to stay at No. 1 in the Republican polls before establishmentarians in both parties recognize that the underlying economic causes of his supporters’ discontent are legitimate and deserve a response?
It clearly thinks Trump’s success isn’t just based on xenophobia, but on a lot of people being shut off from the American dream.
December 10, 2015
We have an outsider as our Prime Minister who has caused more heart burn to the establishment than any other single individual ever in our history. His background is mocked, he is ridiculed and called names but he is gamely carrying on and gathering a huge nationwide as well as international following. The Indian diaspora for one cannot have enough of him! Yes, the old guard has not delivered and the outsider can. Or at least that is the hope.
I’m wishing you well!
Do people really think that if Trump became president he would be any different from all the previous presidents who’ve enjoyed all the junketing and foreign trips while doing precious little for the poor and disadvantaged? I’ll believe it when I see it.
Here in the UK of course we have the Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose visible genuineness and lack of spin have endeared him to huge numbers of people, the same as Bernie Sanders. But many Labour MPs loathe him and are doing their best to replace him with a more conventional politician.
Well, you may see American history differently from your vantage point, and that is OK. But, let us remember that Abraham Lincoln took unpopular actions to free the slaves (poor people, all), Franklin Roosevelt pushed for Social Security (elders were starving, few are today), Lyndon Johnson initiated legislation on civil rights and voting rights that primarily helped poor minorities, Barack Obama forged a compromise to bring health insurance to millions, mostly poor, with legislation that is not perfect but is a good start.
You are welcome to give us some facts about American presidents who did not help minorities or the poor while they enjoyed junkets and extravagant lifestyles. Remember, American presidents are paid very poorly compared to American corporate executives.
S
R
Nick,
The funny thing is Trump lives a very lavish lifestyle, but his supporters trust him more than they do the media or the government. I think there’s almost no chance he would win the election, but he does have the Republicans worried. One article said they’re not just worried that if he’s nominated the election will go to Hillary, some are even more scared that he might get elected. That would be four years of disaster.