U.S. politics.

midlandsmissus

Is anyone on here interested in/ following it? It might be nice to have a thread on it. What do you think of the remaining candidates?

sullivlo

midlandsmissus wrote: »

Is anyone on here interested in/ following it? It might be nice to have a thread on it. What do you think of the remaining candidates?

Mod hat on:
I'm not 100% sure that this is the place for a thread on US politics, but we can leave it here for a while and see how it progresses. If it turns overly political we may need to move it elsewhere.

Mod hat off:
I worry for the state of the world if either of the candidates get elected. I think Sanders would have been a better all round candidate. I know a lot of people are saying that women should vote for Clinton, but I wouldn't elect her just because she is a woman - just like I wouldn't elect Obama just because he is black. I would vote for the stronger candidate. In this case, if pushed, I would go Clinton, simply because the thoughts of a world where Trump has power makes me want to apply for the Mars One program.

midlandsmissus

sullivlo wrote: »

Mod hat on:
I'm not 100% sure that this is the place for a thread on US politics, but we can leave it here for a while and see how it progresses. If it turns overly political we may need to move it elsewhere.

Mod hat off:
I worry for the state of the world if either of the candidates get elected. I think Sanders would have been a better all round candidate. I know a lot of people are saying that women should vote for Clinton, but I wouldn't elect her just because she is a woman - just like I wouldn't elect Obama just because he is black. I would vote for the stronger candidate. In this case, if pushed, I would go Clinton, simply because the thoughts of a world where Trump has power makes me want to apply for the Mars One program.

I agree Sullivlo, I think they are both awful, and it saddens me that these are the candidates that we have. I too think that Hilary is marginally better, as it would worry me what Trump would do in power.

I was speaking to a guy in Dublin there from the US, and I said it looks like Trump is gaining power by whipping mid town conservative America into a frenzy, by saying you can have power if you come with me, which is similar to what Hitler did.

And he agreed, he said,(he also didn't like Trump)that alot of conservative Americans feel that he is simply saying things that the Republican party have always said, he is just being more in your face, that is why they are going with him.

Some of the things he has come out with.

meeeeh

I don't particularly like Hilary Clinton but I have a feeling she could make effective president. Idealism in politics is about as welcome as toothache. They go in full of enthusiasm, after couple of months they realize they can change f all and for the rest of mandate they keep deflecting attacks from opposition and apologising to their voters why they can't keep their promises. I don't think Obama was a bad president but he wasn't overly effective and I think Sanders and Trump would be worse. Problem Clinton has is that she is so unpopular that republicans will be plotting impeachment from the day she starts the office. All in a all very little to be excited about but at least it won't be Cruz.

Edit: Trump is over the top populist but comparisons to Hitler are wrong. I feel uncomfortable how quickly nazi comparisons are wheeled out. Just dismissing Trump as Hitler light is ignoring valid concerns some Americans have about their future.

Saipanne

I think people's opinions of why people vote for Trump can be overly simplistic and boils down to calling them racists or nutjobs. I think Trumps supporters are normal people who feel demonised by the left for holding moderate right views. Trumps success is a reaction to this.

In my opinion...

sullivlo

Saipanne wrote: »

I think people's opinions of why people vote for Trump can be overly simplistic and boils down to calling them racists or nutjobs. I think Trumps supporters are normal people who feel demonised by the left for holding moderate right views. Trumps success is a reaction to this.

In my opinion...

Oh most definitely. I wouldn't classify 99% of Trump voters as nutjobs. I understand where they're coming from. They don't see the Democrats as being an effective option. That leaves Trump.

I know it is hard to compare it to Irish politics but look at how our most recent election / previous US elections went:
- FF messed up the country (economic downturn) / Bush sent USA to war
- FG became the more popular party because they promised the sun and the sky / Obama was the more promising candidate as he offered a fresh outlook and a shift from the classical Democrate candidate
- The world continued. Election promises were not kept. The world continued. Election promises were not kept.
- People had the choice of more of the same (FG) or the opportunity for change (FF) or to use their voice (Ind) / People have the choice of reverting to type with US politics (Clinton) or looking for the opportunity to change (Trump)

The Irish system is in turmoil currently. It's not sustainable to have a minority Government. But it's representative of how the people voted in terms of voting in Independant candidates.

In America, realistically they have two choices - there are no viable third options. So they either: vote Clinton for more of the same, vote Trump for the option to change, or abstain because they want neither candidate.

IMO, Clinton is the lesser of two evils. However I can see why people would vote for Trump in an "I have no other option" kind of way.

Permabear

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