Wednesday, November 9, 2016

When America sneezes, the rest of the World catches a cold!

So it was with some astonishment that I noted the changing tones of the desperate TV presenters as the Nov 8 changed to Nov 9 and the supposed 'safe' Democrat states weren't looking like 'a sure thing' and then switched off to listen to the BBC - coming awake to hear Trump's moderate acceptance speech at 3.30am, missing him thank Melania but singling out his children and sisters.

The British presenters gave their analyses but avoided the elephant in the room of the 'whitelash' -to use a term by an American TV presenter. Like Brexit, this was the vote of those who felt marginalised that Michale Moore http://gtobserver.blogspot.com/2016/07/cold-war-continuing.html had noted and had dreaded.  Exactly how closing borders and trade protectionism will create jobs that white Americans would want, Trump did not say-- but I am still to work out whether the man/those behind him worked out any strategy further past getting elected!

The knock on effect of a rise in zenophobia would not be too good for the rest of the world - one can debate whether a slow-down of emigration of the desperate from the countries in a mess precisely due to exploitative policies, would occur further down the line. If the UK's Jeremy Corbyn can note: "Trump’s election is an unmistakable rejection of a political establishment and an economic system that simply isn’t working for most people. It is one that has delivered escalating inequality and stagnating or falling living standards for the majority, both in the US and Britain." - the fore-mentioned falling standards are more keenly felt in countries being exploited by the same economic system that is failing the UK's +US's majority!  Usually the pressure being kept in check by the hope of migration and a 'better life'- or at least one where you can earn a living and not be killed by those who can't/don't - a very real fear in the Americas bar Canada + the USA.

The last time the Republicans ruled completely must have been in Reagan's time-- and the country's deficit climbed astronomically, Trump with his history of bankruptcies and bluffing does not bode well for the future - but an improvished America does not bode well for the rest of the World!