Like many people I am stunned. Not that the American people have elected a Republican of course - but they have elected Donald Trump as an individual.
The "American Dream" has been a wonderful thing. In many ways it has been the engine for the free world. It has been lost or at least watered down - weighed down - by the socialist/liberal thinking - meddling - of the Democrats - not least by the hopeless 8 wishy-washy years of Obama. It is not surprising the American people want to find it again. (Clinton of course represented a tired - uninspiring more of the same.)
But does Trump have the personal qualities - the maturity - the depth of knowledge and experience - the worldliness - the decency - the stability - the values - to carry the challenges of the massive Presidential role - the role - the most powerful leader on earth. Everything we have seen so far points to a resounding no. He is a narcissist - a bombast - a dubious businessman - with a reality TV star demeanour - someone who has never held ANY public office in preparation. How can he have won!?
We have to hope the American system can keep him on the straight and narrow. We have to hope there are good sound people in his team who can stand up to him. We have to hope the Republicans in The Senate and Congress can temper him - can exercise checks and balances. It surely will be necessary under what is likely to be undisciplined, chaotic leadership. Without being alarmist - it is terrifying.
As an aside - some commentators are lumping the Brexit decision as some sort of parallel with this presidential result. Brexit is a wonderful decision. A common-sense decision - a proud decision - a positive decision. A bright decision. It is hard to see electing Donald Trump in those terms.
The "American Dream" has been a wonderful thing. In many ways it has been the engine for the free world. It has been lost or at least watered down - weighed down - by the socialist/liberal thinking - meddling - of the Democrats - not least by the hopeless 8 wishy-washy years of Obama. It is not surprising the American people want to find it again. (Clinton of course represented a tired - uninspiring more of the same.)
But does Trump have the personal qualities - the maturity - the depth of knowledge and experience - the worldliness - the decency - the stability - the values - to carry the challenges of the massive Presidential role - the role - the most powerful leader on earth. Everything we have seen so far points to a resounding no. He is a narcissist - a bombast - a dubious businessman - with a reality TV star demeanour - someone who has never held ANY public office in preparation. How can he have won!?
We have to hope the American system can keep him on the straight and narrow. We have to hope there are good sound people in his team who can stand up to him. We have to hope the Republicans in The Senate and Congress can temper him - can exercise checks and balances. It surely will be necessary under what is likely to be undisciplined, chaotic leadership. Without being alarmist - it is terrifying.
As an aside - some commentators are lumping the Brexit decision as some sort of parallel with this presidential result. Brexit is a wonderful decision. A common-sense decision - a proud decision - a positive decision. A bright decision. It is hard to see electing Donald Trump in those terms.
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