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2016 Presidential Election US, 370 Economists, dangerous and destructive choice, Donald Trump President, Hillary Clinton defeated, What happened
Mrs Clinton will not forget, at least not easily, but she was very composed while delivering her concession speech. No one expected Mr Trump to be elected to the presidency.
The Letter from 370 Economists
Many of us did our best to prevent a Trump victory, but democracy is flawed. It allows everyone to vote, including those who are incapable of making an informed decision. They are easily led by slogans. Democracy also allows anyone to run for office and, in the United States, the educated, including Nobel Prize winners, are mere ‘academics.’ With Donald Trump at the wheel, an economic collapse can be expected, which is frightening. One listens.
A group of 370 economists, including eight Nobel laureates in economics, have signed a letter warning against the election of Republican nominee Donald Trump, calling him a “dangerous, destructive choice” for the country.
Nick Timiraos, the Wall Street Journal, Nov. 1, 2016
No one listened. Mr Trump is a liar, a racist, a bigot, a bully, a misogynist, and a possible rapist. He is incapable of self-control, profoundly disturbed by Narcissistic Personality Disorder, but he has been voted into the office of President of the United States, despite serious warnings on the part of 370 economists who called him a “dangerous, destructive choice.” A know-it-all America dismissed warnings from the ablest and wisest. Mr Trump did not seek the presidency so he could serve his country. No, not even remotely. He sought the presidency to feed his ego, to serve himself.
Donald Trump campaigns in Warren, Mich., on Monday. Adviser Peter Navarro reacted to the letter Tuesday, saying in part, “You shouldn’t believe economists or Nobel Prize winners on trade.” PHOTO: JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
What Happened?
How this happened is somewhat difficult to explain. It could be an example of the American psyche. (See Glenn Beck, below.)
However, the following is a possible scenario. When FBI Director James Comey reopened the investigation into Mrs Clinton’s emails, he placed her under a cloud of suspicion. Her emails had been investigated, but once wasn’t enough, he reopened the investigation knowing he would find no criminal wrongdoing on the part of Mrs Clinton. Investigating again was a witch hunt and I believe it jeopardized Mrs Clinton’s bid for the presidency of the United States.
The timing points to a set up, un coup monté. However, the ‘bad guy’ was Mr Trump, a sexual predator who was threatening to sue the women who confirmed that they had been assaulted by him. The ‘bad guy’ was not Mrs Clinton who used the wrong server, whatever that is, to send emails. She was cleared for the second time on Sunday 6 November, which was much too late for her to recover. Therefore, on Tuesday 8 November 2016, Americans, who customarily suspect the establishment, shot themselves in the foot and transformed the election into a small, but perhaps not so small, coup d’état.
My question remains. Who put FBI Director James Comey up to this dastardly deed? The United States remains a house divided against itself. The Civil War is not over.
The Greater America
In fact, where is that greater America? I remember years of relative prosperity. For instance, when the interstate was built, President Dwight D. Eisenhower‘s initiative, Americans who could afford a car moved to a bungalow in suburbia. Many of these bungalows were cantilevered. There was a rumpus room, a recreation room, under the bedrooms. That is where couch potatoes slouched watching television. Cars could also take them to drive-in movie theatres where they slouched. In fact, food could be brought to a car and a large percentage of the slouching population got fatter. Smaller potatoes grew into larger potatoes as cars polluted the air. Was this a greater America? It would not be possible for 370 economists, a large number, to instill doubt into the mind of couch potatoes. Couch potatoes vegetate.
Glenn Beck: we don’t listen
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/glenn-beck-we-dont-listen_us_5822bf78e4b0d9ce6fbfedb8
—ooo—
About two weeks ago, Mr Trump stated that he was then quite certain President Obama was born in the United States, but that he had yet to be persuaded that President Obama was a Christian, not with a name like Barack Hussein Obama. This is an obsession, une idée fixe.
Hillary Clinton greeted supporters after delivering her concession speech on Wednesday in Manhattan. “This is painful, and it will be for a long time,” Mrs. Clinton said. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times
Conclusion
What next? If 370 economists called Mr Trump a “dangerous, destructive choice,” I have reason to fear. It’s a tragedy.
Canada and the United States are neighbours. We share the Great Lakes and many of us also share ancestry. At any rate, we welcomed draft dodgers and will welcome Americans who may think moving to Canada is an option. But how does one escape Donald Trump?
This, I believe, was my last post on the American presidency.
Love to everyone ♥
Nat King Cole sings “The Falling Leaves”
© Micheline Walker
9 November 2016 (11/9)
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I thank you for writing. This blog may never go viral because the subject matter is diverse and, at times, a little difficult. However, it is precious to the people who read it. I’ll do my best to increase traffic.
Regards,
Micheline
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Excellent post… to read as an aftermath of the USA elections… sigh…
This sentence particularly caught my attention `any of us did our best to prevent a Trump victory, but democracy is flawed. It allows everyone to vote, including those who are incapable of making an informed decision´… have you watched Noam Chomsky´s film`requiem for the American dream´… highly recommended… one of the principles concerns the so called manufactured consent… basically the voters tend to behave as consumers so it is not that hard to create needs and make them go run after them, most times in irrational ways which might even act against their interests in the long term
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Thank you Aquileana, Democracy is flawed, but it’s the best system we have. I’ll watch Noam Chomsky’s Requiem. That was the title of my next post. I’ll change the title. We do create needs. Shops create needs. Thank you for writing. Best, Micheline
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Pingback: The Phenomenon Donald Trump: “The American Psycho” or just a liar? | Eyes on Europe & Middle East
We did our best. Democracy is flawed, but that’s all we have. Donald Trump is the President-elect.
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As someone who voted “Remain” during the Brexit vote, I went through a similar feeling of dumbfounded disbelief. I know it’s not easy to hear it now, but it’s not going to change just because you’re sure it was the wrong outcome, try and look for any positives from the situation…however hard that might be
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Looking for something positive is the only way to deal with such events. This was the USA’s Brexit. Humour also helps. Thank you for writing. Micheline
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Naturally, I’ve been thinking about this election all day. What went wrong? The only thing I can come up with is that the white poor in this country feel that the educated and wealthy simply don’t care about their needs. And I wonder if there is some truth to that. How much was economic policy discussed during the campaign? We ridicule the less educated but we really don’t care about them. Nor does Trump, but he pretends to by voicing their anger. But he also reinforces their prejudices without offering them real solutions to their problems. I wish Hillary’s economic policies had been more of the focus of the debates. When people’s jobs are taken over seas they are not interested in hearing what academics have to say about it.
A brief anecdote. A few years ago I did a summer research internship at a university. A student in the Sociology department worked on data from Camden NJ concerning the effect of globalization on the working class. The Sociology professor running the study asked locals of Camden to define globalization . Of course, they couldn’t. But they knew its effects on them. One of the individuals interviewed angrily pointed out that the researcher knew full well that the citizens of Camden did not know how to define globalization but was only interested in collecting data to prove his assumptions. The people don’t understand the politics and economics behind what happened to them but they know that their jobs went overseas.
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By and large, people simply think of their particular tragedy. They cannot address its underlying causes. Much would be gained if all had a chance to get an education, enough to be wary of slogans. The rich have their products made outside the USA.
The letter was not written for those who could understand it. It’s quite technical and could not be made simpler. The poor voted for Mr Trump.
There is a link in my post that leads to perceptive statements. I will post it separately.
Thank you for writing. Keep well, Micheline
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It is a deeply depressing situation.
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Dear Gallivanta,
It’s very depressing. We had Brexit and now this kerfuffle. Some Americans are considering moving to New Zealand. It’s location is better than what Canadians have to offer. We’re steps away. But the US will need perceptive citizens. They may not wish to leave, except those who are threatened with expulsion. I pity illegal immigrants who are living on tiny earnings to escape starvation. My best to you Gallivanta. Micheline
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New Zealand is not the paradise many people imagine it to be, so, yes, it may be wiser for Americans to stay home and help the country to be the best it can be.Running away won’t help anyone much.
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I am no fan of DT personally but… may just prove a masterstroke for the USA
He will not, they will not, want to wreck their economy. That would not help “poor white males”.
They may revisit trade deals, but they won’t tear them up.
There is stuff needs fixing in Washington, like Govt waste and the lobby system.
And (mainstream) Republicans will control Congress, and the W House, so can get things done.
May even be another Reagan in his own way.
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Well, I thank you for consoling and encouraging thoughts. I’ll keep those in mind and will welcome more. We have to work with the unfortunate hand we were dealt. As you know, there’s a scarcity of intelligent life in Washington. The place has a deleterious effect on people. But I always count of exceptions. I thank you for your comments. With best regards. Micheline 🙂
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