Rather than jumping into the commentary space on the current election campaign, one of the longest in modern history, I thought I’d turn attention to another campaign creating plenty of debate.
The land of the free and the throbbing heart of capitalism, the land that brought us bad coffee, big cars and The Real Housewives. Are you surprised that this is the land that might also give the world President Donald John Trump? Ok, I’m calling it - Donald J Trump will be the 45th President of the United States of America and I’d like to outline why. Trump’s winning secret is he has awoken the disenfranchised, non-voting masses (which is useful in a nation where voting is not compulsory). Trump has now amassed more primary votes than any other Republican presidential candidate in the history of their nation. This mobilisation will carry him through the November election against the icon of the political establishment, Hillary R Clinton. Imagine this - if Clinton wins in November, the most powerful elected office in the world would have been held from 1989 to 2020 (less 8 years) by two families, the Clintons and the Bushes. If you need more evidence, then look to the recent exit polls of the West Virginian primary where 30 per cent of Democratic voters said they would support Trump over Clinton.
Well, apart from that little ski trip to Colorado I was planning this Christmas, I want a strong America and an even stronger American dollar. Australia is an exporting nation and currency movement has a direct link to our national accounts. Be you a seller of beef, iron ore, tourism or education, it is easier to compete on the world stage when your product price is less than that of America’s. Of late we have suffered an abnormally high Australian dollar largely due to America being in an economic slump. America needs its groove back, to start its upsized, cheap gas-guzzling consumer engine and drive off into a Californication sunset.
So why all the ruckus around Trump anyhow? For the most part you could argue that he is wildly unpredictable and the establishment and the mainstream media don’t particularly like that because, let’s face it, Trump’s success is despite the mainstream media, not because of them. Let us look at some of the debate.
Trump is going to build a wall with Mexico? The border between the USA and Mexico is 3145km long. Well, there is a nationalistic jobs program if ever I witnessed one. Also, for too long American competitiveness has been fuelled by cheap illegal labour. No more I say - build a wall and make them pay full rates like we do!
Trump will not handle foreign policy and upset the ever-growing and powerful China? I think Xi Jingping and Trump will be the best of back-slapping Summit-hopping buddies. Both are supposedly billionaires (who really is counting anyway?), both have glamourous spouses from celebrity backgrounds, plus Xi and his countrymen should be able to give Donald plenty of tips on how to build an incredibly long wall that will last the ages.
Trump makes outrageously politically incorrect statements.? The worst part is that the crowds love them. Trump unashamedly states those things deep inside that we feel but would never whisper - “I do have a favourite child”, “I’m not sure I believe in climate change” or “Justin Beiber’s latest album is not that bad”.
One thing is for sure, Trump will electrify the US election either because people can’t stand the man and are flabbergasted that he made the top office or because they feel he speaks directly to them and represents the everyday, giving-it-their-best-shot American.
- Bryce Camm, Wonga Plains, Bowenville
