Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Troubling Trump

       First of all a caveat. I'm a Canadian. I feel making comments on Trump is not really my business. But here goes.

       In Canada , we've just finished 10 years with Stephen Harper. It was ten years of mean, nasty, ignorant bumbling. Harper reduced taxes, cut the budget, laid off staff, cut programs. These things were not successful in improving the Canadian economy. We had large deficits for nine years until just before he lost the election.

     Harper insisted on meddling with justice. He wanted longer sentences and fuller jails. In fact, he overcrowded prisons which leads to more problems. Many of his laws were not upheld by the supreme court. Harper did not meet with premiers or any other group such as indigenous groups. Harper passed a law to retroactively protect the RCMP from being charged with a criminal offense. Many government staff and departments were barred from speaking about their work. Our scientists were muzzled and Harper did not believe in science based evidence.

     On foreign matters Harper was cheap and did not aid those who needed it. Harper liked to take his cap gun and stand with American forces somehow thinking that this would make him look big. Harper took us out of the Kyoto Accord...the only country in the world to do so. The world wondered what had happened to Canadians.

     Harper told the American President that the  pipeline decision was a no brainer. What a way to insult someone.

     These are all bozo moves. It was embarrassing.

     Now for Donald  S. Trump. Trump is a train wreck about to happen. If his ranting is any indication, the world is not going to like what he may do. Fences? Are there not a 100 different solutions to the problem of illegal migrants? Does a fence correct all the different problems with illegal migrants. 

     Trump's understanding of world religions is completely lacking except when it comes to going after voters. The guy claims to be a born again Christian and that's alright. It's his choice and conviction. With his understanding of world religions, I wonder if he understands Christianity? 

     With all the bombast of the campaign it seems that all countries will be treated with utter disrespect when the mood hits him. The guy's erratic. 

     The comment, "I could shoot people and they'd still vote for me" is scary. It sends a cold, threatening  message to Trump's neighbors.

     There seems to be very little offered about the nitty gritty daily operation of a country. Smart assed comments and instant reactionary rants don't get things done.

     We've just gone through 10 years of buffoonery. I wouldn't want anybody to go through what we've just finished with.


49 comments:

  1. I can understand why you'll got stuck with Harper for so long. Canada's right-wing is unified (mostly) in one party, while the center/left is split between Liberals, NDP, and that Quebec party.

    I don't think Trump could ever become president. He'll have no chance of carrying any notable amount of the Latino vote and without it you can't be president. Though the other GOP candidates aren't much better, Trump just doesn't hide his crazy ideas with a little political correctness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm impressed with your grasp on Canadian politics. Harper played the divide and conquer card .

      Delete
  2. I have only been a citizen in this country for a short time but actually voted in the last two presidential elections. I haven't had the experience that people who have lived here since they were born but I am listening and learning, and reading everything I can on all our political candidates. I don't have a lot of confidence in them right now. I don't think Trump will get in but I am no expert. I was interested in what you had to say about Harper. I don't know much about Canadian politics either but by reading posts such as yours it fills in the blanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're doing the right thing by learning.

      Delete
  3. Trump tells it like it is. None of the choices will be great not Hilly or the Bern either so there you go we are screwed:(

    ReplyDelete
  4. I didn't think Trump would stand a chance either, but then I didn't think he'd get this far. And now it appears he's winning or won Nevada. What the heck! What the heck!???? Have Americans lost their minds? I'm sitting here worried. Really worried.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're not the only one siting here worried!

      Delete
  5. The world seems gone mad. Everybody who can shout with a big mouth gets a lot of attention. It is all over the world the same apparently. Intelligence is a threat for the shouting people, where did we heard that before.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are too many people preaching separation and not enough people on the unity page.

      Delete
  6. It would be nice to have any politician be for the people entirely.Hard to please all , but they sure waste a lot of money trying to convince us that they can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Service of the people is completely lacking.

      Delete
  7. i had thought he'd have flamed out a long time ago. what troubles me is that he's still winning caucuses and support.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think most people took him as a joke when he started.

      Delete
  8. You summed it all up quite nicely, Keith! The Trumpeters are a frightening bunch. Ignorant, intolerant, bombastic man. I guess he appeals to many similar racist, small-minded people, who are only in it for themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They all seem to work the division card rather than unity.

      Delete
  9. I do not want to get into this topic. So I will pass today.

    ReplyDelete
  10. He has widespread support.

    As he says, 'I have 46% with The Hispanics', he's happy to group people, and demean them, and still they vote for them. Lowest common denominator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't see how any minority could vote for trump.

      Delete
  11. I used to think that Trump could not possibly end up President, but now I'm not so sure. I will be voting for the Democrat, no matter who it is but I prefer Bernie. Our politics are scary, that's for sure! :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope people take a realistic look at the lack of judgement this guy has.

      Delete
  12. He is one of the worst, if not the worst human being on the planet. And he's dangerous. His supporters are even more dangerous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And we have the pleasure of living next door to him. Can you imagine what it would be like if we still had Harper?

      Delete
    2. Great post Red. I agree with William and would not want to imagine what life would be like with Trump and Harper together - end of this side of the world for sure.

      Delete
  13. Uff..i dont know nothing about politics..But many here in Norway likes him..in fact he is nominated with some others with the peaceaward 2016..Me personlly think he looks very aggresiive..but i dont know..iam only a worker have no time (or are to tired) to think!I hope God makes it right

    Greetings Anita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's difficult to follow politics in othe countries

      Delete
  14. It's unbelievable to me that my fellow Americans can listen to Trump and say yes to the intolerant garbage he spouts. I am sad, I am scared, I amazed, I am embarrassed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I said we had the same thing for ten years. It wasn't pleasant.

      Delete
  15. Well said. And for the second time in my life I may be thinking of moving north to Winnipeg...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are better places than Winnepeg. Well, that's my bias.

      Delete
  16. Please remember that he has about 1/3 of the GOP voters. He has 0% of the Dems, and over 50% of voters in the U.S. are Independent and/or undecided.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I intend to vote against Trump in every legal way I can.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm scared that so many people support Trump. And what you just described with your previous prime minister--that sounds like what we'll get if any of the Republican front runners win. I have told my husband only half jokingly that we may need to move to Canada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's surprising how many people have that idea. Now I know it would be hard for people to leave.

      Delete
  19. I honestly didn't think Trump would even last this long. Some of the things he has said clearly indicate what a racist, sexist, vain, arrogant, rude, misogynistic, foul-mouthed bully he is. I'd be embarrassed having someone like him representing me on the world stage. I agree completely about the Harper years and I'm glad he's gone. We can now word toward getting back on the right track.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You really don't like Trump! I wish I could steal your line. You describe him to a Tee

      Delete
    2. Yes, I really don't like him. And never have. I've felt this way about him way before all this.

      Delete
    3. And feel free to use my line! (Did I mention that already? The comments disappear while they wait to be approved, so I hope I'm not repeating myself!)

      Delete
  20. Here's a link (I hope I posted it right) to a video that I think you will find quite interesting:
    Donald Trump's rise is a scary moment in America

    ReplyDelete
  21. Trump's ego has always been bigger than his head of hair, hence bozo comments like him being able to shoot people and they would still vote for him. How arrogant and disrespectful of the voters he is! Harper was very much like him except not as openly mouthy. So glad to see the backside of Harper but I do not like what I see happening to the South of us.

    ReplyDelete
  22. All of the Republican candidates are running on a campaign of fear and hate. Trump's motto is "Make America great again". So many people are angry and afraid, but they act out of ignorance. Trump would be, to use one of his favorite words, a disaster! But then so would Ted Cruz be.
    On the Democrat side, Sanders is the candidate of choice for those who are unhappy. He promises much more than he can deliver.
    I read a lot of editorials and follow national politics closely. I am worried.
    Thanks for this post. the parallel with your Harper is an eye opener.

    ReplyDelete
  23. My Canadian friends all had similar views to yours about Harper which used to make me wonder how he kept getting elected until I realised the composition of the many oposition parties. As for Trump everything is possible and the outcome of him as president is scary beyond words.

    ReplyDelete
  24. As a Canadian, you really have no say in the politics of America. That said, I will plow ahead with my personal opinions since you feel comfortable stating yours. While it is true that trump is a buffoon ... barak hussain obama is a total disaster - as was dubbya bush before him: both of these morons did their damnest to destroy America; and the present 'candidates' will be more of the same. At least Trump has the cajones to say what what NEEDS TO BE SAID. Whether or not that will actually carry into the Oval Office is a crap shoot no matter WHO gets the DC Ticket. Politics is politics and Christians need to stay out of it: Christians need to know what is going on, but they are forbidden to participate - ANY CANDIDATE THAT CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN is a L.I.A.R. if they are running for a government position such as Presidency, which barak hussain obama (who, in MHO, has a bigger headed ego than Trump)has morphed into a tweaked kingship and twisted missiahood.

    Do you really think YOUR political opinions matter much when your own country is now headed by a simpleton given over islam and openly mocking Christians while selling Canada down the river?

    PLEASE grow up, get real, and get wise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's nasty. Every one has a right to an opinion about anything going on around the world and especially on their own blogs. You are sharing yours quite loudly about Barak Obama and our current Canadian Prime Minister. Don't forget, we Canadians had to live under Harper's governments for many years and know from experience what that means. These days we live in a global village. What happens to the south of us in Canada affects us and it also affects others in many countries of the globe. Of course every candidate has strengths and weaknesses, even Trump. And, dare I say, even Trudeau. We are eager for change here. Time will tell the tale of how we fare with it.

      Delete
    2. Thanks. It's also an obligation to have evidence to back up opinions. I like your reference to globalization.

      Delete
    3. Hi Red, Wow, that was quite an exchange! :-) Well, Valeria sure laid her opinions out there, but the bottom line is that's exactly what they are ... opinions. I like Joyful's suggestion that someone do that on their own blog rather than in the comments elsewhere. President Obama is not perfect but do take a good look at what he was handed by the previous administration. I must say that I'm quite surprised by the lasting power of Mr. Trumps campaign... thought he would be a flash in the pan. While I do think our culture here in the USA is constantly changing, it seems to be faster than I realized. There is a lot of anger out there and Trump seems to be tapping into it. Anyway, Red, this was an interesting post and it was good to get your thoughts.

      Delete
  25. I am so tired of this fellow called Donald S. Trump I could scream..I am a life long democrat and if I ever met Mr. Trump I would walk on by..We have enough nutcases in this USA part of North America..He is a bigoted and nasty and a bully come on the Republicans are so embarrassed he has used his vast Billions to get to where he is..I like Bernie Sanders listened to him in Seattle on the hottest day they have had in 70 years last year, he was refreshing, but he won't be the Nominee no the Hills will have it, Hillary with her huge and I mean huge chest of money...Too bad she is speaks this and that but is basically just a career wealthy politician nothing about her being a woman gets me to vote for her..The whole election is turning into a big CIRCUS, and the new president will have to deal with real issues facing the USA...I might not vote, sick of all the hubbaloo, enjoy your blog and your writings, I think you have hit the nail on the head as far as Mr. Trump what a blowhard rich bully!

    ReplyDelete