Non-US DUers, we need your input about this insanity

[spiderpig]

We aren't all crazy racist sexist knuckle draggers. Really!

How do your countries feel about this election debacle? I'm getting tired of banging my head.

[Ardoewaan]

1. Perspective from Belgium

Hi,

I follow the U.S. presidential elections pretty closely. The first election I remember was between Reagan and Mondale, when I was a teenager. My country always leans more towards the Democratic candidate as can be expected. I am also used to the traditional strategical positioning of the two parties.

At first I thought the characterization of Trump was the typical election season stuff, and to my shame I must admit some of the attacks on Clinton stuck with me. However as the months passed the toxicity of Trump became apparent. There were several remarks/opinions/proposals that were deal breakers to me personally (and I think should be for everybody). The racism was apparent off course and taken together it is just a crazy mess of unworkable solutions and decisions (and lies off course).

Still, I was not totally convinced about Clinton. But I think I can objectively say that the debate was a game changer. She broke through the caricature that the Trump campaign tried to make of her and came across as a competent and strong woman. I looked at a couple of right wing sites (like freerepublic and r/the_donald) and it's clear that there is a strange mix of total meltdown, panic and denial going on on these sites.

Maybe more directly to the kernel of your question. Most people know that the U.S. is home to many contradictions, and every country (mine included) can fall prey to populist politicians.

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. Wow! Excellent observations.

Thanks for the input.

[spiderpig]

3. Thank you so much for your observation.

We tend to get so wrapped up in ourselves here and not realize that our election will resonate through the rest of the world.

[Ardoewaan]

5. You're welcome!

Your post struck a chord with me. I can see it must be frustrating and even surreal to even have to argue against a Trump presidency. I guess the world is too complex for some people and simplistic and populist recipes are the only thing they can understand. For all its worth I have confidence that Clinton will win.

[spiderpig]

6. I traveled a lot for most of my working days and was constantly amazed,

when engaging in conversation with locals, how much they knew about the world around them.

We can all work together for a better human experience (if we can keep a crazy narcissist out of the White House)!

[lillypaddle]

10. BTW ...

Welcome to DU!

[DanTex]

4. Great first post! Welcome to DU!

[LeftishBrit]

21. Good to see you here!

I was in Belgium (Leuven) a few weeks ago and think it's a great place!

[remaineruk]

7. View from the UK

Well after the Donald made his comments about Muslims being stopped from entering the USA 580,000+ people signed a petition to the UK government to ban him from entry to the UK.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/114003

In my experience across left and right wingers Labour and Tories he is universally despised and people are scared he could be the next president. After Brexit for many of us that would be a further decent into hell

The view often is it would be funny if it wasn't so terrifying . In the UK critism of politicians is very normal (apart from rabid Corbyn followers) and any one of the vile things he has said would have got him thrown out of a leadership campaign and possible prosecuted. Clinton isn't necessarily loved but she is seen as having qualities that are presidential.

After he has been defeated bigly please don't send him to scotland! This is what they think of him. As do we all!

http://www.anorak.co.uk/431075/politicians/donald-trump-arrives-in-scotland-woman-holds-sign-calling-him-a-cunt.html/

[lillypaddle]

11. Haha! Can't say I disagree

Welcome to DU

[remaineruk]

16. We have farage ..also a detested racist bastard

Thanks for the welcome

[spiderpig]

13. I share your chagrin bigly, remaineruk

Scotland is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Thanks for responding in such a thoughtful way.

[LeftishBrit]

20. Good to see you here!

I'm another UK 'remainer', and agree with you about how poisonous Trump is!

[BSdetect]

8. Better still

I'm now a US citizen from Australia.

Been here long enough to tell what its like. 14 years.

I'm sorry but the general view is that large areas should be lumped together as Dumfukistan.

You did ask.

[spiderpig]

14. I did ask, and I know what you mean.

I've lived all over the US at some point, and there are concentrated areas that opened my eyes - and not in a good way.

Explains The Rise of Trump.

Fortunately I'm settled in California. We have our faults, but overall, tolerance and forward-thinking are prized.

And we make great wine!

[Nonhlanhla]

9. I'm in the US but I'm from South Africa

The general consensus among my circle of friends and relatives in South Africa is that Trump is stupid as hell, and dangerous, and that a lot of Americans seem to be nuts. I have noticed a few South Africans liking him, though, in discussions on Facebook, but those usually seem to be typical white racists, so it's not exactly a compliment!

[spiderpig]

15. Hi Nonhlanhla - do you remember the 1970 movie Airport?

I feel like Maureen Stapleton, who played the wife of the bomber Van Heflin, when she ran through the terminal crying "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know!"

A lot of us do know and are trying to bring some sanity to this election. But it's alarming that Trump has amassed such a significant number of believers.

I guess racism is all over the planet, but you'd think after 200 years more of the US would have gotten past it. I think the young, many of whom have been raised in an era of acceptance, are cause for hope.

Thanks for your valuable insight!

[Ztolkins]

12. CANADA here!

Alberta specifically.

I am blue in a sea of red, as a Democrat from Mississippi would say. Want Hillary to win and wish I could vote. Many people think Trump is a buffoon, and while they are not looking forward to another Dem who will not approve pipelines (it's killing our economy), they see Trump as a threat to our current stability.

[spiderpig]

17. Beautiful Alberta! Much of my favorite film was shot there.

Legends of the Fall. Gorgeous, gorgeous cinematography.

I totally sympathize about pipelines and share your doubts about Dems. We need the Senate and Congress back after years of Republican obstructionism, the likes of which I've never seen in my life.

There'a always a ray of hope. Have you seen our Native Americans protesting the pipeline through their sacred lands? Their numbers have grown significantly.

If worse comes to worst, will you adopt Mr. pig and me (plus dog)?

[Ztolkins]

18. Great movie!

What I meant about the pipelines was that the majority of our province wants them approved and see a Republican administration as the only way to make that happen. I guess they still think Trump could be ''controlled.''

And I have seen them. American media and news are easily accessible up here. MSNBC and FOX are available as are many other news channels. Believe it or not, First Nations are somewhat better off in the U.S. than here. It is our original sin, if you will, of our treatment of them.

[LeftishBrit]

19. Also from the UK...

Most British people do NOT like or trust Trump. Scots have the choicest words for him, but he is despised by most. Even many people on the right don't care for him.

We used to be a bit smug about 'how can Americans make such idiotic electoral choices' but the June 23rd referendum and its shocking result have made us realize that we're all in this together, close to the edge of a cliff with the drop leading nowhere good.

As you'll know, Nigel Farage, leader of the nutcase party UKIP, a supposed British isolationist who loves to cosy up to all the fascist types internationally, went to America to kiss the Trump Rump, and people have attended the UKIP party conference wearing Trump T-shirts.

Fingers tightly crossed for November!