Whose creation is Trump?

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Well, as one might expect, The Jeb! is saying Trump is a product of Obama. Nice way to take a shot at both your current opponent and the most convenient punching bag, namely the incumbent.

But is he really? I mean, Trump. And I mean, a product of Obama. Is he?

I'm guessing, if you ask a staunch conservative, they'd blurt out stuff much to the effect of: Obama, just like so many other Muslims (heh!) has contributed to the Trump phenomenon - although it's not just Muslims themselves, but Mexican rapist immigrants, lazy liberal freeloaders, evil foreigners who be hatin' on America's freedom, and other such monstrosities.

Others might argue that as per the general principle that every society deserves exactly the rulers that it gets, Trump is actually the true expression of American politics. His speeches and purported policies and all the things he does in the media might be interpreted as a good expression of what many Americans are (or have become), what they truly believe, and where they want to bring their country. Because America is essentially a vast war machine, having lasting peace around the world is unprofitable (not to mention it's not beneficial for the ruling elite, as it cannot have a reasonable excuse to keep grabbing more power) - therefore there should always be some external threat that would make it necessary to rally the nation behind the cause of perpetual militarism. Be this threat the "Japs", fascists, commies, or, presently, Muslims.

In any case, for an outsider, i.e. non-American, it may be very hard to understand why so many people would listen to a man like Trump, be it Obama's creature or rather a product of the toxic political environment that has permeated US policies as of late. Granted, populism tends to flourish at times of economic crisis, external threat, terrorism, mass immigration, etc - and this is valid for places like Europe as well, to one degree or another, depending on the particular society. But given the improving economic situation in America (especially compared to the rest of the world), it's hard to use economic difficulty as the primary explanation for the Trump (and Sanders?) phenomenon. Could it be that people are painfully fed up with the dysfunctional relations between the political institutions, and the inability of the political establishment to function as it used to? (The times of bipartisan compromise seem to have long gone, after all). And could guys like Trump (and Sanders) be people's natural response of anger, and a desire to punish the whole political elite?

One thing is for sure, though. The cynicism that has largely ensnared the public is dangerous in the long run. It can lead to no good place. Whether it'll be Trump who'll prevail ultimately, or the establishment would manage to rally the troops behind a champion of their own, and "save the day" - the direction that politics has taken seems like a rather nasty one.

Comments

[essentialsaltes.livejournal.com]

if you ask a staunch conservative, they'd blurt out stuff much to the effect of: Obama, just like so many other Muslims

I think this gets closer to the connection between Obama and the rise of Trump. The Republican machine has finally discarded truth, fairness, and even the idea of political compromise. Obama's birth in Kenya. His Muslim religion. His communism. His imperial presidency. His militant takeover of Texas during Jade Helm.

These things were used to whip the Republican base into a frenzy. And even wiser people in the Republican Party, who knew better, propagated the lies for political gain.

It's created a huge bloc of Republican voters that are immune to anything but emotional noises. The wiser heads cannot recall them. The truth doesn't matter.

If Obama was a foreign born, Muslim, communist Antichrist, this bloc of voters wants someone just as extreme on THEIR side. It's the only way to fight back, now that Obama has completely destroyed our nation.

[beefi-xxx.livejournal.com]

he looks like krampus, and so is his politic ;) (http://info.flagcounter.com/BDyO)

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

I think I have pretty good credentials around here as a staunch conservative. Let me tell you, Trump is a bipartisan creation. To say otherwise is to ignore how the policy position on which Trump has staked his candidacy, illegal immigration, has been ignored or abetted by both parties over the course of at least 40 years. If nothing else, Trump has pin pointed a real dissatisfaction among many voters who believe that our current political leaders often act contrary to interest of the people. Rightly, or wrongly, a substantial minority of voters are tired of being told that their worries and problems aren't real worries and problems. They believe they have been patted on the head and told to "trust us" one too many times.

It is a sobering turn of events. I have voted in every election since 1984 when, I am proud to say, I pulled the lever for Ronald Reagan for president and for Joe Biden as my state Senator. If Trump is nominated, I will likely stay home and weep, or get drunk and vote for a third party.

[airiefairie.livejournal.com]

You have voted in all elections for 32 years? This is admirable.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

Well, not every school board or local election, to be sure. I am sure there have been votes that were held that I never knew were going on, to be honest. But every presidential, congressional and gubernatorial election, sure. Its not like its that hard to do. That is only 8 presidents. I'm currently 4-4.

[dexeron.livejournal.com]

Trump is the ultimate embodiment of "politics as usual," because the usual politics have become so dysfunctional He is the avatar of a political movement that has gone completely off of the rails.

[garote]

Honestly, I think Trump is mostly his own creation. Some other zillionaire shoehorning his way into politics would be shrugged at, but Trump has convenient groundwork for this dramatic rise: His hollywood career, and notoriety for being a man's-man alpha male in the ancient pre-2000 days, back when it wasn't a recipe for online crucifixion.

[oportet.livejournal.com]

Obama had a hand in it - along with all other Presidents, Senators, Representatives, and Governors - from both parties.

It's like if your great uncle, grandmother, dad, and cousin all lost their lives under the supervision of a doctor. Then you get sick, and decide to let a brick mason treat you. And everyone looks at you like you're crazy, and you look right back at them like they're crazy.

That's where we're at now.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

How about letting another doctor treat you instead of a brick mason? Has the place suddenly run out of real doctors?

[oportet.livejournal.com]

We're not even close to running out, there's a steady supply of politicians. If you're a loyal democrat or republican - you can sort through them, like some, and dislike some. But I think a lot of people, who either aren't on a certain side, or can be persuaded to switch up - lump all politicians in together. Even if an individual isn't guilty, they're guilty by association.

Cruz and Clinton both understand this, that's why they've both claimed to be 'outsiders' (even though by any reasonable persons definition - they are not) .

I think this easily could have been Carson or Fiorina (instead of Trump) - if either had charisma.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Carson, ROFL. (Sorry, couldn't help it).

[oportet.livejournal.com]

He could get has gotten about 10% in his sleep. If he was awake, and Trump wasn't Trump - I think he'd have a chance (at the primary anyway, not necessarily the general)