Election year

[webberg]

The UK and the USA have elections this year. Much of Europe does as well with the EU elections getting underway this week in the Netherlands.

I don't wish to expose anybody's political affiliations or preferences, but there might be place to respectfully discuss where we think global/national/politics is right now?

My perhaps over riding concern is that many politicians owe more allegiance to their political party/movement and/or their own ego as reflected in their position than they do the concept of public service.

That cannot be good for anybody.

Certainly here in Europe we are also seeing the rise of what we might describe as far right populist parties as borders and budgets come under pressure from displaced persons seeking a new home.

That might be "good" for some but very bad for others.

The opening salvos in the UK General Election have been fired but we've already seen accusations of the incumbent PM "lying" or at least "misleading" people by his use of statistics which claim to represent his oppositions spending plans. I'm sure it will not be long before we see similar faux pas from the opposition. Should politicians be obliged to have their numbers and claims fact checked before they're permitted to use them?

[fkoene]

Should politicians be obliged to have their numbers and claims fact checked before they're permitted to use them?

A very brief opinion from me on this part: I think they should but I'm afraid they (and some in particular) won't.

[Paul Victory]

A subject I have been following with intense interest for quite some time.

What surprises me is how little people over this side of the pond are tuned into what is happening in the good old US of A and the danger that is threatened to the planet as a whole if that deplorable fascist manbaby Trump someone manages to get re-elected.

[Draggon]

What surprises me is how little people over this side of the pond are tuned into what is happening in the good old US of A and the danger that is threatened to the planet as a whole if that deplorable fascist manbaby Trump someone manages to get re-elected.

I thought we were rid of him once, but we'll have to do it again apparently. The willful ignorance here is staggering.

[plummy]

The fact that nearly half the voting population of the USA could even CONSIDER voting for that deplorable, narcissistic clown is utterly beyond me. He's a total national embarrassment and despite other world leaders being obliged to humour him under the umbrella of "diplomatic relations" I'm sure (bar Putin) they all think he's a total arse.

[fkoene]

Very worried about the election next week as well. Not only about Trump, but also about Musk. Don't know what will happen, but with his money and Trump in the White House, I'm sure the world will one way or another suffer.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn FP5 met Tapatalk

[Draggon]

I have no idea what's going to happen here in the good ol' USA tomorrow, but I'm full of hope. Please wish our nation (and the world) well as the rest of the voting public makes its way to the polls tomorrow.

In the meantime, I finally got around to watching the Saturday Night Live opening with Kamala Harris from this weekend. It Is GOLD! (and just what I needed tonight) If you haven't seen it, here's a YouTube link - it's under 9 minutes long:

https://youtu.be/e6Funs6yyEw?si=OTuRHKSLRoTI-NLb

[Paul Victory]

I’m in a deep state of depression today following the overnight news. I can only imagine how much worse those living in the States feel.

[Ian Bee]

Myself and a fellow morning dog walker were lost for words. There's something to be said for being so unrepentantly finance focused, out of kilter with modern values and aggressively overconfident in your own intelligence.

None of it is complementary though.

[Draggon]

I’m in a deep state of depression today following the overnight news. I can only imagine how much worse those living in the States feel.

That's about right. There is no explanation that seems valid to explain just how handily they won.

[plummy]

I think the universal race to the bottom price on everything is a key driver. If millions voted for Dump just because they believed that the "price of gas" (petrol) was going to drop and their taxes would be reduced (but at what overall expense) based on is campaign BS it shows how hypocritical so many people are. They want the cheapest "everything" and are quite happy when prices drop because manufacturing is shipped over to China/India/Pakistan/Viet Nam etc - and then get all excited at the prospect of him slapping tarrifs on imports (which they will end up paying) because they falsely believe that it will force the manufacturing back into their country (which will double the price and then some owing to pay rates/unionisation etc). It's such a myopic view.

I've read all the "congratulatory" messages from various leaders with utter disdain. Every one them must have thought "Oh, FFS - not this ruddy obnoxious clown again" and then had to put on their diplomatic hat and through gritted teeth make out that they all still want their "special relationships" and toadied up to the chump.