Michael Heseltine spared little when commenting on Boris Johnson yesterday, but as political commentary goes Martin Wolf's opening two paragraphs on Donald Trump in today's FT is amongst the most unambiguous I have ever read:
Donald Trump will be the Republican candidate for president. He might even become president of the US. It is hard to exaggerate the significance and danger of this development. The US was the bastion of democracy and freedom in the 20th century. If it elected Mr Trump, a man with fascistic attitudes to people and power, the world would be transformed.
Mr Trump is a misogynist, a racist and a xenophobe. He glories in his own ignorance and inconsistency. Truth is whatever he finds convenient. His policy ideas are ludicrous, where they are not horrifying. Yet his attitudes and ideas are less disturbing than his character: he is a narcissist, bully and spreader of conspiracy theories. It is frightening to consider how such a man would use the powers at the disposal of the president.
The cracks are showing.
The need for the Grand Coalition I wrote about yesterday is growing.
And in the meantime, I think that might knock the FT off the Trump invite list. But I suspect he will not care.
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Donald Trump is a deal maker. When push comes to shove he will make deals with anyone. What we ought to worry about is who he does the deals with and to what purpose. Anything could happen with this one.
Martin Wolf has “sold out” to the elitist and vested interests hence his annual attendance at Bilderberg meetings. I cannot now trust anything he produces! Such a shame!!
Amen
“The US was the bastion of democracy and freedom in the 20th century.”
If they elect Trump it will prove it “is” the bastion of democracy in the 21st century. It is difficult to imagine any other country in the world where people would be given the democratic right to nominate or elect a person such as this.
This is an example of democracy giving awful results that are difficult to stomach or understand, but universal suffrage (or an approximation of it) can come at a price.
I have never believed that the USA is a bastion of freedom. This is a country where even a barbers shop is licensed and regulated.
Wolf’s comments on Trump are correct.
Wolf’s comment about “bastion of freedom” are those of an establishment person. USA as a bastion of terror might be closer to the mark: Central America (contras, El Salavador, Guatamala, death squads, school of the Americas), South America (Chile – Pinochet, Argentina – the generals), Cambodia (bombing of by USAF), Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, support for thuggish regimes too numerous to mention, Greece & the colonels (support of) & so the list goes on & on & on. The USA is a supporter of freedom……..for the very rich.
This:
‘Truth is whatever he finds convenient. His policy ideas are ludicrous, where they are not horrifying. Yet his attitudes and ideas are less disturbing than his character: he is a narcissist, bully and spreader of conspiracy theories. It is frightening to consider how such a man would use the powers at the disposal of the president.’
Really could describe most of our leading political figures. Ina way Trump represents the true ‘outing’ of the politicos. Trump is, subconsciously, present a sort of play that shows us the inner nature of contemporary politics and displays it with neon lighting. In this respect, Trump ‘is the truth’! He’s inadvertently showing us the true vacuousness of the politician in general and the demise of the political sphere. In this respect he’s doing us all a favour.
Where does Wolff get the idea that the US was the ‘bastion of democracy’? The great ‘super imperialist’ power that took the currency reins at Bretton Woods and now has the largest prison population in the world?
Wolf has lost the plot.
Martin Wolf is certainly not in the same space that I think I am in
But, equally I do not think that means he has lost the plot. There is merit in what he writes and he is playing a useful role. Not everyone who you do not agree with has lost the plot. Indeed, I’d suggest Wolf is edging towards finding one
Can’t see that, Richard. He enjoys his visits to Davos chatting to the likes of lagarde while he should be excoriating her. The pizzas are good quality over there so I suppose its worth a visit!
I am going to the World Bank
I suspect I will enjoy it
Are you saying I should not?
Oh come on , Richard-you know what I meant!
Although I do have concern about people flying all over the world on ‘expenses’ and talking to dubious organisations whilst saying the ‘right things’ about environmental change.’
It depends what you mean about ‘enjoy’, of course-quaffing and guzzling at expensive restaurants at Davos with the super wealthy is one thing – if you are doing that out of the World Bank ‘budget’ then I do have problem with it, especially as it (The World Bank) is presiding over the most savage climate of economic lunacy ever known.
The World Bank are paying
I may get a burger
But what is better? No engagement or present my ideas?
Richard,
Edward Snowden has managed to communicate his ideas to the whole world without moving outside his location. I really question why economists have to go on bizarre ‘day trips’ thousands of miles away. Technology creates its own environmental issues in the minerals and semi-slave labour that lies behind it but it could be at least a little offset by being used to avoid jet-lagging mega journeys, unless you feel that airlines deserve even more economic support beyond their Governmental privileges which already exist. Bill Mitchell does this even more from Australia where video links would be just as good. Bill is good at talking the environmental talk as well the suddenly goes off to Finland, then Spain and multiple visits to America doing short interviews.
I have a conscience on the carbon issue: this is my third trip across the Atlantic in six months
I accept all the compromises that entails
As far as I am concerned I see no difference between Trump and the rest of the political elite in the USA except one of presentation. Trump does not hide any of his ignorance or pre-judgement under a false cloak of intellectual argument or justification like his fellow republicans or even democrats have done since Reagan.
Trump is a nasty bastard and it is as simple as that really. And I find that refreshing in a an odd sort of way. Because the way in which American business is ran is basically nasty too.
For all his crudity, it could be that Trump is just the true face of modern American politics. Republican and Democrat politicians have all in the some way served the American public very badly and enabled American corporations and financial powers to dismantle progressive capitalism (the American Dream). Both parties have done this by hiding behind the language of togetherness and bi-partisanship whilst coldly making life worse for average Americans in the name of efficiency and profit.
The reason why pro-marketeers and republican don’t like Trump is because of his take it or leave attitude. Perversely, he comes across as honest – so honest – that he might actually tip many away from the entrenched despotism that there seems to be in both the Republican and Democratic parties which seem to have a number of key ‘pre-anointed families’ waiting in the wings to assume power and thus guaranteeing continuity of the corporate and financial objectives of their funding.
I did not think that we would ever see a worse US Government since Bush Jnr and his bunch of criminals. But it looks as though we could. If we do, then the brazenness of Trump could just well be the tipping point to people world wide wising up to the fact the North America and the capitalist system it tries to ram down the world’s throat is the biggest rogue state and lie of all.
And that is why I think Republicans and neo-libs are so scared of Trump – because he will effectively blow their cover. Illusion will no longer be possible. And then we might get people joining together in some ‘Grand Coalition’ you speak of Richard.
You’ve made the point I was trying to make above, much better !
Richard, please take care not to fly “too close to the sun”.
Items on your agenda could be co opted for nefarious purposes by those that have utter contempt and ill intent towards ordinary folk.
For example, the abolition of cash would in an ideal world would cripple illegal activity…but in the less than ideal world the control of digital money could mean critics of government are silenced.
The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions….
Change is not possible without engagement
All engagement involves risk
I have to accept that risk
I am not interested in talk alone
I’m not really sure why we are so concerned about Trump, what has gone before him can hardly be called “a bastion of democracy and freedom in the 20th century.”
The US is currently the leading global imperial power and will aggressively defend its commercial and military interests no matter who is the President. Trump may be more overt in expressing his ill formed views, but with his obvious right wing public support he will now be used by the Republican party to find a way to take back control over the US military/industrial/technological/financial capitalist complex and continue the process of continued global control and domination.
Trump is merely a symptom of the problem, not the cause. The same could have been said of many British heads of state during the rise and fall of the British Empire. Let’s not forget we are still dominated (or infested) by WASP’s!
http://www.globalresearch.ca/americas-imperial-empire-the-sun-never-sets-but-the-mote-remains-in-the-emperors-eye/5525635
You reap what you so! Martin Wolf was a free market fundamentalist from the 70s until 2008, a policy that oppressed the average working man and woman and put them in the position where they will look to anyone for solutions. He needs to, not just criticise Trump, but to express his own guilt that he espoused a believe system that gave birth to such dangers.
That is true and appropriate criticism
I suspect people like Wolf and Turner abandoned their ‘philosophies’ once their wallets were well lined and made a canny move to be ‘ahead of the game’ as they saw a good market for books and lecture tours that would make them seem like good angels.
Poachers all, turned partial gamekeepers.
I try to see that of God in them
Are you?
Quaker speak for the sake of everyone else
I’ll take that rap on the knuckles! However, Richard, people like George Fox made it clear that it was the ‘light’ that illuminated the darkness. Seeing ‘that of God means’ seeing the ‘darkness’ as well.
Fox referred to the Anglican Priests of his time contemptuously as ‘high professors’, I think this is also appropriate to those that abandoned free market fundamentalism ONLY when it was convenient to them to do so from a position of considerable comfort and ease, whilst the most vulnerable took the full rap. We are not ‘answering that of God’ in them if we simply let them ‘off the hook.’ The Early Quakers called a spade a spade.
(Internal Quaker theology debate here between me and Richard -apologies!).
But without being within talking distance they will never hear that they are a spade
But all noted
In a grossly imperfect world I would vote for Trump against Hillary Clinton, but for Sanders against Trump. Having to make such choices must be a nightmare for the American electorate. However, the UK press has consistently underestimated and misunderstood Trump. He’s nobody’s fool. His rhetoric thus far has been to win the Republican nomination. One can expect his Presidential campaign to be modified in any way he considers appropriate in order to win. The American middle-class (C1, C2 and D in old money) has been hollowed out by the neo-liberal agenda, with no effective pay rise since 1973 (http://www.epi.org/publication/understanding-the-historic-divergence-between-productivity-and-a-typical-workers-pay-why-it-matters-and-why-its-real) and they (the voters) appear to have just woken up. Obama failed them miserably. Who else can they turn to? Either Trump or Sanders. And since Clinton will win the Democratic nomination Trump is their best option. The main thrust of his campaign to date has been jobs – not building walls. All the polls – for what they’re worth – indicate a very close fight between Trump & Clinton but Sanders is more popular than Trump. For clearer insight into what’s happening across the Pond far better to read US blogs and AM than anything published over here. Trump’s popularity is just further evidence of the social chaos and destruction caused by the neo-liberal ideology. For how much longer can it predominate?
Well put – there are Sanders voters who will vote for Trump simply out of the desire to rattle the dodgy house of cards. If I were American, I’d consider it myself in the absence of a Sanders nomination. Trump is showing contempt for the whole system which as , here, is essentially a one party one.
Love him or hate him Trump is doing the American people a great service by exposing the one party system in the US and also outing the corruption that surrounds this.
Trump is by far the lesser of two evils. Killary, is a fraud, a liar and a crook through and through. I wouldn’t want her hands anywhere near the US “nuclear button”.
Seconded
Martin Wolf is a very bright guy, and on this issue he is absolutely correct. In a similar vein this article by Robert Reich (who was labour secretary in the Bill Clinton adminstration) is worth reading: http://robertreich.org/post/140705539195
Standout quote:
“Viewing Donald Trump in light of the fascists of the first half of the twentieth century — who used economic stresses to scapegoat others, created cults of personality, intimidated opponents, incited violence, glorified their nations and disregarded international law, and connected directly with the masses — helps explain what Trump is doing and how he is succeeding.
It also suggests why Donald Trump presents such a profound danger to the future of America and the world.”
He is
That’s great coming from Reich who was Labour secretary during a Clinton administration that deregulated like mad and became know as the #best republican democratic America has ever had.’
Did Reich have anything to say about Gramm-Leach-Bliley at the time. After the GFC all these trough nuzzlers are having a whale of a time telling us what’s wrong when it is suddenly safe and convenient to do so.
If that’s being ‘bright’ then I suppose you might be right.
Simon
iunfair on Reich I’m afraid.
You need to watch Reich’s documentary ‘Inequality for All’ in which he will tell you what happened (BTW – he resigned out of frustration in my view and is very hard on himself with his lack of progress).
If you triangulate that (academic triangulation as opposed to the New Labour version) with other accounts of Clinton’s time in office and how he was misled by Alan Greenspan and some ex-Goldman Sachs CEOs and other alumni who were infesting the White House at the time (and still continue to do so) I think you will change your mind somewhat.
Give it a go.
Sorry Howard – I think you, Wolf and Reich are completely and utterly wrong.
The Clintons are criminals there is absolutely no doubt about that and they are the lackeys of the criminal fraternity owning and running the big banks.
I don’t think Trump’s profile fits that of either Mussolini or Hitler, or for that matter Stalin.
Has anyone even bothered to consider that the role that he will play is more akin to that of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus?
Given the choice, I would settle for a highly visible benign dictator rather than the occult evil corporatists that have spawned NAFTA, TPP, TTIP and TISA, which will destroy free and fair trade.
These sick evil twisted individuals have in mind a dystopia for ordinary people that is a mix of 1984, Brave New World, the Hunger Games and Elysium.
I am sorry, but I have to disagree
Completely disagree
Those opting for the ‘honesty’ of Trump’s approach by comparison with the Neoliberal consensus should beware. The Neoliberal project maintains its grip through concealed influence wielded through ownership of resource. Trump would demand the exact same influence but would achieve it with an authoritarian fist.
Look at Poland, Hungary, Croatia (and maybe Austria) to see how right wing lies are being promoted by historical revisionism. Look at how the elected Prime Minister of Hungary can declare ‘dictatorial countries are more successful than democratic ones’. Look at Trump and his policies and despair.
If Trump gets power, history would suggest that the establishment will roll over to serve its new master. The ones who will really suffer Trump’s authoritarian hammer will be those prepared to stand up to him. In other words, the USA equivalents of the readers and bloggers on this site should be prepared to be silenced.
Fair enough – I have a feeling that the unelected controllers are going to make their intentions even more clear within the next year or so and the horror in store for the ordinary people of this world and their children will manifest completely within the next twenty years.