What happens if Trump wins?

[Soapalert]

I know the comments Trump has made about blocking Muslims from the USA, and building a wall between the states and Mexico. But what will the world look like if he becomes president? People seem to be afraid of his success and suggest we 'should push the button now' or that he will be assassinated. Surely he comments are to stir up media interest?

People are heading to both extremes. It's the 30s again, all over.

It's about a sense of purpose in life.

Yes, that, entirely.

Sadly, that need for purpose can easily be manipulated in following all manner of pied pipers which is what makes the current state of the world so frightening IMO.

Claig, well done. I think you've passed the Turing test.
I can't think of any other explanation for your perplexing and oddly expressed views.

In which case it didn't.

' I think you've passed the Turing test.'

Big election tonight. Paul Ryan, Republican Speaker of the House, and called Lyin' Ryan by some Trump fans like the Stump for Trump Susters, Diamond and Silk, goes up against a populist Trump supporting challenger tonight. Trump expressed support for him on twitter but then had to reluctantly endorse Ryan under Republican Establishment pressure.

The polls don't give the populist, Paul Nehlen, a chance, but if he somehow manages to win tonight, then the Establishment will be almost finished.

"The most important election of the year, apart from the one occurring on November 8, takes place tomorrow. That’s when Speaker of the House Paul Ryan goes up against the vice president of a water filtration company, Paul Nehlen, in the first serious primary challenge that Ryan has faced in the 18 years since he was elected to Congress."

www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/08/paul-ryan-nehlen-election

As Trump tweeted just 9 hours ago

"I am running against the Washington insiders, just like I did in the Republican Primaries. These are the people that have made U.S. a mess!"

It's Trump versus them and Davos is biting its nails.

goes up against a populist Trump supporting challenger tonight. Trump expressed support for him on twitter but then had to reluctantly endorse Ryan under Republican Establishment pressure.

I do admire a man who stands by his principles. Especially one who keeps to them under pressure.

Davaos is not a person. Sorry, had to say it.

Also this:

*Davos

This is going beyond all decency. This man will have blood on his hands.

www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/09/trump-appears-to-encourage-gun-owners-to-take-action-if-clinton-appoints-anti-gun-judges/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_trump-guns-4pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory

First of all, this man is Such. A . Coward. He knows he's going to lose, so he's trying to undermine her presidency before it even begins.

That's so fucked up. I agree with the guy who said it comes across like an assassination attempt/ I've said it before: Bush was stupid, but Trump is mentally unstable. Regular people are not as erratic as him. Regular people don't say shit like this.

This interested me:

*Suggesting the insinuation that the comment was a threat against Clinton was engineered by her supporters.

"Hillary lies a lot, so it's no surprise that her supporters would lie," she said.*

That was the comment by a 49 year old woman for anyone who hasn't read the article. The whole 'Crooked Hillary' thing is him He says Hillary is a liar, so his fanatical followers blame her for everything. How the hell did he manage to brainwash so many people? He says jump, they say how high.

And he knows that. Which makes this comment by far the worst he's ever come out with.

Problem is, he's a businessman. And business men know how to wine and dine the media, or manipulate them. What they don't know what to do however, is run a country.

Trump knows how to make sure all eyes are on him, I'll give him that. Then he uses that attention to sow seeds against Clinton. Again, smart. But this was way, way, WAY too far.

If God save us all Trump does win, he'll be so out of his depth. He can shout slogans well, yes. But no other Nation leader will respect or defer to him, and I can't see him taking that well. He will lt down all his fanatical followers because he;s made promises he can't - or IMHO, never had any intention of - keeping. He'll do all the things the working class don't need. That'll be my one comfort. Laughing in the faces of bigots who genuinely thought he was going to build a wall and put the Star of David on those evil Muslims.

I wish there was an American on this thread. If Trump wins, it doesn't really matter what America does next. The last shred of respect for Americans will be gone. Because if they elect Trump, they essentially force him on the rest of the sane world,

Didn't mean to write a rambling essay

So sorry everyone!

He's an utter joke to the rest of the world. If - God forbid - he were to win, he'd be a ridiculous figure on the world stage, playing dress-ups and utterly out of his depth. He wouldn't be respected.

As it is, the rest of the world, looking on, just cannot see what it is about him, that his followers have been so sucked in by. He really is a horrible man. To look at (yes, shallow), and to listen to.

He's an American phenomenon through and through. He wouldn't work anywhere else. Everyone else thinks he's just silly (at best; dangerous at worst).

I wonder if those same people would then begin to see him through the eyes of the rest of the world. Imagine the scales falling...

The last shred of respect for Americans will be gone. Because if they elect Trump, they essentially force him on the rest of the sane world,

I have a lot of respect for a lot of Americans, and for the USofA as a country and as a concept, if you want.
In contrast, I shudder at some individuals (Trump being one of them, if that needed saying ) and at some actions of the country as a whole.

I have lived in the States, and I still have family and friends there.
There is a certain type of arrogance, for lack of a better word, that is part of the psyche of the country/nation: the whole 'the Best Country In The World' thing, the whole 'Everybody wants to come here', combined with (often) a lack of travel and exposure to other cultures and countries (see the number of people who don't own a passport) makes for some weird opinions and a vague sense of superiority. V strange to witness and hard to tackle IME.

Unfortunately, I am not so sure that a version of a Trump-like version wouldn't work elsewhere tbh. Despite what I just said, people are people and pied pipers seduce so well.

I agree. He's almost like a brand, a product to be flogged. America is such a materialistic society that I can see how the very uneducated (some unrelated documentaries that happened to be set in areas of America with statistically low IQ's and have literally never been to school) buy into his crap. I mean, why not? If you had no education, no prospects, and got your world news from FOX; Trump seems like a miracle. He's The American Dream (except daddy's a billionaire) He's smarter and will outfox those cronies up in Washington (how many times did he go bankrupt again? Oh yes, six) He will get rid of them Nasty Brown People because we want our jobs back (Trump hires illegals, outsources his companies, and his business is very tied up in globalism, much to claig's horror) He will destroy ISIS because he is so much smarter (Maybe we'll end up being pulled into yet another war after he decides it's a brilliant idea to bomb an area filled with children or something)

Essentially, he's promising to fix everything. He's shamelessly cashing in on the desperation of the uneducated poor. In a culture where brands matter, Trump is a brand. Clinton is not, because she's actually a politician. As for the educated who support him? The wealthy doesn't surprise me. He'll keep them safe. The middle class ones? They're the ones I think are the core of the bigotry through his campaign. The more uneducated are bigoted because of the media, the middle classes choose to be bigots. They're voting Trump because they're racists. Because they hate women. Because he'll put The White Man back on top again! Was he ever down?

Not only would he not be respected, he creates internal issues for other Nations. Remember that enormous petition to not let him in? If people don't even want him in their country, then the PM will have to both work with a todler who wants to be told how speshul he is every two minutes as well as an angry public.

Let's hope if he wins he isn't stupid enough to do random airstrikes on Syria. The ones that have been carefully planned have done enough damage. If he were stupid enough to engage in a war with another country, I don't think this time Britain and Australia would stand behind America. PM's would be way to hesitant to enrage their voters by making an alliance. If 4 million marched against Iraq, how many do you think would march against Trump?

He's a real politician's nightmare. A idiot with money who people listen to, who thinks he doesn't need advisers/speech writers/the numerous people who come with the gig because He Is Just So Smart

Sorry Pacific I wasn't clear. I meant respect for the American government, not the people.

I know some nice Americans. But they are very sensitive (have to be very careful about what jokes I make etc) and were genuinely shocked when they told me how jealous I must be, and I explained I don't want to live in America. They were gobsmacked. and a little shitty even though I was polite and made it about loving home, not hating their crazy country

I wish there was an American on this thread. There are a few of us on this thread, we're just trying to fly under the radar to avoid the missiles .

I don't think my country is 'better' than any others, and I'm not alone in that. The 1950s attitude is diminishing somewhat and a great number of people believe that we're 'better than some, not as good as others'. As with most things, the vocal 'America, by God!!!!' crowd gets the publicity.

As far as Trump getting elected, remember that the President is not elected by popular vote. He's elected by electoral votes and that it is possible to be elected on an electoral majority whilst actually losing on the popular vote. This is how GW Bush was elected in 2000, he had more electoral votes that Al Gore (who had the popular vote). This is why nominees campaign so hard in some states and little in others. Right now Hillary is ahead in the polls (thank God) but as Yogi Berra said "It ain't over 'til it's over".

It's like living with the Sword of Damocles hanging over our head. I'm usually one that wants to hold back time but roll on November. I've never dreaded an election as I have this one, and I just want it over. Trump is a madman (I'd call him the Antichrist if I was a 'Bible Belt' Christian).

There is a certain type of arrogance, for lack of a better word, that is part of the psyche of the country/nation: the whole 'the Best Country In The World' thing, the whole 'Everybody wants to come here', combined with (often) a lack of travel and exposure to other cultures and countries (see the number of people who don't own a passport) makes for some weird opinions and a vague sense of superiority. V strange to witness and hard to tackle IME.

Another american here and to be honest, attitudes like this make me often not bother with threads about americans.

America is a huge country. You don't need to leave it to travel widely and experience other cultures - hence many americans not having passports. You won't see Europe of course but a trip to Europe is out of the budget of most average americans anyway. Although every high school I know offers trips to south american and Europe, even those in poor districts.

I have never yet met an american who was gobsmacked at anyone wanting to live somewhere other than the US. Most of them would say "I'd love to live in Italy/Ireland/London/whatever." That's the americans I meet. The ones you met aren't representative of everyone.

Most americans do not feel superior and ironically enough many of them greatly revere British culture. I would have said that feeling of superiority is more likely found in France - and used to certainly be found in the UK. Trump isn't our finest hour but that doesn't mean that he expresses the opinions of the majority of americans.

I think the world is currently looking at Brexit Britain thinking we've gone mad, so I don't think we have much to say to the US on populist political support.

It's obviously hard to measure 'class' through blunt demographics, but I'm not sure the middle classes are carrying Trump. Clinton is now ahead with white men with college degrees, traditionally a solid Republican market. The only group Trump leads in is non-college educated white men.

Quite simply, this man is unacceptable. No one can possibly support him and not recognise that this is an endorsement of hate speech in public life. If they are OK with that, it says a lot about them.

You don't need to leave it to travel widely and experience other cultures - hence many americans not having passports.

Yes, that is true.
And I did not in any way want to come across as making sweeping statements (generalisation are always dangerous and I am sorry about having made some one)
However, nobody of any other nationality has ever reacted with incredulity or hurt when I said (aged 10) that I wanted to return home (you know, where my Mummy and Daddy were) after an extended holiday in the States. Bacause, how could I possibly want to leave The Promised Land? I must be sad to be leaving - well, yes, sad that my holiday was over, I'd had a great time, and sad that I had to go back to school etc, but looking forward to home, and familiarity and, you know, home.
I was also asked whether we had indoor plumbing, whether we had hot water and electricity and whether I came from East or West Germany - 1985, I could only have come from the West, but that had to be explained.
These were college educated, lovely, interested people, living in a college town, working professional jobs. Widely travelled, including Paris, France

Anyhoo, I am really the last person who would want to be disrespectful to the US and its residents and I am simply going by my experiences.

I think the world is currently looking at Brexit Britain thinking we've gone mad, so I don't think we have much to say to the US on populist political support.
Yes to that. That's embarrassing too tbh.

'I would have said that feeling of superiority is more likely found in France - and used to certainly be found in the UK. '

I agree with Canyouforgiveher. There is a snobbishness in England and France (the Old World) towards America (the New World) which to some extent stems from the Old World being economically and politically supplanted as the number one power and a jealousy based on that.

The "intellectuals" in the media here think they are more knowledgeable and sophisticated than many Americans when in fact on many political subjects it is Americans who are far better informed - on things like Monsanto and what really goes in in politics.

Here is a Trump explaining why he doesn't like the term "American exceptionalism" which may have come as a surpriser to the interviewer who I think is Pat Robertson

Really? Give some illustration that doesn't involve a Trump speech - he really has no credibility in this discussion

Pacific you met one set of people - and it sounds like some time ago. they really aren't representative of americans generally. most of us think other countries/cultures are interesting, fascinating (and have great food). You will meet ignorant people everywhere, including the USA but there really isn't a systemic feeling of "number 1 man" in most places - especially the more populated east and west coasts.

People are proud of the republic and the democracy and the constitution. There are huge stains on american history - slavery being the largest one - but in general it is a place where democracy hasn't faltered but has progressed over nearly 250 years. Trump is a blip - not a change in type of government - even if he is elected. UK is similar - hence the strong relationship between the two countries.

Speaking of which, from a purely US point of view Brexit is a disaster because the US relied on the UK to "translate" the EU to them. I heard a senior conservative economist say recently that there isn't a politician/economist/pundit in the US who thinks Brexit is good for the US - other than Trump. Everyone else on both sides of the aisle is absolutely dismayed. But that is probably just an establishment thing :)

I always get a bit cranky with the general MN view of the States. It doesn't reflect the place I live at all. All of my friends are politically interested, educated, intelligent people. They're also very funny and get irony and sarcasm just as much as the next person.

One of the most intelligent, educated, well read and interesting people I know doesn't have a US passport. Her reasoning is that she doesn't want one until she's fulfilled her dream of going to every US National Park. For her, that's how she spends her holidays. Plus, lots of people only get 20ish days of holiday, so it's easier to spend that within the US than it is heading elsewhere.

I think everywhere can be guilty of being somewhat insular. There is still an Empirical hangover within the UK that it's more important globally than it really is imo. Added to this, a certain amount of anti American snobbiness. The "so many of them don't have a passport" being a case in point, especially when said by people who have only ever used their British passport for 2 weeks holidays in resorts in Tenerife, Zante and, rather ironically, Orlando.

NB I'm talking generally here, not talking about specific posters on this thread.

Dogwood You're basing your opinion on incidents that happened with a few Americans. In 1985 the population of the US was 240 million. I you were spoken to in that way by even 200 people that's only .00008333% of the population. Hardly a representative sample. So you actually did 'make a sweeping statement' and a generalization.

I lived near Nürnberg for around a year as a young adult (many years ago). There were lovely people, there were some who were horrible. And yes, the 'horrible' ones are the ones that stick out in my mind. I certainly don't judge the entirety of the German population on the people I met when I lived there decades ago. You were also rather young which can colour one's perceptions.

But I digress.

Trump is still a loud mouthed imbecile.