I’m curious how much respect America is losing in the face of the rest of the world when they put on these circus debates between alleged presidential hopefuls. They are allowed to say the most ridiculous things (let’s make Mexico pay for a giant wall, durr) and blatantly lie (a living fetus on the table? Seriously?), and it’s such a huge clown act that I have to imagine the rest of the world watching it just has to sit back and think, “What the hell happened to America?”.

And with Trump’s popularity, I have to ask how many people are worried he might actually become president, and what do you think that means for your country (America or otherwise)?


L. Spiro

Well as an American, it seems to me that both the GOP and Dems that we have running are a symptom of a deep condition in the United States. We are becoming further polarized, and I fear that we will get to the point in which a working government will be a pipe dream. Donald Trump is rallying the minds of the deep conservatives that share the same nativist/blame-the-immigrants mentality of the Southern Baptists of old, while Berney Sanders is giving promises to the doe eyed without the ability to promise that his actions will work. I find solace in the fact that most political analysts state that even though Trump is winning, his lead will shrink when his lack of knowledge pertaining to government functionality will reduce the gap between him and other candidates. It's also believed that even though he occupies 35% for republican polls, Dems should still be able to win in the general election. There is also a chance that Romney might come in later on, but I'm not holding my breath. In relation to ridiculous thins, and blatant lies, that has , in my opinion, become a staple of politics in the United States. There are still people I know that believe that Obama is a "Muslim Anti-christ" born to turn America from a "Christian" nation to a Muslim monarchy. I'm hoping that Americans will finally take the time to do the research behind what they learn on the internet before we hit rock bottom.

In my opinion, the shenanigans that are got up to by the elephants and donkeys are nothing new this time around - the context might differ but the flavour remains the same. But given Australia has its own lot of political clowns playing musical chairs with the leadership of the country, it is not like there exists much difference. Trump being your President would probably mean nothing more than a side-note in history, in the greater scheme of things and the effect on our country would probably be a state visit by him to Jennifer Hawkins (in the desperate hope that being the President might give him a chance).

Well As of now Trump just announced his want to end all weapon bans, seems like he just locked in his nomination for the presidency by republicans.

I'm from England.

In my view, Trump is a similar figure to our very own Nigel Farage in many ways. Absurd clown with a depressing amount of popular support, but unlikely to do anything except provoke some debate, which is a good thing. I hope I'm correct.

UKIP here were a similarly embarrassing "tail wags dogs" political movement going into the last election. They were lauded though for representing the view of the "man on the street". I wish I could find that patronizing but my experience of talking to people at random around the last election was that there really was a massive amount of xenophobic, media-led hysteria about immigration going on in my country.

As a Canadian, American politics have always been an ample source of amusement. That was until Harper brought it north across the border. Now I'm livid.

I'm from England.

In my view, Trump is a similar figure to our very own Nigel Farage in many ways. Absurd clown with a depressing amount of popular support, but unlikely to do anything except provoke some debate, which is a good thing. I hope I'm correct.

UKIP here were a similarly embarrassing "tail wags dogs" political movement going into the last election. They were lauded though for representing the view of the "man on the street". I wish I could find that patronizing but my experience of talking to people at random around the last election was that there really was a massive amount of xenophobic, media-led hysteria about immigration going on in my country.

I'd say compared to Trump that Farage is quite a normal politician. Also he didn't pose quite as serious a threat in the UK as Trump does in the US. UKIP are a fairly niche party in a multiparty system and thanks to our proportional voting there is little chance of them ever accomplishing anything.

In the US though it is still a two party system. If Trump wins the democratic nomination it could be a scary few years ahead for the average American.

Im not american but I think George Carlin summed it up voting pretty well

"...First of all it's meaningless; this country was bought and sold a long time ago. The shit they shovel around every 4 years *pfff* doesn't mean a fucking thing."

because when there is that much money in play, something is being bought...

As far as the GOP goes they needed someone as fucking crazy as Trump to make the candidates they have been pushing look half normal. That party is a joke.

Good or bad, which ever side wins, neither side is going to follow through on any of it unless they are told to by the money.

I’m curious how much respect America is losing in the face of the rest of the world when they put on these circus debates between alleged presidential hopefuls. They are allowed to say the most ridiculous things (let’s make Mexico pay for a giant wall, durr) and blatantly lie (a living fetus on the table? Seriously?), and it’s such a huge clown act that I have to imagine the rest of the world watching it just has to sit back and think, “What the hell happened to America?”.

And with Trump’s popularity, I have to ask how many people are worried he might actually become president, and what do you think that means for your country (America or otherwise)?


L. Spiro

Anyone who follows American politics knows that the primaries are where the shenanigans occur. So for the most part, entertainment is not only expected, it's wanted. Now in the general election, that's where people become more serious and the things that someone says is really scrutinized.

Ah... America! You people perplex me. Almost everything I see about America on various forms of media, whether it's the politicians or the people themselves, gives an impression of falsity and ridiculousness. Yet pretty much every actual American person I've met has been no different from people from anywhere else. I can only assume that most American's are actually sane, rational people, or the country would have collapsed long ago, but it's just not the impression you give to the rest of the world.

Your presidents and presidential candidates are definitely no exception. The first American president I can remember was Reagan, and since then, the only president that hasn't come across as a complete moron has been Obama. Perhaps he just has better media advisers, or perhaps he actually is more intelligent than his predecessors. I really don't care enough about American politicians to bother investigating. He's certainly portrayed in a much better light in the media here than previous presidents have been.

Donald Trump certainly does come across as more ridiculous than any candidate for a long time (except perhaps for Sarah Palin, was she a candidate or a running mate? I don't really know how your system works, I'll admit). I don't personally worry about what would happen if he won the election. I do have enough faith in humanity in general to believe that if he was insane enough to attempt to something completely stupid and drastic, that more rational people would just say "No."

But to answer your initial inquiry - I don't have any less respect for America now, as I've never had any real respect for "America." I have much respect for American people that I have met, but I'm perplexed as to how as a nation you can put up an image that seems so far at odds with most of your people.