My Big Fat Election Diary Part 2

Day 4:

Your local senate candidate

Another day, another dollar, or so the saying goes. Or indeed in the world of Sophington Towers, another American election observation.... and today's is on necks. Necks you say? Yes. Necks. Weird I know but I've clocked this recurring theme in this here political shitshow, and it is that of the neck... or lack thereof. American politicians are very good at a photoshoot I've noticed, them with kids, snuggling the obligatory baby, looking serious in schools/workplaces/ construction sites etc, all to show off their connection with REAL people, ie potential voters. However in said photoshoots what I've observed is just how many of them seem to go straight from shoulders to head, no neck in between. Like the impending weight of political responsibility has squished their very bonce onto their shoulders, leaving no room for actual neckage and rendering them rather turtle like in return. Some might say that some of the candidates standing for election have a lot of brass neck in requesting we vote for them considering their recent actions, statements and misdemeanors, others might suggest that they are afraid to put their neck on the line, but do so they just, even if we don't agree with everything they say. Weird but true.

And speaking of necks on the line, it's time to put mine on. Well and truly. Cos, and hear me out peeps, I've got something to say about Trump supporters, and it aint all bad. Y'see I know most Brits, and indeed rest of the world, stand agape, mouths wide in horror at the prospect of Trump becoming President. It makes no sense to us (in fact in a recent survey, apparently only a mere 10% of the British public questioned would consider voting for Trump) but the more conversations I have, and the more news I am watching, I can kinda understand the appeal.... to some.

Now, don't get me wrong, I would never vote Trump, even if I did have the right to. He is abhorrent to me, and rightly so with all of his lies, misogyny and inane rantings... not to mention the hair. But he does have that appeal to a certain proportion of the population, and it's not dissimilar to our very own British shit show. That of Brexit. The way I viewed Brexit is that not all Brexiteers were evil, racist, small minded idiots. Granted some were and the Leave vote gave license to many of them to behave in such a way, but there was also a huge swathe of the population that responded to the call to leave with what they felt were very valid reasons. A huge chunk of society that used Brexit as a protest vote at the complete disenfranchisement they felt, a complete removal from the machinations of Whitehall. They felt belittled and worthless following years of being ignored by what has been termed the London, or metropolitan, elite. And I get it, I really do. I don't agree with how they used their Brexit vote to say so, but I can see where they came from. And the situation here in America isn't that dissimilar.

When you got this man supporting you,
you know you're in trouble

There are pockets, even states of people who have felt ignored by Washington for years. They've seen their jobs disappear overseas with no income, retraining or even bloomin jobs to replace them. Simultaneously while their incomes have disappeared, their cost of living has risen due to the corrupt and irresponsible actions of Wall Street and these voters see politicians courting those very institutions that brought recession, job loss and despair to their doorsteps. They are consequently suffering extreme financial instability, seeing little or no hope for their children's future. Compound this with an education system that has in certain geographical areas, suffered under investment for decades, leaving them to encourage their children into careers where violent death or injury is a very real daily possibility (the military) just as a route out of poverty. I mean, that aint right is it? These voters have been complaining for years, but just like with the London political elite, Washington hasn't listened. And now they are reaping the consequences in the form of a candidate that tells these people what they want to hear, even if you and I know he's never going to follow through. It's just like the £350m-a-week to the NHS pledge that the Brexiteers trotted out, only to find out the day after the referendum that this was a big fat lie that no one would ever have implemented, could never have implemented, it was just a tactic to capture votes. Sound familiar Donald? No wonder he's had Nigel Farage out here stumping for him.

So to certain people, I understand Trump's appeal. This is a man who they feel is speaking their language, even if he isn't paying his taxes. He's speaking to them, about them, and it's the first time a politician has done that in years. Why wouldn't they respond? At last they aren't being ignored. They are the ones being courted instead of left out in the cold, they feel involved, enfranchised, engaged.

Tbis. Just this.

Now, obviously this isn't all Trump voters. There are those 'ist's out there. The racist, sexist, bible bashing, tub thumping, die hard Republicans for whom I have no words, and even less regard. And there are also some very smart & lovely people voting for Trump who I have a lot of time for and am pleased to call my friends, well, friend. And if you're reading this buddy, you know who you are. I can't fathom your reasons, but you have them and I respect your right to do so. When this shit show is over, I'll still be your little commie pinko, and you'll still be my favourite fascist friend. And that's ok. But when those from overseas are watching this election with mostly fear in your heart for the state of the world should Trump get into power, please don't dismiss all of America (or at least the popular vote) in one fell swoop, and please remember it's not that simple. After all, these things rarely are.