If Trump is to be elected as an absolute dictator then much of what he says might become a reality. But a president-no matter who that might be-just cannot “make America great again” by proclaiming it be so. Then working through our political system with its entrenched interests.
Much of Trumps support comes from former middle class workers who used to make decent wages and now are working for minimum wage. And maybe not even full time. So they are pissed. The good old days are gone and they want them back. That happened because of two things; globalization of factory work and technology. Globalization is not going away and technology will continue to replace ever more workers. Sure this will provide high paying high tech work for some, but for the masses? Very, very unlikely.
So a given candidate might be able to promise this, that, and the other but the reality of it is beyond any politicians control. No matter the huffing, puffing, and bluster. We are indeed in a brave new world and Donald Trump cannot bring back the good old days for the former US middle class.
I don’t think anyone can.
Reality doesn't matter to many voters, just as the truth doesn't matter to many voters. What sets Trump apart from any other politician in my lifetime is the fact that he is giving his honest opinion and a promise to address it. Who else is doing that and actually means it? Nobody in my lifetime.
Obama got Obamacare passed via procedure, and it had/has very little actual support from the voters. He is using Executive Orders to circumvent the law on immigration. So to say that Trump could not accomplish much of what he has said he would is overlooking the realities of playing politician in America. Plus, if he ever actually got elected he would have the hammer and would not be afraid to use it. The power of the Presidency isn't really that great. The POTUS is a figurehead, but even his/her enemies have to respect the position.
I am not a fan, but as I mentioned, his ideas are well worth considering. They are very populist and feed into the growing discomfort that all Americans are feeling. Remember, the people who vote in primaries are the hard cores. What will happen when a couple of hundred million voters vote? What happens if the market crashes or there is another terrorist incident?
I am cautiously optimistic that Trump will be a vehicle for change, or at least worth a few laughs.
Tim
