[The Trump phenomenon is not a slap at democracy itself, but an unfortunate anomaly, but everything they say otherwise is right in the mark. It does make the US like a failing system. The whole article is worth reading.]
Democracy is a joke, says China – just look at Donald Trump
Beijing might be worried about the threat of a trade war with President Trump, but for now it’s content to laugh at the ‘rise of a racist’ in the US election
Donald Trump has threatened China with a trade war, but also praised leaders for their ‘strength’ Photograph: John Bazemore/AP
Tom Phillips in Beijing
Thursday 17 March 2016 06.52 GMT Last modified on Thursday 17 March 2016 12.28 GMT
When there is upheaval within China’s own borders – riots, protests, vicious political power struggles – hardly a sniff of it will be found in the pages of the country’s heavily-controlled press.
When it happens elsewhere – and particularly when it underscores the perils and pitfalls of democracy – it becomes front-page news.
Trump faces backlash after calling Tiananmen Square protest a ‘riot’
Such is the case of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, who, for China’s authoritarian rulers, has become the latest example of how allowing the masses a say in choosing their leaders is a bad idea.
“The rise of a racist in the US political area worries the whole world," the party-controlled Global Times crowed this week ahead of of Trump’s victory in the latest round of primaries. “He has even been called another Benito Mussolini or Adolf Hitler by some western media."
It added, darkly: “Mussolini and Hitler came to power through elections, a heavy lesson for western democracy."
Trump, or “Chuanpu" as they call him in China, has been a gift to Communist party spin doctors paid to convince the country’s 1.4 billion citizens that rule of the people is a sure path to chaos and destruction.
“They are relishing this moment," says Zhou Fengsuo, a US-based democracy activist who fled his native China following the deadly 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. “They are very happy. They are laughing over this.
“To them [Trump] is a good character to show the deficiencies of the democratic system, that such a person could become president. It is just unbelievable. Beijing is definitely gloating over this."
Two moe articles about a Trump presidency worth reading
Here’s why I’m terrified of Donald Trump
We asked some of the people Trump has singled out for ugly treatment – Muslims, women, African Americans, Mexican Americans – what they’re afraid of
Countries with powerful and positive reputations, just like corporations with powerful brands, always trade at a premium. They sell more products at higher prices; their citizens find it easier to get good jobs abroad; they attract more tourists and investors and migrant workers. America has such a brand – and Trump risks damaging it.
The United States is largely seen as a benign force in the international community – but this is a fact that will almost certainly change if Trump were president. America would find its ability to trade and negotiate effectively around the world severely compromised. Countries with weak or negative images – whether deserved or not – trade at a discount: everything they try to do on the international stage is more difficult and more expensive.
A large problem with Trump is that he doesn’t view America as a world leader, working hard to tackle the common challenges facing the whole of humanity. His kis an America hell-bent on pursuing its own interests. And if those interests happen not to coincide with those of the rest of humanity, so much the worse for the rest of humanity.
http://bit.ly/1SuBGON
If Trump were to win the presidency, Democracy will have proven to be an unsustainable form of government. But does the current situation mean that Democracy is a joke? The thing is, we can’t judge this until we see the results of the election.
If Democracy is not a joke, then the GOP will self-implode and either destroy itself, being replaced by something more thoughtful and reasoning, or split into two (or more) factions, neither (none) of which will be relevant for years to come. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats will continue to promote democracy, equal rights for all Americans and our Constitution far into the future.
Or, Trump wins and its a joke. A very, very bad joke.
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?Easiest way is to go to a link shortening website like https://bitly.com.
This is really getting ridiculous. Somehow NOW all the evil ideas spewing out of Trump are bad, as if the Conservatives before him were all hippy dippy lovenuts that didn’t hate foreigners, women, didn’t think we should bomb others countries, etc. How come NOW all of a sudden we see comparisons to Hitler, Mussolini, etc when all along Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and 99% of the RepubliCons hold the same beliefs as Drumpf? And LoisL - the US is seen as benign? OMG you have your head in the sand. The US is seen as the largest terrorist organization in the world. Bush was a complete dingbat when he said “they” hate us because of our freedoms. BS. They hate us because we invade their countries, completely disrespect their cultures, steal their resources, kill their elected leaders, stage coup after coup, all the while proclaiming how wonderful we are. THAT’S why they hate us. Good god the naivete around here is exhausting.
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?Easiest way is to go to a link shortening website like https://bitly.com. Thanks. Lois, will you try that?
This is really getting ridiculous. Somehow NOW all the evil ideas spewing out of Trump are bad, as if the Conservatives before him were all hippy dippy lovenuts that didn't hate foreigners, women, didn't think we should bomb others countries, etc. How come NOW all of a sudden we see comparisons to Hitler, Mussolini, etc when all along Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and 99% of the RepubliCons hold the same beliefs as Drumpf? And LoisL - the US is seen as benign? OMG you have your head in the sand. The US is seen as the largest terrorist organization in the world. Bush was a complete dingbat when he said "they" hate us because of our freedoms. BS. They hate us because we invade their countries, completely disrespect their cultures, steal their resources, kill their elected leaders, stage coup after coup, all the while proclaiming how wonderful we are. THAT'S why they hate us. Good god the naivete around here is exhausting.Just heard a clip of Harry Reid agreeing with me. He said exactly what I've been saying. Conservatives have been spewing the same hate for years. And now they complain about Trump.
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?Easiest way is to go to a link shortening website like https://bitly.com. Thanks. I'll use it as long as it doesn't take countless annoying steps as these things often do. Lois
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?Easiest way is to go to a link shortening website like https://bitly.com. Thanks. I'll use it as long as it doesn't take countless annoying steps as these things often do. Lois I believe in your ability, Lois. You can do it.
This is really getting ridiculous. Somehow NOW all the evil ideas spewing out of Trump are bad, as if the Conservatives before him were all hippy dippy lovenuts that didn't hate foreigners, women, didn't think we should bomb others countries, etc. How come NOW all of a sudden we see comparisons to Hitler, Mussolini, etc when all along Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and 99% of the RepubliCons hold the same beliefs as Drumpf? And LoisL - the US is seen as benign? OMG you have your head in the sand. The US is seen as the largest terrorist organization in the world. Bush was a complete dingbat when he said "they" hate us because of our freedoms. BS. They hate us because we invade their countries, completely disrespect their cultures, steal their resources, kill their elected leaders, stage coup after coup, all the while proclaiming how wonderful we are. THAT'S why they hate us. Good god the naivete around here is exhausting.Just heard a clip of Harry Reid agreeing with me. He said exactly what I've been saying. Conservatives have been spewing the same hate for years. And now they complain about Trump.Here, here. I'll drink to that. :coolsmirk: That's not a cool smirk, that's eye protection.
If Trump were to win the presidency, Democracy will have proven to be an unsustainable form of government. But does the current situation mean that Democracy is a joke? The thing is, we can't judge this until we see the results of the election.Democracy turns into a joke, when it looses it's educated, interested, intelligent, engaged citizenry, such as we've been witnessing in this country for decades.
I shortened the offendingly long link, using bitly.com. It was relatively easy.
So, Lois, you can replace it in the OP.
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?Easiest way is to go to a link shortening website like https://bitly.com. Well, the website does shorten the link, but there is apparently no way to copy it to paste it into a post. As soon as I try to highlight and copy the shorter link, it just takes me to the site! Any suggestions? Lois
Will someone please teach us how to make links that are too long for the margins, shorter?Easiest way is to go to a link shortening website like https://bitly.com. Well, the website does shorten the link, but there is apparently no way to copy it to paste it into a post. As soon as I try to highlight and copy the shorter link, it just takes me to the site! Any suggestions? Lois I think it copies automatically. (I don't recall exactly, but I had no trouble.) But for this thread, I copied the link, so you can just copy it from this post and paste it in your opening post on this thread and delete the long one. Here it is again: http://bit.ly/1UbolkP
Well if you disregard the source and simply think about the thought
“The rise of a racist in the US political area worries the whole world," -------- (said) this week ahead of of Trump’s victory in the latest round of primaries. “He has even been called another Benito Mussolini or Adolf Hitler by some western media." It added, darkly: “Mussolini and Hitler came to power through elections, a heavy lesson for western democracy."Hmmm, well all that's plenty true, isn't it. :smirk:
Hmmm, well all that's plenty true, isn't it. :smirk:No none of it is really true CC. You know what is true? Hillary referring to inner city black youth as Super-Predators. And explaining how they need to be "brought to heel". Hillary Clinton sitting on the Board at Wal-Mart. Hillary Clinton being real cozy with Senator Byrd---an actual KKK member. Hillary Clinton campaigning for Barry Goldwater. Hillary Clinton taking millions of $$$ from Wall St Banks. You see? That's all true and is based on events that actually happened. It's not some hyperbolic story based on analogies of foreign leaders from 70 years ago.
Hmmm, well all that's plenty true, isn't it. :smirk:No none of it is really true CC. You know what is true? Hillary referring to inner city black youth as Super-Predators. And explaining how they need to be "brought to heel". Hillary Clinton sitting on the Board at Wal-Mart. Hillary Clinton being real cozy with Senator Byrd---an actual KKK member. Hillary Clinton campaigning for Barry Goldwater. Hillary Clinton taking millions of $$$ from Wall St Banks. You see? That's all true and is based on events that actually happened. It's not some hyperbolic story based on analogies of foreign leaders from 70 years ago. The distracting thrust, I'd thought you'd do better than that. Oh and yes, Hillary is one piece of work. That's she's become as big as she is, is another failing of what it takes to keep a democracy alive. But, back to what I actually commented.
“Mussolini and Hitler came to power through elections, a heavy lesson for western democracy."Those who ignore history are doomed to relive it. :long:
Oh, V, do you think humanity has changed in the past 70 years?
Oh, V, do you think humanity has changed in the past 70 years?Yes I do. Big time. I also think comparing Trump to Mussolini or Hitler is a hackneyed last ditch effort. That includes comparing it to the process of Trump's rise, his campaign style, and the man himself. But you do what you gotta do.