No! This is not the time for America, led by a perceived madman With an itchy trigger finger, to turn itself into a huge and isolationist gulag!

Well Hillary is unpopular enough for a Trump win to be contemplated on the back of a huge surge in a massaged protest vote. It's not like most folk will vote for Trump but against Hillary?

Trump as President will not be directed or controlled? And its true financial position leaves in a precarious and vulnerable position, which cannot be assisted by a economic illiterate and former bankrupt. We have laws here that prevent bankrupts from getting into public office and for good reason!
Alan B.

Its articles like this that are driving the support for Trump. No examination of what the man is actually saying but simply a resort to insults. Is it really racist for a person to be concerned about illegal immigration? Especially in a country with over tens million of illegal immigrants. Does support for a traditional view of marriage make one a bigot or a homophobe? If one speaks to woman in the same manner as a man does this make a person a misogynist?
The assumption in articles like this is that the people who support trump are simply too stupid to know better, or just racist bigoted Neanderthals. It is these assumptions that are driving his popularity.
I feel that he will do a perfectly fine job of president and certainly better than the warmongering Clinton. He may also look after the interests of working men and women who have been neglected for decades while politicians pander to special interest groups with the money and organisation to lobby them.

If America can survive Obama's presidency, it can survive Trump's.

I am old enough to remember that in 1980 the leftie media were fulminating about a b-grade movie actor becoming President. The fact that Reagan, Thatcher, Gorbachev and the Pope managed to end the cold war without significant loss of life (for which they never received the credit that was due), makes me think that President Trump may not be as bad as the media think. I am very comforted by the way he is lambasting the US media, as I think the media has deserted its correct function of reporting events, instead of attempting to manipulate them.

The current leftie administration in Washington has failed. President Trump can only be better.

Trump is the only hope for America's survival. The U.S has been brought to its knees by Obama, and would be finished off by the silly, screeching woman, Clinton.

The difference between Trump and the elite, professional politicians is that Trump says what he believes. And what he believes is also believed by a growing number of Americans who, like many Australians, are sick of the same pap they hear from the do-nothing political elites at every election: "jobs and growth", yada yada, empty promises, with not a mention of their mass immigration programmes, the Muslim threat,and the fact that this country is becoming a sick joke because of its importation of people who not only live out their lives on dole provided by Australians, but who are also totally opposed to us and our way of life.

We do not want the same old rubbish from boofheads like Turnbull and Shorten; we need someone like Trump. And if he is occasionally rough and rude, so much the better to give the political self-serving elites the bum's rush. Neither Australia nor America - or the entire Anglosphere - can last much longer with the the same worn out, ignorant idiots we have had to tolerate for far too long.

Against Clinton, Trump looks like and angel. As rude and arrogant as he appears he has nothing on the conniving woman who has had to delete data to cover her decisions. Many would be in gaol if they did what she has done. Painting Trump as harmful and Clinton as not is what most of the morally bereft media does. I am glad many are seeing through the rotton ideology pushed by the likes of abc and other left wing media propaganda outlets.

ttbn,

Nobody actually knows what Trump believes. That's his biggest problem.

<<The difference between Trump and the elite, professional politicians is that Trump says what he believes.>>

Trump says whatever he thinks think the people he’s talking to at the time want to hear. He’s both for and against universal healthcare, same-sex marriage, abortion, you name it. The guy’s contradicted himself almost as many times as the Bible.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/donald-trump-flip-flop-policy-campaign-a7020831.html

we might not know what Trump stands for, but we again see Clinton supporters acting like pigs by using violence against those wanting to hear Trump. They spat on disabled people, punched and kicked anyone showing any support for Trump and damaged cars. Like the socialist here in Australia they showed they are as dumbed down as the getup crowd hiding behind masks to beat elderly people and claim to be the tolerant ones. Trump looks like mother theresa compared to this gutless thugs who obviously support Clinton.

Trump says he is against war with Russia and China while Hillary is quite the opposite. It seems that Trump is not owned by Wall St and the Central Bankers, so that's why he has so much support from some of the people. Bernie Sanders supported the illegal wars.

Whether or not he is the real deal and just works for the elite $ trillionaires is uncertain. The elites always have a horse in every race as they own the debt money creation system which owns all our media, Govts,and large corporates. 67 people on this planet have a net worth equal half the people on planet http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesinsights/2014/03/25/the-67-people-as-wealthy-as-the-worlds-poorest-3-5-billion/#268b012590ab

Basically we are the debt slaves and the elites want their one world Govt to confirm their power over us.The global debt is now 3 times the GDP of the planet and cannot be repaid. Deutsche Bank has a gambling derivative exposure equal to the GDP of the planet. The really big collapse is happening now and it will probably start to play out before the next US election as they present us with a new crisis which they have the solutions. Guess what they are ?

I delight in seeing the PC brigade whining and complaining! Drone on Brothers and Sisters, you asked for it and now you will get it!

ha ha the lunatics have come out in support of Trump will the seal it for most people then.
The reality is AJ Philips is spot on Trump is saying whatever he needs to say, he an't no fool without compulsory voting you have to mobilize people to vote. only about half of voters actual vote in us elections so you only have to appeal to a minority to get elected.

Well doesn't this article say it all. It highlights most that has gone wrong with the US & our western world in the last 40 years.

The arrogance of the academic politically correct brigade & the elites, who are horrified that the little man should be able to live a decent life. Galled into such rants as this by the thought that a plumber should earn as much as an academic, & a property developer more than a whole college full of them.

One thing is certain, Trump will make a much better president than any academic, particularly one of the airy fairy bunch in the humanities. God we need a cultural revolution to rid us of these leeches.

Hasbeen, obviously you aren't aware that Trump graduated from the University of Pensilvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968 (Wikipedia)?
So you see, even some of your dreaded 'academics' can still end up as clueless Neanderthals like Trump has...

I can't see Americans overwhelmingly voting for this bloke in the end, because surely common sense will prevail!
For most of the likely lads on this forum, the election of a black man as president was surely a terrible shock to them. However, the thought of a female President is frightening the hell out of their tiny little minds.

Go for it Hilary :)

It’s not just that no-one knows where Trump stands on anything, it’s that so many of his policies (all off-the-cuff, mind you) would never pass congress, and he would surely have to know this. Policies like banning all Muslims from entering the country, keeping a register of all Muslims already in the country, making Mexico pay for this big wall he reckons he’s going to build, legislating to punish women who have abortions.

Or has he changed his mind on those things again? I can’t keep up with the flip-flopping.

It seems Trump supporters, here and all around the world, think he’s just a bit of an oaf who is at least not cut from the same mold as regular politicians; that he at least speaks his mind. But even if he were actually speaking his mind, it goes beyond that. This is a guy who is not in touch with reality at all, and appears to think that holding the most powerful office in the free world will be a game, given that he certainly thinks running for it is.

It’s strange how OLO’s conservative mob are capable of seeing the fact that Rudd and Turnbull were/are only in it to stroke their own egos, and yet are incapable of seeing this in Trump despite it being far more obvious. Indeed, Trump's polling appears to be so gaffe-proof that he could state outright that he's only in it for himself and none of his supporters would even flinch.

If Trump does win the presidency, it will at least be amusing to see that, for the second time in a row, a Republican president was a bumbling and inarticulate fool. Instead of the 'Bushisms' that were a constant source of amusement, we'll have 'Trumpisms'. Bush, however, was mild - a statesman even - compared to the diplomatic nightmare that would be a Trump presidency. Nevertheless, I expect the silence, from those on OLO who find it in themselves to complain about Obama, will be just as deathly as it was when Bush was president.

//Or has he changed his mind on those things again? I can’t keep up with the flip-flopping.

It seems Trump supporters, here and all around the world, think he’s just a bit of an oaf who is at least not cut from the same mold as regular politicians; that he at least speaks his mind.//

I remember an Australian politician who was not cut from the same mold as other politicians - an oaf who spoke his mind, and was known by then-PM John Howard as 'Mr. Flip-Flop'. His name?

Mark Latham

If Trump gets in, it will only be for one term. Unless he gets impeached or assassinated, possibilities I would not discount.

Toni Lavis, "If Trump gets in, it will only be for one term. Unless he gets impeached or assassinated, possibilities I would not discount"

How do you hate like that? If you could do it, you and some others really need to take a break from their far left (or far right) echo chambers.

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/05/facebook_news_feed_study_why_the_far_left_and_far_right_are_stuck_in_their.html

As far as discretion is involved, there is very little of the budget available for any incoming President to put his/her unique stamp on policy.

What you should be considering instead are the wasted opportunities within existing, necessary programs. For example, it would have been a very large advance for blacks in the US if Obama had not squibbed to the prevailing political correctness to make 'gun control' ie inanimate guns the issue and a convenient diversion for a lame duck President.

A statesman would have lifted the rug on underlying social problems as the prime cause of violence. A statesman would have made reducing violence per se as a national priority and tasked a prestigious university to conduct independent research into violence, no strings attached, to advise policy. And independent, comprehensive national audits of justice, enforcement and social welfare systems.

Honestly, is there any wonder how 'lame duck' presidents earned that nick?

BTW, none of that is to say that there shouldn't be gun regulation, where the strongest control is licencing. The example was chosen as an easy example of a cynical Australian PM and a cynical US President doing what politicians do, oversimplify complex issues, dumb down & mushroom the electorate and give them a mantra and a fall guy instead.

It all sounds great in the echo chamber of populist politics though.

Arjay,
They? I thought there was only one option. War.

Suseonline,
If Trump wins, it wont be because voters were sexist.

onthebeach,
I don't think Toni's comment was hateful.
It was blunt but honest and I like that about her comments.
Like it or not, there's a better than usual chance of an assassination, as he's is going against the existing political establishment.
He might enact some crazy laws and that big ego might get him into trouble, so its possible he could get impeached. I think all the Presidents with their executive powers might have too much power to get caught for anything nowadays though.

I believe a smart President would close the borders and bring back jobs which is exactly what Trump plans to do.

Also, I think it must be really hard for all the people who oppose and criticise Donald Trump, because they really don't understand whats going on.
It occurs to me that they just can't rationally make sense of it, they're completely bewildered and when you step back and look at it it's somewhat amusing.

The truth, what Aussies just cant get their head around...

Americans are sick of the status quo.
They are tired of the establishment ruling their lives and things never getting any better.
Governments intruding in their lives with more rules and regulations.
The people have lost faith in the government.
Some haven't had wage increases in two decades.
They are sick of the lies, frauds and deceptions.
They want real change not just Washington's rhetoric and being treated like idiots.

That's why they're voting for Trump.
Their not misguided fools - it's you guys that don't get it.

Your guys are victims of the pro-left media that has been trying to convince you how bad he is..
In my opinion, you just bought into the campaign rhetoric, not the real feeling amongst Americans that's all.

Armchair Critic,

None of the grievances you list are news to anyone. Australians are becoming increasingly cynical about their political establishment too. People get it. Americans are sick of the status quo. But there is nothing about Trump, nor his improvised policies, to suggest that he would serve as anything other than a mighty dangerous protest vote.

Most (77%) of what Trump says is false to varying degrees (http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/statements/byruling/false), he demonstrates no understanding whatsoever of social issues, and a string of failed business ventures (for which the main objective appeared to be getting his onomatopoeic name splashed all over the place) does not exactly fill any thinking person with confidence in his ability to handle the world's largest economy.

Yes, we get it. People are sick of the establishment. But I am yet to see how Trump is an answer to that, even if his rhetoric could be believed let alone achieved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnpO_RTSNmQ.

Armchair, have a serious look at the Joints Chiefs dissing Obma's address in Jan this year.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKPZFF1ZeC4 I think the military led by General Joseph Dunford will take control of the USA. They've had enough of the criminals in Wall St.

Some of the stupid ill informed comments by the likes of Suzeonline are not worth a reply. They have no idea

Suse nothing wrong with having an education. The main problem with education today is that the academics want to brainwash everyone to drop kick socialist thinking.

I have a B Sc. too. Earned before Trump got his, & in the day when you had to pay for it, or win a scholarship from a company to get one. Having a B Sc. doesn't make you an academic. Being impractical may help there though.

It is pretty obvious Trump has an education, & is a free thinker. He knows he is looking at a scam when he looks at global warming, is free thinking enough to see it, & has enough guts to shout it from the rooftops.

Now there is someone you want running the place. It will take someone like him to root out the crony capitalism that has flourished under their present drop kick.

Hi A J Philips,
Yes Aussies are getting sick of the bipartisan bs too.
What exactly do you mean he doesn't understand social issues?
You mean he's not politically correct?
That could be a good thing not a bad thing.
And doesn't starting with a million and turning it into 10 billion mean he did pretty well?

He wants to end Obamacare, Audit the fed, lower company tax rates and bring back jobs to the middle class and secure the border.

Hillary shouldn't even technically be in the running because of the email scandal.
Hillary violated section 793 of Title 18 when she ordered Jacob Sullivan to strip the 'top secret' classifications from documents.
It doesn't matter if it was an accident, its considered negligence and a form of espionage in which if prosecuted, she's not able to run as POTUS, and she's guilty.
Also her deleting of emails violated the Open Records law.

A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for the establishment and 'more of the same'
A vote for Trump is a chance at 'something different'.

Did you know Sheldon Adelson yesterday offered Trump 200million if he'd make Newt Gingrich VP?
Trump turned him down.
They tried to buy him, and he can't be bought.

I heard there was allegations of voter fraud in California overnight as exit polls did not match election results.
(In favor of Clinton I'm guessing)

The news link was amusing, but for something more serious you should try some Judge Janine Pirro or Hannity.

Hey Arjay,
Somebody doesn't agree with somebody else's foreign policies I assume.
They looked pretty mad hey, I'm not sure what to make of it.

I guess in light of US requests to not bomb Al-Nusra its no wonder.
http://www.rt.com/op-edge/345480-us-terrorists-syria-aleppo/
Begs the question whether factions within the US such as the CIA are providing material support to the enemy in times of war.

- I guess that's nothing new to you and me but for everyone else they should be asking what the hell is going on by now?

Just goes to show no-one really pays attention to things going on in the world I suppose.

Pay special attention. We have the highest personal debt exposure on the planet due to housing prices and with China buying far less of our resources have no income or industry to justify our spending.http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-06-05/5-reasons-country-big-trouble

Venezuela here we come.

sisterhood don't care how corrupt Hilary has been. Shows how morally bereft America has become when they could even consider voting for the woman.

Hey Arjay,
Nice find and a good article.
I consider us to be 'A nation driven by handouts and powered by debt' though I'm not really sure how accurate a description it really is, it's just my layman opinion.
Not sure we're really a nation anymore or just another country though, everyone's become so divided on petty social issues, it feels like we're starting to really lose our way.

I did hear somewhere the US have created another housing bubble all over again and although I'm not all that smart with economic stuff, isn't these AAA credit ratings while backed with poor quality loans and increased defaults what 'The Big Short' movie about the US housing crisis was all about?

So there's an expected house price crash in Australia?

Armchair Critic,

By, “he demonstrates no understanding whatsoever of social issues”, I mean just that. Someone who doesn’t understand the social impact that singling out members of an entire religion for unfavourable treatment would have, is dangerously ignorant. Some of Trump’s solutions would be like trying to put a fire out with petrol.

<<And doesn't starting with a million and turning it into 10 billion mean he did pretty well?>>

He actually started with $200 million and is now worth $4.5 billion. So yes, he could have done a lot worse, but I’d be willing to bet that most of us here on OLO could have turned $200 million into $4.5 billion over the space of 42 years.

I hope you enjoyed John Oliver’s expose on Trump. However, I’m not sure how you could spruik his promises after having watched it. His promises wouldn’t be worth the paper that they would be written on had they not been so improvised.

<<They tried to buy him, and he can't be bought.>>

Sounds virtuous. Or is it just that he’s at least not stupid enough to contradict himself this one time? Given his behaviour and apparent lack of moral principals in every other possible respect, I’d have to conclude that it’s the latter.

<<The news link was amusing, but for something more serious you should try some Judge Janine Pirro or Hannity.>>

I might consider that if I thought there was even the remotest chance that they could say anything that might rescue Trump from John Oliver’s piece on him, or his own behaviour for that matter. But I don’t see how that’s possible. We’re talking about a child in an adult’s body here. I don’t see how anyone could take him seriously on any level.

For what it’s worth, I’m not a Hillary fan. I’m well aware of her problems. But she could be the devil and she’d probably still be better. A part of me is looking forward to the Trumpisms, however. They’ve already started:

“I’m very highly educated. I know words. I have the best words.” - Trump

AJPhillips "
For what it’s worth, I’m not a Hillary fan. I’m well aware of her problems. But she could be the devil and she’d probably still be better. A part of me is looking forward to the Trumpisms, however. They’ve already started:"

Absolutely! I too have a strange fascination with the words that actually come out of Trumps mouth, and the mindless morons who believe them. He would sell his own Grandmother if it would help him become President of the US.

He certainly isn't as boring as Hilary, but is much, much scarier.....maybe even worse than Runner's devil?
I can't wait for Hilary to get the gig, as I believe she most certainly will, just to see the reactions on this forum...

//I can't wait for Hilary to get the gig, as I believe she most certainly will//

Never underestimate the stupidity of the American population. We're talking about a country where 42% of the population believe that God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so, and where people listen to the NRA.

I wish I was as confident as you, suseonline. I’m not sure what to think anymore. Every step of the way I’ve laughed at the idea of a Trump presidency, and every step of the way it’s turned out that I underestimated Tru… overestimated the American people.

One thing’s for sure though, if Trump does win, I’ll live in the moment this time. I spent the whole Bush administration commiserating over the fact that he was president and yet, when it was finally all over, I was saddened to see what I realised was going to be the end of eight years of non-stop entertainment with his Bushisms.

http://youtu.be/kdimK1onR4o?t=23

Well, not this time. If Trump does become president, I’m going to make sure I value every comical moment that he provides us with rather than just complain about his presidency. Unfortunately, though, as thick and fast as I’m sure the Trumpisms will flow in, I fear they won’t be as pleasant as Bush’s Bushisms. Bush had an almost-cute naivety about him. Trump, on the other hand, is just crude and egotistical.

If Hillary gets in, I suggest you liquefy any & all assets you have, & start having a big party, while you still can.

Obama has nearly destroyed the US, & is being quite industrious at doing as much damage as he can, while he still can. If Hillary gets in, we will be looking at the end of the USA as a world power. When it goes, we & the rest of western civilisation won't be far behind, if at all.

With Hillary, You had better enjoy the next year or two, as you won't get a chance after about that, as we will no longer control Oz, or what happens here.

I don't know if Trump or any one else can resurrect the US, but he is tho only one offering to try, who may be able to do it. If you had half a brain you would see this for yourself.

Unfortunately we are in an even worse situation. Sure we don't have anyone quite as corrupt as Obama & Hillary, but we are being offered perhaps the most incompetent pair since Billy McMahon or Whitlam to chose from. A term or two with either of our two choices, & nothing will save us.

So Hasbeen, because I don't agree with your obvious adulation of the well-haired Trump, I must have only half a brain? Or is it just because I don't agree with you on anything much at all, and you don't like that in a mere woman?

Lol! Half a brain is still obviously one half more than you have....

Hi AJ,

"He actually started with $200 million and is now worth $4.5 billion."

If that's 1974 dollars, he started with well over a billion, and 'built it up' to $ 4.5 billion. If his father had stipulated that he just leave it in in a bank account at 4.5 %, he could have built it up to around six billion or more. So effectively, he's blown maybe a couple of billion. Brilliant.

“I’m very highly educated. I know words. I have the best words.” - Trump

I wonder if he's not quite as stupid as he sounds. Surely not.

AC suggests that "They tried to buy him, and he can't be bought."

Trumpf is the archetypal operator who thinks that everything CAN be bought. He'd rent it out by the hour if he thought it was worth it. Wait and see.

Even more than wars, political contests are usually many-sided, and none of the candidates may be all that suitable. But in situations like this, "none of the above" will never get elected. So hold your nose, America.

Joe

Hi Joe,

I’ve seen the figures, but have never bothered to check if they take inflation into account. Basically because I think my point still stands regardless. As the saying goes: your second million is always easier to earn than the first, so focus on that instead.

Making money is very easy when you already have it. Which is why I have no doubt that most of us here on OLO could easily have turned $200 million into $4.5 Billion in the space of 42 years with or without inflation.

In fact, some projections show that Trump would easily have at least $13 Billion by now had it not been for his egotistical business ventures that sought purely to put his onomatopoeic name out there.

You’re right, $200 million in 1974 would be closer to $1 billion now, but whenever possible, I try to give my opponents the advantage when I’m confident in my position, so as to demonstrate the veracity of my point. So I was happy to stick with the $200 million figure, even though that it probably didn’t take inflation into account.

I also agree that trump is probably not as stupid as his lack of articulacy implies. Apparently even Bush had a fairly reasonable IQ - he just wasn’t a very good public speaker.

We’re living in interesting times, that’s for sure! But if you ever feel down and inadequate, just think, you're more intelligent that a presidential candidate. That always lifts my spirits.

Loudmouth,

To make 200 million into 4.5 billion in 42 years you need an annual interest of 7.7%, as an easy calculation would show, irrespective of how much the $200 million might be worth today due to inflation.

Yes, you're right George :) I made the mistake of double-counting, for inflation AND growth. 7.7 % it is.

Still, that's not a remarkable rate of growth, you'd agree. Even a rate of 8 % would kick that $ 200 million up well over the five billion mark, so he would have lost a billion. At 9 %, Trump would have lost more than three billion.

At 10 %, a fairly common rate of return, that $ 200 million would have grown to over $ 11 billion.

So he's no great shakes as an investor, blowing more than half his inheritance. That would be a couple of million each week since his frat-boy days.

Cheers,

Joe