Understanding the Trump phenomenon

Listening to the “liberal left” trying to explain the Trump phenomenon is a frustrating experience. Of course I agree with them that all elected politicians should condemn any efforts to whip up racial hatred. What interests me is they say that the big Trump vote was only possible because of the large inequalities they see today. These must be inequalities thrown up by the last eight years of Democrat rule, as there was no Trump insurgence eight years ago. Presumably they would argue that today’s inequalities build on inequalities in earlier decades which were not large enough or obvious enough to produce a Trump. They see the Trump phenomenon as a protest vote against these inequalities.

There is a germ of truth in what they are saying. Many people who were fed up with low wages or no wages voted for Mr Trump.They did not however vote for him to protest against inequality. They voted for him to cut their taxes and fire up America’s economy so they can get a bit richer. They voted for him in the full knowledge that he is a very rich man, was going to be surrounded by many other rich men, and favoured cutting the taxes the rich pay as well as the taxes lower paid people pay. They were not jealous of Mr Trump’s riches. They want some of them to rub off on them.

The germ of truth comes in these voters attitudes towards Mrs Clinton. There were two types of privilege and wealth on offer in the two contrasting Presidential candidates. Mr Trump offered the version of entrepreneurial riches, acquired by himself or some would say with help from his father’s business acumen. This is completely acceptable to most Trump voters. They do not mind if an entrepreneur makes large sums and pays himself fabulous money. Nor do they baulk at soccer or baseball stars, singers or actors earning great money either. They willingly pay for their services, and have the choice not to.

The type of privilege they object to is privilege that comes through political office and big budget politics. The lurid rhetoric of Trump supporters, often going beyond the tough language of the campaign proper, concentrated on “the swamp” of Washington, seeing it as a source of corruption. Mrs Clinton herself faced endless disobliging chants and allegations, as she was the perfect representative of those with families that draw big salaries from the state and live in a world of big budgets from party financing. Voters thought big politics had let them down, was syphoning off too much of their money through taxes they had to pay, and was rewarding for those in it, not for those it should seek to serve.

Trump voters worried about easy migration because they think wages have been depressed too much. They worried about trade systems which allow so many foreign imports, because they want to help make those things at home. They worried about just how much they have to pay to Washington in taxes when they need to spend more on their own needs. They will not mind if Mr Trump allows rich people to become richer, as long as they become richer too.

103 Comments

  1. Lifelogic
    August 19, 2017

    “They will not mind if Mr Trump allows rich people to become richer, as long as they become richer too”.

    Indeed and we all know the only way to do this, cheaper on demand energy, a far smaller state sector, sound money, a tax benefit system that encourages person responsibility and self provision, far less red tape, lower taxes, easy hire and fire, selective (quality only) immigration and freedom to choose (in all areas including health care and education). In short get the suffocating state off the backs of the productive and release them to produce.

    Alas here we have T May & P Hammond – who clearly both believe the complete opposite. Frazer Nelson suggests T May can become resurgent like Merkel (in the Telegraph yesterday). I really cannot see it myself, mainly because she has foolishly attached herself to daft left wing policies that just will not work not inspire confidence. Things like yet more government, even higher taxes, the endless waste (HS2, Hinkley C, greencrap, biofuels), mugging the gig economy, intermittent & very expensive energy, gender pay gap reporting, building on EU workers rights, even more red tape …..

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/18/theresa-may-tories-option-like-angela-merkel-could-become/

  2. eeyore
    August 19, 2017

    A feast of insights from JR today. I particularly appreciated his observation that Trumpism is not founded on envy. I hope some of that sort of politics rubs off on Britain before the next election.

    I also hope that our home-grown envy-mongers, who find it so profitable to whip up class hatred here, explain to us why that is more acceptable than whipping up race hatred. But I won’t hold my breath.

    By the way, there are many in Britain who think big state, high tax and political privilege undesirable. They used to know who to vote for. Who should they vote for now?

  3. Anonymous
    August 19, 2017

    Like Brexit this is a backlash to political correctness.

    Of the Left/Remain there is a hysteria bubble going on. They are seeing things that are not there.

    Trump does not support Nazis as those in the bubble see it – he never sold himself as a leader in morality, just and upholder of the law equally applied. He’s correct on the rioting. Alt Left are as bad as Alt Right and neither are going to get anywhere power but this is being used as a test of his non Naziness nonetheless.

    Sadly Reaganism/Thatcherism is denied.

    So the only thing that cuts through is shock-jock politics and we get Trump/Brexit.

    This is entirely the Left’s making. People are utterly sick of those who think they are always right and their arrogance, rudeness to those with the ‘wrong’ views and they are sick of their sense of dynastic entitlement – Hillary Clinton take note. (Doubtless Chelsea is already being groomed for the Whitehouse.)

    Hat tip to Scott Adams for some of these thoughts.

    1. Mitchel
      August 19, 2017

      Chelsea…… with Emmanuel and Justin (and I wonder who will succeed Angela?)What a thought!

      It’s just as well the West is about to be eclipsed by Eurasia.

    2. Ed Mahony
      August 19, 2017

      ‘Trump does not support Naz … ing to get anywhere power but this is being used as a test of his non Naziness nonetheless.’

      – There are three major dragons striking the civilised world:

      1. Socialism
      2. Social Liberalism
      3. Far right

      All three are as dangerous as each other.

      We must fight all three dragons (not just one or two). Charlottesville was an opportunity to fight one of the three dragons (far right). It was (mostly) anti Nazis versus far right. No moral equivalency (in this specific scenario, although there ARE moral equivalencies, in others).
      Trump lacked leadership when he made a moral equivalency here. He ducked out simply because he doesn’t want to lose support from the far right who represent a small but important number of votes.

      Yes, let’s stand up to socialism and social liberalism but not like this.

      1. Ed Mahony
        August 19, 2017

        (there are other dragons as well, of course, like Islamic terrorism and so on)

      2. Anonymous
        August 19, 2017

        Disagree.

        Leftism has been smashing the place up for decades. Leftism has been crushing freedom of expression for at least ten years.

        Nazism is the backlash to this.

        The only way to kill it is if the Leftists understand they are responsible for it.

        1. Ed Mahony
          August 20, 2017

          ‘Leftism has been smashing the place up for decades. Leftism has been crushing freedom of expression for at least ten years’

          – I agree.

          But you don’t then become like your enemies in the way you try and oppose what your enemies stand for. You oppose your enemies in a civilised manner. You don’t become savage like them.

          ‘The only way to kill it is if the Leftists understand they are responsible for it’

          – This is pure, old-fashioned gnosticism that has corrupted religion, society and politics since the beginning of time.
          Leftism is partly a reaction to the fascism of the 1930’s and 1940’s which our grandfathers (/fathers etc) fought against in WW2. And the fascism of this era is partly a reaction to the leftism of the early 20’s and before (and so it goes back in history .. one evil helping to bring out / antagonise another evil).

          All these isms are down, ultimately, to warped human nature inside each one of us that we then antagonise in others. Yes to confronting evil, but in a just and appropriate way like our grandfathers (/fathers etc) did in WW2 against those in Nazi Germany, corrupted by hard-right politics.

          (I think) Best wishes.

  4. Lifelogic
    August 19, 2017

    Car mugging camera’s at Bank raise ÂŁ50 million PA I see. Clearly not very clear to motorist but then they do not want it to be clear, they just want the money.

    Is mugging motorists in this deceiptful way really an efficient way to raise tax for the state to waste? Does government not realise just how much irriation, inconvenience and indeed how many enemies of the state this creates?

    1. Lifelogic
      August 19, 2017

      cameras!

  5. Mike Stallard
    August 19, 2017

    Make America Great Again!
    We are looking at a country which is changing fast. The white race is slowly being replaced by the Hispanic and the people of colour. That means that a lot of people feel very threatened indeed.
    By poking the bear and tearing down the historic statues in a country which relishes armed rebellion, this is asking for trouble. By poking the bear and shooting black people, this is asking for trouble. By handing over manufacture to Mexico, that too is asking for trouble.
    Hillary Clinton did not address this: Trump did.

    1. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      If Trump goes prematurely much of America will not accept it. I think they are in serious trouble.

  6. Duncan
    August 19, 2017

    This isn’t about money and wealth. This is about the invisible majority being deliberately silenced by an influential, highly educated, highly organised minority.

    This so called liberal left minority populate many areas of the state, police, media and politics. They are using, very effectively, minority issues of race, gender and sexuality to manipulate what can and cannot be said in public. To impose a certain code of behaviour. To create a new form of language

    They are cultural Marxists determined to deconstruct conventional society and reconstruct it in their own image

    Anyone who dares to stand up and confront or challenges them will be targeted for slander, shame and hatred.

    What you are seeing is a war between two cultures. The first is oppressive in which people must think twice before speaking or remain silent. The second is free, open and liberal

    When our PM gets in on the act then you know all is lost

    1. zorro
      August 20, 2017

      Well said

      zorro

  7. Duncan
    August 19, 2017

    As an aside. This clique understand one simple fact. If you can politicise something you can control and affect its behaviour and so they politicise EVERYTHING especially humanity. Politics is about the use of power to control events and people.

    We have seen the rise of feminism and their attempts to politicise the relationship between men and women with men being demonised and silenced. The same tactic has been applied to race, religion and sexuality. Opposing opinions are silenced through the use of accusations of extremism and the effective use of the ‘race card’, homophobia card, Islamophobia card and misogyny cards

    Trump is everything the liberal left hate. He’s white. He’s male and he’s heterosexual and of course a republican and therefore privileged

    If the left can’t bring down democracy then they’ll try to bring down the product of democracy.

    1. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      And when one injustice has been righted they invent a new victim class to keep us oppressed with.

      LGBT…Q whatever that is.

      You can lose your job if you’re not careful about these things.

      In the National Trust it was no longer good enough to be quietly accepting and so volunteers had to be avowed, badge wearing, enthusiasts or face being confined to back rooms.

      This is going North Korean.

      1. A superb viewer
        August 20, 2017

        I have never met TV journalists. They and I should be happy with that. So why when they get together in a studio feel it necessary conveying their particular sexual preferences as BTWs amidst reportage of anything from famines to civil warfare? They feel I should know. I do not care. They are no good even at their day job so…

    2. getahead
      August 19, 2017

      So who are these people? Where do they meet? How else do they contact each other to discuss their plans. How do they organise themselves?

      1. Anonymous
        August 19, 2017

        They are in most senior positions.

  8. Dame Rita Webb
    August 19, 2017

    JR perhaps we need a bit of swamp draining ? It’s noticeable that Harold Wilson was the last PM that did not die a multi millionaire. Similarly lots of MPs leave Westminster far richer than before they entered it. Do not think that with the demise of UKIP the politics of resentment has gone away.

    1. Lifelogic
      August 19, 2017

      He deserved to, just for sensibly keeping us well out of Vietnam.

      1. Mitchel
        August 19, 2017

        There is a big test for Trump coming up in Afghanistan where the generals (and hawks like McCain) want to send large numbers of troops to reverse the Taliban’s gains whereas Trump’s inclination is probably to let the Taliban have it and pull out.A test for May too because we will be asked to contribute.

    2. getahead
      August 19, 2017

      Nor has UKIP gone away DRW. We are still here in the shadows, waiting to spring.

  9. Iain Gill
    August 19, 2017

    They don’t mind bass players, drummers, keyboard players, or guitarists making big money either. May as well include the rest of the band.

  10. The Prangwizard
    August 19, 2017

    A beautifully designed and composed final paragraph. Quite possibly as intended I am not going to be the only one who on reading it thinks of here as much as there.

  11. agricola
    August 19, 2017

    Just as Nigel upset the cosy status quo among the UK ruling elite, so did Donald in the USA. Both rose on the failures of generations of these elite detached politicians with their doctrinaire answers to everything which in fact were the answers to nothing. It is a course that still has a long way to run. Call it the path to democracy.

    You are correct in your analysis of success in the USA, it is applauded whereas in the UK it is envied. Your third paragraph has a parallel in the UK and EU that has added to the total disillusionment with wanton immigration. It has been helpful in some cases, but an easy solution to not educating and training the indigenous population, and in many cases to keep wages low.

    You could learn a lot from the US citizens attitude to wealth, but the UK never will, preferring envy, the size of next doors car for instance.

    For tomorrow I would like to read your views on the Sarah Champion affaire and what the future for anyone who highlights failure in any government organisation might be.

    1. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      “You are correct in your analysis of success in the USA, it is applauded whereas in the UK it is envied.”

      A myth. Rich people are often idolised in Britain. Hence Pop Idol, the show.

  12. Peter
    August 19, 2017

    George Carlin’s ‘American Dream’ is the best explanation of what voters thought was wrong with the system.

    Trump promised to start looking after middle America once more.

    The ideas were not his. Paleoconservatives have long been saying similar. However they had neither the funds nor the forceful personality to really capture the vote.

    Trumpism worked best when he had people like Bannon on his team. If he surrounds himself with Goldman Sachs placemen he will not deliver on his campaign promises.

  13. Prigger
    August 19, 2017

    Obama and the Clintons got Trump into power. Here, Obama did not get criticism on TV for years. No comedian made a joke. Freedom of thought and speech were curtailed here draconianly .Worse much worse for the body-politic , much was individual self-censorship, the most cruel of all.
    Eventually, there is a build-up of the un-said, the un-thought, the un-feeling, the un-resentment. Explosion. We get the Leave vote. We, America get the Trump vote.

    1. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      Bang on the nail.

      These are the reactions of the oppressed.

      Of political correctness – as we have seen in the National Trust it is no longer good enough to be tolerant of things, we must be openly enthusiastic about them and wear a badge to say so or risk being confined to back rooms. (I have cancelled my membership.)

      Then there is the religion which must not be named and is safe from the satirists when all others are given a good kicking. How to reconcile this with sexual liberation ?

      By cognitive dissonance and confirmaton bias.

      Leftism is a mental illness and it is destroying our country.

      1. Lifelogic
        August 19, 2017

        Leftism is indeed a funny thing. All the logic, history and arguments show that it is a disaster and amost everyone is better off with a smaller state sector. That high taxes and second rate state, virtual monopoly public “services” (such as the NHS & education) plus a bloated incompetent state sector never works.

        One can understand why some young children falling for the benevolent state, magic money tree con trick, but even bright Cambridge physicists like Stephen Hawking fall for it (in the paper today arguing with Jeremy Hunt – Not that J Hunt has any sensible plan either). Just start charging people who can pay and get some patient choice into the system.

        Is there perhaps socialist genes that are infliced on some at birth (and they mainly go on to work for the state sector, the BBC or become “Actors”, lefty comedians or “Artists”?

        “Show me a young Conservative and I’ll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I’ll show you someone with no brains.”

        Of course half the Conservative and their leadership are socialists anyway now.

        1. Ed Mahony
          August 20, 2017

          ‘Leftism is indeed a funny thing. All the logic, history and arguments show that it is a disaster and amost everyone is better off with a smaller state sector’

          – I agree, to a degree, but you also need a certain amount of state regulation (boring and flawed as that might be), as the rich and powerful will try and exploit as much as the poor and lazy. In fact, EVERYONE will try and exploit if they can because that’s human nature.

          But rather than just focusing on the left versus right, let’s not forget the social liberals who are just as dangerous, and damaging to our country and society, as the far left or the far right.

      2. A different Simon
        August 19, 2017

        I believe Prigger is on to something when he points out that Obama hardly featured in any comics routines .

        Disagree with and Prigger on Brexit being a reaction to political correctness .

        Why don’t you think Brexit is ultimately mostly about the desire of people to have a degree of self-determination and to belong to a country which is self governing ?

      3. Prigger
        August 19, 2017

        We…no, I ,must be careful not to attribute Leftism to mental illness. Our communalism has had benefits. There are benefits now too which I, must not squander, in ideological thought processes though there is the temptation of the Present. Leftism is not a mental illness! But there are MPs who use the wonderful freshness of Youth for their own purposes. They are lees.

        1. Anonymous
          August 19, 2017

          The left can’t reconcile so many conflicting ideals other than through denial.

    2. Original Richard
      August 20, 2017

      “Obama and the Clintons got Trump into power. Here, Obama did not get criticism on TV for years. No comedian made a joke.”

      In the UK, we have seen the same. The programme “Spitting Image” disappeared from our screens when the Conservatives lost power to Labour, as did a well known Labour supporting impersonator.

      All BBC comedy programmes today appear to contain nothing else but anti Tory quips and rants.

      This is part of the deep state in action.

  14. A.Sedgwick
    August 19, 2017

    Clearly the Establishment is alive and well in the USA. Despite President Trump’s foibles in just a few months he has achieved foreign policy progress in Syria, Iraq and N.Korea, he is regarded as a force to be reckoned with unlike his predecessor. He has not wilted on the Paris Accord hypocrisy and has highlighted the unfair trade balances of Germany and China. Although his approach is unorthodox and regularly from the hip his business instincts are right, each country has to look after its own, which Germany and China clearly are doing. The Republican Party are miffed by his success and don’t seem to want to endorse his domestic ideas, which can only damage it and the country. I would vote every day for the closest of relationships with N.America in contrast to the dreaded EU.

  15. alte fritz
    August 19, 2017

    Trump articulated the concerns of the many and won against his own party and the opposition. He has faults, as do we all, and is something of a handful but I remain glad that he defeated Mrs Clinton, both for the sake of the UK and the USA.

  16. WingsOverTheWorld
    August 19, 2017

    A lesson for our own administration, perhaps.

  17. Denis Cooper
    August 19, 2017

    In the past I caught snatches of the US version of the Apprentice programme, and I found Donald Trump even less attractive than Alan Sugar, and the attitudes and behaviour of the US contestants even less appealing than those of their British counterparts.

    However that was just entertainment, just like almost everything on TV is really little more entertainment including the so-called “news” and “current affairs” programmes.

    In the real world I am not aware that Donald Trump has done me and my country any significant harm, so far, and his election as President was legitimate under their system, and unlike the previous President he has not yet interfered in our democratic process by threatening to punish us if we dared to vote against his wishes.

    So I don’t support the constant attempts by members of our political elite – including the Prime Minister – and their friends in the media to blacken his name, in fact I think it’s pretty damn stupid to gratuitously insult the leader of our most important ally.

    As for events in Charlottesville, well, I note that Charlottesville is in the US not the UK and therefore strictly speaking it is not our affair.

    However I do see parallels between what is happening there and what has long been happening here – some “fascist”, “far right wing”, group stages some demonstration, and even if it starts as a peaceful event so-called “anti-fascist protesters” quickly turn it into a violent confrontation, but the media then attaches the blame on the “fascists” rather than the so-called “anti-fascist protesters”, who in fact behave like fascists themselves.

    I can well recall incidents when that “far right wing extremist” Nigel Farage was not just threatened with mob violence but subjected to actual physical assault, and the media and most of the political elite thought that was fine, a bit of a joke actually.

  18. Trumpeter
    August 19, 2017

    Trump says the rise in the US stock markets is his work. All major economics pundits, networks have denied this and have stated repeatedly the Stock market is unconnected with anything he has done or may do. “The Market ignores Trump”
    Trump has just sacked Steve Bannon, the Market sank. The pundits says Trump is wholly and completely responsible for the dip.
    Many people see the media as Fake News because the media is Fake News. The media says Trump is no good.

  19. Bert Young
    August 19, 2017

    There’s not a lot wrong with Trump . He does lack diplomatic polish and he has offended liberalist sections who , anyway, did not vote for him . His forthright approach is typical of a man who does not like to waste time and who wants to call a spade a shovel . Entrepreneurs like him have been the making of the USA and founded an approach based on effort and enterprise .

    The White House Trump inherited was awash with hanger-on individuals who were used to nodding their heads for recognition . This sort of servile mentality does not fit with the Trump approach ; he wants straightforward people who support his ambitions and who are prepared to put their necks on the line .

    1. Ed Mahony
      August 20, 2017

      ‘There’s not a lot wrong with Trump’ – what good has he done for the USA so far as President? Nothing.

      ‘He does lack diplomatic polish and he has offended liberalist sections who , anyway, did not vote for him’

      – Diplomacy is key if you’re President. He’s a diplomatic disaster. And he hasn’t just offended liberals. He’s left many Republicans feeling uncomfortable with his failure to oppose the far right in Charlottesville.

      ‘His forthright approach is typical of a man who does not like to waste time and who wants to call a spade a shovel. Entrepreneurs like him have been the making of the USA and founded an approach based on effort and enterprise.’

      – I’m sorry but you don’t have to be successful in business to create turmoil all around you like Trump. And he’s not really an entrepreneur. He was left a lot of money that he invested in property. Steve Jobs is a ‘real entrepreneur.’ Quite different to Trump. And Jobs wasn’t just an entrepreneur but a strategist able to create a company such as Apple. We don’t need a Trump. We need a Steve Jobs or a Lou Gerstner – their type of business model, their type of capitalism. Not Trumps. Trumps is all win-lose. Gerstner and others is all win-win.

      Trump has done nothing to unite the country. Nothing to build up relations with other countries. All he’s given us so far are daft economic isolationism, a daft focus on old-school manufacturing instead of focusing on services and high tech, and daft populist gimmicks like the Mexican Wall.

      Even if he does reduce taxation, in general (which I hope he does), there’s far more to a Presidency than that.

  20. NHSGP
    August 19, 2017

    Presumably they would argue that today’s inequalities build on inequalities in earlier decades which were not large enough or obvious enough to produce a Trump. They see the Trump phenomenon as a protest vote against these inequalities.

    Cause and effect the wrong way round.

    They are acting just like creationists. We aren’t bad, so how can people reject us and vote for Trump? Must be a Russian plot. Must be racists [see brexit bile for more of that].

    They are wrong. They have screwed the population to the extent that the voter thinks Trump is the solution.

    Second, the media. Trump has cut them out. They can’t distort generalise or filter. Trump has gone direct.

    But remember, Trump comdemed both sides, and the left went looking for a fight. Trump’s response is identical to Corbyn’s over Venuseula

  21. margaret
    August 19, 2017

    This is also what John Redwood thinks or rather writes assuming the correspondence between the two is correct. His approach is something entirely new as a president.
    Corruption at the top has always been rumoured with mafia connections etc. Many films of fiction have been made around this. I am not sure whether it is styles of governance or America itself which come in for constant criticism .
    I , having been in bed with flu and using my PC to pass the waking non feverish hours, have browsed’ facebook’ .There is a group named’ Great Philosophical Problems’ which engenders much religious passion posited as philosophy and not theosophy , however what is apparent is the dislike of anything from the west . There is even a posting ,with many replies. which states. ‘Why do you hate America?’ There is little reason displayed by these hot headed people and when I commented that I do no hate America and that we need to spread good will and not hate . the reply comment was that I am bias!

    1. Bert Young
      August 19, 2017

      Margaret – trust you recover quickly . Flu at this time of the year is not to be recommended .

  22. oldtimer
    August 19, 2017

    The USA today appears to be a very troubled society with several obvious cross currents. Either that or my reading about current events there is too narrow. There is certainly a big difference in political outlook and voting between the big urban areas on the East and West coasts on the one hand (who voted Clinton) and the large area in between (who predominantly voted Trump). There appears to be a battle, in Washington, between what is now described as the Deep State and Trump as evidenced by his Inauguration speech – and which the Deep State seems to be winning. I think that Bannon’s departure partly reflects that as well as the battles between the globalists and the nationalists and between civil rights activists and the right. If we add to add to that the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the presidential election, threats of impeachment and the North Korean issue then Washington politics looks in turmoil. Trump will need, somehow, to keep some of his agenda intact to retain his voter base. Once he loses that he is finished.

  23. Peter
    August 19, 2017

    Voter status did not elect Trump to cut taxes. They had all that with Reagan and failed ‘trickle down economics’.

    As Coulter pointed out,they voted for ‘A wall. More jobs. Lots of deportations.’

    They also expected Trump to ‘drain the swamp’ and get rid of political hangers-on who only look after their own self interest.

    1. NHSGP
      August 19, 2017

      Trickle down will never work.

      So why have the rich got richer? They have invested money and seen it grow.

      Why haven’t the working poor or even the state done the same? It’s because they have redistributed people’s surplus income. They have used it to pay the state’s debts.

      What all MPs, even John doesn’t want the public to know is how much the state owes for pensions with no assets. That’s 10 trillion. Total state debts, 12.5 trillion.

      They don’t want the young to know that they inherit 425K of debt at birth.

      The reason is quite simple. It’s like pass the parcel in a Belfast pub at the height of the troubles. If you reveal the debts, you are the one who is blamed.

      Now if Mr Average in the UK had been forced to invest his NI, he would be sitting on 1.1 million at retirement if he retired today.

      Trickle up is what is needed.

  24. Denis Cooper
    August 19, 2017

    Off-topic, a very questionable headline for the Telegraph editorial today:

    “UK and EU remain friends in a dangerous world”

    I can’t say that the EU seems very friendly towards us … of course if our security services had had advance information on planned terrorist attacks in Spain then no doubt they would have passed a warning on to the Spanish authorities – possibly disguising the origin of the intelligence to protect a source – but I’m no longer quite so confident that the now overtly hostile EU, or any of its member states, would still do the same for us.

    Just for interest, a 1939 Alexander Korda propaganda film, apparently thrown together in just four weeks after the outbreak of war:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_Has_Wings

    will be shown again on the London Live channel from 1.15 pm.

    I find it hard to imagine that these days one could easily find actors and production staff with enough patriotism to make such a film, it would be a pro-EU film.

    1. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      Just as well seeing as terror has now chosen to go below radar.

      1. Denis Cooper
        August 20, 2017

        I noticed that the film made no mention of radar, the illustrated detection and tracking of the German bomber raids was by the Observer Corps.

    2. Ed Mahony
      August 20, 2017

      There’s a lot wrong with Europe, but we’re safer in a REFORMED EU – in terms of our economy, but also a safer, more secure and stronger Europe, able to deal with the world’s problems together: against terrorism, mass immigration from Africa and the Middle East, Putin and Russian, and so on. As well as serving as an economic and political anchor for the rest of the world.

      I know there are lots of Brexiters who agree with me (I contacted a very senior Brexiter really, who had the decency to reply to a non-entity like me, saying that his preference was for us to remain in the EU but ONLY as long as it was reformed). And I am pretty sure a REFORMED EU is what Mrs Thatcher would have gone for, as well as what historians will be arguing in the future (whichever way we go).

      Brexit or Remain (without reform) are both too divisive – both for the Conservative Party and the country. Business, generally, does not like Brexit and they understand the really complicated economic implications far more than many voters who voted to leave. And there’s no strong evidence that Brexit will be able to deliver on reduction on immigration overall (which is why most people voted to leave). One way or the other there will be a re-balancing of things in the future. And better to do that now, than
      1) have to pay a bigger cost like the country voting to return to the EU (but we’ll face much worse conditions
      2) Or the EU implodes over Brexit (which will profoundly affect us economically, whether we were in the EU or not, as well as in terms of the peace and security of Europe that impacts us whether we like it or not, plus we will become the new bĂȘte noire of Europe for years to come – bad for our economy and country in general).
      3) Labour will get back into power, screwing up our country as usual, when we already have a large national debt to pay off and so on.
      4) The Conservative Party, that introduced Brexit, could end up finished for good

  25. Epikouros
    August 19, 2017

    Your interpretation of the reasons why Trump was elected president and Clinton was not is to my mind faultless. Clinton does epitomise the corruption and hypocrisy that permeates a significant number of the political and media classes. Classes that are now hell bent on removing their obstacle, Trump, to regain the power so as to recommence feeding from the state trough and indoctrinating the people to follow their left wing progressive beliefs.

    Although the latter they are attempting whilst in office or not with some results that does not auger well for the future. Their endeavours coupled with their attempt to remove Trump are hardening attitudes and ranks already formed on the left are now being matched belatedly by those forming on the right who are now reacting with equal belligerence. Resistance to the left’s authoritarian and anti civil liberties rhetoric and actions is growing. The silent majority are fed up with their antics, views and double standards. Trump is the champion they rallied around to stem their ambitions. Evidence suggests they may have picked the wrong man and should have gone for someone like Ron Paul instead but then the voter do not go for quality of purpose and character only those who make the most believable empty promises.

    For instance Corbyn comes to mind with promises to abolish university loans and tuition fees only to repudiate that promise after the election. He received a lot of young votes though because of it so he and Labour were at least pleased.

  26. Bugsy Malone
    August 19, 2017

    Funny watching the Rev Jesse Jackson running down Trump yesterday. He came out with all the stereotypical stuff against Trump, dead-pan expression. The fact is, Jackson is a personal friend of Trump. They go way back. I have seen at least two You Tube joint press conferences of Trump and Jackson. They share, hold, have, the same opinions on race.
    It seems to fit in with the Dumbocrat Party Left-Liberal agenda to have a “Right-Wing ” hate figure who is as many “-ist” s and “-phobia”s as Corbynistas can put into one utterance without taking a breath. MPs though, need to grow up and express themselves like adults instead of teenager cheerleaders.

  27. Denis Cooper
    August 19, 2017

    As an aside, a cracking article here:

    http://facts4eu.org/news_aug2_2017.shtml#cf

    “THE ÂŁ58 BILLION YOU PAY INTO BUT NEVER SEE AGAIN”

    “EU delivers another ÂŁ85 million from ÂŁ58 billion fund, to install thermal insulation and solar panels in Polish art schools”

    “The UK pays into this ÂŁ58 billion fund, but is not allowed to receive anything from it”

    The Poles are doing particularly well out of us in one way or another – subsidies, jobs in the UK, welfare benefits even for family members still in Poland, military protection through NATO, and they are allowed to chip in and help us govern our country … I don’t blame them or denigrate them in any way, or even necessarily begrudge them our help, and of course all of this is perfectly legal under our law and it is only happening because we in the UK kept foolishly electing MPs who decided that it should happen.

  28. Bob
    August 19, 2017

    “Of course I agree with them that all elected politicians should condemn any efforts to whip up racial hatred.”

    you can’t turn on the TV or radio these days without have to listen to a debate about race, religion, gender equality or some other minority grievance issues.

    Without the interference of politicians people would get along together just fine.

    Some of the world’s poorest people are also some of the happiest, until the political agitators get involved.

  29. RDM
    August 19, 2017

    A very insightful analysis John.

    I have long given up following the Washington soap!

    But it’ s reassuring knowing where to come for clarify!

    RDM.

  30. RDM
    August 19, 2017

    A very insightful analysis John!

    I have long given up following the Washington soap.

    But it’ s reassuring knowing where to come for clarify!

    RDM.

    1. RDM
      August 19, 2017

      Why have I got two, again?

      Double bounce on the verification thingy!

      RDM.

  31. bigneil
    August 19, 2017

    ” Trump voters worried about easy migration because they think wages have been depressed too much ” – same here – but importing hundreds of thousands annually into the UK doesn’t affect the wages the politicians get ( 10% rise in 2015 ? ) – so the politicians don’t see a problem.
    The English at the bottom of the pile may as well all be called Jack.

  32. RDM
    August 19, 2017

    PS: looking at your Captcha, I have noticed that it doesn’t open fully (all the squares are showing).

    This could be because I am using a Smart Phone, that’s not so Smart!

    But, if you can’ t see a square, and not click it, it is not going to verify very quickly.

    So, people might be getting frustrated by how slow it is.

    It’s not a problem for now, but come Monday, you might want to ask your host provider to check.

    Just a thought, I can’t tell, my Smart phone is too small.

    RDM.

    1. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      I play Captcha like some people play Candy Crush. It’s just a small matter of your attitude towards it that needs changing.

      1. RDM
        August 19, 2017

        My Attitude need changing? 😇

        More like my eye sight! đŸ˜”

  33. ian
    August 19, 2017

    It’s a world political fight between globalization and nationalism, with trump on the nationalism side, while the rest around him are globalist liberals with the elite, big companies and media.
    Like hear, few are nationalist in the com party, but majority are globalist liberals, same labour party, corbyn is for nationalism with 60 other MPs, the rest are for globalist liberals.
    The same in europe with germany and eu globalist liberals, with other countries elite politicians, while the people of europe are seeking new parties to back nationalism. The 2008 crisis brought back nationalism in a big way, with people fed up globalist giving their jobs and future away for gain at the top only.

    1. getahead
      August 19, 2017

      So what would the end-product of globalisation look like? Not everyone wants their living conditions to be reduced to squatter status by floods of immigrants. The problem of overpopulation cannot be solved by overpopulating western countries, no matter how rich they may appear.
      I understand that globalisation of trade may be desirable but don’t we have that already?
      Our corporate elites may love the EU but surely to trade with Europe we don’t have to be ruled by a bunch of functionaries in Brussels.

  34. Denis Cooper
    August 19, 2017

    Oh look, some europhile hack at the Times thinks he can rewrite our law:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/opportunity-costs-l25xrpvwc

    “Brexit and all it entails needs the consent of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland”

    No it doesn’t, international relations including those with the EU are matters which are explicitly reserved to the UK authorities, government and Parliament.

    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/schedule/5

    “International relations, including relations with territories outside the United Kingdom, the European Union (and their institutions) and other international organisations, regulation of international trade, and international development assistance and co-operation are reserved matters.”

    As expressly recognised by the Supreme Court in January:

    https://publiclawforeveryone.com/2017/01/25/1000-words-the-supreme-courts-judgment-in-miller/

    “In its judgment in Miller, the Supreme Court reached two key conclusions: that an Act of Parliament is needed before Brexit can be triggered, and that the law does not enable devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to block Brexit.”

    I’m looking forward to the stinging, well referenced, rebuke from the Duty Officer at the media unit in the Department for Exiting the European Union, maybe a tweet to add to the two put out yesterday – one on the increased numbers of tourists (retweeted) and one reminding us that there will be a Great Repeal Bill:

    https://twitter.com/DExEUgov

    Absolutely hopeless.

  35. Terry
    August 19, 2017

    Sound argument by JR.
    However I do find the constant personal attacks on President Trump disturbingly similar those against our own Brexit.
    He is the democratically elected PROTUS trying to carry out the plans he promised during his election campaign. However, I feel that the MSM and the Establishment at large will accept neither he, as a non-Politico, nor his firm devolvement from their own established protocols and specific requirements.
    He has dared to do it his own way and that apparently, makes him a sinner. This is regardless of any considerations to the millions that voted for him and hope of instant political change, for they are mere plebs and do not matter.
    Which is the reason why they elected him and not their own agent. Why can they not see this? ‘There’s none so blind as those that will not see’.
    It is so similar in regard to our Leaving the EU that I do wonder if this is a concerted attack on Democracy itself.
    Sadly, I look to the future with some foreboding.

    1. Lifelogic
      August 19, 2017

      I am no great fan of Trump but he is clearly far better than Hillary would have been.

      He is, of course, almost the exact opposite of what the BBC like. He is at least sound on taxes, energy, the greencrap, over regulation & the excessive size of government. He is also quite amusing especially when he riles the BBC.

      1. Ed Mahony
        August 19, 2017

        ‘He is, of course, almost the exact opposite of what the BBC like’

        – WHAT?!

        You compare the behaviour of Donald Trump as President to for example the BBC’s masterful 1995 film production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice?

        Yes, the BBC needs to be rid of its liberal journalism, its high-paid entertainers and marketing men, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
        The BBC has created some great, original TV over the years – in drama, film, documentaries, the arts, children’s TV and so on that commercial TV just can’t make. Let’s focus on the positives, and yes, get rid of the negatives. But not throw the baby out with the bathwater (not forgetting how the BBC at its best, helps to unite our country, and create a sense of patriotism).

        (the BBC also plays a key role in feeding the commercial sector with talented creatives as well as bringing in some important revenue itself via BBC Worldwide i think it is).

        1. Ed Mahony
          August 19, 2017

          And for those who want to throw the baby out with the bathwater regarding the BBC, beware of Oscar Wilde’s, ‘knows the price of everything and value of nothing.’

        2. Lifelogic
          August 20, 2017

          I could probably produce a few decent programmes given ÂŁ3.7 billion of tax payers money and all the assets of the BBC. Indeed I could do better than they do with about 20% of that sum.

          They are just second rate (and totally unfair) competition for others who have to earn their money. Worse still they distort the whole of UK politics to the PC, magic money tree left.

          1. Ed Mahony
            August 22, 2017

            Again, i agree with you about producing decent programmes given 3.7 etc … . In fact, i agree a lot with what you say about the BBC. My argument, however, is, yes, get rid of the bad stuff but without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

  36. Marjorie Baylis
    August 19, 2017

    However, it doesn’t alter the fact that in the White House we have a man who appears to have little understanding of the role he is playing, isn’t at all nuanced and gets in the news on a weekly basis for saying the wrong thing, rather than the right. He doesn’t have a political compass – and I think that is essential for the leader of any country.

    So whilst I understand the frustrations that make people vote as they do, whatever the questions, I find it hard to accept Trump as the answer.

    1. Bryan Harris
      August 19, 2017

      He gets in the news for allegedly saying the wrong thing because the liberal media are trying to drive him from office by extensive use of fake news – they never report anything he gets right, and he’s making good progress in that direction.

    2. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      You miss the point.

      It HAS happened. Why ?

      Because shock-jocking was the only thing that could cut through the stultifying oppression that is political correctness.

      The public didn’t actually WANT Trump. They wanted an end to the Left’s dominance of politics and their control of its parameters.

    3. getahead
      August 19, 2017

      Are you watching too much BBC Marjorie? If not change your newspaper.

  37. Bryan Harris
    August 19, 2017

    Nice piece JR – and spot on…

    The liberal left, or damned socialists as I call them, continue to be two faced about everything!

    They ignore riots by left wing thugs, and call it protesting – while anything that comes up, that is not socialist by nature is labelled ‘far right’ – as though they have the innocence to judge such things.

    As for the way they judge Trump, it’s a scandal that they get away with their nonsense!

    I sincerely hope Trump will not get pushed out of office, for that would be a disaster… Trump may be outspoken, but he’s on the right track as far as I’m concerned, and it’s time those on the left were silenced, because they simply haven’t done anything for America or the world that is worth mentioning. They have done nothing to be proud of – far from it, they have dragged the USA down to the gutter, just as their friends in Europe have done for their countries – and it’s time more people recognised this.

    Good luck to Trump, and may he be be victotious over the mob-rule from the left!

    1. Prigger
      August 19, 2017

      SkyNews showed mobs from Alt-Left in Boston USA today and called them “Anti-fascists” .Some were dressed in black with masks, others were wearing masks and carrying things to hit people. Until arrests are made of BBC and Sky News journalists for encouraging acts of violence in the UK and elsewhere this will go on and on. Our police officers sometimes face life-changing injuries as a result of these journalists.. These journalists should be brought to justice.

      1. Bryan Harris
        August 20, 2017

        Very good points – it has to change or we will be overrun by the left totally – they already run too much of the agenda for what is acceptable

    2. Ed Mahony
      August 19, 2017

      ‘The liberal left, or damned socialists as I call them, continue to be two faced about everything!’

      – I agree with you about the liberal left and the socialists. Their politics is damaging to our country and the world.

      But the far right are just as damaging (in particular to black people in the United States). And Trump should have had the leadership cop-on to condemn the far right in Charlottesville, and choose another, the appropriate, occasion to challenge the far left and social liberals.

      1. Bryan Harris
        August 20, 2017

        Yes – it would be nice if there were real honesty about all of this, and violence / terrorist acts were condemned for what they were, rather than justifying them, or not, by putting irrational labels on them

        1. Ed Mahony
          August 20, 2017

          I hate socialism (but not socialists) and social liberalism (not social liberals) but i also hate far rightism (but not far rightists). How many of our grandfathers (/fathers etc) fought in WW2 against the Nazis? Most of ours. We can’t forget the lessons of WW2. Especially, if you’ve visited Auschwitz, like me, a few years ago.

  38. Ed Mahony
    August 19, 2017

    ‘Compared to patriotism, that is so often associated with peace and the arts and beauty’

    – but patriots are not passivists (although i respect passivists like the Quakers and the Amish). Patriots will fight and die for their country when they have to, like in a Just War, like Britain’s war against the Nazism in WW2 being a good example of Just War in modern times (or whether it be police defending us from terrorism today, and so on).

  39. BEEBegone!!!!!!
    August 19, 2017

    The BBC used to read Trump’s tweets with a snarl. If he put an exclamation mark they used to nearly shout and with an added snarl “EXCLAMATION MARK” Some doctor must have phoned them to say they needed to lie down and rest. They don’t shout it now. Like actors it is a pity the BBC high floaters are not completely “resting” EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!!!!!

  40. miami.mode
    August 19, 2017

    He is successful and wealthy and as a consequence many American voters view him as incorruptible.

  41. sm
    August 19, 2017

    I am aware that US Party politics behind the scenes can be very different to those of the UK, but I remain aghast that the best two candidates the Republicans and the Democrats could present to their electorate were Trump and Clinton.

    Both have murky pasts, both are principally competent in boosting their own (literal and metaphorical) fortunes rather than being very competent in their occupations, but I have to admit they are both excellent at convincing …. sorry, I think I mean fooling, large swathes of the general public and the glitterati.

    1. McBryde
      August 20, 2017

      The irony was that the Democrats, with the help of most of the US media, first hoisted Trump into the spotlight when the election was brewing.
      Then the media was to expose him as a dangerous buffoon.
      The intention was to choose an opposition candidate with a questionable character and approach, then to annihilate him.
      In that way the increasingly tarnished image of Clinton, with wikileaks emails egg on her face, was to be overshadowed – allowing her to emerge the better option.

      I found it delightful that, with most of the media propaganda firing constantly at Trump, the voters couldn’t be persuaded against him.

      I think that Nigel Farage’s championing for Brexit gave the US silent majority the confidence to trust their own instincts.

  42. Atlas
    August 19, 2017

    It has been fascinating watching ‘freedom’ in the USA now taking the form of tearing down statues of historical fact people. So the USA has not escaped the habits of the ‘old world’ after all…

  43. Sakara Gold
    August 19, 2017

    I do not wish to be percieved on your blog as being overly critical of the democratically elected leader of the free world, Donald Trump. I do not agree with his position on climate change science, but many of his other mistakes can be put down to his political inexperience – he is, after all just a builder of high-end hotels and golf courses – and his predeliction for late night “tweets” (some of which have actually moved markets the following day)

    In America – as in many countries with a tradition of free speech and also your blog – a range of political views can be heard. Rather than criticise Mr Trump’s failure to condemn far right white supremacist marchers adequately enough for the liberal left media, we should compliment him for standing up to the N Korean dictatorship and making them back down – and for building a seemingly excellent rapport with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

    Mr Trump learns fast. He is not afraid to fire troublemakers who have been over-promoted and who are leaking too much information as they brief against one another. Lets see how he deals with the US debt ceiling before we make a final judgement.

    1. Denis Cooper
      August 20, 2017

      When 40,000 Americans gleefully march through Boston protesting against free speech I think we can safely say that tradition is now moribund in the US, if it is not actually dead:

      http://news.sky.com/story/boston-police-arrest-27-people-at-free-speech-rally-10997143

      “The event, which was billed as a “free speech” rally, ended early after thousands of counter-protesters overwhelmed the crowds.

      An estimated 40,000 people packed into the streets around the nation’s oldest park, most of whom were anti-fascist demonstrators who sought to drown out the far-right.”

  44. RDM
    August 19, 2017

    Hi John,
    Talk about understanding; How would you like to support a campaign for more Rights for those that work within the so called “Gig Economy”. If not Rights, then Influence!

    After all, I can’ t see the PM wanting to go into the next General Election with so many of “Thatchers Child” being alienated to the degree they are currently!

    They work the way they do because it gives them choice and flexibility.

    Do forget; some within the Regions, have no choice, there is no other work for them!

    And I have no doubt, they feel left behind, forgotten, or simple ignored!

    It doesn’t suit the Political class, or the left, at least.

    Not forgetting the actions of the government! The IR35 regulations were brought in because a lot of politicians thought Contractors were making a fortune and not paying Tax!

    Now we know, after a number of investigations by HMRC, that they were not just wrong, but politically motivated!

    This Investigation does include me, and when they found out how much I was really getting, they asked me why I didn’t apply for Benefits!

    Don’t they understand why we treasure our Freedom so much!

    You do Right? Having lived through the Blair dependency culture?

    Is the left, in the Conservative Party, really so against Freedom, are they supports of the dependency culture, is that what they want?

    It would galvanize a lot of people, going into the Election?

    Regards,

    RDM.

  45. Denis Cooper
    August 19, 2017

    Just tidying up and came across this from last November …

    http://facts4eu.org/news_nov_2016.shtml#remaineritis_a_doctor_writes

    “REMAINERITIS – A DOCTOR WRITES

    Are you feeling uncertain and fearful? Are you experiencing headaches, distress, ongoing worry and tension, and an unrealistic view of simple challenges? Are you suffering from self-doubt, lack of self-confidence, and chronic confused self-identity syndrome?

    Do you suspect you might have obsessive institutional co-dependency and separation anxiety? Are uncomfortably-positive facts distorting your post-Brexit vision?

    Don’t worry. All of this is treatable.

    These symptoms are the most common side effects of prolonged EU membership. In many people this was further exacerbated by exposure to the Osbo-Camorageddon virus, of which there was a serious outbreak during the Referendum campaign.

    You may even have developed the virulent strain of this disease, known by we doctors as “OsboCam variant_Junck”, which can lead to severe delusions and a habit of answering all questions with “more Europe”.

    Fortunately there’s a simple cure. If you go to your GP he can prescribe ‘Article 50’, a painless formula which is soluble, easily digested, and only needs to be taken once. You will start feeling better immediately and you’ll be fully cured within two years.”

    However this has proved to be a tad over-optimistic with its “you will start feeling better immediately”, as some victims are feeling worse now than they did then and moreover it seems to have brought on severe brain fever in some victims.

  46. ¿Quién sabe?
    August 19, 2017

    JR, with respect, there can be too much theorising.

    The reason for Trump’s election victory came down to the simple fact that “Trump wasn’t Clinton!” The electorate took the view that “the devil they didn’t know was more attractive than the devil they did know!”

    The more pressing problem is: “What now?”

    Previously, in the aftermath of a presidential election, those who did not vote for the new president would generously accept the democratic decision and say: “I didn’t vote for him, but he is MY president”. Today it is so different; the mantra is “NO WAY my president!”

    This phenomenon takes us back to a topic you raised earlier in the year – the Extreme Centre! They will not accept that the official narrative was/is, or could possibly be wrong. They have not analysed the reasons for defeat, nor will they, so your discourse today will fall on deaf ears in that quarter. They consider Trump’s supporters ‘deplorables’ and his victory a coup. Anyone who challenges their narrative is called a Nazi, and the leader of any such group is called Hitler!

    Today’s mass hysteria in the US is fuelled, not by Right or Left, but by the Extreme Centre. War is being waged against history. People are ranting against prominent historical figures who, 200 + years ago, held different views to theirs. There was an interview on CNN yesterday where the interviewee ranted that all statues and monuments of slave owners should be destroyed, including those of any founding father, who was a slave owner – Washington and Jefferson being just two.

    No reasonable person of the 21st century would condone slavery, but we cannot undo what took place centuries ago. Prominent figures from history were men and women of their times; their lifestyles were then the norm. Whether historical figures were good, bad, or indifferent, their influence has shaped the societies we have today. If today’s history warmongers could be returned to earlier times, having the then prevailing education, knowledge and social awareness, I have no doubt that their views would be no different from that of their forefathers.

    To return to the woman ranting on CNN. If she followed her views to the logical conclusion, she would not use banknotes, or coins that featured portraits of any offending former president! Also, someone has already commented that this Extreme Centre’s policy of air-brushing out the existence of certain historical figures will require that offending presidents depicted at Mount Rushmore will have to be blown up!

    The last time there was such anger and bitterness among America’s own citizens was in the late 1850s and the early 1860s. The result was the Civil War!

    Today there are 330 million inhabitants in the USA, and God knows how many weapons! Not just pistols, but sophisticated assault weapons, artillery pieces and armour – all in private hands!

    So back to the original question: “What now?”

    ¿Quién sabe?

  47. Derek Henry
    August 19, 2017

    I’ve said for months on here that after nearly 50 years of lies, framing and propaganda now we have fought for brexit it is time to tell the truth about taxes.

    When we used the gold standard taxes “DID” fund government spending.

    Ever since we left the gold standard taxes “DON’T” fund government spending.

    The clue is in the word ” monopoly” as in ” monopoly” issuer of the ÂŁ. All you have to do is study the actual accounting between HM Treasury and the BOE.

    It is time to tell people the truth – rich, middle class or poor the government does not need their taxes in order to spend and that the budget deficit and the national debt is = to everyones “sterling savings” to the penny. Learn to look left on a balance sheet it is where all the assets are.

    Prof Bill Mitchell is coming to the Labour party conference to educate them on the national accounting. Whoever is left holding the lie that is taxes fund government spending is finished politically. It is only a matter of time before voters wake up to the fact.

    It is amazing that you got away with it for nearly 50 years. All people needed to do was look at what is written on every bank note and Thatchers lie about there being no state money would never of happened. Every ÂŁ ever created from thin air on a computer keyboard comes from the state. Even those created from thin air by commercial banks.

  48. Ed Mahony
    August 19, 2017

    Why are some people here so pro Trump?

    What’s he done for America so far?

    Firstly, America’s economic spike is largely down to factors outside his influence / control.
    He favours economic isolationism – bonkers.
    He focuses on old-school manufacturing instead of focusing on services and the high tech industry – bonkers.
    He’s obsessed by bonkers populist moves like the Mexican Wall.
    He can’t get basic things right like trying to unite the country and forging win-win relationships with foreign powers.

    Although he’s made a lot of money, he inherited a lot, lost a lot, and is an aggressive property investor. He completely lacks the strategic skills and experience to build up a company such as Apple of IBM. A Steve Jobs or Lou Gerstner is the type of businessman and capitalist you want running America not Donald Trump.

    1. Ed Mahony
      August 19, 2017

      I bet everyone in these comments would make a better President of the USA than Trump. The guy’s a disaster as President.

      Steve Bannon ‘calls for war’ or whatever he said – should be, Steve Bannon needs a big hug (same for Sebastian Gorka and the other motley crew of hard right wingers in the Trump admin).

    2. Anonymous
      August 19, 2017

      Not pro Trump. Just understand the anti sentiment he represents.

    3. Bryan Harris
      August 20, 2017

      Why are some people here so pro Trump?

      Because he’s so much more of a president than was ever the possibility from clinton – He has potential – but much better than that, he is not a damned socialist!

    4. David Price
      August 20, 2017

      Why are you anti-democratic?

  49. Ken Moore
    August 20, 2017

    John Redwood – ‘Of course I agree with them that all elected politicians should condemn any efforts to whip up racial hatred’.

    So define what is ‘any efforts to whip up racial hatred’ ? . Isn’t that a free pass for any group to do whatever it wants ?.

    Herein lies the problem. Barely 50 miles from JR’s constituency in Oxford, gangs of Asian men brazenly and systematically raped and assaulted hundreds of young British white girls. Compare and contrast the number of column inches devoted to this with the case of Mr Harris. Political correctness has cowed the media.

    These men know they have nothing to fear from the likes of John Redwood because he is scared witless of being accused of ‘stirring up racial hatred’. He has given them a free pass.
    It’s only because a few brave people that something was done but it’s no thanks to the heads in the sand brigade. People have had enough of politicians with their politically correct worldview and want something that actually works in the real world – they have been driven into the arms of Trump…

    Reply My constituency is not in Oxford, but 50 miles south east of Oxford. I do not condone violence by anyone and wish to see the law fully enforced against those who perpetrate violent crimes. There are criminals and victims of all racial and religious backgrounds. The people we wish to target are criminals, not one subset of criminals.

    1. Ken Moore
      August 21, 2017

      Thank you for your kind reply.

      I’m sorry I have to disagree strongly. I regret you didn’t voice any word of support for your brave colleague Sarah Champion.
      Oxford is on your doorstep and vulnerable girls in your constituency deserve to have their safety put before the politics of anti – racism. If I had a daughter and lived in Wokingham I’d like to know my Mp didn’t wear rose tinted glasses or wear blinkers…

      The enquiry into Rotherham concluded the Police were afraid to act because they were terrified of causing ‘offence’. It would be helpful to the Police and other organisations if politicians set an example and demonstrated that public safety must come before political correctness.

      It is these crimes, festering and going unchecked that has the capacity to harm ‘racial relations’ – not discussing them openly and honestly. The blame lies with the perpetrators only – the British people are sensible enough to see that you give us too little credit.
      (generalised allegation left out ed)

      Pretending that the limited resources of the Police should target the whole community to protect children just seems like a silly strategy..well it has been tried and failed miserably .
      Never mind though… ‘no offence’ has been caused it’s just a pity many lives have been destroyed to pay for the PC chest beating that passes for leadership these days…

      Reply I believe in the police targetting criminals, whoever they are, whatever their religion or racial background. That must be the right approach

  50. Ken Moore
    August 22, 2017

    Thanks again Dr Redwood.
    JR (generalised allegation left out ed)

    Of course all criminals should be targeted. If, for example, the courts found out that white haired old ladies were committing a disproportionate number of vehicle thefts they should be targeted by the Police when tackling this problem.. And so on..
    Any by politicians and community leaders talking about the issue openly, of say white haired old ladies, this would let the perpetrators understand that there are consequences to their actions with the authorites not willing to ‘brush under the carpet’ any wrong doing.
    Excuses such as cultural differences with white haired old ladies would not wash or be accepted as any kind of excuse. We all know where we stand. That’s how it should be anyway but we all know it isn’t…

    It’s hard to see how my remarks could be described as an ‘allegation’

    I simply provided an accurate outline of several criminal cases that had been brought before the courts and widely reported in the press. Censorship here does rather prove my point that we have all become terribly afraid of causing ‘offence’ to the point of pretending problems do not exist.
    An allegation is ‘ a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof’ . Are you suggesting that the judge or jury in the cases highlighted was in some way impaired?.

    In 2017 it seems we cannot say certain things despite them being factually correct – as I have said before we have retreated from reason and I’m sad to say so has John Redwood.

    Reply You make my point well. If a minority of white haired old ladies were stealing from vehicles it would not be right to target all white haired old ladies or to suggest they were vehicle thieves because they were white haired old ladies! You target vehicle thieves and try to find the narrower characteristics which help define the group over and above the thefts.

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