american politics Archives

I would like to say the images of the seize of Capital Hill Washington DC shocked me. In some way “yes” in some ways “no”. Coming from the American South, traditionally, Whites enforced their wills by storming State and County Houses to enforce Jim Crow laws or worse, for lynchings.

The United States has been on an implosion trajectory for decades. The level of despair, inequality, wars and Covid 19 running wild in a country that failed to looked after its citizens. This dry grass needed a spark. Trump unpacked his flame thrower.

19^thcentury painter Thomas Cole painting series “America” shows a proud land similar in mentality of the Roman Empire. All empires fall, Rome’s was brutal. Did the curtain on the American Empire come down on January 6^th? Certainly for the “Exceptionalism Theory”, history proves the US will not be an exception.

The governing class got a taste of what could come. Social Media images of protesters taking the building with little police opposition made world wide headlines. Who can forget the picture from Speaker Pelosi’s desk? The shirtless horned hat man has become an international celebrity. Expect media deals after the FBI gets finished with him.

As For The Democrats and Republicans

Could the GOP be repentant after years of deciding only they can govern? After seeing some tepid condemnations and a fiery speech by one House of Rep member. My hopes were dashed. Donald’s 76 million voters made clear they are force to be reckoned. The disciples are waiting for a new leader.

As for the so called “opposition”. Democrats are in the clouds looking for corporate parachutes after “public service”.

Cole witnessed the enthusiasm mixed with arrogance of a newly confident country challenging old world European Empires. The English born artist painted “Consummation” . Meaning consumption and prosperity of a Wealthy Empire. “Destruction”, the forth in “The Course of Empire” series paints a scene of violence, an empire dying. The guy had insight 170 years ahead of his time.

Complaceny was a victim yesterday on the steps of the Capital. Heed the visions from past. Empires implode.

Loath him. Hate him. Love him. Whatever the opinion of the President, he gave a master class in political theatre.. His many detractors will have a hard time admitting this. The course title: “How to grab the highest office in the land on one try. Granted, he had a head start, money, brand recognition, celebrity. However, by using unsavoury tactics, playing into the darkest core of the America’s rage, fear and prejudices, he managed to hoodwink the country.

Number 45’s political dissection will become case studies in university classes. Shameful behaviour is no longer out of bounds. While Biden probably gets a few book chapters on the rise to power, Trump will have entire library selves. Many future politicians will borrow from Donald’s trove. Always hold the spotlight. A certain way to engage large crowds, the seemingly insult retardant skin. Or the less than enduring “most important man in the room syndrome”.

Leaders of Democracies are strange creatures. Why would anyone want a thankless job with limited time span, always at the centre of ferocious criticism? At any politicians core lays a bottomless well of narcissism. This is a universal trait. Clinton based his personality on compartmentalisation to justify unpleasant actions. Yet, Donald Trump brought a new level of leadership lacking self awareness, a zero humility outlook. Don’t learn a lesson, just bulldoze it, never look back. This style would have sunk most politicians. For some reason it only added to the narrative, at times becoming myths. The world asked daily questions: “He said what?” “He did what?” “Who did he insult?”

Thankfully, the United States is done with Trump. Yet this President’s influence will come in another form. Let’s hope I’m wrong.