Political parties that appeal to them? You have an issue here, and elsewhere, where the number of people who don't vote regularly hit half of the eligible population. In any democracy, that's something of a stain on the system, that half the population could not, would not or couldn't be bothered to vote for the candidate and proposals.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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There are far too many political experts on here for me to begin to summise as to the reasons or stats but I wonder what the mix of people that couldn't be ar$ed to vote, spoilt papers due to lack of credible candidate and new voters 'inspired' by what they'd heard from Trump were.

sadly, no one will ever be happy as there is always a better system for someone but it does seem that much in the way of Brexit etc, that the 'little man' has decided they've had enough and want a drastic change. As odious as Clinton is, you cannot say she is any worse than Tango man, there have to be deeper seated reasons behind it.

Clinton is Clinton. I have known him for a long time, I know his mother... Simon Jordan

Perhaps he was right but still won.
Along with far less budget to spend on campaigning compared to Clinton, an indication of his popularity among ordinary Americans.

Hitler and Mussolini were both voted in as prime minister before they took complete control - I don't think Trump is quite in their league, he hasn't got any theories for a start, but he is undoubtedly dangerous. John Stuart Mill got it spot on for me: "Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives."

I'm flattered you had to use Hansard to reply - here it is verbatim:

"I did not mean that Conservatives are generally stupid; I meant, that stupid persons are generally Conservative"

Why did you bother, really? That's what I hate about these threads, people rarely have an open mind and develop a point it's an I'm the cleverest contest, and when their point of view is undermined they go on the offensive, so boring - the substantive point is about Hitler and Mussolini being democratically elected. Engage with that and we may discuss something worthwhile and interesting. But if you want to play the rapier wit intellectual - fyi it's quotation not quote, quote is only a verb not a noun strictly speaking, but language is fluid and it will no doubt change.

Can start a new thread titled Things more Scottish than kerms...
I'll start Buckfast

The mountains are calling & I must go.

You put it out there to make a point and I responded. I put a winking smiley to show that it was meant to be tongue in cheek. Clearly, you missed that. At the end of the day, John Stuart Mill didn't say what you claimed. It was very similar, but not exactly the same.

As awful as I think Trump will be as president (and I did not vote for him), I doubt he will seize control of the instruments of state and run the country as dictator. Thus the comparison with Hitler and Mussolini, even if only broadly implied is vague and lazy. If that is what you think should pass for discourse, and judging by some of your other posts it is, then it's no wonder you are fed up of the discussion on the boards. After all, it's not exactly open minded is it?

I also note, you have not bothered to address what I thought brought about Trump's success: which is a failure of the Democratic party to appeal to its own core support. But then you wouldn't, would you?

Edited by NickinOX (10 Nov 2016 4.33pm)

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Scotland has its own parliament vested to look after its peoples best interests and is a country.

In the US what was essentially a two-horse race the one with most votes lost. Not democratic.

In Scotland a simple yes/no for remain' the answer with most votes lost. Not democratic. For Scotland.

You are all for democracy. Strongly so going by your posts so you should be vehemently agreeing with me about the democracy point not trying to undermine it.

Unless, of course, the real inconsistency is coming from your side of the political fence.

Big chest and massive boobs

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I have a violent temper, am mostly incomprehensible, as tight as a ducks chuff, deep fry my heroin and have early symptoms of liver failure. Any good?

Lend me a Tenor

31 May to 3 June 2017

John McIntosh Arts Centre
London Oratory School
SW6 1RX

with Superfly in the chorus
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Oh yes I would ... it's interesting and baffling from the outside how unpopular Hilary is - she seems different to when hubby was in charge - the accusations of coldness apply to my memory of her, she seemed scarily rational in a very blokish way, this sounds very sexist cos the Mays, Thatchers and Barbara Castles are as rational as any, but there was an unattractive focussed ruthless ambition, exemplified by the way she seemed not to give a sh*t about her husband's away form and seemingly gave status and position far greater priority - all impressions of course but impressions sway voters - there is the 'foundation' of course and it is screamingly obvious she was not just making room in her inbox when deleting those emails. You have to be mightily crap to be second to Trump but her crapness is still hard to fathom this side of the pond - if some American poster could edify that would be good. As far as the comparison with Hitler and Mussolini it's not vague and lazy - I agree with you that the US constitution and culture is too robust to be subordinated to a would be dictator, but it does show you should not always be supine with a democratic choice, George W led a basically criminal regime with the machine of democracy, Mugabe gets elected once every five years or so, so did Napoleon III, and big bad Donald is capable of creating some serious carnage in the next four years - there are times when the democratic choice is deeply flawed, like the election of Hitler and Mussolini, and it's not petty sour grapes to be concerned or anything to do with partisanship, it's disappointment that there are so many people daft enough and ignorant enough to support a wall-building, pussy-grabbing, dangerous, flippant fascist.