Amid the turmoil

@dookie Said

Maybe a ray of light. Given the coronavirus, in normal times, a normal election, maybe a turnout even lower than the usual?

But here, a record turnout. People care. OK, many care in ways I'm unable to comprehend. But many care in ways I do understand, and in ways I share.

Not put off by the pandemic, record numbers have expressed their views at the ballot box. Record numbers have voted for a particular Presidential Candidate.

So a little light shines. Darkness would be resignation and despair.

Well done America.

@Electric_Banana Said

Between the Libs controlling speech and Biden's sinister sneer...
I fear Trump is the lesser evil.
Trump doesn't take him or anyone else seriously...Biden, on the other hand....

@Electric_Banana Said

Between the Libs controlling speech and Biden's sinister sneer...
I fear Trump is the lesser evil.
Trump doesn't take him or anyone else seriously...Biden, on the other hand....

Now here, in NZ, had they picked the Conservs over the Liberals it would've been ....it would've been failing an obvious test.

@Electric_Banana Said

Between the Libs controlling speech and Biden's sinister sneer...
I fear Trump is the lesser evil.
Trump doesn't take him or anyone else seriously...Biden, on the other hand....

Now here, in NZ, had they picked the Conservs over the Liberals it would've been ....it would've been failing an obvious test.

@Jennifer1984 Said

If New Zealand didn't want Jacinda Arden, hey, we'll do you a swap. You can have Boris Johnson.

@dookie Said

We'll have to disagree on this.

Using broad brushstrokes, right across the western world we have seen the rise of populism (definition:- a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups)

I've heard it here in the UK with Nigel Farage, who "tells it like it is", who speaks against "the establishment", speaks against "career politicians" whose noses are "in the trough", who disregard "the common man" etc etc etc. Those such as Mr Farage seek to reject "PC language" and many identify with his "message". One constant refrain of those voting Leave in the EU Referendum was of a feeling of being "left behind", of being "ignored", of wanting to give the establishment "a kick".

Yet scrape the surface and what is found? Simply another man with his own nose in the trough, his own career, his own "newspeak", milling around within his very own established order of things. Its called at best hypocrisy.

Donald Trump is of the same stable, USA style. Various differences but much the same in essence. Riding on the back of the "forgotten", of those who perceive their "way of life" and "values" as being under threat from "the system", of being eroded. Again I have heard it......"Donald Trump is not a politician, politicians are the problem".

No, Donald Trump is NOT a politician. Does that make him better in some come way that I am missing?

Maybe its all hypocrisy, we are all being used by whoever sits at the top of the pile. But just using one example:- Joe Biden speaks of "the American people" while Donald Trump speaks (LISTEN!) of an "us" that obviously excludes those who vote against him, protest against him, who call him out for his lies. Even the attempt of reconciling, healing, bringing unity to a divided country, are beyond his imagination.

OK, so is Joe Biden sincere? Maybe not. But WE can be sincere. If people want healing rather that division, Joe Biden's words are a better bet to gather around. In the end it comes down to each unique individual.

Of course, if we are cynical, despairing, trustless people then one is no better than the other.

@Electric_Banana Said

I'm still pretty sure that Trump is a permanent fixture in this ride now matter how many times we start off in the sixties / seventies and ride it through to the end again.
This would suggest he's paid for by those beyond the fourth wall who take all responsibility should he go haywire and start slaughtering the tourists.

Biden? He on the other hand is mortal
When Russia and Korea get snarky he's not going to be able to play the game like Trump; he's going to be that 'Run and tell it to the principle' kid who always ended upside down in the toilet.

@dookie Said

Not sure I get the contrast between a permanent Trump and a mortal Biden. Much like the UK's "man of the people" Nigel Farage in contrast to the corporate elite AKA The Establishment. Our Nigel is merely yet another figure representing yet another Establishment - or perhaps better expressed, another way of apprehending our world (if we must persist in thinking any one way is more "real" than another)

Reality for me is in the beauty of difference, all part of the eternal flux of infinite compassion, infinite wisdom, infinite potential.

For the moment there is more for the heart in Joe Biden's words of seeking unity, of the American People, than in the "us" and "them" of Donald Trump, who can still only speak of having the election "stolen" from HIM/US.

Once again, it depends upon us as unique individuals as to what might or might not have a greater permanence.

An upbeat finish, at least for me....

“So this holy life.....does not have gain, honour, and renown for its benefit, or the attainment of virtue for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is this unshakeable deliverance of mind that is the goal of this holy life, its heartwood, and its end.”

(Majjhima Nikaya)