@Nefrite I have come to the conclusion - perhaps 'suspicion' is a better word - that there is a whole new world view engendered by the largely uneducated lost millions in the U.S.A. who have chosen Trump as their hero and somehow that propaganda has found willing adherents in Australia, and many have found a cosy home on HC -
.... search me why, as we do not have the same problems as America, however we do share with the rest of the world the fact that American involvement in almost any theater of war since the 1960s has let loose an avalance of humanity into the Western world. In America the migrants come from Mexico and South America -but supply cheap labour.
In Europe they come from the East (as they always have - Europe was originally population from the East, but that's in the dim years of pre-history and long forgotten) and now also from Africa, due to the increasing dryness of the African continent and human populations increasing, stretching land resources etc. One has only to watch the plight of the African elephant (and the suffering farmers) to know that for many young men the only choice is to move elsewhere, or become part of the warlike gangs which seem to dominate so many countries there.
In Australia we are also somewhat insecure now about our national status, or perhaps racial status is a better word. We see the influx of people (humans like us, but maybe better suited to the fight for survival) from third world countries, many are educated, many are not. I have recently been in hospital and realise our medical services wouldn't function without the importing of medical personnel (and some not well educated, as I found with the night nurses from Zimbabwe). My European migrant group with whom I have lost contact, but get fleeting information about, just the same, is integrated, but many have Asian partners.
We still haven't lifted many of our Aboriginal people, who live in outlying areas of this country, from a state of living in 'third world status', and we feel no shame about it, instead we indulge everyone who is inclined to whine, in a state of victim-hood, and this includes some white folk, too.
Some white people - particularly in the U.S.A. - who have been short-changed by the system, find solace in the broad and meaningless slogans used by Trump, who has his own agenda of domination of a certain class and self-enrichment again for a certain class only - his wealthy supporters. In Australia we still have a decent way to make a living for most, willing to put in the work.
But: America is suffering from a huge discrepancy between rich and poor, and one has to say that 'poor' in America is not poor by world standards, but living in a culture where wealth and success is paraded as the paragon of virtue, engendering fierce competition, egocentricity, narcissism and envy and, in fact results in real poverty of mind and spirit and the need to seek out a hero 'who can save us all'. A ready field for dictatorship.
I can see some of this reflected on this thread - and it pains me, so I will desist and let you fight your digital battles alone. I'll go on my merry way and try and tread 'lightly upon this earth' as I have taught my children to do, as well. Good Luck Taurisk
