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President Trump by John O’ Brien
The Simpson’s had an episode where Lisa Simpson was the President of the
United States. In this episode she
stated she had to fix the economy
due to the fact that President Donald
Trump had made a mess of things. At
the time the idea of a President Donald
Trump was a joke. Now in 2016 Donald
Trump is the President elect. There has
been a lot written about this election and
the victory of President Trump. Some of
the commentary has been personal. I don’t
think personalised commentary helps us in understanding what is happening
in the United States. Historical movements and political decisions have made the possibility of a Trump
Presidency a reality.
After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 the democratic world decided slowly to change economic policy.
The New Deal of FDR showed the democratic world that governments have a role to play in producing
an economy that benefits the majority of the people. After the 2nd World War major democratic
governments made this new consensus into practical policy. Full employment became government
policy. Workers sought to improve their lives and join the middle class. Farmers income was secured,
the family farm was protected. Businesses expanded and grew especially small and new businesses. The
middle class became stronger during this era. Some people called this era a golden age. It wasn’t perfect
but it gave society stability, hope and growth.
Beginning in the 1970s this consensus was challenged. These new policy makers and their political
allies like Reagan and Thatcher wanted to deregulate the market. They wanted to reduce the welfare state
and the role of government in the economy. State protection of industries linked to the military wasn’t
mentioned. Instead of welfare to the poor we had welfare to the rich.
This new neo liberal era was supposed to free the markets from the government. It was supposed to
allow individuals the freedom to set up businesses. It was supposed to increase freedom and the middle
class. The crash of international financial markets in 2008 put a question mark over neo liberalism.
Under our new economic era banks had a too dominant position in the economy. Speculation became
a more important economic activity than investing in business for the banks. The middle class got
smaller. Wealth moved up to a small and powerful elite. An increasing number of voters are angry
and they want change. Extremist politics has become attractive to an increasing number of voters. I
read somewhere that some former Obama supporters voted for Trump. They thought that nothing has
changed. They are looking for alternatives. Senator Sanders popularity is due to this desire for change.
President Trump gained votes because of this desire for change.
Will President Trump change the United States for the better or the worse? Will he break his promises
and do nothing in the White House? Only time will tell how this story will turn out. If the voters are
disappointed with Trump they will look elsewhere for a solution to their problems. It seems to me that
the mood music of the FDR era was hope but the mood music today is anger. Whatever your views of
this Presidential election it is important to look at the facts honestly if you want to find a solution to the
present situation.