Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump have come away with commanding wins in the New Ha
mpshire presidential primaries, signalling a rejection of ‘establishment’ candidates in this year’s race to the White House.
It’s clear that voters across the board are angry. And while voters agree that there is a problem with the political establishment and status quo, what they don’t agree on is the solution.
Could we seriously be looking at a presidential election fought between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders? One a socialist and the other professional opportunist?
Perhaps the appeal of both of men is their seeming strength and decisiveness in a field of self-serving political wimps; moreover they are both unconventional political outsiders who have not (at least publicly) been tainted by the buying of votes and selling out to political donors. Yet despite their lack of political convention, both candidates are cartoonish in their populist appeal. Nevertheless, given our present context their popularity is understandable.
Yet, I cannot see how either a 50 percent plus tax on the rich or the immediate ban of Muslim immigration would provide a solution to the United States current problems. Both are blunt, heavy-handed knee-jerk policies.
Perhaps what should concern us the most is that both candidates have the potential to make things much worse, should they be elected to office.
This should come as no comfort to the establishment candidates. Voters are angry – not only in the United States, but across the Western world.
Politicians should take note of the outcome of the New Hampshire primaries. It is time to listen to voters, or you will be cast aside.
