ABC(Aust) Four Corners 2x1hr (Mond) expose on Trump as a Free World Threat
Spread the word about this program. Get as many people to view these two shows on our ABC Public Broadcaster Channel (should be viewable on ABC News in-depth you tube as well). Four Corners is a high standard, non-partisan ABC documentary series.
I have been texting and talking with family & friends about the global threat of a Trump (&Co) presidency to democracy and world peace since 2015. Some responses have been dismissive. Less so lately.
My last DU post detailed in full my last two texts to family and friends sent just over a week or so ago. I generally describe and update news, with warnings. I worry about my children and grandchildren's future if democracy fails in America. America is just too big to fail without causing significant tidal effects around the world.
My posts on DU have also included ideas for concerned American people to use to help Democrats win. To use statistics, graphs, comparisons, contrasts and especially use Maga/Repub's own words/plans back against them. Use images/slogans/AI/cartoons to show the dark future a Maga no-holds barred cheating autocratic nationalist crooked 'governing' path VERSES a brighter, more honest fairer Democratic, public/worker rights national/international straight forward governing path. Describe the good vs evil road branches. Show the roadblocks and dead ends. Mention children's futures.
In the past I have described my life in Australia (as a single parent, now with adult children who have their own businesses & staff). I list some aspects of my life under a State/National public/worker priority-based Political Party. Almost wall to wall Labor Party ruling here at present. I list my low cost years at University, our free quality PUBLIC health care (VITAL for a contented relaxed citizenry), free quality PUBLIC education (VITAL for democracy, & to avoid cults), social security network supports (VITAL for low crime, low long-term budget costs & to maintain public trust of experts/leaderships, helps with pandemics too), substantively reduced fear to be out & about amongst my primarily non-armed public peers (only gun I have ever seen was in America within my first week) and the importance of consumer protections and industry controls (VITAL in a democracy). I have detailed some divergent aspects about Australian politics as compared to USA (e.g. we are thankfully all required to be engaged & involved in State & Federal voting, plus we have easy access to voting etc.). I have discussed my global travels, especially the 11 month solo driving trip I did around your stunningly picturesque USA, covering around 50-60,000k's.
My concerns when I was there and from what I saw, was what migrated to my country, specifically within the political and commercial realms. Trickery, deceit, broken principles in Election campaigns and Politics. The extreme use of racism and sexism in Political Campaigning to divide the community. Most of which was principally utilized by our Conservative Liberal/National Political Party. Our conservative party is called the Liberals. The expansion of big corporation in our food industry. The increased presence of religion in our Conservative Party. I noticed the difference because I was away for 2 years, then took another 6 months to tour my own country before I settled back home to have a family. I managed to travel so much, to over 30-35 countries as I slept in trains and cars and cooked my own food. I was focused on natural scenery more than cities.
I am not ignorant that Australia, like many other countries, look to USA as an interesting, influential industrial/political template, especially within big money and conservative political sections. Nothing is perfect and Australia has much racism and sexism in its own dark history. In fact, weirdly as a women, I felt more safe to hike wilderness areas outside Australia. It helped a lot that there were more tourists around me as I hiked, I met people who helped me and I was traveling during a global economic boom. I was a typical risk-taking traveler who was ignorant of risk until later when I reflected just how lucky I was to stay alive until I got home.
Anyway, I state all this so you know I come from a, somewhat dated, educated, experienced perspective. I have studied politics, psychology, teaching, art, briefly joined a humanist movement group and have been involved in environmental protests here. I was limited in what I could do for democracy once I became a single parent and now I am retired with mobility issues.
I think concerned USA citizens who care about democracy should all vote, number 1, where possible help with elections, number 2 and should promote to Democrat campaigners, at all levels, what clear banners/placards/ideas they can devise to support spreading the good democracy message. I think simple charts/statistics/graphs/slogans/images are great. Include political party histories in crime, missteps, policy, financial spending. Include comparisons and contrasts between Political Parties, States, Countries (use Australia!). I particularly think its useful to use a clear uncluttered image of the split MagaRepub/Democrat paths, with road branches to: limited costly private health care vs majority low cost public health care; limited public/consumer/worker freedoms vs majority public/consumer/worker freedoms; limited consumer/environmental/industrial protections vs the opposite etc. Use cartoons, AI, collages to show the path to polluted air/water vs clean air/water. Show the path to a moonscape VS wetlands/forests. Show the path to ignorant, poor children VS happy healthy vibrant educated children. Show the path to unregulated industrialization VS well managed, small business priority, regulated industrialization. The path to no gun control, limited divorce/domestic safety rights, marriage restriction, and women dying from lack of self-managed reproductive care VS safety, security and real bodily/relationship freedoms. The path to walled nationalistic trade contraction VS global /democracy unity protections. The difference between no care and concern for human differences, science and real realities VS real care and concern for human variety in gender and abilities, real care for science and truth. Especially use the cross political divide commonality of what people want for their children in the future, the need for free public service/citizen protections and the essential backdrop of a clean environment to provide a real positive global future. Spread the word of democracy and the risk of Trump (&Co) everywhere. In conversations. Using signs at bus stops, libraries, on cars, parks, front gardens, t-shirts, windows, backpacks, halls, etc. Keep safe as you campaign in your own way but the message needs to get to all people, especially those in rural and red areas. I think everyone's future is on the line if democracy, NATO, AUKUS and other trade/peace/ regulatory organizations become at risk..
I think its pretty obvious Trump has real psychological/egocentric issues. He is a sick man in my view. He is a real threat to freedoms, children's freedoms, environment, consumer protections, industry regulation, honest legal public & private behaviour, global peace and democracy. Use all those potential realities to turn people from Trump. "one day its gays, disabled, women, minorities at risk, next day its you and your family at risk" You might be reluctant to use fighting words after what happened atTrump's last rally. (And I have my own personal suspicions on what Trump would do, in collaboration with other right wing maga national/international thuggery/religious/elite/military factions, to regain and keep power and avoid imprisonment ie I think he would do anything once an idea or tactic was put before him). Whatever he says is often what he does.
Biden is probably your only option now and he has a history of real rare accomplishment. He has a lot going for him in tactical pluses. History, Incumbency, Policy, etc. Much of it somewhat bi-partisan. Its a risk, but I would vote for anyone other then Trump. If you try to change nominees now, Red States might balk at putting them on the ticket and funding/existing funds will become a major issue. I think you have a good back-up vice president nominee.
If and when your Country removes the Trump threat, (his &Co threat will take much longer) there are many changes needed. Again, no expert here, but there is too much hand-shaking protocol principles, risk and bias, in your governing/election/justice structure. Too much 55%-60% vote needed, minority rule. I think Biden should add judges to SCOTUS and more rules need to be written down as law. Legal Loopholes that Trump, Maga and Trump Judges have used to aid Trump need to be closed off and more rules of integrity, honesty and clarity added. Get money out of politics. Secure voting rights. Protect Women and Children, and get back a substantive protective, intelligent, civically aware majority middle class society sector.
I know, easy to say and what right do I have to say anything. I can only go by what I consume in international/national news. Now I am retired with limited mobility (too much hiking in the past), I consume a LOT of news and I know how to judge the fairness and honesty of what news I consume. I know what primary sources to use. (By the way, why does only Fox news get shown to your military? & So sorry about Murdoch)
So my response to what right I have to do such a posting is that I don't want my children or grandchildren to be wearing army greens in the future. I really want democracy to prevail and America is just too big an influence politically, culturally, economically, militarily, in trade and human rights, to fail now.
Please respond fairly as I only ever post here and I have only posted a small handful of times) and I'm a very nervous post-er who feels compelled to do something in her own limited way.
I love your country. I had wonderful help (Thanks Brendan) and I was in a state of perpetual awe with your natural scenery. Some things I experienced or saw, did give me pause and concern but overall it was a huge part of my travels I can never forget. Driving on the opposite side of the road, cooking on a single burner in a little station wagon next to massive RV's, driving the steepest roads in Colorado, camping in snow, hiking mountains & forests & caves. Best time ever.
Vote to protect it all please. More than Americans care. More than Americans at risk. Mum & Dads all over the world care.
Thank you for your time again.
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