Reports from the U.K., France, the Union of South Africa and the USA....

by Glenn N. Holliman

Several of our readers sent emails to today.  Sid posted a report on an unsettling report of South African political instability.  An English educator, David, wrote of  the difficulty people have in dealing with change. Terry, an Englishman with homes in both France and Florida, posted a blog earlier last week.  Click on 'older post' at the bottom of this blog to read Terry's last two articles on Brexit and the state of Europe.

So interesting commentary from learned persons to read over your next cup of coffee, tea or adult beverage!

While I have been reluctant to reveal my own views on the forthcoming, forever presidential election in the USA, I now break my silence in this spot due to Mr. Trump's continued demonstration of his unfitness for the high office to which he has aspired. My remarks are at the bottom of this page. - GNH

From Sid, a businessman in South Africa - 

Hi Glenn, although this is mainly a financial report, it also contains political comment and is a barometer for the current state of our nation.

It has not been a good period for our country since our return from travels. The Student protests continue and have become violent. There is talk that some institutions might shut down for the year and that would mean no graduations for 2016 with disastrous consequences for economy and new intakes next year.

Our Minister of Finance has just been hit with a charge of Fraud for his involvement 6 years ago in an early retirement package arrangement for one of his senior managers at Revenue services. Very few commentators see this other than  as an attempt to remove his good governance initiatives , which is standing in the way of Presidential corruption linked to the Nuclear Power deal with Russia and Putin.

Interesting, if disturbing times. - Sid

From David in the Midlands of England - 

Dear Glenn

Managing anything is about managing change, because all life, individual, social, commercial, industrial, evolves, or changes, if you will. 

Some people embrace change and benefit from it. Many simply accept its inevitability and get on with it. Lots of people, whether through temperament, ignorance, conditioning, adherence to ancient religious dogma, or whatever, want to resist change. 

In former times, they were powerless to do so. Our 'western' civilisation has made many of them believe that, through democracy, they have control of their destiny, and thus can maintain the status quo. In reality, they are still powerless to resist the forces which bring about change and their frustration causes them to look for someone, or something to blame. Communists, Trades-Unionists, Capitalists, Islamists, Jews, Immigrants, Tories, Socialists, Bureaucrats, the European Union, 'the Government'. 

Left, David at Christmas 2015

It doesn't matter to whom the blame is assigned, as long as it's a group which can be seen as an 'outsider', anything will do to avoid the awful truth of the real blame's being one's own inability to adapt, to grow, to learn, to develop new skills, to migrate, to change. 

Cynical, power-hungry politicians exploit this to the short term satisfaction of their voters, but history shows that in the long term, everyone suffers. I realise that this is hardly a constructive analysis, but who am I to offer a solution, where others have failed over thousands of years?

Yours hopelessly
David

From Yours Truly - 

My two cents as to why Donald Trump has come as far as he has....just a few ideas.

1. History is made by people.  Donald Trump was a phenomenon waiting to happen.  He is an extraordinary speaker who gins up the audiences and appeals to their baser emotions.  I speak having heard racial segregationist Governor George Wallace of Alabama in my youth, and studying deeply the rise of Adolph Hitler who could twist or invent 'facts' to fit his narrative of angst and anger. Trump has that 'gift' although I hate to call it such.

2. Reaction, fear if you will,  to cultural change and migration patterns such as - same sex marriage, a Black president, an older female running for president, a Hispanic neighborhood developing in an older part of town, blow back from 9/11 and the never ending war in the Middle East stirring up fears of Muslims who call God by a different name.

This Australian Magpie is fooled by the wooden one.  How many are easily taken by those who offer up scapegoats to societal  problems?  Picture arrived today from Steph's garden in South Australia.  Thanks Steph.

3. Pockets of economic stagnation.  The American economy is growing at only 2% a year and certain areas, generally what we call the rust belt, are experiencing little or negative growth.  Capitalism seeks less expensive labor and access to natural resources....it always has and always will.  Certain communities and age groups get left behind economically and those left behind (i.e. lack transferable skills or too old to relocate) are prime candidates to respond to some one (Trump) who promises them a way out (and finds someone or some group to blame for their predicament).  

The morning after November 8th - what ever will the Republican Party do?  Go the way of the Whigs? Will followers of Trump organize their own party? - Glenn N. Holliman, student of history

Comments always welcome.....