Changes in the US will affect Europe

[Pauline]

We’ve all been quiet lately as we digest the US election results. My first instinct was to go offline. I’m coming back to life now but these are difficult times.

In the UK I hear a lot about it on the news, mostly about how it will affect this country. I did have the idea to avoid talking about it with strangers by claiming my original citizenship - Canadian - so no reason to ask me what I think.

I guess we just go on as usual perhaps understanding as we travel in Europe how much American politics affects Europe. NATO, tariffs, the war in Ukraine. Europe is having its own problems with populism and strong anti-immigration sentiment, so it isn’t just the US.

 

[Ian Sutton]

I reason that I can't influence elections in the US, so I shouldn't worry about the consequences... that's on the US electorate. They are responsible for the politicians they elect.

 

[JMichael]

Some of us are responsible for the politicians that are elected. However, please remember that not all of us necessarily voted for those individuals. Realizing my values are in the minority has been a difficult pill to swallow.

 

[Pauline]

Yes, we vote in the US too.

 

[BryanS]

We voted absentee from Italy, not necessarily an easy process but important.

Since the day after the election we have had numerous people in our small village ask us in Italian - What is wrong with America?!

 

[Ian Sutton]

Some of us are responsible for the politicians that are elected. However, please remember that not all of us necessarily voted for those individuals. Realizing my values are in the minority has been a difficult pill to swallow.

Definitely not pointing any fingers. You voted (and no matter who for, that's the important thing).

 

[BEERMAN]

I'm currently working on trip reports and photo's to avoid all the news talking heads. Fyi, my desktop gave me a fit trying to store photo's, now editing is slow as molasses!

Whichever side people are on, I hate seeing the same behavior where people are willing to divide and even sever friendships over the knuckleheads that control both sides. Until a strong moderate makes a name for themselves the cycle will continue. Hoping my daughters generation finds such a person.

 

[Pauline]

I'm currently working on trip reports and photo's to avoid all the news talking heads. Fyi, my desktop gave me a fit trying to store photo's, now editing is slow as molasses!

I keep my photos on an external drive. Maybe that would help? I’ve been going over photos too!

 

[phirhon]

Here in Australia, we have compulsory voting. If you do not vote you get a show cause letter and if you do not have a good reason, there is a fine. Of course, some are prepared to pay the fine, but why not vote. If you do not vote, you cannot complain when the result does not suit you.

We are watching with interest what is happening. If tariffs are brought in and China's economy suffers, it is going to have an adverse effect here as China is one of our big trading partners, despite some recent issues. This will flow on to us as self funded retirees . We are always affected by what happens on Wall Street, so not looking forward to losing money.

I worry about what is happening in the world with these men in charge, and now another one joins them, who are like dogs involved in a you know what competition.

 

[NoSpin]

There are a lot of concerns on the part of many Americans. Some pundits claim Trump has a mandate, but forgetting the Electoral College margin, Trump recieved less than half the popular vote, 49.9%.

My fear is we abandon Ukraine. I read William Shirer's book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich back in 1970. Once Russia invaded Ukraine some things seemed so familiar that I re-read the book (well actually I got the audiobook this time). The similarities between Hitler's words and actions through the late 1930's and Putin's are stunning. What I find so ironic is Putin states his invasion is to "de-Nazify" the Ukraine while in fact his actions are right out of the Nazi playbook.

It could have been Churchill or other European statesmen, but the expression about those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it, still holds true in my opinion.

 

[NoSpin]

Oh, BTW, the reason I came here was to check on any requirements to enter the UK. We are leaving in exactly 2 weeks for London. However, I see since it doesn't go into effect until next year, I don't have to worry about it.

 

[lbeansilv]

We’ve all been quiet lately as we digest the US election results. My first instinct was to go offline. I’m coming back to life now but these are difficult times.

In the UK I hear a lot about it on the news, mostly about how it will affect this country. I did have the idea to avoid talking about it with strangers by claiming my original citizenship - Canadian - so no reason to ask me what I think.

I guess we just go on as usual perhaps understanding as we travel in Europe how much American politics affects Europe. NATO, tariffs, the war in Ukraine. Europe is having its own problems with populism and strong anti-immigration sentiment, so it isn’t just the US.

I was just in Germany and wherever we went, people of all nationalities were talking about it. Two German women we spoke with said that they are actually afraid

I join them in my fears for the future in Ukraine and Europe as a whole under the incoming administration (which I did not vote for). Certainly unnerving times not only for us here in the US but around the globe.

 

[Aussie Greg]

There are a lot of concerns on the part of many Americans. Some pundits claim Trump has a mandate, but forgetting the Electoral College margin, Trump recieved less than half the popular vote, 49.9%.

My fear is we abandon Ukraine. I read William Shirer's book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich back in 1970. Once Russia invaded Ukraine some things seemed so familiar that I re-read the book (well actually I got the audiobook this time). The similarities between Hitler's words and actions through the late 1930's and Putin's are stunning. What I find so ironic is Putin states his invasion is to "de-Nazify" the Ukraine while in fact his actions are right out of the Nazi playbook.

It could have been Churchill or other European statesmen, but the expression about those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it, still holds true in my opinion.

Why are you posting this rubbish on this Forum? This used to be a pleasant, informative and enjoyable site.....until you showed up.
Take your bigotry elsewhere

 

[Pauline]

I don’t see how what he posted is bigotry. I started the political thread, so blame me. For Americans who are politically in the centre or on the left this is all very intense right now.

 

[Aussie Greg]

Glad you told me this.
Have you ever looked up the meaning of Bigotry?
The OP and apparently also you, cannot accept that TRUMP won. And won significantly.
He forgets to mention that Trump's 49.9% is 1.5% more than Harris. In other words he won the Popular Vote by quite a margin.
He downplays the huge Electoral College win margin, by saying "forgetting the Electoral College margin"! How can you 'forget' such a significant win like that? Reminder, it was 312 to 226. NOT EVEN CLOSE!
The OP also managed to forget to mention that the Republicans now hold The House and The Senate and The Whitehouse.
Here's a reminder of the result.

If you started the Political Thread, then why?

As if there isn't enough 'Agro' in the world without you opening another avenue for more.
You should be ashamed.

Email me when you have done away with it.

 

[JMichael]

Whoa. Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Slow down. I haven't seen any posts denying Trump's victory, only concern by some over the implications of his stated policies regarding Europe.

 

[Aussie Greg]

Perhaps you can advise why the OP made the Post at all.
Nothing said in the OP about Europe....only Ukraine and Ukraine is a very long way from Europe.
Totally unnecessary on this Forum.

 

[JMichael]

Well, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania are all EU members and border Ukraine, so it's really not that far from Europe, in fact a next door neighbor. Many European nations beyond those mentioned have supported the Ukrainian efforts. Certainly, if Russia succeeds in its occupation of the former Soviet republic there will be a ripple effect throughout Europe.

 

[Aussie Greg]

Give it a rest....... and look at the original post.
There is absolutely no need for that type of comment on this Forum.

 

[JMichael]

Give it a rest? I thought you asked for insight as to how the post mentioning Ukraine could relate to Europe. That's all I was trying to provide. I've been a member of this forum since Pauline started it and was a member of her Slow Travel site starting in 1997. In the 25+ years I've been on these boards, I can't remember anyone who used such harsh language in responses or attacked other posters. I hope you find peace.