Sunday 13 November 2016

Stay golden

Just when you thought 2016 couldn't get any worse, out comes the US electorate, or rather approximately 47.4% of eligible voters, and quite literally Trumps all other stupendous (Brexit, Theresa May's unelected ascent, all things UKIP) and unfortunate (Bowie, Prince, Pete Burns and all other icons passing) incidents occurring so far this year. 2016 is officially the shit. Not in a youth lingo shit-means-good way either. Just shit. A big pile of schisse.

I'd be the first to admit that I don't know much about US elections, nor history, biology, a science book or the French I took for that matter, but it speaks volumes that voters would rather elect a billionaire businessman with zero political experience, non-existent policies, terrible views of anyone not white and male and questionable choice of fake tan, than a woman with substantial political weight and a track record of successful diplomacy on the global stage. It's like comparing the Milk Cup with the Nobel Prize and people going 'I'd rather have the Milk Cup because it's easier to pronounce'.

It's been one of the most divisive elections in history. White men and rural folk versus women, people from a BME background and city dwellers. Trump and his mantra of Make America Great Again by deporting Mexicans, pissing off China and banning muslims resonated with sufficient numbers. Because you know, nothing says Great like racism, xenophobia, misogynism and tax evasion.

I found myself in a road side motel room in San Simeon in the golden state of California as the election results started coming in and watched in disbelief as the ominous signs of a Trump victory grew stronger. The despair. We ended up watching Brewster's Millions instead. Brewster for president! He's only a millionaire and doesn't seem entirely self serving.

At least I could don my new t-shirt that I'd stumbled upon in Target in downtown San Francisco, whilst on the prowl for cheap sweets.


How can one fail to feel at least a tad more joyous in the company of the Golden Girls themselves?? There's some comfort in knowing that whatever twattish nonsense is happening, there's still a whole lotta good shit in the world. And these are clearly scary times for anyone on both sides of the Atlantic who cares about equality of opportunities, rights and treatment but I'm hopeful there will be positive effects of Brexit and Trump. The young vote seems to be favouring inclusivity, and we all know that children are our future, so I say engage more young people in decision making and influencing. That way we can all stay golden.