A View of US Politics from New Zealand
As a New Zealander watching US politics unfold, I find myself increasingly baffled by the current state of affairs. My interest was initially piqued by the Ukraine invasion, but I’ve since become captivated by the broader political landscape in America. The situation seems to defy logic, particularly when considering the leading candidates for the upcoming presidential election.
At the forefront of this political circus is a figure who, despite facing multiple criminal indictments, maintains a strong following. This same individual has expressed admiration for authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, yet remains a viable candidate for the highest office in the land. It’s a scenario that would be dismissed as far-fetched if pitched as a political thriller, yet here we are, watching it play out in real-time.
For an outsider like myself, and likely for many Americans too, the legal complexities surrounding Trump’s candidacy are mind-boggling. The fact that someone facing multiple indictments, including charges related to attempting to overturn an election, can still run for the highest office in the land seems counterintuitive.
Even more perplexing is the possibility, however remote, that a candidate could theoretically govern from prison or pardon themselves if elected. These scenarios, which sound like plot points from a political satire, are being seriously discussed by legal experts and politicians. The debate around self-pardoning and its constitutionality adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation. For many of us watching from afar, it’s hard to reconcile these discussions with the image of America as a bastion of democracy.
The polarization in American politics has reached fever pitch. It’s not just a disagreement on policies anymore; it’s a fundamental divide in how reality itself is perceived. Facts have become malleable, bent to fit pre-existing narratives. This tribalism has created an environment where supporters are willing to overlook or justify actions that would have been career-ending scandals in previous eras.
The media landscape in the US doesn’t help matters. With news outlets catering to specific political leanings, many Americans find themselves in echo chambers that reinforce their beliefs while demonizing the opposition.
What’s particularly striking is the seeming disconnect between a candidate’s character and their electability. In New Zealand, a politician’s personal conduct and integrity are crucial factors in their viability as a leader. In the US, it appears that for a significant portion of the electorate, these considerations take a back seat to other factors – be it economic promises, cultural grievances, or simply the allure of disrupting the status quo.
The economic angle is particularly interesting. Despite the questionable track record and numerous controversies surrounding certain candidates, many supporters remain convinced that these individuals are best equipped to handle the economy. Foreign policy, which one might expect to be a critical issue given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, often seems to take a backseat to domestic cultural battles. The nuances of international diplomacy are reduced to simplistic slogans and tough-guy posturing.
As an outsider looking in, the current state of American politics is nothing short of bewildering
The nation that often touts itself as the leader of the free world seems to be caught in a spiral of childish behavior that would be comical if the stakes weren’t so high.
Take the recent incident at Madison Square Garden. What should have been a standard campaign rally devolved into a spectacle of crude jokes and offensive remarks. The fact that a comedian was allowed to make disparaging comments about Puerto Rico, calling it a “floating island of garbage,” is mind-boggling. This isn’t just a case of poor taste; it’s a blatant disregard for a significant portion of American citizens.
The aftermath is equally absurd. We see a flurry of finger-pointing and blame-shifting within Trump’s camp. Some claim the offensive material wasn’t vetted, others insist it was improvised. It’s like watching children caught in a lie, each trying to pin the blame on someone else.
But it’s not just one side of the political aisle engaging in this nonsense. The Democrats aren’t innocent either. They’re quick to cry racism or fascism at every turn, often stretching the truth to fit their narrative. The constant search for “dog whistles” in every statement made by the opposition borders on paranoia.
The assassination attempt on Trump has only amplified this madness. Instead of a moment of unity and reflection, we see both sides using it as ammunition in their political warfare. Republicans are blaming Democratic rhetoric for inciting violence, while Democrats are pointing fingers at Trump’s own history of inflammatory statements.
It’s a never-ending cycle of “he said, she said” that seems more fitting for a schoolyard than the political arena of a global superpower. The fact that this behavior is coming from individuals vying for the highest office in the land is frankly embarrassing.
What’s particularly striking is how this childishness extends to international relations. We have Trump boasting about his “very good” relationship with Putin, seemingly oblivious to the geopolitical implications of such statements. On the other hand, we see Biden’s team trying to micromanage Zelenskyy’s interactions with American politicians, as if Ukraine were a pawn in their domestic political game.
The level of pettiness is astounding. Trump mocks Zelenskyy for “making nasty little aspersions” towards him, while Republican leaders accuse the Ukrainian president of “election interference” for simply visiting a factory in Pennsylvania. It’s as if these leaders have forgotten that there’s a real war going on, with real lives at stake.
As an outsider, it’s hard to reconcile this behavior with the image America tries to project to the world. How can a nation so consumed by internal squabbles and childish name-calling effectively lead on the global stage? How can allies trust in America’s commitment and judgment when its own political discourse resembles a playground spat?
The sad truth is that this behavior isn’t just embarrassing; it’s dangerous. It undermines America’s credibility on the world stage and distracts from real issues that need addressing. While politicians are busy trading insults and pointing fingers, pressing matters like climate change, economic inequality, and international conflicts are left to simmer.
This spectacle of American politics feels like a reality TV show gone wrong. It’s entertaining in a car-crash sort of way, but it’s a far cry from the serious, thoughtful leadership one would expect from a global superpower. As the world watches this unfold, one can’t help but wonder:
Is this really the best America has to offer?
The upcoming election feels like a pivotal moment, not just for the US but for the world. As a small nation, New Zealand is acutely aware of how US policies can impact global affairs. The potential for a leader who has expressed admiration for dictators and skepticism towards long-standing alliances is concerning, to say the least.
Yet, despite all this, there’s a part of me that remains fascinated by the resilience of American democracy. For all its flaws and current turmoil, the system continues to function. Debates rage, investigations proceed, and the electoral process, however contentious, moves forward.
As the election draws nearer, I find myself glued to news updates, trying to make sense of the latest developments. It’s like watching a high-stakes reality show, except the consequences are all too real and far-reaching.
From this side of the Pacific, American politics often looks like a chaotic mess. But perhaps that’s part of its strange allure. It’s a reminder that democracy, in all its messy glory, is a constant work in progress. As bewildering as it may be to watch, it’s a process that continues to shape our world.
For now, like many others around the globe, I’ll continue to watch this political drama unfold, hoping for a resolution that brings stability rather than further chaos. The stakes are high, not just for America, but for all of us who live in a world influenced by US policies and power. One thing’s for certain: whatever happens in the coming months, it won’t be boring.
