Most of those I follow on Twitter are of a similar mindset to me. As a result, most of the tweets from the US I see agree that Trump is a bad president and the country would be better off without him. However, I’m aware that I’m not seeing a representative cross-section of the country.

That came home to me on of 8 November last year. That night I found out something was wrong with the political judgement of many USians. Tens of millions gave their vote, without compunction, to one of the worst examples of humanity in the OECD. And, most of them don’t regret it.

There are plenty of polls showing that Donald Trump has historically low approval ratings. However, most Republicans don’t regret their vote. In fact, the likelihood is that if he’s still president in 2020, he will win the election.

Now we’ve just had an election here too. As you know, I don’t think the result is ideal. There are things that will happen that I won’t like. However, there will also be good things that come out of the new government. We would have got some of them whichever party was government, but others are positive moves we wouldn’t get without the current coalition configuration.

For example, the new government is going to increase the minimum wage from $15.75 hr to $16.50 hr on 1 April 2018. More increases are planned so that it will be $20 by 2020. Currently all children under 13 get free GP visits; that age will increase to 14. The first year of tertiary education or training will be paid for by the government from next year. There will be a whole range of new benefits available to superannunitants and the poor. And, there is a much stronger commitment to the environment including moving to 100% renewable energy sources by 2035.

We’ll also probably get referenda on Voluntary Euthanasia and the Legalization of Marijuana.

So when my nephew sent me the link to a story in today’s New Zealand Herald, the poor judgement of USians in relation to politics struck me. USA Today has compared our new left-wing prime minister Jacinda Ardern with Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders, Boris Johnson, Veselin Mareshki (Bulgaria), and even Rodrigo Duterte of the Phillipines.

Ardern is planning to stop overseas speculators buying existing houses (Note – NOT new ones!) in New Zealand, and is making it harder to buy properties bigger than five hectares. She is also going to review current immigration numbers. The reason she’s doing that is because the NZ First party is anti-immigration – his policies in regards to immigration are very Trump-like. However, it seems that immigration is what got her on this list.

Jacinda Ardern should not even be mentioned in the same breath as Donald Trump or the others in USA Today‘s list. They need to do better research in future.

Political Tweets

People buy these. They pay US$30 (NZ$43.53) for a ceramic mug with, “I ❤️ waking up and remembering that Donald Trump is president.” Excuse me while I’m sick.
(Via Ann German.)

 

In truth, Trump is destroying the institution of the US presidency.

 

Many of you will be following the debacle created by Trump that has resulted in him tweeting that a grieving gold star wife was lying.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) has announced he will not seek reelection when his term ends. Unfortunately it’s mostly those with nothing left to lose who are speaking out like this.

His fellow Arizona senator John McCain has spoken up in support of him. It’s good to see there are still politicians of principle in the US.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Senator Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) is also standing up against Trump now that he is not seeking re-election.

 

Just sayin’
(Via Ann German.)

 

Human Rights Tweets

This is the sort of speech a president should be making in the current climate.
(Via Ann German.)

 

I’ve really had enough of all the people who are trying to blame the women for the actions of these a$$hole$!

 

Economics Tweets

The US President’s press secretary, Sarah Sanders, sent out this tweet:

 

To which this reply was sent. It explains a lot of the problems with the president’s tax plan.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Religion Tweets

On a previous tweets post, there was extensive discussion in the comments about being forgiven by God when we get it wrong. This is a pretty good example of where that sort of mentality gets you. Bill O’Reilly, by getting mad at God for “putting him through” this, is failing completely to take responsibility for his actions.
(Via Ann German.)

 

And you thought that all that Greek religious stuff was just myth!
(Via Ann German.)

 

The truth about Jesus …
(Via Ann German.)

 

Environment Tweets

I hadn’t even heard about this until Ann German sent me this tweet! Why isn’t it more prominent in the media? People need to know about it! Thank goodness for Twitter!

 

Scenic Tweets

Go to Japan. This could be your hotel receptionist!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Absolutely stunning California!

 

Entertainment Tweets

Back in the day!

Art Tweets

This is very cool!

 

Science Tweets

More on ISOLDE.

 

 

Marine Tweets

This Sun fish hasn’t seen the sea in a long time!

 

Another beautiful and amazing marine creature, the Feather duster worm (Sabellidae).

 

Other Animals Tweets

Meet the Tardigrade, a water-dwelling micro-animal.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Can you see why I’m posting this pic of a perfectly ordinary cow? Think pareidolia. Once seen, you can’t un-see it!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Keep watching through the first two minutes – the last bit is the best.

 

Someone likes their belly rubs! ????

 

Dog Tweets

That’s nice!

 

I’m sorry, but I laughed. Just a little bit, but the noise escaped my mouth.

Cat Tweets

Aren’t these gorgeous animals! What a pic! And even better, Ann German has adopted a snow leopard in my name. Isn’t that a wonderful gift? Her name is Anu. I’ll write a short post about her in the next few days.

 

Cute overload!!!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Now that’s a cat!

 

This cat has found the right spot for its nap!


 

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