Has this presidential campaign shown the world America's top of the pile, or its bottom? What are world leaders saying about America now?

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 20:38:47 -0400

Having spent much of my adult life studying and following all levels of politics in America, I am left speechless when I consider what this 2016 campaign has brought to the fore. I can only shake my head in disgust. Do you agree, or is America headed in the right direction with either presumptive candidate, depending upon your political position?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 8:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 20:47:45 -0400

Doesn't really matter. It is what it is.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 12 at 2016 9:09 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:09:33 -0400

None of the above. The world is, I'm sure, confused by all of this as I'm sure they're regularly confused by America. They don't understand the basics of what we're all about let alone our process of selecting government officials. More importantly, I don't care what they think of us or our elections. I try not to think overly much on theirs. I especially don't want to be anything like them and lament how much we've tried to mimic them out of some morbid fascination with their culture. Our ancestors came here to get away from their culture. Why the hell would we want to bring it here now?

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made May 12 at 2016 9:18 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:18:34 -0400

I'm not writing as a Trump supporter. Just what I see and read, Americans who believe in limited government and freedom from same have been losing jobs to NAFTA, GATT, the EPA and Ryans HB1 visas. Plus, the 2014 midterms did not change anything.
So, millions want an outsider. They have had enough of RINOs and Democrats.
Hillary is in hot water with the Top secret info on personal emails. Obama might have to pardon her.
Mexico has invaded with the blessing of the State Department. They are pawns in a much larger political agenda. But, a lot of Americans have had enough of illegal aliens driving wages down and living off the good charity of American tax payers.
A perfect Storm for a Donald Trump to become POTUS.

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made May 12 at 2016 9:19 PM

SSG Dennis Grossmann — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:19:50 -0400

If The Don can do one quarter of what he says thats great. Hill will be a lame duck from day one, seeing how she doesn't know where she stands or probably where she is half the time but she will have that hot sauce in her purse. And don't forget Bernie. He'll be late to his own inauguration while waiting on a free ride.....

Response by LTC Trent Klug made May 12 at 2016 9:41 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:41:00 -0400

Why am I supposed to care what the world thinks of our election cycle this year? I don't and I think the world needs to take a good long look at some of the leaders in power in the other countries who are going to be, or are trouble.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 12 at 2016 9:43 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:43:55 -0400

This election has been a tribute to the American educational system.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 12 at 2016 9:45 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 12 May 2016 21:45:09 -0400

In a sewer it isn't the cream that floats to the top.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 10:59 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 22:59:48 -0400

The bottom, but to be fair take a look at which of the world's candidates or parties are gaining popularity (particularly in Europe) and you'll see that their isn't much of a difference. I think globalization has caused this sort of populist/nativist push back that we're seeing across many of the first/second world countries. What's happening here is just a reflection of what is happening everywhere.

Response by SGT David T. made May 13 at 2016 8:03 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:03:57 -0400

Given the lack of anything resembling progress in recent years, I am not terribly optimistic. I have a feeling it will end up being more of the same and nothing of substance getting accomplished.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made May 13 at 2016 8:58 AM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:58:56 -0400

I didn't think things could get much worse!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made May 13 at 2016 9:28 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:28:03 -0400

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member When I turned 18 it was an election year. I was born in January so I was able to register in plenty of time to vote. This was a long time ago. In the dark times. Before the internet. Being as isolated as we were, relying on AFRTS to provide most of the informaiton that was available left me thinking that I pretty much didn't like either candidate. As elections passed, I found that finding a candidate that I believed in became more difficult as my beliefs evolved. Life experience will do that to you. I trudged along voting for "the lesser of two evils." When I looked at the ballot, and realized that I had more choices than right wing or left wing, but only heard about the main two, and the disaster with the Bush V. Gore election, I decided I would never again vote for a candidate because they were the lesser of two evils. Now I research candidates, and pick one based on the issue most important to me. I don't mind saying that I voted for Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson in the last election. I will be voting for him in this election as well. He did good things for New Mexico when I was living there, and through his actions has proven to me that he is a worthy choice. I will not waste my vote by choosing a big two candidate based on who might win. I will vote my conscience, and sleep peacefully knowing it isn't my fault the sheep chose their master poorly. As for the question of right direction, I do not feel that either Trump nor Clinton care at all about the American People. They are both megalomaniacs. Trump doesn't do anything unless it feeds his own ego and the legend he is in his own mind. Hillary is acting like she is entitled to the nomination and the Presidency just because she has been waiting her turn. Neither will be good for America. Neither will leave America standing as the shining example that a nation should aspire to. If Trump wins a "No Vacancy" sign will be fitted to the Statue of Liberty, and our standing among our allies will be replaced with the a sense that we elected the court jester to be king. If Hillary wins, she will continue the erosion of our civil liberties in the name of preserving peace. She will do what she can to keep us divided so that she can implement her agenda with minimal interference from we the people.