I watched the inauguration of President Obama in 2009 mesmerised by his soaring oratory of hope and optimism. I knew then Barak Obama would be a very tough act to follow. Not for one minute did I anticipate who or what was to come next.
I don't know whether I was mesmerised or traumatised by the inaugural speech of President Trump. I assumed, having won the election, he would follow protocol (at least for the day) and be gracious to his predecessors. How wrong was I?
Far from being gracious he used the occasion to blast not only the performance of previous presidents but the entire political establishment.
"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.
Washington flourished - but the people did not share in its wealth.
Politicians prospered - but the jobs left, and the factories closed.
The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country."
Strong words considering the 'small group' he referred sat just yards away. President Trump may as well have pointed to them and said, 'These are the guys who screwed you."
The thing is however strange and unconventional Mr Trump appears to be his words will resonate with many in the UK. Consider this excerpt:
"What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people."
Millions of people will say amen to that whether in Washington DC or Washington Tyne and Wear.
I suspect Donald Trump is smart enough to know his election was the result of a massive rebellion against a political establishment who appeared to care more about their own agendas than those of the people they served.
The arrogance of the Washington elite in ignoring the views of millions of ordinary people created a vacuum into which stepped President Trump.
Westminster and Brussels should take heed. Riding roughshod over the views of millions of voters leaves the door wide open to political revolt. Telling people what they should think instead of listening to what they do think created The Donald. God only know what it could create in Europe.
The massive promises President Trump made to eradicate drugs, bring back prosperity to the American Rust Belt and wipe Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth reminded me of Mohamed Ali who was ridiculed for his outrageous promises then came good on all of them.
By 20121 President Trump is either going to be 'The Greatest' having fulfilled his own outrageous promises or just another 'dope on the ropes.'
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of alderleyedge.com.
Comments
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However, I disagree totally with Vic Barlow about Barack Hussein Obama.
Obama was a pretty ineffectual President as history will show in years to come.
We all remember when Obama told President Assad to stop bombing his own Syrian citizens with chemical weapons or he'll cross Obama's "Red Line"
What did Assad do ? .... he carried on bombing his own Syrian citizens !
What did Obama do ? .... He did absolutely NOTHING and by his useless inaction became a lame-duck President from that day onwards !
Obama was good at giving speeches but that was about all he was good at, and as for his Obama-Care ..... that was just a joke .... No wonder Trump has got rid of it already.
I now await all the PC Lefties to start moaning and crying about Trump winning .......
Get over it ...... Trump won the vote, just like Britain won the EU Brexit vote.
the U.S. has an electoral system. Its been in place for ages. Many Presidents have been elected by the approved system.
So no use complaining when that approved system gives the Presidency to Mr. Trump.
Its called democracy?
By the way, isn't the Britiash way to give someone a fair crack of the whip?
Give the new President 6 months and then we can make comments?
Especially if he goes ahead with making trade deals with the U.K. ?