No music today, instead I’m going to write a little bit about the American election funfair. It’s so silly, it’s a joke isin’t it? I mean Donald Trump, the “anti-establishment figure” promising a “revolution”. Are you for real? Since when did this become the message? This nutcase was born with the silver spoon, inheriting somewhere between 40-200 million from his dad. We’re not looking at the American dream now. He’s not Bill Clinton, who grew up in poverty white-collar trash to become president.

Trump has spent his life making dodgy deals after dodgy deal, gone bankrupt and exploited others, including the government. He’s riding the capitalism freak-storm and treating people who don’t agree with him like shit. He’s paranoid, unpredictable and plays the aggressive guy to “make America strong again”. Even though America is one of the richest and most successful countries in the world, and still has staggering global influence and prestige. Oh, let’s not forget his views on immigrants, banning Muslims and Mexicans. That’s before we even get to the allegations of rape from his x-wife,  whom he seems to have paid off. Want to know more? Try this.

it goes without saying I’d vote for Bernie Sanders. I love that line “Nobody working 40 hours a week should be living in poverty”. It’s powerful but the fact I’m for Bernie is so obvious I’m not going to write about him, but instead I will write about the Republican candidate John Kasich.

If you’re right-wing, Trump isn’t going to help you. Ted Cruz is frankly insane and unstable so forget him. No, you need to get out there and campaign and vote for John Kaisch. Ok, this guy met Richard Nixon when he was back at college, but don’t hold that against him. He’s centre-right I guess, on board with lots of cool Obama polices, and the Tea Party crowd hate him as he’s too liberal for them. He talks a lot about helping those with mental illness and addiction, and he seems to generally care for vulnerable people.

Ok I can’t help it, there are many things I think he’s wrong. His idea of energy, oil, cutting welfare, lower taxes for the wealthy. But then that’s why I support Bernie, but you know, the left doesn’t always win. I’m into discussion, not blind opposition. I think Kaisch is the guy for the “other side”, he’s certainly impressed me. I guess for us living in Europe, he’s like a John Major type. I guess that doesn’t sound very exciting, but I’d rather have him as president than that clown Trump.

Sad news to end about the Independent newspaper closing down next month. I’ve been buying it for years. I’m slightly concerned now the only choice for left politics is the Guardian. The Independent had some great articles, some great writers. I still pick up the “I” paper from time-to-time, but I do like the more substantial articles and in-depth analysis you got in the Independent. I won’t bother with the “internet only” version, and I doubt many people will. Huffington Post is more than enough for me.

If you’re still wondering about the US election, there was a fascinating radio program this week on BBC radio 4 by PJ O’Rourke, it’s funny and O’Rourke is as always brilliant at this stuff.

It’s half term now and I’m off to Germany.

xo