He won because of our impossibly antiquated and anti-democratic electoral college system - his 46.1% of the popular vote translated to 57.3% of the electoral vote - but that wasn't the only infuriating deciding factor. Also playing a key role was someone you may never have heard of: Jill Stein, the nominee of the Green Party, who won enough votes in the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania - votes that almost surely would have gone to Clinton - to hand Trump the White House.
I've written here before about the devastating effect ego has on our body politic. The process of running for state legislature, much less president, involves an invasion and examination of one's life that only egomaniacs and truly dedicated public servants would dare undertake - the current Catch-22 of US politics. Previously, I focused on how ego keeps politicians in office long after age has robbed them of the physical and intellectual energy needed to be effective. What I failed to mention are arguably the most harmful egos around: third-party candidates such as Stein.
Denne historien er fra July 22 - 28 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra July 22 - 28 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
