'Hillary Clinton lost because half of America is in financial pain' - Women's Agenda

‘Hillary Clinton lost because half of America is in financial pain’

Source: Hillary Clinton Twitter
Source: Hillary Clinton Twitter

I don’t believe Hillary Clinton lost the US election because she’s the first woman to fight for the presidency: she lost because nearly half of America is in financial pain. 

This morning as 55-million Americans shake their heads at the thought of Donald Trump officially becoming their president in January 2017, I too am equally shocked.  Like many Australians, given the polls and what the US media said, I believed Clinton was a shoe in.

But the polls and the media were wrong because they failed to get out of city streets and into the American heartland and ask more questions.

US financial markets haven’t sold off as savagely as expected, instead shares have risen in solid trading.

The main benchmark index the S&P 500 Index rose to nearly a one-month high, as investors bought into shares of banks and manufacturers on speculation that Trump’s policies will be friendly towards business.

Australian shares were smashed yesterday but today are expected to rise on the back of those US gains.

The world is in a precarious place and many people are still hurting from the global financial crisis. 

Many Americans lost jobs, lost their homes and have struggled to rebuild since the crisis, all the while they continue to look upon the establishment or dynasties in the US with distrust – unfortunately this is where Clinton sits.

Despite the developed world being plagued by low growth and low interest rates, Americans are becoming frustrated and they want the quickest fix they can get out of the pain they are in.

For her part, to become the first woman to challenge for leader of the free world is a milestone and something, which paves the way for other women to follow suit. But it’s almost certain that the next woman that challenges will come from different stock – maybe not even politics.

 

Donald Trump on the other hand was surprisingly gracious and diplomatic in his acceptance speech. It doesn’t detract from his disgusting comments about women, and other marginalised groups, but it, at least, gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, he might be okay, before an inevitable new challenger presents her or himself.

×

Stay Smart! Get Savvy!

Get Women’s Agenda in your inbox