For those who are interested in how Europeans view the current developments in the political arena of the United States of America, the German International Broadcaster “Deutsche Welle” has posted yesterday (2025-02-13) three panel discussions on their respective language YouTube channels. I have selected the generic CAUTION tag, because the underlying issues can be triggering for many people. And many prefer to stay away from these subjects in order to preserve their sanity and/or their mental health. Viewer discretion is advised.
First we have the German language panel of “Auf den Punkt” at Trump, Musk & Tech-Milliardäre: Staatsstreich in den USA? | Auf den Punkt.
Second is the Spanish language panel of “A fondo” at Trump y Musk transforman el aparato estatal de EE. UU. | A fondo DW with the thumbnail title ¿Autogolpe en EE.UU.?.
And third is the English language panel of “To the Point” at Trump, Musk and the tech billionaires: Is there a coup happening in the US? | To the Point.
Having lived the first 19 years of my life under a dictatorship (which lasted almost 35 years) with one of the most democratic constitutions of South America at that time, I have been deeply troubled by the developments I have observed in the last five to six years in a country that has long been the champion of democracy, freedom, liberty and opportunity for self-development. My deepest condolences go out to each and every one who has to live through these troubling times.
Comments
The USA is not a democracy ...
... as I thought until a couple of weeks ago. I live in a monarchy (a so-called constitutional monarchy but we have king none the less). We also don't have a written constitution - our rules/government are controlled by common law as interpreted by the independent judiciary (not appointed by government) and changed/developed to suit by parliament. Never the less no-one, not the king, not the prime minister or any member of the government has access to the sort of arbitrary power wielded so indiscriminately by the President of the USA. It's far from perfect but it (usually) works.
For example, the government has no power to rename a stretch of international water like the Gulf of Mexico. Interestingly, the only stretch if water named after England is the English Channel between us and France. The French call it La Manche (The Sleeve) and no-one cares a jot.
The power of the Executive Order is making the USA a dictatorship. I'm afraid it won't be long before the UK and EU (which, sadly IMO, we left) regard the USA as a hostile foreign power as dangerous to our well-being as Russia or China. It's frightening! The chances are that I won't live to see the end of Trumps reign in some ways I'm glad of that because on my 2 visits to the USA in the mid nineties we were made extraordinarily welcome by nearly everyone we met. It's sad to see it turn so sour so fast.
Good luck to you all.