From a HuffPo commenter today...
Trump supporters: “We love you Donald and would gladly sacrifice our lives for you!”
Donald Trump: “The feeling is mutual! I would gladly sacrifice your lives for me too!"
Ouch. Yet it manages to capture Trump's gestalt imho.
Also this comment...
Maybe Trump is a important outsider in our rigid political system. He has his role to play. So does Bernie Sanders.
Trump certainly has thrown the door wide open for non-career politicians. Before, during and after Trump we have seen actors, musicians, plumbers, restaurant owners, pop-culture doctors, reverends, soccer moms and more, either in office, campaigning or kicking the political tires, a diverse trend that now seems to be increasing. Consider how controlling local government has become a goal and entry point for citizens wanting to effect social change, regardless of ideology.
Reagan is often cited as our first actor president, but he was both a state governor and union leader for years before his presidency. An emerging crop of outsiders may strive for higher office without relevant experience. While this may be dangerous, it also begins to break down our political calcification, aka Beltway Politics. Despite his worst efforts, has Trump indeed jump-started draining the swamp, although in ways he could not have imagined?
Let's not have Q conspiracists writing public policy. But the "rent's too high" guy in NYC? Eccentric or not, Jimmy McMillan has brought fresh awareness for important social issues into our politics.
Respectfully, I would not vote for Jimmy (who has retired). But there will be more emerging leaders who are not drawn like politicians, and who are capable of thinking and acting in constructive ways, well outside the box. Beto O’Rourke — English major, musician, activist and ultimately a concerned citizen — is just one interesting and complex example.