The rise of Trump and a socialist

Many people within America are astounded and mystified by the rise – and continued success – of Donald Trump as a candidate for President of the United States in the Republican party. Equally vexing for many Democrats has been the continuing success of a pure socialist candidate – Bernie Sanders – running against Hillary Clinton for that party’s nomination.

Both of these candidates would have been considered outliers in their parties only a few months ago, and now they are dominating the conversation and drawing huge crowds at their campaign events.

So what is driving this phenomenon among both main political parties in America? This is being hotly debated within the parties and political pundits every day now. Most commentators I’ve read believe there is a growing dissatisfaction with the direction of the parties, and so a simmering hunger for change is now becoming evident.

Among Republicans, this is most certainly true. Voters have consistently elected growing numbers of Republicans to Congress with a mandate to reduce the rate of growth of the government, deal with immigration and border control problems, and to address large problems with Obamacare that are likely to stunt economic growth for years to come.  Despite the election successes, none of those issues have been addressed, and the electorate is now in a fighting mood over it.

Additionally, a wet blanket of political correctness (PC) has engulfed the country, and many voters have grown weary of the way this PC culture attempts to limit discussion on issues and to outright prohibit some from participating in those discussions. That simmering anger has now found a strong voice in Donald Trump.

Trump does not shy away from telling it like he sees it, often in very colorful and politically incorrect terms. He is a breath of fresh air to voters so tired of the PC environment. And he doesn’t back down when mainstream media or political pundits say he’s politically incorrect or insensitive. He says the country needs straight talk to solve problems. His approach, and many of his comments, ring true to millions of voters.