As the reality of a new round of Trumpian tariffs sink in, Canadians like other financial parters to the US have to start wondering to what degree is the new American politics an aberration or the new normal.

Canadian David Frum, a longtime commentator on Republican politics and former White House speechwriter for George W. Bush, takes a swipe at Trump’s many enablers: the GOP party faithful, Trump’s opponents, former FBI director James Comey, Vladimir Putin’s security apparatus, the FOX News fable machine, right-wing propagandists, the Hillary machine, Conservative campaign donors, disgruntled white male voters, and the list goes on.

But the part that really gets his back up is the depth of corruption seeping into the system, and the cynicism entering public discourse of the free press. Trump’s campaign personnel, his Cabinet appointees, and for sure his relatives are cashing in big time on this administration. All the while people grow less and less convinced that the fifth estate can right the ship.

American institutions are under a terrible assault from within. Their ability to govern at home, their ability to coordinate global issues with partners abroad is eroding so quickly that American influence is sure to weaken on the issues that matter.

Even when the day comes that Trump leaves the main stage — and for cryin’ out loud he’s only been in power a year and a half! — to what degree is he an avatar for American leaders to to come? The griping. The snivelling. The personal vendettas.

From the vantage point of his quiet home in Prince Edward County Ontario Frum sees rays of hope, while his neighbours prepare for a new Government in Ontario to sweep away the albeit less virulent corruption of the reigning Liberal Party.

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That's odd - I was sure I made some comments about this. I did listen to most of it, and it was like a long podcast. I enjoyed the new bits of information it revealed.

Of course, I enjoyed it because Frum and I are on the same page! ( )

This book was written during 2018 and it basically explains how and why Trump came to power. It includes the economy under Barack Obama and why almost half the country voted for 1 - a republican business man who had no public service experience, and 2 - a bully who whined and complained and even told lies - we demand a wall and mexico will build it!!

Most of the trump voters are - to put it bluntly - uneducated (with no college degree) and lower paid workers who live in the rural or small town areas. These people seldom read anything so they accept whatever they are told, and they believe all of trumps lies.

The larger cities (and the richer states) voted for hillary and the democrats because many of these voters are educated (have college degrees) and have middle class and upper middle class jobs. And they read!! These people are still able to determine who speaks the truth and who has the experience to be an effective leader.

Between 2016 and 2018, the republicans controlled the House and the Senate and had a Republican President and cabinet.

At the same time, they had no real policy - other than the wall and cutting immigration - and so they did little else except to put kids in cages, start building a very flaky wall, drive away allies by making demand of them (mexico will pay for the wall) and taking America out of various alliances and treaties. MAGA anyone?

So what happened after the 2018 midterms? When the democrats were voted in and took over control of the house. Trump forced a govt shut down for 35 days because he wanted money to build that damned wall!!

He even declared a state of emergency despite there being no actual emergency. He just wanted to steal military money to build the wall.

During the last 2 years of Trumps term things got worse and worse. His lies, his bullying, the high staff turn over in both the white house and the cabinet.

Then came 2020 when a new virus began to spread. Trump did absolutely NOTHING. He claimed that it was just another flu and that it would all go away, like a miracle. It will be gone by easter he said. Nope that never happened. Gone by summer he said. Nope, that didnt happen either. He even began claiming new cures for this virus - Drink some bleach and take some malaria tablets!!!

Things really came to a head when George Floyd died in police custody and his death was filmed and put on the internet. The country and indeed the world erupted and protests began. What did Trump do? He continued to tell lies and he even dragged in the military (national guard) to shoot back at and gas their fellow Americans who were peacefully demonstrating.

This book was interesting for background but has not been updated to include the last 2 years of Trumps single disastrous term in office. The damage Trump has done will take many years to fix and repair, if that can even happen at all.

I give this book 3 stars. It was interesting, but is clearly is now outdated. ( )

The title of this book, "Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic", makes it clear that Mr. Frum has strongly anti-Trump views. While a former Bush speechwriter with conservative credentials, Frum's book will not appeal to Trump supporters. It will, however, appeal to Trump opponents, as it details example after example of how Trump disregards the traditional limits of the Office, how Trump ignores facts and truths. continues to trample on American values and norms, and is a destructive force to our democracy. ( )

Excellent, last chapter is the starting point. Rest a bit repetitous and dated by new events. Next edition should be good. ( )