Archive for the ‘American current affairs’ Category
How do the political systems of the United States and the United Kingdom compare with one another?
January 13th, 2021 by Roger Darlington
As the US House of Representatives considers a (second) impeachment of President Donald Trump, many are observing the procedures of the US Congressional system. The majority of visitors to this blog are British or American. So how do the political systems of the two nations compare? You can check out my comparison here. Elsewhere on […]
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“A Promised Land” by Barack Obama (2)
January 11th, 2021 by Roger Darlington
Each time we go into lockdown, I find a really long book to read. In this third lockdown, I’m working my way through the first volume of Barack Obama’s presidential memoirs. In fact, it is 200 pages into the 700 page text before he wins the presidency. First, he tells us about his time at […]
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What happens now in the United States of America?
January 7th, 2021 by Roger Darlington
Commentators are calling for Donald Trump to be removed from the US presidency by invocation of the 25th amendment of the US Constitution which requires the Vice-President and half the cabinet to declare the president unfit to perform the duties of his office. Realistically, this isn’t going to happen. The Vice-President and officers appointed by […]
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“A Promised Land” by Barack Obama (1)
January 4th, 2021 by Roger Darlington
Long before Barack Obama became President of the United States, I read his two books: “Dreams From My Father” [my review here] and “The Audacity Of Hope” [my review here]. Then, the summer before last, I read Michelle Obama’s work “Becoming” [my review here]. I’m a huge fan of the Obamas and looked forward immensely […]
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Joe Biden is creating the most diverse leadership team in American history
December 19th, 2020 by Roger Darlington
Joe Biden’s first cabinet as US president is being described as potentially the most diverse ever. Having already chosen a black woman to be his Vice-President, of the 15 cabinet positions, he has announced 10 appointments and only three of them are white straight men. In 2021, America could soon see its first Native American […]
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When he becomes President, expect a flurry of Executive Orders from Joe Biden
November 12th, 2020 by Roger Darlington
This time of year four years ago, I was on a flight to Washington DC. The Americans had just had their four-yearly presidential election and, to the amazement of the world, Donald Trump had beaten Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College although not in the popular vote. By chance, I was seated next to an […]
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How does the United States elect its President?
November 3rd, 2020 by Roger Darlington
Today, those Americans who have not already voted by post or in early balloting – as an astonishing nearly 100 million have done – can go to their polling station and vote for the next President of the USA. In fact, the President is not elected directly by the voters but by an Electoral College […]
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Who are Americans voting for this week?
November 2nd, 2020 by Roger Darlington
Tuesday 3 November 2020 is a big day in the United States with a massive amount of balloting going on. Everyone knows that Americans will be electing the next President and Vice-President for a four-year term. The choice is between Donald Trump and Mike Pence for the Republicans and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for […]
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What the United States Supreme Court now looks like
October 27th, 2020 by Roger Darlington
A mere one week before the US presidential election when it looks as if the Republicans will lose both the White House and the Senate, Amy Coney Barrett – nominated by Donald Trump and approved by the Republican-controlled Senate – has been appointed to the country’s Supreme Court. In the history of the United States, […]
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How can the Democrats make the American political system a bit fairer?
October 10th, 2020 by Roger Darlington
Everybody knows that the 2016 presidential election was won by Republican candidate Donald Trump even though the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won almost three million more votes. The explanation is that the President is not elected directly but chosen by an Electoral College which is biased in favour of the smaller rural states which generally […]
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