The 2016 election: No happy ending

“WE LIVE in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns,” snarls the demonic Colonel Jessep at the end of “A Few Good Men”. Moments later he admits that, to maintain standards in his front-line unit, he ordered the fatal bullying of a young Marine: “You’re goddamn right I did.” It is one of cinema’s great confession scenes, and unexpectedly came to mind during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University on Long Island, on September 26th.

Time and again Donald Trump was baited by Hillary Clinton into outbursts of Jessep-like candour. Reminded that in 2006 he had wished aloud for the property crash that would cost millions their homes, deeming such a slump a chance to “make some money”, Mr Trump leaned to the mic and growled: “That’s called business, by the way.” Another rash boast concerned Mr Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns. Perhaps, Mrs Clinton mused, her rival does not want Americans to know that he is not as rich as he claims, or that in the only annual returns that he has ever made public (while seeking a casino licence), he paid no federal income taxes. “That makes me smart,” snapped...Continue reading

Source: United States http://ift.tt/2daj0KA

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