The outcome

It could be the most consequential election of a generation. Certanly of the 21st Century thus far. Probably since WW2. It’s not American. It’s global. Folks in Canada will be on the frontlines facing some of those consequences.

The outcome of Tuesday’s US presidential vote may not be known that night. Hard to tell, with polls so close plus recounts and challenges likely. Trump supporters are expecting victory. If he wins it’ll be a free and fair election. If he loses, it will be stolen. We saw what happened last time. Below us is a nation on edge. And certainly divided. The implicatioons for our economy, real estate values and investment portfolios are as yet unclear. There’s no reason to panic, go to cash, back up the truck or buy acreage in Newfoundland. Chill and watch. When we know the outcome, we’ll adapt.

In the final Trump and Harris videos, released this weekend, is contained the stark contrast facing our American brethern. Is this a fight for the soul of the country? Or a time to heal and move forward.

It’s male v female. Mars against Venus. If you doubt that for a second, watch. You will doubt it no more three minutes from now.

The final Trump ad: ‘We will fight’

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The final Harris video: ‘Friends and neighbours’

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Of course, this election cycle has been all about Trump. He never conceded defeat in 2020, despite no evidence of wrongdoing or election fraud. In tbe meantime he’s been found guilty by jury of sex abuse and fraud, convicted of 34 felonies, indicted for dozens more, discovered to be secretly talking to Russian dictator and yet has managed to build a cult base of some 80 million people. He is crass, crude, deeply flawed and aggressive – but embraced by the powerful Christian nationalists.

Harris is unique, thrust into an unexpected candidacy, a mixed-race woman whom Trump has called ‘dumb’, ‘low-IQ’ and ‘mentally deranged’. Plus ‘a communist’. She served as vice-president, and is now being hung with every aspect of the last four years, from an mmigration crisis to inflation, house prices and high interest rates. She would maintain the status quo. He would blow it up.

If the election ends up being about change, Trump wins. If it’s about inclusion and avoiding chaos, she does.

This blog has relayed to you the deep concerns of economists if Trump gains a second term. It’s your choice if you believe them. If Trump loses, others warn of anything from endless legal wrangling undermining President Hariss’s authority, to civil war. But then again, maybe it’s all just noise. America is a strong place.

It will endure.

About the picture: “I was talking to Tobi, Lily and Ella about all the garbage being spewed in the steerage section,” writes Bob in Etobicoke, “and as you can see they were gobsmacked!  I was also slowly eating a piece of pizza while discussing it…I’m sure it had nothing to do with their demeanor.  Keep up the good work Garth….please disregard the knuckle draggers in the comments section. Oh and btw…a year or so ago I had no idea what a preferred share was…BUT a year later my preferred shares ETF is up 29%!!  Love the blog!”

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Source: https://www.greaterfool.ca/2024/11/03/the-outcome-4/