What's the point of Donald Trump.

Well the orange munchkin is getting his second term as President and has settled down to assembling his Cabinet. So far he has picked as Head of Intelligence someone who has never worked in intelligence, a Defence secretary who has no experience of running anything other then a non-profit, a Head of Health and Human services who believes that the Covid vaccine is the deadliest vaccine ever made, but is "ethnically targeted" to spare Ashkenazi Jews and the Chinese, HIV doesn't cause AIDS, vaccines cause autism and has linked depressants to mass shootings.

Its difficult to understand why someone who claims to love his country, would give this clown any responsibility at all

Several of these picks are under investigation for issues such as Sex trafficking, illicit drug, assault or sexual relations with a 17 year old. In addition the new Defence Secretary has been accused of sporting a white supremacist tattoo.

However tacit approval of his election win has been given by the Banks, the oil and gas giants, the cryptocurrency firms, indeed from most of corporate America.

The rich are very happy and expect to get richer. The poor? Well corporate America is not renowned for caring.

Like the prosperity gospel touting Southern Baptists, corporate America believe that the poor are someone else's problem.

Now I have a to confess that I find myself in a quandary. In truth I find the old labels of left and right wing to be pointless and out of date, and at it's heart the problem with the Trump presidency as it unfolds, won't be because its politically right wing, it's because Trump is a dishonest politician, who appears not to understand complex political issues.

And I will say from what I've seen of our new Government and what would have been previously described as the left, this lack of understanding seems to be a problem here to. However the way by which this is dealt with differs from the right in the USA. Our Government and the Left in general obsess about issues such as slavery, Trans rights, Racism and Colonial guilt. 

So for example the government in Wales has announced a target of eliminating racism by 2030.

I suppose this hides from HM Subjects the problem that our economy is a mess and is a much more critical issue, that requires urgent action and a clear understanding of the problem. It is also a problem that none of our parties have an answer for.

However by focusing on social issues such as racism etc this has the happy benefit for the Welsh Government of distracting its electorate from the fact that Wales NHS is the UK's worse performing and has been for several years.

Mismanagement seems to be all our politicians can offer these days.

Which finally takes me to Norway. Using the political jargon of today, this is a country run by grownups. Lots of people in the UK hoped that our new Government would also be made up of grownups, but disillusionment has taken hold in record time.

Norway is well educated, with a world class health service, no Government debt and a population that frequently get measured as one of the happiest globally, currently sitting seventh.

And they are very proud of their country and why shouldn't they be? On most of the issues that the majority of the population believe matters, poverty, education, health etc Norway is a leader. Trumps definition of national greatness seems to be limited to the rich getting richer and America having the political muscle to bully it's way into getting what it wants. 

I have no problem with the rich getting rich, I do have a problem with the same rich believing that their responsibilities to society, of which paying a fair share of tax is one, no longer apply.

Of course in many ways Norway has been very lucky, it can't take full credit for its current wealth. Its large oil fields, combined with its small population has meant it has been able to build a sovereign wealth fund valued at US$1.744 trillion. This helps Norway to fund its generous public spending.

Along with its high taxation. 

I haven't mentioned this before now, but its eye watering. Whether its income tax, or VAT the levels are high and in the case of VAT applicable to every sort of goods bought and sold, including grocery spending.

No UK government would dare to VAT the weekly shop, there would be riots in the street.

I like Norway, the food is good, the people are fun to be with, the country is beautiful and the beer is great and their pubs show ambition. I've seen up to 50 taps behind a bar! 

In addition you have the Northern Lights and if like me you like the cold, the ice and snow, it has real winter weather.

But I could never afford to live there. A simple takeaway sandwich £15. A winter thermal hat, £75. A large beer, not quite a pint, £8. Which in comparison to the prices of other goods, is almost reasonable and not far off London prices.

Sometimes Norwegians come across as unbearably smug, especially when comparing themselves to their former political masters the Swedes. I suppose its understandable, but it will be interesting to see how they cope going forward with the forced decline of oil. They will have the money, but will they have the training and educational expertise, to diversify into other, greener industries. 

Well I'd be willing to put a lot of money on the answer being yes. Norway will probably continue to be a prosperous, happy society who will continue to elect politicians wanting to better their country. For the moment at least, the USA seem to be enamoured with a egotistical, blow hard. Who cares more for the already well off then the poor who cannot afford health care, have unsustainable college debts and cannot afford a house to live in.

Some issues that of which we also suffer from in the UK. However in fairness to Starmer, whilst I doubt his capability to do so, I don't doubt his desire to help those currently struggling.

Whatever his faults, he is not a Donald Trump and for that at least we can be grateful.