As a Canadian some might say I don't have any real 'skin in the game' when it comes to whom Americans elect as their next president. That's true, but only to a certain extent. The U.S. is still the world's largest economy, and is Canada's biggest trading partner. In fact its often remarked here that when the United States sneezes, Canada catches a cold.
Obviously the next occupant of the White House will have influence beyond the borders of the 50 states, whether its Donald or Hillary.
All I can say at this point to my American friends is...."good luck". What a choice!!! To be perfectly honest and frank, I don't know what I'd do if I had to choose between those two. On the one hand you have Clinton, with views that seem to change with the wind depending on her audience. First opposed to Gay marriage, now a champion of same sex unions and the LGBT community. Then there's her Bosnia story about running for cover after debarking from a plane due to sniper fire, while video shows her smiling and accepting flowers from a little girl.
And Trump??? A trust fund rich kid who inherited a fortune, who places a value on his name in the billions but who cheapens it by putting it on failed casinos, vodka and steaks. A guy who used to support the Clintons who now is running against one of them. A guy who hasn't met a complicated intricate problem that he doesn't have a glib simple solution for.
In terms of the markets, and who would inspire the most confidence from Wall Street and investors....its hard to say. I'm leaning toward thinking Trump would be better, but then again maybe not. I think many retail investors would see a Trump presidency as a positive for business. But the professional investment community also prefers the known to the unknown....and while Clinton seems to be for sale and willing to bend, will the Donald show equal flexibility and a willingness to cater to big business interests? How will big capital (much bigger than DT's net worth) react if he's unwilling to listen?
Anyway my Yankee friends, its your choice, such as it is.
I was living in the US during the 1972 election between Nixon and McGovern. My public school had a straw vote, and they let me vote even though I wasn't an American citizen. Anyway I voted for Nixon, and he won my school's mock vote by probably the same margin that he swept the country with.
When I got home my mother asked me what happened at school. When I told her about the election she asked who I voted for. A lifelong left wing liberal thinker...she just about hit the roof. Years later, whenever we disagreed during a political discussion she'd always say:
"Well, what do you know anyway? You voted for Nixon"!!!
Somehow I think years from now...there will be people saying the same thing to those who voted for the eventual winner. Whether its Trump or Clinton who ends up getting the job as Commander In Chief, I think its the American people, and maybe even us Canadians too, who will end up the losers.
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