Former prime minister John Howard recently expressed his belief that US presidential candidate Donald Trump is not compatible with democracy. In an interview with Nine News, Howard stated that Trump’s refusal to accept the result of the 2020 election and his various attempts to overturn it demonstrate a lack of respect for democratic principles. Howard went on to mention that while he would normally support a Republican candidate, he cannot do so in this case due to Trump’s actions. He also noted that former Republican vice president Dick Cheney has endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, further highlighting concerns about Trump’s fitness for office.
Howard emphasized that the upcoming election presents a difficult choice for American voters, and he expressed relief that he does not have a vote in the decision-making process. He admitted that he is not impressed with Kamala Harris and her economic policies, but he still believes that Trump cannot be trusted with power again. Howard pointed to the differences between the American and Australian political systems, suggesting that the parliamentary system in Australia is superior to the presidential system in the US. He argued that in a parliamentary system, leaders like Trump and Harris would not have risen to power in the same way they did in the US.
In Howard’s view, the current state of US politics highlights the flaws in the American political system, particularly in comparison to the Australian system. He contended that under a parliamentary system, someone like Trump would not have been able to become the leader of a major political party. He also criticized the process that the Democratic Party went through in selecting Joe Biden as their nominee, suggesting that it would have been different in a parliamentary system. Howard firmly believes that the parliamentary system offers more effective and efficient governance compared to the presidential system in the US.
Howard’s comments reflect a growing concern among some political figures about the state of American democracy and the potential consequences of another Trump presidency. He highlighted the importance of respecting the outcome of elections and peacefully transferring power, suggesting that Trump’s actions in this regard have been detrimental to democratic norms. By endorsing Kamala Harris over Trump, Howard joined other prominent Republicans who have expressed reservations about Trump’s leadership and character. The ongoing debates about the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems underscore the broader discussion about the future of democracy and governance in the United States and around the world.
Overall, Howard’s remarks shed light on the complexities of the current political landscape in the US and the challenges facing American voters in the upcoming election. His comparison of the Australian parliamentary system with the American presidential system offers valuable insights into the differences in governance and political leadership. As the US prepares to make a crucial decision about its next leader, voices like Howard’s serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and principles in the face of uncertainty and division. Ultimately, the choices made by American voters will have far-reaching implications for the future of democracy and political stability in the US and beyond.
