Trump, President-elect, are you kidding?

When I woke up early on the 9th, after a staying up a bit later than usual, I immediately turned on the TV.  Now understand, I am in La Punta, Peru, still (check out my other blog for more details on this adventure, or mis-adventure), a bit removed from the insanity of election season in the US.  I turned on the TV, and could not believe what I heard on BBC America, Trump had won, Donald Trump was going to the next president of the United States. My new friends in La Punta are as shocked, and worried as I am. He is a racist, he is not a fan of Latin America, he has never run for or been elected to public office, and I am sure he is unlikely to visit Peru, or any country in South America any time soon. I have know for a number of years, have said it, that America has become one of the dumbest countries in the world, especially when considering what is going on in other parts of the world, and this provides much evidence to confirm that.  How did this happen? Do people really think a billionaire businessman who has never done anything, ever, in terms of public service, is going to look out for the average American? Do those coal miners in West Virginia have a clue? And all environmental scientists, conservationist, had better be worried.  While he does think that public land should remain federal lands, wait until they put up gas wells in Yellowstone. And he has tweeted that climate change is hoax invented by the Chinese to hurt American businesses. He wants to protect water resources in the US, but wants to do away with the EPA, and probably any regulations which might in any way stand in the way of business, development, protection of natural habitats.  Do wonder what will happen with funding for the NSF, NIH, other sources of funding for basic research. He is a billionaire developer, a reality TV host, a con artist of the highest order, he conned enough Americans to get elected, just unbelievable. During my time here in Peru, before the election, I met many tourist from around the world, and many asked me, Clinton or Trump. Boy did I, like so, so many get this one wrong. And there is no question, most of the rest of the world is laughing at the US, asking how, how could Americans be so stupid as to elect such an inexperience idiot as Donald Trump.  Just unbelievable.  I, and many from around the world, including many here in Peru, are worried, very worried.  How did this happen?