- When we vote, we are looking for certain personal qualities in a leader that we think will benefit our nation. Name one. Do you have this quality? Why do you think that?
- Who is the President of The United States of America? How long has he or she been President? Who was their opponent when they were campaigning to be President? Why did they win?
- What do the general public in your country think of this person? Why?
- All Presidents generate controversy. Tell us one thing that this President has done that many people consider a misstep or a wrongdoing.
- Who is the premier right now in Japan? How are they different (or similar) to the current President of the United States?
- Who to date has been for you either the most inspiring or the most deplorable President of the United States of America? When were they President? Why do you think that?
Question 1
Diplomacy. It might seem like a bit of an obvious one but I think that many political appointees lack this fundamental skill. Think about that for a moment; these supposed diplomats lack the skill of diplomacy. And these are our elected officials. It's crazy. I think I have the skill to some degree. In my time as Head Teacher, I have needed to manage and coordinate people, and I've found being diplomatic helps in that. I acknowledge that I could be better at it though.Question 2
Donald Jon Trump, aka "The Donald". What a ridiculous name. Fitting for such a ridiculous president, I suppose. How long has he been president? That's easy – too long! He won against Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2016 US election. I have no idea why he won as Clinton won by the popular vote.Question 3
I think the number of Trump supporters the world over are in the vast minority. Vast. I think the people of Japan, the country in which I live, the people of Australia, the land of my birth, and pretty much the rest of the planet have a starkly negative image of him. They see him as a cartoon character at best and as a very dangerous and evil man at the worst.Question 4
I couldn't begin to choose one from the cornucopia of possible choices available to us. I will say if he is still president when you read this, just turn on the TV nearest to you. I'm sure there will be a story on the news about something new and terrible he has done.Question 5
The Prime Minister of Japan right now is Shinzo Abe. Is he the premier? I don't know anything about his politics really but he is outwardly a very different sort of person than Donald Trump. He seems more dignified and presidential, and he seems infinitely more intelligent.Question 6
In 2015, I would have probably said George W. Bush has been the most deplorable President of the United States in my lifetime. That honor now belongs to Donald J. Trump. I can't image a worse person will fill the office in the next century.Tough Vocabulary
| - English - | - Japanese - |
|---|---|
| appointee | 任命者 |
| fundamental | 基本的 |
| to some degree | ある程度 |
| acknowledge | 認める |
| ridiculous | ばかげた |
| vast | 広大 |
| stark | ひどく |
| cornucopia | 宝庫 |
| outwardly | 外側に |
| dignified | 威厳のある |
| presidential | 大統領 |
| infinite | 無限 |