The Wall Street Journal has come up with a curious article comparing Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, who are referred to as “strongmen” in their countries. Much of the article concerns Trump’s chances in his quest for American presidency, but the comparison is no less than ludicrous nonetheless. No matter how Trump may behave if he ever manages to grab the vaunted post, his political clout cannot possibly match Putin’s. And this has little to do with the two men as such, but with America and Russia as countries. To wit, the American Congress and Senate are far ahead of the Russian Duma in their political clout. Ridiculous as it is, the article still exposes a subterranean wish for a strongman at the helm of America. Similar wishes can be felt across Europe, as well. For it is clear to all concerned that no-one in the so-called rich countries can ever be Putin’s match in terms of power. But the wish may in time give rise to strongmen galore, assuming that they will be able to change both America and Europe so as to better challenge the likes of Putin. As well as to squash domestic dissidence in the bargain. Hitler and Mussolini must be grinning in their graves.