What the rest of the world is missing when it comes to Donald Trump and the most pivotal election in decades, writes LEVI PARSONS

H L Mencken once wrote that 'democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard'.

Americans go to the polls on Tuesday in what's undoubtedly the most pivotal election in decades - and not just for the Yanks, but the rest of the world too.

For many here - as the 1916 words of the acclaimed US satirist suggest - the choice is an uncomfortable one.

Donald Trump is vulgar, unpredictable and seemingly willing to bend the rule of law for his own gain.

However, what the rest of the world is missing, is that millions of working Americans actually see Trump as the safer, more stable option of the two - and not the renegade 'change' candidate he's often portrayed as overseas.

I've spoken to business owners, Uber drivers, flight attendants, lawyers, cops, firemen, bartenders, waitresses, Latino migrants and passersby - and to a man, they all say exactly the same thing.

In summary, Kamala Harris doesn't have what it takes to be President, illegal immigration is out of control - and the Democrats are too focused on ' woke ' politics, instead of fixing skyrocketing violent crime and the cost of living crisis.

Now, I admit, the sample size of my 'research' is limited to a small section of delis, dive bars and hotel lobbies in New York and New Jersey , but given they are both blue states, it's somewhat eye-opening.

Last-minute polling has the race on a knife's edge with data showing that seven crucial swing states - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - could all go either way.

In such a closely fought battle, there remains a strong possibility that recounts could come into play in contested counties delaying the official verdict for days.

A Kamala Harris Presidency would likely prompt a sigh of relief internationally, with the Democratic nominee committed to maintaining the status quo of the American-led global order.

Trump, in stark contrast, may look to upend it.

The Republic nominee has already vowed to introduce massive tariffs on foreign goods in a move that could dramatically reshape global trade.

He has also hinted that his government would opt for a more non-interventionist strategy when it comes to the theatres of war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

On top of this, Trump's unpredictability means the very future of NATO, European and SINO relations, the so-called Quad alliance and AUKUS are all on the table.

For the most part, Americans couldn't care less about these issues. Their concerns are primarily domestic.

But one issue on the homefront potentially posing a major threat to Trump is the Republican Party's ongoing encroachment on reproductive rights.

Only one woman I spoke to had reservations about voting for Trump.

She told me she was concerned about women's rights to abortion being infringed upon, but ultimately concluded the economy was a more important issue - and that she believes Trump will do a better job stemming inflation.

Similarly, Latino migrants were willing to disregard the Republican Party's perceived 'racism' after a controversial joke at Trump's New York City rally earlier this week.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made an ill-received gag about the island of Puerto Rico being 'garbage'.

Puerto Ricans and other Latinos I spoke to - who migrated to the US legally and worked tirelessly to support themselves - said they're sick of their taxpayer dollars being spent on Democrat-led programs to house illegal immigrants.

Of course, voter sentiment surrounding these hot-button topics varies greatly throughout the country.

And it's these contentious and complex issues that will inevitably decide who the next President is.

The race is too close to pick a winner, but one thing is certain.

There's bound to be a toxic backlash against whoever is elected, further destabilising the already-divided nation.

But no matter how bitter it gets, Americans can rest assured that in a democracy, voters get exactly what they deserve.