US Election 2016, part III

[BruceVC]

I think whether Trump really believes in his rhetoric(which I'd say is exaggerated by the media) or is just pandering is irrelevant. The fact is Trump has managed to tap into an undercurrent the establishment ignored and has used their support to seize a position in the oligopoly of US politics. Even if Trump isn't elected or doesn't get anything done, the people he's tapped into are going to be around and might get more radical and start attacking the base of the oligopoly ala Tea Party. The same applies to Sanders and his supporters, these people aren't going to all fall in line and the overton window has already shifted and it can't be turned back.

You raise some good points but remember 70 % of the USA are white. So lets say there are  210 million white people and only 11 million voted for him now 

 

So only 1/20 of all white people supported him so nothing should be mandatory or  defined about Trump or his outcome 

Edited July 12, 2016 by BruceVC

[Gromnir]

trump net worth today is an estimate 'cause he won't release taxes as has every other candidate going back a long time.  bloomberg estimates $2.9 billion. Forbes say $4.1 billion.  with the money trump had in 1978, which woulda' largely been the result of inheritance, and he had put that money into a retirement fund, he would be worth $6 billion today.  failed airline. failed football. failed casinos.  too many fails.  even his biographer noted that trump's business acumen were limited to real estate investment.

 

and as shady as is clinton, trump gots more than a few skeletons in his closet.  no presidential candidate has ever had the kinda documented mob ties as does trump.  the claim that trump had no idea that the construction companies he were routinely dealing with in the 70s and early 80s were mob controlled is too ridiculous to believe, but given how pervasive mob involvement were in ny construction at that time, perhaps folks is willing to look the other way... as trump clear did.  and given his checkered past regarding the hiring o' undocumented workers, we have a hard time taking his immigration comments serious.  the Polish workers involved in trump tower alone should give folks pause as the judge in that case had already determined that trump were aware o' the presence o' illegals before a settlement were reached. 

 

wall street avoids him 'cause o' the numerous bankruptcies and he ain't even as big a real estate mogul as he pretends to be.  

 

compare to bloomberg if you wanna see american success story

 

http://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-bloomberg/

 

http://www.forbes.com/profile/donald-trump/?list=billionaires

 

heck, compare to oprah who gots a self-made score o' 10.  she didn't have no multi-million dollar inheritance or her father's credit to draw 'pon.

 

http://www.forbes.com/profile/oprah-winfrey/

 

the only thing trump can genuine sell is his business success as he has no experience in politics.  the thing is, his overall business success is less than impressive. shoulda' stuck with his daddy's real estate.

 

HA! Good Fun!

[BruceVC]

 

I think whether Trump really believes in his rhetoric(which I'd say is exaggerated by the media) or is just pandering is irrelevant. The fact is Trump has managed to tap into an undercurrent the establishment ignored and has used their support to seize a position in the oligopoly of US politics. Even if Trump isn't elected or doesn't get anything done, the people he's tapped into are going to be around and might get more radical and start attacking the base of the oligopoly ala Tea Party. The same applies to Sanders and his supporters, these people aren't going to all fall in line and the overton window has already shifted and it can't be turned back.

If it has shifted it has done so in the direction of "less freedom". Sounds to me like it's time to stockpile weapons, ammo, gold coins and canned food again,

 

What am I saying? It's ALWAYS time to do that! 

 

  

 

Yes thats true, I remember when I  first noticed you about to have a break  after the second Obama victory ... I didnt know you well then so I thought  " this guy is really depressed. He  is even buying gold always known as safe bet in economic uncertainty " 

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

 

I think whether Trump really believes in his rhetoric(which I'd say is exaggerated by the media) or is just pandering is irrelevant. The fact is Trump has managed to tap into an undercurrent the establishment ignored and has used their support to seize a position in the oligopoly of US politics. Even if Trump isn't elected or doesn't get anything done, the people he's tapped into are going to be around and might get more radical and start attacking the base of the oligopoly ala Tea Party. The same applies to Sanders and his supporters, these people aren't going to all fall in line and the overton window has already shifted and it can't be turned back.

 

If it has shifted it has done so in the direction of "less freedom". Sounds to me like it's time to stockpile weapons, ammo, gold coins and canned food again,

 

What am I saying? It's ALWAYS time to do that!

Freedom and liberty don't exist under the state, if it has the power to guarantee them it has the power to take them away.

[Guard Dog]

 

 

I think whether Trump really believes in his rhetoric(which I'd say is exaggerated by the media) or is just pandering is irrelevant. The fact is Trump has managed to tap into an undercurrent the establishment ignored and has used their support to seize a position in the oligopoly of US politics. Even if Trump isn't elected or doesn't get anything done, the people he's tapped into are going to be around and might get more radical and start attacking the base of the oligopoly ala Tea Party. The same applies to Sanders and his supporters, these people aren't going to all fall in line and the overton window has already shifted and it can't be turned back.

If it has shifted it has done so in the direction of "less freedom". Sounds to me like it's time to stockpile weapons, ammo, gold coins and canned food again,

 

What am I saying? It's ALWAYS time to do that!

Freedom and liberty don't exist under the state, if it has the power to guarantee them it has the power to take them away.

 

You know the beauty of the US Constitution is that it does not affirm the existence of any right, rather it prohibits the government from doing things that intrude and the natural rights all free people are presumed to have. But you are correct. If a right is granted by a government then that government gets to dictate who enjoys it and how. Which is exactly why people like Barack Obama lament the restrictions it engenders and leftists work so hard to undermine it. After all, what's the fun of having absolute power when you don't have absolute power?

[Guard Dog]

 

 

I think whether Trump really believes in his rhetoric(which I'd say is exaggerated by the media) or is just pandering is irrelevant. The fact is Trump has managed to tap into an undercurrent the establishment ignored and has used their support to seize a position in the oligopoly of US politics. Even if Trump isn't elected or doesn't get anything done, the people he's tapped into are going to be around and might get more radical and start attacking the base of the oligopoly ala Tea Party. The same applies to Sanders and his supporters, these people aren't going to all fall in line and the overton window has already shifted and it can't be turned back.

If it has shifted it has done so in the direction of "less freedom". Sounds to me like it's time to stockpile weapons, ammo, gold coins and canned food again,

 

What am I saying? It's ALWAYS time to do that! 

 

  

 

Yes thats true, I remember when I  first noticed you about to have a break  after the second Obama victory ... I didnt know you well then so I thought  " this guy is really depressed. He  is even buying gold always known as safe bet in economic uncertainty " 

 

Well buying a "real" commodity is never a bad idea. It's not always the best idea but it's never wrong because while real assets may lose value they will never be worthless. In fact I started buying gold in 2008 when it looked like Obama might win. The very first thing he did was bail out the banks (really finishing the process GWB started), GM, and other things. How do they do that? Giving them money that doesn't actually exist. So there is twice the dollars chasing the same number of assets. Economics 101, what happens to the price of a widget when suddenly there are twice as many widgets but the demand for widgets stays the same? Smart investors started buying gold & silver. Which drove up the prices. Which caused the dumb investors to think the world was going to end so they start buying which drove the price even more. A few years go by, the economy isn't collapsing, the gold I bought at $800 is now $1900 and I got to thinking "hmmm this looks way over priced, and Greshams Law is a real thing sooooo.... sell!" So I did. Best move I ever made.

 

Now however, it's right about where it should be, $1300 give or take. But it looks like Hillary might win. Now, follow me on this. Obama & Clinton are not stupid people. They are aware that the level of debt and spending of the United States is not sustainable. Unless something is done there is a huge and awful comeuppance in the future. Well they can't stop spending because they are literally buying their electoral victories with tax dollars. And once you mount that tiger you can't dismount. And the "wealthy" are already paying some 70% of all the tax dollars so you can't get a lot more from them. Skinning the middle class only buys you time before the inevitable so what do you do? Monetize the debt by devaluing the currency. In fact some steps have been taken in that direction already. Here is the problem. We have trade deals with countries we do not share a common currency with. As the value of the dollar is intentionally weakened the buying power of American citizens goes down and although that does make American goods cheaper, an increase in volume won't help Americans because those same trade deals allowed all those jobs to go overseas.  So American products sold by American companies are beyond the reach of American citizens because their dollar is worth less and the jobs they used to have MAKING those products is not being done overseas. Something happens in an economy when buying power is reduced, it's a bad thing, begins with an "i". Now of course the US Dollar is still the standard trade currency in the world so it won't become wotherless (right way) but here comes Russia and China talking about replacing the dollar. If that ever happened then Thier's Law becomes a thing and there will be two kinds of people: those who owned gold before it happened and those who wish they did.

 

Anyway... enough about all that.

[Meshugger]

Welp, all eyes on the DNC now. Bernie has endorsed Hillary. 

 

 

But they have probably built a nice wall around the venue to keep this from happening :^)

[Valsuelm]

In honor of Bernie finally showing his true colors...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R890wISHwG4

[Meshugger]

In honor of Bernie finally showing his true colors...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R890wISHwG4

 

"All you know about me is what I've sold you,

Dumb ****.

I sold out long before you ever heard my name.

 

I sold my soul to make a record,

Dip ****,

And.then.you.bought.one."

 

 

One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands. Thank you.

Edited July 12, 2016 by Meshugger

[HoonDing]

Spineless Sanders.

[Namutree]

Bernie swore that he would endorse Hillary if she won the nomination. He is obligated to do so.

[Bartimaeus]

The email sent out to supporters:

 

"Today, I endorsed Hillary Clinton to be our next president. I know that some of you will be disappointed with that decision. But I believe that, at this moment, our country, our values, and our common vision for a transformed America, are best served by the defeat of Donald Trump and the election of Hillary Clinton.

 

You should know that in the weeks since the last primary, both campaigns have worked together in good faith to bridge some of the policy issues that divided us during the election. Did we come to agreement on everything? Of course not. But we made important steps forward.

 

Hillary Clinton released a debt free college plan that we developed together which now includes free tuition at public colleges and universities for working families. This was a major part of our campaign’s agenda and a proposal that, if enacted into law, would revolutionize higher education in this country.

 

Secretary Clinton has also publicly committed to massive investments in health care for communities across this country that will increase primary care, including mental health care, dental care, and low-cost prescription drug access for an additional 25 million people. Importantly, she has also endorsed the enactment of a so-called public option to allow everyone in this country to participate in a public insurance program. This idea was killed by the insurance industry during consideration of President Obama’s health care program.

 

During the Democratic platform proceedings in St. Louis and Orlando, we were victorious in including amendments to make it a clear priority of the Democratic Party to fight for a $15 an hour federal minimum wage, expand Social Security, abolish the death penalty, put a price on carbon, establish a path toward the legalization of marijuana, enact major criminal justice reforms, pass comprehensive immigration reform, end for-profit prisons and detention facilities, break up too-big-to-fail banks and create a 21st century Glass-Steagall Act, close loopholes that allow big companies to avoid taxes by stashing their cash in offshore tax havens and use that revenue to rebuild America, approve the most expansive agenda ever for protecting Native American rights and so much more."

Edited July 12, 2016 by Bartimaeus

[Guard Dog]

If Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really think the United States is a great country, as they say the do, why do they want to "transform" it? How would you feel if you wife tells you you're great and she loves you and she wants to "transform" you? If you are great and she loves you why would she want to change you into something else?

 

And what do they want to transform the US into? Right now it is a free and prosperous country. What kind of transformation do they have in mind? One that isn't free?

Edited July 13, 2016 by Guard Dog

[Valsuelm]

If Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really think the United States is a great country, as they say the do, why do they want to "transform" it? How would you feel if you wife tells you you're great and she loves you and she wants to "transform" you? If you are great and she loves you why would she want to change you into something else?

 

And what do they want to transform the US into? Right now it is a free and prosperous country. What kind of transformation do they have in mind? One that isn't free?

 

Relative to the rest of the world sure. Relative to yesteryear? No.

 

It's generally less so with each passing year....

[Gromnir]

If Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really think the United States is a great country, as they say the do, why do they want to "transform" it? 

gonna disagree with gd... alot. 

 

thank god we had collective awakening and finally embraced the transformative civil rights legislation in 1964, eh? couldn't think that the USA were a great country w/o embracing segregation?  we go easy with just one example 'cause am sure that by now gd can think o' many others. 

 

is not always easy. we take much heat for our love o' country, particular given our origins.  on one recent visit to the rez, our rental car were pelted with frozen apples 'til it were complete unfit to drive. apples: red on the outside, but white on the inside. get it?  

 

...

 

were gonna list some o' the stuff we love 'bout the USA, but it would be an extreme long list.  folks who read a few o' our posts regarding US free speech compared to the rest o' the world likely got some notion as to how much we value personal freedoms that exist nowhere else in the west, and virtual nowhere else in whole world.  regardless, am thinking it is a given that we are one o' those "I LUV 'MURICA!" folks that euros roll their eyes in response to.

 

the thing is, everyday we see things we wanna improve and fix. we wanna transform.  we wanna fix infrastructure problems that has US public education becoming second-rate.  we wanna fix the situation on the rez where we come from.  we believe it is vital to address income inequality before some kinda class struggle is required to bring 'bout change.  we wanna address debt crisis before it is too late. etc.  more than one o' our changes requires transformation rather than simple minor alterations to the status quo.  gonna need make hard choices.  but guess what, Americans can transform.  Americans, God love 'em, actual believe that they can transform.  the capacity to change and belief in our ability to make things better is just one reason why so many people 'round the world is perplexed (and annoyed) by americans.  naive and arrogant. foolish.

 

*shrug*

 

could go on 'til folks get (more) sick o' Gromnir than is normal, but we can't stress just how much we disagree with gd on this point.  we believe, unreserved and unabashed, that this is a great country, and we hope we live long enough to see it transform... maybe more than once.  

 

HA! Good Fun!

[Valsuelm]

It boggles my mind how a supreme court justice can give such unprofessional statements. This is banana-republic-****-tier level of arguments.

 

This is nothing new from Ginsburg.

 

If congress had any balls and even a smidgen of morality it would have impeached her long ago. If ever you want to read some convoluted insanity, a safe bet is to look up and read an opinion authored by her for the court. There's a good chance with any given random read you will have struck crazy gold.

 

 

Note: If congress had any balls and even a smidgen of morality it would have impeached many folks at the top long ago. And of course, we'd need the senate to have some balls and a smidgen of morality as well to actually follow through and kick the various incompetent/criminal/treasonous scums we've had in D.C. to the curb.

 

Sadly, and ultimately scarily, congress and the senate sold it's balls and became devoid of morality long ago...

 

[Guard Dog]

Well Gromnir put far more thought into that than I did obviously! 

[Gromnir]

Well Gromnir put far more thought into that than I did obviously! 

we got a preachy-post quota.  just one o' those things that you lost the lottery.

 

HA! Good Fun!

 

ps the heart-wrenching number o' homeless people that is mentally ill and/or children is possible the greatest immediate concern we got as we volunteer at a local food bank/shelter and am seeing too many such folks too often. can't believe we left it out o' our post. 

Edited July 13, 2016 by Gromnir

[Drowsy Emperor]

Don't worry, Trump will make America great again 

[Drowsy Emperor]

Dis guy

 

 

           

Edited July 13, 2016 by Drowsy Emperor

[Longknife]

I kinda miss that idiot.

[Meshugger]

Dis guy

 

 

           

 

Contrary to the belief that he is a simple psychopath, i think that he is more like Homer and misunderstand the situation in his own funny way.

 

[IndiraLightfoot]

 

Dis guy

 

 

           

 

Contrary to the belief that he is a simple psychopath, i think that he is more like Homer and misunderstand the situation in his own funny way.

 

 

Funny that this simple statement and posting of a Homer clip feels more exhaustive than all those bloated biographies on George W Bush. Sometimes simplicity is best, and Occam's Razor and all that.

[IndiraLightfoot]

[Drowsy Emperor]

Its usually said that he was a drunk in his younger years so he may have simply been hitting the bottle and felt like doing a little jig