Current or modern politics in the United States

[crinolynne]

[QUOTE=Brian249x;4431123]

Originally Posted by crinolynne

That quote came from Bosko C, not me. This is what I had to say about Trump in that link.

.

That was sufficient correction! My purpose was only to once again rebut the most common Trump brand myth. No offense intended.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by Mal Hombre

Yup,They were Liberals and so were Their slaves..

Slavery was/is the Original Sin which has given rise to political disagreements still very much alive today. It triggered the American Civil War, but was not the only reason, as there was a power struggle between individual states and the Federal government, still alive today. In the 1830s the Nullification Crisis showed the way which the CSA later followed, though the state of South Carolina backed off when President Jackson, himself a native of South Carolina, made extremely clear that he would use force to collect Federal taxes and would hang anyone who killed a Federal tax collector.

The Constitution states principles but leaves the interpretation to following generations. As Benjamin Franklin expressed it:

A republic...if you can keep it.

; meaning that the success or failure of America remains in the care of each generation of Americans. The Founding Fathers were not so much liberal as moderate and pragmatic, concerned with achieving a workable and socially peaceful compromise rather than Utopia. Their main failure was to allow slavery in the new Republic and it is easy to see why, and hard to see how they could have maintained their initial unity, vital to the survival of America against British hostile action, if they had not allowed slavery. But America has paid the price and still pays now.

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

Slavery was/is the Original Sin which has given rise to political disagreements still very much alive today. It triggered the American Civil War, but was not the only reason, as there was a power struggle between individual states and the Federal government, still alive today.

The legacy of slavery and racism permeates American politics and culture. It drives the allocation of funds, law enforcement, the justice system, and the parties' strategies. The tension between the federal and state governments predates the adoption of our Constitution. The Founders made the provision for ratification conventions to make clear that the power of the federal government comes directly from the people and is not derived from state governments. Naturally, the states continually try to expand their power and rights beyond those allocated to them in the Constitution.

Similar tensions exist between Congress and the Executive branch and between the elected officials and the career employees of the bureaucracy. Congress has abdicated its powers in this century. We should expect to see a move to reclaim Congressional authority. The same dynamic emerged in the Nixon administration. Tensions and power struggles are inherent in our system of checks and balances.

I have been reflecting on the tragic cost of racism in U.S. culture, but also hopeful for our future. It is true that in order to suppress African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics, we have to deprive our selves of their talents and devote wealth to destructive purposes. The good news is that we have a two century tradition of consolidation and the millennial generation appears to be committed to tolerance and inclusion. Adding a healthy dose of Latino family values, Muslim spirituality, and discovering the hidden potential of African Americans can only make us better. African Americans have made major contributions despite all the roadblocks, but we are killing ourselves by locking so many men up.

[bowlinggreen]

^ Prison has gotten to be a big business these days though, to the point where private prison companies actually lobby Congress. How can we lay all that to rest?

I remember watching an episode of "Orange is the New Black", where a private company took over the ladies prison and started serving them horrible slop food that came in big plastic bags.

In real life I wonder how much of that private prison food would actually make a person physically ill, or at least be pretty detrimental to their health?

I guess it's all ok, since you are punishing evildoers and making a profit at the same time. Probably worse things go on in those places that we don't know about, in the name of profit.

But it's a very parasitical system, and bad for the morale of society as a whole, I think.

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by bowlinggreen

^ Prison has gotten to be a big business these days though, to the point where private prison companies actually lobby Congress. How can we lay all that to rest?

I guess it's all ok, since you are punishing evildoers and making a profit at the same time. Probably worse things go on in those places that we don't know about, in the name of profit.

But it's a very parasitical system, and bad for the morale of society as a whole, I think.

It is a horrible and evil system. First, we sentence men of color to long prison terms for holding weed or crack. Then, we put them in private prisons where they are forced to work for less than a dollar an hour. Many are transferred to prisons hundreds of miles from their families. The trend now is to deny family visits altogether. The only contact is made via a private Skype type setup that charges the prisoner or family in the neighborhood of $20 for 10 minutes. No job training or rehabilitation efforts.

This system is a nothing short of a gross violation of the human rights of the prisoners and their families. Red state politicians have been getting contributions from the companies which are making billions of dollars from this horrible setup. IMO only sociopaths could run such a system. If I were king the execs would be rounded up and placed in the maximum security prisons with the true psychos. Justice would be swift.

[Faceman675]

[QUOTE=crinolynne;4431101]

Originally Posted by Bosko C

Success? He's a bankrupt several times over. The banks won't lend him money. If he'd simply invested his father's seed money, he'd be much further ahead. But the metric I like best is, nominally, he he's translated about 20 million into 3 billion, a ratio of 150 to one. I take my own nest egg, my ration is 1000 to one, no business failures, can get a loan anytime I ask, now who's the better business person?

FAKE NEWS!!!

Nice try but Trump only got 2 million from his father. Thats 1500 to 1 if his net worth is in fact only 3 Billion.

You asked "who's the better business person?" OK so what is your net worth, how much is your nest egg? Assuming you actually have a 1000 to 1 ratio how did you get there. High risk investment or did you actually create (build) something? How many people have you employed along the way? Are you a business or an investor? Have you run a business or have you invested well?

[crinolynne]

[QUOTE=Faceman675;4432952]

Originally Posted by crinolynne

Nice try but Trump only got 2 million from his father. Thats 1500 to 1 if his net worth is in fact only 3 Billion.

You asked "who's the better business person?" OK so what is your net worth, how much is your nest egg? Assuming you actually have a 1000 to 1 ratio how did you get there. High risk investment or did you actually create (build) something? How many people have you employed along the way? Are you a business or an investor? Have you run a business or have you invested well?

As usual for trumpeters, you choose the data you need and ignore anything that refutes your delusionary opinion. We won't hash that however.

If you think I'd be so stupid as to tell you my financials, you're naive in addition. On the point of what I have built and whom I've employed. Let's just put it this way, you and about 50% of the population of the planet are just a little safer every day because of my contributions to the common good. My legacy will endure long after the T man is a footnote on the Manhattan skyline. And it is not one whit of any importance to me that very few people know it.

[SanteeFats]

[QUOTE=crinolynne;4433004]

Originally Posted by Faceman675

As usual for trumpeters, you choose the data you need and ignore anything that refutes your delusionary opinion. We won't hash that however.

If you think I'd be so stupid as to tell you my financials, you're naive in addition. On the point of what I have built and whom I've employed. Let's just put it this way, you and about 50% of the population of the planet are just a little safer every day because of my contributions to the common good. My legacy will endure long after the T man is a footnote on the Manhattan skyline. And it is not one whit of any importance to me that very few people know it.

Not attacking you but it is very to make such statements with out providing some back up. Not that I want your financials because ya'll ain't gittin' mine either.

[Faceman675]

After a year and a half of Trump being in office lets see how WRONG errr I mean if Brian is right.

Originally Posted by Brian249x

Here's what we can expect from a Trump presidency and total Republican control of Congress.

The economy will crater. (Recession is inevitable no matter who won.) Unemployment will rise back into double digits. New trade restrictions will reduce imports and retaliation by our trading partners will reduce exports. The recession will be global in nature, long lasting, and lead to widespread civil unrest.

Absolutely great economic success as measured by most economic indicators. Record unemployment. Consumer confidence is up. Obama era stagnant growth in GDP has turned and will reach 4% in the near future in part due to Trumps Tax Policy. No recession and the only civil unrest is comming from terrorist groups like Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Antifa in The Peoples Republic of Berkley.

The above prognostication: WRONG 0 for 1!

Originally Posted by Brian249x

Obamacare will be repealed and Medicaid pared back. At least 20 million people will lose their healthcare coverage. Premiums will rise for the rest as insurers and drug companies enjoy record profits and the cost of providing emergency care to the uninsured are borne by policy holders.

Obama Care unfortunately is still the law of the land only the individual mandate has been repealed. 20 million people haven't lost their health care. Cost have gone up but they were going up before Trump took office.

The above prognostication: Mostly WRONG 0 fo2

Originally Posted by Brian249x

The Supreme Court will move further to the right. Roe vs. Wade will be repealed. The rights of corporations will be expanded. The power of the police to conduct searches and seizures will be increased. It will become harder to sue for wrongful death, excessive force, and discrimination.

So far Trump has filled Scalia's seat with Gorsuch. Considering conservative appointees have in the past turned liberal once on the bench it is too soon to tell. As for Roe V. Wade, God willing you will be proven right but that will require replacing Kennedy (80yo Justice and the swing vote) with a solid conservative and probably at least 1 of the Liberals (most likely Ruth Bader Ginsburg) with a conservative. As for your last 2 sentences 18 months and the court has not moved in that direction.

The above prognostication:too soon to tell but as of nowWRONG 0 for 3

Originally Posted by Brian249x

The restrictions begun under the Patriot Act will be expanded. Very quietly, the NSA will increase surveillance of all Americans.

So far the only unlawful spying on US citizens to come to light while Trump has been in office was that done by Obama's DOJ.

The above prognostication: WRONG 0 for 4

Originally Posted by Brian249x

The H1b-visa program limit will be increased. Fewer Americans will hired in good paying jobs as employers are able to replace them with temporary employees from India. Overall immigration will decline as new restrictions will be put in place and more factories built in Mexico.

So far this has not happened and while Trump has talked of increasing H1b I believe he would prefer a change from Diversity Lottery to Merritt Based immigration to fill our need for skilled workers. So far the changes in manufacturing have been an increase.

The above prognostication: WRONG 0 for 5

Originally Posted by Brian249x

There will be a significant increase in the homeless population as a result of rising unemployment and reduction of housing subsidies.

Unemployment is down and for the first time in 11 years Santa Barbara County has started accepting applications for 470 new Section 8 housing vouchers.

The above prognostication: WRONG 0 for 6

Originally Posted by Brian249x

I am not sure if Trump will be able to get Congress to cooperate in stepping away from NATO. If NATO implodes, it will be very tempting for Putin to reoccupy eastern Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and at least part of Poland to divert attention from Russia's declining economy. All of the countries have significant Russian minorities as a carryover from the former Soviet Union. Turkey will also find itself under increasing pressure. The good news is that increasing Russian involvement in the Middle East may divert some of ISIS's attention away from us.

Instead of imploding NATO Trump has actually pressured several members into paying the 2% GDP that is required to be a member. Trump has approved selling offensive weapons to the Ukraine. So Trump has strengthened NATO and allowed selling of weapons to Ukraine , funny I thought Putin was Trumps puppet master

The above prognostication: WRONG 0 for 7

Whatever you do Brian dont give up your day job to to become a Psychic, 0 for 7 as a prognosticator wont cut it

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by Faceman675

Obama Care unfortunately is still the law of the land only the individual mandate has been repealed. 20 million people haven't lost their health care. Cost have gone up but they were going up before Trump took office.

The above prognostication: Mostly WRONG 0 fo2

So far, it is 9 million.

http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/26/news...nce/index.html

This amount is expected to increase as the Republican dominated congress has withheld the funds from insurance companies to shield them from losses during the period of transition. Many states are scrambling as they now have no carriers providing approved plans. Also, many states are seeing drastic increases as insurance pools contain fewer healthy people. In addition, some places are seeing sharp rises in premium costs and some folks are buying the newly legalized plans than don't provide coverages, like prescriptions, mandated by the ACA.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/...-premiums.aspx

http://www.governing.com/commentary/...alth-care.html

Please understand that I have never believed that Obamacare was a good law or even necessarily constitutional. It was merely the best deal that could be had given the disposition of political power at the time. Predictably, the Republicans have sabotaged it and we are returning to the insurance world that predated it. But, with one crucial difference, many people experienced better and more affordable coverage for a few years. Taking benefits away from voters is a very perilous political operation. The polls show that support for a national health plan is growing.

http://news.gallup.com/poll/223031/a...tem-edges.aspx

Originally Posted by Faceman675

Whatever you do Brian dont give up your day job to to become a Psychic, 0 for 7 as a prognosticator wont cut it

At 69, I am retired and freely acknowledge that I am frequently wrong. As a person with chronic depression, I am often prone to assume the worst case scenario.

That being said, it is still relatively early in the Trump administration and I believe that his latest actions vis-a-vis trade, Jerusalem, and Iran are extremely ill advised.

Finally, Faceman675, something has been bothering me for some time. Do you actually have permission from the trustees of UCLA to use their logo to promote your political views and nude photography?