The Next American President Thread (2016)

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  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2016 Posts: 23,883
    Troy wrote: »
    Clinton v Trump does not seem to be a choice between traditional left-wing v right-wing policies, but more of establishment entrenched-interests v independent. This is why the entrenched-interests who control mass media are doing everything they can to demonise Trump. Would that be fair?
    I agree, but Trump is stepping in it himself as well with his non-PC comments that are riling people up against him. No one has done more to make enemies among a certain section of the electorate than he has. Clinton is doing the opposite actually, trying to cozy up to Bernie folks, and yet she has high negatives. That's a major difference between them. One is trying to be careful, the other doesn't seem to care.

    I believe both Trump and Bernie are anti-establishment because they are able to call it like it is. The way they speak suggests they don't care about the consequence.

    That is what is appealing to a section of the voters, and refreshing.
  • Posts: 338
    I agree that Trump has made unpleasant comments - possibly not a person to go out with for a beer. But, on policies - which are what is really important, what do people find really objectionable? particularly in relation to Clinton.
  • Posts: 1,631
    Troy wrote: »
    I agree that Trump has made unpleasant comments - possibly not a person to go out with for a beer. But, on policies - which are what is really important, what do people find really objectionable? particularly in relation to Clinton.

    It depends on who you ask. Some are troubled that he still, despite now being the GOP nominee for President, has yet to articulate anything that resembles a specific approach to any one policy. Others are troubled by his singling out a specific ethnic group to deny entry into the United States. Others are offended by Trump saying that a woman should be punished by the federal government for having an abortion.

    With Trump, it doesn't really come down to which of his policies people are upset with, though, because on the vast majority of them, we have zero idea where he stands. So, all we're left with is the fact that he's decided to portray himself as a racist and a bigot.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    Troy wrote: »
    I agree that Trump has made unpleasant comments - possibly not a person to go out with for a beer. But, on policies - which are what is really important, what do people find really objectionable? particularly in relation to Clinton.
    Trump wants the option to nuke ISIS. If nothing else, isn't that in itself enough? It spells out how abjectly ignorant the man is on everything from radioactive fallout to basic geography.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2016 Posts: 23,883
    Troy wrote: »
    I agree that Trump has made unpleasant comments - possibly not a person to go out with for a beer. But, on policies - which are what is really important, what do people find really objectionable? particularly in relation to Clinton.
    His campaign rhetoric is exaggerated and bombastic. He therefore offends people's sensibilities and that affects their perceptions of him at a visceral level. It's amusing to watch actually. A bunch of protesters at one of his events were asked what they were doing there. None of them could explain.

    He has suggested that until the government finds a way to get a grip on who they're letting into the country, there should be a temporary ban on muslims entering. There's a specific reason he has suggested this religious group in particular and that should be self-evident, given the ISIS problem (including folks going back and forth from war zones). Why they're permitted to do that so freely without additional checks amazes me. The point being there needs to be 'checks', and again he brings the point to our attention, even if in an exaggerated way.

    He was asked a hypothetical on the abortion issue by Chris Matthews, who pushed him for an answer when he was dilly-dallying and he stepped in it - it's obvious to me that this is not a priority of his. MSNBC went nuts that night trying to make meat out of it, particularly Rachel Maddow. It was laughable. It's a testament to Matthews that he backed away and didn't make a big deal out of it because he realized it was unfair but Maddow couldn't contain herself.

    The illegal Mexican thing is just self explanatory. That's going to be impossible to implement, but the wall is a first step in saying it's not going to be that easy to get in any more. Plays perfectly into 'Western World fears' about refugees etc (in the old country) as well, so just good politics this year. Other enforcement mechanisms should be beefed up as well and I'm sure they will be, including drone surveillance etc.

    It's going to be a fun campaign. Once again, ignore the fluff. The economy will determine this election imho. Whoever is seen as better on it will be the next President.

    The other factor is status quo. Those who like where we are will likely vote for Hillary as the successor to Obama, and she is positioning herself that way. Those who want a change from it will go for Trump most likely.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    bondjames wrote: »
    The economy will determine this election imho. Whoever is seen as better on it will be the next President.
    Nah, if it was just the economy Bernie would be sweeping every state- the under educated electorate will be swayed by media terror tactics. The educated electorate will once again vote the lesser of two bad choices unless Bernie can pull a Jedi Mind Trick on the super delegates.
    At LEAST Hillary has experience. Donald is an ignorant gambler.
    I fear for the civilized world. AND the backwards-ass he-man-women-hater badlands.
    8-|
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2016 Posts: 23,883
    chrisisall wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    The economy will determine this election imho. Whoever is seen as better on it will be the next President.
    Nah, if it was just the economy Bernie would be sweeping every state- the under educated electorate will be swayed by media terror tactics. The educated electorate will once again vote the lesser of two bad choices unless Bernie can pull a Jedi Mind Trick on the super delegates.
    At LEAST Hillary has experience. Donald is an ignorant gambler.
    I fear for the civilized world. AND the backwards-ass he-man-women-hater badlands.
    8-|
    What people don't seem to realize is that on domestic issues a president has limited ability to make radical changes. The trick will be to get congressional buy-in.

    As I've been saying for some time here, Hillary will not be able to that. It's impossible. The other side absolutely hates her and it's been ingrained for 20+ yrs (they're still trying to witch hunt her). So we will get an inevitable soap opera side show if she gets the job. Cruz will grow in stature as opposition which is probably what his game is now.

    On foreign policy she is absolutely useless. Bernie is correct on her judgement and I said that on this thread before he did.

    Trump can get Republican congressional buy-in once they all kiss and make up, and his policies are actually more pacifist apart from wanting to decimate ISIS (where Obama has actually been holding back - Putin did more damage to them than he did because he was futzing about trying to help the 'free Syrian Army'- cough).

    So at the end of the day, the pick is status quo or change. I don't buy the fear mongering.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    bondjames wrote: »
    So at the end of the day, the pick is status quo or change. I don't buy the fear mongering.
    So... Hill feeding the military industrial complex more profit opportunities or Don feeding the jihadists a reason to keep trying to destroy the West.
    Sounds pretty much like Predator vs. Alien; no matter who wins, WE lose.

    :-?
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    chrisisall wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    So at the end of the day, the pick is status quo or change. I don't buy the fear mongering.
    So... Hill feeding the military industrial complex more profit opportunities or Don feeding the jihadists a reason to keep trying to destroy the West.
    Sounds pretty much like Predator vs. Alien; no matter who wins, WE lose. :-?
    There are no good choices this time. That is true.

    Trump is better for me because he is a middle of the road guy (for a Republican) and so given that party has the most vociferous and obstructionist Congress, I think having him in charge to whip them in line is better than the alternative.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    bondjames wrote: »
    Trump is better for me because he is a middle of the road guy (for a Republican) and so given that party has the most vociferous and obstructionist Congress, I think having him in charge to whip them in line is better than the alternative.
    He'd whip his Wife before Congress...

    =))
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    chrisisall wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    Trump is better for me because he is a middle of the road guy (for a Republican) and so given that party has the most vociferous and obstructionist Congress, I think having him in charge to whip them in line is better than the alternative.
    He'd whip his Wife before Congress...

    =))
    Oh come on. He's a big 'puddy tat'. I'm sure Bill has more to fear.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    bondjames wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    Trump is better for me because he is a middle of the road guy (for a Republican) and so given that party has the most vociferous and obstructionist Congress, I think having him in charge to whip them in line is better than the alternative.
    He'd whip his Wife before Congress...

    =))
    Oh come on. He's a big 'puddy tat'. I'm sure Bill has more to fear.

    The 'puddy tat' is on his head. =))
  • TripAcesTripAces Universal Exports
    Posts: 4,554
    chrisisall wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    So at the end of the day, the pick is status quo or change. I don't buy the fear mongering.
    So... Hill feeding the military industrial complex more profit opportunities or Don feeding the jihadists a reason to keep trying to destroy the West.
    Sounds pretty much like Predator vs. Alien; no matter who wins, WE lose.

    :-?

    Not exactly. HRC is the only choice. The MIC is going to get fed no matter what. Wall Street is going to get fed no matter what. So it comes down to culture wars/domestic policy. It's here that the Dems have a serious edge.
  • Posts: 2,341
    I am shocked that the RNC allowed Trump a circus clown to represent them in the general election come November. I would have thought that the party leadership saw him for what he was and would refuse to back him and take steps to torpedo his campaign. But No.
    I thought Chris Christie was their most viable option but he was too close to the middle and not in step with the far right, religious right, Tea Party wack jobs who are taking over the party. They would have been best served to put their weight behind Christie months ago, but they feel like they need the hate mongering, race baiting, mysoginist types to call the shots.

    ENOUGHT THIS IS NOT WHAT AMERICA IS ABOUT.

    We are the laughing stocks of the world community. President Obama had restored prestige and respect to office (after Dubya and his band of criminals destroyed our standing). President Obama is a poster child as to why these so call "patriots' love America. Instead of saying, "Look who we elected, isn't America Great. Anybody can rise to the top here". But no, they stoop to the disrespect of a good president and his family because he's the "wrong color"

    And after all the disrespect from American media here in America,. the land of opportunity one of the major parties put forth a candidate who appeals to the baser instinct of human nature.

    I do not want to live in the America of "Mad Men" those days are done and we cannot go back.
  • Posts: 338
    bondjames wrote: »
    He has suggested that until the government finds a way to get a grip on who they're letting into the country, there should be a temporary ban on muslims entering. There's a specific reason he has suggested this religious group in particular and that should be self-evident, given the ISIS problem (including folks going back and forth from war zones). Why they're permitted to do that so freely without additional checks amazes me. The point being there needs to be 'checks', and again he brings the point to our attention, even if in an exaggerated way.

    He was asked a hypothetical on the abortion issue by Chris Matthews, who pushed him for an answer when he was dilly-dallying and he stepped in it - it's obvious to me that this is not a priority of his. MSNBC went nuts that night trying to make meat out of it, particularly Rachel Maddow. It was laughable. It's a testament to Matthews that he backed away and didn't make a big deal out of it because he realized it was unfair but Maddow couldn't contain herself.

    The illegal Mexican thing is just self explanatory. That's going to be impossible to implement, but the wall is a first step in saying it's not going to be that easy to get in any more. Plays perfectly into 'Western World fears' about refugees etc (in the old country) as well, so just good politics this year. Other enforcement mechanisms should be beefed up as well and I'm sure they will be, including drone surveillance etc.

    As a UK resident, I don't get to see all the press coverage or any of his speeches, only snippets on the news, but he does seem misrepresented - or maybe not, it is difficult to tell.

    On the abortion issue, my understanding was that Trump answered a theoretical question that if abortion was illegal, then the woman should be prosecuted. (He then changed to saying only the doctors should be prosecuted). Not sure the issue there. If you do not want the mothers prosecuted, then make abortion legal. Not sure why it's more acceptable to prosecute the medics and not their customers.

    On Muslims entering the US, I think the interesting part of the quote was "until we figure out what's going on". Some might say the last thing the government wants is for the people to "find out what's going on"

    On the Mexican wall, I'm still not clear why people oppose - is it because it is regarded as (a) impractical, or (b) xenophobic? Either way, I've not seen a rational discussion in the press - simply the usual telling us what to think

    I'm intrigued to find out how much Trump believes his own rhetoric - and how much was playing to the gallery. After all, politicians are not exactly known to slavishly following through on election pledges

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2016 Posts: 23,883
    Troy wrote: »
    Not sure the issue there. If you do not want the mothers prosecuted, then make abortion legal. Not sure why it's more acceptable to prosecute the medics and not their customers.
    What you say is perfectly logical, as was what he said. Your point is absolutely on the money. Unfortunately, American politics is anything but rational and logical. So there is a tendency to dance around issues in an unsensible way.
    Troy wrote: »
    On Muslims entering the US, I think the interesting part of the quote was "until we figure out what's going on". Some might say the last thing the government wants is for the people to "find out what's going on"
    Once again, you've got it. It takes an ability to understand English, but strangely that last part is often missed in the 'headline' quotes as is the overall point about tracking folks who go and back from war zones and sensitive areas while this ISIL thing is going on.
    Troy wrote: »
    On the Mexican wall, I'm still not clear why people oppose - is it because it is regarded as (a) impractical, or (b) xenophobic? Either way, I've not seen a rational discussion in the press - simply the usual telling us what to think
    Once again, it's an inability to understand English and a tendency to soundbite things in the media. The issue is 'illegal' Mexicans, and not Mexicans. Nothing wrong with that in my book.
    Troy wrote: »
    I'm intrigued to find out how much Trump believes his own rhetoric - and how much was playing to the gallery. After all, politicians are not exactly known to slavishly following through on election pledges
    This remains to be seen. I suspect he will in practice have a more practical and slightly toned down approach to these things. So there will be a wall and tighter border controls but no deportations (not practical). There will be tighter checks on folks going in and out of Syria and the like but no overall ban. I don't think he cares about abortion, which is why he couldn't answer the question. That wedge issue is not his priority.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    edited May 2016 Posts: 4,116
    What does "immigration reform" mean anyway? Can you reform immigrants?

    The issue is securing boarders and assuring security.

    Another issue is reforming the the citizenship process. Should it really take that long or how long should it take?
  • edited May 2016 Posts: 725
    I have been following this thread and holding back as I had mixed feelings about all of the candidates, but that's changed. Last night I heard a cable commentator call Trump a pschopath. It seemed extreme but I looked up the desc.

    "The study of the psychopath reveals an individual who is incapable of feeling guilt, remorse or empathy for their actions. They are generally cunning, manipulative and know the difference between right and wrong, but dismiss it as applying to them."

    BINGO! Maybe he is just borderline, but I'm am beginning to think he comes very close to this description.

    Trump won because of his cunning, a total lack of any political philosophy and a hugely divided field of 16-17 candidates who split the anti Trump vote. When it finally came down to Cruz, he was simply too unappealing and too late to harness the anti-Trump vote. Kasich was too moderate, particularly in the closed primaries and caucus states which don't favor moderates. It has just become obvious to me that Trump will say virtually anything to make money, and now to win an election.

    To those in here who think the Republican operatives will "kiss and make up," yeah, sure. To those who think "change" is good, Change to what ---- when you are dealing with a man who is incapable of working with anyone he can't dominate or bully.

    George Bush's rep this morning said he will not comment or play any role in the election. This of course is a result of Trump calling him a liar, an unprecedented comment by the nominee regarding the last President of his party. Add to that Trumps' slimming of Jeb.

    Then we have "lying" Cruz and his conservative following. Trump accused Cruz's father 2 days ago of being a party to John Kennedy's assassination. Anyone who thinks Cruz and his followers will "kiss and make up" after that comment needs a serious reality check. That was a huge error by Trump even if his buddy at the Inquirer tabloid that is backing him first brought it up. You simply do not go there. Trump has no self restraint, zero. Fingers on the nuclear trigger anyone.

    Trump will do and say virtually anything to get elected. He has been on every side of every social issue over the recent past. Sanders young followers are notorious for not voting in general elections. They will not be the deciding factor. The Clintons have a huge cadre of party operatives who will register and get out the black, Hispanic and female vote. But it will, I think, come down to the Independents and moderate Republicans. The blue color Dem's aren't a big enough block in light of the huge Hispanic voting population that has grown over the last 2 decades and will easily outvote that group. If the moderates can't stomach Trump, Hillary will win big and possibly carry the Senate with her.

    I am no fan of Hillary and she has a lot of baggage that I don't like. I have not voted for either presidential nominee before because I couldn't stand either candidate, but like a lot of moderates, I will hold my nose and vote for Hillary. The stakes are too high. I have come to find Trump really dangerous, and I think most US voters will feel the same way. Events could likely decide this election, but if there are no huge events that could greatly sway voters, Trump will go too far if he hasn't already, and blow it. His own words will kill him off.
  • Posts: 12,506
    Speaking as a British national, if Trump should get in? It will be quite amusing to see the politicians here squirm and see how they handle that situation? No special relationship their i am guessing?

    I think you are heading for another Clinton President personally but i guess we will have to all wait and see?
  • AceHoleAceHole Belgium, via Britain
    edited May 2016 Posts: 1,727
    Will it actually end up making much of a difference who moonlights as the country's leader, though?

    The U.S.A, even more so than Western-Europe, is run by Wallstreet and the Fortune 500 brigade - as demonstrated by the U.S government's impotent non-reaction after the 2008 economic collapse (read: 'credit ratings fraud' collapse) to curb financial 'betting' activity & properly sanction & regulate the credit rating agencies.
    Anyone who thinks the president has a say in all this is kidding themselves, I'm afraid...

    'Cos whatever happens - you can always count on the good old taxpayer to come to the rescue.
  • Posts: 11,119
    Well, Clinton it is :-). Bravo Hillary.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    AceHole wrote: »
    Will it actually end up making much of a difference who moonlights as the country's leader, though?

    The U.S.A, even more so than Western-Europe, is run by Wallstreet and the Fortune 500 brigade - as demonstrated by the U.S government's impotent non-reaction after the 2008 economic collapse (read: 'credit ratings fraud' collapse) to curb financial 'betting' activity & properly sanction & regulate the credit rating agencies.
    Anyone who thinks the president has a say in all this is kidding themselves, I'm afraid...

    'Cos whatever happens - you can always count on the good old taxpayer to come to the rescue.
    Agreed. They'll just force another crash (after betting the right way) if things don't go their way. Too much debt in the system, and whoever controls the system controls the public. Same goes for tech - hence the need to keep Apple/Facebook/Twitter on top. It's all about control of the message, money and info.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    The message over here is that Trump=Bad, Clinton=Good.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,690
    If they make 'Die Hard 6' with Bruce Willis teaming up again with Samuel L Jackson to defeat Timothy Dalton as the 3rd Gruber brother, they should joke about how 2 decades ago they joked about Hillary and Trump, and now one of these 2 is President. Maybe Bruce Willis can say he was a Bernie Sanders fan, to the approval of Sam Jackson.
  • edited May 2016 Posts: 565
    The message over here is that Trump=Bad, Clinton=Good.
    To be fair, if you swap individuals for each of the parties, your message over there would remain exactly the same...

    Try the past election for example...who's better, Romney or Obama? Or for fun, how about Kasich versus Sanders? Please don't take offense, but this game's too easy to play.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited May 2016 Posts: 28,694
    If they make 'Die Hard 6' with Bruce Willis teaming up again with Samuel L Jackson to defeat Timothy Dalton as the 3rd Gruber brother, they should joke about how 2 decades ago they joked about Hillary and Trump, and now one of these 2 is President. Maybe Bruce Willis can say he was a Bernie Sanders fan, to the approval of Sam Jackson.

    @DaltonCraig007, Zeus might even look at John and say, "Really, McClane?!" not believing him, and John will just reply, "Hey, we're Brooklyn boys."

    To be fair though, John strikes me as a big conservative, and a progressive like Bernie I think would in some cases be a source of laughter and ridicule to him.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited May 2016 Posts: 15,690
    We're going to write such a good script you and me, @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, that the producers will abandon the idea of the prequel and do a proper send-off for McClane. This time McClane and Zeus team up with Sergent Powell.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited May 2016 Posts: 28,694
    We're going to write such a good script you and me, @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, that the producers will abandon the idea of the prequel and do a proper send-off for McClane. This time McClane and Zeus team up with Sergent Powell.

    There was a script this big Die Hard fan wrote a couple of years ago (and that he was trying to get the studio to make) where, at the 30th anniversary of the Nakatomi plaza takeover John is back in the building with his family and friends to receive an award there for his heroism, when something big goes wrong and Déjà vu strikes, forcing him to save everyone all over again. I'm not sure if there was a Gruber connection or if it was something else.

    The cop from Die Hard 1 was in the script, as was Zeus, John's wife and kids. I'd love to see that movie as the final Die Hard.

    It's funny, I'm watching Die Hard 1 on TV right now.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    The message over here is that Trump=Bad, Clinton=Good.

    Down here (from your viewpoint) it is:

    Clinton is bad.
    Trump is more bad.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    It seems like the American people will have the choice between,
    Dumb and Dumber ! .... Either choice is not looking good. :D
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