Politics

[WAB]

If he focused on inflation, energy, trade and immigration/border policies, he’d be a shoe in for the next President. However, Trump being Trump, things seem to go south for him when he ventures into the abyss of “stranger than fiction” ideas and potential policies.

Freedom cities? Homeless rounded up in tent cities? Withdraw from NATO? Isolationist policies? If true, it would be disastrous.

 

[Red Leg]

Freedom cities? Homeless rounded up in tent cities? Withdraw from NATO? Isolationist policies? If true, it would be disastrous.

Plus turn the civil service back into a 19th century political spoils system.

 

[Tanks]

Freedom cities? Homeless rounded up in tent cities? Withdraw from NATO? Isolationist policies? If true, it would be disastrous.

Like a lot of his unrealistic promises in his first term they will not be implemented due to checks on Presidential powers by the other two branches of government.

Catering to his base with the rhetoric. I sometimes wonder if he ever listens to anyone. For all practical purposes he is the nominee, he needs to claw back the middle that voted for Biden in 2020 not push them away further.

in 2024 we will need to decide what will damage the country/world more, 4 more years of Biden or 4 more years of Trump? It seems to be a toss-up at the moment based on all the rhetoric.

 

[ActionBob]

With regard to Russia and its economy, I wonder how significant will be the effect of the Ukraine war. I suppose the only benefit aspect of the war is that it isn't being fought on Russian soil so the infrastructure isn't being destroyed; but the non-military production must surely be suffering due to the assignment of resources to the military as well as a significant portion of manpower. Since the government controls the information I suspect the Russian people won't know how bad the effects of the war are until the country's economy goes off the cliff.

Well the economic impact to the USA and the rest of the World has been dramatic and I really don't know but do suspect that the military aid is but a drop in the bucket.

To see the real impact, simply go grocery shopping or out to eat! The immediate and persisting cost of fertilizer, corn, wheat and of course fuel was a direct result of the Ukrainian economy stalling out and especially the interruption of trade. Yes a lot of products have eventually gotten out however production has obviously been hurt and the flow of products too often interrupted.

Granted the impact on fuel prices could have been mitigated by production here in the US if this current administration/disaster would allow and encourage that. But it wasn't.

 

[WAB]

Like a lot of his unrealistic promises in his first term they will not be implemented due to checks on Presidential powers by the other two branches of government.

Catering to his base with the rhetoric. I sometimes wonder if he ever listens to anyone. For all practical purposes he is the nominee, he needs to claw back the middle that voted for Biden in 2020 not push them away further.

in 2024 we will need to decide what will damage the country/world more, 4 more years of Biden or 4 more years of Trump? It seems to be a toss-up at the moment based on all the rhetoric.

Yeah, Trump wins on tax cuts, border control and regulatory streamlining. As much as it pains me to say it, Biden seems to be stronger on foreign policy.

 

[Hunt anything]

Yeah, Trump wins on tax cuts, border control and regulatory streamlining. As much as it pains me to say it, Biden seems to be stronger on foreign policy.

What exactly is Bidens foreign policy? Other than let other countries do what ever in the hell they want to do?

 

[ActionBob]

Yeah, Trump wins on tax cuts, border control and regulatory streamlining. As much as it pains me to say it, Biden seems to be stronger on foreign policy.

I'm not a fan of Trump the man and disagree with his isolationist ideals and have suffered financially from his tariffs. In fact all it took was a Tweet that he was considering tariffs on steel to cost me more than most people make in a year. Came right as we were buying several loads of rebar. And I do believe the Trump tariffs were the major precursor to the inflation we are suffering.

Although I do think had it not been for the various Covid shutdowns and with a thriving domestic Oil Industry, we'd have not seen inflation take off. And we'd certainly not had the frivolous Government spending spree that is still going on and continuing to fuel inflation.

However I do not believe the withdrawal from Afghanistan would have evolved into the disaster it did. And I don't believe Russia would have been invited to start the invasion of Ukraine. i.e. the "minor incursion" comment from Biden. And most certainly Iran would still be on it's heels instead of having the resources to have sponsored this present debacle in the Middle East.

Low World energy costs, high World food production, no European nor major Mid East wars, Iran and North Korea reeled in, China on the defense, Russia contained. A strong US Militar, perhaps less involved World wide but still exhibitingstrength..... I think Trump actually had far better foreign policy.

 

[WAB]

What exactly is Bidens foreign policy? Other than let other countries do what ever in the hell they want to do?

Opposing Russia and supporting Israel are the most important foreign policy issues we face. I despise Biden, but he hasn’t made a complete mess of them. Trump causes me serious concern on these two issues.

 

[Wathe208]

Opposing Russia and supporting Israel are the most important foreign policy issues we face. I despise Biden, but he hasn’t made a complete mess of them. Trump causes me serious concern on these two issues.

Sorry, I'm seriously confused here. Biden wins on Israel and Russia foreign policy? While Russia was NOT busy invading Ukraine, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moves the embassy there. And Iran as a side note, much more emboldened under Trump I presume..!? Not to me tion the Abraham Accords. There are many other foreign policy wins the Trump administration had, can you please post what you think Biden's largest FP win has been. Honestly curious. And not just an open BIPARTISAN checkbook for Ukraine and Israel. Thx

 

[Wathe208]

I'm not a fan of Trump the man and disagree with his isolationist ideals and have suffered financially from his tariffs. In fact all it took was a Tweet that he was considering tariffs on steel to cost me more than most people make in a year. Came right as we were buying several loads of rebar. And I do believe the Trump tariffs were the major precursor to the inflation we are suffering.

Although I do think had it not been for the various Covid shutdowns and with a thriving domestic Oil Industry, we'd have not seen inflation take off. And we'd certainly not had the frivolous Government spending spree that is still going on and continuing to fuel inflation.

However I do not believe the withdrawal from Afghanistan would have evolved into the disaster it did. And I don't believe Russia would have been invited to start the invasion of Ukraine. i.e. the "minor incursion" comment from Biden. And most certainly Iran would still be on it's heels instead of having the resources to have sponsored this present debacle in the Middle East.

Low World energy costs, high World food production, no European nor major Mid East wars, Iran and North Korea reeled in, China on the defense, Russia contained. A strong US Militar, perhaps less involved World wide but still exhibitingstrength..... I think Trump actually had far better foreign policy.

Totally on point, with the addition af printing $9T in 3 years by both dipshit parties. Well put ...

 

[ActionBob]

Opposing Russia and supporting Israel are the most important foreign policy issues we face. I despise Biden, but he hasn’t made a complete mess of them. Trump causes me serious concern on these two issues.

Not that I agree or disagree on support of Ukraine... I'm sure Trump would have pushed the rest of Europe harder to shoulder the bill.

However I think it highly probable that Putin would not have even invaded. Number one he would not have had the money from high World oil and gas prices.

As for Israel I completely disagree. I think had it come to this under Trump we would not be pushing Israel to "pause" while we ship in supplies to Hamas!

However again, Iran would not have the money to back these proxy wars. So I really wonder if Hamas would have attacked. But even if they had, I strongly suspect if Trump was in the Whitehouse he would be supporting Israel fully.

 

[Ray B]

WOW!! Thanks for the information, I was unaware that Biden was such a great president!!

 

[BSO Dave]

 

[WAB]

Not that I agree or disagree on support of Ukraine... I'm sure Trump would have pushed the rest of Europe harder to shoulder the bill.

However I think it highly probable that Putin would not have even invaded. Number one he would not have had the money from high World oil and gas prices.

As for Israel I completely disagree. I think had it come to this under Trump we would not be pushing Israel to "pause" while we ship in supplies to Hamas!

However again, Iran would not have the money to back these proxy wars. So I really wonder if Hamas would have attacked. But even if they had, I strongly suspect if Trump was in the Whitehouse he would be supporting Israel fully.

Good points. It’s very difficult to know what would actually have happened, but Biden’s weakness certainly encourages the bad actors. However, given where we now find ourselves, Trump’s isolationist inclinations cause me concern. The difficulty with Trump is trying to understand what he means as it is difficult to discern from what he says.

 

[WAB]

WOW!! Thanks for the information, I was unaware that Biden was such a great president!!

I’m pretty sure no one on this forum has said or believes that. Your response is very indicative of what is going on in our country. We can’t even have a discussion about actions taken by Biden or the Dems that may be positive, or at least less negative, because everything they do, has by definition, to be wrong. Likewise, everything Trump does has to be right. I for one prefer a more balanced approach to life.

 

[Red Leg]

To be clear, I despise the current administration.

But, I am seriously concerned with respect to Trump's apparent incomprehension of our critical national interests with regard to Europe. We created NATO to protect those markets from an aggressive and antagonistic Soviet Union. The Alliance has proven its enduring value in supporting the US in our efforts to prevent the ascendency in Europe of a new Russian power under the guise of the Russian Federation. I also have no patience with Trump or his followers who claim Europe should be doing more with respect to Ukraine.

That financial support is meaningless in simple dollars. It only makes sense when compared to our allies' GDP. Measured that way, with .3% of GDP committed to date, the US is 16th in available wealth contributed to Ukraine's defense. That is behind both the UK and Germany which have committed just under and just over .5% respectively. The leader is Norway which has contributed 1.5% of its GDP. That would be the equivalent of the US contributing $320 billion. It is thus hard to argue Europe isn't doing its fair share. This is a pretty clear article by CNN which perhaps a similar .3% of Trump supporters would read or acknowledge.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/world/ukraine-money-military-aid-intl-dg/index.html

My concern with the Biden administration is how cautious and slow they have been in providing Ukraine the tools to fight this war. Had we been even as aggressive as we are now a year and a half ago, this war could well be over. My concern with Trump is that he seems to have the same sort of compromised understanding of Russia and Europe that Biden has of China and Asia.

I fully acknowledge the Abraham Accords were an extremely wise initiative. The fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia were essentially following that script speaks to the enduring vision it represents. However, I frankly am inclined to give both Mike Pompeo and Jared Cushner the lion's share of that credit.

Trump also has a unique capacity to make outrageous claims with respect to foreign policy - whether it is end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours or that he "saved" the US from nuclear war with North Korea, I have little trust in hiring a President incapable of separating fact from his personal fantasies. If wouldn't have tolerated him in command of one of my batteries or battalions, why would I want him running my country?

And yet, what other choice will we have? It is sickening to me that we have the option of either a decrepit old man sliding into senility being manipulated by every leftist kook in the administration, or another old man so caught up in his own self-indulgence and fantasies that I seriously question his grasp of reality.

 

[cash_tx]

If he focused on inflation, energy, trade and immigration/border policies, he’d be a shoe in for the next President. However, Trump being Trump, things seem to go south for him when he ventures into the abyss of “stranger than fiction” ideas and potential policies.

As Dave Chappelle so eloquently joked, "All of his ideas sound like high people ideas".

 

[Hunt anything]

Opposing Russia and supporting Israel are the most important foreign policy issues we face. I despise Biden, but he hasn’t made a complete mess of them. Trump causes me serious concern on these two issues.

Supporting Israel and Ukraine I get but some people blame him for the Ukraine/ Russia war, not sure why and I’ve also heard chatter that a peace deal could have been had just weeks into the war but Biden and Boris Johnson nixed the deal. I’m more worried about China and Biden seems to be in bed with them if the congressional evidence pans out.

 

[Wathe208]

To be clear, I despise the current administration.

But, I am seriously concerned with respect to Trump's apparent incomprehension of our critical national interests with regard to Europe. We created NATO to protect those markets from an aggressive and antagonistic Soviet Union, and it has proven its enduring value in supporting the US in our efforts to prevent the ascendency in Europe of a new Russian power under the guise of the Russian Federation. I also have no patience with Trump or his followers who claim Europe should be doing more with respect to Ukraine.

That financial support is meaningless in simple dollars. It only makes sense when compared to our allies' GDP. Measured that way, with .3% of GDP committed, the US is 16th in available wealth contributed to Ukraine's defense. That is behind both the UK and Germany which have committed just under and just over .5% respectively. The leader is Norway which has contributed 1.5% of its GDP. That would be the equivalent of the US contributing $320 billion. It is hard to argue Europe isn't doing its fair share. This is a pretty clear article by CNN which perhaps a similar .3% of Trump supporters would read or acknowledge.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/world/ukraine-money-military-aid-intl-dg/index.html

My concern with the Biden administration is how cautious and slow they have been in providing Ukraine the tools to fight this war. Had we been even as aggressive as we are now a year and a half ago, this war could well be over. My concern with Trump is that he seems to have the same sort of compromised understanding of Russia and Europe that Biden has of China and Asia.

I fully acknowledge the Abraham Accords were an extremely wise initiative. The fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia were essentially following that script speaks to the enduring vision it represents. However, I frankly am inclined to give both Mike Pompeo and Jared Cushner the lion's share of that credit.

Trump also has a unique capacity to make outrageous claims with respect to foreign policy. Whether it is end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours or that he "saved" the US from nuclear war with North Korea, I have little trust in hiring a President incapable of separating fact from his personal fantasies. I wouldn't have tolerated him in command of one of my batteries or battalions, why would I want him running my country.

And yet, what other choice will we have? It is sickening to me that our choices are a decrepit old man sliding into senility being manipulated by every leftist kook in the administration, and another old man so caught up in his own self-indulgence and fantasies that seriously question his grasp of reality.

One of your posts I personally agree about 100% with. But to be fair, both Pompeo and Cushner were "appointed" by Trump. It's naive to think a President does everything, you know this. I'm just glad he had the foresite to include them.

You obviously know more on Ukraine than most, if not all, on this forum and I enjoy reading the thoughts, summaries, post, and occasional dead Russians flying through the air. I also agree we CAN NOT win a war by dipping our toes in slowly. Cautious yes, but when the decision is made, I personally would not give you the high school shove, I'm simply gonna knock you out, then move to the guy next to you, we should have taken that approach in our aid to Ukraine. In short, Trump would not have the war ended in 24 hours, no one could, BUT, it may never have happened, and that is something we will never know.

One buzz word I hear alot on this forum is "neo-isolationist". It's like hearing "synergy" or "move the needle", or "lean-in" in the business world. Good talking points, but depth and understanding is key (case in point, look at where the phrase "move the needle" comes from - my male CEO's). I agree with you that we (the US) should be doing more to improve ties with our brothers and sisters across the pond, and I disagree with alot of what Trump did there to really, just be such a dick to Europe. However, I don't think "America First" was about isolating out country, rather, about pride in our country and getting our house in order. Was it Trump's first year in office he met with leaders of 50 Arab countries to discuss peace in the Middle East? And what about when Trump sent missiles into Syria because Bashar-Al-Assad had gassed innocent people? Isolationism.....?

Regan was big on not isolating our Country, as were many Presidents before him, and thank God for it, or we may be speaking German today. However, I think Trump rents more free space in the heads of liberal and conservative alike, than I can fathom. How would any of us do with the targeted attacks he has had to deal with? Remember when he was impeached for (pick your topic). Many don't give the man fair credit where credit is due.

I was hoping he would not be the Republican nominee, but it appears my hopes will fall flat. However, make no mistake, I will vote for him if he is, as should all of us who value America and its values. I cannot imagine 4 more years of the alternative. Honestly, did you feel closer to a war of Superpowers during Trump, or Biden.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

"Honestly, did you feel closer to a war of Superpowers during Trump, or Biden."

Um, for me... they almost feel neck and neck, for different reasons.

I just do not believe that today's Trump is the same one we had during his term in office. I think he is less in touch with reality, even more narcissistic than before, and the the thought he might do something really bad - globally - founded on his own hubris/vanity seems plausible.

No, they both scare me. There isn't a winning answer here, IMHO.