Reports from the heartland
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We were given an awful choice this time around. I do not believe people (you and others here, my brother included) who came to a different conclusion are stupid. They just see the world differently.
But it is not hard to see that under the Biden Harris administration the world has moved much, much closer to a world war and continues to march in that direction. I think that had a lot to do with it. Whether he can turn it around or not is yet to be seen, but it was clear the current administration could not. They tried to hamstring our greatest ally in the Middle East when we should have been firmly supporting them rather than try to ride the fence. It is an awful situation, but at what point does the world stop letting terrorist militants hide among the people they claim to support? The Gazans were merely pawns in Hamas' power play. Displaying weakness and lack of resolve is dangerous and we see the result of that.
My hope is that the GOP will allow a reasonable immigration reform bill to get through, but that didn't happen last time they had the WH, House and Senate. We shall see.
I also hope they can get a handle on government spending. The Dems hurt themselves badly by floating trial balloons about taxing unrealized capital gains.
So we had a poor choice, whichever way one went. I just saw no reason to believe Harris was capable of handling the job. Trump already has and with better results than Biden Harris.
wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 15:12 last edited by wtg 11 Jul 2024, 15:37Some questions about a Trump administration. I'm wondering what you think.
What do you think Trump will do about Ukraine?
What effect will increasing tariffs on imported goods have on prices paid by consumers in the US? What do you think the effect might be on the world economy?
What do you think he will do with respect to Gaza and Israel? If it's different from what's being done now, how will it change what's happening in the Middle East?
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wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 15:51 last edited by
Ukraine - continue economic and military pressure on Russia and try for a negotiated settlement
Tariffs - continue the tariffs that Biden did not remove and apply new ones as needed
Israel - quit trying to handcuff Israel. let them finish the job with our blessing. -
wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 17:15 last edited by wtg 11 Jul 2024, 18:11
Wait, is that what you think should be done, or what he has said he would do?
Re Ukraine...sounds like what we're doing now. The only thing I've heard Trump say about Ukraine was that he could settle the dispute in 24 hours. I've heard no other details. My own take is that settling the dispute means giving Putin whatever he wants.
Tariffs... He has some specific proposals for increasing them. I thought they were day 1 issues for him, at least regarding China. That is, "as needed" is "now".
I guess my question is, how much did the tariffs, imposed by Trump and kept by Biden, impact prices/inflation? And if the tariffs are increased in a second Trump administration, will prices go up further and faster than if we stayed at the same level or backed off of them?
The economy/prices seemed to be part of Trump's appeal to the average voter. Will they get what they were looking for if his policies are implemented?
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-suppliers-importers-prepare-promised-trump-tariffs-2024-11-06/
And about Israel...yea, he and Bibi have had some blips but he'll do whatever Bibi wants. Unless the Saudis don't like it...
The ME quagmire isn't going away soon.
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wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 17:35 last edited by
“Some of my Ancestors dealt with at least 400 years of this under worse conditions.”
Seems like an odd comparison.
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wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 17:51 last edited by Steve Miller 11 Jul 2024, 18:12
"And if the tariffs are increased, will prices go up further, and faster than if we stayed at the same level or backed off of them?"
That's what happened the last time he imposed tariffs. I don't expect this time to be any different.
If you're considering buying a new appliance, electronic gear, or anything else made in China you may want to buy it before the end of the year. The same is true for American made products that compete with Chinese products, as the price of the American product will go up to match the price of the Chinese made product.
Items that come from Mexico are a bit more problematic. One tariff rate that he's proposed is 100% but you can only store so many avocados for so long.
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wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 17:58 last edited by
Prepare for higher interest rates as well:
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"And if the tariffs are increased, will prices go up further, and faster than if we stayed at the same level or backed off of them?"
That's what happened the last time he imposed tariffs. I don't expect this time to be any different.
If you're considering buying a new appliance, electronic gear, or anything else made in China you may want to buy it before the end of the year. The same is true for American made products that compete with Chinese products, as the price of the American product will go up to match the price of the Chinese made product.
Items that come from Mexico are a bit more problematic. One tariff rate that he's proposed is 100% but you can only store so many avocados for so long.
wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 18:09 last edited by@Steve-Miller said in Reports from the heartland:
If you're considering buying an new appliance...made in China
Mr wtg and I were just talking about this. Our washer and dryer are getting up there in years...
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wrote on 7 Nov 2024, 21:34 last edited by
One of my daughters is holidaying in Japan, happily reporting that Trump winning has improved her Sterling-Yen exchange rate.
I do wonder if, 30-40 years from now, people will be writing half hour sitcoms with amusing songs about our times.
For WW2 we made Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, and Allo Allo. -
wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 00:12 last edited by
@Mik Yup. They are stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. If that makes you want to call me an "elitist" go right ahead. Trump is a dumpster fire. To vote for him because you disagree with Biden's policies is the height of idiocy. We can ride out another four years of Biden=style policies. With Trump in the office, there may never be another election. Our country may never survive a second Trump term. Basically what Trump voters did is hand the USA over to the oligarchs. They own us now. We are fvcked. It was stupid to think we wouldn't be.
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wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 01:45 last edited by
My take. ALL of what he does (that we can see) is a distraction, meant to make liberal heads explode while the grifting resumes to move public money into private hands of his family and friends here and overseas. Bankrupting America should be the theme... Collateral damage doesn't matter, I don't think he really cares about immigration, the bible, tariffs or any of the hot button issues...
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My take. ALL of what he does (that we can see) is a distraction, meant to make liberal heads explode while the grifting resumes to move public money into private hands of his family and friends here and overseas. Bankrupting America should be the theme... Collateral damage doesn't matter, I don't think he really cares about immigration, the bible, tariffs or any of the hot button issues...
wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 01:55 last edited by@Rontuner said in Reports from the heartland:
I don't think he really cares about immigration, the bible, tariffs or any of the hot button issues...
Maybe not, but people around him do care about those things, and they will push their agenda through him...
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wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 02:00 last edited by wtg 11 Aug 2024, 02:02
I think @Rontuner and @ShiroKuro hit the nail on the head. DJT is in it for the money. And the glory - he thrives on adoration.
Which makes him a useful idiot for the Steve Bannons and Vladimir Putins of the world.
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wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 02:01 last edited by
And don't forget also to stay out of prison. Luckiest grifter that ever lived.
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@Mik Yup. They are stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. If that makes you want to call me an "elitist" go right ahead. Trump is a dumpster fire. To vote for him because you disagree with Biden's policies is the height of idiocy. We can ride out another four years of Biden=style policies. With Trump in the office, there may never be another election. Our country may never survive a second Trump term. Basically what Trump voters did is hand the USA over to the oligarchs. They own us now. We are fvcked. It was stupid to think we wouldn't be.
wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 02:57 last edited by@pique said in Reports from the heartland:
@Mik Yup. They are stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. If that makes you want to call me an "elitist" go right ahead. Trump is a dumpster fire. To vote for him because you disagree with Biden's policies is the height of idiocy. We can ride out another four years of Biden=style policies. With Trump in the office, there may never be another election. Our country may never survive a second Trump term. Basically what Trump voters did is hand the USA over to the oligarchs. They own us now. We are fvcked. It was stupid to think we wouldn't be.
You’re your very own monster - exactly what led to Trump’s rise.
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@pique said in Reports from the heartland:
@Mik Yup. They are stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. If that makes you want to call me an "elitist" go right ahead. Trump is a dumpster fire. To vote for him because you disagree with Biden's policies is the height of idiocy. We can ride out another four years of Biden=style policies. With Trump in the office, there may never be another election. Our country may never survive a second Trump term. Basically what Trump voters did is hand the USA over to the oligarchs. They own us now. We are fvcked. It was stupid to think we wouldn't be.
You’re your very own monster - exactly what led to Trump’s rise.
wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 05:21 last edited by@Mik said in Reports from the heartland:
You’re your very own monster - exactly what led to Trump’s rise.
Nah, it’s the people who support or vote for Trump that led to Trump’s rise.
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wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 09:24 last edited by wtg 11 Aug 2024, 10:11This post is deleted!
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wrote on 8 Nov 2024, 10:34 last edited by wtg 11 Aug 2024, 17:46
You’re your very own monster - exactly what led to Trump’s rise..
That statement saddens me deeply. As does calling people stupid because they voted for Trump.
Trump has always been for Trump, and he has been ruthlessly effective at getting what he wants, no matter what the cost is to others. It may well be true that there was discontent simmering among Americans, but Trump took that discontent and amplified it and pitted us against each other for his own gain for the last eight years or more. Some people got angry and others were appalled. But nearly the whole country fell for it and we've been fighting each other for years.
Trump is pure genius. And pure evil.
Think about what Jimmy Carter did with his life after he lost in 1980, and contrast that with what Trump has done with his since 2020. Speaks volumes about how one person can influence the world.
We need to find our inner Jimmy and leave Donald in the dust.
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wrote on 9 Nov 2024, 15:44 last edited by
Smerconish did a lengthy intro to his show today. Much to consider in what he says....8 min video...
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You’re your very own monster - exactly what led to Trump’s rise..
That statement saddens me deeply. As does calling people stupid because they voted for Trump.
Trump has always been for Trump, and he has been ruthlessly effective at getting what he wants, no matter what the cost is to others. It may well be true that there was discontent simmering among Americans, but Trump took that discontent and amplified it and pitted us against each other for his own gain for the last eight years or more. Some people got angry and others were appalled. But nearly the whole country fell for it and we've been fighting each other for years.
Trump is pure genius. And pure evil.
Think about what Jimmy Carter did with his life after he lost in 1980, and contrast that with what Trump has done with his since 2020. Speaks volumes about how one person can influence the world.
We need to find our inner Jimmy and leave Donald in the dust.
wrote on 9 Nov 2024, 17:17 last edited by Mik 11 Sept 2024, 21:07@wtg said in Reports from the heartland:
You’re your very own monster - exactly what led to Trump’s rise..
That statement saddens me deeply. As does calling people stupid because they voted for Trump.
Trump has always been for Trump, and he has been ruthlessly effective at getting what he wants, no matter what the cost is to others. It may well be true that there was discontent simmering among Americans, but Trump took that discontent and amplified it and pitted us against each other for his own gain for the last eight years or more. Some people got angry and others were appalled. But nearly the whole country fell for it and we've been fighting each other for years.
Trump is pure genius. And pure evil.
Think about what Jimmy Carter did with his life after he lost in 1980, and contrast that with what Trump has done with his since 2020. Speaks volumes about how one person can influence the world.
We need to find our inner Jimmy and leave Donald in the dust.
Think about how Dems continued to pursue and try to prosecute him. They were running downballot races on the promise to find something, anything, to charge him with. As I said, creating your own monster. Voters saw that and did not like it.
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wrote on 9 Nov 2024, 17:24 last edited by pique 11 Sept 2024, 17:31
Totally ridiculous, Mik. The man is a criminal and deserves to be prosecuted. No one is above the law. It wasn't "Dems," it was the law. The law didn't need to look for "anything" to charge him with. He committed these crimes. He is a monster, we didn't create him. The voters who think he was being persecuted are as deranged as he is.
Look, I have close friends, people I love, who believe in Trump and who voted for him. Their stupidity is strictly relegated to this one arena. They are good people, or they wouldn't be my friends. We have agreed to not discuss this, because we mean too much to each other to let politics destroy our friendship. But there is no question in my mind that when it comes to Trump, they have been brainwashed. They do not have a useful message to send to America. They are in thrall to a pit of lies. This is a case of mass hypnosis. And all of us are about to pay the price.
I am curious what these people will say when prices go even higher, because of Trump's tariffs. When they can't build houses or harvest crops because of Trump's deportation policy. When the insanely wealthy just get richer and richer, the voters just get poorer and poorer, and we no longer have clean water or clean air, and when they can't get health care any more. When their parents have to move in with them because there is no more Social Security. Or the elderly have to take the slave wage jobs the illegal immigrants are no longer there to take. What will Trump's voters say then?
Probably whatever idea Putin puts in their head.
I find it disgusting that you find anything to defend about their vote.
