Trump and the 14th Amendment

[CPJ 2.0]

I think one of the other issues is a lack of diversity in the primary fields, which is probably fed by low-information voters who latch on to certain phrases and rally against/for them, not know what they mean, whether it's really a problem, or other issues.

It's frustrating to me to try and research a candidate and find that their website and social media are full of:
A. What they're against, not necessarily what they're for.
B. Vague references to what they're going to do, but no mention of how.
C. Buzzwords that have no real meaning (Looking at you, folks who tell me you're going to protect my "God-Given Rights" without giving examples.)
D. Have more space taken up by where and how to donate vs. how they're going to serve the people.

With options like that, there's really no cream entering into politics. Or at least not advancing.

Also, folks have lost the ability to listen to complex ideas and respond to nuance. It's why, I think, candidates who offer complex answers to complex questions get derided for talking too much versus those who provide simple answers to complex questions.

You are very right.
Phrases like:
Lower taxes
Cancel student debt
Keep schools safe
Save children
Free healthcare
They sound great, but in reality are impossible to do without canceling another. Nothing is free

Don’t forget:
Build a wall
Drain the swamp
Hold accountable

Well, actually, anything any one of them says is utter bull poop

[CPJ 2.0]

And voting for the lesser of two evils is the reason our only choices are evil. We have done it to ourselves. And I’m simply tired of doing it.

The awkward truth here is that we have a structure of primary elections that ends up giving us those evils. In theory, this allows cream to rise to the top, but if DJT and FJB are any indication we get the poop that refuses to flush.

Television is probably the ultimate culprit. Ever since JFK, it's been more about looking and sounding good, and the sad statement is that our culture has a voting majority of folks that fall for it. Remarkably, a government that promises to stop at keeping cholera out of the water and the barbarian hordes on the far side of the border is not attractive to many.

We have bomb shelters and storm shelters. I think I need to design and patent a stupid shelter.

That’s all well and good.
But I’m not voting for anyone who specifically says they are willing to violate my rights for “safety”.

I’ll take my chances with the “greater” of two evils before I vote for one I know by their own admission is evil.

[breamfisher]

Cancelling student debt and building a wall also illustrate (relatively) simple solutions to bigger problems.

Part of the reason student loan debt is so high is because college costs have risen so high relative to wages, in part because Uncle Sugar is underwriting so many loans, which means there's no real force to keep costs down, because the feds are making sure everyone gets a loan and the costs will be absorbed in a loan that has to be paid off later. The feds can exert pressure on the universities not to raise their rates so screaming high, but they don't. So, the "solution" they offer is to just forgive the loans, kicking the can on down the alley.

Building a wall sounds great, but you'll still have illegal immigration as long as the people can come here and get health care, jobs, assistance, and whatnot. Yeah, you can blame the Dems for the health care and assistance, but the Repubs are pretty good at hiring undocumented folks to work for them cheap. So nobody does anything, and the solution we get is really just a stopgap.

[PFD45]

As for simply not voting, I recently retired from a very large school district. I helped run the telecom department, nothing teaching related.

My point is, I've met a LOT of teacher types who make it clear they are pro voting. As Pierre pointed out, it was a thinly veiled code to "vote our way". I probably don't have to tell you how the vast majority of teachers in Seattle vote.

Once you see what they would turn the Country into (see Seattle) you realize that voting is the LEAST you can do to counteract their influence. If you feel like it doesn't make a difference, be glad we all don't feel that way.

To illustrate, I have no doubt the fact that I never joined the military made ZERO difference in our Countries military preparedness but I sure am glad for the people that did.

By the same token, if I was a non voter, I would at least understand what an even worse cesspool politics would be if it weren't for us "rational" people who do vote.

ETA: I don't mean to preach but when my choices are between 2 people who have sworn to infringe on my Constitutional rights then I already know the winner will be someone who has sworn to infringe on my Constitutional rights. Simple math.

That's when I hold my nose and vote AGAINST the bigger ass. In that case no one ever had a chance to vote for a good guy since there wasn't a good guy running.

[Diver43]

I think one of the other issues is a lack of diversity in the primary fields, which is probably fed by low-information voters who latch on to certain phrases and rally against/for them, not know what they mean, whether it's really a problem, or other issues.

It's frustrating to me to try and research a candidate and find that their website and social media are full of:
A. What they're against, not necessarily what they're for.
B. Vague references to what they're going to do, but no mention of how.
C. Buzzwords that have no real meaning (Looking at you, folks who tell me you're going to protect my "God-Given Rights" without giving examples.)
D. Have more space taken up by where and how to donate vs. how they're going to serve the people.

With options like that, there's really no cream entering into politics. Or at least not advancing.

Also, folks have lost the ability to listen to complex ideas and respond to nuance. It's why, I think, candidates who offer complex answers to complex questions get derided for talking too much versus those who provide simple answers to complex questions.

You are very right.
Phrases like:
Lower taxes
Cancel student debt
Keep schools safe
Save children
Free healthcare
They sound great, but in reality are impossible to do without canceling another. Nothing is free

Don’t forget:
Build a wall
Drain the swamp
Hold accountable

Well, actually, anything any one of them says is utter bull poop

If their mouth is moving, they are not speaking the truth

[Gene L]

I'm very conservative and dislike Trump a lot. He's not a true conservative, he's an opportunist. He can't win a national election, he's a rabble rouser and those who support him rabidly are voting for a "person" rather than voting for an idea. I hope he's disqualified so a strong conservative can win. The Democrats will run a stronger liberal candidate for VP, meaning they're betting on Biden retiring and the VP taking over. The only thing Trump has going for him for 2024? I can't think of a thing.

[Zsarvashere]

The last time we had a Republican house, senate, and POTUS, we got national concealed carry reciprocity passed, the hearing protection act passed, the NFA repealed, and the ATF dissolved.

We also got balanced budgets, Obamacare repealed, Medicare, Social Security, and welfare reform.

[breamfisher]

Wasn't Obamacare supposed to be replaced and repealed? That was the campaign promise.
Balanced budget? Right. You would think Trump and other candidates would have mentioned it if it happened. Probably because the deficit rose at near record rates.
As for the other "reforms," they just followed trends already underway that started under the previous administration

[CPJ 2.0]

Wasn't Obamacare supposed to be replaced and repealed? That was the campaign promise.
Balanced budget? Right. You would think Trump and other candidates would have mentioned it if it happened. Probably because the deficit rose at near record rates.
As for the other "reforms," they just followed trends already underway that started under the previous administration

We didn’t hold their feet to the fire.

[breamfisher]

Why should they change their actions if people will keep voting for them?

[Gene L]

Trump supporters cost Republicans the Senate. His candidate in the race for the GA senator was Hershell Walker, totally unqualified to be a senator. He was a football pro and couldn't generate any votes except those of Trumpians. He lost (thank God) and the Senate turned over to the Democrat party. So rally around Trump, Trumpians, nominate him for the Republican party which is the kiss of death to the Republicans. And unless the 14 Amendment stops him, he's probably going to run as a third party, which his gargantuan ego demands it which ensures the Democrats will reign in 2024. I expected him to be elected in 2016, and voted for him while holding my nose, but he's ruined his chances for my vote.

[PFD45]

Denigrate Trump fanatics all you want (I'm not one).

We who voted for him (against Hillary) kept her from the office.

I stand by my vote and thank every other Trump voter for avoiding that.

[breamfisher]

Wouldn't Cruz, Rubio, Bush, or Carson have protected us from Hillary if they had gotten the nod?

Trump's running for the party nomination right now, not the Presidency. I believe Gene's advocating Republicans select someone else in the primaries, someone who more people will choose over Biden/Harris. At least that's how I read it.

[PFD45]

I'm pretty sure anyone who voted for Trump would have voted for whoever was running against her, so yes.

I would like to see someone other than Trump be the nominee but first and foremost they have to be able to win the election otherwise what's the point?

[Gene L]

I voted for him against Hillary. It's already been proven that he can't win against an old man and a joke of a VP, and there's no reason to think he could win with a second chance.

[CPJ 2.0]

I voted for him against Hillary. It's already been proven that he can't win against an old man and a joke of a VP, and there's no reason to think he could win with a second chance.

The problem with him running is he will energize the democrat party like no democrat candidate could ever do.
He’s got no chance of winning.

[Zsarvashere]

If the Rs ran anyone remotely sane, and remotely rational, they would beat Biden.

It looks like they will nominate Trump instead. They get what they deserve. The rest uf us get screwed by proxy.

Modern Rs don't want sane, and rational. They want somebody to say bad things about people they don't like, and somebody to stroke their ego. Results be damned.

[Justsomedude]

You guys really think our votes do anything, anymore?

[breamfisher]

If the Rs ran anyone remotely sane, and remotely rational, they would beat Biden.

It looks like they will nominate Trump instead. They get what they deserve. The rest uf us get screwed by proxy.

Modern Rs don't want sane, and rational. They want somebody to say bad things about people they don't like, and somebody to stroke their ego. Results be damned.

The fact that most of the Modern Republicans are trying to get as close to Trump as they can without being Trump is part of the problem, as it's not going to bring NeverTrumpers and independents to the Republican side in great numbers (electability.)

Probably why most polls show Biden running neck and neck with all the potential candidates.

Nikki Haley does have about a 5-6 point advantage over Biden in some polls.

[Gene L]

If the Rs ran anyone remotely sane, and remotely rational, they would beat Biden.

It looks like they will nominate Trump instead. They get what they deserve. The rest uf us get screwed by proxy.

Modern Rs don't want sane, and rational. They want somebody to say bad things about people they don't like, and somebody to stroke their ego. Results be damned.

I think Trumpians are not like traditional Rs, of which I am one. The rest of post is right on.

[Gene L]

You guys really think our votes do anything, anymore?

Votes are important. The last mayor's race in my tiny town, was won by a single vote. Yep, a single vote.

Votes are like prayers. They're always answered, but many times not to our liking.

[FJB]

Against my better judgement, I endeavor to persevere. This which is also contrary to Mark Twain's advice, "Never argue with an idiot. He'll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience."

Everyone in this nation has their own political opinions but under this current administration and their agenda I truly fear for the future of all of our children and grandchildren and what the future holds and what we can do about it. I stand prepared as best these 65 years of learning can lead me. Maybe even considered a borderline prepper I guess as that was a small part of my past working life but I regress.

My point at hand, I do not agree with everything DJT did and especially said. Why he shot himself in the foot with his mouth so often is beyond me, but, look at where we're at now under the current leadership, no matter who is really driving the ship.

60 % of Americans living paycheck to paycheck.
Borders, north and south wide open. Drugs, fast and furious, diseases, terrorists, human and child trafficking included with result pending.
Economy (gas, groceries, utilities, retirement accounts, healthcare costs, etc)
Alphabet agencies deployed against America and Americans plus those agency's stockpiling of weapons, ammo and tactical gear.
"Transformation of America as we know it."
Abysmal abandonment of Afghanistan including the loss of 13 American lives and leaving behind hundreds of civilian Americans as well as thousands of Afghans who were promised protection and the loss of $80 plus billion in American military assets. Add to that the abandonment of Bagram which our tax dollars and blood went into.
Woke military. (See above)
Hunter investigation double standard et all.
Joey showering with his 14 year old daughter.
Hunter hosing his dead brother's wife.
10% for the Big Guy.
Did not attend 9/11 ceremony. FIrst POTUS to do so.
CornPop, etc, etc, etc.
BLM = Big Large Mansions with no assistance provided at all to the impoverished.
MSM and "Mostly peaceful protests." With flames in background.
Defund Police. Unless you're a liberal reporting a crime against YOU.
Ban everything to do with fossil fuels including ceiling fans, furnaces, hot water heaters, vehicles, etc.
Shut down drilling and mining for oil and minerals stateside but enable china to do the same worldwide.
All out assault of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Pelosi (in charge of Capital police) denying additional LEO 3 days prior to 1/6 and against the request of Capital Police and POTUS.
COVID PlanDemic
Ok, I need a beer and haven't even got to Schummer, Raskin, Clinton, Weis, etc.
Anyway, differences will always exist. But has the threat to our Republic ever been greater?

Be strong ya'll

[CPJ 2.0]

Against my better judgement, I endeavor to persevere. This which is also contrary to Mark Twain's advice, "Never argue with an idiot. He'll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience."

Everyone in this nation has their own political opinions but under this current administration and their agenda I truly fear for the future of all of our children and grandchildren and what the future holds and what we can do about it. I stand prepared as best these 65 years of learning can lead me. Maybe even considered a borderline prepper I guess as that was a small part of my past working life but I regress.

My point at hand, I do not agree with everything DJT did and especially said. Why he shot himself in the foot with his mouth so often is beyond me, but, look at where we're at now under the current leadership, no matter who is really driving the ship.

60 % of Americans living paycheck to paycheck.
Borders, north and south wide open. Drugs, fast and furious, diseases, terrorists, human and child trafficking included with result pending.
Economy (gas, groceries, utilities, retirement accounts, healthcare costs, etc)
Alphabet agencies deployed against America and Americans plus those agency's stockpiling of weapons, ammo and tactical gear.
"Transformation of America as we know it."
Abysmal abandonment of Afghanistan including the loss of 13 American lives and leaving behind hundreds of civilian Americans as well as thousands of Afghans who were promised protection and the loss of $80 plus billion in American military assets. Add to that the abandonment of Bagram which our tax dollars and blood went into.
Woke military. (See above)
Hunter investigation double standard et all.
Joey showering with his 14 year old daughter.
Hunter hosing his dead brother's wife.
10% for the Big Guy.
Did not attend 9/11 ceremony. FIrst POTUS to do so.
CornPop, etc, etc, etc.
BLM = Big Large Mansions with no assistance provided at all to the impoverished.
MSM and "Mostly peaceful protests." With flames in background.
Defund Police. Unless you're a liberal reporting a crime against YOU.
Ban everything to do with fossil fuels including ceiling fans, furnaces, hot water heaters, vehicles, etc.
Shut down drilling and mining for oil and minerals stateside but enable china to do the same worldwide.
All out assault of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Pelosi (in charge of Capital police) denying additional LEO 3 days prior to 1/6 and against the request of Capital Police and POTUS.
COVID PlanDemic
Ok, I need a beer and haven't even got to Schummer, Raskin, Clinton, Weis, etc.
Anyway, differences will always exist. But has the threat to our Republic ever been greater?

Be strong ya'll

Ah yes. The old “those who don’t agree with me, must be idiots”. Add famous people quotes for effect.
And then the ever popular “this is the most pivotal time in history, at no other point has it been SO crucial that conservatives win. “
The funny thing is, I’ve heard that at EVERY God damned election since….I was old enough to hear about elections.
So is THIS the real time? Or will next time be the real time? I’m getting a little disappointed when the Democrats win and it hasn’t brought about the zombie pocky-lips.

[Gene L]

Distaste of the current Democrat administration is no reason to vote for someone who can't win. I fear he'll run as a third party, his ego being what it is. We all know what's wrong but can't seem to agree on how to fix it.

[Gene L]

Distaste of the current Democrat administration is no reason to vote for someone who can't win. I fear he'll run as a third party, his ego being what it is. We all know what's wrong but can't seem to agree on how to fix it.