BS: Let's talk about the US election

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 24 - 03:39 PM

Oooo. Good comeback, MaJoC.

For those who are abroad in particular, getting a good left and right view of things is sometimes a challenge. There is a radio show from Los Angeles called KCRW's Left, Right & Center that does hour-long deep dives on subjects. This week (the Nov. 15, 2024 program) the topic is the Trump nominations and what they might mean (and how people can choose to view them). Here is the description of the content this week:

A cabinet full of characters
President-elect Donald Trump announced a handful of buzzworthy cabinet appointments over the past few days. Trump has already announced his picks for the secretaries of State, Homeland Security and Defense. Those picks - Marco Rubio, Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth, respectively - were controversial enough before Trump announced his choice of Florida senator Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Gaetz's selection has drawn scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. Was the media meltdown over Gaetz what Trump wanted all along? How will Trump's picks affect his executive governing? Another contentious appointment this week was Trump's announcement of former ICE director Tom Homan as "border czar." Homan has outlined in interviews a plan for mass deportations of migrant families, including people born in the United States. Trump's stance on immigration and border security were major drivers in his election victory. Many in the GOP see voters election of Trump as a mandate on immigration and support for his mass deportation proposal. But after voters in many states supported Trump for President and voted down Democrats on the ballot, is that true? Did voters really want Trump's policies, or just his leadership? Kamala Harris's presidential defeat inspired plenty of introspection from the Democratic Party. Critics say the Democrats relied too heavily on identity politics and not enough on policy for the win. What role did sexism play in Harris's loss? Is it as simple as the United States not being ready for a woman president?

You can listen from the site or get it via Spotify and other Podcast sites. If you can't connect directly to the link use a VPN to get here from wherever you are.

I've heard about half of the program (started in the car, finishing listening in the house) but will go back and listen from the start. I think will help - you might need a BINGO card to keep track of some of the players, but it's worthwhile to understand where we are today with Trump trying to alarm people.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 17 Nov 24 - 03:23 PM

.... as opposed to "khakistrocracy", which is rule by army officers.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 24 - 09:54 AM

I first learned that term during the last Trump administration. What goes around comes around.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Nov 24 - 09:33 AM

”> kakistocracy”

Ha! I had to look that up to find out what it means. Defines The New Gilead perfectly.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 17 Nov 24 - 08:39 AM

> Right now with the outrageous appointments Trump
> is testing the House and Senate to see what he can
> get away with.

As it happens, after hearing about the latest horror appointment, I remarked to Herself this morning: "He's playing push-the-parent."

> kakistocracy

Bingo.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 17 Nov 24 - 01:19 AM

"I can summarise American politics in one sentence. Republicans have no principles, Democrats have no spine" says Allan Lichtman, a forecaster who got it wrong, after condemning Democrats for their blame game.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 24 - 09:36 PM

But at what cost? That's the problem.

Those of us who worry about helping others have been gutted - those who only wanted the price of gas or groceries to change are probably in for a surprise. Want to stay healthy? Go back to wearing masks because if Kennedy gets in the continuation of new COVID and Flu vaccines may be in limbo for a while.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Nov 24 - 06:44 PM

Each candidate is worse than the prior one which distracts how bad they are. The strategy is Bannon's destruction of the administrative state. Replace with a despot and rid themselves of any inconvenient laws.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut or two. If Trump lowers credit card interest to 10%, that would be good. If RFK can reduce pesticides in food, that would be good as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 24 - 11:08 AM

Right now with the outrageous appointments Trump is testing the House and Senate to see what he can get away with.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 16 Nov 24 - 04:17 AM

The Coming Era of the Kakistokrats.

One thing is good news, though; among RFK's daffy ideas is one sensible thought - the fact that Americans have learned to eat terribly badly, and Big Food is doing nothing good but only producing Big People.

If he can develop this into cooking-from-scratch nutritious meals produced by students in every school - and every school to have a good canteen and kitchen, of course, this would be good.

If he can develop his thoughts on this further to get all students riding bicycles or walking to schools, and to reduce the use of cars (with its accompanying indebtedness) in towns and cities, America would become a hell of a lot healthier.

If he can also influence whoever is in charge of transport to change American trains so that there are affordable, efficient train services from city to city across the country, there could be the start of real hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Nov 24 - 03:50 AM

”We began as a racist sexist democracy and are currently a kakistocracy
which is government by the worst.”

Not until 1/20/25.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Nov 24 - 12:53 AM

We began as a racist sexist democracy and are currently a kakistocracy
which is government by the worst.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Helen
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 10:03 PM

I just heard this song playing in my Hubby's car and the timing seemed appropriate. (True confession: I'm not a fan of Leonard Cohen and I find it difficult deciphering song lyrics when I hear them. I have to read them rather than listen to them.)

Democracy - a song by Leonard Cohen

When I heard him sing the line "Democracy is coming to the U.S.A" I said, "no it isn't".

But reading the lyrics I can see how relevant the song is at present, even though it was written 30 years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 07:51 AM

I'm somehow envisaging an Underground Railway of secret vaccinators, and investigations run by a vastly expanded FBI (apply for a transfer quick if you're a civil servant) hunting them and tracking them by the areas where children aren't dying of tubercular meningitis, polio and measles-pneumonia.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 07:10 AM

So how much will domestic goods go up by if their is going to be a 60% surcharge on the cost of supply chain components?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 06:51 AM

I bought eggs last week for under $2.50 a dozen.

Benjamin Franklin said we have a Republic if we can keep it.
We had a pretty good run with some close calls but now it's done.
With a moratorium on all infectious disease research.
The four horsemen are running hard and will be put away wet.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 06:29 AM

I get a distinct impression that the Orange Turnip thinks that, if he imposes a 60% tariff on imports from China, the Chinese will be the ones who have to pay.

I’d say he’s a half-wit, but I don’t think he’s that smart.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 06:07 AM

I am sure that the turnip is misogynistic enough to believe that American Men will just send 'their' women out to do the low paid work that they do not want to do themselves - of course making time to keep the houses clean and put dinners on their tables and other acts of servitude the see fit; all of which seems to be normalised in the turnips narrative and rhetoric. Enjoy your misogynistic patriarchy.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 04:46 AM

I've been wondering, there appear to be so many thing the orange man didn't think of -

adding taxes to imports = his supporters paying more for the goods they want/need! (oops)

kicking out 'illegals' = no one to do all that low paid work (another ooops)

how does he force countries to take 'them' back & who gathers 'them' up, confines 'them' & takes 'them' back to their home country - KKK? Proud Boys?

does the 60% get added to stuff US companies order from Chinese companies? Lots of things here are Made in China, I assume it might be the same in other countries

enquiring minds want to know

sandra

sometime back when trump was talking about someone else changing their race, a letter to the editor said he was once white & now is orange!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 04:06 AM

Will this mean mass unemployment for doctors?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 01:14 AM

…and the US is slowly transformed into Gilead.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 07:47 PM

We don't need no education DEPARTMENT
We don't need no DAMN EXPERTS
No more dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!
All in all, they're just more sick that's been mauled
All in all, they're just more sick that's been mauled

We don't need no CRT
W? don't need no LEFT AGENDA
No more dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers, l?ave them kids alone
Professor! Leave those kids alone
All in all, Trump's will is all you need at all
All in all, you're just another brick in the wall

You don't need no damn vaccines
You don't need the CDC
You don't need no arms around you
And you don't need medicine at all
I have seen the writing on the wall
Don't think you need any government
No, don't think you'll need anything but Trump

[Chorus]
All in all, you're just another brick in the wall
All in all, you were all just bricks in the wall

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 07:27 PM

Every flake he can think of is going into that rickety cabinet of his.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 05:12 PM

So the turnip has appointed an anti-vaxer as health supremo. Roll on the next pandemic, then we will see the folly of this.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 04:18 PM

Christian Nationalism inserts its values into the scripture,
PASTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT German theologian Kitell who justified the holocaust genocide with scripture. About half the Christians in America are Nationalists who believe Christ is a tough guy who wants his followers to take over by force and that Trump is the chosen one protected by the lion of God, Jesus CHRIST.

Patriotism is gratitude to the nation but nationalism sees pluralism as a weakness and multiculturalism as evil.

Republicans know donations are dependent on keeping fear and hate foremost in the minds of voters. Christians are educated that their Saints faced great persecution in order to be Christians so they are inclined to believe fear, hate, and persecution. Now that the entire government is white nationalism, who and what is left to hate and fear?
Of course it is the remaining demon Democrats, intellectuals, and leftists.

Of course Neil is correct but the destiny of American white Nationalism is far more dangerous than mere deportations.
It is a war between good and evil, as perceived by each side.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Helen
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 12:25 PM

Well said, Neil D!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Neil D
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 11:47 AM

Deporting undocumented workers (by the way, anyone who turns the word illegal into a proper noun is inherently racist) in the numbers Trump claims would cost us billions and tank the economy. Most Americans have no idea how much our economy relies on these workers. Anthony Bordain said they were the best kept secret of high cuisine and agriculture and manufacturing are also reliant. I wrote something during the first Trump administration and with the spectre of an even more draconian border policy looming in our near future, I'd like to repeat it.
A Christian monk named Thomas Merton said " Into this world, this demented inn
in which there is absolutely no room for him at all,
Christ comes uninvited.

But because he cannot be at home in it,
because he is out of place in it,
and yet he must be in it,
His place is with the others for whom
there is no room.

His place is with those who do not belong,
who are rejected by power, because
they are regarded as weak,
those who are discredited,
who are denied status of persons,
who are tortured, bombed and exterminated.

With those for whom there is no room,
Christ is present in this world.

Even though he wrote this 60 years ago he must have been prescient for I feel like he was describing the situation today at our southern border, where desparate people have fled a dystopia mostly of our making (if you would like a list of US military interventions in Central America going all the way back to the Monroe Doctrine it would require another thread. Interventions that had nothing to do with exporting democracy, as if we had any to spare). People who against all odds have made it hundreds of miles to that Golden door, only to have it slammed in their face by an orange -tinted imbecile who whines "There's no more room. We're all filled up." And I would pray that Brother Melton was right, that Christ is indeed present with those people for whom there is no room. I hope he can prepare them a better place in the next world for I fear they will have no compassion, no comfort, no justice in this one. Most Americans claim to be good Christians, including the ones who cheer on the government forces that tear children from their mothers' arms and throw them in cages to sleep on cold stone floors with very little hygene and medical treatment as they sicken and even die in custody. When the Bible says suffer the little children, that does not mean to make the children suffer.
Have these so-called Christians even read their Bibles. How did they miss this passage in Matthew 25: For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Did they not read that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.
So when you pass tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of the poor, the sick, the elderly, children, then you have not only forsaken those people, you have also betrayed your God. Would you truly be Christlike? Then drive the moneylenders from the temples of our democracy.
For there have always been two kinds of Christians. In the third century a churchman named Pelegias taught that the church was obligated to care for those downtrodden in our society. He was excommunicated by the Pope. In the 15th century a teenage girl was inspired by God to lead her nations army against a foreign invader. Christian priests burned her alive. In the 16th century Protestants were invited to Paris for a council that would enumerate their rights in a Catholic State. Instead they were attacked in the night by Catholic knights and slaughtered in the tens of thousands, all on St Bartholomew's Day. In my own time an ordained clergyman chose as his ministry nurturing children to cherish themselves and each other. Many of you spent hours of childhood in his neighborhood. At his funeral Christian people showed up with signs saying Queers Will Burn and God Hates Faggots. When Fred Rogers' son went out to them and asked why they were protesting at his father's funeral he was told that since his father did not teach the children to despise homosexuals he was as bad as one himself. Imagine that. Christians condemning a man for not teaching kids to hate.
So if you're a Christian are you like Pelegias or the Pope. Like Jeanne d'Arc or the priests who burned her. Like the French Huguenots or the murderous Catholic knights. Like Mr. Rogers or the Westboro Baptists.
So when You tell me you are a Christian my question to you, the question you must ask yourself is what kind of Christian are you? The kind that loves or the kind that hates.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 11:01 AM

My thought. Tiny protest. Only going to restaurants run by and/or owned by immigrants.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 07:08 PM

Trump wants the DOJ to be his personal KGB police to round up his critics, but Matt Gaetz does not have that kind of discipline, and he is unlikely to be ratified.

How is a Fox News host able to run the entire DOD?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 12:57 PM

We understand there has been lunacy on both sides of the pond, but we don't need to go into depth here. It also isn't a thread for philosophy.

Appointments are landing like pasta on the wall, Trump seems to be putting every stupid idea out there to see what sticks. Meanwhile the GOP senators seem to have totally ignored Trump's wishes and have elected John Thune as their majority leader, someone who didn't endorse Trump in this election. Interesting. (It was a secret vote.) The talking head on MSNBC right now is talking about him - said "he's always been a decent guy." That's more than was ever said about McConnell.

Biden hosted Trump at the White House - I saw photos and a brief glimpse of them seated to talk - keeping Trump in line is going to be difficult (he has already been giving directives to the parties - he didn't get what he wanted on Majority Leader.) The thing about his wanting to do everything his way, he told the senate he wants them to recess so he can make recess appointments for all of his cabinet folks - Thune won't do it. His various demands are intended to reduce the power of the House and Senate - so they probably won't go along.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 11:20 AM

Good point, MaJoC, but I’ve given my answer to Big Al’s above post in the ‘Brexit & UK Politics’ thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 10:48 AM

Stay that hand, BWM: the UK's woes (eg the self-harm of Brexit causing a provable 4% hit to the economy) ahould be an Awful Warning for the US. Whether they'll learn the lesson in time is another matter.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 08:06 AM

Al, this thread is about the US Election. If you want to discuss UK political issues, I think it would probably be better from the Mods’ POV to do it on the ‘Brexit and UK Politics’ thread.’

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 06:16 AM

all of which is true BWM. However our own record in voting for loonies is not exactly blameless. There was Thatcher who finished off 28% of manufacturing in one year. Then there was Cameron who walked out because the Brexit vote upset him. And I'm not over the moon with Keir Starmer.
I think the trouble resides in the fact that we have a media who misinform us. Trump's victory and Starmers have in common the fact that the overwhelming nature of thevictories seemed to creep up on them by surprise.
This to me, argues that they don't really know whats going at ground level.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 02:24 AM

The paragraph in that article prior to your last quote is worth repeating…

”The president-elect has abandoned the neoliberal tradition of keeping markets shielded from direct political influence, openly using his power to favour allies and enrich elites. While centrist Democrats support corporate interests by blocking progressive reforms, Trump aligns directly with billionaires, promoting a culture where justice serves the wealthy, prejudice is trivialised and power diminishes equality. This trickle-down bigotry will ultimately create a system where servility to power and social division become normalised, eroding fairness for everyone.”

How ordinary Americans could be so deluded by The Trump Gang into voting directly against their own best interests is totally beyond my comprehension.

It’s 1930s Germany, all over again.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 01:06 AM

Interesting view of the US election by the Guardian's chief leader writer, Randeep Ramesh. Quotes:

While the methods are shared, the goals diverge. The US became the world’s top oil and gas producer in the last decade. Biden sought to cultivate a green economy, while Trump promoted fossil fuels so aggressively that it bordered on self-parody.

**

In 2022, the poorest 20% of Americans spent nearly a third of their income on food, while the wealthiest fifth spent just 8%. Biden avoided emergency price controls, unlike Richard Nixon who implemented them in 1971 – and won a landslide reelection the following year.

**

Whether Trump can mobilise popular discontent over social and economic inequalities without alienating the oligarchs who support him remains an open question… Trump’s aim isn’t to lift all boats, but rather to lift enough to convince voters to tolerate the corruption, consumer scams and environmental degradation that enrich a plutocratic class. This strategy, boosted by a pliant mediasphere, enables him to present a party of private power as the voice of the ordinary voter.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 06:43 PM

There is a second reason why Democrats lost. It is because the left campus fringe became Anti-free speech with their cancel disinvitation culture, safe space, trigger warning, microaggression, and Antifa riots by fascist means.
Yep the right might ban books and history but their cult leader can say anything he wants. The right became the free speech party. The Dems sounded like snowflakes.
The right might not like totalitarianism as much as they thought but remember they like their own speech, they just don't like your speech.

I had a constant critic that sometimes had a well reasoned argument but often devolved to simple name calling. On numerous occasions, I notified moderators to NOT BAN HIS FREE SPEECH. Alas it did not come to pass.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 01:26 PM

Another congressional race has been decided, in Arizona.
In a tight race, Democrat Ruben Gallego defeated
the notorious Kari Lake (Republican).

It will take a while to sort out Maine, though.
Today Maine starts to look at second-ranked candidate choices on the ballots.
The race between the Democrat and Republican candidates is so tight
that neither one had a 50% majority after counting
the first-choice voting.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 10:30 AM

If you have learned much about narcissists you probably know they have overwhelming urges to 'get even' by ongoing retribution. Sometimes they go overboard.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 07:14 AM

Biden can commute 44 sentences and put them on life sentences and can tell the Terre Haute folks to dismantle the execution chamber now. That would be a good thing. He has already moved most federal cases to non-death-penalty tracks.

Yes.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 07:38 PM

You're right about the ACLU. I've supported them for years with yearly donations, and last week I changed over to monthly donations.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 06:45 PM

What is not tea leaves is that the ACLU stands between the worst promises of Donald Trump, and our basic human freedoms and pursuit of happiness. The ACLU needs our monetary support more than billionaires need a tax cut.

Yes, many of the crazy appointees are known to not last long in Trump's employ. Yes, the devil is in the details of the worst plans and those details are not known to many people. Will summary execution of deported immigrants who sneak back in really be carried out as promised? If it happens who will report it?
It's imprudent to not ask questions.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 05:59 PM

Everything is in motion right now, speculating, suggestions to Trump, the awful people he will put in his cabinet.

Meanwhile some of the pundits have pointed out that there are many people who are somewhat case-hardened to his crap because they live in states with all of the nonsense is already going on, like Texas. Hmmm.

I think trying to read anything into what is going on right now is worse than tea leaves. We're going to have to see what happens.

There was a suggestion this morning that Biden can do one thing to mess up Trump's desire to see the federal death penalty put to use - Trump went on a binge of executions in the last six months of his first term. Biden can commute 44 sentences and put them on life sentences and can tell the Terre Haute folks to dismantle the execution chamber now. That would be a good thing. He has already moved most federal cases to non-death-penalty tracks.

Never mind the million people who died during COVID in the US; many of them would have been spared if he'd had half a brain and let the CDC do their job.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 05:46 PM

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) offered his thoughts on Democrats’ losses in this year’s elections in a Sunday thread on the social platform X.

“We are out of touch with the crisis of meaning/purpose fueling MAGA,” Murphy said in the thread. “We refuse to pick big fights. Our tent is too small.”


The Connecticut Senator noted multiple issues he thinks the American left is struggling with when it comes to reaching voters, including having “never fully grappled with the wreckage of fifty years of neoliberalism” and moving “past the way people are feeling (ALONE, impotent, overwhelmed) and straight to uninspiring solutions.”

“We don’t listen enough; we tell people what’s good for them,” Murphy said.

“And when progressives like [Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)] aggressively go after the elites that hold people down, they are shunned as dangerous populists. Why? Maybe because true economic populism is bad for our high-income base,” he added.

In the wake of the 2024 elections, Democrats from different parts of the party have gone after each other for what they think sunk their chances at the polls, as they lost the Senate, the presidency and possibly the House. Those further to the left have said Democrats didn’t go far enough in their direction to excite the party’s base, while centrists have said the party went too far left and frightened moderate voters.

“Real economic populism should be our tentpole,” Murphy said on X. “But here’s the thing – then you need to let people into the tent who aren’t 100% on board with us on every social and cultural issue, or issues like guns or climate.”

But...
WHEN RUNNING FOR A SEAT IN CONGRESS COSTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS...
you have to cater to the million or billionaires. Sorry workers.

PS Trump wants Kash Patel as the new director of the CIA.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Helen
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 05:30 PM

I've been wondering whether the power-behind-the-throne people, e.g. Project 2025 people, hardline [so-called] Christians, billionaire old white men, etc are very happy that Trump has all of the legal woes because they can hold him to ransom to get what they want. It might explain why he was behaving during the campaign in a relatively civilised manner, compared to his previous behaviour. Susan Wiles could be re-named as the Chief Wrangler.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 05:05 PM

My only hope now is that he'll fuck things up so badly that it will do in the GOP for a generation or so. It will cause a lot of suffering but may be the only way we reclaim what's left of our democracy. Pretty grim.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 04:52 PM

Trump has already asked the Senate to give up their advise and consent powers for new appointments. Trump wants recess appointments to be the rule that bypasses Senate permission so he can appoint anyone without any possible hearings or criticism.

The Donald also wants new rules to ensure there will be NO MORE FILIBUSTER.

Does anyone else think that deporting 10 million workers will make America go hungry without people to pick the crops? Supply and demand would make a more expensive vegetable. Oh well, Americans could stand a little weight loss.

There is nothing free market about tariffs, but it is too complicated for me to see any advantage for citizens.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 10:53 AM

For all the reasons people have mentioned here it should be easy to see that once a strongman or King takes control...
getting rid of that system is like trying to put out a blow torch with a squirt gun. Usually the blowtorch has to run out of fuel.

It will take heros of conscience.
be they red or blue.
to apply the brakes
to this ship of State.

It reminds me that if it took a hundred years of climate destruction then it can take thousands of years if not more to recover. Of course a runaway event can turn into millions of years.
Likewise just a few years of a dictator's control can take a nation 40 years to recover. If ever.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 10:16 AM

Alexander Hamilton was the first to advocate for a central bank in the United States, and his ideas laid the foundation for the Federal Reserve.      
Guess who wants to put the independent Federal Reserve under Trump's control?
Elon Musk ! He says an independent Fed Reserve is unconstitutional.

I'm sure Trump wouldn't mind being able to rob the bank blind.
He could increase the deficit by 9 trillion dollars with tax cuts and his wish list. The Fed couldn't say boo. That's not to say that Trump will. Owning the central bank is still a delicious cherry on top of extreme power. I'm afraid Trump wants to assassinate Hamilton all over again.


PS Have you seen the friendly face of the deportation Czar Tom Homan?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 10:09 AM

Privilege (n): private law.