BS: Let's talk about the US election

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.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 09:30 AM

I never heard the Democrats drive home the fact that THEY didn't cause inflation and that the lower price of bread under T**** was due to a better economy under Obama.
Prices rose during COVID and guess who was minding the store then!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 09:16 AM

Donuel, by using ones privilege to place oneself above the law?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 08:23 AM

Nice synopsis at 07:38 AM, Don.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 07:38 AM

How could a convicted felon with the speaking skills of a drunk uncle beat a highly educated prosecutor?

The Price of Eggs party beat the woke celebrity party in the game of labels. I don't blame women, Latinos, or others for voting for Trump.

The Democrats could have claimed the high ground of morality, ethics, fairness, and patriotism but they ignored the memory of the high cost of eggs and the shrunken sizes of everything in the grocery store. Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Oprah didn't outweigh Joe Rogan and the historic price of eggs.

Of course, there are many other reasons, like having no primary and an indignant, recalcitrant elderly Biden unable to see the writing on the wall.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 05:49 AM

2024 HOTTEST YEAR EVER

I am surprised no one has whispered what this means for global WARMING


Imagine if Al Gore was allowed to have all the votes counted and became President.

We have lost over 20 years of climate reconciliation.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 05:50 PM

It used to be illegal to do those stock buy-backs and then money went back into the company. Now it goes to stockholders. That's a huge part of the problem (along with CEO compensation.)

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 05:07 PM

> loyalty and deep pockets

There's a long diatribe there, basically lifted straight from Plato's Republic, starting with democracy being the second-worst method of governing a country, and the search for a Strong Man. Sadly, mankind seems to need to relearn this lesson, the hard way, twice a century or so.

To a lesser extent, the same is true for companies. Boeing is being driven to breaking point by the bean counters in the board room who value share price maintenance over engineering excellence, and indulge in empty-calorie tactics like share buy-back; Intel is discovering that "lobbying dollars offer a better return than engineering dollars" (to quote RISKS-34.48) only gets you so far before you start having to lay off workers. And once the talent's gone, it's *gone*; witness the state of Twitter after Agent X sacked it.*

Spread this across the entire country; add in trade tariffs being passed on to the consumer (Brexit is costing the UK 4--5% a year in GDP), the enormous cost of deporting anybody considered "foreign", and the flight of talent to less extreme countries (which has already started). The 2008 crash will seem like a picnic.

* For some months after the sack, all The Register could get out of Twitter's press e-mail address was a poop-emoji autoreply. I've no idea whether setting that up was the last press officer's last act before turning out the lights, but it was karmically correct.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 11:58 AM

It's not Trump that concerns me, he'll be too busy monitoring cable news to see what they're saying about him and playing golf, it's the neo-facists, White Nationalists and uber capitalist s who are going to be running wild in the West Wing and the new AG who will be dismantling our justice system along with various other extremists. Competency is not required, all he looks for is loyalty and deep pockets.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 11:14 AM

That's my feeling to, Al. Trouble is all the Trump toadies, like Musk, have wormed their way into his good books for their own agenda. We don't know what that aganda is but you can be sure it will not be philanthropic! At least it will, hopefully, be their last chance.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 11:12 AM

Go Americans!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 11:06 AM

I bet he's nicking the lead off the White House roof if you look outside.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 10:59 AM

I bet he does sod all - like last time. He'll be too busy filling his pockets with goodies.

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

Heed the warning of The Handmaid's Tale: Pay by cash whenever possible, and complain loudly if you can't. Once all money is in bank accounts, cash can be eliminated as a legal medium of exchange, and you're then only one stroke of the legislative pen away from becoming at best a second-class citizen.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 09:39 AM

As someone (I can guess who) unilaterally decided to ‘disappear’ my post from this morning, I will repeat it, and I’ll keep repeating it until the offender gets the message and bloody well leaves it alone…

Seen this morning on Farcebook, a post along the lines of… ”Maybe Canada should begin absorbing the US’s Blue states, then they will have health-care. The Red states obviously don’t want it.” ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 09:35 AM

...and, Helen, Alex says she's gonna drive the thing with a bag on her head.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 09:30 AM

It's called putting lipstick on a pig, Dave.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 08:29 AM

A :'( is a crying emoji. ;-) is a wink.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 07:50 AM

btw, ICE agents are to be assisted by the Army according to Trump which is how the Gestapo operated. Trump's plans will be stymied because there is no detailed plan unless Project 2025 holds the details. Just like only a bit of his Wall got built mass deportation may just be for photo op.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 07:36 AM

What to do:

Your health care is likely to be lost if it is AHC. Get an appointment and demand as thorough a screening as possible. Prices elsewhere will probably rise so document your plan and its usage well. Pre-existing condition restrictions could return so be informed.

Tariffs will make certain items expensive, so stock up where possible.
Walmart, Target, and Costco may lose some price advantages. Some items like cheap electric cars will be unavailable if they come from China.

I don't know the effect on 90% of the economy, but beware of idle gossip; scams may become rampant and grift normalized without consumer protection.

The more you can document now the better off you may be in 4 years due to unforeseen circumstances.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 05:26 AM

As Donald Trump won the election, his far-right supremacist supporters sparked a wave of misogynistic abuse

In a tight US election, a gender split emerges as Donald Trump chases the 'bro vote'

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 01:31 PM

You too Helen.

And 100!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Helen
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 01:22 PM

gillymor, I've been telling my Hubby that I want to make up "FEM" stickers to put on Tesla cars i.e. "f*ck Elon Musk", because that's what I say every time I see a Tesla.

DtG, give it a rest please.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 12:20 PM

MaJoC the Filk sent me a note about a typo - reign vs rein - but I think I'll leave it because think about it. Who wants to reign - it's unintentional wordplay about part of the problem. (If the squiggly red lines didn't show a spelling error syntax goofs often get through.)

A lot of people are trying to figure out where to go next, based upon what happened. Mistakes were made, and while there are a few folks trying to gin up conspiracy theories about the voting machines, that dog won't hunt (it's part of Trump's pack of mongrels, we know how stupid it is.) We have two years to turn the House and Senate.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 11:56 AM

Here’s Jonathan Pie talking about the US election in his own inimitable fashion. It’s comedic, of course, but there’s much more than just a hint of truth in there…

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 11:37 AM

> Trump has revealed America, he didn't change it.

Verily. Until today, I didn't know that ....

.... this group of oppositional humans has always existed. It's election deniers in 2024; in 1865, after losing the Civil War, unrepentant Confederates were sent to Washington as senators and representatives.

Congress refused to seat them and drafted part of the 14th Amendment “to perpetuate, as a constitutional imperative, that any who violate their oath to the Constitution are to be barred from public office.”

       --- Rands In Repose, dated 5th November (emphasis in original)

The problem in applying the 14th Amendment now is: Who's left who can bell the cat?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 10:54 AM

Trump has revealed America, he didn't change it.

The average age of home buyers for our parents was 34.
Today the average age is 54.
Even bad food is more expensive
The middle class has been devoured.
Bleeding them further is murder.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 10:37 AM

The finger pointing right now is going in all directions. Black women blaming White women, White women blaming minorities and men, college educated versus high school or less education, and many other versions of the blame game.

The places we get our news are so diverse and many of them so free of the truth that until there is a conversation about that, it's a cacophony. As long as it benefits the GOP to let big money into politics Citizens United will never be overturned, and after Twitter being sold to Musk there is a huge toxic platform of invective—The New York Times and every other newspaper in the land are not the main source of information for the voters who didn't understand Trump's lies and self-interest in running - to stay out of prison.

There's a lot of work to do to find ways to educate those Trump voters about how the government really works and hopefully a way to reign in the oligarchs. In turn, the Democrats have to pay more attention to the voters who have less education, to all of the jobs in fields and trades that have been overlooked. And to shine a light on the real reasons groceries are expensive and housing hard to come by - investors and corporations. What a lot of them are doing now used to be illegal. Thank Dubya and the Supreme Court for rolling back a lot of the things that kept corporations honest. The court has to be addressed - a binding code of conduct, an Inspector General. And Biden does need to add another justice, though Trump would probably do the same thing just to get even. Right now everyone is probably holding their breaths and trying not to give Trump any ideas.

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

I drive a pickup and drink beer and my wife drives a Prius (actually it's a Tesla) and drinks wine and we both lost, big time.
I saw a bumper sticker on a Tesla the other day that read something like "Bought it Before I Knew he was Such a Jackass".

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Rain Dog
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 09:21 AM

I saw this posted elsewhere

Polybius - The Histories Book VI


"When a state has weathered many great perils and subsequently attains to supremacy and uncontested sovereignty, it is evident that under the influence of long established prosperity, life becomes more extravagant and the citizens more fierce in their rivalry regarding office and other objects than they ought to be. As these defects go on increasing, the beginning of the change for the worse will be due to love of office and the disgrace entailed by obscurity, as well as to extravagance and purse-proud display; and for this change the populace will be responsible when on the one hand they think they have a grievance against certain people who have shown themselves grasping, and when, on the other hand, they are puffed up by the flattery of others who aspire to office. For now, stirred to fury and swayed by passion in all their counsels, they will no longer consent to obey or even to be the equals of the ruling caste, but will demand the lion’s share for themselves. When this happens, the state will change its name to the finest sounding of all, freedom and democracy, but will change its nature to the worst thing of all, mob rule."

Polybius (c. 200 – c. 118 BC) 

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 09:07 AM

On the lighter side, if you drive a pickup and drink beer, you won the election. If you drive a Prius and drink wine, you lost.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 08:45 AM

What has happened to the USA has been brewing for 40 to 50 years
The concept of a public good has been replaced by a greedy selfishness of SELF concern culminating in Trumpism.
Locally an initiative to not allow ambulance service to those who can not pay was a big issue.

The toxic combination of selfishness, greed, and hatred has become the norm. "My own concerns are all that matter" is the credo of America today. Public good is out the door.

What has happened here is about who we are. Trump did not create this philosophy, we did.

Democrats are still playing the game on a Republican field.
We need to be more honest about who we are, who we could be and why.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 07:57 AM

Planning ahead and being prepared does precede acts by a vengeful person. If you have no skin in the game getting ready ahead of time might seem silly.

Mass deportations are expensive. Deporting Jews from Germany would have been cost-prohibitive. Using Jewish slave labor was actually profitable. It was cheaper to kill them all.

Mass deportation will be quite a boondoggle with money for all involved except immigrants. The family separation will be the biggest tragedy in modern US history in my book. What happens to the children born here by immigrants?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 07:33 AM

You can do whatever you like, The Sandman, but I've seen this shit show before and now that he no longer has to answer to voters and will soon own the DoJ (one of the entities that's trying to bring him to justice) and will effectively be above the law, it's a safe bet that things will be far worse this time around.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 07:30 AM

we can conjecture...
however theres only so many ways you can spell shit.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 06:12 AM

Can we make judgements on what he actually does in office and his policies when they actually take place

We can, Sandman; but we can conjecture based on his first term, and those who surrounded him in that term and those who now will be his team.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 02:48 AM

Can we make judgements on what he actually does in office and his policies when they actually take place

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 02:21 AM

if the turnip pardons itself, the next president needs to revoke the pardon the day after taking office.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 01:10 AM

WAshington Week with The Atlantic explained some of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 04:28 PM

Inconvenient witnesses from the last time may be first on his hit list. I fear for the National Archives.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 04:10 PM

MAFA make America free again - the antithesis of MAGA

Most civil servants are Schedule C employees that can only be terminated by cause. Bigger wigs are schedule F employees who are appointed by the President and serve at the pleasure of the President, which means 'fired'. Even before project 2025 Republicans want to make most civil service employees schedule F so they can be fired and replaced by the President. It did not go according to their plan but Project 2025 is bringing this process of mass firing back. My family is better off than many government workers since we are under Maryland law which has more protection than Virginia. Project 2025 hopes to destroy the bureaucrats/agencies in three other ways. There will be ongoing fights without a doubt. Elon Musk will be playing his villainous part. He will claim he is improving efficiency and saving money but he will be destroying function. With all the Trump loyalists replacing people who already have experience the learning curve for the replacements and vacancies could take a lifetime.

The other ways to destroy the government are things like starving it out without appropriations. For government workers who see how the sausage is made they are not the enemy deep state that Trump believes we are. We do make inconvenient witnesses to Trump corruption.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: gillymor
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 02:55 PM

So what's your plan, Don, are you gonna make America cluck like a chicken?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 02:00 PM

The best thing may require mind control techniques similar to the Republicans which I consider to be a sacrifice of certain ethics regarding not getting people's permission. Sometimes to achieve a greater good ya gotta do some semi unsavory things.

It is far less invasive and injureous than project 2025.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 01:58 PM

Just remember, fewer than 25% of the American eligible voters voted for Trump.

All is not lost.

I fear that some people who voted for Trump will find, to their regret, exactly what they voted for.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 04:44 AM

Mean while the country occupying Germany with bases is not Russia but America , i think it is unlikely Trump will remove all bases or any. we must wait and see

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 03:28 AM

It's time Dems do the best thing for the greater good.
What do you mean by the best thing, Donuel?

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about the US election
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Nov 24 - 07:16 PM

Creating a better society is possible Stilly. It's getting closer.
In the short run a winner has to paint a perception that is both true and will stick in the minds of people who generally can not name their Senator.
Peddling hope is less effective than; agreeing, showing why they are mad, and lastly give a simple clear slogan and lasting solution.

Yeah I call it hypnosis but Republicans are good at it and Democrats aren't. It's time Dems do the best thing for the greater good.

The long run is the stuff of legacy and history. It will write itself if the short run is handled well.