Thursday, October 24, 2024

Trump's Depravity Will Not Cost Him This Election

Tom Nichols: The belief that at some point Trump voters will have finally had enough is an ordinary human response to seeing people you care about - in this case fellow citizens - associate with someone you know to be awful. For millions of the GOP faithful, however, Trump's daily attempts to breach new frontiers of hideousness are not offensive but reassuring. They want Trump to be awful - precisely because the people they view as their political foes will be so appalled if he wins.

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Some Trump voters may believe his lies. But plenty more want Trump to be terrifying and stomach-turning so that reelecting him will be a fully realized act of social revenge. Harris cannot propose any policy, offer any benefit, or adopt any position that competes with that feeling.

Exactly why so many Americans feel this way is a complicated story - I wrote an entire book about it - but a toxic combination of social resentment, entitlement, and racial insecurity drives many Trump voters to believe not only that other Americans are looking down on them but that they are doing so while living an undeservedly good life. These others must be punished or at least brought down to a common level of misery to balance the scales, and Trump is the guy to do it.

Where all of this leaves us is that Harris could lose the election, not because she didn't offer the right policies, or give enough interviews, or inspire enough people. She could lose because just enough people in four or five states flatly don't care about any of that.

Rather than reckoning with the greatest mistake they've ever made at the ballot box, they have decided that their only recourse is to put Trump back in the Oval Office. For them, restoring Trump would be both vindication and vengeance. It would prove that 2016 was not a fluke, and horrify people both they and Trump hate.

We really need to stop kidding ourselves and take Nichols words as gospel truths. This presidential election was never going to be about policies or right track/wrong track. This election is about the grievance and hatred Trump has stoked within his supporters to see those of us who aren't his supporters suffer, period. He says this everyday when he attacks the Vice President, Tim Walz, Joe Biden, immigrants, FEMA, and every other boogeyman he invents to keep anger hatred and fear cranked up to 11.

It's come down to this: Either there are enough sane, patriotic erstwhile Republicans willing to either vote for Harris or not vote for either candidate in the key swing states or Trump will become the first American dictator in history and unleash a storm of tumult like this nation hasn't seen since the Civil War.

Face it, the Democrats could have nominated Jesus Christ himself, and Trump would still be Trump - demeaning him with insipid derogatory nicknames and calling him the devil. And his supporters would lap it up just like far too many are right this moment.

#1 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 08:18 PM

Tony,

I think it might boil down to Trump supporters hate socialists.

Just like I'm voting for the party, not the man.

Carville once said "It's the economy, stupid".

To steal his meme...

It's socialism, stupid.

#2 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 08:36 PM

... Trump's Depravity Will Not Cost Him This Election ...

I agree.

#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 08:40 PM

@#2 ... Just like I'm voting for the party, not the man. ...

What aspects of the party have earned your vote?


#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 08:41 PM

I think it might boil down to Trump supporters hate socialists.

Just like I'm voting for the party, not the man.

Carville once said "It's the economy, stupid".

To steal his meme...

It's socialism, stupid.

#2 | Posted by BillJohnson

Which just goes to show you how stupid ------- supporters are. Dems are not socialists.

#5 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 08:43 PM

Bill, we live in a social democracy. It's appalling that you don't realize this. We tax money from every citizen and then redistribute it to other citizens through government spending. The police and fire departments exist because of socialism - we pool our tax dollars to fund these social institutions. Our military is socialism in action. This is not the discussion here my friend, and it never has been.

Our current government is bipartisan - so if you truly believe Democrats are socialists, then so are Republicans because nothing changes when government leadership does. Our public schools are socialist, our road building is socialist, our infrastructure is socialist. The National Weather Service is socialist.

And you're nothing but a lemming taught a word that you don't begin to understand. The root of socialism is SOCIAL as in society. Government doesn't control business and they don't control individuals. Each are free within our laws - also socialism - to do what they want to with their time and money outside of paying the taxes that they owe to use what all of us contribute towards in order to live our lives in relative peace and safety. If not for socialism, if your house caught on fire, you better hope your neighbors will help you put it out. If someone steals from you, hope you're a good detective, although if you caught them, there wouldn't be courts or judges to assist making you whole again.

And then there's Social Security, something all of us pay into to fund the retirements of others as we expect future workers to pay their taxes to fund ours. You simply don't have more than a child's notion of how this nation could not exist if it weren't for the social contract we all agree to live under. You might recognize it. It's called the US Constitution.

#6 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 08:53 PM

People who have yet to realize that Trump is a Narcissistic pig who couldn't give a Flying F about anyone other than himself; a liar, a criminal, and a traitor...

... are not going to realize what he is in the next couple of weeks no matter what else might be discovered about him.

They don't care that he led an Insurrection which literally 100's of people are in prison today for crimes he led them to commit.

And if you don't care about that, you should stop calling yourself an American right now.

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 08:54 PM

Truth,

The word "socialism" is interpretted differently person to person.

All Dems don't even agree what it means.

Unarguably though, most people will agree there are certain Democratic policies that are moving the country towards socialism.

#8 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 08:56 PM

there are certain Democratic policies that are moving the country towards socialism.

What policies Bill? Name them.

#9 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 08:58 PM

- I'm voting for the party, not the man.

And... I thought I had heard every possible weasel word excuse to support a criminal traitor that there was to hear.

I was wrong.

#10 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 08:59 PM

Truth,

There is the belief about Harris (she has tried dearly to hide), she is a far left Socialist hiding behind a mask (the media).

#11 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:02 PM

I think it might boil down to Trump supporters hate socialists.

Just like I'm voting for the party, not the man.

Carville once said "It's the economy, stupid".

To steal his meme...

It's socialism, stupid.

Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 08:36 PM | Reply

Neither party is socialist. We have Extreme Right Wing and the other party is Republican lite. I wished like hell the Democratic party was progressive. I'd have no problem to vote for the Democrat nominee then.

#12 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2024-10-23 09:04 PM

Truth,

The word "socialism" is interpretted differently person to person.

All Dems don't even agree what it means.

Unarguably though, most people will agree there are certain Democratic policies that are moving the country towards socialism.

#8 | Posted by BillJohnson

Do you get dizzy with the head spinning your brain does?

"socialism" is interpretted differently person to person.
Unarguably
most people will agree
certain Democratic policies that are moving the country towards socialism.

Most people will agree that certain Democratic polices are moving the country towards something is essentially undefined.

Congrats, you've reached peak stupid.

Could it possibly be you have no idea what you are talking about and spout nonsense?

I suspect socialism just means, to you, that people you dislike are gaining a modicum of respect.

#13 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 09:04 PM

There is the belief about Harris (she has tried dearly to hide), she is a far left Socialist hiding behind a mask (the media).

#11 | Posted by BillJohnson

There is also the belief that the moon is made of cheese.

Do you believe the moon is made of cheese?

Or are you listening to the ramblings a degenerating conman liar?

#14 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 09:05 PM

And if you don't care about that, you should stop calling yourself an American right now.

This, a thousand times THIS.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: All Harris should talk about for the next 2 weeks is January 6th. Every commercial should show all the Trumpers and Trump flags hanging all over the Capitol. It should show all the Trump supporters beating police officers and desecrating the Capitol. It should show the detritus left in the aftermath, with Rep. Kim picking up debris left by the Trump hoards left from breaking windows and doors, trashing offices and carrying off podiums and personal items. And it should show Trump sitting in the White House watching it all happen after having given them their marching orders to "Stop the Steal," in full knowledge that there was no steal.

And the ads should end with the words "Is this the America you want?" Ending with the bolded words "Never Again".

#15 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 09:06 PM

Truth,

There is the belief about Harris (she has tried dearly to hide), she is a far left Socialist hiding behind a mask (the media).

#11 | Posted by BillJohnson

And once again, you are exhibiting fuzzy thinking.

There is the belief about Harris
she is trying to hide.

Harris holds the belief that she is a far left socialist behind a mask?

Seriously, don't vote, you are a danger to society.

#16 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 09:07 PM

There is the belief about Harris (she has tried dearly to hide), she is a far left Socialist hiding behind a mask (the media).

Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:02 PM | Reply

You're so full of smelly brown stuffs it's running down your legs. She's far from a far left socialist.

#17 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2024-10-23 09:09 PM

she is a far left Socialist hiding behind a mask

She's a career prosecutor elected by the people 5 different times in California. Her job has been to put lawbreakers into jail. Even in California the people want to be protected from criminals and crime. This isn't partisan.

Where is she this stealth socialist?

You've fallen out of the idiot tree and struck every branch on the way down.

#18 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 09:09 PM

@#8 ... The word "socialism" is interpretted differently person to person....

OK, so, then, allow me to go back to your #2 comment...

... I think it might boil down to Trump supporters hate socialists. ...

Since you now seem to agree that the GOP definition of those evil "socialists" may have different interpretations of the word "socialists."

What is the definition that you seem to be against?



#19 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 09:12 PM

#19 | Posted by LampLighter | Flag: How to not look like a complete moron while posting on the Retort.

#20 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 09:13 PM

Watching Kamala the Communist, ROFL... on CNN talking to a Republican about how she'll will be the President for all the People.

Apparently that would include an Old Fool like BJ who wouldn't know a Socialist if it bit him on the ass.

#21 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 09:14 PM

Tony,

I started typing up a response but I'm not interested in discussing them point by point.

It covered healthcare, more government subsidized programs, gun control...

Bottomline expanding the government's control in our lives.

#22 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:16 PM

- expanding the government's control in our lives.

Like Your Traitor Party Leader did by helping to put the Gov in people's bedrooms and controlling women's lives by killing abortion protections?

#23 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 09:20 PM

"Bottomline expanding the government's control in our lives." -

#22 | Posted by BILLJOHNSON

Gosh, you mean government's control in our lives like this:

So, since BILLJOHNSON and his ilk believe that they know what's best for women - women they will never meet and never know - they want the government in the same room as the woman and her health care provider. And why is that? It is because they can't be there themselves.
The government's control in our lives like that, BILLJOHNSON ? ? ?

#24 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 09:21 PM

@#22 ... Bottomline expanding the government's control in our lives. ...

So, does the government control in our lives extend to fmr Pres trump using the military to extinguish opinions he does not agree with?


Is such a thing a too much, too little, or just right, amount of control of government in our lives?

re: drudge.com

What do your high school history lessons tell you?



#25 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 09:24 PM

"It covered healthcare,,,"

Americans are truly the stupidest people.

God forbid people be given healthcare.

We are doomed because of the idiots.

#26 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 09:27 PM

It covered healthcare, more government subsidized programs, gun control...

Bill, government "subsidizes" the oil and gas industries. It subsidizes the pharmaceutical industry. It subsidizes other extremely profitable privately-owned businesses that Republicans have supported since forever.

Seems like you gripe is with government supporting those you don't like. Like government allowing businesses to file bankruptcies without limits - socializing all their losses while student loan recipients CANNOT use bankruptcy to escape their debt, often carrying it into their retirements and having money taken out of their Social Security retirement benefits.

Roughly 3.5 million Americans 60 and older hold over $125 billion in student loans, according to a 2023 report by the think tank New America that lawmakers cited. Nearly 40% of borrowers aged 65 and older with federal loans have defaulted.

www.foxbusiness.com

Donald Trump has sold his own failing companies to other shell companies that he owns in order to re-write off his debts against profits from other businesses - meaning we citizens are paying his share of the social burden while he received refund checks that he didn't deserve. Does that socialism bother you too?

#27 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 09:28 PM

Lamp,

Ha-Ha...quoting Nelson Muntz.

I only finished 10th grade and joined the Navy when I turned 17.

#28 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:30 PM

Tony,

If you read my previous posts, you'd know I've critisized Trump for using bankrupcy as a business plan.

However, today at this point in time, Harris is not what I want in office.

Trump has ideas which I'd like to hear more about.

Harris...who the hell knows what she's planning...don't want to find out.

#29 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:37 PM

Lamp,

"What do your high school history lessons tell you?"

Be leary of Jew haters?

#30 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:38 PM

-Trump has ideas which I'd like to hear more about

You mean like his ideas about how US Generals under his command should be, 'more like Hitler's Generals'?

Or his ideas about how to accomplish a Coup in this country using Fake Electors and a violent mob attack on the Capitol?

Those ideas?

#31 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 09:42 PM

"However, today at this point in time, Harris is not what I want in office." -

#29 | Posted by BILLJOHNSON

That's because you hate women, BILLJOHNSON.

What's fun about plonking here on the Retort:

Yeah, you can no longer see the plonked person's posts.

But they can still see yours...

Which means that you can't see the plonked person's reply.

Fun, indeed.

#32 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 09:43 PM

Trump has ideas which I'd like to hear more about.

LOL

Tarrifs (cause that will allow him to corruptly give out largesse)

Round up millions and ship them out (get use to images like this-en.wikipedia.org )

Go after his enemies.

That is just about it on his policies.

#33 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 09:43 PM

@#28 ... Ha-Ha...quoting Nelson Muntz. ...

Did I explicitly quote Nelson Muntz?

I see no such explicit quote in the comment I posted.

That apparent deflection aside, I will ask my #25 question again.

Maybe you will reply to the question this time? ...

From @25 ...

... So, does the government control in our lives extend to fmr Pres trump using the military to extinguish opinions he does not agree with? ...


Is such a thing a too much, too little, or just right, amount of control of government in our lives?

#34 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 09:46 PM

Harris...who the hell knows what she's planning...don't want to find out.

Why Bill, are you afraid? Harris' plans. Not a scary thing in there, though you won't like every single one, but you can find some you'll agree with because she's addressing the real concerns of all Americans, not just her supporters. Like Presidents are supposed to do.

Trump has no plans that don't include what he sees as best for him, not you, not me, and not anyone else. And that's okay if you prefer that. Just don't hold Harris to a different standard while not knowing anything about what she's been saying for the last 3 months. She's not hiding what she wants for Americans. She offers details and Trump offers soundbites and panders.

#35 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-10-23 09:46 PM

#25 | Posted by LampLighter | Flag: How to not look like a complete moron while posting on the Retort.

#36 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 09:47 PM

#34 | Posted by LampLighter | Flag: How to not look like a complete moron while posting on the Retort.

#37 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 09:47 PM

@#30 ... Lamp,

"What do your high school history lessons tell you?"

Be leary of Jew haters? ...

Lame deflection attempt. And an obvious avoidance of the question I asked.

What else yer got?

#38 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 09:48 PM

She's killing it at this Town Hall...

I learned she, 'grew up in the Church of God in Oakland' and 'prays every day'.

Just like Trump!

#39 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 09:50 PM

@#29 ... If you read my previous posts, you'd know I've critisized Trump for using bankrupcy as a business plan. ...

And that relates to the question poised in the comment you are replying to ... how?

#40 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 09:50 PM

Hans,

"What's fun about plonking here on the Retort:
Yeah, you can no longer see the plonked person's posts.
But they can still see yours...
Which means that you can't see the plonked person's reply."

So how are you seeing someone's posts in the first place, if you have them plonked or even know they've posted?

Not very thought out attempt to look clever.

Personally, I just tell them I'm ignoring them.

#41 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:56 PM

@#33 ... Tarrifs (cause that will allow him to corruptly give out largesse) ...

Yup.

The question becomes...

Who can impose tariffs, and for what purpose?

Some background...

Who has the Authority to Impose Tariffs and how does this Affect International Trade?
yeutter-institute.unl.edu

... In early 2018 President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This law states that the president can raise tariffs on imports that pose a threat to national security. Section 232 allows the President to implement these tariffs without the approval of Congress, following an investigation by the Department of Commerce. The Commerce Department has noted that threats to national security may include "fostering U.S. dependence on unreliable or unsafe imports" or "fundamentally threatening the ability of U.S. domestic industries to satisfy national security needs."1 However, there are many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who would like to rein in the President's ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.

Background

While the U.S. Constitution grants to Congress the power to levy tariffs on goods, Congress has delegated some of that power to the Executive Branch over time. The U.S. Constitution states in Article I, Section 8 that "The Congress shall have the Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises." Congress passed general tariff legislation until the early 1930s. However, in a move to grant more flexibility to the President to revitalize global trade in the midst of the Great Depression, Congress gave the Executive Branch the power to negotiate tariff reductions within levels pre-approved by Congress through the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act of 1934. President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first President to have the authority to levy tariffs and negotiate bilateral trade agreements without the approval of Congress.2

The Executive Branch has continued to exercise a level of authority over tariffs over the past few decades. In 1962 President Kennedy signed into law the Trade Expansion Act, which allows the President to adjust tariffs based on threats to national security under section 232.3 This is the authority under which President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, which have a vast impact on some of the United States' biggest trading partners and many U.S. industries. Since the beginning of the year, there have been bipartisan efforts in Congress to try to regain some of the power that was delegated to the Executive branch to regulate trade. ...



So, it seems that fmr Pres trump, should he win the Oval Office, could use tariffs to hurt only companies who do not support him.


#42 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 09:59 PM

Lamp,

I thought it was relevant.

I'm not convinced she has her priorities straight concerning Israel.

#43 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 09:59 PM

- I'm ignoring them.

You ignore what you don't understand, which is most of what's posted here... and you run away from any factual criticism.

#44 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 10:00 PM


LampLighter | Flag: How to not look like a complete moron while posting on the Retort

#45 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 10:01 PM

BILLJOHNSON seen leaving the "store"

#46 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 10:03 PM

Making Tariffs Great Again: Does President Trump Have Legal Authority to Implement New Tariffs on U.S. Trading Partners and China? (October 10, 2024)
www.csis.org

... Conclusion

If Trump wins back the White House, U.S. trading partners are likely to face a barrage of renewed tariff threats, which has left many companies and trading partners struggling to better understand what measures may be coming. During Trump's first term, he used tariffs for a variety of purposes, including diversifying supply chains (e.g., China), addressing global excess capacity (e.g., steel and aluminum), and for leverage in negotiations with Europe, China, Canada, and Mexico. Trump also has a longstanding view that U.S. average tariff rates are too low, a vestige of past General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade rounds, the 1994 Uruguay Round Agreements, and the World Trade Organization, which locked in U.S. tariffs through negotiated tariff "bindings." If he is reelected, there appear to be few practical or legal barriers to Trump making good on his campaign promise.

Trump's decision making process is also highly adaptable, so the ultimate outcomes are less clear. He likes to throw out provocative ideas that grab attention but sometimes abandons or adapts them if there's too much of a backlash. More than anything else, he is a dealmaker who uses provocative threats, including tariffs, for negotiating leverage and attention. ...


#47 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 10:03 PM

#44 | Posted by Corky

They're so skin-thinned that they plonk and run away.

Thinking they're clever.

#48 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 10:05 PM

@#43 ....I thought it was relevant. ...

First off... thanks for your reply.

But I have to ask, to which of my comments are you replying?

#49 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 10:06 PM

#47 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 10:03 PM | Reply | Flag: How to not look like a complete moron while posting on the Retort.

#50 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-23 10:06 PM

That fat old demented ---- is going to get Rick-rolled.

#51 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-10-23 10:06 PM

www.youtube.com

Kamala punches out Trump the Fascist.

#52 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-23 10:19 PM

@#51 ... That fat old demented ---- is going to get Rick-rolled. ...

I am not yet convinced of that.

Say it again on January 20, 2025, and then let's you and I continue this conclusion.


#53 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 10:59 PM

@#53

And, for the record, my current opinion is that VP Harris has lost her momentum and excitement.

And that fmr Pres Trump has better than a 50-50 chance of regaining the Oval Office.

I do not say that lightly.

#54 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-23 11:01 PM

Hans,

Who took a picture of my truck?

#55 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 11:08 PM

Lamp,

#38

#56 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 11:10 PM

Trump's tariffs were designed as part of a longer-term strategy to address trade imbalances and bring more manufacturing back to the US.

What happened was Covid hit and Trump had to shift priorities.

Tariffs were part of a long-term solution, unlike what usually comes out of DC, short-term solutions.

#57 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-23 11:21 PM

What happened was Covid hit and Trump had to shift priorities.

Ignoring Covid was a shift in priorities?

#58 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-10-23 11:25 PM

-------- tariffs will raise the price of nearly everything American's consume. The tariffs will result in trade wars, cutting exports from American industries-see the major bailout to the big agricultural concerns during -------- first term. Tariffs will also allow ------- to decide which businesses can get exclusions from tariffs-you know the corrupt end of it.

Bottom line-inflation through the roof leading to a recession.

#59 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-23 11:27 PM

@#56 ... Lamp,

#38 ...

I've not a clue of which you speak.

Please provide me more details.

thx.

#60 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-24 12:17 AM

@#57 ... Trump's tariffs were designed as part of a longer-term strategy to address trade imbalances and bring more manufacturing back to the US.

What happened was Covid hit and Trump had to shift priorities. ...

Yup.

Fmr Pres Trump had to shift priorities towards criticizing the medical community of the Country.


... Tariffs were part of a long-term solution ...

Attributing "long-term" to anything fmr Pres Trump does or attempts to do is anathema to me.

I'm here in the NYC media area. I have known fmr Pres Trump since the late 80's or early 90's.

I've never viewed him aims as "long term."

His aims have always seemed to be transactional to me.

Mostly, along the lines of, ~how much will this transaction benefit me~ type of thing.

And that was before he rode down that stairway in June 2015, way before.


#61 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-24 12:26 AM

Truth,

Long-term solutions generally create short-term issues to be dealt with.

I'm not saying I agree with all your points but you are correct there is short-term issues generally associated with long term solutions.

That's why people tend to avoid them looking to win elections.

#62 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-24 12:52 AM

Killing Roe will be what costs Trump the election.

#63 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-10-24 12:55 AM

Killing Roe will be what costs Trump the election.

It should, but hard to say if it will.

#64 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-10-24 12:59 AM

Won't be.

#65 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-10-24 01:01 AM

@#62 ... Long-term solutions generally create short-term issues to be dealt with. ...

OK, given that, are fmr Pres Trump's tariff "solutions" a good thing or a bad thing.

Stated differently...

If, as your comment seems to imply, there will be short-term issues in order to achieve those long term goals ....

What will those short term issue entail?

How will fmr Pres Trump's extreme tariffs affect the purchasing power of Americans?


Are his extreme tariffs the proper approach to the problem?

To that end, what, exactly, is the problem the tariffs aims to solve?

#66 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-24 01:20 AM

Just popped up on a playlist here.

I have only heard this song broadcast on the WRPI-FM station.

Back in the day, that station was quite good in presenting alternative music. I remember them describing how they built the pedestals for the turntables upon which the music was played. I'll leave it there.

Wally - Your Own Way (1974)
www.youtube.com


#67 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-10-24 01:36 AM

If Trump were to squeak through or even to win by a landslide, the next Congress must have the courage and willingness to rein in the next POTUS. If a morally and intellectually deranged Pres. is in charge of America's arsenal and intel resources there's no telling how such power could wreck America and this world.

The next Congress must beware, be wise, and be steadfast for sane government for all.

#68 | Posted by Augustine at 2024-10-24 08:48 AM

Nope.

Because his supporters are, in fact, deplorables. The worse he gets the more they love him.

#69 | Posted by jpw at 2024-10-24 09:14 AM

Truth,

Long-term solutions generally create short-term issues to be dealt with.

I'm not saying I agree with all your points but you are correct there is short-term issues generally associated with long term solutions.

That's why people tend to avoid them looking to win elections.

#62 | Posted by BillJohnson

Oh please.

We all know Trump's business partners won't let him put sanctions on China. Unless it's on a product that directly competes with them like electric cars (Musk on line 1).

Trump will do nothing but sit in the oval office and do anything his capitalist buddies want. Crush workers? Yep. Ditch environmental rags? Yep. Tax breaks for the uber rich? Yep. Sanction their sweatshops? Never.

#70 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-10-24 11:32 AM

#69 | Posted by jpw

100% in agreement on that

#71 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-10-24 11:33 AM

To steal his meme...

It's socialism, stupid.

#2 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

If you think socialism is the problem then you are one of Trumpy's stupids. And the stupids are the actual problem in this election.

So , it's the stupids, stupid.

#72 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-10-24 11:53 AM

If Trump wins, it just proves what I've feared all along. That we are a majority moron/racist country. Because only morons and racists would willingly vote for Trump.

#73 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-10-24 03:56 PM

If someone of Trump's obvious bad character, criminal and insurrectionist background, and, as Ann Coulter noted, his abject 'stupidity', wins the antiquated Electoral College vote...

... then we need to change the voting system so that the majority will of the People, not the states, make the decisions.

#74 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-24 05:31 PM

Among the Trump supporters I know, I find it to be willful ignorance. They are mostly some of the least informed people in the country. And they are not willing to consider facts that contradict their opinions.

#75 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-10-24 05:40 PM

Hans: Many posters on the Retort are grammatical. It doesn't stop them from being tedious, repetitive, and pedantic.

#76 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2024-10-24 07:53 PM

What happened was Covid hit and Trump had to shift priorities.

The orange diaper sniper's Covid mass graves were visible from space. The bloated loser's body count is well over a million.

www.vice.com

#77 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-10-24 08:48 PM

"So how are you seeing someone's posts in the first place, if you have them plonked or even know they've posted?"

Oh, I have seen stupid.

I've mocked stupidity.

But this?

Confusing people plonking me with me plonking someone else (something I don't do), is hilarious

Thanks for the laughs, woman-hater.

#78 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-24 09:08 PM

What Billy Boy doesn't understand is that tax cuts for the ultra wealthy is socialism (which he claims to hate) for the rich.

#79 | Posted by a_monson at 2024-10-24 11:56 PM

If Trump were to squeak through or even to win by a landslide, the next Congress must have the courage and willingness to rein in the next POTUS. If a morally and intellectually deranged Pres. is in charge of America's arsenal and intel resources there's no telling how such power could wreck America and this world.

The next Congress must beware, be wise, and be steadfast for sane government for all.

#68 | Posted by Augustine
This supreme court says trump can just declare them all threats to the country and have them assassinated.

#80 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-10-25 12:30 AM

This supreme court says trump can just declare them all threats to the country and have them assassinated.

Well iff'n it wern't fer her dang emails...

#81 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-10-25 12:34 AM

"This supreme court says trump can just declare (Congress) threats to the country and have them assassinated."

By the time SCOTUS turns out to be the presumed threat, it'll be too late.

First they came for the Democrats...

#82 | Posted by Danforth at 2024-10-25 01:28 AM

To steal his meme...

It's socialism, stupid.

#2 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

See...here is the stupid.

They will drive on socialist roads, rely on socialist police, fire departments, police protection and snow removal, live off the SOCIAL SECURITY and MEDICARE all while crying over the socialist boogeyman.

When they cry over socialism what they are crying over is government actually helping the poor and middle class with healthcare, food stamps, public education, etc while simultaneously cheering government handouts to the oil and gas industry, MIC, banks and airlines.

#83 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-10-25 09:09 AM

#83 | Posted by Nixon

One of my favs is the Keep your government hands off my Medicare sticker on the back of their government-subsidized (or government fully paid for) scooter while attending a Trump rally, listening to the Kumquat Pol Pot trash America, calling it a garbage can.

Yeah. One of my favs.

#84 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-25 09:34 AM

People that throw around the word "socialism" just to scare people, without an inkling of what actual socialism is, are manipulative liars and/or idiots. Bill Johnson - I'm talking about you and all the other shhtheaps that dominate the right-wing propaganda sphere. Charges or "socialism" are just so fccking stoopid that it actually hurts intelligent people's brains when they hear it.

#85 | Posted by YAV at 2024-10-25 09:37 AM

Charges of "socialism"...

#86 | Posted by YAV at 2024-10-25 09:37 AM

Yav,

Ok..forget the word socialism.

It's only a word.

To reference myself above I said,

"It covered healthcare, more government subsidized programs, gun control...
Bottomline expanding the government's control in our lives."

These are the policies I was referring I don't agree with. I can add more.

The border...if it wasn't for Republicans, Democrats wouldn't alter the course they put the US on the last 3 years so don't try to play, "who us??..we want to solve the border problem but Trump...trump...trump".

It's not black or white...I'm not totally opposed to government assistance or involvement. There must be a balance though and I haven't seen any indication Democrats understand that. With dems it's never enough.

Dems are taking America on a path to more and more individual dependence on the government and subsequently more power in the hands of the government.

Socialism is only a word.

#87 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-25 11:42 AM

Socialism is only a word.
#87 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

Willful Ignorance.

It's only two words.

#88 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-10-25 11:48 AM

white...I'm not totally opposed to government assistance or involvement. There must be a balance though and I haven't seen any indication Democrats understand that. With dems it's never enough.

Dems are taking America on a path to more and more individual dependence on the government and subsequently more power in the hands of the government.

Socialism is only a word.

Posted by BillJohnson at 2024-10-25 11:42 AM | Reply

Matthew 25:31-45

#89 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2024-10-25 12:03 PM

Dems are taking America on a path to more and more individual dependence on the government and subsequently more power in the hands of the government.

Socialism is only a word.

#87 | Posted by BillJohnson

You know what?

I agree with BillJohnson.

Let's end all handouts for rural communities. For too long rural areas have relied on high tax urban centers to fund their roads, their medical facilities, their utilities, their schools, their law enforcement, etc.

Will these absolutely crush rural, Trump voting areas? Absolutely!

But it's what these rural, Trump voting areas want!

#90 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-10-25 12:15 PM

Dems are taking America on a path to more and more individual dependence on the government and subsequently more power in the hands of the government.

Socialism is only a word.

#87 | Posted by BillJohnson

Are you going to refuse your social security checks or are you a socialist?

#91 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-10-25 12:17 PM

Bill and Magats hatred for "socialism" really comes down to distaste for helping certain groups, i.e. expressing respect for trans people is the current buggaboo

#92 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-25 12:54 PM

Bottomline expanding the government's control in our lives

You just defined the Trump GOP to its core. it's ALL about control. Control of women, control of the Press, control over one's personal identity, control over speech, control over what can be read, control over books in libraries, etc.

You are lying to us and to your self, Bill, if you think you actually believe what you posted.

#93 | Posted by YAV at 2024-10-25 01:30 PM

The article's premise is correct. Trump is going to win, because Americans are easily fooled by "celebrity," and will believe anything shouted to them, even if obvious lies.

The future of the Democratic Republic is dim. We are about to take a crucial IQ test, and by all indications, we are going to fail this test miserably. IN a sense we already failed it, a pathological liar and psychopathic sociopath like Trump should in normal times, never even get the nomination of a major party. But we live in times wherein the public is dumbed down by television and social media, unable to process anything but confirmation bias.

Trump was elected in 2016 fairly. On the day of his inauguration, I turned to my wife and said, "well, at least we can hope there won't be some kind of major crisis." In fact, there were TWO, Covid (which he failed, lying to the public and taking no action for months)and one other (Jan 6, 2021) concocted solely by Trump for self-enrichment. Does any reader here doubt even an iota that Trump's chaotic and grifting, faked Photo-op driven second presidency will trigger at least one other major crisis, which he/we will then fail as well?

#94 | Posted by e1g1 at 2024-10-25 02:30 PM

E1G1 I agree with everything you said, but have to express that a ------- 2nd term will be way beyond what you posit. It ill not be a failure during a major crisis. We will be in for a major, inconceivable transformation of our nation in ways great and small that will boggle the mind. Our country will be unrecognizable a year or 2 from now.

It will start with the wholesale firing of a huge number of federal employees replaced by hacks whose loyalty will be first to -------. This will be followed by the entrenchment of an AG who is a ------- flunky, and if the Senate doesn't approve them, ------- will ignore them and appoint them anyway. This will be followed by a wholesale firing of top generals and the appointment of -------'------- generals.

It will quickly be followed by the implementation of a vast array of unpopular, unlegislated actions including a ban on abortion medications (Comstock act), dismantling of the Dept. of Education, targeting of politicians who have annoyed ------- with trumped up charges including the likely arrest of numerous well known politicians (do not be surprised to see a Biden or a Pelosi or a Cheney in Gitmo-ironic as that last one will be), the rounding up and deportation of hundreds of thousands of people resulting in countless Elian Gonzalez moments, the immediate stopping of aid to Ukraine, an acceleration of Israeli military action and land seizure in Gaza and Lebanon, he will shut down ABC, CBS and/or NBC.

And when people protest ------- will send in the troops to violently stop them. ------- will send national guard into American cities to "stop crime"

And when congress or the courts try to stop him he will simply ignore them. ------- will not have adults around him to stop him. He will have sycophants or grifters or those with nefarious agendas around him that will see no difficulty in manipulating him to their ends.

And remember, ------- is immune from criminal prosecution for any and all of these criminal activities.

Again, you will not recognize America in the not too distant future

#95 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-25 02:44 PM

The one single solitary ----- prize in all of this will be that magats will suffer along with the rest of us. They have no concept of the ---- that ----ler will inflict on them. they will be the ones most hurt by tariffs and cutting the social safety net. So, yeah, the right people will be punished, just not separate from the rest of us. So, yeah, the one good thing will be the ability to say "I told you so"

Until ----ler outlaws that type of speech.

#96 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-10-25 02:48 PM

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