Deep Thinking Required:

1. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years ago

   If President Trump is nuts, is everyone who voted for him also nuts?
   
   Which candidate would have been a better choice?
   
   If there were NO other worthwhile candidates, what does that tell us about the nation?
   
   If the haters of Trump are correct, how would we be better off with President Bernie or President Hillary and what would the future look like?

   replyreport
   1. 74

      Ken Burgessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Joseph Goebbels “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
      
      Keep repeating that Trump is in collusion with the Russians, despite no evidence.  Keep repeating Trump is insane, unfit for office, needs to be impeached; label him a racist, a KKK member.  Trump is nothing, if not the representation of the people trying to fight back against a corrupt and treasonous Washington D.C. government, biased media, and those that pull the strings. 
      
      What has Trump’s efforts been aimed at?  Putting thousands of coal miners back to work?  Undoing the worst of NAFTA and put thousands of truckers back to work?  Stop companies from going overseas, and saving thousands of jobs? Keep tens of thousands of refugees from entry until there is a proper vetting system put in place?  He is truly evil!!!
      
      The minority party, in collusion with the media, work to undermine, delay, denigrate, slander, falsely accuse, and villainize the President, his staff selections and any who openly support him.
      
      Complete intolerance and lack of acceptance for the other party, the other half of the country, the tens of millions who voted for him, anything they believe in... you will fall in line with what the 'left' believes in, or be assaulted in the media, in the courts, even on the streets with violence.
      
      These politicians and 'intellectual elites' are vehemently fighting to bring about Trump's demise now, and reclaim power before he can undo any of the work they have done over the past decade to transform and undermine our Nation, and strip what liberty and power remains from the people.
      
      Trump may not be cut out for the corruption and collusion in D.C. … Trump ran on an anti-establishment 'drain the swamp' platform,  and what we see now is the establishment fighting back, it is hard to drain the swamp when you are neck deep in the middle of it... what is going on now is a lot more like the corrupt and criminal politics that dominate Venezuela than anything that resembles the Democratic Republic this nation has been for generations.  The biggest threat to this Nation right now IS the MSM (mainstream media) which is owned and controlled by those wishing to do America, and its people, harm.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Paul Wingertposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         How is giving coal companies the green light to pollute rivers and stream putting coal miners back to work? Coal is obsolete and why isn't it being phased out? Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that those poorly educated rednecks in W Virginia don't know anything else. If Republitards focused a little more on education instead of giving big business tax breaks, maybe one of those hillbillies might come up with an ingenious way to create clean energy. Then again, those types are the first to move away from that and other run-down red states and move to the prosperous west. Beside Repubitards are anti-education anyway because they know better educated voter don't vote Republitard. Drain the swamp? Your orange man-baby refilled it with bigger assholes that are as clueless as he is. Putting a climate denier in charge of the EPA and a creationist who isn't qualified to be a substitute teacher head of the Dept of Education - good one! Replacing a nuclear physicist with a former idiot Texas governor that doesn't know what the Dept of Energy does is a class act! Not only is your orange man-baby a racist, insane, an embarrassment to this country and unfit but a complete lying sack of shit. He creates a problem and tries to convince everybody that he's the only person alive that can fix it. Kind of like an arsonist fire fighter.This is why the establishment is fighting back. Yeah, sure, blame the media for calling out his BS. The politicians and 'intellectual elites' don't need to bring about the orange man-baby's demise. The idiot can do it on his own!

         replyreport
         1. 0

            ahorsebackposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Sounds exactly like Paul's a high school debate team leader .  I love the facts ,  the lack of personal attacks , the informed  political  statistics AND his love for the people of  Appalachia . Don't have a meltdown there now !
            

            replyreport
            1. 74

               Ken Burgessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               FYI  I never read anything that is one huge block of rambling incoherent thought.  When a person can't take the time to break down his paragraphs, he is saying "this is not worth reading" so I don't waste my time.
               
               But kudos to you for taking the time to do so.

               replyreport
   2. 60

      Live to Learnposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      We were tired of Washington. We were tired of not being represented. We were tired of the pork barrel lifestyles of our representatives. We were tired of the lies of politics and the forked tongues of politicians. Trump was, is and will always be (by all appearances) an idiot. . His administration, thus far, is a joke and it appears that it is going to get darker before we see any light.
      
      We, as a nation, are in deep doo.  We can't keep moving left but the right is not the answer and appears rudderless. I don't think the right  or the left yet understands what we, the people, are really upset about.  Until they figure it out we will be in for a bumpy ride.

      replyreport
      1. 84

         Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Well put, although I'd disagree about the "can't keep moving left".   By the standards of large parts of the civilised world, even the left in America is quite right wing, so there is a lot of room to maneuver.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            Live to Learnposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Well, we in America run by the old adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Those of us who aren't politicians, that is.

            replyreport
            1. 74

               Ken Burgessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               That was changed about 8 or so years ago... when it became 'come to America and get Welfare, Medicaid, foodstamps, etc.

               replyreport
               1. 60

                  Live to Learnposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, but I think with the last election it was made clear that a large percentage of the population is a little scared of expanding on that idea.

                  replyreport
                  1. 74

                     Ken Burgessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     And they should be, the Nation is fast tracking to economic collapse, and this is one of the reasons why.
                     If you WANTED to bankrupt a Nation, destroy its wealth, and strip people of  rights to own property, start a business, and in general become the next Greece... then you do the exact things we have been doing for a quarter century now.
                     The people who voted for Trump are the people who have watched everything slip away jobs, good healthcare, low taxes... people who were screwed over by the ACA (the majority stuck dealing with it) not helped.

                     replyreport
            2. 84

               Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               Yes, I get that impression.
               
               You might want to study what's meant by a civilized society.
               
               An uncivilized society says "let the poor go hungry, let the sick die, it's every man for himself".  A civilized society recognizes that sometimes, bad things happen to good people, and creates a safety net so those good people can catch a break.  That's called compassion, and it's a good thing to base a society on IMO.
               
               Sure, the problem is there will always be some dishonest people who will take advantage of it. One day we might find a way to stop that happening, but most compassionate people would not want to make the good people suffer for the sake of avoiding giving help to a few bad apples.

               replyreport
               1. 60

                  Live to Learnposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  We are not an uncivilized society. Thank you very much. We believe in a hand up, not a hand out. Those in need should, and will, be helped. But, this laying back and living off of the government dole is unacceptable in a society which values hard work.

                  replyreport
               2. 95

                  wildernessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  Or perhaps an uncivilized society says "Let's take whatever we can grab from the people, then slowly dole it back out in a massive effort to keep the chains of government strong and true.  People are too stupid and incapable of making their own decisions anyway, and this way we can claim compassion while creating slaves."

                  replyreport
                  1. 77

                     Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     and we can do it by infusing into their imaginations what a wonderful world it will be.
                     Why, it will be just like John Lennon's song!
                     Who can resist?
                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQYiP6qmwXM

                     replyreport
                  2. 64

                     PhoenixVposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     How much do Americans give to charity each year. What is the GDP of scotland.

                     replyreport
                     1. 95

                        wildernessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                        On a per capita basis, Americans give more than any other nation in the world.
                        
                        http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/24/americ … eaves.html
                        
                        When volunteering, helping a stranger, etc. is included we come in at #6.
                        
                        https://www.theguardian.com/news/databl … ng-country
                        
                        Rather interesting, yes?  For an "uncivilized" nation without compassion, that is?

                        replyreport
                        1. 64

                           PhoenixVposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                           Maybe if the menfolk stopped running around in plaid skirts playing the guts outa a broken pipe organ, they could take care of more charity business.

                           replyreport
                        2. 77

                           Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                           From the first link:
                           "Based on giving alone, the U.S. comes first, giving 1.85% of GDP, followed by Israel at 1.34% and Canada at 1.17%. But based on volunteerism alone, the Netherlands comes first, followed by Sweden and then the U.S.
                           
                           The more studies you read about motivations for philanthropy, the murkier they become. One fact, though, does stand out: Among developed nations, those with higher taxes and bigger social safety nets tend to have lower (thats ~>  L O W E R <~ ) rates of giving. In charitable giving as a percentage of GDP, nations with cradle-to-grave welfare systems rank far down the Johns Hopkins list: Sweden 18th, France 21st, Germany 32nd."
                           Did you hear that?
                           "Among developed nations, those with higher taxes and bigger social safety nets tend to have lower
                           ( ~>  L O W E R <~ ) rates of giving.
                           
                           From the second link:
                           Madagascar is lowest on the list.

                           replyreport
                           1. 77

                              Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                              "Constitutional governance was restored in January 2014, when Hery Rajaonarimampianina was named president following a 2013 election deemed fair and transparent by the international community. Madagascar is a member of the United Nations, the Organisation internationale de la francophonie and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
                              
                              In 2008, the population of Madagascar was estimated at just over 20 million[9], 90% of whom live on less than $2 per day. Madagascar belongs to the group of least developed countries, according to the United Nations[10]. Malagasy and French are both official languages of the state. The majority of the population adheres to traditional beliefs, Christianity, or an amalgamation of both. Ecotourism and agriculture, paired with greater investments in education, health, and private enterprise, are key elements of Madagascar's development strategy. Under Ravalomanana, these investments produced substantial economic growth, but the benefits were not evenly spread throughout the population, producing tensions over the increasing cost of living and declining living standards among the poor and some segments of the middle class. As of 2014, the economy had been weakened by the then recently concluded political crisis, and quality of life remains low for the majority of the Malagasy population."
                              
                              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar

                              replyreport
   3. 84

      Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      No, those who voted for the Donald were not nuts, they were one of several things - some were gullible, some were of low intelligence, some were driven to desperation by their circumstances, some were driven by ideology or faith.
      
      The quality of the candidates was indeed frightening and that comment was made widely across the whole world as we watched the electioneering.  How did a once-great country like America manage to end up with two no-hopers vying for the top job?   
      
      Who knows what the future would have looked like with anyone else.  At least the "anyone else" would not have been mentally unstable and liable to precipitate a major war, which I predict Trump will do, unless the American people wake up to the danger before he gets round to it.

      replyreport
   4. 64

      PhoenixVposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      With the Korean Peninsula gone hot can you imagine a president bernie? He would probably just surrender. Hillary can't even operate a cell phone. We'd all be left to die in Benghazi.
      
      What about the rest of the world what are they going to do? Learn a different language or glow in the dark for the next 500 years?? Lob a nuke at Japan, S Korea or Australia. Who is going to save them? Peru? The only reason why they exist is because we are here to make sure they exist. Most of the countries around the world can't even muster a canoe much more an aircraft carrier.

      replyreport
2. 61

   WandaSearsposted 7 years ago

   Agree...if you keep saying almost anything long enough, you start to believe it.  But, as for Trump...the man is just lacking in so many ways.  I can almost buy into some of his policies, but stop short when I'm asked to believe his behavior is just "unprecedented"  It's not.  He's morally deficient and that will be his downfall.

   replyreport
3. 76

   Kathleen Cochranposted 7 years ago

   Repeating lies until people believe them is a skill Republicans elevated to an art form.  Now they complain they don't like it either. What goes around . . .

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Live to Learnposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      LOL. The republicans elevated it? Yeh, right.

      replyreport
4. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years ago

   Here is a chance for those on the left to explain themselves very clearly. Hope they do.

   replyreport
5. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years ago

   Personally, I think they are visionaries. They envision a wonderful future full of amazing possibilities for all and for all, equally.
   What are the possibilities?
   An economy where we all pitch in to elevate the whole. People not working so hard, perhaps more leisure time. Health care insurance for all, Free love/abortions, free college, fewer cars, expanded/better public transportation, flying driverless Uber drones, city-center living, more and more natural areas contained within federal National Park boundaries, easy, legal access to THC, (therefore less anxiety,) no borders, cashless society, no fracking, no mining precious resources (preserving them instead?), all business pristinely regulated for the protection of all ... anything else I haven't mentioned? oh and Muslims and people of all nationalities living in harmony with good will toward one another, because there will  be no religion to create animosity. And the terrorists will cease and desist.
   Yes?

   replyreport
   1. 74

      Ken Burgessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You are projecting onto that Party, or those Politicians your hopes and aspirations, your wants for a better world.
      But they are politicians, corrupt ones at that, those are the only types to survive in Washington for decades on end.  To deny this reality is just setting yourself up for disappointment or betrayal.
      Obama promised all sorts of wonderful things, let me quote:
      In his inaugural address, Obama promised “not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.” He promised to “build the roads and bridges, the electric grids, and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.” He promised to “restore science to its rightful place and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.” He promised to “transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.” he promised to "cut deficit spending in half". And of course he promised "to unite Americans in ways no one has"
      Barack Obama had two years of complete control with Democrat majority, they gave us Obamacare, something many didn't want, something many are suffering with today, and the Democrats never recovered from choosing to enforce new taxes/penalties and costs on average Americans with the ACA.
      That's what politicians do... they tell you what you want to hear, and then they blame the 'other side' for not being able to give it to you.
      Its the game that has been played for over a quarter century now... politicians on both sides keep screwing America and Americans over, for corporations, big pharma, even foreign nations... and the majority of Americans are fed up with it, and that is how we got Trump.
      You know what is so different about Trump... he talks bluntly... and he goes to work trying to get the things done he said he would do when he ran.
      Not what the hyperbolic media says... not what the opposition says... what he said, border security, better jobs, ridding us of Obamacare, better tax laws, etc. ...he isn't a politician, which is obvious to all those that voted for him.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      ahorsebackposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Selfish-ism , no though required!
      It doesn't even require "deep thinking "  It's simply ALL about what comes for free ,   What can I , as a    citizen   get for free from my Nanny state ?  Education , health care , even an  income ,  Where's my free transportation  and even  IF I DO HAVE TO WORK - Where's my free day care ? What about free dental ,  hearing ,  what about hair styling  and   massage ?   Is that in Obama care ? And  I could use some new wheels , maybe one of those red BMW's.
      
      Fact  ---Look at the protests going on all across America right now and realize one amazing truth ,
      It is the discontent of and the total destructive activism all caused by  the ideology of the  left !
      
      In layman's language ,  the ideologies of the left simply and blatantly observe and then skim away the most pleasurable freedoms of socialist  nations and determine that which they will cherry -pick  for America's tomorrow.   No amount of  intellectualism required - look to a ultra-liberties - and there lays the reasoning .The left is simply looking at Trump as one who will economically cut away those  free "bennies " that historically had to be earned  from actual employment .

      replyreport
6. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 7 years ago

   And President Trump is not on board with all these amazing possibilities. Hillary or Bernie would have facilitated a way better future. I would love to hear more about that future!
   Please?

   replyreport
7. 49

   Priscilla Patrickposted 7 years ago

   People keep saying Hilary or Bernie would have been better. I'm an original Floridian as well as my mother and her mother Julia Cooney. Voted for Obama and didn't see any help for my people. A lot of them don't even know they are full Indian offspring's because of the crooks who been playing Obama like our people are only drug addicts, in educated thugs. NOT TRUE!!! I told them that we all aren't all dead or lost. We just been waiting for our time and our time is now. NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED! DATPART. ILOVEYOUMOMMYDADDY and thank you step daddy Melvin Mingo!!!

   replyreport
8. 49

   Priscilla Patrickposted 7 years ago

   My bad, uneducated thugs

   replyreport