"You know, I'm, like, a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years ... I don't need that. But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'"
Why would he need briefings if he makes up his mind on things like Russian interference in the election without hearing the evidence?
"You know, I'm, like, a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years ... I don't need that. But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'"
This is scary as hell. GW Bush and his senior advisors (including his National Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice) were warned repeatedly in the spring and summer of 2001 that Al Qaeda was about to attack the US.
And in case you've forgotten, Trump said in October 2015 that Dubya deserved blame for Al Qaeda's successful attack on the World Trade Center towers. Republicans were shocked and outraged by Trump's comment—but he was right. Bush and his team dismissed or downplayed the threat of Al Qaeda and ignored warnings that AQ and other terrorist groups were planning an attack on American soil. Intelligence groups within the US government were greatly concerned that Bush didn't appear to be absorbing or responding to their warnings. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/10/did-george-w-bush-do-all-he-could-to-prevent-911/411175/
But Trump? He doesn't need those presidential daily briefings. He's, like, a smart person. Even though he repeatedly exposed his own foreign policy ignorance during the campaign. Don't you feel so safe?
I imagine that Trump-named properties will be at the top of target lists for AQ and ISIS.
And so that got me thinking: do protests on Washington do much to change the mind of someone like DJT? I strongly strongly doubt it.
Money talks.
Protests need to be specifically targeted to damage the financial status of his businesses, so that he'll possibly feel the effect when he's no longer President. That would get his attention, especially if the point behind this presidency is really self-rewarding.
"You know, I'm, like, a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years ... I don't need that. But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'"
"...The 64-year-old veteran oil executive has no government or diplomatic experience, although he has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin..."
drainin' that swamp...
This is one of the most hypocritical yet, and still - silence from those that wanted "change". Hang on, it's going to be a weird 4 years. I still have confidence in the republic, as long as we stay out of wars, we'll be okay.
Frankly, I've never heard any serious plans from Republicans in Congress about helping regions or industries or people at certain income levels; they're all about tax cuts for the rich that are supposed to trickle down and create jobs for everyone else. It was b*||$h!^ theory in the late 1800s when it first got invented and it's still BS.
Thanks for reading. Good luck to you both. We'll see what Trump brings to the country. I have zero confidence in him and the GOP.
I heard a good one today. Kelleyanne Conway speaking about Trump's interests said he was a huge fan of Elton John. "That can be cured Donald" said Mike Pence
I heard a good one today. Kelleyanne Conway speaking about Trump's interests said he was a huge fan of Elton John. "That can be cured Donald" said Mike Pence
It is somewhat confusing to hear over and over how the Trump election is most readily explained by a belief on the part of a significant segment of the population that it was sticking it to another segment of the population — a condescending, elitist one— that does not listen to the first segment and foolishly believes it knows better how everyone should live their lives. First of all, one thing that should be readily apparent in this society at this particular point in time, especially when it comes to politics,is that there is not a lot of listening to those with differing views, period. And, concomitant ly, there are a lot of people holding entrenched positions who believe they are right and those with opposing views are wrong. This is pervasive. It is not a one-way street. It is a freeway — 6 lanes in each direction, with a series of confusing ramps and overpasses. The other point is that, at its base, governing is about deciding what is best for the greatest number of people. So, yes, that does involve making decisions for others. We purport to elect folk who we believe will be better at that than most, and that will do their best to represent their constituents. Sure, there are some epic failures out there, but this is our governmental model.
. Hard-working, honest people have seen their communities and jobs fade away through no fault of their own.
The thing that I notice is that people who express this view and are Trump supporters are the same ones who post "bootstrap" memes instructing people on welfare to suck it up.
Communities throughout the country are facing shifting labor markets, changes brought on by technology, and other factors beyond any politician's control that have placed these communities in an "adapt or perish" situation. Some communities have figured out how to adapt. Others struggle. You have to wonder why the people in rust belt areas and other struggling communities don't apply the "bootstrap" advice they dole out liberally to stereotyped caricatures of democratic voters to themselves and their communities for a change.
It is somewhat confusing to hear over and over how the Trump election is most readily explained by a belief on the part of a significant segment of the population that it was sticking it to another segment of the population — a condescending, elitist one— that does not listen to the first segment and foolishly believes it knows better how everyone should live their lives. First of all, one thing that should be readily apparent in this society at this particular point in time, especially when it comes to politics,is that there is not a lot of listening to those with differing views, period. And, concomitant ly, there are a lot of people holding entrenched positions who believe they are right and those with opposing views are wrong. This is pervasive. It is not a one-way street. It is a freeway — 6 lanes in each direction, with a series of confusing ramps and overpasses. The other point is that, at its base, governing is about deciding what is best for the greatest number of people. So, yes, that does involve making decisions for others. We purport to elect folk who we believe will be better at that than most, and that will do their best to represent their constituents. Sure, there are some epic failures out there, but this is our governmental model.
I get it, and I share the frustration. It's been a long time since washington has represented any kind of "normal" people. They have pitted the two major factions of "normal" people against each other and feasted on the profits of that conflict.
I've been a machinist. I've had a couple of industries disappear underneath me. I don't think most of the people in rural areas are "rubes" or otherwise backwards. I do take issues with a lot of the overly religious telling other people how to live. I'm fine with them having their beliefs, but when it starts encroaching on other peoples rights that's where I start having issues. There is a bit of this from the left as well, and certain segments have gone overboard with safe spaces and trigger words. But, while I'll acknowledge this as an issue it is hardly an equivalence.
What I really don't get it this idea that the "oppressed rural middle America" is "sticking it to the man" by electing Trump. Sure, he's going to be different, but he's not going to help most of the people that voted for him. I'm part of what middle America thinks of as "the elite" (I'm definitely doing well, but I'm hardly elite), and I'm already ahead and will likely do even better under Trump financially. I'll use these profits to ensure my safety and health. A lot of others aren't going to get that chance. And Trump, who wasn't going to be beholden to anyone, won't be beholden to anyone. He's clearly just going to go forward and do whatever is in his best interest - big hint, that's not what's good for most people.
The continued hypocrisy of the far right will be on full display. I wonder if their supporters will ever be able to hold them accountable? I hope so, but I don't believe it will happen. I'll continue to protect myself, and do what I can to help and protect others. As long as we don't wind up in a war (trade, hot or civil), I'm confident that the republic will survive.
Location: Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth
Posted:
Dec 9, 2016 - 8:32am
It is somewhat confusing to hear over and over how the Trump election is most readily explained by a belief on the part of a significant segment of the population that it was sticking it to another segment of the population — a condescending, elitist one— that does not listen to the first segment and foolishly believes it knows better how everyone should live their lives. First of all, one thing that should be readily apparent in this society at this particular point in time, especially when it comes to politics,is that there is not a lot of listening to those with differing views, period. And, concomitant ly, there are a lot of people holding entrenched positions who believe they are right and those with opposing views are wrong. This is pervasive. It is not a one-way street. It is a freeway — 6 lanes in each direction, with a series of confusing ramps and overpasses. The other point is that, at its base, governing is about deciding what is best for the greatest number of people. So, yes, that does involve making decisions for others. We purport to elect folk who we believe will be better at that than most, and that will do their best to represent their constituents. Sure, there are some epic failures out there, but this is our governmental model.
Hard-working, honest people have seen their communities and jobs fade away through no fault of their own. They have a right to be fed up with both political parties and the political status quo.
That's partially true. We can't look at the economy as something we can wholly control. It's a system and if left at least partially unregulated, it will evolve. Part of that evolution is finding lower costs, and that means new labor markets. As for the political role in moving jobs abroad...free trade agreements, theoretically, are meant to take the politics out of the economics. Yes free trade allowed for it, but it wasn't a politician who moved jobs to China, India....but business owners, like Trump. The voters have elected the very person who has taken away their jobs; as I've said before, voter are asking the right questions, but Trump was the wrong answer.
As for the future, things will not get better for the low skilled worker. Last week Amazon announced its new Go, checkout free store. The obvious business advantage is you have less labor costs (no need for checkout employees)...this is not a new technology, but something that should have arrived 20 years ago with RFID. Now that it's here it will spread throughout retail. Consumption comprises about 2/3 of the US GDP/Economy. So retail is obviously important for its growth…and jobs. We’ve already dealt with the massive offshoring of manufacturing, customer service/tech support, and even accounting and finance jobs. Now our technology is bringing us check-out free store, driverless cars & trucks, robotics to handle the warehouse and stocking work…the future doesn’t look bright for the unskilled US worker.
Regardless of his past business dealings, the question for Trump is: Can he really bring jobs back to the US? I hate to admit it, but perhaps Trump is right (in a roundabout way), and we need to impose significant tariffs to bring back jobs to the US. Yes, that will increase prices, lead to inflation and hurt profits, but if it creates more domestic production, and niche industries, perhaps these job gains can offset the impending job losses as a result of new technology?
no problem, sometimes you just don't know if you should shreik like a crazy person or cry like a baby I got one that shows the destruction, I worked for an Anheuser-Busch beer distributor from 1977 to 2015 At our peak we sold 1.4 million cases in one year and was number one in market share at 45% My last year we sold about 15,000 cases under a million but we had 68% market share, I always count my blessings because before working there I was in retail and bought beer from 8 distributors, when I retired there were only 2 of us and both are struggling
Skydog and kurtster, I'm gonna try to keep this brief and avoid links to news articles and papers.
Your Dec. 8 posts are outstanding. You both have voiced the frustration and anger that people have to live with every day in places like Cleveland and Detroit. Hard-working, honest people have seen their communities and jobs fade away through no fault of their own. They have a right to be fed up with both political parties and the political status quo.
I have some personal experience with the kind of economic changes you two write about. I lived for a while on the south side of Bethlehem, PA—quite close to Bethlehem Steel while the mill was still running. I saw the giant blue gas flame from the mill and heard its rumbles (like the one 15 seconds into Dire Straits' "Telegraph Road" all the time. South side was dying then and you could see the poverty and remains of closed businesses all 'round. Everybody knew that the mill was going to close fairly soon and there was a sense of despair and anger. Mack Trucks and other businesses were pulling out of the area. Why couldn't someone come up with a way to save the mill or start new jobs in the Lehigh Valley?
I don't agree with those who acted on their frustrations to vote for Trump. As I've posted here numerous times, I think this guy is a disaster for the working-class people in economically struggling areas. Remember when African-Americans would riot in their neighborhoods and destroy their own businesses and homes due to a mob anger, say in Watts or Detroit ('67) or South LA or (recently) Baltimore? I kept hearing people in my neighborhoods say "My God, they're just making things worse for themselves." Well, the way I see it the working-class people who voted for Trump have just done the same thing.
Briefly: to me, Trump is totally unprepared and lacking in serious, coherent policies especially when it comes to bringing working-class jobs back. But more importantly,
Donald Trump is mentally ill.Seriously. There is a strong chance that Trump will badly damage the US—economically, politically and socially.
kurtster wrote:
"We are all seeing the wrecking ball being assembled and most of these people I have referred to above are cheering. But not for the reasons being offered up by the losing side which is still in complete denial that these unwashed should not get what they want for once, instead of never, like it has been for the years since NAFTA."
Sir, I've lived in Washington DC for 20+ years and have mingled with the "elites" you've written about. I've NEVER heard anyone in such a group or anyone in this town speak disparagingly of people in places like Cleveland, Detroit, Bethlehem, etc. Many of the people in power I've known here came from working- and middle-class backgrounds. They're quite aware that Washington runs on the taxes and electoral participation of people like you and Skydog. They're not ignoring or dismissing you. Please consider that Nixon was one of the first Republican politicians who successfully used the politics of resentment to come to power (he did the same thing to become president of his class in college). The GOP have been screaming about arrogant elites crapping on the Common Man for years and to me it's a one long goddamned lie. The GOP talks a good game but it's all about helping the top 1%.
I'm convinced that most Democratic politicians and many Republican ones would like to improve the lives of people in struggling areas. The parties disagree on how to go about that task. Part of the problem is that government can only do so much to support an industry like steel manufacturing against foreign competitors or changes in technology. I think that both parties should try to forge cooperative efforts between government and private companies to boost training and adaptability to changing business conditions. Germany is successful with such ventures.
Frankly, I've never heard any serious plans from Republicans in Congress about helping regions or industries or people at certain income levels; they're all about tax cuts for the rich that are supposed to trickle down and create jobs for everyone else. It was b*||$h!^ theory in the late 1800s when it first got invented and it's still BS.
Thanks for reading. Good luck to you both. We'll see what Trump brings to the country. I have zero confidence in him and the GOP.
kcar, explanations don't work anymore, I bought into the moderate center-left views for the last 25 years but it just don't work for me anymore I voted for President this past election for the first time since 1992 to stop Trump via a vote for Hillary, now I've had enough and if the kids want a Bernie type democratic-socialism then okay, they are going to be here longer than me
and it's not just Detroit, it's also Flint, Saginaw, Pontiac, Jackson, Ypsilanti, Albion, Milan, Monroe, and on and on
I've seen the same thing here in Cleveland over the past 45 years I've lived here. Northern Ohio had more car plants than Michigan. Pounded the streets for ten years a hundred miles a day driving a coffee truck, serving factories that made everything you can think of from 1973 to 1984. From White Motors (trucks) to Gould Inc., torpedoes, to the US Steel plants in Cleveland and Lorain, the Collinwood ConRail locomotive shop, fabled Lincoln Electric, the Republic Steel yards that were the setting for The Deerhunter ( I drove by the house on the hill side over looking the steel plant in the beginning of the movie everyday for years and have eaten at the restaurant where so much of the interior dialogue was shot), small machine shops that still cut gears with overhead pulley and leather strap drives with the machinists being mostly Eastern European WW II refugees, DP's as they were known, but in a kindly sense, not the pejorative sense. Sherwin-Williams. American Greetings.The DayGlo paint factory. Man those guys were colorful and did glow in the dark when they came out to the truck. Locktite. Cleveland Twist Drill. I dragged a food cart through a foundry dodging molten iron spilling from the Bulls pouring into the molds on rotary casting machines. 19th Century technology still being used in the twilight of the 20th. The list is endless. Many well known names. Hell I even went to the factory that made TV trays that was in the movie Light of Day . Stamping plants where you could tell how long someone had worked there by how many fingers were missing. A Blue Collar life with Blue Collar salt of the earth people of all kinds and colors through my 20's. Even had a Merchant Marine card. Everything used to be made in Cleveland. During it's prime during WW II through the 60's there were more machine shops in one area in the Cleveland Akron metropolitan area than anywhere else in the world.
Now half the car plants are gone and a hundred little shops that made assembly parts for the cars. Of the list of companies I mentioned above only Lincoln Electric, Sherwin-Williams, American Greetings and the US Steel Plant in Lorain remain. So many others are gone.
Here is what a foundry Bull is just for S & G's ...
It has since gone to Hell. It would be identical to Detroit if it weren't for the Cleveland Clinic and our two other fine hospitals.
Once all Democrat, through Hell and back. Loyal to the end. Since 1970, the area has lost so much. Nothing to speak of is made here anymore. People have changed, too. Everybody is sick and tired of seeing stuff disappear right before their eyes and being lied to about why it is happening. The whole Rust Belt has the same story. Thanks for going this far, but I tell my little story to share my backgound of first hand experiences to illustrate that experience can be used for argumentative support instead of citing some expert or main stream media source or a blogger with a website for the only allowable credibility.
It's a dichotomy. Looking at this map I shared in another thread, it shows county by county the voter shift by county and party from 2012 to 2016. I looked at my district, Ohio 13, where Ryan, the guy who challenged Pelosi the other day, took his district by a 3 to 1 margin, still elected Trump overwhelmingly with changes to the red by Akron/Summit County 7%, Portage County 15%, Mahoning County (Y-Town) 25% and Trumball County 29%. The last two on the Ohio / Pa border. Trump flipped two of those counties from 2012, tied in another and in Akron came within 5 points in flipping it. Yet Ryan still won yuge.
These are the people who are tired of being bullshitted and agreed with what the hell do you have to lose ? Do check out the map. Its most insightful to see where things broke down and see all the places in the Heartland that flipped and said enough is enough. From Western Pa to Wisconsin. There is the difference this election. The places where everyone was told that they cling to their guns and religion and are to be ignored and shit upon from 2008 onward. That won't sit well with most on the losing side, but it is one explanation that should be considered meaningful. We are all seeing the wrecking ball being assembled and most of these people I have referred to above are cheering. But not for the reasons being offered up by the losing side which is still in complete denial that these unwashed should not get what they want for once, instead of never, like it has been for the years since NAFTA. I know a lot of these people. I am one of these people. And I do not own a gun or go to church.
Pardon the ramble. Hope it made some sense and was even a tad germane. If not, oh well, at least I got to kill some time while ripping an LP.
I had to read it twice tho.
