Official LRC President Donald J Trump Thread

Simon from London wrote:

I am a Brit who works in the US. I actually love America in many ways, but I have never ceased to be astonished at how naive and misinformed Americans are about the world out side the US and how they are perceived. I have also spent some time in Russia where the general level of education is vastly lower than in the US, but Russians are much less naive. They are under no illusions about how they are seen abroad whereas Americans seem to think their farts are perfume. Now that the US is imploding and becoming utterly ungovernable, I really see the whole question of whether Trump serves a full four year term or faces impeachment somewhat irrelevant. Trump is merely the Trojan horse. Now that the horse has opened up and allowed a pack of incompetent kleptocrats to run amok, Americans should really be focusing less on Trump specifically than who will govern next and how can you restore some level of regulation to your economy. In Britain I am something of a fiscal conservative, but I see nothing that that is conservative about Trump’s minions’ approach to the economy. In fact he has even appointed two chaps to advise him on economic matters who are diametrically opposed to one another. The Republican Party has somehow replaced responsible capitalism with Russian style kleptocracy. So, don’t pretend Trump is a conservative. Calling him a Conservative is like calling Hitler a Socialist simply because of the word ‘socialism’ in his NSDP. It is the values that matter, not whatever a demagogue happens to call himself. And then there is the risk of war now that you have the Pompeo and Bolton team. In the 1930s when much of the world was under the jack boot of fascism the US was a beacon of hope. This is like the 30s all over, except Al Capone is in the White House.

Simon from London wrote:

I am a Brit who works in the US. I actually love America in many ways, but I have never ceased to be astonished at how naive and misinformed Americans are about the world out side the US and how they are perceived. I have also spent some time in Russia where the general level of education is vastly lower than in the US, but Russians are much less naive. They are under no illusions about how they are seen abroad whereas Americans seem to think their farts are perfume. Now that the US is imploding and becoming utterly ungovernable, I really see the whole question of whether Trump serves a full four year term or faces impeachment somewhat irrelevant. Trump is merely the Trojan horse. Now that the horse has opened up and allowed a pack of incompetent kleptocrats to run amok, Americans should really be focusing less on Trump specifically than who will govern next and how can you restore some level of regulation to your economy. In Britain I am something of a fiscal conservative, but I see nothing that that is conservative about Trump’s minions’ approach to the economy. In fact he has even appointed two chaps to advise him on economic matters who are diametrically opposed to one another. The Republican Party has somehow replaced responsible capitalism with Russian style kleptocracy. So, don’t pretend Trump is a conservative. Calling him a Conservative is like calling Hitler a Socialist simply because of the word ‘socialism’ in his NSDP. It is the values that matter, not whatever a demagogue happens to call himself. And then there is the risk of war now that you have the Pompeo and Bolton team. In the 1930s when much of the world was under the jack boot of fascism the US was a beacon of hope. This is like the 30s all over, except Al Capone is in the White House.

Learn another language wrote:

Simon from London wrote:

I am a Brit who works in the US. I actually love America in many ways, but I have never ceased to be astonished at how naive and misinformed Americans are about the world out side the US and how they are perceived. I have also spent some time in Russia where the general level of education is vastly lower than in the US, but Russians are much less naive. They are under no illusions about how they are seen abroad whereas Americans seem to think their farts are perfume. Now that the US is imploding and becoming utterly ungovernable, I really see the whole question of whether Trump serves a full four year term or faces impeachment somewhat irrelevant. Trump is merely the Trojan horse. Now that the horse has opened up and allowed a pack of incompetent kleptocrats to run amok, Americans should really be focusing less on Trump specifically than who will govern next and how can you restore some level of regulation to your economy. In Britain I am something of a fiscal conservative, but I see nothing that that is conservative about Trump’s minions’ approach to the economy. In fact he has even appointed two chaps to advise him on economic matters who are diametrically opposed to one another. The Republican Party has somehow replaced responsible capitalism with Russian style kleptocracy. So, don’t pretend Trump is a conservative. Calling him a Conservative is like calling Hitler a Socialist simply because of the word ‘socialism’ in his NSDP. It is the values that matter, not whatever a demagogue happens to call himself. And then there is the risk of war now that you have the Pompeo and Bolton team. In the 1930s when much of the world was under the jack boot of fascism the US was a beacon of hope. This is like the 30s all over, except Al Capone is in the White House.

Piss off.

Give us a call when you need help winning WWIII

You'd be speaking German if it wasn’t for us

Screw your stupid queues, jump to the front

Don't you still owe us money from a hundred years ago?

Why are over half your citizens alcoholics?

British food is disgusting

We don't care to talk about your weather

Real men drink coffee

See a dentist, please

Trollminator wrote:

Gary, would you like to learn something new today? You seem to believe Trump knows what he's doing regarding trade (I guess you associate that with him being a businessman?). First ask yourself why he's picking a fight with China and not Russia. Then ask yourself why now when he could have done this at any point over the last year, given how pressing he's made the issue sound in the past. If you can't think through that, don't worry, focus on my next points. Here are the potential methods of retaliation by the Chinese:

1. Higher tariffs on selected US exports - items that China could afford to import less include seeds and fruit, aircraft, metals, wood, ores, raw hides. These are a few that already amount to tens of billions in lost business to US companies. So all those farmers who back him would get a nice little surprise.

2. Hurt US business interests - you say their borders are closed to US businesses but you are dead wrong. True they aren't open in the sense ours is, but many US firms already generate significant shares of their revenues from China. These are done mostly through joint ventures. If they start restricting these partnerships it would hurt our businesses. A crack down on US tech manufacturing would be extremely painful.

3. Move to shrink the services surplus. There are endless options here, including providing preferential access to other countries, depreciating the yuan, and selling US treasuries. With the latter they have significant leverage just like our Treasury department.

4. Limit the number of Chinese students who attend US schools. Your first reaction to this is applause I'm sure, but you have no idea how significant a role they have played in ensuring US higher education remains dominant and not to mention the fact that these top students often remain to help US businesses thrive. You want to choke out more talent from here, this would be a good way.

You might be thinking there has to be a number of ways the US could put up a good fight. If you are a history buff you'd know that we have been dominant in global trade for decades and that process has matured a long time ago lending to flatter growth as we have gone from a manufacturing-focused country to services-focused. This is normal and not a bad thing as our GDP is still massive and by far highest on a per capita basis. We will never compete with China or other third world nations on manufacturing, it is simply mathematically impossible given the cheapness of their labor and raw materials. The other aspect that leads to massive exposure is the fact that our economy has become truly global as we have chased cheaper and more efficient production methods. That means there are numerous ways to hurt us, unlike China.

So now you might be thinking, so we just keep losing??? At this moment you should consider opening your eyes to the fact that we have been winning and that its not a zero sum game. Global GDP has continued to grow, we just have participated in a smaller share of that than before since we have a much more mature economy. So we have been winning anyway. You might want to ask yourself if we are doing so well economically, then why is the middle class crushed and our standard of living continues to decline. That has a lot more to do with domestic policies than anything else. The ability of US businesses becoming more profitable has had very little impact on your wallet. The trickle down effect was a simple lie. I know you love simple solutions, but that concept simply doesn't hold water. We are where we are because capitalism has taken control of politics and the super wealthy have made the system work more to their advantage. So while you mock and dismiss socialism in Europe, you completely ignore the fact that it has worked very well for their average joes. They have been able to keep holding government accountable and make them work for the people and not for special interest groups. Koch brothers and Warrens don't exist over there, ask yourself why.

Back to trade. Think about the consequences of the above to US consumers. We cannot afford a trade war with China. Trump has nothing to lose and he thinks this will show his base that he is a tough guy ahead of midterms. Do you think he will care that the pick up truck, gun, iPhone, or clothes you buy will cost 15-20% more?

Tyrone ReXXXing wrote:

Hey, remember some of you were all arguing about #'s's of Repub vs Dem college educated voters? Well here are some new #'s-

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/us/pew-study-college-graduates.html

"The exact opposite is true for Americans with at least a college degree, whose slight preference for Republicans in 1992 has since flipped. Today, about 58 percent side with Democrats, and only 36 percent affiliate with the Republican Party.

That divergence was most pronounced among registered voters who had pursued a postgraduate education: Once split in their political preferences, they are now twice as likely to align with Democrats as with Republicans."

At least a college degree, Dems +20%.

Pursued postgrad education: TWICE as many Dems as R's.

And this trend is growing by the day.

There you have it folks: people with an education much more strongly agree with Dem ideas/principles. Those without much of an education, especially the ones that are the angry, bible clinging, gun lovin', opioid addicted, minority hatin', white men without much of an education, they REALLY love the R's and Trump. (even though Dems want to do more for them as far as min wage, job training, social services, taxes, etc, etc, etc)

Nice team you got there Disco!

DiscoGary wrote:

Trollminator wrote:

Gary, would you like to learn something new today? You seem to believe Trump knows what he's doing regarding trade (I guess you associate that with him being a businessman?). First ask yourself why he's picking a fight with China and not Russia. Then ask yourself why now when he could have done this at any point over the last year, given how pressing he's made the issue sound in the past. If you can't think through that, don't worry, focus on my next points. Here are the potential methods of retaliation by the Chinese:

1. Higher tariffs on selected US exports - items that China could afford to import less include seeds and fruit, aircraft, metals, wood, ores, raw hides. These are a few that already amount to tens of billions in lost business to US companies. So all those farmers who back him would get a nice little surprise.

2. Hurt US business interests - you say their borders are closed to US businesses but you are dead wrong. True they aren't open in the sense ours is, but many US firms already generate significant shares of their revenues from China. These are done mostly through joint ventures. If they start restricting these partnerships it would hurt our businesses. A crack down on US tech manufacturing would be extremely painful.

3. Move to shrink the services surplus. There are endless options here, including providing preferential access to other countries, depreciating the yuan, and selling US treasuries. With the latter they have significant leverage just like our Treasury department.

4. Limit the number of Chinese students who attend US schools. Your first reaction to this is applause I'm sure, but you have no idea how significant a role they have played in ensuring US higher education remains dominant and not to mention the fact that these top students often remain to help US businesses thrive. You want to choke out more talent from here, this would be a good way.

You might be thinking there has to be a number of ways the US could put up a good fight. If you are a history buff you'd know that we have been dominant in global trade for decades and that process has matured a long time ago lending to flatter growth as we have gone from a manufacturing-focused country to services-focused. This is normal and not a bad thing as our GDP is still massive and by far highest on a per capita basis. We will never compete with China or other third world nations on manufacturing, it is simply mathematically impossible given the cheapness of their labor and raw materials. The other aspect that leads to massive exposure is the fact that our economy has become truly global as we have chased cheaper and more efficient production methods. That means there are numerous ways to hurt us, unlike China.

So now you might be thinking, so we just keep losing??? At this moment you should consider opening your eyes to the fact that we have been winning and that its not a zero sum game. Global GDP has continued to grow, we just have participated in a smaller share of that than before since we have a much more mature economy. So we have been winning anyway. You might want to ask yourself if we are doing so well economically, then why is the middle class crushed and our standard of living continues to decline. That has a lot more to do with domestic policies than anything else. The ability of US businesses becoming more profitable has had very little impact on your wallet. The trickle down effect was a simple lie. I know you love simple solutions, but that concept simply doesn't hold water. We are where we are because capitalism has taken control of politics and the super wealthy have made the system work more to their advantage. So while you mock and dismiss socialism in Europe, you completely ignore the fact that it has worked very well for their average joes. They have been able to keep holding government accountable and make them work for the people and not for special interest groups. Koch brothers and Warrens don't exist over there, ask yourself why.

Back to trade. Think about the consequences of the above to US consumers. We cannot afford a trade war with China. Trump has nothing to lose and he thinks this will show his base that he is a tough guy ahead of midterms. Do you think he will care that the pick up truck, gun, iPhone, or clothes you buy will cost 15-20% more?

You're fighting the wrong guy. I have said all along I think tariffs are a bad idea, and a trade war is a disaster, for both sides.

What you seem to have missed is that there is another possibility, negotiation. Trump has been saying that our politicians are horrible negotiators and that no one has been fighting for a good deal for our side. The Chinese do not play fair and Trump is calling them on it. The only way to get the Chinese to move is to threaten them with disaster. Trump is playing a dangerous dame no doubt but he's already proven that he's much better at this stuff than any recent Presidents.

DiscoGary wrote:

Trollminator wrote:

Gary, would you like to learn something new today? You seem to believe Trump knows what he's doing regarding trade (I guess you associate that with him being a businessman?). First ask yourself why he's picking a fight with China and not Russia. Then ask yourself why now when he could have done this at any point over the last year, given how pressing he's made the issue sound in the past. If you can't think through that, don't worry, focus on my next points. Here are the potential methods of retaliation by the Chinese:

1. Higher tariffs on selected US exports - items that China could afford to import less include seeds and fruit, aircraft, metals, wood, ores, raw hides. These are a few that already amount to tens of billions in lost business to US companies. So all those farmers who back him would get a nice little surprise.

2. Hurt US business interests - you say their borders are closed to US businesses but you are dead wrong. True they aren't open in the sense ours is, but many US firms already generate significant shares of their revenues from China. These are done mostly through joint ventures. If they start restricting these partnerships it would hurt our businesses. A crack down on US tech manufacturing would be extremely painful.

3. Move to shrink the services surplus. There are endless options here, including providing preferential access to other countries, depreciating the yuan, and selling US treasuries. With the latter they have significant leverage just like our Treasury department.

4. Limit the number of Chinese students who attend US schools. Your first reaction to this is applause I'm sure, but you have no idea how significant a role they have played in ensuring US higher education remains dominant and not to mention the fact that these top students often remain to help US businesses thrive. You want to choke out more talent from here, this would be a good way.

You might be thinking there has to be a number of ways the US could put up a good fight. If you are a history buff you'd know that we have been dominant in global trade for decades and that process has matured a long time ago lending to flatter growth as we have gone from a manufacturing-focused country to services-focused. This is normal and not a bad thing as our GDP is still massive and by far highest on a per capita basis. We will never compete with China or other third world nations on manufacturing, it is simply mathematically impossible given the cheapness of their labor and raw materials. The other aspect that leads to massive exposure is the fact that our economy has become truly global as we have chased cheaper and more efficient production methods. That means there are numerous ways to hurt us, unlike China.

So now you might be thinking, so we just keep losing??? At this moment you should consider opening your eyes to the fact that we have been winning and that its not a zero sum game. Global GDP has continued to grow, we just have participated in a smaller share of that than before since we have a much more mature economy. So we have been winning anyway. You might want to ask yourself if we are doing so well economically, then why is the middle class crushed and our standard of living continues to decline. That has a lot more to do with domestic policies than anything else. The ability of US businesses becoming more profitable has had very little impact on your wallet. The trickle down effect was a simple lie. I know you love simple solutions, but that concept simply doesn't hold water. We are where we are because capitalism has taken control of politics and the super wealthy have made the system work more to their advantage. So while you mock and dismiss socialism in Europe, you completely ignore the fact that it has worked very well for their average joes. They have been able to keep holding government accountable and make them work for the people and not for special interest groups. Koch brothers and Warrens don't exist over there, ask yourself why.

Back to trade. Think about the consequences of the above to US consumers. We cannot afford a trade war with China. Trump has nothing to lose and he thinks this will show his base that he is a tough guy ahead of midterms. Do you think he will care that the pick up truck, gun, iPhone, or clothes you buy will cost 15-20% more?

You're fighting the wrong guy. I have said all along I think tariffs are a bad idea, and a trade war is a disaster, for both sides.

What you seem to have missed is that there is another possibility, negotiation. Trump has been saying that our politicians are horrible negotiators and that no one has been fighting for a good deal for our side. The Chinese do not play fair and Trump is calling them on it. The only way to get the Chinese to move is to threaten them with disaster. Trump is playing a dangerous dame no doubt but he's already proven that he's much better at this stuff than any recent Presidents.