Okay, I always wanted to start a politics thread on here
I was unsure if it would be allowed but
@Tikay10 didn't voice any immediate disapproval when I mentioned the prospect in another thread a couple of months ago. Might go up in flames but hey ho...
So yeah, Trump. The guy makes my head hurt on a daily basis.
Today he revealed via Twitter that he is "a very stable genius" and "like, really smart". I probably have a few bones of contention with that assumption if I am entirely honest.
Would be interesting to hear what others think of Mr President.
My views are probably in congruence with those expressed in South Park.
Comments
"Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart," the President continued. "Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star ... to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius ... and a very stable genius at that!"
It cracks me up that hes still going on about Hillary and throws in "on my first try" , hes a retard, unless calling him a retard is against the rules here.
My opinion? I find it staggering that the likes of Trump, Clinton, May, Corbyn, Johnson and Abbott (to name just a few at the top) are the best we can get to run two of the most 'advanced' countries in the world. Truly staggering, I wouldn't trust any of them as far as I could throw them and I've got a bad back.
His pre election promises included “ Building a wall”, “ Having Mrs Clinton investigated, and charged”; “ Replacing Obama care with something much better” amongst other outrageous claims which fuelled the discontent of the electorate., similar to the lie “ Let’s give the £350 million to the NHS” which some fell for in this country...
Hey Vespa,
This is a good point as it is 'somewhat' measurable. Which policies do you feel Trump has made good on?
I thought similar to the opinion Tom expressed and that there had been little progress apart from the possible exception of the economy and tax reform. The economy (so far at least) would definitely be counted as a success by some.
As for the economy... I personally feel whether this area has been a success or not depends on what you want the economy to do. From the limited information I have it looks like it mostly benefits the already well off. Is it likely to bring about a more equal society? Is it likely to raise the general standards of everyone, including those at the bottom? It also looks like it is being built for the short/medium term, not the long term.
Granted these are just some things I personally feel the economy should seek to achieve. Others would obviously disagree and I would argue this just depends on your sociological and political stance.
Unemployment at record lows.
Manufacturing/Growth & Dow Jones hitting highs not seen for years.
Putting American jobs first.
I know he tried to repeal ObamaCare but was blocked in Congress (at least he tried)
Big crackdown on violent street gangs.
Like all the Presidents in the US they will all be ultimately controlled by the Fed, Oil, Pharma & Military companies, (not to mention the Rothchilds, Freemasons, George Soros, etc....)
Pictures show that his inauguration didn't have as many people as obama but to him that's wrong his inauguration attracted more people than any other inauguration, everytime a negative comment is said about trump it's "Fake news"
I think he's using the the presidential powers partly for his own wealth and family, he claimed trophy hunting is good for conservation but truthfully he wants to make it legal for his son to kill african wildlife for trophies. The likes of increasing oil drilling in the arctic and building pipes along nature reserves show trump doesn't care about the natural world at all. Things like the attempt to over turn obama care and reducing the amount of tax payed by the rich make him not bothered about the poor.
Again, whether the economy is classed as being a success or not I think depends on what you are measuring it against. The black and white figures and the stock market indices indicate a success but what about the # of homeless people in society? What about the levels of equality within society? How many people are financially marginalised? Have these numbers improved? Are they part of what an economy is supposed to tackle? It really depends on what you are measuring the economy against.
Having said that, even if we were to agree it is a success. It is hard to know who is actually responsible, Trump, Obama or the trends that were already in play. I would say personally that it is likely a mix of all 3 factors.
Trump is quick to mention the record breaking stock market indices, puff his 'chest' out and take credit for this. However, as far as I am aware the US stock market has hit an all time high on 33 out of the 58 preceding months. To me this suggests there was a rising trend in play already. I mean sure, Trump could have, and probably did, influence this but to take credit as if this was squarely down to him seems a bit 'rich' (pun intended). Another thing that suggests 'the market rises' are simply a trend which was already in play before Trump took office is that the economy and markets have been recovering since the crash in 2013 (on average hitting a new record high every 7 days). It is natural for recoveries to take place after crashes as policies are put in place to encourage this.
Be happy for anyone to challenge anything I have written. It is good to discuss these things IMO and I am always happy and willing to reevaluate my position on things.
Will come back to the other points later if that is okay. I am starving and need to go
sort a takeawaysort a healthy balanced low calorie dinner (just incase any of the Fat Club are reading).No problem, & no need to blush. Besides, "thanks Tikay, *blushes" makes history as your shortest post ever.
As it happens, I'm chuffed to bits you started this thread. I considered doing it a few weeks ago, but did not think there would be much interest. I was clearly wrong.
But the main reason I'm pleased is that I've trying to get some traction into this section of the Forum. (Fat Club etc).
In the last few days, you've started The "Film/TV Club" & now the POTUS, & both have proved popular.
We just need a UK Politics thread now, & we'll really be off & running.
"I went from VERY successful businessman, to top TV star to president of the United States (on my first try)".
I mean this is rather worrying. Does he really not remember the past?
I agree it is good to debate these things and not let the debate get personal. Might be worth coming up with some very basic ground rules to have some parameters to debate within and keep it civil?