Guess the lack is the same about my weeks-old question not getting any answer, meh.

If you're still talking about Donald Trump and making America great again... I'm not Donald Trump's campaign manager, so go to his website and do your own research. Then you can decide for yourself if you will be voting for him... how close is Belgium to becoming that 51st state? In my own opinion... the U.S.A. once had much greatness it has long been doing without.

 

I tried looking into it, I have yet seen what the US lost, apart from maybe an emptier South-West (aka all them mexicans ).

 

You touch the subject but don't give an answer anyway, geez thanks

 

As for his promises, basic politician promises really, hear such "balloons" (lovely word they use here for "idea's" that are only meant to look pretty but fly away after a day, or wrinkle up in a week ) almost every day here aswell, nothing really comes from it. Much support in US elections comes from anger/resentment towards group X. You don't build/maintain a society hellbent on finding a scapegoat for all the ills it faces. Grow up and see the lack of policies all sides have.

I have stated over and over in this thread that the only way to beat Donald Trump is for other candidates to drop out, and make their endorsements. 13 candidates have dropped out, and he's still winning. Your thinking is based on just one more dropping out, and that will do the trick. Good luck with that... I will support who wins.

 

Some people have a problem getting past a candidates abrasive personality, but when you listen to Trump on the issues, I can't see him not winning in a landslide. He declares he is not touching entitlements... that is unheard of with any Conservatives. He blames our lack of growth on bad trade deals, and promises 4-5% growth and keeping our manufacturing in the country. We have about 90 million people not in the workforce... that will change. The unions are holding off their endorsements... they want Trump. He will get the illegal immigration problem solved, both sides have been failing at that for decades. Nobody knows building and management better, and improving our infrastructure will be top priority. Most Americans like this.

 

Trump's objective right now is winning the nomination. He has not even started on Hillary yet... too much of a chance she won't even be able to continue running. If it happens, he will have no trouble burning her to the ground... remember, he knows those Wall Street dudes she has made speeches to. I believe her speeches will be known.

Look at the numbers. Realclear politics has him 10 points behind Rubio in election matchups (Rubio heads Clinton by 4, Trump trails by 6). The majority of REPUBLICAN voters say they would not be satisfied to have him as their candidate. He managed to trail Bernie "I'm a socialist sanders" by 10 percentage points. 

 

These are not the numbers of a popular man. The biggest lie the media are selling right now is that Trump is popular. He is not. He is actually the least popular major candidate right now if you look at how people will vote in the general. 

 

 

Look at the numbers. Realclear politics has him 10 points behind Rubio in election matchups (Rubio heads Clinton by 4, Trump trails by 6). The majority of REPUBLICAN voters say they would not be satisfied to have him as their candidate. He managed to trail Bernie "I'm a socialist sanders" by 10 percentage points.    These are not the numbers of a popular man. The biggest lie the media are selling right now is that Trump is popular. He is not. He is actually the least popular major candidate right now if you look at how people will vote in the general. 

Then you should be quietly laughing to yourself as we nominate that awful candidate that Hillary, or Bernie, will easily beat in November. You should want him to win the nomination... instead your scared to death of him. If he is so easily beaten, please someone hurry up and beat him. People want to keep saying he's so awful... but he keeps winning. Must make your heads explode.

 

Here comes Tuesday!

He would be easily beaten if there was a single good Republican candidate. There isn't. There is also the fact that the GOP is tearing itself apart, and is likely facing its last election as having even a semblance of a united party. 

He would be easily beaten if there was a single good Republican candidate. There isn't. There is also the fact that the GOP is tearing itself apart, and is likely facing its last election as having even a semblance of a united party. 

This sounds like wishful thinking, and a typical opinion, from a European Socialist. This party that you claim is tearing itself apart and facing it's last election, is the same party that currently controls both Houses of Congress. We're not going anywhere. This is nothing new, we always have spirited debates. I think frustration is setting in... maybe now George Bush will get a break and you guys can have a new American President to hate. I'm having a great time... why so serious?

Ben Carson backs Trump:

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35787356

Finally, a good policy debate occurred last night. I think it exposed Trump's policy weaknesses. It's too bad this debate couldn't have happened sooner. I really like what Marco Rubio had to say and it further solidified my desire to see him as the Republican nominee.

 

As much of a long shot as he might be at this point, I will be voting for him in my home state on Tuesday. Hopefully he can reverse the polling numbers in Florida and score a big win there. I think that he can do well in my home state too.

Finally, a good policy debate occurred last night. I think it exposed Trump's policy weaknesses. It's too bad this debate couldn't have happened sooner. I really like what Marco Rubio had to say and it further solidified my desire to see him as the Republican nominee.

 

As much of a long shot as he might be at this point, I will be voting for him in my home state on Tuesday. Hopefully he can reverse the polling numbers in Florida and score a big win there. I think that he can do well in my home state too.

I absolutely agree with you, but it's too little too late. Too many believe Trump won the debate last night, saying he was more "presidential". Trump will still win big on Tuesday, riding on the wave of trade, entitlements, and illegal immigration.

 

He has everyone convinced that trade deals are the reason for the loss of all our manufacturing jobs... I'll raise my hand as one of those convinced of that. Unions will support his plan. I would really like to not have to hate Unions anymore... I know when you boil it down, they only want to work and support their families.

 

He's a firm believer of Social Security... the way it has been handled since it began only proves it's the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, but if he can somehow keep the hands of Congress out of the cash, and fix the imbalance of those paying into it to those receiving benefits... he may succeed. I have always been against a government controlled retirement plan. Seniors that need it, and Liberals that support it, really like his plan.

 

Immigration reform will happen under Trump. There has been no incentive to get it done because the laws are not enforced, so as a result, it's treated however the current President feels. Trump will enforce the current laws on the books... strongly. This will give Congress the needed incentive to pass new laws that Trump will sign. Oh yes... the wall will be built.

 

I will support any Republican nominee, as long as it is the choice of the people. I have no intention of supporting Mitt Romney again, just because party bosses and elites don't like the people's choice. The Republican Party always goes through this, and they will consolidate under the nominee... just like Bernie fans will get behind whatever criminal they crown. I would have liked Marco or Ted as a better choice... but I don't think it will happen.

 

My guess is Missouri as your home state Sir, I believe you have told me this in the past. Good luck with your primary, and I always appreciate your thoughts here... not often enough in my opinion.

While I can see Cruz going for a modified Republican party, I just can't see Trump doing the same. You can't with the same faith claim the the Tea Party gave a spiritual boost to the Republican party.

 

Trump is a pragmatist first and foremost, hence he swings so wildly with viewpoints he deems currently favorable and has some obvious "democratic" views aswell to steal the middle field.

 

Guess its only fitting to want the US to be run by the biggest mouth, the irony is trumptastic

 

He would be easily beaten if there was a single good Republican candidate. There isn't. There is also the fact that the GOP is tearing itself apart, and is likely facing its last election as having even a semblance of a united party. 

This sounds like wishful thinking, and a typical opinion, from a European Socialist. This party that you claim is tearing itself apart and facing it's last election, is the same party that currently controls both Houses of Congress. We're not going anywhere. This is nothing new, we always have spirited debates. I think frustration is setting in... maybe now George Bush will get a break and you guys can have a new American President to hate. I'm having a great time... why so serious?

 

I am absolutely not a socialist. 

 

AS for the GOP, maybe it is some wishful thinking as I think the US republicans are dangerous for the wider world, and in particular Trump is dangerous for the wider word. However, things do not look good. 

 

1. The only electable candidates in this round have fallen flat

2. Most of the candidates are shockingly bad

3. There is no "unity" candidate left in the race. The two front runners represent extreme wings of the party that don't really get along, and have members that will run against the other candidate. 

4. Neither of the two leading candidates can win a majority in any state, and more importantly, when asked if they would be satisfied with candidate X as the candidate, neither gets significantly above 50%. We can also assume fairly clearly that the 50% for each are a different 50%. 

5. After years of trying to be the party of anti-deficit spending, that identity has crashed and burned as all the candidates try to outdo themselves in being the biggest unfunded tax cutter. 

 

All in all, does this sound like a party that is in good health?

Thank you so much for your concern Ice, but we have everything under control here. I'm a Republican, it's my party, they are my candidates, and this is my country. I'm not worried about it a bit. Since last summer, many people much smarter than both of us have come up with pages of statistics predicting the inevitable doom of Donald Trump and the death of the Republican Party... he's still winning and we're still alive. After Tuesday it will get louder, and Trump will keep winning. Republicans really hate people telling us what to do, who we have to vote for, and we just have to sit here and take it. They tried that with Ronald Reagan, it didn't work.

 

Only Donald Trump can turn a simple campaign rally into a national news story about how desperate Democrats are to stop him, and all he had to do was not show up. They showed their hand last night, and proved he is the one they are most afraid of running against in November.

 

It's the fault of Barack Obama... he divided the people so much by weakening the country, dissolving the borders, and ignoring our laws. Now someone comes along and says he will change all that. I knew it would draw out the Saul Alinsky roaches as soon as they get scared enough... and here they are... and Donald Trump knew exactly when to pull the trigger to expose them all as the anti-First Amendment, anti-American, hate mongering, useless, pieces of trash they are. Donald Trump is a genius.

 

If our candidate can't win as you say, then you have nothing to worry about Ice, but we're going all in. You can't change that.

 

He would be easily beaten if there was a single good Republican candidate. There isn't. There is also the fact that the GOP is tearing itself apart, and is likely facing its last election as having even a semblance of a united party. 

This sounds like wishful thinking, and a typical opinion, from a European Socialist. This party that you claim is tearing itself apart and facing it's last election, is the same party that currently controls both Houses of Congress. We're not going anywhere. This is nothing new, we always have spirited debates. I think frustration is setting in... maybe now George Bush will get a break and you guys can have a new American President to hate. I'm having a great time... why so serious?

 

 

You throw the European Socialist around as if it were an insult. I can't understand why you would, because currently, Socialist European countries are doing much better than the United States. France has made itself an example to be followed. Its social security is one of the greatest I've ever seen or read about. I was in France during January and I fell sick. I'm not a national of the EU or USA or any big country, but I was seen by a doctor for free and prescribed antibiotics that cost me only 10 Euros. Would that have happened in the US? I don't think so. There are many other examples as to why it works. It may or may not work in the US, but I don't think that socialism is a bad thing. In fact, I happen to believe that bad capitalism (the type of capitalism that actually occurs in the US) will always be inferior to great socialism.

 

 

You throw the European Socialist around as if it were an insult.

Because we're American Capitalists... and it is.

 

 

In fact, I happen to believe that bad capitalism (the type of capitalism that actually occurs in the US) will always be inferior to great socialism.

Let us know when Panama, or any other country, is ready to lead the world... until then, leave it to us.

Thank you so much for your concern Ice, but we have everything under control here. I'm a Republican, it's my party, they are my candidates, and this is my country. I'm not worried about it a bit. Since last summer, many people much smarter than both of us have come up with pages of statistics predicting the inevitable doom of Donald Trump and the death of the Republican Party... he's still winning and we're still alive. After Tuesday it will get louder, and Trump will keep winning. Republicans really hate people telling us what to do, who we have to vote for, and we just have to sit here and take it. They tried that with Ronald Reagan, it didn't work.

 

Only Donald Trump can turn a simple campaign rally into a national news story about how desperate Democrats are to stop him, and all he had to do was not show up. They showed their hand last night, and proved he is the one they are most afraid of running against in November.

 

It's the fault of Barack Obama... he divided the people so much by weakening the country, dissolving the borders, and ignoring our laws. Now someone comes along and says he will change all that. I knew it would draw out the Saul Alinsky roaches as soon as they get scared enough... and here they are... and Donald Trump knew exactly when to pull the trigger to expose them all as the anti-First Amendment, anti-American, hate mongering, useless, pieces of trash they are. Donald Trump is a genius.

 

If our candidate can't win as you say, then you have nothing to worry about Ice, but we're going all in. You can't change that.

Firstly, if European Socialist is an insult, why are you throwing it around? I thought this was supposed to be a civilised discussion. 

 

Secondly, the news story was generated by the bar brawling that took place, and nicely highlighted that Trump thinks the actions of his supporters that have lead to them being charged with assault are justified. Beating up protesters is against freedom of speech, and guess what Trump was highlighted as claiming was acceptable? 

 

It may pander to his supporters, but the majority will not thank him for that. 

 

You throw the European Socialist around as if it were an insult.

Because we're American Capitalists... and it is.

 

 

In fact, I happen to believe that bad capitalism (the type of capitalism that actually occurs in the US) will always be inferior to great socialism.

Let us know when Panama, or any other country, is ready to lead the world... until then, leave it to us.

 

Well if you're a capitalist, why are you pissed about jobs going outside? As capitalists, corporations are going to utilize the factors of production in the most efficient way and they find that someone else is willing to provide same level of quality and quantity at fraction of the costs, probably much better qualified too. What's all the fuss about that? 

You throw the European Socialist around as if it were an insult. I can't understand why you would, because currently, Socialist European countries are doing much better than the United States. France has made itself an example to be followed. Its social security is one of the greatest I've ever seen or read about. I was in France during January and I fell sick. I'm not a national of the EU or USA or any big country, but I was seen by a doctor for free and prescribed antibiotics that cost me only 10 Euros. Would that have happened in the US? I don't think so. There are many other examples as to why it works. It may or may not work in the US, but I don't think that socialism is a bad thing. In fact, I happen to believe that bad capitalism (the type of capitalism that actually occurs in the US) will always be inferior to great socialism.

 

Too bad most European core countries still haven't been able to ride out the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Just look at the pathetic growth rates EU core members have produced post 2008 (Germany is an exception). Compare that with the growth rate of the US where the crisis hit the hardest - you can see a healthy rebound from 2010 onwards.

 

Of course, there are a million factors to consider, but it's worth pointing out that welfare states only work well when their economies are strong enough to bear the significant operational costs, and their economies are much slower to recover after crises.

Edited March 13, 201610 yr by ccabal86

 

You throw the European Socialist around as if it were an insult. I can't understand why you would, because currently, Socialist European countries are doing much better than the United States. France has made itself an example to be followed. Its social security is one of the greatest I've ever seen or read about. I was in France during January and I fell sick. I'm not a national of the EU or USA or any big country, but I was seen by a doctor for free and prescribed antibiotics that cost me only 10 Euros. Would that have happened in the US? I don't think so. There are many other examples as to why it works. It may or may not work in the US, but I don't think that socialism is a bad thing. In fact, I happen to believe that bad capitalism (the type of capitalism that actually occurs in the US) will always be inferior to great socialism.

 

Too bad most European core countries still haven't been able to ride out the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Just look at the pathetic growth rates EU core members have produced post 2008 (Germany is an exception). Compare that with the growth rate of the US where the crisis hit the hardest - you can see a healthy rebound from 2010 onwards.

 

Of course, there are a million factors to consider, but it's worth pointing out that welfare states only work well when their economies are strong enough to bear the significant operational costs, and their economies are much slower to recover after crises.

 

The main factor being EU states following a strict neo-classical economic policy of austerity in the face of recession. The same policy that the US Republican party advocated. It didn't work, hence the slow growth. German growth has been rocky and mostly driven by export demand supported by a devalued currency, and the fact their own programme of austerity ended sooner than a lot of other countries. 

 

The US, which did not follow the same path of harsh spending cuts had a faster falling deficit, and saw actual economic growth. The UK, which had some half hearted austerity (consisting in large part of cover for the Tories to cut things they dislike, like disability benefits whilst jacking up state pensions for their voter base)  fell somewhere in the middle of the road. 

 

 

Firstly, if European Socialist is an insult, why are you throwing it around? I thought this was supposed to be a civilised discussion. 

It really comes down to the blurry line between being civilized, and being honest. I try to be honestly civilized. If your a Socialist... you are not offended by it. If you are offended by it, and you are in favor of government controlled, cradle to grave entitlements... then your just a liar. You may believe you are some kind of Robin Hood hero, out for the little guy, and the guardian angel of the less fortunate, but in reality you are a Socialist, an underachiever, a mooch, a thief... someone who believes they are entitled to free living just because they breathe air. I am a Conservative Capitalist... and I have been called much worse. Just being honestly civilized.

 

 

Well if you're a capitalist, why are you pissed about jobs going outside? As capitalists, corporations are going to utilize the factors of production in the most efficient way and they find that someone else is willing to provide same level of quality and quantity at fraction of the costs, probably much better qualified too. What's all the fuss about that? 

There is no such thing as fair trade between one country that has labor laws, minimum wage requirements, Unions, and an ever increasing demand for higher income... and a Communist country that has enslaved their population for the sole purpose of killing the economy of the other. The United States no longer makes anything anymore. We are largely a service nation now... selling and maintaining products that we ourselves purchase, that are made elsewhere. We get our cheap stuff... but everyone is using their welfare checks and credit cards to buy them... this must change.

 

You throw the European Socialist around as if it were an insult.

Because we're American Capitalists... and it is.

 

In fact, I happen to believe that bad capitalism (the type of capitalism that actually occurs in the US) will always be inferior to great socialism.

Let us know when Panama, or any other country, is ready to lead the world... until then, leave it to us.

 

 

If it weren't for the fact that the United States basically controlled Panama for more than 86 years, I would me more inclined to believe in American Capitalism. But since we were once ruled over by americans whose sole purpose was to seek a profit, who trained the man that became a dictator in our country and that came in guns blazing, killing hundreds of innocent people just to remove that same man because he had become independent of his american control, my faith for american capitalism is exactly what you would expect.

 

Lets see, how has American Capitalism affected my country? Oh yeah, the independence. We were "helped" by the americans to gain our independence from Colombia in 1903. But as you may know, the US didn't do that because of the kindness of their hearts. They did this so they could build the canal, knowing the profit that could be made from that, as well as the strategic position it had.

 

Shall I remind you of more of the Panama Canal? The US took an area generally extending five miles on each side of the canal and that territory was "part of the US" from 1903 to 1979. I'm not the most patriotic man you'll see, but even I am outraged at the fact that that territory was rightfully ours. My parents and grandparents grew up knowing of that place where the "gringos" lived, but they couldn't enter. The Americans born there, were US nationals, even though that territory was rightfully panamanian. We only got back what was rightfully ours on December 31st, 1999. 

 

How this ties to profit you may ask. The whole purpose of building the Canal was for the profits it brought. No matter all the consequences. No matter the events of January 9th, 1964; no matter the invasion we suffered on 1989. The only way we managed to get Carter to sign the treaty was to threaten to blow up the Canal. My country has suffered a lot in the hands of American capitalism, and some scars haven't finished healing.

 

In fact, if the US would stop meddling in foreign affairs that they have no business in, maybe there would be other countries ready to lead the world. Oh wait, they do have business. Oil, strategic positions, and profit. And I don't see European Socialists throwing around American Capitalist as an insult. I've heard american imperailism, american greed, americans interfering in everything, but not american capitalist as an insult.

 

Look man, I respect your beliefs, and all I wrote was written with the intention to inform and for opinion, but I don't mean to insult anyone. If something sounds as an insult, excuse me, it was not my intention. I believe in tolerance of everyone's beliefs, political, social, economic or anything else. But, you need to stop acting al high and mighty about capitalism, because it is a system that has as much flaws as any other, including socialism.

 

PS: I'm not sure who said it, but it seems that there is a confusion between socialism and communism. Here is a link so you can clear up your doubts. http://www.diffen.com/difference/Communism_vs_Socialism

 

Firstly, if European Socialist is an insult, why are you throwing it around? I thought this was supposed to be a civilised discussion. 

It really comes down to the blurry line between being civilized, and being honest. I try to be honestly civilized. If your a Socialist... you are not offended by it. If you are offended by it, and you are in favor of government controlled, cradle to grave entitlements... then your just a liar. You may believe you are some kind of Robin Hood hero, out for the little guy, and the guardian angel of the less fortunate, but in reality you are a Socialist, an underachiever, a mooch, a thief... someone who believes they are entitled to free living just because they breathe air. I am a Conservative Capitalist... and I have been called much worse. Just being honestly civilized.

I'm not offended by it, you were the one that described it as an insult. In anycase, I do not believe in the ending of private enterprise, therefore I am not a socialist. It is not that I am a liar, it is that your definition of socialist does not match the commonly used one. 

 

I do find the fact that you are calling anyone who thinks a social welfare safety net is a good idea an underachiever a little strange as it means your list of underachievers includes Warren Buffet, the current US President, Stephen Hawking and a lot of other extremely successful and talented people. 

Silly people, capitalism is good up until it stops giving Lys more then the median income. Socialism is bad up until Lys finds himself below the poverty line due to capitalism

 

 

All That

 

Oh, you're one of those. Some people believe that because their ancestors once walked around on some dirt, that somehow that makes them the "rightful owner" of that same dirt. Then someone else comes in, takes over, creates laws to govern the dirt, and sets up legal ownership... then reality sets in. There is one U.S. President that was weaker than our current one, and that was Jimmy Carter. The only reason the canal that we built is not still ours... is Jimmy Carter sold out his country. A blown up canal could be rebuilt, and the only permanent effect would be the death of those that blew it up. We can take it back anytime, but then we would be called assholes. Oh my, we already are called assholes.

 

Silly people, capitalism is good up until it stops giving Lys more then the median income. Socialism is bad up until Lys finds himself below the poverty line due to capitalism

I've been around awhile, and I have experienced a lot of time under the median income. It was never the responsibility of others.

 

All That

 

Oh, you're one of those. Some people believe that because their ancestors once walked around on some dirt, that somehow that makes them the "rightful owner" of that same dirt. Then someone else comes in, takes over, creates laws to govern the dirt, and sets up legal ownership... then reality sets in. There is one U.S. President that was weaker than our current one, and that was Jimmy Carter. The only reason the canal that we built is not still ours... is Jimmy Carter sold out his country. A blown up canal could be rebuilt, and the only permanent effect would be the death of those that blew it up. We can take it back anytime, but then we would be called assholes. Oh my, we already are called assholes.

 

Silly people, capitalism is good up until it stops giving Lys more then the median income. Socialism is bad up until Lys finds himself below the poverty line due to capitalism

I've been around awhile, and I have experienced a lot of time under the median income. It was never the responsibility of others.

 

 

Oh, so you are one of those. Some people believe that just because they appear, they can take whatever they want no matter who was there before you, just because you have more power. Oh, I know what that sounds like. It sounds like a bully, or a thief. That just because they want something, and they have the means to take it away from others, they take it. I'm guessing that you are against Native Americans and their true claim to the land that they rightfully own. 

 

And by someone coming in and creating laws to govern the dirt, you mean coming to an already established society and removing anyone who is in power because their way of living is "inferior to yours". You sound just like the European kingdoms coming to America. And who said there weren't laws govering the use of that "dirt". Maybe there were no laws as we know them now, but there were surely rules and norms to be followed. The laws were not necessary because the greed of people wasn't known to them in a scale as large as that of the colonizing kingdoms, or like the USA has showed in current times.

I heared the hilarious "native white population" gimmick was used once again recently by Trump supporters, please do enlighten us on the effect of "might makes right"

 

As for you being under median income on own responcibility, funnely enough in most socialist welfare states you will ALSO not get benefits if you make yourself unemployed. Welfare =/= universal basic income.

 

 

Oh, so you are one of those. Some people believe that just because they appear, they can take whatever they want no matter who was there before you, just because you have more power. Oh, I know what that sounds like. It sounds like a bully, or a thief. That just because they want something, and they have the means to take it away from others, they take it. I'm guessing that you are against Native Americans and their true claim to the land that they rightfully own.    And by someone coming in and creating laws to govern the dirt, you mean coming to an already established society and removing anyone who is in power because their way of living is "inferior to yours". You sound just like the European kingdoms coming to America. And who said there weren't laws govering the use of that "dirt". Maybe there were no laws as we know them now, but there were surely rules and norms to be followed. The laws were not necessary because the greed of people wasn't known to them in a scale as large as that of the colonizing kingdoms, or like the USA has showed in current times.

I am merely showing you the difference of what you believe, and what is reality. The huge mistake that Socialists make is they believe that life is fair... that's the stupidest thing anyone can ever think, and why you guys are all so miserable.