Smigel

2 hours ago, rcummings said:

What don't you get about the fact that Trump pushed for huge tax breaks for the wealthy and powerful?

What don't you understand about the fact that he has left environmental regulation to the tender mercies of the oil and gas lobbyists?

Do you understand the the prosecution of financial crimes is way down under the Trump administration?

So whatever self-interest noses got bent out of joint, it wasn't those of the ruling class.

 

Point 1). Huge tax breaks for the wealthy and powerful. 

Trumps tax cuts and jobs act signed Dec 2017, was in his words an attempt to provide tax cuts across the board. But especially to lower corporation tax in an attempt to stimulate the economy, create growth and cut or wipe out the deficit. 

On the lower end of the scale, single filers had their % of tax, remain at 10% or the next two tiers cut 3% to 12% up to 38,700 usd and 22% up to 82500 usd respectively. 

For those earning over 500000 usd their rate was cut by 2:6% to 37%. Those earning over 200000 usd their rate remained at 35%.

The corporate tax rate was reduced  14% from 35% to 21%.

Estate tax exemption was doubled from 5:49 million usd to 11:8 million usd. 

That is a mere snippet of the major tax reform that Trump signed into law, and yes I'm aware that the personal rates are for 5 years, before returning to existing rates. But they can also be extended, this is after all a stimulus package. 

Now I'm by no means a financial genius, but even to my feeble brain, I can work out that the more tax you pay, the more you will save in an across the board single rate payer tax cut of around 3%.

But a 14% corporation tax cut, would surely result in an investment or growth of that company. Or is it your contention that the ceo's, directors, and chairman of those companies are all mates of Trump and are going to trouser that money. 

What do you think those at the top of the tree do with the money that they keep, rather than lose to the irs, hide it under the mattress or spend it, thereby creating stimulus to the economy. 

Have you ever heard of the trickle down effect.? 

2).Environmental issues. 

The Trump administration has initiated a major change in energy policy for the U. S. again in an attempt to create an economy stimulus, and also make American companies competitive in the global market by recognising the huge disparity trans nationally In energy costs. Particular when compared with China and say Germany, who are much more reliant on fossil fuels, coal and gas. 

Which is why he extricated the US from the Paris climate accord, as it gave an unfair advantage to the likes of China. 

Trumps return to fossil fuel dominance has resulted in the US becoming virtually self sufficient in their energy needs, and cut their reliance on opec. 

I agree there are major concerns regarding the environmental issues on the keystone xl pipeline, with particular concerns in the dakota area, and the impact on Native Indian homelands. 

Trumps return to fossil fuel reliance is a major policy shift from the Obama administrations preference for renewables, may I suggest you check out Michael Moore's documentary planet of the humans. Its an eye opener. 

3) what financial crimes have not been prosecuted under Trump?, and what has that to do with anything.? 

My comment regarding self interest groups, was aimed more at career politicians, and swampers with their noses in the trough, paid big bucks via lobbyists and international interests. 

Have a nice day.! 

29 minutes ago, johnnybangkok said:

First of all I’m rich. I own a company in Thailand that has 50 staff and turnovers millions a year and a high level of profitability. However I come from humble beginnings, brought up in Scotland with 5 kids and a single mother. I know poverty. I was brought up with it and lived it all through my informative years. 
What it taught me was that given an even and equal opportunity (which thanks to Scottish education, the NHS and social mobility), most people will go forward. They will take their opportunity and make better of themselves. All they want is the chance to be better. A small minority will take the p$ss, but most will try and elevate themselves. What they don’t need is racial barriers, sex oriented barriers and social status barriers. I would have hoped someone like yourself could understand that? Your problems are not the fault of equally disadvantaged people but are from those that choose to divide and conquer. 
Pick your individual echo chamber as much as you wish but ultimately the crumbs you are thrown from the likes of Trump are nothing more than a distraction. They are spreading division and hatred for those that are in exactly the same boat as you. 
Understand that and you might understand how hated he, Boris and all their ilk are. 
And this is coming from a guy who DOES look at his bank balance and should like what they are preaching, however my morality and sense of what is right and wrong chooses a different path. 
 

First of all my congratulations to you for your fiscal success in life. Although perhaps I should tamper that with some consolation for the inner turmoil you are obviously experiencing. 

To have come from humble beginnings with four other siblings cannot have been easy, but equally may have provided you with the drive and determination to make a success of your life. 

Did you actually read my post, because it seems you are under the misapprehension that I am bitter and twisted about my lot in life, and the fact that I have not made large amounts of money. 

I repeat, I chose a career in a public service that doesn't offer financial riches, but does give me a tremendous amount of job satisfaction and self esteem. Again I am not motivated by money. I can honestly say it was a pleasure to go to work. 

My mantra has always been if you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life. 

What are these racial, sexual and social barriers you speak of, that are holding people back from finding work. 

Frankly, in these days of equal opportunity and affirmative action, there has never been a better time for all parts of society to find employment. I find that a ridiculous statement. 

Just because I have posted a couple of opinions that defend Trump, attack democrats, and proffer Conservative traits, it doesn't mean I staunchly support Boris Johnson and the so called Conservative party, far from it. 

The contempt I hold for most politicians is limitless. The vast majority of them are nothing but a bunch of self serving, snouts in the trough, traitorous, liars. 

That would sell their own grandmother in a heartbeat. 

I don't buy into the orange man bad mantra, constantly churned out and whipped into a frenzy by the corrupt main stream media from day one of his nomination, let alone presidency. 

The election of Trump put a hell of a lot of self interest noses out of joint, which is why a lot of republicans are also against him. 

No president in history has had to put up with the utter hatred and lack of co-operation and respect that he has. 

Still he never gives an inch, he sticks to his guns and keeps going, and he will not be cowed by the corrupt media. I for one admire him for it. 

You call him a racist I've never heard him make a racist statement. I know he's never spoken at a funeral of a kkk'man, Biden has. 

I guess we shall both see the path America wants to follow come November, I hope they choose wisely. Because for me the consequences for Western civilisation are disastrous. 

4 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

Cherry picking much? Ok, I'll bite.

 

1). a free market economy.Really, then why has Trump had to de-regulate more than 80% of the regulations Obama straddled business with, to allow companies to thrive and grow. Particularly new businesses. 

After inheriting a fantastic economy from a Democratic government (who in turn inherited an economy on it's knees from a GOP government), Trump set about de-regulating to the detriment of the envornonment, workers rights and workers themselves. Trump was never interested in helping new business or the common man; he's only interested in helping big business make even more money for their own benefit. And what happened to that trickle down economy that every GOP government since Reagan has attempted to espouse? Did it trickle down or as usual, gush up?

 

2). Low taxation. Then why are people leaving california, New York and other dem run states and relocating in states like texas in their droves. Because they are sick of high regulation  high taxation, high crime mismanagement  

Let them. Rich people have that chance to pick up and go wherever they want. Not so for the middle and working class who have little or no choice but to eek out a living wherever they are now. And why are you defending low taxation for the super wealthy? There are billionaires and there's the gulible. Check your bank balance to see which one you are.

 

3). Freedom of speech. You cannot reasonably claim the dems are proponents of free speech surely. Are you aware of cancel culture? Whereby people have lost their jobs and had their lives destroyed simply for expressing an opinion. 

Let me give you a clue, the people driving this agenda are not conservatives. 

If your opinion is so abhorant that whole industries, large corporations and people in their millions come out against it, perhaps you should check your opinion.

 

4). The rule of law and patriotism. Again, you're pulling my chain yeah.! You must be. 

Try watching some video on the riots, looting and violence of the past 80 days. Get back to me with the number of people you see, wearing red maga hats carrying out the mayhem. 

No one, to include myself, other so called liberals on this site, Dem Governors, Congressmen, Senators or Mayors are condoning the actions of miscreants and hooligans who are rioting or looting. GOP and the right don't have a moral standing over this. You can't just sit there and say none is wearing a maga-hat so therefore it must be a Dem thing; that's gaslighting at best, complete misdirection at worse. A VERY small minority are taking advantage of predominately peaceful protests to create chaos, but as usual, it will be brought under control UNLESS a racist POTUS decides to throw more gas on the fire. And just remember who is ultimately in charge whilst this is all happening. You must be one of the only people in history who is blaming the people on the sidelines when all the resonsibility lies with the people on the field.

 

America has a chance to get away from the chaos and mismanagement of President who is in so far over his head it's not funny. Biden and Harris offer the opportunity for the Dems to once again save a nation ravaged by a GOP government who's only interest lies with their corporate sponsors and fellow billionaires. If you can't see that then I suggest you look a little harder than you seem to be doing right now and offer something more than what you've done here as I see very little of your 'libertarian' credentials and far too much of your 'conservative' ones.   

 

 

So Trumps policy of America first, and de-regulation, bringing companies and jobs back to America, that other administrations had shamefully been allowed to be outsourced abroad. 

That policy has hurt American workers, their rights and the environment, is that what you believe.? 

2). So it's just rich people that are leaving blue states in their thousands and relocating to red states, because they can. Nothing to do with small and medium business owners, and definitely no working class, leaving for a more affordable and better standard of living. 

By the way, I checked my bank account and I'm definitely not rich. But then again I already knew that, seeing as I've spent my working life, in a low paid career in the service of others. I am not and never have been motivated by money. 

3) in the United Kingdom, where I am from, a guy and his girlfriend both lost their jobs / were cancelled. Because the guy had the temerity to sponsor the flying of a banner from a light aircraft. The banner read " white lives matter". Is that the kind of abhorrent opinion of which you speak.? 

4) I disagree with your contention that dem mayor's, senators, governors and Congressmen (isn't that sexist), are not condoning the looters/ rioters and violence. I have yet to hear any let alone prominent dems condemn the Anarchy. Remember "silence is violence".Perhaps you could prove otherwise. If its also your contention that ANTIFA and Blm are Trump supporting anarchists, then there is literally no hope for you. Your Inste hatred of all things Trump and rich people has completely destroyed your capacity for logical thought. 

May I suggest you crack open a cold beer and calm yourself. 

Check out "you tube" inside Nancy pelosis district: This is not what America should look like.  it will enlighten you as to why people are fleeing dem states in their thousands. 

39 minutes ago, johnnybangkok said:

You'll be happy to hear that Dems believe in:-

A free market economy (always have), low taxation (for the masses and higher taxation for those that can afford it), small government (but not to the extent where government cannot function as has been demonstrated by Trump gutting agencies to the detriment of the American people), strong borders (yes they believe this too, they just don't believe that everyone is a rapist or a terrorist and you should lock up children), freedom of speech, expression and religion (never been in question). The rule of law (again name a Dem who doesn't) and patriotism (too much as far as I can see).

 

So the good news is you can now vote Democrat and still know you're ideals are untouched. 

No, the good news is I am not American and therefore ineligible to vote. Although if its okay for dead people and cats to vote, I don't see why I should be dis-counted. 

So the dems believe in:-

1). a free market economy.Really, then why has Trump had to de-regulate more than 80% of the regulations Obama straddled business with, to allow companies to thrive and grow. Particularly new businesses. 

2). Low taxation. Then why are people leaving california, New York and other dem run states and relocating in states like texas in their droves. Because they are sick of high regulation  high taxation, high crime mismanagement. 

3). Freedom of speech. You cannot reasonably claim the dems are proponents of free speech surely. Are you aware of cancel culture? Whereby people have lost their jobs and had their lives destroyed simply for expressing an opinion. 

Let me give you a clue, the people driving this agenda are not conservatives. 

4). The rule of law and patriotism. Again, you're pulling my chain yeah.! You must be. 

Try watching some video on the riots, looting and violence of the past 80 days. Get back to me with the number of people you see, wearing red maga hats carrying out the mayhem. 

11 hours ago, Sujo said:

But they havent. Theyve gone directly to race and birtherism, same thing really.

 

so whats her policies that you disagree with?

My opposition is not necessarily consigned to Kamala Harris, obviously she has some policies / points of view, that I could support. 

My opposition is more to the ideology / politics of the party of which she is a proponent of. 

I come from a conservative/ libertarian point of view and believe in free market economy, low taxation, small government, strong borders, freedom of speech, expression and religion. The rule of law and patriotism (to a certain extent) . 

I do Not support / accept state ownership, High taxation, cancel culture, marxism/ communism/ globalism, open borders, Nanny state interference, man made climate change, Anarchy, and identity politics. 

To be on the left of the political divide, seems to me to be a particularly joyless existence. They see no fun in anything, all that self loathing and insistence that any opinion that they do not subscribe to must be shut down and silenced, if not eliminated. 

*Removed*

20 minutes ago, Sujo said:

What is the relevence to defunding police to be against law and order.

 

One has nothing to do with the other.

 

But if you want instances of ignoring laws just ask trump about refusing to comply with subpoenas and pardoning his friends.

The police uphold, maintain and enforce, law and order. 

Ergo if you defund the police, scrap departments, cut budgets and police numbers. It stands to reason that you are impacting in a negative way, the ability of said organisation to fulfill its role, in keeping law and order. 

 Which kind of confirms what conservatives have been claiming about her, in that she is clearly a career politician, willing to jump on any bandwagon,  if it suits the career of kamala Harris. 

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

And again the same vague conjecture.

People oppose her, fine, but if the only reason is 'she claimed to smoke pot while listening to tupac', that will not really impress anyone.

 

So please, anything substantial please.

How about her own father has laid claim to being descended from Hamilton Brown, a prominent plantation and slave owner in the 1800's. He owned scores of slaves, African, creole, and even White slaves. 

Furthermore if she is such a shoe in to be the first woman president of America. 

Why did she only poll 2% nationally in the primaries, and a meagre 7% in her own state. She was out debated and  torn apart on her record by Tulsi Gabbard, dropping out of the race in December 2019 after labelling Biden a  racist. 

Seems to me her entire fan base hails from this forum. 

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The more Trump demonstrates his absolutely fake "law and order pedigree", the more he alienates the majority of the American population and drops in the polls. 

 

This man is so out of touch with the masses. And he is cascading toward the most resounding and humiliating defeat of his sorry lifetime. Keep it up Don. You are Biden's top ally. 

Could you reconcile me with your logic, because I am really struggling to grasp it. 

What is it 59 days now of "protests", for protests read, looting, arson, violence including murder of innocents,rape and general anarchy. 

All in cities run by Democrats, that have stood down the police and in some cases totally withdrawn them and actively cheered on the anarchy. 

Trump has offered federal assistance to many of these cities and it has been refused, and its your  belief he's demonstrating fake law and order credentials. 

Furthermore, you contend that sane, normal Americans, and I'm talking about the people that don't, unlike you, suffer from serious Trump derangement syndrome. 

You think these people are sitting back and enjoying seeing their country burn and fall apart in a mire of lawlessness.

This dystopic calamity in your eyes is going to drive these people to vote for a man, that won't leave his basement in the middle of an election campaign. 

Not even to answer the patsy questions from a blatantly biased, on message media, or to deliver his usual unintelligible word salad.

The man's not even sure if his sister is his wife, or the man he has to debate is Joe Biden. 

Your confidence in a Biden victory in November because of the polls is delusional. Did you learn nothing in 2016.

As I say, I am confused with your logic, but I'm not American, so go ahead thrill me with your acumen. 

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

Whatever way you view the person, it is known detention centres in Iraq are not necessarily secure, practice torture, corruption  and non compliance to the rule of law. There is a risk the person could get back into the community and rejoin  an Islamist terror group as has previously occurred with other detainees. Personally I am of the POV that UK should not go down the path of matching cruelty with cruelty as it's a zero sum game. IMO it would be safer for the world in general to return this person to the UK for trial and when found guilty ultra secure detention. If needs be HMG can update anti terror legislation for assessment prior to any release date and if found to be an ongoing threat not to be released.

Ms Begum is not being  returned to the UK to stand trial for any of her actions since leaving the UK to join isis. 

Apparently there are no laws currently in the UK justice system covering her actions. 

Which is why sajid javid stripped her of her citizenship in the first place, in the face of overwhelming public anger. 

Anyone with the smallest of brains, can see the writing on the wall here. 

She will be allowed to return to the UK to appeal the government decision, whereby her appeal will be upheld on the basis that it is illegal under International law to render a person stateless.

She will then no doubt sue the UK government for breaching her human rights, and in no time at all be living a very nice life, thank you very much.

Makes me so proud to be British.