The recent mailing of pipe bombs and the shooting at a Jewish Synagogue are in the news.   In your opinion, is the USA headed in the right or wrong direction?

 

Please feel free to leave a comment.

Headed in the wrong direction is an understatement.

 

Shooting itself in the crotch is more accurate.

 

It is a terribly sad thing to see a once great nation slink into darkness, grievance and loneliness; I truly and sincerely hope that the US finds its way again and rejoins good people everywhere in trying to create a better planet. When the US is feeling good, confident and proud (as it should), it has sooo much to offer and the world needs that good old American 'can do' spirit again.

 

 

 

A nation that has lost the moral ground it was founded with.  It was an example to the world, no more.

6 minutes ago, yimlitnoy said:

A nation that has lost the moral ground it was founded with.  It was an example to the world, no more.

Never saw a foundation getting lost, but a thin layer of paint getting peeled by the weather, quite often.

That said, America is not worse than any nation on Earth, just different.

The rise of the alt-right (the "Deplorables") and the election of Trump is now and will continue to be a disaster for the US, my country, even long after he has left office. The sooner that happens, however, the better. But even then, we (reasonable US citizens) still have to figure out how to live with the knowledge that at least 35% of our fellow citizens are either intolerant bullies, racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes, Islamophobes, neo-fascists, and/or nationalists. ????

It's civil war 2.0 and it will get much worse. The factors were already there to make that possible but the current super troll president constantly throws gasoline on the fire. That sick immoral narcissist believes probably correctly that the massive division which he constantly incites is the key to why he won and keeps winning. That's all he cares about. He wins and the nation loses.

 

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Trump's in charge so right direction

Corporate tax reform was way overdue, that's a very good thing for the economy. The economy is booming with lowest unemployment in decades.  Renegotiation of trade deals is also something that was ignored by all other presidents, it's about time the field is balanced.  People living off the food stamp program is way down, good news for the taxpayer.  Because the economy is booming, the Fed is raising interest rates back to a more normal rate, giving people some interest on savings.  The economy was so bad before they had to keep rates near zero to keep the economy afloat.  Market is waaaay up, making everyone's retirement account and 401ks much better than before.  I could go on....not sure what the naysayers want.  Maybe they are looking at the wrong news sources.

 There will always be problems.  But things have certainly taken a turn for the much better in many ways.  And these same naysayers are enjoying the economic benefits that have come about since November '16.  Just saying.....  

I don't much care what happens within the US, if they want to live with huge numbers of guns, cops that shoot unarmed blacks claiming self defence, rich that pay no taxes, poor education that discourages critical thinking and endless greed then that is ok. That is why I left the country.

 

But my problem is with the world outside that suffers from US bullying and aggression based on lies and false flags. The US sees itself at having the right to depose elected leaders, meddle in elections, spy including bugging leaders' phones, start wars all over the globe killing millions and blighting the lives of billions...then I have real problems.

 

If you are so stupid and dense to want to live in the US  where democracy is bought and paid for by corporations and the mega rich elite; where you are encouraged to go deep into debt to consume the meaningless baubles and stays symbols that they produce at outrageous prices....then by all means do it. But please don't inflict your awful values and way of life on other countries that wish to live more quietly and sensibly.

 

And in case you think I was one of the losers in the US, you couldn't be more wrong. America was good to me for a long, long time with a high level, ultra secure job in a large immensely profitable corporation. The US changed under George W Bush, after 9/11. With endless war then being actively promoted as the way to economic glory. It was based oglies and still is. The US has a fascist economic model in the true meaning of fascism ie the state and government each supporting and profiting from each other. Trump has added another awful dimension to this economic model...and that is an autocratic style of government. The historical omens for this are very bad indeed.

20 minutes ago, billsmart said:

The rise of the alt-right (the "Deplorables") and the election of Trump is now and will continue to be a disaster for the US, my country, even long after he has left office. The sooner that happens, however, the better. But even then, we (reasonable US citizens) still have to figure out how to live with the knowledge that at least 35% of our fellow citizens are either intolerant bullies, racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes, Islamophobes, neo-fascists, and/or nationalists. ????

It's quite amusing (maybe more like disgusting) to observe those alt-right supporters at the Trump rallies, you know, the 35% group. It always makes me think of The Pied Piper.

What a sad bunch of delusional little followers they are.

21 minutes ago, billsmart said:

The rise of the alt-right (the "Deplorables") and the election of Trump is now and will continue to be a disaster for the US, my country, even long after he has left office. The sooner that happens, however, the better. But even then, we (reasonable US citizens) still have to figure out how to live with the knowledge that at least 35% of our fellow citizens are either intolerant bullies, racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes, Islamophobes, neo-fascists, and/or nationalists. ????

We agree but....looking at Europe, looking at U.S., Australia, etc. what is the root cause of the current right wing, nationalist moves? I believe the 30-40 years of economic squeeze on the working middle class is the cause of most of the reason for the justified frustration/anger. Unfortunately these folks are reacting with their gut emotions rather than searching for electing reasoned representatives who have some intelligence and are not beholding to money interests.

I’ll submit my vote to this Survey in November 7th.

2 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

We agree but....looking at Europe, looking at U.S., Australia, etc. what is the root cause of the current right wing, nationalist moves? I believe the 30-40 years of economic squeeze on the working middle class is the cause of most of the reason for the justified frustration/anger. Unfortunately these folks are reacting with their gut emotions rather than searching for electing reasoned representatives who have some intelligence and are not beholding to money interests.

I like your post, but, where are the "reasoned representatives who have some intelligence and are not beholding to money interests"  ?

American Dollar, USD. Will always rule! As it still does this second, minute and hour. Look at other countries. What currency do they prefer? Banks are based on the USD, exchange rate is always based on the buying and selling of all currencies against the USD.  Just take a look at the FOREX market. A Trillion Dollars more or less is traded every day around the world.  Who controls that? Use your brain. Nothing will change.

Never underestimate the power of USD.

USA is heading in the projected direction according to its own rules established many years ago.

 

And all the other issues that are going on now, don't really mean jack. What it all comes down to in the end is money and resources.

 

By the way, I trade on the Forex Market. Very profitable.

24 minutes ago, bubba45 said:

Corporate tax reform was way overdue, that's a very good thing for the economy. The economy is booming with lowest unemployment in decades.  Renegotiation of trade deals is also something that was ignored by all other presidents, it's about time the field is balanced.  People living off the food stamp program is way down, good news for the taxpayer.  Because the economy is booming, the Fed is raising interest rates back to a more normal rate, giving people some interest on savings.  The economy was so bad before they had to keep rates near zero to keep the economy afloat.  Market is waaaay up, making everyone's retirement account and 401ks much better than before.  I could go on....not sure what the naysayers want.  Maybe they are looking at the wrong news sources.

 There will always be problems.  But things have certainly taken a turn for the much better in many ways.  And these same naysayers are enjoying the economic benefits that have come about since November '16.  Just saying.....  

And there world citizens is what we Americans are facing. I am a pilgrim in an unholy land. Well, I am hopeful, that in spite of the Republican Party taking active steps to restrict or stop American citizens from voting, my fellow citizens will go to vote in overwhelming numbers and close these peoples wrongheaded actions down!!!

8 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

I like your post, but, where are the "reasoned representatives who have some intelligence and are not beholding to money interests"  ?

I recommend listening to (soon to be) Sen. O’Rourke (D) and Sen. Sasse (R). As a nation we do have intelligent folk. Question is, will they seek office without being bought by “Citizens United” ( meaning the corporations that the SCOTUS ruled are citizens and can donated to politicians to do their bidding).

15 minutes ago, rskdev said:

American Dollar, USD. Will always rule! .

So believed the predecessors, and yet...

 

The dollar has probably less than 10 years of hegemony left...

Three stories from the last few days

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46002549

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45996655

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46001617

51 minutes ago, billsmart said:

The rise of the alt-right (the "Deplorables") and the election of Trump is now and will continue to be a disaster for the US, my country, even long after he has left office. The sooner that happens, however, the better. But even then, we (reasonable US citizens) still have to figure out how to live with the knowledge that at least 35% of our fellow citizens are either intolerant bullies, racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes, Islamophobes, neo-fascists, and/or nationalists. ????

Your use of all those tired old lift-down-and-dust labels to discredit your fellow Americans who happen not to share your political allegiance speaks more for your intolerance than theirs.

 

Unfortunately, it appears that on both sides of the political fence there are bigots aplenty - their dogmatism reinforced in the partisan echo chambers of social media - whose idea of civil discourse is to hurl insults, fists or both.

 

The need for constructive, honest dialogue between increasingly polarised political factions has never been greater - not only in the fractured and fractious US, but also in Britain, divided rather than united by the the Brexit decision, and European nations split over how to deal with the negative fall-out from mass migration. 

 

If disastrous civil strife on both sides of the Pond is to be avoided, political leaders need to reach out to one another and practice the inclusivity they constantly preach by being honest and open with their increasingly alienated and contemptuously-treated electorates. The alternative scenario, a few years down the line, is too horrendous to contemplate.

48 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Trump's in charge so right direction

Absolutely correct. The right man for these times is in the White House. The Open Borders crowd will have to wait until Socialism catches on but they better not be holding their breath. 

It looks like most posters here are libs not at all happy with the republicans. Well suck it up people .Another six years to go then MAYBE? your turn again.

5 minutes ago, johnmcc6 said:

It looks like most posters here are libs not at all happy with the republicans. Well suck it up people .Another six years to go then MAYBE? your turn again.

There are almost no republicans left, dude. The republican party has been transformed into the "trump" party. The party of a sick divisive demagogue. I get it. A big joy for the "trump" fans is bullying and taunting their opponents just as their bizarrely un-democratic (press is the enemy of people president, that is authoritarian dictator rhetoric) dear leader does. He's the first president that took the phrase BULLY PULPIT totally literally. He's a bully with the "soul" of a far right wing white nationalist. 

19 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

So believed the predecessors, and yet...

 

The dollar has probably less than 10 years of hegemony left...

And then Reboot!!!

Where the US is headed for sure is war!

 

This is not new in itself since the country is in a permanent state of war(s): wars in the Middle East, war on drugs, war on terror, you name it...

 

Yet, this time it is heading for something much bigger.

 

Depending on who will have the most influence, it could be a civil war (actually brewing...just read the posts above and in any thread touching US politics)...or it could be a classic war (also actually brewing with many likely opponents such as Russia, China, Iran who are getting ready for a fight).

 

The historical foundations for war are all there, it is just the catalyst that is missing...for now...

I'm not sure about long term issues, but the U.S. is heading down a bad path with the Trumpian agenda. I feel like the backlash from it all will right the ship though.

1 hour ago, billsmart said:

The rise of the alt-right (the "Deplorables") and the election of Trump is now and will continue to be a disaster for the US, my country, even long after he has left office. The sooner that happens, however, the better. But even then, we (reasonable US citizens) still have to figure out how to live with the knowledge that at least 35% of our fellow citizens are either intolerant bullies, racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes, Islamophobes, neo-fascists, and/or nationalists. ????

That, or they just do not like leftist policies that primary aim is making the USA look more like the EU. I'm going with don't like becoming the EU for $1000 Alex (Jeopardy Game Show reference). 

I don't think Trump is going for the conventional war tactic. You know like Iraq and the rest of the middle east, or who has the biggest and best military, which is obviously the USA. No one can win that way. The smarter move is with economics and trade sanctions. That way it is non-confrontational. Be it, that he has a bigger plan in the end.

 

Never show your hand before. Kind of like a poker game. Unfortunately there are other countries that get played in the process. So the cycle continues.

49 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

I recommend listening to (soon to be) Sen. O’Rourke (D) and Sen. Sasse (R). As a nation we do have intelligent folk. Question is, will they seek office without being bought by “Citizens United” ( meaning the corporations that the SCOTUS ruled are citizens and can donated to politicians to do their bidding).

All the Citizens United ruling did was to even the playing field for corporations to compete with the political donations from the labor unions. What is good for the goose is (or should be) good for the gander.

While this thread will end up in a hard core debate, there are few things that are glaring red flags to me;

 

• Trump has done a few good things but his petty immature antics and his poor leadership skills have made the US a divisive hateful country. Hopefully the next President will do a better job.
• In a country as great as the USA we appear unable to bring to the voters a viable presidential candidate for the population to vote for. Look at the last 2 candidates, Trump and Clinton. You didn't ask the voters to pick the best candidate, the voting system was used to pick the lesser of 2 evils. I do not see it getting any better, any time soon.
• Putting walls up is not a solution to immigration issues. It needs to be approached in a way that limits and controls how people get approved.
• The cost of living is spiraling upward out of control. 
• Nobody is paying attention to the children. Parents are focused on work, status, perception and "keeping up with the joneses"

Those are my inputs. 

Trump's in charge, the only sfae places left in the US are the donut shops in NYC!