SURVEY: USA -- Headed in the right or wrong direction?

[rskdev]

Ok, Mr. JAFO,

 

1. For one. Trump has done many things. Just look it up. Another is, many people around the world would give anything to live in the USA. As a matter of fact. I have lived in Cambodia, Thailand, Lao, Myanmar and they always are interested in my country. I am moving to the Philippines soon to see what it is all about. I just like to see how different countries operate.

 

2. Forget about the Clinton era and Obama era. That is over. Unless you are like the rest of the mindless herd. Like in Africa you are lost from the main part of the herd.

 

3. Forget about letting more illegals in. Your tax dollar and mine are going for nothing that will come good of it. Build the wall and electrify it.

 

4. Well, its up to you where you want to live. Yes cost are very expensive in the US. I use to live in Hawaii. But that is way out of control now. I had my own house, built it myself, all paid for, no mortgage. But with all the taxes and everything else it got to be to much. Sold it all and moved to Asia. Things are less expensive here.

 

5. Well, if you feel that you have to keep up with the Jone's then that may be your problem. Just take care of your own. Why do you have to worry about what other people think. Raise you kids the way you want to.  I live very good here in Asia. I am not over the top by any mean. Just comfortable. Way more happy.

[1FinickyOne]

I guess the real answer depends on the future... i cannot judge if the times ahead are as disruptive as the present.... wish i had more insight. 

[mcambl61]

1 hour ago, billsmart said:

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.

what a load of ignorant generalizations to feed your uninformed opinion.

so demeaning those that disagree with progressive ideologies grants you this

power to know what people are? amazing

[mcambl61]

1 hour ago, wwest5829 said:

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)

or a Soros funded candidate too right?

[AsiaCheese]

“We’ve turned it all around,” Trump said. “Once again, we are the economic envy of the entire world.”

 

No, you're not. A quarter with a "nice" GDP growth figure doesn't tell the story. GDP growth hit or surpassed 2 percent on a quarterly basis across more than a dozen quarters under Obama, and it surpassed 3 percent eight times. As the Washington Post’s Philip Bump points out, quarterly GDP growth has exceeded 5.1 percent in 37 months since Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, including four times under Obama. And: some exports were exceptionally strong, because China and other countries hit with sanctions and trade war taxes stocked up on stuff that was going to become more expensive. Thus, it's a "special occasion" boost. Also, how much weapons production (which has a prominent place in both GDP and jobs) can the US keep up with? There's a point where the country's own "defence" is saturated, and "allies" around the world have placed enough orders for non-flying F-35's.

[mcambl61]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

There are almost no republicans left, dude.

in your very narrow opinion, dude

[johnmcc6]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

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. 

Sick and divisive just like your post do you mean?

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, johnmcc6 said:

Sick and divisive just like your post do you mean?

I'm not the president. He really is NOT my president. He is only the president of his base, which have proven themselves to be as deplorable and ignorant as advertised. 

[billsmart]

41 minutes ago, Ahab said:

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). 

The US had always historically been like the EU. It is the UNITED States of America, just like the EU is the European UNION. I do agree that many "leftists," like me, would like to see the diminishing of nationalism and the rise of globalism. Many on the left, again like me, would also like to see a move from capitalism towards socialism. And yes, I know, many, especially those on the right, would not like to see that at all.

That is indeed several aspects of the widening, and unfortunately increasingly violence-prone, political gap between us. ????

[billsmart]

17 minutes ago, mcambl61 said:

what a load of ignorant generalizations to feed your uninformed opinion.

so demeaning those that disagree with progressive ideologies grants you this

power to know what people are? amazing

I judge these people on their rhetoric and actions. I judge Trump and his minions to be despicable in both cases.

[mcambl61]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'm not the president. He really is NOT my president. He is only the president of his base, which have proven themselves to be as deplorable and ignorant as advertised. 

so it is ok for you to generalize and assume what people are based on your very narrow arrogant opinion?

 

[mcambl61]

1 minute ago, billsmart said:

I judge these people on their rhetoric and actions. I judge Trump and his minions to be despicable in both cases.

again, your opinion is only just that, it does not grant you the knowledge of anyone's heart or intentions or integrity in any way shape or form and it never will.

[mcambl61]

6 minutes ago, billsmart said:

The US had always historically been like the EU

in what "historical" ways exactly?

[unamazedloso]

Im not from the US but can clearly see that past presidents were too weak and being run all over. Trump wont have anything to do with it. People dont like his ideas because they are simple hard truths that people need to learn to deal with.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, unamazedloso said:

Im not from the US but can clearly see that past presidents were too weak and being run all over. Trump wont have anything to do with it. People dont like his ideas because they are simple hard truths that people need to learn to deal with.

No. He's a vicious DEMAGOGUE. There is your hard truth. It's a national emergency now to at least CHECK his power.

[Brunolem]

53 minutes ago, rskdev said:

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.

 

 

There is only one step between trade war and hot war...

[johnmcc6]

1 hour 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).

Beto is toast.

[billsmart]

1 minute ago, mcambl61 said:

in what "historical" ways exactly?

From its very beginning, the US is a union of a number of disparate states, a republic, actually. The EU is a union of a number of disparate countries. They each have their own laws, but as part of the union, must comply with the laws of the higher authority: the federal government in the case of the US, and the European Commission in the case of the EU member countries.

[billsmart]

4 minutes ago, mcambl61 said:

yes, and we see precisely where the violence, rioting and public disruptions are coming from 99 percent of the time.

Yes! Finally something on which we can agree! ????

[Brunolem]

53 minutes ago, JAFO said:

 

 

• 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.

Next president?

 

Trump wants to stay as long as his buddies Xi and Kim Jong Un are in charge in their respective countries!

 

He could become the new Roosevelt, with four terms, an economic depression and a major war under his belt!

 

[abrahamzvi]

2 hours ago, yimlitnoy said:

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

Let us all, Americans and other freedom and justice loving people worldwide, hope that the midterm elections on November 6, will be a positive sign showing that the majority of American people want a unifying leadership.

[Brunolem]

4 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I agree with the quote of Lenin above that the ultimate goal of socialism is communism. Socialism is not the answer; it is just an intermediary step.

The US is already well into socialism with about half its population relying on government handouts.

 

It has not reached the European level yet, but why would anyone want to imitate Europe, which is desperately trying to cope with unmanageable issues?

 

 

[mcambl61]

9 minutes ago, billsmart said:

From its very beginning, the US is a union of a number of disparate states, a republic, actually. The EU is a union of a number of disparate countries. They each have their own laws, but as part of the union, must comply with the laws of the higher authority: the federal government in the case of the US, and the European Commission in the case of the EU member countries.

complete nonsense. one was formed to throw off the tyranny of an oppressive kingdom, the other formed out of the sole purpose to combine economic power and centralise power into an unelected commission.

 

completely different things for completely different reasons.

 

the EU is regulating speech, that is just the beginning of the socialism you admire and they won't stop there. I know of no 1st amendment right in the EU.

 

fortunately the citizens of the US are not disarmed and that will ensure we do not have to put up with tyranny for too long. But then you want them disarmed to meet your socialist utopian dream don't you?

[Jingthing]

20 minutes ago, johnmcc6 said:

Beto is toast.

He probably won't win his senate race but if he comes even close, he'll be a strong potential presidential contender. He's reminding people of RFK. 

[billsmart]

5 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

The US is already well into socialism with about half its population relying on government handouts.

 

It has not reached the European level yet, but why would anyone want to imitate Europe, which is desperately trying to cope with unmanageable issues?

 

 

I don't understand your last remark. Are you suggesting that Europe should not try to cope with their problems because they seem "unmanageable?"

[cooked]

2 hours 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. ????

Stop watching MSNBC

[abrahamzvi]

49 minutes ago, mcambl61 said:

or a Soros funded candidate too right?

If Mr. Soros really is funding all and everything that is being attributed to him, he would be penniless by now. Mr. Soros seems to be a symbol of liberalism that the extreme right wing (be it Hungary, Poland, Israel or the USA) consider dangerous. These are the people preaching nationalism and a "controlled democracy" ala Urban's Hungary (and I assume what President Trump aspires to). Why don't you refer to the casinos mogul Sheldon Adelson, financing the right wing? I wonder if Mr. Adelson realises that his buddies in the alt. right, which he has been financing, have been leading to the Pittsburgh massacre, directly or indirectly. This , as well as the pipe bombs, should be a lesson to all!

[billsmart]

18 minutes ago, mcambl61 said:

complete nonsense. one was formed to throw off the tyranny of an oppressive kingdom, the other formed out of the sole purpose to combine economic power and centralise power into an unelected commission.

 

completely different things for completely different reasons.

 

the EU is regulating speech, that is just the beginning of the socialism you admire and they won't stop there. I know of no 1st amendment right in the EU.

 

fortunately the citizens of the US are not disarmed and that will ensure we do not have to put up with tyranny for too long. But then you want them disarmed to meet your socialist utopian dream don't you?

The reason behind their union might be different, but the idea behind a union is the same: to combine disparate strengths to make a more effective whole.

I don't know to what you're referring when you say "the EU is regulating speech." Even if that were true, regulating speech has nothing to do with socialism.

I am opposed to the 2nd Amendment as written, or at least as is currently interpreted. You can read my opinion on that at http://www.billsmart.com/writing/opinion/2nd_amendment/2nd_amendment.htm   . I will admit, however, that I have at times lately thought the prohibition imposed by the 2nd Amendment might indeed come in handy during Trump's administration.

[jcsmith]

1 hour ago, rskdev said:

2. Forget about the Clinton era and Obama era. That is over. Unless you are like the rest of the mindless herd. Like in Africa you are lost from the main part of the herd.

 

3. Forget about letting more illegals in. Your tax dollar and mine are going for nothing that will come good of it. Build the wall and electrify it.

This post is a good example of moving in the wrong direction.

[billsmart]

3 minutes ago, cooked said:

Stop watching MSNBC

My favorite TV channel is CNN! ????