President Trump

[The Don]

I'm not hopeful that either party has the will to actually stop the cycle.

I agree. On the expenditure side of the ledger, a significant proportion cannot be touched politically (social security, defence, law and order, homeland security and so on) and another huge chunk is the result of the kind of pork barrel spending that all politicians decry in others, but strangely not themselves. Unless there is a polar shift in attitudes then any attempts to constrain spending is just nibbling at the edges. If there is a polar shift then tens of millions would be worse off as their pension or government job goes.

On the income side of the ledger the best that the Democrats can hope to do is to sneak in a few tax increases to try and offset the last set of GOP tax cuts but then it begins all over again at the next cycle.

Interestingly the tax burden seems to have shifted from companies and corporations who, IIRC, provided more than 30% federal tax revenue back in the 50's and 60's but which now are in single digits. Put another way, and assuming that this Wikipedia article is in any way accurate, corporate taxes were 6% of GDP in the mid-50's and now are around 1%.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_tax_in_the_United_States

 

[Belz...]

Ahh no, your side is losing, has been and will continue to do so on the local level.

Yeah those damned coons and queers are about to get it, aren't they?

 

[TofuFighter]

So ridiculous, as if you and many others would not be doing the same thing if hilldabeast had won.

people often judge others by their own standards, and Trump's set a reasonably clear example that it's fine to be an ******* to other people. "It's your right".

 

[logger]

Yeah those damned coons and queers are about to get it, aren't they?

You don't even know what color I am, what different races are apart of me or if I'm queer. You blow out these ridiculous emotional posts that are supposed to paint me as some sort of racist or bigot?

Argumemnon, when you spout things like this, how am I supposed to have a reasonable argument with you?

Respond in kind so I can buy a yellow card or suspension?

I told you in another thread, reasonable arguments cannot be made with hard leftists, it usually ends up in them posting insults.

 

[logger]

people often judge others by their own standards, and Trump's set a reasonably clear example that it's fine to be an ******* to other people. "It's your right".

The poor dears may need a safe space.

 

[Belz...]

You don't even know what color I am, what different races are apart of me or if I'm queer. You blow out these ridiculous emotional posts that are supposed to paint me as some sort of racist or bigot?

There's nothing emotional about it. You're drunk with power right now, but you don't seem to realise, don't care, or agree with the fact that the right in the US have historically curtailed the rights of women and minorities and have resisted much-needed change.

Argumemnon, when you spout things like this, how am I supposed to have a reasonable argument with you?

When do you evern have a reasonable argument? Whenever I try to get you to participate in one all you have to say is that people on the left don't listen to reason and thus aren't worth the effort.

Respond in kind so I can buy a yellow card or suspension?

Stop playing the victim. No one believes it for a second.

I told you in another thread, reasonable arguments cannot be made with hard leftists, it usually ends up in them posting insults.

See? You did it right there! You're building up a reason for why you'll never engage your opponents in a reasonable discussion. You don't _want_ a reasonable discussion.


Anyway, the coons and queers are about to get it, right?

 

[ponderingturtle]

On the other hand, he has a firmly established democratic system more than willing to fight its corner, which Hitler didn't.

Remember McCarthy. Over-stepped himself and was crushed. It could happen to Trump, and I've got quite high hopes it will. They'll come at him through his family, just you watch.

And we are going to bring back the house unamerican activities commission to get the Muslim Brotherhood out of the government.

 

[ponderingturtle]

They called WW1 the "war to end all wars". Loads of folk, including some of Jewish heritage, dismissed the "over the top rhetoric" of the Nazi party because Germany was a modern, sophisticated metropolis. You think such a descent is impossible in the US? Not even close, and memories would barely slow it down.

Exactly concentration camps hit close to some WWI propaganda which lead to early reports of them being discounted.

 

[phiwum]

Not cobalt, but I don't think it is.

I think it almost borders on a logical fallacy of some sort.

"I really love my Toyota Land Cruiser".

"You might want to reconsider - they are a favorite of Osama bin Laden."

Since one cannot control who might or might not support you, or your vehicle choice, why should you be painted with the beliefs of those who do?

Let me see if I can zero in on the fallacy. "Guilt by association" is a phrase that comes to mind, but is not a fallacy per sé.

It's more or less an ad hominem.

These people claim Trump ought to be president. These are bad people, so Trump ought not to be president.

That's one way to look at it, anyway. I think it's still missing the guilt by association angle that you mention.

There is, of course, a way of reading the argument so that it isn't fallacious. These bad people think that a Trump presidency is good for them. They are reasonable authorities on this matter and there is reason to think that they are honest in their assessments, so there is that much reason to think that a Trump presidency is good for racists. Hence, a Trump presidency will increase racism and benefit racists.

 

[uke2se]

It's more or less an ad hominem.

These people claim Trump ought to be president. These are bad people, so Trump ought not to be president.

That's one way to look at it, anyway. I think it's still missing the guilt by association angle that you mention.

There is, of course, a way of reading the argument so that it isn't fallacious. These bad people think that a Trump presidency is good for them. They are reasonable authorities on this matter and there is reason to think that they are honest in their assessments, so there is that much reason to think that a Trump presidency is good for racists. Hence, a Trump presidency will increase racism and benefit racists.

The argument is actually more like this:

1. Trump says racist things and promises to enact racist policies.
2. See, even neo-Nazis and white supremacists agree!

It's about shaming people for voting for Trump. And ashamed they should be.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

The argument is actually more like this:

1. Trump says racist things and promises to enact racist policies.
2. See, even neo-Nazis and white supremacists agree!

Since #1 is sufficient to make one's case, is not #2 irrelevant?

 

[uke2se]

Since #1 is sufficient to make one's case, is not #2 irrelevant?

It's a useful way of demonstrating #1, and why people should take #1 seriously. As we have seen, a large part of the US electorate don't care about #1, but very few want to be compared to neo-Nazis.

What we haven't factored in is the capacity of these people for self-delusion: "I'm not a racist. You're the racist for saying I am one!"

 

[TofuFighter]

The poor dears may need a safe space.

The space they want is a country where the president sets an example of human decency. Like Obama. Trump has not done that. His explicit approach is revenge and denigration, and it's interesting that people who think of themselves as christians find that appealing. many a veil being pierced.

 

[Andy_Ross]

That's right. And those of an authoritarian bent will be enthusiastic supporters. And I think that cohort includes all the gun owners who support the militia movement, who are 2^nd Amendment gun nuts and the far-right Trump supporters. It would be presented as a highly polished turd and I doubt many in those categories would see the large issues.

Exactly, it would be the Left and the Liberals portrayed as the enemy. They want your guns. See how they defend the Muslim Terrorists and the raping drug runners from Mexico? They want to destroy America, they are in league with the International Bankers. Lock up their leaders, run them out of Congress. It's the duty of all true Patriots to support the President against enemies both foreign and domestic.

 

[acbytesla]

In much of the Southwest, the afternoon period of peak solar generation coincides with the peak demand for power due especially to air conditioning (See charts here).

Yeah, battery development has lagged. I think the move to electric vehicles will affect that in a couple of ways. Not only will development proceed apace but old batteries (especially auto batteries) will have after-market value for energy storage.

I have Google alerts on the terms supercapicitor and battery breakthrough. Every day for years I read about potential breakthroughs. From flow batteries to silicon anodes to the use of graphene and carbon nanotubes to brass and steel.Unfortunately, most are in the laboratory or early development stages and may never make it to being viable products. The last significant development in making a better battery was 20 years ago with lithium ion. That said more people are working on it than ever before. I'm both optimistic and cynical at thhe same time as we have been 5 to 10 years away from a revolution in batteries for 20 years.

 

[Marcus]

But we subsidise cars not by subsidising the gas for them, but subsidizing the roads and the like.

True, gas taxes these days only pay slightly more than half of road costs. Still, there is a large gap between what would be required to pay for the roads (somewhat less than $1 per gallon) and the huge taxes some countries put on gas. I don't know where all the money goes.

 

[NoahFence]

Freedom loving people certainly will fight for freedom. If you're saying it could happen where people would fight to keep your latest socialist/fascist hero from taking over, you'd be correct.

The only way this could happen here is if the left were able to get more power. If hillary had been elected she would have made the supreme court go left. Effectively giving control to freedom hating leftists who feel they need to protect us from ourselves.

Just so you know, your kind is outnumbered.

 

[acbytesla]

This is also something I feel.
The further away we get from WWII, the more we forget. I had a friend (french) whose grandmother would tell him stories about the war that were horrific, and who was firm about the fact that people need to be reminded, lest it happen again. But that reminder is ineffective these days. It's not real enough. Most younger people today just think it wouldn't happen and are too from the horror of it to be wary.

Emily's supposition


that Trump would not have support from a his gun-owning voters is, imo, not correct. I think they would believe in what he is doing, believe in what he wants to do, and/or support him blindly. The ideology of rejecting tyranny would not be aimed at him, but rather at whoever he opposes. Trump would paint his opposition as the tyrannical ones, and his supporters would believe it. This is exactly how his campaign was operated. I, personally, thought that the US public would see through that blatant charade, but they didn't.
I agree that the military is not likely to support him.

The election is over, but I feel Trump must still be held accountable for every assholic comment he made publicly during his campaign.

Read logger's posts. He blindly follows Trump already and demonizes the left irrationally. The press are all liars and refuses to venture into the science forums because the truth threatens his belief system. In fact he mocks science. I have little doubt that his guns would be used to keep the God less liberal elites in line as opposed to making America great again.

 

[NoahFence]

You don't even know what color I am, what different races are apart of me or if I'm queer. You blow out these ridiculous emotional posts that are supposed to paint me as some sort of racist or bigot?

Argumemnon, when you spout things like this, how am I supposed to have a reasonable argument with you?

Respond in kind so I can buy a yellow card or suspension?

I told you in another thread, reasonable arguments cannot be made with hard leftists, it usually ends up in them posting insults.

For the 10,000th flippin' time, you don't have to be a racist or a bigot. Just acknowledge that you elected one.

 

[acbytesla]

True, gas taxes these days only pay slightly more than half of road costs. Still, there is a large gap between what would be required to pay for the roads (somewhat less than $1 per gallon) and the huge taxes some countries put on gas. I don't know where all the money goes.

Depends on where you live. A gallon of gasoline in Washington State has a Federal tax of 18 cents and 44 cents goes to the State for a total of 62 cents a gallon. Revenue from the state tax goes to Highway programs including:
Constructing and maintaining state, city, and county roads, bridges, and ferries.
Purchasing right of ways.
Installing, maintaining, and operating traffic and signal lights.
Policing state public highways.
Operating movable span bridges.

But other governments around the world use it for basic services including health care and welfare as well.