Posts Made By: Mel Maki

Originally Posted by Russ Carroll

In reality, Steve King or David Duke would throw their hats in the ring and win the GOP nomination - provided Trump Jr does not run.

Originally Posted by Russ Carroll

I'm with Trump on increasing Chinese tariffs without needed reforms. Now that we are knee-deep into this, we have a once in a generation opportunity to correct the massive theft of US intellectual property and tame a geopolitical enemy. Much of the damage of the tariffs to the US has already been done, and we might as well finish this gambit. At least make the pain worth it.

Originally Posted by James Brown

In my dream, if I could script things, Trump would hold a press conference in January of 2020, to announce boldly to the world that, "he has accomplished everything that can be accomplished by any man in the greatest presidency ever.  Heck the greatest presidency that can or ever will be."  He would announce that, "all of his goals have been met and all of the needs of this great country fulfilled in only three years."  "Amazing."  "Bigly."

Then Trump will announce that he is graciously stepping down to play golf, spend more time with Barron, and let the next generation take the reins.

Pence, Romney, Cruz and Rubio all throw their hat into the ring, but they are overwhelmed in the early primaries by Nikki Haley, who goes on to beat old white Joe in every state except Hawaii.  Hey, it's my fantasy, I can dream what I want!

Seriously though, I would desperately love to see Haley run some day because (a) I think she'd be a good president, and (b) I would so very much enjoy seeing my liberal friends, colleagues, the press and especially certain sisters-in-law twist in the wind trying to come up with reasons not to vote for a smart, articulate woman of color.  These folks, as much as I love some of them, view being an R or even having lukewarm quasi-support for Trump's policies as a profound moral failure... Watching them justify voting against the woman for an old white insider with groping hands would be soooooo sweet.

Jim

Originally Posted by Rod Kaufman

My understanding is a deal may have already been struck in principle but enforcement is another matter. Corruption is said to reign widespread in China so that even if you achieve some sort of an agreement, the probability of honoring it is low on the part of the Chinese.
As an aside, I watched CNN last night and they had on a financial whizz who followed the money Trump made. You know how Trump did it? He secured loans from a brokerage firm and used the money to establish a position in an established corporation while letting leak out that the Trump organization was infusing further into ther company and then when the stock of the particular company rose, he quickly sold the stocks in it for a big profit without doing anything for the company, leaving his fellow investors to hold the bag. The SEC would have stopped him but he stopped it himself first because word of what he was doing hit the streets so potential investors wised up. But by then, he had made millions...

Originally Posted by James Lacey

Hi Jim,

This statement is a bit confusing since why would any President tank the economy on purpose? Not to mention that the overarching theme of the economy and political parties in modern times is that the Republicans drive it into the ditch, and Democrats then spend eight years digging us back out. Precisely this scenario is what happened with Clinton after Reagan and Bush Sr. and it's what happened with Obama after Bush Jr. On top of that, Trump did not save the economy. Instead, he inherited one of the most prosperous economies in modern times. The economy was already on a steep growth curve when he took it over. Granted, deregulation, roll-backs of environmental protections, and a surge in company and consumer confidence have helped, but are these policies sustainable in the long run? I guess we will see, but most economists don't think so, especially given that sooner or later, those trillions of dollars in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy are going to come due. And who has this Trump economy helped? Real wage growth is still flat or falling as it has been for decades. No doubt this economy has been good for those who were already doing well and have plenty of income investments, but the average American worker is not benefitting that much.

It's incredible to me that the persistent myth that the Democrats are the ones who "ruin" the economy will never die, given that all available evidence in modern times the truth is the opposite. I think it's time to consider that policies like industry-specific stimulus packages, moderate tax increases on the wealthy, healthcare reform, banking regulations, and reducing income inequality are not necessarily bad policy. After all, without them, Trump would not have had an excellent economy to inherit.

Originally Posted by James Lacey

Hi Jim,

This statement is a bit confusing since why would any President tank the economy on purpose? Not to mention that the overarching theme of the economy and political parties in modern times is that the Republicans drive it into the ditch, and Democrats then spend eight years digging us back out. Precisely this scenario is what happened with Clinton after Reagan and Bush Sr. and it's what happened with Obama after Bush Jr. On top of that, Trump did not save the economy. Instead, he inherited one of the most prosperous economies in modern times. The economy was already on a steep growth curve when he took it over. Granted, deregulation, roll-backs of environmental protections, and a surge in company and consumer confidence have helped, but are these policies sustainable in the long run? I guess we will see, but most economists don't think so, especially given that sooner or later, those trillions of dollars in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy are going to come due. And who has this Trump economy helped? Real wage growth is still flat or falling as it has been for decades. No doubt this economy has been good for those who were already doing well and have plenty of income investments, but the average American worker is not benefitting that much.

It's incredible to me that the persistent myth that the Democrats are the ones who "ruin" the economy will never die, given that all available evidence in modern times the truth is the opposite. I think it's time to consider that policies like industry-specific stimulus packages, moderate tax increases on the wealthy, healthcare reform, banking regulations, and reducing income inequality are not necessarily bad policy. After all, without them, Trump would not have had an excellent economy to inherit.

Originally Posted by Greg Shaffer

"None of it was perfect" SNORT!!! You got one thing right at least.....

What was it 800 billion he gave away for "shovel ready jobs"?  Can you name even one that actually happened?