But IronHorse, if Democrats are being forced to vote for someone they don't like, they will be less likely to vote, increasing the odds for Mr. Trump to gain his landslide victory. You should be happy.
You are aware, of course, the many Republicans think that Democrats are the sheep?
I have perfectly legitimate reasons for voting for Trump. First, I understand the thinking behind The Wall. And Democrats began noticing it too when the Biden administration was allowing too many to enter. And it's not immigration that I'm against. No, I'm against ILLEGAL immigration. When we don't enforce our laws, we send the message that it's alright thumb your nose at us. And what about all those other folks who are patiently waiting in line. When is that fair to them?
Also, being a conservative--and being against abortion--I appreciated Truman's follow-thru on nominating conservative justices. Even Reagan and George H. Bush didn't come through on that.
How about the Abraham Accords? Obama would have won another Nobel Prize (the first one was awarded primarily, it seems, because he wasn't GWB--ha!).
How about the grand attempt to reach out to North Korea, after 70 years of fruitless and static policy? No, it didn't happen...but Trump tried.
How about moving the embassy to Jerusalem? I like it!
HOWEVER, I must admit that I admire Biden. I have always felt that he wanted to serve his nation well. It is unfortunate that his health has worn him so.... But I loudly applaud his having the guts to drop out to give his party a chance against Trump.
Most of my well-education, deeply rational Conservative Republican friends who support Trump (tho reluctantly), cite a different aspect of Trumpism that they believe in - the opposition to supporting Ukraine. Why they ask does the U.S. need to give literally billions of its dollars to Ukraine when so much of our infrastructure needs improvement. Not many of them favor better walls.
The Wall is geographically impossible and impractical given that we depend on goods from other countries, and Republicans abandoned a border security plan because Trump told them to. What other reasons are there for giving Trump a second term? I notice Republicans don't want to talk about Project 2025 but they're willing to elect a convicted felon to implement it.
"Why they ask does the U.S. need to give literally billions of its dollars to Ukraine when so much of our infrastructure needs improvement"
Oh, now that's a venerable con trick. The true procedure is as follows: 1. Divert money allocated to infrastructure improvements (along with as much other money as possible, obvs) to cronies 2. Allow infrastructure to rot 3. Use rotting infrastructure as excuse not to do other important stuff 4. Repeat from 1. Advanced practitioners of this technique can even redirect the money earmarked for fixing the very infrastructure problems they're complaining about. In the US, how many examples of infrastructure /maintenance/, never mind improvements, can you cite that are being done by Republicans? Compared to the level of maintenance done under Democrat governance?
Your friends are right that this stuff ought to be fixed, but it's not generally in Republican political interests /to/ fix it, so it doesn't get fixed unless Dems get in.
Ironically, the economic activity generated by fixing the local stuff would dramatically boost the US economy and then the US would be better able to afford to do both.
But on the world stage, money given to Ukraine is probably an even better long-term strategic investment, which will probably still be paying back 100-150 years from now. Not only are there humanitarian benefits to Ukraine, the same money is also inducing Russia to squander the last of its remaining political capital as a great power. Anything which kicks authoritarians in the guts is good for the US.
However, in addition to international authoritarians such as Putin, the US does have its own current bumper crop of home-grown authoritarians, and they need a thorough kicking too. This will be much cheaper and easier if you can do it at the ballot box.
The wall is a symbol that costs money and doesn't really accomplish anything. Illegal immigration is a problem, which Trump refused to even attempt to fix.
Abortion is just the first thing on a slippery slope of reproductive rights that Republicans want to forbid. Next up are IVF and contraception. Republicans seem to put government in between the person and their doctor... which should scare fans of 'small government'.
The Kushner Abraham Accords? They're a trade deal, not a peace deal. The same tensions and troubles exist but now they're able to trade weapons.
North Korea and it's dangerous world view was given validity and power by the stupid moves Trump made. Nothing good came out of him 'trying' to get closer to NK.
Moving the embassy to Jerusalem did nothing besides costing money and cosying up to the right religious people. Nothing of value was done here.
So, to use your words... How about Trump being a liar and a cheat How about Trump being an abuser How about Trump being a narcissist How about Trump just doing things for himself How about Trump simply being an asshole How about Trump just spreading hate How about Trump not heaving a sense of humour
The President doesn't ride out on a white stallion with the golden sword of democracy. It's a desk job. Yes, the final say on many issues, but always surrounded by trusted aides doing the leg work gathering what-ifs and where-fores to make intelligent decisions. Keep that in mind when judging competency to do the job. At https://roughlydaily.com/ Tanner Greer explains the difference between patronage (Republican) and constituent (Democratic) parties. xoxoxoBruce
Oh my American friend, I can’t imagine what you are going through.
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends are seriously considering heading up to your world.
DeleteUh-huh. At least we get to vote for our nominee. Have you been told who to vote for yet?
ReplyDeleteAt least Democrats have a candidate who won in 2020.
DeleteBut IronHorse, if Democrats are being forced to vote for someone they don't like, they will be less likely to vote, increasing the odds for Mr. Trump to gain his landslide victory. You should be happy.
DeleteYou are aware, of course, the many Republicans think that Democrats are the sheep?
ReplyDeleteI have perfectly legitimate reasons for voting for Trump. First, I understand the thinking behind The Wall. And Democrats began noticing it too when the Biden administration was allowing too many to enter. And it's not immigration that I'm against. No, I'm against ILLEGAL immigration. When we don't enforce our laws, we send the message that it's alright thumb your nose at us. And what about all those other folks who are patiently waiting in line. When is that fair to them?
Also, being a conservative--and being against abortion--I appreciated Truman's follow-thru on nominating conservative justices. Even Reagan and George H. Bush didn't come through on that.
How about the Abraham Accords? Obama would have won another Nobel Prize (the first one was awarded primarily, it seems, because he wasn't GWB--ha!).
How about the grand attempt to reach out to North Korea, after 70 years of fruitless and static policy? No, it didn't happen...but Trump tried.
How about moving the embassy to Jerusalem? I like it!
HOWEVER, I must admit that I admire Biden. I have always felt that he wanted to serve his nation well. It is unfortunate that his health has worn him so.... But I loudly applaud his having the guts to drop out to give his party a chance against Trump.
Most of my well-education, deeply rational Conservative Republican friends who support Trump (tho reluctantly), cite a different aspect of Trumpism that they believe in - the opposition to supporting Ukraine. Why they ask does the U.S. need to give literally billions of its dollars to Ukraine when so much of our infrastructure needs improvement. Not many of them favor better walls.
DeleteThe Wall is geographically impossible and impractical given that we depend on goods from other countries, and Republicans abandoned a border security plan because Trump told them to.
DeleteWhat other reasons are there for giving Trump a second term? I notice Republicans don't want to talk about Project 2025 but they're willing to elect a convicted felon to implement it.
"Why they ask does the U.S. need to give literally billions of its dollars to Ukraine when so much of our infrastructure needs improvement"
DeleteOh, now that's a venerable con trick. The true procedure is as follows:
1. Divert money allocated to infrastructure improvements (along with as much other money as possible, obvs) to cronies
2. Allow infrastructure to rot
3. Use rotting infrastructure as excuse not to do other important stuff
4. Repeat from 1.
Advanced practitioners of this technique can even redirect the money earmarked for fixing the very infrastructure problems they're complaining about.
In the US, how many examples of infrastructure /maintenance/, never mind improvements, can you cite that are being done by Republicans? Compared to the level of maintenance done under Democrat governance?
Your friends are right that this stuff ought to be fixed, but it's not generally in Republican political interests /to/ fix it, so it doesn't get fixed unless Dems get in.
Ironically, the economic activity generated by fixing the local stuff would dramatically boost the US economy and then the US would be better able to afford to do both.
But on the world stage, money given to Ukraine is probably an even better long-term strategic investment, which will probably still be paying back 100-150 years from now. Not only are there humanitarian benefits to Ukraine, the same money is also inducing Russia to squander the last of its remaining political capital as a great power. Anything which kicks authoritarians in the guts is good for the US.
However, in addition to international authoritarians such as Putin, the US does have its own current bumper crop of home-grown authoritarians, and they need a thorough kicking too. This will be much cheaper and easier if you can do it at the ballot box.
The wall is a symbol that costs money and doesn't really accomplish anything.
DeleteIllegal immigration is a problem, which Trump refused to even attempt to fix.
Abortion is just the first thing on a slippery slope of reproductive rights that Republicans want to forbid. Next up are IVF and contraception.
Republicans seem to put government in between the person and their doctor... which should scare fans of 'small government'.
The Kushner Abraham Accords? They're a trade deal, not a peace deal. The same tensions and troubles exist but now they're able to trade weapons.
North Korea and it's dangerous world view was given validity and power by the stupid moves Trump made. Nothing good came out of him 'trying' to get closer to NK.
Moving the embassy to Jerusalem did nothing besides costing money and cosying up to the right religious people. Nothing of value was done here.
So, to use your words...
How about Trump being a liar and a cheat
How about Trump being an abuser
How about Trump being a narcissist
How about Trump just doing things for himself
How about Trump simply being an asshole
How about Trump just spreading hate
How about Trump not heaving a sense of humour
The President doesn't ride out on a white stallion with the golden sword of democracy. It's a desk job. Yes, the final say on many issues, but always surrounded by trusted aides doing the leg work gathering what-ifs and where-fores to make intelligent decisions. Keep that in mind when judging competency to do the job.
ReplyDeleteAt https://roughlydaily.com/ Tanner Greer explains the difference between patronage (Republican) and constituent (Democratic) parties.
xoxoxoBruce