Hi guys and gals,
interested to hear your educated, unbiased !!!!! take on the outcome of this issue.
From 'Down under", (one who has no detailed knowledge of U.S. politics),I am interested to hear if what you perception of the end result is consistent with what is being reported down here. ACTUAL,or FAKE NEWS!!!!

Ray

Hi Ray,

It's shocking to me the Democrats won the House. The Democratic party has become radicalized and socialistic. It has always been the more "socialistic" party, but they have raised this to new levels. They are trying everything in their power to STOP Trump at each turn. The thing is; Trump is a Builder and Fixer. He wants to repair our neglected country, which has been decimated in so many ways our entitlement programs, infrastructure, military, wages, trade, etc etc. The democrats want everyone to have free healthcare, high taxes, open borders, etc etc. There seems to be no middle ground here in the states; However, most people want a government with Common Sense! Some would say Trump, who is not a politician, is trying to use common sense, but the dems are unwilling to consider it at all cost.

WOW! I knew there was a core of hard line Republicans who were staunch Trump loyalists, but never bothered to read or listen to them.

I have been following the embarrassing life of Trump for years. A favorite publication is Gary Trudeau's collection of cartoons making fun of the fool for the last 20 years. He won't publish his taxes. He has been fined $25 million for running a scam Real Estate school that duped students and the student loan programs. He is a bigot. He sexually harasses women. He embarrasses his staff in public and can't keep quality people. His verified lies while speaking as President number over 4,000. A close look at his business dealings shows he's a miserable failure, with an endless history of personal and business bankruptcies. He's functionally illiterate. He's constantly combative. His popularity is the lowest of any president in recent months. His accomplishments are non-events when it comes to his participation. He takes credit for anything good and avoids responsibility for things like taking children away from asylum seekers.

Responsible, caring people around the world think he's a dangerous, tragic joke. Putin laughs at him.

I think he's the worst president ever...a national disgrace.

How sad!

Russ

OH, I forgot. He's a blatant RACIST, TOO!

Thanks Al, and Captain Russ for your replies.
No doubt both your thoughts are straight from the hip, from both sides of U.S. politics.( Maybe you both could have made your views much clearer)!!!!! lol.
Interestingly though, it personifies pretty well, the divide in behavior, and policies, of our two major parties down here.
But I don't think either of you have answered my original question:
"what is your read/take/opinion" of this outcome, and how it relates to the immediate future of the U.S ?
Media comments down here are mixed, "Trump loses", "Democrats huge win","Expected Mid-Term result" etc.
Ray (The curious one)

It is hoped that the American people will wake up, and realize that they are working on the biggest deception of the century, the big Donald Trump show. everything to give his name and family the same status as the Kennedy family, I wish the American people a lot of strength, when Trump is gone the country is bankrupt and the problems really start.
I was 2 weeks ago in New York and saw that many new buildings were built, but the roads and bridges looked as if they could collapse at any moment, companies are doing well, but the ordinary citizen does not notice it.

I.

I don't think the outcome will change much. Trump has only exposed what was already there in our society. Although the majority of Americans (approx. 60-65%) still believe in the founding principles and ideals of America, kindness, empathy, diversity/inclusion, service, equal justice, independence, equal opportunity, personal freedom, etc., there is still that 'hard-core', that has always been there, who either practice and/or condone the despicable attitudes and actions of this current admistration. And then there are the super-hypocrites; those that are willing to tolerate any and all types of unacceptable behavior in exchange for an (imagined) tax break, a pro-life judge, and a promise to protect us from the invasion of Black and Brown people who are hell-bent on taking our jobs (and eventually our country). Under this administration, ideally, immigration would be restricted to Scandinavian countries with special exemptions for Germany. Sure hope they can find enough Scandinavians who enjoy picking fruit, doing lawn maintenance, and making up germ-ridden motel beds.

So how do I feel about Mr. Trump and the current administration? I'll save myself some typing. Just take Capt Russ's post above and multiply it by 10.

chas

And BOOM, there it is. When someone has a lack of facts and insight they play the Racist card. So very though provoking. And that is just the fear mongering the opposite side poses to get votes. Let's invite millions of illegals into our country, give them the right to vote, and tell them the president is racist. Perfect for all the hard working Americans that are having their backs broken having to support that tax burden.

I guess having a border = Being Racist.

No, that would be getting all your facts from Fox News.

chas

Or you could just search for racist statements in clips that are now internet favorites. I notice no comment on any of the other characteristics listed above. Just show me where I am wrong.

R.

To paraphrase Andrew Gillum, 'maybe he's not a racist, but the racist think he's a racist', and when you think about, who better to make that determination. What amazes me is number of people that find this man attractive or even acceptable, as the moral leader of this nation. But then I look at the make-up of his rally followers and it becomes pretty clear. I guess I can understand it if, economically, you belong to the top 1%. What I don't understand is the other 95% where practically every policy that comes out of this administration works against their interest; from fighting minimum wage to cutbacks to education to getting rid of the safeguards to air and water quality to protection of voting rights to healthcare protections for the most vulnerable in our society (typically that would be the Trump voter with no college degree, 60+ years of age, few if any retirement resources, and living payday to payday in a job that has not seen a wage increase in 30 years). But hey, who doesn't like Kool-aid. As long as people can be manipulated with (totally irrational) fear of the 'other', people like Trump will always be able to use them to garner powe and enrich themselves and their own social class. And that folks, is why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

chas

BTW,while I disagree with most of what you believe about the political situation, Al, I do appreciate your taking the time to articulate your opinion, and to present them in a civil manner. I respect your right to have your opinion.

I just don't agree with you at any level.

I welcome interaction about music, film, TV, recording...anything BUT politics. We're at a COMPLETE impasse there.

Be well,

Russ Lay

Apparently, the president has now decided NOT to ban Black Friday after the White House staff briefed him on what it REALLY meant .

chas

Hi folks,
Sorry for starting a bushfire here.
Nobody prepared to answer the innocent question, so I will withdraw the question.

Ray

Sorry, Ray. Nothing much will happen until the Democrats take over the House in January, and Pelosi is either reaffirmed as the Speaker or replaced (unlikely).

Replacing Sessions with a supporter is another issue. Looks like a blatant CYA attempt to skirt the Russian connection.

Long-run: I think Trump will either be impeached or resign. I don't see him getting reelected, thank Goodness.


The world is watching.


R.

Thanks Russ.

Ray

Hmmm, seems our fearless leader, Capt. Bonespurs, was unable to show up to honor our fallen troops of WW1/WW2; reason, it was raining. Luckily, all the other world leaders were able to make it.

Hey, Chas, you could shorten the name to Capt. B.S.

That REALLY fits!

R.

GOOD ONE.

Trump was put in office for a reason; Elitist politicians squabble with each other whilst nothing gets done. Trump gets in office and in 12 months accomplishes more positives than Obama did in 8 years.

The Democrats want a "touch feely" administration who is politically correct, embraces feelings over accomplishments.

The Democratic administration accomplished nothing in the past 8 years under Obama. Oh wait, they fund a Renaissance in Iran, created a failed health care system, destroyed the military, squelched the economy to a 1.5% annual GDP growth, allowed ISIS to thrive, allowed Syria to commit genocide, and on and on and on.

Why do you think it will be different in 2020? Same old Same old. Getting someone in office who is not a politician who is an Empire builder makes perfect sense to get this country back on track.

I'm not into politics at all, let that be my first statement.
However! I've been friends with someone a long time that you might know (Kris from KMNKeyboardVault, does that ring a bell? (Great piano player btw) And i was shocked to see how he reacted to Trump on his Facebook wall (And still does... telling that he's a racist bigot and not his president, he even stopped wearing his vest and stopped playing America The Beautiful) BUT! I was even MORE shocked to see how his FRIENDS reacted to that.. People were seriously having heavy loathed arguments with eachother, calling names, telling eachother that they had issues and whatnot.

And now i'm here on this part of this lovely forum and i see a discussion about the mid terms elections and guess what? It's much nicer to read comments here! People are disagreeing, but respectfully, people aren't seeing eye to eye but aren't butchering anyone else! I seriously had no idea (but maybe that was just me...) that people could still have a normal conversation about their president without the "HE'S NOT MY PRESIDENT" stuff that the man posts on Facebook.

I'm sorry for bothering you lovely folks with it, but i saw this discussion and couldn't notice the peace this thread has compared to that page of his...

Have a lovely day

It only shows how bad American politic and the politicians are.
If someone like that can lead in modern world shows what kind of people live there. And democrats are not much better then republicans. I mean same dollar bill taken out of the shithole. And it doesn't matter if it's head or tails, still stinks. And when you get two sides radicalized like this you get a doushe for a president. And democracy does insure you get a leader you actually deserve. Although I wouldn't call American politics democracy.

You think Trump can lead the country from JAIL?

Russ

20 years hard labor.....BUILDING THE WALL! Time to be served in a Mexican jail. Ah, we can only dream .

NATIONAL DEBT....NATIONAL DEBT....NATIONAL DEBT
(Over 3 trillion a year...due to Trump Tax cuts)

INTERNATIONAL JOKE (TRUMP) INTERNATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT (TRUMP)

LONG TERM, he will FAIL at being President, TOO!

What a joke!

Russ

Russ, you just don't know what your talking about. Your mixing your feelings for the man with an objective view of his performance without any facts.



Donald Trump: As projected in the FY 2019 budget, Trump plans to add $4.775 trillion, a 29-percent increase from the $20.245 trillion debt at the end of Obama's last budget for FY 2017.

FY 2021 - $1.119 trillion.
FY 2020 - $1.198 trillion.
FY 2019 - $1.225 trillion.
FY 2018 - $1.233 trillion.

Barack Obama: Added $8.588 trillion, a 74-percent increase from the $11.657 trillion debt at the end of Bush’s last budget, FY 2009.

FY 2017 - $672 billion.
FY 2016 - $1.423 trillion.
FY 2015 - $327 billion.
FY 2014 - $1.086 trillion.
FY 2013 - $672 billion.
FY 2012 - $1.276 trillion.
FY 2011 - $1.229 trillion.
FY 2010 - $1.652 trillion.
FY 2009 - $253 billion. Congress passed the Economic Stimulus Act, which spent $253 billion in FY 2009. This rare occurrence should be added to President Obama's contribution to the debt.

Obama added more to the debt than any past president. Many of the Trump tax cuts have been offset by trade recoveries, increased job and investment growth, etc.

You just have blatant hatred for the man and won't let him do his job. He will not and is not failing as a president. However, look at the democrats subverting everything. Resist at all cost. Not one Dem voted for Healthcare reform, not one Dem voted for the tax cut for the middle class. Try swimming with one arm tied around your back. The Dems will cause this Country to fail; forget Trump. It's the country at risk and its the hard working people of this country who will suffer because of the Democratic paralysis.

Wow! Talk about 'alternate facts'. Straight from the Trump/Fox News playbook, all debunked, just like the 4000+ documented/fact checked lies Trump has told to date. Of course, most of this is driven, as evidenced by the above post, by this blind hatred of Obama and everything he stood for (women's right to choose, equal rights and protection under the law, diversity and inclusion (vs. division and tribalism), and all the things one would expect in a free and open society.

There is no denying the blatant racism, misogyny, lack of any sense of empathy for anyone not named Trump, Nepotism, self-enrichment schemes, cronyism, and general amorality, exhibited by this president. And in reference to the "tax cut for the middle class"; there IS NO tax cut for the middle class", but the fact that you think so just goes to show the extent to which a segment of this country has be 'suckered'. Given his 'hate speech' and the degree to which he has been embraced by far right extremist, his image abroad, his constant lying and exaggeration of facts; it is a sad commentary on this country that so many are willing to tolerate this behavior, driven mainly by their fear of the ALLEDGED 'browning' of America. What is more troubling is the fact that a Republican congress, although occasionally paying lip service to the disavowing of the most egregious of these behaviors, always end up 'caving' and lining up like little tin soldiers behind this would-be dictator. If Obama had done 1/10th of the things this president has done, he would have been......well, we all know what would have happened there. But, based on what happened in this last election and the trend towards a return to sanity, the day of reckoning IS coming......and soon.

chas

I don't like what politics has done to people. I was brought up to win and lose gracefully and respectfully. I've never seen so many people going through sore loser syndrome. NO MATTER WHAT SIDE YOU'RE ON, expect that a presidential election, like any other competition, is going to have a winner and a loser. If you don't like the outcome work toward changing it next time, If you don't like the process, work to change it, but don't burn down the arena, the town,or the country because your team lost.

Imagine if that happened in sports, one team racing across the floor or field starting a fight with the other after every final whistle or buzzer just because they didn't win? In fact we have seen rioting and looting by fans after sports championships. Is that the right thing to do? And yes an election is not a game, I'm using sports as a metaphor..

I don't like what has happened to the media. When we were kids we used to watch the news, and get all of it. Now we get some that is really political commentary, one outlet liberal, one conservative. What happened to telling me all of what happened and letting me decide what I want to think about it? In this day of video everywhere, I sometimes wonder if reporters on some networks were watching the same clip I was as they try to tell me what I saw through their biased eyes- I can come to a conclusion on my own. I want to hear about social problems and solutions on all networks; I want to hear about econcomic gains and losses on all networks. What "news" agency has the balls to report failures AND successes of a political party or President? And tranquility isn't sensational and doesn't sell . So news agencies have turned to news makers, stirring the pot to create news to get headlines that sell papers (not much anymore) or get ratings..thankfully some reporters have recently been dismissed for this. Then somebody pays them to do a podcast and they hang on..

I don't like what has happened to late night comedy. It has been replaced with political attack shows. I used to be able to laugh and let down by watching one of these shows at the end of my day. Now they induce rather than relieve stress.

Sore loser syndrome off the charts...

Thank goodness Trump is a short-timer. Never did anything that garners respect for him or his actions.

The analysis of the cost of the tax cut here is not even worth the effort to respond to.


The 30% of hard liners Trump panders to are immovable and don't have a clue.

R.

Politics hasn't done anything to people; it's more like what people have done to politics. Politics is just a way for people to express how they want the world to be. When a messiah comes along and promises them their vision of utopia, the result is what you saw in 1939 and what you are starting to see today.

You can soft-pedal it with phrases like 'winners and losers' but down in our hearts we know that's not what it's about; it's about an appeal to either our 'better angels' or our 'worst demons', a world or civility and mutual respect or a world of hateful rhetoric, bullying, scapegoating, and pitting one group against the other for money and power.

I guess if I had to choose between the true haters and the apologist, I'd probably choose the haters; at least they stand for something, however despicable. I was just looking at the latest statistics on hate crimes since this administration took over. The increase in hate crimes among all targeted groups, Jews/African-Americans/Muslims/LGBTQ, is appalling. Who or what do you think emboldened these hate groups? Actually, that was a rhetorical question. It is incredibly painful for some of us to watch the progress we've made on so many fronts, civil rights, gender equality, environmental protections, educational and economic opportunities for all, freedom of (and from) religion, etc., dissipate and disappear in the course of two short years.

chas, a patriotic 10yr veteran

I'm disgusted by the lack of civility on both sides. I can't think of a better time for another independent party or two or three to emerge..

Great post Chas..

Hmmmm, very strange. Trump is apparently supporting a bill promoting prison reform. Maybe he's got a crystal ball .

chas

Soooo, who you gonna' believe; a genuine war hero who orchestrated the raid that killed Bin Laden or Capt. BS.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/...PUi8?li=BBnb7Kz

Don't forget Obama was handed a devastated economy that he was able to prevent from totally collapsing. People seem to have forgotten that. The economy was revived when it was handed over to Trump.

So what's the new theme song for this mid term " Let get this Party started" by Pink?!
Or " We didn't start the Fire" by Billy Joel?!