Good stuff Trump has (or hasn't) done

[wyo]

It's easy to overlook some of the bright spots in Trump's presidency. Buried between the stupid tweets, thinly veiled racism and inappropriate conduct, he has occasionally done some good, or at least not done some bad. So why don't we take a break from the constant scorn and talk about some of the positives?

#1 He's been relatively tough on China, an emerging superpower and threat to world order and western civilization. I'm not sure what he's said or done has been good, but his heart is in the right place here. America could at least stop helping the Chinese grow in strength and stature by buying all their products and selling them all our debt.

#2 Border control. Like it or not, most Americans want to protect our borders. This is not an unreasonable request. Would it have been the end of the world if we'd let him have his wall? America, while obviously nowhere near "full", can't just let everyone in that shows up at the border. That tactic isn't working out too well for European countries. America also does a much better job of assimilating new people than the Europeans do.

#3 Not starting wars. Some of the rhetoric has been disturbing to say the least but let's focus on Trump's military adventurism. Actions (or in this case, inaction) speak louder than words. So far, compared to Obama and Bush he's been remarkable restrained. I honestly believe he wants to get out of these endless wars but as Obama found out, it's easier said than done. Poking Iran is a mistake though.

#4 The economy is doing very well. Most of the numbers are positive. The big tax cut for the rich will probably end up causing or exacerbating future problems but the short term is looking rosy.

#5 Gorsuch and Kavanaugh are not supreme lunatics. They are well qualified and are not entirely reliable conservatives like Scalia was. Roberts has moderated some, and these noobs sometimes surprise with enlightened decisions. While not ideal, it could be worse.

#6 Talking with North Korea. Some Democrats say he should be buddying up to Kim Jong Un. Republicans used to say Obama was crazy for wanting to talk with our enemies. There's so much hypocrisy from both sides but the bottom line is we need more talking, less dick waving. FFS, let him have his bromance if it averts a nuclear showdown.

Feel free to add more or tell me why I am wrong.

 

[mjmjr25]

I have a lot of opinions of the President. I don't have a lot of time so this will be pretty undetailed.

I would say the only thing I admire him for his that he doesn't seem to care about public pressure or alienating allies. That is refreshing. However, he's been wrong so often any good is significantly outweighed by the bad. Also, I don't think it's from a belief system, but simply from a narcissistic view, so that makes that part less admirable.

I've been disappointed with international politics. He made a big to-do about "America First", but he was apparently ONLY referring to economy. I suppose we could have expected that to an extent given his business career, but I honestly believed he understood when you deal with nations and armies you deal with real people, lives, and the potential destruction of the earth. He handles international diplomacy like a game of Stratego, but plays as if we're starting with 3x as many pieces, so the odds are always in our favor.

North Korea is not Iran is not China. He's using the same verbiage with Iran he used with North Korea. "Maximum Pressure". "Sanctions for Nuclear commitments." The Ayatollah is not going to get into a twitter battle, nor is he going to about face. It's a horrible tactic. His bravado for "not bombing because too many casualties" schtick is truly despicable. That an order was actually called in, for a drone that many of our own allies believe was in Iranian airspace. What if there's a disconnect - those missiles were reportedly set on targets. One life is too many. Soldiers should not be treated as replaceable pawns, at least I would hope that for our commander in chief.

Because we would win a war with Iran does not mean it is a war worth fighting. What is the cost? Iran does not become Japan after WWII, that's not how this plays out. It's 20 years of occupation and another generation of folks who believe America is a big angry dog instead of a force for good in the world, which is where I think our power should be leading us. (Human Rights, Workforce and Skill Development, and improving the infrastructure in this country to be able to absorb as many as we can who are not in nations practicing those things.)

I like his tough stance on China economically. China has allowed IP theft, promoted it, devalued currency, and subsidized things like postal service all in effort to fast track their economy. As much as many like the idea of finally getting tough (Obama was a pushover) he's handled it poorly. First, backing out of the Asia-Pacific trade agreement (alienating allies, turning them around TOWARD China) and then deciding we're (US military) going to be the only nation policing the S China Sea, poking China more, and also actively engaging Taiwan, encouraging the Dalai Lama. These are all things that work when you're negotiating a better price on selling something from your company to another, not when you're dealing with the 2nd largest economy, military, and population base in the world. Right idea, miserable implementation. We could be using China as a partner in our concerns (Venezuela, North Korea and the self sought Iran problem) - instead all of those nations now have an active and invested ally.

Inconsistency toward NATO, waffling commitments, playing allies against each other, making nice in private conversations and then insulting those same allies once in front of cameras. It's an embarrassment and as well as our economy may be doing we've lost a lot of credibility of being a part of the world's moral compass. We claim to fear the rise of China, the revitalization of Russia, the weapons program of Iran, the Leftist ideals of Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba and yet each of those relationships is in worse shape than January 2016.

I was looking forward to a President who was going to deal with domestic issues as a number one priority, he pitched this idea, but he is the most active international President in my lifetime, and that includes the most recent President who ran for "most liked" for 8 years and another who started 2 wars. The vast majority of those interactions negative, pompous, and unproductive.

Meanwhile the democrat party would rather make memes and use immigrants plights as political fodder, as opposed to come up with actual plans that majority of Americans want to and can get behind. There is not core voice of either party right now. Democrats spend time with investigations that everyone with an understanding of the process knew was going nowhere (no matter what was "discovered"), spend time even last week pursing impeachment, spend time trying to say one dem's book is outselling a rep's book, when with any cohesive voice could be coming up with workable plans on immigration, education, and crime.

Sorry - Wyo, while I don't have the vitriole of some, it's hard to find many good things this President has done. I agree with a handful of his core (claimed) ideals, but implementation is inherently flawed due to his ego and that he respects no one, thus good advice is only good if he agrees with it. I'm hoping a conservative democrat can rise up, or a republican can lower themselves into the twitter mud and take this guy on.

Done pooping so done typing.

 

[Xavier]

#1 China
The problems is China dumping products like steel on the world market, currency devaluation and IP theft. How does a trade war and tariffs fix this? China can't dump steel here because we've had measures against it since the early 80's. Only 2-4% of US imported steel is from China. The tariffs are paid for by corporations who pass the cost along to consumers. In the end it's tax on consumers. China retaliates by not buying our soybeans and pork. Crops end up rotting. I don't see how any of this is a well thought out idea. I see not real way out.

#2 Border control
I guess it would be the end of the world to let him have his wall because he's made the whole thing dirty, racist and xenophobic. No we should have control of who comes in and out and figure out who is here. This rhetoric, things like chanting send her back doesn't help. Historically there has always been problems getting people to take the census, now he want's to ask are you a citizen on it? All these things just end up pushing people further back into the shadows instead of getting them to come out.

#3 Not starting any wars
Good he has no idea what he's doing and doesn't listen to anybody. The less often he needs to call a grieving widow and say her husband knew what he was getting into the better.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/...m-kills-7-militants-in-yemen-during-raid.html

He was too busy schmoozing with people at Mara Lago and selling access when the generals asked him what to do.

#4 The economy
I'm a capitalist. Laissez-faire, let the markets be free. At the same time I understand we have a mixed economy and do believe in some role for the government. We do have one of the most capitalist systems in the world and it's almost gone too far over that side.
These trade tariffs and subsidies are not part of a normal free market. It's the government controlling the inputs and outputs of the economy and that's socialism. I don't care, but he's going around saying the Democrats are all socialists.
If the economy is so strong why is he so sensitive about the fed raising interest rates?
In our free market the presidents role in the economy is greatly over exaggerated. They appoint the fed, can think of or approve band aid fixes like a stimulus package and if the country has faith in them it can help a small bit. That's it.

If the economy is so good why not pass some austerity? Instead the Republicans gave two of the worst budgets in our countries history. The Pentagon failed an audit because it can't keep track of all its funds.

#5 Supreme court
I don't know, beyond my scope. I just hope the Constitution isn't repealed and replaced with some sort of fascist Christian sharia law like in the Handmaidens Tale.

#6
It's disturbing how he's on good terms with a guy who poisoned his brother and had an anti aircraft missile shoved up his uncles ass. It's disturbing how he can't be cordial with European leaders.

 

[StevenK]

I recently grabbed a random passing woman by the pussy and was high fived by two onlooking former feminists who had seen the error of their ways.

I considered raping them all but they weren't my type.

 

[Heinz]

I just wish he'd be more consistent. One minute he's saying let's go to the moon and next he's saying the moon? Why aren't we shooting for mars!?

I just shake my head at his complete lack of clarity. Smoke and mirrors this idiot.

 

[Dr Shroom]

Trump showed the world that even a man with crippling autism can become president.

God bless the United States of America

#MAGA

 

[Heinz]

Trump showed the world that even a man with crippling autism can become president.

God bless the United States of America

#MAGA

Oh no he's not autistic, no... he's being 'real' with the voters.

 

[Marek]

You are bafflingly incorrect on every single point you made except being tough of China.

Thats it.

Border control? Hes instructed the Gestapo at the border to break the fucking law and block legitimate points of entry for asylum seekers. Your wierd tounge bath about border security makes me want to vomit in your face. I challenge you to look at pictures and reports of conditions in his concentration camps. I challenge you to defend family separation. Jesus christ I dont know what's wrong with you people...

Not starting wars? How can you credit him with that? He's the one who is out there talking shit about fire and fury. He's the one who had a fucking commie style military parade on the 4th. He's the one who is looking for any excuse to fabricate a war with Iran. His military leaders ignore him and quite frankly I think trump is scared of John Bolton.

The Supreme Court? I really dont even know what to say to this. They maintained that Republican gerrymandering is all fine and good so how can you possibly not include Cavanaugh and Gorsuch in his long list of failures. Also comparing them to Scalia, the most corrupt, easily bribable, psychotic theocratic activist we've EVER SEEN isnt really much of a mitigating factor.

I could go on, but this is all highly retarded.

 

[Claudia Schiffer]

 

[Marek]

So what's that supposed to mean? Shes sad because theres concentration camps full of indefinitely detained children?

I dont get it. Troll harder faggot.

 

[Marek]

Spare us the AOC memes you dipshit

 

[Heinz]

It's fucking sickening! If he was a proper president he'd allow these migrants in and help increase the US population further. These people want to come to America, they want to become Americans, they want to contribute! WHY would you deny them that!? I would open the borders wide.

 

[Claudia Schiffer]

So what's that supposed to mean? Shes sad because theres concentration camps full of indefinitely detained children?

I dont get it. Troll harder faggot.

well tell me what you are doing about it, besides ranting at people on a video game forum.

 

[SpamYouToDeath]

#2 Border control. Like it or not, most Americans want to protect our borders. This is not an unreasonable request. Would it have been the end of the world if we'd let him have his wall? America, while obviously nowhere near "full", can't just let everyone in that shows up at the border. That tactic isn't working out too well for European countries. America also does a much better job of assimilating new people than the Europeans do.

I disagree with this in particular. Not only has his policy at the border been ineffective, it's been wasteful and he's poisoned the issue by making it about casual racism and fear-mongering. Effective immigration policy would be about finding ways to filter out genuinely harmful people with minimal impact on businesses and cultures on the border. Instead, we've got breathless midwesterners panicking about rapist caravans, and offhand threats to "close the border". Maybe "the border" is a fun political cudgel in the interior - down here, it's a huge fraction of our economy. The whole approach just reeks of ignorance. It's less popular the closer you get to the actual border.

I've gotten a lot of short-term gains out of the tax cuts and economic games. It's not sustainable though - it's debt-fueled, and we're failing to pay off that debt, even in a historic boom. If I was 50 or 60 years old, and could confidently die before it falls apart, it would be great. I get the feeling that a lot of the GOP is in that boat: elderly gamblers pulling the lever and praying that they keel over before the bill comes due. As it is, I'm young enough that I'll live to see the consequences of this.

I'm trying to think of something to post that doesn't come off as underhanded or sarcastic. It's difficult to recall anything about the administration besides face-melting incompetence, nepotism, and belligerence. Oh, and pardoning serial killers.

 

[Marek]

well tell me what you are doing about it, besides ranting at people on a video game forum.

I'd be happy to.

I donate to campaigns, sign petitions, vote, and engage in real life person to person interactions with friends and strangers alike about these very issues.

In fact, shutting down your little AOC meme with a real picture of migrant conditions is a perfect example.

You should be ashamed for cracking jokes. A fucking dog shelter would get shut down for those conditions and somehow this is funny to you.

 

[Claudia Schiffer]

I'd be happy to.

I donate to campaigns, sign petitions, vote, and engage in real life person to person interactions with friends and strangers alike about these very issues.

In fact, shutting down your little AOC meme with a real picture of migrant conditions is a perfect example.

You should be ashamed for cracking jokes. A fucking dog shelter would get shut down for those conditions and somehow this is funny to you.

If you'd be less crazed in your posts I'd take you more seriously. You are just as bad as the trumptards.

 

[Xavier]

You should be ashamed for cracking jokes. A fucking dog shelter would get shut down for those conditions and somehow this is funny to you.

If prisoners of war got this kind of treatment he would be charged with war crimes as soon as his administration was over.

 

[Marek]

If you'd be less crazed in your posts I'd take you more seriously. You are just as bad as the trumptards.

I dont give a flying fuck if you take me seriously or not. I'm not here or in the war room to make friends.

If you see facts that I post and discredit them simply because I'm flipping the alt right hostility and general invective right back for my own entertainment then thats your problem.

I post facts and simpletons like RAZO have nothing to come back with except to say I dye my hair purple or that I'm a soy boy or some shit like that. Hes just mad because I call him a jack boot licking faggot, which is accurate.

Sorry I hurt your little snowflake feelings basic, but until I'm advocating concentration camps and utterly denying reality then I will never be as bad as the trumpfaggots. No matter how mean I may seem.

 

[RAZO]

View attachment 54449

The funny thing is that across the fence was a parking lot with cars.

I want to know why Poppy wasn't all up in arms about these "Concentration Camps" when Obama was in office.

 

[mjmjr25]

I donate to campaigns, sign petitions, vote, and engage in real life person to person interactions with friends and strangers alike about these very issues.

Then you disservice what you are attempting to change. You have a net negative impact because you seem incapable of anything but ad hominem attacks; which entrench others in their views and turn independent and moderates away from understanding the logic behind your position.

 

[Claudia Schiffer]

I dont give a flying fuck if you take me seriously or not. I'm not here or in the war room to make friends.

If you see facts that I post and discredit them simply because I'm flipping the alt right hostility and general invective right back for my own entertainment then thats your problem.

I post facts and simpletons like RAZO have nothing to come back with except to say I dye my hair purple or that I'm a soy boy or some shit like that. Hes just mad because I call him a jack boot licking faggot, which is accurate.

Sorry I hurt your little snowflake feelings basic, but until I'm advocating concentration camps and utterly denying reality then I will never be as bad as the trumpfaggots. No matter how mean I may seem.

lol i don't understand this need to project supposed hurt feelings onto others. i too, don't care, because this is just a video game forum. if your thing is to stay in a perpetual state of rage and anger, then you do you. i just don't see how it can be constructive or lead to an actual dialog...if that is what you are truly going for.

 

[Marek]

The funny thing is that across the fence was a parking lot with cars.

I want to know why Poppy wasn't all up in arms about these concentration camps when Obama was in office.

I'm walking into work. Id be happy to explain how totally wrong and generally retarded your argument is when I have time.

 

[Marek]

Then you disservice what you are attempting to change. You have a net negative impact because you seem incapable of anything but ad hominem attacks; which entrench others in their views and turn independent and moderates away from understanding the logic behind your position.

This is where I come to trash people like RAZO. My real life is quite different. Amd I'm never gonna waver on, much less change my approach to people like him and hyper et al.

 

[RAZO]

I'm walking into work. Id be happy to explain how totally wrong and generally retarded your argument is when I have time.

Ok, you do that.

This picture was taken in 2014.

 

[wyo]

This is where I come to trash people like RAZO. My real life is quite different. Amd I'm never gonna waver on, much less change my approach to people like him and hyper et al.

I was trying to have a reasonable debate in this thread.