The DON

[Len44]

The trump phenomenon is interesting. Everywhere I go I hear 'is this really happening'? Yet he keeps winning and I believe he will be the candidate. I hear this even from people that will vote for him. And from that I conclude only one thing. A trump vote is an antiobama vote. Trump is not politically correct. Trump is the definition of rich guy...big business. his actions wreak of spoiled pompous rich kid.

But I think people believe he has a different view of the world. That he is a deal maker. That he will figure a way to leverage our buying power in our favor. Yes - he gets ridiculous - but that's because he ISNT a politician. Sure he deals in politics in business ... But he isn't a politician. And the reason people like that ...and the reason he is here and doing well is because of the current administration. Back to my comment about the pendulum.

One more thing. I bet he picks Kasich as his running mate

Nope, I think you mostly missed on this one. I agree there is some distress about Obama, however the larger issue for most folks, it seems, is with the ridiculous do-nothing congress --> that would be the republican congress, Mitch McConnell in particular. They have not done one damn thing positive to help those who voted for them, and these folks are really, really pi$$ed off. And who can blame them? Here these (mostly) tea party candidates puffed up their chests about how democrats and Obama were criminal socialists / communists / pinkos and then they got themselves elected and went off to congress where they did.......nothing. Oh sure, they passed a bunch of meaningless resolutions to repeal the ACA (OK, Obamacare for you "specialized" folks), but all that did NOTHING to actually help their constituents that put them in office. Corporate welfare continued unabated, real-world jobs programs were nonexistent, tax reform never happened -- heck, these helpful things were never even attempted.

So, THIS is the anger Trump has tapped into. Well, along with a lot of unseemly bigotry.

God help us.

 

[Len44]

BTW, FWIW, I have thought from the get-go that John Kasich would indeed be the only republican candidate that could win the presidency, as well as the one the democrats would most fear running against. I still think this is true. He is certainly the only republican candidate for which I would consider voting.

 

[Len44]

LOL! Be serious. Bernie won't be able to pass squat through that congress.

He might be able to slightly move the ball on a few social programs but that will be the limit of how far he can go. There will need to be a substantial turnover in congress for him to make any real headway.

"...Substantial turnover in congress..."???

Now there's an idea I think most of us can support!

 

[RCHeliGuy]

BTW, FWIW, I have thought from the get-go that John Kasich would indeed be the only republican candidate that could win the presidency, as well as the one the democrats would most fear running against. I still think this is true. He is certainly the only republican candidate for which I would consider voting.

I don't know about you, but I would much rather have viable candidates from both parties so that rather than a Lose:Lose we were looking at a Win:Win where each side just had different priorities.

 

[Len44]

I don't know about you, but I would much rather have viable candidates from both parties so that rather than a Lose:Lose we were looking at a Win:Win where each side just had different priorities.

You are SO right-on. Here's hoping we can get back to these types of elections.

 

[Gordon Gray]

BTW, FWIW, I have thought from the get-go that John Kasich would indeed be the only republican candidate that could win the presidency, as well as the one the democrats would most fear running against. I still think this is true. He is certainly the only republican candidate for which I would consider voting.

Agreed. Shame that it is unlikely to happen. Too many ideologues in that party.

 

[RCHeliGuy]

Not quite related to this except in a VERY broad sense what do you guys think about Artificial Intelligence?

I've mentioned automation taking far more jobs than offshoring, but AI will be a game changer.

People have over hyped AI quite a few times including back in the 90's when I was involved with it. The work from the 90's basically turned into predictive algorithms and fuzzy logic reduced to control chips. Back in the 90's the general consensus was that we would hit true AI around 2035.

Now with the help of massive data crunching companies like Google and a few others there has been a very large long term sustained effort in AI greatly surpassing any of the hype driven initiatives. There are many who now see AI being likely by 2025 with 2030-2035 now being conservative estimates.

The key is that once we get to village ***** it will only be a couple years to Einstein levels of intellect running 24x7 figuring out the mysteries of the universe and having the capacity to do all of our work for us.

In the 1960's they had a commission study what would happen when people were automated out of work and they came up with a plan. People have been repeatedly overly optimistic about AI, but reality is about to catch up with that optimism.

So what do we do when capitalism no longer works?

 

[slowGEEZR]

... however the larger issue for most folks, it seems, is with the ridiculous do-nothing congress --> that would be the republican congress, Mitch McConnell in particular. They have not done one damn thing positive to help those who voted for them... these (mostly) tea party candidates puffed up their chests about how democrats and Obama were criminal socialists / communists / pinkos and then they got themselves elected and went off to congress where they did.......nothing. Oh sure, they passed a bunch of meaningless resolutions to repeal the ACA (OK, Obamacare for you "specialized" folks), but all that did NOTHING to actually help their constituents that put them in office. Corporate welfare continued unabated, real-world jobs programs were nonexistent, tax reform never happened -- heck, these helpful things were never even attempted.

So, THIS is the anger Trump has tapped into. Well, along with a lot of unseemly bigotry.

God help us.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I've been saying for years we've got to get this do nothing congress out. I fear we will end up again with a democratic president and republican congress and the congressional ineffectiveness will continue. However, that is worlds better than the damage that would be done with Trump or Cruz as president.

 

[Len44]

And by all means, let's be sure to "punish" the women...

Sheeeze!

 

[RCHeliGuy]

And by all means, let's be sure to "punish" the women...

Sheeeze!

It may take a little while but eventually Trump will find a way to upset everyone.

 

[Gordon Gray]

Looks like his craziness may be showing up in the polling numbers.

 

[timm]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I've been saying for years we've got to get this do nothing congress out. I fear we will end up again with a democratic president and republican congress and the congressional ineffectiveness will continue. However, that is worlds better than the damage that would be done with Trump or Cruz as president.

Interesting... go back 4 years... and 4 years before that etc.... and I bet you will find the same complaint.... gridlock..... It ISN'T working when we have (at least) 24 years of politicians saying 'We're going to close those tax loop holes for companies that outsource jobs'.... Enter Trump.... and 'The Republican Establishment' doesn't like him ... the Democrats don't like him..... Uhhhh..... given the system and the track record - isn't that a +1 for Trump?? I mean there is the problem... As much as you may dislike Trump (and I am not claiming I am a fan).... what he represents is the failure of both parties....and he represents people sick and tired of hearing a bunch of bull about doing something...then pretending you forgot about it 4 years later.... Enter Trump. Sick and tired of your government representing special interests ..... trying to figure out why doesn't my government speak to me... Why is it always some other 'group' that they pander to? We need to help the 'poor' so they can stand.... we need to help the 'rich' so they can create jobs.... Notice anything there??? You and I - probably are not represented.... I am not rich (although whenever government wants to help someone - they certainly look for me to reach into my pocket via additional tax)... I am not poor.... His mantra of 'political correctness' - is simply the message that government doesn't represent 90% of the people because you may not be in the right financial, or race coordinates.... (that makes him a racist....)

So yeah - he looks like a loose cannon.... he looks like everything the current parties and political pundits are not...... +1 Trump.... Now can you get past his bombastic statements and scratch your head on what he would do vs what he says he would do? -3 Trump... haha...

I was wondering when the piling on would take its effect (Dems, Reps, CNN, FOX).... and he is constantly on the defensive now because the machine is too big...and he has said some very stupid things - because he speaks off the cuff and the spotlight is getting glaringly large...(or should I say bulls eye?) I am not a big fan of Trump - but please recognize this 'machine' - and politicians that are trying to protect their way of life - and pundits that have been trained by them to know what is right and wrong....

Sorry guys.... This whole mess just drives me nuts... And I feel as if Trump is the result of many many years of politicians taking advantage. What I didn't realize was how the marketing of a candidate via these 'news agencies' impacts the mindset of the masses.... It is very scary and powerful stuff.... I think CNN covers Trump constantly because they want to be the first one to get the assassination attempt live.... And that is a sad state of affairs.

 

[twich54]

Agreed Timm and with that being said, how the those 'left of center' can get behind the 'Benghazi *****' is beyond me ............

a country of 320 million and these two clowns are as good as we can produce.......yuck !!!!

say what you want, IMO the ONLY candidate that could possibly reach to both sides of the aisle is the Gov of Ohio ...........

 

[projectormovielover]

I am a fan of DT! Nothings gona change and life is already good the way it is here.

 

[timm]

Agreed Timm and with that being said, how the those 'left of center' can get behind the 'Benghazi *****' is beyond me ............

a country of 320 million and these two clowns are as good as we can produce.......yuck !!!!

say what you want, IMO the ONLY candidate that could possibly reach to both sides of the aisle is the Gov of Ohio ...........

Double agreed dave.

 

[RCHeliGuy]

I am a fan of DT! Nothings gona change and life is already good the way it is here.

The only constant in life is change.

How long has almost everyone had a cell phone?
How long have we had smart phones?
How long have we had smart phones that you can talk to?
How long have we had real time spoken language translation?
How long have we had cars with some self driving abilities?

Virtual reality systems are shipping in the next few months.
Microsoft's Hololens is now shipping to developers and along with other products will start to usher in augmented reality.

Self driving cars will be here in the next few years.

We are now 10-15 years away from artificial intelligence that rivals our abilities and shortly after that it will greatly surpass us.

What happens when 90% of us don't even need to work? What happens to capitalism as we know it?

 

[Len44]

Agreed Timm and with that being said, how the those 'left of center' can get behind the 'Benghazi *****' is beyond me ............

a country of 320 million and these two clowns are as good as we can produce.......yuck !!!!

say what you want, IMO the ONLY candidate that could possibly reach to both sides of the aisle is the Gov of Ohio ...........

Dave, I recognize we don't agree on much politically. However, I think you have somewhat of a point regarding John Kasich.

Tell you what -- you figure out a way to get rid of that ridiculous, crazy-a$$ totally partisan republican louse Mitch McConnell, who has no concept of what it is like to put his Country ahead of his political party, and I will be thrilled to work to get John Kasich elected President.


Deal?

 

[twich54]

Dave, I recognize we don't agree on much politically.

Len, it's not just you, I'm an equal opportunity guy for I believe the the nuts to the right are no better than those to the left.

Tell you what -- you figure out a way to get rid of that ridiculous, crazy-a$$ totally partisan republican louse Mitch McConnell

LOL and I agree...... and with that being said it seems like yesterday when I was thinking the same about the dirt bag before him ........'Dingy Harry Reid'

John Kasich elected President.

shall we say a 'moderate' conservative ?

 

[Kevin]

I like John Kasich, but I don't consider myself being far right. But at a time when we have such high debt and high government regulation, I can see why Kasich is not getting much support. Almost every solution he has to a problem involves government as the answer. He could work well with democrats, because he is fairly close to the center. But if the democrats think that republicans should elect someone who can work well with others, why didn't they support Jim Webb? I like him too. Is the reason why a self described socialist is doing so well while Jim Webb never even got out of the starting gate due to "too many ideologues in that party", to use Gordon's reasoning for why Kasich isn't doing better?

I keep hearing and reading how the republicans have moved further right. But the democrats are no longer the party of John Kennedy. Even recently, the two candidates have run as fast as they could from the 1994 crime bill that was one of Bill Clinton's signature achievements of the time. Hillary championed it in the past, and Sanders voted for it. It was by most measures considered a great success. The rampant amount of violent crime at the time, fueled greatly by gangs and drugs in the inner cities, started sharply dropping after it's passage. At the time, it had overwhelming support from congressional democrats, and even had the support of the Congressional Black Caucus. But now neither democratic candidate supports it. Hillary even threw Bill under the bus by saying he was the president who signed it into law, so don't point fingers at her. But the democratic party hasn't moved further left?

The American public gave democrats control of both the House and the Senate in the 2006 congressional election, and then followed it up with the presidency as well. What they saw come out of that combination, with the stimulus bill (and how that money was spent) and Obamacare, was enough to sweep the republicans into office in historical numbers. They were elected to stop Obama, not to support him. I can guarantee that should we have a president Cruz with democrats gaining control of the House and Senate, they would not be supporting his agenda either.

 

[Gordon Gray]

OMG. Despite all that has occurred, looks like the Don is the Republican nominee.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry or do something else and dreading the vitriol, insults, lies, and half truths that we will all be hearing over the next few months. I'm confident that "fear" will be a major theme in the election.

I loved the Don's most recent accusation regarding Cruz's father and that somehow he was a suspect (personal involvement) in the JFK assassination.

I'm going to need a very large amount of popcorn and misc. sedatives before this one is over.

Gordon