American Politics Discussion Thread

[Mjmd]

Knew about and 100% still want reform. I know there are people on both sides who do think like you suggest, but I am not one of them. I'm not even sure which side would benefit more from ranked choice voting. Republicans have lost a couple of very winnable senate and governor races because their candidate has been horrendous. If there was a moderate Republican in those races under ranked choice voting they probably win. But that is why I want it. I want more moderate and and hopefully a better chance for better qualified individuals. Just like I think campaign finance reform needs to be done and I don't care who benefits more atm. Just like I want congress to be banned from trading in stocks. I know Nancy Pelosi is like #1 or #2 benefiting, but even though she is a powerful Democrat I still want that reform (and her gone for that matter).

I never said it was straight line growth. (sidebar JFK getting canned is not the description I would have used). Just that it has increased over time And that is NOT the nature of the constitution. There were intended checks and balances, but the problem is they were fools and didn't account for political parties working together across branches of government if they had all 3. The other problem is probably on the people honestly. We expect fast easy simple fixes and the rest of the government doesn't work like that as the founders did (rightly or wrongly) intend. Mind you most political fixes aren't fast, easy, or simple, but people want it.

[greenline]

To my surprise, something I thought wouldn't happen, did happen. Charr Babies was right, Trump was good for Palestine:

https://www.theatlantic.com/internationa...mp/681325/

[Mjmd]

We can hope. Signaling willingness to let Israel do more thus forcing Hamas into signing while still negotiating with Biden I'm sure will lead to long term trust building and Israel will not push anymore while they have a favorable administration. But it is something. It is hope.

[BING_XI_LAO]

Why did Trump do it? Just to screw over Netanyahu out of personal spite? Or Miriam Adelson dislikes Netanyahu for some reason?
Oh right, just googled it, Miriam Adelson REALLY doesn't like Netanyahu. Now it makes sense.

Israel or its opponents needing a truce in Gaza made no sense (they already won militarily, and don't want a diplomatic settlement but prefer to keep it in a legal grey zone which they can lawn-trim every couple of years). Caring about a few dozen hostages also made no sense when Israel lost ten times that number of soldiers while devastating Hamas and Hezbollah and extending its control into a Druze area in Syria - the strategic picture is what matters, not some party going hippies.

Until I see another explanation, I'm chalking this one up as one group of zionists using their bought and paid for presidential tangerine to coup the Likud.

[BING_XI_LAO]

https://www.timesofisrael.com/miriam-ade...her-gifts/

Miryam Adelson, Israel’s richest person and the publisher of the Israel Hayom tabloid, reportedly told police that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara tried to get her to buy her expensive gifts and also tried to have the paper’s political correspondent fired.

Adelson’s comments came from leaked transcripts published by Channel 12 news on Friday, and were part of the graft probe into Netanyahu who is being investigated in three cases involving receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels in gifts from rich benefactors and for trying to illicitly influence media coverage of himself.

According to the transcripts Adelson told investigators that “she once showed me a necklace. She said that Arnon (Milchan) had bought it for her, Tiffany, or something like that.”

So Miriam Adelson is not only also the wealthiest person in Israel, but owns the Israel Hayom paper (which IIRC gets distributed for free, as its purpose is to exert political and media influence, not to turn a profit). This is what determines US foreign policy, a bunch of stereotypically neurotic feuding Jewesses lol, it's got to be worse than the influence which Azeri and Armenian diasporas exert over Moscow added together. That will show Sara for demanding more jewelry! Truly worse behaviour than the time she claimed the recycling incentive payments on her personal account, for a bunch of waste drinking bottles from government events. Oy vey!

[greenline]

My thought was that Trump wanted a ceasefire deal to give some thanks to the Michigan Muslim votes who stayed home, and as fodder for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

[MJW (ya that one)]

My thought was that Trump wanted a ceasefire deal to give some thanks to the Michigan Muslim votes who stayed home, and as fodder for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

They didn't just stay home. They voted for him!

   

[Charr Babies]

Best Plot Twist Ever - TikTok Refugees
  
There is hope for our country, as the younger generation shows a willingness to accept and understand global affairs, breaking free from the brainwashing of misinformation.



TikTok did play a very large role in bringing awareness of the Gaza genocide to our young Americans.

[BING_XI_LAO]

My thought was that Trump wanted a ceasefire deal to give some thanks to the Michigan Muslim votes who stayed home, and as fodder for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

Yeah, maybe I was totally wrong and Netanyahu wanted an external excuse (Trump) for a ceasefire, if it would be unpopular for him to choose either a continuation or a pause. Either way we've since had Trump comment about moving millions of people out, which at least reflects the real logic of the situation.

[Charr Babies]

Apparently, there's a rule in this forum that only applies to me: I must preemptively criticize Trump before I can criticize other politicians. This is a perfect example of a mobocracy-driven tu quoque fallacy. Resistance is futile, so here it is - TRUMP SUX

"I've always maintained that Trump aimed for MAGA, while Biden inadvertently Made China Great Again. The reasoning is straightforward. Though Trump initiated a small trade spat with China, it was measured and controlled. Trump and Xi were engaged in dialogue and making deals, maintaining business and relationship as usual for the most part. However, Biden drastically altered the dynamic. From the outset of his administration, during the US-China 2+2 meeting in Alaska in March 2021, the Chinese representatives were not given proper receptions to show signs of disrespect, then Blinken and Sullivan spoke in a condescending manner to the Chinese officials. This marked the Turning Point. China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, responded with an 18-minute nonstop lecture, instructing Blinken and Sullivan on proper conduct, and bluntly stated, 'The US does not have the qualification to speak to China from a position of strength since 20, 30 years ago”



Side Note: That speech went viral in the East and also made the beautiful and talented Chinese interpreter famous because she insisted on translating the entire speech verbatim. This was no small feat, considering it was an 18-minute nonstop lecture during an exchange at the highest diplomatic level.

Biden and his cronies are far from being diplomats. They were in a delusional state of grandeur, failing to read the room and heed the Chinese warning. Biden stupidly doubled down on Trump's sanctions and tariffs on China, forcing China to accelerate its efforts in innovation and self-reliance. The 'Made in China 2025' initiative has been on target and very successful, thanks in no small part to Biden. And now "China Standards 2035" is gaining momentum and making significant strides in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AKA Industry 4.0

Biden Made China Great Again

What the senile warmonger couldn’t grasp is that he is not Trump. Trump, being a businessman, is adept at playing that game. He is capable and willing to negotiate, making him a far better diplomat who is willing to travel and meet with adversaries. Examples below.

TRUMP FUMBLES

It has certainly been an eventful and occasionally nerve-wracking few weeks since Trump's return. Whether you're a supporter or a critic, it's hard to deny that the political landscape has been anything but dull. One thing we must remember is that we cannot judge or make predictions based on what he says or appears to do. We can only verify the facts after the fact, by looking at the end results. As far as I am concerned, he has already achieved what I voted for him to do—stopping the genocide and putting real efforts into resolving the NATO/Russia conflict. He might turn our nation upside down and anger our allies during his reign, but nothing is worse than genocide.


Trump will undoubtedly do some good and some bad. What is considered bad and what is considered good depends on your perspective. For instance, angering our allies and weakening our military and economic influence around the world might seem detrimental to our hegemony. However, this shift could lead to a more peaceful world. The less shit we stir around the world the better for humanity. Additionally, this approach could allow us to allocate more resources to addressing domestic issues and improving the quality of life for Americans.

Trump promised to raise tariff on China 60-100%. We all knew it was only a bluff, right? Right? In the end, he only imposed a 10% tariff on China (so far) and then turned around to impose a 25% tariff on our largest trading partners and allies

Trump called Xi three days before assuming the throne. Smart move. Where Trump fumbled is when China didn’t show any signs of backing down while imposing some preemptive tariffs and sanctions against the US. He called Xi but Xi did not answer. Trump panicked.

In his panic, Trump then suspended the acceptance of packages from China. This decision was quickly reversed the same afternoon. His first mistake - throwing a tantrum and ordering a half-baked idea, only to back down later, showing signs of weakness.

Trump SUX!