Democrats Win The House

[Autbot_Benz]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election/democrats-capture-u-s-house-majority-in-rebuke-to-trump-idUSKCN1NB1CW?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats rode a wave of dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday where they will seek to keep his agenda in check and open his administration to intense scrutiny.

In midterm elections two years after he won the White House, Trump and his fellow Republicans were set to maintain their majority in the U.S. Senate following a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues.
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With a House majority, Democrats will have the power to investigate Trump’s tax returns and possible conflicts of interest, and challenge his overtures to Saudi Arabia, Russia and North Korea.

They also could force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions, possibly dooming his promises to fund a border wall with Mexico, pass a second major tax-cut package or carry out his hardline policies on trade.

S&P equity index futures erased most of their gains on expectations Democrats would seize the House.

A simple House majority would be enough to impeach Trump if evidence surfaces that he obstructed justice or that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. But Congress could not remove him from office without a conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Democrats in the House could be banking on launching an investigation using the results of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s already 18-month-old probe of allegations of Russian interference on Trump’s behalf in the 2016 presidential election. Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies any collusion.
A rainbow forms over the U.S. Capitol as evening sets on midterm Election Day in Washington, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Tuesday’s result was a bitter outcome for Trump, a 72-year-old former reality TV star and businessman-turned-politician, after a campaign that became a referendum on his leadership.

Down the stretch, Trump hardened his rhetoric on issues that appealed to his conservative core supporters, issuing warnings about a caravan of Latin American migrants headed to the border with Mexico and condemnations of liberal American “mobs.”

Democrats turned out in droves to register disapproval of his divisive rhetoric and policies on such issues as immigration and his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.

A record number of women ran for office this election, many of them Democrats turned off by Trump’s policy agenda.

The election results mean Democrats will resume House control in January for the first time since the 2010 election, beginning a split-power arrangement with the Republican-led Senate that may force Trump to scale back his legislative ambitions and focus on issues with bipartisan support, such as an infrastructure improvement package or protections against prescription drug price increases.

It also will test Trump’s ability to compromise, something he has shown little interest in over the last two years with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.
Slideshow (28 Images)

The loss of power will test Trump’s political hold on House Republicans, most of whom had pledged their support for him lest they face the wrath of the party’s core supporters, who remain in his corner.

Most Democratic candidates in tight races stayed away from harsh criticism of Trump during the campaign’s final stretch, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like keeping down healthcare costs, maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

The final weeks before the election were marked by the mailing of pipe bombs to his top political rivals, with a political fan of Trump arrested and charged, and the mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue in which 11 people died, sparking a debate about Trump’s biting rhetoric and whether it encouraged extremists.
Abrams makes final push on election day

In the House, Democrats picked up seats across the map, ousting incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock in suburban Virginia and sending Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton, to the House in south Florida.

In the Senate, where Republicans were heavily favored to keep control heading into Tuesday’s voting, Republican Mike Braun captured incumbent Joe Donnelly’s seat in Indiana and Republican Kevin Cramer beat incumbent Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota.

Some of the biggest Democratic stars of the campaign season were struggling. Liberal House member Beto O’Rourke became a national sensation with his underdog U.S. Senate campaign but fell short in conservative Texas, and Andrew Gillum was trailing Republican Ron DeSantis in his quest to become the first African-American governor of the key swing state of Florida.

Incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Manchin won a hotly contested race in conservative West Virginia, and conservative Marsha Blackburn held a Senate seat for Republicans.

Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a 2016 Democratic presidential contender, and Tim Kaine of Virginia, Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential nominee in 2016, easily won re-election, news networks projected. Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was projected to hold his seat in Ohio.

All 435 seats in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 of the 50 state governorships were up for grabs.

[Redeemer]

This might be the worse thing that could have happened for our country.... :ohwell:

The reason I say this is bc there are a portion of the Democrats who have no interest in passing legislation, but only want to crucify Trump and this article kind of hints at that.This will literally do nothing for our country, but waste time and allow current problems to continue and not be resolved. I was hoping democrats would pick up some of the seats so that republicans would not so easily pass legislation and moderate republicans could keep the rest of the party honest and inline, specifically the extremist of the party.

Unfortunately this will probably lead to trump abusing his power like Obama did by getting legislation passed/made through executive order.

ugghhhhh...... Really hope some good come of this election. I am glad to hear a record number of woman are running for office!

[Autbot_Benz]

well the house has said they are going for Trump's Tax returns

[Redeemer]

well the house has said they are going for Trump's Tax returns

Yep and they are going to waste time with that crap instead of trying to fix the problems that plague this country. Opioid epidemic, illegal immigration, National Debt/defit, public transit, wage gap. So many things that need to be addressed and they choose this crap.....
Here is what will happen if they go through with it. Either they find absolutely nothing and waste everyone's time or they find something and they try to impeach him but fail due to lack of votes/majority.

[Andrew NDB]

People seem to forget that even if they somehow manage to impeach Trump... they still need to actually prove he is guilty of a crime. Which they can't, or it would have already happened at the gleeful hands of many democrats.

"I'm a democratic politician that is going to try and impeach Trump!" = votes. No more needs to be added. You know, stuff like anything that might help the economy or healthcare or anything.

well the house has said they are going for Trump's Tax returns

Which is what Democrats say they've been "going for" since the beginning. Taking the house means they can do this more than before exactly how?

Even if they do, what is it going to show? I suspect Trump avoiding a lot of taxes by exploiting perfectly legal and viable tax loopholes that no Democrat ever swatted down during the Obama era, or probably even the Clinton era. So what? If I could exploit some loopholes and pay less in taxes, I'd do it, too. So would you.

[Leo656]

Yeah, really. "Rich people skirt tax laws! In other news, Fishing is boring."

The entire reason they have the most expensive lawyers, is so that they can find all the little holes in the system and exploit them. That may be unsavory, but it's also very smart. Damn right I'd take advantage of that.

What I find most off-putting about many liberals is how they absolutely demonize anyone who's made it further in life than they have. "They MUST be pure evil!" Maybe. Or maybe they just figured out how to play the game better.

Fortune favors the Bold, after all, not the Liberal Arts Major With Social Anxiety. :lol: But hey, whatever; I'm sure they'll get Trump behind bars ONE'a these days, and everyone's lives will improve immeasurably within a week. And if (when) not, they'll just invent another Bogeyman. Without a made-up super-villain to galvanize them, they wouldn't know what to do.

[Andrew NDB]

I'm sure they'll get Trump behind bars ONE'a these days

ANY... DAY... NOW! There's so much smoke!

[Prowler]

This might be the worse thing that could have happened for our country.... :ohwell:

The reason I say this is bc there are a portion of the Democrats who have no interest in passing legislation, but only want to crucify Trump and this article kind of hints at that.This will literally do nothing for our country, but waste time and allow current problems to continue and not be resolved. I was hoping democrats would pick up some of the seats so that republicans would not so easily pass legislation and moderate republicans could keep the rest of the party honest and inline, specifically the extremist of the party.

Unfortunately this will probably lead to trump abusing his power like Obama did by getting legislation passed/made through executive order.

ugghhhhh...... Really hope some good come of this election. I am glad to hear a record number of woman are running for office!
It's funny because I remember people back in the Obama days saying all Republicans did was trying to crucify Obama.

Politics are so dirty, regardless of party/colour affiliation...

[Mayhem]

It's funny because I remember people back in the Obama days saying all Republicans did was trying to crucify Obama.
This. Shoe is on the other foot now. Obama really did get little done in his second term partly due to having no House control.

[Prowler]

This. Shoe is on the other foot now. Obama really did get little done in his second term partly due to having no House control.

All of this seems like the typical "voting for the opposite party for a change" tactic tbh. It's like that in mot democracies. One party holds most of the power for a few years, then voters get tired of then and elect the opposition party they hated some years ago again hoping they're not that bad this time. :lol:

[joe-eyeball]

The next two years seem pretty easy to predict at this point. The democrats will likely spend too much time and resources on taking Trump down which will in turn backfire on the Democratic Party in 2020 when the Trump trials go nowhere. I’m not the biggest fan of Trump but it would be a colossal waste of time to make that a primary goal. I’m sure little to no legislation will be passed while Trump and the Sentate appoint many more conservative judges tying up the judiciary.

A big hit to the Democrats last night was states like Florida and Ohio staying very much red. This will likely hurt them come 2020. All in all the country is still very much divided and history will continue to repeat itself. Also the Democrats better do two things if they want to save their party! One is find worthy candidates for the 2020 presidential election and two is get rid of that raving idiot Pelosi and push her to the back of the line! Anyway business as usual for America!!!

[Metalwolf]

Yep and they are going to waste time with that crap instead of trying to fix the problems that plague this country. Opioid epidemic, illegal immigration, National Debt/defit, public transit, wage gap. So many things that need to be addressed and they choose this crap.....
Here is what will happen if they go through with it. Either they find absolutely nothing and waste everyone's time or they find something and they try to impeach him but fail due to lack of votes/majority.Well, I doubt Democrats would touch the illegal immigrants issues, it's a future source of voters you know. I'm being snarky of course, but I have such a low confidence in them that I think they are almost as bad as the Republicans, but unlike the Republicans they don't (openly) suck corporate teat, so I suppose they are better then nothing.

The biggest thing though is that neither party has the balls to openly challenge the heavily monied groups and companies that cause a lot of the issues, or to garner enough bipartisan support to actually Do Something. A lot of these humdrum issues really mean something to someone who isn't rich, but it's like they get caught up in the power and forget that normal people exist.

[Redeemer]

It's funny because I remember people back in the Obama days saying all Republicans did was trying to crucify Obama.

Politics are so dirty, regardless of party/colour affiliation...

Thanks you are right I thought I mentioned it, but I guess I forgot. This was even worse bc of how bad of shape our economy was in and instead of trying to fix the economy they decided to go after Obama and his "Birth" issue. "Oh he is a socialist he is going to destroy this country!!!" yeah.... I am annoyed/pissed Obama didn't do more especially sense he had a super-majority his first two years......

Well, I doubt Democrats would touch the illegal immigrants issues, it's a future source of voters you know. I'm being snarky of course, but I have such a low confidence in them that I think they are almost as bad as the Republicans, but unlike the Republicans they don't (openly) suck corporate teat, so I suppose they are better then nothing.

The biggest thing though is that neither party has the balls to openly challenge the heavily monied groups and companies that cause a lot of the issues, or to garner enough bipartisan support to actually Do Something. A lot of these humdrum issues really mean something to someone who isn't rich, but it's like they get caught up in the power and forget that normal people exist.

Well they almost passed the "Buffet Rule" But of course..... Republicans decided to philabuster . They actually had 51 votes, but bc of the philabuster they needed 60. It makes me even madder knowing they previously had a super-majority and could have easily passed it, but for some freaking reason they decided not to. They could have tried to pass it agin, but never tried it again......

[IndigoErth]

Glad people managed to pull it off. And I'm fine with Republicans keeping the Senate, maybe we can have a little more balance (and checks) now... Would be nice if both branches were 50/50 and inclined to work bipartisan, but that's never gonna happen, so this is an acceptable alternative.

Between putting both parties back in there sharing a bit of power and electing a number of people that are the first something or other, plus more women than usual... gotta say it has restored just a little pride in this country for the time being; like a hint that people do still believe in it and that its diversity is an asset, not an assault.



Side note... You know your state is super predictable (and unimportant? :ohwell:) when the tv coverage never mentions you even once. lol Unless I just missed an early mention, but even still it must have been the only one, if at all.



Oh, and did anyone get any of those misleading texts or whatnot they were talking about? Saw the bit yesterday morning when they mentioned reports of people being sent false information, including things trying to tell them the wrong polling locations.

And wouldn't you know it, but just after 11am my phone was spammed 5 times by an unfamiliar local number trying to tell me to go vote and at least one saying my polling location was elsewhere north of me. (Nope, sorry, I'd already gone to the usual correct place an hour before.)

[Zulithe]

Congrats and an even bigger congrats to all the felons in FL who can now vote. The next election could look very different there if they can be mobilized to exercise their rights.

[Andrew NDB]

Definitely OK with felons being able to vote. So what if they vote is biased? They shouldn't become a 2nd class citizen if they've already repaid their debt to society.

That said, convicted child rapists and such... maybe the line should still be drawn somewhere. I don't know.

Congrats and an even bigger congrats to all the felons in FL who can now vote. The next election could look very different there if they can be mobilized to exercise their rights.

Oh, you shouldn't assume felons would automatically lean left and vote. Probably largely the opposite.

[Redeemer]

Definitely OK with felons being able to vote. So what if they vote is biased? They shouldn't become a 2nd class citizen if they've already repaid their debt to society.

That said, convicted child rapists and such... maybe the line should still be drawn somewhere. I don't know.



Oh, you shouldn't assume felons would automatically lean left and vote. Probably largely the opposite.

Actually those convicted of rape or murder are still prohibited from voting. These two were the exclusion to the new law. All other felons can now vote from my understanding.

[IndigoErth]

Yeah, can agree that more serious crimes that remain part of someone's profile should maybe still include certain provoked 'rights,' like voting.

I was surprised to hear felons could not vote in FL, but it's a little absurd that less serious crimes should prevent them if they have done their time and got their life straightened out. (Or at 'worst' maybe just make it a right people earn back after staying out of trouble for a set period of time? I dunno.)

[Andrew NDB]

Exports from China to U.S. increasing despite tariffs:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-exports-show-surprising-resilience-in-october-despite-tariffs-1541648024?mod=cx_picks&cx_navSource=cx_picks&cx_tag=video&cx_artPos=5#cxrecs_s

[Leolead]

Thank God. First time I was able to vote and I did the right thing and voted for the Democrats. Hopefully they can get Trump out of the White House in due time before he has us all in camps by 2023.

[Leo656]

Thank God. First time I was able to vote and I did the right thing and voted for the Democrats. Hopefully they can get Trump out of the White House in due time before he has us all in camps by 2023.

https://i0.wp.com/gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Lindsay-Lohan-Spits-Out-Drink.gif?ssl=1

[Redeemer]

Exports from China to U.S. increasing despite tariffs:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-exports-show-surprising-resilience-in-october-despite-tariffs-1541648024?mod=cx_picks&cx_navSource=cx_picks&cx_tag=video&cx_artPos=5#cxrecs_s

This is why I think we need to find another trade partner besides China..... Its also why I am pissed Trump went after the EU instead of working with him to get Chine to play ball. Instead they will just circumvent the new rules.

Thank God. First time I was able to vote and I did the right thing and voted for the Democrats. Hopefully they can get Trump out of the White House in due time before he has us all in camps by 2023.

Congrats on voting!!! Glad to hear it!!! I hope you continue to vote for the federal and local election!!! Also I would suggest voting for the best candidate instead of along party lines.

[Leo656]

Also I would suggest voting for the best candidate instead of along party lines.

Nobody does this, because they believe in Good Guys and Bad Guys.

Marks!

[ZariusTwo]

Thank God. First time I was able to vote and I did the right thing and voted for the Democrats. Hopefully they can get Trump out of the White House in due time before he has us all in camps by 2023.

You, like the dems, need to grow the f*ck up.

[Redeemer]

Nobody does this, because they believe in Good Guys and Bad Guys.

Marks!

they are called independent voters. :lol: While we are a rare breed we do exist :lol:

[TigerClaw]

Nobody does this, because they believe in Good Guys and Bad Guys.

Marks!
The problem is both parties see each other as either Good Guys. Democrats see the Republicans as Bad Guys and see themselves as the Good Guys. Republicans see the Democrats as the Bad Guys and see themselves as the Good Guys. Get what I'm saying? No matter who wins. We all lose.

[Andrew NDB]

The problem is both parties see each other as either Good Guys. Democrats see the Republicans as Bad Guys and see themselves as the Good Guys. Republicans see the Democrats as the Bad Guys and see themselves as the Good Guys. Get what I'm saying? No matter who wins. We all lose.

This is the latent problem with all of this. And I'm getting pretty tired of seeing crap on social media about, "If you voted for the other political party, UNFRIEND ME RIGHT NOW, because you're soulless/evil/fill-in-the-blank!" I've also seen plenty of, "If you're an NRA member or a gun owner there is BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS and UNFRIEND ME RIGHT NOW!!"

Utter sheep. There's no other word for it.

[TurtleWA]

It’s like people think one identifying factor is who you are. “OMG your a republican” or “OMG your a democrat.” How about getting to really know the person.

[Leolead]

It's really not that simple anymore. Somebody voting for Trump is them voting against minority rights, against women and their right to choose what's best for THEIR bodies. You're voting against the future well-being of this planet. I have already cut off 2 friends and 3 family members who are Trump supporters. I refuse to have that toxicity in my life. If you're voting for a piece of **** human being who is going to do everything in his power to make life worse for anybody that doesn't look a certain way, what does that make you? Even if you don't agree with everything he does -- you are basically sending a message to people that you don't give a crap about anyone but yourself if you are a straight white guy. If you are minority or a woman, you are voting against your own self interest.

[Sumac]

It’s like people think one identifying factor is who you are. “OMG your a republican” or “OMG your a democrat.” How about getting to really know the person.
If you want to care about personal qualities over political leanings, you are horrible bigot and atrocious human being, because, political leanings overwrite human qualities and you can't be a good human being if you are Republican / Democrat!! /s

[Leolead]

Going to such a diverse High-school and now College in California has made me hyper aware of these types of issues and how Trump is affecting different groups of people. Some of the coolest people I know on Campus are foreign exchange students from the same countries Trump is trying to ban. I'm gonna keep fighting for what I know is right and my younger brother and many minors will be able to vote in 2020 and we're going to be on the right side of history decades from now.

[Xav]

Somebody voting for Trump is them voting against minority rights, against women and their right to choose what's best for THEIR bodies. You're voting against the future well-being of this planet. I have already cut off 2 friends and 3 family members who are Trump supporters. I refuse to have that toxicity in my life. If you're voting for a piece of **** human being who is going to do everything in his power to make life worse for anybody that doesn't look a certain way, what does that make you?You must be a ray of sunshine at family gatherings.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

California

That explains... Everything.

[Powder]

It's really not that simple anymore. Somebody voting for Trump is them voting against minority rights, against women and their right to choose what's best for THEIR bodies. You're voting against the future well-being of this planet. I have already cut off 2 friends and 3 family members who are Trump supporters. I refuse to have that toxicity in my life. If you're voting for a piece of **** human being who is going to do everything in his power to make life worse for anybody that doesn't look a certain way, what does that make you? Even if you don't agree with everything he does -- you are basically sending a message to people that you don't give a crap about anyone but yourself if you are a straight white guy. If you are minority or a woman, you are voting against your own self interest.
Going to such a diverse High-school and now College in California has made me hyper aware of these types of issues and how Trump is affecting different groups of people. Some of the coolest people I know on Campus are foreign exchange students from the same countries Trump is trying to ban. I'm gonna keep fighting for what I know is right and my younger brother and many minors will be able to vote in 2020 and we're going to be on the right side of history decades from now.


https://pm1.narvii.com/6987/d0ca65150f53aba0c70f69bdd4b750814962f153r1-408-431v2_128.jpg

[Andrew NDB]

Going to such a diverse High-school and now College in California has made me hyper aware of these types of issues and how Trump is affecting different groups of people. Some of the coolest people I know on Campus are foreign exchange students from the same countries Trump is trying to ban. I'm gonna keep fighting for what I know is right and my younger brother and many minors will be able to vote in 2020 and we're going to be on the right side of history decades from now.

OK, you have to be trolling us. C'mon.

[Powder]

He was vehemently pro-Bayturtles. Make of that what you will. :tlol:

[Andrew NDB]

http://www.thegreenlanterncorps.com/grh1.jpg

Anyone notice anything different on the left during these sort of elections?

[Leolead]

OK, you have to be trolling us. C'mon.
What part of my post makes you think I'm trolling? I'm not. I rarely ever post anymore as life has been pretty busy for me the last few years. So why would I come back to troll you guys? I am 100% serious. And I'm just trying to explain to you all how Trump has made things wayyy more complicated. With everything he has done, it is impossible to separate someone who routinely votes for him and is the REASON why he is able to do these things, from the person itself.

You talked about good guys and bad guys but it clear to most reasonable people WHO the bad guys are today. And it's not the people who want safer gun laws and protections for our planet (Democrats) Trump has unleashed a side of this country and a people you read about in History class.

I'm glad that the Democrats have some level of control over Congress back. Hopefully they can stop him from banning Trans people from serving in the military, as well as locking children up in cages.

[Sumac]

Going to such a diverse High-school and now College in California has made me hyper aware of these types of issues and how Trump is affecting different groups of people. Some of the coolest people I know on Campus are foreign exchange students from the same countries Trump is trying to ban. I'm gonna keep fighting for what I know is right and my younger brother and many minors will be able to vote in 2020 and we're going to be on the right side of history decades from now.
Ah, "right side of history"...I love lefty cliches.

It's really not that simple anymore. Somebody voting for Trump is them voting against minority rights, against women and their right to choose what's best for THEIR bodies. You're voting against the future well-being of this planet. I have already cut off 2 friends and 3 family members who are Trump supporters. I refuse to have that toxicity in my life. If you're voting for a piece of **** human being who is going to do everything in his power to make life worse for anybody that doesn't look a certain way, what does that make you? Even if you don't agree with everything he does -- you are basically sending a message to people that you don't give a crap about anyone but yourself if you are a straight white guy. If you are minority or a woman, you are voting against your own self interest.
You are either a troll or in dire need of some psychological help.

What I love about lefties and righties - neither side contain even an ounce of original thought. They always talk like some pre-programmed bots. Which gives an idea of what kind of people they are and how strong and thought out their convictions. I was thinking pretty much like that, when I was 15. But it seems idea of young people being mentally stuck in their childhood is actually true.

[Redeemer]

It's really not that simple anymore. Somebody voting for Trump is them voting against minority rights, against women and their right to choose what's best for THEIR bodies. You're voting against the future well-being of this planet. I have already cut off 2 friends and 3 family members who are Trump supporters. I refuse to have that toxicity in my life. If you're voting for a piece of **** human being who is going to do everything in his power to make life worse for anybody that doesn't look a certain way, what does that make you? Even if you don't agree with everything he does -- you are basically sending a message to people that you don't give a crap about anyone but yourself if you are a straight white guy. If you are minority or a woman, you are voting against your own self interest.

Going to such a diverse High-school and now College in California has made me hyper aware of these types of issues and how Trump is affecting different groups of people. Some of the coolest people I know on Campus are foreign exchange students from the same countries Trump is trying to ban. I'm gonna keep fighting for what I know is right and my younger brother and many minors will be able to vote in 2020 and we're going to be on the right side of history decades from now.

I suggest that you re-read you post bc you are nothing you claim to be. You claim to have gone to a diverse high school and college, but you all you have demonstrated is that you are closed minded and intolerant. You are condemn an entire voting population bc of the party or person they vote for. That is like someone condemning an entire race or country for the actions of a single individual or minority group.

You also appear to be uneducated on the travel ban. The travel ban is meant to be temporary and to prevent what happened in San Bernardino from happening again. The ban specifically targets radical countries. Now this ban could become what "Daca" has become and become a permeant fixture."Daca" was suppose to be temporary, but may become permanent. (I hope not bc it promotes the human trafficking of children.)

Also You claim the republican party is evil and anyone who supports it is evil, but what about the democrats with Clinton???? Bill Clinton who sexually assaulted an intern!!!! He admitted he did it as well!!!!!! You can call trump sexist but at least is not guilty of sexual assault. Also Clinton is the same president that signed NFTA which destroyed US manufacturing and destroyed the Mexican economy. Bill Clinton also passed TPP which has also killed our economy and promoted cheap chines labor. Clinton is also the same president that Re-pealed the "Glass-Stegal" act which caused the 2008 recession and housing crises.

Why do I bring this up? To make a point that both parties have extreme/bad politicians and people should not vote strictly for party, but for best candidate.

I suggest trying to be more open minded and tolerant when discussing politics and that goes for everyone on the forum!!!

[Andrew NDB]

What part of my post makes you think I'm trolling? I'm not.

Because you appear to be the sum of every liberal ideal ever, a caricature of all tropes thereof. You can't be real.

[Leolead]

Ah, "right side of history"...I love lefty cliches.


You are either a troll or in dire need of some psychological help.

What I love about lefties and righties - neither side contain even an ounce of original thought. They always talk like some pre-programmed bots. Which gives an idea of what kind of people they are and how strong and thought out their convictions. I was thinking pretty much like that, when I was 15. But it seems idea of young people being mentally stuck in their childhood is actually true.
Would you elaborate? Why am I either a troll or in need of mental help? What part of what I am I saying is so ridiculous and outrageous to you -- that you would classify me as insane?

You seem to be a moderate.. So I'll just say this. I have seen how minorities and women feel about Trump. I have seen what he has done to our society, how he has emboldened the worst in many people. I have seen him roll back protections for the LGBTQ community, I have seen this president attack the Press simply for doing their job, even wanting to ban them from asking him question even though it is written into our constitution etc etc. Why should I not feel the way I do? I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how anyone could support such a vile human being. And it just so happens that many of the "good ol' boys" who do support this man, have much more sinister motives for doing so.

Maybe If you actually talk to the people being affected by Trump's policies like I have, you wouldn't be so quick to call me a troll or an insane person.

[sdp]

Because you appear to be the sum of every liberal ideal ever, a caricature of all tropes thereof. You can't be real.

There are already a few conservative caricatures as well, at least this mixes things up instead of everyone patting their backs now that PC is gone.

[Andrew NDB]

There are already a few conservative caricatures as well, at least this mixes things up instead of everyone patting their backs now that PC is gone.

You're not wrong about the former, but who has been patting their back about PC being gone? Beyond her reporting everything I rather miss her.

[sdp]

I meant it's now more of an echo chamber now that she's gone.

[Leo656]

I love it when people use phrases like "being on the right side of history" because it smartens me up on who not to get into a conversation with. :lol:

Mean, early-20s is a magical time. Life hasn't fully kicked your ass yet, so there's still all that fire in your belly and you spend half your time talking about "saving the world". Good times.

Then a few rough years later you finally figure out that it takes all your energy to "survive" the world, let alone try and save it. And you look back and chuckle at all the idealist Liberal Arts and Sociology majors a few years behind you, who are going to have a litter of kittens the first time they get fired for calling out of work with the flu, because they've never actually experienced any injustice or been treated unfairly, they've only read about it. And they know how to rant about how unfair it all is, but they don't know how to deal with it or learn from it. Which is the important stuff.

I find that the younger you are when you sh*tcan the idealist stuff and invest heavily in self-interest, the less bitter you'll be once you hit nursing home age. For one thing, you don't spend half your life demanding people hand you stuff, and then stomping around when they don't. Saves a lot of energy, which can in turn be spent making money. Money will actually improve your life; political screeds and protesting will not do this, they will only ruin your credit, job prospects, and/or get you arrested, none of which will bode well for any future employment.

Most people realize this eventually, but for some it takes a very long time. Sad. They create so many more problems for themselves, quite needlessly.
-----------------------------

I don't follow Trump's "policies" very closely, myself. But I will say, whichever policy it is that has people with more expendable income all of a sudden, which they in turn use to spend on things like gym memberships, personal training, and tickets to wrestling shows? I'm a big fan of whichever policy that is. :lol: I'm doing quite well at the moment, so I personally can't relate to whatever anyone's bugging about. Sh*t's probably fine.

[Sumac]

What part of my post makes you think I'm trolling? I'm not. I rarely ever post anymore as life has been pretty busy for me the last few years. So why would I come back to troll you guys? I am 100% serious. And I'm just trying to explain to you all how Trump has made things wayyy more complicated. With everything he has done, it is impossible to separate someone who routinely votes for him and is the REASON why he is able to do these things, from the person itself.
You basically want some justification to call everyone who are disagreeing with you nazies, so in

You talked about good guys and bad guys but it clear to most reasonable people WHO the bad guys are today. And it's not the people who want safer gun laws and protections for our planet (Democrats) Trump has unleashed a side of this country and a people you read about in History class.
Oh, please.
It's like lefties are completely sane.

I'm glad that the Democrats have some level of control over Congress back. Hopefully they can stop him from banning Trans people from serving in the military, as well as locking children up in cages.
LOL.
You need to update your "lefty manual for dummies": children were put in the cages since your beloved Obama reign and why army need trans people exactly? It's like army is short on unstable individuals as it is...:roll:

Would you elaborate? Why am I either a troll or in need of mental help? What part of what I am I saying is so ridiculous and outrageous to you -- that you would classify me as insane?
Because, if someone speaks only in cliches, than this person can't be for real or have very little to say for themselves.

You seem to be a moderate.. So I'll just say this. I have seen how minorities and women feel about Trump. I have seen what he has done to our society, how he has emboldened the worst in many people. I have seen him roll back protections for the LGBTQ community, I have seen this president attack the Press simply for doing their job, even wanting to ban them from asking him question even though it is written into our constitution etc etc. Why should I not feel the way I do? I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how anyone could support such a vile human being. And it just so happens that many of the "good ol' boys" who do support this man, have much more sinister motives for doing so.
Trump is not the cause.
He is a mere symptom of divided society, where both sides went so far up their asses, that it had become impossible for them to reconcile and find any rational solution for the problems.
Instead they are constantly engage in finger-pointing, fear-mongering, virtue signaling and shouting who is the most "fair and just", instead of trying to find some common ground.
To be honest it is mostly the same in my country, but it was engineered by our leaders, in US it seems - it's mostly a natural evolution.

So no matter, how you feel about Trump - he is not the reason of all of this. With him or without him, society will remain divided. And if you really care about future of your country, you should think about how to unite society, and not how to punish and persecute Trump supporters and establish some kind of "enlightened democratic one-party dictatorship".

Maybe If you actually talk to the people being affected by Trump's policies like I have, you wouldn't be so quick to call me a troll or an insane person.
I've seen some responses: most people are OK and some are even doing better than before. People who are crying about problems, are mostly engage in the fear-mongering, which makes it look like US occupied by Nazies and SS troops are marching on the streets and people are rounded in the concentration camps.

[Leo656]

why army need trans people exactly? It's like army is short on unstable individuals as it is...:roll:


This is a highly controversial opinion, but here goes: That's a distraction/complication that the military doesn't need, and won't do anyone any good, especially the marginalized people fighting to be included.

The amount of rape and assault cases within the military is already astronomical, and military types are STRONGLY opposed to anyone they see as "Other", which to a degree makes sense because when part of your job function is to mentally divide people into "Us" and "Them", you're unavoidably going to carry around some prejudice. But given the potential for abuse, coupled with the amount of abuse we already KNOW exists, it makes me strongly question why certain groups would even want to participate. Because they "have the right"? Okay, but WHY bother? It's NOT going to end well because you're never going to "clean up" the culture.

To clarify, I have the same issue insofar as even women serving in the military, for the same reason: You're gonna get raped or abused, it's almost a statistical certainty. Is it right? Absolutely not. Can it be prevented? Yeah, by not signing up and doing something else with your life, once you're involved you're kind of already in too deep.

I'm all for people's right to do whatever they want to in life, but at the same time, I feel like people need to be realistic about the Upside vs. Downside of their life choices. I feel like women, homosexuals, and trans people should be able to work where they feel like, BUT, at the same time I think getting involved in certain areas, like military service, isn't worth the risk or the hassle. They'd be better served letting go of that particular crusade rather than trying to force change onto a culture that really isn't going to ever fully accommodate them.

I feel like some of it is more, "I have the right to do this, and am making a larger point", rather than, "This is the best life and career decision I personally can make for myself." Okay, fine, but when the downside includes being raped or gang-beaten... well, sometimes you should pick your battles more carefully.

Again, not a popular opinion, but it comes from a good place. People who are highly at-risk for abuse shouldn't fight for the right to immerse themselves into an abusive culture like military or law enforcement. Not unless they're fully prepared for the horrible sh*t that's almost certainly going to happen to them. I'd just as soon see it NOT happen to them in the first place. But that's me.

[BartAllen]

This thread has been fantastic.

Oh, and a little history lesson: The past 4 presidents lost more congressional seats during their first midterm than Trump. This wasn't a blue wave. It was a blue puddle.

[Xav]

Well the Democrats did at least. But not the Bushes. The younger actually gained seats in his first midterm.

[Mayhem]

Considering the previous four presidents all started with more seats to begin with than Trump, then it isn't really surprising that odds were they'd lose more during the midterms. Aside from Dubya, but that was the 9/11 bounce.

[Andrew NDB]

This is a highly controversial opinion, but here goes: That's a distraction/complication that the military doesn't need, and won't do anyone any good, especially the marginalized people fighting to be included.

The trans thing seems pretty cut and dry. If you need to take something (in this case hormones) in order to be "Normal" You and not Super Unhappy/Suicidal/Depressed You, that makes you a liability in the military. What if you're cut off behind enemy lines and you can't get your dose of hormones for days/weeks at a time? And who has to pay for these hormones for you?

[Redeemer]

Well the Democrats did at least. But not the Bushes. The younger actually gained seats in his first midterm.

Probably bc of 9/11. other wise he mostly likely would have lost seats imo.

[BartAllen]

Considering the previous four presidents all started with more seats to begin with than Trump, then it isn't really surprising that odds were they'd lose more during the midterms. Aside from Dubya, but that was the 9/11 bounce.

... They lost A LOT more when they had ever so SLIGHTLY more. It wasn't like they had a supermajority.

[TheShredder777]

Politics is a lot like sports. People tend to wholeheartedly support their "team" and are willing to fight to the death over it, regardless of facts or individuals. They likely have a strong opinion on Ford vs. Chevy, as well. I assume they've adapted this way of thinking from their parents or their public school or maybe just their geographical location. It kind of makes me perpetually feel like Jane Goodall.

[Candy Kappa]

The Democrats are still a right winged party, but at least they have less creepy old crazy pants among their ranks, so I don't see a problem with how this election went.

[Andrew NDB]

Politics is a lot like sports. People tend to wholeheartedly support their "team" and are willing to fight to the death over it, regardless of facts or individuals. They likely have a strong opinion on Ford vs. Chevy, as well. I assume they've adapted this way of thinking from their parents or their public school or maybe just their geographical location. It kind of makes me perpetually feel like Jane Goodall.

Sort of. But people ask me, "How did you go so far right?" And I'm like, "What? I haven't moved at all. It's the left that moved into crazy town leaving me -- by default -- much further into the 'right' territory. I've been standing in the same place the whole time."

[BartAllen]

Sort of. But people ask me, "How did you go so far right?" And I'm like, "What? I haven't moved at all. It's the left that moved into crazy town leaving me -- by default -- much further into the 'right' territory. I've been standing in the same place the whole time."

I've never believed in teams either. I vote for the person whom I believe will do the best job when they're in the position of power to do so.
And as far as social issues are concerned, I agree with liberals on just about everything. Abortion? Go for it. Gay? Awesome. Trans? Fabulous. I follow the non-aggression principle. You're free to do what you like so long as what you like doesn't harm anyone else.
On the flipside. As far as economics and monetary policy go, I've always believed in less taxes and less governmental interference.

To me, The left has gone crazy. Equating jokes with violence and saying that comedians should be no-platformed... that's stuff right out of 1984. The way they try to thought-police everyone is disturbing to say the least. The left has done a good job of conflating racism with the Republicans, though, and it's not like the right has done themselves any favors with some of their more... shall we say 'traditional' beliefs about the family.

Life is way, WAY to nuanced and complicated for it to be boiled down to right v. left. The way people vote down one side or the other nowadays is downright disturbing. They're not actually thinking about the person they're voting for. They're just thinking about belonging on a team and 'being on the right side of history' -- whatever that idiotic tagline is supposed to mean.

I'm an issues guy. I vote on the issues, not the party.

Honestly, the reason I voted for Trump, despite not being his biggest fan, was because during the election one person was talking about potential war with Russia and the other wasn't. Trump, a life long liberal, sounded more... I want to say measured when it came to Russia than Hillary. He's not perfect, but he is better than her. Now... if it had come down between Trump and Sanders? I probably would've voted for Sanders as he approached gun control with a modicum of sanity. Oh, and Bernie didn't call black people 'super predators'.

[Redeemer]

I've never believed in teams either. I vote for the person whom I believe will do the best job when they're in the position of power to do so.
And as far as social issues are concerned, I agree with liberals on just about everything. Abortion? Go for it. Gay? Awesome. Trans? Fabulous. I follow the non-aggression principle. You're free to do what you like so long as what you like doesn't harm anyone else.


:lol: Abortion do the exact opposite of that sentiment or should say the 2nd and 3rd trimester abortions do. But honestly that a pretty good motto or idea to live by when it comes social issues.

[BartAllen]

:lol: Abortion do the exact opposite of that sentiment or should say the 2nd and 3rd trimester abortions do. But honestly that a pretty good motto or idea to live by when it comes social issues.

Look, if a woman is stupid enough to carry a baby that long and still want an abortion she is probably doin' the world a favor by terminating and not putting her genes into the mix.

I've been with my fair share of the broads, and I've never gotten any of them pregnant. Condoms aren't expensive, and the good ol' catholic method is good in a pinch. Rocket science it aint.

[Andrew NDB]

https://meme.xyz/uploads/posts/t/l-21905-when-youre-trying-to-convince-her-that-your-pullout-game-strong-af.jpg

[Andrew NDB]

More from CNN about how much "smoke" there is surrounding Trump about Russia:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/29/politics/donald-trump-russia-michael-cohen/index.html

ANY... DAY... NOW!

[Prowler]

Not even trying to defend the guy or anything, but I've been hearing about "TRUMP BEING DOOMED" since like the 3rd week he took over, and yet he's still in power. This is becoming hard to take seriously at this point "HE'S GONNA FALL SOON, JUST WAIT!".

[Leo656]

I just said to my wife this afternoon, six more years of this sh*t's gonna be exhausting. :lol::lol::lol:

Like OKAY, we get it, he's mean and he's ignorant. People have more money right now than they have for several years, that's really all anyone cares about.

Personally, my last two or three checks are the biggest ones I've EVER had in my life. I know that's not all because of Trump, but again, I've noticed that right now, and for the last year-plus, people are spending more and generally more relaxed about most things than they've collectively been for a long time. The only people suffering are the "We gotta get that BIG MEANIE out of office!" types, and they do it to themselves.

Don't pick sides. Just enjoy the ride.