Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[Shalcker]

The wall and the immigration policy is all about hatred of brown people. If you don't like it, then maybe you should stop shilling for them.

I'm not sure why qualified and lawful immigration is somehow more evil then illegal and low-education one.

Could you explain it to me?
Do you think "brown people" cannot pass as qualified?
That there wouldn't be enough people immigrating? (enough for what? how many should?)
Something else?

[Edge-]

@Skroe I'm usually with you as sort of a more-animated and bellicose Tom Nichols, but I think you go a bit out to sea with the anti-brown people stuff. There's definitely a racist element in America, but not everybody lives in that box.

No, but each time we get a look behind the curtain with the GOP it sure seems to be a running theme.

Steve King has still barely been reprimanded despite years of white supremacist rhetoric.
Newly uncovered evidence about the origins of the citizenship questions indicate it was squarely designed to benefit non-latino white voters and hurt Democrats.
How many states gerrymandered by Republicans have had their distracting ruled illegal because it was done on racial lines?
How many times have states tried to make it harder for lower income, usually black and brown folks, to vote and had those limitations/restrictions overturned in court?
Hell, the 2012 election post-mortem from the GOP was functionally them saying, "We suck at outreaching to non-white folks and we need to do this if we're going to win." followed by them...choosing a candidate that demonized non-white folks and tripled down on angry white voters while repeatedly engaging in racist rhetoric.
How about "THE WALL"(tm) that's literally nothing more than an expensive monument to Trump's own racism, that still enjoys surprising Republican support despite the fact that it will largely be ineffective?

I mean, there's a lot more racism in the US than most of us ever thought would still exist in the year of our lord 2019. It was there, but it was bubbling beneath the surface, and now it's starting to bubble over a bit with the tiki torch "very fine nazi's" and others.

The only way to not view the GOP proper as rooted in racism in the current era is if you don't actually look into the policies or context surrounding their policies/decisions.

[DocSavageFan]

Oh and China is probably going to start blocking US companies soon.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/31/chin...nd-people.html

Time for a supply chain shift away from China imo. Cut our losses and move on.

[Machismo]

Time for a supply chain shift away from China imo. Cut our losses and move on.

Man, you guys really do hate capitalism, and you love taxes.

That's pretty sad.

[cubby]

I know we've said this over and over again, but the Trumpkin's capacity for willful ignorance and just outright disconnect with reality is amazing. It's like they hunger for stupidity and lies, and they finally found their God.

Tax cut objectively gives money to the rich, and punishes the poor and middle class. Shitting all over the very people that shrill his name. Just another day ending in "y" for the GOP.

[Fahrenheit]

You never know what I might do. But you can guarantee there'll be rock-solid logic behind whatever it is.

lol, what a tool.

[Felya]

I know we've said this over and over again, but the Trumpkin's capacity for willful ignorance and just outright disconnect with reality is amazing. It's like they hunger for stupidity and lies, and they finally found their God.

Tax cut objectively gives money to the rich, and punishes the poor and middle class. Shitting all over the very people that shrill his name. Just another day ending in "y" for the GOP.

The party of working Americans my ass... liars and crooks... quick! Send money, guns and lawyers... they will get us out of this mess.

[Breccia]

Once again, it's time to play Guess the Speaker(s)!

Trade policy and border security are separate issues. This is a misuse of presidential authority and counter to congressional intent. Following through on this threat would seriously jeopardize passage of USMCA, a central campaign pledge of President Trump’s and what could be a big victory for the country.

How many times will Congress let the president unilaterally raise taxes on Americans? All the times

If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled. While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward

The president is right to point out the crisis at our southern border. However, a blanket tax increase on everything Americans purchase from Mexico is the wrong remedy. Tariffs are a dangerous and risky economic tool.

There is a serious humanitarian crisis at our southern border, and it is past time for my Democratic colleagues to finally get serious about meaningful action. As our third biggest trading partner, a healthy and vibrant economic relationship with Mexico is a vital source of our joint prosperity. Any proposal that impacts this relationship deserves serious examination and I look forward to discussing this plan in greater detail with my colleagues and the administration

If Mexico does not do more we will have over a million illegal immigrants from Central America next year. I don't like tariffs but in this case it is a national security issue and Mexico needs to change their behavior

"Well let's see. This is almost certainly a trick question, so they're all Republicans."

Yes.

"And the first two are accusatory in tone, so, I'm going to say Grassley and Amash."

Yes.

"That second to last one is 'I don't like it, but I'm afraid to outright condemn it, also it's the Democrats' fault' so, that's Mitch McConnell."

Yes.

"And the last one is a guy clearly so far up Trump's ass he can only be Lindsey Graham. You still banging his wife in the shower?"

Routinely. The middle two are Ernst of Iowa, and Toomey of Pennsylvania.

[Bodonius]

He still will win again, to bad betting money on it will not give much return

[Breccia]

Considering all the other stuff going on, this is a minor point, but it's hilariously Trumpian.

There are rules about what counts for SNAP. The USDA in 2001 set up rules that say, if a store wants to accept SNAP, they must carry seven items of each of the four basic food groups, and also, at least two of those groups must have perishable items stocked. So, milk, produce, bread, that sort of thing.

Sounds pretty simple.

So naturally, Trump decided to make some adjustments.

Yoghurt drinks now count as dairy --

"That makes perfect sense."

Beef jerky now counts as meat --

"That doesn't sound so bad. I mean, it's not like it's every meal."

Jarred alfredo sauce counts as dairy --

"Um...isn't that ridiculously high in fat and salt?"

100% whole wheat and not-100% whole wheat now count as separate things to hit that limit of 7 --

"That sounds more like a loophole than a nutrition benefit."

Reduced fat and nonfat yoghurts now count as separate for the same reason --

"Ditto."

Whole milk and reduced fat milk now count as different items --

"Sensing a theme here."

Pimento-stuffed olives now count as fruit --

"I mean, technically, yes, but they're not a significant source of anything but fat and salt!"

Frozen pre-made burritos now count as bread/grains --

"That sounds stupid. The tortilla has got to be 10% or less of a frozen burrito."

And spray cheese now counts as food.

"...no."

Yep. I linked the actual proposal. Read it for yourself.

"This sounds like it was written by convenience stores so they could take SNAP without actually carrying real food."

Oh, it was. You can read their proposal here. Incidentally, the USDA claims this would save a small business $500 over five years. That's right: for the low low price of $2 a week, you too can help a gas station sell olives, alfredo sauce and Cheez Whiz as nutritious food for --

"WAIT A MINUTE. Wasn't this the same Trump who wanted to just fucking box up SNAP meals and send them out himself? And now he's given up on that idea so that convenience stores, already notorious for overcharging for what food and drinks they have, continue to do so but now take US taxpayer money? For Cheez Whiz in a fucking spray can?"

Yes.

"I mean, wasn't there a bunch of outrage when one person was caught one time spending SNAP on steak, and now, that same party is pushing SNAP people towards buying fucking Spam and frozen burritos so Abu at Kwik-E-Mart can save $2 a week?"

Yes.

Trump voters are, of course, far more concentrated in the Bumblefuck regions of the country where pimento olives and Siggis are considered hoity-toity cuisine. This move, again pretty low on the list of Trump disastrous results, looks comically written to let trailer trash start picking up Tostitos Nacho Cheese Dip and beef jerky with the govt handouts they pretend aren't government handouts, at a 7-11 or Speedway and pass the overpricing to everyone else.

It should be noted that this change should have zero benefit to grocery stores, which almost assuredly already carry the previous variety anyhow, other than they might start losing business to the Pilot down the street.

[DocSavageFan]

Man, you guys really do hate capitalism, and you love taxes.

That's pretty sad.

This isn't about capitalism, nor taxes...it's about protecting IP. And I think it's "pretty sad" that you so easily jump to dumb strawman conclusions.

[Machismo]

This isn't about capitalism, nor taxes...it's about protecting IP. And I think it's "pretty sad" that you so easily jump to dumb strawman conclusions.

Of course it's about capitalism and taxes, it's implementing taxes in order to attack capitalism.

You did know tariffs are taxes, right?

If you don't like how China does business, then don't buy things that are made there. Stop trying to have the government do everything for you,because you are too lazy to do it yourself.

[DocSavageFan]

Of course it's about capitalism and taxes, it's implementing taxes in order to attack capitalism.

You did know tariffs are taxes, right?

If you don't like how China does business, then don't buy things that are made there. Stop trying to have the government do everything for you,because you are too lazy to do it yourself.

I just told you my reasoning and instead of accepting what I said...you double down on your fantasy. Why don't you just lock yourself in an empty room and have a conversation with all your strawman stereotypes? That way you can feel awesome about yourself and I don't have to listen to all the horseshit you imagine to be true....win win.

[Machismo]

I just told you my reasoning and instead of accepting what I said...you double down on your fantasy. Why don't you just lock yourself in an empty room and have a conversation with all your strawman stereotypes? That way you can feel awesome about yourself and I don't have to listen to all the horseshit you imagine to be true....win win.

So, are you saying you oppose the taxes Trump is pushing? You say it's about protecting IP, but he is literally pushing taxes, and fighting against capitalism to do it.

So, you either support taxes and fighting against capitalism, or you oppose Trump's tariffs against countries like China and Mexico.

I'll let you pick

[Thestrawman]

This isn't about capitalism, nor taxes...it's about protecting IP. And I think it's "pretty sad" that you so easily jump to dumb strawman conclusions.

Careful shifting gears that fast. The drive shaft will fall out if you keep that up.

[DocSavageFan]

So, are you saying you oppose the taxes Trump is pushing? You say it's about protecting IP, but he is literally pushing taxes, and fighting against capitalism to do it.

So, you either support taxes and fighting against capitalism, or you oppose Trump's tariffs against countries like China and Mexico.

I'll let you pick

You just don't know when to quit. False dichotomy or false dichotomy...I'll let you pick.

[Machismo]

You just don't know when to quit. False dichotomy is false dichotomy...I'll let you pick.

It was an easy question to answer. Do you support Trump's tariffs?

You wanting to dodge the question is only making my case for me.

[DocSavageFan]

It was an easy question to answer. Do you support Trump's tariffs?

You wanting to dodge the question is only making my case for me.

How many different ways do I need to say this? I believe we need to shift our supply chain to other countries as I highly doubt China will ever satisfactorily address our IP concerns. That said, I'll throw you a bone, I also highly doubt tariffs will solve the problem.

[Shadowferal]

Wow, the words "Yes" an "No" just don't exist it seems...
Yes or No. Pick one.

[Breccia]

Careful shifting gears that fast. The drive shaft will fall out if you keep that up.

He can buy a new one. It'll have a 25% tariff on it. Half of the auto parts we import are from China or Mexico, literally #1 and #2 on the list.