political odds and ends

[olds442jetaway]

Unfortunately, morality and being a good Predident don’t go hand in hand. Don’t look to our founding fathers for any morality lessons. While I personallyI enjoyed the 18 percent CDs when Jimmy Carter was President, the Country was headed for bankruptcy. I’m not a huge fan of the Trump Tweets and shooting from the hip, but I thing he is getting the job done just fine. On the economic front, we are walking a tightrope right now. We will have to see what happens. Hopefully, the Libs haven’t sucked away too much of his energy so we can keep things going as they have

[billryan]

How is it when Obama was President, all we heard about was the deficit, but now that trump is increasing it at an unparalleled rate in what is supposedly a time when the economy is booming, it's no big deal.
Lincoln was correct. You really can fool some of the people all of the time.
If deficits don't matter, nor does morality, what does count? Evidently, most of you have no problem locking up kids who aren't charged with a crime.
So I ask again, if morality doesn't matter, if the rule of law doesn't matter, and the deficit is yesterday's news, what does matter to you? Keeping America white?

[New2vp]

How is it when Obama was President, all we heard about was the deficit, but now that trump is increasing it at an unparalleled rate in what is supposedly a time when the economy is booming, it's no big deal.

National budget deficits matter, but not to the extent that many think. Improving American businesses' competitiveness in the world market matters, but differently for different segments of the population. Trade-offs inevitably occur so costs are generally incurred in one part of the economy while benefits accrue in another. Determining the optimal mix is generally more complicated than can be explained in a sound bite. And don't look for news organizations looking for ratings to be accurate purveyors of economic clarity, particularly if their celebrities are versed primarily in journalism, political science, or marketing rather than psychology, anthropology, philosophy, economics, and neuroscience (to name a few).

So I ask again, if morality doesn't matter, if the rule of law doesn't matter, and the deficit is yesterday's news, what does matter to you? Keeping America white?

A thought exercise. Can you think of any reason other than racism that others might have different political opinions than you do? It may require some stretching of the mind muscles causing mild discomfort in the short run, but provide extra flexibility and understanding in the long run. I will certainly agree that some who disagree may have what you would consider to be less than perfect morals and rationale for their decisions, but it is far too simplistic to presume that all do.

We wouldn't want to run afoul of this forum's restriction on name-calling. And I imagine intimating that other members are likely racists comes closer to that line than is necessary.

I understand that most here have identified by their words the "box" that they belong to, or the "boxes" that they check when it comes to politics. I'm guessing that we could all learn more if we tried to question our own prior partisan mindsets along with avoiding the obvious tools of:

1. Reject the others' views without thinking, and then
2. Asking rhetorical questions that you believe bolster your own preconceived notions.

It may be helpful or at least informative to try to think about both liberal and conservative policies as expressions of irreconcilable but sincere visions of a more perfect union. Don't worry, this thought process has a very low probability of changing most of those views that you hold most dearly.

[tech58]

Sorry that spot is already locked up. A tossup between the ex community organizer and the peanut farmer.

[Tedlark]

I read a column today that was centered around a book titled "Ball of Collusion" written by Andrew McCarthy. Reviews make it sound like an interesting read so I ordered a copy to see for myself.

[Galeygoo]

"Ball of Collusion"

I love that song by The Temptations...

[Tedlark]

Collusion, not Confusion. In case you were confused.

[Galeygoo]

2Shea

[notes1]

It may be helpful or at least informative to try to think about both liberal and conservative policies as expressions of irreconcilable but sincere visions of a more perfect union. Don't worry, this thought process has a very low probability of changing most of those views that you hold most dearly.

a thoughtful post. i don't believe most, including myself, who identify with either political party, really believe in every position of that party. most folks are somewhere in between.

here is a question for you and everyone else. one political party leadership, including most potus candidates, have been endorsing the notion of allowing an endless stream of poor, uneducated aliens to enter the country, legally or illegally. for those who are more open minded than me:

-do you believe their sole concern is for the benefit of the needy?
-do you think they do not understand the enormous financial cost of taking care of millions of needy folks, who will pay little, in the way of taxes, toward those costs? these immigrants will also put downward pressure on lower wage earners, of legal americans ?
-do you thing their motives are more sinister, that they see millions of needy folks as future voters, who will vote to keep them in power ?

[advantage playe]

well u heard from me a few times,abortion is MURDER no if and or buts about it !!!! the climate has been warming and cooling for 3 BILLION years without any help or hurt from man ! please look up climatologist Patrick micheals and many other sane scientists who will confirm this ! GOD has everything under control!MAN IS NOT GOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE LORD IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!