yzerman19

Why I really wanted Biden to go for the middle.

The immigration thing drives me bananas for example. There is an incredibly compelling argument to: 1. Establish strong border security and control immigration. 2. Devise a path to citizenship via public or military service for those here legally or illegally at a set point in time. 3. Deport criminals and those unwilling to follow the path to citizenship. 4. Effectively manage work and school visas also tied to paths to citizenship or deportation depending on choices.

Among McCain and Lewis’ collective eulogies as well as messages and appearances by Clinton, W, and Obama, I Have found myself nostalgic for a leader that at least on the surface appears to respect the office and speaks to and for all Americans. The thing is, I do favor many policy moves by Trump, but the why and how the message is delivered masks it over.

I will agree with you on being un-remorsefully divisive. While it can be argued that W and Obama were also divisive, that was a result of policy rather than rhetoric. Trump might be the first President to ever take the rhetorical position of constituents over country. Certainly policy has always favored constituents in political history, but the surrounding rhetoric was at least attempting to (if not unite) at least explain and attempt to convince.

Victory in the Cold War and curbing inflation on one hand. Economic devastation to the working class, manufacturing, mining, farming on the other. I blame the Fed for almost all our economic woes.

I’m just writing away this morning... Here are some other things that have really degraded opportunity in the USA that have nothing to do with social justice: 1. Corporations outsourcing jobs overseas to save a buck. Inflated earnings, but at the expense of product quality (pharma great example) and US jobs. 2. The elimination of defined benefit pensions. Again, really improved the balance sheets of Corporations, but at the cost of security. Do not confuse this with the underfunded pensions in the public sector. Those would be fine too if they were properly managed. 3. Corporate tax law. If you look at the effective rates actually paid, well, let’s just say we all wish we paid so little. 4. Housing. I’ve said it a million times. All people want is a job, a family, and a home they own. When a house in CA costs $700k as a starting point, there is no hope for the masses. im losing steam...too much posting for a Sunday morning.

Lincoln saved the Republic by bringing millions to their knees. I hope it doesn’t come to that. The cultural, experiential, philosophical, and economic divides in this country are tremendous. What does a Wyoming cowboy or Texas Oil man have in common with a Brooklyn chef or a Los Angeles graphic designer? Little to begin with, then start layering in where they grew up, their experiences, their ethnicity....

Defining smarter is hard? Is it knowledge, experience, IQ, EQ, a mix of all of the above? I don’t believe Trump lacks knowledge, experience or IQ points (might not be a genius, but he’s probably at least 120-130). What Trump lacks is a filter, temperance, and patience. He doesn’t care to bring people along his mental construct, he just fires from the hip. one thing experience has taught me is how important it is to frame things and bring people up to speed with your thought process before just blasting away with a decision or opinion. I think Trump has been an autocratic business leader for so long that he just doesn’t think like that. so, I am not a Trumpist. I voted libertarian last time- was in a State that was going Hillary no matter what, so it was basically a protest vote. That said, we are in some very unprecedented times right now. Neither Trump nor the democrats appeal to my belief structure, so it becomes the lesser of two evils. I was sincerely hoping Biden would claim the middle ground like a Bill Clinton Democrat, but I’m concerned the party has gone so far left he can’t do that. With Covid too much of the country is now dependent on government. It was bad before, it’s horrible now.

The internet and social media with its dulling of humanity is the biggest threat we face. More so than an antifa protest. Cancel culture and the willingness to “kill” a person online like you would kill a bot in a video game. It’s so de-sensitized. I’m waiting for a major lawsuit against a platform like Facebook for damages due to inciting a virtual mob. The country is very much split, like 51/49. It is incredibly important that the barely minority’s rights are protected, no matter what side they are on. The framers were very concerned about this and built the government to prefer gridlock over trampling without a super majority. Using Executive orders, eliminating the filibuster, expanding the Supreme Court, eliminating the electoral college, adding senators...these things all are abuses (no matter what side) and are contrary to the goals of the framers.

I still contend that inequality is a tremendous motivator if there is an attainable path to upward mobility. Therefore focusing on inequality on its own is the wrong lens. This country was founded on opportunity and inequality in other lands. Poor and hopeless in Europe- indentured servitude in America gave you a chance. Affordable home ownership to me is a major vehicle. There are affordable homes across “fly-over” country, but there aren’t as many jobs. So, my goal would be advancing millenial focused jobs in more rural areas- covid and the zoom boom should make that easier.

I will say this. It is reported that his father taught him to never be the one to sign a deal personally. My father taught me to never do a deal unless you can look that person in the eye, sign it, and be willing to do it with your children in the room watching. not that you literally have your kids in the board room, but that you’d sleep well at night if they knew every aspect of what you were doing. Business is a long game, and your reputation lasts forever. In the end it’s all you have and outweighs EQ and IQ.

Why would I want to impress nameless people on a message board? I was actually consuming a fairly difficult to find and excellent bottle of wine at the time, so it was the immediate example at hand. Importantly, your statement about people is spot-on. The folks who work for me love me. I’ve developed and advanced many people. Can’t do it for everyone, because some people lack talent or work ethic. Those that have it though- it’s been as rewarding for me intrinsically as it has been for them financially and professionally.

They want to remake America. I’ve seen too many images of signs claiming the irredeemable nature of the US and calling for revolution. This is such a narcissistic perspective with no historical or international context. One of my favorite signs of all-time flew in Capitol Hill in Seattle. I drove by it frequently and it said LBGTQ for a no border world. I for one am proud to live in a country where you can be LBGTQ with equal protection. I could care less how you were made and who you want to sleep with or how you identify. The irony is in many, many countries around the world LBGTQ people are considered illegal and in many places murdering them goes unpunished, in some places it’s even state sponsored or condoned. my point is we have it better than any nation in history in terms of freedoms and opportunities. To whine or revolt shows a true lack of perspective.

Thank God we live in a country where all opinions, words, and symbols are allowed to exist without being infringed upon...oh wait....

Your handle recalls the Farce which gives you a pass in my book. Everyone is entitled to opinions. Some people’s opinions and choices build wealth and happiness. Other people’s opinions And choices create struggles and misery. To me the proof is in the pudding.

Couldn’t help yourself could you? Sometime I’ll enlighten you to how the world works. Meantime, I’m going back to my $300 bottle of wine. Enjoy the debacle. In the end, I will always win. Hint: you can too if you stop listening to stupid people and trying to sound intelligent and start working hard at the right stuff.

Maybe because one is actually competent at their mayhem? I dunno. Both are domestic terror groups. Politics is circular far enough left or right equals fascism. Franco and Hitler.

Both are vile.

Who wins the election means about as much to me as who wins the NBA finals. leftists want to change the world because they’re pissed off about losing or they want power. Hint: no matter what any politician says or does, the simple fact is the talented people who focus on doing great work and caring for their families will always come out on top. Every time. I

I don’t care. I just bank cash and let the babies cry.

Only ultra-leftists are that politically motivated. The accusers are the ones actually thinking that way, and it’s disturbing.

Social justice is a subjective term. If it means flipping the system on its head, adopting socialist positions, and vilifying anyone who has earned and achieved more, I am not for it. if it means treating people fairly, I’m all for it. like coaching hockey: ice time will be fair, it will not be equal.

Socialism is the attempt of those unable or unwilling to succeed to take from those that have achieved more. The argument has been perverted to now go as far as saying that the ability and willingness to succeed has something inherently racist or fascist or privileged behind it. My immigrant grandparents were dirt poor farmers. Each successive generation became more successful based on a combination of talent and hard work. I guess that is just my privilege talking...and the

Boy- I take a few weeks off from this board and more gasoline gets poured on the dumpster fire. as a non-Trumpist, anti-socialist, I’m starting to become terrified that this country is truly factioning on Ridiculousness. What happened to pro-meritocracy, pro-capitalism, limited government, anti-war, pro-individual, pro family, leave people alone government? when the failures of society in either party start to use the mob as the vehicle for rectifying their insufficiencies- well those of us who create wealth and jobs will simply stop...who is John Galt?

Nobody is forcing anybody to come onto this thread.