In a state of shock

[Rodney Mills]

Election day came and, as I said I would, I held my nose and voted for Clinton. I went to bed at 11pm our time and at 6:30am I switched on the TV and damn near dropped dead. I'm still in a state of shock, but at last I can understand the utter dislike the Republicans held for Obama, because that is how I feel for Trump.

I've pulled up the promises Trump made to his supporters prior to our elections: if you have nothing better to do one afternoon when it's raining here is a link. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ald-trumps-man

Following is a cross section of his 76 promises.

1. Build a wall along the southern border that's taller than the arenas where Trump holds his rallies, taller than any ladder and one foot taller than the Great Wall of China. This "artistically beautiful" wall will be constructed out of hardened concrete, rebar and steel, and it will be "the greatest wall that you've ever seen" -- so great that the nation will likely one day name it "The Trump Wall."

2. Make Mexico pay for the wall. If Mexico refuses, then the United States will impound all remittance payments taken from the wages of illegal immigrants, cut foreign aid, institute tariffs, cancel visas for Mexican business leaders and diplomats, and increase fees for visas, border-crossing cards and port use.

6. Get rid of Obamacare and replace it with something "terrific" that is "so much better, so much better, so much better." [Currently there are 22 million people participating in Obama Care. Record numbers are rushing to enroll thus guaranteeing one years medical coverage.]

10. Defund Planned Parenthood. [part of his program to end abortions.]

18. Prosecute Hillary Clinton for her use of a private e-mail server while serving as secretary of state. [Though the F.B.I. has repeatedly said that "there are no grounds for prosecution."]

23. Strengthen the military so that it's "so big and so strong and so great" that "nobody's going to mess with us."


26. "Bomb the s--- out of ISIS." Also bomb oil fields controlled by the Islamic State, then seize the oil and give the profits to military veterans who were wounded while fighting.

27. Target and kill the relatives of terrorists.

29. Bring back waterboarding, which the Obama administration considers torture. Trump has said he's willing to use interrogation techniques that go even further than waterboarding. Even if such tactics don't work, "they deserve it anyway, for what they're doing."

30. Leave troops in Afghanistan because it's such "a mess." Protect Israel. And increase U.S. military presence in the East and South China Seas.


36. Find great generals -- like the next Gen.*Patton or Gen.*MacArthur -- and do not allow them to go onto television news shows to explain their military strategy: "I don't want my generals being interviewed, I want my generals kicking a--." Trump likes generals who are rough, foul-mouthed and beloved by their troops.

40. Bring back jobs from China -- and Mexico, Japan and elsewhere.

3. Aggressively challenge China's power in the world by declaring the country a currency manipulator, adopting a "zero tolerance policy on intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer" and cracking down on China's "lax labor and environmental standards."

45. Replace "free trade" with "fair trade." Gather together the "smartest negotiators in the world," assign them each a country and renegotiate all foreign trade deals. [Each country, no exceptions.] [Thus if the smartest negotiator is Brit, he/she could negotiate for the U.S. against the U.K. etc.. Right?]
45. Replace "free trade" with "fair trade." Gather together the "smartest negotiators in the world," assign them each a country and renegotiate all foreign trade deals.

49. Impose new taxes on many imports into the country. Numbers thrown around have included 32 percent, 34 percent and 35 percent. [ And of course other countries will not retaliate with their US. imports in case they might screw up U.S. exports?]

52. Cut the [U.S.] budget by 20 percent by simply renegotiating existing trade deals.

59. On his first day in office, Trump would get rid of gun-free zones at military bases and in schools.

60. Use "common sense" to fix the mental health system and prevent mass shootings. Find ways to arm more of the "good guys" like him who can take out the "sickos." Get rid of bans on certain types of guns and magazines [40 round 'Banana Clips'] so that "good, honest people can own the guns of their choice.

63. Allow concealed-carry permits to be recognized in all 50 states.

Deport the almost 11 million immigrants illegally living in the United States.



Also "Trump says that, despite our treaty obligations, he would not defend NATO allies from an invasion if they haven’t been reimbursing us for the cost of protecting them; that he would abandon our military bases in Asia." From The new York Times, actual transcripts from a Trump speech.

[Braid Anderson]

I think you might be in for a few pleasant surprises Rodney. Don't let hate turn them sour.

[happy daze john in oz]

Rodders, the speeches and promises made by your Donald was one of the greatest pieces of hustings rhetoric I have ever heard.

If any one believes he will do even half of them must also believe in the Easter Bunny.

Correct me if I am wrong but I do believe in your written constitution there are methods to prevent any outrageous acts being put to the congress. also the congress and senate will select what they will allow to occur.

The president may put forward ideas and concepts but any thing that may harm the economy or the nation 'aint gunna happen.

I see he has already made a compromise on Obama care saying there are some aspects of it that are very good.

As to a wall, well a line of the military side by side could be described as a wall !

Clinton was too much old school and a bit too sure of herself, maybe out of touch with reality and grass roots people.

- - - Updated - - -

Rodders, the speeches and promises made by your Donald was one of the greatest pieces of hustings rhetoric I have ever heard.

If any one believes he will do even half of them must also believe in the Easter Bunny.

Correct me if I am wrong but I do believe in your written constitution there are methods to prevent any outrageous acts being put to the congress. also the congress and senate will select what they will allow to occur.

The president may put forward ideas and concepts but any thing that may harm the economy or the nation 'aint gunna happen.

I see he has already made a compromise on Obama care saying there are some aspects of it that are very good.

As to a wall, well a line of the military side by side could be described as a wall !

Clinton was too much old school and a bit too sure of herself, maybe out of touch with reality and grass roots people.

[Captain Kong]

You are beginning to stutter John,,,,,If any one believes he will do even half of them must also believe in the Easter Bunny.

I believe in the Easter Bunny, he lays coloured eggs.
Brian

[Gulliver]

Well Rodney,if I had been an American in your great country, I,being of the blue-collar kind,at least in mindset if not occupational class ,would have voted for Donald J Trump,rather than for yet another member of that liberal elite class that has dominated U.S. politics for far too long.How ugly and typical that her husband ex President Bill Clinton said to her words of encouragement such as "Come on Hillary,it's your turn next".How utterly presumptuous of him that she was going to win,and how stunned he looked afterwards.
How very undemocratic too that those who didn't vote for Trump the winner,started to protest. How reminiscent of the Remoaners we Brits endured in the aftermath of the EU Referendum.
To all those Americans who are 'crying and in a state of shock' at the outcome I say man up and grow some .You live in a democracy and cast your votes within that system.Accept it,no matter how unpalatable it may be for you.It's anarchy otherwise.

Poppy.gif

[Captain Kong]

It is just the same here Davy,.
We had the Vote and Brexit won,
Now Tim Farron has organised at least 80 MPs to fight in Court to reverse the Vote, and have another Referendum.
What part of the word DEMOCRACY do these idiots Not understand. ?
Brian

[John Arton]

Rodney
Like many of your pollsters over there my views on Trump tended to swing from believing he would win to disbelief when hearing his views on women, disabled persons etc. Now that he is President elect, the rioting that is taking place in certain cities against his fairly won election, does beggar belief, talk about throwing the dummy out of the pram if you do not get what you want!!!!
Until he actually brings a piece of legislation before congress and the senate, I think it is time for all to keep calm and carry on, as the saying goes, instead of painting him in such a bleak picture as many are.
Now if you think its bad over your neck of the woods, imagine how the majority of us voters over here feel when after a clear majority of the electorate voted to leave the EU, 3 old farts decided that Parliament should have its say of how/when/if we should leave and now 80 or so turncoats have said they will vote against any vote in Parliament that enacts the start of proceedings to leave the EU and that is in addition to Scottish (and Welsh) Parliaments saying they want there own deals.
The Scottish and Welsh Parliaments were set up to give those residents of those countries some manner of control over there own Health, Education and Social Security bodies but not Defence and Foreign Policy , something akin to State Governments in the USA. Now the bersterds are now trying to interfere with the will of the majority of the Country. Sack em all I say or better send them to the Tower as they are enacting treason by disputing the will of the people.
rgds
JA

[Louis the fly]

After the economic crash of 2007 / 2008 all western countries adopted the policy of hitting those who could least afford it , pay freezes , pay reductions , here in the UK rise of zero hour contracts , agency work and forcing workers to become self employed , employers avoided paying the minimum wage , sick pay , holiday pay etc. The banks were bailed out with millions of taxpayers money while services for the people closed. Globalisation resulted in the wealthy becoming wealthier and the poor poorer , even those in work reduced to using food banks.
People demanded change voting to leave the EU , in the States Obama promised change but achieved very little , Hillary Clinton offered more of the same , a good friend to big business and Wall Street . Millions of Americans have put their faith in Trump to make America great again , he has a huge task to deliver on his promises .

[Rodney Mills]

Johno #3.

A Quick refresher: The President advises Congress. What this means is he can dream up a new program and present it to Congress. Congress in the main though proposes the laws and figure how much it's going to cost etc. then it's voted on (a simple majority). First to the House, next by the Senate, then finally by a combined passing of the Senate and House. Then the bill goes before the President for signature or if he doesn't approve he can veto it. then it's back again to the Congress, but this time it is voted by a 60% in favor to overcome the presidents veto.

The Republicans have a large majority in the House (45) at the moment the Senate has 51 Republicans, Democrats 46, 2 Independents and 1 seat still to be decided. So Republicans have a solid majority in the House. The 2 Independents though swing mostly to the democrats, so it's very close in the Senate.

There are certain methods whereas the President can by-pass Congress called Executive Order. The affordable Care Act ('Obama care') was by Executive Order thus President Trump can cancel Obamas Executive Order as could the next Democrat president cancel out Trumps.

What is making me gag is the line-up of his proposed cabinet officers. He mouthed off about Washington and how professional politicians have screwed up the US.. Four he is considering for high positions is Newt Gingrich former Speaker of the house, accused of ethics violation and resigned before he could be censured and kicked out. Rudy Gulliani, former Mayor of New York and actually a good one, but talk about a geriatric case, Chris Christy, two former aids sentenced to prison, he hanging by his teeth, close to joining them, and then there's Sarah Palin...enough said. Still Trump has 76 court cases himself coming up, a big one in a couple of weeks. He opened a supposedly university, Trump University and conned a bunch of people out of their savings and encouraged others to take out student loans to pay him tuition.

If I was grading your post in U.S. Government 101 I would give you an "A". Well done. You have a very good understanding, better than the average American I might add.



Gulliver #5

I have posted this before, but here goes again.

The Democrats are equivalent to the UK's right wing of the CONSERVATIVE party (I'm not shouting, just emphasizing) and the Republican party has nothing to equal it in either the UK, Oz, or NZ. I'm not sure if Canada has anything close or not, definitely not the Liberals and I would doubt the Conservatives, but not sure. The Tea Party wing of the Republicans even the Right Wing Republicans are off the UK chart.

Could you honestly tell me that you could vote for an ultra right wing faction of the British Conservative party who (a) favors disbanding the National Health system because it is too expensive?. (b) favors torture to extract information? (c) liberalize gun laws so Brits could have even more guns than Americans today have? Allow concealed gun permitees to wear a concealed gun anywhere, in school if you are a school teacher? Because that is who and what you would be voting for with Trump, and that's only part of it.

His concern for the "working man" (though I ended up as a white collar executive I still worked, and bloody hard and long hours too) is such that he has between 30-35 court cases coming up—out of 70 plus litigations—he is being sued by working men he has cheated out of wages and overtime by either declaring bankruptcy, or out right refusing to pay what was owed, and burying individuals, unions, and small businesses with costly delay and excessive legal costs that become greater than the two hours overtime per day over six months that he cheated the working men and women out of (waiters and cooks) who worked in his golf clubs. He's a scumbag!

Two weeks ago he was ranting that the elections were rigged and said he would not give a congratulations to his opponent. Today he states it was a fair and honest election and Hillary is a great American and he would be willing to work with her and Obama! He's a scumbag!

The election wasn't about normal Blue Collar issues Gulliver. It was issues about Obama Care (By those that already had medical coverage as a union benefit or age (over 65 and covered by social security and who called Obama care socialized (communist) medical)). It wasn't by workers as you know about who only recently were able to get insurance because of provisions in Obama care to financially assist the low income worker and typically the divorced mother, who worked as a waitress (example only), and had two children and barely enough money to get by, certainly not enough to pay for private medical insurance. It was also about whether women have the legal right to have a safe abortion or not, The Donald say's not.

And it goes on and on.

Under our system all laws must conform to our Constitution. There are eight Supreme Court Justices and one Chief Justice. Vacancies are filled by nomination of the president and consented by congress. At the moment their are four democratic leaning Justices and three Republican and the Chief Justice is also a Republican so it's a tie, the ninth Justice was an Independent that could swing either way and died in office. The Republicans refused to approve anyone Obama nominated. There is one vacancy and two Justices are in their eighties. Trump will have the opportunity to place three Republican Justices. Goodbye women's right to an abortion, and also thanks to the NRA gun lobby as well, hello to more liberal gun laws, etc. etc. and totally change the course of law for many years to come, i.e. he chooses forty year olds to sit on the bench, and they could be there for forty years.

I for many years was a registered Republican, then came the Tea Party and the Republican party (Palin et al) it became too far right for me. I am registered as an Independent and could vote either way , though I held my nose and voted for Hillary I still considered myself an Independent.

Don't forget two million Brits signed a petition to have the commons refuse Trump entry into the UK and soon he will be having tea and crumpets with Her Maj.. Who would have thought it (rhetorical).

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Rod.
According to the papers out here there was a lower voter turn out than the 82% who voted at the USA elections of 1876 when they had to turn up in horse drawn buggies or walk, which beggars the question are the people who are protesting now those that were to lazy to vote as was the case in Brexit? and who is it stirring them up.
Remember Churchill's sound advise that! "The object of Parliament is to substitute argument for fisticuffs."
It will all sort itself out in the wash or war.
Cheers Des