President Donald J. Trump

[21st Century Man]

I'm not sure it is even a representative republic at this time. That would imply that somebody's vote matters or what laws passed by their representatives at the State or National level would hold sway and not just be allowed or denied by 9 unelected people with life-time positions.

"At the establishment of our constitutions, the judiciary bodies were supposed to be the most helpless and harmless members of the government. Experience, however, soon showed in what way they were to become the most dangerous; that the insufficiency of the means provided for their removal gave them a freehold and irresponsibility in office; that their decisions, seeming to concern individual suitors only, pass silent and unheeded by the public at large; that these decisions, nevertheless, become law by precedent, sapping, by little and little, the foundations of the constitution, and working its change by construction, before any one has perceived that that invisible and helpless worm has been busily employed in consuming its substance. In truth, man is not made to be trusted for life, if secured against all liability to account."
-Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Monsieur A. Coray, Oct 31, 1823

Yeah, I don't disagree. I have no idea what kind of government we have now.  Maybe a corporatist government.  I will continue to inform people what our country is supposed to be though.

[TigerLily]

America isn't a democracy.  It is a republic.......

When the Revolution starts obtuse humorless pedantic asses will be the first to go.

Santa's pajamas in Kyrgyzstan

[albrecht]

When the Revolution starts obtuse humorless pedantic asses will be the first to go.

Santa's pajamas in Kyrgyzstan

It is sort of like how the line "the first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" is misunderstood." (It was said by the criminal and Shakespeare was actually praising rule of law.) Revolutions and civil wars are usually pretty bad and more often don't end well. It is fun to say "burn it all down" but when the throat-slitting begins and pure "democracy" of Jacobite mobs rule it is not so fun and often the throat-slitters or head-choppers ended up getting it done to them eventually (by their fellow revolutionaries or by the returning power structure.) And often the dictator or king takes back over and then you are in trouble also. Our revolution, though bloody, was an anomalous one really. Look at ISIS and how well the various "spring" revolutions turned out?

[TigerLily]

It is sort of like how the line "the first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" is misunderstood." (It was said by the criminal and Shakespeare was actually praising rule of law.) Revolutions and civil wars are usually pretty bad and more often don't end well. It is fun to say "burn it all down" but when the throat-slitting begins and pure "democracy" of Jacobite mobs rule it is not so fun and often the throat-slitters or head-choppers ended up getting it done to them eventually (by their fellow revolutionaries or by the returning power structure.) And often the dictator or king takes back over and then you are in trouble also. Our revolution, though bloody, was an anomalous one really. Look at ISIS and how well the various "spring" revolutions turned out?

Do you and 19th Century Man understand the point of my post? Notwithstanding my little joke at the end.

[albrecht]

Do you and 19th Century Man understand the point of my post? Notwithstanding my little joke at the end.

I think, I might've missed some posts, but as I recall you don't like this idea of Parties "fixing" the nominee despite the people's popular vote. So although you are a Bernie supporter you understood how Trump supporters would equally be upset in the National Convention picks someone else via brokered convention etc. Yeah, Washington etc warned us against political parties but, of course, it is natural to form groups to advance personal, or collective, interests. I'm not sure at this point if we can ever change it but Trump and Bernie seem to be the best chance to not necessarily get elected but at least split the Parties to, maybe, form new ones or new groups? We will see.

[21st Century Man]

It is sort of like how the line "the first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" is misunderstood." (It was said by the criminal and Shakespeare was actually praising rule of law.) Revolutions and civil wars are usually pretty bad and more often don't end well. It is fun to say "burn it all down" but when the throat-slitting begins and pure "democracy" of Jacobite mobs rule it is not so fun and often the throat-slitters or head-choppers ended up getting it done to them eventually (by their fellow revolutionaries or by the returning power structure.) And often the dictator or king takes back over and then you are in trouble also. Our revolution, though bloody, was an anomalous one really. Look at ISIS and how well the various "spring" revolutions turned out?

Look what happened to Robespierre in the French Revolution.  He led the revolution but was also corrupt and he ended up with his head chopped off just like the nobles.

[21st Century Man]

Do you and 19th Century Man understand the point of my post? Notwithstanding my little joke at the end.

Of course I understand what you are saying.  I would say you would have a lock on 19th century views, madame, what with your fascination with communists and such.

[starrmtn001]

Of course I understand what you are saying.  I would say you would have a lock on 19th century views, madame, what with your fascination with communists and such.

I thought that was Darth Sandra.

[Dr. MD MD]

Look what happened to Robespierre in the French Revolution.  He led the revolution but was also corrupt and he ended up with his head chopped off just like the nobles.

The problem with most revolutions (Not yours, of course, TL) is that the snake never stops at the tail and winds up eating himself in the end.   

[Dr. MD MD]

I thought that was Darth Sandra.

Please, stop staring at me, Ms. Loren. It's very distracting.   

[TigerLily]

I thought that was Darth Sandra.

But we are both uppity females so his confusion is understandable

[starrmtn001]

But we are both uppity females so his confusion is understandable

But you have finesse.  Darth is more like . . . Zena.

[starrmtn001]

Please, stop staring at me, Ms. Loren. It's very distracting.   

Heh heh heh, no.

[TigerLily]

Look what happened to Robespierre in the French Revolution.  He led the revolution but was also corrupt and he ended up with his head chopped off just like the nobles.

Fortunately, Democracy, excuse me, a representative form of government, allows the opportunity for a bloodless revolution at the voting booth. Exactly what the GOP establishment is trying to circumvent.

[TigerLily]

But you have finesse.  Darth is more like . . . Zena.

btw Starr darling, you look fabulous in that new outfit

[albrecht]

Fortunately, Democracy, excuse me, a representative form of government, allows the opportunity for a bloodless revolution at the voting booth. Exactly what the GOP establishment is trying to circumvent.

And the Democrat establishment, by the way. Which is why if Bernie or Trump is not successful in winning their nominations it could be, maybe, an opportunity to split up the Parties and even form new ones? It has happened in the past. If we can't, or won't eliminate, Parties maybe we could at least add a few more into the mix? Though, admittedly, this also can be a bad thing and you get a fractured, coalition system like Italy or Greece and have to  form a new government every few months. Or like Belgium, where they couldn't even form a government for years.

[VtaGeezer]

It is sort of like how the line "the first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" is misunderstood."

That's the PC interpretation; Dick the Butcher's intent was pretty straightforward.

[CornyCrow]

Hi Trumpsters. I am still strongly in Bernie's camp but I have to tell you all this talk about a brokered convention is pissing me off 
If the Republican Party is still trying to pretend America is still a democracy, they better let the guy with the most votes win the nomination. I think the US is not a democracy but an oligarchy run by the top 1%. So GOP prove me wrong and follow your own people's decisions.  Up the Revolution! Have a nice day 

Wow, do I ever agree with you.  I don't know how to get out of this situation, but Bernie is my guy, as well.

[Value Of Pi]

Fortunately, Democracy, excuse me, a representative form of government, allows the opportunity for a bloodless revolution at the voting booth. Exactly what the GOP establishment is trying to circumvent.

Actually, I don't see this as a realistic possibility, unless you want to define "revolution" as something less than a radical change in the way we govern ourselves. I think the kind of revolution you have in mind, where power is taken away from one group (the bad or corrupt guys) and given to another (the good guys) and so life as we know it is changed, is rarely if ever bloodless.

Change happens in America, but it happens more gradually and often through some giant catalyst, like the Civil War leading to the end of slavery and massive social change over the course of many, many decades.

[albrecht]

Wow, do I ever agree with you.  I don't know how to get out of this situation, but Bernie is my guy, as well.

My big problem with Sanders (I like him actually on some of the banking, finance, and his position on guns (he's backed off on that recently though) but he totally loses me on his immigration positions. Having lived in functioning "socialist countries" I can tell you that unfettered immigration and open-border policies can ruin, or at least become very costly, and even cause a backlash and elimination/change to socialist policies. Opening up the flood-gates overwhelms the system and especially to the uneducated, both in terms of literacy, language (even their own,) etc but also in appreciation/understanding of our history and principles and coming from even more corrupt nations they with their vote simply turn the USA into another Banana Republic and more corrupt than it currently is. Socialism, and maybe even a representative republic or democracy, without any shared values, commonly held mores and beliefs, similar cultural values, shared language and sense of community, will eventually collapse. But, of course, this could be the goal 

[CornyCrow]

My big problem with Sanders (I like him actually on some of the banking, finance, and his position on guns (he's backed off on that recently though) but he totally loses me on his immigration positions. Having lived in functioning "socialist countries" I can tell you that unfettered immigration and open-border policies can ruin, or at least become very costly, and even cause a backlash and elimination/change to socialist policies. Opening up the flood-gates overwhelms the system and especially to the uneducated, both in terms of literacy, language (even their own,) etc but also in appreciation/understanding of our history and principles and coming from even more corrupt nations they with their vote simply turn the USA into another Banana Republic and more corrupt than it currently is. Socialism, and maybe even a representative republic or democracy, without any shared values, commonly held mores and beliefs, similar cultural values, shared language and sense of community, will eventually collapse. But, of course, this could be the goal 

I agree with you.  But, as I've said before the environmental issues trump (ha) every other for me, and he's the only one whom I've heard bringing it up.

It's probably a moot point as I still think it will be Hillary on the Dem side.  The majority of polls have the Dem candidate winning the final election.  I have a 'problem' in trying to pick candidates whom I perceive as honest.  Maybe that's not the best quality in a politician.  Even if we vote based on the platform/issues, it seems like a crap shoot if there will be any movement on them once the person gets into office.  Sometimes that's a good thing. 

I like Trump's promise of a better economy - but I doubt that he'd deliver and I fear that he'd take away environmental regulations.  I don't think he gives a rat's behind about religious/moral issues or about abortion. 

Second to the environment, I think the influence of big monied interests on our government must be addressed.  It, to me, is the most dangerous issue and impacts all the others.  It is the reason, probably, why politicians promise much but deliver little.  If that issue were put to rest it would clear the way for subsequent politicians to do great things.

[albrecht]

I agree with you.  But, as I've said before the environmental issues trump (ha) every other for me, and he's the only one whom I've heard bringing it up.

It's probably a moot point as I still think it will be Hillary on the Dem side.  The majority of polls have the Dem candidate winning the final election.  I have a 'problem' in trying to pick candidates whom I perceive as honest.  Maybe that's not the best quality in a politician.  Even if we vote based on the platform/issues, it seems like a crap shoot if there will be any movement on them once the person gets into office.  Sometimes that's a good thing. 

I like Trump's promise of a better economy - but I doubt that he'd deliver and I fear that he'd take away environmental regulations.  I don't think he gives a rat's behind about religious/moral issues or about abortion. 

Second to the environment, I think the influence of big monied interests on our government must be addressed.  It, to me, is the most dangerous issue and impacts all the others.  It is the reason, probably, why politicians promise much but deliver little.  If that issue were put to rest it would clear the way for subsequent politicians to do great things.

Nobody is completely "pure" and actually I agree with you, a bit, that sometimes even dishonesty might be necessary; like a white-lie for the greater good? (Not always good) but even guys who know (and then are vilified) like LBJ accomplished more "good," assuming for sake of argument it was, on social issues than the more rabble-rousers or strict "liberals." (If you listen to the Tapes you can see him talking about the "nigras" etc to his fellow Southern Democrats and literally minutes later talking with MKL Jr about the need for civil rights for Negroes, and talking the hard-line anti-commie Vietnam stuff and then about needing to fight poverty, and was very sympathetic to the Mexicans and illegals, etc.)
ps: I don't see how immigration, especially, illegal, "helps" the environment. They are destroying fragile desert environments in the SW currently, they cut fences, destroy wells, disturb grounds, and trash out the places. The countries from which many come treat the environment with total disregard: open sewers, slash and burn, dump whatever anywhere, blood sport animal fights, bad animal husbandry, poaching, allowing companies to pollute, not manage (or abide by agreements with us even, with regard to water rights and factory exhaust pollution, etc.)

[21st Century Man]

But we are both uppity females so his confusion is understandable

I don't mind uppity females.  As a matter of fact, I enjoy women on top!        LOL.  See, I do have a sense of humor and I apologize for confusing you with Sandra.

[21st Century Man]

Fortunately, Democracy, excuse me, a representative form of government, allows the opportunity for a bloodless revolution at the voting booth. Exactly what the GOP establishment is trying to circumvent.

And I'm sorry that I'm anal about the republic vs. democracy stuff but there is a huge misconception by some people about what kind of government we are supposed to have.

[RealCool Daddio]

https://youtu.be/9In0Xf8HH4k

[FightTheFuture]

Holy sh*t! Talk about creepy!! Check out what Drumpf would look like sans the orange spray tan:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/this-is-what-donald-trump-would-look-like-without-his-fake-t?bftw&utm_term=.epzz7rxJxA#.mpvb9BVpVw

[VtaGeezer]

Holy sh*t! Talk about creepy!! Check out what Drumpf would look like sans the orange spray tan:

What a vicious attack!  Whats next from those sick Cruzerians?  Something truly vile like this...

[TigerLily]

What a vicious attack!  Whats next from those sick Cruzerians?  Something truly vile like this...

Notice neither his hair nor spray tan are orange anymore? Must be going for more Presidential and less Orangutan. Pre Vta's post-Modernist masterpiece, of course

[Dr. MD MD]

Notice neither his hair nor spray tan are orange anymore? Must be going for more Presidential and less Orangutan. Pre Vta's post-Modernist masterpiece, of course

I don't know why but I can't get the word Trumpsy out of my head.   

[PrairieGhost]

PROOF that the MSM plants shills at Town Halls, Debates and Rallies to (ineffectively) try and stump the TRUMP!