President Donald J. Trump

[21st Century Man]

The question for voters who, like you, think it's worth giving Trump a chance is, what are the risks? I strongly recommend reading this article, which outlines how hard it could be for the checks and balances in the system to stop a President Trump before he did major damage. It's not very comforting, but it seems like a very realistic assessment.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/trump-american-democracy-could-break-down-214383

Which is even more true if you vote for Hillary.  I get it that you don't see it that way because you obviously don't think Clinton is corrupt.  For the life of me I can't understand why you would think that.

[136 or 142]

Yes, I can read.  I know what you're saying but as you said it was the beginning of the Cold war.  I would look more at the % of GDP than the actual dollar amount due to inflation.

1.With most U.S troops sent to Europe/Japan still stationed there.

2.The graph is based on constant dollars.

[136 or 142]

And you voiced similar concerns when a dope-smoking, cocaine-using, community organizer took office?

... Lawyer, Part time law professor, State Senator, Illinois State Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair, U.S Senator.

[21st Century Man]

With most U.S troops still in Europe/Japan.

True.  I don't have the figures about how much that cost then as it does now when you measure it, adjusted to inflation of course.  There were obviously more costs at the beginning. Building bases and such.

[albrecht]

The question for voters who, like you, think it's worth giving Trump a chance is, what are the risks? I strongly recommend reading this article, which outlines how hard it could be for the checks and balances in the system to stop a President Trump before he did major damage. It's not very comforting, but it seems like a very realistic assessment.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/trump-american-democracy-could-break-down-214383

What Yascha Mounk might be forgetting is the only reason that the possibility that Trump, or more likely Clinton, would become some dictator is because we gave up, and forgot, that we aren't a democracy. And that the Federal government has waaaay to much power and there is no balance; both in the Executive (creating more authority via agencies for themselves,) Judicial (creating more jurisdiction for themselves,) and the Representative (creating districts for themselves.) And the OTHER 'checks and balances' often forgot which is the States and the People.

[136 or 142]

True.  I don't have the figures about how much that cost then as it does now when you measure it, adjusted to inflation,  of course.  There were obviously more costs at the beginning. Building bases and such.

The graph is adjusted for inflation. That's what 'constant dollars' means.

[Value Of Pi]

And you voiced similar concerns when a dope-smoking, cocaine-using, community organizer took office?

No, I had other kinds of concerns about Obama. And Bush. And Bill Clinton. And Bush. And Reagan. And...

Trump is unprecedented, except possibly for Perot, who never was in a position to win.

[21st Century Man]

The graph is adjusted for inflation. That's what 'constant dollars' means.

I know.  I'm looking at the blue line. Are you?

[136 or 142]

True.  I don't have the figures about how much that cost then as it does now when you measure it, adjusted to inflation of course.  There were obviously more costs at the beginning. Building bases and such.

The graph is adjusted for inflation. That's what 'constant dollars' means.

It may be true as some say here that I don't read things that I should, but, although I make the odd mistake based on a faulty memory, when I post something I'm almost always correct.  As Dylan sang "I know my song well before I start singing."

[136 or 142]

I know.  I'm looking at the blue line. Are you?

Yes, I saw it.  Why should the defense budget continue to increase just because the economy gets more productive?  It actually makes more sense that the defense budget should decrease.

[GravitySucks]

No, I had other kinds of concerns about Obama. And Bush. And Bill Clinton. And Bush. And Reagan. And...

Trump is unprecedented, except possibly for Perot, who never was in a position to win.

Well, guess what bub. Eisenhower died a long time ago and Nixon had to resign. Kennedy got killed and Johnson, who you seem to be okay with, was much more dangerous and did greater harm with due to his great society and Vietnam war than Trump could ever do.

[21st Century Man]

Yes, I saw it.  Why should the defense budget continue to increase just because the economy gets more productive?  It actually makes more sense that the defense budget should decrease.

Have you ever considered that the economy gets more productive when we increase defense spending?  I would think that would be logical to an economist. I'm not saying it always works that way but more often than not especially in the 20th century.

[136 or 142]

Have you ever considered that the economy gets more productive when we increase defense spending?  I would think that would be logical to an economist. I'm not saying it always works that way but more often than not especially in the 20th century.

How do you figure that?

I can see that to a point, a stronger defense makes a more stable world more likely, but there are diminishing returns to that.

Also, during the height of the cold war, no matter how high the military spending, I doubt that spending reduced uncertainties that might have led to reduced investment.

[pate]

Such a nasty woman.

...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTzGMEfbnAw

-or-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75SEy1qu71I

[21st Century Man]

No, I had other kinds of concerns about Obama. And Bush. And Bill Clinton. And Bush. And Reagan. And...

Trump is unprecedented, except possibly for Perot, who never was in a position to win.

Pi, you're perceptions about Trump are totally based on speculation not absolute fact.  Hillary has shown that she is totally corrupt.  As some old wise man said, "Actions speak louder than words.'

[albrecht]

Pi, you're perceptions about Trump are totally based on speculation not absolute fact.  Hillary has shown that she is totally corrupt.  As some old wise man said, "Actions speak louder than words.'

With regard to Billarys so often:
"Bad alibi like dead fish â€" cannot stand test of time." (Charlie Chan in Panama)

[136 or 142]

Pi, you're perceptions about Trump are totally based on speculation not absolute fact.  Hillary has shown that she is totally corrupt.  As some old wise man said, "Actions speak louder than words.'

Why do you keep repeating this lie?

It's not speculation that Trump has been sued and had to pay out multiple times.

it's not speculation that Trump has been held criminally responsible for several illegal business practices.

It's not speculation that Trump admitted on tape that he sexually assaults women.

To you, all the facts about Trump are somehow speculation and all the allegations about Hillary Clinton are somehow proven fact.  And you wonder why I keep saying you're a total moron.

[21st Century Man]

How do you figure that?

Well, look the 50's for starters.  The massive Cold war buildup may have been partially responsible for the idyllic 50's when personal wealth increased substantially for everyone. Reagan also became president during a very poor period in our economy.  He increased defense spending greatly during the first five years of his presidency and an economic boom followed.  Again, I'm just saying that is one factor but not a small one, I think.

[pate]

No, I had other kinds of concerns about Obama. And Bush. And Bill Clinton. And Bush. And Reagan. And...  *ESPECIALLY THAT LYNDON B. JOHNSON CHARACTER*

Trump is unprecedented, except possibly for Perot, who never was in a position to win.

FIFY

edioBoUnUS, eh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1rIDmDWSms

Seems legit?

[21st Century Man]

Why do you keep repeating this lie?

It's not speculation that Trump has been sued and had to pay out multiple times.

it's not speculation that Trump has been held criminally responsible for several illegal business practices.

It's not speculation that Trump admitted on tape that he sexually assaults women.

To you, all the facts about Trump are somehow speculation and all the allegations about Hillary Clinton are somehow proven fact.  And you wonder why I keep saying you're a total moron.

When was he jailed for sexual assault and illegal business practices?    As for suits when you are a major player, you win some and you lose some.  I wasn't talking to you anyway.

[Jackstar]

To you, all the facts about Trump are somehow speculation and all the allegations about Hillary Clinton are somehow proven fact.

This is a gross mischaracterization of your opponent's position.

And you wonder why I keep saying you're a total moron.

What is your source for information on what this guy wonders about? Include footnotes.

[pate]

This is a gross mischaracterization of your opponent's position.

..

What is your source for information on what this guy wonders about? Include footnotes.

Not Sure what the pork is about?

[Value Of Pi]

What Yascha Mounk might be forgetting is the only reason that the possibility that Trump, or more likely Clinton, would become some dictator is because we gave up, and forgot, that we aren't a democracy. And that the Federal government has waaaay to much power and there is no balance; both in the Executive (creating more authority via agencies for themselves,) Judicial (creating more jurisdiction for themselves,) and the Representative (creating districts for themselves.) And the OTHER 'checks and balances' often forgot which is the States and the People.

I don't think he's missing anything here about the American people forgetting the danger of government power being abused. In fact, I think one of his premises is that Trump voters would themselves turn this danger into a crisis by electing Trump. Trump could use his power to make a huge mess in just months, never mind four years.

[136 or 142]

Have you ever considered that the economy gets more productive when we increase defense spending?  I would think that would be logical to an economist. I'm not saying it always works that way but more often than not especially in the 20th century.

Being employed in the military also takes those people away from working in the civilian sector.  Were it just young privates I suppose you could argue that the discipline those people get from being in the military makes them more productive back on the home front, I don't know. 

However, there are also a lot of highly trained specialists in the military.  No insult to anybody who has served in the military, but the line, "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing." is absolutely correct.

While I don't question that DARPA has produced a lot of useful things, had all of that research money been directly spent on civilian research and development instead, I think it's hard to dispute technology would be even more advanced than it is now.

Of course, as with the central fallacy in that Bjorn Lomborg argument, it's unlikely without the military purpose all of that money earmarked for DARPA would have gone to civilian research, so I guess I'd call that a draw.

[albrecht]

Why do you keep repeating this lie?

It's not speculation that Trump has been sued and had to pay out multiple times.

it's not speculation that Trump has been held criminally responsible for several illegal business practices.

It's not speculation that Trump admitted on tape that he sexually assaults women.

To you, all the facts about Trump are somehow speculation and all the allegations about Hillary Clinton are somehow proven fact.  And you wonder why I keep saying you're a total moron.

A guy who self-admitted mental illness so I'm not blaming you (because it is good you found work for a Hillary connected firm to post on forums, in the old days, unfortunately, many would just be wiping down tables at a 'cut-rate' due to employment law here that allows certain types to work for less than minimum wage, or at least did.)

Almost anyone who has a business has faced lawsuits, we, unfortunately, here have a very aggressive a litigious society. The Clintons, and associated friends, businesses, bundlers, and firms, have faced and paid-out, or been convicted. With regard to sexual assaults the Billarys, both, but more Bill, are on record, self-admitted about it. One lost his Bar License (though he could by rule re-apply now) and the other got knocked off during the Nixon era investigations but never lost it but by her email leaks and FBI releases should be.

[21st Century Man]

I don't think he's missing anything here about the American people forgetting the danger of government power being abused. In fact, I think one of his premises is that Trump voters would themselves turn this danger into a crisis by electing Trump. Trump could use his power to make a huge mess in just months, never mind four years.

More speculation.

[136 or 142]

A guy who self-admitted mental illness so I'm not blaming you (because it is good you found work for a Hillary connected firm to post on forums, in the old days, unfortunately, many would just be wiping down tables at a 'cut-rate' due to employment law here that allows certain types to work for less than minimum wage, or at least did.)

Almost anyone who has a business has faced lawsuits, we, unfortunately, here have a very aggressive a litigious society. The Clintons, and associated friends, businesses, bundlers, and firms, have faced and paid-out, or been convicted. With regard to sexual assaults the Billarys, both, but more Bill, are on record, self-admitted about it. One lost his Bar License (though he could by rule re-apply now) and the other got knocked off during the Nixon era investigations but never lost it but by her email leaks and FBI releases should be.

She did not get knocked off the Nixon investigation. That is an outright lie.

[136 or 142]

When was he jailed for sexual assault and illegal business practices?    As for suits when you are a major player, you win some and you lose some.  I wasn't talking to you anyway.

1.He's paid fines on a number of occasions for criminally illegal business activities.

2.He's admitted that he didn't pay contractors.  This isn't just 'win some, lose some.'

3.To use your argument, if Trump had to go to jail in order to be shown to be corrupt, please tell me when Hillary Clinton went to jail.

You're too stupid to even maintain a consistent argument.

[albrecht]

I don't think he's missing anything here about the American people forgetting the danger of government power being abused. In fact, I think one of his premises is that Trump voters would themselves turn this danger into a crisis by electing Trump. Trump could use his power to make a huge mess in just months, never mind four years.

I like gridlock. The system was build for it. It Trump, or even Billary, brings it I am ok with that. But Trump won't be Hitler as you all claim. His daughter is married to a Jewish guy. He does business etc in NYC, FLA, etc. Your hyperbole is ridiculous. I am HIGHLY suspect of Trump from the get-go (you can search my posts) but compared to Billary? There is no choice. The best thing I could hope for is a pie in the face of DC and globalism and more devolution to States and people, but, if not, at least gridlock before more international treaties, regulations, laws, wars, and taxes occur.

[SciFiAuthor]

Why do you keep repeating this lie?

It's not speculation that Trump has been sued and had to pay out multiple times.

The Clintons have been sued too.

it's not speculation that Trump has been held criminally responsible for several illegal business practices.

So will Hillary. The Clinton foundation is a nightmare.

It's not speculation that Trump admitted on tape that he sexually assaults women.

He's on tape acting and talking like a normal male. Let's not act like that's not how some guys talk, and if you haven't ever heard such talk then you haven't ever gotten laid and have no male friends.

To you, all the facts about Trump are somehow speculation and all the allegations about Hillary Clinton are somehow proven fact.  And you wonder why I keep saying you're a total moron.

So you'll buy all the allegations against Trump, but won't even look into the ones against Hillary. Explain your thinking and justify it as rational.