US Politics Mega-thread - Page 3966

A lot of famous and important people have felt the sting of Donald Trump's invective in recent months, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, British Prime Minister David Cameron and even the pope.

And then there's Bob Guillo, of Manhasset, N.Y.

The 76-year-old Long Island retiree found himself singled out by Trump in a speech on May 27 because he had criticized Trump University, one of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's most controversial business ventures.

Guillo paid nearly $35,000 to be part of Trump University's "Gold Elite" program, taking money out of his individual retirement account to pay for it. It was a decision he would come to regret.

"At first it was embarrassing," Guillo says in an interview with NPR. "Then I became very, very angry that the man that scammed me out of all that money had the audacity to run for president. And I'm still angry."

Guillo's involvement with the program began in 2009, when he accompanied his grown son, Alex, to a program that promised to teach people how to make money in real estate. The three-day event cost $1,495 to attend.

The session took place at a hotel on Manhattan's East Side. Guillo remembers signs in the hotel lobby that read, "This Way to Success." Inside the auditorium was a large cardboard cutout of Trump, and attendees had their picture taken alongside it.

The people running the session were more like motivational speakers than trained real estate professionals, and they were very persuasive, Guillo says.

On June 07 2016 13:22 SK.Testie wrote:


What do you feel he has flip flopped the most on? I feel like most Trump supporters know his positions. I'll try to go through some and you can tell me which specific case he's flipped on or how wrong I am etc. I don't mind because I actually buy into the neocon / neoliberalism plan of Hillary as well or whatever the hell it's called nowadays. It's pretty murderous, but it certainly protects the petrodollar. We just all have to admit we're a little complicit in the murder and subjugation of other people now aren't we? Otherwise we'd say, 'no we can't murder people!' and vote Jill Stein and crash this country with no survivors.

I was for Obama in 08 / 12. And was a lefty who demonized any conservative source & ate up Jon Stew & Steven Colbert & thought Bill Maher wasn't just a shill (he is). Because I feel I can see when he knows he's lying for his team now. In highschool I was so left after reading a book on Osama that I was like, "oooh he has a point. It's because we're fucking up shit over there that we get attacked". Now, nay.

But after having my own business and supporting people monetarily I've changed a lot. I think that should almost be a pre-requisite for voting that you should have a kid or know what it's like to spend your own $ on someone to vote. Especially after this election. Once you've supported someone else on your own dime with not much coming back your way in return you have a different perspective on the economy. To me, business is the most important thing. I think I've changed on almost every position or gotten a better look at the other side of the story to realize they have very relevant points.

The Economy - If we go by a lot of what the left constantly says about the American people is that they're stupid.
Simplifying the tax codes and lowering tax burdens is the best way to help out any person in America start a business or simply grow their own personal wealth. They get to save more of what they keep and maybe even start their own hairdressers or restaurant etc and they can make it their own small family business. Restrictions, taxes, and regulations are actually good for corporations because they are the ones who can dodge all of these with their strong legal departments, corporate loopholes, and regulations limits competition for them. It retains the monopolies. But to open up a new business when the costs & fees are astronomical are pretty overwhelming. I'm not libertarian where I think you should be able to sell heroin to 5 year olds, or that safety inspectors are bad or that kitchen inspections are bad either (though they're probably corrupt anyway). I just think it's overly stifling and kills communities and relegates them to worse jobs like being a wal-mart greeter. I also think every country needs some manufacturing at least. There's plenty of people who are quite simply good with their hands and problem solvers in a very visual way and they may not be able to get through an engineering degree but there are plenty of hicks that people would write off as stupid, but are very capable self sufficient people. They can hunt, cook, clean, and fix almost everything around them in their own lives. But they may not have the best education. I feel that his style of economics will allow the people to once again see their own dollar go further eventually. Even if you don't make more money, you have more purchasing power. I also feel that his plans would actually take more out of the pockets of the super elite wealthy as well. Which is why they are funding everyone but Trump so very desperately. They spent a lot of money on Republican candidates, and they're going to spend a lot on Hillary as well.

On this point: KwarK & others destroyed me on the estate tax and I must begrudgingly agree that it is part of giving back to the country that you benefited from. Though I still think 80-90% is too high. But I could possibly see 40-65% etc.

Energy - I used to be more of an environmentalist as well. But I agree that he should open up coal plants, open up oil exploration for the oil companies, and allow fracking & renew the keystone pipeline. Obama nerfed our economy pretty hard when he killed that and our economy tanked right away because Harper went all in on oil. In this instance again it's a lot more jobs for a lot more people. And this in itself is a great thing because at least you have a useful happy populace rather than one that is forced to lose their dignity and collect unemployment insurance or other benefits. A fiat currency is not meant to be redistributed so much as it is to be grown and expanded. Trump knows where money comes from and how to make more of it. "haha he was bankrupt 4 times" - Aka he used bankruptcy 4 times to get out of shitty places and his other 9582989258 successful businesses were doing swell.

The Military & rule of law - It's very obvious he's going to be the best option for the military as he has called out things that other politicians simply haven't during the campaign. The rule of law has been completely eroded as the left and police are demonized and that's somehow allowed. The riots cannot stand. The police, the border patrol, and the military stand with Trump. The military is a necessary tool for keeping Americas interests in tact. I'm most definitely sickened by the riots. I feel that no matter what happens to me in my life, I will never act violently towards another human being. An inanimate object? Sure. But another human being? Unless it's a fight for survival, then there's no chance of that. The left's constant outright disrespect of laws is deeply concerning. And it has been constant for years and getting worse. And the fact that the Trump supporters are thanking police officers as they walk by them personally, giving them handshakes and having small talk with them shows a better sense of community as a whole. This next sentence could be classified as bullshit, but they genuinely seem like better people who care more about the country than they do themselves.

Immigration - Again, another position I changed on. The left is arguing for a slave class that is consistently dependent on welfare. Again, after owning my own business. "I do not work for you. Nor do I work for a foreign invader that did not respect our laws to begin with." Harsh words, but if Canada's economy were shit, and I just decided to up and move to Japan because I liked their country best without any skills or knowing the language, I think I'd be a questionable person to do that. I think that's kinda.. a shitty thing to do to another country. Entering it against it's will. Isn't that rape? Raping a country?! Ok hyperbole and bad jokes aside. But it is intertwined with the rule of law. These people broke a law. They did not care about your country to begin with, we owe them no allegiance in return.

So the slave class they prefer they get paid low wages and must use welfare. The girl on the view let it out, "but who will do the jobs we don't want to do?!" Americans will do the jobs, but give them at least a decent wage. An American president no longer feels comfortable to tell people what should be done for the country because individual freedoms are above what's in the best interest for the country. If that's the case forever, the country is sure to fall to it's own debt and lack of accountability. On Muslims, I am very anti-Islam. It's a conquering political and religious ideology. I do not see assimilation to the host country, which I think is vital. At this point in history, it is very different from Christianity. A fair assessment on it. I am amazed that lefties will say, "yeah but the crusades!" The years apart are too different. + Show Spoiler + Also - wtf is with criminals who've been deported 5-10 times getting access back into the country over and over? How does anyone remotely try to justify that?

I've written a lot so I'll just say:

The Media - Trump is right on them. Dishonest, unfair, and complete bullshit at times.

There's other issues as well but I'll leave them off the table and ask what you think he will flip flop on or what he's flip flopped on? I think his core has been pretty solid while he's fumbled around and learned more and more.

Overall, Hillary's more globalist position may be better than Trumps mix of promoting nationalism but still taxing heavy globalists that just want to pay workers shit wages because there's no labour laws there. But globalists have to remember that they are arguing for abject slavery and inhumane work conditions to other countries. "We care about foreign peoples! But we don't give a shit if they jump off the roofs in iphone factories!" By activism and protesting at home you are not fixing labour laws in Bangladesh. Ever. There is so much conflicting information on this topic (which is clearly what everyone who is protecting their own interests wants) that it's probably well over anyone's head who is not directly working in a very high position so we're all probably just guessing and having biased information thrown at us about what's most beneficial for us.

Build wall. MAGA. Trump 2016. No drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes.
+ Show Spoiler +

+ Show Spoiler +

On June 07 2016 13:22 SK.Testie wrote:


Overall, Hillary's more globalist position may be better than Trumps mix of promoting nationalism but still taxing heavy globalists that just want to pay workers shit wages because there's no labour laws there. But globalists have to remember that they are arguing for abject slavery and inhumane work conditions to other countries. "We care about foreign peoples! But we don't give a shit if they jump off the roofs in iphone factories!" By activism and protesting at home you are not fixing labour laws in Bangladesh. Ever. There is so much conflicting information on this topic (which is clearly what everyone who is protecting their own interests wants) that it's probably well over anyone's head who is not directly working in a very high position so we're all probably just guessing and having biased information thrown at us about what's most beneficial for us.

Build wall. MAGA. Trump 2016. No drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes.

On June 07 2016 13:22 SK.Testie wrote:


What do you feel he has flip flopped the most on? I feel like most Trump supporters know his positions.

Bullshit. He changes his positions on a regular basis. The most simple of google searches would show this. Let's not forget, all of his positions are just "suggestions," and he isn't even sure if he would do them.



The Economy - If we go by a lot of what the left constantly says about the American people is that they're stupid.
Simplifying the tax codes and lowering tax burdens is the best way to help out any person in America start a business or simply grow their own personal wealth. They get to save more of what they keep and maybe even start their own hairdressers or restaurant etc and they can make it their own small family business. Restrictions, taxes, and regulations are actually good for corporations because they are the ones who can dodge all of these with their strong legal departments, corporate loopholes, and regulations limits competition for them. It retains the monopolies. But to open up a new business when the costs & fees are astronomical are pretty overwhelming. I'm not libertarian where I think you should be able to sell heroin to 5 year olds, or that safety inspectors are bad or that kitchen inspections are bad either (though they're probably corrupt anyway). I just think it's overly stifling and kills communities and relegates them to worse jobs like being a wal-mart greeter. I also think every country needs some manufacturing at least. There's plenty of people who are quite simply good with their hands and problem solvers in a very visual way and they may not be able to get through an engineering degree but there are plenty of hicks that people would write off as stupid, but are very capable self sufficient people. They can hunt, cook, clean, and fix almost everything around them in their own lives. But they may not have the best education. I feel that his style of economics will allow the people to once again see their own dollar go further eventually. Even if you don't make more money, you have more purchasing power. I also feel that his plans would actually take more out of the pockets of the super elite wealthy as well. Which is why they are funding everyone but Trump so very desperately. They spent a lot of money on Republican candidates, and they're going to spend a lot on Hillary as well.


Yeah, let's just ignore the fact that it is his constituency that will suffer the most when prices inevitably go up because of tariffs on foreign goods. Or when the value of the Dollar plummets because he defaults on our debt. I'd add that he is against minimum wage increases, but he changes his tune on that depending on the audience he is talking to (like most of the things he says). Overall, there is more than enough evidence that his economic plans would add tremendous debt to our country (again a simple search and you can find all the Economists and Organizations saying as such).


Energy - I used to be more of an environmentalist as well. But I agree that he should open up coal plants, open up oil exploration for the oil companies, and allow fracking & renew the keystone pipeline. Obama nerfed our economy pretty hard when he killed that and our economy tanked right away because Harper went all in on oil. In this instance again it's a lot more jobs for a lot more people. And this in itself is a great thing because at least you have a useful happy populace rather than one that is forced to lose their dignity and collect unemployment insurance or other benefits. A fiat currency is not meant to be redistributed so much as it is to be grown and expanded. Trump knows where money comes from and how to make more of it. "haha he was bankrupt 4 times" - Aka he used bankruptcy 4 times to get out of shitty places and his other 9582989258 successful businesses were doing swell.

Climate Change is a thing. It takes a special sort of willful ignorance to say otherwise (Trump does this anyways ofc). The problem with the US turning back the clock on environment regulations, beyond the fact it would set back environmental progress decades, is the impact it would have on agreements with other countries. Why would China or India agree to decrease pollution if we won't even do it? Just like that we're back to exponential pollution growth.

As for that line I bolded... America is a country not a business. That is probably why he thinks monumentally stupid things like America going bankrupt (paying back less than 100cents on the dollar) makes sense, even though any Economist would tell you it would result in an economic apocalypses.


The Military & rule of law - It's very obvious he's going to be the best option for the military as he has called out things that other politicians simply haven't during the campaign. The rule of law has been completely eroded as the left and police are demonized and that's somehow allowed. The riots cannot stand. The police, the border patrol, and the military stand with Trump. The military is a necessary tool for keeping Americas interests in tact. I'm most definitely sickened by the riots. I feel that no matter what happens to me in my life, I will never act violently towards another human being. An inanimate object? Sure. But another human being? Unless it's a fight for survival, then there's no chance of that. The left's constant outright disrespect of laws is deeply concerning. And it has been constant for years and getting worse. And the fact that the Trump supporters are thanking police officers as they walk by them personally, giving them handshakes and having small talk with them shows a better sense of community as a whole. This next sentence could be classified as bullshit, but they genuinely seem like better people who care more about the country than they do themselves. Meanwhile people on the left seem to come off as, "what the fuck has this country done for me?" Even if you're in a terrible position in America, you're lucky to be there by default. You just are.

He's going to be the best with the military because he says things other politicians haven't? Are you serious? This is a guy who thinks he knows more than Generals. Thinks he knows more about the military than soldiers because he went to a private school once. Who literally (and I mean literally) thinks he has an edge in being ISIS because "He is Trump." A man who thinks we are losing to ISIS somehow, even though their Capitals in both Iraq and Syria are literally under siege as I type this. I would bet my life that if asked off the cuff, he couldn't tell you a single thing about ISIS beyond the fact they are Islamic and in Iraq/Syria. Also, how is he great for the military if he's threatening to pull our military out of key hotspots around the world? Reagan is rolling over in his grave.

As for the rule of law, he clearly doesn't think it applies to him. Anybody who questions him is unfair, or a sleaze, or a racist. He has made very clear he doesn't believe he is accountable to the Media or the Judiciary. If the President thinking that doesn't worry you, then it makes complete sense that you would vote for Trump.

Immigration - Again, another position I changed on. The left is arguing for a slave class that is consistently dependent on welfare. Again, after owning my own business. "I do not work for you. Nor do I work for a foreign invader that did not respect our laws to begin with." Harsh words, but if Canada's economy were shit, and I just decided to up and move to Japan because I liked their country best without any skills or knowing the language, I think I'd be a questionable person to do that. I think that's kinda.. a shitty thing to do to another country. Entering it against it's will. Isn't that rape? Raping a country?! Ok hyperbole and bad jokes aside. But it is intertwined with the rule of law. These people broke a law. They did not care about your country to begin with, we owe them no allegiance in return.

So the slave class they prefer they get paid low wages and must use welfare. The girl on the view let it out, "but who will do the jobs we don't want to do?!" Americans will do the jobs, but give them at least a decent wage. An American president no longer feels comfortable to tell people what should be done for the country because individual freedoms are above what's in the best interest for the country. If that's the case forever, the country is sure to fall to it's own debt and lack of accountability. On Muslims, I am very anti-Islam. It's a conquering political and religious ideology. I do not see assimilation to the host country, which I think is vital. At this point in history, it is very different from Christianity. A fair assessment on it. I am amazed that lefties will say, "yeah but the crusades!" The years apart are too different. + Show Spoiler + Also - wtf is with criminals who've been deported 5-10 times getting access back into the country over and over? How does anyone remotely try to justify that?

For this one I won't even talk about the moral or cultural problems with these statements. I'll stick to pragmatics. How do you plan on testing people on whether or not they are Muslim? How do you actually plan on removing millions of citizens from this country in the short amount of time that Trump wants to do it?

The Media - Trump is right on them. Dishonest, unfair, and complete bullshit at times.

The irony is so strong it's like a punch in the gut.

On June 07 2016 15:41 JW_DTLA wrote:
Globalism has gotten a bad rap recently. But if you want to see unions in Vietnam and Malayasia then you should support the TPP. The TPP is of course a mixed bag of half loaves as all deals are. But there are explicit mechanisms to make sure that wages and labor protections go up in a few problem countries. The cold reality is that until the global middle class catches up with America at least some of the way, then that global middle class will drain America's middle range income gains. TPP offers some mechanism to do something about that.

The new Vietnam consistency plan requires that the country enact legal reforms that allow members to organize into unions, increase protections against employment discrimination, and stiffen penalties for forced labor. Vietnam will not be able to officially join the TPP until the United States has determined that the country has met the labor requirements outlined, which include allowing workers to join a union.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/tpp-mexico-labor-rights/426501/

A teen boy, that self-identifies as a girl, was allowed to compete in a girls’ state championships in Alaska. The boy, Nattaphon Wangyot, dominated the competition and will advance to the finals with All-State Honors In Girls Track And Field. The decision to let the student, that is biologically a male, compete in girls’ sports has caused an uproar in the community. An organized protest to prevent teen girls from competing against students that are biologically male has been launched in response.

Nattaphon Wangyot was allowed to participate in the girls’ competition due to a state law that allows each individual high school to determine whether or boys can compete in individual girls’ events. The Alaska Dispatch News reports that boys do not need to go through hormone treatment to be eligible to participate, the only requirement is that the boys self-identify as girls. The policy states that school officials will consider several intangible qualities to determine whether or not the student truly identifies as a female. The official school policy states:



“FOR THE PURPOSES OF GENDER IDENTIFICATION FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES, THE DISTRICT WILL CONSIDER THE GENDER IDENTITY BASED ON THE STUDENT’S CONSISTENT DECLARATION OF GENDER IDENTITY, THEIR ACTIONS, ATTITUDE, DRESS AND MANNERISMS,”

Wangyot advanced to the state finals in the 100-meter and 200-meter events. He won fifth place in the 100-meter dash and third place in the 200-meter. He beat out several biologically female student athletes to advance to the finals. Wangyot has a history of competing in female sports. According to the Alaska Dispatch News Wangyot also plays on the school’s girls’ basketball and volleyball team. Unfortunately for Wangyot this doesn’t mean much to several of the biological females who believe Wangyot’s biological status as a male gives him a clear advantage. Emma Daniels, a biological female student who lost an all-state roster spot to Wangyot, stated:

“I’M GLAD THAT THIS PERSON IS COMFORTABLE WITH WHO THEY ARE AND THEY’RE ABLE TO BE HAPPY IN WHO THEY ARE, BUT I DON’T THINK IT’S COMPETITIVELY COMPLETELY 100-PERCENT FAIR,”

Daniels isn’t alone is viewing the situation as unfair. A second runner, Peyton Young, also commented on Wangyots advancement to the finals.

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S POLITICALLY CORRECT TO SAY, BUT IN MY OPINION YOUR GENDER IS WHAT YOU’RE BORN WITH. IT’S THE DNA. GENETICALLY A GUY HAS MORE MUSCLE MASS THAN A GIRL, AND IF HE’S RACING AGAINST A GIRL, HE MAY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.”

Alaska Family Action president Jim Minnery has organized a protest to focus on preventing teen girls from being forced to compete against male athletes in the future. He argues that while allowing a male student that identifies as a female to compete in girls’ sporting events empowers that single student it also creates an uneven playing field that puts girls at a severe disadvantage. Girls can lose roster spots, playing time and even scholarships due to the impact of allowing male students to participate. He stated to the Alaskan Dispatch News:

“WE ARE HERE TODAY AS A VOICE FROM THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT FEMALE ATHLETES ARE NOT DENIED THE PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND TO MAKE THE PLAYING FIELD EVEN AGAIN. ALLOWING STUDENTS TO PLAY ON TEAMS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS FEMALE STUDENTS, WHO WILL LOSE SPOTS ON A TRACK, SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL TEAMS TO MALE STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY AS FEMALE.”

As of now there are no plans to remove Wangyot from the girls roster and he will be allowed to continue to participate in the events.

On June 07 2016 12:18 Jaaaaasper wrote:
Hey xDaunt or Testie, why are people who hated Romney's flip floping beind fine with Trump being even worse about it?

On June 07 2016 13:22 SK.Testie wrote:
I was for Obama in 08 / 12. And was a lefty who demonized any conservative source & ate up Jon Stew & Steven Colbert & thought Bill Maher wasn't just a shill (he is). Because I feel I can see when he knows he's lying for his team now. In highschool I was so left after reading a book on Osama that I was like, "oooh he has a point. It's because we're fucking up shit over there that we get attacked". Now, nay.

But after having my own business and supporting people monetarily I've changed a lot. I think that should almost be a pre-requisite for voting that you should have a kid or know what it's like to spend your own $ on someone to vote.

Obama nerfed our economy pretty hard when he killed that and our economy tanked right away because Harper went all in on oil. In this instance again it's a lot more jobs for a lot more people. And this in itself is a great thing because at least you have a useful happy populace rather than one that is forced to lose their dignity and collect unemployment insurance or other benefits. A fiat currency is not meant to be redistributed so much as it is to be grown and expanded. Trump knows where money comes from and how to make more of it. "haha he was bankrupt 4 times" - Aka he used bankruptcy 4 times to get out of shitty places and his other 9582989258 successful businesses were doing swell.

The Military & rule of law - It's very obvious he's going to be the best option for the military as he has called out things that other politicians simply haven't during the campaign. The rule of law has been completely eroded as the left and police are demonized and that's somehow allowed. The riots cannot stand. The police, the border patrol, and the military stand with Trump. The military is a necessary tool for keeping Americas interests in tact. I'm most definitely sickened by the riots. I feel that no matter what happens to me in my life, I will never act violently towards another human being. An inanimate object? Sure. But another human being? Unless it's a fight for survival, then there's no chance of that. The left's constant outright disrespect of laws is deeply concerning. And it has been constant for years and getting worse. And the fact that the Trump supporters are thanking police officers as they walk by them personally, giving them handshakes and having small talk with them shows a better sense of community as a whole. This next sentence could be classified as bullshit, but they genuinely seem like better people who care more about the country than they do themselves. Meanwhile people on the left seem to come off as, "what the fuck has this country done for me?" Even if you're in a terrible position in America, you're lucky to be there by default. You just are.

Immigration - Again, another position I changed on. The left is arguing for a slave class that is consistently dependent on welfare. Again, after owning my own business. "I do not work for you. Nor do I work for a foreign invader that did not respect our laws to begin with." Harsh words, but if Canada's economy were shit, and I just decided to up and move to Japan because I liked their country best without any skills or knowing the language, I think I'd be a questionable person to do that. I think that's kinda.. a shitty thing to do to another country. Entering it against it's will. Isn't that rape? Raping a country?! Ok hyperbole and bad jokes aside. But it is intertwined with the rule of law. These people broke a law. They did not care about your country to begin with, we owe them no allegiance in return.

wtf is with criminals who've been deported 5-10 times getting access back into the country over and over? How does anyone remotely try to justify that?

No drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes.

On June 07 2016 23:15 LegalLord wrote:
To be honest I don't think even Trump knows how much he's really worth. The thing about wealth is that the more you have, the less you really can calculate exactly how much you have. I'd say anything between 1.5 and 7 billion net worth is probably a plausible estimate without more information.

On June 07 2016 23:39 Doodsmack wrote:
Yeah the arguments that Trump is an incredible businessman aren't very well considered. Starting with $300 million from daddy and multiplying it by only 4 or 5 (if that) isn't that impressive. As Mark Cuban said, why is Trump so desperate for money that he started a Trump steaks line?

On June 07 2016 22:38 zlefin wrote:
hypothetical question for testie: would your opinion of trump change if it were proven that his current total net worth (all assets) was under $100 million?