Political Posts

[Red Lion]

2 hours ago, 73 Reds said:

@RedLion I dunno, if we limit the charitable deduction at death, wealthy folks will figure out other ways to avoid paying estate taxes.  At least with the unlimited charitable deduction, large sums go to (what we hope are) charitable causes.  It is interesting, there are other issues with charitable gifting, namely whether those entities that qualify for the charitable deduction are truly charitable and just how much influence and/or other benefits flow back to donors and their own interests.  This issue was addressed in the 2024 Book "Warren and Bill - Gates, Buffet and The Friendship that Changed the World" by Anthony McCarten (though I found the book somewhat disappointing).  

Maybe if eliminating the charitable interest deduction doesn’t work we should start enforcing the accumulated earnings tax along with penalties and interest for large corporations. I just don’t like this idea because I think it would be terrible for the stock market in general and in specific for some of our most dynamic businesses like Berkshire Hathaway, apple, google, etc. 

[Xerxes]

3 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Bessent looks really, really uncomfortable out there. Hes obviously been kept out of the loop on the tariffs and even more obviously doesn't like it but has to hold the party line. I'd be surprised if he lasts another 3 months. 

 

Bessent is to Trump 2.0 what Gary Cohen was in Trump 1.0 and will go probably the same way.

Nice guy. Wall Street guy. But not full MAGA.

 

Howard W. Lutnick reminds me of Iranian "bazaree", ... i.e. the merchant class, unshaved, brash, talkative etc.

 

[Red Lion]

7 minutes ago, Xerxes said:

 

Bessent is to Trump 2.0 what Gary Cohen was in Trump 1.0 and will go probably the same way.

Nice guy. Wall Street guy. But not full MAGA.

 

Howard W. Lutnick reminds me of Iranian "bazaree", ... i.e. the merchant class, unshaved, brash, talkative etc.

 

One wonders if trumps next treasury pick, especially a full maga loyalist, would get confirmed so easily, seems like several senators are turning already on the tariff issue. 

[John Hjorth]

Here, I just have to express my admiration towards American development and version numbering as an European citizen, but how does such a Californian thing as 2.0 really achieve traction in Washington?

[Junior R]

15 minutes ago, Xerxes said:

 

Bessent is to Trump 2.0 what Gary Cohen was in Trump 1.0 and will go probably the same way.

Nice guy. Wall Street guy. But not full MAGA.

 

Howard W. Lutnick reminds me of Iranian "bazaree", ... i.e. the merchant class, unshaved, brash, talkative etc.

 

lol what about Peter Navarro

[james22]

56 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

That was what Obama did to politics. I’ve said it for years but all the complainers are getting exactly what they asked for when they supported that shit.

 

They choose the form of their destroyer.

 

45 minutes ago, changegonnacome said:

re: Trump / Meme coin launch prior to inauguration….i think that truly the Rorschach test for folks with inverse TDS…..if your an American and you don’t see a problem in what him and First Lady did…then you’ve jumped the shark IMO….it doesn’t require any of knowledge of crypto…the President elect of the United States & First Lady 72hrs before inauguration…enriched themselves to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Unbelievably unethical if not illegal. 

 

What about it though?

 

Yeah, I'm bothered by it. It's unseemly. 

 

But so?

 

I still want his policies carried out. I'm only disappointed he's now made it harder to do so.

[John Hjorth]

Just to create a foundation of consensus, and thereby of a good weekend, for all CofB&F members, and I think everyone in this topic may eventually agree with me : Trade balances are good.

[changegonnacome]

1 hour ago, cubsfan said:

donates his to veterans, etc.

Did you know that Friday he dodged a ceremony for the  returning dead service men who tragically died in an accident in Eastern Europe to fly down to Florida to 

go play golf in Doral with a bunch of Saudi billionaires….that is not admirable

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-picks-golf-dinner-over-033719743.html

 

Confirmed by the WH-

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-skip-lithuania-soldier-memorial-golf-dinner-florida-what-we-know-2055166

 

20 minutes ago, james22 said:

But so?

 

I still want his policies carried out. I'm only disappointed he's now made it harder to do so.

The list of those who saw Trump as a policy vehicle and ignored the idiocy, pig headedness and malignant narcissism and later regretted it is long. Trump 1.0 is littered with the bodies of them. 

Edited April 6, 2025 by changegonnacome

[Red Lion]

4 minutes ago, changegonnacome said:

The list of those who saw Trump as a policy vehicle and ignored the idiocy, pig headedness and malignant narcissism and later regretted it is long. Trump 1.0 is littered with the bodies of them. 

There was still an impossible decision in this most recent election where the alternative espoused policy detrimental to the USA’s future. If you’re a progressive then voting for Kamala was easy. If you think the progressive movement is the greatest threat to the future of America, you hold your nose, vote orange, and hope to god the mainstream media didn’t get it right for once and that 2024 was the last election we’d ever have. Or vote third party to prove a point? 
 

It’s too bad that there wasn’t a moderate pro business democrat to vote for. 

[Xerxes]

42 minutes ago, Junior R said:

lol what about Peter Navarro

Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon are to Trump what Putin’s master philosopher is well to Putin 

 

The gentleman below had recently an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN. Well worth a listen. 
 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/30/world/video/gps0330-putin-russia-ukraine-dugin

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Dugin

 

[Gregmal]

So again with the interrogation bs…do any of you take personal accountability for Bidens blatant Chinese and Ukrainian influence operations? Or is that where we get all shifty and dodge that by retorting some crap about republicans always deflecting to “what about Biden”? Meanwhile we need to “answer for” meme coins? 
 

Like how dumb is this shit? Does anyone whom voted for Clinton personally attest to condoning infidelity and abuse of interns? 
 

No sensible person should give a shit about the personal this or that’s of a candidate in today’s era. It’s strictly about policy…

[cubsfan]

14 minutes ago, changegonnacome said:

Did you know that Friday he dodged a ceremony for the  returning dead service men who tragically died in an accident in Eastern Europe to fly down to Florida to 

go play golf in Doral with a bunch of Saudi billionaires….that is not admirable

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-picks-golf-dinner-over-033719743.html

 

Confirmed by the WH-

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-skip-lithuania-soldier-memorial-golf-dinner-florida-what-we-know-2055166

 

The list of those who saw Trump as a policy vehicle and ignored the idiocy, pig headedness and malignant narcissism and later regretted it is long. Trump 1.0 is littered with the bodies of them. 

 

My gosh, this is ridiculous. Trump is the hardest working President this country has ever seen.

Since he took office, how many days has he been off?   I can think of 3 days maybe.

 

He pushes his people harder than anyone and he's constant motion.

 

So crucify him already for his day off -  if that's the best you have. 

[Spekulatius]

3 hours ago, Sweet said:

Don’t agree Spek.  

 

In the UK there were cops turning up to the doors of people because they misgendered someone and it being recorded as a non-crime hate incident.  This would go on your record and would be flagged during background checks which could prohibit you from some jobs.
 

Mark Meekhan was fined £800 in Scotland because he trained his girlfriend’s dog to raise its paw when he said ‘gas the Jews’ as a joke.  The video of it got it and the cops got involved.
 

Lee Price was jailed because he sent a racist tweet - yes jailed for being a knob head.  Racism isn’t even discrimination.

 

Bradley McCarthy jailed because he goaded police and shouted at the police dog during the recent immigration rioting.

 

There are many more cases.  It’s wrong. 
 

I do agree that just because there is free speech doesn’t mean you should use it to be an asshole.  But hurry words are just words, mute the person, block them… it’s social media.  Jail though?  Come on.

 

I think these thing are wrong but I can’t speak for the UK either. I am stating the background why Germans may look at some of the free speech versus human rights or hate speech stuff differntly.

 

For example, Mark Meehan trained his dog to raise the paws when he said “gas the Jews” he did not get fined for doing this. He got fined for posting it in social media , or how did the police find out? Can I run around in the streets and say “Gas the Jews?” and not get fined? I claim it’s a joke - why not?
In the US, Green card holders get deported for far less. Free speech as long as it agrees with the current administration is the theme I am seeing here.

Edited April 6, 2025 by Spekulatius

[james22]

21 minutes ago, changegonnacome said:

The list of those who saw Trump as a policy vehicle and ignored the idiocy, pig headedness and malignant narcissism and later regretted it is long. Trump 1.0 is littered with the bodies of them. 

 

Ignored? LOL

 

Biden was sharp as a tack!

[Xerxes]

26 minutes ago, changegonnacome said:

Did you know that Friday he dodged a ceremony for the  returning dead service men who tragically died in an accident in Eastern Europe to fly down to Florida to 

go play golf in Doral with a bunch of Saudi billionaires….that is not admirable

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-picks-golf-dinner-over-033719743.html

 

Confirmed by the WH-

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-skip-lithuania-soldier-memorial-golf-dinner-florida-what-we-know-2055166

 

The list of those who saw Trump as a policy vehicle and ignored the idiocy, pig headedness and malignant narcissism and later regretted it is long. Trump 1.0 is littered with the bodies of them. 

Trump is who he is. That is personality. 
Narcissism and all …

 

Doesn’t mean he would disrespect a fallen soldier as an like “screw him, gotta play some golf”
 

It just doesn’t register with him in the same way it would with a .. well normal person. 

[cubsfan]

50 minutes ago, Red Lion said:

There was still an impossible decision in this most recent election where the alternative espoused policy detrimental to the USA’s future. If you’re a progressive then voting for Kamala was easy. If you think the progressive movement is the greatest threat to the future of America, you hold your nose, vote orange, and hope to god the mainstream media didn’t get it right for once and that 2024 was the last election we’d ever have. Or vote third party to prove a point? 
 

It’s too bad that there wasn’t a moderate pro business democrat to vote for. 

 

Take it from Gavin Newsome: "The Democratic party is toxic right now."

Edited April 6, 2025 by cubsfan

[changegonnacome]

1 hour ago, Red Lion said:

It’s too bad that there wasn’t a moderate pro business democrat to vote for. 

Amen - our choice was Tweedle Dumb & Tweedle Dee….

[Parsad]

18 hours ago, Grenville said:

Holy moly baloney!

 

peter navaroos expert source in his book about tariffs is a made up dude whose name is Ron Vara from his last name…lol

 

so so awesome…

 

I can't stand Rachael Maddow...she reminds me of the lesbian version of Tucker Carlson!

 

But that is some funny shit!  LOL!  Insane.  About right for this administration.  Cheers!

[Parsad]

14 hours ago, Blake Hampton said:

So you're telling me that Trump isn't the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, our lord and savior?

 

I met these two lesbian doctors from Texas on a tour bus when me, my cousin and my cousin-in-law were there for a sports weekend last year.  They had talked about how when the pandemic hit and their practices were closed, they were working intensive care at the local hospitals putting in 16 hour shifts.  We talked about Trump, and they said if they win, they will probably move to Canada.  I told them, please do so, we'd love to have you there!  

 

When I said the same thing you said above, she said "more like the devil incarnate!"  Reminded me of The Omen 3, when Damien is now a top U.S. Ambassador and is running for President of the United States so he can kill the baby Jesus when the Second Coming happens and unleash all of hell on the world.  Fiction is fact and fact is fiction!  Cheers!

[dealraker]

1 hour ago, Xerxes said:

Trump is who he is. That is personality. 
Narcissism and all …

 

Doesn’t mean he would disrespect a fallen soldier as an like “screw him, gotta play some golf”
 

It just doesn’t register with him in the same way it would with a .. well normal person. 

Perfect.

[Parsad]

9 hours ago, dwy000 said:

I haven't seen anyone on here spouting every talking point of CNN or even democratic policies in general.  This board is so great because almost everyone develops their own view and supports it. They don't have to agree at all but it comes from independent analysis not tv talking points. 

 

I'm old enough to remember that Sean Hannity got popular for having critical analysis and viewpoints that were based on common sense and equally eviscerated both sides - because they were independent views.  Then he went down the Trump rabbit hole and lost his ability to be independent.  He's no longer a commentator, he's a mouthpiece. 

 

Agreeing with most policies is fine. Agreeing with every policy means you have probably lost the ability to think independently.  When's the last time Hannity said Trump was wrong?  

 

Fox News is very different than Fox.  The actual people working at Fox News are more balanced.  It's the talking heads on Fox, outside of the Fox News group, that are the Trump ass-kissing turds.  Fox News is far more balanced than the other right wing outlets like News Max or News Nation and the like.  Cheers!

[Parsad]

6 hours ago, cubsfan said:

 

I like that take a little better. If governments wish to abuse their citizens and use them as slave labor, I fail to see how this falls on Trump. Trump's job is to take care of the forgotten man in America.

If Lebron James wants his $200 shoes made by abusive corporations paying $1 an hour, that's on LeBron and Nike. Lebron loves his billions and could give 2 shits about that little cambodian girl.

I feel for her, but Nike & Lebron certainly don't.

 

But, yeah, lay it all on Trump.

 

Governments fail citizens all the time. 

 

Let's not pretend that the tariffs are really Trump's way of balancing the playing field globally.  We all know he wants to generate enough in tariff revenue to offset the decrease in income taxes that will be paid by the wealthy.  Trump doesn't give two shits about that little girl either!  Cheers!

[Parsad]

3 hours ago, Gregmal said:

That was what Obama did to politics. I’ve said it for years but all the complainers are getting exactly what they asked for when they supported that shit. All it took was calling someone a racist or making some made for TV zinger and you’d win if you were a dem.
 

Remember the debate where Romney and Obama were asked the most serious foreign threat? And Romney eloquently states that it’s Russia? To which all Barry had to say was “the 1980s called and wants its foreign policy back”….then a year or two later these assclowns wanna tell us how big a threat Russia is. Trump just took the depravity to God mode because that was the only way to beat them at their game.

 

If you think Trump can or has any intention of taming Putin...I've got a bridge I want to sell you!  Cheers!

[Gregmal]

4 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

If you think Trump can or has any intention of taming Putin...I've got a bridge I want to sell you!  Cheers!

Bro… I’ve been enjoying the new Jack Daniels 12 and 14 year releases. Don’t push me.

[Parsad]

3 hours ago, cubsfan said:

 

Now that is the smartest thing anyone has said on this thread. Conservatives - not welcome.

 

Nope...I call bullshit on this!  Economically, I'm a conservative, but socially, I feel if you are a wealthy individual or a wealthy nation, you have some responsibility to fellow citizens who aren't as fortunate.  Now exactly what society is responsible for is up for debate!  Cheers!