Political Posts

[Castanza]

15 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Trump is an evil necessity.  Blame the left; blame a corrupt media; blame a tainted justice department; blame a pendulum that had swung too far.  No one supports him for his grating personality.  Yet judging his results after less than 1/4 of his term is not fair.  As a supporter of most of his policies, I am satisfied thus far because the polices are what i voted for.  

 

Some claim he's done more good in 10 months than most presidents do over a full-term. I find it entirely fair to judge the negative aspects of his term in a similar manner. The negative precedents and abuse of powers far outweigh whatever positive claims of Trumps successes. 

[73 Reds]

13 minutes ago, Castanza said:

 

Some claim he's done more good in 10 months than most presidents do over a full-term. I find it entirely fair to judge the negative aspects of his term in a similar manner. The negative precedents and abuse of powers far outweigh whatever positive claims of Trumps successes. 

The beauty of our legal system and the separation of powers is that abuses of power will be corrected over time.   That's exactly what is happening now with the prior abuses from the previous administration and any current abuses will be legally challenged and resolved.   I think we disagree on the extent of any permanent damage that can come from anything Trump is doing one way or the other.  If the end result is more peace, better trade, a stronger military, safer cities and less overall cost to the US, I am less concerned with how we are perceived by some at this very moment and more interested in the lasting effects of these policies.  Admittedly the jury is still out but I am optimistic.

Edited November 19, 2025 by 73 Reds
missed line

[Castanza]

4 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

History will say differently after the reversal of so much of the destruction of American culture.

 

Please explain to me how you build culture by tearing down institutions, weaponizing the justice department, demonizing people groups, violating constitutional rights, and politicizing the military and law enforcement....

 

Reagan and Roosevelt built culture and bridges....Trump is trying to obtain it through forced compliance....

[Gregmal]

17 minutes ago, Castanza said:

The negative precedents and abuse of powers far outweigh whatever positive claims of Trumps successes. 

Is there any other way to get things done? Executive power abuse has been a very aggressively ramping bottom left to top right chart. There is currently, no real way to get ANYTHING done via the traditional system. Things have largely evolved past a point of no return and supporters of the two party system are the reason. 
 

I mean just recently, look at the events. The democrats refuse to open the government over giving healthcare to people who fall into the category of dont want/need/deserve it. And the Republican response? Withhold food from like the bottom 5%…..or more broadly…with the exception of covid…when the government abuses were so rampant it’s almost hard to believe, why is it that everytime some “improve the country” legislative item comes up, it’s always gotta be routed through a special interest or lobbyist group or government designated guiding hand? But when the subject of just sending cash to citizens comes up(such as Trumps solution on healthcare) there’s bipartisan support for keeping money out of the hands of constituents? It’s all disgusting. So let’s at least enjoy the chaos and relish in the anguish of the establishment folks whom caused it? 

Edited November 19, 2025 by Gregmal

[cubsfan]

1 minute ago, Castanza said:

 

Please explain to me how you build culture by tearing down institutions, weaponizing the justice department, demonizing people groups, violating constitutional rights, and politicizing the military and law enforcement....

 

Reagan and Roosevelt built culture and bridges....Trump is trying to obtain it through forced compliance....

 

Simple: You tear down and rebuild corrupt institutions like the FBI, CIA, DOJ, DNI whereby those running the institutions broadly spied on Americans and their political opponents. Those who twisted/contorted the law to jail and bankrupt their political opponents. That's the definition of politicizing law enforcement.  Those that used the military after being bribed by foreign governments like Ukraine.

Those that used the entire State Department to enrich themselves and their friends.  You start and correct those.

 

For the lost causes like Department of Education,NPR, USAID that were cesspools of corruption used for political influence - you just shut them down or defund them.

 

Just think - all done legally and well within the Article 2 powers vested in the elected POTUS.  POTUS is an extension of the will of the US citizen's vole.

 

Like @73 Reds said - these can be easily reversed if elections are won/lost and the people decide that is not what they want.  The real test of permanence will be 2028 when MAGA is on the ticket again. 

 

What the hell is "demonizing people groups"?? You mean removing those that are here illegally??  You like MS-13 and Columbian gangs running around unleashing hell on Americans??

[Castanza]

5 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Is there any other way to get things done? Executive power abuse has been a very aggressively ramping bottom left to top right chart. There is currently, no real way to get ANYTHING done via the traditional system. Things have largely evolved past a point of no return and supporters of the two party system are the reason. 
 

I mean just recently, look at the events. The democrats refuse to open the government over giving healthcare to people who fall into the category of dont want/need/deserve it. And the Republican response? Withhold food from like the bottom 5%…..or more broadly…with the exception of covid…when the government abuses were so rampant it’s almost hard to believe, why is it that everytime some “improve the country” legislative item comes up, it’s always gotta be routed through a special interest or lobbyist group or government designated guiding hand? But when the subject of just sending cash to citizens comes up(such as Trumps solution on healthcare) there’s bipartisan support for keeping money out of the hands of constituents? It’s all disgusting. So let’s at least enjoy the chaos and relish in the anguish of the establishment folks whom caused it? 

 

I share your concern and I don't know; hence my comment of wondering if there is light at the end of this tunnel. With the current path what's the end result? We hollow out our institutions, weaponize the judicial system and consolidate power; all while increasing divisiveness. There is no shortage of historical examples of where this ends up. America only survives as long as the checks and balances remain along with durable institutions. They are actively being dismantled by both parties at alarming rates. 

 

In 8 years we've gone from calling out Hillary for her 200k speaking fees as Secretary of State to Biden putting his crackhead son on Ukrainian O&G boards to Trump accepting massive gifts, self enriching himself and his family to the tune of billions and cozying up with known terrorist sponsoring states. It's really unprecedented....I have no idea where this ends, but I think there will be more power consolidation and further abuse of the Constitution along with an increasing zombie state of the federal government. 

 

The litmus test will be Trump on a 3rd term....I thought no way in the beginning; but the more I hear people say it's impossible the more likely I think he tries it. Ultimately I don't think it happens, but what I'm more interested in is the appetite of the general public along with the political pundits. That will be the moment we (Americans) know what issues the future of American Democracy is stacked against. Culture building and Power Vacuums do not mix well....

[Gregmal]

2 minutes ago, Castanza said:

 

I share your concern and I don't know; hence my comment of wondering if there is light at the end of this tunnel. With the current path what's the end result? We hollow out our institutions, weaponize the judicial system and consolidate power; all while increasing divisiveness. There is no shortage of historical examples of where this ends up. America only survives as long as the checks and balances remain along with durable institutions. They are actively being dismantled by both parties at alarming rates. 

 

In 8 years we've gone from calling out Hillary for her 200k speaking fees as Secretary of State to Biden putting his crackhead son on Ukrainian O&G boards to Trump accepting massive gifts, self enriching himself and his family to the tune of billions and cozying up with known terrorist sponsoring states. It's really unprecedented....I have no idea where this ends, but I think there will be more power consolidation and further abuse of the Constitution along with an increasing zombie state of the federal government. 

 

The litmus test will be Trump on a 3rd term....I thought no way in the beginning; but the more I hear people say it's impossible the more likely I think he tries it. Ultimately I don't think it happens, but what I'm more interested in is the appetite of the general public along with the political pundits. That will be the moment we (Americans) know what issues the future of American Democracy is stacked against. Culture building and Power Vacuums do not mix well....

Agree. And I think the macro answer lies within the boundaries of “states rights” which republicans and the courts seem to be much more steadfast in protecting.
 

I can’t really impact much on the federal scale but I also don’t have nearly as much of that nonsense in my day to day life. I can control where I live. So for people that like personal freedoms in their lives, low taxes, public safety…they can choose that still, unimpeded by the nonsense federally. And for those that like daily shootouts, high taxes or trannys dunking on their kids in youth sports, they can live in California or NY lol 

[Sweet]

25 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

Simple: You tear down and rebuild corrupt institutions like the FBI, CIA, DOJ, DNI whereby those running the institutions broadly spied on Americans and their political opponents. Those who twisted/contorted the law to jail and bankrupt their political opponents. That's the definition of politicizing law enforcement.  Those that used the military after being bribed by foreign governments like Ukraine.

Those that used the entire State Department to enrich themselves and their friends.  You start and correct those.

 

For the lost causes like Department of Education,NPR, USAID that were cesspools of corruption used for political influence - you just shut them down or defund them.

 

Just think - all done legally and well within the Article 2 powers vested in the elected POTUS.  POTUS is an extension of the will of the US citizen's vole.

 

Like @73 Reds said - these can be easily reversed if elections are won/lost and the people decide that is not what they want.  The real test of permanence will be 2028 when MAGA is on the ticket again. 

 

What the hell is "demonizing people groups"?? You mean removing those that are here illegally??  You like MS-13 and Columbian gangs running around unleashing hell on Americans??

 

 

I don't agree with you at all on Ukraine, but overall this is a pretty good reply. 

 

Sometimes you have to rip out what is rotten to preserve what is good.

 

 

[Castanza]

1 minute ago, Gregmal said:

Agree. And I think the macro answer lies within the boundaries of “states rights” which republicans and the courts seem to be much more steadfast in protecting.
 

I can’t really impact much on the federal scale but I also don’t have nearly as much of that nonsense in my day to day life. I can control where I live. So for people that like personal freedoms in their lives, low taxes, public safety…they can choose that still, unimpeded by the nonsense federally. And for those that like daily shootouts, high taxes or trannys dunking on their kids in youth sports, they can live in California or NY lol 

 

I agree, but that is mostly a short term approach to a potential long term issue. The longer this era of American Politics drags on the worse the problem becomes for America on a global pecking order level. The competition is not standing still...

 

Meanwhile I am happy to see some fractures form among the incumbent parties. Maybe we finally see the dissolution of the two party system within the next few elections. 

 

[cubsfan]

10 minutes ago, Sweet said:

I don't agree with you at all on Ukraine, but overall this is a pretty good reply. 

 

Sometimes you have to rip out what is rotten to preserve what is good.

 

Yeah, point taken, it's not the US military involvement in Ukraine - it's the bribery of the Biden family in Ukraine in return for actively interfering in Ukrainian politics. That is what I meant. The Biden family learned well from the Clintons in how to roll up cash from foreigners in return for favors - even when not in office!

[Castanza]

14 minutes ago, Sweet said:

 

Sometimes you have to rip out what is rotten to preserve what is good.

 

Who holds the scale and what are you measuring against? It's not the Constitution and it's not the Separation of Powers. Quite literally running an experiment with a mad scientist at the helm...I'm not confident Trump is a Cincinnatus...

[Sweet]

53 minutes ago, Castanza said:

 

Who holds the scale and what are you measuring against? It's not the Constitution and it's not the Separation of Powers. Quite literally running an experiment with a mad scientist at the helm...I'm not confident Trump is a Cincinnatus...

I’m not American (say this a lot, if only to make clear that’s it’s not really any of business), but as an outsider I can see just a decay in culture and attitudes.  With regard to government overreach which didn’t start with Trump, race relations, attitude to law enforcement and the border.  If you check which side has drifted from a consensus that so long worked for America then it’s very clearly the political left.  We see it in Europe too.

[Gregmal]

lol it’s called “Fuck Tha Po-lice” culture. Symbolic of much wrong with the country. Lack of respect for servants whom are actually putting their lives on the line to keep us safe, acceptance of lower education standards via the mainstream-ization of shitty annunciation and acceptance of improper grammar, and in general, condoning the whole inmates running the asylum mentality. 

[73 Reds]

13 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

lol it’s called “Fuck Tha Po-lice” culture. Symbolic of much wrong with the country. Lack of respect for servants whom are actually putting their lives on the line to keep us safe, acceptance of lower education standards via the mainstream-ization of shitty annunciation and acceptance of improper grammar, and in general, condoning the whole inmates running the asylum mentality. 

Academia is very much to blame, particularly at the higher level.  I saw it first hand when my kids were in [very expensive, private] colleges and universities.  And on October 7, 2023 it hit a new low.    Can't blame Trump for that - he was still fighting off moronic lawsuits by crooked political hacks masquerading as Prosecutors.  There is not nearly enough attention paid to upholding the standards and quality of educators.  The concept of tenure is a sick joke (apologies to any quality educators here).

[Gregmal]

Yup. And that’s a large part of the virtue signal platform of the leftist elites. It’s not something they actually believe, it’s just something they use to control people and manipulate people.
 

Another great example was the “body positivity” movement. Cancel and harass traditionally attractive women…to placate and enable this standard of obesity that’s become common in America as the processed food revolution continues to unfold. Totally normalize unhealthy habits; eating like shit, lack of discipline, sedentary lifestyles, etc. And then at the drop of a hat these elitists, led of course by Harvey Weinsteins crew in LA and NY….they hear about this Ozempic thing…and are all in such a rush to have a who can be the best stick figure competition, that folks with diabetes can’t even get their medicine lmfao! 

[Castanza]

39 minutes ago, Sweet said:

I’m not American (say this a lot, if only to make clear that’s it’s not really any of business), but as an outsider I can see just a decay in culture and attitudes.  With regard to government overreach which didn’t start with Trump, race relations, attitude to law enforcement and the border.  If you check which side has drifted from a consensus that so long worked for America then it’s very clearly the political left.  We see it in Europe too.

 

I don't disagree, but you cannot "right the course" by force. American Democracy does not survive as an idea alone. It needs durable institutions along with durable checks and balances. This is exactly why our attempts at spreading democracy have failed in so many foreign nations. The durability of institutions be it government, education, media etc. are of utmost importance. We are currently burning it all down and at the same time consolidating power through thinly veiled excuses such as "we are course correcting." Yet, much like entitlements never being walked back, power has an even worse track record. So those championing Trump and his crusade of the Left should be careful what they wish for. Because in 3 years time the story could be very different. Likewise the Left who admonishes the right and attacks all common sense or societal norms should also be careful what they wish for because real fascism is just around the corner. Push and shove leads to power vacuums with no held prisoners....Trump is not Hitler, but how Hitler came to power is very similar. A zombie government that "forgot it's own people" and was in limbo for decades....That rhetoric has always been easy to sell. 

 

As I said, I'm most interested in the upcoming election....because it will be the litmus test for all to see and for all to take part in.

[73 Reds]

1 minute ago, Gregmal said:

Yup. And that’s a large part of the virtue signal platform of the leftist elites. It’s not something they actually believe, it’s just something they use to control people and manipulate people.
 

Another great example was the “body positivity” movement. Cancel and harass traditionally attractive women…to placate and enable this standard of obesity that’s become common in America as the processed food revolution continues to unfold. Totally normalize unhealthy habits; eating like shit, lack of discipline, sedentary lifestyles, etc. And then at the drop of a hat these elitists, led of course by Harvey Weinsteins crew in LA and NY….they hear about this Ozempic thing…and are all in such a rush to have a who can be the best stick figure competition, that folks with diabetes can’t even get their medicine lmfao! 

I kind of think it started in earnest a while back with participation trophies.  My kids played sports when they were young and I told them never to accept any such token nonsense.  

[Mephistopheles]

1 hour ago, Gregmal said:

lol it’s called “Fuck Tha Po-lice” culture. Symbolic of much wrong with the country. Lack of respect for servants whom are actually putting their lives on the line to keep us safe, 

 

Unless we are talking about the Capitol Police. Fuck those guys

 

lol

 

Agreed with the sentiment, just don't think having a deranged autorcrat is the answer

[Castanza]

2 minutes ago, Mephistopheles said:

 

Unless we are talking about the Capitol Police. Fuck those guys

 

lol

 

Agreed with the sentiment, just don't think having a deranged autorcrat is the answer

 

Yeah nobody is denying these issues. The "Left" has botched so much shit and has responsibility in all of this. We can all disagree on the degree of influence we have to right the ship. But anyone who is unwilling or unable to see the issues with "their side" or the concerns raised by the "opposition" party is part of a cult. I mean @cubsfan can you seriously not see anything wrong with Trump? You're in support of his self enrichment schemes and cozy nature with terrorist states? 

[Gregmal]

Plus, I mean if we really wanna cheer on investing with crooks and terrorist sponsoring entities...cant we all just agree its best to be on team Brookfield?

[cubsfan]

27 minutes ago, Castanza said:

I mean @cubsfan can you seriously not see anything wrong with Trump? You're in support of his self enrichment schemes and cozy nature with terrorist states? 

 

Seriously @Castanza - why don't you fill me in on my ignorance?

[Mephistopheles]

Speaking of the left's problems, they've clearly alientaed men with the toxic femininity, esp Gen Z and millennials who went towards Trump who represents a TV version of a macho man. Problem is even worse for white males as the left has been successful in alienating both their race and their gender!

 

But a real man stands up to bullies, and Trump is a bully

[Sweet]

1 hour ago, Castanza said:

 

I don't disagree, but you cannot "right the course" by force. American Democracy does not survive as an idea alone. It needs durable institutions along with durable checks and balances. This is exactly why our attempts at spreading democracy have failed in so many foreign nations. The durability of institutions be it government, education, media etc. are of utmost importance. We are currently burning it all down and at the same time consolidating power through thinly veiled excuses such as "we are course correcting." Yet, much like entitlements never being walked back, power has an even worse track record. So those championing Trump and his crusade of the Left should be careful what they wish for. Because in 3 years time the story could be very different. Likewise the Left who admonishes the right and attacks all common sense or societal norms should also be careful what they wish for because real fascism is just around the corner. Push and shove leads to power vacuums with no held prisoners....Trump is not Hitler, but how Hitler came to power is very similar. A zombie government that "forgot it's own people" and was in limbo for decades....That rhetoric has always been easy to sell. 

 

As I said, I'm most interested in the upcoming election....because it will be the litmus test for all to see and for all to take part in.

 

I agree with your intentions but I disagree with your theory.   I don't think that force that has been used, you differ, and that's ok, I don't want to dwell on it.

 

More fundamentally, I agree that institution are important but I disagree on the weight you give them.  Democracy is ultimately downstream of culture, and the erosion of culture, of common values is the biggest threat to democracy.  If you don't have a people that believe in core values then to keep that country together you basically need a strongman of sorts or the place collapses.  When the people do have shared values then the population largely governs its own behaviour and you can decide by ballot the rest.

 

There is a natural order to democracy and a process by which it occurs.  First you need a side with values amenable to democracy to win and for that culture to dominate the hearts and minds of the people, you need to have a population that buys into the laws so you can have order, and then you can start thinking about democracy and the institutions.

 

So from my point of view, if you want to keep your democracy and institutions you have to first win the culture.  And by win I mean the other sides loses.

 

Edited November 19, 2025 by Sweet

[John Hjorth]

On 11/16/2025 at 5:36 AM, Mephistopheles said:

Lol^
 

Random thought: Imagine Trump in a real life Air Force One (movie) scenario. How would he react. 
 

Funny answers only.

 

Then do Biden

 

Donald Trump would stay on Air Force One, untill the very split second before the plane hits the the water surface, then he would jump.

 

He would naturally become wet, but would otherwise be totally unharmed, because life has learned that he always stay afloat, he will never really go down and sink to the button.

 

If asked about why he thinks it is so, he will answer that he doesen't 'think it is so', he actually knows for sure from an authoritative and all aspects vaid source he already studied when he was a kid, where he carefully studied Donald Ducks fall techiques, and Goofy's fall techniques as the counter looser example, further adding : 'That's also why I was named 'Donald' by my parents, and you see my smile perfect, not that like that of the pitty loosers smile of that looser called Goofy, whose incisors are permanent offside. That poor looser Goofy is just soo goofy.'

 

I haven't the faintest idea of what Joe Biden would do.

Edited November 19, 2025 by John Hjorth

[Mephistopheles]

26 minutes ago, Sweet said:

 

I agree with your intentions but I disagree with your theory.   I don't think that force that has been used, you differ, and that's ok, I don't want to dwell on it.

 

More fundamentally, I agree that institution are important but I disagree on the weight you give them.  Democracy is ultimately downstream of culture, and the erosion of culture, of common values is the biggest threat to democracy.  If you don't have a people that believe in core values then to keep that country together you basically need a strongman of sorts or the place collapses.  When the people do have shared values then the population largely governs its own behaviour and you can decide by ballot the rest.

 

There is a natural order to democracy and a process by which it occurs.  First you need a side with values amenable to democracy to win and for that culture to dominate the hearts and minds of the people, you need to have a population that buys into the laws so you can have order, and then you can start thinking about democracy and the institutions.

 

So from my point of view, if you want to keep your democracy and institutions you have to first win the culture.  And by win I mean the other sides loses.

 

 

I guess glad that you admit that he's a strongman.

 

Strongmen do arise when cultures are threatened, not sure I've ever heard that it is a good thing to threaten the Democracy.

 

And really what are we even talking about?

 

Just take the immigration thing, which seems to be the #1 concern for the cult.

 

What if instead of a deranged narcissist, or a senile guy who kept borders open, we had a normal person in line of Obama or Romney? Perhaps that would have been the safer route so you don't risk blowing the whole place up.

 

The other major "culture" issue is the sex change/gender dysphoria stuff which, thanks to our system of law, is a state/local issue NOT federal. People vote for the strongman on an emotional level even though it's not his problem to solve. Same for the inner city violent crime issue.