Official Current Affairs & Politics thread

[MrDollarBills]

Since I originaly posted, I have read every single post. I'm still none the wiser with how the system work's... But one thing I can see... Is that you follow the same policy That we do in Australia.... You can agree with me or you can be wrong!

I'm not sure how this is a case of "you can agree with me, or you can be wrong" when facts are being ignored and severe leaps in logic are being made by someone who is sympathetic towards vile racists because their beliefs/mindset skews towards his end of the american political spectrum, which i assume to be right wing/near far right, since he called people on here "leftists" even though no one here has stated that they are liberal/leftist or otherwise...hating Donald Trump and being appalled by racism/racist people isn't exclusive to "leftists" or american liberals. Nor should people get a pass for being racist/supporting racist ideologues.

And if you still don't understand, it comes down to this:

1) Donald Trump is a pathological lying racist sociopath who is openly waging a "culture war" against non white americans on behalf of "white working class people" aka uneducated losers who blame minorities and gays for their life's woes.

2) His actions are hurting people in real time, either via policy which harms Muslim/Latinos, or racist rhetoric that energizes the worst people in American society, racists, which endangers every non white person in the country (and also white people who are against him, as evidenced by the woman who was murdered by one of his supporters). His behavior has the USA in a constant state of chaos, which is also psychologically damaging to the overall populace who do not support this man and just want some semblance of normalcy to return that we had for the last 8 years.

American citizens are dying right now in Puerto Rico because Donald Trump sees zero urgency in helping non white americans. He is using the tragedy in Puerto Rico to intentionally a) abuse people for his own whims and b) pander to his support base, which enjoys seeing non whites suffering.

This is why Reflexx is either lying about being a minority and is trolling because he's some racist white dude who got pissed because I was dogging out Trump's racist supporters, or he's a self hating minority who kowtows to white supremacist views...there's no way anyone can say that racists are "well meaning people with ignorant biases" unless they're either crazy or sympathetic to their views. The same ones who have no problem with people in Puerto Rico dying because they are brown, black, and don't speak English...that's not the definition of a well meaning person.

[Aussienet3]

So I've found out that its not compulsory to vote in America. It is for australian's over 18. If enough people knew that Trump was going to be a terrible leader why didn't more turn out to vote against him? It's a democracy. "the overall populace who do not support this man" failed. They can't blame anyone else but themselves. That's how I see it. Your entitled to your opinion and i fully respect your point of view. As you are living in the enviroment that a lack of voters created. Why do so many not vote?

[MrDollarBills]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

[Rich Rane]

Read on Twitter

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What the...

[MrDollarBills]

He called the Puerto Ricans (our countrymen) lazy and insulted the mayor of San Juan. But sure, he's not racist at heart.

[bws94]

He called the Puerto Ricans (our countrymen) lazy and insulted the mayor of San Juan. But sure, he's not racist at heart.

Pattern of this for sure.

[Prokorov]

Since I originaly posted, I have read every single post. I'm still none the wiser with how the system work's... But one thing I can see... Is that you follow the same policy That we do in Australia.... You can agree with me or you can be wrong!

I'm not sure how this is a case of "you can agree with me, or you can be wrong" when facts are being ignored and severe leaps in logic are being made by someone who is sympathetic towards vile racists because their beliefs/mindset skews towards his end of the american political spectrum, which i assume to be right wing/near far right, since he called people on here "leftists" even though no one here has stated that they are liberal/leftist or otherwise...hating Donald Trump and being appalled by racism/racist people isn't exclusive to "leftists" or american liberals. Nor should people get a pass for being racist/supporting racist ideologues.

And if you still don't understand, it comes down to this:

1) Donald Trump is a pathological lying racist sociopath who is openly waging a "culture war" against non white americans on behalf of "white working class people" aka uneducated losers who blame minorities and gays for their life's woes.

2) His actions are hurting people in real time, either via policy which harms Muslim/Latinos, or racist rhetoric that energizes the worst people in American society, racists, which endangers every non white person in the country (and also white people who are against him, as evidenced by the woman who was murdered by one of his supporters). His behavior has the USA in a constant state of chaos, which is also psychologically damaging to the overall populace who do not support this man and just want some semblance of normalcy to return that we had for the last 8 years.

American citizens are dying right now in Puerto Rico because Donald Trump sees zero urgency in helping non white americans. He is using the tragedy in Puerto Rico to intentionally a) abuse people for his own whims and b) pander to his support base, which enjoys seeing non whites suffering.

This is why Reflexx is either lying about being a minority and is trolling because he's some racist white dude who got pissed because I was dogging out Trump's racist supporters, or he's a self hating minority who kowtows to white supremacist views...there's no way anyone can say that racists are "well meaning people with ignorant biases" unless they're either crazy or sympathetic to their views. The same ones who have no problem with people in Puerto Rico dying because they are brown, black, and don't speak English...that's not the definition of a well meaning person.

This is spot on in every way possible.

[Roy Tarpley]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

We've known that our electoral system is antiquated for awhile -- and we still elected Obama twice -- so that's not really the problem. And Trump got the same number of votes as Romney. I agree with you that a huge problem is significant voter suppression in key states and less excitement for particular candidates.

[MrDollarBills]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

We've known that our electoral system is antiquated for awhile -- and we still elected Obama twice -- so that's not really the problem. And Trump got the same number of votes as Romney. I agree with you that a huge problem is significant voter suppression in key states and less excitement for particular candidates.

yeah. and then the whole Russian thing, hacking voter databases and pumping propaganda on facebook and twitter. They were working both sides...pumping out fake news and propaganda to conservatives, while sowing discord on the left with Sanders/Jill Stein. it was a perfect storm really.

I am not a fan of Hilary but i voted for her, the people who voted 3rd party or stayed home in protest have no excuse this time. 2018 and 2020 are crucial, people need to show up and get the house/senate back to Democrat control so sanity can be restored (and Trump can be impeached, if he doesn't resign first). I don't think Trump makes it to 2020 tbh. but in general, The GOP needs to be voted out for the general welfare of the country.

[Roy Tarpley]

yeah. and then the whole Russian thing, hacking voter databases and pumping propaganda on facebook and twitter. They were working both sides...pumping out fake news and propaganda to conservatives, while sowing discord on the left with Sanders/Jill Stein. it was a perfect storm really.

I am not a fan of Hilary but i voted for her, the people who voted 3rd party or stayed home in protest have no excuse this time. 2018 and 2020 are crucial, people need to show up and get the house/senate back to Democrat control so sanity can be restored (and Trump can be impeached, if he doesn't resign first). I don't think Trump makes it to 2020 tbh. but in general, The GOP needs to be voted out for the general welfare of the country.

My guess is that in 2018, the Dems win back the House but not the Senate. Then, as the House prepares for impeachment, Trump instigates some conflict with North Korea under a diversionary war tactic. But the House impeaches Trump in summer 2019 anyways with a simple majority. But the Senate has a tough time getting the 2/3rd majority for conviction. As some Republicans debate whether Trump would kill their chances in 2020 and whether they should vote for conviction, Trump will resign.

[ChokeFasncists]

So I've found out that its not compulsory to vote in America. It is for australian's over 18. If enough people knew that Trump was going to be a terrible leader why didn't more turn out to vote against him? It's a democracy. "the overall populace who do not support this man" failed. They can't blame anyone else but themselves. That's how I see it. Your entitled to your opinion and i fully respect your point of view. As you are living in the enviroment that a lack of voters created. Why do so many not vote?

I heard there was this complacency problem; all the polls said Hilary would have won by a large margin, so some people didn't go vote. There was also this FBI investigating her e-mail thing.

For some people that voted for Trump, they wanted to try something radically different, they wouldn't know how bad he was going to be until he was actually president for a while.

[MrDollarBills]

yeah. and then the whole Russian thing, hacking voter databases and pumping propaganda on facebook and twitter. They were working both sides...pumping out fake news and propaganda to conservatives, while sowing discord on the left with Sanders/Jill Stein. it was a perfect storm really.

I am not a fan of Hilary but i voted for her, the people who voted 3rd party or stayed home in protest have no excuse this time. 2018 and 2020 are crucial, people need to show up and get the house/senate back to Democrat control so sanity can be restored (and Trump can be impeached, if he doesn't resign first). I don't think Trump makes it to 2020 tbh. but in general, The GOP needs to be voted out for the general welfare of the country.

My guess is that in 2018, the Dems win back the House but not the Senate. Then, as the House prepares for impeachment, Trump instigates some conflict with North Korea under a diversionary war tactic. But the House impeaches Trump in summer 2019 anyways with a simple majority. But the Senate has a tough time getting the 2/3rd majority for conviction. As some Republicans debate whether Trump would kill their chances in 2020 and whether they should vote for conviction, Trump will resign.

He just threatened North Korea an hour ago.

It's all a game to him, meanwhile South Koreans live in fear of what would happen if war actually started on the peninsula. I hate this **** er to the point where death would be too good for him. How depraved are people in this country to support this monster? They gleefully watch as people either die and suffer in PR or live in fear in SK just because they're mediocre losers.

also in other news, 9 million american children lost their health insurance coverage today because congress let the CHIP program expire. McConnell and Ryan are absolute filth. Human excrement.

Hopefully when the **** hits the fan with Special Counsel Mueller and Trump, which it will because you don't convene grand juries and have a team of top prosecutors assembled over a fake witch hunt, the military will operate how it did prior to Nixon's resignation and are prepared not to follow any insane orders.

[Rich Rane]

If anyone knows anyone in Vegas, I hope they're safe.

[TheNetsFan]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

The system was instituted, and remains as it is for very legitimate reasons. The electoral college is necessary to ensure that every region/state/class is properly represented. I could see an argument against the winner take all allocation of a state's electoral votes, but a pure popular vote would force candidates to overwhelmingly cater to the most densely populated areas, where the sheer number of voters, and the convenience of voting is vastly higher. Imagine if Hurricane Sandy had hit NY/NJ about 1 week later than it did. Should NY and NJ have been any less represented in the election, because they only had 40% voter turnout instead of a more typical 60% due to a natural disaster?

Electoral votes (& House seats) are allocated predominantly based on state population, and it's more reasonable to expect that the views of those who don't vote are more in line with those in their neighborhood than the population of the US as a whole. The nature of the winner take all nature of the electoral votes suppresses voter turnout, because in a very blue or red state, your vote ultimately doesn't matter, and because of that lower turnout, the popular vote is meaningless.

The last statement is one that could cause much debate, and the way you frame it is loaded with bias. In my opinion, and that of many others on both sides of the political spectrum, there is no reason why voters should not have to present ID to vote. How Voter ID gets spun as anti-minority is mind boggling.

[Roy Tarpley]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

The system was instituted, and remains as it is for very legitimate reasons. The electoral college is necessary to ensure that every region/state/class is properly represented. I could see an argument against the winner take all allocation of a state's electoral votes, but a pure popular vote would force candidates to overwhelmingly cater to the most densely populated areas, where the sheer number of voters, and the convenience of voting is vastly higher. Imagine if Hurricane Sandy had hit NY/NJ about 1 week later than it did. Should NY and NJ have been any less represented in the election, because they only had 40% voter turnout instead of a more typical 60% due to a natural disaster?

Electoral votes (& House seats) are allocated predominantly based on state population, and it's more reasonable to expect that the views of those who don't vote are more in line with those in their neighborhood than the population of the US as a whole. The nature of the winner take all nature of the electoral votes suppresses voter turnout, because in a very blue or red state, your vote ultimately doesn't matter, and because of that lower turnout, the popular vote is meaningless.

The last statement is one that could cause much debate, and the way you frame it is loaded with bias. In my opinion, and that of many others on both sides of the political spectrum, there is no reason why voters should not have to present ID to vote. How Voter ID gets spun as anti-minority is mind boggling.

In a democracy, we should be trying to increase voting as much as possible, not throwing up roadblocks.

Many Americans don't have an ID card necessary for voting and these tend to disproportionately be low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and the disabled. They often can't get ID cards because they can't afford the things that are required for government-issued ID cards, like birth certificates. Not only that, sometimes voter ID laws are applied in discriminatory fashion.

After decades of white America trying to disenfranchise the black voter, including through literacy tests, poll taxes, and other bull ideas that have the veneer of impartiality, the voter ID requirement is just another tool that is being used to suppress minority votes.

What's truly mind boggling to me is why we, as red-blooded, democracy-loving Americans, aren't doing more to increase voter turnout, for example, by making elections on weekends rather than a Tuesday when people are working. Or why we're so concerned about voter fraud when fraud cases are almost non-existent.

[TheNetsFan]

also in other news, 9 million american children lost their health insurance coverage today because congress let the CHIP program expire. McConnell and Ryan are absolute filth. Human excrement.

Nobody "lost their health insurance coverage today." The worst off states still have about 3 months of funding available, while most have more like 6 months. Every child covered under CHIP still has insurance. CHIP has had bi-partisan support forever, and that will not change. They delayed voting on it to vote on the latest failed ACA repeal attempt. On one hand I can see it as a negotiating tactic in future ACA-repeal pursuits, but I don't think believe funding will be delayed long enough to have that be a a true bargaining position. Within a month or so, funding will be renewed, the media will sensationalize it as "disaster averted, a big-win & republicans coming to their senses."

[TheNetsFan]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

The system was instituted, and remains as it is for very legitimate reasons. The electoral college is necessary to ensure that every region/state/class is properly represented. I could see an argument against the winner take all allocation of a state's electoral votes, but a pure popular vote would force candidates to overwhelmingly cater to the most densely populated areas, where the sheer number of voters, and the convenience of voting is vastly higher. Imagine if Hurricane Sandy had hit NY/NJ about 1 week later than it did. Should NY and NJ have been any less represented in the election, because they only had 40% voter turnout instead of a more typical 60% due to a natural disaster?

Electoral votes (& House seats) are allocated predominantly based on state population, and it's more reasonable to expect that the views of those who don't vote are more in line with those in their neighborhood than the population of the US as a whole. The nature of the winner take all nature of the electoral votes suppresses voter turnout, because in a very blue or red state, your vote ultimately doesn't matter, and because of that lower turnout, the popular vote is meaningless.

The last statement is one that could cause much debate, and the way you frame it is loaded with bias. In my opinion, and that of many others on both sides of the political spectrum, there is no reason why voters should not have to present ID to vote. How Voter ID gets spun as anti-minority is mind boggling.

In a democracy, we should be trying to increase voting as much as possible, not throwing up roadblocks.

Many Americans don't have an ID card necessary for voting and these tend to disproportionately be low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and the disabled. They often can't get ID cards because they can't afford the things that are required for government-issued ID cards, like birth certificates. Not only that, sometimes voter ID laws are applied in discriminatory fashion.

After decades of white America trying to disenfranchise the black voter, including through literacy tests, poll taxes, and other bull ideas that have the veneer of impartiality, the voter ID requirement is just another tool that is being used to suppress minority votes.

What's truly mind boggling to me is why we, as red-blooded, democracy-loving Americans, aren't doing more to increase voter turnout, for example, by making elections on weekends rather than a Tuesday when people are working. Or why we're so concerned about voter fraud when fraud cases are almost non-existent.

Given that you need ID of some sore, at least a Social Security Number, to do a number of routine things (purchase alcohol, drive, get a job, cash a check, set up phone service), I don't buy it. However, if it really is a problem, then don't turn a blind-eye toward the symptom, rather offer a solution. Subsidize state-ID cards, birth certificates, and anything else needed to make it happen.

Currently, I can walk into a voting place, give any name I know in the district and vote. I've seen family members names on the voter logs that I know moved out of state or passed away years ago. Do you know somebody away on business or vacation? Give their name & vote twice.

At the end of the day, it only matters in a handful of swing states, and would be statistically meaningful in even less.

[Roy Tarpley]

Voting should be a fundamental right and even more basic than purchasing alcohol, driving, etc. But yeah, I think state-ID cards, birth certificates, etc. should be subsidized in an ideal world.

On voter fraud, just because you can doesn't mean it actually happens. I don't know of any case of serious, widespread, voting fraud.

[94Nuggets]

I haven't read anything prior to this page, so I may be repeating an idea that's already been discussed.

Sexism is another reason Trump was elected. There are a lot of men, and shockingly many women, uncomfortable with the idea of having a female president. Racism is a huge issue in this country, but I personally feel sexism is something that we also need to discuss.

[MrDollarBills]

Trump lost the overall vote by 3 million votes, he is only President because our electoral system is antiquated and screwed up. So yes, overall the country doesn't approve of this ass hole.

I can't explain why some don't vote. I hate people who complain yet never vote. I agree with you on that.

Also election days come when Americans have to work, I think that adds to the problem. Another thing is that the right wing has actively been working to stop minority voters from voting.

The system was instituted, and remains as it is for very legitimate reasons. The electoral college is necessary to ensure that every region/state/class is properly represented. I could see an argument against the winner take all allocation of a state's electoral votes, but a pure popular vote would force candidates to overwhelmingly cater to the most densely populated areas, where the sheer number of voters, and the convenience of voting is vastly higher. Imagine if Hurricane Sandy had hit NY/NJ about 1 week later than it did. Should NY and NJ have been any less represented in the election, because they only had 40% voter turnout instead of a more typical 60% due to a natural disaster?

Electoral votes (& House seats) are allocated predominantly based on state population, and it's more reasonable to expect that the views of those who don't vote are more in line with those in their neighborhood than the population of the US as a whole. The nature of the winner take all nature of the electoral votes suppresses voter turnout, because in a very blue or red state, your vote ultimately doesn't matter, and because of that lower turnout, the popular vote is meaningless.

The last statement is one that could cause much debate, and the way you frame it is loaded with bias. In my opinion, and that of many others on both sides of the political spectrum, there is no reason why voters should not have to present ID to vote. How Voter ID gets spun as anti-minority is mind boggling.

Because voter ID laws are targeted towards disenfranchised minorities:

The documents acceptable for proving voters’ identity in North Carolina were the ones disproportionately held by whites, such as driver’s licenses, U.S. passports, and veteran and military IDs, and the ones that were left out were the ones often held by poor minority voters, such as student IDs, government employee IDs and public assistance IDs. The Texas voter ID law was designed the same way: There, officials accepted concealed-weapon licenses but not student or state employee IDs. The Texas legislature was repeatedly advised of the likely effect on minority voters but rebuffed nearly all amendments that would have eased its harsh impact.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/08/03/courts-are-finally-pointing-out-the-racism-behind-voter-id-laws/?utm_term=.84e9cbee2643

Yeah...bias indeed.

Voter fraud claims are so overblown it's ridiculous...like the idea that the 3 million votes extra that Hilary received are all from illegals and dead people.