Political Roundtable Part XXXIII

[Pointgod]

The bar is truly in hell. I can’t believe Americans just gave Trump a license to go on a crime spree. This is literally insane and Gaetz will get confirmed by the Senate.

Read on Twitter

[dobrojim]

NYT reports Matt Gaetz is upcoming AG.

[montestewart]

The bar is truly in hell. I can’t believe Americans just gave Trump a license to go on a crime spree. This is literally insane and Gaetz will get confirmed by the Senate.

Read on Twitter

Gaetz practiced law for a grand total of two years before entering politics. Can't even tell if he has any trial experience. He did have his license suspended for failure to pay bar dues, so there's that. As they say, Republicans in power is always good for comedy.

[DCZards]

it's blindingly obvious that the people of this country on both sides yearn for change and it's Trump's perceived ability and commitment to deliver change, that is the engine driving his popularity.

it's also blindingly obvious that what voters care most about, more than any individual change among the various marginalized groups (LGBTQ+ rights, black lives matter, dreamers, white supremacy, what have you) is the united discontent between the haves and the have-nots. Call it inflation, call it wage disparity, call it wealth gap, call it housing crisis, call it whatever you want to call it, people are broke and angry.

So over 75 million American voters, including 60% of white men and 53% of white women are “broke and angry?” Sorry, not buying it.

Truth is a many of these voters (maybe even a majority) are afraid of an America that is increasingly diverse, one that tolerates lifestyles and languages they are not comfortable or familiar with. A country where their perceived privilege is being challenged at every turn. They want "change," alright, to the good 'ole days where the "other" knew their place and stayed in it. In other words, "Make America Great Again."

So they’re willing to elect as president of the whole freaking country a small-minded, sexist, racist, narcissistic, vindictive, impulsive liar who also happens to be a convicted felon.

Only in America! as Don King would say.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

That dick actually said the military doesn't work better with diversity but with unity.

Let the ethnic cleansing begin.

[TGW]

So over 75 million American voters, including 60% of white men and 53% of white women are “broke and angry?” Sorry, not buying it.

Yes! The average WM salary is $63K/year. The average WF is $53k. Salaries didn't keep up with inflation.

Exit polling shows that the economy, abortion rights, and democracy (whatever that means) were the top 3 issues. Kamala Harris did not properly communicate her economic plan. She lazily said she would do NOTHING differently from Biden, which she got flamed for by not only the right, but by her own constituency. That means Biden's perceived failures and historically low approval numbers automatically attached to her like a ball and chain.

Calling half the country racist is just a way for democrats to ignore the fact that their brand was rejected by the average American voter. They lost the presidency, the Senate, and the House. Quit with the identity politics...it's not a winning strategy.

I don't agree with SAS most times, but he highlighted all of the mistakes:

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=StephenA.Smith

[queridiculo]

Stephen A. Smith is not a serious person.

[Benjammin]

These last few pages sound like a Democratic leadership meeting. Pure echo and spin chamber. The best thing the Democrats have going for them is Donald Trump. Trump is like a black hole. He destroys everything in his vicinity.

[DCZards]

Yes! The average WM salary is $63K/year. The average WF is $53k. Salaries didn't keep up with inflation.

Not true.

Workers’ Paychecks Are Growing More Quickly Than Prices
Jan. 3, 2024
Most workers’ wages are growing more quickly than prices, and the economic recovery following the COVID-19 recession has featured historically strong real wage growth.
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/workers-paychecks-are-growing-more-quickly-than-prices/

Nov. 12, 2024
In September 2024, inflation amounted to 2.4 percent, while wages grew by 4.7 percent. The inflation rate has not exceeded the rate of wage growth since January 2023.
https://www.statista.com/aboutus/our-research-commitment

Exit polling shows that the economy, abortion rights, and democracy (whatever that means) were the top 3 issues. Kamala Harris did not properly communicate her economic plan. She lazily said she would do NOTHING differently from Biden, which she got flamed for by not only the right, but by her own constituency. That means Biden's perceived failures and historically low approval numbers automatically attached to her like a ball and chain.

Calling half the country racist is just a way for democrats to ignore the fact that their brand was rejected by the average American voter. They lost the presidency, the Senate, and the House. Quit with the identity politics...it's not a winning strategy.

I agree it was a big mistake for Harris to say she wouldn’t change anything from the Biden years.

But, let’s be real, Harris repeatedly laid out her economic agenda on the campaign trail. But somehow it was the dark, divisive message of a liar and con man that resonated with Americans. Go figure. We were told over and over again by Trump & Co. to fear the “other” and a changing America. Doesn’t’ matter what the exit polls show because people are not going to admit that they voted based on the fear of other Americans.

The issue is not Dem branding or identity politics. The real problem is the questionable morality of people who would vote for a despicable (and that’s putting mildly), mean-spirited character like Trump. What message does that send our children?

It's not the Dems that need to do some soul-searching. It's the country.

[dobrojim]

Yes! The average WM salary is $63K/year. The average WF is $53k. Salaries didn't keep up with inflation.

Not true.

Workers’ Paychecks Are Growing More Quickly Than Prices
Jan. 3, 2024
Most workers’ wages are growing more quickly than prices, and the economic recovery following the COVID-19 recession has featured historically strong real wage growth.
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/workers-paychecks-are-growing-more-quickly-than-prices/

Nov. 12, 2024
In September 2024, inflation amounted to 2.4 percent, while wages grew by 4.7 percent. The inflation rate has not exceeded the rate of wage growth since January 2023.
https://www.statista.com/aboutus/our-research-commitment

Exit polling shows that the economy, abortion rights, and democracy (whatever that means) were the top 3 issues. Kamala Harris did not properly communicate her economic plan. She lazily said she would do NOTHING differently from Biden, which she got flamed for by not only the right, but by her own constituency. That means Biden's perceived failures and historically low approval numbers automatically attached to her like a ball and chain.

Calling half the country racist is just a way for democrats to ignore the fact that their brand was rejected by the average American voter. They lost the presidency, the Senate, and the House. Quit with the identity politics...it's not a winning strategy.

I agree it was a big mistake for Harris to say she wouldn’t change anything from the Biden years.

But, let’s be real, Harris repeatedly laid out her economic agenda on the campaign trail. But somehow it was the dark, divisive message of a liar and con man that resonated with Americans. Go figure. We were told over and over again by Trump & Co. to fear the “other” and a changing America. Doesn’t’ matter what the exit polls show because people are not going to admit that they voted based on the fear of other Americans.

The issue is not Dem branding or identity politics. The real problem is the questionable morality of people who would vote for a despicable (and that’s putting mildly), mean-spirited character like Trump. What message does that send our children?

It's not the Dems that need to do some soul-searching. It's the country.

No argument from me. I put at least half the problem at the feet of tribalism. Once you identify
your preferred tribe, you actively avoid or disbelieve information that would challenge your choice.
Almost no one is willing to have what they believe challenged.

[dobrojim]

But, let’s be real, Harris repeatedly laid out her economic agenda on the campaign trail. But somehow it was the dark, divisive message of a liar and con man that resonated with Americans. Go figure. We were told over and over again by Trump & Co. to fear the “other” and a changing America. Doesn’t’ matter what the exit polls show because people are not going to admit that they voted based on the fear of other Americans.

The issue is not Dem branding or identity politics. The real problem is the questionable morality of people who would vote for a despicable (and that’s putting mildly), mean-spirited character like Trump. What message does that send our children?

It's not the Dems that need to do some soul-searching. It's the country.

PS

One additional area they could have brought out much more is how utterly corrupt the first
Trump admin was. It was arguably the most corrupt in our entire nation's history when you
look at how many cabinet secretaries had to resign in disgrace. The Dems literally could
have had a Corrupt Sec of the day every day of the week. No one remembers that.

[TGW]

Zards we'll agree to disagree, but the Democrats will continue to lose elections if they think they don't need to change anything and everyone else is the problem. Expect more Trumpettes in the future if they continue to go down this road.

also, you grabbed monthly wage numbers. annual wage/inflation gap numbers are more inline with reality: https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/average-salary-us/#:~:text=The%20average%20white%20male%20earns,Latino%20male%20makes%20%2447%2C996%20annually.&text=With%20the%20annual%20inflation%20rate,salaries%20aren't%20keeping%20up.

The average white male earns $64,636, while the average Hispanic or Latino male makes $47,996 annually.4 With the annual inflation rate for 2023 at 3.4% for the year — up from 3.1% previously — salaries aren’t keeping up.

[AFM]

Now show the average cost of housing vs wages.

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/20/nx-s1-5005972/home-prices-wages-paychecks-rent-housing-harvard-report

They’ve increased 50% since Covid started. There’s an entire generation of kids who will never own a home in this country. Is it Biden’s fault? Will Trump fix it. Of course not. But the incumbent party tends to get voted out when things like this happen.

[pancakes3]

it's not about charts and figures, it's about vibes.

[Kanyewest]

Has anyone mentioned that Kamala's sex and race may have been significant factors in her loss? Asking for a friend.

All the analysis requires no overthinking.

The white man won.

Hillary did better than Kamala. More percentage of women/men voted for Hillary. More Hispanics. Warren might have been the best case as far as a women running (she outperformed Harris significantly in the primary) but it just seems like the Democrats are suffering an apathy problem. By percentages it seems like a very low turnout compared to prior elections.

[dobrojim]

It's too bad the entire country will be paying the price for that apathy.

The question then becomes will they be paying attention any better in 4 years time.

[dobrojim]

4B movement supposedly gaining converts.

Infowars (Alex Jones) bought by The Onion

[dckingsfan]

It's too bad the entire country will be paying the price for that apathy.

The question then becomes will they be paying attention any better in 4 years time.

They won't. It isn't about the messaging any longer, it is about the platforms. The right-wing social media & media have won the day with the misinformation, disinformation and anger promoting content from MAGA and state actors.

They have union members voting R because they don't like trans. They have Hispanics voting R because they don't like women or communists. Etc., etc.

This isn't going to change in the next 4 years, IMO. This is a ground shift in how information is consumed.

You can see above where TGW swallowed the economy is bad mantra hook, line and sinker. This doesn't provide context in any way, shape or form. Examples: how is the economy doing compared to other economies, what does the progress line look like, what do the unemployment and the labor force participation rates look like over time.

I could go into the detail why the economy is on really solid ground, but why? Folks don't want to take the time to deep into the details.

It is pretty easy to manipulate an ignorant consumer of content (BTW, they aren't stupid - they are just provided with content intended to incite an anger response).

[dckingsfan]

Now show the average cost of housing vs wages.

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/20/nx-s1-5005972/home-prices-wages-paychecks-rent-housing-harvard-report

They’ve increased 50% since Covid started. There’s an entire generation of kids who will never own a home in this country. Is it Biden’s fault? Will Trump fix it. Of course not. But the incumbent party tends to get voted out when things like this happen.

With a great deal of respect.

What are the drivers of the increased costs of housing? When did this trend begin?

But I agree with your main point, voters are largely ignorant on this issue and they tend to vote against their own interests.

[dckingsfan]

These last few pages sound like a Democratic leadership meeting. Pure echo and spin chamber. The best thing the Democrats have going for them is Donald Trump. Trump is like a black hole. He destroys everything in his vicinity.

The problem is the hole is so deep, the Ds can't dig out now. 20T of the 30T in debt comes from Bush and Trump and that is going to grow.

SCOTUS will be a black hole for decades to come.

Rs are going to promote drill baby drill and roll back the benefits of the IRA.

That and the social platforms will be even more slanted R in the next election. They will just blame it on the Ds and the ignorant part of our population will vote R again. That and the rest of the population will just not vote.