We need a major change.

[UncleAng]

Originally Posted by Oerets

When one is lacking a effective argument or plan, then name calling demonizing and conspiracies changing the narrative are the only arrows left in the quiver.

Correct! And that's why all of us are getting dragged into it. Just like we do for our kids it's us now that need a 'time out'. So rather then being a part of the problem how can we at Political Chat be part of a solution.

[barbara]

"...how can we be a part of the solution...."

I've been giving that a lot of thought lately. I'm not coming up with any great ideas that will make a change on a macro level. But, I can make changes in myself which will only impact my little corner of the world, if I'm lucky.

I've never been a Michael Jackson fan, but there are lyrics in one of his songs that makes so much sense to me:

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change

[barbara]

Human, your post number 6 was very informative. Thanks for that.

[Reason10]

As an expat always looking in to what's going on in my native US I have to stop and wonder as to how US democracy has evolved since the funding fathers. When I analyze the US system vs. the rest of the democratic world I end up thinking that the US is one of the most undemocratic democracies anywhere.

The United States has never been a direct democracy. It has always been a Representative Republic. I'll wait with patience while you make a case that it is less Democratic than Russia, China, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, and other Woke paradises in the world.

1. Elections in most democracies take between 4-16 weeks at the federal level; in the US it's an ongoing perpetual machine with billions of dollars spent and in turn billions of IOU's. There's enough corruption generated by 4-16 week elections so in the US it must be staggering. The US system encourages lobbyists to a higher degree than elsewhere in the world and this in turn narrows the scope of governance.

You won't get ANY argument there. The richest neighborhoods and the largest concentration of the super rich are on K Street in Washington, where the lobbyists ply their trade. They buy Congress, and Congress buys votes. And TV time is very expensive.

2. Americans hold dear their 2nd amendment right to bear arms but they forget to put it in context of when and why it was written. Face it folks the British ain't going to show up at your door with flintlocks. Neither will the Russians or Chinese.


Actually, Americans hold dear the ENTIRE United States Constitution. (Except for the Democrats who are illegally impeaching Donald Trump.) But I suggest you read the Second Amendment and show us where the word "Flintlock" is being used.

Without asking which country you expatriated to, I gotta ask if you're truly happy. President Trump and most of America didn't begin building that wall to keep people IN this country. Half the world wants to come here.

Where you're living now, (and again you don't have to say where) are you enjoying freedom? How expensive is it to live? Does the tax laws leave you enough money to buy a house? How much does gasoline cost?

[UncleAng]

Originally Posted by Reason10

[COLOR="Navy"]
Where you're living now, (and again you don't have to say where) are you enjoying freedom? How expensive is it to live? Does the tax laws leave you enough money to buy a house? How much does gasoline cost?

I've lived in Canada since 1976, now in a suburb of Toronto, a city that has immigrants from 226 different countries... the most international city in the world. I own my home free and clear, my wife and I travel extensively and gas costs $3.24 a US gallon after adjusting for exchange rates. Retired one year ago but when I was working 44% of my income went to taxes: which included federal, provincial, property and 13% retail taxes. BTW minimum wage is $15.

Unlike most Americans who've never left their state I've defended the US and most of it's policies throughout southern Europe, north Africa, the Balkans and yes, Canada. I am proud to be an American.

As for Trump, look at the man and his past and be thankful he's not around for another 4 years.

[Reason10]

I've lived in Canada since 1976, now in a suburb of Toronto, a city that has immigrants from 226 different countries... the most international city in the world. I own my home free and clear, my wife and I travel extensively and gas costs $3.24 a US gallon after adjusting for exchange rates. Retired one year ago but when I was working 44% of my income went to taxes: which included federal, provincial, property and 13% retail taxes. BTW minimum wage is $15.

I've tried to tell some of my fellow Floridians (the ones who become totally helpless in what little cold snaps we get here) to just try to imagine living in Toronto in January. They just look at me in awe. But I tell them that in that oppressive cold and endless blizzard conditions, people move about and conduct business every day like it's normal.

Florida just passed a $15 an hour minimum wage through the direct referendum system. (Our legislature isn't nearly as stupid as to pass such an idiotic law.) So stupid people will be laid off from menial jobs and not get hired in situations where their skills are not worth $15 an hour. And people EVEN IN FLORIDA have trouble understanding that.

Unlike most Americans who've never left their state I've defended the US and most of it's policies throughout southern Europe, north Africa, the Balkans and yes, Canada. I am proud to be an American.

Well, technically, you are a North American. As far as most Americans having never left their state, I'm not sure how accurate a statement that is. I'm not saying it isn't true, because it might be. I'm just not sure. Personally I've been to Quebec, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Grand Caymans, and the Bahamas. I enjoyed Mexico probably the most (probably because of the beer) but I'd be an idiot if I ever thought of living there.

As for Trump, look at the man and his past and be thankful he's not around for another 4 years.



When you compare Trump's past to that of serial rapists like Bill KKKlinton, or serial pedophiles and Nazis like Jim Crow Joe, or incompetent community organizers like Obama, Trump wins on every count. But let's just not talk about the past. Let's judge these men SOLELY on their accomplishments. So far, Trump has given America the greatest economy, four years of PEACE in the world with no new wars (a FIRST for both parties) and a level of patriotism not seen since the Reagan years.

America is about to take it up the ass with this Nazi who stole the election.

[UncleAng]

Originally Posted by Reason10

So far, Trump has given America the greatest economy, four years of PEACE in the world with no new wars (a FIRST for both parties) and a level of patriotism not seen since the Reagan years.

America is about to take it up the ass with this Nazi who stole the election.

If Trump had stayed around for another four years he probably would have been successful in establishing the first American dictatorship. You think I'm nuts? No, it's because of people like you who buy into the BS he's been feeding since before his first election. Reason10, be reasonable and see the full picture; yes he wants to 'drain the swamp' and that sounds really cool and progressive as opposed to having the old guard like Biden run things; it's like deja vu all over again. But everything he has done in the past four years and is still currently doing points only in one direction.... he wants to be the only gator left in the swamp.

[Reason10]

Originally Posted by UncleAng

If Trump had stayed around for another four years he probably would have been successful in establishing the first American dictatorship. You think I'm nuts? No, it's because of people like you who buy into the BS he's been feeding since before his first election. Reason10, be reasonable and see the full picture; yes he wants to 'drain the swamp' and that sounds really cool and progressive as opposed to having the old guard like Biden run things; it's like deja vu all over again. But everything he has done in the past four years and is still currently doing points only in one direction.... he wants to be the only gator left in the swamp.

That is a LIE.

Trump made this country freer and more prosperous than ALL past Democrat presidents combined.

You ARE nuts, as well as uninformed and uneducated.

You need to get your head out from THE VIEW'S ass and start looking at FACTS.

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by Reason10

Actually, Americans hold dear the ENTIRE United States Constitution. (Except for the Democrats who are illegally impeaching Donald Trump.)

Oh brother

[bobabode]

76%? What orfice did you pull that out of, Biff?

Show your work.