Want to understand what Trump is doing?

imaround

Honestly, I would have voted for Biden or Harris because I was knowledgeable enough to see what Trumpnhad planned.

I think the dems feelings about Biden are fairly standard. Some love him, some hate him.

I blame him for not stepping down sooner to allow for a primary. It was time for him to go. I blame Pelosi for throwing him under the bus. The dems have made a series of mistakes in handling the rise of Trump and they hold a responsibility for the mess we are in.

I know you didn't ask this but, I don't think the Democrat party has what it takes right now to counter Trump because they continue to play by the rules while he is running around lawless.

The Dems I have had interactions with are starting to mobilize and talks of primary challenges are strong.

Unfortunately, there is a new crisis to face several times a day (by design), so it is hard right now. Dems are starting to organize better, but they have a long way to go.

Thanks. The Democrats I’ve spoken to on Facebook seem to be mobilising against Trump. The person I spoke to is very much like me: they, too, were trying to avoid the news and can’t watch their tv when Trump is on. One Facebook page I read is Brandon Weber. Sadly Brandon died but his partner kept the page going. When I first started reading it several years ago I’d often read something thinking it was about the UK; there were so many parallels. Really nice people who are horrified by what is happening to their country.

Chocolatelovinggran

I have visited South Africa recently and agree with your summary, Claremont.
I do not feel that, should it happen, an influx of white South Africans a.k.a. "The Opressed ", will be an asset to the USA.
And, as I posted before, I thought that Mr Trump was opposed to unfettered immigration?

There is noticing new about white South Africans migratin, they come to the UK and many other commonwealth and other English speaking countries. There is no future for them in SA they are discriminated against in every way. For example an experienced white SA airline pilot has to fly with a less experienced black pilot in command.

Corruption is a disgrace, the economy is a mess, they have no idea how they are going to repay the loans China has given them.

They are the richest economy in Africa!.

Well I for one, am very keen to read what Iamarround is reporting, news from the front line, so yo speak. I am sure that the thousands of people who once worked in state departments and in USAID are delighted that the half a dozen or so trans athletes have been banned from competing in women's sports. Such a comfort when you can't pay your bills and desperately hope that none of your family are diagnosed with an expensive health condition. Something like diabetes, for example where the cap of $35 per dose for insulin has been abolished

Why is there.an assumption that anyone facing redundancy from USAid or a state department will be unable to find a new role. It might be the best opportunity to find a new job opportunity and should not mean life long unemployment.
Also since USAid has been around since 1963, it might be a good time to revisit its purpose and reassess its mission. I don’t agree that America should carry a large financial burden indefinitely and other solvent countries should come on board with overseas aid too.

Perhaps the US will be cutting its funding of Israel seeing as they pay more per year to Israel than all other countries combined

The Democrats seem rudderless at present. They need to reset and sort themselves out with a new leader. They seem so ineffective, no one in charge.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

The Democrats seem rudderless at present. They need to reset and sort themselves out with a new leader. They seem so ineffective, no one in charge.

I agree. They don't seem to be an effective opposition

They weren’t that effective in power, either. That’s why Trump is where he is.

I think it isn't so much a problem if a handful of people are laid off ronib. In the case of USAID, it is 10,000 people. Now the job market tightens and jobs are harder to find.

The problem is when they get rid of 1 million or 2 million people, as Musk has said he wants to do. The worker supply will bring down wages, which are chronically low to start with in some cases.

Tech workers in this country are struggling to get jobs because the jobs are being sent offshore.

I could see a 2007 crash happening again actually.

I am confident that a leader will emerge in the Democrats.

At least that is what I keep telling myself.

ronib

Why is there.an assumption that anyone facing redundancy from USAid or a state department will be unable to find a new role. It might be the best opportunity to find a new job opportunity and should not mean life long unemployment.
Also since USAid has been around since 1963, it might be a good time to revisit its purpose and reassess its mission. I don’t agree that America should carry a large financial burden indefinitely and other solvent countries should come on board with overseas aid too.

Are you American Ronib?

The problem for the individual IS losing their job through no fault of their own. Not only will lose their income but also their health care, etc. One of my extended family has just been told their job is gone and another, in a different part of the goverment, is waiting to hear.

A wholesale sacking of American government employees could well be both illegal and undemocratic. It may violate laws and regulations protecting employee rights, while also undermining the principles of a merit-based civil service system, disrupting government functions, eroding institutional knowledge, and politicising the bureaucracy.

This could (and should) have far-reaching consequences for the effectiveness and legitimacy of the US government. I think I currently have some of the same worries my ancestors would have had if they had relative in Germany in the 1930s.

JD Vance mentioned on social media that they could ignore the judges order regarding Musk. Musk then mentioned firing judges.

There is some concern about ignoring rulings happening and these posts increased that worry

The judiciary is our last defense right now and with the Supreme Court we have, I am wary.

Vance is more hardline than Trump isn’t he.

imaround

JD Vance mentioned on social media that they could ignore the judges order regarding Musk. Musk then mentioned firing judges.

There is some concern about ignoring rulings happening and these posts increased that worry

The judiciary is our last defense right now and with the Supreme Court we have, I am wary.

One of the first things a dictator does is to get rid of an independent judiciary. Another thing a dictator usually does is to change the democratic rules that will prevent him staying in power beyond his elected term.
Watch out for this, I fear it is coming.

So Trump is doubling down on Gaza reiterating that the USA will “own” Gaza.

Who will he buy it from because as far as I can see it isn’t for sale.

Perhaps he means that he will invade Gaza, and the inhabitants driven out at the point of a gun?

Not aware that he has any support except from Netanyahu, who will undoubtedly benefit from this invasion, and which I assume will eventually incorporate it into Israel.

The West Bank will be the only fly left in the ointment now. So harassment, violence, arrests without trial, driving people from their land and illegal resettlement hadn’t worked yet.

They will no doubt come up with an imaginative plan before long and the Palestinians will have lost everything.

Let us hope for the Israelis that there is no such thing as Karma.

That really belongs on the other thread😡

So threatened tariffs on steel and aluminium now. What will happen to the thousands of US jobs relying on those materials?
Job losses, manufacturing losses, a bit of an own goal.

Since I retired I spend a large part of my time volunteering for an organisation that endeavours to protect our oceans and the wildlife that live in it.

Trump reintroducing plastic straws is a wanton act of environmental destruction. Does he not know the damage his actions cause or does he know and not care?

I know this seems a small thing compared to Trump's other actions - but to me it sums everything up.

It's a deliberate challenge to states who have introduced anti plastic straws as part of their own legislation as well as a symbolic gesture indicating they dont believe in climate protection. All about flexing muscles and holding power.

I agree Wyllow3 - but the climate protection element in the plastic is only part of the issue. The negative impact of plastic straws in the environment is dreadful for wildlife.

It's not just about the climate, but about nature and the fact that Trump cares so little about people and the world we live in that he's happy for the place to be scattered with plastic. A race to the bottom, a focused desire to make everything as awful as it can be.

Churchview

Since I retired I spend a large part of my time volunteering for an organisation that endeavours to protect our oceans and the wildlife that live in it.

Trump reintroducing plastic straws is a wanton act of environmental destruction. Does he not know the damage his actions cause or does he know and not care?

I know this seems a small thing compared to Trump's other actions - but to me it sums everything up.

Very well put Churchview.. when I think of the effort we put in to keep beaches clean where I live..it makes my heart sink.. it is such deliberate wanton destruction.. and deliberately provocative

Makes me wonder how much support Trump will get from Towns trying to keep their lovely beaches clean of plastic waste

Whitewavemark2

Vance is more hardline than Trump isn’t he.

Or just less sane?

PoliticsNerd what does being American have to do with redundancy? I know of people being made redundant from apparently secure Uk Civil Service jobs and from startups here at the drop of a hat. In these circumstances, new and better job opportunities can present themselves.

ronib

PoliticsNerd what does being American have to do with redundancy? I know of people being made redundant from apparently secure Uk Civil Service jobs and from startups here at the drop of a hat. In these circumstances, new and better job opportunities can present themselves.

You are not seriously asking that question ronib, are you?