The Next President is...

[Guest nsplayr]

On 3/29/2023 at 7:51 AM, FourFans said:

I never voted for Trump.  I never voted for Biden.

In that case you have to understand that your are a bit odd politically. That's fine, but just as a frame of reference, nearly every voter has voted for either Trump or Biden, and have good reasons to do so one way or the other.

Saying you don't support either is not bad, but it's not necessarily good either; it's not some high-minded place where you can sit and people who voted for one or the other of those two flawed Presidents.

On 3/29/2023 at 7:51 AM, FourFans said:

I'm an American who prefers adults making difficult decisions using humility, reason, logic, candor, and a certain level of social awareness.  Our current president has none of those attributes.  He is a hollow shell and you clearly understate all your critiques of him.  It shows in how you carefully craft those critiques.  Have the balls to admit the truth:  Biden, Trump, and a vast majority of our current government have no business leading anything...ever.  Yet you support them.  If you let these people run your house or manage your daily decisions, you'd be homeless, divorced, and broke....and like addicted.

 Sorry but I don't agree with that assessment, especially when you roped in the entire Cabinet and Congress. As with any group of people there are strong swimmers and morons, and everyone has flaws, but again, it's not some kind of high-minded stance to just say, "They all suck, throw the bums out!"

Ok cool story...back here in the real world I'm trying to do the best we can and see the policies I want enacted and the values I share reflected, and people who have different policy priorities and values from me are also doing the same. We can't just give up and say they all suck and live in a bunker.

On 3/29/2023 at 7:51 AM, FourFans said:

I implore you to stop being a coward and call a spade a spade.

If you insist on supporting agendas simply because they are "mainstream democrat" I beg you to reconsider.  Acting in that way makes you what Marx called a "Useful Idiot", and you are hurting our country.

This is where you lost me. Do you want a maybe-helpful back-and-forth or do you want to call me a coward and a useful idiot? Because you shouldn't expect to have both.

I'm an active commission officer who's dedicated my professional life to military service and I've spent about 6,900% too much time on these boards debating on politics with a relatively detailed and consistent point of view.

So I don't really appreciate being called a coward who's hurting the country who has also failed to be specific on my political views. Shit, somewhere in the way-back machine on BO.net you can read probably a literal book's worth of argument about why Obama's economic policies were better than those Romney was proposing circa 2011-2012!

Edited March 30, 2023 by nsplayr

[Guest nsplayr]

On 3/29/2023 at 9:36 AM, FourFans said:

To be clear: guys like @nsplayrand @Prozac are invaluable resources worth listening to.  They continue to post on what is largely a conservative forum despite often getting attacked or derided for their beliefs, yet they continue.  That means they are true believers and I, for one, seek to understand what facts drive their beliefs.  History teaches that the left mis-understands or completely fails to care about the beliefs of the right.  If conservatives and moderates don't try to understand the left, there is no hope of any kind of compromise, and society splits...which we're seeing right now.

Ok you recovered from the rapid descent here and if this is truly how you feel, I'm willing to engage. Just keep in mind if you call people cowards and an unpatriotic useful idiots, they are not likely to engage with you in good faith!

[BashiChuni]

6 minutes ago, nsplayr said:

 

I'm an active commission officer who's dedicated my professional life to military service 

Thank you for your service 

[Guest nsplayr]

For specifics on why I support the Biden admin in general:

1. Passed the Inflation Reduction Act
   • Massive investments into clean energy, including tax credits and point-of-sale rebates on things like EVs, solar & battery systems, induction stoves, heat pumps, etc.
   • Strongly incentivizes clean energy manufacturing and mining to take place in the US or allied nations
   • Allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capping out-of-pocket prescription prices for seniors on Medicare, driving down insulin prices for everyone, strengthening ACA subsidies which make those plans more affordable, etc.
2. Passed the CHIPS & Science Act - bipartisan accomplishment
   • Onshores critical semiconductor manufacturing & greatly boosts R&D and workforce training, strengthening national security and long-term lessening the impact of a China-Taiwan conflict
3. Passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act - bipartisan accomplishment
   • Big investments into mental health services and some modest gun safety measures like red flag laws and enhancing background checks to keep guns out of the hands of folks who probably shouldn't have them
4. Supporting Ukraine in their effort to repel the Russian invasion - bipartisan accomplishment
   • Hobbling the conventional military forces of one of our biggest geopolitical foes for pennies on the dollar. Zero american military lives lost (RIP to that one MQ-9 haha)
   • Uniting Europe against Putin and his aggressive, expansionist ambitions, adding new valuable allies to NATO, punishing Russia economically for Putin's bad behavior, and replacing Russia as Europe's biggest source of energy

Those are my top 4  on policy at least. Additionally:

• Appointing a younger liberal SCOTUS justice to replace a retiring liberal was good if you are liberally-minded...we have messed this one up before.
• The American Rescue Plan was expensive and probably contributed some to the high inflation last summer, but I think it also helped us come out the back end better than anywhere else in the world - we're stronger & have better growth and less inflation than Europe or Japan/ROK/Aus/NZ/etc.
• TBH also just basic stuff like not tweeting insane shit all the time, not pissing off all of our allies constantly, not doing crimes like trying to overturn an election, etc. - I appreciate that in a President!
• Biden also led his party to a very strong mid-term showing compared to what happens historically during a President's first midterm. Dems gained a seat in the Senate and only lost a handful of House seats when the norm is getting blasted (see Obama 2010 and Trump 2018 as examples). I appreciate winning so we can do more of the above in the future.

I don't worship Biden or think he's perfect. As I've said before, he's about 15-30 years older than I would like, picking Harris as VP was a mistake in hindsight because she is not a viable successor, and I don't agree with everything he's ever said or done (90s crime bill, wanting to partition Iraq, opposing the bin Laden raid, etc.).

BUT, he's an effective incumbent who has help sheppard through a lot of things I support, so he's got my vote if he is going to run again in 2024.

If there's a Dem primary, I'd love to support someone like Buttigieg, Polis, Klobuchar, Shapiro, Warnock, Whitmer, Beshear, Kelley, Pritzker etc. in roughly that order. I'm not a conservative, but if the GOP ran someone like Larry Hogan or Phil Scott I'd be open to hearing their pitch, and I appreciate the need for a reasonable party in opposition to the one I usually support. States with long-standing one-party rule don't tend to be run as well as those with real political competition IMHO.

Edited March 30, 2023 by nsplayr

[Guest nsplayr]

18 minutes ago, BashiChuni said:

Thank you for your service 

You too buddy 😂🍺

[BashiChuni]

So your number one accomplishment listed didn’t actually do anything to reduce inflation? Strange accomplishment. 

[HossHarris]

As someone directly affected by the acumen of the secretary of transportation, buttigieg is a bum…. But he would prolly be easy to beat….

[Guest nsplayr]

2 hours ago, BashiChuni said:

So your number one accomplishment listed didn’t actually do anything to reduce inflation? Strange accomplishment. 

Inflation seemed to have peaked in June 2022 at 9.1%, the IRA was passed in August 2022, now the latest data from February 2023 it’s at 6% and continuing to trend down.

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf

😂

This is all said in jest. The IRA had little to do with inflation and was named by San. Joe Manchin. In exchange for his vote, I would have let him name or whatever he wanted! It is a clean energy and healthcare costs law, and a good one at that IMHO.

Edited March 30, 2023 by nsplayr

[BashiChuni]

"clean" energy lol

if the left really was worried about "climate change" (notice global warming labeling has been removed), they would embrace nuclear power.

biden has been a totally inept president.

Edited March 30, 2023 by BashiChuni

[lloyd christmas]

So, Trump got indicted.  Get ready for the biggest shit show our country has ever seen.  

[Guest nsplayr]

5 minutes ago, lloyd christmas said:

So, Trump got indicted.  Get ready for the biggest shit show our country has ever seen.  

I mean…disagree. One former president and his legal troubles shall pass, and we’ll all move on.

Actual shit-shows and national tragedies depicted for reference.

[Guest nsplayr]

3 hours ago, BashiChuni said:

"clean" energy lol

if the left really was worried about "climate change" (notice global warming labeling has been removed), they would embrace nuclear power.

biden has been a totally inept president.

Nuclear power is great and we should build way, way more! Never should have stopped building. Put a small modular reactor on every mil base and near every major city. Also if/when we figure out fusion it’s game over for everything else and we can usher in a future of incredible energy abundance. 

In the meantime, and because the HOA prohibits nuclear reactors on neighborhood lots, have solar on my roof and it’s awesome!

Edited March 31, 2023 by nsplayr

[lloyd christmas]

@nsplayryou know I’m not comparing this to Pearl Harbor or 9/11.  The media frenzy, Trump behind the mic, the trial…   You know what I’m talking about.  

[Sim]

1 hour ago, nsplayr said:

The IRA had little to do with inflation and was named by San. Joe Manchin. In exchange for his vote, I would have let him name or whatever he wanted! It is a clean energy and healthcare costs law, and a good one

Using any means necessary (lie, steal, cheat) as long as your team wins.  Because it's (D)ifferent.  

[Prozac]

3 minutes ago, lloyd christmas said:

@nsplayryou know I’m not comparing this to Pearl Harbor or 9/11.  The media frenzy, Trump behind the mic, the trial…   You know what I’m talking about.  

He should hire some serious minded, professional lawyers, take their advice, STFU, and try not to steal the limelight from Republican candidates who are actually serious about wanting to govern this country. I’d honestly much rather listen to their ideas than DJT ironically whining about how unfair life’s been to him. Alas, he is who he is and he’ll be making sure he’s stealing the spotlight for the next year and a half. 😐 Yes, the media will play a large role, but part of that is Trump’s own fault through his constant quest for notoriety. At this point, I could honestly not care less whether he is prosecuted….he just needs to go away. There’s got to be some sort of reality show he could host where he could grab all the pussy he ever wanted and not have to worry about the monotony of things like daily intelligence briefings & what’s actually in the constitution. ‘The Bachelor; Ex-Presidents Edition’  maybe? 

[ClearedHot]

6 hours ago, nsplayr said:

For specifics on why I support the Biden admin in general:

1. Passed the Inflation Reduction Act
   • Massive investments into clean energy, including tax credits and point-of-sale rebates on things like EVs, solar & battery systems, induction stoves, heat pumps, etc.
   • Strongly incentivizes clean energy manufacturing and mining to take place in the US or allied nations
   • Allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capping out-of-pocket prescription prices for seniors on Medicare, driving down insulin prices for everyone, strengthening ACA subsidies which make those plans more affordable, etc.
2. Passed the CHIPS & Science Act - bipartisan accomplishment
   • Onshores critical semiconductor manufacturing & greatly boosts R&D and workforce training, strengthening national security and long-term lessening the impact of a China-Taiwan conflict
3. Passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act - bipartisan accomplishment
   • Big investments into mental health services and some modest gun safety measures like red flag laws and enhancing background checks to keep guns out of the hands of folks who probably shouldn't have them
4. Supporting Ukraine in their effort to repel the Russian invasion - bipartisan accomplishment
   • Hobbling the conventional military forces of one of our biggest geopolitical foes for pennies on the dollar. Zero american military lives lost (RIP to that one MQ-9 haha)
   • Uniting Europe against Putin and his aggressive, expansionist ambitions, adding new valuable allies to NATO, punishing Russia economically for Putin's bad behavior, and replacing Russia as Europe's biggest source of energy

 

You missed a few:

1.  Afghanistan and 13 dead Americans, seriously the cowardice of every liberal that glosses over this event and who bares the blame.  Yesterday SECDEF said he has "No Regrets" about the chaotic Afghanistan and Biden didn't immediately fire him. F anyone of you who shares that sentiment.  Again, 13 dead Americans, their memory brushed away into the wind.

2.  Inflation has reached its highest level in 40 years.  I love your phrase "probably contributed some to the high inflation"...Ya think?  FFS.

3.  An increase in the cost of everyday goods and services disproportionately hurts lower-income families. Real average hourly earnings have decreased by 1.7 percent because of inflation.

4. Border chaos - 2.76 million illegal immigrants crossed the border in 2022 including 600,000 getaways.  In Feb of 2023 16 people on the Terror Watch List were detained trying to cross meaning 3-4 made it across each month...great policy you got there.

5. Chinese Balloons - Do whatever you want China.

6.  Classified documents EVERYWHERE.

6 hours ago, nsplayr said:

I don't worship Biden or think he's perfect. As I've said before, he's about 15-30 years older than I would like, picking Harris as VP was a mistake in hindsight because she is not a viable successor, and I don't agree with everything he's ever said or done (90s crime bill, wanting to partition Iraq, opposing the bin Laden raid, etc.).

BUT, he's an effective incumbent who has help sheppard through a lot of things I support, so he's got my vote if he is going to run again in 2024.

Anything to retain power...he can't even read a teleprompter without reading the instructions out loud.

6 hours ago, nsplayr said:

If there's a Dem primary, I'd love to support someone like Buttigieg, Polis, Klobuchar, Warnock, Whitmer, Beshear, Kelley, Pritzker etc. in roughly that order. I'm not a conservative, but if the GOP ran someone like Larry Hogan or Phil Scott I'd be open to hearing their pitch, and I appreciate the need for a reasonable party in opposition to the one I usually support. States with long-standing one-party rule don't tend to be run as well as those with real political competition IMHO.

Buttigieg...for reals...did you not hear about the issue at the ports (maybe you were following his maternity leave posts instead of the news about the supply chain crisis.  The airline meltdown over the holiday...where was this boob?  Trains derailing and destroying towns.  The only person worse than this clown is Mayorkas.

1 hour ago, Prozac said:

He should hire some serious minded, professional lawyers, take their advice, STFU, and try not to steal the limelight from Republican candidates who are actually serious about wanting to govern this country. I’d honestly much rather listen to their ideas than DJT ironically whining about how unfair life’s been to him. Alas, he is who he is and he’ll be making sure he’s stealing the spotlight for the next year and a half. 😐 Yes, the media will play a large role, but part of that is Trump’s own fault through his constant quest for notoriety. At this point, I could honestly not care less whether he is prosecuted….he just needs to go away. There’s got to be some sort of reality show he could host where he could grab all the pussy he ever wanted and not have to worry about the monotony of things like daily intelligence briefings & what’s actually in the constitution. ‘The Bachelor; Ex-Presidents Edition’  maybe? 

Even the Dems are saying this is nonsense, dressing up a misdemeanor (with expired statue of limitations), in yet another witch hunt.  They are creating a martyr. 

 

 

[tac airlifter]

21 minutes ago, nsplayr said:

 

Don't forget adding Jan 6 to your list 😎😬

[Lord Ratner]

21 minutes ago, ClearedHot said:

They are creating a martyr. 

 

On 8/12/2022 at 10:28 PM, Lord Ratner said:

It seems like democrats are hell-bent on getting Trump reelected.

 

This is either some serious 4D chess or they are literally too stupid to breathe. Imagine the insanity of making a lunatic with a martyr complex into a martyr.

I really thought they couldn't be this stupid, but that's the sad part... The people running this country really are. 

[ClearedHot]

[FourFans]

@nsplayrA sincere thank you the specifics behind your stance!  

Also, fully agree about the "biggest shit show"  ...sigh...can Trump just go away, please?

Curious question: Are you familiar with the research and books of Peter Zeihan?

[Guest nsplayr]

5 minutes ago, FourFans said:

Curious question: Are you familiar with the research and books of Peter Zeihan?

Not really, no, sorry 🍻

[Guest nsplayr]

2 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

You missed a few:

🤷‍♂️ not really. The ask was for reasons why I support the Biden admin, not what my critiques were. Hell, I even provided a few of those free of charge!

Look, there are tons of conservative opinions around here to choose from in several different flavors...if folks want a thread to confirm their beliefs about how Biden sucks, they've largely come to the right place!

I'm happy to provide a liberal critique of the Biden admin if folks want to hear that, but you have to understand it's going to be milder because A) I disagree with the premise of many conservative critiques and, B) I think the pluses are far outweighing the minusus, which is why I would vote for Biden again in 2024 if he runs or for another mainstream Dem if they run on a similar policy platform.

2 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

Anything to retain power...

There's absolutely no "anything to retain power;" that was the previous guy. I would not, for instance, storm the Capitol building to try to stop the certification of the Presidential vote, and I would strongly condemn any Dem or liberal or whomever who called for anything even approaching that.

If Biden loses in 2024 or decides not to run, so be it. Let's make the best of what's next, whether it's a successor Dem admin or a new GOP one.

2 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

Buttigieg...for reals...

Yep, I like him a lot! I was ready to vote for him in the TN primary last time around and even went to his rally downtown, but he dropped out literally two days before Super Tuesday and endorsed Biden, so I voted for Biden. It was actually incredible and surprising coordinated consolidation around Biden to block Bernie, and overall that made sense to me and earned my primary vote. Klobuchar was my second choice, but she was in the same exact boat as Mayor Pete.

Edited March 31, 2023 by nsplayr

[Prozac]

2 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

Even the Dems are saying this is nonsense, dressing up a misdemeanor (with expired statute of limitations), in yet another witch hunt.  They are creating a martyr. 

Sounds like a very good reason to listen to his lawyers who are undoubtedly telling him to avoid public comment. He just can’t help himself. He may well become a martyr but that will be just as problematic for Republicans as it will for Democrats. 

[Clark Griswold]

We had a good run


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lord Ratner]

24 minutes ago, Prozac said:

He may well become a martyr but that will be just as problematic for Republicans as it will for Democrats. 

Not for the ones that love him.

 

Thoroughly disappointing for those of us who feel he has gone way too far in his nonsense political maneuvering since losing to undo his rather (and surprisingly) effective policy moves. 

 

But I'm not so sure he wins the primary. Watching the attacks against DeSantis and how awkward it made the audience, he might be running out of whatever weird mojo put him in the oval office.