Trump 2016

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Do you support Trump's views?

No
21
70%
Yes
5
17%
Undecided
4
13%
 
Total votes : 30

Trump 2016

Postby [Q] on Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:24 pm

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Anybody following Donald Trump's campaign? So many closet racists have flocked to him and applauded him for "speaking his mind". To me he's undoing a lot of progress we've made in this country where white people fear saying anything about other races for fear of being labeled a racist. It's a really bad thing for this country to have such a big and well-known figure show people it's okay to attack and insult large groups of people that are simply different from you. His slogan is "Make America Great Again" which is a great play on his part, but to me it's more like "Make America Openly Racist Again". As a person of color in this country, that's something that I obviously cannot support.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:35 pm

Please don't, America. Please don't.

The funny thing is, he goes on about freedom of speech and all that, but he objects to anyone who speaks out against his views, even attempting to sue Bill Maher and describing a desire to change the libel laws. It's very much a case of "one rule for me, one rule for everyone else", a classic example of being able to dish it out but not take it. The hypocrisy on top of the some of the hateful points of view and fearmongering is very troubling.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Kevin on Wed Mar 16, 2016 2:17 pm

You americans are anti-Trump when on the internet but a supporter of him in real life. Seriously, if a large portion of the USA hates him why does he almost always wins the polls?
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby [Q] on Wed Mar 16, 2016 2:19 pm

Yes, a lot of his tactics have been very hypocritical, which is very frustrating. To fly off the handle and say something about Hispanics is okay, but denouncing the KKK? That's too far for Trump.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 16, 2016 2:32 pm

Kevin wrote:You americans are anti-Trump when on the internet but a supporter of him in real life. Seriously, if a large portion of the USA hates him why does he almost always wins the polls?


That's a confusing assertion, as it assumes that the same people who oppose him in online discussions and comment sections are in fact supporting him in the polls, as opposed to there being separate outspoken groups who hold one opinion or the other.

It would seem that a lot of people prefer him to the other Republican candidates. When it comes to the election itself, I've read that polls indicate he'd lose the election itself to Hilary Clinton. That's not quite the same as a lot of the country being on his side, though it seems a lot of people indeed are.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Cpt(K) on Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:24 pm

I wouldn't necessarily condemn Trump's candidacy for the endorsements, or praise he has received from unpopular groups. I don't like the idea of someone who has contempt for me, on the basis of skin, endorsing any candidate. I'm pulling for Ted Cruz actually, and having watched the election cycle when I have had the time, it becomes more clear to me it is irresponsible to exalt any particular candidate as untouchable.

My browsing on social media has encountered many people who are vehemently opposed, but also in favor of a Trump presidency. Unfortunately the dialog has been reduced to a repetitive exchange of who's worse than the other. The conversations aren't usually constructive, and virtually the only interaction between pro-Trump, and anti-Trump people is barbarous language. My time studying George Orwell, which was brief, gave me a new appreciation for discussion.

He has 5-6 rules for writing (outlined in the essay",Politics and the English Language "), which I think everyone ought to try to utilize. My English professor for that particular course has probably been my second-most favorite, behind my elderly math professor who's going on 50 years of teaching, who I've had for two semesters. That English professor of mine, once said something like", Orwell's rules for writing are so applicable today, because communication is becoming less effective, and when two or more parties cannot communicate their differences to each other in a civil matter-- the alternative is war."
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby [Q] on Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:27 pm

Kevin wrote:You americans are anti-Trump when on the internet but a supporter of him in real life. Seriously, if a large portion of the USA hates him why does he almost always wins the polls?

You have to understand that he is a Republican and there are a lot of Republicans stuck in the old ways that agree with what he is doing.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Phil89 on Wed Mar 16, 2016 5:07 pm

I just don't get it. He is a fraud, a compulsive liar and a racist. Who are these people that are voting for him?

John Oliver did a brilliant piece on his show highlighting Trump's hypocrisy. Anyone who hasn't seen it should check it out.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby bigh0rt on Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:14 pm

American politics are a very funny thing. Trump is benefiting largely from, and I may step in and out of line here I'm sure, there being no other real viable candidate from the Republican party this go 'round. Carson, Cruz, Rubio, et al were all laughable candidates, allowing him to gain early traction. He also panders to the lowest common denominator which, as much as I hate to admit it, engulfs a great portion of America, especially in all of the fly-over states in the 'heart' of the country, as well as the south. He does not resonate well in the Northeast or West coast which are typically more largely populated with, for lack of a better word, thinkers. I realize that is probably offensive to people to live in the aforementioned places, but I'm of course not talking about everybody, and just making blanket statements which I believe to be largely true.

Trump also does a very good job at enticing excitement without having to say anything of substance. People like this. They can get behind it. When he says "Make America Great Again", people like the way that sounds, even if they have no idea what it means. It doesn't matter to them. They can agree they want America to be great. Again, this is the lowest common denominator we're talking about here. There are several other buzz-type phrases he repeats over and over with the same reaction. He presents the tough guy/bully mentality and presents it as being a 'winner', and people want to be 'winners'. It's quite interesting to follow, to be honest. The short side being the notion of him actually winning the presidency.

The way things are shaping up with the Republican primaries, it does not look like Trump will get enough delegates to get the automatic nomination, and many indications are that the party itself does not want him to be their nominee; so that when the time comes to choose their nominee, they will not select him. Again, this is just one possible scenario, but it is one that seems to make sense given the information we have.

If that scenario occurs, and Trump wins the populist vote and is not selected by the Republican party, it is likely that he runs as an Independent, ruining any Republican candidate's chance of winning the election. In this instance, whatever Democratic candidate goes on (looks like Hilary Clinton is running away with it at this point) will go on to a pretty easy victory.

If the Republican party does nominate Trump, then it will be a closer race between he and Clinton, but most early exit polls show that she would also defeat him in the general presidential election. In my opinion, she would only gain a greater edge over the next year than she's already got (and to be clear, I am far from a supporter of hers).

It's an interesting time for American politics. There comes a point where 'interesting' fast approaches 'dangerous' though, and it stops being funny. It's not a reality show, it's a determination for who will lead our nation. Thankfully we have a system in place that largely minimizes the damage any lone president can do, so whoever ends up in office, the day to day life of almost all Americans is unlikely to change by any real margin.

Again, this is all just my insight based on information that I have taken in, opinions that I have, etc. It is far from gospel.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:57 pm

That lines up pretty well with an article I read yesterday: How Trump Happened

It delves into some other issues as well, but it comes down to him appealing to a large group of disenchanted Americans, who desire change and someone to blame. He's giving them that, along with a catchy slogan that ignites patriotic feelings and a sense of hope, even if there isn't much substance to it. As you said, it sounds good to anyone who feels the country has lost its way, and so they don't really question the "how", or fact-check anything that's being said. They're not happy, so obviously America is in trouble, and he's going to fix it, because he said as much.

Since the whole thing has an air of professional wrestling promos about it, it seems only appropriate that legendary wrestling manager and promoter Jim Cornette weighs in on the situation. It's a Cornette shoot, so an obligatory NSFW language warning.

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Re: Trump 2016

Postby bigh0rt on Thu Mar 17, 2016 12:09 am

There's also that, as well. People are very jaded about the political system as well. Trump represents an 'outsider', and not someone who is just pretending to be one, like many politicians do. He's a genuine, non-political outsider who is winning a major party's primary despite every attempt by the party itself and their associated media outlets to do everything within their power to do so. In that respect, there's something certainly admirable about it. People believe Trump "tells is straight", and isn't just feeding them political rhetoric nonsense that they're used to having shoved down their throats. I can certainly understand why one would view that as a breath of fresh air. They may not agree with what Trump is saying, necessarily, but at least he's saying it, instead of just thinking it like the other candidates, is what I imagine at least part of them think.

I'm too young to remember, despite being alive for it, but apparently there was a lot of similar sentiment from both sides of the aisle when Ronald Reagan ran and won the presidency. Depending on who you ask, he is labeled as one of the most productive or most detrimental presidents in American history; extremely polarizing, just like Trump.

My main is not even with Trump himself, who I think doesn't truly believe a lot of what he's saying, but knows that it grabs headlines, and votes, and keeps him in the spotlight, and thus, the lead. It's how blindly and grotesquely the American people seem to follow his lead. Beating up protesters, saying they can't wait until he's President so they can just kill them (the 1st Amendment is for suckers anyway, I guess), taking pride in the notion of torture, and the potential to commit war crimes that violate the Geneva Convention. It makes me thank God that I don't live in an area where that train of thought is considered normal or even acceptable. Sure, we've got them here, but they're few and far between, and generally looked down upon (whether that's right or wrong).

In all honesty, I think Ted Cruz is a much scarier person than Trump. I think he truly believes the things he says, down to his core. Which is terrifying. Trump I think is just playing the role he thinks he needs to in order to get to the White House. Neither of them are real viable candidates to be President, though, and I don't think either of them really stand a chance at threatening to win against Hilary. It will be interesting to see how the Debates all go, ultimately, once the nominees are chosen, and to see if Trump ends up running as an Independent if he is not chosen as the Republican candidate. Again, it's all must watch television, but at the same time depressing considering the gravity that the decision really holds in terms of choosing our leader and representative of our nation.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Cpt(K) on Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:33 am

I agree that the sensationalism around his candidacy does contribute to, or at some degree, propels his campaign forward. As bigh0rt stated, it is largely in part, because of unwitting voters. I would contend some, not all, and perhaps not most, but definitely a portion of the voters who held President Obama in such high regard have migrated to Trump. There are similarities I believe are worth noting. I cannot say that every emotion-driven voter went towards Obama in 2008, anymore than I can say every emotion-driven voter is going for Trump this coming election. Media coverage certainly plays an important role, but it is an unfulfilled one. Journalism.

I'm currently behind Cruz at the moment, and I have to say a couple of the things he says I've conceded are ultimately the routine pandering statements everyone running for President makes. If you were to ask me, there are still many supporters who are critical of their preferred nominee. Thomas Sowell, with a grain of salt, I consider having demonstrated the objectivity many voters should practice each election they participate in. He was critical of Cruz, before endorsing him, and it maintains that Sowell isn't head over heels for this candidate, or any. A demeanor more people should have . . . instead of inadvertently swearing allegiance to their dear leader.

There's nothing more satisfying than having a thorough investigation of a candidate come to fruition when deciding who to vote for. Last evening I cast my vote (Cruz), and responsibly, in my opinion, abstained from any other elected positions, I have not come to an informed decision of. When I look at the resume of Ted Cruz, it wasn't the sheer amount of accolades he's earned or received, but rather the specific
relation of them. They appear tailored for someone who is becoming familiar with serving at elected positions.


My only fear with Cruz, is that he turns out to be someone who he's not. Running on a conservative platform is okay, but serving everyone including those at the center, or more to the left is even better. He promises this, however, I worry as many others would that he's be more partisan. It would be a little conspiratorial of me to suggest he could've just been groomed for this point of time (Illuminati! :lol: ). At least he's identified, what political stances or principles he's running with. The only error I can think of, is the assumption that he'll hold true to them, when he, like the other candidates is only human.


Whereas with Trump, as stated above me, he's literally saying whatever he can. Hillary is actually to a degree imitating Sander's message (although one could contend socialism, or some pillars of it, were already present in both candidates to begin with), the democrat race is between a loud socialist, and a closet socialist. It is comforting to know we have a constitutional republic with some democratic elements, rather than a mob-rule democracy, or despotism. Whatever the outcome, the limitations on the President should curtail too much damage a Trump, Hillary, Sanders, or Cruz could inflict.


I'm crossing my fingers, hoping for a Cruz presidency, with a better future. After all, that is what everyone wants. Rather than go into the useless false dilemma, which is persistently peddled in the media with intellectually lazy, and ultimately dishonest messages like this:

If you don't vote for Trump, you're a cuckservative! -- says someone ignorant of Trump's past political dabbling, which is double-dipping for the lack of a better term
If you don't vote for Cruz, you're not a patriot! -- says someone who fallaciously asserts no other candidate cares for the country
If you don't vote for Hillary, well, you're a raci- err a sexist! -- says someone, who can't decide if your one, the other, or both
If you don't vote for Sanders, you're . . . . uh, greedy! -- says someone, with no knowledge of the origins of socialism
If you don-- never mind, Rubio and Kasich need to go home.

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Likewise, my words aren't Gospel either. I come from a "left of center" political family, and I happen to be the weird one that leans right of center. When voting last evening with some of my family, the expression on the face of the woman in front of me, when hearing "Republican" after hearing the party preference "Democrat" several times, was oddly hilarious. Not every family is monolithic. Although, it may have had more to do with the anomaly, where a minority goes against the grain. Needless to say, I'm not a party loyalist, and saying "Republican" was a sort-of-spite/jab at my actual party hardline relatives. Who have become accustomed to labeling Republicans a plethora of pejoratives, just as their dear leaders would have them do. (N)
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Axel on Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:08 am

I voted for him and I'm gay and my partner is an immigrant. If my partner could vote, he would have voted for Trump also.

If the first thing you can say about Trump is "racist", it's obvious you only watch CNN and MSNBC and are in fact low information voter (if you even vote at all). He's definitely the best option we have from either side.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Phil89 on Fri Mar 18, 2016 1:25 am

Andrew wrote:It delves into some other issues as well, but it comes down to him appealing to a large group of disenchanted Americans, who desire change and someone to blame. He's giving them that, along with a catchy slogan that ignites patriotic feelings and a sense of hope, even if there isn't much substance to it. As you said, it sounds good to anyone who feels the country has lost its way, and so they don't really question the "how", or fact-check anything that's being said. They're not happy, so obviously America is in trouble, and he's going to fix it, because he said as much.

The similarities between the current Trump phenomenon and what happened in 1930's Germany are quite disturbing. Times of hardship usually create the perfect conditions for the more extreme politicians to spread their message and become more popular.

Coming off of Germany's loss in WW1 and the stock market crash of 1929 Hitler and the Nazis tapped into a sense of disenchantment in Germany and he promised to rebuild the country to be a powerhouse in Europe again. To allow the people to regain pride in being German again. Trump's rhetoric is no different. His promise to "make America great again" is just a hollow patriotic slogan that has no substance behind it. It just sounds good to those voters who want things to be like they were in the "good old days" when minorities had no rights and the country was isolated from the troubles of the rest of the world.

Hitler utilised the myth that the Jews were responsible for Germany losing WW1 to gain support from disenchanted army veterans and impoverished German civilians. Trump is doing the same thing by scapegoating Mexicans as rapists and criminals and calling all Muslims terrorists. He is sensationalising the threat and is gaining a lot of support from ignorant bigots. David Duke for example.

His encouraging of his supporters to physically attack protesters is also worrying. It's the same thing the SA troops did for the Nazis when they were coming into power. Suppressing the voices of anyone who oppose them because they are "wrong", "stupid" or "traitors". Trump's first reaction to someone who doesn't agree with him is to insult them and bully them. And people really want this man representing them on the world stage?
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby bigh0rt on Fri Mar 18, 2016 2:49 am

Phil89 wrote:
Andrew wrote:It delves into some other issues as well, but it comes down to him appealing to a large group of disenchanted Americans, who desire change and someone to blame. He's giving them that, along with a catchy slogan that ignites patriotic feelings and a sense of hope, even if there isn't much substance to it. As you said, it sounds good to anyone who feels the country has lost its way, and so they don't really question the "how", or fact-check anything that's being said. They're not happy, so obviously America is in trouble, and he's going to fix it, because he said as much.

The similarities between the current Trump phenomenon and what happened in 1930's Germany are quite disturbing. Times of hardship usually create the perfect conditions for the more extreme politicians to spread their message and become more popular.

Coming off of Germany's loss in WW1 and the stock market crash of 1929 Hitler and the Nazis tapped into a sense of disenchantment in Germany and he promised to rebuild the country to be a powerhouse in Europe again. To allow the people to regain pride in being German again. Trump's rhetoric is no different. His promise to "make America great again" is just a hollow patriotic slogan that has no substance behind it. It just sounds good to those voters who want things to be like they were in the "good old days" when minorities had no rights and the country was isolated from the troubles of the rest of the world.

Hitler utilised the myth that the Jews were responsible for Germany losing WW1 to gain support from disenchanted army veterans and impoverished German civilians. Trump is doing the same thing by scapegoating Mexicans as rapists and criminals and calling all Muslims terrorists. He is sensationalising the threat and is gaining a lot of support from ignorant bigots. David Duke for example.

His encouraging of his supporters to physically attack protesters is also worrying. It's the same thing the SA troops did for the Nazis when they were coming into power. Suppressing the voices of anyone who oppose them because they are "wrong", "stupid" or "traitors". Trump's first reaction to someone who doesn't agree with him is to insult them and bully them. And people really want this man representing them on the world stage?

I have enough belief in the checks and balances system of the American government to prevent anything this horrific or monumental from happening, in an absolute worst case scenario. I like to think that on some level the world as a whole has learned from past transgressions. A lot of what you say has plenty of merit, though, and is certainly concerning, and on a deeper level, saddening to see fellow countrymen so gung ho in support over. As I said in a previous post, many of the supporters trouble me substantially more than Trump himself does. Having these people share a nation with me, stand side by side with me, etc., in the year 2016, is a shocking revelation. Again, the media does a good job of blowing it even further out of proportion than it is, because it = ratings, but the fact that there's anything of that nature at all to even twist or misconstrue is disheartening.

As I said previously, I don't see the Republican party nominating Trump, as he projects to fall short of the necessary number of delegates needed to get the automatic bid. And he's certainly not a threat to win the presidency as a third party candidate, because this country doesn't quite seem to be on board with putting a third party candidate in the White House regardless of who they are. So, if he were to run as an Independent, all he would do is steal some of Hilary Clinton's votes, and a ton of whatever candidate the Republican party does send forward's votes, and let Hilary walk into office. Which is a troubling thought in and of itself, as well.

As always, the good news is that our president (whomever it ultimately ends up being) is a far less important cog in the machine than many seem to believe, or the media outlets want you to think. It is frustrating to no end on some levels, because it delays progress from being made at more than a snail's pace, but is a necessary stop gap from allowing something catastrophic from potentially happening.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Axel on Fri Mar 18, 2016 6:45 am

bigh0rt wrote:American politics are a very funny thing. Trump is benefiting largely from, and I may step in and out of line here I'm sure, there being no other real viable candidate from the Republican party this go 'round. Carson, Cruz, Rubio, et al were all laughable candidates, allowing him to gain early traction. He also panders to the lowest common denominator which, as much as I hate to admit it, engulfs a great portion of America, especially in all of the fly-over states in the 'heart' of the country, as well as the south. He does not resonate well in the Northeast or West coast which are typically more largely populated with, for lack of a better word, thinkers. I realize that is probably offensive to people to live in the aforementioned places, but I'm of course not talking about everybody, and just making blanket statements which I believe to be largely true.


New Hampshire Trump 35%, Kasich 15%
Nevada Trump 45.9%, Rubio 23.9, Cruz 21.4
Massachusetts Trump 49.3, Kasich 18.0, Rubio 17.9
Vermont Trump 32.7, Kasich 30.4, Rubio 19.3
Hawaii Trump 42.4, Cruz 32.7, Rubio 13.1

The only Northeastern state Trump has lost was Maine, which is a caucus where independents can't vote. Trump will sweep most of the NE easily. Kasich is only there to steal some delegates from Trump, because Cruz has little appeal there.

The way things are shaping up with the Republican primaries, it does not look like Trump will get enough delegates to get the automatic nomination, and many indications are that the party itself does not want him to be their nominee; so that when the time comes to choose their nominee, they will not select him. Again, this is just one possible scenario, but it is one that seems to make sense given the information we have.

If that scenario occurs, and Trump wins the populist vote and is not selected by the Republican party, it is likely that he runs as an Independent, ruining any Republican candidate's chance of winning the election. In this instance, whatever Democratic candidate goes on (looks like Hilary Clinton is running away with it at this point) will go on to a pretty easy victory.

If the Republican party does nominate Trump, then it will be a closer race between he and Clinton, but most early exit polls show that she would also defeat him in the general presidential election. In my opinion, she would only gain a greater edge over the next year than she's already got (and to be clear, I am far from a supporter of hers).


Indeed the Republican base is conspiring to get Trump out, but luckily enough voters thus far haven't been fooled by their sham candidates - Bush, Rubio, Kasich. Cruz supporters need to get on the Trump train, because I'm worried Kasich will get the nomination in a corrupted convention which will obviously seal the election for Hillary Clinton.

It's a shame how many people bring up the Hitler comparisons. Are they still teaching the Holocaust in schools these days? Do people even know what it is? Securing our border is not the same as ethnic cleansing nor genocide. Also, Ted Cruz has said the same with respect to deporting illegals, and has also claimed the water boarding is not torture. Why is there no vilification campaign against him? Oh, because he has no chance of usurping the Republican Party's control over the election process.

Trump is really the only guy out there who has the ability to beat Hillary Clinton, he just needs the Republican establishment off his back. It's too bad they want complete control over the voting process and don't give a shit about the voters.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby bigh0rt on Fri Mar 18, 2016 7:16 am

Axel wrote:
bigh0rt wrote:American politics are a very funny thing. Trump is benefiting largely from, and I may step in and out of line here I'm sure, there being no other real viable candidate from the Republican party this go 'round. Carson, Cruz, Rubio, et al were all laughable candidates, allowing him to gain early traction. He also panders to the lowest common denominator which, as much as I hate to admit it, engulfs a great portion of America, especially in all of the fly-over states in the 'heart' of the country, as well as the south. He does not resonate well in the Northeast or West coast which are typically more largely populated with, for lack of a better word, thinkers. I realize that is probably offensive to people to live in the aforementioned places, but I'm of course not talking about everybody, and just making blanket statements which I believe to be largely true.


New Hampshire Trump 35%, Kasich 15%
Nevada Trump 45.9%, Rubio 23.9, Cruz 21.4
Massachusetts Trump 49.3, Kasich 18.0, Rubio 17.9
Vermont Trump 32.7, Kasich 30.4, Rubio 19.3
Hawaii Trump 42.4, Cruz 32.7, Rubio 13.1

I was referring to amongs the general population there. The only state listed there he stands a chance of carrying against Clinton is New Hampshire; a state that hasn't gone for a Republican presidential candidate since 2000. Romney was from Massachusetts and didn't win it. He has a home in New Hampshire and spends considerable time there, and didn't win there. Now, Trump is resonating with the population much better than Romney did, but he's still unlikely to win any of those states. Hawaii is largely a blue state, as is Nevada, as are really the rest. Hilary Clinton wins all of those states no matter who she faces.

Trump would certainly be a much bigger Wild Card with respect to projecting how states would go, versus other Republican candidates presently and in recent history, so it's much tougher to project. I really don't think he stands a chance at beating Clinton, though. I don't think any of the Republican candidates do.

As for the Holocaust rhetoric, it's just as egregious to brush it off and dismiss it entirely as it is to lean on it as if we're in the middle of it and he's Hitler Jr. As I said previously, I don't see anything remotely close as even being within the realm of possibilities; however it's certainly concerning to be able to draw such easy parallels as well, without even the help of the media throwing it in our faces. If I were a Hispanic or Muslim American, here legally, doing nothing wrong, I certainly know the thought of him in office would not sit well with me. I'm not comfortable with that thought. Maybe it's unjustified, I don't know, but I don't think any group doing nothing wrong should have reason to be worried about a specific person being in power. You can claim they shouldn't be concerned, but I don't believe that to be true. Again, the true people who have worried me throughout the process are my fellow Americans.

All i know is there isn't another candidate who gives me such reservations (Cruz gives me many, for many other reasons, as do Clinton and Sanders -- mountains of them -- we've got maybe the worst cast of candidates I've ever seen. Has to be the worst in my lifetime.), and Trump has given me not a single reason to believe that he is capable of doing a capable job of leading this country. Not one. The only positive thing he brings to the table is that he's not (on the surface, at least) in the pocket of large corporations, or in debt to them for favors and such. That's it. I certainly don't want him dealing with foreign affairs, consorting with foreign leaders in matters of diplomacy, or acting as a representative for me (not that any of the others get me in a tizzy, either) on a global scale. There's mountains of other snippets that are huge red flags, as I mentioned in my initial post on the subject, with respect to blatantly saying you'd have no problem operating outside of international law, etc., that just lead me to believe that he is nothing but a power hungry individual who already has enough power.

All that said, I'm really not concerned, because as I keep reiterating, I don't think he stands a chance at winning the election, or even getting the Republican nomination. If he does get the nomination, it will be interesting to see how those debates go, and if he's able to continue to say nothing and gain momentum, against an opponent who I don't think will be afraid to sling mud at him the way that Bush/Cruz/Rubio/Kasich all seem to be. I can barely stand Hilary Clinton, but I'm more comfortable with her in office than Trump, which is saying a lot. She's going to absolutely dominate the same group of voters who put Obama into office twice, as well as additional women voters. This seems to be fact at this point, despite what the Republican party tries to sell. The list of minorities and women in America who will cast their vote for Trump is slim. A lot slimmer than he'd need it to be to stand a shot at winning. The good news is all the people who thought the country would dump into the crapper when Obama was elected into office, and then elected into it again, as well as those who thought the same thing both times Bush was elected into office, will have four solid years of complaining ahead of them regardless of who wins, while our day to day lives change very minimally. The president is just not that major a piece of the puzzle in our political atmosphere.

The next year will be interesting, to say the least.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Andrew on Fri Mar 18, 2016 8:45 am

Phil89 wrote:The similarities between the current Trump phenomenon and what happened in 1930's Germany are quite disturbing. Times of hardship usually create the perfect conditions for the more extreme politicians to spread their message and become more popular.


There are some disturbing parallels and eerie similarities that have been pointed out.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby [Q] on Fri Mar 18, 2016 11:18 am

Andrew wrote:
Phil89 wrote:The similarities between the current Trump phenomenon and what happened in 1930's Germany are quite disturbing. Times of hardship usually create the perfect conditions for the more extreme politicians to spread their message and become more popular.


There are some disturbing parallels and eerie similarities that have been pointed out.

The sad part is that conditions here are not bad, people are just being whiny little bitches who like to complain about the little things.

I think what's helping Trump is that he has no competition
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby Andrew on Fri Mar 18, 2016 11:50 am

I suppose we all get a bit myopic about these things. "I don't like that TV show, so therefore it's bad." "I don't want to play that video game, therefore it shouldn't be made." "I'm not doing particularly well right now, so therefore the country must be in terrible shape".
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby benji on Fri Mar 18, 2016 1:39 pm

The only story on Trump 2016 you need: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/ne ... e-20160224

bigh0rt wrote:saying they can't wait until he's President so they can just kill them (the 1st Amendment is for suckers anyway, I guess), taking pride in the notion of torture, and the potential to commit war crimes that violate the Geneva Convention. It makes me thank God that I don't live in an area where that train of thought is considered normal or even acceptable. Sure, we've got them here, but they're few and far between, and generally looked down upon (whether that's right or wrong).

You don't live in the United States?

The last two Administrations have participated in torture, arguably have participated in war crimes, and have committed a tremendous number of crimes related to "wars" both formally declared and undeclared. The sitting Administration claims it has the authority to murder any American citizen anywhere in the world for any reason. And has murdered two innocent Americans, one for being the son of the other and thus "not having had a better father."

The hysteria around Trump's random statements versus the borderline silence regarding actual crimes that are committed regularly by the state every day is all the evidence one needs to prove Trump is a viable candidate and the presumptive Republican nominee.

Compare for example, the attention John Oliver got for his Trump segment linked above (85 million views) compared to the one he did on the everyday crime of Civil Forfeiture that featured Jeff Goldblum (7 million).

[Q] wrote:It's a really bad thing for this country to have such a big and well-known figure show people it's okay to attack and insult large groups of people that are simply different from you.

Like you've attacked and insulted Trump supporters? Or spread lies about Trump like you have?
[Q] wrote:denouncing the KKK? That's too far for Trump.

From August 2015:
Donald Trump says he isn’t interested in the endorsement of David Duke, the anti-Semitic former Ku Klux Klan leader who praised the GOP presidential hopeful earlier this week on his radio show.

“I don’t need his endorsement; I certainly wouldn’t want his endorsement,” Trump said during an interview with Bloomberg’s Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. He added: “I don’t need anyone’s endorsement.”

Asked whether he would repudiate the endorsement, Trump said “Sure, I would if that would make you feel better.”

“A lot of people like me,” he said. “Republicans like me, liberals like me. Everybody likes me.”


bigh0rt wrote:The way things are shaping up with the Republican primaries, it does not look like Trump will get enough delegates to get the automatic nomination

bigh0rt wrote:As I said previously, I don't see the Republican party nominating Trump, as he projects to fall short of the necessary number of delegates needed to get the automatic bid.

Yes, it does. As long as keeps winning, the margin doesn't matter because he wins out.

There are no number of delegates to get an "automatic bid" by either party.

Phil89 wrote:Hitler utilised the myth that the Jews were responsible for Germany losing WW1 to gain support from disenchanted army veterans and impoverished German civilians. Trump is doing the same thing by scapegoating Mexicans as rapists and criminals and calling all Muslims terrorists

Do people who believe this kind of non-comparative nuttery want to believe it? Or is it just ignorance of facts?

Axel wrote:I'm worried Kasich will get the nomination in a corrupted convention which will obviously seal the election for Hillary Clinton.

I can't imagine Kasich wins eight states, and/or after the release of delegates that anyone votes for Kasich.

[Q] wrote:I think what's helping Trump is that he has no competition

lol
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby benji on Fri Mar 18, 2016 2:36 pm

[Q] wrote:You have to understand that he is a Republican and there are a lot of Republicans stuck in the old ways that agree with what he is doing.

Trump does better with independents than he does with self-declared Republicans, much like Sanders. (Another thing both have in common, not being a longstanding member of the political party whose nomination they're seeking.)

Kevin wrote:You americans are anti-Trump when on the internet but a supporter of him in real life. Seriously, if a large portion of the USA hates him why does he almost always wins the polls?

Did you know that there can be separate individual components that make up an arbitrary whole?

Also, to date: 7.5 million people have voted for Donald Trump. 5.5 million for Ted Cruz.

6.2 million people voted for Barack Obama in the 2012 primaries, and he wasn't running against anyone you've ever heard of. 10 million voted for Mitt Romney, 8 million for Santorum/Paul/Gingrich combined.

There are 146 million people registered to vote. Out of 220 million eligible.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby [Q] on Fri Mar 18, 2016 3:26 pm

Lol I've been waiting for ben to fact-check this whole thread
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby benji on Fri Mar 18, 2016 4:14 pm

I had to pay back Jao for making the ESPN March Madness Group.

And the Ben Shapiro video made it essential.
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Re: Trump 2016

Postby benji on Fri Mar 18, 2016 4:17 pm

Real men watch MAOIST REBEL NEWS, not Ben Shapiro's garbage:
phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]
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