[Finfinder]

@blackjack21

I am quite interested in seeing how extreme the establishment will get when they realize the public doesn't trust them and it will be increasingly hard to continue their shenanigans.

Unlike you Blackjack, I don't think the far Right even if it did take over will survive enough to have some WASP paradise in the USA.

I think what is most likely to happen is that there will be serious fiscal and internal political consequences to a lack of ethics for many decades and there will be a serious decline in power for the USA. The power vacuum will be filled with other actors and the world will continue turning with a multipolarity of powerful nations.

The USA will go the way of many ex empires. Having to just be accepting of losing nationalistic primacy.

I have absolutely no compassion for empires who mistreat little islands. Like my little island has been mistreated. The big bully nations can go to hell. They deserve it.

For the apathetic people who never got involved in the first place to change things? Don't cry when you are unemployed, and losing it all...you had no clue what to expect and only respond to crisis and never pay attention til you are touched by some selfish stuff that other selfish people did in your name...and you were clueless? No crying for them either.

I think the best thing is to be living correctly and be always improving oneself. To think you control what is happening in these places with abusive selfish people making bad decisions? Take care of your own life. That is true change.

I have to say I agree with most of this post. What I don't agree with however is that America is innately bad and we are not going anywhere for a long time. American people outside politics are very good and caring and generous people. We can and will be united again, unfortunately that may take some massive tragedy like 9/11.


In terms of China there is a difference between supposed insults and the actual actions of China which is insulting. Trump understands that China needs us as much but probably more than we need them. China can hardly feed themselves and as time and technology continuously pass its more difficult for the cloak of communism to hide who is really is behind the curtain. I was once told communism is controlling the uncontrollable I think it's just a matter of time before the flood gates in China are open. A prime example is Hong Kong.

[Atlantis]

I have to say I agree with most of this post. What I don't agree with however is that America is innately bad and we are not going anywhere for a long time. American people outside politics are very good and caring and generous people. We can and will be united again, unfortunately that may take some massive tragedy like 9/11.

Americans are neither better nor worse than other humans. What's different is that the US is an empire and has to do what empires do. That is always bad.

And there is no easy way to wean America off imperialism. The Trumpets pretend that the US doesn't need the world. That is an illusion. American standards of living can only be maintained by a corporate empire that rakes in profits from across the globe. Without the pressure the State Department can bring to bear on foreign governments, those proceeds would dry up pretty fast. If the global dollar economy were to implode, you would be stumbling over starving people in the street.

If you had wise leaders, they would start putting in place social democratic reforms including universal health care, restructuring de-industrialized regions with tax money, etc. But that is contrary to everything the US stands for. I don't believe that the US can reform. Perhaps the federation has to be dissolved for individual states to put reforms into place. As a whole, the federation is hooked on the easy money of the empire.

[Finfinder]

Americans are neither better nor worse than other humans. What's different is that the US is an empire and has to do what empires do. That is always bad.

And there is no easy way to wean America off imperialism. The Trumpets pretend that the US doesn't need the world. That is an illusion. American standards of living can only be maintained by a corporate empire that rakes in profits from across the globe. Without the pressure the State Department can bring to bear on foreign governments, those proceeds would dry up pretty fast. If the global dollar economy were to implode, you would be stumbling over starving people in the street.

If you had wise leaders, they would start putting in place social democratic reforms including universal health care, restructuring de-industrialized regions with tax money, etc. But that is contrary to everything the US stands for. I don't believe that the US can reform. Perhaps the federation has to be dissolved for individual states to put reforms into place. As a whole, the federation is hooked on the easy money of the empire.

Where are you from and what is your ideal government dogma that a country should follow?

[Atlantis]

Where are you from and what is your ideal government dogma that a country should follow?

I'm European and a defender of the social market economy which I don't view as a dogma.

[Hindsite]

Women ask me what kind of man I fall in love with Jimjam...my answer is always the same. A man who doesn't worship money and power, who believes in being my equal despite my being a woman, who loves me for me and not for what he can get out of me...

You mean sex? I hate women that withhold sex until they get something they want.

[Finfinder]

I'm European and a defender of the social market economy which I don't view as a dogma.

You obviously do not have a good understanding of president Trumps philosophy and campaign promise to end wars and not be the "police" to the world. That doesn't fit the definition of imperialism. I suggest you have an open mind to different sources of information beside the mindless POFO never Trump zombies and the kool aid they serve.

[Tainari88]

You mean sex? I hate women that withhold sex until they get something they want.

Is that what Mrs. Hindsite does when she doesn't like how you acted all day long?

[jimjam]

The desperation is palpable.

House Republicans ground the impeachment inquiry to a halt for hours on Wednesday, staging a protest at the Capitol that sowed chaos and delayed a crucial deposition as they sought to deflect the spotlight from the revelations the investigation has unearthed about President Trump.

Chanting “Let us in! Let us in!” about two dozen Republican members of the House pushed past Capitol Police officers to enter the secure rooms of the House Intelligence Committee, where impeachment investigators have been conducting private interviews that have painted a damaging picture of the president’s behavior.



Republicans who are on the committees have been in on the hearings from the start and have heard all the witnesses.

The sessions are attended by both Democrats and Republicans, and both have an opportunity to question witnesses.

These are bipartisan meetings.

Republicans have not been shut out.

Republicans are making fake news because they can't stand the ugly truth being told in the meetings so they staged a mini riot to distract America from the truth.

[Hindsite]

Is that what Mrs. Hindsite does when she doesn't like how you acted all day long?

Sometimes. I am sure you are that kind too.

[Tainari88]

Sometimes. I am sure you are that kind too.

Lol. No, I am not. Never been that kind.

But? You won't ever find out what kind I am will you? Lol.

My philosophy of life is never say no to good stuff and fun stuff. Life is too short for grumpiness and lack of fun.

Hmmm.

@jimjam you think the closed doors is about secretiveness or is it about some we don't want the world to know what goes on in the White House or the senate because they might decide to investigate all of us!?

[Hindsite]

Lol. No, I am not. Never been that kind.

But? You won't ever find out what kind I am will you? Lol.

My philosophy of life is never say no to good stuff and fun stuff. Life is too short for grumpiness and lack of fun.

Hmmm.

It would all depend on your mood at the time.

[Tainari88]

It would all depend on your mood at the time.

That is what a good lover is supposed to do Hindsite get a woman in the mood for such a thing. If he is not very good at persuasion and or seduction there is not much that can be done for him in general is there?

He is going to be stuck with do this for me or you aren't going to get what you want....

I don't know how marriages even survive that crap in my opinion. You start dragging manipulations and withholding affection from someone you love to get something out of them?

No, that doesn't work for me.

El Amor es el Amor.....no hay de otra.

In fact, manipulation and lying and being stingy with love is the cause of a lot of resentment and a lot of anger in many people I would say....

Anyway, Ukrainegate? Biden has a lot of skeletons in his closet. For sure.

[Tainari88]

Americans are neither better nor worse than other humans. What's different is that the US is an empire and has to do what empires do. That is always bad.

And there is no easy way to wean America off imperialism. The Trumpets pretend that the US doesn't need the world. That is an illusion. American standards of living can only be maintained by a corporate empire that rakes in profits from across the globe. Without the pressure the State Department can bring to bear on foreign governments, those proceeds would dry up pretty fast. If the global dollar economy were to implode, you would be stumbling over starving people in the street.

If you had wise leaders, they would start putting in place social democratic reforms including universal health care, restructuring de-industrialized regions with tax money, etc. But that is contrary to everything the US stands for. I don't believe that the US can reform. Perhaps the federation has to be dissolved for individual states to put reforms into place. As a whole, the federation is hooked on the easy money of the empire.

This is a great post. I agree with it 100%.

Also, there will be the reality that if you take what imperial nations do into account? They will wind up broke and basically under some kind of siege of people they screwed over moving in to their states. How many nations has the USA invaded? How many wind up going there to live and bringing in their families? Due to poverty and due to war, and due to not being able to make a living and having to flee unstable governments.

I loved this post of yours Atlantis.

[Atlantis]

This is a great post. I agree with it 100%.

Also, there will be the reality that if you take what imperial nations do into account? They will wind up broke and basically under some kind of siege of people they screwed over moving in to their states. How many nations has the USA invaded? How many wind up going there to live and bringing in their families? Due to poverty and due to war, and due to not being able to make a living and having to flee unstable governments.

I loved this post of yours Atlantis.

Thanks Tainari88.

To maintain an empire always costs a lot of money. If the profits gained from the empire are smaller than the costs, the empire is not sustainable. Trump has basically understood this and wants others to pay the bill. What he doesn't understand is that the one who pays the fiddler gets to call the tune. For example, if Europe is to pay a bigger share, Europeans will want to defend European interests and not American interests. That is decidedly not what Trump wants. Europe also has the technology to build most of its military equipment in Europe instead of subsidizing the US defense industry. That too, is decidedly not what Trump wants.

What he also doesn't understand (or pretends not to understand) is that poverty or de-industrialization in the US is not the fault of foreigners. The US is a very rich country. The problem is that the wealth is not evenly distributed. That is entirely an American problem. Foreigners can't do anything to fix that.

Most Americans are not interested in foreign policy and don't have a great awareness of what the US does to the world or how external events impact on domestic affairs, but I think US external actions do have a influence on domestic affairs. In a way, Trump is a symptom of the malaise Americans feel about US imperialism.

[Tainari88]

Thanks Tainari88.

To maintain an empire always costs a lot of money. If the profits gained from the empire are smaller than the costs, the empire is not sustainable. Trump has basically understood this and wants others to pay the bill. What he doesn't understand is that the one who pays the fiddler gets to call the tune. For example, if Europe is to pay a bigger share, Europeans will want to defend European interests and not American interests. That is decidedly not what Trump wants. Europe also has the technology to build most of its military equipment in Europe instead of subsidizing the US defense industry. That too, is decidedly not what Trump wants.

What he also doesn't understand (or pretends not to understand) is that poverty or de-industrialization in the US is not the fault of foreigners. The US is a very rich country. The problem is that the wealth is not evenly distributed. That is entirely an American problem. Foreigners can't do anything to fix that.

Most Americans are not interested in foreign policy and don't have a great awareness of what the US does to the world or how external events impact on domestic affairs, but I think US external actions do have a influence on domestic affairs. In a way, Trump is a symptom of the malaise Americans feel about US imperialism.

He wants things that are not going to work in the long run Atlantis.

In the end, the habits are the determinants of nations. Bad habits have bad consequences. For individuals and for nation-states as well.

They think wealth is generated through their own greatness and not through all these drains on other nations. Again, a more advanced economy is not about living off the poverty and misery of the many....it is distributing the wealth with efficiency.

[Hindsite]

He wants things that are not going to work in the long run Atlantis.

In the end, the habits are the determinants of nations. Bad habits have bad consequences. For individuals and for nation-states as well.

They think wealth is generated through their own greatness and not through all these drains on other nations. Again, a more advanced economy is not about living off the poverty and misery of the many....it is distributing the wealth with efficiency.

Spoken with the deception of a true socialist. You actually mean redistributing the wealth.

[Rancid]

@Hindsite, the socialists are going to eat you children. WATCH OUT!

[Tainari88]

@Hindsite, the socialists are going to eat you children. WATCH OUT!

Hee hee. You are such a loco.

The world is filled with people who think good is evil and evil is good.

False Gods like money and profit but they don't understand anything....

what good is it if it is all being used for selfish stupidity....

Lol. Well, I think this scene is important Rancid,

the one in which you stop worshiping the TRUMP dude...lol.

[SpecialOlympian]

Trump just creating his own fake news now.

[blackjack21]

I am quite interested in seeing how extreme the establishment will get when they realize the public doesn't trust them and it will be increasingly hard to continue their shenanigans.

It's going to be interesting. Trump is a very different animal from what they've experienced before. John Durham now has subpoena power, a grand jury, and the ability to indict. That's a pretty big stick for a president on his way to re-election. Neither Trump nor Barr will not be turning a blind eye, nor tolerating things that swamp creatures like Jeff Sessions would tolerate. They understand the stakes and they understand that playing defense is a losing game in an election year.

Unlike you Blackjack, I don't think the far Right even if it did take over will survive enough to have some WASP paradise in the USA.

What makes you think I believe in some far Right WASP paradise?

I think what is most likely to happen is that there will be serious fiscal and internal political consequences to a lack of ethics for many decades and there will be a serious decline in power for the USA. The power vacuum will be filled with other actors and the world will continue turning with a multipolarity of powerful nations.

Trump is president precisely because of the lack of ethics. The electorate does not trust the establishment. I posted a funny little thread that demonstrates the serious lack of competence among establishment politicians and what they face in upstarts like Trump or AOC. Another mantra you may hear from me is that many of these people MUST be on drugs like cocaine in order to explain their insouciance and arrogance as they think their actions are genius while they make one dumb mistake after another. Hunter Biden seems to have had quite a battle with cocaine. Personally, I think the entire Obama administration was cocaine addled.

The USA will go the way of many ex empires. Having to just be accepting of losing nationalistic primacy.

I think that's quite debatable. It certainly happened to Britain, and that may be Britain's fate if it doesn't accept the necessity of a no deal Brexit. However, post-Soviet Russia is doing well enough. The US is protected by two oceans. Nobody can project enough power to cause the US a military defeat at home. Yet, if the US does something like withdraw from the Middle East, it may be a loss of US prestige, but it will be an actual loss for everyone in the region and beyond who benefited from the US maintaining the peace. Consider Shirvan's view of post-WWII power--he's from Azerbaijan.

Then consider Peter Zeihan's view (he refers to every president following George H.W. Bush as the parade of morons):

The US sits on the largest slab of arable land in the world. We're going to be fine.

I have absolutely no compassion for empires who mistreat little islands. Like my little island has been mistreated. The big bully nations can go to hell. They deserve it.

Awww... At least we share a common view that Puerto Rico should be independent.

Don't cry when you are unemployed, and losing it all...you had no clue what to expect and only respond to crisis and never pay attention til you are touched by some selfish stuff that other selfish people did in your name...and you were clueless? No crying for them either.

There are a lot of people in the West doing that right now, because the establishment lied to them about global trade. It is having profound political impacts. As they try to stop Brexit, Lege, Trump, Wilders, AfD, etc., simultaneously the establishment doesn't understand why they can't stimulate aggregate demand. There are negative interest rates in a lot of places now. Jump back to Hunter Biden and the cocaine problem, extrapolate that to much of the deep state gunning for Trump now, and you start getting a picture of why they are freaking out and losing their grip.

That is my optimism.

That's very sweet, but almost impossibly naïve.

They will largely sit back and watch.

They've been doing that to their detriment for awhile now. The EU is becoming increasingly aware that they do not control their destiny. Sitting back and doing nothing is no longer sustainable.

Trump understands that China needs us as much but probably more than we need them. China can hardly feed themselves and as time and technology continuously pass its more difficult for the cloak of communism to hide who is really is behind the curtain. I was once told communism is controlling the uncontrollable I think it's just a matter of time before the flood gates in China are open. A prime example is Hong Kong.

China is in trouble, and they are trying to maintain internal cohesion by becoming externally more aggressive. China is an aging country that depends on foreign agriculture for its needs. It's efforts at soft power are starting to blow up too--note the NBA fallout. If NBA players don't think it's important for Chinese people to be able to vote, why do they think it's important to be able to vote themselves? If NBA players think Hong Kong Chinese lives don't matter, why do they think black lives matter? Everything is getting turned on its head.

The desperation is palpable.

Yea. The Democrats are facing an implosion. Their political masters have sent them on a kamikaze mission.

To maintain an empire always costs a lot of money. If the profits gained from the empire are smaller than the costs, the empire is not sustainable.

The US doesn't need oil from the Middle East, but you do.