[Rancid]

Let's make a foe of everyone while China makes friends.

China ain't making any friends either.

Anyway, I am starting to believe Trump will get reelected. Precisely because of what @One Degree said. He's actually doing most of the crazy shit he said he would do.

[Albert]

Trump appears inconsistent on tactical level. He appears to be a believer in deception and keeping the other side in suspense of not knowing what will happen. Granted this might be not the best tactical approach or most practical but I guess it served him in his business career and now he is transferring this to world diplomacy.

With that said, his strategic plans have been consistent, as Rancid had said, he is actually doing what he said on campaign.

[Godstud]

@Albert You seem to be mistaking incompetence for strategy.

His promises?

Where's the Wall? (Excuse: Now he lies about it being built)

Where is the replacement for "Obamacare"? (Excuse: Oops, too complicated!)

[Albert]

Repeal and replace of healthcare or the wall have all stalled at the legislature level. Thanks to the establishment Republican politicians. So you cant really blame him for it, he tried they are the ones who are stalling it.

They sure did love the tax-cuts bill though. Assholes.

[Godstud]

Bullshit. Stalled by the government with all the power, you mean, because they have no plan to replace it, because they don't know how. Trump lied. Just like "The Wall".

Tax cuts to the RICH, and some stuff to the common people to make them happy(temporarily).
More than 80 percent of taxpayers will receive a tax cut in 2018, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. These tax cuts skew most heavily toward the top 5 percent of earners. This group -- with incomes starting at $307,900 -- would collect 42.6 percent of the tax cuts. By 2027, they would enjoy no less than 99.2 percent of the reductions.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/enjoy-thos ... disappear/

[Kaiserschmarrn]

@Albert You seem to be mistaking incompetence for strategy.

His promises?

Where's the Wall? (Excuse: Now he lies about it being built)

Where is the replacement for "Obamacare"? (Excuse: Oops, too complicated!)

His voters probably won't blame him for these failures, as Congress has undermined him so far and he was also able to communicate that well. I don't think anybody doubts that Trump himself would sign such bills.

For better or worse, one of the reasons Trump is turning his attention more to foreign policy may be that he has more leeway and is not as restricted by a often hostile legislature.

:lol: Bullshit.

It's not bullshit. You could argue that a president should be able to negotiate a compromise, and especially since Trump has boasted so much about his deal making capabilities, but it's obvious that many Republicans as well as all Democrats are either hostile to Trump's proposals or unable to come up with a compromise themselves.

[Godstud]

Trump is quite incapable of compromise. This is supported by his business history of lawsuits. He's not about to change.

The Republicans do not need to compromise with the Dems. They control everything. Trump's getting nothing done even with full control.

You guys are like the frog with the scorpion on its back, trying to convince yourself that the scorpion won't sting you.

[Kaiserschmarrn]

Trump is quite incapable of compromise.

Nonsense. Do you honestly believe he wouldn't sign a bill which would repeal and replace Obamacare or one that would provide some funding for a wall (or even an upgraded fence)?

He'd obviously do it in a heartbeat.

The Republicans do not need to compromise with the Dems. They control everything. Trump's getting nothing done even with full control.

Newsflash Godstud: Republicans are divided on these issues. Many are happy to undermine Trump's agenda just as much as the Dems.

Also, even under normal circumstances there are Dems in red states which are often prepared to vote for Republican bills and there are Republicans in blue states which may well object to them. Party discipline tends to be less strong in the US than in other countries.

[Godstud]

Are you confused about the word 'compromise'?

[Kaiserschmarrn]

How is an upgraded fence not a compromise? He'd almost certainly accept a compromise on Obamacare as well.

One of the consistent characteristics of Trump is that he is not an ideologue or purist. Quite to the contrary.

[Godstud]

He's lied to his supporters. It's blatant and he hasn't built a single wall since he came into office.

Yes, he's not an ideologue or purist. He's a proper lying piece of shit.

When you make politicians around you seem honest, because you lie so fucking much, then there's problems.

Why isn't Hillary in jail yet? Didn't he promise to lock her up, too?

[Kaiserschmarrn]

He's lied to his supporters. It's blatant and he hasn't built a single wall since he came into office.

Yes, he's not an ideologue or purist. He's a proper lying piece of shit.

When you make politicians around you seem honest, because you lie so fucking much, then there's problems.

He'd sign compromise bills on both Obamacare and the wall, because he would be able to sell it as two more promises having been kept. He could still point out that the compromise was all that Congress was willing to give him. It would be a winning proposition for him, so of course he'd take that opportunity.

Why isn't Hillary in jail yet? Didn't he promise to lock her up, too?

He also said that Mexico would pay for the wall.

Obviously all show, albeit hilarious and effective. However, most campaigns promise at least some things that are very unlikely and should be taken as indications what a candidate stands for. As a recent example take the socialist who has been elected in NY. As far as I can tell, most of her promises are incredibly unlikely to happen. She has been voted in mostly for what she stands for and represents, not because her positions are very realistic.

[Godstud]

The difference is between saying that you WILL do it, with that you'd LIKE to do it.

[Albert]

How is an upgraded fence not a compromise? He'd almost certainly accept a compromise on Obamacare as well.

One of the consistent characteristics of Trump is that he is not an ideologue or purist. Quite to the contrary.

I remember reading that Republicans wanted Trump to drop the whole idea of The Wall out of Immigration Reform bill. That is not a compromise but undermining Trump's promise he made to the electorate. I believe this could be symbolic of how much Republicans are willing to "compromise" with Trump on issues they disagree with him.

Also one big promise that Trump did not follow through was with prosecuting Hillary. I believe this was a mistake on his part, although done out of goodwill and wanting to make peace with the Democrats, I think we can see how much that good gesture is appreciated today.

[Rugoz]

Trump promised as much bullshit as anyone.

- He promised to lower taxes, which he did, but largely for the wealthy, while he promised to cut it for the middle class and once said he would keep if for the wealthy or even increase it.
- He promised not to cut medicare/social security (remains to be seen)
- He promised to "rebuild the military" (implies no defense cuts)
- He promised to invest $1.5 trillion in infrastructure (not happening)
- He promised to eliminate US debt within 8 years (short of defaulting simply impossible no matter the policies)

Even if you weaken his last promise, there's an obvious contradiction here. More spending, less taxes, less debt, yeah right. There were also "indirect promises". For example he said he would "drain the swamp", which would imply nominating supreme court justices in favor of repealing Citizens United. He didn't.

Edit: I forgot, Trump's entire "rein in on Wall Street" promise is total bullshit.

One of the consistent characteristics of Trump is that he is not an ideologue or purist. Quite to the contrary.

Trump is too dumb to be an ideologue, he's driven by instinct and self interest. He's certainly capable of ignoring advice though.

It would almost certainly have happened. It's in the Lisbon Treaty, and as with most other EU projects they were just waiting for an opening to go ahead. It might not have happened at this time without Brexit and Trump - with Brexit probably playing a bigger role - but they were merely a justification for what was planned anyway.

At some point, yes, it probably would have. Either way, my point stands, he failed at "divide-and-conquer" so far, if that was his strategy (the EU's response to his tariffs was swift).

Anyway, I am starting to believe Trump will get reelected.

Trump will get reelected for the same reason Dubya was reelected, because Americans are dumb fucks.

[One Degree]

He is consistent in “America first”. Who are we suppose to be allied against today? Who are our trade partnerships meant to disadvantage and why? Why are these organizations deemed necessary in a world that no longer agrees on who the enemy is?
What reason is there for the US to give special status to others? Why should we not deal with all other countries one to one? If they are all pissed off, that is their problem due to their own hypocrisy.

[Godstud]

Who are our trade partnerships meant to disadvantage and why?

Trade partnerships are designed to benefit all trading partners.

What reason is there for the US to give special status to others?

No one is asking for "special status". Asking for fairness in trade policy is all that is asked. American is the one expecting "special status".

If they are all pissed off, that is their problem due to their own hypocrisy.

No, they are pissed off because the US is breaking treaties and agreements simply to be selfish twats. America is seeking to be "specially privileged" in trade, and that usually doesn't work well for anyone.

[One Degree]

:eh: Trade partnerships are designed to benefit all trading partners.

No one is asking for "special status". Asking for fairness in trade policy is all that is asked. American is the one expecting "special status".

No, they are pissed off because the US is breaking treaties and agreements simply to be selfish twats. America is seeking to be "specially privileged" in trade, and that usually doesn't work well for anyone.

Again, why are these partner relationships needed today? Why shouldn’t countries trade one on one with whoever they wish?

[Godstud]

They do, and are trading. Wanting special considerations is what trump wants, however. Trump wants unfair trade, with USA benefiting. That's why there's problems.

Partnerships are formed as part of trade agreements. The give each other benefits to encourage trade and make it easier to do so. I am surprised you are so ignorant of this, @One Degree.

[Beren]

China ain't making any friends either.

Under Trump they will for sure, if his reign lasts much longer.

EU-China summit, Beijing, 16/07/2018