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@jegga said in US Politics:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12189321
There's nepotism and then there's those Trump kids.
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@jegga said in US Politics:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12189321
I'll believe that when the Financial Times names a source.
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@Frank said in US Politics:
What they have in their favor is that if the shutdown persists, it will spread to IRS workers not being paid and other departments. This won't play well with the public and they will likely blame Trump
No more than the voters blamed Obama for the shut-down over his healthcare reforms. The Democrats are trying to block a key Trump policy he was elected on, which is simply going to solidify his voter base.
Once again Trump's opponents come across as deranged. Still outraged that Hilary didn't win (it was her turn after all...), they shoot themselves in the foot - yet again.
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@Crucial said in US Politics:
Isn't the non approval of funding for Trump's ridiculous wall simply an outcome of the democratic system in place? POTUS doesn't get something just because he wants it. It has to go through the approval processes in place.
Yes and no. Everything in the US needs approval from Senate, congress and executive. So this is weird as usually they give and take.
In this case Congress passed legislation but couldnt get the required 60% of votes in the Senate.
I have not heard a single good reason for refusing Trump the funding. -
@Crucial said in US Politics:
Isn't the non approval of funding for Trump's ridiculous wall simply an outcome of the democratic system in place? POTUS doesn't get something just because he wants it. It has to go through the approval processes in place.
Maybe, but the problem for the Democrats is that they were all for a wall a few years back, but now Trump wants one....
When the shutdown happened over Obama's Health Care plans, the Democrats were up in arms, calling it an attack on democracy as it was a key election pledge which he (reasonably) had a right to get money for. Now Trump wants to built a wall as it was an election pledge, they block funds and call his plans an affront to democracy.
Dumb politics which plays into Trump's hands and makes his opponents look soft on crime, drug-smuggling and illegal immigration - and hypocrites.
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I'm astounded they can't compromise on this. Cede some funding to stengthen the weak parts of the border, as well as some investment in tech to better detect breaches & drug smuggling. Both sides could easily sell it as a win - Trump gets his money and Dems say they invested money wisely instead of building a massive wall across the whole border as promised with all the hyperbole before the election.
I just don't think a straight out "no" to any investment in border security is going to sit well with the majority of Americans.
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@Crucial said in US Politics:
Isn't the non approval of funding for Trump's ridiculous wall simply an outcome of the democratic system in place?
Yes. So are shutdowns and other forms of brinkmanship.
The talk of the Executive being able to go around Congress is where we enter bullshit territory
(Yes, Obama got away with it more than once.. but that was an abdication of Congressional power because Congress was worried about the politics of making the President follow the Constitution. It wouldn't happen in this political climate.) -
@Victor-Meldrew said in US Politics:
Maybe, but the problem for the Democrats is that they were all for a wall a few years back, but now Trump wants one....
When the shutdown happened over Obama's Health Care plans, the Democrats were up in arms, calling it an attack on democracy as it was a key election pledge which he (reasonably) had a right to get money for. Now Trump wants to built a wall as it was an election pledge, they block funds and call his plans an affront to democracy.
Dumb politics which plays into Trump's hands and makes his opponents look soft on crime, drug-smuggling and illegal immigration - and hypocrites.
All true but why is this fight happening now?
Republicans held Congress for two years and Trump did not push the wall hard during this time. If it is so important (an emergency!) why not negotiate harder with the Republicans? He could have shutdown Government back in 2017 or 2018. Why wait until the Democrats have Congress?
The simple answer is because of 2020. This is good politics to play right now to set up the next Presidential race. The Dems will oppose it and appear unreasonable and people will forget how little importance Trump placed on the wall for two years
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@No-Quarter said in US Politics:
Cede some funding to stengthen the weak parts of the border, as well as some investment in tech to better detect breaches & drug smuggling.
I agree. But that is basically the policy over the last ~15years. It would be hard for Trump to declare a political victory on his biggest campaign promise (or was that 'lock her up'?)
A complete wall is symbolic. The argument against it is the lack of effectiveness. Some areas have natural barriers and no crossings.. drones make more sense here. Then there is the problem that most illegal immigrants arrive at airports and overstay..
I find it fascinating that Trump is meant to be so hard on illegal immigration but won't implement the Republican's 2012 plan. If you want to limit illegal immigration, make it hard to hire illegal immigrants.
A mandatory and improved e-verify system would make it simple for an employer to check the status of a new hire. If they still hire an illegal immigrant the employer would be prosecuted
(Of course there would still be issues with how tough to be on current long term illegals etc)No jobs, therefore no carrot to cross the border. Self deportation was the term used at the time
In 2012 Trump said this policy was "maniacal" and "mean spirited". Judging by policy decisions he hasn't changed his stance on this
I'm not sure how seriously to take his illegal immigration stance without a policy shift that targets employers.
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@Duluth said in US Politics:
The simple answer is because of 2020. This is good politics to play right now to set up the next Presidential race. The Dems will oppose it and appear unreasonable and people will forget how little importance Trump placed on the wall for two years
Yep. And the Democrats are too muddle-headed and/or deranged by the man to see it. Their sole occupation is to oppose Trump rather than argue against his policies and win over voters.
Reminds me of the Republican's ineffective opposition to Bill Clinton in his first term
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Wasn't Mexico supposed to pay for the wall?
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Yeah that's why the Mexican government is in shut down over budgets, right?
The Mexicans are pissing themselves as much as the Russians, with the FBI investigating/having investigated Trump for working for the Russians, like the Manchurian Candidate for real
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@Machpants said in US Politics:
Yeah that's why the Mexican government is in shut down over budgets, right?
The Mexicans are pissing themselves as much as the Russians, with the FBI investigating/having investigated Trump for working for the Russians, like the Manchurian Candidate for real
sorry @Machpants I genuinely did nit understand a word of thst. Any chance you can elaborate for morans like me?
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@Duluth thanks, insightful as always.
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@Tim said in US Politics:
Mattis: One More General for the ‘Self Licking Ice Cream Cone’
It's amazing how the accepted narrative appears to be never criticise when retired Generals continue to advocate for a continuous combat state.
Becoming a multi-millionaire makes a mockery of the claim of a life spent in service for which others owe you a debt of gratitude.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in US Politics:
When the shutdown happened over Obama's Health Care plans, the Democrats were up in arms, calling it an attack on democracy as it was a key election pledge which he (reasonably) had a right to get money for. Now Trump wants to built a wall as it was an election pledge, they block funds and call his plans an affront to democracy.
Dumb politics which plays into Trump's hands and makes his opponents look soft on crime, drug-smuggling and illegal immigration - and hypocrites.You reap what you sow; I read elsewhere that in the modern era these types of government shutdowns started during Ronald's presidency.
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the wall, in theory is a good idea, as above, more symbolic than anything as it is unlikely to do anything in terms of slowing or reducing number of people crossing the border, cos we know it aint gonna stop it.
China made a big wall once, the Mongols still got over/past/around/through....
US Politics