Why So Many Of Us Will Never Come Around To Support Donald Trump: The Dismantling Of America
Every time I write an article criticizing Donald Trump, someone at least implies that I along with my fellow liberals and many moderates are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome {TDS}. If there were no or even only a few policies and appointments that ate at my sense of morality and social justice, I would think that those critics might be right. But that is not the case. The list is long and documentable. It gets longer every day. That list consists of items that are simply bad policy, items that are contrary to the national interest, and, in theirworst iteration, items that threaten the very world we live in.
I do understand that those of you out there who are supporters of Mr. Trump will look at my commentary as hyperbole and over the top paranoia. I also understand that there are some of you who may think that I am understating the case against Mr. Trump. Either way, I am going to list my viewpoints {in no particular order of importance and with minimal commentary}. I look forward to a robust discussion of how readers see each of these views. This is important......let's try to have civil discussion.
1. Alliances With Traditional Enemies Of The United States: a. Putin and Russia b. Kim Jun Il and North Korea c. China and the Phillipines. These meetings, bromances, praises demonstrate a definite affinity for relating to authoritarian leaders throughout the world.
2. Deteriorating Relationships With Long Time Allies and Mutual Economic Partners a. Canada......Trudeau b. Great Britain...…May c. France......Macron d. Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, etc. Not only have these countries been allies and trade partners, we hold trade surpluses with many of them. Trade wars with allies seldom, if ever work.
3. Enabling Extremism In The United States All that has to be said is that the President's reaction to the horrific actions at Charlottesville, and his blanket excoriation of the BLM movement although the evidence of police brutality against minorities is overwhelming. The American Flag incidents at football games further demonstrates that this president has no understanding of what our flag truly stands for and would rather appease extremists than support legitimate, patriotic protest.
4. The Systematic Destruction of Healthcare in the United States a. The attempt to dismantle the ACA without offering any acceptable alternative. b. The attempt to destroy women's health care, including agencies such as Planned Parenthood c. Slashing 5 trillion dollars from social programs including health care. d. Allowing over 3 million additional Americans to lose their health insurance. e. Overseeing the largest increase in healthcare costs in the last century. f. Supporting legislation that limits the reproductive rights of women. g. Supporting legislation that limits the access of health care to inner city and rural areas. h. Limiting the health care rights of LBGTQ Americans.
5. The Systematic Destruction of The Environment a. Relaxing environmental protection standards b. Rolling back water protections for clean water guarantees. c. Repeal of the Clean Power Plan d. Allowing drilling on federal national parklands. e. Offshore drilling and drilling in the National Arctic Wildlife refuge f. Rolling back regulations protecting endangered species. g. Rolling back carbon emission guidelines.
6. The Systematic Denial of Human and Civil Rights a. The separation of children and their parents in detention facilities for illegal immigrants. This is in violation of almost every worldwide standard. b The abuses of civil rights toward minorities including Black, Brown, and Indiginous Americans c. Violation of women's rights. d. The willingness to utilize torture in violation of the Geneva convention
7. The Support of the President for Sexual Misconduct by Himself and Others Running For Office or In His Administration
8. Government Mismanagement a. More positions left unfilled in the executive branch than any administration in history. b. More judges rated as unqualified nominated for the federal bench than any administration in history c. Undermining CFPB, Dodd Frank, and other financial regulations. d. Utilizing the executive branch of government for private gain, including probable violations of the emoluments act, familial profiteering, abuses by family run charities.
9. Active Attempts to Obstruct Independent Council Investigations
10. General Policy Decisions That Are Widely Disagreed With a. Tariff/Trade policy toward allies b. Failure to act on restricting gun access to certain groups of individuals after mass shootings in schools c. Using government funding to finance propaganda film on North Korea d. Tax changes that disproportionately benefit those on the upper end of the economic scale. e. Rolling back education funding; rolling back EPA funding, etc.
11. Nominating Either Incompetent or Unprepared Individuals for Major Governmental Positions a, Betsy DeVos-----Secretary of Education b. Scott Pruitt------Director of the Environmental Protection Agency c. Dr. Ben Carson------Secretary of Housing and Urban Development d, James Bridenstine--------- Director of NASA e. Ronny Jackson---------Surgeon General of the United States f. Wendy Vitter------Federal District Court {could not answer a question about the effect of Brown v Bd. of Ed.}
You can agree or disagree with this president. That is the prerogative of the voter. It is, however, in my opinion, important to be able to substantiate your position. You cannot support or not support the person just because he's not the other guy. I see my position as principled and defendable. Each of these areas can be substantiated either through video, interview, policy statement, executive order, or other verifiable sources. Disagree if you wish. I only ask that those of you that respond do so with defendable positions and not with personal attacks.
Let the discussion begin.
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Hi, Doc!
Is it possible for you to reformat your article?
And now to the topic, I never thought the Philippines were one of our traditional enemies. Am I missing something?
hope this is a little bit better......the first post was crazy.
In my opinion, your comments are yours to keep and cherish, no matter how irrelevant or wrong they are. I could waste my time to try to educate you about your mistaken thinking, but that would be a waste of my time. These wacky opinions of yours get distributed amongst only a handful of like minded individuals on an obscure website. They influence no one of importance, but probably make you feel better about your powerlessness. We understand and sympathize with you. Have a good day.
Typical of your replies......What is it that makes you think that this man is the savior of the conservative movement? His tariff and trade policy? Don't think so. His human rights policy with children being ripped from their parents? Reminds me more of Auschwitz than the USA. His nomination of people for the bench who don't know 8th grade civics? I only hope that those of you who believe that this is good have to appear before that level of competence......What makes this man great in your eyes?
Can you tell me what redeeming qualities that POS had before running for President? I have never liked the creep. The ONLY think he is good at is lying and getting people to buy into his lies.
ROFL Fresh, every day from fux "news", the "Putin Bulletin" and "infowars", no doubt.
Thanks, Doc!
So I see that you reject Docs request for comments based on defendable positions and not with personal attacks.
I actually overstated the Philippines. What I should have indicated is the support that Trump gives to authoritarian and cruel leaders around the world. The Philippines have been our ally, but are now under the rule of a man who is willing to murder and terrorize to consolidate power.
Spent some time in the PI. Seriously scared for my life the whole time.
My many Christian friends in the PI love Duterte for the way he’s cleaned up a serious crime problem.
E.A Do you mean " exterminating " those that where Killing This generation and many to come with Genetic pathogens for their Greedy Profit?
You mean leaders like Hugo Chavez and Fidel and his brother"? Oh wait! That was a different president that envied, admired and respected them .
Getting rid of violent criminals is good for a nation
E.A Indeed so what Nation would like to have More Drug Dealers and Pimps?
What Family would like to know that their Children have contact and View a Drug Dealer and a Pimp as a " friend "?
What are the Net Benefits of Drug Dealers and Pimps, to any community, unless one thinks that Pathogenic Pandemics, Long Term Genetic Disorders, Community Decay, as being " positives "!
Shooting people out of hand isn't good for any country.
Yes, I understand what you mean. Trump told Fox News the other day that he wants Americans to obey him like North Koreans obey Kim.
He's the right man for the job. If you live in a peaceful neighborhood, you can have a pooch, but when you live among militant Muslims, you need a pit bull. He's their pit bull. Drug mafias, Liberals and Communists do not like him and are plotting every day against him, just like they do in the USA.
I don't know of anyone here who supports Trump, support everything he does and will tell you so, but that is unlike the Left, who only support Socialism and anything that isn't related to socialism is taboo in their opinion, it appears.
Duterte is PART of the crime problem.
So is due process, that's why the extra-judicial murders you've endorsed are a very bad thing for any nation.
Maybe what really needs to be done is for more ethical citizens to hunt down Duterte's death squads and lynch them?
Well there was Philippine–American war and the occupation of the Philippines where the US butchered at least 300K-1M Filipinos, and then we propped up a brutal puppet dictatorship. So it's kind of amazing that they haven't been our enemies today but at least the US has returned to its traditional role of supporting brutal dictators.
In my opinion anyone who supports this President and his Administration has no moral compass and I find they are derelict of any common decency. I blame them for everything that has happened and will happen under this President and his Administration.
To accept or respect this President and his supporters would require that I give up all my principles and morals. I'm not prepared to ever do that.
" To accept or respect this President and his supporters would require that I give up all my principles and morals. I'm not prepared to ever do that"
Excellent!! Well said!! I agree 1000 %.
Me, too!
But but but he hires the Best People :
Let’s see, Dennis Rodman will be an Assistant Secretary of State, Kim Kardashion will help Jared Kushner with prison reform, Kid Rock and Ted Nugent will be in charge of Culturally Relevant Music Licensing, Roseanne Barr will soon be WH Press Secretary, Scott Baio will, uh, nevermind, Mike Tyson and Kanye West will be designing a Trump Clothing Line (Trump hasn’t failed at clothing yet, has he ? ) and then Sarah Palin and Meatloaf will provide the word salad and protein for state dinners. And last but not least Newt Gingrich’s third whor, oops, wife is Ambassador to the Vatican !!! Yep, I’d say DJT has hired the Best People /s
Hi ties and other clothing brands have not done well, and not that many stores are carrying them anymore, at least not hear in the US. But, perhaps we can get his new Butt Buddy Kim to give him and Ivanka a trademark of their clothing brand in NK. However, there may not be many who can afford to buy their 'spensive duds other than Kim and his rich cronies. And maybe Putin and a few rich folk in Russia.
That's funny RW, I bought a pair of spike heels By Ivanka three or four years ago. Got them from the clearance rack at TJ Maxx for cheap. They're cute but I can't wear them for more than 2 hours at a time. Made in China !
LOL!! Yeah...."Made In America" is just a ploy for the Trump and their supporters, as the majority of Donny's brand stuff is made outside of the US;
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So just how much of Trump's products are made overseas? Here's the complete list.
1. Trump apparel
The Donald J. Trump Collection includes ties, suits, dress shirts, eyeglasses and other accessories. Trump shirts were made in China, Bangladesh, Honduras and Vietnam.
The Clinton campaign has pounced on many of these glaring hypocrisies in many ads in several key swing states.
2. Trump home Items
That's right, you can adorn your home with the Trump label and risk your house either being foreclosed or falling into a sink hole. Trump Home offers a variety of items including chandeliers, mirrors, bedding, table lamps, cabinets, sofas, barstools, cocktail tables and more. Reports show that pretty much all of these items are made in a host of foreign countries, including China and Turkey.
The Clinton campaign has jumped on this as well, pointing to a trademark registration for the Trump Home brand that clearly shows picture frames and other home products that were made in India.
3. Trump hotel items
Trump's chain of luxurious hotels and opulent condos are the crowning achievements of his sprawling empire. When he's not going ballistic on Twitter at 3am like a jealous ex, or railing about how the Republican establishment has hung him out to dry, he's constantly boasting about all of his fabulous hotels.
The only problem is that virtually all of his hotel items are made in China and Taiwan.
4. Trump beverages
Nothing quenches one's thirst quite like having to drink something with the Trump label emblazoned across it. I'm referring of course to Trump Natural Spring Water, which is served at Trump hotels, restaurants and golf clubs. Believe it or not, Trump water comes from New York or Vermont, and is bottled in New York.
However, the same can't be said about the hilariously failed Trump Vodka.
Trump Vodka was manufactured at a distillery in the Netherlands, but the distribution company stopped carrying it in 2010. An Israeli company continued to carry Trump Vodka, although the version sold in Israel is different from the original Trump Vodka. The Trump Vodka produced and sold in Israel is made from ingredients that make it kosher for Passover, which made it a popular beverage around the holidays. However, the Jerusalem Post reported that none of the ingredients were actually kosher.
Source:
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The Facts
Trump apparel
The Donald J. Trump Collection includes ties, suits, dress shirts, eyeglasses and other accessories.
Trump shirts were made in China, Bangladesh, Honduras and Vietnam. PolitiFact Virginia found some Trump sport coats made in India. The Clinton campaign pointed to import data from 2007 that showed a Trump men’s shirt shipment marked as made in South Korea.
Some of the Trump suits on Amazon.com show they were imported, Made in USA or both. BuzzFeed ordered a suit that was listed as both “imported” and “Made in USA” — and ended up with a label showing the suits were made in Indonesia.
Users commented on Amazon.com that the suit that BuzzFeed purchased previously was listed as being imported from Mexico or China. This photo shows a Trump suit that carries a “ Made in Mexico ” label.
Manufacturing information online is not always reliable — for example, a photo of one shirt shows a “Made in Bangladesh” label, but the item description says it was made in China. This may be a reflection of the different countries that products sometimes pass through before they are ultimately shipped into the United States.
Trump eyeglasses are made in China . Cufflinks and other accessories do not list the source of manufacturing on Amazon.com.
“Success by Trump,” a cologne in the Trump Fragrance line, was manufactured in the United States, according to PolitiFact Virginia . The Trump campaign’s “Make America Great Again” hats are made at a Southern California factory and are labeled “ Proudly Made in USA .”
Trump home items
Trump Home has a range of items, including chandeliers, mirrors, bedding, table lamps, cabinets, sofas, barstools, cocktail tables and more.
Trump expanded the Trump Home brand internationally, including in Turkey. A Trump Organization news release shows it partnered with a global luxury furniture brand, Dorya International, to expand the Trump Home brand to a production facility in Turkey. According to Furniture Today , components of the Trump by Dorya furniture were made in Germany, particularly the brass and stainless pieces.
Several Trump Home items are listed as made in China or imported from China — mirrors, ceramic vases, wall decorations, kitchen items and lighting fixtures. The Clinton campaign has pointed to a trademark registration for the Trump Home brand that shows picture frames and other home products were made in India.
The Trump Home by Rogaska tabletop collection featured a crystal and china collection with a company based in Slovenia . Trump bedding comforters are listed as made in USA .
Trump hotel items
Many hotel amenities at Trump’s hotels were manufactured overseas and imported. Trump Hotel pens were made in China or Taiwan, and imported into the United States via South Korea. Shampoo, body wash, moisturizers, shower caps, laundry bags, show bags, pet collars, pet leashes and bath towels at Trump hotels are all listed as made in China.
Trump beverages
The Trump Natural Spring Water is served at Trump hotels, restaurants and golf clubs. Trump water comes from New York or Vermont , and is bottled in New York.
Trump Vodka was manufactured at a distillery in the Netherlands, supposedly distilled five times from “European wheat,” but the distribution company stopped carrying it in 2010. An Israeli company continued to carry Trump Vodka, although the version sold in Israel is different from the original Trump Vodka. The Trump Vodka produced and sold in Israel is made from ingredients that make it kosher for Passover, which made it a popular beverage around the holidays. But the Jerusalem Post reported that it turned out that not all ingredients actually were kosher for Passover.
Note: There’s a Trump Winery located in Charlottesville, Va., but it is reported to be owned by his son, Eric. The Trump Winery website says its name is a registered trademark of Eric Trump Wine Manufacturing, LLC. The winery imports glassware.
The Bottom Line
The Clinton ad claims that “Trump’s products have been made in 12 other countries.” This is correct. We know of at least 12 countries where Trump products were manufactured (China, the Netherlands, Mexico, India, Turkey, Slovenia, Honduras, Germany, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Korea). Further, Trump products transited other countries through the packaging and shipping process — meaning workers in more than 12 countries contributed to getting many of Trump’s products made, packaged and delivered to the United States.
As our inventory shows, manufacturing is a global process. Components of a product of an American company are made in different parts of the world, depending on who offers the most competitive prices, and ultimately imported into the country to be sold to American consumers. It’s not as simple as deciding not to eat an Oreo because Nabisco found a cheaper place to employ some of its workers.
Trump’s practice as a businessman is not consistent with his current rhetoric against trade as a presidential nominee — this vulnerability is backed with more than enough factual evidence. If Trump brand customers took the same stance against his products as he did against Nabisco, it is clear they would be left with few Trump items to buy. However, we do know of at least four Trump products made in the United States: “Make America Great Again” hats, bedding, water and cologne.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/08/26/how-many-trump-products-were-made-overseas-heres-the-complete-list/?utm_term=.a590371eef18
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So much for Trump's "Made In America" and his endless rhetoric of buy American made products. And how American businesses should have their products made in America, and that products being made in other countries should be returned to being made in the US.
I guess he means that for everyone but himself and his beloved Daughter.
oh my.....
I think Hillary's pant suits have also lost their appeal.
Pat, I have to give a like for your creativity. Now that would make for a good 'Saturday Night' Skit.
The Dismantling Of Liberal America is right on schedule... my only complaint? we should have done this a few decades ago.
just curious... when we said we were going to "take our country back" did you think things would stay the same?
cheers