The Biden presidency, Trump's legacy and the future of America
We are 5 months in on the Biden presidency and all of the assumptions we made about how and why he was selected by the powers that be have proven true. The man who had the two brain aneurysms and is suffering cognitively was chosen for only one reason - to defeat Donald Trump. We also all knew that Joe would most likely be a one term president. There of course has been that one wrinkle, that even I did not see coming - Joe Biden's decision to rule from the far left. Maybe he said to himself "I only want the one term, I need not care about re-election, nor do I care about the mid-terms. Do I really want to fight against the left of my own party? Why not significantly change the nation in a way that will have people talking about Joe Biden for the next hundred years?" In five months Joe Biden has found a way to use his scant majority in the House and his flat footed tie in the Senate to advance a leftist agenda that Barack Obama couldn't deliver with a super majority.
Joe has no mandate, yet he is doing it anyway. He could have kept the Trump policies that worked and simply accepted all the credit, yet he refused to play it smart. Everything for Joe is now hinging on whether we face stagnation or inflation or something worse before the 2022 midterms.
The radical elements of the democratic party have taken note and have given him credit. " The Biden Administration and President Biden have definitely exceeded expectations that progressives had," Democratic Socialist Ocasio-Cortez said during a virtual town hall meeting.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-biden-exceeded-progressive-expectations-first-100-days
Biden and the left know they have about 19 months left to complete it all.
The Trump Legacy:
With the exception of Abraham Lincoln, no American President gets a real legacy for a single term. That being said, Donald Trump will always be remembered for taking a firm stand on closing the border and setting a new course in foreign policy. He wisely appointed Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State. Pompeo helped change the disastrous policy we had in the middle east, where the crazy idea was to create tension between Iran and the corrupt Gulf states with even Israel (an ally & truly a western democracy) thrown into the mix. Under Pompeo's leadership The Abraham Accords were achieved. We also saw trade issues corrected, European nations were confronted about paying their fair share of NATO membership and our military was restored. The Supreme Court and other courts got back to the Constitution and of course a vaccine was developed in 10 months as promised.
The most important part of what Trump achieved was recognizing something that most people ignored. It was those 30 years of globalization that changed the world. That change enriched our elite tech class and impoverished our working class, service class and small farmers. That is not the worst of it. You see the Tech class looked on the suffering with contempt. They should have got re-educated, don't ya know. They were stupid and deserved what they got. The they included working class people of all races and ethnicity. Donald Trump taught us that and that fact transformed the Republican Party into the party of the working class.
The Future:
Sadly, the year 2020 played out like some great western tragedy. We went from a thriving economy with nearly everyone employed and a 2.8% GDP on the horizon to a deadly pandemic, a shutdown of the economy and a recession, which totally altered the outcome of the 2020 election. It could be argued that Trump would have been a shoe-in back in January of 2020 or maybe even if that election were held today.
The future could easily belong to the left. It all depends on what a few moderate democrats do between now and the 2022 election. Will we see a profile in Courage? No matter what happens we shall remain divided. The coastal elite, whom Karl Marx would have ironically considered parasites, will maintain control over the media and the university. Donald Trump could become the elder statesman of the Republican Party. That would be the wise play, but we all know Donald, don't we? As soon as he says "my endorsement of Ron DeSantis will have him winning by 10% - he may just add a "what the hell, if I run myself I'll win by 20%.
To steal a title from John Kenneth Galbraith, it is the Age of Uncertainty!
Tags
Who is online
112 visitors
I suspect there is a lot of buyer's remorse out there. It's too late now. We will know our fate within these two years.
The border is wide open and inflation is on the way.
How much worse will it get?
As worse as you can make it sound. This is one trick pony stuff.
Only a progressive would like these horrendous policies.
"The man who had the two brain aneurysms ..."
I had one and it was much worse than both of Biden's together ... and jousting with you is a cakewalk.
"... inflation is on the way."
... as it is around the world
You are our hero!
. as it is around the world
Ours has nothing to do with anywhere else and everything to do with the money Biden burned!
Didn't you, yourself, just post a seed showing that it isn't?
Way to be consistent.
Donald Trump is the only US President in the polling era (roughly the past 70 years) to not have reached 50% approval at any point in his first term. The idea that he was going to be a shoe-in is absurd.
At the end of 2019 democrats were wondering how to beat him. Do you still fear him?
Vic, I have ALWAYS said that real issue with Trump is his supporters. I was saying that almost 6 years ago a few months after he announced for president. Because he was NEVER qualified or fit to be president of the United States. Given that fact , and it is a fact, the onus falls on the people who followed him over the cliff and dragged the rest of the country with them.
John, I don't have to repeat my assessment of progressives and what they have done to this country, do I?
Tell us why has the border been opened?
Why are we throwing Trillions around?
Why are we trying to pack the Supreme Court?
Why did we shut down the Pipeline?
Shockingly there are still some vestiges of humanitarianism"
Both sides do it.
Talk is not action.
You don't need it and Native Americans stood up for their land rights.
That was easy.
LMAO!
Both sides do it.
That settles it!
Talk is not action.
They would have done it already if hey could have, the scum!
You don't need it
I think most Americans disagree on that one. We still need the oil & the jobs!
The US has become a major exporter of its own oil ... why do you need Canada's other than for a vapid talking point?
It had under Donald Trump. Now we are back to waiting in line. Ah, that dream of green energy! I have an idea - why don't we wait until we can make the transition?
Why don't you start making the transition now ... or you could ask US oil producers why they are still using only half of the pre-pandemic drilling wells.
Where are the affordable electric cars?
Where are the convenient charging stations?
Do you get it?
Ask Henry Ford ... @!@
He was a giant. We are dealing with an idiot.
Yes I am.
The idea that Donald Trump is a champion for the working class is hilarious.
It's true. He is all they had.
AOC is a far better advocate for the working class than Trump could ever be. Not to mention Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Did trump bring the coal mines back to West Virginia by the way?
Trump’s promise to put coal miners back to work was a failure
I will give you that she tries to speak to them, but she hasn't done anything for them.
And now you are going to look for failed policies? If he failed in anything it wasn't for want of trying. Obama, Clinton and Biden simply told them that we are closing coal down - go learn to do something else!
As a matter of fact Obama calling them clingers gave them a good wake-up call.
Donald Trump's legacy will be making Nixon and Geo.W.Bush look reasonable and intelligent instead of being the criminals and the bumbling buffoons that they both were. He will be ranked as the worst POTUS ever elected.
Maybe for the "I don't want to work, you need to pay me just because I exist, and whatever I want must be free" class don't you? Not a single one of those bastards can relate to the working class. Yes, even the bartender. She won't even be bothered to help her own relatives.
I dont think I have ever heard Donald Trump say a thing that indicates support for the working class. He is anti-union, anti-minimum wage , and pro the rich not paying taxes.
What the hell are his pro working class positions?
America First. Tariffs on foreign goods to encourage businesses to stay in the US.
That's one that everyone knows. Now perhaps you can provide back up for your "He is anti-union, anti-minimum wage , and pro the rich not paying taxes."
Okay the union thing I'll give you...........but who in the right frame of mind isn't.
If he was anti-minimum wage, he would have worked to get rid of it in totality. Which should be up to the individual states anyway.
And the parroting of the nasty rich is a non- starter in most reasonable circles. Perhaps a horizon expansion is in order....................
And of the three you pointed out, what the hell is their position on and what have they done for the working class.........without giving away the farm?
Say you.
They are doing a good job with that!
You know, the ACTIONS that lifted all boats!!!!
The lack of a large union presence in america has cost workers billions of dollars. Why do you think wages stagnated for 40 years ? It coincides with the decline in unions.
Trump's Anti-Worker Record | Communications Workers of America (cwa-union.org)
President Donald Trump promised to defend “forgotten workers,” but these workers were never forgotten—they were victims of the most well-funded lobbying campaign in history. 1 For decades, large corporations have sought to ensure that the majority of economic gains are absorbed by executives and shareholders—not employees, who are the backbone of the American economy. President Trump has embraced this right-wing lobbying effort to an unprecedented degree, making it increasingly unclear where lobbyists’ influence ends and his administration’s policies begin.
Below are some of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to stack the deck against American workers.
Enabled corporate wage theft
Denied overtime pay to 8.2 million workers . The Trump administration derailed an Obama-era plan to extend overtime protections to more Americans and instead lowered the salary threshold. 2 This decision harmed millions of workers who would have been eligible for overtime pay under the previous rule. Workers are being denied an estimated $1.2 billion in earnings annually due to Trump’s overtime protection rollback. 3
Workers are being denied an estimated $1.2 billion in earnings annually due to Trump’s overtime protection rollback.
Undermined wage theft enforcement . Employer wage theft is rampant in low-wage industries and costs American workers more than $50 billion every year. 4 But the Trump administration made it more difficult for businesses to be held liable for wage violations against contract and franchise workers. 5 Under President Trump, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has even allowed employers who commit wage violations to avoid penalties by volunteering to police themselves. 6 Businesses are expected to self-report violations, determine the amount of back pay owed, and then compensate workers—without covering interest or damages.
Awarded billions in federal contracts to companies that violate wage laws . President Trump ended a requirement that contractors meet federal labor standards to keep the government’s business. 7 This decision came as two-thirds of the government’s largest contractors were found to have violated wage laws, including by withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in pay. 8 Instead of protecting the 26 million workers who are employed by federal contractors, the Trump administration chose to ignore this egregious behavior.
Restricted worker power and attacked unions
Undermined the mission of the DOL . President Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. labor policy, Eugene Scalia, has a long record of opposing workers’ rights and fighting unions on behalf of large corporations. 9 The Trump administration has only filled 43 percent of the department’s senior officials, while previous administrations filled nearly 80 percent. 10
Blocked workers’ access to the courts . The Trump administration sided with corporate interests to let companies force workers into mandatory arbitration agreements. 11 This has left 60 million workers without real access to the courts and unable to bring class action lawsuits to seek justice in workplace disputes. 12
This has left 60 million workers without real access to the courts and unable to bring class action lawsuits to seek justice in workplace disputes.
Made it more difficult for workers to unionize. President Trump’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) appointees empowered companies to classify workers as independent contractors rather than as employees, which would exclude those workers from federal labor law protections. 13 His NLRB is also working to roll back joint employer protections, which would make it easier for businesses that influence and rely on subcontractors and franchises for their labor to avoid unionization. 14
Made it easier for employers to get rid of unions . President Trump’s appointees to the NLRB ruled that employers can suspend negotiations and withdraw recognition of a union even if the majority of workers technically supports the union at the time of withdrawal. 15
Advanced an erratic trade agenda that harms working-class Americans
President Trump claimed that other countries would bear the brunt of his trade war, but in reality, American workers and families have paid the price. 16 President Trump’s tariffs could cost the average U.S. household $1,000 each year, and recent estimates indicate that the tariffs will shave billions from U.S. GDP.
President Trump’s tariffs could cost the average U.S. household $1,000 each year.
17 American manufacturers, including U.S. Steel, are buckling under the strain of his poorly conceived and executed trade war by tweet. 18
Like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which includes strong protections for Big Pharma, President Trump’s trade war with China is primarily designed to favor corporations; his trade demands focus on protecting corporate intellectual property and increasing access to Chinese markets for Wall Street investors. 19
While China poses legitimate challenges, Trump’s tariffs fail to effectively address them. His policies have failed to address low labor and environmental standards or the race to the bottom for wages and corporate tax rates. 20
Threatened workers’ retirement savings
The Trump administration eliminated retirees’ protection from exploitative financial advisers by killing the fiduciary rule, which required financial advisers to act in the best interest of their clients. 21 This decision threatens retirees, since brokers often have an incentive to promote products that are profitable for their employers but costly for clients. 22 Nationwide, conflicted financial advice costs American retirement savers an estimated $17 billion each year. 23
Empowered employer discrimination by revoking civil rights protections
Undermined anti-discrimination enforcement . The Trump administration moved to kill an Obama-era rule that would have enabled the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect annual pay data by gender, race, and ethnicity from large employers. 24 After a federal court ruled this decision unlawful, the Trump administration has continued to stall implementation of pay data collection.
Exposed LGBTQ Americans to employer discrimination . President Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice defended employers’ ability to discriminate against LGBTQ workers, arguing to the U.S. Supreme Court that the Civil Rights Act’s prohibitions on sex discrimination do not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. 25 His administration is attempting to expand religious exemptions to nondiscrimination protections for federal contractors, which employ one-quarter of the nation’s workforce. 26 In addition, President Trump opposes the Equality Act, federal legislation that would confirm and strengthen civil rights protections for LGBTQ workers. 27
Erected barriers to prevent people with disabilities from working . President Trump’s ongoing threats to Medicaid would end access to home- and community-based care services that allow many people with disabilities to live independently and work outside the home. 28
Threatened workers’ safety on the job
Made it easier for employers to expose workers to hazardous conditions . In clear disregard for worker safety, the Trump administration reversed protections against pesticides and chemicals that have been shown to cause illness and neurological damage. 29 His administration has also weakened workplace safety protections for particularly dangerous industries such as offshore drilling and mining. 30
Reduced workplace safety enforcement . Enforcement activity by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has declined under President Trump, and the agency employs fewer inspectors than it has at any other time in the agency’s history. Meanwhile, data suggest that work-related deaths are on the rise. 31 The Trump administration has also stopped requiring employers to submit detailed information on workplace injuries and illnesses and limited OSHA’s ability to issue citations for violations. 32
You can put the CWA propaganda sheet away. There is no way on mother earth that you are going to convince working Americans that Trump wasn't 100% for them!
Read the comments on here John and you'll see the defense of globalization that hurt so many working Americans.
Globalization took advantage of America's Union achievements and used it against us. It was foreign cheap labor that destroyed the American middle class and took all our manufacturing jobs.
I would say that corporate greed destroyed America's middle class. The demand for ever increasing profit led CEO's to downsize or go overseas. The demand for ever increasing profit was also directly tied to executive compensation. Managers were thus incentivized to downsize and offshore. Nothing in that is unions fault.
go back and watch Roger and Me
Trump voters certainly wont be convinced. They are among the most brainwashed people on earth.
Sez the man known as the great repeater - daily - weekly - monthly - annually - ad nauseum.
Backing Trump was the worst thing you ever did on this forum. Frankly, I doubt you will ever live it down.
You remember that was because of Republicans, right? The so-called Reagan Revolution replacing Keynesianism with Neoliberalism, Austrian economics (Hayek and von Mises were practically deified), Ayn Rand's crap books, etc. The mission was to break down barriers to trade everywhere possible, at home and overseas, and that included undermining unions, because they (paraphrasing here) 'unnaturally increased the price of labor'. It was all about favoring capital over labor, and if you go and find a chart showing wealth increases over the past several decades you'll see the result. The rich got almost unimaginably richer. The middle class and below? Not so much.
That's all on you guys. That's your fault.
It's always a major facepalm moment when righties complain about crap that they themselves are so largely responsible for. Free trade! Free trade! Free trade! Or have you forgotten?
Excellent comment, Dig. The truth.
That's what business is supposed to do - make profits - STANDARD ECONOMICS!
It's up to the GOVERNMENT to protect American workers. They didn't do it!
That title belongs to the galactically stupid coming out of our colleges!
It began with free unregulated trade. But as far as "you guys" goes, it is every pompous faux educated son of a bitch in the tech field that were the real beneficiaries and you will note that I denounced them for their contempt for working people. They are as Karl Marx would say the parasites in the era of globalization.
This might amount to bad news for the Dems
Lol, I just posted it.
They are going to try to amend the Constitution.
[Deleted]