What does the future hold for Donald Trump? - threadbans in OP

A lot of this goes back to the 2008 financial crisis which damaged so many people and most have yet to recover from that. Events like that have long term consequences and I think we are still seeing the knock on effects play out today.

I agree it is alarming to think that an incompetent corrupt buffoon like Trump could actually win again.

It's up to the establishment to make things better for ordinary people. Then they won't be turning to individuaks like that in protest or otherwise.

so much love - biggest love like we have never seen before

https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1494803179808165892?s=20&t=X2wvqbYqo8OA_xS_Ifq8Rw

No argument there either, but we don't see that do we. What has gone on in the UK over the last 6 years in particular has been shameful and even the announcements today about removing final covid legal restrictions while stopping the provision of free tests is more of the same.

And the reason why this is facilitated, and why Donald in the US is is because of outlets such as Fox and others who are pushing their agenda.

Fox simultaneously have their own vaccine mandate, encourage their viewers to not get the vaccine and to push back against mandates and then blame Biden for not having achieved better vaccination rates.

None of this is a coincidence or hard to see and yet they get a pass for doing so. Not calling out those who seek to get to the same situation in the UK is only something people with their own ulterior motives would do.

I think you're right that Trump was a protest vote for many. I also think that when he never seems to get punished for breaking any laws it's just an example of how there's a separate set of rules for those with enough money. It'll make people even more cynical.

Actual investigations tend to require following the law, interviewing people, reviewing thousands of documents etc. They take time when they're done right.

They tend to require a lot more than just getting a crowd to chant "LOCK HER UP!"

No polls to post today?

I'd like to actually thank kermit for the last few posts. I don't agree with them but they are well articulated and give points for debate. Not simply some regurgitation of some old, debunked fox-lies or resorting to "owning the libs" with variations of "Let's go, Brandon".

Kermit will not agree with my opinions below but that's what a free and open debate should be.

Regarding this post, I agree in general that Trump was at least partially, a protest vote: Clinton was the wrong choice. A person not liked outside her own party (And also had problems within). Had she been voted in for two terms then US politics, supposedly the greatest in the world, would have had presidents from 3 families for 36 years: GHW Bush, B Clinton, B Clinton, G Bush, G Bush, B Obama, B Obama and potentially H Clinton, H Clinton. (And maybe feared M Obama M Obama after that).

So there was definitely an appetite to move away from the same old names.

That and apathy from democrat voters certainly would help explain Trump's win.

However you cannot deny that Trump and the GOP have divided the country greatly. You may blame groups like Black Lives Matter and elements of the organisation are concerning but you cannot deny they also came from a place of not being listened to.

So instead of engaging with, working with, hell, evening LISTENING to groups like these, the GOP invited a pair of people who waved guns at them to their AGM like conquering heroes.

Instead of denouncing White Supremacists who organised what was basically a KKK rally, which resulted in the death of a counter-protester, Trump (And therefor the GOP) said there were fine people on both sides. I'm sorry but I do NOT consider a White Supremacist to be a "Fine Person"

Instead of condemning hate groups such as the Proud Boys he (And therefor the GOP) tells them to stand back and stand by.

Instead of helping to identify rogue elements within their supporters the GOP disavow member of their own party and state that these people who stormed the Capitol Building were engaging in valid political discourse.

Instead of having their polsters and analysts and number crunchers and policy-makers investigate why they lost the 2016 election, they push a false narrative of a stolen election. A known lie that lead to death and further division. Even the general GOP party is FINALLY moving away from this false narrative.

You say that Trump voters simply wanted to be heard. Well they have been heard loud and clear now. They have been heard to be supportive of white nationalists. They have been heard to support voter suppression. They have been seen and heard to support and engage in voter intimidation. Driving around in pickup trucks with guns and flags. We have seen that elsewhere. They have been heard to be violent terrorists.

Note, I am NOT talking about GOP voters although, as I have said before, every day the GOP does not denounce Trumps statements, they condone them and embrace them as GOP policy). But the GOP seems to be selling its soul in pursuing the racist vote, in pursuing the homophobic vote, in pursuing the conspiracy theorists. In pursuing party-members who refuse to engage with, debate with and yes, maybe compromise with other people/parties. Even to their own detriment.

And if fox news is the largest news station in America how can they claim to not be heard? How can someone be the biggest kid on the block and not part of the "mainstream Media"?

So yes, I believe that Trump's vote was partially a protest vote but now everyone knows what he stands for and what the GOP is willing to embrace. Is this still the voice these people want the world to hear?

I would also agree that it's utterly pointless talking about polls regarding an election in 2+ years. A significant reason why Trump lost in 2020 was his shambolic response to Covid, which really only started in the US in early 2020.

When Trump faced a true challenge and his country needed real leadership, he downplayed the virus and delayed efficient action. And after that focused more on his own image and public standing rather than what was best for the country.