General US Politics

[UNLEASH IT]

And for the people quick to paint the working class whites who voted for Trump as racist, remember that these same people strongly supported Obama in 2008 and 2012. Especially in Iowa and Wisconsin. Clinton's almost blatant disregard for these people is what drove them into Trump's arms and ultimately, what cost her this election.

Edited November 9, 2016 by UNLEASH IT

[Res]

Coming from a country that is slowly turning towards Democratic socialism, I can totally understand why people don't like it.

In the most conservative province with the lowest tax rates, I'm paying 33% of my net pay to taxes. And I'm not a fan.

I'm paying 30% of my net pay to taxes here in the U.S. and for that I don't receive healthcare (that's an additional $300 a month from my paycheck, and on top of that I have co-pays (luckily I have a $0 deductible). For example, last month, when my daughter had a sinus infection, I paid over $440 in co-pays). I don't get maternity leave for that. I probably don't get other benefits Canadians do that U.S. people don't.

That's one issue; I sat down the other month and calculated what portion of my pay in the UK went to the NHS, and what healthcare here costs me in the U.S. It's a huge difference.

[Nobody]

Coming from a country that is slowly turning towards Democratic socialism, I can totally understand why people don't like it.

In the most conservative province with the lowest tax rates, I'm paying 33% of my net pay to taxes. And I'm not a fan.

Canada is not turning democratic socialist. Trudeau is a social liberal that belives in the welfare state. He's such a free trade fan he supports TTP and CETA

High taxes and welfare =\= socialism, people

[Balcerzak]

Thanks to Obamacare, my health insurance provider has completely withdrawn from the individual market, leaving me scrambling to find a replacement... So, there's that. "If you like your plan you can keep it." Hah.

[Zanarkin]

Coming from a country that is slowly turning towards Democratic socialism, I can totally understand why people don't like it.

In the most conservative province with the lowest tax rates, I'm paying 33% of my net pay to taxes. And I'm not a fan.

high taxes aren't necessarily bad, particularly in Canada, where we have free healthcare. I'd much rather pay 50% of my pay in taxes instead of having a 14,000 dollar debt if i get appendicitis (which my family had to go through when we lived in the states). And this debt would occur over a single day.

Edited November 9, 2016 by SlayerX

[Nobody]

For some reason, health care is more expensive in the usa than in countries that have fully tax funded health care, both for people and the government. If the republican party was really fiscally responsible and cared about government expenses, they'd agree to work with te democrats to form an actually less expensive, tax funded universal health care system, which would not only cost less for the government but get more people better health care. Obamacare ended up being so crappy because it was the only thing that could be passed. Still, i think obama was right in pushing it if it was the only option avaliable. It's a bit immoral that such a rich country had so many people without acess to health care coverage

[Res]

For some reason, health care is more expensive in the usa than in countries that have fully tax funded health care, both for people and the government. If the republican party was really fiscally responsible and cared about government expenses, they'd agree to work with te democrats to form an actually less expensive, tax funded universal health care system, which would not only cost less for the government but get more people better health care. Obamacare ended up being so crappy because it was the only thing that could be passed. Still, i think obama was right in pushing it if it was the only option avaliable. It's a bit immoral that such a rich country had so many people without acess to health care coverage

Yes. This is how I feel. The ACA was half-hearted at best, and yes, some people were screwed over - but it's also benefited others. I can't deny that I've seen my own insurance rates rise, but I've also seen several of my friends gain access to care they didn't have before. And having the lifetime limits removed was definitely a step forward.

Having spent 25 years with the NHS, I'm all for fully tax funded healthcare.

high taxes aren't necessarily bad, particularly in Canada, where we have free healthcare. I'd much rather pay 50% of my pay in taxes instead of having a 14,000 dollar debt if i get appendicitis (which my family had to go through when we lived in the states). And this debt would occur over a single day.

My medical bills the past two years were over $6,000 - that's the out of pocket cost to me, and I have insurance, and that does not include my premiums.

Edited November 9, 2016 by Res

[Phoenix Wright]

You don't want to argue with me or tell me how I should think, that's fine. But I'm not saying things are bad for us and vets compared to immigrants NOW, I think they would become that way if Hillary got elected and Democrats remained in control. That's what I was saying. And why should illegals get help? They should be coming here LEGALLY. If they can't, that's their problem. They might not have much money or something, but that's not our fault. You can't save everyone, you know. It's best to focus on those you definitely CAN help and save. The American people are the natural born and legal citizens, and thus they should get priority.

EDIT: Augestein: yeah, exactly, I have some faith. I'd lost faith when Obama got a second term, now I've gained some of it back thanks to Trump and the Republicans. I admit I still have my concerns though. They have to prove me right that this was the right way to go.

do you think the democrats are out to get veterans or something?

[Nobody]

You don't want to argue with me or tell me how I should think, that's fine. But I'm not saying things are bad for us and vets compared to immigrants NOW, I think they would become that way if Hillary got elected and Democrats remained in control. That's what I was saying. And why should illegals get help? They should be coming here LEGALLY. If they can't, that's their problem. They might not have much money or something, but that's not our fault. You can't save everyone, you know. It's best to focus on those you definitely CAN help and save. The American people are the natural born and legal citizens, and thus they should get priority

I didn't say ilegal immigrants should get help from the government. I said that they do not get help from the government.

Edited November 9, 2016 by Nooooooooooooooooooooobody

[Anacybele]

do you think the democrats are out to get veterans or something?

No, I think vets are being unfairly ignored. Obama said he wants to find homes for those Syrians. But we have homeless veterans and actual citizens who are also homeless and should be getting those homes first.

[Nobody]

No, I think vets are being unfairly ignored. Obama said he wants to find homes for those Syrians. But we have homeless veterans and actual citizens who are also homeless and should be getting those homes first.

Well, that's a quite complex discussion (i really mean it), but you see, the homeless citizens aren't having literal bombs being dropped on their heads

Edited November 9, 2016 by Nooooooooooooooooooooobody

[Naughx]

That said the Keystone XL pipeline project will be good for Canada's economy.

So it isn't all bad.

[Excellen Browning]

No, I think vets are being unfairly ignored. Obama said he wants to find homes for those Syrians. But we have homeless veterans and actual citizens who are also homeless and should be getting those homes first.

America has never helped the homeless, the sick, the old or the poor. This includes veterans. There was some headway made by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, especially with the ACA (obamacare), but the truth is that the Republicans in Congress have done their best to go against any sort of healthcare reform, and Republican states have done their best to ignore it. Essentially, if you're talking about veterans being homeless and sick, that's really on no one else than the Republicans.

[Res]

We'll just have to wait and see but I sincerely doubt Trump will end up helping anyone except rich people. You can't slash taxes for the general population and slash corporate taxes without heavily reducing benefits and raising the debt.

Here is what Trump is likely to do first.

America has never helped the homeless, the sick, the old or the poor. This includes veterans. There was some headway made by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, especially with the ACA (obamacare), but the truth is that the Republicans in Congress have done their best to go against any sort of healthcare reform, and Republican states have done their best to ignore it. Essentially, if you're talking about veterans being homeless and sick, that's really on no one else than the Republicans.

Aye, I don't see this changing any time soon.

[UNLEASH IT]

I remember an argument a few posts back about white privilege. It's something that, while I understand and is even the case for my home country (since it has a minority of very rich white people), I wonder can really be applied to a country like America, where white people exist across all social and financial strata. I feel like, if I was a poor working class white person (as is the case with many white Americans) and someone came up to me and said I have innate advantages over a PoC of the same class because of my skin color (privileges that I have yet to benefit from, seeing as I'm still poor), I'd punch that person in the mouth regardless of whether he was correct or not. I wonder if the whole 'white privilege' argument actually drove away white blue collar workers in the northern states from Clinton who usually voted Democrat. That idea simply would not resonate with them, as it devalues the challenges that they face in their daily lives.

Edited November 9, 2016 by UNLEASH IT

[Time the Crestfallen]

We'll just have to wait and see but I sincerely doubt Trump will end up helping anyone except rich people. You can't slash taxes for the general population and slash corporate taxes without heavily reducing benefits and raising the debt.

Here is what Trump is likely to do first.

Which is funny, since a huge chunk of his voter base are uneducated and 'poor' whites. Can't wait to see them react to his attempts at trickle-down economics.

Related to the link, the cutting of climate change is gonna hurt a lot. What we do from now on is absolutely crucial in regards to the planet, and now the US has elected a man who denies man-made climate change. Wonderful.

[Rezzy]

I remember an argument a few posts back about white privilege. It's something that, while I understand and is even the case for my home country (since it has a minority of very rich white people), I wonder can really be applied to a country like America, where white people exist across all social and financial strata. I feel like, if I was a poor working class white person (as is the case with many white Americans) and someone came up to me and said I have innate advantages over a PoC of the same class because of my skin color (privileges that I have yet to benefit from, seeing as I'm still poor), I'd punch that person in the mouth regardless of whether he was correct or not. I wonder if the whole 'white privilege' argument actually drove away white blue collar workers in the northern states from Clinton who usually voted Democrat. That idea simply would not resonate with them, as it devalues the challenges that they face in their daily lives.

I'm poor rural white trash. I had to work for where I am.

True story: my mother-in-law cleaned houses for a living, and one of her clients won office yesterday.

[UNLEASH IT]

I'm poor rural white trash. I had to work for where I am.

True story: my mother-in-law cleaned houses for a living, and one of her clients won office yesterday.

So if someone came up to you and lectured you on white privilege, would you by chance also punch them in the mouth? Just trying to see if this is a common sentiment.

[Excellen Browning]

Trickledown economics was done before, by Nixon or Raegan I believe. Some have argued that it was a great economic boost, but the truth is that this sort of change in economic policy has to effect economic growth whatsoever. The only things trickledown accomplished was a greater public debt and reduction in public spending. For things such as the justice department, the department of energy, social services, etc. In the end some people became more rich and most took a slight to great hit in quality of life.

A lot of people are getting karmic justice, in a sense, but it still sucks.

Edit: The destruction of the ozone layer is very definitely due to industrial activity, and you don't need to be a special snowflake to realize earth has experienced cold and warm periods, and thus warming the earth might be natural. HOWEVER THE CRUX OF IT IS THAT HUMANITY IS ADDING TO IT.

Edited November 9, 2016 by Excellen Browning

[blah the Prussian]

I remember an argument a few posts back about white privilege. It's something that, while I understand and is even the case for my home country (since it has a minority of very rich white people), I wonder can really be applied to a country like America, where white people exist across all social and financial strata. I feel like, if I was a poor working class white person (as is the case with many white Americans) and someone came up to me and said I have innate advantages over a PoC of the same class because of my skin color (privileges that I have yet to benefit from, seeing as I'm still poor), I'd punch that person in the mouth regardless of whether he was correct or not. I wonder if the whole 'white privilege' argument actually drove away white blue collar workers in the northern states from Clinton who usually voted Democrat. That idea simply would not resonate with them, as it devalues the challenges that they face in their daily lives.

The more accurate version, to be honest, is class privilege, with the stipulation that race has some impact on class.

[Eail]

WEW LADS

What a hell of an election to have as the first one I was able to vote in. It's been a year and a half of struggling but through hard work, dedication, spicy memes, and the Left completely dropping the ball than anyone has ever dropped the ball in the history of mankind, Trump did it.

President Donald Trump.

Quite frankly this has been one of the best days of my life, I've never seen such an incredible concentration of butthurt and salt at any other point in my life. The internet is on fire, and so was my college campus today, people trying to put together a protest against the election, and the dirtiest looks I've ever seen in my life all because of a little red hat I was wearing.

I'm more than aware that my opinion is going to be the minority on this site, but damn if it doesn't feel good to steal the win away in such a bombastic fashion, good job Florida, good job Wisconsin.

Also as an aside point, Republicans have the House, Senate, and Presidency, it's all turning up Red baby.

Edited November 9, 2016 by Eail

[Res]

I remember an argument a few posts back about white privilege. It's something that, while I understand and is even the case for my home country (since it has a minority of very rich white people), I wonder can really be applied to a country like America, where white people exist across all social and financial strata. I feel like, if I was a poor working class white person (as is the case with many white Americans) and someone came up to me and said I have innate advantages over a PoC of the same class because of my skin color (privileges that I have yet to benefit from, seeing as I'm still poor), I'd punch that person in the mouth regardless of whether he was correct or not. I wonder if the whole 'white privilege' argument actually drove away white blue collar workers in the northern states from Clinton who usually voted Democrat. That idea simply would not resonate with them, as it devalues the challenges that they face in their daily lives.

It's definitely a possibility.

I have to say that from everything I've seen online, from friends, friends-of-friends and in groups, the reasons given by people voting for Trump have largely been: lower taxes, and in favor of making abortion illegal. I can't see people voting purely in spite of being labeled privileged.

(I also grew up relatively poor, though not destitute. And, granted, not in a rural area.)

Just to be clear, white privilege has nothing to do with economic status. Economic privilege is also a thing and can apply to anyone of any race.

[Anacybele]

I'm more than aware that my opinion is going to be the minority on this site, but damn if it doesn't feel good to steal the win away in such a bombastic fashion, good job Florida, good job Wisconsin.

Dude, I'm with you all the way here! It felt SO good to see Trump win in such a fashion and prove the people that predicted Hillary wrong! Good job Florida, NC, PA, and Georgia! Especially PA! Trump pulled it out there at the last minute quite literally! I bet Hillary and her supporters were all "Wtf?!" at that. lol

[UNLEASH IT]

It's definitely a possibility.

I have to say that from everything I've seen online, from friends, friends-of-friends and in groups, the reasons given by people voting for Trump have largely been: lower taxes, and in favor of making abortion illegal. I can't see people voting purely in spite of being labeled privileged.

(I also grew up relatively poor, though not destitute. And, granted, not in a rural area.)

Just to be clear, white privilege has nothing to do with economic status. Economic privilege is also a thing and can apply to anyone of any race.

Mind you, I don't think that the idea of white privilege is wrong, just not some thing that blue collar whites can get behind.

[eclipse]

So, uh what would be the best case scenario for America in the next four years seeing as Trump won?

Btw, was really surprising he actually won. Totally unexpected.

Trump is impeached after the first idiotic thing he does as Pence drops dead at the same time.

More realistically, relations somehow improve with Russia, which leads to the mess in Syria being sorted out. It'll also make extradition from Russia to the US easier, which I'll gladly support.

Fully acknowledge that Pence has problematic history, but I continue to see that as pandering to the evangelical base he needed to court. VP historically has little power, so unless some nutjob goes out and whacks Trump, I don't think there's any reason to worry.

Or Trump gets himself impeached. Regardless, this part of Christianity is one that I won't support, and I'm none too happy that this is what's seen as "good" by it.

WEW LADS

What a hell of an election to have as the first one I was able to vote in. It's been a year and a half of struggling but through hard work, dedication, spicy memes, and the Left completely dropping the ball than anyone has ever dropped the ball in the history of mankind, Trump did it.

President Donald Trump.

Quite frankly this has been one of the best days of my life, I've never seen such an incredible concentration of butthurt and salt at any other point in my life. The internet is on fire, and so was my college campus today, people trying to put together a protest against the election, and the dirtiest looks I've ever seen in my life all because of a little red hat I was wearing.

I'm more than aware that my opinion is going to be the minority on this site, but damn if it doesn't feel good to steal the win away in such a bombastic fashion, good job Florida, good job Wisconsin.

Also as an aside point, Republicans have the House, Senate, and Presidency, it's all turning up Red baby.

And in other news, Hawaii's state senate is fully Democratic. It's a weird year. Really.

---

In other news, I'm more disappointed than surprised. Not the best way to start off a Congress term. ;/

Edited November 9, 2016 by eggclipse