(01-19-2017 06:46 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 05:52 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 04:41 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  At the risk of throwing gasoline on a fire that is dying out, I want to further speak to this.

We certainly want our elected national representatives to represent us in ways that bring credit to the nation. But we were not electing role models, we were electing people to take actions on behalf of our country. I didn't like it when he made fun of Fiorena's looks. I didn't like it when he made the "rapists" comment. I didn't like the "deplorables" comment either. But the things I consider important are not these things, but how will the US react if Russia invades Estonia, or what will our President have to say if there is another Paris attack, or how will we get middle class jobs back to America? If you have problems with your house, but the guy who can fix them is unacceptable to you because he spits tobacco juice on the floor, I guess you have to choose. Clean floors or fixed house.

Trump is not my role model. I hope my grandchildren do not grow up to be like him. But I think they have a better chance of growing up in an America in which they have jobs and freedom if he is the President. I think, after eight years of hoping for hope and change, we can actually hope for real change. Maybe it won't happen, or maybe it will not be good change. But at this point, I think it -change for the better - CAN happen, and so I will be watching. Reserving judgement at this point.

I'm impressed that you have been able to glean that Trump will give your grandchildren a chance to live in a better world since he hasn't exactly been forthcoming with the details on how he will accomplish that.

What specifics has Trump given that makes you think that they will be more free and have better jobs?

It's a hope. In my opinion, Clinton was the "more of the same" candidate, which would lead us farther down the road of minimal growth, widening income inequality, and a disappearing middle class, and a further diminishing of American prestige in the world. Trump could be either better or worse than "Status Quo" Hillary, but he will be different. Time will tell if he is different better or different worse. I have hopes it will be the former. I had little hope that Hillary would make things better - my sense of her was that her agenda would be fulfilled as she stepped down from the Inaugural stand. First female President - end of story.

Specifically, I think his views on taxation and repatriation could be stimuli, if done correctly.

But as i said, for now I am in a wait and see mode, but it is a hopeful one, not one full of dread.

It sounds like you think he will be worse for jobs and worse for freedom. Your specifics?

Worse for freedoms: calls for more liberal libel laws due to an apparent disdain for the press, criticism, and facts, him supporting Duarte's vigilante style justice in the Philippines, and the agenda of his VP with regards to the LGBT community.

For jobs, I don't know if he will be better or worse, but I think he is too fixated on the pst when he talks about Making America Great Again. He doesn't offer bold visions for the next generation of jobs - he focuses heavily on manufacturing jobs in older industries where jobs aren't necessarily being replaced by foreign workers but by machines. It's a lot more attractive to say Trump will get your old job back then Trump will train you for a new job in an industry that we expect to start growing in the future.

I expect if he attempts to put tariffs on foreign goods that it will only lead to trade wars that will hurt our middle class by driving up the costs of goods.

Also, while I think we should reduce our corporate tax rate to encourage companies to move their money back to the US, I don't think any savings will go to new jobs - it will go to shareholders. However, I believe that more would cause us to gain more tax revenues from that move, which is why I support it.

I also like his focus on infrastructure, somewhere I do see him helping the middle class. However, that's a very democratic idea, and one pushed by Obama and Clinton, so that shouldn't come as a surprise.

I'm still in wait and see, because you're right, maybe he could turn out to be good at his new job. I just hate that he is a big giant turd of a human being. We deserve better.