holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:You know what's crazy is that Trump is taking office with things in REALLY good shape for the most part. The economy is stronger, despite all the negative talk about how things are going. If you compare what Trump is inheriting versus what Obama had to handle it's almost unbelievable how different things are. We should not forget how Bush and his cronies nearly destroyed the economy and destabilized international affairs.

So Trump is the only one who is actually threatening to mess up a fairly stable situation. Trump is taking over a situation that is primed for huge success if he manages things right, but can he do that? There are some concerns with Europe and the coming Elections and of course Russia and North Korea. Will he mess things up by destabilizing the rest of the world with his recklessness and impulsive behavior?

Is this true?
We were at a low with relations with Russia over a 25 year period.
I guess people like you still wont listen to the millions of people in the mid western states who lost jobs. Thats why Hillary lost--no other reason.
Our military has sagged off badly. So bad so that we seemed to be able to be hacked by other governments at will.
Our medical expenses are out of control
There is no debt mechanism/plan in place which still could lead to disaster
We have crime drug gun issues that have gone on unabated
These are the reasons why Trump is President?? The economy came back because we artificially pulled it out of a death spiral. But that economy only works for some people--no where near all.

Russia, Putin, just finished helping Assad kill over 400,000 people in the Syrian Civil War...They invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea..Hacked our election and European elections and your concerned is that our relations are at a all time low in 25 years???..Ya think??..

No doubt about Russia.
And this is a big reason US must assert itself again as a world power, support our friends like Israel, UK, North Korea, Japan, no matter what, put more money in defense, arm race, and cyber-defense specifically.
Russian kleptocracy can be easily bought on our site if we will let them keep their personal money and let them dominate their traditional areas in global politics.

The US needs to transition out of the affairs of the Middle East...They are no longer the epicenter it once was because of oil...Asia will be the new economic center of the globe in the next decade which is why TPP was so important...We spend more money on our military than the next 8 countries combined...We are not a diminished military like the Republicans are saying..You can read for yourself, do the research, don't let republicans lie to you....We can't be policemen for the world...We can't fight everyone's war for them...We can't fight Iran for Israel and we can't fight Syria for Saudi Arabia, fight North Korea for South Korea, enough...We don't need Russia...Russia GDP is 1.3 trillion and our is GDP 18 trillion..Why bother with Russia, because Trump is a narcissist who is engaged in a bromance with Putin because of his autocratic/kleptocratic power...

We need intelligent people running our country...Actions because of racism and old world ways will only hinder our growth as a country..Racism and prejudice are for stupid people...They won't win that way...That's why we are a global power, because the US is the least of these things in the world and smart people want to study here because of our openness...You can't embrace Trumpism..It's dumb politics and dumb economics...Trump is all about that...

I do not agree on Asia being the new economic power. They have too many people, the demographics trends are very alarming.
Corruption and protectionism are the second nature. They are pragmatic but very conservative.
Nationalism and religious antagonism is ripping them apart. I do not see any stability here.
Wealth continue to flow out to US, Europe, Japan, Tigers, Australia, even Latin America free market economies.
The brains and talents are also moving in the same direction.
I agree that we do not need to do anything out there. We need to do better in our own home and all the rest will take care about itself.
Countries who will enter into the age of new technological revolution or automation, robotics, renewable energies, etc. faster will get enormous advantage.

Well economist in the US government and the IMF disagrees with you with their projections...China, India, and Japan and S.Korea will be an economic power at the current pace...Aren't you referring to the Asian Tigers??..Australia is in Asia although it culturally aligned with Europe...

It's just crazy to think we need to re-engage with the Middle East and some how that is our future...

Yep, I do disagree with them. I do not think current ans past data can be used to correctly project geopolitical future.
There are to many factors. China is slowing down and structural issues in India are huge. Japan and other have quickly aging populations and their isolationism to not allow immigration will slow them down rather sooner that later.
As per Middle East I think its a future wasteland with no significance. Same applies to Russia and most of Africa.
Bets human resources and wealth is rushing out leaving economical and political ruins behind.
This is clearly unfolding in front of our eyes.

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:You know what's crazy is that Trump is taking office with things in REALLY good shape for the most part. The economy is stronger, despite all the negative talk about how things are going. If you compare what Trump is inheriting versus what Obama had to handle it's almost unbelievable how different things are. We should not forget how Bush and his cronies nearly destroyed the economy and destabilized international affairs.

So Trump is the only one who is actually threatening to mess up a fairly stable situation. Trump is taking over a situation that is primed for huge success if he manages things right, but can he do that? There are some concerns with Europe and the coming Elections and of course Russia and North Korea. Will he mess things up by destabilizing the rest of the world with his recklessness and impulsive behavior?

Is this true?
We were at a low with relations with Russia over a 25 year period.
I guess people like you still wont listen to the millions of people in the mid western states who lost jobs. Thats why Hillary lost--no other reason.
Our military has sagged off badly. So bad so that we seemed to be able to be hacked by other governments at will.
Our medical expenses are out of control
There is no debt mechanism/plan in place which still could lead to disaster
We have crime drug gun issues that have gone on unabated
These are the reasons why Trump is President?? The economy came back because we artificially pulled it out of a death spiral. But that economy only works for some people--no where near all.

Russia, Putin, just finished helping Assad kill over 400,000 people in the Syrian Civil War...They invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea..Hacked our election and European elections and your concerned is that our relations are at a all time low in 25 years???..Ya think??..

No doubt about Russia.
And this is a big reason US must assert itself again as a world power, support our friends like Israel, UK, North Korea, Japan, no matter what, put more money in defense, arm race, and cyber-defense specifically.
Russian kleptocracy can be easily bought on our site if we will let them keep their personal money and let them dominate their traditional areas in global politics.

The US needs to transition out of the affairs of the Middle East...They are no longer the epicenter it once was because of oil...Asia will be the new economic center of the globe in the next decade which is why TPP was so important...We spend more money on our military than the next 8 countries combined...We are not a diminished military like the Republicans are saying..You can read for yourself, do the research, don't let republicans lie to you....We can't be policemen for the world...We can't fight everyone's war for them...We can't fight Iran for Israel and we can't fight Syria for Saudi Arabia, fight North Korea for South Korea, enough...We don't need Russia...Russia GDP is 1.3 trillion and our is GDP 18 trillion..Why bother with Russia, because Trump is a narcissist who is engaged in a bromance with Putin because of his autocratic/kleptocratic power...

We need intelligent people running our country...Actions because of racism and old world ways will only hinder our growth as a country..Racism and prejudice are for stupid people...They won't win that way...That's why we are a global power, because the US is the least of these things in the world and smart people want to study here because of our openness...You can't embrace Trumpism..It's dumb politics and dumb economics...Trump is all about that...

I do not agree on Asia being the new economic power. They have too many people, the demographics trends are very alarming.
Corruption and protectionism are the second nature. They are pragmatic but very conservative.
Nationalism and religious antagonism is ripping them apart. I do not see any stability here.
Wealth continue to flow out to US, Europe, Japan, Tigers, Australia, even Latin America free market economies.
The brains and talents are also moving in the same direction.
I agree that we do not need to do anything out there. We need to do better in our own home and all the rest will take care about itself.
Countries who will enter into the age of new technological revolution or automation, robotics, renewable energies, etc. faster will get enormous advantage.

Well economist in the US government and the IMF disagrees with you with their projections...China, India, and Japan and S.Korea will be an economic power at the current pace...Aren't you referring to the Asian Tigers??..Australia is in Asia although it culturally aligned with Europe...

It's just crazy to think we need to re-engage with the Middle East and some how that is our future...

Yep, I do disagree with them. I do not think current ans past data can be used to correctly project geopolitical future.
There are to many factors. China is slowing down and structural issues in India are huge. Japan and other have quickly aging populations and their isolationism to not allow immigration will slow them down rather sooner that later.
As per Middle East I think its a future wasteland with no significance. Same applies to Russia and most of Africa.
Bets human resources and wealth is rushing out leaving economical and political ruins behind.
This is clearly unfolding in front of our eyes.

What you are not factoring is education..I'll agree with the experts on this one...If they start trading with themselves, our companies as global entities will suffer..

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:You know what's crazy is that Trump is taking office with things in REALLY good shape for the most part. The economy is stronger, despite all the negative talk about how things are going. If you compare what Trump is inheriting versus what Obama had to handle it's almost unbelievable how different things are. We should not forget how Bush and his cronies nearly destroyed the economy and destabilized international affairs.

So Trump is the only one who is actually threatening to mess up a fairly stable situation. Trump is taking over a situation that is primed for huge success if he manages things right, but can he do that? There are some concerns with Europe and the coming Elections and of course Russia and North Korea. Will he mess things up by destabilizing the rest of the world with his recklessness and impulsive behavior?

Is this true?
We were at a low with relations with Russia over a 25 year period.
I guess people like you still wont listen to the millions of people in the mid western states who lost jobs. Thats why Hillary lost--no other reason.
Our military has sagged off badly. So bad so that we seemed to be able to be hacked by other governments at will.
Our medical expenses are out of control
There is no debt mechanism/plan in place which still could lead to disaster
We have crime drug gun issues that have gone on unabated
These are the reasons why Trump is President?? The economy came back because we artificially pulled it out of a death spiral. But that economy only works for some people--no where near all.

Russia, Putin, just finished helping Assad kill over 400,000 people in the Syrian Civil War...They invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea..Hacked our election and European elections and your concerned is that our relations are at a all time low in 25 years???..Ya think??..

No doubt about Russia.
And this is a big reason US must assert itself again as a world power, support our friends like Israel, UK, North Korea, Japan, no matter what, put more money in defense, arm race, and cyber-defense specifically.
Russian kleptocracy can be easily bought on our site if we will let them keep their personal money and let them dominate their traditional areas in global politics.

The US needs to transition out of the affairs of the Middle East...They are no longer the epicenter it once was because of oil...Asia will be the new economic center of the globe in the next decade which is why TPP was so important...We spend more money on our military than the next 8 countries combined...We are not a diminished military like the Republicans are saying..You can read for yourself, do the research, don't let republicans lie to you....We can't be policemen for the world...We can't fight everyone's war for them...We can't fight Iran for Israel and we can't fight Syria for Saudi Arabia, fight North Korea for South Korea, enough...We don't need Russia...Russia GDP is 1.3 trillion and our is GDP 18 trillion..Why bother with Russia, because Trump is a narcissist who is engaged in a bromance with Putin because of his autocratic/kleptocratic power...

We need intelligent people running our country...Actions because of racism and old world ways will only hinder our growth as a country..Racism and prejudice are for stupid people...They won't win that way...That's why we are a global power, because the US is the least of these things in the world and smart people want to study here because of our openness...You can't embrace Trumpism..It's dumb politics and dumb economics...Trump is all about that...

I do not agree on Asia being the new economic power. They have too many people, the demographics trends are very alarming.
Corruption and protectionism are the second nature. They are pragmatic but very conservative.
Nationalism and religious antagonism is ripping them apart. I do not see any stability here.
Wealth continue to flow out to US, Europe, Japan, Tigers, Australia, even Latin America free market economies.
The brains and talents are also moving in the same direction.
I agree that we do not need to do anything out there. We need to do better in our own home and all the rest will take care about itself.
Countries who will enter into the age of new technological revolution or automation, robotics, renewable energies, etc. faster will get enormous advantage.

Well economist in the US government and the IMF disagrees with you with their projections...China, India, and Japan and S.Korea will be an economic power at the current pace...Aren't you referring to the Asian Tigers??..Australia is in Asia although it culturally aligned with Europe...

It's just crazy to think we need to re-engage with the Middle East and some how that is our future...

Yep, I do disagree with them. I do not think current ans past data can be used to correctly project geopolitical future.
There are to many factors. China is slowing down and structural issues in India are huge. Japan and other have quickly aging populations and their isolationism to not allow immigration will slow them down rather sooner that later.
As per Middle East I think its a future wasteland with no significance. Same applies to Russia and most of Africa.
Bets human resources and wealth is rushing out leaving economical and political ruins behind.
This is clearly unfolding in front of our eyes.

What you are not factoring is education..I'll agree with the experts on this one...If they start trading with themselves, our companies as global entities will suffer..

Education was at very high level in Soviet Union but it did not help matters.
Educated people need to apply the knowledge they get in real economy and if nothing is there they will look out or will lose it.
In many countries diploma is used just as springboard to get position in bureaucracy of any kind and get a piece of a pie in distributive economy.
This countries do not produce wealth they just redistribute resources gathered by selling natural resources and chip labor.
We see this in Middle East in Africa a lot. The whole industry build in some countries (like Russia) to supply this diplomas.

But you are looking at closed societies, not entrepreneurial societies which encourages capitalism, as is happening in Asia now..Most industries are State owned with zero incentive to build private companies...Huge difference.....China, India, Japan, and Korea are producing globally traded companies that competes with US companies...You can't compare Russia, counties in Africa and the Middle East to what is happening in Asia today..

holfresh wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/814110460761018368

So tired of Trump's unpresidential comments!!! Between him and Netanyahu it's just a ridiculous stream of unhelpful statements and actions that won't help to stabilize world affairs. Trump forgot that he was supposed to stay out of President Obama's way and wait his turn!!!

nixluva wrote:AND it continues...

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/814113616110751744

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/814114980983427073

We only treat sitting Presidents with disdain and disrespect..Definitely not our allies like Israel and Russia...

arkrud wrote:

holfresh wrote:

nixluva wrote:AND it continues...

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/814113616110751744

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/814114980983427073

We only treat sitting Presidents with disdain and disrespect..Definitely not our allies like Israel and Russia...

With current shift to nationalism and open selfishness in politics of ever country in the world the interests of US will and have to be the priority over plain morality.
You cannot base you politics on moral ground when no one else does. You will be diminished to the role of passive disrespected observer which we became under Obama administration. To get out of this misery we need to seek bilateral agreements one-on-one with any country which is in our interest.
What this county is - nationalistic kleptocracy like Russia, or nationalists democracy like Israel, or totalitarian communist China does not matter.
Trump is just a symptom of brave new world which is coming at us no matter what. Every time asks for specific types of leaders.
Trump will need to pass the test if he is one. He can surely fail and then we will need to find another one.
Time for comfortable complacency of single superpower is over. US need to reinvent itself on the international stage which undergoing dramatic change.

There is no shift..The majority of the country does not align with Trump's point of view no matter what he says..His actions will go against what most of the country feels..Israel should know that the majority of the US does not agree with them or Trump...But they are acting like they have all of the US behind them and just Obama against them...Not the case at all...This won't end with Trump...

More people voted for Hillary than for Obama..The electoral college is a rigged system...Trump thinks the majority backs him and Netanyahu doesn't care...Trump acts like he has a mandate..

holfresh wrote:Kerry just made the speech of his lifetime...Wow..Massive rebuke to Israel's claims..Extraordinary speech with historical context...Striking stat...When the first peace agreement was signed for a two state solution, Palestinian would get 48% and Israel 52% but today Israel gets 78% to Palestinian 22% and still they are erecting settlements in occupied territory...

I was done with Netanyahu when he came to speak to the Congress without clearing it with President Obama.

In January, Boehner invited Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress to talk about the Iran nuclear negotiations, which the prime minister vigorously opposes. Boehner issued the invitation without consulting the White House, which some argue is a violation of protocol. The White House has said President Obama will not meet with Netanyahu while he is here, citing a precedent that U.S. officials have a longstanding practice of not meeting with foreign leaders so close to their elections. Israel's elections take place on March 17.

Now you have Trump dealing directly and publicly with Netanyahu before he's even inaugurated and while Obama is still in charge!!! This idea that Israel should dictate what the U.S. does is insulting and wrong.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/813945096269860866

Consumer confidence back in 2009 was at 25.3% and by October was at 108 so OBAMA was the one who actually brought about the bulk of the economy improvements. Trump's is starting off on 3rd base and acting like he's hitting a homerun!!!

It's easier to find a good job. I'm making more money. I'm more optimistic about the future.

That's how many Americans feel about their personal financial situations since President Obama took office eight years ago.
Voters are certainly hearing a lot about the economy in this presidential election, though it can seem like we are living in two different Americas depending on which candidate is talking.

Regardless of what's said on the campaign trail, though, many Americans report they are feeling flusher than they did several years ago.
Some 42% of Americans say now is a good time to find a quality job, according to an October Gallup poll. This is a vast improvement from 2011, when it hit a low of 8%. The measure is now just below where it was in the boom times of 2007.

These sentiments are in line with an upward swing in the job market -- unemployment fell to 4.9% in October, compared to 7.8% when President Obama took office in January, 2009. A total of 10.9 million jobs have been created during his tenure.

So while the economy still ranks as voters' top concern, unemployment has fallen to 7th place, with just 6% citing it as the nation's number one problem, down from a high of 39% in the fall of 2011.

Several Gallup reports point to Americans' improving attitudes about their finances and the economy. Consumer confidence, investor optimism and small business owner confidence have all improved since Obama took office in 2008, said Frank Newport, Gallup's editor-in-chief.
"Americans are overwhelmingly better off than they were eight years ago," Newport said. "There's no question about it."

Of course, the nation was in the midst of a major recession when people went to the polls in 2008, and it was still healing during the 2012 election. Most of Gallup's measures have climbed since then, though they have leveled over the past year or two, Newport said.

The economic recovery has put many Americans in a better place. More than two-thirds say they are making more than they were five years ago and only 20% say they are making less, according to an August poll from Gallup.

In 2013, only 58% said they were earning more, and 28% said they were bringing home less.
american incomes up

Median household income had remained fairly flat until 2015, when it jumped 5.2% to $56,516. It marked the first increase in median income since 2007, the year before the Great Recession started.

Workers are also pretty pleased with their jobs, with few saying they feel underemployed. Some 70% said their job is a good match for their skills and training, while only 23% said their position doesn't take advantage of their abilities and knowledge.

More Americans are reporting that they are better off now than they were a year ago, compared to those who felt this way in 2013, according to the New York Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Expectations. More also have a positive attitude about the coming year.

The stock market has also soared in recent years, with the S&P 500 Index now above 2100, after plummeting to 735 in February 2009. This has revived many Americans' fortunes.

Take Ken Dukes, 57. In 2008 and 2009, the freelance computer programmer saw his investments shrink by 50%. But he didn't panic and sell. Instead, he added to his portfolio, which he says has more than doubled since then.

The strong market recovery allowed the Kissimmee, Florida, resident to retire two years ago. He now devotes himself to teaching Sunday school and hobbies, such as programming video games.

"It's nice that my investments and retirement savings are doing well enough so I can retire and do the things I want to do," Dukes said.