Gulf of Mexico ------>>>>>> Gulf of America

[Calliecake]

Every guardrail has been removed. The current administration has free rein to do anything. He told us we would never have to vote again. What do people think this means? It certainly doesn't mean in four years everything can go back to some semblance of normal.

He is doing to to our government what he did to twitter. Look at what twitter was valued at before he took over. Look at what X is valued at today. Look at the s$&tshow that ensued when he took over Twitter. Kind of looks the same as we are seeing now, doesnt it?

 

[Calliecake]

Even the mid-terms may change the dynamic to some degree.

We can all hope.

 

[Matata]

Trump cannot become president a third time so worrying about the public opinion is probably the last of his concerns right now.

The Constitution says no one can be elected for a 3rd term but one can still serve as president past the 2nd term via serving as vice president or serving as speaker of the house. Both of those positions can ascend to the presidency if the president dies or is removed. Whether the language of the 12 amendment would prevent a past president serving as a vice president is currently up for debate among legal scholars. If such a situation occurs, the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution would be the final word.

 

[Matata]

The world’s richest man , unelected and seemingly unhinged is allowed to run roughshod over our government. He’s actually the most dangerous person. But it’s all very bad, unpredictable, unprecedented….

We are currently a plutocracy. The irony is that the current administration won with a working class message and the entire cabinet and key positions in all other departments are filled by billionaires.

 

[missy]

We are currently a plutocracy. The irony is that the current administration won with a working class message and the entire cabinet and key positions in all other departments are filled by billionaires.

It often is. Just not your plutocrats atm

 

[Rockdiamond]

@missy from my perspective and according to reputable news sources- as was litigated- there was no substantive fraud in the 2020 election.
A fair percentage of our citizens were convinced otherwise with no evidence.
Musk is definitely capable around computer code. Evidently he’s already installed “back doors” in many government systems.
I don’t see how it’s an unreasonable reach to think he’d find a way to make changes in upcoming elections or results.
Asking because I like and respect you …. Are you comfortable with a single unelected person having this much power?

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

What you’re suggesting here is just more taxes which will increase inflation and harm normal working Americans.
Do you use Amazon? Any idea how many of the products you buy are either imported or contain part that are imported?
Are you in favor and f higher taxes?
Sadly, the US gave away much of its manufacturing power over the past 40 years. Under both Republican and Democratic leadership. The people really in charge only care about making money. No matter how.

I think you may have missed the point, we implement the same charges for other countries products being imported here as they have for our imports. A light bulb is supposed to go off that those countries realized the USA will no longer be penalized for the fees we pay. Why do you think there is such a huge trade deficit. I encourage all to do in depth reading as to what has happened and how the USA is being charged so much more to do business with many other countries.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I’m also grateful for the opportunity to discuss. Apologies to Ella for all the work.

We’re all trying to “play nice” and I appreciate that too. My point is that your comments could easily be seen as bashing America. I think we all want the best for our country. We just see different ways of getting there.

Quite the contrary, I'm the one who loves America and am trying to save it regardless of what so many government people have done with slush money to take it down.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Just look at the news. None of this is “normal”
The world’s richest man , unelected and seemingly unhinged is allowed to run roughshod over our government. He’s actually the most dangerous person. But it’s all very bad, unpredictable, unprecedented….
The US telling Europe we no longer stand as allies???. This is not ok

I pray I’m totally off base

Wow, quite the accusations and no, he's not unhinged. What is being exposed is the dirty underwear of our politicians and there are many politicians who very frightened of what will be uncovered in their pocket fattening or vote raising past. That is where the unhinging starts.

 

[Calliecake]

There are people here who want to have this thread shut down. Please lets not let that happen.

 

[Rockdiamond]

think you may have missed the point, we implement the same charges for other countries products being imported here as they have for our imports. A light bulb is supposed to go off that those countries realized the USA will no longer be penalized for the fees we pay. Why do you think there is such a huge trade deficit. I encourage all to do in depth reading as to what has happened and how the USA is being charged so much more to do business with many other countries.

I’m not educated enough about trade deficits to know how it affects me personally.
I know adding tariffs( taxes WE pay) will raise prices on things I buy. You too.
How’s that going to help?
I’m terms of “unhinged “…. It’s hard to see his behavior as normal

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Going back to critical thinking:
In a dictatorship people can not choose a new leader. USA just chose a new leader.
There was no dictatorship.
Now?
I don’t recall any US leading “joking” about being a dictator, anytime in our history. Can we at least agree that a “joke” can truly put people ill at ease?

I personally find this a waste of time. I feel like I'm watching CNN and people cannot see the truth past the reporting. It is what it is and time will tell. If enough roadblocks are invented by the opposing party, success is gone and the future is lost.

I'm older than you, Rock, and I know what fairly successful governing looks like and the last four years have been a nightmare but it is happening because people were deluded as to what was going on. I pray your family in Israel stays safe along with all the other Jewish people if the Palestinians and Hamas return to Gaza.

Take care of yourself too, the times.. they are a changing. I hear such outrageous claims against the efforts to clean up the mess in this country that it makes me sad.

 

[Matata]

That’s rich. Accusing the R of fixing elections. When some feel that’s exactly what happened four years ago

The R did try to fix the 2020 election. The proof is the people currently serving prison sentences, currently awaiting trial, and those who lost their law licenses for participating in various wide-spread election interference schemes all of whom were close advisers to or close confidants of the losing candidate. Then there is that little brouhaha on Jan. 6 which was a failed attempt at sabotaging the peaceful transfer of power.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I'm older than you,

I’ll tell you… I’m pretty darn old but I don’t recall, revealing my age
It’s pretty clear this discussion has reached a point of no return. Sad.
Peace to all.

To Ella- thank you for allowing us to vent. It’s ot going to fix anything but the sense of community is so valuable.

 

[kenny]

How I hope this is true. Based on what we’re looking at, the people now in power are never going to willingly relinquish it.
Regardless- even if another peaceful transfer of power does occur ( doubtful at this point), the US will never again have credibility.

Those in power are not THE problem.
Their voters are, and they do not have term limits.

They'll just find a similar replacement.

 

[missy]

@missy from my perspective and according to reputable news sources- as was litigated- there was no substantive fraud in the 2020 election.
A fair percentage of our citizens were convinced otherwise with no evidence.
Musk is definitely capable around computer code. Evidently he’s already installed “back doors” in many government systems.
I don’t see how it’s an unreasonable reach to think he’d find a way to make changes in upcoming elections or results.
Asking because I like and respect you …. Are you comfortable with a single unelected person having this much power?

If one party can do it so can the other. Do you think any are above it?

I’m disgusted with all the political parties and candidates. That’s the truth. They’re all dirty

 

[Tigerlilyrosepetal]

This conversation was interesting when it was discussing its topic: re-naming the Gulf of Mexico and all of the vehement opposition against it and the feelings it evoked.

Hating upon the current administration is getting old. And I think against policy.

 

[missy]

Opinions aren't facts. If you mean that he was a puppetmaster of the winning candidate then say why you think so. Ad Populum fallacy does not make a convincing point.

Too much to share on a forum where we have limits. But yes I absolutely do think he is the supreme puppet master

 

[missy]

Wow, quite the accusations and no, he's not unhinged. What is being exposed is the dirty underwear of our politicians and there are many politicians who very frightened of what will be uncovered in their pocket fattening or vote raising past. That is where the unhinging starts.

Sadly too many have been brainwashed. The so called “news” makes crap up. And people eat it up. This is a huge part of the problem. Critical thinking is out the window

 

[Rockdiamond]

Critical thinking is out the window

Agreed. And it’s tragic.

 

[missy]

Agreed. And it’s tragic.

On that we agree
Do you really not see that October 7th was a dress rehearsal?

 

[Tigerlilyrosepetal]

Agreed. And it’s tragic.

I will take this one step further and say it’s even sadder when people from our ally countries listen to our news and sip that kool aid. They don’t live here, work here, breathe here, but yet are deeply interested in our politics and what we do with naming places.

I can’t get over it. I wouldn’t care about what territory they label as UK. Oh wait-they did this with Ireland. In fact, stole a chunk of that country. Talk about calling the kettle black.

 

[Matata]

Wow, quite the accusations and no, he's not unhinged. What is being exposed is the dirty underwear of our politicians and there are many politicians who very frightened of what will be uncovered in their pocket fattening or vote raising past. That is where the unhinging starts.

Our political system runs on winks and nods, scratch my back, grease the palm etc. It's going to be difficult to have a more honest government until we change how we elect politicians. We need to be rid of PACs and lobbyists; elections should be paid for by the government -- each candidate getting the same amount of money to run their campaigns, and my fav -- ranked choice voting -- all of which would even the playing field and help advance the most qualified candidates rather than the richest or most easily bought.

 

[Tigerlilyrosepetal]

@missy **edited by moderator, no politics**

Hi @Rockdiamond,

Personally, I think the discussion should move beyond the election of 2020.

I think most people in America are working hard and want what’s best for getting better lives and circumstances and simply live enjoying their freedoms. Thank God for the people who came before us in America to allow us to enjoy what we have. I don’t think that people are being torn apart as much as the media will have you believe, nor do I believe the select opinions on here represent most Americans (example: election results 2024).

I really think that people want the cost of eggs to go down and to be able to afford a house.

Since you asked, I think this thread is filled with such a narrow niche of people, that it would be unrealistic to say with generalizations the country is being destroyed by basic facts because of different ideas. My personal opinion is that The VAST majority of opinions on this thread are from upper-class, educated, white, privileged and very entitled people, who have money for luxury. I have been finding it interesting to hear the hypocrisy dripping from people. People who probably have never served and don’t know what it means to sign your life away on the dotted line to protect others’ freedoms and priviledges.

I really believe that If there ever were a war or an attack like 9/11 you will see Americans rally together like no one else. People from all walks of life and all countries come together in the US and live harmoniously the vast vast majority of the time. I truly think that we have a patriotism and loyalty to this country like no other.

So, no. I don’t think generally that our country is being torn apart by differing ideas fundamentally.

 

[Tigerlilyrosepetal]

@missy I feel the same way and it scares me that war looms so close, especially with children serving.
In this thread, I have said repeatedly, it really bothers me that our “allies” are so Anti-American, especially at the door step of massive worldwide problems.

One lady on here said her people mock us. And, the words were deservedly, I believe. It’s mind blowing to me.

 

[Bonfire]

. People who probably have never served and don’t know what it means to sign your life away on the dotted line to protect others’ freedoms and priviledges.

Please don’t make assumptions about folks here. I lost my oldest brother in Vietnam. Another brother served in the Marines Corps. My nephew retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. My dad served in WWII. I understand service and sacrifice. Thank you for your’s

 

[missy]

@missy I feel the same way and it scares me that war looms so close, especially with children serving.
In this thread, I have said repeatedly, it really bothers me that our “allies” are so Anti-American, especially at the door step of massive worldwide problems.

One lady on here said her people mock us. And, the words were deservedly, I believe. It’s mind blowing to me.

I feel the same way you do.
I’ve never in my life mocked anyone and to see this behavior from our so called allies is disappointing. There’s a saying “with friends like that who needs enemies”

 

[Tigerlilyrosepetal]

Please don’t make assumptions about folks here. I lost my oldest brother in Vietnam. Another brother served in the Marines Corps. My nephew retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. My dad served in WWII. I understand service and sacrifice. Thank you for your’s

Sorry for your family’s loss. I meant each individual on here serving themselves, which I distinguish from family members.

 

[Matata]

My personal opinion is that The VAST majority of opinions on this thread are from upper-class, educated, white, privileged and very entitled people, who have money for luxury. I have been finding it interesting to hear the hypocrisy dripping from people.

Hi there from an upper-class, educated, white, privileged but not entitled person who has money for luxury who was a dirt poor kid raised in a ghetto and who made it the hard way with no help from anyone, whose entire male family members served in WWII and Vietnam and who saw what living through a war does to a human body and mind, who established a foundation to help the financially challenged in my town, who donates a lot of money to local and national entities supporting humanitarian causes because I know first hand what it's like to be poor, hungry, and scared. Does this confession make my opinions more or less valid in your personal opinion?

The members here are a microcosm of the residents of this country as well as other countries and painting everyone with a broad brush is narrow minded. Please clarify what hypocrisy you hear "dripping from people" and how it differs from yours as you disparage members on a jewelry board for being able to buy jewelry when you are yourself a member.

 

[missy]

Putin is thrilled. Can we agree he’s our enemy?

100% agree