Trump supporters, how do you square this?

[Westernhawk]

Here's another possible theory....maybe Musk is trying to set the whole thing up to benefit himself and his many companies that have contracts from the U.S. government and he's just so bad at it that he's screwing himself over??? Being rich does not make one smart. He might have good ideas but that does not make him qualified to carry out what he's trying to do. You give him and tRump way more credit mainly because they are rich.....inherited riches that 99.99999% of us average Americans will never have. That doesn't make a person qualified to do what they're trying to do, whether it's good or evil.

That can't be, can it? The richest guy in the world with massive conflicts of interest? He'd benefit greatly by being taxed less, and eliminating services for poor people. He'd benefit greatly from less environmental, labor, and safety regulation.

We should put him in charge of closing those programs. What could possibly go wrong?

Also, as we slash programs like USAID, CDC, etc... people will get sick and die. No quesiton. Hope the tax breaks for the red hat billionaire heroes are worth it. Middle class people won't see shit.

On another note, this "short term pain" thing only affects regular people. The very rich are already ahead of the game and likely trading with insider info. The very rich will be even more rich.

So... if we're going to close programs, why not give a tax break to the poor and middle class, too? Seriously! Anyone have a good answer as to why they are just giving tax breaks to the top two brackets?

 

[Hay Man]

That can't be, can it? The richest guy in the world with massive conflicts of interest? He'd benefit greatly by being taxed less, and eliminating services for poor people. He'd benefit greatly from less environmental, labor, and safety regulation.

We should put him in charge of closing those programs. What could possibly go wrong?

Also, as we slash programs like USAID, CDC, etc... people will get sick and die. No quesiton. Hope the tax breaks for the red hat billionaire heroes are worth it. Middle class people won't see shit.

On another note, this "short term pain" thing only affects regular people. The very rich are already ahead of the game and likely trading with insider info. The very rich will be even more rich.

So... if we're going to close programs, why not give a tax break to the poor and middle class, too? Seriously! Anyone have a good answer as to why they are just giving tax breaks to the top two brackets?

It's because the rich will give their workers big raises and employ more people. Not to buy back stocks or buy a couple more yachts.

 

[Westernhawk]

So, it's clear now that the Department of Education is going to be dismantled, with 50% of the workforce being fired.

The argument that "this all goes back to the states" is likely one that will results in it working that way in some areas, but clearly not others.

If you have a kid who has special needs, a chunk of that funding comes from federal grants. There will be gaps, and poor and middle class folks with special needs kids won't have the same level of educational services.

This, repeating for those in the back, will affect middle class and poor people in a disproportionate way. This is what the "E" in DEI is actually about. Health equity, and educational equity are GOOD things.

Again, this is a moral/values issue for me, and the people in charge don't have good values. Period.

 

[Westernhawk]

It's because the rich will give their workers big raises and employ more people. Not to buy back stocks or buy a couple more yachts.

Did any of our "super smart" and "bigly smart" leaders contemplate that companies may move their factories to Vietnam and Malaysia, and not just the US? The US has pretty high labor costs.

I'm sure the answer will be "we'll just tariff Vietnam with big, beautiful tariffs"... oh my. Trade wars hurt people.

...and they are just another tax on the American people. WE pay the tariff.

 

[Westernhawk]

So much winning we'll barely be able to handle it, he said. So much beautiful, big money! Who is this "short term pain" going to affect? Regular people, of course. Retirement plans losing thousands every day, while costs will continue to increase for people (through tariffs and maybe stagflation). They talk a good game but we'll see how the next several months go. This brings me no joy... none.

 

[Westernhawk]

Trump's economic promises. Love to hear the justification/rationale/whataboutism. Note the comments "starting on day one, we will end inflation and make American affordable again, to bring down the prices of all goods." With tariffs and stubborn inflation, it looks like it may be the opposite. Is he a liar, confused, or just not good in estimating the effects of his policies?

 

[Fryowa]

Trump's economic promises. Love to hear the justification/rationale/whataboutism. Note the comments "starting on day one, we will end inflation and make American affordable again, to bring down the prices of all goods." With tariffs and stubborn inflation, it looks like it may be the opposite. Is he a liar, confused, or just not good in estimating the effects of his policies?

View attachment 11375

You're talking to a brick wall with "WHADDABOUT" and "YEAHBUT" spray painted on it.

Not a shot at you, just commentary that you're never going to get a rational response. You're basically hitting yourself in the dong with a sledgehammer and hoping at some point it's not going to hurt.

 

[Westernhawk]

You're talking to a brick wall with "WHADDABOUT" and "YEAHBUT" spray painted on it.

Not a shot at you, just commentary that you're never going to get a rational response. You're basically hitting yourself in the dong with a sledgehammer and hoping at some point it's not going to hurt.

I'm actually posting some of these things for the other folks on the board, knowing that PC is a rhetorical punching bag for most of the folks on here.

I've said, directly to him, that I'm not posting this for his benefit, but for others to see and comment. He's just a foil.

 

[Fryowa]

I'm actually posting some of these things for the other folks on the board, knowing that PC is a rhetorical punching bag for most of the folks on here.

I've said, directly to him, that I'm not posting this for his benefit, but for others to see and comment. He's just a foil.

Unfortunately there are 126 pages of this thread of people on both sides who haven't changed their perceptions or opinions a single millimeter. That's why you don't argue religion or politics. It only makes people fight who'd normally enjoy each other's company.

I went to a dive bar once in Pennsylvania that had a little foyer that you had to walk through to get into the actual bar.

It had a metal garbage can sitting there with a sign above it that said...

"PUT YOUR POLITICS AND RELIGION HERE BEFORE YOU WALK IN MY BAR, AND TAKE THAT GARBAGE WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE"

I'll never forget that as long as I live. That guy got it.

 

[Westernhawk]

Unfortunately there are 126 pages of this thread of people on both sides who haven't changed their perceptions or opinions a single millimeter. That's why you don't argue religion or politics. It only makes people fight who'd normally enjoy each other's company.

I went to a dive bar once in Pennsylvania that had a little foyer that you had to walk through to get into the actual bar.

It had a metal garbage can sitting there with a sign above it that said...

"PUT YOUR POLITICS AND RELIGION HERE BEFORE YOU WALK IN MY BAR, AND TAKE THAT GARBAGE WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE"

I'll never forget that as long as I live. That guy got it.

Normally I would agree with you, but you still see this simply as a left vs right issue (typical American political stuff).

I disagree. We are in different times. And I'm not a democrat.

Edit: I absolutely know that people don't change their minds. PC Hawk, for example, is like a recording of a Fox talking point. Others on the board may benefit from information (facts, data) that support their involvement in grass roots action, including influencing friends and family members to question or even actively resist the unconstitutional demolition of agencies by DOGE. I appreciate that people don't change their minds, though. You're absolutely right about that. I'm not trying to flip the two far right people on this board. I'm trying to do something different. I also can post anonymously here, in a way that I cannot on social media or otherwise. I have a public facing role.

 

[Hay Man]

I fully admit that I hate tRump and his cronies, but I also think the Democratic party sucks right now. They have no leadership that's taking control of messaging and other than a handful of them, they're so very weak. Not many are standing up to what is happening. I lean liberal but would rather have an independent running the show. Far right and far left are getting us nowhere.

 

[Westernhawk]

I fully admit that I hate tRump and his cronies, but I also think the Democratic party sucks right now. They have no leadership that's taking control of messaging and other than a handful of them, they're so very weak. Not many are standing up to what is happening. I lean liberal but would rather have an independent running the show. Far right and far left are getting us nowhere.

This, 100%.

Fry's post got me thinking: it would be interesting to hear what folks are doing in their own lives to both deal with this new reality, and also how they might be working to support any positive changes (political, community based efforts, otherwise).

I'd also be interested in knowing if folks actively stop watching news or talking about it at times in order to keep a sense of positivity and sanity. For me, I sometimes avoid the news for my own sanity.

I should probably stop posting here, too. I'm trying to limit my social media consumption these days as well, especially by avoiding the really stupid comment sections.

I find HN to be not too bad so I'll likely hang on here from time to time until it either implodes or does whatever HN does from here forward.

 

[Hay Man]

This, 100%.

Fry's post got me thinking: it would be interesting to hear what folks are doing in their own lives to both deal with this new reality, and also how they might be working to support any positive changes (political, community based efforts, otherwise).

I'd also be interested in knowing if folks actively stop watching news or talking about it at times in order to keep a sense of positivity and sanity. For me, I sometimes avoid the news for my own sanity.

I should probably stop posting here, too. I'm trying to limit my social media consumption these days as well, especially by avoiding the really stupid comment sections.

I find HN to be not too bad so I'll likely hang on here from time to time until it either implodes or does whatever HN does from here forward.

I work in ag & residential equipment sales and most of the people I work with and sell to are MAGA. I have great relationships with a lot of them and we're as cordial as can be if politics are brought up. When customers say things politically that make me cringe, I change the subject as quickly as possible. Customers in my profession think we all agree we what they're saying. It's not easy to keep your mouth shut at all times, but I roll with it pretty good.

 

[PCHawk]

Once again assuming. But I would have more trust in that person if there was some kind of accountability of what they're doing.

So firing people and then realizing that was wrong makes Musk perfect for that position? Do you see how being smart doesn't make you the most qualified person? If he was so smart, those people wouldn't have been fired to then in turn have the urgency to hire them back.

You're absolute love affair with those two are crazy.

First of you're assuming that someone who is perfect for the position wouldn't make mistakes. Musk isn't perfect for the position because he is rich or because he is smart. I've never said either. He's great for the position because the skills needed for it are the exact skills he has and uses to make his companies excel.

As far as firing and hiring right back. I've heard those stories too but have no idea if they're true, half true, or complete lies by disgruntled people. I'm sure it's some of all three.

 

[PCHawk]

Did you even read the article??? Once again, love affair

I could say that tRump has accused of sexually assaulting over 25 women, oh wait he was, and you would say how he allowed those women to sleep with him. Such an outstanding giver....

I was just messing with you on that one.

 

[Westernhawk]

I work in ag & residential equipment sales and most of the people I work with and sell to are MAGA. I have great relationships with a lot of them and we're as cordial as can be if politics are brought up. When customers say things politically that make me cringe, I change the subject as quickly as possible. Customers in my profession think we all agree we what they're saying. It's not easy to keep your mouth shut at all times, but I roll with it pretty good.

Thanks for sharing. I work in an academic medical setting, and most of us rarely discuss politics at all. I only talk about the latest weird thing with a few select people I already know. I have a person who reports to me that is a super far right MAGA person and he texts me crap like "go woke go broke...see!" and I mostly humor him and ignore it. It's important to have good relationships, and I'm blessed with a great job and great coworkers.

My inlaws, on the other hand, have gone around the bend. They watch political TV 8 hours per day and when I visit they want to argue. My wife and I have to be very skilled at avoiding the stuff and remaining "light" in our conversation!

Edit: Another reason I post here from time to time is because I can safely state some things that I cannot at work or with my inlaws, for example.

 

[PCHawk]

That can't be, can it? The richest guy in the world with massive conflicts of interest? He'd benefit greatly by being taxed less, and eliminating services for poor people. He'd benefit greatly from less environmental, labor, and safety regulation.

We should put him in charge of closing those programs. What could possibly go wrong?

Also, as we slash programs like USAID, CDC, etc... people will get sick and die. No quesiton. Hope the tax breaks for the red hat billionaire heroes are worth it. Middle class people won't see shit.

On another note, this "short term pain" thing only affects regular people. The very rich are already ahead of the game and likely trading with insider info. The very rich will be even more rich.

So... if we're going to close programs, why not give a tax break to the poor and middle class, too? Seriously! Anyone have a good answer as to why they are just giving tax breaks to the top two brackets?

All Musk is doing is digging into shit and telling people in control what he finds. Your post acts like he has power to do something. Now as a billionaire, of course he can peddle influence. But none of that has anything to do with the job he is doing right now. He can peddle influence with or without this gig.

Also we've been feeling short term pain for four years now.

Is it the top two brackets that get tips, a lot of overtime pay, and collect social security? The new tax proposal has all of that in it too. This whole "only the top two brackets are getting a break" is fake news.

 

[PCHawk]

So, it's clear now that the Department of Education is going to be dismantled, with 50% of the workforce being fired.

The argument that "this all goes back to the states" is likely one that will results in it working that way in some areas, but clearly not others.

If you have a kid who has special needs, a chunk of that funding comes from federal grants. There will be gaps, and poor and middle class folks with special needs kids won't have the same level of educational services.

This, repeating for those in the back, will affect middle class and poor people in a disproportionate way. This is what the "E" in DEI is actually about. Health equity, and educational equity are GOOD things.

Again, this is a moral/values issue for me, and the people in charge don't have good values. Period.

You're right that the people in charge don't have good values. They have been setting up things like social security, DoE, and USAID and using them to steal money for decades. All these things are great in theory. But like you said, the people in charge don't have good values so they can't be trusted. It's like donating 1000 bucks to charity to feed a homeless guy lunch. People like me say that's stupid and there are better ways to do it. People like you say that homeless guy really needs to eat lunch. I guess technically we are both right.

 

[PCHawk]

So much winning we'll barely be able to handle it, he said. So much beautiful, big money! Who is this "short term pain" going to affect? Regular people, of course. Retirement plans losing thousands every day, while costs will continue to increase for people (through tariffs and maybe stagflation). They talk a good game but we'll see how the next several months go. This brings me no joy... none.

View attachment 11374

4 years of complete dog shit and the other side gets a few weeks before I told you so's start coming. I never saw that coming....

 

[Fryowa]

I fully admit that I hate tRump and his cronies, but I also think the Democratic party sucks right now. They have no leadership that's taking control of messaging and other than a handful of them, they're so very weak. Not many are standing up to what is happening. I lean liberal but would rather have an independent running the show. Far right and far left are getting us nowhere.

I would’ve voted for Rubio had he been the nominee before the Trump years started. I don’t agree with everything he said but he was centrist before he had to start toeing the Trump line.

Give me someone who’s #1 focus is a strong economy and stays out of what I call personal issues. Let the courts decide most things.

One can bag on Reagan all day long but the one thing about those years was the economy was great, and that alone made it a good time to be alive in America for the most part. If the economy is trucking along, most other things fall into place without a ton of “intervention” by the executive branch like tariffs and executive orders. Democrats and Republicans didn’t want to kill each other like they do now. They didn’t always like it but they worked together. Now it’s just a bunch of children on both sides who are more worried about Twitter photo ops and how they’re perceived on social media.