Random Politics Thread

[Virtual ghost]

It doesn't matter, Trump said that he will put 20% tariffs on everything imported. What means that he is basically declaring trade war on the other 96% of humanity. What means that her lack of experience in her new job could be the least of you worries.

However that is geography/math based problem that most Americans didn't figure out yet. I am not even sure that even he fully understands what he is actually saying.

More on this:


The problem is that US political class managed to convince the rest of the world through 2017 that Trump is an anomaly. So the rest of the world for the most part played along in the fashion of "we will go through this and that will be it". However with elections from last week this entire story fell part. Since now when it happened again you can't really talk about anomaly, since now this is becoming a trend. What in a sense changes everything.

Therefore if Trump will indeed escalate trade wars with the remaining 200 countries that could backfire spectacularly. The response doesn't even have to be formal, the response could be purely on the level of consumers. Abortion, climate change, wars, drama, healthcare as a human right, trade wars, ... there is plenty that could trigger people. Plus there are billions of them that consume US goods and services on regular basis. In a sense it is logical that some people are panicking over new administration. Because if the trade wars start to fully snowball it is possible that economic mess in US will be above the one during pandemic.


I know this is dramatic but it isn't impossible that the world when it comes to elections will say "BEEP, WRONG ANSWER!". It probably wouldn't fully but the possibility exists.

 

[Totenkindly]

The circus continues, just on the voter level...

'How To Change My Vote' Searches Spike in States Won By Donald Trump​

 

[Tomb1]

More on this:


The problem is that US political class managed to convince the rest of the world through 2017 that Trump is an anomaly. So the rest of the world for the most part played along in the fashion of "we will go through this and that will be it". However with elections from last week this entire story fell part. Since now when it happened again you can't really talk about anomaly, since now this is becoming a trend. What in a sense changes everything.

Therefore if Trump will indeed escalate trade wars with the remaining 200 countries that could backfire spectacularly. The response doesn't even have to be formal, the response could be purely on the level of consumers. Abortion, climate change, wars, drama, healthcare as a human right, trade wars, ... there is plenty that could trigger people. Plus there are billions of them that consume US goods and services on regular basis. In a sense it is logical that some people are panicking over new administration. Because if the trade wars start to fully snowball it is possible that economic mess in US will be above the one during pandemic.


I know this is dramatic but it isn't impossible that the world when it comes to elections will say "BEEP, WRONG ANSWER!". It probably wouldn't fully but the possibility exists.

In 2016 when Trump won, there were protests all over the country. This time, nothing.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

In 2016 when Trump won, there were protests all over the country. This time, nothing.

People are, I think, less shocked. In it's place, I wonder if I'm sensing a steely resolve. Regardless, I suspect people are preparing for what is to come.

 

[Totenkindly]

Yeah, I'm feeling like people were completely shell-shocked in 2016, not expecting that outcome.
Now it's been hovering for months.

Also, frankly, where did protests and marches get anyone? They aren't bad things, but they sure didn't prevent Trump from coming back.

I think resistance is more organized (even if "get out the vote" organization failed) and has different strategies now.
Those strategies were already being planned.
Resistance will hopefully look different than just protesting.

 

[Totenkindly]

So I gotta say the State Dept is chugging right along.

I submitted my passport renewal (it had expired in 2021) last Friday.
On Monday they said the payment went through. (Monday was a fed holiday here.)
Last night (Weds) at 11pm they said it had been approved.
It was printed and mailed by 1am this morning. (It's 6:20am now.)
It should get to me by early next week.

This was not expedited processing, it was just an expected 4-6 week turnaround.

I have little faith that processing will be so fast in 2025 and beyond.

 

[Red Herring]

So I gotta say the State Dept is chugging right along.

I submitted my passport renewal (it had expired in 2021) last Friday.
On Monday they said the payment went through. (Monday was a fed holiday here.)
Last night (Weds) at 11pm they said it had been approved.
It was printed and mailed by 1am this morning. (It's 6:20am now.)
It should get to me by early next week.

This was not expedited processing, it was just an expected 4-6 week turnaround.

I have little faith that processing will be so fast in 2025 and beyond.

Wow, that is fast.

Over here it usually takes several weeks because a) administration is understaffed everywhere and b) it all goes through the federal printer in Berlin and then back to my local citizen's office where I have to pick it up. Mailing of passports is not (yet) an option but is expected to be introduced next spring. A passport costs 31 Euros, 62 if it's expedited.

 

[Totenkindly]

Wow, that is fast.

Over here it usually takes several weeks because a) administration is understaffed everywhere and b) it all goes through the federal printer in Berlin and then back to my local citizen's office where I have to pick it up. Mailing of passports is not (yet) an option but is expected to be introduced next spring. A passport costs 31 Euros, 62 if it's expedited.

That is more what I was expecting too, aside from the pickup.

I have to wonder if it is a "last hurrah" from the current State employees, after the election.
Like, their way to support all the people who might need to have credentials for international travel once January comes.
I know if I was working for State right now in that area, I would be making a huge effort and potentially working credit time to help process more applications.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Europe’s right wing shows Trump how to do climate, MAGA-style

Israel to Trump: It would be ‘better’ to stay in the Paris Agreement


When even the hard right from rest of the world thinks that you are going too far.

 

[Totenkindly]

Well, throwing things back to the states was the original code for enshrining slavery in the US. And they are never happy with that for long, they would try to extend their reach into other states if people would travel or flee to other states to avoid the laws in their state of origin.

You are seeing this with abortion in particular. I mean, it's essentially a religious/value objection, so they consider it wrong all the time and in any context, so of course they will not be happy with just their states banning it. The first steps is claiming it is a state issue; the next step is converting enough states to the cause so then it will be a national imposition if possible. It's a shell game. The religious underpinnings make it "always wrong" to these people. They would be happy to stick Bibles in classrooms across the country too, despite just pretending right now it's just "for their state."

But they don't also realize or care how much they benefit from the federal level, at least they won't until it is gone. This is why you see states fighting federal policies, yet turn around crying for federal aid when there is a natural disaster, etc.

It's definitely a tightrope to enact state power and federal power in order to maintain some kind of union, but you have to find some way to bind everyone together and some baseline freedoms and powers to give states flex in areas that are unique to their situation, while also preserving the coalition and prevent warring.


Edit: for example, they aren't really looking for state independence but simply power to enact their own policy. Here they are wanting to implement red-state policies by bringing red-state adherents into blue states that wouldn't want to comply.

 

[Tomb1]

People are, I think, less shocked. In it's place, I wonder if I'm sensing a steely resolve. Regardless, I suspect people are preparing for what is to come.

There were a number of factors.... But mainly, you saw a historical realignment of working-class Latino males, and Trump also doubled his support with black voters. That made the type of organizations, celebrities and political leaders who were involved in 2016 with participating in, organizing and/or encouraging the protests think twice. They don't want to keep driving working-class minorities out of their party....that's a core part of their coalition.

Shifting loyalties of these voters helped power Donald Trump to election win

Rising costs and inflation eroded support among Latino men and Black men in some swing states.

www.usatoday.com

 

[The Cat]

 

[ceecee]

I thought this was an Onion headline - and it kind of is.

The Onion wins Alex Jones' Infowars in bankruptcy auction

The satirical news company plans to shutter Jones’ Infowars and rebuild the website featuring well-known internet humor writers and content creators, according to a person with knowledge of the sale.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Totenkindly]

I thought this was an Onion headline - and it kind of is.

The Onion wins Alex Jones' Infowars in bankruptcy auction

The satirical news company plans to shutter Jones’ Infowars and rebuild the website featuring well-known internet humor writers and content creators, according to a person with knowledge of the sale.

www.nbcnews.com

Lol I just came here to post that.

Well I guess we got something good at least.

 

[The Cat]

The frogs are gonna be thrilled.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Will computers and technology costs go up with the tariffs?

My laptop is old and I wanted to squeeze another year out of it, but not if the prices are about to go way up. What do you all think?

Tariffs should go up but if they are indeed 10 to 20 % as it was announced then you can buy computer next year (if you are are short on money). After all if the inflation completely wrecks everything next years it is questionable will you even need it. So I would go with original plan if you need fairly expensive computer. While if you are ok with fairly cheap one then it is perhaps better to buy one now when supply chains are surely working.

 

[Coriolis]

Will computers and technology costs go up with the tariffs?

My laptop is old and I wanted to squeeze another year out of it, but not if the prices are about to go way up. What do you all think?

If you doubt your computer will last another 4-6 years, I would buy one soon. Not necessarily right now, but be prepared to jump on the purchase at the first signs of economic trouble. Shop for one now, find out what you want, what it would cost, and bookmark the best options. Otherwise you could be like someone trying to buy a car 6 months into the pandemic. I am actually more concerned about supply chain disruption here than cost. You might be able to absorb a 10% price increase, or more, but if the items simply are not available, you will be stuck.

 

[Totenkindly]

Will computers and technology costs go up with the tariffs?

My laptop is old and I wanted to squeeze another year out of it, but not if the prices are about to go way up. What do you all think?

I am actually shopping laptops the last two days.

I have wanted to update my 13-year-old laptop for a few years but never got around to it. I figured now would be a good time since I have the money, before any rise in prices for components or issues with supply chain.

 

[ceecee]

I am actually shopping laptops the last two days.

I have wanted to update my 13-year-old laptop for a few years but never got around to it. I figured now would be a good time since I have the money, before any rise in prices for components or issues with supply chain.

I had a conversation with my son about this - he needs a new laptop. He was like - I can do most stuff on my phone if need be. This is simply insane to me. In my mind a phone is the little internet. Laptops are medium internet and desktops are the big internet, where the work gets done and things like banking, taxes (I can't imagine doing taxes, even simple ones, on your phone) with real security measures. Plus I built it myself.

Anyway, most places are going to have good sales for Black Friday on electronics.

 

[Totenkindly]

I had a conversation with my son about this - he needs a new laptop. He was like - I can do most stuff on my phone if need be. This is simply insane to me. In my mind a phone is the little internet. Laptops are medium internet and desktops are the big internet, where the work gets done and things like banking, taxes (I can't imagine doing taxes, even simple ones, on your phone) with real security measures. Plus I built it myself.

Anyway, most places are going to have good sales for Black Friday on electronics.

Yup, this is an area where I now feel out of touch. My youngest will text me long messages on her phone and I'm like, "I can't. I have to write back to you using a keyboard in Messenger." They are just geared to do so much on their handheld phones, but I need at least a laptop to actually type things, use Word and other software, and I strongly prefer that or the desktop. But they seem to do everything on either a phone or on a pad and never quite reach the laptop stage, lol.

Gratz on self-building PCs. I did that in the early years, I'm just too confused by all the options nowadays for video and graphics chips. I can choose items off a selection list to order a PC but that's as far as I seem to go now.