ldrews

I was reading that in the 2018 elections, 23 Democratic senators are up for re-election, 10 from states that voted for Trump in 2016. 8 Republican senators are up for re-election. Unless the Democrats get their act together between now an the 2018 elections, it is quite probable that the Republicans will increase their majority in the Senate. And the Democrats are not demonstrating that they will get their act together. As James Carville noted many years ago: "It's the economy, stupid!" If the Democrats continue to focus on social issues, such as sexual misbehavior, or continue to push the "Russian collusion" story, I don't think they will do well. Their only hope is that Trump is found guilty of such a crime that he is impeached and removed from office. After a year of investigation there is still no apparent evidence that Trump did anything illegal much less impeachable. Anyone want to place a bet on that?

It is really fascinating to watch this group and other liberal/left leaning groups. Each day Trump tweets something in the morning that outrages or offends the left and the media and they spend the rest of the day reacting to it. Meanwhile Trump is busy making the kinds of changes that he intends without acquiring a lot of notice. For example: And the various agencies have been instructed to and are busy rolling back regulations. One report indicated that about 75% of Obama's accomplishments were by Executive Order. Trump is busy reversing a significant portion of those EOs. So you guys keep fuming about Trump's demeanor, appearance, twitters, and lack of unity with foreign and international allies/groups, etc. Meanwhile the landscape is being altered right under your feet.

I am not so sure. The State Department has had many years to try to effect a solution and has had little or no success. What would make you think they would do any better now? As Einstein has been quoted: "Doing the same thing over again and again and expecting a different result is a sign of insanity". Perhaps it is time to try radically different approaches.

I was under the impression that Trump has signed some 80+ bills into law, something of a record pace. Is this incorrect? Unemployment is at a 17 year low, wages ticked up slightly the recent quarter, stock market is at record highs, consumer confidence is at record highs, 200,000+ new jobs were just added including a significant number of manufacturing jobs. Perhaps Trump is not responsible for this but it is happening on his watch. I think I would stick with the guy enjoying good luck. As my grandfather told me, "I would rather be lucky than talented". So what does it take for you to concede that the economy is improving? Doesn't two consecutive quarters of 3+% growth, while suffering from 5 hurricanes, and after several years of <3% growth count? What does it take?

Well they certainly would not work in an audience of idiots as well.

Great! Then with your education and experience you must have a solution to the Middle East problems. Would you mind sharing them because I certainly don't see them.

Why do you just ask questions and not answer anything?

Do you mean that the US has abandoned a number of asserted bad agreements, and the beneficiaries are unhappy about that?

Do you think that the US must have the approval/support of its allies before attempting to negotiate a better deal for the US? You disagree with Trump about the current agreement. Do you have some information that causes you to hold that position?

You are right and I am wrong. Iran is apparently living up to the agreement as they interpret it. Apparently there was some differences in interpretation even when the agreement was reached. Apparently Trump thinks the agreement is a bad agreement and wants to renegotiate it. He is also conflating the nuclear issues with ballistic missile issues and with Iran's supplying others with such weapons. In a classic negotiating move, Trump is pushing back hard and creating uncertainty with regard to the US continuing to keep the original agreement. We will see where that leads. Trump thinks the Iran nuclear agreement is a bad deal for the US. Do you agree or disagree?

So you do think Trump has an effect on the economy and/or the stock market. Then the current robustness in the economy must be at least partially attributable to Trump, right? Re: Iran - I could be wrong, I will go do some more research and get back to you. Do you still think that if you have made an agreement that you are stuck with it for life regardless of changing circumstances?

So you would agree that Trump is being a decent steward of the long term trends?

For all of his "ineptness" the country and the economy seems to be doing OK. It certainly feels better than it did a couple of years ago.

Agreed. The point I was trying to make is that even for one of our most sacred agreements we recognize that those agreements don't always work out, and we provide a mechanism for breaking the agreement so that the parties can get on with their lives. Certainly the same principle applies to international agreements as well. If the agreements don't work out or are no longer providing benefits as perceived by the parties, then it is time to break the agreement and move on. Perhaps to another more suitable agreement, or not.

I infer that you have not been in a failed marriage. The emotional pain is often so high that the parties cannot listen to anyone no matter how professional. Many times the only way out is to sever the relationship.

You did not answer my question: Do you believe in/support divorce?

1. First, Trump did not make an agreement to abide by the Paris Climate Accord. In fact I remember that he campaigned against it. Second, although I do not know the details, most such agreements have a process for exiting the agreement. In this case the agreement was never ratified by Congress. Third, do you really subscribe to the notion that a country's leaders are bound by the agreements of previous leaders. If it is not codified into law by the Congress and signed off on by the President, then it is not binding on the US as a nation. 2. I believe that the allegation is that Iran is/was not living up to the agreement. Do you have evidence to the contrary? 3. NAFTA has specific procedures for withdrawing from the agreement, which procedures the US is following. "Pulling out" of the agreement was built into the agreement. 4. Long standing US policy is no justification for continuing a process that is not working. No or very little progress has been made in the peace talks for many years. And the action just implements a law passed by Congress in 1985, I believe. Presidents since then have been promising to take this action but have not had the balls to do so. Apparently Trump does. Tell me, do you believe in divorce for married couples who no longer get along with each other? Or, having once made the agreement, the couple is stuck for life.

Those who keep their promises and agreements are easier to trust in future dealings, idiots or not. Do you not feel that it is important to keep promises and agreements?

Do you have any evidence to support that assertion?

We certainly don't know how this will turn out. Opinions seem to be divided. But Trump seems to think that because he made a campaign promise, he should keep it. How novel! How naive!

Trump keeps another campaign promise: https://amp.businessinsider.com/trump-israel-embassy-jerusalem-capital-2017-12

Nice evasion. Does this mean that you are open/supportive of the idea?

We know that obesity is one of the major contributors to ill health, and therefore the cost of health care. Perhaps we should also have a mandate that everyone has to be on a government approved diet or pay a fine. That would certainly reduce health costs and contribute to everyone being healthier, don't you think? Now that the health care mandate has set a precedent, I bet that we could come up with a number of mandates that would improve our society. All designed by our Congress and enforced by the full power of the federal government. What do you think? Anyone have some suggestions?

I wasn't talking about hospitals, was I? So what would you suggest we do about medical freeloaders? From a personal economic point of view, shouldn't we all become medical freeloaders?

Very well could be. Thanks.