Activists raise 1 million to pressure Collins to vote no on Kavanaugh

[HumblePi]

It isn't even necessary to overthrow Roe v Wade because many states currently prohibit the termination of a woman's pregnancy through abortion. Kavanaugh is not ambiguous on what should happen to Roe v Wade and zeroing in on that is what Republicans want to focus on right now. As it stands now, States can significantly reduce a woman's right to choose without formally reversing Roe v Wade. The court has greatly expanded the role of officials in local government and that already limits reproductive rights of women, it doesn't even have to overturn Roe v Wade in order to accomplish that.

There are much more potentially damaging decisions Kavanaugh indicates he will make such as protecting Trump from any type of investigation, which is on the table or issues about campaign finance, which currently favor the side of big money corporations, issues about whether or not we protect healthcare.

 

[Conservative]

Well, Hillary is dishonest. So...?

Her only saving grace for me was that she appeared to understand geoeconomics, something no Republican and mostly no Democrats care for.

I find it interesting that you have never posted any verifiable official data to support your claims. All I see from you is left-wing opinions that are contrary to the facts.

There is obviously something in the left-wing ideology that didn't Dr Nate's people to think like you do. To me results matter not personal opinions. Trump has done absolutely nothing to hurt you, your family, or the country. The results speak for themselves

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Conservative]

Unfortunately, Donald Trump is absolute proof that money and mindless propaganda is plenty enough to mold weakened and susceptible minds into capitulation. You voted in accordance to where years of exaggeration and manipulation led you. Everything you once declared yourself to be was discarded for Donald Trump. As I have stated to you before, only abstaining Democrats were true to themselves in 2016. Those of us who felt compelled to vote for the crap or the turd in the General Election, sacrificed our values and our standards for either one. But the worst are the ones today who exaggerate and lie from one issue to the next in order to pretend that they "won" in 2016 as they try to scheme up defenses and excuses for their worshiped turd, proving that they had no values or standards to begin with.



Again, results matter to non-partisan citizens. As proven enough times, results absolutely do not matter to you unless they push your team forward at any cost.

I don't care either way about Kavanaugh or your partisan need to paint him as "stellar," simply because he is of your sad team. Because beyond his jersey, nothing else matters to you. This is why you shrugged and thought nothing of 2016 when, for the first time in American history, the GOP denied a seated president his picks for Scalia's empty seat. But now, in 2018, Kavanaugh is "stellar" and Democrats are playing a game that doesn't put "America" first?

You need to take a hiatus from politics, discover who you really are, and then start presenting yourself honestly.

Here is what I believe matters to non partisans unlike what you leftwing liberals believe. Non partisans want to take care of their family, they want to have good jobs, more spendable income, and live in a low cost of living state where neighbors help neighbors with that neighbor not being a Federal bureaucrat.

You on the other hand believes the govt. is the answer in spite of results showing the contrary. You point to 2016 where the GDP was low, job creation trend down but under employment never getting back to pre recession levels and the GOP winning the Congress and the WH. Keep focusing on Garland as if you truly care for if you cared Kavanaugh is Garland 2. I would have given him a hearing but your own party screwed that up. Biden saw a Republican Congress and expected Hillary to win and the Democrats retaking the Congress. He lost, you lost, the Country won and elections have consequences

 

[CRModeration]

Activists raise $1M to pressure Sen. Collins to vote against Kavanaugh, report says | Fox News



This is the slipperiest of slopes, IMO.

Sounds like a whole lot of free speech to me. It's almost as if the Citizens United ruling opened the door for unlimited and unsourced money to influence politics or something.

 

[Jack Fabulous]

Sounds like a whole lot of free speech to me. It's almost as if the Citizens United ruling opened the door for unlimited and unsourced money to influence politics or something.

And it cuts both ways...

 

[The Mark]

Nonsense, they are offering Collins that money if she votes the way they want. They have said as much. That is bribery.

Really?

I thought they were threatening to fund her opponents only.

 

[minnie616]

Nonsense, they are offering Collins that money if she votes the way they want. They have said as much. That is bribery.

Really?

I thought they were threatening to fund her opponents only.

Exactly.

From:

No they are not offering her any money.

A Message from Association of Mature American Citizens

“Senator Collins votes NO on Kavanaugh and you will not be charged, and no money will go to fund her future opponent,” the platform wrote. “Senator Collins votes YES on Kavanaugh and your pledge will go to her opponent's campaign, once that opponent has been identified.”

 

[MSgt]

Here is what I believe matters to non partisans unlike what you leftwing liberals believe.

See this right here? This defines you as that partisan. Because I do not grovel for Orange Leader, I simply must be the other, right? And partisans live in a tiny ignorant world where their politics are defined not only by team, but "we-vs-them." It is this attitude of an "enemy" that the GOP has been creating since Newt Gingrich. You must get headaches of confusion whenever Republicans like George Bush or Paul Ryan defy Trump for the garbage he is. Then again, the current coping mechanism for conservatives is to prove their loyalty by tossing those conservatives who dare think for themselves into the trash bin. You all proved that with John McCain alone.

You on the other hand believes the govt. is the answer in spite of results showing the contrary. You point to 2016 where the GDP was low, job creation trend down but under employment never getting back to pre recession levels and the GOP winning the Congress and the WH. Keep focusing on Garland as if you truly care for if you cared Kavanaugh is Garland 2. I would have given him a hearing but your own party screwed that up. Biden saw a Republican Congress and expected Hillary to win and the Democrats retaking the Congress. He lost, you lost, the Country won and elections have consequences

Partisan blindness:

1) The government is not the "answer." And the results clearly show that the government must be involved. The government is saturated within our economy and has a role to play with society. I have told you this before but your false ideologies keep getting in your way. The government refused to get involved after the 1893 global economic crisis that our banks helped create. The government refused to get involved after the 1929 crash that our banks helped create (this one led to the Depression that saw to the rise of Bolshevism and Fascism). The government (Bush and Obama) learned the lesson in 2008-09 and intervened. In the meantime, largely since the later nineteenth-century, the government has provided subsidies, tax-breaks, and loop-holes to certain corporate industries (fascism), which have turned around and given campaign funds to politicians. Of course, then there's the Fed playing games, such as what it did in 1979 to wreck the developing world and our farmers in the 1980s, which also saw banks assume S&L roles as Trickle-Down economics began shifting the money upwards to create the 1%. So when our banks, our government, and our corporations screw up the economy and the employment rate, the government absolutely has a responsibility to the tax-paying citizens that they screw over. Only a simple man can't see this, because he erroneously uses words like "socialism" and communism" to define his false loyalty to liberty, freedom, and democracy.

2) GDP in 2016 was a second year that bucked the trend. Therefore, 2016 was not the trend. Neither was 2015. The GOP won the Congress in 2014, not 2016. And as you can clearly see, it was after the 2014 November elections (Q4) that the economy took a downward turn. And the trend took a nose dive in 2016. Perhaps you can start to actually appreciate the word "civics" at this point with the acknowledgment that the economy was on an upward trend before the GOP showed up and brought Congress to a halt over your partisan politics. The disruption to the trend began in Q4 of 2014 and didn't get back on trend until they got their guy in the White House. And the result of this is that the economy has had to fight back to get to the 2013-14 trend as Trump and the GOP inserted mechanisms that push all the money to the wealthy throughout 2017. This is historical fact....



3) The unemployment trend was lowering to pre-recession levels before Trump was elected. This too is historical fact....



4) Since I am not registered as Democrat or Republican, I don't have a Party. That's a game for simpler people. This is where the "we-vs.-them" game finds you lost in the wilderness. "America" First means more to a guy like me than it will ever mean to a guy like you.

5) I don't care for Garland anymore than I care about your "stellar" Kavanaugh. I care about how extremist and fanatical our politics have gotten because hypocritical American citizens like you, who have proven to be so easily manipulated, behave like they live in a third-world **** hole. How pathetic are you that you will take Trump's 61% unfavorable score as the worst in presidential polling history, and call it a win for the country. It's merely a "win" for you partisan. Country be damned.

 

[Aberration]

Right. Because calling him the Orange Leader clearly demonstrates your nonpartisanship.

 

[Conservative]

Partisan blindness:

1) The government is not the "answer." And the results clearly show that the government must be involved. The government is saturated within our economy and has a role to play with society. I have told you this before but your false ideologies keep getting in your way. The government refused to get involved after the 1893 global economic crisis that our banks helped create. The government refused to get involved after the 1929 crash that our banks helped create (this one led to the Depression that saw to the rise of Bolshevism and Fascism). The government (Bush and Obama) learned the lesson in 2008-09 and intervened. In the meantime, largely since the later nineteenth-century, the government has provided subsidies, tax-breaks, and loop-holes to certain corporate industries (fascism), which have turned around and given campaign funds to politicians. Of course, then there's the Fed playing games, such as what it did in 1979 to wreck the developing world and our farmers in the 1980s, which also saw banks assume S&L roles as Trickle-Down economics began shifting the money upwards to create the 1%. So when our banks, our government, and our corporations screw up the economy and the employment rate, the government absolutely has a responsibility to the tax-paying citizens that they screw over. Only a simple man can't see this, because he erroneously uses words like "socialism" and communism" to define his false loyalty to liberty, freedom, and democracy.

2) GDP in 2016 was a second year that bucked the trend. Therefore, 2016 was not the trend. Neither was 2015. The GOP won the Congress in 2014, not 2016. And as you can clearly see, it was after the 2014 November elections (Q4) that the economy took a downward turn. And the trend took a nose dive in 2016. Perhaps you can start to actually appreciate the word "civics" at this point with the acknowledgment that the economy was on an upward trend before the GOP showed up and brought Congress to a halt over your partisan politics. The disruption to the trend began in Q4 of 2014 and didn't get back on trend until they got their guy in the White House. And the result of this is that the economy has had to fight back to get to the 2013-14 trend as Trump and the GOP inserted mechanisms that push all the money to the wealthy throughout 2017. This is historical fact....


3) The unemployment trend was lowering to pre-recession levels before Trump was elected. This too is historical fact....

4) Since I am not registered as Democrat or Republican, I don't have a Party. That's a game for simpler people. This is where the "we-vs.-them" game finds you lost in the wilderness. "America" First means more to a guy like me than it will ever mean to a guy like you.

5) I don't care for Garland anymore than I care about your "stellar" Kavanaugh. I care about how extremist and fanatical our politics have gotten because hypocritical American citizens like you, who have proven to be so easily manipulated, behave like they live in a third-world **** hole. How pathetic are you that you will take Trump's 61% unfavorable score as the worst in presidential polling history, and call it a win for the country. It's merely a "win" for you partisan. Country be damned.

Treasury Data is all that matters and along with BLS provide context which you want to ignore. But it is indeed interesting how now Obama is responsible for anything good that happens but Bush and Trump are only responsible for the bad. That certainly isn't partisanship, is it?

Here are the Obama results vs one of our Best Presidents who inherited what I believe and facts show as to be our Worst Recession.

Table 1.1.1. Percent Change From Preceding Period in Real Gross Domestic Product
[Percent]
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Last Revised on: July 27, 2018 - Next Release Date August 29, 2018

Line 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Line
1 Gross domestic product -0.1 -2.5 2.6 1.6 2.2 1.8 2.5 2.9 1.6


Table 1.1.1. Percent Change From Preceding Period in Real Gross Domestic Product
[Percent]
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Last Revised on: July 27, 2018 - Next Release Date August 29, 2018

Line 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
Line escp
1 Gross domestic product -0.3 2.5 -1.8 4.6 7.2 4.2 3.5 3.5 4.2

It does seem that official data and context have no room in your world so I see nothing is going to change your mind as you post the same charts over and over again. For some reason you believe trends are more important that actual numbers. You wouldn't have survived in the private sector in this country with those results of Obama's especially coming off what you called the worst recession since the Great Depression

 

[MSgt]

Treasury Data is all that matters and along with BLS provide context which you want to ignore. But it is indeed interesting how now Obama is responsible for anything good that happens but Bush and Trump are only responsible for the bad. That certainly isn't partisanship, is it?

The history is the history. And not once did I ever state that Obama is responsible for anything good and Bush and Trump are responsible for only bad. This is your partisanship reaction to your feelings being hurt because you are often left scrounging for ways to validate your false ideologies.

And you have been provided with treasury data and BLS. The first graph I gave you uses the treasury department numbers and the second graph is actually from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Spare us your usual obtuse game to scrounge about for ways to validate your false ideologies. Did I already state this?

Here are the Obama results vs one of our Best Presidents who inherited what I believe and facts show as to be our Worst Recession.

So, now you need to go to Reagan and re-interpret history in another era in order to re-define in this era what the entire globe experienced in 2008-09? Since your belief is based on clear partisanship, what you believe means a lot of nothing. The recession of the early 1980s (which went back to the early 1970s) was far less global in scope and in a far less globalized world than in 2008-09 when the global economy was far more tied. This would be that 'context' word you used to misuse in order to pretend that you have an idea of what is going on. Oh, and then you go on to tell people to learn about civics.

- What the Federal Reserve did in 1979 affected developing countries who owed the World Bank and found themselves having to renegotiate or enter debt crisis. That was largely the extent of a global crisis. Domestically, it led to hardship for American farmers and the S&L crisis that opened the door for irresponsible banks to usher us towards the housing crisis that sparked the 2008-09 global economic crisis.

- This is unlike the 2008-09 Great Recession in which American, European, and Asian markets went tits up and global confidence was wrecked. Obama inherited a global crisis, not seen since the Great Depression and it was only saved from depression because Bush and Obama intervened with bail outs to keep the economy afloat. Thus "Obama's" recovery involved not just trying to get confidence back in the U.S. system, but also global confidence in international markets as countries like Ireland and Italy bogged down Europe and as Asian markets throughout the Pacific bogged down European markets. And of course, since we are ever more tied, this all bogged down our own recovery.

Partisanship is why you are incapable of seeing clearly.

It does seem that official data and context have no room in your world...

Badump Ching!

 

[MSgt]

Right. Because calling him the Orange Leader clearly demonstrates your nonpartisanship.

Calling him Orange Leader clearly shows my dislike towards his flock of blind loyalists who treat him like an untouchable benevolent autocrat as he plants the typical seeds to recession at our costs; and has ruined American influence in every region on the planet.

It has nothing to do with the DNC or liberals.

Non-partisanship does not mean the absence of opinion. It means that you think for yourself and that your conclusions are based on you and not a Party's need for a defense and a hypocritical excuse. Or do some of us need to live in a world where "us vs. them" makes it easier to understand things?

 

[marke]

Calling him Orange Leader clearly shows my dislike towards his flock of blind loyalists who treat him like an untouchable benevolent autocrat as he plants the typical seeds to recession at our costs; and has ruined American influence in every region on the planet.

It has nothing to do with the DNC or liberals.

Non-partisanship does not mean the absence of opinion. It means that you think for yourself and that your conclusions are based on you and not a Party's need for a defense and a hypocritical excuse. Or do some of us need to live in a world where "us vs. them" makes it easier to understand things?

Leftists will not allow others to force them to think in a certain way which is why they have joined millions of other seditious rebels in fighting against God Bless American values, laws, institutions, history and morals. How ironic.

 

[GreatNews2night]

yes you are right I am a racist and extreme right in believing in personal responsibility and states' rights. I believe in the power of the vote and that people should elect their local representatives in this representative democracy. The radical left would prefer to legislate from the bench. That isn't the foundation that this country was build on so I suggest a civics and history class for you

Thanks, but I did just fine in my civics and history classes.
I never said that there aren't good conservatives. I just said the GOP was taken by the racists and the extreme right (especially when it's primaries time). I'd hope that the true conservatives would react and take back the GOP. I have nothing against true conservatives. I do have a lot against racists and the extreme right.

 

[Conservative]

The history is the history. And not once did I ever state that Obama is responsible for anything good and Bush and Trump are responsible for only bad. This is your partisanship reaction to your feelings being hurt because you are often left scrounging for ways to validate your false ideologies.

And you have been provided with treasury data and BLS. The first graph I gave you uses the treasury department numbers and the second graph is actually from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Spare us your usual obtuse game to scrounge about for ways to validate your false ideologies. Did I already state this?



So, now you need to go to Reagan and re-interpret history in another era in order to re-define in this era what the entire globe experienced in 2008-09? Since your belief is based on clear partisanship, what you believe means a lot of nothing. The recession of the early 1980s (which went back to the early 1970s) was far less global in scope and in a far less globalized world than in 2008-09 when the global economy was far more tied. This would be that 'context' word you used to misuse in order to pretend that you have an idea of what is going on. Oh, and then you go on to tell people to learn about civics.

- What the Federal Reserve did in 1979 affected developing countries who owed the World Bank and found themselves having to renegotiate or enter debt crisis. That was largely the extent of a global crisis. Domestically, it led to hardship for American farmers and the S&L crisis that opened the door for irresponsible banks to usher us towards the housing crisis that sparked the 2008-09 global economic crisis.

- This is unlike the 2008-09 Great Recession in which American, European, and Asian markets went tits up and global confidence was wrecked. Obama inherited a global crisis, not seen since the Great Depression and it was only saved from depression because Bush and Obama intervened with bail outs to keep the economy afloat. Thus "Obama's" recovery involved not just trying to get confidence back in the U.S. system, but also global confidence in international markets as countries like Ireland and Italy bogged down Europe and as Asian markets throughout the Pacific bogged down European markets. And of course, since we are ever more tied, this all bogged down our own recovery.

Partisanship is why you are incapable of seeing clearly.



Badump Ching!

Let's see if I have this correct, the economy started downhill after the GOP took Congress in 2015 with Obama as President, now the economy is booming with the GOP in charge of Congress with the major difference being Trump in the WH, see any connection here?

Obama/GOP Congress Economy starts declining
Trump/GOP Congress Economy booming

Notice any difference there and the missing person in the booming economy?

Leadership matters as does the anti Growth EO's of Obama and Pro growth EO's of Trump

Doesn't appear that logic, common sense or facts are going to change the indoctrinated mind of a liberal

 

[Conservative]

Thanks, but I did just fine in my civics and history classes.
I never said that there aren't good conservatives. I just said the GOP was taken by the racists and the extreme right (especially when it's primaries time). I'd hope that the true conservatives would react and take back the GOP. I have nothing against true conservatives. I do have a lot against racists and the extreme right.

Ok, so tell us exactly what the GOP and Trump have done since taking power to hurt you, your family, or the country? What exactly are you looking for in a President and Congress since apparently the current economic results including job creation, booming GDP growth, and allowing taxpayers to keep more of what they earn isn't it? I see a lot of whining and complaining but no solutions or proposals. why don't you become the first?

 

[GreatNews2night]

Ok, so tell us exactly what the GOP and Trump have done since taking power to hurt you, your family, or the country? What exactly are you looking for in a President and Congress since apparently the current economic results including job creation, booming GDP growth, and allowing taxpayers to keep more of what they earn isn't it? I see a lot of whining and complaining but no solutions or proposals. why don't you become the first?

The economy is performing decently but this is not very reassuring because traditionally it reacts with a delay of a couple of years. I'm afraid that the good times will dry out once the malignant effects of a growing deficit (due to the irresponsible tax cut) become felt. I do not like the nativism, racism, and xenophobia expressed or implicitly endorsed by this administration. My family is very international, including recent (legal) immigrants and the general climate is becoming more and more hostile to our kind of people. I do not like the authoritharian tone, the corruption, and the undermining of democratic institutions. I do not like the disregard for the environment, and the eroding of our relationship with our allies. I do not like the sympathy for murderous dictators. I would like a Congress that is not afraid of exercising the checks and balances on executive power that has been the foundation of our republic for the last couple of centuries. I would like to see integrity and honesty from the Oval Office instead of attempts to obstruct justice and spread lies and alternative facts. I do not like the attack on the free press, which is a hallmark of dictatorships.

How is that for starters?

GDP growth, employment? I've done just fine throughout all administrations regardless of the party, and my values go beyond money. I won't turn a blind eye to everything else that I've just mentioned - which is, after all, what makes of us, Americans - just because the economy is temporarily doing OK.

 

[Conservative]

The economy is performing decently but this is not very reassuring because traditionally it reacts with a delay of a couple of years. I'm afraid that the good times will dry out once the malignant effects of a growing deficit (due to the irresponsible tax cut) become felt. I do not like the nativism, racism, and xenophobia expressed or implicitly endorsed by this administration. My family is very international, including recent (legal) immigrants and the general climate is becoming more and more hostile to our kind of people. I do not like the authoritharian tone, the corruption, and the undermining of democratic institutions. I do not like the disregard for the environment, and the eroding of our relationship with our allies. I do not like the sympathy for murderous dictators. I would like a Congress that is not afraid of exercising the checks and balances on executive power that has been the foundation of our republic for the last couple of centuries. I would like to see integrity and honesty from the Oval Office instead of attempts to obstruct justice and spread lies and alternative facts. I do not like the attack on the free press, which is a hallmark of dictatorships.

How is that for starters?

GDP growth, employment? I've done just fine throughout all administrations regardless of the party, and my values go beyond money. I won't turn a blind eye to everything else that I've just mentioned - which is, after all, what makes of us, Americans - just because the economy is temporarily doing OK.

Oh, my, so the economy was doing fine under Obama? really? Please post the data in context to prove that? Why so negative and why can't you celebrate success? How's that for starters? It is nothing more than liberal talking points out of context with no data to support your claims as results matter a lot more than opinions.

Irresponsible tax cuts? Why do you want to give more dollars to the federal bureaucrats who created the 21 trillion dollar debt and why do you have such a problem keeping more of what you earn? You don't want your tax cut, please send it back. Also people post treasury data supporting the claim that tax cuts actually reduce tax revenue? Where does your state and local government get its money to solve social problems if more tax dollars are going to the federal govt.?

You seem to buy what you are told. Do you realize that African American unemployment is down significantly from what Obama generated? Do you realize that over 4 million jobs have been created since Trump took office and that the part time jobs for economic reasons Obama created are at historic lows meaning these people have found full time jobs? Do you realize you have a state EPA office to protect the environment?


Seems you buy what the left tells you and ignores the actual record including your own bank account. Why do you believe what the leftwing tells you instead of verifying by actually checking out the official data from bls.gov, bea.gov, and treasury.org? Why is it you pay more attention to rhetoric than results? Opinions never win debates, win lawsuits or pay the bills.

 

[GreatNews2night]

Irresponsible tax cuts?

Why is it that again, you've mentioned exclusively economic facts, when my almost entire first paragraph is linked to other values, and not to the economy? I stand by what I said, and it comes from observation, not from partisan talking points. The rise of xenophobia, of racism, the undermining of democratic values, the lies, the attacks on the press, the authoritarian trend.

As for the economy, I'm fortunate enough that it is not my main concern. Currently my annual salary is $241,000. My wife's is $239,000. I make another 15K from a small business that I have on the side (really small, more like a hobby but it does generate some additional 15K) and another 15K from a couple of small rental properties I own abroad. We are in a sector of the economy that is entirely crisis-proof. We will NEVER get fired, regardless of what happens to the economy. We'd need to screw up royally to lose our jobs (and we are solidly competent). It's just not going to happen.

So, our annual household income is $510,000, and I'm just counting productive income, not even counting investment returns.

While this is not even close to the top 1% and a lot of people make a lot more, I was actually surprised to realize that in terms of household income, we do qualify as belonging to the top 2% in America (I was surprised when I read the stats, because I don't think of myself as rich - more like upper-middle-class, I guess, although in some parameters I'd qualify as upper-class). So 98% of American households make a lot less. We're very fortunate.

We have two children. Both are professionals, one of them with degrees in both medicine and law (my daughter is a medical doctor and a lawyer, and a professor of Forensic Medicine), and the other one, my son, is a young lawyer with a double Ivy League education (undergrad + grad) who is in his second year working for a big firm in New York City. He is poised to get an income higher than his dad's and mom's combined, very soon. By December 2018, within one year and 4 months of being hired by his firm, he will have paid in full his student loans. His law school education cost one quarter of a million dollars and he didn't want a lot of our help for that, since we paid in full for his undergrad (another quarter of a million dollars); but with this year's bonus at the law firm, he will finish paying it off by year-end. My daughter is also entirely debt-free and her home is all paid for (so is ours). My son is still renting an apartment, but give him a few more years: he'll make partner, and will easily afford a luxurious place in Manhattan. His fiancée is an Ivy League medical student; I'm sure she'll do quite well too, and my daughter's husband is also a medical doctor.

Neither my daughter nor her husband want kids. They have cats. I'm hoping that my son eventually will have kids, but man, he will be making millions per year. He will be able to afford his future kids; I don't need to worry about them.

So, see? I have no financial concern whatsoever. Zero. None. This annual household income of $510,000 is just for my wife and me, given that our children are now fully independent, and doing quite well themselves. We frankly can't even manage to spend a good chunk of what we make. Talk of "disposable income!" Lately, I've been doing my best to spend it... such as, when we went to Europe last July on vacation, we got first-class air tickets both ways, five-star hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurants all the time. But I'll tell you, for a couple with no other major expenses, it's not so easy to spend the excess of the take-home that comes from our annual household income, even after all that we throw into retirement accounts and investments.

The bottom line is, we make way more than what we need.

So, the economy is not my main concern. I wouldn't mind paying more taxes, if it made life better for other less fortunate folks (for example, I wouldn't mind a tax increase for my income bracket, if it got ear-marked for providing universal healthcare for the poor schmucks who can't afford a doctor, or at least, Medicaid expansion, something that my red state is utterly uninterested in providing). So you say, why don't I spontaneously pay more taxes? A good reason is that I don't trust this administration; not the federal one, and not my state one. I prefer to support my favorite charities, like the UNICEF.

I'm more concerned with issues such as our democratic values, our engagement in the world, the planet's environment that my future grandchildren will inherit, harmonious relations between the races, integrity in government, and so on and so forth: all areas in which Trump is a FULL BLOWN DISASTER.

So, pardon me if I'm not impressed with your boasting regarding Trump's economic numbers. Simply put, it's not my concern.

And besides... yeah, yeah, for now his economy is doing well. That won't last, though. You'll see.

 

[Conservative]

GreatNews2night;1069047586]Why is it that again, you've mentioned exclusively economic facts, when my almost entire first paragraph is linked to other values, and not to the economy? I stand by what I said, and it comes from observation, not from partisan talking points. The rise of xenophobia, of racism, the undermining of democratic values, the lies, the attacks on the press, the authoritarian trend.

there are truly only two issues that really matter, economic and national security, without national security there is no economy and without a strong economy there are no jobs and the ability of people to take care of their families.

As for the economy, I'm fortunate enough that it is not my main concern. Currently my annual salary is $241,000. My wife's is $239,000. I make another 15K from a small business that I have on the side (really small, more like a hobby but it does generate some additional 15K) and another 15K from a couple of small rental properties I own abroad. We are in a sector of the economy that is entirely crisis-proof. We will NEVER get fired, regardless of what happens to the economy. We'd need to screw up royally to lose our jobs (and we are solidly competent). It's just not going to happen.

Congratulations, you made that kind of money in a country that you don't seem to care much for because it elected a President you don't like. So you have yours the hell with everyone else so we need to create that nanny state utopia that must exist somewhere, so point it out to me, where?

So, our annual household income is $510,000, and I'm just counting productive income, not even counting investment returns.

So what are you doing to help those in need?

While this is not even close to the top 1% and a lot of people make a lot more, I was actually surprised to realize that in terms of household income, we do qualify as belonging to the top 2% in America (I was surprised when I read the stats, because I don't think of myself as rich - more like upper-middle-class, I guess, although in some parameters I'd qualify as upper-class). So 98% of American households make a lot less. We're very fortunate.

Why then should you be punished for making a great living? You should be allowed to keep and do with your money as you see fit. The hope is you would share the wealth with others not be forced to do it

So, see? I have no financial concern whatsoever. Zero. None. This annual household income of $510,000 is just for my wife and me, given that our children are now fully independent, and doing quite well themselves. We frankly can't even manage to spend a good chunk of what we make. Talk of "disposable income!" Lately, I've been doing my best to spend it... such as, when we went to Europe last July on vacation, we got first-class air tickets both ways, five-star hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurants all the time. But I'll tell you, for a couple with no other major expenses, it's not so easy to spend the excess of the take-home that comes from our annual household income, even after all that we throw into retirement accounts and investments.

The bottom line is, we make way more than what we need.

So, the economy is not my main concern. I wouldn't mind paying more taxes, if it made life better for other less fortunate folks (for example, I wouldn't mind a tax increase for my income bracket, if it got ear-marked for providing universal healthcare for the poor schmucks who can't afford a doctor, or at least, Medicaid expansion, something that my red state is utterly uninterested in providing). So you say, why don't I spontaneously pay more taxes? A good reason is that I don't trust this administration; not the federal one, and not my state one. I prefer to support my favorite charities, like the UNICEF

So exactly why do you have to give a federal bureaucrat more money to "help" others when the truth is they only create dependence when you can provide help on your own in your own community but if you want to pay higher taxes, do so, send extra into the IRS and tell them to apply that to the debt the bureaucrats created. Where do you think your state and local governments get their money when more goes to the federal govt.?

 

[Conservative]

I'm more concerned with issues such as our democratic values, our engagement in the world, the planet's environment that my future grandchildren will inherit, harmonious relations between the races, integrity in government, and so on and so forth: all areas in which Trump is a FULL BLOWN DISASTER.

Wow, so the world is suffering because of Trump and not because of the poor choices and government they created? That is a very naïve and poor understanding of the world we live in. You made quite a living for yourself, too bad you haven't paid any attention to what is going on around the world

So, pardon me if I'm not impressed with your boasting regarding Trump's economic numbers. Simply put, it's not my concern.

And besides... yeah, yeah, for now his economy is doing well. That won't last, though. You'll see.

I have seen what liberalism has done to the economy, incentive, and people in general, too bad you are blind to reality and too bad you focus on rhetoric rather than results buying what you are told. One would think someone who makes as much as you wouldn't be so easily indoctrinated by a leftwing ideology. You can do a lot more for others than federal bureaucrats

 

[GreatNews2night]

Wow, so the world is suffering because of Trump and not because of the poor choices and government they created? That is a very naïve and poor understanding of the world we live in. You made quite a living for yourself, too bad you haven't paid any attention to what is going on around the world



I have seen what liberalism has done to the economy, incentive, and people in general, too bad you are blind to reality and too bad you focus on rhetoric rather than results buying what you are told. One would think someone who makes as much as you wouldn't be so easily indoctrinated by a leftwing ideology. You can do a lot more for others than federal bureaucrats

Oh, I do a lot for others, both in what I do for a living (in my line of work I help a lot of people, in very significant ways), and in supporting my favorite charity (I've already quoted it, UNICEF).

What makes you think I don't understand the world? Just because my world view is different from yours? I speak five languages, and I've lived and worked in three different continents. I know a lot about the world. You are the insulated one: all that you care about is that the US economy performs well and we have good national security.

Sure, both are important. But there are a lot of other important things.

Just one recent example. Do you see what is happening right now in North Carolina? Why do you suppose these hurricanes are becoming more and more destructive? Because they strengthen, thanks to the warm oceans. And this one has just hit a coal ash site, sending lead, mercury, and arsenic into the ecosystem.

But I'm sure you support coal, and you think that global warming is a hoax, right?

See? It's not just the economy that is important.

By the way, you are repeating yourself. You attribute ignorance to me, say that I just think what I'm told, assume that I don't do much for other people, believe that I don't understand the world... all completely inaccurate. But if making the wrong assumptions about me makes you sleep better at night, be my guest.

 

[Conservative]

Oh, I do a lot for others, both in what I do for a living (in my line of work I help a lot of people, in very significant ways), and in supporting my favorite charity (I've already quoted it, UNICEF).

What makes you think I don't understand the world? Just because my world view is different from yours? I speak five languages, and I've lived and worked in three different continents. I know a lot about the world. You are the insulated one: all that you care about is that the US economy performs well and we have good national security.

Sure, both are important. But there are a lot of other important things.

Just one recent example. Do you see what is happening right now in North Carolina? Why do you suppose these hurricanes are becoming more and more destructive? Because they strengthen, thanks to the warm oceans. And this one has just hit a coal ash site, sending lead, mercury, and arsenic into the ecosystem.

But I'm sure you support coal, and you think that global warming is a hoax, right?

See? It's not just the economy that is important.

By the way, you are repeating yourself. You attribute ignorance to me, say that I just think what I'm told, assume that I don't do much for other people, believe that I don't understand the world... all completely inaccurate. But if making the wrong assumptions about me makes you sleep better at night, be my guest.

If you speak five languages then find out which one defines logic and common sense that supports your ideology. Total lunacy to blame the destructive hurricanes on global warming or as some have claimed Trump but this is way off topic. This topic is about Kavanaugh and the destructive Democratic Party showing absolutely hatred for Trump and doing whatever they can to destroy someone who is beholden to no one, not part of the establishment, and someone who is actually making a difference that benefits America first. With all your money maybe moving to a country more to your liking would be better for you.

How has Trump hurt you, your family, or the country? How would Kavanaugh hurt you, your family, or the country? What is it about the liberal ideology that creates people like you who benefited from the U.S. economy and now is trying to destroy it? Is there something about putting a Constitutionalist in the Court that bothers you?

 

[GreatNews2night]

If you speak five languages then find out which one defines logic and common sense that supports your ideology. etc

You say I "benefit" from the US economy as if I were a moocher and profiteer. I worked hard for everything I got. I never received any kind of governmental benefit of any sort. I pay A LOT of taxes. I paid in full, out-of-state tuition, for my education; my wife paid for hers, and we both paid for our children's entire education (undergrad for both, law school for my daughter, medical school for her, a bit of help for my son's law school who then financed the rest through student loans, which like I said, he is paying back in full - I didn't want her to be stuck with student loans since she embraced a less well-paid academic career given that her passion is teaching - that's her way to help others; she is a very talented professor; my son's way to help is his pro-bono work on behalf of disadvantaged veterans of the armed forces, for which he won a prestigious award). My wife and I have worked an average of 50 hours per week for three decades in a line of work that greatly benefits this country. Don't you dare saying that I "benefit" and suggesting that I'm ungrateful.

Is it lunacy to notice that hurricanes are getting stronger because as they travel over warmer oceans they acquire more strength? No, it's called climate science. Get informed.

Oh, I like Constitutionalists. I wish that man in the Oval Office understood and respected the Constitution. Go teach *him* about it, not me. The main problem with Kavanaugh in my opinion is not if he got drunk in high school and groped a female peer (not a good thing to do, but not his main issue, in my view). It's rather the fact that he was appointed by Trump because of his views that the president should not be indicted while in office.

Oh, cry me a river. The left hates Trump? What else is news? Remember how the right completely blocked anything Obama wanted to do, and how Mitch vouched to stop him as Congress' main task (which, last time I checked, is rather passing bills into law, not obstructing a president)? So, the Democrats learned one from the Republicans' playbook, and now you're whining.

How has Trump hurt my family? Like I said, my family includes a lot of international people including *legal* immigrants and dual citizens, and lately, given his habit of fostering xenophobic hatred, I've seen family members getting discriminated due to having an accent. Granted, this ideology is not very successful at hurting us, thanks to our intelligence and talent, which have contributed to our professional success.

If I should go to another country? Mind you, I can do it anytime. I'm a dual citizen myself, of the United States, and of one of the leading, founding countries of the European Union. I can live and work in Europe anywhere I choose within the 27 countries of the European Union (and I've done so in the past, for five years). I'm here by choice, and I'm a strong contributor to America. But I'll tell you, depending on how things evolve here, I don't exclude that I might go live in Europe. If this country becomes a dictatorship with no respect for the Constitution - and the danger is real, and no lunacy, since the checks and balances are getting eroded - sure, regretfully (because I do love the country), I may very well go to my other country, which fortunately is a solid democracy.

Oh, and Democrats destroy the economy? I wonder why it performed so well under Bill Clinton, and why despite inheriting the disastrous Bush economy, Obama fostered significant recovery (which would have been stronger, if not for Congress' obstructionism). Let me tell you what leads to recessions: it's when Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress, which often results in excessive deregulation and irresponsible tax cuts, creating abuses from the financial industry, and damaging deficits.

Mark my words, we'll have a recession soon. Trump's huge tax cut for the rich, and his silly trade wars, will end up damaging the US economy. It's still too soon to feel the effects as they are always delayed, but they will come. Then we'll talk again, and you'll see who actually hurts the economy. Meanwhile, we might agree to disagree, because I see that nothing I say will convince you, and vice-versa. We're too far apart, ideologically. I wonder why we're wasting our respective times, here.

 

[Conservative]

Oh, I like Constitutionalists. I wish that man in the Oval Office understood and respected the Constitution. Go teach *him* about it, not me. The main problem with Kavanaugh in my opinion is not if he got drunk in high school and groped a female peer (not a good thing to do, but not his main issue, in my view). It's rather the fact that he was appointed by Trump because of his views that the president should not be indicted while in office.

Oh, cry me a river. The left hates Trump? What else is news? Remember how the right completely blocked anything Obama wanted to do, and how Mitch vouched to stop him as Congress' main task (which, last time I checked, is rather passing bills into law, not obstructing a president)? So, the Democrats learned one from the Republicans' playbook, and now you're whining.

How has Trump hurt my family? Like I said, my family includes a lot of international people including *legal* immigrants and dual citizens, and lately, given his habit of fostering xenophobic hatred, I've seen family members getting discriminated due to having an accent. Granted, this ideology is not very successful at hurting us, thanks to our intelligence and talent, which have contributed to our professional success.

If I should go to another country? Mind you, I can do it anytime. I'm a dual citizen myself, of the United States, and of one of the leading, founding countries of the European Union. I can live and work in Europe anywhere I choose within the 27 countries of the European Union (and I've done so in the past, for five years). I'm here by choice, and I'm a strong contributor to America. But I'll tell you, depending on how things evolve here, I don't exclude that I might go live in Europe. If this country becomes a dictatorship with no respect for the Constitution - and the danger is real, and no lunacy, since the checks and balances are getting eroded - sure, regretfully (because I do love the country), I may very well go to my other country, which fortunately is a solid democracy.

Oh, and Democrats destroy the economy? I wonder why it performed so well under Bill Clinton, and why despite inheriting the disastrous Bush economy, Obama fostered significant recovery (which would have been stronger, if not for Congress' obstructionism). Let me tell you what leads to recessions: it's when Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress, which often results in excessive deregulation and irresponsible tax cuts, creating abuses from the financial industry, and damaging deficits.

Mark my words, we'll have a recession soon. Trump's huge tax cut for the rich, and his silly trade wars, will end up damaging the US economy. It's still too soon to feel the effects as they are always delayed, but they will come. Then we'll talk again, and you'll see who actually hurts the economy. Meanwhile, we might agree to disagree, because I see that nothing I say will convince you, and vice-versa. We're too far apart, ideologically. I wonder why we're wasting our respective times, here.

You can stop with the novels because they ring hollow, this US Economy allows people to create individual wealth which they can IF THEY CHOOSE share with others and amazingly they do as we are setting Charitable giving records in this country today because people get to keep more of what they earn. Not sure how old you are but if you want to see why the economy did so well under Clinton research it and the Contract with America?

For someone who claims they are wealthy as you do, you may be one of the most poorly informed wealthy person in the country. Obama got everything he wanted his first 2 years in office creating the worst recovery in U.S. History. If you are truly this wealthy use that wealth to research and find out that the Obama resume was accurate and the results generated prove he was unqualified for the office. The Community Agitator may have been the worst leader ever to hold the office, a true proponent of class warfare, class envy and wealth redistribution. Results matter except to you

Now back on topic, spending money to influence an election doesn't bother me at all but trying to buy a vote with that spending should concern everyone