Subject: Re: He's such an idiot
PT appreciate the reply very much. I truly do and I respect every word you wrote.

And believe me I've never ever wanted 100% purity from *any* candidate or party.

Most of the themes you stated - I agree, or somewhat agree. Here's the stuff I know we won't agree (which is cool! Makes world go round)


""But you missed the big one. He is the only candidate who has a non-zero chance of upending our democratic processes during his term. That's the big long-term issue with him.""

Sorry, he's not competent enough to screw up our democracy. NO way. This guy can't focus on ONE thing and has NO idea who his counsellors are. He has NO loyal allies. They are users just like he is. He was there - President 2016-2020. Biden won. We've had elections. We're about to have another one. Democracy- intact. To me, WE THE PEOPLE, short attention spans, lack of critical thinking skills, and tribalism are the bigger threats to Democracy.......because those traits will beckon us to VOLUNTARILY cede rights, and eventually democracy. I'm in no way saying Trump is guardian of democracy---just saying, the man can't plan, be diligent, and get much done. Never has.
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"If you sit this one out, it may not matter who you vote for in 2028. The choice of winner may be made for you before the election campaigns even begin. Don't forget that Putin wins re-election every few year"

FWIW Wifey is voting Harris - here in Pennsylvania in the swingiest county there is lol. I told her I'd stay home and not vote trump, she can stay home and relax and my non-vote would cancel out hers. She said "Stop it I remember all that Karl Rove stuff you used to love to brag about" lolololol.

On Putin..... Putin doesn't have the checks and balances we do. Trump does - starting with his OWN VP who didn't go along with him. Then there's a senate, a house, courts, all sorts of stuff. Putin doesn't have to deal with that. Him and a few oligarchs and generals - and he's good.
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"If you aren't against Trump, you are for him. If he doesn't lose by insurmountable margins, he may find a way to be more successful in throwing several monkey wrenches into the gears of US democracy. The monkey wrenches are a given, of course. But with close enough margins, those monkey wrenches might work this time. "

On TMF I remember, the Left was not fan of "you're with us or against us" and all that black n white stuff :) No, I voted Biden in 2020 so I'm not sure if I'm for Trump. I won't vote for him - that's one less *75% Republican* vote he loses.

Her? I can't. I just can't. I couldn't stand her in 2012 when on TMF I warned and said "watch out, Obama adopted her - she's coming". And to me given the nomination like a baby on Christmas getting a tricycle - I just can't and wanna know something? In my early-retired lifestyle - SHE'D actually guard ObamaCare more than he would. But I just can't bring myself. I won't even watch her inauguration, I won't watch SOTU. Yes. she'll be my President but it'll be the first time in my life where I"m deep down - ill - over the Presidency.


Again appreciate your post and I don't want to patronize you and say "awww shucks ok I'll vote".

Also please note - I've adopted "burn baby burn" ever since circa 2005-ish partially due to the TMF Liberals. I guess I'm a bit 'radicalized' -- NO not to hurt or bomb or that crap lol. But I'm too far gone into that philosophy. Mind you a Harris win + Democrat Senate would be marvelous in that respect but still I cant get there.


I'm reminded how much I "liked" and respected previous presidents - even ones I trashed. I will miss that sentiment for 4-8 years depending on who wins.

In weak moments PT, when I can come out of the "punish these smug Liberals and bad culture" motif..... I hold hope that within .....2-3 cycles, the grown-ups will take over. Catalyst? I hope not mass Cheney-Northrom-Goldman wars like we're trying to do in Ukraine. But SOCIAL SECURITY and MEDICARE. The specter of those going bust, or even being cut *might* be enough to give political courage and cover - to men of goodwill on BOTH sides.

Hence my obsession with Shapiro (D) and Beshear (D). In the right environment, where it's *ok* not to hate the opposition - these men have shown they can GOVERN. Not only that they can govern in PURPLE and even RED environments.

Side note : Your "monkey wrenches" comment....I used to write on TMF - that the MAGA "sweet spot" is LOSING election, but having enough pull where they can blame and stymie, but NOT have to take blame for anything. *giggle* sound familiar? Look at England. France. Just to name a few examples.

Want to crush Trump - not just in an election to come here and say "WE WON!" - and then figure out that 49.9% of your country is against you? It's simple and what I used to say on TMF (when I was patriotic a decade ago):

1.)Common culture, common language.

2.)Appreciate and knowledge of, CIVICS and American history - not 24/7 slavery but the good stuff also.

3.)MultiCulturalism run amok needs to be curtailed. (Like it or not, it pushes people to MAGA - all around the world)

4.)"Get a green job" don't cut it. "SP 500!" don't cut it. Throngs of people used to work in pre-NAFTA pre CHINA WTO jobs, raised families, and weren't as susceptible to Trumpy movements. NOW those people have a mullet, a tattoo, dope to smoke, illegitimate kids, and check-to-check desperation and guess what? The fun hasn't started yet. IMAGINE throngs of drivers, messengers, TRUCK DRIVERS losing jobs to automation----heck the future 1/6 will have overflowing recruits!


You and I may not have that life BUT, when people get told "Ok, no more fuddy-duddy man working and supporting a family Family structure is gonna be subject to a zillion interpretations. So enjoy the gig economy. OH btw, stop with that Christmas and Pledge of Allegiance crap but your kids need to learn Cinco de Mayo and Ramadan and yes, press 1 for Spanish. PT --that stuff in totality is what causes Wade, Burt, Kayleigh, and Chad to gravitate to MAGA type movements. BTW if you look at polls. Dante is more sympathetic to MAGA now also. In America, Sweden, England, France, India, Spain, Italy, Austria - just to name a few this is the case.

Trump is not cause of any of this. He was a Manhattan Liberal who rightly heard these cries, and figured out how to harness it.

Look - you beat Trump in 2020 yet here you are worried about MAGA. Trump can lose 2024...... do you really think his flock will say 'yawn, ok, let's go back to McCain and Romney. We're happy we give up". NO - it'll get worse and worse and worse.

Future Trumps will come. America's White Working Class needs and NAACP and Sharpton - they just dont want to admit it. For now, that is Trump and MAGA and in coming years, I'll be someone else.

Imagine the fun! MAGA vs Establishment vs Christian Right. 401K Liberals versus Union voters versus AOC Leftists vs Clintonites.

Oh - and in the mean time one day, 20% of your country - won't be able to speak in the same language with the other 80%. Look at some ancient democracies....you'll see that separate customs, colors, languages - it most often leads to internal war, political violence, more corruption and more prone to being divided from outside (Bibi and Vladdy know that - don't they)

Anyhow, appreciate your post and please take no umbrage personally on anything I said here.


Thanks!