Why 'America First' Is A Lie

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ZenMode said:
I don't disagree that the fundamentalist right of Islam, children and adults, could stand to learn a bit about kindness and accepting differences without blowing each other up, but that is a nice to have, not a need to have.

No, not one of these nice-to-haves is a big amount, but when you have hundreds, if not thousands, they add up.

Our neighbors, since we have known them, have had financial difficulties. They are Mormon, which often means that the wife does not work. That is the case with them. In nearly 12 years, she has never had a job, despite the fact that their youngest child just turned 16 and clearly doesn't need a stay-at-home mom.

However, when some number of the kids were younger, we would constantly see all of them with large fountain drinks from a nearby gas station. In fact, my wife ended up next to their mom at the same gas station, and she was unable to pay for her drink. One $1.50 drink.

Was any one of the drinks she bought herself or kids a financial deal breaker? Of course not. Is it dumb and irresponsible to waste money on little things when you are constantly struggling financially? Yes.
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Your post starts with an acknowledgement that things like Sesame Street in extremist countries isn't "wasting" money then closes with the assumption that it is. But in any event, your "household spending" analogy (like most attempts to compare government spending to a household budget) falls flat. Every single bit of foreign aid distributed through USAID - both what you might consider wasteful and what you don't, if anything - was something like $42 billion dollars per year. Cut every last bit of it and you will be something like 0.5% closer to closing the debt or deficit. So in the context of your analogy, cutting "Sesame Street for foreign countries" out of the budget (what was it, like $20 million?) would not be analogous to the mom in the neighboring family you're condescending to stopping buying soft drinks for the family. It would be like if one time she used a "50 cents off" coupon on one of the drinks.

And, predictably, you ignored everything in my post about the revenue side. A huge chunk of the debt at this point can be attributed to the deep income and estate tax cuts - mostly accruing to the benefit of the top 20% or so - that have been repeatedly implemented by Republican administrations. If the Bush and Trump tax cuts had never gone into place, we would have had trillions more in revenue (probably something like $10 trillion more). And yet you are predictably ignoring that side of the ledger and focusing on saving $20 million or so by eliminating Sesame Street in foreign countries. It's not that every little bit doesn't count; it's that focusing your attention and efforts on fairly trivial federal budget line items while ignoring the $10 trillion hole on the revenue side (not to mention the much chunkier parts of federal spending) doesn't really suggest that you're serious about balancing the federal budget.
 
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Shenanigans said:
I'm not chastising, I'm motivating. I need good folks like you and CFord to understand the threat. It's massive, and it's very close.
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I would challenge you to find one person on this thread who finds your posts to be "motivating." It doesn't matter if that's how you intend your statements if no one takes it that way. You candidly sound like all the Trump officials going on TV to explain how federal government workers are supposed to feel "motivated" to work harder by DOGE's efforts instead of feeling demoralized and degraded. If your posts on this thread represent what you would consider to be "motivation" then there is simply a large disconnect between your intent and how your statements are received. Telling people "we're all screwed and there's nothing you can do about it other than prepare for a bloody revolution" isn't motivating. This isn't, like, the streets of Paris in 1789 or St. Petersburg in 1917 where we're all starving and dying and have no hope but overthrowing the government by force. I'm not discounting the possibility that current Trump policies could get us to that point - I have been warning of the dangers of Project 2025 for a year or more - but you're conceding ground that hasn't been fully lost yet.
 
what an ironic thread

you have all created it not holding politicians accountable because of your party egos

all good things come to an end theres a first and last for everything in our very short lives.

its way too far gone now the question is whether you will live long enough to experience what real suffering is.
 
OGtruthhurts said:
what an ironic thread

you have all created it not holding politicians accountable because of your party egos

all good things come to an end theres a first and last for everything in our very short lives.

its way too far gone now the question is whether you will live long enough to experience what real suffering is.
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Everyone is to blame except for you. What is it like to go through life with no sense of introspection?
 
OGtruthhurts said:
what an ironic thread

you have all created it not holding politicians accountable because of your party egos

all good things come to an end theres a first and last for everything in our very short lives.

its way too far gone now the question is whether you will live long enough to experience what real suffering is.
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Hush, doormat. Hecklers don't add anything except noise and ignorance.
 
PTOHeel said:
Everyone is to blame except for you. What is it like to go through life with no sense of introspection?
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It's very easy in fact. At least from a mental standpoint. That's why OG and so many other people do it. They lose in the end, because they end op without meaningful relationships, any deeper connection to their community, or any true sense of self-worth. But in the moment, it's always easier.
 
rodoheel said:
I would challenge you to find one person on this thread who finds your posts to be "motivating." It doesn't matter if that's how you intend your statements if no one takes it that way. You candidly sound like all the Trump officials going on TV to explain how federal government workers are supposed to feel "motivated" to work harder by DOGE's efforts instead of feeling demoralized and degraded. If your posts on this thread represent what you would consider to be "motivation" then there is simply a large disconnect between your intent and how your statements are received. Telling people "we're all screwed and there's nothing you can do about it other than prepare for a bloody revolution" isn't motivating. This isn't, like, the streets of Paris in 1789 or St. Petersburg in 1917 where we're all starving and dying and have no hope but overthrowing the government by force. I'm not discounting the possibility that current Trump policies could get us to that point - I have been warning of the dangers of Project 2025 for a year or more - but you're conceding ground that hasn't been fully lost yet.
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Fair. I have much respect for you rodoheel. And I take this to heart. I do think ground is lost unfortunately. No GOP official or SC justice will step up, I've read multiple articles about how they face threats, from white nationalists, for opposing Trump.

I can and will adjust my strategies as necessary. I am the Dean Smith of the bloody revolution community. Rubes, I will shake your hand, and use my charming southern accent so you have no idea what's coming. You caused it, enjoy it.

NYC posted on another thread that trump is taking over USPS. This is the worst thing yet. Fully rigged midterms means NO recourse without revolution.

I think CFord and UNCatTech know I am on their side.

When the revolution starts inevitably, I want you all to know I will be fucking up rednecks like Aldo in Inglourious Bastards.

I'm gonna give them something they can't take off.
 
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OGtruthhurts said:
what an ironic thread

you have all created it not holding politicians accountable because of your party egos

all good things come to an end theres a first and last for everything in our very short lives.

its way too far gone now the question is whether you will live long enough to experience what real suffering is.
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Every single one of us on this message board, Republicans and Democrats alike, experienced real suffering the moment that your failure of a father failed to pull out.
 
OGtruthhurts said:
what an ironic thread

you have all created it not holding politicians accountable because of your party egos

all good things come to an end theres a first and last for everything in our very short lives.

its way too far gone now the question is whether you will live long enough to experience what real suffering is.
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You will experience real suffering, courtesy of me.

I look forward to the honor and pleasure
 
Shenanigans said:
Have fun being stupid forever. I am sure many in your family hate you, want nothing to do with you, and considering who you are, no one blames them.

I will interact with you though. And trigger you.

Since when are you such a snowflake ❄️ that you are now deleting your own posts? Say what's on your mind you stupid rube.

Nothing the dems do will affect the midterms. I have already explained that they will be fully rigged. Trump will stay in power in 2028 so he can stay out of jail for his many crimes. He's not going to jeopardize this by allowing a Dem house and senate. He already said as much by guaranteeing a big conservative midterm win. Elon will continue to steal money from room temp IQ rednecks, and they will thank him for it, while screaming "liberals are the devil." This is happening.

I will at least annoy you in the process for your abundant stupidity. And it is abundant.
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You are special. I enjoy you. Many on here can’t appreciate your talent but don’t let that deter you. If not you, then who?
 
Callatoroy said:
You are special. I enjoy you. Many on here can’t appreciate your talent but don’t let that deter you. If not you, then who?
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It's me, I'm the one who will shit on your face. And you will 100% deserve it. And probably thank me like you thank Elon for fucking you in plain sight.

I'm also gonna take your guns. See you around, you good little service dog
 
rodoheel said:
Your post starts with an acknowledgement that things like Sesame Street in extremist countries isn't "wasting" money then closes with the assumption that it is. But in any event, your "household spending" analogy (like most attempts to compare government spending to a household budget) falls flat. Every single bit of foreign aid distributed through USAID - both what you might consider wasteful and what you don't, if anything - was something like $42 billion dollars per year. Cut every last bit of it and you will be something like 0.5% closer to closing the debt or deficit. So in the context of your analogy, cutting "Sesame Street for foreign countries" out of the budget (what was it, like $20 million?) would not be analogous to the mom in the neighboring family you're condescending to stopping buying soft drinks for the family. It would be like if one time she used a "50 cents off" coupon on one of the drinks.

And, predictably, you ignored everything in my post about the revenue side. A huge chunk of the debt at this point can be attributed to the deep income and estate tax cuts - mostly accruing to the benefit of the top 20% or so - that have been repeatedly implemented by Republican administrations. If the Bush and Trump tax cuts had never gone into place, we would have had trillions more in revenue (probably something like $10 trillion more). And yet you are predictably ignoring that side of the ledger and focusing on saving $20 million or so by eliminating Sesame Street in foreign countries. It's not that every little bit doesn't count; it's that focusing your attention and efforts on fairly trivial federal budget line items while ignoring the $10 trillion hole on the revenue side (not to mention the much chunkier parts of federal spending) doesn't really suggest that you're serious about balancing the federal budget.
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My point was that there are nice to haves and need to haves. When your 33 trillion in debt, the nice to haves should be cut, even if they don't amount to a big portion of the budget.

As far as the causes and fixes, I wasn't ignoring it. It's just a separate topic that I decided to not get into.
 
Callatoroy said:
Are you threatening OG? Kind of sounds like it.
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Does seem futile. OG's given himself the Darwin Award in politics making sure that his ideas never see the light of day. What better could we ask from him?

Yeah, I know, a less little assiduousness in broadcasting his ignorance would be a gift that keeps on giving but be happy with what he's given us.
 
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Shenanigans said:
Fair. I have much respect for you rodoheel. And I take this to heart. I do think ground is lost unfortunately. No GOP official or SC justice will step up, I've read multiple articles about how they face threats, from white nationalists, for opposing Trump.

I can and will adjust my strategies as necessary. I am the Dean Smith of the bloody revolution community. Rubes, I will shake your hand, and use my charming southern accent so you have no idea what's coming. You caused it, enjoy it.

NYC posted on another thread that trump is taking over USPS. This is the worst thing yet. Fully rigged midterms means NO recourse without revolution.

I think CFord and UNCatTech know I am on their side.

When the revolution starts inevitably, I want you all to know I will be fucking up rednecks like Aldo in Inglourious Bastards.

I'm gonna give them something they can't take off.
Click to expand...
And I want my scalps
 
That is a very interesting article. Certainly echoes some of my thoughts. No country has benefitted more from the post-war international order than the US.

I actually agree with some Trump objectives from his first admin (having the euros pay more to uphold NATO), even though the way he goes is totally antithetical to my sensibilities. The America Only foreign policy he's displayed in this first month of his second administration is short sighted and will significantly alter the world order. Tariff war with Mexico and Canada, the Greenland thing, the Panama thing, the imminent withdrawal from NATO, killing USAID, the UN vote, the handling of the Ukraine conflict...I'm not sure we can comprehend the shift that is coming.
 
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