America's future. O say, what do you see?

[Old German Woman]

I've lurked around TBD for a long time now and read a lot of the things on the PPP board.  I've been amazed on how polarized posters are.  It seems like there's an argument for every thing.

That said, I'd be very interested to hear how you all see what America's future will be like.

Do you think we're all f'd?

Do you think we'll finally come together as a nation?

 

What is your opinion on the future of this great country?

I'm not judging anyone's opinion.  In fact, I value what you all have to say.

 

 

 

[ALF]

Trump  seriously divided this country just like the Civil War did . The future is not good with extreme partisanship . 

[oldmanfan]

After the Trumpists lose the next two elections the actual Republican Party will return.  They will then win because the Democrats will run too many far left nuts.  So 10-15 years from now each party will realize that the country actually is a centrist nation, moderates from both parties will take office, and we will get back to how government was supposed to work.

[JaCrispy]

41 minutes ago, ALF said:

Trump  seriously divided this country just like the Civil War did . The future is not good with extreme partisanship . 

While Trump didn’t always help with his rhetoric, I don’t think the division was started by him...Trump was the symptom- a reaction to a divide that started taking place long before Trump got in office...

 

When you have educators teaching that America is a bad place, that white people are the devil, and that blacks are condemned to an infinite future of oppression because they just aren’t good enough, that’s gonna divide some people...it’s very dark and not very encouraging, to say the least...

 

I just don’t like the direction we are heading at all...I miss the 80s/90s...This “new normal” sucks!

Edited July 14, 2021 by JaCrispy

[ALF]

We need Statesmen and women who will do what's best for the whole country not political hacks.

[Governor]

I’ve always believed that building high-speed rail throughout the country would do a lot to address the polarization in this country. 

[Niagara Bill]

Follow the Roman Empire history.

 

[Governor]

36 minutes ago, JaCrispy said:

While Trump didn’t always help with his rhetoric, I don’t think the division was started by him...Trump was the symptom- a reaction to a divide that started taking place long before Trump got in office...

 

When you have educators teaching that America is a bad place, that white people are the devil, and that blacks are condemned to an infinite future of oppression because they just aren’t good enough, that’s gonna divide some people...it’s very dark and not very encouraging, to say the least...

 

I just don’t like the direction we are heading at all...

Trump stole Pat Buchanan’s campaign word for word. It always existed in the GOP but it remained on the fringe where it belonged. Ross Perot supporters. Tea party. It’s the same group of people.

 

Nothing can really change until digital laws are put in place, public financing for elections is put in place, an updated version of the Fairness Doctrine is put in place, and the GOP does a complete rebuild. 
 

That all has to happen in the next 10 years.

[ALF]

I was a very big Ross Perot supporter , I'm not fringe 🙂

[All_Pro_Bills]

15 minutes ago, Niagara Bill said:

Follow the Roman Empire history.

 

I'm close to you on that.  I think we're at a point in time where a lot of negative circumstances are converging. 

 

I've done a lot of reading and research on concepts like the cycles of history and the rise and fall of Empires.  And make no mistake the US operates a world-wide Empire.  But an Empire on the decline faced with a crisis cycle of social, economic, and political factors at a time when its primary source of energy is in on the back-end of the supply curve.  There are three books that I think together describe the factors and the situations.  

 

Empire of Debt by Bonner & Wiggin

The Fourth Turning by Strauss & Howe

The Long Emergency by Kunstler

 

My conclusion from all this research and observation of current events is that as a society we are doing exactly the wrong things at exactly the wrong time to address the critical problems we face and will face in the future.  So expect things to get much worse in every way until the start to be better.  Where it all ends up is a guess at this point.

 

 

 

[Governor]

2 hours ago, Old German Woman said:

I've lurked around TBD for a long time now and read a lot of the things on the PPP board.  I've been amazed on how polarized posters are.  It seems like there's an argument for every thing.

That said, I'd be very interested to hear how you all see what America's future will be like.

Do you think we're all f'd?

Do you think we'll finally come together as a nation?

 

What is your opinion on the future of this great country?

I'm not judging anyone's opinion.  In fact, I value what you all have to say.

 

 

 

I can tell you this…..every R/D political consultant knew this was going to happen way back in 2002. We were all looking at the same data. Members of the Lincoln Project all knew what we knew at the time. We saw a party that was shrinking and were already seeing the effects that changing demographics were having on white people.

 

What we couldn’t anticipate was the effect of social media and the fake news bubble that exists today.

 

When Trump came down that escalator, the GOP was officially dead as a party. That was doing the opposite of what they had to do to survive as a party.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2021 by Governor

[ALF]

Hi Ova , old polish guy here from the east side near General Hospital . Known  then as old Germantown , good people , good memories.

[Orlando Tim]

It is surprising to me that a question on the future of our country still bring Trump as the main response, not the current president. I person think we will have a country that starts healing quickly because people who only get there news from the MSM are becoming less and less. I think those that use more sources will be more aware that 90% of Americans are good people and we will not allow the 10% hurt us further.

[BringMetheHeadofLeonLett]

53 minutes ago, Governor said:

Trump stole Pat Buchanan’s campaign word for word. It always existed in the GOP but it remained on the fringe where it belonged. Ross Perot supporters. Tea party. It’s the same group of people.

 

Nothing can really change until digital laws are put in place, public financing for elections is put in place, an updated version of the Fairness Doctrine is put in place, and the GOP does a complete rebuild. 
 

That all has to happen in the next 10 years.

I'm not sure any of that is possible as long as our voting districts are grotesquely gerrymandered.  

[Governor]

1 minute ago, BringMetheHeadofLeonLett said:

I'm not sure any of that is possible as long as our voting districts are grotesquely gerrymandered.  

We have to start somewhere. The entire political system is broken. That’s how you end up with a Matt Gaetz.

[oldmanfan]

7 minutes ago, Buffalo Timmy said:

It is surprising to me that a question on the future of our country still bring Trump as the main response, not the current president. I person think we will have a country that starts healing quickly because people who only get there news from the MSM are becoming less and less. I think those that use more sources will be more aware that 90% of Americans are good people and we will not allow the 10% hurt us further.

Let's hope.  I think the majority of this country has been and will always be moderate.  We are letting the fringes of each party, the 10% you speak of,  have far too much of a voice today.  The reason people still keep talking about Trump are because:  1.  he is still lurking about, suggesting he may run again, and 2.  he has usurped the Republican party and made it into something Republican giants like Reagan and Baker and Dole and on and on would not recognize.  The party now is all about bowing to him and his rabid supporters, despite the fact that the party lost the House, Senate, and White House under his tenure.  One of the saddest things I have seen in a long time is the story today about Tennessee supposedly stopping vaccinations of all kinds for children, not just Covid.  Out of fealty to the far right fringe, the state is basically saying we're OK with killing children.  

 

We live in an increasingly irrational world politically and socially, but at some point rational thought will take hold again when those in the middle refuse to stand for this crap (both from the far reaches left and right) anymore.  

[Westside]

20 minutes ago, Governor said:

We have to start somewhere. The entire political system is broken. That’s how you end up with a Matt Gaetz.

Or an AOC

[Wacka]

2 hours ago, JaCrispy said:

 

 

When you have educators teaching that America is a bad place, that white people are the devil, and that blacks are condemned to an infinite future of oppression because they just aren’t good enough, that’s gonna divide some people...it’s very dark and not very encouraging, to say the least...

 

Sounds to me that they hate everybody including themselves.

[ALF]

24 minutes ago, Bidens_basement said:

Or an AOC

 

Or M.  Greene , Lauren Boebert , Paul Gosar ,  Jim Jordan , Mo Brooks  etc

[Westside]

2 minutes ago, ALF said:

 

Or M.  Greene , Lauren Boebert , Paul Gosar ,  Jim Jordan , Mo Brooks  etc

I just found it hilarious that the people you think are the problem with this country is a republican. You’re the reason this country is so divided. Open your eyes to the traitors of this country on BOTH sides of the aisle.

[ALF]

1 minute ago, Bidens_basement said:

I just found it hilarious that the people you think are the problem with this country is a republican. You’re the reason this country is so divided. Open your eyes to the traitors of this country on BOTH sides of the aisle.

 

Both extremes are to blame . 

[Big Gun]

2 hours ago, ALF said:

Trump  seriously divided this country just like the Civil War did . The future is not good with extreme partisanship . 

Wrong! Look in the mirror stupid liberal!

[Westside]

Just now, ALF said:

 

Both extremes are to blame . 

I agree 100%

Hard to believe you when you only pick one side as the problem.

[All_Pro_Bills]

31 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

Let's hope.  I think the majority of this country has been and will always be moderate.  We are letting the fringes of each party, the 10% you speak of,  have far too much of a voice today.  The reason people still keep talking about Trump are because:  1.  he is still lurking about, suggesting he may run again, and 2.  he has usurped the Republican party and made it into something Republican giants like Reagan and Baker and Dole and on and on would not recognize.  The party now is all about bowing to him and his rabid supporters, despite the fact that the party lost the House, Senate, and White House under his tenure.  One of the saddest things I have seen in a long time is the story today about Tennessee supposedly stopping vaccinations of all kinds for children, not just Covid.  Out of fealty to the far right fringe, the state is basically saying we're OK with killing children.  

 

We live in an increasingly irrational world politically and socially, but at some point rational thought will take hold again when those in the middle refuse to stand for this crap (both from the far reaches left and right) anymore.  

That is unfortunate and lot of this resistance has been generated by a growing lack of trust and confidence in "experts".  They change their story and the story is full of inconsistencies.  The goal should be for everyone to have immunity not to have everyone vaccination as vaccination is one of the paths to create immunity.  However that immunity is produced.  You can be infected with COVID, recover, and generate natural immunity and have the same result as somebody that was vaccinated.  Telling recovered COVID patients they must get vaccinated is in conflict with the concept of "medical necessity". 

For example, did you ever hear anyone suggest that people who were infected and recovered from the measles should get a measles vaccine after they recover?  So why is COVID different?  A virus is a virus.  So more inconsistency from the experts.  And the perception of a lot of people that their views are less about medicine and science and more about politics and ideology.  My suspicion is officials are just lazy and it is easier to count and track vaccinated people than it is to track and count people that recovered and have antibodies and then add them into the vaccinated totals and counts to get a view of the population as a whole.  

 

As for children and COVID the "science" and data support the conclusion that children have almost zero risk of hospitalization or death or suffering a severe or critical case of COVID.  Cases are mild to asymptomatic.  So applying the concept of "medical necessity" weighing the risk of getting or not getting the vaccine (and potential short-term and unknown long-term side effects) seems like a logical conversation that should take place.  A conversation between the parents and their physician, not the government.  But you bring that up and you're told to just shut up and do what you're told to do.  By people that many believe don't know what they are doing.

 

This lack of confidence to me is just symptomatic and evidence of the breakdown in social orders and arrangements that I believe are the main theme to the crisis that awaits.    

[ALF]

1 minute ago, Bidens_basement said:

I agree 100%

Hard to believe you when you only pick one side as the problem.

 

Well you only picked AOC , the whole  squad  is trash to me. 

[Westside]

Just now, ALF said:

 

Well you only picked AOC , the whole  squad  is trash to me. 

This is the first time I’ve ever seen you criticize the loony left wing nuts.

[Governor]

15 minutes ago, Bidens_basement said:

I just found it hilarious that the people you think are the problem with this country is a republican. You’re the reason this country is so divided. Open your eyes to the traitors of this country on BOTH sides of the aisle.

White grievance/victimhood, which you see plastered all over this board, is the direct result of changing demographics in the country, along with a dying ideology. Your refusal to accept that is why this is happening. Either you don’t realize it, or you don’t want to realize it. It definitely isn’t a “both sides” problem. Claiming that it is only confirms your refusal to admit there’s a problem within the ranks.

 

Unfortunately, it can’t be fixed now so we’re looking at one party rule moving forward. It needed to be fixed in 2012.

Edited July 14, 2021 by Governor

[Westside]

4 minutes ago, Governor said:

White grievance/victimhood, which you see plastered all over this board, is the direct result of changing demographics in the country, along with a dying ideology. Your refusal to accept that is why this is happening. Either you don’t realize it, or you don’t want to realize it. It definitely isn’t a “both sides” problem.

 

Unfortunately, it can’t be fixed now so we’re looking at one party rule moving forward. It needed to be fixed in 2012.

This is the biggest piece of trash I’ve ever read on here. So much hatred in that post.

[Governor]

2 minutes ago, Bidens_basement said:

This is the biggest piece of trash I’ve ever read on here. So much hatred in that post.

It’s just the truth. It’s like a stubborn NFL coach that thinks he can win with a great defense and no offense in a game that’s completely changed and favors the offense.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2021 by Governor

[JaCrispy]

10 minutes ago, Governor said:

White grievance/victimhood, which you see plastered all over this board, is the direct result of changing demographics in the country, along with a dying ideology. Your refusal to accept that is why this is happening. Either you don’t realize it, or you don’t want to realize it. It definitely isn’t a “both sides” problem. Claiming that it is only confirms your refusal to admit there’s a problem within the ranks.

 

Unfortunately, it can’t be fixed now so we’re looking at one party rule moving forward. It needed to be fixed in 2012.

Unfortunately, one party rule is not gonna good for anyone...(see Nazi party, or Chinese Communist Party)...

[All_Pro_Bills]

10 minutes ago, Governor said:

White grievance/victimhood, which you see plastered all over this board, is the direct result of changing demographics in the country, along with a dying ideology. Your refusal to accept that is why this is happening. Either you don’t realize it, or you don’t want to realize it. It definitely isn’t a “both sides” problem. Claiming that it is only confirms your refusal to admit there’s a problem within the ranks.

 

Unfortunately, it can’t be fixed now so we’re looking at one party rule moving forward. It needed to be fixed in 2012.

What you believe won't matter when the crisis hits our country.  And its likely to hit during the current administration's term which will put any forecast of "one party" rule in grave jeopardy.  As the future unfolds with a lot of unpleasant consequences for past and current errors the ideology you cling to now will look foolish and everyone will wonder why we focused on such nonsense in the face of real problems. 

[Westside]

5 minutes ago, Governor said:

It’s just the truth. It’s like a stubborn NFL coach that thinks he can win with a great defense and no offense in a game that’s completely changed and favors the offense.

 

 

You’re assuming that one side is totally racist while the other side isn’t. 

[Governor]

Just now, JaCrispy said:

Unfortunately, one party rule is not gonna good for anyone...(see Nazi party, or Chinese Communist Party)...

No. It isn’t. We’ve been trying to help the GOP along over the years but I think it’s too late now. The party will collapse and will need a new name. Total rebrand. We’ve been sitting here waiting for that to happen for years now.

[TH3]

2 hours ago, JaCrispy said:

When you have educators teaching that America is a bad place, that white people are the devil, and that blacks are condemned to an infinite future of oppression because they just aren’t good enough, that’s gonna divide some people...it’s very dark and not very encouraging, to say the least...

 

 

When you have brainwashed people like yourself who repeat falsehoods purposely floated to divide...its very dark and not encouraging....

 

Point me ONE K-12 school that does what you state....ONE

[Westside]

2 minutes ago, Governor said:

No. It isn’t. We’ve been trying to help the GOP along over the years but I think it’s too late now. The party will collapse and will need a new name. Total rebrand. We’ve been sitting here waiting for that to happen for years now.

You’re delusional 

[Irv]

Elected officials on both sides currently do one thing - try to get re-elected.  Damn their town, county, state, country.  It's all about them.  Until that changes - we're screwed. There should be single terms.  Maybe make them longer terms.  But one term only and you're out.

 

  

 

 

Edited July 14, 2021 by Irv

[JaCrispy]

9 minutes ago, Governor said:

No. It isn’t. We’ve been trying to help the GOP along over the years but I think it’s too late now. The party will collapse and will need a new name. Total rebrand. We’ve been sitting here waiting for that to happen for years now.

Well, of course the Left would like for the Republicans to adopt a more Marxist approach...Lol...then we could all be one big, poor and miserable socialist family together- trying to breakout and escape to a newly freed Cuba...😉

 

Well, Homey don’t play dat...👍

Edited July 14, 2021 by JaCrispy

[Frat-Train]

7 minutes ago, TH3 said:

When you have brainwashed people like yourself who repeat falsehoods purposely floated to divide...its very dark and not encouraging....

 

Point me ONE K-12 school that does what you state....ONE

Enter into “Not My Idea”, the CRT included curriculum and the schools it’s currently being taught in.  
 

My career is leading learning and development for a fortune 25 company.  I’ve seen both the corporate content and scholastic content.  I’m a registered Democrat.  I say this to appeal to the side of you that thinks critics are simply brainwashed.  It IS very dark content.  It is NOT very encouraging on either the corporate level or scholastic level.  It’s truly horrific to engineer a young mind to think this way.

[Governor]

Just now, Irv said:

I think if things don't change, we're in big trouble.  Elected officials currently do one thing - try to get re-elected. Forget their town, county, state, country.  It's all about them.  Until that changes - we're screwed. There should be single term limits and that's it.  One and done.  

I think term limits actually make the situation worse. Then you end up with opportunists trying to enrich themselves on day 1, since they know they can only serve for a certain amount of time and don’t care what happens.

 

We have to move to a public financing system so officials don’t have to spend 95 percent of their time fundraising for their reelection and can actually serve the people in their districts. I would propose expanding House terms to 4 years and abolishing the Senate altogether.

[oldmanfan]

40 minutes ago, All_Pro_Bills said:

That is unfortunate and lot of this resistance has been generated by a growing lack of trust and confidence in "experts".  They change their story and the story is full of inconsistencies.  The goal should be for everyone to have immunity not to have everyone vaccination as vaccination is one of the paths to create immunity.  However that immunity is produced.  You can be infected with COVID, recover, and generate natural immunity and have the same result as somebody that was vaccinated.  Telling recovered COVID patients they must get vaccinated is in conflict with the concept of "medical necessity". 

For example, did you ever hear anyone suggest that people who were infected and recovered from the measles should get a measles vaccine after they recover?  So why is COVID different?  A virus is a virus.  So more inconsistency from the experts.  And the perception of a lot of people that their views are less about medicine and science and more about politics and ideology.  My suspicion is officials are just lazy and it is easier to count and track vaccinated people than it is to track and count people that recovered and have antibodies and then add them into the vaccinated totals and counts to get a view of the population as a whole.  

 

As for children and COVID the "science" and data support the conclusion that children have almost zero risk of hospitalization or death or suffering a severe or critical case of COVID.  Cases are mild to asymptomatic.  So applying the concept of "medical necessity" weighing the risk of getting or not getting the vaccine (and potential short-term and unknown long-term side effects) seems like a logical conversation that should take place.  A conversation between the parents and their physician, not the government.  But you bring that up and you're told to just shut up and do what you're told to do.  By people that many believe don't know what they are doing.

 

This lack of confidence to me is just symptomatic and evidence of the breakdown in social orders and arrangements that I believe are the main theme to the crisis that awaits.    

I agree with the data to date, however the delta variant is starting to show up in the younger population with more frequency and potentially more severe effects.  Regardless of the Covid vaccine, for a state to say they are going to prevent vaccines of all kinds is sickening (literally and figuratively) and flies in the face of all that is known about the science of infectious disease.  It's ridiculous.

11 minutes ago, Irv said:

Elected officials on both sides currently do one thing - try to get re-elected.  Damn their town, county, state, country.  It's all about them.  Until that changes - we're screwed. There should be single terms.  Maybe make them longer terms.  But one term only and you're out.

 

  

 

 

I would give senators one term and the house a max of three 2 year terms.  But you're definitely on the right track.