If You Truly Hate Trump, Do THIS

Critical thinking, and I am not being mean here, is foreign to the left. Even when it comes to an important and controversial issue like abortion, critical thinking conservatives can't just say, "End abortions," without thinking about what we do with welfare programs and how we deal with the children and/or parents who might need some help. In other words, we can't simply have an idea, present it, say that's it, and not think about the consequences of the decisions we make. The left is notorious for simply putting forth an idea and not thinking about what that means when you actually have to deal with the consequences. For example, the left may say "Everyone deserves a $15 minimum wage." They do not think about, or account for the many people who will lose their jobs because (especially small businesses) cannot afford to pay the wages, nor do they account for the possibility that many of these small businesses may have to close their doors. Critical thinking requires that one not only think about what MIGHT be a good thing to do, but about what that MEANS once you actually do it. What it affects, WHO it affects, and what, in the end, it really accomplishes toward the end goal. A bit of a long response, and I apologize. But I always try to engage people a bit more in these types of discussions.

@mlgen1037 I do, indeed, think that if more people engaged their brains instead of just their mouths, the world would be a MUCH better place.

@porwest I didn’t realize it’s you, Jim. I’m used to it. I like that we pour out our opinion. It’s good to learn from other people. We get to share more. The problem is with some people, they just want to have a say without actually thinking about it. I agree with yours. Do you think if the world is using their minds properly, we’ll have a better world?

I think it is the only way we can make rational, informed decisions. Look, if Trump screws up I will be first in line to say it. Likewise if someone on the others side does something right, I will be first in line to admit it. You also have to be able to cut through the rhetoric. Look, when Obama called the situation on the border a CRISIS everyone praised him as protecting the American people and when Obama called out the atrocities happening to those trying to cross people called him compassionate. When Trump said exactly the same things Obama did, almost verbatim, he was called a racist and evil person.

@porwest ........There are still millions of jobs available. It is just that many aren't satisfied with what is available. A lot of things just happen and are not the president's fault. I don't like Trump and in the long run, I think that our country would be in a bad way with him in office. Look at the help NATO is bringing to the Ukrainian situation. Trump wanted to get rid of NATO.

@celticeagle Trump did not actually want to get rid of NATO. He wanted other member countries to pay their fair share into it. The United States paid the most money into at 22%, almost twice as much as other large countries. That aside, I did not agree with Trump's position on NATO. Yes. It is possible to disagree with a president you like. lol As for the state our country is in, it is in far worse shape in just a year and a half of Biden with gas prices through the roof, the highest inflation since 1982 with potential hyper-inflation on the way which could lead to a mass exodus of jobs. We have a major crisis on the Mexican border. The exit of Afghanistan was an abomination. We have empty store shelves and a massive problem with the supply chain. We went from 2% GDP growth under Obama to nearly 5% GDP growth under Trump and are now in negative territory (-3%) under Biden. So, from that measure, Biden's economic policy is quite a bit WORSE than Obama's was. I just think what is best for the American people is to set aside their thoughts on the PERSON and be honest with themselves about the POLICY. Because it is what matters in the end, and what we are facing as a people right now is very concerning and very bleak, with no sign of anything getting better anytime soon. At the end of the day I have no interest in democrat or republican, left or right, Trump or Biden. I just want what is best for the country and the American people. I am an American before all other things. What we don't want to do is be blinded by hatred and complacency before we suffer our own consequences and realize maybe we should have thought things through a bit better.

I know. It was such a terrible thing to have the lowest unemployment in decades and the highest labor participation rates. It was horrible to have black unemployment, Hispanic unemployment, and women unemployment at historical lows. It was horrible that foreign businesses were coming here, building factories, and employing Americans with good paying jobs well above that $15 an hour thing. It was horrible that the Taliban were mostly quieted and that North Korea was playing along. It was horrible that we had gas under $2 a gallon and became the #1 exporter of oil to the world. It was horrible that we had a secure border. It was horrible that we revitalized equipment for our military personnel, and offered them some of the highest increases in pay for the very important work they do to keep us safe. It was horrible to fight for law and order to protect citizens and reduce crime. It was horrible to lower taxes which offered employees bonuses, higher wages, more opportunities, and GDP economic growth that went from 2% under Obama to nearly 5% under Trump creating millions of jobs for hard working Americans. It was horrible to clean up the VA and take care of our very important veterans who sacrificed so much for our sovereignty and safety. It was horrible to create new deals to replace NAFTA and ditch CAFTA in order to protect American jobs and create a better deal for American workers. Yeah, it was downright horrible. Let me tell you.

@porwest I agree. I have a sister in law who hates Trump. She only listens to liberal news. She wont even listen to Fox news, conservative news. I think all of us should learn both sides and then make a decision.

I truly appreciate that. And I should note that I am not looking for people to necessarily agree. What I am more concerned with is that so many on the left absolutely cannot definitely define WHY they dislike Trump or WHY they see him the way they do. For them it's simply, "He's Trump, I hate him, therefore I discount everything he does as horrible and as an abject failure." It's not rational. It makes no sense. And frankly, it's dangerous.

@LeaPea2417 This is the best approach. It helps keep us all rounded and well informed I think. Here we are in 2022 and we see what the consequences of not doing that can lead to.

@porwest I absolutely agree. Our country's in a mess.

@1creekgirl I am not so sure the entire country is in a mess. But certainly the left is a mess right now. And by the way, BOTH sides take turns being a mess. But clearly it's the left's turn.

It is the one thing that often puzzles me. That is that conservatives often listen to both sides, and liberals often only hear their own side. What also puzzles me is that liberals often are strong on the "coexist" idea and "tolerance." They are more divisive and intolerant than anyone I have ever met.

It is a true statement. The only thing I get tired of is really that. Give a guy lumps when they are due, and accolades when they are due. MAYBE even if the dems were starting out by at least acknowledging certain successes of Trump's presidency before bashing him I could take them more seriously. Instead when I hear dems yell, "People are suffering financially," when it is clear we are in the hottest economic times in DECADES, it just makes one scratch their head and ask what world are THEY living in?

I think it is important as responsible American citizens when we go to the polls to have done our homework. There is something we have nowadays called the Internet which has become a very important resource. And no, I don't mean social media, and even mainstream media news outlets and that sort of thing. Actual video on YouTube that are full and complete speeches. Government congressional records on voting. Archival government documents and records. Statistics on the effects of bills and proposals. Ratings and commentary and analysis by the CBO. Yes. It's a lot of work. But our right to vote should not be something we take lightly. It is one of the most important things we do next to God and family. We should take the time to vote as informed citizens or stay home.

The problem is that most people don't, most people don't seek out the information, and most people buy into the lies. And thus, here we are today in a very different world—and it is not a better one by far.

@hardtimes1958 No doubt about it

@Butterfingers I think he is far more intelligent than a lot of people give him credit for.