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President Donald Trump's United States of America
- Thread starter Monarch Butterfly
- Start date
Full Metal Junkie
Senior Member
They elected Trump because their eggs were too expensive and they blamed it on Biden. They will be furious with the fuel prices. However, I wouldn't put it past them to also somehow blame it on Biden and therefore support Trump even harder? I know it makes no sense, but we're not dealing with 200 IQ individuals here.
The sad thing is that GOP is still projected to remain in control of the senate despite everything.
adma
Superstar
Not anymore--or at least, it's not a sure thing anymore. *That's* how deep things have been effed up.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
It’s very hard for Democrats to gain control of the Senate. With each State getting 2 Senators regardless of population size, smaller, more rural States have an overwhelming influence. The Dems would need to win them over. It can, and has been done, most recently in Obama’s first term, though he squandered it.
Northern Light
Superstar
I'm not for mindless bashing of the U.S. or excess conceit here, given that Canada has many shortcomings in need of addressing. Still, I have a distaste for one sided lists.
So, the U.S..also
Leads in prisoners per capita in the OECD at 542 per 100,000, that's 80'ish more than the next closest, which is Turkiye.
Is second only to Mexico in Homicide Rate among OECD countries at 5.7 per 100k, Canada is 1.9 for reference.
Is 9th from the bottom in Gini Coefficient (income inequality). of 45 ranked countries. Canada is 26th worst for reference.
Is 8 spots below the OECD median for life expectancy at 78.4; OECD median is 81.1, Canada is 81.7
Leads the OECD in unsheltered homelessness (at 76 per 100,000) drops to 4th from worst when measured those in shelters and on the street. (Canada is 24 per 100k)
Is #2 in the OECD for extreme poverty, at 18.1% of the population. (Canada is 12.2%)
From the World Economic Forum, the low literacy and numercy numbers aren't good either (though Canada's are nothing to brag about)
Ok, enough of that.
****
But important to add, the economic indicators in the U.S. are misleading, in the sense that per capita GDP is not median income, and median income has to be adjusted to reflect what it buys you (purchasing power parity), and what you have to buy with it (out of pocket healthcare costs being the most obvious).
That's not to suggest the U.S. doesn't do many things well and that Canada and others couldn't do better. But we have to be wary of grass is greener stories as they are often misleading.
The other thing, of course, is that the U.S. is running up debt even faster than we are, and if at a any point the U.S. dollar falters as the reserve currency.......they will have a very large problem on their hands.
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nightstreak
Senior Member
That's expected because the cycle favours Republican states heavily. No matter how disastrous Trump is, you're not going to get voters in Alabama, Idaho or Kentucky to vote blue. The latter state kept Mitch McConnell in the Senate for 41 years (FOURTY ONE YEARS!!) despite having the absolute worst outcomes out of all 50 states.
Having just one part of Congress controlled by Democrats ends Trump's blank cheque. If the Dems had the Senate too, it would arguably hurt them. It's not like they could pass any progressive laws while Trump is in the White House. By owning all of Congress, they could be blamed for the sabotage Trump would no doubt accomplish with his veto power. Heck, he's accomplishing that now with all of Congress in Republican hands but currently Republicans have to own it.
afransen
Senior Member
I think you mean far faster. Their deficit to GDP is off the charts.
Richard White
Senior Member
It didn't happen in 2008 and I doubt it will happen now.
Not to say it won't but if the US financial system being on the brink of collapse won't cause the US Currency to falter as the reserve nothing will.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
So, they’re a top scorer on your list too. It’s a nation of extremes, one that leads most countries in both the good and bad.
thettctransitfanatic
Senior Member
Trump’s latest White House renovations include new path to West Wing - AOL
The swap will affect the West Wing Colonnade, the walking path from the executive residence to the Oval Office. Preparation for the construction work began on Monday. The covered, column-lined pathway runs alongside the Rose Garden and takes pedestrians past the Presidential Walk of Fame, Trump’s installation of framed portraits of past chief executives — and one autopen in the case of Joe Biden. The new pathway is meant to contrast with the gold frames that surround the presidential portraits. The National Park Service will take possession of the current Tennessee flagstone pavers. The stones will be sent to a nursery where they will be kept for future use. The pathway, known as the “45-second commute,” was originally built for Thomas Jefferson as a covered area alongside spaces like the ice house and servants’ bedrooms. It’s been used by every president since. White House staff and guests also use the pathway to get between the Executive Mansion and the West Wing. The president has expanded his vision for the nation’s capital beyond the White House to include designs for a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and a national garden of American heroes on the Potomac River.
Trump’s latest White House renovations include new path to West Wing
President Trump is changing the way he approaches the West Wing — literally — by swapping out the current gray pavement for a black granite walkway, The Post can exclusively reveal.The swap will affect the West Wing Colonnade, the walking path from the executive residence to the Oval Office. Preparation for the construction work began on Monday. The covered, column-lined pathway runs alongside the Rose Garden and takes pedestrians past the Presidential Walk of Fame, Trump’s installation of framed portraits of past chief executives — and one autopen in the case of Joe Biden. The new pathway is meant to contrast with the gold frames that surround the presidential portraits. The National Park Service will take possession of the current Tennessee flagstone pavers. The stones will be sent to a nursery where they will be kept for future use. The pathway, known as the “45-second commute,” was originally built for Thomas Jefferson as a covered area alongside spaces like the ice house and servants’ bedrooms. It’s been used by every president since. White House staff and guests also use the pathway to get between the Executive Mansion and the West Wing. The president has expanded his vision for the nation’s capital beyond the White House to include designs for a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and a national garden of American heroes on the Potomac River.
Northern Light
Superstar
On total debt, we're at 111% debt to GDP; the U.S. is at 124% (prior to this year).
Now, you're right, if we look at deficit, the combined federal + prov. numbers are in the range of 3.7% in Canada, whereas the U.S. federal number is ~8%
afransen
Senior Member
The scary thing is the US has some significant off-balance sheet liabilities like pension obligations. Some states are essentially insolvent once those are considered.
adma
Superstar
I realize that; which is why we're in more of a potential draw situation than an outright Dem win situation. Still, currently by way of Wikipedia, there are 9 GOP Senate seats currently rated by at least one polling agency "Lean R" or narrower--if *all* of those flipped, we'd have a Dem Senate out of nowhere...
Admiral Beez
Superstar
e
The US debt to GDP is one of the worst. But looking here, it doesn’t help that for a decade or more Canada has underperformed the G7 (and especially the US) in GDP and productivity growth while government spending has exceeded population and inflation growth. If we can address interprovincial trade and other barriers to GDP and productivity growth while reducing government spending we can reduce the debt to GDP ratio, increase Canadians’ income and make a dent in housing affordability.
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Admiral Beez
Superstar
If the Dems can stick to affordability and accountability while staying away from progressive and identity issues they may flip the Senate. It’s too bad, since progressive issues such as healthcare for all, homeless reduction, etc. should appeal to rural Americans as much as urban, but that’s the contradiction Dems must thread to win the Senate.