Thread: President Donald Trump

California is now the capital of liberal America. Along with its neighbors Oregon and Washington, it will be a nation within the nation starting in January when the federal government goes dark.

In sharp contrast to much of the rest of the nation, Californians preferred Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a 2-to-1 margin. They also voted to extend a state tax surcharge on the wealthy, and adopt local housing and transportation measures along with a slew of local tax increases and bond proposals.

In other words, California is the opposite of Trumpland.

The differences go even deeper. For years, conservatives have been saying that a healthy economy depends on low taxes, few regulations and low wages.

Are conservatives right? At the one end of the scale are Kansas and Texas, with among the nation’s lowest taxes, least regulations and lowest wages.

At the other end is California, with among the nation’s highest taxes, especially on the wealthy; toughest regulations, particularly when it comes to the environment; most ambitious health care system, that insures more than 12 million poor Californians, in partnership with Medicaid; and high wages.

So according to conservative doctrine, Kansas and Texas ought to be booming, and California ought to be in the pits.

Actually, it’s just the opposite.

For several years, Kansas’s rate of economic growth has been the worst in the nation. Last year its economy actually shrank.

Texas hasn’t been doing all that much better. Its rate of job growth has been below the national average. Retail sales are way down. The value of Texas exports has been dropping.

But what about so-called over-taxed, over-regulated, high-wage California?

California leads the nation in the rate of economic growth—more than twice the national average. If it were a separate nation it would now be the sixth largest economy in the world. Its population has surged to 39 million (up 5 percent since 2010).

California is home to the nation’s fastest-growing and most innovative industries—entertainment and high tech. It incubates more startups than anywhere else in the world.

In other words, conservatives have it exactly backward.

Why are Kansas and Texas doing so badly, and California so well?

For one thing, taxes enable states to invest their people. The University of California is the best system of public higher education in America. Add in the state’s network of community colleges, state colleges, research institutions, and you have an unparalleled source of research, and powerful engine of upward mobility.

Kansas and Texas haven’t been investing nearly to the same extent.

California also provides services to a diverse population, including a large percentage of immigrants. Donald Trump to the contrary, such diversity is a huge plus. Both Hollywood and Silicon Valley have thrived on the ideas and energies of new immigrants.

Meanwhile, California’s regulations protect the public health and the state’s natural beauty, which also draws people to the state—including talented people who could settle anywhere.

Wages are high in California because the economy is growing so fast employers have to pay more for workers. That’s not a bad thing. After all, the goal isn’t just growth. It’s a high standard of living.

In fairness, Texas’s problems are also linked to the oil bust. But that’s really no excuse because Texas has failed to diversify its economy. Here again, it hasn’t made adequate investments.

California is far from perfect. A housing shortage has driven rents and home prices into the stratosphere. Roads are clogged. Its public schools used to be the best in the nation but are now among the worst—largely because of a proposition approved by voters in 1978 that’s strangled local school financing. Much more needs to be done.

But overall, the contrast is clear. Economic success depends on tax revenues that go into public investments, and regulations that protect the environment and public health. And true economic success results in high wages.

I’m not sure how Trumpland and California will coexist in coming years. I’m already hearing murmurs of secession by Golden Staters, and of federal intrusions by the incipient Trump administration.

But so far, California gives lie to the conservative dictum that low taxes, few regulations and low wages are the keys economic success. Trumpland should take note.


Robert Reich: California Is Trumpland?s Nemesis

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Threats, from the progressive, tolerant left

What a little snowflake you are Jeezus. Or is it a flower?

Trump Summons TV Figures for Private Meeting,
and Lets Them Have It




At center, Martha Raddatz and David Muir of ABC arriving for a meeting at Trump Tower with Donald J. Trump on Monday. Credit Todd Heisler/The New York Times


The CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, center, with Lester Holt of NBC, left, and Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC, leaving a meeting with President-elect Donald J. Trump on Monday.

It had all the trappings of a high-level rapprochement: President-elect Donald J. Trump, now the nation’s press critic in chief, inviting the leading anchors and executives of television news to join him on Monday for a private meeting of minds.

On-air stars like Lester Holt, Charlie Rose, George Stephanopoulos and Wolf Blitzer headed to Trump Tower for the off-the-record gathering, typically the kind of event where journalists and politicians clear the air after a hard-fought campaign.

Instead, the president-elect delivered a defiant message: You got it all wrong.

Mr. Trump, whose antagonism toward the news media was unusual even for a modern presidential candidate, described the television networks as dishonest in their reporting and shortsighted in missing the signs of his upset victory. He criticized some in the room by name, including CNN’s president, Jeffrey A. Zucker, according to multiple people briefed on the meeting who were granted anonymity to describe confidential discussions.

It is not unusual for journalists to agree to off-the-record sessions with prominent politicians, including President Obama, as a way to gain insights and develop relationships.

But after details of Mr. Trump’s hectoring leaked on Monday in The New York Post, it seemed the meeting was being used as a political prop, especially after Trump-friendly news outlets trumpeted the session as a take-no-prisoners move by a brave president-elect.

“Trump Slams Media Elite, Face to Face,” blared the Drudge Report. “Trump Eats Press,” wrote Breitbart News.

Those curious to hear more of what the president-elect had to say at the closed-door session were out of luck: Although more than two dozen prominent journalists attended, many declined to comment because they had agreed to keep the proceedings off the record.

Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser to Mr. Trump, described the meeting in more tempered terms. “It was very cordial, very productive, very congenial,” Ms. Conway told reporters at Trump Tower. “It was also very candid and very honest.”

“From my own perspective,” she added, “it’s great to hit the reset button.”

Still, the encounter crystallized concerns that Mr. Trump, emboldened by his victory, may refuse to abide the traditional dynamic of a president and the journalists who cover him, a naturally adversarial relationship that is nevertheless based on some level of mutual trust.

Some media critics questioned why the television networks, which granted Mr. Trump hundreds of hours of free exposure during the campaign, would agree to Monday’s terms. “They learned *nothing* over past 18 months of covering Trump,” tweeted Erik Wemple of The Washington Post.

Television is of particular interest to Mr. Trump, who is a keen watcher of morning shows and this past weekend tweeted his displeasure at being mocked on an episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

Coverage of Mr. Trump increased ratings and revenue at news networks, even as some executives conceded that, early in the race, the president-elect was granted too much free exposure. By the end of the campaign, Mr. Trump seemed to turn on certain networks and television journalists, in particular CNN, prompting supporters to chant anti-media slogans.

Two people briefed on Monday’s meeting said that Mr. Trump seemed well versed in the networks’ ratings increase during the election and did not hesitate to bring the subject up.

Trump Summons TV Figures for Private Meeting, and Lets Them Have It - PattayaOne

Originally Posted by bsnub

California is now the capital of liberal America. Along with its neighbors Oregon and Washington, it will be a nation within the nation starting in January when the federal government goes dark.

In sharp contrast to much of the rest of the nation, Californians preferred Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a 2-to-1 margin. They also voted to extend a state tax surcharge on the wealthy, and adopt local housing and transportation measures along with a slew of local tax increases and bond proposals.

In other words, California is the opposite of Trumpland.

The differences go even deeper. For years, conservatives have been saying that a healthy economy depends on low taxes, few regulations and low wages.

Are conservatives right? At the one end of the scale are Kansas and Texas, with among the nation’s lowest taxes, least regulations and lowest wages.

At the other end is California, with among the nation’s highest taxes, especially on the wealthy; toughest regulations, particularly when it comes to the environment; most ambitious health care system, that insures more than 12 million poor Californians, in partnership with Medicaid; and high wages.

So according to conservative doctrine, Kansas and Texas ought to be booming, and California ought to be in the pits.

Actually, it’s just the opposite.

For several years, Kansas’s rate of economic growth has been the worst in the nation. Last year its economy actually shrank.

Texas hasn’t been doing all that much better. Its rate of job growth has been below the national average. Retail sales are way down. The value of Texas exports has been dropping.

But what about so-called over-taxed, over-regulated, high-wage California?

California leads the nation in the rate of economic growth—more than twice the national average. If it were a separate nation it would now be the sixth largest economy in the world. Its population has surged to 39 million (up 5 percent since 2010).

California is home to the nation’s fastest-growing and most innovative industries—entertainment and high tech. It incubates more startups than anywhere else in the world.

In other words, conservatives have it exactly backward.

Why are Kansas and Texas doing so badly, and California so well?

For one thing, taxes enable states to invest their people. The University of California is the best system of public higher education in America. Add in the state’s network of community colleges, state colleges, research institutions, and you have an unparalleled source of research, and powerful engine of upward mobility.

Kansas and Texas haven’t been investing nearly to the same extent.

California also provides services to a diverse population, including a large percentage of immigrants. Donald Trump to the contrary, such diversity is a huge plus. Both Hollywood and Silicon Valley have thrived on the ideas and energies of new immigrants.

Meanwhile, California’s regulations protect the public health and the state’s natural beauty, which also draws people to the state—including talented people who could settle anywhere.

Wages are high in California because the economy is growing so fast employers have to pay more for workers. That’s not a bad thing. After all, the goal isn’t just growth. It’s a high standard of living.

In fairness, Texas’s problems are also linked to the oil bust. But that’s really no excuse because Texas has failed to diversify its economy. Here again, it hasn’t made adequate investments.

California is far from perfect. A housing shortage has driven rents and home prices into the stratosphere. Roads are clogged. Its public schools used to be the best in the nation but are now among the worst—largely because of a proposition approved by voters in 1978 that’s strangled local school financing. Much more needs to be done.

But overall, the contrast is clear. Economic success depends on tax revenues that go into public investments, and regulations that protect the environment and public health. And true economic success results in high wages.

I’m not sure how Trumpland and California will coexist in coming years. I’m already hearing murmurs of secession by Golden Staters, and of federal intrusions by the incipient Trump administration.

But so far, California gives lie to the conservative dictum that low taxes, few regulations and low wages are the keys economic success. Trumpland should take note.


Robert Reich: California Is Trumpland?s Nemesis

Reich is a smart guy. The same can be said for thriving Washington State which is also a blue state. No state income tax, but high retail sales tax on goods putting the burden on those that spend the most. 8 % tax on a car for purchase instance.

Way to go Trump.

The wanker still doesn't get the Constitution, does he?

Made some great enemies there.

Probably belongs in the President Donald Trump Thread. Really.

Originally Posted by Humbert

Probably belongs in the President Donald Trump Thread. Really.

Mods merge.

Originally Posted by thailazer

Reich is a smart guy. The same can be said for thriving Washington State which is also a blue state. No state income tax, but high retail sales tax on goods putting the burden on those that spend the most. 8 % tax on a car for purchase instance.

I like Robert Reich also.

I read one of his book....forgot the name. Published about 6-7 years ago.

I used to read his blog a lot.

As for Cali, the whole state can piss off.

Originally Posted by Humbert

Probably belongs in the President Donald Trump Thread. Really.

He's not President until Jan 20th....

Just saying.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

He's not President until Jan 20th....

The thread is about the transition too, but thanks for pointing that out.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Originally Posted by Humbert

Probably belongs in the President Donald Trump Thread. Really.

He's not President until Jan 20th....

that's not soon enough,

Vive le President Trump,

Putin says hi

Comic Rob Schneider: ‘I Haven’t Seen Democrats This Mad Since We Freed the Slaves!’

By Mark Judge | November 21, 2016 | 2:48 PM EST

Comedian Rob Schneider (AP Photo)
Comedian and "Saturday Night Live" alumni Rob Schneider has been tweeting about the recent election.

In a tweet sent November 18, Schneider wrote, “I haven't seen the Democrats this mad since we freed the slaves!” He then followed with, “I haven't seen Democrats this angry since we gave women the vote!”

Democrats largely opposed the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. Many also opposed women’s suffrage, which was passed in 1919 and ratified by the states in 1920.

On November 19-20, Schneider continued:

While the Democratic Party doesn't lack diversity, it does lack graciousness, humility and now control of Congress and the White House.

It is at times like this where WE all need to step back and appreciate how much more WE really ALL have in common.

Originally Posted by thailazer

but high retail sales tax on goods putting the burden on those that spend the most.

That is wrong. Sales tax is regressive and it hurts the poor and middle class the hardest. That is one thing about my state that I am embarrassed about. We need an income tax like Oregon.

Who Pays? 5th Edition | The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Originally Posted by bsnub

Originally Posted by thailazer

but high retail sales tax on goods putting the burden on those that spend the most.

That is wrong. Sales tax is regressive and it hurts the poor and middle class the hardest. That is one thing about my state that I am embarrassed about. We need an income tax like Oregon.

Who Pays? 5th Edition | The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

For me a WA income tax the same as Oregon would represent a term of room, board and tuition at WSU. And I don't see recouping that through lower sale taxes helping much at all.

FYI ... We've had this discussion before but I'll say it again ... WA is barely blue. Just look at the state house which is nearly 50/50 in both reps and Senators.

I don't feel bad at all that I can afford Marlboro Lights and my brother has to get his smokes from the Indian reservation.

Originally Posted by misskit

The Donald is backing out of quite a few campaign promises already. He sat for an interview with the New York Times. Very nice how they softened the headline instead of stating the obvious.


Donald Trump Seems to Retreat on Some Promises

President-elect Donald J. Trump on Tuesday tempered some of his most extreme campaign promises, dropping his vow to jail Hillary Clinton, expressing doubt about the value of torturing terrorism suspects and pledging to have an open mind about climate change.

more

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/us...isit.html?_r=0

This is the paper that have clunkton a 95% chance of winning the election right?

So his posse so far one Indian and a bunch of cowboys or have I missed the subtle nuances?

Originally Posted by Humbert

Originally Posted by david44

So his posse so far one Indian and a bunch of cowboys or have I missed the subtle nuances?

He's not finished yet. In between rounds of golf and meeting with his business cronies he'll be rubber stamping President Mike Pences's cabinet picks.
He did officially nominate that mumbling, evolution denying idiot Ben Carson for HUD. The guy who thinks he is unqualified for running a government agency but thought he was qualified to be president.

So you think Christians should be denied govt. posts?

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Oh fuck, they've given the c u n t his twitter account back!

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!

Thanks for a perfect example of the difference between Americans and Limeys

American greeting a Limey: "Hi buddy, where you from? England? Ah cool"

Limey "Well I won't hold it against you that you are from the USA but Trump is a C u N t!"

Originally Posted by RPETER65

So you think Christians should be denied govt. posts?

Yes, if it all possible.

Originally Posted by Lancelot

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Oh fuck, they've given the c u n t his twitter account back!

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!

Thanks for a perfect example of the difference between Americans and Limeys

American greeting a Limey: "Hi buddy, where you from? England? Ah cool"

Limey "Well I won't hold it against you that you are from the USA but Trump is a C u N t!"

Sorry, but what world do you live in where people still use the word "limey"?

Are you another OAP?