The results are the results: Welcoming President Biden and what's next

I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords. Now, where do I sign up for all the free schit?

 

On this, I will lean with the conservatives: Have we EVER in the history of American Politics been able to "tax the rich" without taxing everyone else? To me, it's not a huge upset or change. We're going to go back to a government that cares about as much of its citizens as the VA was defunct for the longest time, and our social programs became a trap instead of a trampoline that people could bounce off of.

 

"Joe Biden will be our 46th President of these United States"

not sure, he might be the 47th President it Trump resigns early so Pence can Pardon him

 

we can hope, but I bet Trump is not gone, in fact would not surprise me if he spent the next 4 years campaigning, dividing Americans even more

I do not think anyone thinks Trump will be a president that stays quite out of respect for the next President - Trump will be whining and lying to the people for years to come

"Biden said he'd reinstall the individual mandate."

Biden never said that, in fact dems never wanted it, repubs wanted it, dems gave it to them to try and get their votes

I will say if Trump runs in 2024, it would be a blessing to democrats as it gets out the dem vote

 

If what you say is true, then the Democrats would have taken more seats in the House and control of the Senate.

 

In Texas.

 

Huh, it doesn't look like you're understanding me. Did it fly over your head? Poor thing...
Let me explain again: EXACTLY because the Dems DIDN'T take more seats in the House and control of the Senate, it is demonstrated that there weren't thousands of fake ballots and fake voters like your cult leader brainwashed you into believing.

 

Exactly.

 

Biden plans immediate flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump policies

https://www.washingtonpost.com/?utm...re&location=alert&reload=true&_=1604797444531

He probably has to..........if he is going to "normalize" things in the WH.

AMAZING..........the whole tone i has changed to positivity , forward looking, and optimism.There is joy on the streets of America. The Trump horror show is almost over. There is a big relief on the planet.

 

Isn't Trump planning to pardon himself??

 

Your points have some validity. There is some truth in everything you say here, but our history as a nation since the framing fathers did their thing, has been a gradual, glacial slow movement toward more democracy in our government. Over time voting rights have expanded to cover black men (former slaves), other dark skinned minorities, women, & finally, 18 year olds. Originally, Senators were selected by state legislatures, but they were switched to being elected by voters over time. It is true that democracy has its weaknesses. But so does every other form of government. None are "perfect." Whatever form of government any country has, all of them try to find ways to improve them over time. As have we. The Constitution as written would seem primitive & barbaric if we followed it as originally enacted. The Amendments over time make it acceptable to modern citizens. More democracy has become the main goal of American government over time--or at least voters in America. We're engaged in another crucial election right now that portends to frame the shape of our future as a democracy. Trump clearly didn't--& never has--valued democratic ideals. Biden & Harris do. The majority of voters do, but that leaves a large percentage who either don't, or don't understand the threats posed by our current administration toward democracy. For the majority of Americans now, Biden & Harris offer hope for a better future coupled with a more diverse democracy. I sincerely hope that proves valid.

 

I am not comfortable with the hostility & polarization in America now. Nor do I want it to continue. Biden seems to be serious in his personal attempt to heal our nation & bring us together as a national community again. I sincerely hope he succeeds. America has had too much division. It bleeds. It needs to heal. I support that effort.

 

Be careful. The "laptop" thing has been proven to be of Russian propagandist origins. It would be wise for you to question the other issues you mention before commiting yourself to pursuing them.

 

Sure, sounds good. As long as Biden MAGA with us, keeps Trump's EOs, nominate conservative judges, don't get us into this WHO/Paris idiocy, we can still be friends. Absolutely! Welcome aboard bro.

Please confirm that you are in and still in favor of healing.

 

And there's a reason the Founders didn't make that move(they most certainly could have, and were in some cases(IE: Slavery). The Founders wanted to avoid the civil war that would come 150 years later. You could argue that they should've just ripped the bandaid straight off, but I think their pragmatic approach to gradually increasing rights of the minority was tipping the scales to the point where a civil war wouldn't be necessary, but Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionists got greedy and well, the result was devastating to the nation.

The reunification project bankrupted the Southern States, which essentially ironically became slave states to feed the Northerners who were quickly industrializing, but didn't care to share that industry with the South and to a degree the Midwest. This greed became the basis of the America we live in today, it is one of the crucial reasons of Trump's presence, and no matter how much Dems want to foo-foo it away, 70 million is an increase of the electorate than Trump had a year before. If anything, Trump suffered by the growing electorate.

Likewise, the reason the Framers wanted the States to elect Senators, was because too much public participation(if for example you believe Trump is a racist who does all ill) can ruin the political system. That's what Trump's election did, in your view. Normally, if we were an actual functioning democracy, there wouldn't be such a thing as a political class.

But there is, because they can brag that through taxes and through other means, they say they can give you public work goods but the reality has always been the opposite. So we now have political pundits, political channels(which obviously tell us how to think.). Democracy is not, as Kode has in his sig a road to socialism. Though they are one and the same. They're all part of the Plutocratic branch.

At least with Empire, you can be sure that the king or queen has the interest of the nation at hand, he has no choice because he can easily be replaced. Empires have historically been more accountable then democracies to human rights. My goal is the first American Empire, and to rid ourselves of the democratic curse that befell the Republic.

 

I am still in favor of healing, & support compromises with your side so long as BOTH sides give something toward agreement.

 

No it has not.

 

Now that trump has lost face, he doesn't really want to go through even the minimal motions of the job, so he's hiding out. He may quit early and leave town to sulk. I'm not sure that Pence could pardon him for all his crimes, just the federal ones. He can still be tried for tax fraud or sexual predation, I think.

 

So are we. We'll support whatever we think Makes America great again, we'll support whatever we think benefits this country. This is the compromise you'll be dealing with if you truly favor healing and reconciliation.

Biden deciding to cancel Trump's EOs and reverse his policies will be totally divisive and the opposite of healing and will destroy any chance of reconciliation. Fair enough?

 

First I want to thank you for such a thoughtful post. While I disagree with many of your conclusions, I enjoyed seeing the connections of your thoughts, & this post helps me understand better why you take the positions you do.
1. I agree with most of your #1 here, I don't agree that Lincoln & the abolitionists "got greedy" & caused the Civil War. Lincoln was simply responding to the increasing polarization afflicting the entire nation during the 1850s, including Bloody Kansas & the Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court. Lincoln didn't want Civil War. I agree with you that given more time & patience, slavery would have declined & died eventually, but South Carolina had a knee jerk reaction to Lincoln's election, & started the war instead.
2. I don't think the reunification process bankrupted the South. I think the war itself coupled with the immense destruction from the war caused the bankruptcy. To be sure, Reconstruction was a nightmare in itself, which certainly didn't help things. I partly agree that the greed exacerbated the problems & challenges of the time, but greed became a national problem after 1870. Trump is a bonifide member of that greedy elite ruling class you mention, & a dramatically poor choice for the poor of this nation to invest their faith &/or hope in, as a helpmate.
3. I agree with you on the framers & their views. However, I don't feel that too much participation in our current election ruins the system. In fact, I believe the opposite. I want every elegible voter to practice that right in every election, regardless of the outcome. I share some of the framer's concerns about the wisdom levels of many voters, but the freedom to express their opinions is crucial, & I support it regardless of whether it agrees with my views or not.
4. In general terms you have some valid points here, but life isn't always manifested in generalities. The Eisenhower administration built the highly expensive, but incredible, interstate highway system we all use daily all across America. Those were in large measure paid for using our taxes. It is only in very recent times this awkward refusal of politicians to approve infrastructure projects to maintain those transportation systems has become dominant. Tax cuts for the wealthiest among us has taken place of infrastructure as political priorities. Republicans are the strongest supporters of this change, which as you say, promotes the "Plutocratic branch."
5. In a monarchy, the general populace are all subject to any off the cuff pronouncements by the ruling family or their aristocratic cohorts. Empires spread this inequity to neighboring countries or populations. I see nothing attractive in such a system. The U.S. already built an empire during the last of the 19th & early 20th Centuries. We still "own" some of the territories we invaded & confiscated, mostly from Spain. I strongly disagree with you that an "empire" is the best system to have. Empires have a long list of horrific qualities that history is filled with examples demonstrating. What we have now, with all its defects, is far, far superior.

 

If I can't verify the laptop issue is Russian propaganda, & you can't verify it isn't, then it would seem sensible to avoid it at all costs.

 

"Compromise" can only be achieved by those willing to do so. we'll see how THAT plays out. Note to Democrats: want to improve your prospects in the next midterms? DUMP PELOSI AS SPEAKER!!!

 

If some of Trump's EOs actually do help America without injuring others, then yes, we could retain them. However, many of his EOs do injure others automatically. Those should be rejected. It depends on the EO being considered. But compromise must go both directions for the benefit of the country--not the party.

 

No, it would be sensible to get to the bottom of it and find the truth.

 

If truth is your goal, I agree.