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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#337776: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:36:52 AM

Question about the agency directors Trump is firing: Wasn't Chatterjee the one who wanted to abolish his own agency until he actual was put in charge of it and realized "oh, shit this really is a big deal? "

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#337777: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:39:11 AM

But others are, and I think the premise itself is flawed, rather than that the chain of command would not allow it. Trump is just not going to do such a thing, so the point is moot.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
PointMaid Since: Jun, 2014
#337778: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:39:59 AM

[up][up]They do seem to love appointing agency heads whose agenda is directly in conflict with the mission of the agency they're supposed to head.

At least that's something Biden can remedy.

Edited by PointMaid on Nov 7th 2020 at 9:40:25 AM

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#337779: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:40:05 AM

It is a little disingenuous to bring up an idea like Trump firing off nukes if your starting position is that it's not reasonable. All it can do is cause people to worry for no reason.

"Hey, I'm going to bring up this thing I don't think will happen so it can trigger a side-discussion that will get people panicked."

These firings lead me to think that my belief about the most likely way for Trump to act during his lame duck period is accurate: he's going to sabotage the executive branch as thoroughly as he can to make it harder for Biden to function as President.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#337780: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:45:36 AM

I'm not sure if he is going to sabotage it for Biden, but I think he will try to use it to get more money out of it, and to see if he can wrangle a victory out of defeat.

I don't think he is going to outright call for a violent uprising, but he may well incite one through his comments about voter fraud. From what we've seen so far, he is more the insinuating sort. He is not really a leader of anything, much less a revolt.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#337781: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:47:55 AM

He's going to attempt to punish everyone in his reach who he thinks failed to properly support him. He'll incite violence, fire off lawsuits left and right. The important question isn't whether he'll attempt these things, but who among his staff will go along.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#337782: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:50:25 AM

Oh, he will certainly try to do those things. But I don't think it will be as an act of sabotage against Biden. It will just be a personal vendetta. It will be a lot more selfish and undirected as sabotaging the executive branch would suggest.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#337783: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:52:21 AM

Hence "The important question ... [is] who among his staff will go along."

Edited by sgamer82 on Nov 7th 2020 at 6:52:46 AM

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#337784: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:52:23 AM

I'm more worried about the US business elite sabotaging Biden for the next four years.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#337785: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:58:17 AM

There won't be much to sabotage without control of the Senate. Biden was already doomed to be a relatively restricted President.

PointMaid Since: Jun, 2014
#337786: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:00:25 AM

...Uphill battle, but that's still to be seen. Senate elections aren't over quite yet.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#337787: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:08:31 AM

They can sabotage him by keeping unemployment relatively high.

What, you don't think politics affects their hiring policies?

Edited by DeMarquis on Nov 7th 2020 at 10:09:07 AM

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#337788: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:13:29 AM

Yes, the Biden administration is going to be a fascinating study in how badly businesses and politicians are willing to sabotage their own country's economy just to get revenge on Democrats.

Also, back on Trump: his behavior is consistent with someone who knows he's going to be completely vulnerable to prosecution and financial ruin the minute he leaves the White House. He's desperate to remain President because if he doesn't he's likely to be behind bars for the rest of his life.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#337789: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:13:34 AM

I'm pretty sure that's not how that works. Trump can't order companies to not hire people or something.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#337790: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:16:17 AM

Billionaires who like deregulation and low corporate taxes dont need Trump to tell them that a successful Biden presidency isn't in their vested interests. After all, they did it to Obama (ie, the last time Biden was in the WH).

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#337791: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:19:25 AM

My father worked for the CIA. After he retired there were no restrictions placed on him regarding international travel.

I’ll defer to you on the subject then, though I stand that procedures are likely to vary depending on how senior a person is.

a lot of what we think are covered by laws and rules are really just informal understandings and traditions ("Hey, it's actually not a crime to ask a foreign power to investigate my political rival! Who knew?").

That’s a bad example, it is a crime to do that, but the president can’t be charged for crimes while they are president.

I am 99.99% certain that there are no plans out there for dealing with a rogue ex-president—because it's just that unprecedented.

5 years ago I think you’d have been right, but it stopped be unprecedented when Trump won in 2016, the possibility has been around and been discussed for years. Now plans might not exist because of a variety of reasons, but the possibility stooped being unprecedented a while back.

Wasn't Chatterjee the one who wanted to abolish his own agency until he actual was put in charge of it and realized "oh, shit this really is a big deal? "

That was Rick Perry, who was secretary of energy until 2019.

It is a little disingenuous to bring up an idea like Trump firing off nukes if your starting position is that it's not reasonable.

I was responding to Charles’ post about him being worried about nukes.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#337792: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:20:05 AM

Yeah, I think the coronavirus and business interests will have a lot more to do with unemployment than whatever Trump does. Trump can't just single-handedly sabotage the economy or something. He doesn't have that kind of power.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Memers Since: Aug, 2013
#337793: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:22:37 AM

The WH doing worse with Covid till he is out though is almost an absolute certainty.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#337794: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:23:57 AM

It's hard for the administration to do worse than absolutely nothing, which is what's currently going on. Although we might note that there's no longer any motive to actively sabotage the efforts of the CDC, since that was based on covering up bad news to improve Trump's chances at reelection. Since the election is done, they may just leave the CDC alone to do its job, which would represent a non-trivial improvement.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#337795: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:36:03 AM

Spite is still a motive. Trump's niece was pretty certain he'd take out his rage on the country for voting him out.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#337796: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:38:54 AM

Bad news guys: COVID-19 has tested positive for Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

Poor virus.sad

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2020/11/07/new-another-trump-ally-contracted-coronavirus-490838

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Nov 7th 2020 at 11:40:06 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Memers Since: Aug, 2013
#337797: Nov 7th 2020 at 7:40:03 AM

Impeachment proceedings would probably take too long though even though I am thinking enough senate Republicans would actually go along with it this time if this keeps up.

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#337798: Nov 7th 2020 at 8:03:58 AM

Don't be daft, he's not going to be impeached.

And I think Trump is going to be far more interested in lining his pockets, avoiding bankruptcy, and avoiding jail time than in punishing the country. Any damage he does will be collateral damage.

Frankly, I don't think he cares enough to be vindictive towards the average Trump voter. He's far more likely to take it out on his direct allies and the Senate.

Edited by Redmess on Nov 7th 2020 at 5:06:59 PM

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
dragonfire5000 from Where gods fear to tread Since: Jan, 2001
#337799: Nov 7th 2020 at 8:09:53 AM

[up]"Don't be daft" is edging really close to violating the "Don't be a dick" rule.

"I squirm, I struggle, ergo I am. Faced with death, I am finally, truly alive."
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#337800: Nov 7th 2020 at 8:15:19 AM

That might well get him impeached, if Trump looks likely to harm the GOP on his way down they’d like to stop that.

It would come down to Republicans weighing up the short-term harm of removing Trump (and pissing off their base), against to the long-term harm him going all Downfall on his way out (and potentially harming the party’s brand further).

Edited by Silasw on Nov 7th 2020 at 4:16:45 PM

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran

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