Well, let me comment on the Trump election. As you well know, I wasn’t a huge fan of either candidate. But let’s see what he can do.
After all, I am not effected that much. Why
Because I have just jumped on the Medicare bandwagon this year. And I also went with the Humana Medicare advantage plan. And I’m an AARP member. They are the biggest lobbist group for seniors. And Social Security and Medicare are the sacred cows, they wish to protect. And I’m active on Social Media, so I can promote their agenda (i.e. approximately 34 K Twitter followers, for example)
I’m up to speed on Latin American languages and the popular European languages. So I don’t really need to reside in the US. Heck. If I ever needed to, I could join Snowden in Russia
And what’s more:
And I’m very familiar with alternative healing systems: especially TCM (i.e. Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Homeopathy.
And the medical systems in other places, can be just as good as the US options. But at a fraction, of the cost.
But, the people have spoken. Trump it is.
Take apart Obamacare?
It depends, really. On how well the pharmaceutical and insurance companies (and their Washington lobbies), like what’s in place now.
Have his own way?
**I doubt it. ** Why
He needs to learn to play well with the lobbyist groups, Congress and the Supreme Court.
After all…
We do have a system of checks and balances in place.
And well funded groups - like the ACLU, are just waiting to initiate legal challenges
And he has to get along with the allies. Does he know that China - for example, owns much of the US debt?
I am particularly glad to see Trump win since I am a member of a Russian Orthodox parish. I think there would have been a significant chance of a President Hillary Clinton getting the U. S. into a major war with Russia. Guess who in the United States would be seen as suspicious and disloyal and possibly in need of a nice relocation camp in order to keep the U. S. safe?
Do you speak Russian, Geoffrey? And have you visited the Russian Orthodox churches in Russia? It’s probably a key reason, to learn Russian. Other then, to read the classical Russian literature.
I doubt if there would have been, a major war with Russia. Same goes for China. They are both too big and powerful, and nuclear also - to play games with. I’m sure the feeling is mutual.
Wonders never cease Trump winning the presidency and the Cubs winning the world’s series. What’s next
How about dedicating a song (one featured on the AMC **Walking Dead **show)
I’m honestly not too interested in Russia’s history or language. My major historical interest is the Byzantine Empire. Any foreign language study I might do is New Testament and Byzantine Greek. All the good theology is written in that language.
I just thought about something, regarding the **Easy Street **song at youtube.com/watch?v=JoQ4GidQP-k. The show it came from, was about the zombie apocalypse. And it was played constantly, by the bad guys - to torture a prisoner. And I’m trying to adopt it, as the Trump, victory rally song.
Since I mentioned social media previously. I do run a couple popular groups on LinkedIn, for copywritng and writing. Someone shared a post today entitled A look at the good, the bad and the (maybe ugly) perspective of a Trump presidency, by a blogger for the The Huffington Post.
Actually, Mr Trump has gone from what many have regarded as a renegade out of control mogul to a responsible open minded president elect. By all indicators, he will enact the policies that he talked about during his campaign, but will use discretion and wisdom.
What that means is he’s listening to his advisers and putting on a public persona. So far, he had a nice public farewell speech - regarding Hillary And both Obama and Trump, put on a good public front - regarding peaceful transition. And I did mention that there are parts of Obamacare, that the pharmaceutical and insurance industries (along with their lobbies), wish to keep. Finally, I will be working actively on social media - in conjunction with the AARP lobby efforts. Just to insure that Social Security and Medicare, remain intact.
Keep in mind that Donald is putting on a public persona. But he’s still, the man behind the curtain
Here is what is probably the unfortunate truth:
"My thesis is that the differences exemplified above run so deep as to be irreconcilable. No amount of conversation, however well-intentioned and amicably conducted, could possibly lead to agreement on fundamentals.
What then is to be done?
I suggest that what we need - to mitigate tribal hostility - is not more proximity and interaction, pace Haidt, but less, fewer ‘conversations’ not more, a government restricted to essential functions, more toleration, voluntary segregation, a return to federalism, a total stoppage of illegal immigration, and a reform of current immigration law to favor people who share our values. (Sharia-supporting Muslims are an example of a group that does not share our values.)
As we try to answer the question what now, or what’s next, I advice this. Go to PBS and watch world broadcasts in English, from such sources the the English BBC, France, Germany, China and South Korean. Today the BBC, had a very interesting article:
If you really believe that, Chad, then I have some oceanfront property in Arizona - to sell you.
And because I really like you…And you are such a splendid chap…if you buy the oceanfront property in Arizona - guess what I’ll thrown in the Golden Gate Bridge - for free
I believe that much of what we see happening today has all been stated in the Bible. Sadly, many people, including Christians, do not see these truths (“many of the elect will be deceived”). America is falling apart, and we either change or we end up destroying ourselves as well as the future of our children, as seen in the case of Israel. As Dave mentions,we have come to the point of irreconcilable differences between the people in this country. Some of the hostilities that exist are a result of the law. I believe Paul talks about this in his epistles. The law has strayed from what America was originally founded upon and it’s principles of freedom. As Jesus said: "Render unto Cesar the things that are Cesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. Government does have a role to play, but that role does not include providing for the individual needs of the people. These duties belong to God’s people( the Church), as God has commanded us to care of the sick and the poor, the infirm and the widows, as well as our families, friends and neighbors. God does not command us to forcefully take from another to get the job done. We are to give willingly from the heart. Or do we not trust in the Lord enough that we have to enact laws to make this happen? When God’s work ( the work prescribed to the Church) becomes law, it is an unlawful marriage, per se, between church and state. Call it what you will, but redistribution of wealth is only a fancy name for legalized theft. Yes, many sin, and they suffer because of it.But the grace of God comes through the loving and willing heart of another to help them out. Forcing someone else to pay creates tension and hostility between each other, and we lose the Spirit of God in the process. It is a form of slavery and we become “slaves to sin” per se. Many do not see this because as it says in Genesis, the serpents( men who seek to be their own gods) put on a mask of righteousness. They pretend to do good while behind the veil they are thieves and liars. In the case of what we see today, politicians “buy” many a vote this way. If we are to get our country back on track, one of the things we must do is be willing to “sacrifice” a lot of these social programs and take up our responsibilities as individuals, not only for our own good but also for the sake of our children.Of course, there will be pain involved, as there is in any “birth or rebirth”, and there will be a “wailing and gnashing of teeth” on the part of those who have become accustomed to the system and do not want to give it up. But, it all comes down to the fact that we either change or we fall.