Trump's Midterm Paper~What's your Grade?

[corbe]

    In less than 2 weeks, 1/20, President Trump has been in Office for 2 Years.
    I'm certain that a few of you have already formed an opinion of what's transpired and are not in anyway BIAS. 
    All I'm asking is that you give him a fair and honest Grade.

[Bigun]

He got an A+ from me simply because he has done more in two years to attack the heart of the problem in Washington (the unelected bureaucrats who run every agency of the government) than all the previous presidents of my 70 years on this planet.

[Applewood]

Did not vote for Trump, but I had hopes he would prove me wrong and do some amazing things.

Well, he proved me wrong all right.  His presidency is worse than I could ever have imagined.  Actually, there is no presidency -- just one long phony-baloney reality tv show. 

I'd give Trump an F, but that's not an option in this poll (bread, circuses and free weed doesn't cover my opinion).

[corbe]

   I fixed ya up @Applewood unfairly, you got the two free 'weed for all' votes in 'F' (don't know how to fix that), this ain't 538 after all.

[Cyber Liberty]

I always go for the weed or booze option.  Can't fail.

[Frank Cannon]

He got an A+ from me simply because he has done more in two years to attack the heart of the problem in Washington (the unelected bureaucrats who run every agency of the government) than all the previous presidents of my 70 years on this planet.

What this guy says. Agitators are necessary for positive change.

[corbe]

   Here's a Video of an Agitator making a positive change to the GOP.


Front Load Washer Total Carnage - Washer goes Chain Chomp on me


Sorry...

[Frank Cannon]

   Here's a Video of an Agitator making a positive change to the GOP.

And here is the speech the candidate you voted for in 2016 gave tonight......


Sorry...

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Did not vote for Trump, but I had hopes he would prove me wrong and do some amazing things.

Well, he proved me wrong all right.  His presidency is worse than I could ever have imagined.  Actually, there is no presidency -- just one long phony-baloney reality tv show. 

I'd give Trump an F, but that's not an option in this poll (bread, circuses and free weed doesn't cover my opinion).

I didn't vote for him, and I gave him a B.

He proved me wrong.  I thought he'd use his "pen and phone" and push for more and more power to be transferred to the executive branch.  That was perhaps my worst fear.  But, after a few initial missteps, I'm amazed to say this guy is probably the POTUS who has most respected the power of congress (to completely and utterly fail) to do their job in my lifetime.

I'd give Paul Ryan an F, if @corbe had the stones to post an equivalent poll.

[Applewood]

   I fixed ya up @Applewood unfairly, you got the two free 'weed for all' votes in 'F' (don't know how to fix that), this ain't 538 after all.

Thanks @corbe but I was not complaining about the lack of an F option; just trying to clumsily make a point.  It's your poll and you can set it up however you wish.  Did not mean to give you grief.  Lord knows you get enough of that around here and undeservedly so. 

[Applewood]

I didn't vote for him, and I gave him a B.

He proved me wrong.  I thought he'd use his "pen and phone" and push for more and more power to be transferred to the executive branch.  That was perhaps my worst fear.  But, after a few initial missteps, I'm amazed to say this guy is probably the POTUS who has most respected the power of congress (to completely and utterly fail) to do their job in my lifetime.

I'd give Paul Ryan an F, if @corbe had the stones to post an equivalent poll.

I would not be so sure that Trump does not intend to take on more executive power to himself.  He seems to have a great admiration for dictators like Putin and Kim and he has on occasion expressed a desire to do things of a constitutionally questionable nature like suppress the press.  So far, he hasn't acted on his ideas in that regard, but he may still try. 

And I think most of us are/were already aware that congress under Republican control was a massive failure.  We didn't need Trump to demonstrate it. But in doing so, Trump also highlighted his own failures.  In the last two years I did not see him making much of an effort to work with  a Republican controlled congress to accomplish immigration reform and the rest of the promises he and they made.  From the beginning of his presidency, all he did was bitch and moan about his own party and essentially goof off.  Now that Republicans have lost the House -- making it just about impossible to get things done -- he is pushing for this wall.  Where was he since 2016? 

I'm sorry, but in my mind I cannot separate the abysmal failures of congress from those of this president.  To me they are inextricably linked.    They all get a failing grade from me.

[Jazzhead]

I gave him a "B",  for the good things he's done for the economy (corporate tax cuts, tax and regulatory reform,  common sense regarding ObamaCare) and for standing up for ordinary Americans.    I still won't support him for the 2020 nomination because these good things need to be preserved and continued,  and Trump, if re-nominated, is going to have his clock cleaned.   

[XenaLee]

    In less than 2 weeks, 1/20, President Trump has been in Office for 2 Years.
    I'm certain that a few of you have already formed an opinion of what's transpired and are not in anyway BIAS. 
    All I'm asking is that you give him a fair and honest Grade.

What grade did/do you give him?

[XenaLee]

Did not vote for Trump, but I had hopes he would prove me wrong and do some amazing things.

Well, he proved me wrong all right.  His presidency is worse than I could ever have imagined.  Actually, there is no presidency -- just one long phony-baloney reality tv show. 

I'd give Trump an F, but that's not an option in this poll (bread, circuses and free weed doesn't cover my opinion).

And yet.... the economy is booming.   Taxes and fuel costs are down.  Employment/jobs are up.  Spending is, likewise and accordingly, up.  Which means more money going into the coffers (general fund) for spending items like the military and national defense.   With all due respect.....

how, exactly, would that equate to an "F" or lower in your alternate reality universe? 

[Jazzhead]

And yet.... the economy is booming.   Taxes and fuel costs are down.  Employment/jobs are up.  Spending is, likewise and accordingly, up.  Which means more money going into the coffers (general fund) for spending items like the military and national defense.   With all due respect.....

how, exactly, would that equate to an "F" or lower in your alternate reality universe?

Even the most ardent never-Trumper, it seems to me, has to acknowledge that good things he has done for the economy.   

[XenaLee]

Even the most ardent never-Trumper, it seems to me, has to acknowledge that good things he has done for the economy.

Ok.  Who are you and what have you done with the real Jazzhead???

[Jazzhead]

Ok.  Who are you and what have you done with the real Jazzhead???

Time and again I've acknowledged President Trump's policy accomplishments even as I've criticized the improvisational way in which he conducts his Presidency.   A grade of "B" (surprising) is appropriate.   But that doesn't mean he'll be re-elected.   I continue to believe he will declare victory on his terms, step down and not run for the re-nomination, and return to his family and businesses.   

[Gefn]

I always go for the weed or booze option.  Can't fail.

I thought you would go for pizza and kitties. @Cyber Liberty

[XenaLee]

Time and again I've acknowledged President Trump's policy accomplishments even as I've criticized the improvisational way in which he conducts his Presidency.   A grade of "B" (surprising) is appropriate.   But that doesn't mean he'll be re-elected.   I continue to believe he will declare victory on his terms, step down and not run for the re-nomination, and return to his family and businesses.

On the state of the economy alone, even the hard-core NTers should give him at least a D.  I would give him either a C+ (awaiting the outcome of that border control promise) or a B, myself. 

As for him stepping down, I doubt it.  Rush touched on the meme of how Trump is not just giving up.  He said we should be thankful that Trump isn't or hasn't just given up when most people would have by now.  I don't think giving up is in Trump.  But then, I'm not living with the constant, 24/7 assault on myself and my family like he is.

[Cyber Liberty]

I thought you would go for pizza and kitties. @Cyber Liberty

I've always thought they were related?

The pizza part is, anyway....

[Jazzhead]

On the state of the economy alone, even the hard-core NTers should give him at least a D.  I would give him either a C+ (awaiting the outcome of that border control promise) or a B, myself. 

As for him stepping down, I doubt it.  Rush touched on the meme of how Trump is not just giving up.  He said we should be thankful that Trump isn't or hasn't just given up when most people would have by now.  I don't think giving up is in Trump.  But then, I'm not living with the constant, 24/7 assault on myself and my family like he is.

I don't suggest he'll "give up".   But he can declare that he's righted the economy,  and changed the national conversation in the direction of policies that promote jobs for Americans and assert America's interests on the world stage.   He can declare that he's never lusted after the Presidency as a professional politician and, like George  Washington, is ready to step down and return to private life.

I think that's the best scenario for Trump and his legacy,  and for the future cause of conservatism.    The Dems have jumped off the radical left-wing deep end,  and are unrecognizable as a "loyal opposition".   Defeating the Dem nominee with the best candidate possible is absolutely critical.     

[XenaLee]

I don't suggest he'll "give up".   But he can declare that he's righted the economy,  and changed the national conversation in the direction of policies that promote jobs for Americans and assert America's interests on the world stage.   He can declare that he's never lusted after the Presidency as a professional politician and, like George  Washington, is ready to step down and return to private life.

I think that's the best scenario for Trump and his legacy,  and for the future cause of conservatism.    The Dems have jumped off the radical left-wing deep end,  and are unrecognizable as a "loyal opposition".   Defeating the Dem nominee with the best candidate possible is absolutely critical.    

Which is.... the exact reason 'why' I doubt that he will step down by not running again... since I think he thinks that he is the "best candidate possible".   And considering some of the idiots we have that will run (like Mit McCain, Flakey Flake or Kasich)...

he's probably correct.

I don't think the GOP Trump base will be that 'fired up' to vote for Pence like they did for Trump.  I could be wrong, though.... especially if the lefties are stupid enough to pick Hillary again as their "champion" for socialism. 

[Right_in_Virginia]

I don't suggest he'll "give up".   But he can declare that he's righted the economy,  and changed the national conversation in the direction of policies that promote jobs for Americans and assert America's interests on the world stage.   He can declare that he's never lusted after the Presidency as a professional politician and, like George  Washington, is ready to step down and return to private life.

I think that's the best scenario for Trump and his legacy,  and for the future cause of conservatism.    The Dems have jumped off the radical left-wing deep end,  and are unrecognizable as a "loyal opposition".   Defeating the Dem nominee with the best candidate possible is absolutely critical.     

You're very clever my friend.  You continue to paint a picture of a dire outcome if the President runs for reelection to support your call for him not to run again …. saying this is the only way to beat the opposition and save conservatism.

You're good … but not THAT good because those of us who know you understand your goal is to destroy conservatism and help usher in a victory for the socialist democrats.  I can hear your denial as I type …. but there is no other reason for you to continually go out of your way to convince Briefers that suppressing 50% of the Republican base in the next presidential election will be the very best thing for us.

[Cyber Liberty]

I don't suggest he'll "give up".   But he can declare that he's righted the economy,  and changed the national conversation in the direction of policies that promote jobs for Americans and assert America's interests on the world stage.   He can declare that he's never lusted after the Presidency as a professional politician and, like George  Washington, is ready to step down and return to private life.

I think that's the best scenario for Trump and his legacy,  and for the future cause of conservatism.    The Dems have jumped off the radical left-wing deep end,  and are unrecognizable as a "loyal opposition".   Defeating the Dem nominee with the best candidate possible is absolutely critical.     

Do you still think Kasich is that "best candidate?"

[XenaLee]

You're very clever my friend.  You continue to paint a picture of a dire outcome if the President runs for reelection to support your call for him not to run again …. saying this is the only way to beat the opposition and save conservatism.

You're good … but not THAT good because those of us who know you understand your goal is to destroy conservatism and help usher in a victory for the socialist democrats.  I can hear your denial as I type …. but there is no other reason for you to continually go out of your way to convince Briefers that suppressing 50% of the Republican base in the next presidential election will be the very best thing for us.

Oh come on!   I thought he was doing good at pretending.  (Oscar-level?)

[truth_seeker]

I gave him a "B",  for the good things he's done for the economy (corporate tax cuts, tax and regulatory reform,  common sense regarding ObamaCare) and for standing up for ordinary Americans.    I still won't support him for the 2020 nomination because these good things need to be preserved and continued,  and Trump, if re-nominated, is going to have his clock cleaned.   

Which potential Republican do you like the best? Sasse, Kristol, Flake, JeBush, Romney , Ryan, or your previous choice Kasich, or somebody else?

[Jazzhead]

You're good … but not THAT good because those of us who know you understand your goal is to destroy conservatism and help usher in a victory for the socialist democrats.  I can hear your denial as I type …. but there is no other reason for you to continually go out of your way to convince Briefers that suppressing 50% of the Republican base in the next presidential election will be the very best thing for us.

RIV, I've always thought that, issue for issue, I probably agree with you on more things than anyone else on this board.   Where you're getting the nutty notion I'm not who I say I am is beyond me,  but I guess it beats addressing my posts on the merits.   

Are you so invested with Trump's cult of personality that you believe that, if he were to decide not to run and return to private life, that 50% of the base would abandon the GOP?    That's there's no one else who can take up the causes of economic growth and pro-Americanism?   That these causes will die with him?    Respectfully,  I think that's absurd.   

[corbe]

What grade did/do you give him?

   I voted B @XenaLee he has actually surprised me, I expected a lot less.   

[Jazzhead]

Do you still think Kasich is that "best candidate?"

No. 

[Jazzhead]

Which potential Republican do you like the best? Sasse, Kristol, Flake, JeBush, Romney , Ryan, or your previous choice Kasich, or somebody else?

My first choice would be Nikki Haley,  precisely because she has never identified as a Never-Trumper.  She served the President loyally and well,  and she would be a smashing good nominee for the GOP on a variety of levels.   

Of the names you mention,  my preferences would be Sasse or Ryan.   But Nikki's who I have a crush on.   

[XenaLee]

   I voted B @XenaLee he has actually surprised me, I expected a lot less.

Well... I shall wait a bit to vote ... since the poll lasts thru this month.  I anticipate it will either be a B or a C, C+. 

My problem with Trump has been the pattern I've observed... that usually when he creates a win (one step forward).... he does or says or tweets something that negates or detracts from that win (one and a half steps backward).  Dunno why that is.

That said... I will always stand firmly against the radical left (Democrats).  It's a constant in our universe.   If that puts me "always" on Trump's side, so be it.   

[corbe]

Well... I shall wait a bit to vote ... since the poll lasts thru this month.  I anticipate it will either be a B or a C, C+. 

My problem with Trump has been the pattern I've observed... that usually when he creates a win (one step forward).... he does or says or tweets something that negates or detracts from that win (one and a half steps backward).  Dunno why that is.

That said... I will always stand firmly against the radical left (Democrats).  It's a constant in our universe.   If that puts me "always" on Trump's side, so be it.   

   That puts you on the same side as ME @XenaLee and most all Briefers.

[Applewood]

And yet.... the economy is booming.   Taxes and fuel costs are down.  Employment/jobs are up.  Spending is, likewise and accordingly, up.  Which means more money going into the coffers (general fund) for spending items like the military and national defense.   With all due respect.....

how, exactly, would that equate to an "F" or lower in your alternate reality universe?

I don't believe those economic figures coming out of Washington.  Those figures were calculated using bogus methods back when Obama was president.  The methods didn't become more accurate when Trump became president.   The bureaucrats still count temporary, part-time and seasonal work as an increase in employment.  They still don't consider those who stopped looking for work and went on welfare, disability or other benefits.

As for taxes -- mine are going up.  Fuel costs -- well, those prices are temporary.  Trust me, they will go up too. 

And then there are the markets which have been volatile.  If there is no trade agreement and the trade war ended, those markets will slide again.  Spending is not only up -- this country is spending money it doesn't have.  Congress refuses to create a real budget to spend only what money it has.  Instead it is spending with what is becoming Monopoly money.  Sooner or later printing money is going to backfire and this country will be bankrupt.  Then what?

A giant recession is still looming.  No phony baloney numbers from DC are going to head it off.

Sorry, but I see no improvement in the economy, at least not where I live.  Seems to me whatever optimism existed when Trump took over from Obama is fading fast.

[EdJames]

He got an A+ from me simply because he has done more in two years to attack the heart of the problem in Washington (the unelected bureaucrats who run every agency of the government) than all the previous presidents of my 70 years on this planet.

Full agreement!

[XenaLee]

I don't believe those economic figures coming out of Washington.  Those figures were calculated using bogus methods back when Obama was president.  The methods didn't become more accurate when Trump became president.   The bureaucrats still count temporary, part-time and seasonal work as an increase in employment.  They still don't consider those who stopped looking for work and went on welfare, disability or other benefits.

As for taxes -- mine are going up.  Fuel costs -- well, those prices are temporary.  Trust me, they will go up too. 

And then there are the markets which have been volatile.  If there is no trade agreement and the trade war ended, those markets will slide again.  Spending is not only up -- this country is spending money it doesn't have.  Congress refuses to create a real budget to spend only what money it has.  Instead it is spending with what is becoming Monopoly money.  Sooner or later printing money is going to backfire and this country will be bankrupt.  Then what?

A giant recession is still looming.  No phony baloney numbers from DC are going to head it off.

Sorry, but I see no improvement in the economy, at least not where I live.  Seems to me whatever optimism existed when Trump took over from Obama is fading fast.

I don't know where you live... but if you see NO improvement in the economy, my best guess would be that you live in an area or state where the idiot left already has a firm grip (and has had) on your short hairs.   Not even Trump's policies (lower regulations, lower corporate taxes, tax cuts for the middle class, etc.) can 'fix' that.  Sorry to tell ya....

[Sanguine]

I don't know where you live... but if you see NO improvement in the economy, my best guess would be that you live in an area or state where the idiot left already has a firm grip (and has had) on your short hairs.   Not even Trump's policies (lower regulations, lower corporate taxes, tax cuts for the middle class, etc.) can 'fix' that.  Sorry to tell ya....

Yes, I find that puzzling too.  It's booming here.

[Bigun]

I don't believe those economic figures coming out of Washington.  Those figures were calculated using bogus methods back when Obama was president.  The methods didn't become more accurate when Trump became president.   The bureaucrats still count temporary, part-time and seasonal work as an increase in employment.  They still don't consider those who stopped looking for work and went on welfare, disability or other benefits.

As for taxes -- mine are going up.  Fuel costs -- well, those prices are temporary.  Trust me, they will go up too. 

And then there are the markets which have been volatile.  If there is no trade agreement and the trade war ended, those markets will slide again.  Spending is not only up -- this country is spending money it doesn't have.  Congress refuses to create a real budget to spend only what money it has.  Instead it is spending with what is becoming Monopoly money.  Sooner or later printing money is going to backfire and this country will be bankrupt.  Then what?

A giant recession is still looming.  No phony baloney numbers from DC are going to head it off.

Sorry, but I see no improvement in the economy, at least not where I live.  Seems to me whatever optimism existed when Trump took over from Obama is fading fast.

You must live in California.  That's the only possible explanation.

[libertybele]

I give him a B+.  He has shown patriotism that I didn't think that he had and that has truly been my biggest surprise.  He has on occasion shown more patience than I.  I knew that he'd be good for the economy, but the time in which he did it was very surprising. I think he has been remarkable at rolling up his sleeves and getting things done.  He also has turned down his bullying a couple of notches.  I think the world is now in a better place under President Trump than B.O. I had my doubts.

I'm disappointed in the fact that he hasn't been able to hang Hillary out to dry.  I was also disappointed that he was ready to agree to DACA/amnesty.  That was a big error in my books.  Still waiting on the wall and I think he should have taken the action he is taking now in the first 6 months; otherwise I would have given him an A.

[libertybele]

I don't believe those economic figures coming out of Washington.  Those figures were calculated using bogus methods back when Obama was president.  The methods didn't become more accurate when Trump became president.   The bureaucrats still count temporary, part-time and seasonal work as an increase in employment.  They still don't consider those who stopped looking for work and went on welfare, disability or other benefits.

As for taxes -- mine are going up.  Fuel costs -- well, those prices are temporary.  Trust me, they will go up too. 

And then there are the markets which have been volatile.  If there is no trade agreement and the trade war ended, those markets will slide again.  Spending is not only up -- this country is spending money it doesn't have.  Congress refuses to create a real budget to spend only what money it has.  Instead it is spending with what is becoming Monopoly money.  Sooner or later printing money is going to backfire and this country will be bankrupt.  Then what?

A giant recession is still looming.  No phony baloney numbers from DC are going to head it off.

Sorry, but I see no improvement in the economy, at least not where I live.  Seems to me whatever optimism existed when Trump took over from Obama is fading fast.

The city that I live in, was just listed as one of the fastest growing cities in the country! First time in a long time that I have seen several help wanted signs; even service trucks driving around with 'help wanted' signs.  Employers in some sectors are having problems filling positions.

Keep in mind ... Lowest BLACK unemployment in HISTORY!  That is huge.  People have been coming off of food stamps.

I think his biggest report card will be at tax time.  Will most of the country benefit from the new taxes?  IF seniors suffer, this could very well give him a black mark on the economy.

[XenaLee]

The city that I live in, was just listed as one of the fastest growing cities in the country! First time in a long time that I have seen several help wanted signs; even service trucks driving around with 'help wanted' signs.  Employers in some sectors are having problems filling positions.

Keep in mind ... Lowest BLACK unemployment in HISTORY!  That is huge.  People have been coming off of food stamps.

I think his biggest report card will be at tax time.  Will most of the country benefit from the new taxes?  IF seniors suffer, this could very well give him a black mark on the economy.

I have to ask.   Why would seniors suffer from Trump's policies?  (confused)

[Applewood]

The city that I live in, was just listed as one of the fastest growing cities in the country! First time in a long time that I have seen several help wanted signs; even service trucks driving around with 'help wanted' signs.  Employers in some sectors are having problems filling positions.

Keep in mind ... Lowest BLACK unemployment in HISTORY!  That is huge.  People have been coming off of food stamps.

I think his biggest report card will be at tax time.  Will most of the country benefit from the new taxes?  IF seniors suffer, this could very well give him a black mark on the economy.

I live in the rust belt.  Not so good here, although I will concede, as @XenaLee alluded to, much of the problem has to with Democrat rule here.  I'm also not seeing a change in black unemployment.  Why should there be when in this part of the country there is so much free stuff?

As for seniors -- I'm a senior and I already know I will owe for the first time in years.  So-called tax reform did nothing for me.  What increase there was in SS has been eaten up by a rise in Medicare  and other things like food and medicine.   As always, we oldsters get the shaft.

[libertybele]

I live in the rust belt.  Not so good here, although I will concede, as @XenaLee alluded to, much of the problem has to with Democrat rule here.  I'm also not seeing a change in black unemployment.  Why should there be when in this part of the country there is so much free stuff?

As for seniors -- I'm a senior and I already know I will owe for the first time in years.  So-called tax reform did nothing for me.  What increase there was in SS has been eaten up by a rise in Medicare  and other things like food and medicine.   As always, we oldsters get the shaft.

Yikes .... this will be our first year filing taxes on SS ... keeping my fingers crossed.  We prepared for a lot ... taxes always hard to guage because the tax laws keep changing.

[Applewood]

Yikes .... this will be our first year filing taxes on SS ... keeping my fingers crossed.  We prepared for a lot ... taxes always hard to guage because the tax laws keep changing.

I have a pro who does my taxes because I can't keep up with all this stuff, and I suspect he has major headaches over the changes too.  I also have a financial advisor, and we have tried to mitigate some of the damage, but it's not going to be enough.  If we had a simplified tax system, we wouldn't have this problem.  About the only "simplification" coming out of this tax tweak is the elimination of the 1040A and 1040EZ.  Everyone will have to fill out a 1040.  But instead of the two simple forms, there are going to be more schedules, so for many taxpayers there may be even more forms to fill out.  I don't see how this is going to make filing tax returns simple.

[jafo2010]

I can't believe this thread!

First off, I have said it many times on this site, and I will repeat myself, it will be Trump vs Clinton in 2020.  The ONLY thing that will stop that is if the industrial/military complex decides to JFK Trump.  And yes, as is absolutely true, history repeats itself.

JFK signed an executive order to withdraw from Vietnam, and make an effort to end the FED, and he dies.  Trump decides to withdraw from Syria and draw down in Afghanistan, revenue many times that in the 60s for the industrial/military complex, and I say he follows in JFKs footsteps.  I suspect someone may have pointed that out to him, and  he has softened the terms for his actually drawing down and out.

It will be Trump for the GOP.  Really, anyone thinking America would vote for a LOSER like Romney over Trump is smoking to much ganga.  And who else is out there that stands a chance against him in the GOP?  Answer is simple....NO ONE!

On the Dem side of the fence, their circus will be quite entertaining.  They will have 12-20 candidates.  Bernie may or may not run, but he will be inconsequential.  In 2016, he got the never Clinton vote, and there was no other candidate.  The fool from Maryland, he was a joke day one until he withdrew.

This time, HR Clinton announces once there are a dozen or so candidates that have announced they are running.  Clinton has a solid base of 40%.  The rest, whether 10 or 20 others will split the vote and lose, again and again until HR Clinton takes the nomination.

She loses a second time to Trump, who takes 40 electoral states in 2020 if the economy remains strong, and it is a coin toss if the economy is so-so, and he loses if the economy is ailing.  Clinton lives in PA, OH, WI, MI, and FL.  She literally need not go to any other state but those five to attempt to gain an edge.

If the FED increases rates as many times in 2019 as they did in 2018, then they are in on the effort to unseat Trump.  Trump has made the huge mistake of appointing many people whose loyalties are with the Bushes, which I believe is the kiss of death.  His DOJ appointee will also prove to be a huge mistake.  All the stinking lying attorneys in America, and he keeps going back to former Bushies versus finding his own team.  Dumb!

I see Trump serving 4 more years.  I believe the economy will remain strong, and the American people will realize that it was his doing, and not the knucklehead that was number 44.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

I can't believe this thread!

First off, I have said it many times on this site, and I will repeat myself, it will be Trump vs Clinton in 2020.  The ONLY thing that will stop that is if the industrial/military complex decides to JFK Trump.  And yes, as is absolutely true, history repeats itself.

JFK signed an executive order to withdraw from Vietnam, and make an effort to end the FED, and he dies.  Trump decides to withdraw from Syria and draw down in Afghanistan, revenue many times that in the 60s for the industrial/military complex, and I say he follows in JFKs footsteps.  I suspect someone may have pointed that out to him, and  he has softened the terms for his actually drawing down and out.

It will be Trump for the GOP.  Really, anyone thinking America would vote for a LOSER like Romney over Trump is smoking to much ganga.  And who else is out there that stands a chance against him in the GOP?  Answer is simple....NO ONE!

On the Dem side of the fence, their circus will be quite entertaining.  They will have 12-20 candidates.  Bernie may or may not run, but he will be inconsequential.  In 2016, he got the never Clinton vote, and there was no other candidate.  The fool from Maryland, he was a joke day one until he withdrew.

This time, HR Clinton announces once there are a dozen or so candidates that have announced they are running.  Clinton has a solid base of 40%.  The rest, whether 10 or 20 others will split the vote and lose, again and again until HR Clinton takes the nomination.

She loses a second time to Trump, who takes 40 electoral states in 2020 if the economy remains strong, and it is a coin toss if the economy is so-so, and he loses if the economy is ailing.  Clinton lives in PA, OH, WI, MI, and FL.  She literally need not go to any other state but those five to attempt to gain an edge.

If the FED increases rates as many times in 2019 as they did in 2018, then they are in on the effort to unseat Trump.  Trump has made the huge mistake of appointing many people whose loyalties are with the Bushes, which I believe is the kiss of death.  His DOJ appointee will also prove to be a huge mistake.  All the stinking lying attorneys in America, and he keeps going back to former Bushies versus finding his own team.  Dumb!

I see Trump serving 4 more years.  I believe the economy will remain strong, and the American people will realize that it was his doing, and not the knucklehead that was number 44.

I don't see HRC running, let alone walking, in 2020.

I don't see the MIC giving a carp about Trump serving four more years.  I've been pleasantly surprised by his talking about getting us out of some of our sinkholes, but even if he pulls through, they don't care.  He'll be gone in a few years, they're in for life.  (If you haven't read it, check out Rumsfeld's autobiography, serving as the youngest/oldest SECDEF with like 24 years in between, he's got a unique perspective on the MIC).

I don't see a serious Republican challenge to Trump in 2020.  Anyone who could beat him will keep their powder dry for 2024.

The economy is not strong.  The economy is, after a decade of artificial stimulus, finally recovering to a little under long term average growth.  It may feel like a boom, in context, but it's not.

The Fed is doing what it has "always" done (I quote "always" because we got into some uncharted territory, but they're still following their usual script).  They didn't start cutting because 0 was elected or start raising because trump was elected.  They are making the same mistakes they always have, based on their understanding of the underlying economy.

And really, when the smoke clears, the impact of the Fed that throws us into the next major recession will not be a few 1/4 point increases, it will be the drawdown of the balance sheet.  Finally.

[libertybele]

If I could vote again I'd give him an "F"

[dfwgator]

Incomplete.

[XenaLee]

I have a pro who does my taxes because I can't keep up with all this stuff, and I suspect he has major headaches over the changes too.  I also have a financial advisor, and we have tried to mitigate some of the damage, but it's not going to be enough.  If we had a simplified tax system, we wouldn't have this problem.  About the only "simplification" coming out of this tax tweak is the elimination of the 1040A and 1040EZ.  Everyone will have to fill out a 1040.  But instead of the two simple forms, there are going to be more schedules, so for many taxpayers there may be even more forms to fill out.  I don't see how this is going to make filing tax returns simple.

You don't actually think.... that they, the Democrats, want to ""simplify"" filing your taxes, do you?   How would that help them to squeeze every last dime out of folks like you (legal citizens that pay taxes)?   Remember.... it's the party of "we have to pass the bill to find out what's in it"..... they make it complex for a reason.  It's deliberate.

[Frank Cannon]

You don't actually think.... that they, the Democrats, want to ""simplify"" filing your taxes, do you?   How would that help them to squeeze every last dime out of folks like you (legal citizens that pay taxes)?   Remember.... it's the party of "we have to pass the bill to find out what's in it"..... they make it complex for a reason.  It's deliberate.

The poster you are responding to has their taxes done at HR Block and their financial advisor is a second cousin right out of community college.

[Blizzardnh]

Did not vote for Trump, but I had hopes he would prove me wrong and do some amazing things.

Well, he proved me wrong all right.  His presidency is worse than I could ever have imagined.  Actually, there is no presidency -- just one long phony-baloney reality tv show. 

I'd give Trump an F, but that's not an option in this poll (bread, circuses and free weed doesn't cover my opinion).

What was your D. U. sign up date?