Wednesday Open Thread [7.29.15]
President Obama seriously trolled the right wing yesterday with his comments to the Africa Union that if the constitution allowed it, he could win a third term. He also said he thinks he is a pretty good president, which is of course an objective fact, but it was sure to still the pot on the right nonetheless. I say he was trolling regarding the third term talk because the right wing, what with all of their fantasy talk about conspiracies and birther nonsense and Jade Helm takeovers of Texas, believes that Obama will institute martial law and install himself as Dictator for Life.
First off, yes, it is true that some on the left also believed former President Bush was going to start a war with Iran and declare martial law and install himself as President as a third off. So, touche. But at least our fears were more rational and based in reality, since Bush did start an illegal war in Iraq.
Second, I cannot image anyone who has served as President wants to stay in that job forever. Constant pressure cooker. No privacy. Government housing. Eight years in that job takes 20 years off your life. Just look at the before and after photos.
Third, yeah, the Constitution is pretty explicit about this, and if you want to start a revolution against you, staying for third term is a good way to do it.
Fourth, the President was illustrating a point to African leaders because Africa frequently deals with popularly elected leaders who then want to stay in power. The President was saying, hey, if I could, I would and I would win. But that doesn’t mean he should. He was saying respect the rule of law and get off the stage when it is your time.
Fifth, he is right. If President Obama could run for a third term, there is no doubt in my mind that he would trounce any one of the Republicans currently running.
McKay Coppins on who exactly is in Trump’s inner circle:
“Trump’s key lieutenants tend to fit the same consumer profile that his discount luxury brand targets: They are men with middle- and working-class roots; lacking in elite credentials; mesmerized by made-for-TV displays of lavish wealth. They are impressed with brashness and bored by subtlety. They are amused by dirty jokes and averse to irony. They are likely to buy a Trump-branded necktie sometime this year, and if they feel like splurging they’ll get the matching cufflinks, too.”
So far I am not impressed with the quality (The Donald likes to talk about the Quality) of his support staff. Indeed, his lawyer left a lot to be desired recently given his “as you know, you can’t rape your spouse. There’s tons of case law.”
That lawyer should be disbarred today. Yes, there is tons of case law. From the 19th Century. That’s been overturned. It’s LexisNexis. Use it. Second, yes, obviously you can rape your spouse if they say no.
Philip Bump looks at the only real specific item of substance that Donald Trump has offered as a candidate as to how he would govern as President:
Donald Trump doesn’t have many specific proposals for what he would accomplish as president, but the few things he has proposed share a common ignition: negotiations.
The problem with the Iran deal? Bad negotiation. How’s he going to get Mexico to pay for the giant wall he wants to build on the border? “The art of negotiating.” China taking our jobs? Negotiate them back. Catching El Chapo? We bet you can guess.
“I know the smartest negotiators in the world,” Trump said during his campaign kick-off. “I know the good ones. I know the bad ones. I know the overrated ones.” He later added : “Believe me, folks. We will do very, very well. Very, very well.”
When the Daily Beast called Donald Trump’s office for comment on a story they were reporting, detailing long-past allegations from ex-wife Ivana that Trump had assaulted her, [Trump attorney] Michael Cohen got on the phone. Cohen serves as counsel to Trump and is an executive vice president at the Trump Organization. Our colleague Erik Wemple outlined a slew of recent occasions when Cohen appeared on TV to make the case for his boss. If anyone is a negotiator for Trump, it’s Cohen. Given his role as special counsel, you’d figure he’s among Trump’s top negotiators.
So how did his negotiation with the Daily Beast go? Horribly.
Yes, Cohen is the same lawyer I mentioned above. Read the whole thing to see how horribly the negotiation went.
Donald Trump wants Sarah Palin in his cabinet. He says she’s special. So do I, but I don’t think we mean the same thing.
So, if we were to follow Donald Trump’s plan and the desires of all racist Republicans and simply deport all undocumented immigrants, it is going to cost the taxpayer a lot:
The center-right organization American Action Forum (AAF) found that it would cost between $400 billion and $600 billion to apprehend, detain, legally process, and transport every undocumented immigrant back to their countries of origin. Breaking down similar statistics, a Center of American Progress report found that it would cost an average of about $10,070 to deport each individual. The AAF report also found that without the 11 million undocumented immigrants, the U.S. labor force would shrink and real GDP would be reduced by $1.6 trillion.
So it will cost half a trillion to deport everyone. And then, because we deported everyone, the economy is going to collapse into a depression with our GDP losing 1.6 trillion.
Brilliant plan you racists. This is why we don’t want you running things. Because, apart from you all being evil, you’re dumb too.
So Chris Christie just lost Colorado, Oregon and Washington State. And the youth vote. Bloomberg:
“If you’re getting high in Colorado today, enjoy it,” said Christie at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire today, “As of January 2017, I will enforce the federal laws.”
“If you want to change the marijuana laws, go ahead and change the national marijuana laws,” he added.
I thought Republicans were all for states rights? I guess that is wrong.
Thank goodness for our constitution, enough said about that!
“desires of all racist Republicans” Still love how you group every Republican in one group and one mindset. I don’t believe that you need to deport everyone.
1. Close the borders
2. If you want to come into our country, do it legally.
3. Obtain the necassary paperwork to become a US citizen. So everyone can pay their fair share. If your undocumented after a year, send them back where ever they came from.
4. FINE any employer who employs, unducumented workers.
5. NO special treatment to ANYONE that came here ILLEGALLY. Housing, license, jobs, etc. I’m not completly cruel, if someone is ill, of course make sure they are taken care of.
6. Learn English
This is the requirement in Japan:
Apply for residency. You must complete an application and give it to the Japanese Ministry of Justice. The form can be obtained from an embassy.
Live in Japan. You must live in Japan for five years, continuously.
Follow the law. Your criminal record must be completely clean, or your application will not be considered.
Prove your capacity to take care of yourself and others. You must demonstrate that you have the means to provide for yourself, and any family members who will be joining you.
Learn Japanese. You must attend an interview with a Ministry of Justice official. If you know the language, the interview will be much smoother, and it will show that you are capable of being a working member of Japanese society.
Is this too much to ask???
If all undocumented immigrants suddenly vanished overnight, I doubt there’s a restaurant in New York City that would be able to open the next day…
Whether it’s the food industry or some other “blue-collar”-ish job, the piece above some crisply illustrates how integral a role undocumented immigrants play in the success and survival of our economy (and nation as a whole).
yes. it is too much to ask. America was founded (although it has never lived up to) as a safe haven for immigrants from everywhere. English is an immigrant language to this land, imposed by literally the WORST immigrants ever to set foot on this soil.
There HAS been rape committed by immigrants (see: the white people who came here 300(ish) years ago. There HAVE been cultures completely destroyed by immigrants (see: the people who were here first)
There is nothing that any group of people coming to this country can do that comes close to how poorly the first “immigrants” behaved. the LEAST we can do it not pull the ladder up behind us.
” I doubt there’s a restaurant in New York City that would be able to open the next day…”
Or a restaurant/hotel at the Delaware beaches or in Hockessin. 😉
“Obtain the necassary paperwork to become a US citizen. So everyone can pay their fair share. ”
Don’t be a maroon. If you get a paycheck, your taxes are deducted. Non-citizen residents pay their fair share without citizenship being involved.
Educate yourself or stfu.
@pandora: Almost all the restaurants in Hockessin would stay open. But none of them would have any mushrooms.
I’m asking because I don’t know the answer… but for the purposes of debunking the claim that “illegals don’t pay taxes” i would like to become educated…
any idea how common/uncommon it is to pay undocumented kitchen staff (for example) cash under the table? That income is not taxed of course. You gotta figure if someone is the kind of scum going to exploit immigrants for cheap labor, they are also tax cheats.
Here’s where I’m at with immigration… if you want to discuss it then you’ll need to start with those who employ undocumented workers. Not willing to do that? Then I’m not willing to discuss it.
” I doubt there’s a restaurant in New York City that would be able to open the next day…”
Of course there would be a period of adjustment as the economy transitioned to a legal footing. But wages would go up as businesses began to seek legal employees. Workers would have more disposable income and be able to participate meaningfully in the economy. Some of them might be able to afford to go back to school. Medicare and other safety net outlays for unemployed or underemployed workers would shrink, Workplace conditions would improve. Prices would go up, reflecting the true cost of labor which had been masked by illegality. Some businesses who couldn’t handle legality would close. New business would open to take their place, and life would go on.
Check the list again, Pandora, it’s in there.
But since neither party is serious about doing anything about immigration, it is a pointless exercise.
Republicans biggest draw for their base, along with blue dog (conservative) Dems, is racism. Sussex county (especially the DE beaches) and OC MD survive on immigrant cheap labor.
This mindset among conservatives and blue dogs explains Donald Trump’s popularity. It isn’t complicated.
What a great discussion w/o name calling.
@ Geezer Some companies pay under the table; construction, resturants, agriculture, etc. That is what I’m talking about. I’ll always keep it civil, Geezer!
@ Ben I know first hand that some resturants don’t pay a wage, the servers get “cash” tips only.
@ Pandora Absolutely agree
@ Puck Great point.
Far more citizens than immigrants are paid under the table.
@ Geezer
“Far more citizens than immigrants are paid under the table.”
Immigrants are not Illegals.
Talking about language requirements. How many first generation immigrants from say Italy Greece Eastern Europe China other far east countries were fully fluent in English before they died?
The beach resort communities thrive on cheap immigrant labor. Most of whom are here on temporary student work visas.
The chicken and construction industries? That is another story entirely and not relegated to Sussex County alone.
It may not rival Elena Delle Donne bobble head night from April, but the Blue Rocks are giving away Tom Carper bobble heads to the first 1200 fans on Friday. Can’t wait!
@Andy, Both of my Grandparent’s came from Italy & spoke fluent English. They rarely spoke Italian, except when my Uncles were telling dirty jokes. My Mom told me, that her parents wanted my Mom & her siblings to learn English, so they could progress in school & work.