What on Earth is going on in the world today? It's gone mad

[britbox]

What is more damaging has been the insane level of partisanship that has evolved in American politics and media.

 

[Federberg]

Nail on the head. It's the Economy stupid... as the saying goes.

You know my thoughts on the bigger picture for western economies already... kicking the can down the road and such before a huge crash but you know why people voted for Trump... and underneath all the bluster, bullshit and stupidity, he has leveraged American power.

haha! I actually think he has spent American power forward and will hasten its relative decline. I have to tell you, these Iran sanctions are a thing that the Europeans and Chinese in particular will find intolerable. Within the next decade there will be a serious challenge to dollar supremacy with some sort of e-currency. Mark my words. And when that happens reserve currency status could be gone in a flash. That is a big big deal

 

[Federberg]

What is more damaging has been the insane level of partisanship that has evolved in American politics and media.

agreed

 

[britbox]

haha! I actually think he has spent American power forward and will hasten its relative decline. I have to tell you, these Iran sanctions are a thing that the Europeans and Chinese in particular will find intolerable. Within the next decade there will be a serious challenge to dollar supremacy with some sort of e-currency. Mark my words. And when that happens reserve currency status could be gone in a flash. That is a big big deal

Oh, I concur absolutely about the reserve currency... it's what props up the huge national debt... and it's only a matter of time... IMO opinion it was precisely the reason behind most of these international coups, governments being overthrown and outright war.

Does Trump care about the long term? No, he cares about Trump term. But even so, it's not going to matter who runs the USA - this is going to eventually happen regardless of who is running the show.

 

[Federberg]

Oh, I concur absolutely about the reserve currency... it's what props up the huge national debt... and it's only a matter of time... IMO opinion it was precisely the reason behind most of these international coups, governments being overthrown and outright war.

Does Trump care about the long term? No, he cares about Trump term. But even so, it's not going to matter who runs the USA - this is going to eventually happen regardless of who is running the show.

the point is that it could be managed properly. What Trump is doing is increasing the likelihood of a messy conflict ridden resolution. I have to believe there are people close to him who are smart enough to know that. But then I feel the same way about climate change..

 

[britbox]

Mate, have you met an American who believed in managed decline? or any western politician for that matter?

 

[Federberg]

Mate, have you met an American who believed in managed decline? or any western politician for that matter?

I think you're mis-characterising what I think will happen. I'm talking about relative decline, it doesn't have to be absolute. Interestingly what Trump has done is increased the chances of absolute decline. Most of the top people in the US understand that China will surpass the US in the next decade. This doesn't necessitate conflict, it's a tidal event and frankly in the next century India will surpass both China and the US. Demographics are everything. There are however ways to manage such events. Trump and his team, including an absolutely fraudulent idiot like Navarro who actually thinks there could be some sort of zero sum resolution, are making it likely that the Thucydides trap will become a reality

 

[DarthFed]

Oh, I concur absolutely about the reserve currency... it's what props up the huge national debt... and it's only a matter of time... IMO opinion it was precisely the reason behind most of these international coups, governments being overthrown and outright war.

Does Trump care about the long term? No, he cares about Trump term. But even so, it's not going to matter who runs the USA - this is going to eventually happen regardless of who is running the show.

Trump is smart enough to realize that the vast majority of people, especially Americans, are short-sighted. I can't say for sure what will happen come 2020 but if the election was right now I guarantee you he'd win in a landslide. There is nothing we Americans like more than some green paper! And these unsustainable tax cuts are putting more of it in everyone's hands. Ultimately you guys are very correct, the tax cuts and his presidency in general are only going to hasten this country's decline. But he will likely be out of office before the majority of the shit hits the fan.

 

[mrzz]

Police raids happening inside universities here, classes discussing the concept of fascism being forbidden by court orders. Just got it first hand from a friend who was there in one of the events. It happened simultaneously in a lot of places.

 

[Horsa]

Police raids happening inside universities here, classes discussing the concept of fascism being forbidden by court orders. Just got it first hand from a friend who was there in one of the events. It happened simultaneously in a lot of places.

Gosh! That's disgusting & heavy-handed. No one should restrict other people's rights to access information. The fact that the powers that be are restricting people's access to information means they're scared. They don't want people to know the truth about what's going on which means when they were campaigning they were reaching out for ignorant people who didn't know the truth & because they've got their way they want to hide the truth from people. (I think everyone should have the access to information they want except other people's personal information & information that could be dangerous if they want it.)

 

[Federberg]

Police raids happening inside universities here, classes discussing the concept of fascism being forbidden by court orders. Just got it first hand from a friend who was there in one of the events. It happened simultaneously in a lot of places.

what are the new guys economic policies likely to be? Is he likely to be more Cardoso than Lula?

 

[mrzz]

what are the new guys economic policies likely to be? Is he likely to be more Cardoso than Lula?

Lula and Cardoso are in fact quite similar. Cardoso is the one who introduced the active policy that controlled inflation by controlling the fiscal deficit, in conjunction with exchange rate and interest rates. Lula at first only expanded social programs. Just later on he started to raise investment in infra-structure (in a very peculiar way). Roussef let the fiscal policy looser and kept the investment, but in a much more toxic external environment.

This guy sells a liberal approach (which I theoretically agree with). However, he actually (and confessedly) knows shit about the economy, only has a "nationalist" stance (which, as you know, does not rhyme perfectly with liberalism). Economy in principle will be lead by a guy who says he is radical liberal, that would like to sell all state-owned companies (something that I agree in principle). However, he is... well, amateurish. It is a long story. For me it is particularly hard because I like a good old liberal approach to the economy. But this guys are just opportunistic at best. They are liberals because they hate the previous governments, that were basically social-democratic governments trying to implement a well fare state.

The change in approach will pay short term dividends, probably. But what a damn heavy fucking price to pay... in pounds of flesh.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Lula and Cardoso are in fact quite similar. Cardoso is the one who introduced the active policy that controlled inflation by controlling the fiscal deficit, in conjunction with exchange rate and interest rates. Lula at first only expanded social programs. Just later on he started to raise investment in infra-structure (in a very peculiar way). Roussef let the fiscal policy looser and kept the investment, but in a much more toxic external environment.

This guy sells a liberal approach (which I theoretically agree with). However, he actually (and confessedly) knows shit about the economy, only has a "nationalist" stance (which, as you know, does not rhyme perfectly with liberalism). Economy in principle will be lead by a guy who says he is radical liberal, that would like to sell all state-owned companies (something that I agree in principle). However, he is... well, amateurish. It is a long story. For me it is particularly hard because I like a good old liberal approach to the economy. But this guys are just opportunistic at best. They are liberals because they hate the previous governments, that were basically social-democratic governments trying to implement a well fare state.

The change in approach will pay short term dividends, probably. But what a damn heavy fucking price to pay... in pounds of flesh.

The common approach by authoritarians to get into power is to scavenge the populist sentiments by criticising all bad (and ignoring anything good at the same time) and claiming they posses a "miraculous solution" to the country's problems. Their own program is usually vague: it does not need to be precise because this is not their premise. Their premise is the critique of previous govs (consistent with your observation above), the less defined their actual political believes are, the better for them because they can claim whatever ad-hoc program they later come up with as the one they "promised". So do not expect any future policies of the emerging autocratic gov to allign with their current vague principles.
The anti-crime sentiments and the military junta as a tool to deal with the crimes (what is currently happening in Brazil) is the most comfortable playground for an aspiring autocrat.

 

[Federberg]

Lula and Cardoso are in fact quite similar. Cardoso is the one who introduced the active policy that controlled inflation by controlling the fiscal deficit, in conjunction with exchange rate and interest rates. Lula at first only expanded social programs. Just later on he started to raise investment in infra-structure (in a very peculiar way). Roussef let the fiscal policy looser and kept the investment, but in a much more toxic external environment.

This guy sells a liberal approach (which I theoretically agree with). However, he actually (and confessedly) knows shit about the economy, only has a "nationalist" stance (which, as you know, does not rhyme perfectly with liberalism). Economy in principle will be lead by a guy who says he is radical liberal, that would like to sell all state-owned companies (something that I agree in principle). However, he is... well, amateurish. It is a long story. For me it is particularly hard because I like a good old liberal approach to the economy. But this guys are just opportunistic at best. They are liberals because they hate the previous governments, that were basically social-democratic governments trying to implement a well fare state.

The change in approach will pay short term dividends, probably. But what a damn heavy fucking price to pay... in pounds of flesh.

Thanks.

As this is so topical here's a link for others (not you of course mate )

https://www.as-coa.org/articles/poll-tracker-brazils-2018-presidential-election

 

[mrzz]

My fellow posters, the unthinkable just happened, and the disgusting retarded piece of shit is elected. At least is not a landslide -- there was a huge spontaneous movement against him that took the streets. I spent the whole day yesterday on the street, standing over a bench, holding a home made sign written "undecided? talk to me" (yes it is pathetic). A lot of people went to the streets in a desperate push trying to change some votes. I want to believe that that prevented the landslide.

In his last public speech, amongst a lot of outrageous absurds, he screamed: "The minorities either adapt, or vanish". We are doing a few jokes about concentration camps lately, but the fucking joke is on us. My rational assessment is that he will fall in less than two years, but is fucking hard to remain rational.

Another joke here is that he is the first candidate in world's history were his supporters try to convince you that he won't do the things he promised (which is to torture and kill).

Now the resistance begins. Actually is something remarkable, people from a lot of different ideological backgrounds coming together against the fucking bastard.

 

[britbox]

My fellow posters, the unthinkable just happened, and the disgusting retarded piece of shit is elected. At least is not a landslide -- there was a huge spontaneous movement against him that took the streets. I spent the whole day yesterday on the street, standing over a bench, holding a home made sign written "undecided? talk to me" (yes it is pathetic). A lot of people went to the streets in a desperate push trying to change some votes. I want to believe that that prevented the landslide.

In his last public speech, amongst a lot of outrageous absurds, he screamed: "The minorities either adapt, or vanish". We are doing a few jokes about concentration camps lately, but the fucking joke is on us. My rational assessment is that he will fall in less than two years, but is fucking hard to remain rational.

Another joke here is that he is the first candidate in world's history were his supporters try to convince you that he won't do the things he promised (which is to torture and kill).

Now the resistance begins. Actually is something remarkable, people from a lot of different ideological backgrounds coming together against the fucking bastard.

Watching with interest mate. Thanks for keeping us informed.

 

[Horsa]

My fellow posters, the unthinkable just happened, and the disgusting retarded piece of shit is elected. At least is not a landslide -- there was a huge spontaneous movement against him that took the streets. I spent the whole day yesterday on the street, standing over a bench, holding a home made sign written "undecided? talk to me" (yes it is pathetic). A lot of people went to the streets in a desperate push trying to change some votes. I want to believe that that prevented the landslide.

In his last public speech, amongst a lot of outrageous absurds, he screamed: "The minorities either adapt, or vanish". We are doing a few jokes about concentration camps lately, but the fucking joke is on us. My rational assessment is that he will fall in less than two years, but is fucking hard to remain rational.

Another joke here is that he is the first candidate in world's history were his supporters try to convince you that he won't do the things he promised (which is to torture and kill).

Now the resistance begins. Actually is something remarkable, people from a lot of different ideological backgrounds coming together against the fucking bastard.

I am very sorry to hear that & hope he doesn't do what he said he was going to do.

 

[mrzz]

Thanks, folks. And sorry for the rant, for the words and for venting out the frustration here. I do not want to spoil the spirit we have on this board of free thinking and free speech.

Just to report some incidents that happen to my immediate contacts or close enough to them that I am sure it is true (I have contacts in both sides):

1) One little girl was shot and kill by accident. Gun owners were shooting up and around to celebrate and something went wrong. It happened in a city called Ponta Grossa, in Paraná state. I have two friends living there;

2) One political militant was shot and kill in Bagé, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Father of my goddaughter lived there for 10 years, he knew the guy personally;

3) Teachers in the Santa Catarina state received (along with thousands of students) a whataspp message warning that any ideological content or phrase or word on classrooms should be denounced to a "council" that would "take measures". The person signing this message is an elected congresswoman. I saw the message myself.

I know that we see reports like these on the internet like flies around shit. But, again, what can I do? It is exactly what I am seeing on the ground. The list is longer...

 

[Horsa]

Thanks, folks. And sorry for the rant, for the words and for venting out the frustration here. I do not want to spoil the spirit we have on this board of free thinking and free speech.

Just to report some incidents that happen to my immediate contacts or close enough to them that I am sure it is true (I have contacts in both sides):

1) One little girl was shot and kill by accident. Gun owners were shooting up and around to celebrate and something went wrong. It happened in a city called Ponta Grossa, in Paraná state. I have two friends living there;

2) One political militant was shot and kill in Bagé, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Father of my goddaughter lived there for 10 years, he knew the guy personally;

3) Teachers in the Santa Catarina state received (along with thousands of students) a whataspp message warning that any ideological content or phrase or word on classrooms should be denounced to a "council" that would "take measures". The person signing this message is an elected congresswoman. I saw the message myself.

I know that we see reports like these on the internet like flies around shit. But, again, what can I do? It is exactly what I am seeing on the ground. The list is longer...

You're welcome. It's o.k. I understand. Everyone here participates in freedom of thought & speech except me & I've lost count of the amount of times you've told me about that like I've lost count of the amount of times I've had something relevant to say but have kept quiet because I haven't wanted to interrupt anybody or have been unsure of how what I've said would have been taken although I knew what I had to say was relevant & hadn't been said. It's dreadful what's happening. I'm especially upset about the little girl who had her whole life ahead of her. Stay safe. You know what's happening in your own country. You live there. We don't. I give you the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Horsa]

Since everyone is allowed freedom of both thought & speech here including me I will say that I thought what happened at the synagogue in Pittsburgh on Friday was absolutely disgusting. I think it's dreadful that people are still victimised & killed today for their beliefs like they were in the past. I also think it's dreadful that people aren't safe in a place of worship which is often seen as a sanctuary. I know murder in a place of worship isn't new. I can think of old examples like Thomas a Becket. Anyway, I thought of the poor people who were killed worshipping their God on Friday. It was sad.

Mind you, intolerance of people with different beliefs has caused a lot of violence in the past. When the Romans brought Roman Catholicism into Britain, lots of Pagans were forced to convert. Those that didn't were burnt as witches. Witches weren't wicked like they were made out to be. They believed in Mother nature & worshipped nature. They were big believers in herbalism. The test that was carried out to test whether people were witches was unfair as the person would die anyway because if they were witches they swum if they weren't they drowned. Edward I killed a lot of Jews as well as Scots & Welsh. (The reason why he killed the Scots & Welsh was because he wasn't happy with just ruling England. He wanted to rule the whole of Britain too. I think he's Britain's cruellest king ever.) Some British Kings like Richard the Lionheart went on Crusades where they killed Muslims because of their beliefs. Henry VIII chopped a lot of people's tongue's off because they wouldn't join the Church of England which he founded because he wanted a divorce in order to marry another wife in the hope that he would have a son to rule after him. There are more examples like that of the wars between Native Americans & Cowboys so I could go further but won't to keep things short.