The Trump Presidency - Chapter 2

[Edward64]

Not my guy but Americans have spoken. And this time, there is no doubt they understand who they were voting for.

I'm really interested in the post-mortem demographics - sex, age, ethnicity etc. Also, what is Joe thinking now?

And to add salt to the wound, Trump is winning the popular vote, GOP wins the Senate and currently leading 193-173 in the House. But I'm okay with any President getting the honeymoon in the first 2 years to enact policies that voters put him/her in there for.


See Chapter 1 here

The Trump Presidency – 2016 - Front Office Football Central

[Edward64]

My Chapter 2 hopes in no particular order

1. Secure the borders and reform immigration
2. Grow the economy & stock market
3. Reduce the deficit & stabilize the debt, fix Social Security/Medicare
4. Continue building & strengthening alliances in Asia, bring down the temperature in the region (e.g. Taiwan)
5. Resolve the Ukrainian & ME wars
6. Continue the Abraham accords progress and somehow, help/resolve the Iran issue
7. Invest/bring strategic capabilities/assets into the US or allies (e.g. building TSMC plants, rare earth metals, oil etc.). Continue building out EVs & infrastructure
8. Resolve the "culture wars"

Pretty optimistic about (1) (2), they're my 2 consolation prizes.

I don't think (3) will be resolved at all. Social Security/Medicare will be the 2028 guy. The later we address this, the more it'll cost. Deficit and debt ... utterly hopeless.

Somewhat optimistic about (4). Trump was first to acknowledge China as a real threat and not dance around the edges. But then, I can see Trump cutting a deal with China and then losing focus in the region/Taiwan.

For (5), feel bad for Ukraine but we gave it 3 years, spent $150-$200B (?) and you have your own buddies in the neighborhood. Won't taste good, but got to cut a deal, lose some of your territory, rebuild, move on, and aim to become part of EU/NATO later.

Am optimistic about (6) Abraham accords. The big one missing is Saudi Arabia and think Trump can make it happen, especially because of the Iranian threat. As far as how to deal with Iran, it comes down to carrot or stick and suspect it'll be a stick.

Somewhat optimistic about (7). Assume Musk will be playing a role with the EVs & infrastructure. The asshole will get richer but overall, the country wins long-term.

Not optimistic about (8), too many moving parts, too many strong differing opinions. Probably impossible. The needle will move some towards the right but the "war" will continue long after Trump is gone.