The election process

[bagelboy]

Sorry to those opposed to political threads. I don't normally get involved in the political debates that happen here, but I have noticed one or two things. First off, I can't stand the Obamas, the Bushes or the Clinton's. They all seem as corrupt as can be. I can't honestly say I even like Trump. I do notice, however, that the Republicans, the Democrats, the media, and Hollywood, also can't stand him. I watch the debates, and the moderators plainly seem to also dislike him. It's becoming obvious that the powers that be don't want him in, period. My guess is, that they all have a good thing going, that is, making tons and tons of money, and don't want anyone rocking the boat. This guy seems to have put up a lot of his own money to run. Something we never see in presidential elections. I also see a healthcare system that is making it unaffordable for someone like myself to keep purchasing. I see basically a civil war on our streets between police and citizens that has escolated in the past few years. Terrorist groups hurting people, the sale of nukes to Iran (this one really blew my mind), and a Republican congress that never questions or stops the POTUS from anything. We seem to have a lot of issues at hand. The media seems intent on bringing down Trump because he talked horribly about women, something I don't care for. I have important women, my wife, my mom, sister, daughter, etc that I love in my life. It is deplorable, period, however, I'm old enough to remember the things that Bill Clinton did to women, and how his wife stood by his side and defended him. My observation is this, and this only. Trump will probably be the only candidate out side the box that will ever run again. He is the only one that will ever put up the money, take the abuse, fight all of the above mentioned, and do it being hated by the entire group in Washington. Now it may sound like I'm a Trump fan, but I'm not. I don't actually think he has a clue how to run the most powerful office. I also don't think anyone I've seen does either. I do know one thing. I'm 55 years old.  I am still working as hard as I ever have, with no retirement in sight. I do not ask the system for anything, and never have. I pay my taxes, which I see little for. I constantly am asked to pay more each year, yet I see a system of government that is not only corrupt, but is more corrupt than I have ever seen. I will vote for Trump for one, and only one reason. Because he seems to be the only person every corrupt politician doesn't want in. This alone means he doesn't seem to fit in. If he stinks, I'll vote him out in 4 years. I know from watching that Trump seems to be a third party candidate, and I do believe after watching all the above tear into him, that he will be the last. No one will ever put themselves through this, financially, or otherwise. All I ask is that God help us all with whoever gets in. The world, and future generations are counting on us!

[Bighead]

The simple reason the common folk are behind him. He isn't a politician. We don't need another f'n career politician they forgot a long time ago that they are or should be there to serve the common man not pad their wallet.
Is he the best candidate? Hell no but he is a far sight better than Lying Hillary. She doesn't want to do anything other than to pad her bank account and turn our country over to those who hate us.

[Crackerborn]

"You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."  (Attributed to Abraham Lincoln)

Con men usually sound good until they take you.

[Jess from VA]

Bagelboy, for someone who doesn't do political posts, you pretty well nailed how (most) Everyman (who works for a living) in America is feeling these days.  And pretty well defines Donald's populist appeal.  

We're not really sure where he stands on everything that is important to us (he himself may not know), but we're nearly certain he intends to put Americans and American interest's first, and ahead of his own interests, and not follow some ideological (leftist/rightist) playbook.  

Like anyone who has gone through a job interview, I wish a debate moderator would ask them why they are running for the presidency (why do you want this job?).  Of course it is an easy question, and an easy one to provide an answer you think the voters want to hear.

Both candidates have enough money to live like royalty the rest of their lives (which unfortunately is almost a prerequisite for any successful run), without any of the headaches or heart attacks and premature aging the job will certainly require.  

The Clintons are pure political animals and have been at it most of their adult lives.  She want's to be the first woman, she has a clear (and present danger of) lust for political power, and she want's to continue business (and monkey business) as usual.  She would be the first American queen!!  (except leftist protocol will require that be translated as Madam Comrade President).  Her motivations are certain and clear, she is doing it for herself, not for her country.

Trump's motivations are not as clear.  Many may feel he is also a big narcissist who just wants to be king, but really he has run a billion dollar business empire for decades, and has already been king of all he surveys for all that time.  The man could literally choose to do anything at all he wanted with his life.  He needed the US presidency in his life like he needed a hole in the head (and unfortunately, many of the very best qualified conservatives who could step up to the plate, will never do so for the same reason).  He has a big ego for sure (you need one to run a billion dollar empire, or be successful in a big way in anything), but as a narcissist, he is hundreds of miles behind the Zero.

On the contrary, I think (like many of us) he saw the Country's steady decline, and going the wrong way on so many issues for so long, at such catastrophic cost, with no good conservatives seemingly ready to go out and win, that he decided he had the money, energy and skills to do it.... for good old fashioned American patriotic and common sense reasons.  He is doing it for his country, not for himself.  

[Oss]

Bagelboy I think you done good with your post

As a Democrat it really chafes to know my party has left me and the workers behind. Like you, I am not sure how much Trump knows about how to tame the system but I know he is smart, motivated to help our country and I sincerely fear that he  (judging by the death role of hillary opponents) may be the target of someone before his first term ends, if not before the election  Thank goodness for the secret service and law enforecment as they dont want another Clinton

Wish you were able to meet us this past weekend as I would have loved to meet you.  Give me a PM if you ever consider riding down toward Harriman area and likewise I will let you know next time I am riding up to Saugerties or New Paltz.

[Bighead]

Now there is a Dem I can agree with
OSS seems to see things the way they ARE not the way someone wants us to think they ARE

[Robert]

I like and agree with you which is the reason Trump has my vote.

I want to say something about known experience,

We had a actor that had almost no political experience, he was a good president.

We had O that had dubious experience and Bill that had dubious experience and yet we voted for them without really knowing how they would do. Some voted for some of these people based on the lies they told and had them go in the opposite direction once elected. So I really dont think experience is a deciding factor.

  That is what scares me about Hillary she has lied so much and will continue some of O's agenda but like a ricocheting bullet we dont have any idea of where she will go. We have no idea how she would react in office if elected, except to say it would be her own agenda. That is the guess with her what is really her agenda under all the lies and bs. 

One example is O's promise to have the most open government and he has turned out to be just the opposite.

[Alpha Dog]

Well Bagel Boy that is a very good post by someone who says they are not much political.  Seems you have a pretty good head on your shoulders and feel left behind by all the career establishment politicians that have lied and deceived us for far too long in my life.  Only one that did not was Reagan and  maybe Kennedy, but he had such little time.  I do disagree in that I think he knows more what to do than most folks think.  I do know he will surround himself with honest and trustworthy hardworking folks that will put the ordinary American interest in the fore front.   What he does not know he will learn very quickly.   The way he rattled off statistics today in Florida and hit on so many avenues, especially the corrupt ones using no teleprompter shows he is listening and learning very fast.

Jess is also correct in that he saw our countries many problems and this started along time ago, but has been on the record for the past 15 years that I have heard him many times in interviews.  I had always hoped that he would be the outsider that would run and blow the system the hell up.  I thought 2012 would be the year, but it was this one.  Also I truly believe that this is for America    for the most part.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Very well reasoned comments on everyone's part I think.

As has been mentioned, I also worry about Trump's safety and pray the secret service are on their toes. I think the corruption he is up against is more pervasive than the most cynical among us might have guessed a few months ago. And I think it's going to get worse as the corrupt get more desperate. Seeing Hillary have to sit down after Trump said "he would put her in jail" was telling. She's scared.

I'm reading that Putin has ordered the families of Russians serving overseas to return home because of the risk of war with us, the USA. And, we currently have a president who might lead us into war and then surrender just because he dislikes our country so much. Or he might start a war if he thinks it will help keep Trump from winning the election.

On top of that, it looks like voter fraud has already turned up in my state and many others.

It's going to be a long, dangerous and disheartening month for America and the world I think.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Well Bagel Boy that is a very good post by someone who says they are not much political.  Seems you have a pretty good head on your shoulders and feel left behind by all the career establishment politicians that have lied and deceived us for far too long in my life.  Only one that did not was Reagan and  maybe Kennedy, but he had such little time.  I do disagree in that I think he knows more what to do than most folks think.  I do know he will surround himself with honest and trustworthy hardworking folks that will put the ordinary American interest in the fore front.   What he does not know he will learn very quickly.   The way he rattled off statistics today in Florida and hit on so many avenues, especially the corrupt ones using no teleprompter shows he is listening and learning very fast.

Jess is also correct in that he saw our countries many problems and this started along time ago, but has been on the record for the past 15 years that I have heard him many times in interviews.  I had always hoped that he would be the outsider that would run and blow the system the hell up.  I thought 2012 would be the year, but it was this one.  Also I truly believe that this is for America    for the most part.

Couldn't agree more. Trump seems to be learning everything from issues to debating skill very quickly. Obviously he's very smart and very motivated.

[Oss]

Reagan had experience herding cats  

How else could you describe being President of the Screen Actors Guild (at least I think he was) also he was Governor of California before running for President

Would love to see FREE Picture ID for voting  Makes no sense you cant fly, cant drive, cant get married or get a passport without picture ID but the freaking morons on SCOTUS and our impotent congress and state legislators cant enunciate that a free picture ID made available by the state with no jim crow statute is not an impairment of right to vote,  How else to keep dead people in chicago and elsewhere and non  (green card and illegal ) citizens from voting and stealing elections nationwide for either party

[solo1]

I most certainly agree with everything said on this board.  It's too bad that Indiana with easy to get voter, but verifed, ID ,  has so few electoral votes.  As mentioned before, we already have an investigation going on about voter fraud, because of a Democrat leaning organization "getting out the vote"

I think that other states with more electoral votes don't have the voter oversight that Indiana has. 
These corrupt politicians will do anything that it takes to maintain power.

[3fan4life]

I agree with all that has been said.

And I believe that Trump's intentions are honorable and that he will do his best to serve our country well.

But, he alone cannot save our country.

No mere mortal can.

Now more than ever we need to be praying for our country and its leaders.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14 NKJV)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree with all that has been said.

And I believe that Trump's intentions are honorable and that he will do his best to serve our country well.

But, he alone cannot save our country.

No mere mortal can.

Now more than ever we need to be praying for our country and its leaders.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14 NKJV)

I think it's always been important to pray for our country.

[3fan4life]

I agree with all that has been said.

And I believe that Trump's intentions are honorable and that he will do his best to serve our country well.

But, he alone cannot save our country.

No mere mortal can.

Now more than ever we need to be praying for our country and its leaders.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14 NKJV)

I think it's always been important to pray for our country.

You are 100% correct!

With all that is going on in our country and around the world, I believe that it is more urgent now than ever.