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Thread: I didn’t vote for Trump but I’m cautiously optimistic

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    I didn’t vote for Trump but I’m cautiously optimistic

    It was a long past week in the c2c household. I came down with the flu and by the time I started feeling better my two little c2c’s got sick. All this downtime ahead of the inauguration has had me reflecting a lot on the past four years… really last 8 years… and how I feel like the social fabric is decaying. Unfortunately, I don’t really see an antidote to that problem (technology really is a story of Prometheus’s fire), but I find myself cautiously optimistic nevertheless.

    As someone who leans libertarian (in truth, I’m a little all over the political map), I found myself unable to cast my vote for Donald Trump in the last election. While I share some of his policy priorities and appreciate aspects of his leadership, there are critical concerns that ultimately swayed my decision.

    One of the key reasons I couldn’t support Trump was his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly his support for lockdowns in the early months. While I understand the unprecedented nature of the crisis, the lockdowns imposed by state governments—often encouraged by the federal government—had devastating effects on small businesses, individual liberties, and the economy. As a libertarian, I believe strongly in personal responsibility and the right to make choices about one’s own health and livelihood. I felt that Trump’s willingness to endorse these sweeping measures ran counter to the principles of limited government and individual freedom.

    Another significant concern was his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election. A peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of American democracy, and Trump’s actions following his loss raised serious questions for me about his commitment to this principle. As someone who values limited government and the rule of law, his response undermined the institutional stability I believe is crucial for our nation.

    I also felt that Ron DeSantis better embodied the balance of conservative principles and pragmatic leadership that I wanted in a candidate. DeSantis’ approach to governance in Florida resonated with me, especially his focus on individual liberties, fiscal responsibility, and local autonomy. Ruthless competence — his record gave me hope for a future that aligns more closely with my libertarian ideals.

    That said, while I didn’t vote for Trump, I am rooting for his success as president. The Gaza ceasefire shows he is capable of resolving international conflicts in ways that avoid deeper U.S. involvement. As someone who supports a more restrained foreign policy, this is an encouraging step in the right direction. I hope we will soon see peace in Ukraine.

    I’m also encouraged by some of his cabinet picks, which signal a willingness to surround himself with capable advisors. JD Vance seems like a positive embodiment of what “America first” could be when it isn’t represented by chaos incarnate. This could lead to sound policy decisions that benefit the country, even if I don’t always agree with his approach or rhetoric.

    At the end of the day, Donald Trump is uniquely influential. He has shaken up the Republican Party, rooting out the establishment and bringing neglected issues to the forefront. However, his ability to inspire loyalty is a double-edged sword. He could use it to bring meaningful reform, but it also risks encouraging authoritarian tendencies. My hope is that he channels his influence toward strengthening our institutions and protecting individual freedoms, rather than undermining them.

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    Expects Yuge Games nsacpi's Avatar
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    JD Vance's affinity for Lina Khan's approach to antitrust enforcement while at the FTC is one of the more interesting angles to follow. Some history to ponder: Teddy Roosevelt is famous as a trust buster among other thangs. His approach was diametrically opposed to that of McKinley, under whom he served as vice president.

    Many of our most successful companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon) engage in anticompetitive practices. Their products are so good they don't need to engage in such practices. But they can't help themselves and we have been allowing them to do so. Less illustrious companies do so as well as an almost routine matter. The public loses out. Some progress was made under the Biden administration to reverse the lax policies that have allowed this to happen. Hopefully, Vance will be able to build a consensus inside and outside the administration on continued more aggressive antitrust enforcement.
    Last edited by nsacpi; 01-20-2025 at 11:30 AM.
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    Good post despite disagreeing with a bunch.

    Trump will go down at the end of the day as the lost important/influential president of all time.
    Natural Immunity Croc

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    Quote Originally Posted by nsacpi View Post
    JD Vance's affinity for Lina Khan's approach to antitrust enforcement while at the FTC is one of the more interesting angles to follow. Some history to ponder: Teddy Roosevelt is famous as a trust buster among other thangs. His approach was diametrically opposed to that of the McKinley, under whom he served as vice president.

    Many of our most successful companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon) engage in anticompetitive practices. Less illustrious companies do so as well as an almost routine matter. The public loses out.
    Free trade and capitalism as we have it is a farce. I’m thrilled the next generation of MAGA understands that.
    Natural Immunity Croc

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    Quote Originally Posted by thethe View Post
    Free trade and capitalism as we have it is a farce. I’m thrilled the next generation of MAGA understands that.
    Markets work great when competitive. But they are like a garden. If not well-tended the natural course of nature is for a bunch of anticompetitive weeds to sprout. It takes work (good public policy) to keep the garden well-tended. At least that's what Chauncey Gardiner says.
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    Question for leftists

    What is your evaluation criteria

    Why do you keep getting things wrong?

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    Quote Originally Posted by sturg33 View Post
    Question for leftists

    What is your evaluation criteria

    Why do you keep getting things wrong?
    Like why did you think fauci was right? Or why did you thing the Biden crime family shouldn't be investigated?

    What makes you think you're right? Despite all the evidence?

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    Narcissism
    Ivermectin Man

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    Quote Originally Posted by sturg33 View Post
    Like why did you think fauci was right? Or why did you thing the Biden crime family shouldn't be investigated?

    What makes you think you're right? Despite all the evidence?
    The evidence on the efficacy of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine is rather voluminous. There are thangs I've been wrong about such as expecting fewer than 100,000 covid deaths in this country. And I didn't for a time understand that bitcoin has a solid fundamental source of value, namely the utility it provides in making it hard to trace a transaction.

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    Oh BL - never change.
    Natural Immunity Croc

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    He’s just embarrassed.
    He does that a lot
    Ivermectin Man

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    Very millennial response though
    Ivermectin Man

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    Quote Originally Posted by nsacpi View Post
    The evidence on the efficacy of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine is rather voluminous. There are thangs I've been wrong about such as expecting fewer than 100,000 covid deaths in this country. And I didn't for a time understand that bitcoin has a solid fundamental source of value, namely the utility it provides in making it hard to trace a transaction.
    Yep, lots of studies proving their effectiveness, especially pre-Covid 19 for HCQ.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Garmel View Post
    Yep, lots of studies proving their effectiveness, especially pre-Covid 19 for HCQ.
    exactly

    folks like me skip right past those kinds of solid research in order to cling to our beliefs

    wasn't that the point of the question i responded to

    people on the left are not fact-based in their beliefs

    it is an excellent point
    "I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."

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    Quote Originally Posted by nsacpi View Post
    exactly

    folks like me skip right past those kinds of solid research in order to cling to our beliefs

    wasn't that the point of the question i responded to

    people on the left are not fact-based in their beliefs

    it is an excellent point
    Why do you keep getting everything wrong?

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    Quote Originally Posted by nsacpi View Post
    exactly

    folks like me skip right past those kinds of solid research in order to cling to our beliefs

    wasn't that the point of the question i responded to

    people on the left are not fact-based in their beliefs

    it is an excellent point
    I know you're not having a Road to Damascus moment so quit ****ing with me. lol

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    Quote Originally Posted by thethe View Post
    Free trade and capitalism as we have it is a farce. I’m thrilled the next generation of MAGA understands that.
    I don’t think this ends well for Trump. But I’m hopeful the “oligarchs” he’s surrounded himself with will serves as his better angels and dissuade him from doing something that will have disastrous effects.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chop2chip View Post
    I don’t think this ends well for Trump. But I’m hopeful the “oligarchs” he’s surrounded himself with will serves as his better angels and dissuade him from doing something that will have disastrous effects.
    Nothing will dissuade term 2.

    The inequities in the world economic system will be rectified whereby Americas middle class has gotten ****ed to the benefit of the global wealthy elite.
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    Quote Originally Posted by sturg33 View Post
    Like why did you think fauci was right? Or why did you thing the Biden crime family shouldn't be investigated?

    What makes you think you're right? Despite all the evidence?


    Woah there, who said Biden can't be investigated. Last I checked it's Republicans that think their boy is not allowed to be investigated. Republicans have been trying to dig up something on Biden for over 6 years now and you never hear Joe complaining about it.
    No one is above the law


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    Quote Originally Posted by cajunrevenge View Post
    Woah there, who said Biden can't be investigated. Last I checked it's Republicans that think their boy is not allowed to be investigated. Republicans have been trying to dig up something on Biden for over 6 years now and you never hear Joe complaining about it.
    Dig something up - HAHAHAHAHAH
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