Trump Presidency Round 2

[Fbolt]

We are discussing government funding programs in the United States, not Canada. My point was that you have your own issues. But then, you know that.

….I want those? Do you even know why that’s an issue?

 

[IrishinSyria]

$40T in debt, don't get me going on unfunded liabilities. Uganda is going to have to FITFO themselves. Bill Gates can do a few fund raisers or something. $5B annual funding - pocket change for Billy and his cohort.

US is not the world's nanny (rather should not be).

I'd be a lot more sympathetic to this argument if there was some sort of transition plan or phase out, but the overwhelming evidence is that DOGE was just a pack of retards that cost us nearly as much as they saved us (CBS News, Moneywatch: DOGE says it has saved $160 billion. Those cuts have cost taxpayers $135 billion, one analysis says.) while making government way less effective across the board in the process.

I'd also be more sympathetic if we hadn't just started a war of choice in Iran and exhausted like 15 years worth of state of the art standoff and defensive missiles (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/iran-cost-united-states-iraq-ukraine.html)

I'm not going to sit here an argue that every USAID dollar was well spent (though I think a lot of it was incredibly efficient), but I think that even setting aside the obvious moral aspects of it, relatively small investments in programs that can improve stability in countries is a strong investment where the alternative is so very frequently the incredibly expensive us of US force after things go to shit.

 

[TorontoGold]

We are discussing government funding programs in the United States, not Canada. My point was that you have your own issues. But then, you know that.

That’s what I was discussing?

 

[NDVirginia19]

I'd be a lot more sympathetic to this argument if there was some sort of transition plan or phase out, but the overwhelming evidence is that DOGE was just a pack of retards that cost us nearly as much as they saved us (CBS News, Moneywatch: DOGE says it has saved $160 billion. Those cuts have cost taxpayers $135 billion, one analysis says.) while making government way less effective across the board in the process.

I'd also be more sympathetic if we hadn't just started a war of choice in Iran and exhausted like 15 years worth of state of the art standoff and defensive missiles (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/iran-cost-united-states-iraq-ukraine.html)

I'm not going to sit here an argue that every USAID dollar was well spent (though I think a lot of it was incredibly efficient), but I think that even setting aside the obvious moral aspects of it, relatively small investments in programs that can improve stability in countries is a strong investment where the alternative is so very frequently the incredibly expensive us of US force after things go to shit.

I agree that I would have preferred a more intentional phasing out of the AID programs, but there was a lot of hack and slashing needed for other USAID programs. And agreed with the point that neither party is at all serious about reducing the deficit.

 

[RDU Irish]

I agree that I would have preferred a more intentional phasing out of the AID programs, but there was a lot of hack and slashing needed for other USAID programs. And agreed with the point that neither party is at all serious about reducing the deficit.

Call Catholic Charities or start a GoFundMe - $7T in federal spending and any attempts to cut spending anywhere results in death threats to the spendthrift. IDGAF and absolutely do not trust anyone in federal government to do anything other than waste money.

 

[NorthDakota]

I agree that I would have preferred a more intentional phasing out of the AID programs, but there was a lot of hack and slashing needed for other USAID programs. And agreed with the point that neither party is at all serious about reducing the deficit.

I'm fine with taking a chainsaw after the USAID stuff. I'd like to see the number at or approaching zero. I'm sure some of it is good stuff.

 

[RDU Irish]

I'm fine with taking a chainsaw after the USAID stuff. I'd like to see the number at or approaching zero. I'm sure some of it is good stuff.

1

Let the good stuff stand on it's merits and seek non-government funding. Stop equivocating with "I'm sure there's good stuff too". Yeah, that's why it gets packed with a mountain of pork in some omnibus spending bill.

 

[Bishop2b5]

USAID shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

The Trump administration’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, according to Harvard Chan School’s Atul Gawande.

hsph.harvard.edu

Research finds more than 14 million preventable deat...

A study co-authored by a UCLA Fielding School of Public Health researcher finds that recent U.S. foreign aid cuts may lead to more than 14 million additional...

ph.ucla.edu

It's not really the US's job to support every poverty-stricken country in the world. We've helped out of generosity, not obligation. If there are so many deaths due to us saying enough, then why don't other countries pick up the slack? Where's Venezuela, Cuba, N. Korea, Sweden, Germany, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, India, China, S. Africa, Nigeria, and so on?

 

[NorthDakota]

Let the good stuff stand on it's merits and seek non-government funding. Stop equivocating with "I'm sure there's good stuff too". Yeah, that's why it gets packed with a mountain of pork in some omnibus spending bill.

When I saw that article about the senior VP lady who lost her $275k job bc Doge cut her NGO and now was interviewing to be a manager at a 5 and Dime for $19/hr or something was pretty blackpilling for me. Tells me this lady was a tick just sucking up taxpayer money without any marketable skills. My local McDonalds pays $19/hr. How many people like her are/were out there?

I'm with you on the whole "merits" thing. People will disagree on what's good/bad to fund, so I'm totally fine with not funding any of it.

Not that it really matters. The government will continue to spend money it doesn't have.

 

[GATTACA!]

It's not really the US's job to support every poverty-stricken country in the world. We've helped out of generosity, not obligation. If there are so many deaths due to us saying enough, it's not our job to fund every poor country, then why don't other countries pick up the slack? Where's Venezuela, Cuba, N. Korea, Sweden, Germany, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, India, China, S. Africa, Nigeria, and so on?

China is absolutely filling that gap and will begin to reap the benefits of taking over that soft power. They’re now viewed more favorably internationally than the US. This is the first step in watching the USD lose it’s spot as the world’s reserve currency btw.

China Edges Past U.S. in Global Approval Ratings

Globally, China led the U.S. in 2025 leadership approval (36% vs. 31%), one of the widest gaps in 20 years, while U.S. disapproval hit a record high of 48%.

news.gallup.com

I would also think as a doctor you would appreciate stopping contactable things like aids from spreading.

 

[Bishop2b5]

China is absolutely filling that gap and will begin to reap the benefits of taking over that soft power. They’re now viewed more favorably internationally than the US. This is the first step in watching the USD lose it’s spot as the world’s reserve currency btw.

China Edges Past U.S. in Global Approval Ratings

Globally, China led the U.S. in 2025 leadership approval (36% vs. 31%), one of the widest gaps in 20 years, while U.S. disapproval hit a record high of 48%.

news.gallup.com

I would also think as a doctor you would appreciate stopping contactable things like aids from spreading.

I'm not trying to win a popularity contest with China. We stopped funding countless poor countries and they're upset about it. It's NOT OUR JOB to fund every such program in the world. I'm all for reducing disease in poor countries, but where are all the other countries with their generosity? You have countries that have contributed little to nothing to such programs calling us assholes for not continuing to pour billions into a bottomless pit of poverty and need. They need to step up and do their share. We've done ours.

 

[GATTACA!]

I'm not trying to win a popularity contest with China. We stopped funding countless poor countries and they're upset about it. It's NOT OUR JOB to fund every such program in the world. I'm all for reducing disease in poor countries, but where are all the other countries with their generosity? You have countries that have contributed little to nothing to such programs calling us assholes for not continuing to pour billions into a bottomless pit of poverty and need. They need to step up and do their share. We've done ours.

I give you the reason, you ignore the reason and repeat your same rant. This is why discussing anything with you is pointless.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I give you the reason, you ignore the reason and repeat your same rant. This is why discussing anything with you is pointless.

You gave me your opinion, which is generally biased and worthless. I asked why it's our job to support every poor country and you simply ignore that, so go pound sand with your "you ignore my reason" bs. Most people in the US are tired of funding poor countries who do little or nothing to improve their lot other than beg us for money, then curse us when we stop giving them any. Again, tell me why the other countries I mentioned can't fill the gap and take their turn supporting all the poor countries.

 

[IrishinSyria]

https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4465551/15-trillion-budget-request-prioritizes-service-members-modernization/

I'd be more open to the "we need to save money" arguments if they weren't coming from supporters of a president who is asking for a $1.5 TRILLION defense budget.

 

[NDWarrior]

Most people in the US are tired of funding poor countries who do little or nothing to improve their lot other than beg us for money, then curse us when we stop giving them any. Again, tell me why the other countries I mentioned can't fill the gap and take their turn supporting all the poor countries.

Sorry Bishop, but I couldn't resist this portion of your comment and ask why aren't most people in the US also tired of funding Israel (which because of said funding IS NOT a poor country) and I think many would be happy if the US were to "stop giving them any (more) money!"

All that money is doing is helping to subsidize Israeli's lifestyle and things like free insurance and eduction and help fund the country's genocide of Palestine and Gaza, and now Lebanon.

Seems like our $ to Israel could do a lot more to be a net positive to the global population and economy than to Israel which will probably end up sucking us into a US/West/Christian against ME Muslim war that will only benefit them. Now that is something I can get behind.

 

[NorthDakota]

Sorry Bishop, but I couldn't resist this portion of your comment and ask why aren't most people in the US also tired of funding Israel (which because of said funding IS NOT a poor country) and I think many would be happy if the US were to "stop giving them any (more) money!"

All that money is doing is helping to subsidize Israeli's lifestyle and things like free insurance and eduction and help fund the country's genocide of Palestine and Gaza, and now Lebanon.

Seems like our $ to Israel could do a lot more to be a net positive to the global population and economy than to Israel which will probably end up sucking us into a US/West/Christian against ME Muslim war that will only benefit them. Now that is something I can get behind.

The money for Israel will not stop. Boomers worship Israel and enough other politicians are afraid of being labeled an anti-Semite that they aren't any different, and Neocons like funneling a few bucks to their buddies in the defense sector.

 

[GATTACA!]

You gave me your opinion, which is generally biased and worthless. I asked why it's our job to support every poor country and you simply ignore that, so go pound sand with your "you ignore my reason" bs. Most people in the US are tired of funding poor countries who do little or nothing to improve their lot other than beg us for money, then curse us when we stop giving them any. Again, tell me why the other countries I mentioned can't fill the gap and take their turn supporting all the poor countries.

You keep saying responsibility as if funding these programs are purely altruistic. It's not, which is what I'm trying to explain to you. The US has been the preeminent global superpower since WW2 in part because the rest of the world believed we would, in general, do the right thing. Helping developing nations and other poverty stricken peoples is part of this. The US is aspirational. Which leads to us being able to bring in the brightest minds from all over the world. They relocate here. Start businesses, innovate, and create more wealth. If we're suddenly the assholes that no one likes or trusts that goes away. Especially if we're slashing all the education and research opportunities on top of that.

You keep saying other countries need to step up. I'm telling you China is and what the ramifications will be and you just ignore it. The US holds 35% of global wealth. China is next at 18%. After that the closest is Japan in the 4% range. So who the fuck else is going to step in? It's going to be China and Trump is handing them the reigns to overtake us on a silver platter.

That's not to mention the domestic benefits. All the jobs of the people that administer the foreign aid. That have to travel to inspect and set up programs. Are all of them vital? No almost certainly not. Are there administrators making $275k that could be removed and arms of the aid programs scaled back? Sure. But to just cut it all in order to save 0.3% of our federal funding is beyond short sighted. You're losing dollars to save cents in terms of our global reach and positioning.

The kicker too is that by cutting USAID how does it improve any of our lives? Trump has added more to the debt than any other president in history even controlling for inflation. Trump's BBB ALONE is adding $400 billion per year. All of USAID was $50 billion IIRC. So yeah congrats a bunch of people are going to die of aids or starve so that we can feel like we're saving money.

It's like your drunk wife using coupons when you're $250,000 dollars in debt and underwater on your house.

 

[Fbolt]

China is absolutely filling that gap and will begin to reap the benefits of taking over that soft power. They’re now viewed more favorably internationally than the US. This is the first step in watching the USD lose it’s spot as the world’s reserve currency btw.

China Edges Past U.S. in Global Approval Ratings

Globally, China led the U.S. in 2025 leadership approval (36% vs. 31%), one of the widest gaps in 20 years, while U.S. disapproval hit a record high of 48%.

news.gallup.com

I would also think as a doctor you would appreciate stopping contactable things like aids from spreading.

China, which is systematically killing off the minorities in its country, is viewed more favorably? Well, giddy-fucking-up. You go ahead and latch yourself to China.

 

[NDWarrior]

Attempted assassination event all staged so that Trump can: 1) Get some momentum for his bullet- and drone-proof WH ballroom; 2) distract from his inept Iran war plan and efforts; 3) further demonize the radical left by saying this was a crazed TDS Trump hater and lunatic liberal; 5) a perfect way for him to ruin the WHCD Dinner and not have to say anything; and lastly, 6) a nice wink wink, nod nod trick that Trump and his admin had playing on the American Public yet once again.

- The pre-event humorous foreshadowing that the admin was all in on the fun



- The intentional weak event security setup



- A lot of admin smiling faces at Trump's presser: NotWoke |Just humane| on Instagram: "Toddlers make the same face when they think they got away with something. The tin foil community was not on my 2026 bingo card, but honestly… how is this the after… #community #news #view #europe Shared by a follower-(spreading awareness)"

 

[NDWarrior]

 

[GATTACA!]

China, which is systematically killing off the minorities in its country, is viewed more favorably? Well, giddy-fucking-up. You go ahead and latch yourself to China.

We're funding Israel who is doing the same thing to Palestinians.

 

[Fbolt]

false equivalency GATTACA, come on.

 

[GATTACA!]

false equivalency GATTACA, come on.

Not a 1:1 but our hands certainly aren't clean.

 

[Fbolt]

Agreed, but every country has dirty hands. Name one who doesn't have dirt? China?

 

[GATTACA!]

Agreed, but every country has dirty hands. Name one who doesn't have dirt? China?

I didn't claim that. You're asking from an outsiders perspective whose opinion has soured on the US. Someone that cares about the Uyghurs is also likely to care about the Palestinians so I'm not sure how many points we're going to score there.

 

[Irish#1]

Attempted assassination event all staged so that Trump can: 1) Get some momentum for his bullet- and drone-proof WH ballroom; 2) distract from his inept Iran war plan and efforts; 3) further demonize the radical left by saying this was a crazed TDS Trump hater and lunatic liberal; 5) a perfect way for him to ruin the WHCD Dinner and not have to say anything; and lastly, 6) a nice wink wink, nod nod trick that Trump and his admin had playing on the American Public yet once again.

- The pre-event humorous foreshadowing that the admin was all in on the fun

View attachment 3063158

- The intentional weak event security setup

View attachment 3063159

- A lot of admin smiling faces at Trump's presser: NotWoke |Just humane| on Instagram: "Toddlers make the same face when they think they got away with something. The tin foil community was not on my 2026 bingo card, but honestly… how is this the after… #community #news #view #europe Shared by a follower-(spreading awareness)"

View attachment 3063160

What took you so long? Lol

 

[TorontoGold]

I didn't claim that. You're asking from an outsiders perspective whose opinion has soured on the US. Someone that cares about the Uyghurs is also likely to care about the Palestinians so I'm not sure how many points we're going to score there.

Don't think a marginalized muslim community is something that IE MAGA cares about.

 

[NorthDakota]

Attempted assassination event all staged so that Trump can: 1) Get some momentum for his bullet- and drone-proof WH ballroom; 2) distract from his inept Iran war plan and efforts; 3) further demonize the radical left by saying this was a crazed TDS Trump hater and lunatic liberal; 5) a perfect way for him to ruin the WHCD Dinner and not have to say anything; and lastly, 6) a nice wink wink, nod nod trick that Trump and his admin had playing on the American Public yet once again.

- The pre-event humorous foreshadowing that the admin was all in on the fun

View attachment 3063158

- The intentional weak event security setup

View attachment 3063159

- A lot of admin smiling faces at Trump's presser: NotWoke |Just humane| on Instagram: "Toddlers make the same face when they think they got away with something. The tin foil community was not on my 2026 bingo card, but honestly… how is this the after… #community #news #view #europe Shared by a follower-(spreading awareness)"

View attachment 3063160

Get the help you need.

 

[NDWarrior]

Attempted assassination event all staged so that Trump can: 1) Get some momentum for his bullet- and drone-proof WH ballroom; 2) distract from his inept Iran war plan and efforts; 3) further demonize the radical left by saying this was a crazed TDS Trump hater and lunatic liberal; 5) a perfect way for him to ruin the WHCD Dinner and not have to say anything; and lastly, 6) a nice wink wink, nod nod trick that Trump and his admin had playing on the American Public yet once again.

- The pre-event humorous foreshadowing that the admin was all in on the fun

View attachment 3063158

- The intentional weak event security setup

View attachment 3063159

- A lot of admin smiling faces at Trump's presser: NotWoke |Just humane| on Instagram: "Toddlers make the same face when they think they got away with something. The tin foil community was not on my 2026 bingo card, but honestly… how is this the after… #community #news #view #europe Shared by a follower-(spreading awareness)"

View attachment 3063160

#3 has been taking a bit longer to develop but starting to roll in now....

- President Trump: “I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats … is very dangerous.”
- Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters: "The inevitable result of a radicalized left that has normalized political violence.”
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling out the “demonization” of Trump by Democrats, media figures and what she called a “left-wing cult of hatred,” arguing that years of rhetoric labeling Trump a “fascist” or “threat to democracy” have contributed to a climate that enables violence.

 

[NDWarrior]

Get the help you need.

TY Dr. ND, I will take your guidance under advisement...