Trump budget boosts military and border wall, targets social programs

Here we go again. Trump couldn't get what he wanted when his party controlled both houses of congress. He sure seems helll-bent on shutting down the government again.

This should help the Dems in gaining more power in future elections for sure LOL!!

This should help the Dems in gaining more power in future elections for sure LOL!!

Yeah, right. Lol. Let’s take everyone 70%, let’s give everyone a wage regardless if they work or not, guaranteed one year maternity leave, free education, free healthcare, abolish ICE, allow unsecured borders to continue, increase the growth of government, punish small businesses, impose regulations, support socialism in all of its form....yeah, it’ll help Democrats win. ROFL!

Say NO to fascism.

If anybody can bankrupt America it’s Donny Trump.

This is the Republican dream: tax hikes for the middle class, cuts to domestic programs, massive defense spending, no taxes for the rich, and unsustainable deficits.

Trump's budget includes politically volatile proposals for overhauling Medicare, Medicaid and other costly social programs that form the American social safety net that helps the poor and underprivileged.

You're not kidding. Trump is about to stamp vulnerable and marginalized folks into the dirt. No doubt the wealthy cake eaters will rejoice at this disgraceful move.

Let's check for accuracy.

Yeah, right. Lol. Let’s take everyone 70%,

Inaccurate. Only amounts earned over $10 million would be taxed at 70%, not everybody.

let’s give everyone a wage regardless if they work or not,

That one is a tough sell.

guaranteed one year maternity leave, free education, free healthcare,

Why not?

abolish ICE, allow unsecured borders to continue,

Abolish ICE and replace it. Nobody is for unsecured borders no matter how many times you repeat it.

increase the growth of government, punish small businesses, impose regulations,

No. Your issue is you conflate regulation that preserves with harming small businesses.

support socialism in all of its form....yeah, it’ll help Democrats win. ROFL!

HAR! Not all democrats support socialism. People that use military medical facilities do support socialism, but need an actual base. People that use highways and freeways also support socialism.

Ah yes, a closer look https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47527135

The spending plan includes over $1tn in cuts to the Medicaid health programme for the poor and disabled.

It also seeks to slash $327bn from food and housing assistance services, and to reduce funding for environmental protections and foreign aid programmes.

The contempt this man has for American people is astounding. The revolution can't come soon enough.

Thank god we elected enough Democrats last November. This conservative's wet-dream of a government that functions only on behalf of the wealthy has no chance of passing. It does put things quite clear though as the election ramps up. You have an extremely wealthy grifter occupying the White House, who is exclusively concerned about his fellow 1%ers and thinks our military is underfunded (LOL). The imaginary crisis on the border is the topping on the cake.

Meanwhile, hugely popular New Deal programs are far too generous. Try selling that idea to anyone outside your base. Lockheed and Academi (Blackwater-Xe mercenaries) and paramilitaries on the border require ever more tax dollars, but Grandma living check to check on social security or paying for her cancer treatments with Medicare--let her eat cake. Trump is merely the latest class warrior, transferring money upwards from the most vulnerable to his elite cronies.

No country can survive such a national debt in the long run. The U.S. is fiscally doomed unless it balances the budget and wipes out the debt.

Unfortunately neither major political party nor the public are willing to make the required sacrifices.

If anybody can bankrupt America it’s Donny Trump. 

I see....well, if the Socialists ever gain power, there won’t be any money period for anything, I would vehemently disagree with the party of Marxism and entitlements at the tax payer cost.

This is the Republican dream: tax hikes for the middle class,

Low unemployment increased jobs in the private sector, more bonuses, more financial growth, more investments domestically.

cuts to domestic programs,

To a overly excessive point

massive defense spending, no taxes for the rich,

With a rising China, an unstable NK and unpredictable Russia, yes, we need a very powerful military and the rich pay more than our fair share, and remember, we can always relocate and move our money. There is no way a socialist will ever get what I worked hard for.

and unsustainable deficits.

I will come to the middle on this, both parties did a bad job addressing this, but if anyone thinks a socialist will fix it is on serious hallucinogenics.

I see....well, if the Socialists ever gain power, there won’t be any money period for anything, I would vehemently disagree with the party of Marxism and entitlements at the tax payer cost.

Which parties are you talking about? Socialism and Marxism are not the same. Marx himself was often very dismissive of socialism, whilst social democrats and democratic socialists dismiss Marx's class conflict and revolution.

The latter groupings are lower case, as I'm referring to the politcal ideologies, rather than a political party. But if somehow, you've confused the Democrats centerism with socialism or Marxism, it's best to clearly distinguish between political parties and principles you attribute to them.

It would be great if a genuine socialist party was voted in. The rich wouldn't be laughing and sneering at the poor so much.

The budget is a kick in the face of the poor and may just lead to a backlash against the elite.

Wow, its almost as if he wants to lose the 2020 elections! Not only will this completely turn all minorities against him, it will also start to take a toll on his own base. I'll agree to his proposal as it will never pass congress and it will ruin his approval.

Headline should read, "Trump budget boosts pollution and border fantasy, targets poor"

Here we go again. Trump couldn't get what he wanted when his party controlled both houses of congress. He sure seems helll-bent on shutting down the government again.

Well, he got his tax cuts for the rich and the corporations pretty easily.

There is no way a socialist will ever get what I worked hard for.

Could you elaborate - do you mean market or non-market socialists?

Could you elaborate - do you mean market or non-market socialists?

And are we talking the actual meaning of the word socialism, or this new meaning that the right has invented?

I see....well, if the Socialists ever gain power, there won’t be any money period for anything

Bush 2, a president you and your non-partisan historians regard as a success, blew a surplus and saw the economy fly off the cliff on his watch.

Since when has lavish spending bothered you? I think I can date it from when Obama assumed office and left office.

Strangerland: And are we talking the actual meaning of the word socialism

You can piece something pretty good sounding to the right with just catchphrases and stereotypes. For example:

You want to take my money?? No thanks! I worked hard for what I have and I'm not going to let you redistribute it to some lazy person who sits on his rear all day. Socialists want free everything....free money...no job....free education. Gimmie a break! Are you some kind of roads scholar? They will turn this country into Venezuela faster than you can spell B-E-R-N-I-E.

(end)

It's kind of like Taco Bell. Just mix up the ingredients in different order and distribute your "new" product.

The USA is $22 trillion in debt.  That's $22,000,000,000,000.  But tax cuts to the rich, cuts to the most vulnerable and lots of shiny new guns, nukes, ships, and planes.  That should help reduce the deficit.  Maybe even enough to build a small picket fence.

So the extra money going to Defense he figures will get him more campaign contributions from the Military Weapons Manufacturers. All of the big manufactures have politicians in their pockets.... when the U.S. Government spends that much, what is a few million here and there spread around Washington DC and various State Capitols.

@SuperLib

Another example is how the right like to characterize socialists as lazy, wanting to take, take, take. Ironically, they don't seem to understand that one of the ideologies is to give. And another is to work together, to steer the power away from the selfish profit-makers and generate production.

If the right weren't so lazy, sitting on their stately piles, they'd be able to look beyond the cliches.

(am being deliberately ironic by using a cliche in the last sentence, just in case that's not obvious)

overhauling Medicare, Medicaid

cuts federal subsidies to farmers

Plus cuts to education. And so much more!

Trump is betting that Midwestern and rust belt voters would gladly live with less so that they can get a useless border wall and Space Force.

Anyway, this isn't going to go anywhere, thankfully. But the current GOP message is clear, and that's why Donnie is going to lose Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2020.

This article just highlights the depths of the hyprocrisy of the Republican party - and the fact that it exists in name only. It ought to change its name from GOP to FSA (Fascists Supporting America).

The bedrock Republican and Conservative value - a balanced budget - it dead, buried, decaying....

All those Republicans that championed a balanced budget, all the Tea Party members who were so rabid on spending - have had a brain transplant.

Now it's permanent tax cuts for the Top 1% - even if that causes the highest budget deficit in history.

And if that's too much, we'll take away every safeguard for the poor and elderly.

It's madness.

Which parties are you talking about?

Both

It would be great if a genuine socialist party was voted in.

So then why aren’t millions flocking to Cuba or Venezuela? It’s a socialists paradise.

The budget is a kick in the face of the poor and may just lead to a backlash against the elite.

Hmmmm....I’d like to see a socialist provide high paying jobs in the private sector. Lol

Late stage capitalism at its best.  Look forward to an even more polarized country, both politically and socially.

So then why aren’t millions flocking to Cuba or Venezuela? It’s a socialists paradise.

.

Hmmmm....I’d like to see a socialist provide high paying jobs in the private sector. Lol

Can you please be clear when you post about socialists on whether you're using the word with it's real and actual meaning, or whether you're using the code word the American right has created that has no actual relevance to the real meaning of the word?

I mean, I know you are always using the word your team invented, but regular readers here will not realize that you have made up your own definition of the word that is not the same as that used by everyone else in the world.

So then why aren’t millions flocking to Cuba or Venezuela? It’s a socialists paradise.

I guess I'm not sure why you chose to live in Japan then either...hmmm

Will you be flocking to Russia or China after the dems take office in 2020?

So then why aren’t millions flocking to Cuba or Venezuela? 

Because they're flocking to places like Canada or Australia or New Zealand or Europe, where a balanced form of socialism coexists with capitalism. You don't seem to understand that this is not an either/or issue.

If you want a system that creates huge wealth disparities, then don't whine about the inevitable side effects on society. America is a pretty fractured place, with excessive levels of mental illness, anxiety, unhappiness, and violence. Putting more money into the hands of the uber wealthy is not going to solve those problems.

If this is Trump's plan, then I would like to get all my social security and Medicare payments returned to me that were taken from my paychecks over the years with interest. Gutting social programs people have been paying into is outright theft.

@bass

If you are living in Japan and you are American, its by choice. Why would you decide to live in a country that does a pretty decent job of balancing socialist and capitalist ideals if you are so against it? It just doesn't make any sense to me?

Toasted Heretic: Another example is how the right like to characterize socialists as lazy, wanting to take, take, take. Ironically, they don't seem to understand that one of the ideologies is to give. And another is to work together, to steer the power away from the selfish profit-makers and generate production.

What they don't get is that the masters of the business world in this day and age are all left-leaning. Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Berkshire-Hathaway, Google, Facebook. The "socialist leftists" can't find enough educated Americans to fill their slots with high paying jobs.

But let's go ahead and push for more coal usage.

I see this has triggered all the anti-Trumpers. LOL.

I agree with most of the cuts in gov't programs, but the military needs to be cut as well to get the damn deficit down. Cuts can be made to the military without jeopardizing national security.

Deeper cuts need to be made in foreign aid. We still have many poor people, let's take care of our own country first.

I see this has triggered all the anti-Trumpers. LOL.

How does pointing out the obvious inanities in this proposed budget qualify as "triggered"?

I agree with most of the cuts in gov't programs, but the military needs to be cut as well to get the damn deficit down. Cuts can be made to the military without jeopardizing national security.

So you are against Trump and the American people? You would like to see medical expenses rise, educational facilities lose money, and handicapped suffer because they can't get help?

We still have many poor people, let's take care of our own country first.

Trump's proposal is going to increase the number of poor, homeless people though...

Kick the low wage, disadvantaged in the teeth, reward the 1% rich with more money. Then give the low wage an opportunity to excell in the military, get wounded and cut health care. What a bizarre situation. The richest country in the world can't/ won't ensure medical or educational opportunities to all its citizens. Luckily most developed countries take a different approach and can provide their citizens with health care and education. Americas 1% of rich family's who's weath is mostly generational requires them to contribute nothing to society other then backing with their wealth candidates who ensure they get even more wealth without actually working at all.

the book title says 'A Budget For a Better America'. LOL. Want to make a better America? Impeach and remove from office this ;loudmouth uncooperative Mussolini. He's a tax-evading treasonous Robbing Hood!

What they don't get is that the masters of the business world in this day and age are all left-leaning. Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Berkshire-Hathaway, Google, Facebook. The "socialist leftists" can't find enough educated Americans to fill their slots with high paying jobs.

The curious thing is that people like bass are actually 100% correct when they say that people like Zuckerberg, Bezos, Gates, Cook (or is it Apple?) have too much power in society, and that the power needs to be more diffuse, rather than being so centralised into one company or, in some instances, even one person. This is a dismal state of affairs which is bad for democracy, bad for the economy, and bad for individuals - including the individuals who hold such power.

But when it comes to solutions to these problems - increased taxes on income, corporations and wealth, government intervention in the market by both breaking up large companies and supporting (at least for a time) smaller competitors, they run a mile. They are sometimes accurately able to diagnose a problem - but when told the cure, they run a mile.

The budget increase for the military is needed to keep up with China and Russia. Bearing in mind that the yearly wage of 1 soldier in the US probably equals the wages of ten or more in China and Russia. Not to mention wages for scientists in the US versus China and Russia. The cost of research is therefore always going to cost more in the US. Hence the need for larger US military budgets than China and Russia.

The border wall is a complete waste of money spent on a non existent emergency. Those funds would be better spent on social needs like universal health care and education.

Despite never having served in the military. So he's mooching off of US taxpayer dollars. That's capitalists for you: they always want something for nothing.

People gave at least 20 years of their life to earn that “free” healthcare.

What are socialists doing to make people earn anything? You don’t even have to work at all unless you “feel” like it. But you still get the same stuff as everyone else. What kind of nonsense is that.

in the USA we earn what we get.

Free education for everyone! Free healthcare! Ok do I get a refund for what I have spent? Why not?

Despite never having served in the military. So he's mooching off of US taxpayer dollars. That's capitalists for you: they always want something for nothing.

Pure and utter sense of entitlement.

People gave at least 20 years of their life to earn that “free” healthcare.

What are socialists doing to make people earn anything? You don’t even have to work at all unless you “feel” like it. But you still get the same stuff as everyone else. What kind of nonsense is that.

in the USA we earn what we get.

Please remember when reading posts like the above, that while he is using the word 'socialist', it's a homograph - the word is spelled (and I assume pronounced) the same as the actual real word "socialist", but is an entirely different word which basically means something along the lines of "satanist". It looks confusing when trying to read their statements using the actual meaning of the word, due to an apparent disconnect between what it looks like they have written and that which they are saying, but once you understand that they are using an entirely different word, it all starts to make sense.

http://wvmetronews.com/2018/07/31/socialism-gains-traction-with-the-lure-of-free-stuff/

people don’t really want “socialism” unless they can get free stuff.

You can say socialism isn’t “free stuff” and be correct. But that what the people who are supporting it think it is. Only 17% of millennials can even accurately describe what’s claimed that 50% of them want.

Once they gotta work and nothing is “free” the allure is gone for most people. Some people who can’t be bothered to compete might still like it. “Guaranteed job” does sound pretty good for low energy unqualified people.

people don’t really want “socialism” unless they can get free stuff.

Thanks, please keep telling us more about your definition of this word "socialism" that you use, since it's extremely confusing when you are using a made up word that shares a spelling with a real word.

people don’t really want “socialism” unless they can get free stuff.

Thank you for using quotes, that does make it a little more apparent that you are using it some non-standard manner. Still not entirely clear that you have just made up a new word, but more clear than not using quotes.

in the USA we earn what we get.

Unless, of course, you're born into a rich family like Donald J. Trump, then you don't have to work a day in your life.

Only 17% of millennials can even accurately describe what’s claimed that 50% of them want.

And given the way "socialism" is thrown about here, far fewer than 17% of Trumpies know what socialism.

I see this has triggered all the anti-Trumpers. LOL.

Actually, it's "triggered" a discussion on what socialism is and the myriad different forms it manifests itself in.

If anything, it's highlighted wanton ignorance of those who scream they don't want socialism without actually knowing what it is.

This feels like chasing sunshine and trying to pin it down.

As I said whatever socialism is, most people are uninterested once “free stuff” is identified as not being part of it.

Unless, of course, you're born into a rich family like Donald J. Trump

Aye, the worst offenders. Inheritances and silver spoon elitists, who sneer at the poor and, without any sense of awareness, wonder why other people can't do as well as they did.

not to mention the people who are the most famous socialists. So you basically have something that people think they support because they dont know what it is or who has done it.

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/socialists.php

 Legendary communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong are a few distinguished personalities who preached and practiced socialism. Fidel Castro, who served as the president of Cuba for a few decades, set up the perfect example of a socialist society. China, the Soviet Union and Cuba are a few nations where the socialist model of governance has been prevalent since many years.

So you basically have something that people think they support because they dont know what it is or who has done it.

You've now confused socialism with communism and authoritarianism. Would your statement include yourself?

@blacklabel

Thanks for demonstrating your inability to understand what socialism means. Now that its clear that you don't understand what socialism is, you also can't comprehend the differences between it and the policies of liberal politicians. Everything you've stated so far is basically regression of civilization by supporting those born wealthy and putting down everyone else, which is most of the nation...

You're description of communism is really something, looks like you didn't get proper education either!! lol

It's not about free stuff, its about affordable important stuff. Policies and institutions that Trump has just acknowledged as less important than his wall. So you would rather hike prices, refuse American children proper education, and hurt Americans to support Trump's wall? Right, got it.

Here is the perfect example of showing the world you don't know what you're talking about:

not to mention the people who are the most famous socialists. So you basically have something that people think they support because they dont know what it is or who has done it.

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/socialists.php

 Legendary communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong are a few distinguished personalities who preached and practiced socialism. Fidel Castro, who served as the president of Cuba for a few decades, set up the perfect example of a socialist society. China, the Soviet Union and Cuba are a few nations where the socialist model of governance has been prevalent since many years.

Legendary communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong are a few distinguished personalities who preached and practiced socialism. Fidel Castro, who served as the president of Cuba for a few decades, set up the perfect example of a socialist society. China, the Soviet Union and Cuba are a few nations where the socialist model of governance has been prevalent since many years.

You're mixing up socialism with totalitarianism and extreme authoritarianism. Socialism doesn't automatically lead to dictatorships. Ask the people of Canada, the Scandi countries, Republic of Ireland etc. You can incorporate socialism into the capitalist model, as well. The NHS in the UK, for instance. Also, there are plenty of examples of market socialism that worked, like the Basque region.

Whilst you're googling, look up James Connolly, Jim Larkin - forgotten heroes of socialism. Or do a bit of research on Plato's Republic, New Testament socialism and socialism in Buddism. It's not a new concept, wanting fairness and equality for your fellow human being.

Something Trumpists might want to look into, when they come down from their ivory towers.

As I said whatever socialism is, most people are uninterested once “free stuff” is identified as not being part of it.

Then why are you even arguing? If your theory was correct, no one would be pushing for socialism.

After all, we all know it's not free. We pay for our social safety nets with our taxes.

Legendary communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong are a few distinguished personalities who preached and practiced socialism. Fidel Castro, who served as the president of Cuba for a few decades, set up the perfect example of a socialist society. China, the Soviet Union and Cuba are a few nations where the socialist model of governance has been prevalent since many years.

And then you have all the socialist nations that have a higher quality of life, and a higher happiness index than the US, and yet are socialist nations.

It's clear what Trump and his supporters are trying to do - scare even more people by weaponizing the term "socialist" - OK - if one or two Democrats want to call themselves Socialists, and Trump tries to generalize that to label all Democrats, then fair play is fair play.....

All Repubs are what Roy Moore is (I won't use the word here)....

All Repubs are white supremacists (Steve King and "Good people" Trump)....

Etc, etc.

But we have to have our word to weaponize also - and that word is Fascism - it's clear with their war on a free media, clear efforts to suppress the vote and voter fraud, movement to align church and state, etc., that Trump and his supporters want to limit democracy and turn our country into one more authoritarian - like Russia.

For every time they yell "socialism", return it with "fascism"....maybe they'll knock off this ridiculous generalization or maybe they won't - if they don't, be every bit as loud as they are...

Trillions in tax cuts for the 1%, less food and shelter for the needy. Thanks for nothing.

I'm not sure what socialism means, but that won't stop me from telling you exactly what it is and how bad it is.

Be mad all you want. But Dems are misleading people if socialism doesn’t mean free stuff. That’s what the people who hear it and support it think it means.

The website URL clearly states all those people are “socialists”. Or do socialIsts not practice socialism? Be mad at the website not me if it’s inaccurate. Too bad that the people listed are “bad people” but you own them.

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/socialists.php

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/poll-half-of-voters-reject-socialism-democrats-scared-of-label

“Financially vulnerable respondents-likely voters who recently lost their jobs, afraid of losing their jobs, gone without food in the last 24 hours, and those who are financially worse off than they were four years ago had the most favorable impression of socialism.”

free stuff!

“Democrats were emphatic in their desire not to be labeled a "socialist party." Only 13 percent want this. Not surprisingly, a majority of Republicans and conservatives would love this label because of the negative connotations it highlights.”

why the fear to call socialism what it is?

The website URL clearly states all those people are “socialists”. Or do socialIsts not practice socialism? Be mad at the website not me if it’s inaccurate. Too bad that the people listed are “bad people” but you own them.

The list of people you mentioned aren't socialists.

Legendary communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong are a few distinguished personalities who preached and practiced socialism

That was you trying to twist the democrats image into something completely wildly different.

But Dems are misleading people if socialism doesn’t mean free stuff. That’s what the people who hear it and support it think it means.

Again, you have no idea what socialism is and you've just demonstrated it, again...

But Dems are misleading people if socialism doesn’t mean free stuff. That’s what the people who hear it and support it think it means.

Um no, that's the meaning you guys made up for the word socialism. Only a moron believes the term you guys made up.

Personally, I'm mad at the sheer ignorance and laziness of people who refuse to educate themselves. It's not rocket science, you don't have to read all of 3 (or is it 4) volumes of Capital. Go to the library. Observe socialism in other countries (without yelling "Venezuela"), learn the difference between various ideologies outside of your own realm. Learn that there is overlap and no one defining umbrella term for the wide variety of systems proposed and practiced.

It's akin to me saying all religion is "bad people" because there's a long list of bad people who happened to be religious or twisted a belief to justify their wrongdoings.

I'd say start with Marx and Engels Communist Manifesto. Which both lauds and criticises different forms of socialism. It's not a bible and you don't have to agree with every printed word, but it's an opening into modern day critique of capitalism and a rallying call for workers and those who are trodden down by the elite.

And it's only about 50 pages, so no excuses now :-)

Be mad all you want. But Dems are misleading people if socialism doesn’t mean free stuff. That’s what the people who hear it and support it think it means.

Do you come here to discuss things with others, or just talk to yourself?

It was YOU, not the link you posted, who claimed Stalin, Mao etc were socialists. They are not. People aren't just demanding "free stuff." I understand how income redistribution, so spare the lecture on how nothing is free.

As other posters have written, I'd like know why the government shouldn't get involved in regulating the prices of things such as healthcare and education.

The website URL clearly states all those people are “socialists”. Or do socialIsts not practice socialism? Be mad at the website not me if it’s inaccurate. Too bad that the people listed are “bad people” but you own them.

Oh, so you can post a link to any website that says anything and it makes it true? Absolutely ridiculous.

So you are against Trump and the American people? You would like to see medical expenses rise, educational facilities lose money, and handicapped suffer because they can't get help?

Medical costs are already on the rise, you think socialism will bring the prices down? Think again.

Trump's proposal is going to increase the number of poor, homeless people though..

And socialism will turn this country into a 3rd world crap hole

Medical costs are already on the rise, you think socialism will bring the prices down? Think again.

A level playing field will benefit the people. Not everyone has the comfort of a cosy background, a high flying career or the right contacts. Not everyone benefits from rampant capitalism and exploitation.

And socialism will turn this country into a 3rd world crap hole

Nope, inherent greed and self-serving politicians will do that - be it under capitalism or socialism. That's the real problem - those at the top.

Do you think that countries like the Scandi models or Canada or the UK or Republic of Ireland - all of which have incorporated elements of socialism at some level - are 3rd world crap holes?