Monday, August 3, 2015

Republican Candidate: Donald Trump


















Donald John Trump  is an American real estate magnate, television personality, politician and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts.[1] Trump's lifestyle and outspoken manner, as well as his books and his media appearances, have made him an American celebrity. He is currently campaigning for the 2016 Presidential Election.

On the Issues:

Abortion:

  • Ban late abortions; exceptions for rape, incest or health. (Jun 2015)
  • I am now pro-life; after years of being pro-choice. (Apr 2011)
  • I changed my views to pro-life based on personal stories. (Apr 2011)
  • I am pro-life; fight ObamaCare abortion funding. (Feb 2011)
  • Pro-choice, but ban partial birth abortion. (Jul 2000)
  • Favors abortion rights but respects opposition. (Dec 1999) 
On The Economy:

  • If debt reaches $24T, that's the point of no return. (Jun 2015)
  • Prepare for upcoming crash, bigger than 1929. (Jul 2000)
  • Optimistic about future of Atlantic City. (Jul 1990)
  • Rent control only benefits a privileged minority. (Jul 1987)
  • One-time 14.25% tax on wealth, to erase national debt. (Nov 1999)
  • Predicts 35% boost to economy from eliminating national debt. (Nov 1999) 

On Social Security: 

  • Cannot change Medicare or Soc.Sec. and still win elections. (Mar 2013)
  • Social Security isn't an "entitlement"; it's honoring a deal. (Dec 2011)
  • Disability Racket: $25B in fraudulent disability filings. (Dec 2011)
  • Pay off debt; put $3T interest savings into Trust Fund. (Jul 2000)
  • Let people invest their own retirement funds. (Jul 2000)
  • No government investment of retirement funds. (Jul 2000) 

On Civil Rights:

  • Same-sex marriage is a state issue. (Jun 2015)
  • No gay marriage; no same-sex partner benefits. (Mar 2011)
  • Tolerate diversity; prosecute hate crimes against gays. (Jul 2000) 
On Gun control:


A very strong person on the Second Amendment. (Jun 2015)
  • I am against gun control. (Feb 2011)
  • Dems and Reps are both wrong on guns. (Jul 2000)
  • For assault weapon ban, waiting period, & background check. (Jul 2000) 

 On Drugs:

  • Legalize drugs and use tax revenue to fund drug education. (Apr 2011)
  • Never drinks, smokes, nor does drugs. (Feb 2011)
  • Fired Miss USA crown winner due to drug over-indulgence. (Dec 2006)
  • Never touched drugs, nor alcohol, tobacco, or coffee. (Jul 2000) 
On Education:

  • Common Core is a disaster. (Jun 2015)
  • Cut the Department of Education way, way down. (Jun 2015)
  • Founded Trump University to teach the art of deal-making. (Jun 2015)
  • Opposes Common Core. (Feb 2015)
  • Teach citizenship; stop “dumbing down”. (Jul 2000)
  • End “creative spelling,” “estimating,” & “empowerment”. (Jul 2000)
  • Bring on the competition; tear down the union walls. (Jul 2000)
  • School choice will improve public schools. (Jul 2000) 
On Energy and Oil:


  • Climate change is a hoax. (Jun 2015)
  • No Cap-and-Tax: oil is this country's lifeblood. (Dec 2011)
  • Jobs will slump until our lifeblood--oil--is cheap again. (Dec 2011)
  • Enough natural gas in Marcellus Shale for 110 year supply. (Dec 2011)
  • Libya: No oil, no support; no exceptions. (Dec 2011)
  • It's incredible how slowly we're drilling for oil. (Mar 2011)

On the Environment:


  • Good development enhances the environment. (Jan 2008)
  • FactCheck: Yes, hybrid family vehicles are available in US. () 
On Families and Children:


 Stress importance of a strong family, & a culture of Life. (Jun 2015)

On Foreign Policy:

  • More sanctions on Iran; more support of Israel. (Jun 2015)
  • China is our enemy; they're bilking us for billions. (Dec 2011)
  • When you love America, you protect it with no apologies. (Dec 2011)
  • By 2027, tsunami as China overtakes US as largest economy. (Dec 2011)
  • Criticized Buchanan’s view on Hitler as appeasement. (Jul 2000)
  • Post-Cold War: switch from chess player to dealmaker. (Jul 2000)
  • Support Russia, but with strings attached. (Jul 2000)
  • China: lack of human rights prevents consumer development. (Jul 2000)
  • Be tougher on China-we’re too eager to please. (Jul 2000) 
On Free Trade: 

  • China and Japan are beating us; I can beat China. (Jun 2015)
  • 35% import tax on Mexican border. (Jun 2015)
  • Stupid people negotiate our trade bills, & trade won't work. (Jun 2015)
  • 20% tax on all imported goods. (Dec 2011)
  • Fair trade instead of embarrassing deal with South Korea. (Dec 2011)
  • Repatriate jobs that China has been stealing. (Dec 2011)
  • Embrace globalization and international markets. (Jan 2008)
  • Renegotiate tougher & fairer trade agreements. (Jul 2000)
  • President should be nation’s trade representative. (Dec 1999)
  • World views US trade officials as ‘saps’. (Dec 1999) 
On Government Reform:


  • Two-term limit on NYC mayor is a terrible idea. (Sep 2010)
  • Government scrutiny is greatest threat to American Dream. (Jul 2000)
  • Ban soft money; but allow unlimited personal contributions. (Jul 2000)
  • Government should do public works & safety & little else. (Jul 2000)
  • Rebuilt Wollman Rink in 4 months; city failed for 6 years. (Jul 1987) 
On Healthcare:

  • ObamaCare is a catastrophe that must be repealed & replaced. (Jun 2015)
  • Don't cut Medicare; grow the economy to keep benefits. (Jun 2015)
  • ObamaCare deductibles are so high that it's useless. (Jun 2015)
  • Save Medicare & Medicaid without cutting them to the bone. (Jan 2015)
  • Kill ObamaCare before it becomes a trillion-ton weight. (Dec 2011)
  • Increase insurance competition across state lines. (Dec 2011)
  • We must have universal health care. 
On Homaland Security:

  • Our nuclear arsenal doesn't work; it's 30 years old. (Jun 2015)
  • Increased Veterans Day parade audience from 100 to 1 million. (Jun 2015)
  • Defeat ISIS and stop Islamic terrorists. (Jan 2015)
  • American interests come first; no apologies. (Dec 2011)
  • All freedoms flow from national security. (Dec 2011)
  • 3% of GNP for military is too low. (Jul 2000)
  • Missile defense is inappropriate; focus on terrorism. (Jul 2000)
  • Prepare for bio-terrorism attack. (Jul 2000) 
On Immigration:


  • OpEd: businesses & Republicans condemn anti-Mexico terms. (Jul 2015)
  • Half of the undocumented residents in America are criminals. (Jun 2015)
  • Mexico & Latin America send us drugs, crime, and rapists. (Jun 2015)
  • Build great wall on southern border; have Mexico pay for it. (Jun 2015)
  • We need strong borders; we need a wall. (Feb 2015)
  • Citizenship for illegal immigrants is a GOP suicide mission. (Mar 2013)
  • 351,000 illegal aliens are in our prisons; costing $1.1B. (Dec 2011)
  • Anchor babies were NEVER the intent of the 14th Amendment. (Dec 2011)
  • Invite foreigners graduating from college to stay in US. (Dec 2011)
  • Triple-layered fence & Predator drones on Mexican border. (Dec 2011)
  • Control borders; even legal immigration should be difficult. (Jul 2000)
  • Limit new immigration; focus on people already here. (Dec 1999) 
On Jobs:

  • Real unemployment rate is 20%; don't believe 5.6%. (Jun 2015)
  • Raising business tax causes businesses to move jobs overseas. (Dec 2011)
  • Unions fight for pay; managers fight for less; consumers win. (Jul 2000)
  • Foreign companies are taking jobs from US. (Dec 1999) 
On War and Peace:


  • Boots on the ground to fight ISIS. (Jun 2015)
  • I said "don't hit Iraq," because it destabilized Middle East. (Jun 2015)
  • Hit ISIS hard and fast. (Feb 2015)
  • Take $1.5T in oil from Iraq to pay for US victims. (Mar 2013)
  • Iraq should pick up the tab for their own liberation. (Dec 2011)
  • Stop Iran's nuclear programs by any & all means necessary. (Dec 2011)
  • John McCain's actions in Vietnam were not "heroic". (Sep 2000)
  • Use force to stop North Korean nuke development. (Jul 2000)
  • Support Israel, our unsinkable Mideast aircraft carrier. (Jul 2000)
  • No humanitarian intervention; only to direct threats. (Jul 2000) 

Although he is currently running as a Republican the GOP has been distancing itself from him. (...and they all moved away from him on the Group W bench...) Don't be surprised if this "rogue elephant" ends up running as an Independent by November 2016.




An Aside:

I have received a lot of blow-back and flack from family (and friends) from the "just the facts" approach to the candidates. Or at least using their own statements and voting records. From "dry as toast"...and "too detailed" to a friend who summed it up by saying basically:  Researching the Candidates...


 And everyone (myself admittedly included) lamenting the loss of what could be a political humour writer's wet dream.

Foremost, the selection of the next President of the United States of America is a much more important matter than just a few select sound-bites...and I believe it is important that people know where the person they are voting for stands on the issues. Yadda Yadda Yadda...I see your eyes glazing over...

and lastly...of course I am going to make sport of each of them...later. There is plenty of time for that and soooooooooooooo much material.





Take a deep breath and RELAX!

More Anon...  



             Next up: Chris Christie























Posted by at