Trump delivered a speech Wednesday night at the RNC's Midterm Convention in Dallas, pledging to issue $5,000 dividends if GOP candidates secure majorities in both the House and Senate.

Originally Posted by James Brown

Just checking in to see if there were any new posts.  Not surprisingly, Rich has gone dark.  Everyone should try to wrap their heads around something I noticed upon re-read.  Rich basically, regurgitates my positions, and then accuses me of dodging!  That is a special kind of weird.  If you don't believe me, consider that Rich posted the above (in post #34) after I posted:

 "This  little  example of pedantic gamesmanship is instructive, because I don’t think Trump‘s statements would ever be prosecuted as criminal bribery. On the other hand, it is clear to everyone with half a brain that Trump was trying to buy votes. I’m not as fussed about it as some since I think all politicians do this. For example, Biden was trying to buy votes when he canceled student debt. Trump was trying to buy votes when he passed the big beautiful Bill. Biden was trying to buy votes when he passed the inflation reduction act, and so on and so on and so on."  Post #24

"1. In my opinion, Trump would not be convicted of criminal bribery, because his offer to buy votes with government money was vague enough to be characterized in court as a routine “political promise” that he has no intention and no means to keep.  He carefully did not offer his own money for votes.  He offered my money, Rod’s money, and so on.  Maybe even yours.  (Do you pay taxes?).  There is enough ambiguity in his speech that I’m sure he would weasel out of actual criminal charges.

2.  In my opinion, Trump’s offer as made in his speech was a shameful heavy-handed lie, poorly conceived to buy votes.  It is an embarrassment and proves for the umpteenth time that he lacks any integrity. "  Post #31

"I’m not as fussed about it as some since I think all politicians do this. For example, Biden was trying to buy votes when he canceled student debt. Trump was trying to buy votes when he passed the big beautiful Bill."

While that may be correct, the magnitude of what Trump did the the so-called "big beautiful bill" and what he wants to do with the quid pro quo offer of $5000.00 per USA adult is ballistically higher than anything we've seen coming from any previous administration. I'll also reminds folks here that the covid relief checks had Trump's name on them...

So, I, among the many, are as fussed and more so than what has happened in your other examples. At least a number of students, for instance, who would have benefited from Biden's plan were likely victims of some of the institutional practices they had encountered as students...

Still, I do realize you understand the bottom line here with your statement of : "...Trump’s offer as made in his speech was a shameful heavy-handed lie, poorly conceived to buy votes.  It is an embarrassment and proves for the umpteenth time that he lacks any integrity."

Meanwhile, the latest with Trump and Iran:    https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/trump-axios-interview-iran-war

Hmm, another "crossroads" moment...we'll all see where that one goes, if anywhere, just like the ones that have preceded it...

Originally Posted by James Brown

Just checking in to see if there were any new posts.  Not surprisingly, Rich has gone dark.  Everyone should try to wrap their heads around something I noticed upon re-read.  Rich basically, regurgitates my positions, and then accuses me of dodging!  That is a special kind of weird.  If you don't believe me, consider that Rich posted the above (in post #34) after I posted:

 "This  little  example of pedantic gamesmanship is instructive, because I don’t think Trump‘s statements would ever be prosecuted as criminal bribery. On the other hand, it is clear to everyone with half a brain that Trump was trying to buy votes. I’m not as fussed about it as some since I think all politicians do this. For example, Biden was trying to buy votes when he canceled student debt. Trump was trying to buy votes when he passed the big beautiful Bill. Biden was trying to buy votes when he passed the inflation reduction act, and so on and so on and so on."  Post #24

"1. In my opinion, Trump would not be convicted of criminal bribery, because his offer to buy votes with government money was vague enough to be characterized in court as a routine “political promise” that he has no intention and no means to keep.  He carefully did not offer his own money for votes.  He offered my money, Rod’s money, and so on.  Maybe even yours.  (Do you pay taxes?).  There is enough ambiguity in his speech that I’m sure he would weasel out of actual criminal charges.

2.  In my opinion, Trump’s offer as made in his speech was a shameful heavy-handed lie, poorly conceived to buy votes.  It is an embarrassment and proves for the umpteenth time that he lacks any integrity. "  Post #31

Not a bad observation for a bookkeeper. 

I've been saying for years that Rich is a "special kind of weird." LOL. So weird that sometimes I think he's not real and is actually someone playing games with us using A.I. to come up with the responses in his long winded insult laden screeds. Of course, he's probably real and is just a weird little man who gets his jollies by being an asshole.

Originally Posted by James Brown

Just checking in to see if there were any new posts.  Not surprisingly, Rich has gone dark.  Everyone should try to wrap their heads around something I noticed upon re-read.  Rich basically, regurgitates my positions, and then accuses me of dodging!  That is a special kind of weird. 

Rich reflexively counters anything anyone else says, even when he shares the same underlying opinion. I don't think he realizes he effectively agrees with you. He's probably arguing your exact point by accident. It's just that he's eager to be a contrarian and win internet debate-bro points. It all leads back to that legendary lack of self-awareness.