What are the key issues of US Election 2024?

[Hans Blaster]

Has GOP leadership been able to pass a budget through the House yet? Seems premature to worry about how they're financing stuff if they're too incompetent to finance it in the first place.

Kinda a clue that there's an issue when a party has been driven more by ideological purity rather than ability to govern. Which should be a pretty big deal to voters, let's see if the other side can capitalize on it.

A budget, well sort of. Under the ancien regime (ol' Kev) they did pass a budget outline for FY24 and FY25 as part of the "debt ceiling" hostage negotiation deal with the Senate and WH. A few of the 12 appropriations bills have been passed, but all violate the budget deal and have no chance in the Senate.

 

[LizaMarie]

I would prefer Hailey for president, the right kind of woman candidate, socially and economically conservative, but not isolationist

Same

 

[NxNW]

I believe that if the leftist Democratic party remains in power in the White House after January 2025, then America will never ever be the same again. .... and not in a good way, either.

With the stock market at a record high, inflation over, GDP growth on fire . . . who wouldn't want more?

 

[Vambram]

With the stock market at a record high, inflation over, GDP growth on fire . . . who wouldn't want more?

Tell that to the 56% of Americans who disapprove of Joe Biden and Bidenomics.

 

[Desk trauma]

Tell that to the 56% of Americans who disapprove of Joe Biden and Bidenomics.

Facts over feelings not a thing anymore?

 

[QvQ]

There is a very large number of voters whose only concern is abortion on demand and legalized marijuana.

 

[A2SG]

Tell that to the 56% of Americans who disapprove of Joe Biden and Bidenomics.

We should. It seems those people are basing their approval of President Biden or his economic policies on other things than the economy.

As far as that goes, though, approval of Biden may not really be all that much of a deciding factor when it comes down to the election anyway. For a lot of people, even if they don't approve of President Biden, they would still rather vote for him than Trump.

-- A2SG, the old voting while holding your nose syndrome...

 

[QvQ]

What I know about Bidonomics is
1) Since Biden was elected the price of food has doubled. Other items the prices have tripled.
2) The price of gasoline has risen from $2.29 to $3.89. The Oil Reserves have been depleted.
3) The stock market, being the worlds largest casino, is completely unhinged from any reality.

Meanwhile the government is burning through Trillions of $$$. None of that money is being spent in my county. There hasn't been any change in the amount of roadwork, education or any other government service. It is exactly the same as before Biden was elected.
Who is getting all those trillions?
Where is all that money going?
It certainly isn't being spent in my neighborhood.
That is Bidonomics in my corner of the world.

 

[SimplyMe]

What I know about Bidonomics is
1) Since Biden was elected the price of food has doubled. Other items the prices have tripled.

This is a worldwide issue and started while Trump was President. What is also true is the US has rebounded much quicker, with inflation rates down to 3%, than other first world nations.

2) The price of gasoline has risen from $2.29 to $3.89. The Oil Reserves have been depleted.

Actually, the price of gasoline (national average) was roughly $2.47 when Biden took office and it is down to $3.25 as of Dec. 11. Again, oil use dropped during COVID and started increasing again in late 2020 but, while production was shut down due to lack of demand, when demand started again the oil countries and companies chose to make money, not increasing production so gas prices would skyrocket. This led to the high prices we saw and, again, it happened worldwide. Now, as production has gone back to meeting demand, prices are quickly falling.

3) The stock market, being the worlds largest casino, is completely unhinged from any reality.

Odd, then, that Trump made such a big deal about the stock exchange and the new records when he was President. So, using the same standard, it seems like Biden is due a lot of credit for the new record being set today.

Meanwhile the government is burning through Trillions of $$$.

Yes, and much of that is Trump's fault. Trump set record deficits with his tax cuts, that continue to hurt government revenues today. Of course, the personal income cuts that Trump passed will be phasing out in a few years -- which will hurt your pocketbook (though rich people and companies will still benefit) though help give a bit more money to cutting the deficit.

None of that money is being spent in my county. There hasn't been any change in the amount of roadwork, education or any other government service. It is exactly the same as before Biden was elected.

Well, I can't speak for your county. What I do know is that Arizona received more federal money than they pay in taxes to the federal government -- they get $1.72 for every dollar they pay in taxes (they are #6 in the amount received per $1 in taxes paid -- so one of the states that benefits the most from federal spending.

And just to give one example of how Arizona is getting more money under Biden; almost $3 Billion in Ukraine spending is being spent in Arizona. Basically, we shipped old Patriot missile systems to Ukraine and the money "given" to Ukraine is actually being used to replace the units sent to Ukraine with new, more advanced Patriot missile systems for the US military. So, I can't say if that money is going directly to your county but your state has benefited under Biden.

Who is getting all those trillions?
Where is all that money going?
It certainly isn't being spent in my neighborhood.
That is Bidonomics in my corner of the world.

Again, most of it is being spent in the US -- and while I don't know what county you are in, Arizona is seeing plenty of benefit from the money spent.

 

[mindlight]

It's really weird. I specifically said the first amendment wasn't even needed to demonstrate my points. None of this is relevant to the purpose of the US Constitution or its origins


Esther is irrelevant. The US Constitution is not "about God" in any way, shape, or form. It is about creating a structure for a unified government. It is not only not "Christian" it is not even "Deist". It is completely secular.


You seem to have these on standby.


It wasn't about "beliefs", it was about a form of government. There were many ideas about how the failing government should be reformed and many of the oddest features of the Constitution come from some of those compromises. Some delegates didn't like the direction of things, walked out, and eventually argued against ratification. Slavery was definitely one of issues that stalked the convention.


How nice for them. They started earlier, so they have a leg up. Even if all of these failed tomorrow, you and I would never know the answer to your question.

US Constitution appears to be a trigger word for you and you have developed filters to blind you to any discussion of religion. The main point here is how religious outlooks have shaped ideas about what political equality was. To repeat the essential point throughout this rather weird exchange is about political equality being written into America's DNA whether in the Constitution, preamble, American dream and indeed the reasons for the revolution. The way you talk is a part of the problem of America, you prefer to fight your corner than listen.

 

[mindlight]

There is a very large number of voters whose only concern is abortion on demand and legalized marijuana.

Many of these live in states where that is possible or could move to those states. A one law fits all approach is not going to work on abortion.

 

[A2SG]

Many of these live in states where that is possible or could move to those states. A one law fits all approach is not going to work on abortion.

I can think of one that would: HIPAA.

Leave private medical decisions to the patient, and between patients and their medical professionals.

Done and done.

-- A2SG, seems endlessly simple to me.....

 

[QvQ]

Again, most of it is being spent in the US -- and while I don't know what county you are in, Arizona is seeing plenty of benefit from the money spent.

Do Tell! But you can't show.

Actually, the price of gasoline (national average) was roughly $2.47 when Biden took office and it is down to $3.25 as of Dec. 11

Golly, gasoline was $2.47 when Biden took office and now it is down to $3.25? What a huge Reduction!
Is that the New Math? or what?

Yes, and much of that is Trump's fault. Trump set record deficits with his tax cuts, that continue to hurt government revenues today.

So, Trumps tax cuts are bad. In other words, Trump cut taxes and now the Biden administration is creating huge deficits which if Trump had not cut taxes or if Trump practiced Bidenomics and in fact increased taxes that would mean Biden would not have a huge deficit.
What a convoluted argument to blame Trump. It is the new math. Trump cut taxes so Biden can't cover all the debt he is wracking up.
Bad Trump cut taxes. Good Biden loots the treasury to spend spend spend. Blame Trump.
By your reasoning the best answer is to tax and spend and then tax and spend some more.

Which brings me back to the original question...you say Arizona is getting $3 billion dollars more from the Feds but we don't see it.
No one believes the Government figures. It was recently noted that the true inflation rate in this country since 2000 is 250%. 40% of that has been since Biden was elected.
I know what I pay for utilities, food, gasoline. The $3 B increase in Fed spending in this state would not quite cover the inflation so it is not an increase.
Where are those Trillions of dollars going? $3B is chump change when trillions are being passed out...to whom?
That is what voters see, their own bills and the government spending. The treasury is being looted and everyone is wondering exactly where all the loot is going.

 

[SimplyMe]

Do Tell! But you can't show.

I already did, Arizona gets $1.72 for every dollar that is paid in federal taxes -- that is a large amount of money. And that doesn't count the $2.196 Billion (with a "b") that is going to Raytheon to build Patriot missiles in Arizona, giving jobs to citizens there.

Golly, gasoline was $2.47 when Biden took office and now it is down to $3.25? What a huge Reduction!
Is that the New Math? or what?

I didn't say it was less -- I stated that it went up because gasoline producers quit producing oil when they couldn't sell it during the pandemic. They then manipulated the market, by not producing oil, when the pandemic ended to increase their profits. Prices started going up under Trump, who did nothing to stop the rise -- largely because there is nothing the President can do to force oil companies (or any company) to increase production. Instead, I said that prices are quickly dropping.

So, Trumps tax cuts are bad. In other words, Trump cut taxes and now the Biden administration is creating huge deficits which if Trump had not cut taxes or if Trump practiced Bidenomics and in fact increased taxes that would mean Biden would not have a huge deficit.
What a convoluted argument to blame Trump. It is the new math. Trump cut taxes so Biden can't cover all the debt he is wracking up.
Bad Trump cut taxes. Good Biden loots the treasury to spend spend spend. Blame Trump.
By your reasoning the best answer is to tax and spend and then tax and spend some more.

Not what I said at all. I said that Trump, after he cut taxes during what he claimed was "the best economy ever" created record amounts of deficit -- in 4 years he basically raised the debt as much as Obama did in 8 years. Deficits appear, over a 4 year period, look like they will be lower under Biden than under Trump. Yet for some reason you ignore the Trump deficits but they only seem to count when a Democrat runs deficits.

Which brings me back to the original question...you say Arizona is getting $3 billion dollars more from the Feds but we don't see it.
No one believes the Government figures. It was recently noted that the true inflation rate in this country since 2000 is 250%. 40% of that has been since Biden was elected.
I know what I pay for utilities, food, gasoline. The $3 B increase in Fed spending in this state would not quite cover the inflation so it is not an increase.

Except the $3 billion is extra money -- not an "increase." It's too bad that you aren't "seeing" it -- I think you need to talk to your local representatives to see what they are doing; where they are spending the federal moneys and why you don't see any of it. Again, on a per dollar paid in taxes, your state gets more than 44 other states -- only five get more than your state does.

Where are those Trillions of dollars going? $3B is chump change when trillions are being passed out...to whom?
That is what voters see, their own bills and the government spending. The treasury is being looted and everyone is wondering exactly where all the loot is going.

Again, that $3 billion is merely one program, money that is "being sent" to Ukraine -- and, again, that is more than most states are getting. Now, as to infrastructure projects, I found these: $25 million for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Rio Salado riverbed along the Third Street alignment; $27.6 million to build a network of electric vehicle chargers statewide; $194 million for a new taxiway at Sky Harbor; $14.4 million for a new terminal at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport; and $40 million for low- and no-emission school and public buses across the state. Of course, the last I knew there was still more money available, so perhaps you should ask your local leaders why they have not applied to fix more roads and bridges, or other infrastructure projects, that would qualify for that money -- the federal government isn't just "giving" the money way, their have to be actual qualifying projects that are applied for by your local officials.

Now, I'm sure you'll talk about how that is a drop in the bucket -- though it also ignores money being spent out of Arizona that will still benefit Arizona. The best example of this is improvements to the Colorado River basin -- to attempt to ensure Arizona will keep getting the water it needs.

And none of this counts the $1.75 Arizona gets for every dollar in Federal taxes paid out of the state of Arizona -- again, you get more than all but 5 other US states out of the US budget. Again, perhaps you need to talk to local officials about why you aren't seeing any of those billions paid to Arizona every year.

 

[USincognito]

"phrased the Constitution"

In American parlance we refer to the writing of the Constitution as "framing", and refer to the writers as the "Framers

 

[USincognito]

Golly, gasoline was $2.47 when Biden took office and now it is down to $3.25? What a huge Reduction!
Is that the New Math? or what?

Gas topped out in Jun 2022 at around $5.25. I assume you think that was entirely President Biden's fault. Gas has since fallen to $3.25. By your apparent logic, he should get all the credit.

Prices started going up under Trump, who did nothing to stop the rise -- largely because there is nothing the President can do to force oil companies (or any company) to increase production. Instead, I said that prices are quickly dropping.

Donald recently confirmed that he called Russia and Saudi Arabia and asked them to decrease production, thereby increasing the price of oil and with it gas.

 

[USincognito]

From my European perspective, the following seems most pertinent. But I would be interested to learn what Americans think are the key issues:

There's only one issue. The former guy has admitting to wanting to be an autocrat who will use the government as an instrument of revenge.

A plan is in place for him to violate every civil service tenet we've held dear since the 1880s, and fire 50,000 bureaucrats to be replaced with sycophants and yes men.

Coups are more successful if one controls the military and Tommy Tuberville's blocking of generals and admirals seems to be an effort to keep high level command positions open for yes men like Mike Flynn.

 

[Brihaha]

There is a very large number of voters whose only concern is abortion on demand and legalized marijuana.

Also many of us will only consider candidates who are willing to help minimize our unnecessary gun violence problem in America now. That is my first criterion for earning my vote. It's not the only one, unless a candidate refuses to work on some compromise involving background and mental health checks for purchasing firearms. If a candidate is not willing to work hard to save American lives regarding regulations for gun purchases, that candidate will not earn my vote period.

I think many American voters will sooner or later force our government to work on the gun problem in America. The only way is to demand action at the ballot box. It's literally the only time politicians listen to us.

 

[essentialsaltes]

2) ... The Oil Reserves have been depleted.

It's at more than 50% of its maximum level. And now that gas prices have lowered, it's been fairly unchanged over the last few months.

 

[Hans Blaster]

US Constitution appears to be a trigger word for you and you have developed filters to blind you to any discussion of religion. The main point here is how religious outlooks have shaped ideas about what political equality was. To repeat the essential point throughout this rather weird exchange is about political equality being written into America's DNA whether in the Constitution, preamble, American dream and indeed the reasons for the revolution. The way you talk is a part of the problem of America, you prefer to fight your corner than listen.

People who mischaracterize the US constitution bother me.