What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Is that better or worse than the day one Muslim ban executive order from last time?

Definitely worse.  The Muslim ban was obnoxious, offensive, and un-American.  However, its impact (relatively speaking) was limited.

The day-one orders this time, particularly the ones directed at the federal workforce and birthright citizenship, are much broader and fundamental in impact.  It will also create lasting damage that is much harder to repair than the Muslim ban did.

[Grey Fox]

After our next federal election, the CPC should call Trump's bluff and ask "alright, how do we do this exactly?" They are GOP-lite anyway.

[Valmy]

Collins will not vote for Hegspeth and the FOP is pissed about the J6 pardons.

I mean I am always ready for some hopeful signs but this seems like grasping at straws. FOP will be cheering on Trump again in no time.

[Valmy]

"Christian nationalist" is just an absurdity, like "chaste prostitute".

The existence of the term is just further symptomatic of the reality of an America that is a pagan majority assuming a Christian "identity" by taking on some of the terminology and external manifestations of Christianity.

So on the one hand I agree - the "Christian nationalist" crowd seems to have nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

But on the other hand - that's what they call themselves. Arguing over definitions and labels doesn't seem to get us any further ahead.

Is being a Christian nothing but self-identification and vibes? Legit curious because I find myself responding to people claiming they are Christian in the past few decades with thoughts of "I have no real idea what that means anymore."

[Tamas]

Heard mentioned on Rest is Politics US something I didn't consider. Trump's meme coin - it doesn't have to be just a pump and dump - it's a great vehicle for corruption. Trump owns 80% of it, the value of it based on current price is in the billions. Super-easy way to bribe him.

[The Minsky Moment]

Is that better or worse than the day one Muslim ban executive order from last time?

Quality is as bad, and quantity is even higher

[Valmy]

Heard mentioned on Rest is Politics US something I didn't consider. Trump's meme coin - it doesn't have to be just a pump and dump - it's a great vehicle for corruption. Trump owns 80% of it, the value of it based on current price is in the billions. Super-easy way to bribe him.

Bribing politicians is just one of the many crimes that crypto currency can help facilitate.

[crazy canuck]

The day-one orders this time, particularly the ones directed at the federal workforce and birthright citizenship, are much broader and fundamental in impact.  It will also create lasting damage that is much harder to repair than the Muslim ban did.

It is also a bit too complicated for the average person to understand, and so the significance of what is happening is easily missed.

[HisMajestyBOB]

Heard mentioned on Rest is Politics US something I didn't consider. Trump's meme coin - it doesn't have to be just a pump and dump - it's a great vehicle for corruption. Trump owns 80% of it, the value of it based on current price is in the billions. Super-easy way to bribe him.

True, but on the other hand, it seems like a lot of effort when they could just hand over a big sack of cash and still face no repercussions.

[Valmy]

I have to say this whole "President Trump has already done more for this country in a few days than Joe Biden did in four years" mantra by Fox News is just astounding. Like if that was a press release from the White House that would be over the top.

I think Trump is always going to remain popular with a regular glazing like that from the nations biggest news network. I don't think FDR's mother ever supported FDR this much.   

[Barrister]

"Christian nationalist" is just an absurdity, like "chaste prostitute".

The existence of the term is just further symptomatic of the reality of an America that is a pagan majority assuming a Christian "identity" by taking on some of the terminology and external manifestations of Christianity.

So on the one hand I agree - the "Christian nationalist" crowd seems to have nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

But on the other hand - that's what they call themselves. Arguing over definitions and labels doesn't seem to get us any further ahead.

Is being a Christian nothing but self-identification and vibes? Legit curious because I find myself responding to people claiming they are Christian in the past few decades with thoughts of "I have no real idea what that means anymore."

You just get lost in arguments over labels.

More broadly you can get Protestants saying that Mormons aren't Christians.  Less likely, but some Catholics who will say Protestants aren't Christians.

I think it's very fair to argue someone "isn't living up to the values of Christianity".  But to call someone, who professes a Christian faith, as not a Christian because of a doctrinal difference (even if really fucking obvious) just doesn't seem helpful.

[Valmy]

"Christian nationalist" is just an absurdity, like "chaste prostitute".

The existence of the term is just further symptomatic of the reality of an America that is a pagan majority assuming a Christian "identity" by taking on some of the terminology and external manifestations of Christianity.

So on the one hand I agree - the "Christian nationalist" crowd seems to have nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

But on the other hand - that's what they call themselves. Arguing over definitions and labels doesn't seem to get us any further ahead.

Is being a Christian nothing but self-identification and vibes? Legit curious because I find myself responding to people claiming they are Christian in the past few decades with thoughts of "I have no real idea what that means anymore."

You just get lost in arguments over labels.

More broadly you can get Protestants saying that Mormons aren't Christians.  Less likely, but some Catholics who will say Protestants aren't Christians.

I think it's very fair to argue someone "isn't living up to the values of Christianity".  But to call someone, who professes a Christian faith, as not a Christian because of a doctrinal difference (even if really fucking obvious) just doesn't seem helpful.

Sure Protestants might say Catholics and Mormons aren't Christians, but I doubt they would say they aren't Catholics or Mormons. Which is why saying "I am a Protestant" or "I am a Catholic" means something. While "I am a Christian" could mean hundreds of different things. And often I feel like people who say that are obscuring their actual beliefs for some reason. I often see it in churches to. Let's keep the name of this church as vague as possible. Community Church! Family Church! Faith4Life Church! It's like...why are you keeping what kind of church you are, and what you believe, so vague?

I even saw a church today called "The Church of God". Like...huh? Are you saying you are Unitarian or something?

[Neil]

The traditional denominations have been getting more and more fractured over time, especially within the charismatic movements.  Thus, you're going to see churches without the typical denominational signifiers.  Myself, I'm a Baptist and deliberately sought out a Baptist church, but for others within the broad family of Protestantism you might not have the same degree of identification with a particular theology. 

[Barrister]

Sure Protestants might say Catholics and Mormons aren't Christians, but I doubt they would say they aren't Catholics or Mormons. Which is why saying "I am a Protestant" or "I am a Catholic" means something. While "I am a Christian" could mean hundreds of different things. And often I feel like people who say that are obscuring their actual beliefs for some reason. I often see it in churches to. Let's keep the name of this church as vague as possible. Community Church! Family Church! Faith4Life Church! It's like...why are you keeping what kind of church you are, and what you believe, so vague?

I even saw a church today called "The Church of God". Like...huh? Are you saying you are Unitarian or something?

So we're getting far afield...

BUt that was the theme of "Mere Christianity" - to focus on what unites us as Christians, not what divides us.  And that was written in the 1940s.  There are lots of "non-denominational" Churches out there, while mainline denominational churches have been slowly dying off for several decades now.

In it's most cynical, they tend to believe "if we can get you in the door for whatever reason, we'll teach you the right beliefs".  At it's most generous its "as long as you come in the door that's good enough for us".

The last church I was regularly attending was an Alliance Church - part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  They are a net work of churches and do at least have a common doctrinal belief, but beyond a vague "evangelicalism" was hardly a strong denominational belief structure.

That's kind of what I liked about Protestantism though.  People will have various beliefs, but whether it was Martin Luther, John Calvin, or Pastor Mark as the local church - they focused on trying to convince you, and not "believe this because I say so".

[The Minsky Moment]

I have to say this whole "President Trump has already done more for to this country in a few days than Joe Biden did in four years" mantra by Fox News is just astounding.

There you go, now it's solid reporting. Amazing what one change to a small word can achieve