Showing posts with label president Trump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label president Trump. Show all posts

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Election Promises

      Since the current president has taken office, the news hasn't ceased to place him directly in the headlines.  We, the people, have been relentlessly reminded of his long list of election promises.

     An election promise or campaign promise is a guarantee, made to the public, by a candidate that is trying to win an election.

     Scrutinizing campaign declarations provides us with the fact that candidates make increasing numbers of promises to constituents.  Americans don't believe that candidates will follow through on their promises.  Regardless of public perception, election promises function to spark an interest in that specific candidate.  These campaign declarations will accomplish similar if not the same goals, upon election day.

          "In 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon squared off in the first televised presidential debates in American history. The Kennedy-Nixon debates not only had a major impact on the election’s outcome, but ushered in a new era in which crafting a public image and taking advantage of media exposure became essential ingredients of a successful political campaign (https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/kennedy-nixon-debates)."

         
     It is common knowledge that President Nixon, number 37, was virtually impeached after the Watergate Scandal.  He pre-impeachment-resigned in 1974. Election promises became a major staple on politician plates pre-apropos presidency.
    
     A plethora of promises have been made by smiling men, climbing the ladder leaning on the position of Commander-in-Chief.

     Examples:

     President Gerald Ford, number 38- in 1974, when it became clear that Nixon would face criminal charges for his role in the Watergate Scandal and three articles of impeachment had been passed by the House Judiciary Committee, Nixon resigned.  It was August 9. On that day, Ford took the oath of office and became president, stating, “Our long national nightmare is over."  Gerald Ford pledged to continue Nixon's foreign policy.  He also promised to work to reduce inflation. One month later, President Ford issued a complete pardon to Nixon for all criminal acts perpetrated while he was President.

     President Jimmy Carter, number 39- in 1976, Jimmy was probably the lowest on the totem pole. However, in a time of deep frustration with establishment politicians, Carter's anonymity proved to be an advantage. He campaigned on: reducing government waste, balancing the budget and increasing government assistance to the poor. However, Jimmy Carter won on status and integrity. "I'll never tell a lie," Carter famously declared. "I'll never avoid a controversial issue." "A Leader, For a Change."

     President Ronald Reagan, number 40- in 1980, Reagan chose Bush as his running mate, and promised steep tax cuts, increased defense spending, a balanced budget, and a constitutional amendment to ban abortion.

      President George H.W. Bush, number 41- as Vice President, Bush had responsibility in several domestic areas, including Federal deregulation and anti-drug programs. In 1988 Bush won the Republican nomination for President and, with Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate, he defeated Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis in the general election.  He pledged to round out some of the harsher edges of the previous administration, stating that he wanted "a kinder and gentler nation." And famously, he promised not to raise taxes: "Read my lips: no new taxes."

     President Bill Clinton, number 42-1992, facing incumbent President Clinton and his running mate, Tennessee Sen. Al got that 12 years of Republican leadership had led to political and economic stagnation.  Clinton had promised during the campaign to institute a system of universal health insurances, and to balance the budget.

     President George W. Bush Jr., Number 43- as gov. he implemented the philosophy of "compassionate conservatism," which combined limited government with concern for the underprivileged and personal responsibility.  He promised big tax cuts, new medical-drug benefits for the elderly, a major overhaul of Social Security, and commitment to public education.

     President Barack Obama, number 44- pledged and promised to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He promised to deliver a public healthcare plan.

      President Donald Trump, number 45- promised to ban Muslims entering the US.   He also promised to build a wall along the border with Mexico, and make Mexico pay for it.

     Election promises that have been granted are a completely different topic.  There is a sensitive slope caused by election promises.  Campaign promises, or election promises are very important.

     Keep watching the news. Vote.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Trade Wars 2018

     This is March, 2018, and the economy is at odds with the beginning of the Trade Wars.

     Trade war is a conflict between two or more nations regarding trade tariffs on each other. This type of conflict usually arises because the nations involved are trying to improve imports or exports for its own country. Trade wars have the potential of increasing the costs of certain imports if the nations involved refuse to make a compromise.

     There are some oppositions taking place, currently, with the trade tariffs imposed by President Trump.  There are differences in political view points between USA and China.  President Trump seeks to resolve the unfair trade policies involving China.  Currently, the benefits aren't mutual. There is a deep trade deficit.  Trade involves goods, services, and information.   375-400 billion is the current estimated USA China trade deficit, including goods only (https://www.thebalance.com).  Products brought into the country, by far, out weight the products being sold to China.  President Trump simply wants to solve the imbalances between exports and imports.

     USA major exports to China include:

Soybeans,大豆: $15 billion

Civilian aircraft,民用飞机: $8.4 billion

Cotton,棉:  $3.4 billion

Copper materials,铜:  $3 billion

Passenger vehicles (small engines),乘用车:  $3 billion

Aluminum materials,铝:  $2.4 billion

Passenger vehicles (large engines),大型发动机:  $2.2 billion

Electronic integrated circuits,电子集成电:  $1.7 billion

Corn,玉米:  $1.3 billion

Coal,煤炭:. $1.2 billion

     China major imports into USA include:

Electronic equipment,电子设备:  US $431.6 billion 

Electrical machinery, equipment,电机,设备 :  US $414.3 billion

Mineral fuels including oil,矿物燃料:  $175.8 billion 

Machinery including computers,机器包括电脑:  $147.8 billion 

Ores, slag, ash, 矿石,矿渣,灰:  $93.2 billion

Optical, technical, medical apparatus,光学,技术,医疗器械: $92.6 billion

Vehicles,汽车: $71.5 billion

Plastics, plastic articles,塑料,塑料制品: $61 billion

Organic chemicals,有机化学品:  $43.9 billion

Oilseeds,油籽:  $38.3 billion

     This trade war began  with President Trump imposing a 25% tariff on imports of steel and 10% tariff on imports of aluminum.

     There is an attached national security angle.  The angle is that there are section 232 investigations which have an immediate affect on national security imports.  This is under the authority of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended.  Any interested party has the authority to initiate the investigation, and maybe self initiated by the Secretary of Commerce.

     Opposition to compromise.  

     Unnecessary tariffs impose an advantage tipped in favor of the competition. Tariffs, for example, could potentially close small mom-and-pop businesses that only rely on imported steel in order to keep their company running.  Specialized are isn't available domestically.

     The top five or six sources of our imports of steel are Canada, Germany, and Turkey, which are in NATO; Japan and South Korea, with whom we have a military alliance; and Mexico. 

     On Thursday, March 8, 2018, President Donald Trump signed two proclamations levying tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. Mexico and Canada are exempted (https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/08/trump-signs-tariffs-that-exempt-canada-and-mexico-open-door-to-others.html).