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Request for clarification:

JR, why do you believe an American car that sells for $20,000 here would sell for $40,000 in Europe? The EU’s tariff rate on autos from the US is 10 percent or an additional 2 grand on a $20,000 vehicle. (You added the phrase “and other taxes” to tariffs. This is, of course, a bald faced bit of equivocation, since the “other taxes” you refer to are offset by similar “other taxes” on EU imports. Tariffs are the only pertinent issue in this discussion. At any rate, these “other taxes” do not account for what you claim is a doubling of the price of an exported American car.)

Why would you imply that Europeans are selling cars here free of import duties or tariffs? The US import tax (pre-Trump) on new cars was 2.5 percent and 25 percent on pickups and commercial vans.

You write that Trump is merely seeking reciprocity. Do you base this assertion on the unfounded notion that there were no tariffs on EU cars before Trump? You see, Scotty, things are never as simple as they seem, your equivocations and ad hoc arguments notwithstanding.

Challenge Incomplete. Changing subject.

And we have Pappy the "liberal" spewing what he copied off the internet from the ultra progressive liberal democrats. Each day they assure the reelection of Trump in 2020. His best one is Obama did it.

Sorry, Scotty… Challenge Incomplete.

You are equivocating -- pretending something, in this case history, is what it isn’t. While correct that tariffs were high �" by today’s standards -- prior to the Depression, you conveniently omit the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. This legislation, signed by President Hoover, was a last ditch effort to stop the economic collapse. It passed despite protest from most of the nation’s top economic experts and is widely recognized as a reason the Depression was as great as it was.

Like Smoot-Hawley, the Trump tariffs, though opposed by economists both on the left and right, are being implemented for political reasons without regard to the foreseeable outcome of such measures. Unlike Smoot-Hawley, the Trump tariffs come without the advice and consent of the Senate and at a time when the economy is relatively stable and there is no apparent reason to create the kind of disruption that broad-based tariffs cause. Had Trump approached this issue one import -- or at least one nation �" at a time his actions would make more economic sense, but such a measured approach wouldn’t have made the big headlines Trump wants above anything else.

By the way, I would like to see some evidence to back up your claim that the Great Depression was caused by over regulation, when in fact a lack of regulation in the investment industry was an aggravating factor in the stock market crash.

Tax cuts for majority of individuals and corporations!

The tax cuts went to corporations and billionaires, with another $100B on the way. Doubt many Ashe County folks will see much of one.

Policies to support Booming economy and jobs.

The economy is still riding the wave of Obama's policies. Look for a crash before 2020.

Bring back lost jobs and funds parked overseas to USA.

Name one company that has done this. Just one.

Demand buy america and hire america.

Nothing the Trump family sells is made in America. Trump got 2 different waivers to hire immigrant (illegal?) workers at Mar-A-Lago.

Roll back of unaffordable federal healthcare boondoggle.

The Republican Congress had 6 years under Obama and nearly two under Trump to come up with a viable alternative. Trump has done nothing but undermine what little help the ACA has offered to Americans.

Funding essential military capabilities and programs on land, sea and air.

Essential military funding is necessary. His 'Spaceforce' is not. Even the Joint Chiefs don't want some of the ridiculous things he has proposed.

Take massive steps to make the USA energy dominant across the world.

Are we talking about coal? Coal that machines, not humans, will mine and produce? (No jobs there...) Most of the rest of the world is investing in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. How is that making the USA 'energy dominant/?

Enforcing immigration laws.

If locking up children is enforcing immigration laws, then the laws are wrong. And unless someone is 100% native American, they are a product of and benefit from their ancestor's immigration to this country.

Beginning Funding a real border wall and border security.

Wall? What wall? Even our spineless Congress isn't falling for this boondoggle.

Support stronger law enforcement, ICE and Homeland Security.

Everyone probably 'supports' law enforcement. ICE and HS are already over-extended and under-trained; the proof is showing in the mess they made with the children. What has his 'support' accomplished for them?

Massive Roll back of oppressive executive regulations.

"Oppressive", like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Depends on how and who those regulations impacted. Most of Trumps executive orders will likely be rescinded by his successor. It's the way the game is played.

Defuse NOKO nuclear threat.

Read any papers lately? They are still at it. Trump was played.

Force China and many others to correct trade imbalances visavie USA.

Oh yeah, those trade sanctions. How's that working out for him?

Reject Iran nuclear deal and threats.

Now we no longer know what the Iranians are up to. Good move, Trump. Before, we had some oversight.

Move USA embassy to Jerusalem.

A solution is search of a problem. Or, alternatively, crumbs thrown to his fundamental Christian base.

Punish Russia for obvious efforts to undermine USA interests and world order.

Still haven't read any papers, have you. Yes, the sanctions are there. No, they are not being enforced. Also, not one dollar of the estimated $40MM fund allocated to combat Russian interference in our elections has been spent by Congress. We are 3 months from the mid-terms. BFF Putin must be laughing his butt off.

Reject reckless and feckless “Global Warming” accords.

Because we don't care if our grandchildren won't have clean water to drink or pure air to breathe.

Restore mission and fair funding of NATO.

After bad-mouthing and insulting it, then he decides to support it--but only if all those "sh*thole" countries pay their fair share. Ante up, Montenegro...

Hold UN thug countries to first principles of peace and security.

Define thug country. Seems the USA might fit that bill these days.

Call out stupidity of the Liberal, socialist, commie imbeciles who daily try to sabotage the Republic.

The damage that Trump has done to this Republic will take decades to undo. He is the saboteur--not those

"Liberal, socialist, commie imbeciles". Maybe they are the true patriots as they seem to be the ones who really care for America and what it used to stand for.

Demand respect for the Flag.

A dog whistle. That FLAG stands for all our freedoms, not just the ones that someone else approves of. Most people who yell about respecting the flag have no idea how to properly display or care for one.

Deliver on promises made ��" promises kept.

Trump's promises that some of us remember included Millions of jobs! Great jobs! Good cheap healthcare for all!

Say what you will......the people will have the final say.....just like they did in 2016. And in case you have not been paying attention to previous posts......I am a lifelong Democrat. Your challenge is a waste of time and space. The people will decide what they want......like they always do......in 2018.

Changing subject. Challenge Incomplete.

Your challenge means little to me. The people will decide in November. It is my opinion that they will vote for centrists.

Sorry Sassie, you are trying to change the subject. Challenge Incomplete.

As my mother used to say......Pay no tention to foolishness......you guys are too far to the left and the right....I see the 2018 election going to the centrists......where I think it should.

By the way, what about Issue One: Tariffs. What is the defense for his trade war? It is already costing jobs, and if past trade wars are any indication, it will lead to severe problems in the economy.

Synopsis: So far we have three basic defenses of Trump.

1. Power is its own end �" though I am not sure how this is a true justification.

2. A list of assertions pretending to be an argument.

3. Fear of brown grandchildren.

Is that about right?

Sorry Billy Jack, you are trying to change the subject. Challenge Incomplete.

I agree with Jackson.

Sharpie gave you only a small list of Trump accomplishments. You offer no defense liberal. Maybe because there is no defense.

Trump is an intellectual. He went to the college. He says what real white people think. The Spanish man poses a huge threat - Donnie knows that. We’d better off without the Spanish man. They made my kid talk Spanish in the school because of the brown invasion. #SAD.

Trump loves freedom, and Jesus, and freedom for all, and things that are fair - don’t be unfair. He likes the flag two.