My opinion of the US Presidential elections as a US Expat

Under Biden and Harris, the American economy is the envy of the world right now - @pnwcyclist
Not really.
The US is a slave to its debt, and that leaves it in a very sticky situation that relies totally on world demand for the US Dollar.
When Biden stole Russia's money, that sent shockwaves throughout every country that deals with Russia, China, and other 'enemy' nations.
Even countries like Indonesia that express neutrality are moving away from the Dollar. The advantages of using local currencies far outweigh using USD. No US bank means no US laws to care about, and the exchange rate losses are far smaller.
The USD has lost about 5% of world trade over the last 6 years, but non-dollar trade agreements are on the rise (India and Indonesia signed one a very short time ago).
Oil transactions were almost 100% USD, but that's dropping rapidly. Countries who use the Dollar are subject to possible sanctions, but local currency transactions are not subject to US law.
Iran and Russia want to sell without foreign interference, and a lot of countries want to buy cheaper oil from Iran and Russia. Not using the USD is a massive advantage as trade is protected by International laws on piracy, not US sanctions that allow a few nations to seize ships at sea.
The death of the petrodollar is looking more and more likely, and sped up when Saudi (the home of the petrodollar) started non-dollar trade with China.
China is trying to destroy the Dollar's position, and Biden helped them immeasurably when he stole Russia's money.
The upshot for domestic stability in the US is easy enough to work out. US debt will be unpayable, so the Dollar will become a junk currency, and that will give the US a depression that will make the great one look like you lost a dollar on the street.
The debt problem seems to be reported in the US press, but nobody seems to understand the enormity of the problem.

It's like a family maxing out its credit cards to pay off a massive mortgage whilst running the biggest car it can find.
Then income falls and the whole lot collapses.
Trump threw away your credibility, and Biden (+ his VP) threw fuel onto the fire of mistrust. The pair you have on your ballot papers are a lot like options for ways to commit suicide. - @Fred
I have no idea what relevance this post has to expat matters in the Philippines. More likely it is a TDS spillover from one who cannot contain himself from talking politics. Perhaps the admins have an opinion?
- @danfinn

Well, if the USD dies a death, that's that a mess for a lot of expats.

However, the whole thread is expat related as whomever wins your pig's ear of an election is going to destroy lives. The only question is which parts of the world.

@Moon Dog
Brainwashed by the USA media. Not the first nor the last. - @danfinn

The trick is to read media from other countries. The Russian stuff is crass at best, but their propaganda tells you a lot about their wants in the US election.

This is not a normal election and the fate of America and most likely the fate of the world hangs in the balance,
One side promises to imprison those who disagree if elected.

The other side promises to give those who disagree a seat at the table.

It is up to voters to determine which point of view represents traditional American values and that choice should not be difficult. - @Moon Dog

Yes it's not a normal election. So, which side is which? I think both sides promise to imprison those who disagree if elected. And both sides promise to those who disagree a seat at the table.
This is the first time I've voted while outside the US. I'm done. Not following their campaigns anymore. I already had my say on which point of view represents traditional American values. Surprisingly, that choice was not difficult. - @FilAmericanMom

Are you kidding? "both sides promise to imprison those who disagree if elected"? I would love to know where you get that from.

Forget the rambling, incoherent speeches and disastrous plan to impose tariffs on all imported goods which will result in a federal tax for all Americans. Focus for a moment on the blueprint for authoritarianism and Christian nationalism known as Project 2025. Trump says he never heard of it, even though his name appears over 300 times in the 922 pages.

“Project 2025 is an authoritarian roadmap to dismantling a thriving, inclusive democracy for all.” https://globalextremism.org/project-202 … tarianism/

“If Project 2025 is implemented, the United States would be unrecognizable. Instead, it would resemble autocracies around the world.” Center for American Progress

The author of Project 2025 is the Heritage Foundation (aka American Taliban) and one of their core proposals is to make it easier to staff the government with Trump loyalists by reclassifying some 50,000 workers into jobs where they can be fired.

Listen to the men who worked for Trump. Retired Gen. and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark A. Milley: Donald Trump is a “fascist to the core” and “the most dangerous person to this country”

Retired Marine Corps General and Whitehouse Chief of Staff under Trump John Kelly “Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, he’s certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators — he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure,”

The US economy is as strong as it’s ever been. If you don’t believe me ask the Fortune 100 CEOs. Not a single one supports Trump even though they traditionally lean Republican. They all prefer the Biden/Harris economy.

In 1787 Elizabeth Willing Powel's asked Benjamin Franklin this question "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" Franklin replied “A republic, if you can keep it.” If Project 2025 is implemented, we will have lost it.

Gorge Washington started a tradition that has stood for 250 years, the peaceful transfer of power. Washington had an army at his command, he didn’t have to step down. Trump is the first president to break that honored tradition.

If you love the GOP and would like to recue it from MAGA, vote blue.

@pnwcyclist

I live in the US part of the year and can tell you that these figures / statistics that you are stating simply don’t reflect the reality that is the USA Today.  When it costs $20 for two people to eat at McDonald’s, $80 to fill up your truck and $200 for a few bags of groceries you have problems. The illegal border crossings, violent crime and inflation have all gone up since Trump left office. Check your sources and perhaps spend some time in America to really see what is going on. 

@Moon Dog

If what you say is true how come DJT will most line the next president? He is now leading in both the popular and electoral vote.

A reply to Moon Dog

(1) Donald Trump believes in equal tariffs on countries that have put tariffs on American products giving our manufacturers an unequal footing to compete.

(2) Donald Trump disavowals knowing about project 2025, no matter how many times you repeat this lie doesn't  make it true.

(3) It's amazing all those people who originally worked in the Whitehouse that were asked to resign rather than get fired by the President Trump, had an axe to grind, sour grapes, they all act like they left on their own accord. Trump admits he was responsible for hiring those people who turned out to be unsuitable for the position. I'm sure he has gain insight and knowledge on who to hire when he is sworn in on January 20th, 2025.

(4) 92% of Vice President Harris's staff have left since 2021. After Trumps upcoming inauguration, many of those 92% will be writing NY Times best sellers on the real Harris.

(5) I don't believe you or the the Fortune CEO's that the economy is Strong As Ever. As Bill Clinton uttered "It's the economy stupid".

(6) There was a peaceful transfer of power.

(7) Max Headroom would love Moon Dog.

This is not a normal election and the fate of America and most likely the fate of the world hangs in the balance,
One side promises to imprison those who disagree if elected.

The other side promises to give those who disagree a seat at the table.

It is up to voters to determine which point of view represents traditional American values and that choice should not be difficult. - @Moon Dog

Yes it's not a normal election. So, which side is which? I think both sides promise to imprison those who disagree if elected. And both sides promise to those who disagree a seat at the table.
This is the first time I've voted while outside the US. I'm done. Not following their campaigns anymore. I already had my say on which point of view represents traditional American values. Surprisingly, that choice was not difficult. - @FilAmericanMom
Are you kidding? "both sides promise to imprison those who disagree if elected"? I would love to know where you get that from.
- @Moon Dog

As I understand it, Trump has made that threat.

Further, there is the same for Trump, but for actual crimes he's accused of, not political disagreements.

That's quite a difference.

However, I could be wrong, so I would love to see quality links that prove the dems have threatened to stuff people into a hole for political rather than criminal reasons.

@pnwcyclistI live in the US part of the year and can tell you that these figures / statistics that you are stating simply don’t reflect the reality that is the USA Today. When it costs $20 for two people to eat at McDonald’s, $80 to fill up your truck and $200 for a few bags of groceries you have problems. The illegal border crossings, violent crime and inflation have all gone up since Trump left office. Check your sources and perhaps spend some time in America to really see what is going on. - @Morgacj200424

I am in the US right now (also split my time). I totally get it on the prices and feel your pain, except I don't drive a truck. As you know, we had a worldwide pandemic 4 years ago that disrupted supply chains, distorted demand for things, and resulted in 8% inflation for 2-3 years. This was not Biden's fault. But as a result, prices went up. Wages went up too by the way, as did my SS and yours. And the rate on our savings. The Fed had to tighten monetary policy by raising interest rates.

But that's what happens when you have high inflation. It hurts everyone in some way, which is why the Fed's primary mission is to get it back under control (and avoid recession). They have done a good job of balancing those two metrics and the inflation rate has come back down but prices ended up roughly 20% higher now. It sucks. But it is what it is. And because some people have not been the recipient of higher wages or can't raise their prices as much, it hurts them more. I get that. But for many people it is simply the shock at the checkout line, myself included.

Further and larger tariffs on foreign good however, as Trump has pledged to impose, will not lower prices - it will do the opposite because they are a tax on all Americans.

With respect for everyone involved in this election, and really as some have said, that's the whole world one way or another, please allow an uninvolved aussie to make a simple prediction regards the election outcome.

That is .. Harris, in a major landslide

Harris almost everywhere .. then daylight

Willing to take bets regards such an outcome

Pleasure to buy all drinks, happy or sad afterwards

Apologies if other opinion. Just saying, feeling in my waters.

Happy trails, expats :-)

@PalawOne

I hope you are right PalawOne. If only for the sake of sanity, common sense, the world economy and ironically for the Republican Party itself.

PalawOne said . . . . please allow an uninvolved aussie to make a simple prediction regards the election outcome.

That is .. Harris, in a major landslide

Harris almost everywhere .. then daylight

Willing to take bets regards such an outcome

Pleasure to buy all drinks, happy or sad afterwards

Apologies if other opinion. Just saying, feeling in my waters.

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I'll take that bet, I'll bet my dollars to your donuts.

PalawOne said . . . . please allow an uninvolved aussie to make a simple prediction regards the election outcome.

That is .. Harris, in a major landslide

Harris almost everywhere .. then daylight

Willing to take bets regards such an outcome

Pleasure to buy all drinks, happy or sad afterwards

Apologies if other opinion. Just saying, feeling in my waters.
**********************************************************I'll take that bet, I'll bet my dollars to your donuts.


- @Enzyte Bob

Since the pandemic, aussie voters have demonstrated a propensity for what one might call fascistc, quarantine-style living. Several quarantine villages were created in Queensland, being built at a   fever pitch only stalled after it became certain that the omicron variant had ended the pandemic. So that left the country with empty and unfinished quarantine villages, citizens stranded overseas not even being allowed into their own country, people becoming accustomed to and accepting severe lockdowns and letting the government provide. So covid changed Australia or at least, brought out it's true colors so it does not surprise me at to see one more aussie expecting a similar US marxist tyrant to take over the US system. Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.

Golly Dan what planet are you from? A sad indictment of Australia and how they controlled the pandemic, I never heard my leader suggesting people should inject themselves with bleach (what a tosser) denying realities and which country had the highest per capita death rate compared to the rest of the world? USA over a million souls lost through mismanagement and was left to the incoming party to clean up the mess, all B/S no different to inflation and the cost of food,,,,,,, it's not all about the USA it has been a world wide phenomenon, all countries felt the pinch of covid and price hikes and most are coming back to normal. Breath.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

more aussie expecting a similar US marxist tyrant to take over the US system. Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.
- @danfinn

Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post, Marxist and fascist dictatorships differ only in their reasons to kill by the thousands.

danfinn said . . . . Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.

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Fred the Red said. . . . Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post,

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"That" woman Dan is referring to is Kamala Harris, no misogyny.

Fred you are a citizen of Indonesia and Indonesia rank's 85th in gender equality.

In 1974 Indonesian marriage law states that men are the head of the household and women are the housewife. Women are expected to be obedient and ask their husband's permission to travel or work outside the home.

bigpearl said. . . .Golly Dan what planet are you from? A sad indictment of Australia and how they controlled the pandemic, I never heard my leader suggesting people should inject themselves with bleach (what a tosser) denying realities and which country had the highest per capita death rate compared to the rest of the world? USA over a million souls lost through mismanagement and was left to the incoming party to clean up the mess, all B/S no different to inflation and the cost of food,,,,,,, it's not all about the USA it has been a world wide phenomenon, all countries felt the pinch of covid and price hikes and most are coming back to normal. Breath.

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While I agree with you 99% of the time, this is the one time I disagree. The US was not even in the top 20 countries of death rates per capita due to covid. Also the US had a better tracking system, so the number of deaths were accurately reported.

The leader never suggested people should inject themselves with bleach.

Food prices are not coming back to normal, while inflation is tamed, the increase already happened and will never return to the past prices.

danfinn said . . . . Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.
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Fred the Red said. . . . Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post,
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"That" woman Dan is referring to is Kamala Harris, no misogyny.
- @Enzyte Bob

So much for human intelligence.

Just like most years it's a choice between the lesser of 2 evils.  One is a pathological lying con artist who is dangerous and obviously in the beginning stages of dementia.  The other is an establishment hack (who was appointed by another establishment hack) who represents the same ole same ole.  But like most years it's rather clear who the lesser of evils is and she will win going away,  or I should say he will lose.  It won't be close.

Stoic Voyeur said. . . .

Just like most years it's a choice between the lesser of 2 evils. One is a pathological lying con artist who is dangerous and obviously in the beginning stages of dementia. The other is an establishment hack (who was appointed by another establishment hack) who represents the same ole same ole. But like most years it's rather clear who the lesser of evils is and she will win going away, or I should say he will lose. It won't be close.

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Listen up Newbee, I should not bother to reply because you're here today and gone tomorrow. Not only do you have the Trump syndrome but a case of Harris syndrome as well.

Not win going away, just going away.

more aussie expecting a similar US marxist tyrant to take over the US system. Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.
- @danfinn
Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post, Marxist and fascist dictatorships differ only in their reasons to kill by the thousands.
- @Fred

Sure Fred but I think some of your woke wires are crossed. Criticizing a person who happens to be a female is not misogyny. You did seem to pick up a new word, curiously Western in terms of where you live but you only need to grasp the culture around you, which I am sure your neighbors think you embrace, to fully embrace the meaning of that word lol.

Thanks Bob and thanks to our makers for democracy and the ability to observe and think, make a choice.

Just a reminder of what I saw on the news re bleach and someone that had no idea what they were talking about,,,,,,, what's new?

https://tinyurl.com/yeypas9s

Regardless I don't have to live there only have a laugh from afar.

Cheers, Steve.

Thanks Bob and thanks to our makers for democracy and the ability to observe and think, make a choice.
Just a reminder of what I saw on the news re bleach and someone that had no idea what they were talking about,,,,,,, what's new?
https://tinyurl.com/yeypas9s

Regardless I don't have to live there only have a laugh from afar.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

That proves nothing except that Trump is a blithering idiot.

That's not a good enough reason to stop him becoming commander in chief of a massive nuclear arsenal.

I have no idea what you are worried about.

more aussie expecting a similar US marxist tyrant to take over the US system. Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.
- @danfinn
Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post, Marxist and fascist dictatorships differ only in their reasons to kill by the thousands.
- @Fred
Sure Fred but I think some of your woke wires are crossed. Criticizing a person who happens to be a female is not misogyny. You did seem to pick up a new word, curiously Western in terms of where you live but you only need to grasp the culture around you, which I am sure your neighbors think you embrace, to fully embrace the meaning of that word lol.
- @danfinn

The way you put it was.

Anyway, I'm a long way from woke, but a lovely insult is far better than reasoned argument.

danfinn said . . . . Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.
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Fred the Red said. . . . Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post,
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"That" woman Dan is referring to is Kamala Harris, no misogyny.
- @Enzyte Bob
So much for human intelligence. - @Fred

So much for seduction of one's mind by a socially "progressive" media. Once in the communist sphere there is no going back, for a number of reasons.

danfinn said . . . . Most regular people would first question if that woman were capable of running an ice cream stand much less a country.***************************************Fred the Red said. . . . Apart from the hideous misogyny in your post, *************************************"That" woman Dan is referring to is Kamala Harris, no misogyny. - @Enzyte Bob So much for human intelligence. - @Fred So much for seduction of one's mind by a socially "progressive" media. Once in the communist sphere there is no going back, for a number of reasons. - @danfinn

Of course there is going back.

Every communist state except a very few have collapsed under the weight of their own BS.

Strange as it is, the only ones to survive are the dictatorships the US most wants rid of. Cuba (The tiny island that kicked you in the nuts in the bay of pigs), Vietnam (the one that kicked your arses out), and China (because they are better capitalists than the US).

Many say Russia is a dictatorship, but Trump seems to like that one so it can't be.

The NRA took Russian cash to support Trump, so they are a very generous evil dictatorship.

@danfinn so true! The bias shown by networks in favor of the Democrats, such as CNN, CCNC, CBS and ABC is apparent to even those who are uneducated.  it is appalling to see this and only a few people question what is being reported.  How any educated person can possibly continue to vote for the Democratic candidates is beyond me. I am a former registered Democrat, who now understands the foolishness of my Ways for the past few years. The Democratic Party of today does not resemble at all the one that my father and my mother belonged to.  It is now a party controlled by Hollywood type  billionaires such as Mark Cuban and George Soros. What a shame Trump may not be perfect by a longshot however, he is the clear candidate to vote for in this next election.

Steve . . . Thanks Bob and thanks to our makers for democracy and the ability to observe and think, make a choice.Just a reminder of what I saw on the news re bleach and someone that had no idea what they were talking about,,,,,,, what's new?https://tinyurl.com/yeypas9s

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The url you pointed to is from MicroSoft and their bias is showing.

Now I'm going to paraphrase the absolute beginning which morphed into that ridiculous idea.

It was pointed out that sunlight was a good disinfection for the covid virus, along with other things to disinfect surfaces such as Lysol . . . . Alcohol. . . . .Bleach. . . . .and many other products. Now consider penicillin and its many brands to combat bacteria and is taken internally. Now bleach was a morphed distraction attributed to Trump to be injected, all for political reasons by the opposition.

Opinions are like noses Bob, no need to debate.

Cheers, Steve.

Morgacj200424 said to danfinn. . . . so true! The bias shown by networks in favor of the Democrats, such as CNN, CCNC, CBS and ABC is apparent to even those who are uneducated. it is appalling to see this and only a few people question what is being reported. How any educated person can possibly continue to vote for the Democratic candidates is beyond me. I am a former registered Democrat, who now understands the foolishness of my Ways for the past few years. The Democratic Party of today does not resemble at all the one that my father and my mother belonged to. It is now a party controlled by Hollywood type billionaires such as Mark Cuban and George Soros. What a shame Trump may not be perfect by a longshot however, he is the clear candidate to vote for in this next election.

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May I point out if JFK was a candidate today he would be a Republican without changing any of his political views as they would fall inline of with the Republicans agenda.

bigpearl said . . . .Opinions are like noses Bob, no need to debate.
Cheers, Steve.

*****************************************

(1) You can pick your candidate

(2) You can pick your nose

(3) But, you can't pick the candidates nose.

@Fred

The way you put it was.

Anyway, I'm a long way from woke, but a lovely insult is far better than reasoned argument.

Perhaps I might clue you in that "misogyny" is a favored term used by the woke feminists. Frankly, having read things you wrote in the past I was surprized to see you using it. I know you don’t like part of the ridiculous woke program but if you use the term "misogyny" in referencing my criticism of our low-iq democrat candidate, mater of the word salad, then you are a WOKE feminist (in a Muslim land lol).

I love the way you argue.

Slinging insults says a lot more about you than It does about me.

Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

What would  Allan Lichtman say?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol … 939976007/

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States and beat Republican rival Donald Trump on Election Day, or so historian and election forecaster Allan Lichtman still predicts.

Known for correctly predicting the results of the last nine out of 10 presidential elections, Lichtman said on his YouTube channel Tuesday night that his prediction has not changed, despite Democratic nominee Harris' leads in battleground states shrinking and polls being nail-bitingly close. Lichtman's lone incorrect prediction came in 2000 when he said Democrat Al Gore would win the White House.

That, of course, is only a prediction. However, he's been right 9 out of the last 10 times.

`

Whatever happens in America, must say, it's amazing with this world-wide democratic forum, where-in none have even met anyone else, we can politely converse logically and passionately on the world's most ultra-political issue.

Good on us, dear forum gentle-folks

And, our forum-management courage

So our innate human goodness is clear.

--

@Fred

Funny but DT is currently leading in all of the battleground states and now has a good chance to win in New Hampshire with Virginia and New Mexico a possibility?

@bigpearl

Regardless I don't have to live there only have a laugh from afar.

I just returned from a visit there. The Chinese refer to America as "Mei Gua"...feel free to correct my pinyin...it translates in English to "beautiful country" (it also sounds strangely like "am er i ca".so I guess from the start we have 1.2 billion people saying we're not so bad. In fact, whenever I go back I see such striking beauty along the NC countryside. Why would anyone want to leave it? Of course there are other considerations such as family and other types of beauty but the one thing that struck me most on this visit was the very high cost of living. It wasn't like that during my 2019-2020 visit. What changed? It must have been related to Joe (The big guy) Biden (FJB) and his intent to crater everything Trump accomplished. But our voting class is also uneducated on the issues and candidates and quite apathetic. If the voters select that empty-pantsuit ticket we will deserve what we get I suppose.

I encourage everyone to read the first 85 pages of Jack Smith's filing. If after reading you still support Trump please schedule an appointment with your doctor. Thanks

https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/ … filing.pdf

Fred said. . . .What would Allan Lichtman say?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol … 939976007/

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He has 13 question checklist, all questions are true or false.

If five or fewer questions on the checklist are false, the nominee of the incumbent party wins.

But, if six or more questions on the checklist are false, the nominee of the challenging party wins.

You asked what would Allan Lichtman say?

Whoops

@Fred
Funny but DT is currently leading in all of the battleground states and now has a good chance to win in New Hampshire with Virginia and New Mexico a possibility? - @Morgacj200424

As I stated - it's a prediction, not a fact.

I have no real idea which nutter I would prefer to win as both spew hate for China, and that leaves my corner of the world in the middle of somebody else's fight.

I suppose Trump damaging or destroying NATO would weaken US fighting forces, thus they might be forced to withdraw or at least reduce their incursion into the South China sea.

However, Trump seems to be as mad as a hatter so he might well be stupid enough to start a real shooting war.

It should be noted the CIA under the NED have already tried to interfere in Indonesia's democracy and are actively trying to destabilise the newly elected government here.

That's under the Dems, but we have no idea what the GOP would do under Trump.

After all, it wouldn't be the first time the CIA have bombed Indonesia when trying to dump a government.

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CI … 0003-2.pdf

https://adst.org/2013/04/the-year-of-li … -may-1958/

The latter is about a CIA war criminal who murdered civilians, but it isn't terrorism when it's done from a US government aircraft.

The point is, the US government has bombed us before, so a new series of attacks is not impossible, especially when they tried to fix the democratic elections here.

The above (and more) makes me lean slightly to wanting Trump to win.