Okay, what can we realistically expect from a Trump presidency?

[Egbert]

I've seen it in Wisconsin with Walker. Employment and the economy tanked; but them rich people were happy!

I just saw an article about Minnesota, which raised taxes on the rich as well as increasing the minimum wage.

It seems the consequence of that is good for Minnesota.

http://boingboing.net/2016/10/30/how-minnesotas-governor-perf.html

Further comments are welcome as I am afraid that I know nothing about Minnesota.

[Giancarlo]

Minnesota narrowly went for Clinton I believe. One state up there that subscribed to stability and not delusion.

[Donegeal]

Minnesota is the #1 state in the midwest right now. Back when Teaparty conservative Walker was elected in Wisconsin, Minnesota went the opposite direction and went with a Left wing guy. Just look at the demographics for... for everything. Job growth, average income, unemployment... everything went well for them because of the liberal policies put in place by Governor Mark Dayton. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has went to crap. Worst (or next to worst) job growth in the midwest, lower average income, 2nd worst unemployment in the midwest. All from being among the top in all those categories.

[Ben Kenobi]

Minnesota is your model? Seriously? Southern states like Tennessee have been stealing rust belt jobs for decades.

Wisconsin is about the same as they've always been below average, but better than Ohio or Michigan. Slightly behind Pennsylvania.

PA, OH, MI and WI used to be in the top half, but that's not been the case since all the jobs moved to places like GA, TN, VA and TX.

[Aeson]

Tennessee is 43rd in unemployment and 45th in median household income!

[Elok]

On further reflection: Yes, Trump will likely indulge in plenty of absurd cronyism. More than that, it's worth nothing that Trump is quite petty, keeps grudges forever, and has no sense of proportion. Furthermore, he came to power partly by riding a wave of popular resentment against progressive elites. Given that, it makes sense that he would use the presidency to punish everyone who looks down on him and his followers. I don't believe he'll be able to hurt the media any time soon; it's too independent, he doesn't have enough popular support, and the courts would give him hell.

However, he would have considerable power to bear down on higher education. How much, I'm not sure, since I don't know the ins and outs of the educational bureaucracy. At the very least, though, I'd expect state colleges to have some dependence on federal funding, even if only indirectly via student loans. He could likely make life hell for liberal arts programs, one way or another; he can't be so stupid that he doesn't realize such people are ultimately the wellspring of everything that looks down and sneers at him and his. I mean, if I were in his shoes, and had his priorities, I'd bring down the hammer. It wouldn't even earn him that much opposition, and it's not like modern academics are reasonably equipped to fight back.

[Ben Kenobi]

Tennessee is 43rd in unemployment and 45th in median household income!

Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, etc used to be top 5!

[Egbert]

On further reflection: Yes, Trump will likely indulge in plenty of absurd cronyism. More than that, it's worth nothing that Trump is quite petty, keeps grudges forever, and has no sense of proportion. Furthermore, he came to power partly by riding a wave of popular resentment against progressive elites. Given that, it makes sense that he would use the presidency to punish everyone who looks down on him and his followers. I don't believe he'll be able to hurt the media any time soon; it's too independent, he doesn't have enough popular support, and the courts would give him hell.

However, he would have considerable power to bear down on higher education. How much, I'm not sure, since I don't know the ins and outs of the educational bureaucracy. At the very least, though, I'd expect state colleges to have some dependence on federal funding, even if only indirectly via student loans. He could likely make life hell for liberal arts programs, one way or another; he can't be so stupid that he doesn't realize such people are ultimately the wellspring of everything that looks down and sneers at him and his. I mean, if I were in his shoes, and had his priorities, I'd bring down the hammer. It wouldn't even earn him that much opposition, and it's not like modern academics are reasonably equipped to fight back.

On the other hand ............

Trump is clearly a narcissist with a gigantic ego. He now has the most important job in whole world, with a chance to go down in history as more than President #45 whose name will be forgotten as many Presidents are. (For example, I can't name all 45 Presidents).

I guess he will work hard to earn a spot in the pantheon of American Presidents. Hard enough to forgo petty grudges because he has a much bigger fish to fry. His "ego" might turn out to be a good thing for the UA. That remains to be seen.

And Obama was going to "shake up Washington". He couldn't shake it up so perhaps Trump won't be able to make substantial changs either. Who knows?

[Egbert]

In other news ............ Islamic State hails the Trump as President.

They think he will destroy America.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/isis-hails-donald-trump-victory-9229674#rlabs=1%20rt$category%20p$8

[Egbert]

Minnesota is the #1 state in the midwest right now. Back when Teaparty conservative Walker was elected in Wisconsin, Minnesota went the opposite direction and went with a Left wing guy. Just look at the demographics for... for everything. Job growth, average income, unemployment... everything went well for them because of the liberal policies put in place by Governor Mark Dayton. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has went to crap. Worst (or next to worst) job growth in the midwest, lower average income, 2nd worst unemployment in the midwest. All from being among the top in all those categories.

Our "busines leaders" are constantly calling for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy and calling for cuts to award wages.

However I am becoming increasingly convinced it would be better to do the opposite. Increase top tax rates and increase the minimum wage and everyone, including the rich, will finish up better off.

Trickle down is codswallop.

Minnesota did it and have good results.

[Elok]

It's too soon to say how things will shape up, or how Trump will govern. If he decides to govern conventionally or semi-conventionally, relying primarily on other government figures to get things done, that's one thing. However, seeing as he has a very fired-up group of followers (and they mostly have guns), I could see him leaning on his support base more than leaders typically do, with rather terrifying results. Haven't a number of GOP pols anonymously admitted that they were quite simply afraid to go against him? In the sense of physical safety? He could conceivably use his mob in true fascist style, as a kind of private army to apply pressure where he meets unwanted interference.

This is the kind of cheerful scenario you keep me around to provide.

[Egbert]

He might rise to meet the requirements of office.

He really is in the big league now and he knows it.

He may "lift his game". I guess he will. (Perhaps I am being unduly optimistic).

[Elok]

You seem to be confusing him with someone who thinks "class" is something other than gigantic gold-covered phallic symbols.

Further thought: obviously, we are going to be super snugglebunnies with Russia now. I can accept that, as Putin is certainly no more revolting than the Saudis.

[Giancarlo]

Rise to the requirements of office? Bull****. This man can't even operate a business. I think he will get engulfed in a scandal or two. And if he overextends executive power he is ****ing toast. Nixon was the last one that tried that. He isn't going into office on a wave of popularity. He will have a low approval to start. And if his fanatics try anything they will wind up in big ****.

He is bound by laws, has a low approval ratings, and Democrats are waiting to pounce on him and **** him and his party up in the 2018 midterms. This isn't some developing country with militias ruling.

[Elok]

Of course not. We preserve order via the police, military, and law enforcement agencies like the FBI, which . . . erm . . . all seem to be pretty pro-Trump, really.