August1991

Reagan defeated the Soviets. Except in your colleges, there are no Marxists. Possibly some Arabists. ===== As Trudeau Snr once said, we need counterweights.

Harris and Biden Democrats. Thoughts?

Golden handcuffs.

Taiwan, China? North/South Korea? ==== I have been to Crimea, Kiev. I have been to Israel and Jordan. === Ordinary people want diplomats to get along.

The World gangsters need a sit-down. It happened in 1815 and 1945. (Versailles 1919 decided nothing.)

Herbie, I never saw Mussolini. But I did see Trudeau Snr, several times. Same stagecraft. But in the case of Trudeau Snr, he had a good/open message to deliver.

I reckon that tax payment/compliance is a far better measure of "democracy" than voter turn out. In 2020, according to Wikipedia, Biden received 81 million votes. I don't buy it.

People in Singapore also pay taxes. Milton Friedman invented payroll taxes.

Democracy? Voter turn-out is no measure of civilisation. Peaceful transfer of power without death between opponents? ==== Most Norwegians, Canadians and Americans voluntarily pay their taxes. Koreans and even Japanese don't.

Trump is a remarkable character: buffoon, showman. Without Trump, according to the MSM, Vance is "just a guy - with a beard." And many women don't like guys with a beard.

To live peacefully and travel, trade easily, we ordinary people ask you politicians/diplomats to do this: -dissolve NATO -make Taiwan part of China, like Hongkong -unite Korea ===== About the Middle East and Africa, agree to disagree. ======= As Mearscheimer does not say, we no longer face an ideological/communist enemy As Mearscheimer wisely says, we now live in a multi-polar world. Reagan won. Where is a Nixon when you need him.

The Ukrainian Forces do not hold Kursk. I read quickly through this thread. AG, I largely agree with you. There is a huge disconnect between the American MSM and reality. What a thread!

To return to the OP, to succeed/survive, does a society need mass immigration? Without immigration.... Iceland has survived for centuries. Newfoundland also.

CdnFox, Sorry. I accused you of being American. Cardinal sin.

Thrive? Disagree very, very strongly. What a word. ==== The people in Iceland have organised a civilised society for centuries. In Newfoundland too. I agree that you Americans have managed for 200 years or so - except when you violently disagreed.

According to the US MSM, Trump is beyond the pale. Trump exists, but according to the MSM, no civilsed person would listen to him. ==== Russia today is like PBS: pro Obama. But imagine a pro Putin.

According to Google: The US is $28 trillion China is $19 trillion. China has a large population. What is per capita GDP? For a State, the per capita number is irrelevant. ==== The Chinese/people economy generate GDP - as does the US. It is a river. Like a hydro dam, the State can divert some of this water. In international disputes, how much of this river can the State divert?

I know Newfoundland. I have been to Iceland. These places, islands - with so few people - have survived for centuries. ==== I suspect that you Americans and your Constitution only survive because you are States, islands.

From what I understand, RFK Jnr will stop his efforts to be a candidate. He is stopping because of the Democratic Party.

Agreed. ===== I lived in the Soviet Union, behind the Iron Curtain, so I know how this works. The US Democrats/MSM are doing as the Soviets under Gorbachov did, even Putin now. There is an opposition - Trump - but he is wrong. No normal person would vote for him.

Bump. I feel very strongly about this. In these 2020s, we have the chance to create a century of peace for ordinary people ==== Let us be as the Europeans in 1815, or 1945. Establish a structure of peace: counterweights.

Realist, I entirely agree. I reckon that Mearscheimer mistakes the "State" with the person in power.

Disagree. For centuries, Iceland has been a successful, civilised society. No immigration. Newfoundland too.

Mass immigration? Iceland has some 300,000. Newfoundland? About 500,000. ====== Politcians {the State, according to Mearscheimer) want to tax.