I Am Going to Say Something Controversial

I have been genuinely impressed with Gary Johnson and William Weld (his running mate). They seem like adults who have the self-confidence to admit they don't know everything, they don't have all the answers, and are open to listening while presenting a base-line program that seems to make some sense. Most of their positions seem reasonable and responsible. The problem for them is they are largely viewed as outliers - even though they "originate" from moderate Republican roots. So, the reality is in practical terms, they don't stand much of a chance to win.

Both Clinton and Trump are flawed in different, but extreme ways, so it really is a dilemma in terms of, who to vote for AND how did 2 despised people (with the descriptors you use) become the leading candidates?

As for Jill Stein, she seems to have good intentions, but many of her positions seem one dimensional and impractical. For example, while it's a "nice" notion to suggest the USA cut its military by 50% to divert that money on internal social programs, it is doubtful that the money would actually be routed that way and as sad of a commentary as it is, without the USA military, it would only lead to more world-wide aggression from the likes of China, Russia, North Korea, and from within the Middle East. While it's always "fun" to (falsely) trace the world's problem to the military aggression of the USA (as it was done in the 19th century with Great Britain and in even earlier history, the Roman Empire), history proves without strong military power, peace does not naturally follow. Unfortunately, human dynamics only seems to be held in check by military might. And, no candidate (anywhere on the planet) is going to be able to change the course of human dynamics no matter what he/she claims or how loud she/he screams it, with or without insults.

Yeah, it's very ceirtain that donald trump is giant cum-stain. He is embarrasing, disgusting, get's way to much attention and it's almost impossible to get rid of him.

On the other hand, Hillary clinton is one giant shit-stain. She reeks of shit, she turns noses, get's sceptical looks and she is essentially just shit.

Your election is basically between a shit-stain and a cum-stain. A lesser between to evils contest.

Right now it shows that Hillary is winning since she has perfected the art of shit after 30+ years in politics. Trump on the other hand is a loose canon, jizzing everywhere, splashing stains in the faces of the wrong people and issues. Pissing everybody of, making the shit-stain seem like a better choice. If he could just get his outbursts under control he could be a better choice than a shit-stain.

That's my oppinion about the two main candidates.

How do you feel about the small party candidates like gary johnson from the libertarian party or Jill Stein from the green party?

No desire to see this country go down. Mickey mouse would be a better choice than Hillary. Please drive through.

So sorry... agree to disagree is NOT an option. Trump is a (big bloated) dummy who thinks the editing that is required to deliver a realty TV program is transferable to the real-world. On realty TV you can make up stuff and the editing will turn it into "must-see" TV. In the real-world acting like an a-hole really makes you look like one. And, being an idiot mostly disqualifies you from doing much of anything.

All the time. Obviously since you disagree you think I should find biased liberal sources and change my mind. I don't question your opinion, I simply disagree with it.

If it's true, not some conspiracy theory, then that suggests there are less people going to sleep hungry than ever before. That's great news. Just like Clinton has clearly stated she has no intention of eliminating the 2nd Amendment and Obama never has even though his conspiracy theory critics said he would, there is nothing in Clinton's rhetoric, policy positions, or history to even suggest she will increase the food stamp program. Do you feel any responsibility to conduct research and make use of facts?

I know. Sad isn't it we have more people on food stamps than at any other time in history under Obama. Hillary would increase it.

Very well. Since you are just argumentative their is no point continuing as you will now devolve.

Perhaps... but, still not good enough. Thanks for playing.

Agree to disagree. Trump is not the best but he will have to do.

I don't measure a man by his wallet size.

His so called success? how about being bankrupt 5 times.
Daddy's Money was his beginning. his "projects" inevitably fail, after he has offloaded his interest. do a deep sear on his business history see what you find..
check out the testimony of the guy the ghost wrote his book. Go on, use the net and learn

Better than Hillary ever could do

Oh please. What are you 5?

Anyone can figure out how to get the credit to buy a jet - or anything else - if they don't care about declaring bankruptcy when the payments become too burdensome to deal with.

Yeah... I saw that interview his ghost writer gave. While it's easy enough to say that guy is lying, it's hard to dispute everything he says he personally witnessed. Thanks for your testimony.

Under the circumstances, Clinton is the best choice for the USA and the world. Perhaps Gary Johnson/Bill Weld or Jill Stein, but in terms of the odds... it's Clinton for the save (of the world).

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He has his own jet that makes anyone quite successful any way you look at it

No, but with a come-back like yours, I would guess you are no more than that.

You mean like you did 3 messages ago???

But YOUR opinion is fact-free.

Um... yeah that proves a lot...

Goralski, I would like to shed some light on your perception of Donald Trump's success which you base on him owning his own jet. He has had two jets in his possession so far, of which I have personal knowledge of both transactions.

His first jet was a Boeing 727 which was acquired by Trump Inc in the early 1990's. The aircraft was sitting in the desert in Nevada at an aircraft 'graveyard' and was delivered there by Eastern Airlines when Eastern declared bankruptcy in the 1980's. It sat in the desert for years and was also up for sale along with hundreds of other aircraft in that same 'graveyard'.

Donald Trump purchased that B727 for $4million in ..about 1990. The aircraft has 3 engines and is considered a 'first-generation' jet which was launched into production at the very beginning of the 'jet age', which began in the 1960's. That thing was a very old turkey when he acquired it, as it was built in the early 1970's.

The 3 engines alone on that B727 are worth $1.5million each, which means the engine value alone on his purchase was $4.5million. So in effect, Donald bought the aircraft fuselage for 'free' and was paid $500,000 to take it away.. i.e., -- Purchase price of $4.0million minus $4.5million in actual engine value = a 'minus' $500,000 which the creditors of Eastern Airlines lost to Donald.

Donald then refurbished the aircraft to Executive Jet standards, flew it for 5 years during his divorce years and then sold the aircraft for $5million as part of his divorce settlement. His net cost for purchase, refurbishing and maintaining was close to zero, because he bought the thing in the first place for peanuts.. chump-change in reality. He then sold it to a worthy gentleman who lived the UAE who then used it as an Executive Jet for another 4 years. It was then sold to a cargo company in the UK, who then converted it into a short-range freighter.

Donald's second acquisition of aircraft was a pre-owned Boeing 757 which was acquired from American Airlines after they used it for many years. He did not purchase that aircraft. He leased it and still leases it today. The lease arrangement is such that he only pays lease 'by-the-hour-flown' by the aircraft. When the aircraft is parked, the pay-meter is not ticking.

Same goes for insurance. His aircraft is insured by Lloyds of London and the flight insurance arrangement only commands insurance premiums during planned flight hours. Therefore, there are no flight insurance premiums paid while the aircraft is parked.

In comparison to owning a typical, small Executive Jet, owning or particularly 'leasing' and old, converted commercial airliner is a very cheap option for transportation in comparison. Additionally, any costs are written off as a business expense annually.

John Travolta's Boeing 707 cost John only $100k, which included 4 engines of the same vintage! The value of the aircraft today has not changed because of it's vintage. That's cheaper than buying a new Mercedes, Audi, or BMW Sport Utility Vehicle, right off the assembly line today.

Therefore, the owning or leasing of jet aircraft by an individual has absolutely no relevance to their sense for business-savviness or personal financial success. Anyone with good credit can own one, but the hard part is finding a parking spot that is handy. It's all smoke and mirrors for Donald and forms part of the 'Grand Illusion' he has created of himself as a competent businessman.

My name is Jennifer, 'Goralski' and I understand what you thought the aircraft meant, but it's actually not true.