Why has Donald Trump's candidacy been successful so far?
Plenty of reasons for this (and I'm the first to admit I didn't think he would get the nomination when he announced his candidacy)Economics: Hollowing out of US middle and working class. Globalization and US leadership on global issues...isn't actually working for a large swathe of the American public. They want to go after the establishment; "kick the bums out," and Trump is an ample opportunity to do that.Identity Politics: Obama is America's first black president, and I personally think that's pretty cool. But there's not much recognition that a lot of older white people feel they can no longer identify with what the United States today looks like. Younger Americans are much more multicultural--particularly Hispanic. They generally support immigration. They're much less religious. They're more likely to support drug legalization, oppose the death penalty, support gay marriage. Obama has empowered all of these views...while not having much time for those "clinging to their guns and their religion," as he put it. Trump is a big screw you to all of those people.Social Media: Trump is a master. I'd say he's the world's most effective troll with a truly significant following. He had vastly more followers than any other Republican candidate (only Ben Carson was close). And the twitter folk tell me that despite having roughly as many followers as Hillary, he had 10x the impressions in the past month. That's the way more and more people are getting their news...and it also is framed by the candidate himself (which the mainstream media then picks up on), rather than having the agenda set by someone else.Regular Media: Falling apart, needs ratings and, relatedly, ad revenue. Trump delivers. And so we've seen literally billions in free media coverage.There are other reasons -- ability to be an "everyman" aspirational rich person as opposed to the more effete/cosmopolitanism of Romney; narcissism that allows for relentless I'm the greatest which plays better than you might think in politics; extremely effective speechmaking through repetition of simple slogans, etc.Ok on to the next one...
The FDIC has been successful since 1933 so why can't a government-run option to private health insurance be?
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is independent agency of the federal government that is is funded by premiums that the banks pay. Government-run option to private health insurance will be funded by the premiums of the people who sign up for it.
If that is his intent is Trump successfully dividing the hearts and minds of our country's populace?
Sadly the MSM would gladly have you believe that. However, it is the Democrats, starting with Obama that have worked to divide this country. Rich vs poor, black vs white, Obama did everything to make all his supporters be victims. From the very day Trump was elected, people were marching in the street accusing him of everything. The recent clear examples of the media fabricating the story is the Jussie Smollett story. His claims fit the “Trump evil” narrative, so they ran with it. Then, even when it became clear that Smollett was lying, many on the media continued to blame Trump for just being bad and did not condemn Smolletts behavior. And the liberal in Berkeley that beat up a guy for wearing a MAGA hat and nothing more. But that does not get any airtime on the networks. Trump is no prize, but he is not the source of the division, it is the heart of Democrat politics.
Is Obama's Justice Department independent from Obama?
Given that the Department of Justice is an administrative agency that works under the direction of the head of the Executive branch of government (aka President Obama), there's no reason to believe that they are entirely "independent" in any effective way. That being said, they are run by a Cabinet-level administrator (the US Attorney General), so they do have a high level of autonomy to execute their duties and enforce the laws of the land, but the person who is ultimately responsible for their position on any issue of importance should be the President.
Is it a waste of ones vote to go for an independent or minor party candidate for President?
I understand why you voted the way that you did. I considered it myself. Unfortunately I just believed that too many of Obama's fiscal plans would cause irreversible damage, and so I voted against him (and really the only way to do that is by voting McCain). That doesn't mean that voting third party is pointless though, or a wasted vote. If we don't try to get another party in there, we never will. So I might disagree with you in this particular election for president... but I'm kind of siding with you at the same time (if that's even possible).
Who do you think will win the 2012 American presidential election? (and why)?
In my opinion i hope Romney wins. here's why: -I think America is very separated as a nation right now -whether you're pro gay marriage, pro life, or pro choice i really don't think this is relatively important in the next election because i personally believe we should be working to making America become debt free and focused on fixing the economy...plus no social issue is going to be passed in congress with it being so mixed opinionated. -If you like obamacare or not...i believe it should definitely should have not been passed, at least not at this time, with it adding tons of more debt in a economic crisis....plus Obama clearly lied to the American people saying it would not be a tax-when that was the only reason it was in fact deemed constitutional. -I want a president that will at least try to fix the damn economy...i mean all obama has done is add more and more and more debt to America....Now is not the time to try to advocate a healthcare law that half the population is against and adds debt. -In my opinion Obama is a great talker, but to me i feel like all he does is straight up lie to the American people and deceives them ... I feel like he'll say anything to get re-elected (not that Romney won't either) -Overall, American needs a president that is focused on fixing the economy. We don't need to be debating social issues or putting in a new healthcare system, rather coming up with new solutions to fixing the economy. Obama has failed in every aspect in fixing the economy...As i see it, Romney is a successful businessman and therefore will at least have a better shot at fixing the economy.
Obamas major demographic factors..?
The largest factor was a desire for change and the expectation that Obama and the Democrats were more likely to bring it. Several groupings of voters were key supporters and while support is down (almost) across the board most are still key to future elections. Independents (52%) voted predominantly or Obama in 2008, but indication are this group are less likely (42% currently) to do so in 2012. Other major groups that voted for Obama include blacks (95%) and hispanics (67%) support may be somewhat lower (currently 89% and 58%, respectively) in the next election. Women (56%) and younger voters (66%) predominantly supported Obama, but may be less inclined in 2012 (49% and 58% currently, respectively). On the other hand affluent, older voters were less likely to vote Democrat and this is a growing demographic group. On group that INCREASED support is voters with graduate degrees (58% today, vs 57% in 2008) The biggest unknown though is whether the high general criticism of politicians and distrust of either Democrats or Republicans, combined with the potential alternative of independents will have a bearing in 2012. It's really too soon to tell. One scenario is that the Republicans by continuing to block progress and marginalize Tea party members may destroy themselves and, trigger a 2nd term for Obama like happened for Clinton. At the moment few are voting FOR anyone ... they are voting AGAINST.