Who knew?

Republican senators and representatives were shocked and dismayed the other day to learn that Donnie, their president, is apparently a despicable human being. Several, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity, expressed similar sentiments of surprise." On the campaign trail and thus far in the White House we thought that Donnie was a kind thoughtful person, not one who foams at the mouth like some rabid dog." When asked what they proposed as a response to this startling revelation they generally said we would be happy and it would be nice if he didn't do that. When asked if there might be a more robust response, most said that if he continues this behavior they will be unhappy.

When intern Press Secretary Sasha Huckleberry was asked about this incident she responded that it was the fault of the liberal media." They keep criticizing him for the things he says and does, what should he do? "When one reporter suggested that maybe Donnie should quit saying and doing such stupid things, Huckleberry looked at him with incredulity. He is the president, she said. Nothing he says or does can be stupid or subject to criticism because he won the election. Remember, the future of our country is in his hands. At this point, silence pervaded the press room and the reporters departed, rather like people leaving a funeral service.

Free Government funded healthcare for workers–but only some !

The Senate has now unveiled it's proposed National Health plan, one of the most despicable and shameful pieces of proposed legislation ever written. It will deprive many of the disadvantaged in our country, including most low-paid workers, of healthcare, Disability benefits and long term assisted-living. The savings for this depravation of the needy Will be used to fund tax cuts for those who already have more than they need. The bill is also intentionally deceptive because most of these draconian measures will be postponed until after the 2018 elections and some after the 2020 elections.

Under current law, which will remain unchanged, workers with good paying jobs get free healthcare paid for by the federal government. The government can pay for healthcare in two ways. First, it can collect taxes and use that revenue to pay for healthcare for citizens. The other method is the one that is used in connection with employee health care benefits. Those workers who receive healthcare from their employer do not pay tax on that compensation, which can easily be $15-$20,000 in benefits for a family. But, the employer gets to deduct the cost of that benefit from its revenues before taxation. Thus, the government, instead of collecting and paying, simply forgoes taxation on that source of revenue. That shortfall in tax revenue has to be made up somewhere. It could of course be offset by increasing taxes elsewhere but the Republicans consider that to be anathema. It is typically offset by cutting into things like school lunch programs, Operation Headstart, the Center for disease control, The State Department and the EPA. If that were not bad enough, this health bill will be followed by what the Republicans deceptively call" tax reform" which will largely consist of more tax cuts for those who don't need them.

We the people should be ashamed of ourselves. We elect representatives that would pass bills as reprehensible as the proposed healthcare bill and tax cut bill. We have elected as president an arrogant, incompetent, lying buffoon. Such a person should never make it even well into the primaries much less actually be elected.

There is something seriously wrong with us. We have become intellectually lazy, selfish ,thoughtless people who are susceptible to lies and bullshit. There is no reason to expect that to change.

Speaking hypothetically

In the last few days Putin has declared a no fly zone over parts of Syria and canceled a meeting between US and Russian diplomats. Let's suppose that Putin bears a long-standing grudge bordering on hatred for the US because of the way the Cold War ended and the subsequent break up of the Soviet Union , which Putin has called the worst event in the history of Russia. Let's also suppose that he is constantly looking for retribution or revenge.

Let's suppose that during last year's primary and general election campaigns Putin was watching closely and observed the emergence of an unusual contender. This contender was not only abrasive and bullying but he had other characteristics that might have appealed to Putin. He questioned the value of NATO which has been an obstacle to Putin's ambitions in the Baltic and Ukraine regions. He seemed to be woefully ignorant of foreign relations and basically appeared to have no strategy to deal with the questions facing the United States. Further, he proposed to basically dismantle the government in place and rid Washington of nearly everybody who actually had knowledge and experience. Would it be any wonder that Putin would do his best to help such a person gain the presidency? And would it  be likely that having watched the total dysfunction of the Trump White House, including Trump's disastrous foreign trip in which he took sides in an internicine secular Mideast war and then basically insulted US European allies that Putin would see this as an occasion to see how far he could push against the United States and its allies in furtherance of his plan to enlarge the importance of Russia on the world stage?
Donnie's current foray into foreign relations is to send Jared Kushner to achieve lasting peace between Palestine and Israel. Kushner's title is" Senior Adviser" which is apparently this White house's substitute for the more familiar term" Intern".

In his wildest imagination Putin never thought it would fall into his lap like this.

Yellowstone, inc.

Newly appointed secretary of the interior Ryan Zinke is a former Navy SEAL, which branch is iadept at search and destroy missions. It appears his first assignment, given by either Donald Trump or Steve Bannon , who ever is now in charge of dysfunction Junction, AKA the White House, is to search out and destroy our public lands. His initial assignment is in regard to any national monuments created by President Obama. That task is underway. Washington insiders say that Phase 2 Will address other national monuments and national Parks. Apparently a prime target is Yellowstone National Park, created by a radical environmentalist named Theodore Roosevelt. It has come to the attention of the inner circle at dysfunction Junction that Yellowstone is far too  large and contains an incredible potential for energy development. First there is the great possibility of harnessing the geothermal potential. An anonymous insider stated it is absurd to pass up this opportunity for economic development just so  people with time on their hands can stand around and enjoy scenic beauty and wonders. These people should be mining coal someplace anyway. Additionally, it has been noted that Yellowstone Falls has a great potential for Hydro electric development. A newly formed company, Trump Energy, has been formed to exploit these opportunities.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we witnessed clips from a truly bizarre and grotesque ceremony. Donnie summoned his disciples to a sort of secular Eucharist. Each in turn was apparently choreographed to sing Donnie's praises and the great joy they felt at being allowed to be so near his magnificent presence. Apparently there was a plaque at the door to the room saying "Abandon all self-respect ye who enter herein". The ceremony was reminiscent of something that would occur in North Korea or perhaps when the lollipop Guild first met Dorothy in Oz. Donnie solemnly accepted these praises without even an" Aw shucks fellas". Towards the end of the meeting, it is reported that Donnie said" Truly I say to you, one of you here will betrayed me by leaking." This was met with dismay and protestations by his disciples but for one shifty eyed disciple whose identity has not been disclosed.

Donnie left the meeting, stating that no matter how much the forces of evil, AKA the media or anybody else who disagrees with him may attack him and beat him down, he will rise again.

The black Knight triumphs

Remember Monte Python and the holy Grail? The black Knight was lying on the ground without arms or legs wanting more combat, saying they were mere flesh wounds. Today, in responding to a question about Director Comey"s testimony, Donnie claimed complete victory and vindication. Apparently being called a liar numerous times, and told the conversations were memorialized in contemporaneous memos was not even a flesh wound. Donnie really has to hold more Rose garden Press conferences on windy days. As he spoke the front flap of his hair bounced up and down like a ducks bill. That combined with his perma-frown made for comic relief. Really better than Falstaff.

Apparently Donnie's speechwriters are not big on history. Donnie described Romania as having been a valued ally for more than 100 years. Apparently neither he nor his writers are familiar with the second world war. Even after that war when the iron guard and the other Nazis running Romania were gone , there were subsequent truly despicable regimes. Ask Nadia .

The most disheartening event of the last two days was congressman Ryan's pathetic attempt to cover Donnie on the basis that he was" new on the job ". Apparently Ryan believes there is some sort of apprenticeship program, a phrase with which Donnie is familiar, leading eventually to journey- man status. Of course what Ryan is actually saying is that Donnie is totally unprepared and incompetent and therefore can't be expected to do the job well. On that point he is obviously right.

The upshot of the Comey affair and the Russian investigation is predictable. Unless there is incontrovertible proof that Donnie actively conspired with the Russians to sway the election, nothing will happen. The Republican Congress people have made it abundantly clear they will continue to make excuses for Donnie as long as they believe he can be useful. Thus there will be no impeachment. There will also be no obstruction of justice charges brought in federal court no matter what the special prosecutor finds. Donnie will continue to lie, claim victory and talk about how he won the election and his magnificent accomplishments thereafter.

Our best hope is that the Republicans pass healthcare and tax bills along the lines they have now proposed as soon as possible so that the voting public may see that they have been had unless they are in the plutocracy or kleptocracy classes.

Strange (non) testimony

Today our to top intelligence officials, Coats and Rogers refused to answer questions about whether Donnie had asked them to assist in curtailing the investigation into the Russian hacking and interference with the election and whether the Trump campaign had any role in that. Each came with a similar script saying they had not been" directed "to take any action to obstruct the investigation and said that their subjective reaction of whatever happened was not that they felt" pressure".

There seems to be no justification for not answering the questions based on some sort of national security argument. When Sen. King directly asked Coates what his legal justification was for not answering Coates said he wasn't sure he had one. That really is a showstopper.

We can speculate as to why they might have refused to answer. First I suppose that could be worried about losing their jobs but that seems unlikely. Neither has to worry about being out of work. It could've been out of loyalty to Donnie who put them in those posts. But each of these guys has a reputation as a straight shooter and it is hard to conclude that their behavior is that easily explained.

I am hoping there is a more complex answer. Each of these men certainly has had the opportunity to gauge the personality and actions of Donnie. It is hard to imagine they do not understand that he is vengeful, prone to lying and egocentric in the extreme, edging into megalomania. One may hope that each of these men hopes that they can at least from time to time cause Donny to listen to them and take advice and probably know that if they admitted what appears to be true they would lose whatever influence they have. This may be just wishful thinking but sometimes these days it's about all that is left.

I am getting fonder and fonder of Angus King. He is what a Senator should be. The other senator from Maine is Susan Collins. How is it that Maine has two such good senators and most states can't come up with one with far bigger populations from which to choose?

Donnie and Rex

Donnie really likes the term "political correctness" which he uses promiscuously and often when it is not apropos. With Donnie," political correctness" often means he disagrees with something or doesn't understand it. With Donnie, there is often a causal relationship between a failure to understand and disagreement. Donnie has typically shown contempt and complete disrespect for anyone with whom he disagrees or with whom he feels a need to claim victory. This was true during the primary debates, during the final campaign, and continues. Therefore, notwithstanding that he is unfortunately the president, there is no reason to show him any respect. It is not a one-way street. Perhaps we are seeing the beginning of this with the mayor of London, with good reason, calling him a" pathetic excuse". There really needs to be more blunt discourse  directed at Donnie and his administration. For instance, Huckleberry Hound's daughter, Sarah, was at the podium today attempting to blame  media spin as misconstruing Donnie's stupid and thoughtless  attack on the mayor of London at which time Donnie clearly misstated what the mayor had said. We need more comments such as" do you expect anybody to believe this horseshit?" Donnie and his staff need to be subjected to a lot of ridicule.

Now on to Rex Tillerson. He is somewhat enigmatic to me. Notwithstanding his lack of diplomatic experience, his experience as the CEO of Exxon in which role he had to deal with foreign governments and particularly those in the middle east may well have prepared him for the position of Secretary of State. He also seems to speak in a measured manner. He has disagreed with Donnie, particularly with respect to the Paris record, but it is not clear that Donnie listens to Rex. Donnie refused to allow Rex to appoint  his number two pick and the state department is still woefully understaffed. Rex set off for the Far East with obviously no particular agenda and an inadequate staff. Donnie has said that his son-in-law Jared is going to solve the difficult middle eastern dilemma. That is really insulting to Rex. Rex seems to be required to walk a tight rope on which he is allowed to disagree with Donnie preliminarily but then support him after Donnie makes another dumb decision and/or stupid remark. It is not clear that Rex can be useful and effective in this administration. My guess is that he signed on for honorable and patriotic reasons but at some point if my guess is correct, he is going to wonder if he made the right decision. It may not be up to Rex. At some point someone is going to tell Donnie that Rex means king. That may be impossible for Donnie to handle.

Donnie doesn't care!

You may recall that in Casablanca Humphrey Bogart said" We will always have Paris". Thursday, Donnie said" Oh no we won't". Since then, the members of the press with their lips quivering have been breathlessly asking everyone in the administration, and shouting at Donnie, does the president believe in climate change and anthropogenic causation? The response from the administrative spokesmen has been to chant a sort of rosary that" The presidents agenda is economic progress". Now it seems to me the answer is clear and that answer is" Donnie doesn't give a damn".

Donnie continues to be fixated on the notion that he, against overwhelming odds, won the election and he did so by promising more of all good things for everyone. More good jobs, better health plans, growth of GDP and less taxes. According to Donnie, pretty much all that is necessary to create an economic miracle is less regulation and lower taxes.  He also did have an economic adviser, Peter Navarro, who said all that was necessary was to eliminate trade deficits with China. Unfortunately, harking back to the movie Casablanca, like Umphrey Bogart and Claude Rains, Donnie thinks he and Xi" have the start of a beautiful friendship". So, apparently the China strategy is out.

That leaves tax cuts and those meddlesome regulations.  There is no doubt that the complete elimination of all regulations of business would in the short run increase profits. When the administration and the Republican Congress do a cost benefit analysis of eliminating regulations, they use single entry accounting. They calculate benefits but they don't bother with costs, particularly mid and long-term costs such as worker and product safety, individual health costs and long term pollution costs. Maybe Donnie thinks he is going to put those coal minors at work cleaning up the new Superfund sites he would be creating. As for tax cuts, Donnie and his congressional cohorts obviously believe that all tax cuts spur the economy. There is a wealth of study on this question and it just ain't true. It depends upon what the economic situation is at the time of the tax cuts and who receives them. The proposed tax cuts now will go primarily to those individuals and corporations who already have more money than they know what to do with. It is also the case that we have, if slow, at least steady growth and are nearly at full employment. In fact, if Greenspan was now head of the Fed he would be worrying that we are about to exceed the NAIRU, and will face inflationary pressures if unemployment levels fall anymore. If the Republicans really wanted to use tax cuts in a stimulating way, the tax cuts would go to the low-end of the wage earners to stimulate aggregate demand.

Donnie said Thursday that other countries are laughing at us because we were signatories to the Paris record. Well, most other countries are not laughing, or did they, but you can bet that right now there is uproarious laughter in Beijing. In Donnie, China has the unwitting dupe/dope they have been longing for. Make no doubt about it, having elected Donnie the joke is on us.

How do you like them apples rest of the world?

It was no more Mr. Nice Guy from Donnie yesterday. America is going to rid itself of our miserable  economy and lifestyles. We are no longer furnishing a free lunch at our environmentally maintained kitchen. In addition to his inability to comprehend anything that will not fit on the bumper sticker, Donnie justified his decision primarily on the basis that staying in the Paris Accord which has no enforceable provisions would be ruinous to our economy. Apparently Donnie is going to sign executive orders providing that there will be no further environmental regulation. We are going to get rid of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the EPA. Current EPA Director Snot Proveit will stay on to ferret out any other environmental regulations that may be lurking about.Snot was on TV today to not answer questions about yesterdays action. He filled his normal role of providing nauseating praise of his boss. Micro Pants was not there so he had to sing the hosannas solo.Snot praised Donnie for his courage. Oddly enough, rumor has it that Donnie will be prominently featured in a new Book to be entitled " Profiles in Pandering".

Donnies economic position is contrary to most of the business community in this country. But what do those guys know. Did any of these guys lose $1 billion in one year ? Donnie also justified his position on the notion that if these signatory nations met their goals it would only provide minimal effect on temperature. One might think that would cause Donnie to say we all need to do more .Au contraire. We need to do less.

No mention was made of the health effects and cost thereof of air pollution and CO2 trapping caused by the carbon economy. Apparently the health of our citizens is not a worthy topic. That is certainly consistent with the new Republican Vanishing Health Care Act. In valleys such as Salt Lake City where inversions and stagnant air occur there is a real health problem, particularly for the young and old. We do not meet the clean air standards, particularly for ozone levels. The response to that from our senior senator is that we need to raise the levels that are permissible. That could be a predominant Trump administration strategy. Eliminate health problems bye executive orders declaring they do not exist. It is apparently also the case that in areas like Southern Indiana where are there are lots of coal fired generating plants, there is a real infant and children's Health problem caused by the dirty air. One may wonder what is the economic cost of the health problems that are occasioned by what we are doing to our environment.