Trump is now on an 11 day working vacation. In fact that phrase could be a metaphor for his entire presidency, with the emphasis on the word "vacation". The role of president of United States is probably the most difficult job in the world. A president has to deal with an incredible range of subject matter area–the military, the environment, Health and Human Services, the domestic economy, International trade issues, foreign relations with both enemies and friends–the list is endless. I have worked on litigation involving expert ties to testimony, Typically in my case economic testimony but also from time to time testimony of experts in various areas of commerce and industry. It is a difficult task because you have to spend enough time to become at least conversant with the terminology and the structure of thinking the experts use.
Donald Trump came into the presidency with nearly total ignorance of all important areas. He demonstrated that during the primary and general campaigns when he refused to indicate when his policy or thinking was on nearly anything. Then when he became president he showed a total disdain for knowledge and the work necessary to gain knowledge. For instance he said he knew more about the middle east wars then the generals and he could devise a health plan for the US that would be less expensive with less deductibles and more coverage, clearly not a possible program other than maybe under a single-payer plan which he does not want. He was also going to totally reform the tax code and we have seen what he actually did. Prior to his meeting with Kim in Singapore there was concern as to whether he was adequately prepared. Is response was that His entire life had prepared him any pretty clearly did nothing in preparation. Then he spent maybe an hour alone with Kim and announced he is solved problems in the Korean Peninsula and we need not fear North Korea. It has become obvious that that was complete bullshit. You did not prepare for his meeting with our allies in Europe and instead disrespected him and said stupid things and then went off to meet with Putin in Helsinki with no preparation. Either the public or his National security adviser Dan Coats knows what was said at that meeting.
In short, Trump treats the presidency as a part-time job that requires neither preparation nor close attention. He has this delusion that the force of his personality as all that is necessary. He is now doing the one thing that he loves, campaigning. He loves it because he is surrounded by his most devoted followers to whom he can lie with impunity. He follows this by claiming that any criticism of his lying and stupidity amounts to fake news and appears to be on a mission to have the free press eliminated as much as possible. We will have elections in the fall of 2018 and then in 2020. If the Democrats cannot by 2020 have regained control of the presidency and at least either the House or Senate we are really without hope. At that point were I not so old and were it not so difficult to arrange for all my children and grandchildren to accompany me I would probably become an ex-pat.
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