President Donald Trump's Final Days...

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by 31D1

I'm sure we all know the rumors behind that book. That it was Milli Vanilli'd.

But, Trump has surrounded himself with smart people who CAN negotiate on behalf of his business though. I'll give him that much.

The guy who actually wrote it said he were writing The Art of the Deal today, he'd call it “The Sociopath” instead

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...out-of-control

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

Like Churchill in WW2 Mr Trump's real strength is his connection with the voters, which the establishment politicians has totally lost for decades now. As long as he has Twitter, he can sidestep the media prostitutes and go over the heads of the Republicans in Congress and outmanoevre the establishment, as he did when campaigning. But he allowed the Republicans in Congress to escape from the corner they painted themselves into and if I were him I would look for my next opportunity to revive Trumpcare and talk to the Democrats as well as to the mainstream Republicans and build a consensus which freezes the fascist elements out. But I am much more liberal and progressive than he is (you dont need to be very liberal or progressive to claim that much) and I wonder if he is capable of even wanting to cut a deal on the centre ground to deliver a better healthcare system.

It turns out that the great political mainstream which both parties have abandoned in their rush to cater to the extreme ideological wings already understands that a single payer system is the only way to make healthcare work. The Republican plan has many people paying too much for healthcare while growing numbers are denied access. Investments in infrastructure and education together with deficit reduction require dialing back spending on Medicare & Medicaid and restructuring Social Security. Massive war spending, major tax cuts, and exorbitant profits flowing to those holding the health of the nation hostage are incompatible those goals.

Compromise means that nobody is getting everything they would like. Taxes can be simplified and rationalized, but it is going to take major work and imagination. We are all in this together and "us vs them" will not cut it.

So far, Mr. Trump seems to be mainly interested in feathering his own nest and trying to make himself look good. He has found some competent people in some areas. In others, he has appointed people far outside the mainstream. The political reality is that the party in power loses ground in the midterm elections. The economy is heading into an overdue slowdown. If Trump continues on his current course, the House will likely change hands in 2018.

If Trump breaks his promises on healthcare and Social Security, while cutting taxes for the rich, the folks that put him in office will be even further behind by 2020. Don't forget Carter and Bush, Sr wound up being one term presidents not so long ago.

Meanwhile, the Russian probes roll on.

[martynz]

"Originally Posted by scoundrel
Like Churchill in WW2 Mr Trump's real strength is his connection with the voters"
I don't understand what this means.
There were no elections in the UK during WW2 and the 1945 election was won by the Labour Party lead by Attlee.

[martynz]

Tweeted yesterday (Sunday 23 April).@realDonaldTrump

"Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall."

Translation anybody?

[diamelsx]

Originally Posted by martynz

Tweeted yesterday (Sunday 23 April).@realDonaldTrump

"Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall."

Translation anybody?

Translation: If I just mention the wall it will make my approval numbers great again.

[Devius]

In an unusual move, the entire US Senate is being called to the White House for a briefing on North Korea.

Washington has become increasingly concerned at North Korean missile and nuclear tests and threats to its neighbours and the US.

The briefing, involving 100 senators as well as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis, is being held on Wednesday.

China, North Korea's main ally, has called for restraint from all sides.

China's call came in a phone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump on Sunday.

Mr Xi urged all parties to "maintain restraint and avoid actions that would increase tensions", according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39694640

UH-oh.....

[diamelsx]

A federal judge Tuesday blunted the impact of one of President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration, forbidding the White House to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities — local governments that limit police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Federal District Court Judge William Orrick issued a nationwide injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by San Francisco and nearby Santa Clara County. They argued that the president's January 25th executive order, declaring sanctuary cities ineligible to receive federal grants, was unconstitutional.
source

[hound dog]

President Trump has informed both Mexico and Canada that the U.S. will NOT be leaving the NAFTA trade agreement for the time being.

That's a pretty big reversal for what was a key campaign promise. Other than Gorsuch being appointed to the Supreme Court, who only got through using the nuclear option thanks to a Republican held House and Senate, what else has gotten done that was promised?

And please, don't list all his executive orders that seem to be regularly shot down by the courts. If you'll remember, the Donald was extremely critical of executive orders on the part of his predecessor. So far, I'd have to say his first 100 days has been very unimpressive.....sad.

[dethtongue]

One of the key refrains I've heard coming from people who voted for Trump was that Washington needed a business leader to fix things. The thought seemed to be that Trump would walk into the senate or congress like another board he sat on, bark off a few orders, and minions would jump to enact his will.

These people don't quite seem to realize that the United States Government was specifically designed to NOT function like a business entity so that no one person could wield overwhelming power.

Trump has so far tried to rely on executive orders because as a business leader its closest to what he's most familiar with in terms of how to get things done.

He hasn't gotten much done specifically because he keeps confusing the US government with a private business. If we really wanted to go back to a model of where the government mirrors a private business I suppose we could reintroduce feudalism. A temporary agreement to ally with and work for someone who provides protection and security until you can make a better deal with a more powerful figure.

[diamelsx]

Originally Posted by diamelsx

I am waiting for a good deal of the Trump supporters to understand they have been conned...

Still waiting. Hopefully Bernie can help the process along here.