Thursday, May 31, 2018

Trump and Sessions

From How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2107 Archway Publishing


In my book, How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A.Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing, I define and discuss the Job Model of the US President. The first task is staffing the Executive Branch.

When Donald Trump selected Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, the appointment was problematic. The first red flag: Sessions was nominated in 1986 to be a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, but was not confirmed. He was not approved because his performance and resume were deficient. Nothing happened between then and now to make it better. Why did Trump select a faulty candidate?

1. He wanted a dupe.
2. He demanded loyalty.
3. He wanted his appointment to do as he directed.

Selecting persons who are vulnerable and at his mercy is a modus operandi of a mobster-don-style President.

President Trump uses people and throws them under buses when convenient. Sessions has been rolled over by the Trump bus many times.
He must have nine lives.

Jeff Sessions Resume

84th United States Attorney General
Incumbent
Assumed office February 9, 2017
President    Donald Trump
Deputy    Rod Rosenstein
Preceded by    Loretta Lynch
United States Senator from Alabama
In office January 3, 1997 – February 8, 2017
44th Attorney General of Alabama
In office January 16, 1995 – January 3, 1997
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
In office February 1981 – March 23, 1993
President    Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Personal details
Born    Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III
December 24, 1946 (age 71)
Selma, Alabama, U.S.
Political party    Republican
Spouse(s)    Mary Blackshear
Children    3
Education    Huntingdon College (BA)
University of Alabama (JD)

https://books.google.com/books?id=0QYZDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT245&lpg=PT245&dq=six+primary+tasks+of+the+President&source=bl&ots=dH83AAMMY5&sig=3bl6FLY8wHqRQWSp_M7VuPu54m8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjV1YCT96_bAhWh3YMKHQ-QCdIQ6AEInQEwCQ#v=onepage&q=six%20primary%20tasks%20of%20the%20President&f=false


Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Trump Danger Factor

President Trump makes nearly daily attacks on the Department of Justice, FBI, and the Special Prosecutor, for investigating possible Russian interference and collusion with the Trump campaign.

He has claimed from the beginning that the investigation is a "witch hunt," because he says there is nothing to the claims. He began by rejecting the reports from the CIA and FBI about Russian interference. His motivation is transparent as we know he has tried relentlessly to do business with Russia and Putin.

He resists compliance with Emolument regulations that prohibit conflicts of interest. He has resisted coming clean with his and his family members conflicts. Worse, they have persisted in meeting with foreign governments that have direct involvement in Trump enterprise business.

While the prosecutor has levied charges and while members of the Trump campaign pleaded guilty and are indicted, the President brushes those facts aside as if they are not relevant. They are essential no matter what he says.

Donald Trump's assault on the rule of law and his engaging in obstructing justice is transparent to thinking Americans who are watching and listening. Donald Trump threatened his own Attorney General, fired his FBI Director, and has attempted to extort from the current leadership in the FBI.

Trump's attorney is under investigation and has undoubtedly played an active role in covering up Donald Trump's rude behavior with women while being married. Trump and Michael Cohen both lied before changing their stories regarding these matters. Money laundering appears to have happened and is a part of the investigation.

Trump has attempted to implement a host of executive orders about immigration that have been turned down by the Courts, meaning that his actions are decried as illegal.

The danger before the nation is that Trump is now on point to negotiate nuclear disarmament with North Korea while he canceled an agreement with Iran. His actions in the middle east are suspect and dangerous as he continues to conflict with interest with the Putin regime.

A responsible Congress would have conducted proper investigations into Trump's apparent obstruction of justice and Emolument Clause violations. They would have restricted his actions to employ his family in executive branch positions because they are acts of nepotism and because the members have active business conflicts. Not acting means that Congress is a co-conspirator or overtly negligent for which they must be held accountable.

It is an enormous risk to the nation every day that Donald Trump is in The White House.


Photo illustration by Sarah Rogers/The Daily Beast

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Lesson in Patriotism, Part 2

Compare the resumes of James Clapper, Rudy Giuliani, and Robert Mueller. Then, compare those with Donald Trump.

By far and away, two Americans among these four demonstrated exceptional allegiance, bravery, and devotion to our nation. Robert Mueller is an American hero and James Clapper is an American General, both of which served in Vietnam.

By comparison, Guiliani is a professional politician and former mayor of America's largest city. Donald Trump is a successful real estate developer in a family-owned business who did not serve in the military.

Donald Trump adds flawed character to a deficient resume. (See Part 1)

James Clapper resume

4th United States Director of National Intelligence
In office August 9, 2010 – January 20, 2017
President    Barack Obama
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
In office April 15, 2007 – June 5, 2010
President    George W. Bush
Barack Obama
Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
In office September 2001 – June 2006
President    George W. Bush
Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
In office November 1991 – August 1995
President    George H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Personal details
Born    James Robert Clapper Jr.
March 14, 1941 (age 77)
Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Political party    None
Spouse(s)    Sue Clapper
Children    1
Education  University of Maryland, College Park (BS)
St. Mary's University, Texas (MA)
Military service
Allegiance     United States
Service/branch     United States Air Force
Years of service    1963–1995
Rank    US Air Force O9 shoulder board rotated.svg Lieutenant general
Battles/wars    Vietnam War
Awards    Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star (2)
Air Medal (2)

Rudy Giuliani resume

107th Mayor of New York City
In office January 1, 1994 – December 31, 2001
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York
In office June 3, 1983 – January 1, 1989
President    Ronald Reagan
United States Associate Attorney General
In office January 1981 – June 1983
President    Ronald Reagan
Personal details
Born    Rudolph William Louis Giuliani
May 28, 1944 (age 74)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party    Republican (1980–present)
Other political affiliations 
Independent (1975–1980)
Democratic (before 1975)
Spouse(s)    Regina Peruggi (1968–1982)
Donna Hanover (1984–2002)
Judith Nathan (2003–present)
Children    2 (including Andrew)
Education    Manhattan College (BA)
New York University (JD)

Robert Mueller resume

Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice
Incumbent
Assumed office May 17, 2017
Appointed by    Rod Rosenstein
6th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
In office September 4, 2001 – September 4, 2013
President    George W. Bush
Barack Obama
United States Deputy Attorney General
Acting
In office January 20, 2001 – May 10, 2001
President    George W. Bush
United States Attorney for the Northern District of California
In office 1998–2001
President    Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division
In office 1990–1993
President    George H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
Acting
In office 1986–1987
President    Ronald Reagan
Personal details
Born    Robert Swan Mueller III
August 7, 1944 (age 73)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party    Republican[1]
Spouse(s)    Ann Cabell Standish (m. 1966)
Children    2
Education    Princeton University (BA)
New York University (MA)
University of Virginia (JD)

"Mueller was accepted for officer training in the United States Marine Corps in 1968, attending training at Parris Island, Officer Candidate School, Army Ranger School, and Army jump school.[20][21] 
In July 1968, he was sent to South Vietnam, where he served as a rifle platoon leader with Second Platoon, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.[7][22] On 11 December 1968 during an engagement in Operation Scotland II, he earned the Bronze Star with 'V' distinction for combat valor for rescuing a wounded Marine under enemy fire during an ambush in which he saw half of his platoon become casualties.[23][24][25][26] 
In April 1969, he received an enemy gunshot wound in the thigh, recovered, and returned to lead his platoon until June 1969.[27] For his service in and during the Vietnam War, his military decorations and awards include: the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", Purple Heart Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Parachutist Badge.[7][27][21] 
After recuperating at a field hospital near Da Hong, Mueller became aide-de-camp to 3rd Marine Division's commanding general, then-Major General William K. Jones, where he “significantly contributed to the rapport” Jones had with other officers, according to one report.[20][28] 
Reflecting on his service in the Vietnam War, Mueller said, “I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have made it out of Vietnam. There were many—many—who did not. And perhaps because I did survive Vietnam, I have always felt compelled to contribute.”[29] 
After returning from Vietnam, Mueller was briefly stationed at Henderson Hall, before leaving active-duty service in August 1970.[28] He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2004.[28][30]" 
Wiki


Robert Mueller and Donald Trump
at the same time in history



Lesson in Patriotism, Part 1

The day following Memorial Day, I want to reflect on the falling and failed Presidency by paying attention to the facts. The principal reason that I describe the Trump Presidency as being irreversibly flawed stems from his incessant propensity to lie, and second from deep-seeded deficiencies in his resume and qualifications all of which should have disqualified him as a candidate.

He was not excluded, nor was Hillary Clinton because neither political party have appropriate standards for evaluating candidates' credentials. That is why I wrote the book, How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing.

Here, I will use the technique for evaluation that I recommend in my book to compare the resumes of four persons in the news.

President Trump (as candidate Trump)
James Clapper
Rudy Giuliani
Robert Mueller

Oath of Office

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Here is a summary description of criteria used for evaluating persons who are candidates for elected and appointed public positions. These criteria are for President and are adaptable to all public office seekers. Follow the description are individual profiles.

•    Candidate name:
•    The kind of candidate I am: (Their words)
•    Met the statutory requirements: 1) Citizen born in USA, 2) Age 35 years or greater, 3) Lived in the country for past 14 years 
•    Birthdate:
•    Place of birth:
•    Residences during the past 14 years:
•    Intelligence Quotient (IQ): (Provided by candidates from an accredited source)
•    Education:
o    High School (School Name/Location)
o    College Graduate (College/University Name/Location)
•    Degree Type:
•    Major areas of study:
•    GPA:
•    Honors/Distinctions:
•    Post Graduate (University Name/Location) (for each)
o    Degree Type:
o    Major areas of study:
o    GPA:
o    Honors/Distinctions:
•    Professional Certifications:
o    Bar
o    CPA
o    Engineer
o    Medical Doctor
o    Other
•    Occupation/Vocation/Profession:
•    Health Status: Healthy, sick, recovering, recovered: Verified with doctor’s report

Voter’s assessment of candidate age: (Will the candidate be able to complete two terms? Does the candidate have sufficient knowledge and experience as evidenced by the time spent to acquire it?)

•    Young 35-50, Middle 51-60, Older 61 >
•    Affected Class:
•    Candidate description:
•    Verified by Census filing
•    Voter assessment of character and behavior

From reviewing past president’s, we identified specific terms that are helpful in differentiating and describing candidates listed in alphabetical order.

•    Adaptive
•    Allegiant to the Constitution and nation
•    Brave in the face of adversity
•    Leader, follower
•    Listener, talker
•    Passionate, impassionate, easy-going
•    Process-oriented (how), task-oriented (what), results-oriented (outcomes)
•    Thundering or reassuring
•    Visionary, administrator, integrator, independent, loner

This category is refined further, though this is a thought starter.

Voters’ assessment of leadership style

Similarly, we captured some words used to describe leadership styles.

•    Collaborator
•    Creative and inventive
•    Delegator
•    Detailer
•    Do it yourself
•    Hands-on
•    You’re fired

Donald Trump and George Steinbrenner get credit for the last one.

•    Education and Training (Professional Development)
•    Life-long learning – It is beneficial to observe how presidential candidates have stayed abreast of contemporary knowledge and skill requirements.

•    Knowledge
o    American government system
o    Concept of operations
o    Concept of the role of the president in optimizing the nation’s government performance
o    Constitution
o    Economics
o    Entitlements 
o    Foreign policy
o    Information and communications technology
o    International trade
o    Knowing each governmental department and primary expectations for them
o    Knowing how to create laws
o    Knowing how to work with Congress
o    Law
o    Operational architecture
o    Primary presidential tasks and associated outcomes

•    Skill
o    Administrative
o    Budgeting
o    Strategic planning
o    Writing
o    Speaking
o    Negotiating
o    Collaborating
o    Debating
o    Planning
o    Problem-solving
o    Decision-making
o    Sense-making
o    Predicting
o    Modeling
o    Recruiting and staffing
o    Organization development
o    Program evaluation and management

•    Life History (Childhood to adulthood status)
•    The kind of person that can relate to me; type kind of person to whom Idescribeelate; my kind of person
o    The person next door
o    The person who lives on the best street
o    Successful
o    Hobo (like Harry Truman)

•    Ability to manage the economy: The job of president is to create an environment in which private enterprise can flourish as that is what increases revenues.
o    Optimization = Increasing GDP and higher quality service for the least cost and labor intensity

•    Presidential Platform and Agenda: Priorities, Issues, Causes, Programs, Solutions, Vision
o    Banking
o    Fossil fuels
o    Energy independence
o    Entrepreneurs
o    Food supply
o    Green renewable
o    Housing
o    Infrastructure
o    Job creation
o    Manufacturing
o    Nation-building
o    Nuclear
o    Peace-building
o    Preemptive war
o    Promote democracy
o    Transportation
o    War is last resort

•    Relationship with Powerful Forces: Military Industrial Complex, Wall Street, PACs, and Lobbyists

•    Political Party

o    Relationships with party leadership
•    Values
o    Attitude about big business
o    Attitude about campaign contributions
o    Attitude about educators
o    Attitude about free speech
o    Attitude about government regulation
o    Attitude about gun control
o    Attitude about health care
o    Attitude about immigrants
o    Attitude about organized labor
o    Attitude about public service
o    Attitude about rural America
o    Attitude about small business
o    Attitude about women and minorities
o    Attitude toward immigrants
o    Attitude toward monitories
o    Patriotic
o    States’ rights versus Central government
o    Work ethic

•    Military Experience
o    Rank
o    Combat Veteran
o    Unit
o    Command
o    Wars and battles
o    Citations and awards

•    Public Office Experience
o    Vice President
o    Judge
o    Department Secretary
o    Governor
o    Senator
o    House of Representatives
o    Mayor
o    State Legislature
o    Other Public Service

•    Private Sector Experience:
o    CEO/President
o    Large Corporation
o    Medium Corporation
o    Small Business
o    Vice President
o    Director
o    Professional Manager
o    Entrepreneur
o    Inventor
♣    Patents
•    Memberships:
o    Organizations and Leadership positions
•    Voters’ assessment of candidates on religion:
•    Faith matters; Faith is irrelevant; Faith is private

Donald Trump Resume

¥    Born: June 14, 1946 (age then 64/now 69) in Queens, New York, U.S.

¥    Education:

o Attended The Kew-Forest School, Forest Hills, New York
o 1959, New York Military Academy (NYMA)
o Earned academic honors, played varsity football in 1962, varsity
soccer in 1963, and varsity baseball from 1962-64 (baseball captain 1964)
o Promoted to Cadet Captain-S4 (Cadet Battalion Logistics Officer) his Senior Year
o 1964-66 Fordham University (transferred)
o 1968, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business
(B.S.) in economics and concentration in finance
¥    Profession, Occupation: Businessperson, Chief executive officer, author, television celebrity, entertainment promotion and production

¥    Job History:

o Private Business: Trump Organization
             Worked for his father at the Trump Organization

             While a student: “Swifton Village apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio: Donald became intimately involved in the project, personally flying in for a few days at a time to carry out landscaping and other low-level tasks. After $500,000 investment, Donald successfully turned a 1200-unit complex with a 66% vacancy rate to 100% occupancy within two years. The Trump Organization sold Swifton Village for $6.75 million in 1972.”

1971
“Trump began by landing the rights to develop the old Penn Central yards on the West Side, then — with the help of a 40-year tax abatement by the financially strained New York City government, which was eager to give tax concessions in exchange for investments at a time of financial crisis — turned the bankrupt Commodore Hotel into a new Grand Hyatt.”

¥    Financial problems (1989–1997)

¥    Trump had some bad years, and he and his investors lost a lot of money.

¥    Resurgence (1997–2007)

¥    Trump had a resounding comeback in real estate and diversified entertainment including gaming casinos.

¥    2008 financial crisis

“Trump has been caught in the 2008 financial crisis as sales for his Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago have been lagging and he failed to pay a $40m loan to Deutsche Bank in December. Arguing that the crisis is an Act of God, he evoked a clause in the contract to not pay the loan and initiated a countersuit asserting his image has been damaged. Deutsche Bank has, in turn, noted in court that 'Trump is no stranger to overdue debt' and that he has twice previously filed for bankruptcy concerning his casino operations.

On February 17, 2009, Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy; Trump having stated on February 13 that he would resign from the board. Trump Entertainment Resorts has three properties in Atlantic City.209

Noted: Trump businesses have twice previously filed for bankruptcy.

• Author:
o Trump: The Art of the Deal (1987)
o Trump: Surviving at the Top (1990)
o Trump: The Art of Survival (1991)
o Trump: The Art of the Comeback (1997)
o Trump: How to Get Rich (2004)
o The Way to the Top: The Best Business Advice I Ever Received (2004)
o Trump: Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know
About Success, Real Estate, and Life (2004)
o Trump: The Best Golf Advice I Ever Received (2005)
o Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men - One Message (2006), co-written with Robert Kiyosaki.
o Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life (2007), co-written with Bill Zanker. (ISBN 978-0-06-154783-6)
o The America We Deserve (2000) (with Dave Shiflett, ISBN 1- 58063-131-2)
o Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies(2007)
o Trump 101: The Way to Success (2007)
o Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges
into Success (2008)
¥    Public Service: Many of Trump business dealings may be considered public-private partnerships as a commercial developer engaged in economic development.

¥    Military: none

¥    Wars and Battles: none

¥    Political Party:

o Registered Republican (c. 1987–1999; 2009–present)[3]
o Reform Party (1999-2000)

¥    Memberships:

¥    Spouse: Ivana Trump (1977–92)
Marla Maples (1993–99)
Melania Trump (2005–present)

¥    Children: Donald Trump, Jr. (born 1977)
Ivanka Trump (born 1981) Eric Trump (born 1984) Tiffany Trump (born 1993) Barron Trump (born 2006)

¥    Religion: Presbyterian
2012 Presidential Candidacy
“For 2012, Trump has made an active investigation of a presidential candidacy, including a February speech to a CPAC gathering,[67] an early venue for candidates considering a presidential run, as a write-in candidate in its straw poll for the office. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released in March 2011 found Donald Trump leading among potential contenders for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, one point ahead of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Rom- ney.[68] A Newsweek poll conducted in February 2011 showed that Donald Trump garnered sufficient support to prevail in the November 2012 general election for President of the United States against Barack Obama.
Trump's political stances included the following:

o Pro-life
o Anti-gun control
o Advocates for the repeal and replacement of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
o Anti-foreign aid
o Supports a fair trade policy and generally believes that the People's Republic of China should be considered more of an adversarial competitor, subjected to significant import tariffs as a response to China's currency policy to help balance the U.S. budget.
o Believes the U.S. should disengage in Iraq and Afghanistan
       
With Trump expected to decide by the summer of 2011, his campaign has been reported by some media as a possible promotional tool for his reality show The Apprentice. Time.com had the headline "Donald Trump Begins Not Running For President" and the Huffington Post was similarly dismissive.”

How might Donald Trump score as a candidate for president?

Evaluation Criterion

Score Value
Voter’s additions: Voters may add 2, 1, or 0 additional points to the weighting to reflect their importance.

Qualifications Required by Law
1
 
Home state or location from which the candidate is from
1

IQ: H-3, M-2, L-0
2

College Graduate BS/BA
2

GPA: H-3, M-2, L-0
2
 
Academic Honors and Distinctions
0

Post Graduate – Masters
 
PhD
 
Certifications: Bar, CPA, Cert. Engineer, MD
0

Occupation/Vocation: Law/CPA/Professional, 2 CEO, 2
Other, 1
2

Health: Excellent, 2; Good, 1; Poor, 0
2

Affected Class
0

Character
3
 
Leadership
3
 
Continuing Education and Training

Knowledge
3

Skill 
3
 
Life History
0

Platform/Agenda
3

Relationships +1, -1, 0
0

Political Party
1

Values
3

Military Experience: Veteran, 3; Officer, 2; None, 0
0

Public Office: Vice President
0

Public Office: Judge
0

Department Secretary
0

Governor
0

U. S. Senator
0

U. S. Representative
0
 
Mayor
0

State Legislator
0

Other Public Office
0

Private Sector CEO/President
3
 
Private Sector VP
1

Private Sector Director
1

Manager
1

Entrepreneur
2
 
Inventor
2

Memberships
1
 
Religion: Matters, Irrelevant, Private
1
 
Incumbency: Acceptable-10, Unacceptable, 0
0

Pre-Presidential Candidate Score

41/83

Trump's low score is equal to that of Hillary Clinton.



Thursday, May 24, 2018

Trump Treats Kim Like Old Flame

Think about it. In my book, How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2107 Archway Publishing, I advise that character matters and especially allegiance.

Allegiance isn't standing while the National Anthem plays. That is a symbolic and patriotic gesture of courtesy that most people honor. When the President of the USA and his radical right-wing Congress abuse the nation and the rule of law and inflict us with propaganda and daily lies, I think it is okay to exercise First Amendment Rights in protest. If you don't feel like standing for a President and politicians that so abuse the Constitution and nation with their hateful actions and bigotry, sit down or walk out.

Allegiance by politicians and presidents is demonstrated in certain ways:
1. Service in the Military
2. Service in other voluntary public duties
3. Devotion to spouse and family
4. Paying taxes
5. Respecting the rule of law
6. Being truthful

On Morning Joe today, Joe Scarborough referenced the beatitudes. Contemplating them, it is impossible to reconcile Donald Trump as a person with these requirements and ideals.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

Donald Trump is a misogynist who mistreats women. When women turn against his behavior, he tries to buy them off to make them go away. He has done that many times. His behavior is deep-seeded and unacceptable from the leader of the nation. That is why he must be impeached.

Is it any wonder that Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump can't get it together. Maybe they are too much alike. Maybe Kim feels like he will be treated like a lost sex object.


CNN Image



Trump's Econ Con

Trump is a professional con man that is "a man who cheats or tricks someone by gaining their trust and persuading them to believe something that is not true."

Everything Trump says and does is a con, and the consequences will materialize in time after citizens have become victims and for which there is no recourse to recover. Witness the Trump business model that resulted in bankruptcies from which he walked away with the favorable financial rewards while stiffing suppliers and investors. Witness the Trump University that made fraudulent claims and took tuition while wasting valuable time of students who eventually won settlements, though likely less than the harm committed by Trump.

The biggest con so far is economics. Donald Trump and the Republican Party are stuck on an unsustainable capitalist economic model. I made the case for how to make capitalism more sustainable, and better still, how to replace it with a sustainable optimized performance model. It is in my book, Regenerating America with Sustainable Economics by James A. George with James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing.

The trouble is understanding economics is hard, and too hard for most citizens unless they commit more time to understanding it. That is why I write so that most everyone can understand.

Essentially, the capitalist model puts profit-making first. It neglects social and environmental responsibility. Capitalists are takers, not makers unless it is wealth for them. The evidence is the skewing of wealth into a few hands.

When the political system is compromised, capitalists undermine the principal of quality and one-person-one-vote. Now, they are controlling the government under Donald Trump.

Trump and Republican tax policy support "trickle-down" economics that is proven to be flawed. He has reduced tax revenues needed for the government while borrowing and increasing the debt and deficit.  He is creating another economic bubble that will burst, harming the nation as Republicans historically do. The trouble is, it gets more difficult to manage as they have drained the nation of capital.

Just remember, Trump is an incessant liar and con man. That is all you need to know to act to impeach him from power and all who go along with him.


Easy to understand by most Americans.

A Case for Treason

Laws are meant to be understood by citizens who are expected to comply with them for which ignorance is without excuse.

President Donald Trump has made a litany of charges and slanderous remarks about the government and individuals that are proven to be lies without merit. Anyone listening to the news and reading his tweets knows this. Members of the Republican party witness this and many in Congress choose to ignore his lying.

What does that mean? It means that the President and some members of Congress are in violation of the law. In so doing, they willfully failed to uphold their oaths of office and should be impeached. It isn't an option as violating the law is without excuse and forgiveness in accordance with due process.

I charge President Trump and his go-along conspirators of being in contempt of the citizens by lying.

18 U.S. Code § 1001 - Statements or entries generally
US Code 
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or that party’s counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or magistrate in that proceeding.
(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to—
(1) administrative matters, including a claim for payment, a matter related to the procurement of property or services, personnel or employment practices, or support services, or a document required by law, rule, or regulation to be submitted to the Congress or any office or officer within the legislative branch; or
(2) any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the authority of any committee, subcommittee, commission or office of the Congress, consistent with applicable rules of the House or Senate.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–292, § 2, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3459; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, § 6703(a), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3766; Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 141(c), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 603.)

Because the subject of the President's lying also pertains to obstruction of justice and the investigation into Russian interference in the American Political Process, he is committing acts of treason.

I charge that President Trump and his co-conspirators are traitors to the Nation and We the People subject to due process and the findings of the Special Prosecutor.

As a citizen, my instrument for filing charges and making them stick is the Special Prosecutor and the Court of Law. Anyone interfering in this initiative is also a traitor. Therefore, Devin Nunes is charged with treason subject to the findings.

18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason
US Code
 
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)


Image: Baltimore City Paper

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Trump Bullies Justice and Democracy

Just as Donald Trump bullies and abuses women as supported by the facts,  this character also bullies and harms We the People and our democratic republic by attacking our American political system, media, and the rule of law.

He makes baseless claims that the FBI spied on his campaign. Whereas, the truth might be that people informed on his and his campaign's illicit behavior during the conduct of his campaign.

Trump failed to come clean with his conflicts of interest. His and his family members are in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution.

He has allegedly committed misprision of fraud in apparent money laundering in concert with his attorney, Michael Cohen.

Circumstantial evidence in the public domain including numerous statements by Donald Trump indicate that he is a participant in the conspiracy to cooperate with a foreign government to interfere in the fair election process.

Donald Trump's campaign members and leaders are indicted for illegal activities related to Russians and for committing perjury in their testimony.

Donald Trump has consistently attacked the Department of Justice, the Courts, and the rule of law all of which are evidence of his failure to uphold his oath of office and undermines his allegiance to the United States of America.

Mounting is the evidence that this President and members of his government in the Executive branch and Congress are complicit in obstructing justice and in some cases are traitors to the nation.

It is Trump's daily behavior that is evidence supporting the charges that a responsible Congress would act to impeach.

"Trump calls for Justice Department to give lawmakers access to documents on an informant
By Matt Korade and Alessia Grunberger
Updated 7:50 PM ET, Sat May 19, 2018
Trump: DOJ placed a spy in my campaign team
(CNN)President Donald Trump on Saturday called for his Justice Department to allow members of Congress to review documents related to an FBI informant who spoke to some of Trump's advisers during the 2016 presidential campaign.
"If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp!"
The tweet, which fosters an unsupported theory circulating on Capitol Hill and conservative media outlets about an intelligence "informant" spying on the Trump campaign, appears to be the first time Trump has called for the department to allow lawmakers to see the documents. It sets up another possible battle between the President and his own Justice Department."
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/19/politics/trump-tweet-informant/index.html


Bullying America




Sunday, May 6, 2018

Focus on Sustainable Economics

In anticipation of this moment, I wrote Regenerating America with Sustainable Economics by James A. George and James A. Rodger because capitalism is unsustainable without an overhaul.

Donald Trump and the Republican Congress are takers. They are stealing the nation blind at the expense of future generations. They are creating a "feel good" moment. However, it is fake.

Wages are not increasing. Upward mobility is not improving. The gap between wealthy Americans and the Middle Class and Poor is expanding. The debt and deficit are growing.

Suckered by the President and his party are Americans. Explaining the economics of the situation is hard, and that is why I wrote the book. I am pleading though not hopeful that some Democratic leaders will get the message.

Read my book and you can ask me questions. I will answer them.

"Dems face pressure to focus on economy, not Trump 
Democratic leaders in Congress are coming under criticism from liberals who fear the party is spending too much time battling President Trump and not enough building an economic agenda. 
They worry that Democratic leaders are falling into the same trap as Hillary Clinton in 2016, when her relentless attacks on Trump eclipsed her own plans for the country." 
The Hill
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/386231-dems-face-pressure-to-focus-on-economy-not-trump?userid=23145

Friday, May 4, 2018

Trump's Grab of Power

Emblazoned are Donald Trump's supporters by his latest aggressive strategy to save himself from his lies and assault on Democracy in America. You can read it in their social media comments in response to news reports about him.

They insist that he won the election fairly and that Americans must accept him as their leader. No, he didn't win fairly, and no, we don't have to take a dysfunctional insurgent who undermines our democracy. We don't have to wait to throw him out for malfeasance and failing to uphold his oath of office.

Lying by a federal official is a crime, and Donald Trump has done it more than 3,000 times since entering the office. A responsible Congress would have impeached him long ago. Except, this Congress is participating in the obstruction of justice and is as derelict as the President.

As the wheels of justice move forward, Trump will attempt to hide behind his duties and pretend that he doesn't have to deal with legal challenges to his legitimacy. All through his life, he has cheated and gotten away with it. Not this time. Journalists and citizens like me are yelling, "You are fired!"

Soon, we will be yelling, "You are under arrest!"



Trump today, talking incessantly 

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Call to Citizens

Dear Fellow Americans,

If you follow my blog and news reports, you know that as an independent analyst I have advocated the following:
  1. Standards for selecting candidates for public office including the President and Members of Congress that are equal to or greater than criteria for hiring all government executives and professionals.
  2. Standards for political parties and their hosting and vetting candidates who represent them.
  3. Standards for political party platforms and candidate manifestos.
Also, I published a detailed book about Regenerating America with Sustainable Economics that addresses deficiencies in the capitalist model.

I wrote these books to be addressable by most Americans with an average intelligence of a tenth grader.

Now, America is under assault by an insurgency manned by President Trump and all who go along with him. He did not win the election fairly, and it appears that he conspired to collude with the Russians to gain their help. That is a treasonous act as alleged.

Before getting to that allegation in the court of law, the President and his go-along followers in the US Congress actively participated in the obstruction of justice. That is a crime of high order and an impeachable offense for the President and every member of his administration and Congress who "went along" with him.

The outcome of the prosecution can dismantle the incumbent Executive Branch in which the Vice President is also complicit and disqualified from the protocol in establishing a new government.

Following the Midterm elections, that means the Speaker of the House will be eligible to assume of the office of President should the prosecution take place, impeachment, and Constitutional protocol.

While the rule of law plays out in the Court, American citizens must improve their performance in evaluating elected representatives. To be a true patriot and responsible citizen in a pluralistic democracy, you can't sit by and plead ignorantly.

Take the step to read my book, How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing available in all forms on Amazon.com at the link below.

If you read my book, I want to hear from you. Tell me what you think on my blog and I will answer questions too.

Sincerely,

James A. George
Independent Journalist, Author

PS: A great gift for your children and grandchildren.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Select-American-President-James-George/dp/1480840882/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=04MRKK4FY7HSXZ6AMMPW




Trump Lied, Covered; Giuliani Spills the Beans

Is it not bad enough that immoral and hypocritical Republicans selected a flawed-character-candidate who mistreated women and cheated on his wife while operating a business based on the "cheating model" that is like a mobster?

Try to ignore it, and it comes home to roost.

Trump, the liar, first denied knowing about his affair with Stormy Daniels while is was married to his pregnant wife, now First Lady. Second, Trump lied about having his attorney pay her off. Third, he and his attorney said Cohen made the payoff as an in-kind contribution.

Now, Rudy Giuliani, Trump's latest lawyer, says Trump had an affair, directed the payment, and reimbursed his lawyer.

America that is the character that you elected to "do deals?"

"Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) said Wednesday that President Trump reimbursed his personal attorney Michael Cohen the $130,000 paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to stay quiet about their alleged affair. 
Giuliani, who recently joined Trump’s legal team, told Fox News’s Sean Hannity that the payment was “perfectly legal” and was “not campaign money,” meaning the arrangement didn’t violate campaign finance law. 
“It's not campaign money. No campaign finance violation. They funneled through a law firm and the president repaid it,” Giuliani said. 
"He didn’t know about the specifics of it as far as I know, but he did know about the general arrangement, that Michael would take care of things like this," he said." 
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/385965-giuliani-trump-reimbursed-cohen-for-payment-to-stormy-daniels

Lying is a crime. President Trump is a criminal. Case closed.


Image: Daily Kos

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Weighing In On Heavyweight Fight: Trump vs. Mueller

This independent journalist and specialist on "How to Select an American President," has held back for weeks in engaging the Trump News. The reasons include:


  • The saga is a slow roll
  • The spin is repetitive
  • Trump's actions are a pattern of lying and deceit
  • The US House of Representatives is conflicted and obstructing justice
  • The US Senate can't decide


However, monumental issues confront the nation in foreign policy:


  • Peace with North Korea
  • Denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula
  • Improving the multinational agreement with Iran
  • Resolving a consistent strategy for Syria
  • Formulating effective policy with Russia
  • Improving policy with China


The appointment of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is positive. The appointment of NSA Advisor John Bolton is a mistake. Trump's feuding with his chief of staff, John Kelly is counterproductive as is Trump's undisciplined and unprofessional Tweeting.

While President Trump's character and behavioral flaws loom large, his firmness in policy is forcing action. Trump's flawed management style produces a chaotic environment that is the antithesis of what would be right for the times.

Trump has had consistent run-ins with the law because he has no respect for the rule of law. His behavior in business was described as mobster-like and we have seen his abuse of people and women time and again. That makes him unfit and undermines any worthy accomplishments because Trump is a black mark on American history.

As for his deciding to be interviewed by the Special Prosecutor, from a citizen's perspective, Trump had blown the chance. I encourage Robert Mueller to issue a subpoena. Put Trump before a Grand Jury without counsel and make him face his mistakes and hold him accountable for obstructing justice. I have little doubt that the prosecution will stop there.

Trump will implode before the jury, and the prosecution will let him have it for conspiracy and colluding with the Russians.

Maybe, they will make this citizen's day.

Exclusive: Giuliani says decision on Trump-Mueller interview 'several weeks away'
BY NIALL STANAGE - 05/02/18 04:15 PM EDT
 
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told The Hill on Wednesday that President Trump’s legal team was still “several weeks away” from determining whether the president would consent to an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller. 
Giuliani, who joined the president’s legal team roughly two weeks ago, said the decision would be determined in large part by how “objective” he and his colleagues perceive Mueller to be. 
“The more objective [Mueller] is, the more likely we would be willing to cooperate. The less objective, then we would be foolish to do that,” he said. 
A Washington Post report on Tuesday evening revealed that Mueller had threatened back in March to subpoena Trump if the president did not agree to a voluntary interview. The specter of a subpoena was one that Cobb, in particular, was seen as very eager to avoid.
In a brief phone interview, diGenova — who is understood to provide informal advice to the president though he has no official role in Russia-related matters — insisted that Cobb had “been wanting to leave for a considerable period.” 
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/385912-exclusive-giuliani-says-decision-on-trump-mueller-interview-several?userid=23145


Image: Time Magazine