Rape the Nation

The GOP tax legislation rapes the future generations.

The GOP-led and Trump-demanded tax plan will harm the nation both near term and in the long run. It increases the debt irresponsibly. Trump said it would pay for itself. He is wrong and lied as that is what this President does.

"Senate GOP tax bill would add $1 trillion to the deficit, Congress’ analysts conclude 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the tax bill is close to the finish line, and claimed the economy has grown "in anticipation" of the bill. (Reuters) 

By Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis and Damian Paletta November 30 at 4:02 PM

The Republican plan for a massive tax overhaul steamed toward Senate passage on Thursday, even as a nonpartisan congressional scorekeeper said the plan would fall short of GOP claims that it would pay for itself.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/2017/11/30/c2118302-d5e7-11e7-a986-d0a9770d9a3e_story.html?utm_term=.e64b54abe41e&wpisrc=al_news__alert-economy--alert-politics--alert-national&wpmk=1

Call to Congress to End Errant Brinkmanship

Only the Republican-controlled Congress can stop President Trump from continuing his reckless behavior while undermining the rule of law and defying the Constitution and his oath of office. Congress is America's last line of defense even though its leadership conflicts by corrupt influence by corporatists and wealthy persons whose actions are unpatriotic. 

President Trump is pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety in national security. A wrongful Congress is gambling that their disproven tax policy will continue to improve the economy. It will have the opposite effect.

Read my books: How to Select an American President and Regenerating America with Sustainable Economics. Americans need to get smarter and real quickly before this regime ignites World War III.

"The dangerous game of North Korean-American brinkmanship
Tony Magliano Nov. 3, 2017 

North Koreans watch a news report of an intermediate-range ballistic missile launch on a big screen at Pyongyang station in Pyongyang, North Korea, Aug. 30. (CNS photo/Kyodo via Reuters) 

Remember the game of chicken? 

It’s a foolishly high-stakes challenge in which two drivers risking death, drive on a collision course towards each other until one of the drivers chooses to swerve away.
Since neither driver wants to be called “chicken,” meaning coward, they both push the decision to swerve away to the last possible moment, each hoping that the other driver will be the one to back down and swerve away. 

This is a very dangerous game – a game now being played between North Korea and the United States. 

But in this game of chicken, the high-stakes of two possible deaths increase to hundreds of thousands of probable deaths. And if it goes nuclear, the stakes rise to millions dead.
During this year North Korea has launched over 20 missiles – some flying over Japan – and according to seismic readings may have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. And if not already, it is getting close to being able to hit the U.S. with one or more nuclear-armed missiles. 

For its part, the U.S. has deployed in the Pacific three aircraft carrier strike groups. This armada of warships carrying attack aircraft and cruise missiles is capable of launching a massive preemptive attack upon North Korea. 

https://angelusnews.com/content/the-dangerous-game-of-north-korean-american-brinkmanship

Emergency Alert: Authoritarian Grab

This is not a drill, nor is it fake news.

The news on all channels is that Donald Trump is mismanaging diplomacy in dealing with the increasing threat from the Republic of North Korea, issuing an ultimatum to China, for instance.

Concurrently, the authoritarian President is continuing his attack on the free press with his secretary saying that it doesn't matter if the Trump is truthful or not because he is in charge.

The Republican-controlled Congress is so hell-bent to pay back their donors with un-earned tax cuts that they are blind to halting the President's undermining the rule of law while behaving recklessly. The leadership is engaging in obstruction of justice by failing to address Trump's conflicts and violations in upholding his oath of office.

Trump continues to engage in petty topics that are a distraction from the primary interests of the nation's security both economic and military.

Impeach Donald Trump for democracy's sake. America is losing it.

"Trump's authoritarian streak 

Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN
Trump threatens media for critical coverage

Washington (CNN)When he looks in the mirror, President Donald Trump sees a strongman. 

He vows to rain "fire and fury" on North Korea, admires the world's toughest leaders, calls for television networks to lose their licenses and roasts critics on an Orwellian Twitter feed. 

But he's an autocrat in word rather than deed. 

Trump says he wants nuclear arsenal in 'tip-top shape,' denies desire to increase stockpile
So far, America's political, judicial, military and media institutions have checked most attempts by the President to stretch his power beyond constitutional norms and to question freedoms embedded in the nation's DNA. 

The President's struggle to cement long-lasting political achievements along with efforts by his aides to rein him in had meanwhile tempered fears of some critics when he took office that Trump was a tyrant-in-waiting. 

Trump has slipped comfortably into some of the imagery, rhetoric, and affectations exhibited by dictatorial leaders throughout history and in illiberal societies around the world." 

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/politics/donald-trump-autocrats-politics/index.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YU9djt_CQM

Emergency Alert: Trump Unhinged

The Washington Post's Eugene Robinson reported on MSNBC's Morning Joe program this morning that he believes Donald Trump's mind has deteriorated to a perilous state. The Huffington Report published a series of stories that are evidence that Robinson is correct.

The Republican-controlled Congress is responsible for keeping Trump in office, even while the evidence mounts that he is conflicted and extremely incompetent. Worse, the Special Prosecutor is building a case that Trump's associates were conspiring with Russians to intervene in the American election process.

Donald Trump has apparently lost his mind and must be removed from office as the news also reports that the US is in striking range from North Korea including all major cities.

Impeach Donald Trump

This is an emergency.

Trump Undermines 'Good Faith' Negotiating

Donald Trump has long-touted his negotiating skills in business. However, it was bullying and cheating that are his credentials. That doesn't work in a pluralistic democracy.

Telegraphing undesirable behavior and adverse outcomes in advance of a "bipartisan" meeting won't work. Senior Democratic leadership is too savvy to keep playing Trump's game.

If the government shuts down, the Republicans and Trump are to blame, and most Americans can see that. The consequences will hurt more Americans and underscores the reality that this is a bad government regime.

Trump must be impeached for cause along with Republican leaders who are obstructing justice and undermining the Constitution and the rule of law.

"Top Democrats Pull Out Of Planned Meeting With Trump 

November 28, 201712:07 PM ET
Brian Naylor  

That meeting between President Trump and the bipartisan leaders of Congress will not be bipartisan after all since Democratic leaders suddenly pulled out of the planned Tuesday afternoon get-together at the White House. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, leader of the House Democrats, announced they would no longer take part after Trump tweeted he doesn't "see a deal" between Democrats and the White House over funding the government past Dec. 8, when current funding is set to expire." 

NPR 

Fox News Screen Capture

America, on Psychotic Break

A commentator on Morning Joe this morning said that many allied diplomats believe that America is on a psychotic break with Donald Trump in charge. I think that too given that Trump and his Secretary of State are at complete odds. Trump is continually undermining the State Department with nepotism diplomacy, thrusting his daughter and son-in-law into roles that are inappropriate and for which they are without qualifications.

The State Department is gutted. No Professional worth their salt wants to work in this regime. Tillerson's slashing the budget makes diplomats vulnerable to security risks. A weakened State Department shifts more burden to the Department of Defense, skewing policy toward militarism.

Trump and his Congressional patsies are hell-bent to give tax breaks to corporations and wealthy persons whether they need it or not. That will add Two trillion dollars to the debt while threatening the middle class and poor.

This authoritarian regime is out of control and dangerous, ignoring We the People.

"Congress returns to nightmare December 

Lawmakers are bracing for chaos in December as they plunge into several high-stakes legislative fights. 

Both chambers are expected to be in session for roughly 15 days before leaving town until January, but the looming battles could push their exit date closer to Christmas.
Republicans want to get a key agenda item, tax reform, to President Trump’s desk by the end of the year. 

That would be a daunting task even under the best of circumstances — but Republicans are also facing a Dec. 8 deadline to avoid a government shutdown, with fights over immigration and healthcare also crowding onto the agenda." 

The Hill

Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

Americans Can't Believe It's Government

The Republican Party served up this news item to me today via email. They are crazy.

Several tribes in America may be on the verge of sectarian eruption. It could get violent because the President and Congress are undermining the rule of law and failing to uphold the Constitution.

• Right-wing conservatives including evangelicals, misogynists, and corporatists
• Moderate Republicans, a vanishing tribe
• Moderate Democrats, a vanishing tribe
• Left-wing Liberals, a populist group with a propensity to grow

Charges are under investigation by a Special Prosecutor that is addressing apparent intrusion by Russians into the American Political System. Allegations are that members of the Republican Party and the Trump Campaign broke laws and committed conspiracy toward colluding with the Russians.

The Democratic Party appears to be mounting a more organized resistance with efforts to file impeachment charges and to take abuses before the courts.

Meanwhile, the Republican Congress is attempting to ram legislation forward that will pay-off their corporate and wealthy constituents with a tax plan. It is base on the same theory used by Ronald Reagan that turned out to be false and failed.

Multiple economic evaluators say that the plan will favor the rich and bite the middle class and poor. That is apparent to anyone who can read the idea that has been a secret.

Americans must resist and revolt against the legislation that will harm the nation.

Citizens must back initiatives to prosecute the members of the Executive and Legislative branches who are obstructing justice.

"Breaking News From GOP Insider Brief 

A White House official issued a harsh criticism of Congress' nonpartisan group of tax experts Friday, calling a recent analysis from the outfit "incredibly misleading" and "dishonest," reports the Washington Examiner. "There’s probably been no more dishonest or misleading study than that one that came out yesterday,” said Marc Short, the White House director of legislative affairs. He was referring to an analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation published Thursday that found that the Senate GOP tax bill would raise the taxes of some middle-income groups. Short was asked about the analysis on CNN."

GOOD MORNING AMERICA. By David Rowe

Republicans are US Enemy #1

One of the two political parties in the US is on the record with a platform that is opposed to the Middle Class and Poor. If citizens cared to read it, there are no surprises.

If someone told you that your elected officials have no interest in providing affordable healthcare for all Americans of equal quality, what do you think?

If they said, "We're going to leave 30 million Americans without, and we don't care because we don't want to pay for it?" What do you think?

Do you believe that elected officials of that callous ilk will do anything to care for you?

"SENATE REPUBLICANS JUST THREW AN OBAMACARE BOMBSHELL INTO THE TAX DEBATE "Republicans in the U.S. Senate want to gut Obamacare in the latest draft of tax reform legislation they released late Tuesday. The new version of the tax bill repeals the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all Americans either purchase health insurance or pay the penalty." Jonathan Cohn breaks down what exactly that means." 

The Huffington Post

The answer is that this illegitimate government that is ruled by a compromised regime and authoritarian leader and in an environment of obstructed justice is not working for you. Democracy is up in flames. Do you feel the heat?

Corrupt

Jeff Session's Mockery of Justice

The sitting Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, has an extremely poor memory as his testimony before both chambers of the US Congress demonstrates. One must wonder about his competence and capacity since he cannot remember details about significant events in which he was an active participant. Would he remember a Russian spy, diplomat, or confident if they were sitting or standing next to him shaking hands? Probably not.

Not recalling is Jeff Sessions' best defense against being found guilty of conspiring to collude with the Russians.

Sessions, who has recused himself from the Russian investigation because he is an alleged participant is a seamy politician from the disgraced state that is unrepresentative of the morals and integrity becoming the office.

A Disgrace to the Nation.

Congress, Oh Save US

We have but only one Congress to save our nation from an unfit and tyrannical President. As divided as the Republicans are, can they not get their act together to rally patriotic allegiance to our Constitutional government to open their eyes to the necessity to impeach Donald Trump?

It may be that capitalism has so corrupted them that profit and self-gain have eroded commitment to their oaths of office.

Republicans and Democrats can get on the same page to agree that Trump must go. That means, wiping the administration slate clean of corrupted appointments. It is a do-over situation.

"Trump Russia: US 'in peril over president's stance'
12 November 2017

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump met recently at a summit 

Two former US intelligence chiefs say Donald Trump's stance on Russian meddling in last year's presidential election is putting the US at risk. 

The US president sparked uproar by suggesting he believed Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when he said there had been no interference. 

The two leaders briefly discussed the allegations at an Asia-Pacific summit. 

US intelligence has long concluded Russia tried to sway the vote in Mr Trump's favour." 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41962023

Impeach Trump Now

Trump puts America in peril

President Trump appears to be intimidated by Putin and the Russians. Turning his back on the National Security apparatus in favor of trusting Putin is contradictory to upholding his oath of office and allegiance to our nation.

The rationale for that includes arrogance and compromise. Suspected is that deep in Trump's business files and personal history lies "dirt" to be used against him. Hope is that the Special Prosecutor will find sufficient evidence to convince the Republican leadership to put the nation first.

It is past time for removing Donald Trump via the impeachment process. He imperils the nation.

"But asked directly whether Russia was responsible for the meddling, he skirted the question again and avoided putting the matter to rest. 

"As to whether I believe it or not, I am with our agencies, especially as currently constituted with the leadership," he said. 

His grudging, caveated acceptance of a finding the US intelligence community arrived at months ago put him closer to the position of most of those in his administration. But it stopped short of answering the direct question he was posed about whether Russia was responsible." 

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/12/politics/trump-russia-election-vladimir-putin/index.html

CNN Image

The Authoritarian Ball

Trump and Putin meet.

Donald Trump has long since crossed "the red line," for the American democracy. His management approach tramples the American form of government that he conjures is a swamp. Democratic pluralism is to be revered and not demeaned.

Trump continues to undermine and ridicule the institutions that protect us from tyranny. He does that because he is the source of what is harming our way of life. He is a fraud and is intent on cheating middle class and poor citizens of equality and fairness.

His behavior speaks for itself. This President is a treasonous traitor. Let the Special Prosecutor make the case that is mounting with strong evidence that he and his team have conspired with the Russians to intervene in the American election process.

"Trump criticized for saying Putin is sincere in denial of election meddling 

President Trump’s comments, made after informal chats with the Russian president, drew strong reactions. Trump also referred to former top U.S. intelligence officials as “political hacks.” Former director of national intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. said of Trump’s remarks, “The fact that he would take Putin at his word over the intelligence community is unconscionable.” 

By Karen DeYoung, Ashley Parker, and David Nakamura
The Washington Post

The Authoritarians

A Foolish Charade

Asking Donald Trump to confront Vladimir Putin about Russian meddling in US elections is merely foolish. It is troublesome, risky, and dangerous to have a President who is under investigation for possible conspiracy and collusion with the Russians to be conducting the pretense of a discussion about it.

The US national security agency, intelligence, and investigative agencies are trusted sources for Americans. A President who is an incessant liar is not. His word is no good here, there or anywhere.

"Trump, in Vietnam for (an) economic summit, says Russia's Putin 'said he absolutely did not meddle in our election.' 

The U.S. president told reporters that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had more than one informal discussion Saturday after crossing paths at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Danang, Vietnam before Trump flew to Hanoi for a bilateral meeting Sunday with Vietnamese leaders. 

"He said he absolutely didn't meddle," Trump said. "I asked him again. You can only ask so many times. ... He said he did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did." 

The Washington Post email

(Andrew Harnik/Associated Press)

Republican Timeout Analysis

Is it time up for Congressional Republicans or a timeout? Congress and the President are hell-bent to pass "tax reform" legislation. However, they have not been forthcoming about what it is they are trying to fix.

Are they trying to simplify the tax preparation process?

If that is the aim, their strategy appears to be to eliminate deductions and to replace them with an increase in the standard deduction. The trouble with that is centered on which deductions are eliminated and how much allotment taxpayers get in return.

The spirit of the Republican strategy and aim is worn on their sleeves. They want to reduce corporate taxes and lower the tax rate on wealthy persons under the theory of trickle-down economics. That is a non-starter for Democrats and the Middle Class because it doesn't work.

Republican rhetoric says they want to benefit the Middle Class. However, their numbers don't work. They take away from the Middle Class and poor to feather the bed of wealthy donors.

Even if they take a timeout, they can't fix their approach without a revolutionary change in ideology. That isn't going to happen as there is no time for that even if Republicans wanted, which they don't.

Now, they are like a smaller herd of mastodons running for the cliff chased by Democrats bearing speers.

"GOP PUSHES FORWARD ON TAX PLAN FOLLOWING ELECTION LOSSES "Despite a growing sense that a Democratic wave could be coming in 2018, House Republicans showed little sign of letting up on their tax proposal Wednesday, with a bill set to move out of committee on a party-line vote Thursday and onto the floor as early as next week." According to the Congressional Budget Office, the current GOP tax plan would add $1.7 trillion to the national debt. [HuffPost] 

Image: Ancient Origins

America Gets it Right in the Rearview

This morning poll results show that President Trump's approval rating has sunk to the lowest in history. Most Americans are adjusting their assessment that matches both his performance and behavior.

Being stuck with a lousy president has enormous consequences. It increases risks and undermines democratic reform. Looking over your shoulder into the last election cycle and ask what happened?

Both major political parties defrauded American voters. The Republican and Democratic Parties failed to vet, verify, and validate their candidates. The candidates bearing their brand were dangerously flawed, both Trump and Clinton. Americans deserve better than having two poor choices.

However, citizen-voters bear part of the responsibility because they have no standards for selecting and electing Presidential and Congressional representatives.

I address the problem and offer a solution in my book, How to Select an American President.

Actions needed to correct the problem begin with your reading the book, discussing and debating it. It requires a majority of Americans in the middle class to adopt the principles and standards for reform.

Please read my blog. Share it with friends. Follow me, and I will take the fight to Congress. I am not asking you for a contribution. Just read my book.

Here is where to order: Soft or Hardcopy:

 https://www.amazon.com/How-Select-American-President-Improving-ebook/dp/B06WLHMFXG/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9WK85XEV08A7B278MRW6

The Washington Post

How to Select an American President: Analyst's View of Trump Case

How to Select an American President: Analyst's View of Trump Case: First, is there a case against Donald Trump? For sure, the evidence is mounting for the Special Prosecutor to open a specific investigation...

Analyst's View of Trump Case

First, is there a case against Donald Trump? For sure, the evidence is mounting for the Special Prosecutor to open a specific investigation into Donald Trump and not just the Russian incursion into the American Political System.

Before launching into the case against Trump, consider Trump's latest protest tirade made while he was on the way to Asia for a severe diplomatic tour.

Trump criticized the Department of Justice for failing to investigate Hillary Clinton. His allegations are based on a book by Donna Brazille that said that Clinton had a contract with the Democratic Party that compromised the independence and integrity of the party organization in assuring equal treatment for all candidates.

The Clinton and Democratic Party relationship should be investigated by the Federal Election Commission as the FEC may also have cause to investigate the Trump and Republican Party relationship. Trumps calling for the DOJ to investigate his political opponent is akin to an authoritarian act and is undemocratic and undermines the rule of law.

By factual evidence as the public knows it, Carter Page, George Popadopolous, Paul Manafort, and Rick Gates, all Trump campaign associates, engaged the Russians with the intent to obtain their support in undermining Hillary Clinton's campaign. Attorney General Jeff Sessions swore under oath that he did not know of that. However, there are at least three contradictions to his statement that make him vulnerable to charges of perjury and lying to Congressional investigators as well as the Special Prosecutor.

The public also knows that Donald Trump Jr and Jerrod Kushner were directly involved and met with Russian spy representatives.

The smoke around The White House doesn't get any thicker than that before a fire ignites. 

Image posted by McSpockyTM

Welcome Candidates' Resumes

On my blog page, Facebook added a place for political candidates to post their resumes. That is exceptionally good.

As new candidates for high offices appear, I will evaluate their resumes using my approach as recommended in How to Select an American President By James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing.

If you have a candidate for Congress that would like me to consider, just send a message. If they have announced their candidacy, I will evaluate their resume.

Go to my Facebook page: How to Select an American President. Like and follow the page.

I encourage you to do read the book and do the same. We will compare results, with your permission.

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamesGeorge/

More Disturbing Behavior from The White House

There is never a surprise from Donald Trump as his behavior is predictable. His response to the deadly terrorist incident in New York included attacking the Judiciary and Congress. His disdain for due process and the rule of law is consistently evident.

The evidence mounts against the Presidency that gained entry to The White House apparently, by all means, including illegal.

Donald Trump does not know how to engage Congress and the Judicial branches as partners in the process. His behavior is despotic by contrast.

My book, How to Select an American President by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing advise voters to elect Presidents who have a command of Constitutional Law and who respect the rule of law. Donald Trump is unfit.

Image: CNN

Immigration Lottery

One of the few things about Donald Trump's ideas about which I agree is that immigration into the US should never be by luck and chance. At this stage of national maturity, each case deserves thoughtful consideration about the prospect of applicants becoming productive and self-sustaining citizens.

Regarding the treatment of immediate family members, there must be vetting and consideration about the aggregate becoming self-sustaining.

Much discussion is needed about this topic, and not at as a whiplash reaction to a terrorist incident.

My book, Regenerating America with Sustainable Economics by James A. George and James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing, addresses the topic thoroughly.

"Trump seizes on N.Y. attack to push immigration and vetting policies 

After the Las Vegas shooting, the White House said it was “premature” to discuss gun laws. But after the New York attack, President Trump said immigration laws must change. (Video: Bastien Inzaurralde/Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) 

By David Nakamura and Ed O'Keefe November 1 at 8:11 PM 

President Trump moved Wednesday quickly to gain a ­political advantage in the wake of the New York terrorist attack, casting blame on Democrats for lax immigration laws and calling the criminal justice system’s handling of suspects “a joke.”

A day after a man, identified by authorities as an Uzbek immigrant, killed eight people on a Manhattan bike path in an act authorities said was inspired by the Islamic State, Trump seized on the deadly crime to renew his calls for a series of hard-line policies." 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-seizes-on-ny-attack-to-push-hard-line-immigration-and-vetting-policies/2017/11/01/345db05a-bf15-11e7-8444-a0d4f04b89eb_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.105057b2dbb0&wpisrc=nl_politics&wpmm=1

Getty Image

Paul Ryan, Unqualified

The Nation depends on a 47-year-old Speaker of the House to lead the overhaul of the American tax system. The trouble is not his relatively young age. It is his skimpy resume that should have precluded his becoming a candidate for Congress, to begin with. Yet, without standards, and without political parties properly vetting them, citizen-voters are let to judge in the blind.

Resulting from a senior system that tends to advance elected officials without consideration for qualifications and achievement, the nation is stuck with a deficient government.

Judge for yourself. Look at his resume. What did he accomplish before becoming a professional politician?

Read my book, How to Select an American President to better understand how to evaluate resumes of a prospective candidate for all elected offices.

"This is Paul Ryan’s moment of truth. 

The 47-year-old Speaker of the House has been preparing for it ever since the Wisconsin Republican won his first election to Congress nearly two decades ago. 

Tax reform has been Ryan’s true passion and life’s work on Capitol Hill. The former Ways and Means Committee chairman has given countless speeches on the subject and spent the past year pitching the GOP’s tax framework to manufacturers around the country.  

And tax reform — if it passes or fails — could be the last landmark piece of legislation Ryan works on in Congress, several of his GOP colleagues said." 

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/358136-the-quest-for-tax-reform-is-ryans-moment-of-truth

Image From Politico