Perhaps Duncan Hunter can look to his neighbor in Southern California, former United States Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham, convicted felon and a very crooked and corrupt former politician.
Here's an article from 2014 about Mr. Cunningham's new life.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/disgraced-congressm...
Apparently he is collecting a goodly sum of pension money from his military service, government congressional pensions, and maybe even Social Security. Who knows but it is apparently a lot of money every month.
Cunningham is making restitution payments of almost $60,000 a year to the IRS for his $1million plus tax evasion , while living in Arkansas in a nice, upscale retirement community with 11 golf courses.
How many retirees are not getting even $60K in government retirement money?
So, I am sure Duncan Hunter learned from Cunningham that crime, graft and corruption pays. How much pension money will Hunter collect from his years in Congress??
How about a new law? Any elected officials convicted of a felony involving abuse of their power in the government for ill gotten personal financial benefit must forfeit their special high yield politicians' pension and get by on the same Social Security benefits their constituents receive?
7
Ms Collins, your idolizing the likes of Pelosi and Schumer negate anything you have to say about a swamp in DC. Or is that everything?
Just can't leave old 'Seamus' Romney alone, can you...if only via inference! You crack me up!!! Love your writing.
To quote Chaucer, A churl has done a churl's deed.
3
Please forgive me Joe Biden and McCain posthumously, but can we please mistrust the motivations of our elected representatives even if they haven't been indicted but publicly scorned for stealing from our tax payer's government fund? Do we have to wait till their convicted or plead guilty? I am all for trying to assume the best of our public servants, but how can you trust Congress folk who don't even cite their own for ethics violations or attempt to fairly investigate obvious errors in speech and actions? For choosing to try to work with and legislate with folks and attempting to assume they are public servants who love this country, we are grateful to you and all those like you. Honestly, I don't think I could do likewise. Justice will be served eventually. The day of reckoning will come. They will reap what they sow.
1
The Swamp is defined as embedded liberal bureaucrats that resist lawmakers requests for information in order to hide their activities from the public. They work to undermine our democracy by perverting our justice system to advance their liberal agenda. They hate democracy and want a single party government: Democrats only. They are intolerant, arrogant demagogues. Everything else you said in this article is a lame critique of President Trump in a attempt to defend your buddies.
1
After draining the swamp, what do we do with the D.C. interiors? Sweat lodge ceremonies? (The capitol dome is the right shape.) Or maybe re-enlist all of those cigar-loving presidents to caucus. In spirit.
Anything to get us back to our roots, grounded in reality, truth, and what matters.
1
Speaking of "swampy" things, is it lawful for a President to use the White House building to campaign for his political party and urge the "religious" audience to use their pulpits to urge their congregations to vote a certain way when that is a violation of tax law with a nearly half century of precedent?
9
Not sure which is worse....dipwad Hunter having me (and other taxpayers) pay for his rabbit to fly on a plane.....or the airline successfully extorting $600.00 for that to happen. Is this a great country...or what?
5
Duncan Hunter's rabbit is the new Seamus.
3
Trump repeatedly hits on FBI officials as “disgusting” and “sad”. What is really disgusting and sad is that he is NOT draining the swamp as promised. What is now quite apparent is he’s engendering a veritable cesspool of rampant unbridled corruption! During trump’s first year in office white-collar crime cases filed against individuals is lower than at any time in more than 20 years. DOJ fines against companies fell 90 percent from what they were in Obama’s last year in office.
2
Hi Gail - didn't John Oliver write about that little rabbit? Going off to see his boyfriend? Or was it to evangelical healing for reorientation? Or was that the one that was strapped to the roof running off to Canada? Or the bunny that played with the orange for $150K but never saw a hare of it?
I guess I'm just lost in the swamp. Getting out my friends to help clean up on Nov. 6. SAVE THE RABBITS!
1
Right now, I think I'd be happy with Let's Make A Deal.
2
Chuck Schumer accurately portrayed the Trump/GOP conversion of "The Swamp" to a cesspool.
The Republican leadership knew that Trump had a lifelong history of racism, fraud, ignorance and incompetence. They knew of his reputation as a sexual predator. Despite every powerful glaring sign that Trump would wreak havoc on our government and destroy our reputation around the world, the Republican Party leadership and their billionaire bosses backed Trump because Birther Trump appealed to the racist base that they themselves built up through eight years of encouraging blatant hatred for Obama.
The Republicans brought the scourge of Donald Trump on our land through a corrupted electoral process carefully and systematically designed by the Republican leadership and executed with massive ultra-right wing funding.
We are now at a crossroad in US history. Voters either rise up in 2018 and throw Trump and his Republican lackeys out of our government or there will be no return to a nation we could once respect..
2
While FDR delivered on his, Trump has forever despoiled the word "deal". Aren't there any ad men in the Democratic party?
2
So swamp creatures reside on both sides of the aisle. But this newspaper seems to turn a blind eye to one and maintain hyper vigilance in the other. This speaks to the weaponization of morality for the purpose of political gain. What I don’t get is how many well meaning readers of this newspaper put up with it.
Gail, I’m impressed! You didn’t even write Mitt Romney’s name but we all got the joke. Brava!
2
How about something more positive:
Impeach Trump
Medicare for All
Abolish ICE
$15 Minimum Wage
Open Borders
Citizenship for the World
Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
Gail and Gail followers . . .if the Dems want a 2018 and 2020 campaign slogan, consider "Bringing back respect for the American Worker" or simply "Respect for the American Worker." This resonates. This addresses the anxiety many Americans feel that the economy is not working for many of them. It is one of the themes Trump understood, that is, that American workers were being hammered by trade agreements, China, etc.. In the pitch, the American worker won WWII, built the middle class, and is now being discarded by foreign workers and profits at all cost businesses. The truth is that the economy is changing --free trade, automation, post industrialization-- all of which has to be addressed by government We are in a world wide transition. This theme will resonate and capture some of the blind support for Trump World.
1
If the Democrats do somehow gain control of Congress, by some miracle both houses, then they need to set about a series of reforms for our elections and our elected officials. To elections, the end of political gerrymandering, the requirement of voting access for all citizens (perhaps the sensible institution of a federal holiday for voting), the restriction of campaign finance contributions in excess of a rather low number ($1k?); and to elected officials, the mandatory shift of all investments to blind trusts, mandatory release of all tax records, and restrictions on campaign activities until 6 months before the election. And restore the need for supermajority votes for lifetime appointments, etc. Just some starting ideas - fantasies, really, because it would take a bloody miracle for either a shift in control, or once they are in control, to actually institute those changes.
I have transported my cat great distances, and I think hunter could have done a lot better than $600. Paying retail is the gravest of sins.
After tropical rain forests and coral reefs, swamps are among the most productive diverse beneficial ecosystems on Earth. Draining a swamp is akin to deforestation in rain forests and chemicals in reefs doing irreparable damage that increases the production of harmful green house gases from carbon dioxide to methane that impacts air, land and sea. Scientific ignorance and illiteracy are growing American socioeconomic political problems.
The Washington Post reports that people with Spanish names, whose official birth records show they were born in the United States, are now being denied passports — their citizenship challenged. The Trump administration is accusing hundreds, and possibly thousands, of Hispanics along the border of using fraudulent birth certificates since they were babies.
Many of these citizens served in the US military. Some are even Border Patrol agents.
In some cases, they have passports confiscated when they are re-entering the USA from abroad, and are denied entry.
9
If the Democrats truly want to become a majority party at all levels, they would be wise to brand themselves FDR Democrats. Bring back the New Deal and its solid foundation of good government, wage growth, and a social contract that allowed for both business and labor to prosper. Who could be against that?
92
Duncan Hunter is a fake, having spent years now living off the name of his father, who was an idiot himself. Both were surrounded throughout their careers by the kind of veteran supporters who, well, didn't really do the heavy fighting during their military careers. I hung out with them sometimes and remember thinking 'so many war stories, so few wars!' They have been playing out their pseudo-conservative lives in eastern San Diego County beating up on the Mexican people who do most of the work in their community and kvetching about immigrants. If Duncan manages to hold on, I can't wait to see him reform the allegedly corrupt Justice Department. Sort of like O.J. Simpson, who searched for his wife's killer on golf courses all over America, Duncan will be attacking Justice, one fifth at a time in bars all over Foggy Bottom!
10
I think the dems should run on the old slogan: Truth, Justice and the American Way”
8
"Making it easier for people to vote"?
If that was legislated most of these people would be looking for real jobs.
3
If you ever go to Swamplandia do not be surprised to find that some of those amphibious dwellers are of a Democratic sentiment. You may spot them, although camouflaged in green moss and entangled in weed. If you visit Swamplandia you will find it is a vast waterway and is usually sited on a coastal plain to accommodate the coastal elites. When I last visited Swamplandia I overheard an exchange between a visiting journalist and a politician, Journalist: 'When do you think you will get out of this Swamp?;' Senator: 'What Swamp are you talking about I am not in any Swamp' at which point he submerged and paddled away.
The journalist then jotted down a Jane Austen apercu, 'Some people believe they are living in light when they are living in darkness.'
Trump brought a whole menagerie of swamp creatures with him to Washington. Far from cleaning up the swamp--or the air--he is busy polluting everything possible in the name of corporate and personal profits.
Even here in bright-red SC, there are one or two congressional races in which a Democrat actually has a chance to win an election, in part because Gowdy is not running and Sanford lost his primary.
It's been hard to breathe, so I am hoping for a resounding Blue Wave to blow the politicians, uh, pollutants away and clear the air.
9
The whole swamp metaphor is not centered around corruption. It's referring to the unwanted consequences of large-scale bureaucracies (as depicted, in part, by Franz Kafka). The culture surrounding our federal government, its private sector associates and the media has much room for improvement - at least in the eyes of taxpayers who fund it.
My issue is with the derogatory use of the word "swamp". As a former biologist (and herpetologist), I'm a great fan of swamps. Beyond their aesthetics, the biological productivity and diversity of swamps just can't be beat!
4
Trump is taking corruption to another level, and will soon be compared to The Phillippines' Marcos, Indonesia's Suharto, or The Congo's Mbutu. Like them, he will die in disgrace, and his heirs will hide in exile. Also like them, Trump will consider all of that money "winning".
Trump is actually much worse, though, because the scale and specifics of his corruption include enabling deadly pollution and rocketing global temperatures. He is on a path to be the most destructive leader in history, with a global warming induced death toll that will dwarf that of Hitler and Genghis Khan.
We can't stop him for a while, due to Republican goose steppers and intimidated Democrats. The fix is going to have to be public financing of elections, with media companies finding their hearts and supporting that notion.
Let's see if the Democrats are willing to make that a key part of their platform, and force Republicans to defend the right to stay in the corporate money trough.
133
@Mike Roddy
See, this is exactly my response when my wife says: "I can't even read the NYT anymore- it's just become an attack rag"... He CAN'T be ALLOWED to consider all of that money 'winning'.
1
Democrats need to come up with their own campaign slogans tailored to their own local environments. And they need to figure out how to drain this fetid swamp while not tanking the stock market, the economy, and the current robust employment numbers.
We really need to see those tax returns. Democrats need to win at least the U.S. House to make that happen, and they need to do their part right now. We need to do ours on November 6. And consider working for your local Democratic headquarters over the next couple of months. The margin for Democratic victory cannot be too high. Just think how easy it should be to defeat Pence in 2020. Then we need to get back to work actually helping people in the country, in full force.
“This fall could make a big difference.” So true, in the worst way. Let’s all work to ensure we live to see the best outcome.
200
This FALL take BACK our Congress, so we can SPRING FORWARD.
10
Amid the calls to vote in November, I can't help thinking of the 45 percent of eligible voters who didn't show up at the polls two Novembers ago. Some can be excused -- Republican voter suppression scams do keep people from voting. But the old saying holds, and was never more true than two years ago: Bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote. But if you don't vote this time around, put a sock on your complaining, because you're a Trump enabler.
373
@Mark Hugh MillerSo if we elected a government entirely controlled by Democrats, what Heritage Foundation devised plans will we get this time?
The Democratic Party presenting a platform of "marginally better than the alternative on everything but economic issues" then getting elected and proving they meant it IS the reason a significant number of people don't bother to vote.
1
So, yesterday on NPR, Reverend Robert Jeffress was interviewed. He is pastor of First Baptist Dallas. It's one of the largest Southern Baptist megachurches in the country. He is a fervent Trump supporter as are his fellow Evangelicals.
He was asked how they could support Trump. He replied, "Well, I guess because it came down to, in November of 2016, a binary choice. And I don't know in what moral universe anybody could argue that Hillary Clinton is more moral than Donald Trump. ... And we could do a litany of Hillary Clinton's offenses ...".
I can see with my own eyes what offenses the Swamp Dwellers have, and are committing, but for the life of me I cannot think of the offenses Mrs Clinton is guilty of. What are they?
Can someone explain how being cleared by Starr and the FBI made her LESS moral than Mr Trump? In what world is that true?
14
@David
Her biggest offense, I suppose, was running for office while female
6
Hillary has been more transference-projected-upon by more hypocrites than any other person in history.
4
All the deeds of DJT, including those of all of his horses and all of his men, cannot match the level that Representative Hunter has achieved in buying golf clothes with campaign funds and trying to pass it off as sports equipment for wounded warriors.
Can you hear and feel the disturbance in the Earth? That’s the sound of the souls that died during the Great Wars rolling over in their graves.
5
I so love your writing.At least he didn't put the rabbit on the roof of his car!
2
The vast majority of GOP voters don’t really care if their candidates are open crooks like Rep. Hunter, a grifter like former EPA head Pruitt, or a lying, crooked, traitorous incompetent like Trump. All they seem to care about is triggering libs. The Republican Party and most of its voters are a collection of the worst of the worst.
Vote out these crooks on Nov. 6.
5
How many seconds elapse between births of suckers in the US now?
Gail,
As always, good column. However, you failed to enumerate the vast amount of money squandered by Pruitt. I guess the
sheer rapidity of the excess is too head-spinning to keep up with.
The best part of the Hunter story is how he blamed his wife for everything. I mean, is she still living and sleeping with him?
4
Don the Con a true American villain Trump killed all life in the swamp by turning it into a toxic sewage field.
Now Trump threatens violence if the voters kick his treasonous enablers out. And there is shadow army of goons to create instability and fear. Good Americans on both sides need to join forces to throw Trumps enablers and fake Christians out of government.
VOTE for USA in November.
6
At this point all I can say is if this isn't the swamp, I don't know what is.
And no, the irony of having a swindler and multi-billionaire president who poses as the champion of the 'little people', and boasts how much he "loves the poorly educated", then betrays them in the twinkling of an eye by: 1) taking away what affordable health insurance they might have had through the Affordable Care Act, 2) doesn't even bring enough jobs back to outdated coal industries that do nothing more than contaminate the air and water they breathe, 3) levy higher taxes on them so that the über-wealthy can live a litttle higher on the hog -- and perhaps worst of all, lie, lie, lie about it all.
This is not only irony, it borders on sociopathy; which makes Donald Trump's so-called promise to DRAIN THE SWAMP just as ridiculous and hypocritical as his presidency has been thus far.
So yes, let's look forward to Autumn; and to cooler temperatures. And even more importantly, to cooler heads....and VOTE!
3
"Cross your fingers and see if voters in a red district will be willing to take a stand against corruption..."
People take a seat. You don't want to be knocked off your feet when voters in Hunter's district return him to office.
But don't dismay. This is not to say voters in red districts don't stand against corruption, just that there's so-called red corruption then there's Blue Corruption.
Red corruption is mostly fake news, Blue Corruption is a predetermined felony. But the red voters don't make the decision. They wait for the "facts."
Fox and Fools, et al, inform voters when/that red corruption is fake doo-doo and Blue Corruption is heinous, vast and real (for instance, it is well known to red voters that Hilary Clinton is an un-indicted criminal in a vast array of felonies such as running a hit-man squad to operating child prostitution rings; meanwhile, Trump never groped anyone - he said it wasn't his voice on the Access Hollywood tape and the real "story" behind the tape is that it was about a self-defense move against aggressive women who find him too desirable to resist).
Red voters trust Fox and Fools, et al. to hoover up the doo-doo and present their findings. This way red voters don't have to pay attention to stories that might disturb their sensitivities or confuse them with facts and truth. Because as we all know/no "truth isn't truth" and there are facts and "alternate facts." Fox and Fools, et al, digest the mess and give red voters the double scoop.
4
There is the Great Swamp in Dutchess and Putnam Counties NY that is a wonderous place to kayak and observe the many plants and animals and just the overall beauty of nature. Then there is Okeefenokee in Florida and the many stunning swamps in Louisiana........I have visited them all.
Draining them would be ruinous and Trump’s metaphor is just another example of his low intelligence level on anything that matters in this world.
1
@John Taylor
I like saying Okeefenokee in place of okey-dokey. I hope to visit the Okeefenokee Swamp after I retire.
it’s often useful to examine the way Trump transports his furry pate.
2
I'm pretty sure that Trump has plans to drain the swamp and use the water for drought relief. I'm not sure how he turns into rain. That would be something Pruitt is working on.
The sleaze in DC is all encompassing. Teflon Don is doing his best to out-do those who would claim to be the best at being sleazy.
Regarding corruption, we democrats in New Jersey have a difficult decision coming with our US Senatorial race. Menendez is corrupt and has been doing the bidding for his "friends"(donors) while carrying the title of US Senator from NJ. His opponent, Hugin, is a right wing friend of The Donald who made his gazillions by jacking up the cost of cancer treatment drugs.
What choice?
I have decided that I have to vote for Menendez and then hope that the Senate trial ousts him and Governor Murphy then appoints a decent person to represent the Garden State in the Swamp.
This is what We The People are left with in the age of Citizens United.
2
I think it's important to keep repeating this: for Republicans "Drain the Swamp" has never had anything to do with corruption, malfeasance, or misappropriation. It's only ever meant get Democrats and liberals out of power.
5
I believe the slogan for Democrats should be "Save our Democracy" good chant at the rallies.
4
Yeah, trump broke his campaign promise to drain the swamp. What a shocker!
3
"...Representative Hunter pretending the golf clothes he purchased with campaign donations were really sports equipment for wounded warriors..."
The good people of San Diego and Riverside County (many of whom are military) must be ready to tar and feather this despicable, lying, thieving Duncan Hunter and run him out of town for his egregious wounded warrior sham alone.
Duncan Hunter: Certified Member of the Highest Order of Trump Swamp Creatures.
2
A Better Deal - for whom? For the oligarchs? Thanks, the Republicans have that covered. For the autocratic leaders of the world? Ditto - the Republicans have got it.
For working people? I think that's what you mean? For minorities, oldsters, women and immigrants - I would hope so. How about "A Better Deal for You, Working American?" At least we know what you mean, although it's a little close to "Rise Up, Workers of the World." (one of my favorites). I think it's a ridiculous motto and think you are idiots for picking it Democratic Party. But I'll vote for you anyway, remembering the decency of Obama, the audacity of hope, and hoping for what seems to be the decency of your agenda. At least you don't seem to be for lining the pockets of the oligarchs.
3
I'd like to nominate Ryan and McConnell to the Swamp's Board of Misdirectors.
Every time Trump lies, cheats, colludes, bullies, berates anyone or anything, Mitch and Paul are as guilty as #45 is.
You can't keep claiming "That's Trump, not me!" when you have the power to end this (and his) insanity.
Congrats, GOP-led everything. D.C. just surpassed Atchafalaya as the largest swamp in America.
2
The Pence family also loves rabbits and keeps a couple as family pets at the VP mansion in DC.
And then there is the guy at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. who literally kept a honey Bunny (two-legged type that worked for Hefner).
2
@Jean: Yes, and creepy Mike Pence also used campaign funds in 1990 a la Duncan Hunter to pay his mortgage and buy groceries and make car payments, pay golf fees, etc. This caused the FEC to pass rules against someone else doing this. Mike Pence, what a trailblazer!
'Stranger things have happened'--that's right, Trump was elected, which makes me think we can't count on anything positive occurring mid-term. I mean, even if we Democrats take the House, how can we be sure that its richly compensated blue members will fight tooth and nail for people like me. I'd like to think they would, but when somebody like Trump is allowed across the threshold of the White House one can't be sure of anything anymore.
1
We know that the GOP Congress is not going to fulfill its duties as a branch of government that checks the other branches.
The American people have to vote or there will be no checks at all on Trump. And he does not understand the democracy of America, as McCain pointed out.
7
"...it is my experience that when you want to point out something particularly weird about a politician, it’s often useful to examine the way he transports furry pets." At least the rabbit got to travel luxuriously. #RememberSeamus
4
I don't like any of the choices for the Democratic campaign slogan, they are all lame. So we have trump operatives buying ostrich coats, Chick-Fil -A franchises for their wives, plane tickets for their rabbit and payments to their mistresses. Of course we still haven't seen the King Swamp Rats tax returns as yet. The whole trump organization (Republican Party) sounds like the cast of characters on "Suits". Better call Saul Donald, oops he's already been indicted.
7
Pierre Francois Brioschi along with Pierre Charles L'Enfant are the true co-designers of Washington D.C. A shortcoming of Brioschi‘s design was underestimating the sewage flow capacity necessary in the Trump reign.
"Pop Quiz: Which do you think is the superior campaign slogan?
A) A Better Deal
B) The New Deal
C) The Fair Deal
D) Deal or No Deal"
How about E) Shut Up and Deal ?
3
At least Duncan Hunter never strapped the rabbit to the roof of his car.
At least ... as far as we know.
2
I have given up on Trump's base---where we see an ever enlarging swamp, they see a clear mountain lake.
3
"...a Palestinian Mexican-American millennial." In an ideal world, or in this case an ideal state, the Ammar's would be celebrated and embraced for their youth, vigor, diversity, and keen insight into a challenging and complex 21st Century. But that is not the case, even in my California home. I am ashamed. How troubling it is that voters would reelect an individual whose morals are at most blatantly questionable if not wholly absent. But this "swamp" that a lying, corrupt candidate promised he would drain has instead become an overflowing cesspool of polluted souls clinging to power at all costs. And it is not only this "president" but also his Cabinet and GOP Congress. They are not unlike the slime within the contaminated bog's waters. But our time is coming closer, is it not? November is almost here. And already we see more women, ethnicities, races, and religions asking us to give them a chance. I for one will do just that in any way I can. They are our hope...they and Mr. Mueller.
3
Gail: Your column is the only one I know that causes the reader to be laughing all the while they are reading it in pain.
2
Time to shuffle the Trump Swamp modus operandi.
Vote Democratic and turn DEAL into LEAD.
1
I'd like to point out in his defense that Hunter never strapped a rabbit to the roof of his car.
Please remember one thing everyone. Unless EVERYONE vote sin November this is all going to continue for at least another two years. Voting is the only way to stop this madness. Don't get caught up in name-calling and the like. Make better use of your time by convincing everyone you know that they MUST vote in November to turn these swamp-dwellers out of office.
1
Trump has spent al lot more than $600. in bunny related expenses.
5
Of course Hunter's district will re-elect him. They need Duncan and Trump to Make America More Corrupt. (No one knows why they want that but its how they roll I guess)
2
Some do sacrifice the potential for much bigger earnings when they enter Congress. So while I do agree that they should be not permitted to lobby for many years after their service in public office, they should get decent pensions like other public employees. And yes, I recognize the irony of many Republicans getting a decent public pension when they themselves don't think teachers, etc, deserve the same.
52
@Mal Stone
All former members of Congress get lifetime gold-plated health care that is much, much better than anything we peons get.
9
@Mal Stone: No one entering Congress is making any sacrifice. Those who are public service oriented are the good guys. Those that see a congressional seat as a ticket to gaining great wealth are the harm doers. Greed doesn't work for the regular folks.
1
@Mal Stone. I disagree with you, Mal. Term limits are screaming to be applied to both Congress and the Judiciary. Many people would be very happy to serve one 4-year Congressional term or one 6-year term for Senate. They will receive pay, of course. But, when their term is up they will receive a "thank-you so much for your service." And, that's it. "Next up." Perhaps they will receive a small stipend when they turn 65. They will be restricted from lobbying for at least 5 years. The Judiciary appointments will need to retire at 70.
1
Our president wrote a book subtitled "The Art of the Deal."
Dealmaking is what he ran on.
And the Democractic leadership is flogging a platform with the word *deal* in it?
The leaders are idiots. Adopt the opponent's framing, and you've already lost.
Throw them all out.
42
@Lorem Ipsum, you are mistaken. Our president has his name as author on "The Art of the Deal", but it was written by Tony Schwartz.
92
@Thomas Zaslavsky You are right, and other than misattribution, so is Lorem.
13
@Paul Connah, agreed.
4
True to form humor, Gail, but I don't see many people commenting on your mention of Senator Elizabeth Warren's Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act.
This is a very important piece of legislation, and only a beginning, though it has little chance of being considered in the current Congress (and not all of the opposition comes from Republicans, either).
Of course, I've been arguing for years that the single most important reform legislation we could pursue is that banning all organizational campaign contributions and all private ones above a very modest ceiling (like $500), and publicly funding elections as is done in many other nations. Absent that, our representatives are stuck representing the tiny minority of oligarchs who pay for their runs, rather than their actual constituents. (And they waste too much time fundraising to legislate effectively.)
If that could happen, a lot of the swamp would be infused with fresh water and cleanse itself; those post-legislative lobbying jobs wouldn't be as important or lucrative any more, so that source of corruption would be diminished.
In truth, we need publicly funded elections as much as we need publicly funded single payer health care. And it's not irony that it may only be the former that leads to the latter.
297
@Glenn Ribotsky Agreed. And I'm starting to wonder now if the attack of the EPA on clean water is to make all water into the same swampy morass festering in the GOP's DC.
@Glenn Ribotsky
Senator Warren's bill S.3357 can be read in outline form on her web page.
It's only 6 pages, and took less than 10 minutes to locate and read.
Just reading the outline is depressing. The existing aisles of corruption the Senator is attempting to remedy would dwarf the largest Amazon fulfillment center.
The Senator isn't addressing cleaning up a swamp that's grown fetid from lack of fresh water and proper drainage.
She's addressing cleaning the Augean Stables.
2
@Glenn Ribotsky
Until recently I agreed with you. But I have been "forced" to watch the same political ad several times a night for the past two weeks that is poorly produced, grossly misleading and debunked by Politifact and other fact checkers. I cannot abide the thought of ads like this being paid for out of my tax dollars. One the other hand, if each ad were followed by a publicly funded fact check, I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks.
1
A man like Duncan Hunter deserves some admiration. He is willing to face jail time so his rabbit could fly first class. Don't worry about Scott Pruitt. He is back home working up some new recipes for rabbit. They say it tastes just like.....
5
Hunter's constituents are probably much like him, immoral, willfully ignorant and corrupt. After all, they are Republicans.
11
$600 for a rabbit's plane flight? Is this what's meant by a harebrained politician? I suggest that CA voters give Hunter a hare-cut in the coming election. Then they can bestow on him the sobriquet, Mad Hatter Hunter.
343
@Allen Drachir. $600? Are you talking about the funny bunny money? That’s a pretty serious rabbit habit. However he tries to explain it, we shouldn’t cotton to that tale.
20
@Allen Drachir
Hair today, gone tomorrow.
6
@Allen Drachir: It was a short hop.
2
“Drain the Swamp” is no longer forceful enough to adequately describe what must be done in November.
More accurately, it’s “Pump out the Septic Tank!”
14
Hey Gail, thanks for re-visiting Rep. Hunter in your column, and mentioning the rabbit - twice!
6
3,600 lawsuits in 30 years. Given a million dollars from daddy, then bailed out y daddy for 14 million a few years later. Then inherits 230 million, and makes his living with 3 lawsuits per week, every week, for 30 years. What did you expect? ethics?
12
Donald Trump. What a historic disaster for our nation.
9
Gail, how could you forget about Rudy moonlighting for fascism in Eastern Europe while he's supposed to be promoting fascism here at home? I don't really think this was the point of the eponymous college football movie, but it did showcase a small man with large pluck so... maybe?
8
Great photo!
1
Truly, Gail, you and Duncan Hunter, and the Bunny- were meant for each other. I feel palpable relief emanating from Utah....
5
I think the best part of the Duncan Hunter tale is the way he lays all the blame on his wife. Consider it: The sleazebag complains about the sleazebag he married so maybe she'll get the slap on the wrist instead of him. I suspect Hunter is going to face a furious divorce when the dust settles.
8
Republican voters don’t seem to realize that Hunter is ripping them off. More likely they don’t care as long as they perceive that they are getting what they want from him. It seems to hold true for the entire party. Just another example of how power corrupts not just an individual, but an entire group. It cannot be said that Hunter alone is without integrity, morals, character, it is a plague infecting the entire group.
4
A “swamp” is a valuable wildlife habitat. Trump’s Washington is a sewer, a broken and clogged sewer.
5
The only way to drain the swamp is to vote Trump and his band of criminals out of the office. Those of you who didn’t vote on last election, indirectly voted him in. The swamp isn’t In Washington only, it is all over the country now, and the stink is unbelievable. Please do your duty this November and vote.
8
@BB Unless you live in Chicago we only get one vote. Sheldon Adelson gets 25 million for Trump and 40 million for the Republican party. I read recently yhat he gave another 20 million plus to te Republcan party for the upcoming Senate races. So payback is the ripped up Iran deal, Us recognition of Jerusalem and "Bonkers" Bolton in the White House. You get one vote and Shelly gets about 85 million.
1
"a reform package named Stop Weasels And Miserable Politicians"
aka "The SWAMP Act"
7
Make America Sane Again.
4
Trump slogan for next campaign that started on day 2 of his presidency: MAMC. Make America More Corrupt. Or GOP Grifters on Parade. Seems like San Diego voters in Hunter's district really like that one if they elect him again. Nothing like a crooked politician who rubs it in your eyes as he/she laugh all the way to the bank with your money. And Gail, at least the bunny wasn't tied to the wing of the plane.
3
The Swamp is the Don's habitat,
Where on sleazy deals he grew fat
A great place to wallow,
With wild plots to swallow,
And feral hair under his hat.
The Donald is psychotsumisht,
In perilous waters has fished,
Neath that feral hairdo
Is a vacuum to rue,
A POTUS who's not to be wished.
His impulses oft go astray
His ignorance comes into play
His blatant denial
His cabinet’s vile
Destroying our Land every day.
Since kindergarten his IQ
Has never topped seventy two
His vision is dim
Always acts on a whim,
His cortical networks are few.
403
@Larry Eisenberg - My word, you are on top form these past few days...your last couple have been among your better work. Cheers.
63
@PJ Childress: oh yes! and when the Democratic Party takes over the House of Representatives in a couple months Larry Eisenberg should most definitely be appointed our country's Poet Laureate!
14
@Larry Eisenberg
I vote that we replace Trump's busted up star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a plaque bearing Larry's words.
There is no more fitting … um … tribute.
1
Requirements for the GOP continue to be corruption, racism, sexism, and just overall hatred for anything good and decent.
6
DC lobbyists knew a good thing when they saw trump elected.
There was a concerted shout over K Street of “Deal me in!”
8
Trump has succeeded in turning the swamp into a cesspool. Naturally, he calls the cesspool a perfume factory, and his base wears the 'fragrance' proudly.
8
History will look back on Mr. Trump as a New York mobster who exploited racial, socio-economic, and cultural divisions to rise to the Presidency, but who fell from power when the corrupt foundation upon which he had constructed his entire private and public life crumbled beneath him.
7
I think you missed a serious situation. Take 500 middle class voters and 498 will think ALL politicians are crooked. The other two think Reagan is still President. Why do you think Congress gets 20% approval ratings? So the voters have decided the way to fix government is to destroy it. Just make sure you keep sending my SS check, and farm subsidy. My taxes just goes to helping POC and gays. They don't care about me.
.
Trump promised to basically destroy government. End all the rules, fire the generals who can't win wars, easy peasy.
So if Trump is a crook, so what, everyone else in government is crooked and Donald is destroying all the institutions.
That is the story that needs to be told.
2
I think you have it quite right when you point out that corrupt Duncan Hunter could probably still be re-elected in his district. Stealing campaign funds and lying about it apparently not being such a big deal to our conservative friends and neighbors.
Which brings me to my point: The issue is clearly not the politicians--we have the best ones money can buy.
The issue is the voters--willfully closing their eyes, sticking their fingers in their ears and humming loudly while their elected representatives steal us blind.
551
@Lkf. Agreed. In fact, I suspect they see Duncan as just “one of them” and they all know that they all do it, ever since their poster-boy Reagan declared that government was the problem. The system’s there to be worked, unless, of course, someone’s black, in which case their working the system is outrageous.
7
@Lkf
Best politicians money can buy!
It would be funny if not so true.
3
@Lkf. The best politicians who are bought.
Both the place and the idea of WDC and apparently the denizens of both have taken on trappings of primeval ooze. We watch for life to re-emerge but so far no luck. Have you and your political friends so forsaken real life for what - power. They have it and you want it. A real slow motion pig gutting is now occurring between the professional politicians and the political operatives and the press. We in the real world are appalled at how this can be sustained. Consider getting your buddies to learn a real trade and I promise to vote just for adults. Mike
One wonders what-- if anything-- it would take for voters in Duncan Hunter's district to pull the lever for a Democrat?
4
@GailCollins You came so close to the dog on the roof of Mitt Romney's car heading to Canada. I was so sure you'd get there. Yours truly, Still Waiting
7
Comparing Trump and his clan of greedy goons to swamp creatures is an insult to swamp creatures, both real and mythical. There is nothing wrong with real creatures that live in swamps. In fact, they always have a useful biological role. The same cannot be said for Trump and his administration. They are like the seven horsemen of the apocalypse, only it is more like the seven nitwits of the apocalypse (unfortunately for us there are far more than just seven). These guys are what happens when evil meets stupid.
It’s a sobering thought when you realize that the only positive thing about the people who are currently running the government is that they are so ridiculously stupid.
8
This administration is the murkiest quagmire that ever was, and I’ve served under a few.
It will be decades for scholars or journos to extricate the muck that is pilong up.
6
Campa-Najjar should ask the good voters of Duncan Hunter's district "What kind of rock-ribbed white male Republican has a pet rabbit!? Where's the Doberman or the pit bull?" Hunter cannot possibly be what these people think they're voting for. Next thing they know, he'll be spending campaign funds on women's underwear.
9
Gail, I must take you to task for a spelling error in your otherwise elegant SWAMP acronym. The word is "Stomp." Stomping weasels does stop them, but remember, the visual image is of utmost importance when creating memorable shorthand.
2
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 - Take Out the Trash Day
17
Could Representative rabbit's plane trip be called "The Bunny Hop?" Dick Roth
3
Swamp? Try cesspool.
7
I am sorry, but Gail is doing a disservice to our swamplands, which--unlike the Trump administration and thoroughly corrupt GOP--are full of all kinds of fascinating creatures and plants and are very important to our ecosystem.
Consider this: "…Swamp areas are important because many fish and amphibians spawn or lay their eggs here. Once the eggs hatch, the young crawl into the water….Mangrove swamps...provide shelter, nesting sites and protection for dozens of species. For instance, bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, peregrine falcons and kingfishers forage for food in mangroves…. Both the American crocodile and the American alligator coexist in the Everglades mangrove swamp….Many endangered or threatened species are native to swamps including the marsh snake and the Florida panther."
https://www.reference.com/science/animals-live-swamps-3118f09567ae4615
By contrast, the pasty-orange, bloated Trump and his mendacious cabinet of thugs are hell bent on destroying every healthy ecosystem and the planet, with their dictatorial insistence on coal and fossil fuels in the age of renewable energy, ignorant and willful denial of climate change, and determination to scrap the Clean Air and Water Act so big polluting corporations will not be held accountable when city water systems resemble Flint, Michigan's, and people turn on their faucets and flames come shooting out.
Unlike real swamp creatures, these Trump creatures cannot coexist with anything, and are endangering us all.
10
https://escondidograpevine.com/2018/08/29/duncan-hunter-op-ed-annotated/
Between airplane tickets for pet rabbits, hush money via Trump-Cohen & Pecker Co, and the December 2018 tax heist, which mostly gives to the wealthy and uber-wealthy, between all of that and Representative Hunter's golf shorts being paid for out of wounded veteran funds, I am asking all sensible Republicans to simply consider voting Democrat this cycle. PLEASE. #DontPayForBunnyFlights
6
Mark Twain once said that the character of America, the nation he loved, had changed drastically for the worse after gold was stuck in California in 1848 and a money madness descended on his fellow citizens who risked life, limb and meager life savings to cash in. Twain thought the country was no longer the same, that it instantly lost its decency and fundamental values.
Now, everyone who isn't hooked on opioids, homeless or trapped in a minimum wage job is on the make. There is too much money in America if you can claw your way near it and grab some. Values? What are those when you might be able to retire with 40 or 50 mil in the bank?
It seems Duncan Hunter was having trouble paying basic bills on his stingy $174 thou a year, so he and his wife dipped in to what was nearby, campaign funds. The best move into big time paydays is to leave Congress, sign up with Wall Street or the corporations you once were supposed to help oversee. Millions await.
No wonder people go to their windows and scream, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!" 90% of the population works harder for less pay while the robbers and grabbers at the time fly off on private jets, laughing and toasting themselves.
To get their "revenge", the out of work and underpaid elect one of the best known money grabbers in the nation, hoping maybe some of that money will fall out of his pockets? We live in a distortion field skewed toward madness and, always, always, circling around...money.
16
Trump did drain the swamp...into the White House. But seriously, political,corruption does not resonate as a campaign issue because it is so baked into the voter’s perception of politicians of both parties it is self neutralizing. Gail has it right....Trumpian corruption is comical. Think Pruit...only to be “eclipsed”by gold plated Munchkin and wife. We have not yet reached the depths of greed of Phineas T. Bluster Wilber Ross, who is destroying jobs with tariffs favoring his pals.
What voters take as a given is that politicians of both parties favor their true constituency, monied special interests. Sure Trump’s tax cut favored friends and family, but do Wall Street Chuck and real estate Nancy represent the needs of the average American? The foundation for the 2008 financial debacle was laid during the Clinton administration, and Wall Street was bailed out as millions lost their homes, jobs and retirement funds. Corporate profits soar as wages stagnate and health and retirement benefits diminish. Most depressing is that the allegedly independent third branch of government, the venerable judiciary, is more and more beholden to business interests, ruling against employee and individual rights.
We read Gail because she helps us laugh through the depressing reality of our politics. That all we can do is laugh is sad.
Has the $600 plane ticket for a rabbit replaced Mitt's cross country journey with the family dog on top? Nah, just joined it in Gail's pantheon of illustrious yet ludicrous & somewhat sadly humorous politicians.
At least Mr. Romney (as Mr. Duncan, another son of a politician) had the decency not to have the taxpayers pick up the tab!
3
“Which do you think is the superior campaign slogan?”
A) A Better Deal
B) The New Deal
C) The Fair Deal
D) Deal or No Deal
Well Gail, I’m not sure which slogan is best for the Dems, but I do know that for Trump and the Republicans the superior slogan has always been crystal clear -
“The Dealer(s) Takes All”
2
hunter's re-election is the sound of the country ending.
4
@libdemtex Stop pretending that its ending. It has already ended. The question is, What to do next?
#calexit
1
Indeed, as some have pointed out, swamps are living ecosystems. It is typical of Trump’s crassness and ignorance that he conflates swamps with bad environments, just as he constantly laces his insults with references to people as one kind of animal or another-dog being one of his favorite insult. Most of us recognize that this type of rhetoric and thinking taps into our lowest instincts. And that is where this country will stay if the pernicious 45 and his entire group of cohorts, the Republican House and senate included, remain too long in our orbit.
2
Gail, it’s a sad day when treating a furry little rabbit with some (first) class is an issue. President Trump don’t have no rabbit.
Thank you for brightening the day with your reference to Seamus.
2
Gail, Trump's promise to "drain the swamp" was based on his view that Obama was the most corrupt president in American history. To drain that swamp meant to rid America of everything that Obama had done or gotten credit for. Trump's swamp draining had nothing to do with venal corruption. I think Trump's supporters recognize and accept Trump's usage of the slogan "drain the swamp".
2
Oh Ms. Collins. I have so many thoughts. Where to begin?
There is that within us that likes to hate people. Original sin? Yes. I suppose so.
The Republican party (not altogether meaning to perhaps) found the perfect spokesman for this disreputable something. Give you three guesses.
And yes. The guy really CAN energize the crowd. That he is speaking with the utmost sincerity I have no doubt. He is himself seething (as it appears) with anger--hatred--resentment. He has no trouble communicating these things to other people.
Who in many cases realize (or maybe they knew it all along), "Hey! He TALKS the way I FEEL." And they're right. He does.
Oh that the Democrats could find that magic spokesperson for the RIGHT side. The JUST side. The LIBERAL side--liberal in all the GOOD senses of the word. Compassionate. Caring. Broadminded. Generous.
I have seen Senator Warren rake Mr. Mulvaney over the coals. It's on YouTube. I listen to it when I'm feeling down.
Like now.
But oh that this voice could be carried somehow to the nation as a WHOLE. The controlled power. The mastery of facts. And above all. . ..
. .. MERCY. DECENCY. JUSTICE.
For ALL the people in this great land.
Then Mr. Trump and his fellow Republicans might well quail.
Before an angry and aroused electorate. . . .
. .on the verge. . .
. .of turning 'em out of office. .
. .every last one of 'em.
Well, Ms. Collins. .
. .I pray I see the day. . .
. .someday.
7
These swamp things are so swampy that I doubt any halfway decent organization will accept them - even a conservative one. Not even sure if they could get in with a band of merry men (or modern thieves). Possibly they could try the church.
1
You're one of the few people I know of who can make me smile while thinking of Republicans. That's quite a feat.
2
The fact that Duncan Hunter can probably get re-elected says more about the voters than what Hunter and others are doing. I think people are beginning to think there is nothing wrong with bending the law or breaking it to grab all you can. Nothing Trump has done and other corrupt politicians are doing dissuades people from supporting the biggest alligator in the swamp along with all the other underling alligators. Our country is becoming morally corrupted by an amoral leader. We are starting to lose site of our basic human values, when even separating families is justified or conspiring with a foreign government in order to win an election is ok.
Trump seems to have forgotten to bring the drain cleaner when he took office, and now the swamp has bigger alligators than ever before.
1
Thank you, thank you. It has been a long time since I laughed at this slime. I am grateful.
2
I think it was Rudy Giuliani who said "corruption is not corruption."
4
How To Drain the Swamp:
Wait until 2020 - a nuisance, of course - but throwing Trump out in the next presidential election means getting rid of VP Pence. The Veep can run for president on his own in 2024 but by then both Trump and Pence will be in the American Museum of DC Swamp History.
Melania will divorce Donald in 2020 saying his bringing her and Barron to live in an old swamp mansion was a criminal act violating family values and also child abuse. Hence, a divorce with big-time child support and compensation for the ex for those four horrible gurgling years (which included all the filthy stories Melania endured about Donald's affairs.) Come on, if Don can pay off those ladies then he can afford compensation to Melania for intentional infliction of emotional distress - swamp version.
Sometimes a swamp has a payoff, as Donny-boy has demonstrated over and over with the Old Post Office Building, re-named Trump International.
Be careful crossing the streets of Washington, DC. It's a swamp out there. To Ms. Collins: The air still smells.
1
Trump's swamp things are alive and well in Florida. We're fed up to the gills, Gail, with nature's curse of scorching temps and blue-green poisonous algae and fish and animal kills in the waters surrounding and within this state. Only yesterday, Trump's endorsee for our Governorship raised his dog-whistle against Andrew Gillum, the Democrat's amazing great pick for Governor in 2 months. Ron DeSantis (a Trump look-alike and loyalist) told Floridians they shouldn't "monkey this up" by voting for Andrew Gillum, who if he wins through in November, will be America's first black Governor. May Gillum beat Trump's Pro-Swamp thing in two months time!
2
Speaking of Trump's Swamp Things, I just love tonight's Breaking News that Manafort has requested his next trial be moved from Washington, D.C. to Roanoke, Virginia. The reason: Manafort is concerned about a "biased" (i.e., largely Democratic) D.C. jury.
Of course, Roanoke County would be just fine -- since Trump won there in 2016 by nearly 30 points.
Oh it's going to be a Splendid Day when Manafort starts his Long Prison Term and we won't have to put up with this Lugnut anymore.
4
If you look into the swamp you will see a reflection of the rightwing rot that has infected this country the past 20 years, and even before that. Now, with this charlatan in the White House, it's just naked Banana Republicanism. That means the rich and their political creatures parasitically feed off the nation with legal impunity. Where this may lead in terms of our traditional alliances, environmental responsibility, the rule of law and fundamental civic decency is a dismal prospect at this sad juncture.
6
If Mrs. McCain is appointed as the Senator who will replace her husband, it will give her an opportunity to stand up each day and
say “Where are the tax returns you promised to release to the American people and what do they tell us about you?”
7
The swamp will never get drained as long as the conservatives hold the majority of the Supreme Court with their ludicrous notion that "money is free speech".
The McCain–Feingold Act of 2002 was a good start but has been eviscerated by SCOTUS.
I can think of only a few scandalous episodes in American history that did not have money at the root of their.
Sex and power are running a distant second/third to money as corruptions motivators.
(E) None of the above
1
The 'swampiest' things in Washington right now are Trump's children. They represent the greatest threat to continuing the corruption that Trump has systematized.
3
Trump throws Cohen under the bus. Trump throw McGahn under the bus. Trump throw Session under the bus. Trump throws Comey under the bus. But Hunter, reaches the heights, or would that be the lows, and throws his wife under the bus. Watch out Melania, you could be next.
Gail, you are doing a great job. I look forward to everyone of your columns. Keep them coming we need you.
It's seriously not funny anymore. Why aren't we all in the streets?
3
Bill Maher : "Trump said he'd drain the swamp. But he's swamped the drain."
2
Tired of the word "deal." Smacks of horse trading. Trivializes serious matters. Let's go back to "agreement."
2
I typically read your article in the morning. In place: I'll enjoy an evening smile!
[Just knew the pet thing was coming!]
VOTE!
1
Thanks for another great article, Gail! Some low-information Republicans will probably take issue with you and try to pass off that false-equivalence trope ("Democrats do it, too) but clear thinking citizens like yourself and many of your readers won't fall for that old line. Who ever heard of anybody with good sense paying airfare for a pet rabbit? Or a soundproof phone booth for his office - unless he had something to hide?
No, Gail, the Republican party of 2018 is the all-time champion of the corruption game - it has no equal. That's because the team is made up of All-Stars. Just to name a few: "Slow-down" McConnell, master of delay when he wants to kill a SCOTUS nomination; "Numbers" Ryan, the accountant you really want when you report your taxable income; "Fast-talk" Graham, he changes his story so often he can't remember what he said yesterday; and of course the Coach, Don "The Swamp Boy" Trump who has tall tales you wouldn't believe about ways he can break the law, but he is literally unable to speak the truth so you'll never get to hear about them.
Yes, Gail, they're quite a team and they have a deep bench, too. Let's hope the voters retire all of them before they turn DC into a stinking cesspool.
1
As I see it, the problem is that Democrats are running far-left candidates (via the primaries) to take on Republicans.
Duncan Hunter is a sleaze, but who really thinks his conservative constituents are going to vote for a Palestinian-Mexican?
Unfortunately, I don’t see the ‘blue wave’ happening.
Hunter was hoping not to incur your wrath. He flew his rabbit rather than transport it on the roof of his car.
Neither is a 'good' choice. But he can't help himself. He is, after all is said and done, a Republican.
2
“No politician is ever going to reform the system that put him [or her] in power.”
—-from “Yes Prime Minister” (British comedy series in the 1980s).
1
"Be Vewy Quiet! I'm shunting Wabbits!"
With Mortimer Snerd holding down the oval office, I'm getting a kick out of the Elmer Fudds and Wile E. Coyotes on the hill. If it weren't all so tawdry this would be a marvelous comic opera.
I'm thinking of putting out a line of Republican slacks, called "Grand Old Pants". They come with a free fire extinguisher.
But the swamp I miss is the Okefenokee, and as great as Walt Kelly was , (remember the "Loan Arranger"?), I don't think even he would be able to satirize this crowd. From Manaforts entirely redundant snakeskin jacket, to Trump's threats of Armageddon after his fall, satire is no match for thus reality. Although, to be fair, most of Trump's pronouncements may have sounded better in the original Russian.
5
Thank you, Gail. Keep this on the front burner - we're not finished with Trump yet and people have such short attention spans.
Trumps now-approaching-infinite crimes, lies, hate speeches, insane Tweets, lack of empathy and narcissistic sociopathy aren't going away,. and I expect that the few remaining neurons in his bald head will soon explode as Mueller drops both the conspiracy and obstruction bombs on him.
You, and all of you fellow REAL journalists must continue to remind ALL Americans, especially those that choose the dark side, why this matters and that considerably more ethan half of us are defending THEIR freedoms as well as our own.
1
...Hunter’s apparently paid back the $600 he used for the rabbit’s plane flight.
Fearless prediction. Gail's Election 2018 Trivia Challenge will include the question: how much lettuce does it cost to fly a rabbit?
1 all the lettuce in the world
2 depends on the kind of lettuce.
3 $600
4 they're coming to take me away, ha, ha!
2
It costs $600 to transport a rabbit? In their transport cage, they fit under the seat in front of their human.
3
Gail, it wasn’t the rabbit’s fault. Rabbits are wonderful pets (we have two) and are getting a bad rep these days thanks to the Veep and now Duncan Hunter. Trust me, rabbits are not fans of flying, and I’m sure s/he would much rather have stayed snugly at home.
4
There's slimy and then there's fetid. This week, Donald Trump went lower than the depths of a swamp in his shabby treatment of John McCain's passing. He initiated one vague tweet to the McCain family, pointedly wouldn't answer questions about Senator McCain, and finally, with all the enthusiasm of a hostage video, released a tepid, terse, generic comment. That's even worse than corrupt; Trump is rotten to the core.
3
I hope you are including the Nationalistic Evangelicals in the Swamp Things category.
This is no ordinary Swamp, like the primordial ooze we all came from. Trumps swamp is full of nasty stinging, biting things like Mitch McConnell which watch over and protect the whole stinking rotting mess.
Cleaner air ? Gail it would take one of those planes they use to fight fires in CA, full of disinfectant to spray the entire city of Washington DC. on a regular basis to keep down the feted odor of corruption. One of the reasons they have such a rat problem in New York city is because the rats of Washington DC have headed north for a cleaner environment.
5
"Drain the swamp" is a case of severe dyslexia - what he meant was the strategy found by re-arranging the letters into: hatred maps win, a reference to many talking points of the campaign.
3
"...when you want to point out something particularly weird about a politician, it’s often useful to examine the way he transports furry pets...."
At least it's not on a crate on top of the family station wagon.
2
I find it sad that the Democrats in New Jersey nominated an ethically dubious incumbent for Senator (in a primary in which "I never heard of her" got 40% of the vote) instead of cleaning house and nominating a fresh, scandal-free alternative. Now I have to choose between supporting a corrupt senator and voting for someone who might be "pragmatic" enough to help prevent a stupefyingly corrupt President from facing political justice. Swampy waters run deep.
2
And the GOP always points the finger at Democrats as being in the pockets of big business. Hah! We get whiplash from Trump's frequent "changes of heart on issues", for example gun control as his handlers pull his strings and remind him of what he is supposed to think.
We need to seek reform because the cash flow that buys influence in Congress is giving corporations and the wealthy more than the one vote the rest of us get. Republicans know this and will never opt for reform because then they might have to play fair.
5
About the only thing I actually enjoy reading in the news any more is Gail's satiric-comedic-always terrific column. A Jonathan Swift for today's world.
7
The biggest laugh of all of this is the notion that Trump is too rich to pad his expense account.
3
$600 repaid, and $249,400 to go. It's a flying start for Representative Hunter and a flying something-else for the rest of us.
29
@John LeBaron
There's a great way for him to repay the balance.
"Inmates get paid $2 for each day they are in camp and $1 an hour when they're on the front lines of wildfires, which Sessa called "lavish pay by prison standards." He said prison jobs inside an institution pay a maximum of $1 an hour and those inmates don't have 40 hour workweeks." — CNN
2
You know things are going badly when Gail Collins seems to be asking, “What’s the use?”
Some of us are optimistic. We are not just whistling as we walk briskly past the graveyard. It is Donald Trump and his sordid supporting cast who, despite their bravado, are very nervous.
It is every Republican in the Senate and the House who, regardless of his or her stony silence about the noise from the White House, is deathly afraid of Midterm Madness.
Democrats on Capitol Hill, with the exception of Chuck Schumer, who offered approval of lower court nominees without a peep if Mitch and Orrin would please give him more time on Brett Kavanaugh, are ready to take a spirited fight on all issues to the electorate.
Even without a complete victory by our hero, Mueller the Muller, the composition of the decision-makers in Washington will be changed for the New Year by voters in November.
Many Republicans will have to settle for a Christmas dinner of Lame Duck.
Cheer up, Gail.
7
Ms. Collins puts a light touch on a serious subject - that if the GOP retains control of congress, they and Trump will start to nibble away at our democracy.
Our constitution was written by men who never considered the possibility that congress would enable the president, let alone actively collude with the president.
What would inhibit Trump from, for example, firing Jeff Sessions, eventually getting Rod Rosenstein replaced with a toady, and getting Mueller fired (or revoking his security clearance)? What would stop Trump from intimidating the media, except right-wing outlets like Fox News? Trump's autocratic tendencies were on full display when he warned evangelical leaders of violence if Democrats regain congress.
Democracy has gone in reverse already in Poland and Hungary. Without a Democratic congress, we may follow suit.
17
Gail askes: "People, what do you think originally inspired Donald Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp” if he was elected?"
In Corrupt Donnie's worldview, "the swamp" is those EPA professionals who have put regulations in place that reduced the demand for coal. It is the IRS agents who force him, and other 1%'ere to pay taxes according to the law. The swamp is the rest of the federal employee who try to live by and enforce the law.
7
"That was hardly the most outrageous thing Hunter did with the cash, but it is my experience that when you want to point out something particularly weird about a politician, it’s often useful to examine the way he transports furry pets."
Oh how you've been missed, faithful punchline.
22
Leave it to Democrats to take a popular issue like corruption and roll it out like stale saltines. Schumer and Pelosi are woefully incapable of showmanship. The results are even worse when they try doing something interesting. You can almost imagine the meeting where this slogan engineered. If I were in the room, I'd hope someone would have the good courtesy to hit me over the head with a tire iron. You'd be doing me a favor.
That said, corruption is a tough issue to make central in a campaign that is largely a referendum on Trump. Talking about corruption plays into Trump's narrative about Democrats impeaching him and reversing all his policies. Democrats seem to be avoiding the "T" word specifically which isn't a great strategy either. Most people don't want to hear policy details and Trump supporters apparently don't care about corruption anyway. They like their own corruption.
Will this play with the disillusioned center? Maybe. However, Democrats really need to stay focused on turnout rather than persuasion. Changing someone's mind is a lot harder than getting someone who already agrees with you to vote. I don't think this message is going to get them to polls in record breaking numbers. Infographics and acronyms not withstanding.
4
The Republicans already tipped their hand last year. Tax cuts for the rich are more important than healthcare for all. That's what should be the Dem's national message.
7
"...but it is my experience that when you want to point out something particularly weird about a politician, it’s often useful to examine the way he transports furry pets." It's too bad you can't win a Pulitzer for just one perfect phrase. Molly Ivins would be so proud of you.
11
The only thing we have to fear is — the fearful themselves. Opponents of Trump would do better to try to allay the fears of many whites rather than to simply deny that they have any basis. They quite legitimately fear that minorities will treat them the way that they have long treated minorities. Trump’s recent lie about huge land confiscations from whites in South Africa is a good example of his recognition of this.
4
@AndyP
Just how would opponents of Trump "allay the fears of many whites?" Seriously, what promise could they make to the fearful whites? How do you allay the fears of conservative, dare I say bigoted, white people without giving up your progressive or even moderate agenda? What shape would that take?
The post-midterm violence that Trump speaks of will, regardless of electoral outcome, more likely come from people on the right, who have been trained, in truly pavlovian fashion by talk radio, to unquestionably hate democrats, progressives, immigrants and non whites and follow a leader who has repeatedly condoned violence as a candidate and as president. From his inauguration speech forward Trump and his base, through lies, dog whistles, and rather direct speech and action, have been doing everything in their power to sow discord. You reap what you sow.
3
@AndyP A couple of weeks ago Charles Blow was a guest on Bill Maher and someone brought up that very point about allaying the fears of white voters. His response was basically people of color have been living in fear of whites for decades, if not centuries. Now they are supposed to be concerned about how whites feel when the tide inevitably turns. I understand the political expediency aspect in what you're expressing, though I doubt it likely to change anything, however, it must not only be deeply ironic, but insulting to people whose own feelings, if even acknowledged of possessing any, were never taken into account. It's well worth watching, he was great.
5
@AndyP this is echoing the nonsensical headline today about ‘racial anxiety’. It’s balony. It’s hatred. How does one allay racial hatred exactly?
2
Warren has some good ideas that might help drain the swamp on the margins. But the root of the problem is not limited to D.C. or even politics:
"You can go through the federal criminal code and find crimes that virtually any businessman, any politician has committed,”
- Alan Dershowitz
Businessmen committing felonies left and right seems like something the government should worry about. Right? Mr. Dershowitz seems to be cool with it: “I don’t want to live in the surveillance state,” I assume what he means is that life would be a lot easier if the Feds just didn't bother to look at tax returns, or search for bank fraud, or care much about lying to investigators.
In other words, keep not doing what they have not been doing for decades.
The Trump investigation exposed a lot unsavory behaviors among politicians. It has also shown that the Feds don't seem to care about investigating white collar crime unless they are looking for something else: Terrorism, drug dealing, hostile foreign countries undermining our democracy with complicit traitorous Americans. All important stuff, but what about all the stealing by the guys in suits?
Manafort, Cohen, didn't even try to hide their crimes. All it took was someone looking.
So if we want to stop financially criminal or unethical politicians we should also enforce laws against white collar criminals. We may even stop a few before they get to Congress. Or the Oval Office.
13
Why is it politicians so often fly in the face of the Grandmother Rule: Always act is such a manner your grandmother would not be embarrassed by learning each and every one of your actions.
The ghost of Seamus, like the head of Ichabod Crane as we push towards October, returns again! Thank you, Ms. Collins.
1
The latest 'scariest' tweet from Trump: Lester Holt and NBC 'fudged' the interview in which Trump says he fired Comey because of this 'Russia thing'. This right on the heels of Google only putting bad 'fake news' out there when Trump News is googled. He's told his fan base never to believe anything they see or hear, it's all fake news.
This is not going to end well, people. Time to stop him cold in November. We're heading towards a cliff, trying to hit the brakes before we fly off. Will we hit the brakes?
17
San Diego voters and campaign donors would do themselves a favor by at least reading the Duncan Hunter & wife indictment. FOLLOW YOUR OWN MONEY. The Duncans' shopping spree allegedly went on for years, with plenty of warnings along the way.
13
My choice is A Raw Deal. That's the deal that most Americans including me never expected.
No, I never considered a perfect life, but I was raised in a country that once had ideals and great leaders like Abe Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.
I lived through the Nixon years, the Lewinsky/Clinton zeitgeist and the "W" kakistocracy, but Earth before that asteroid hit, (which created the Chicxulub crater)was swampy and dominated by Dinosaurs. Trump wants to make the world great again.
Don't forget. Shrimp and worms crawled out of the oceans first!
4
If some news intern would count all the Trump devotees at all the rallies since his election, I’d bet a steak dinner they’d not get the number of people who attend the average Dodger game.
That total count would be a fraction of a fraction compared to the electorate.
But on tv this vocal minority looks like a significant number when in fact it is not!
4
Mrs. Clinton would have made a very decent President.
She would have worked hard to improve things for women and minorities and tamp down the heavy disadvantages experienced by millions of people on the fringes of our society, which is to say, Trump’s people.
She would have been no miracle worker. The problems presented by Russia, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, the opioid crisis and the national debt would still be with us, with no easy solutions in sight.
But we would have had a rational person at the helm, instead of a looney tune who Twitters tirelessly every day to foment chaos and division throughout the world; and the country would be in a state of relative calm, instead of being in the midst of a flat-out crisis, with no end in sight.
I see no signs of recognition at all in Trump’s people or Congressional Republicans of the tragedy they have foisted on this formerly very strong country.
Or of the catastrophic mistake they made in making an ogre of Mrs. Clinton and a savior of Mr. Trump.
Fox News is presently reporting that Mrs. Clinton’s emails are a much worse problem than any of us had ever imagined.
The lights are flickering.
Soon they will turn completely dark.
18
Hey! At least he didn't strap the rabbit to the outside of the plane (Romney...dog...station wagon...).
On a serious note, 174k (the salary since 2009) is not a huge amount of money in this region. Comfortable but hardly wealthy. Even moderate, 1950s brick ramblers start at 500k - if they have not been renovated. And yes, most could make far more in the private sector. Easily 10x as much as attorneys or lobbyists.
@WastingTime 174 k is not a lot of money, but think of all the perks. Even the legal ones run into the millions. And then there is the high-paying job waiting for them when they leave the Congress.
1
$600 repaid, and $249,400 to go. It's a flying start for Representative Hunter in his ongoing existential struggle against Democrats and the deep state. For his donors, it's either a big heist or a mammoth unpaid bill.
But never mind, they'll vote for him anyway.
1
Instead of bringing back Deal of No Deal, may I suggest I've Got a Secret. Or Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, where viewers could go on safari, searching for a Republican with the decency to call out Trump for what he is.
When I saw "swamp things" I immediately thought of Pogo and his friends. I wonder what sort of critters Walt Kelly would come up with for Trump and his circle. Surely a snake or two, and some foxes to go with henhouses.
2
My nomination for a better slogan: "Follow the Money."
1
At least hunter didn't tie the bunny top the top of his station wagon and drive to Canada. Anyway glad to see the return of coverage of how politicians transport furry animals.
People (albeit a clear minority of voters) voted to embrace the warm, warm green goo of the swamp (and to expand it) when they voted for this President (when he admitted on tape to sexually assaulting multiple women) and republicans (when they promised tax theft for themselves, the rich and corporations)
People plunged into the swamp headfirst when they voted for (again - a clear minority) for this candidate that refused to release his tax returns (which all other candidates did in an effort of transparency), and then on DAY ONE was breaking the emoluments clause of the Constitution by enriching himself and his family through his properties and businesses.
People have accepted (even the base) the President and his henchmen implementing financial and trade policy through crushing new taxes (tariffs) that is wiping out their livelihood, businesses and jobs. Those in power are shorting stocks and making billions, while the base (farmers and other sectors) are losing everything.
The swamp has got nothing on these people.
8
Gail, your columns are such a marvelous balance of dig and giggle!
3
Big sigh. The Democratic Party are still unconvincing, unfocused, unclear. Fingers crossed everyone gets the vote out to get a Democrat House majority in November, no matter how aboslutely underwhelming and weak the message of “A Better Deal” comes across.
1
Trump only promised to "drain the swamp" when he thought he would be able to do so from the penthouse suite in Trump Towers. He had no idea he would actually win the election and have to carry through on any of his campaign promises.
Thankfully for The Donald, the Republicans were all ready to go with their Trickle Down Tax Cuts and plant to Deregulate America into a Banana Republic. The one thing the Republicans didn't have ready to go was a plan to get rid of the corruption. They benefit way too much to ever give that up.
6
How about Stop Weasels And Mendacious Politicians. Even the decent politicians must be miserable now, perhaps more so than the Duncan Hunters, Tom Prices, Scott Pruitts, and on, and on, and on.
The one thing, though, that distinguishes the decent from the indecent it the mendacity. I never agreed with a lot of John McCain's policy positions, but I could trust that 90+% of what cam out of his mouth was truth or how he interpreted it. Even his supporters know that most, if not all, that come out of Trump's mouth has the "odor of mendacity."
You can tell a lot about a politician by the type of pet(s) they have, and how they treat them.
It's notable that Trump seems to never have had a pet. Lack of empathy and affection? Heck, we've never even seen him show any affection towards Baron; in fact, have we ever seen him spend any time with him since he's been in office?
Actually, the only pet that Trump seems to have any interest in is his bevy of pussycats.
1
Yeah sure, let's hear all about ethics from Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, two people who owe their positions solely to the fact they are the Cookie Monsters of corporate cash. Remember, it was Schumer who fought for years to retain the carried interest loophole that was tailored for his chief constituents, hedge fund managers. Democrats are no less sleazy than Republicans, only less blatant. Eric Holder and his oleaginous deputy Lanny Breuer would not hold a single Wall Street exec responsible for obvious criminality in 2008, and after leaving office, went right back to their old jobs at the Covington law firm, defending the very people they should have imprisoned. Is that swampy enough for you?
The only time Democratic leaders are willing to step up is for cheap, feel-good policies on immigration, abortion, gun control and to tut-tut Trump. Anything that might impinge minutely on the wealth of their backers, and they're suddenly struck mute. Education costs? Healthcare? Income inequality? Hello, is anybody there?
Sadly Trump has made corruption and self dealing the new norm.Standards and ethics are so low that candidates running under the Trump banner can wear their ethical lapses and their corrupt practices proudly. They are part of Team Trump. They follow the leader. What could be better than mini-Trumps everywhere?
3
Question for Trump supporters. If Trump ran you down with his car and nobody saw him, would he stop or keep going?
7
A Better Deal, as a title, is so tepid. The New Deal is what we’ve lost and is, labor-wise, the platform of those “radical” young office seekers. The centrists don’t want to actually evoke the New Deal (too Socialist!) but in classic avoidance slips, only remind us that not long ago our Dems were known for backroom deals, and in the age of corporatocracy, deals are back in. Missing is DT’s adjacent Art of the Deal — that’s the one where Democracy gets dealt away.
'Right now, polling in Duncan Hunter’s district seems to suggest he can still get re-elected this fall."
What is the matter with the people who live in Hunter's district?
Do they not have a brain?
Do they not have a heart?
Have they no moral compass?
7
"He's a crook, but he is OUR crook" is a common election theme. People are willing to take some old-fashioned self-enrichment and graft to make sure that whoever it is that they identify as "them" don't get "our" money.
The folks who inhabit the swamp always represent "them" and not "us." Because "we" are ok, and "they" are not.
So the hope for any safe district to turn over? Slim. None. The only shot an entrenched incumbent has of losing is in a primary to a worse contender. People who are represented by people they loathe, but their neighbors trust, are essentially stuck. Districts are drawn that way.
Don't hold your breath. That "hopey changey thing," to quote the irrepressible Sarah Palin, is just soooo 2008.
I'm not entirely sure why the news about Duncan Hunter surprises anyone. We are talking about people who support Donald Trump. Trump makes Hunter look like a rank amateur in the kiddie pool.
These people are foul. I've never seen such complete lack of moral compass. It's unnerving to think they might be one's neighbors.
3
His ownership of a pet rabbit is the only endearing thing I've read about Duncan Hunter. Of course, it's probably his kids who begged for it, and his wife/campaign manager/fall woman who arranged the flight.
I would politely suggest that Gillum's brand of campaigning is better than the Chuck and Nancy kind, no matter what Deal they're offering. And I'm still wondering what possessed Schumer to cut a deal with McConnell giving the GOP free rein on 15 judicial appointments.
3
My suggestion for a memorable acronym is REST for Progress. Restore Equality, Sanity and Tranquility. The progress part needs to be there somehow to show that there is a program for future, not just an anti Trump.
53
I keep wondering about that rabbit. As a 4th grade teacher we had a class rabbit one year. By the end of the year that rabbit thought it was a 4th grader and behaved accordingly.
So it's absolutely clear to me (and my students) that if Snowy (our bunny) was going to fly she would INSIST on being in First Class with her own seat.
So some of Representative Hunter's choice of spending could be justified . . . with a nose wiggle :-)
3
Who would have predicted that in the 21st Century the US will elect one of the most honest Presidents in its history and that it would turn out to be an African-American? And that the next President (a white New Yorker grifter) will preside over the most corrupt and cheesiest administration? The political pendulum did not just oscillate, it lost its mooring. Impossible to predict if it will swing back.
16
November 6, 2018. Flush, America, flush. The bowl is full to overflowing, and the stench is killing us.
16
My first reaction is that poor Mr. Campa-Najjar doesn't have a snowball's chance in San Diego.
I'm all for separating Washington DC from private money interests at all stages of the political 'process'. Since that money is what currently supports the entire process, it's going to be a very, very long slog to separate men from their money. The prosperity gospel of unfettered capitalism is America's Way. Just as long as the money is in white pockets for the most part.
1
Funny piece and great comments today.
Yea, Elizabeth Warren: what a radical idea: ending legally sanctioned conflicts of interest.
Swamps - I learned to call them wetlands - are actually necessary to our survival. Maybe we should go back to calling DC Foggy Bottom? It carries an image of blurry figures scurrying around in a dark miasma - like the London fogs before coal burning was curtailed - carrying out their quid pro quo transactions in the dark.
I am still waiting for someone to explain what sort of seat a rabbit gets for $600. Does it get meals? A blanket? A rabbit has very short legs, so I may I assume it traveled economy?
I just might make a campaign sign for my yard using "Stop Weasels And Miserable Politicians."
26
Host: “Our guest is Ms. Emily Litella, a senior librarian, who is going to discuss why increasing authoritarianism represents such danger to a free, open and healthy democracy.
“Please welcome Ms. Emily Litella. Hi, Emily.”
Litella: “Hello. I’m very proud to be asked tonight to give my opinion on a very important topic: an increasing popularity among us of Abecedarianism.”
Host: “Uh, Emily …”
Litella: “Abecedarians originally constituted a 16th century sect centered in Germany that disdained all forms of fact-based human knowledge. Since the 19th century in the U.S. they’ve included the ‘Know Nothings’ and more recently all Republicans, notably from our fly-over and southern states. You may know them as ‘deplorables’.”
Host: “Emily, that’s not …”
Litella: “Their danger to democracy is obvious: these people tend to vote their interests and convictions and not the interests and convictions of the rest of us. This often includes preferring double-wides over houses and apartments and a preference for “Hamburger Helper”, copious amounts of cheap spirits and team bowling, as well as guns and God. Unchallenged, this creates a society that rejects infinite growth of the Administrative State which has been the salvation of all that we hold dear, and a noticeable breakdown in personal hygiene.”
Host: “EMILY! The topic is AUTHORITARIANISM, not “Abe-whatever-ism! I’m going to get fired over this!”
…
Litella: “Oh.”
…
“Well … that’s very different, isn’t it?”
…
“Never mind.”
7
@Richard Luettgen
Wonderful! Inspired!
1
@Richard Luettgen
Sorry Mr. Luettgen, you are no Gail Collins.
Don't give up your day job.
14
@Richard Luettgen Woman was a genius. Not even once in a generation.
1
With all your animal references in this column, Gail, I have to tell you that Warren's A.C.P.I.A. sounds like the ASPCA.
And I guess the goals are the same--eradicate corruption (and cruelty) to protect both man and beast in the body politic.
I don't think the Democrats are going to set the world on fire with that slogan ("A Better Deal"), but at least they've decided on one at this very late date.
But making that connect with voters by convincing them cleaner government isn't just a rebate on a car purchase won't be easy.
I sure hope they aren't getting so complacent they think they've got these midterms in the bag.
As I understand it, there is a plan to run against corruption by serving as a check on Donald Trump.
Because with the plethora of issues they can run on after more than a year and a half of Trump, it shouldn't be this hard to create a national umbrella theme for local races.
Or is it?
34
For what it's worth, the Google Ngram Viewer shows that the peak
year for "drain the swamp" in books was 1945. Up until about 1960,
year-to-year usage of this low-frequency phrase varied widely.
After 1960, though, there is a clear uptrend until now. Because
the phrase is believed to have been used metaphorically only since
"the Reagan years" of the 1980s, it would be interesting to find out
whether its metaphorical use has eclipsed its literal use and if so,
when the crossover point was.
2
The so called “swamp” is created through the influence of private sector whose mission is profit on the public sector whose mission is the well being of citizens. By electing someone directly from the private sector who is placing his pawns all over the administrations (interior, consumer protection, ecology, health, education...) and with low level of transparency (from tax return to shaggy connections), not much is done to protect the latter principles. Economy, and by that I mean Wall Street, including pensions funds and so on, may be showing profits, it will not compensate the increasing costs of health care, pollution, proper education,... as far as middle and low class is concerned. What is sad is that the first concerned are the one who put that guy where is is now. I love the USA as it has given me a lot, but walk the talk is crucial now more than ever.
46
Thank you! It's been far too long since you wrote about a certain dog on the roof of a station wagon. Even though oblique, this note is a cheerful reminder: "...it is my experience that when you want to point out something particularly weird about a politician, it’s often useful to examine the way he transports furry pets." For this reason alone, I hope that Mitt Romney enters the Senate.
57
@Ken Friedman: I guess it's too much to ask that Republicans not be thieves and animal torturers. As long as they're Republicans it's okay, right?
3
Since we're talking about the revolving door thing, can we go back to 1996? Bob Dole, his party's leader in the Senate, was running for president. He resigned his Senate seat to put all his efforts into his presidential campaign, and he so very heartwarmingly told us that after the votes were counted he would be going either to the White House or back to Russell, Kansas. I don't remember him telling us anything about K Street or Kyrgyzstan.
48
The swamp metaphor has long passed its “use by” date. Anyone who has taken Swamp 101 knows that swamps are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, supporting biodiversity, filtering pollutants and providing flood protection. Just ask Houston about the consequences of paving swamps over.
If only the branches of government would work as effectively as swamps. Sadly, it is now clear that Trump’s “Drain…the…Swamp!!” campaign mantra was a threat, not a promise. A well-functioning swamp is the last thing he wants. That’s why he’s working so frantically to replace it with toxic waste.
186
Well I am curious, did Hunter tie the rabbit to the roof of the car to get it to the airport?
Also I think it is demeaning to swamps by saying the need cleaning up, swamps are wondrous places, home to many fine creatures like alligators, turtles, birds. I think what we have in DC is a sewer, one that will have to be disinfected, and returned to its original purpose instead of sheltering GOP politicians.
So lets us call this deal, the New Swindle Deal. Donald the Mad's fellow sewer rats make Kid Weil look like and amateur. And rats they are, even he calls them rats, you know the ones who talk. flipping he calls it, Maybe they all went to tRump U and learned how to bilk the public and enrich themselves, like building casinos,bankrupting them, and paying themselves to get out of it,using the employees retirement money.
How about a musical Swindle Time for Donald, so far he has not taken the artwork and hidden it in some dark forest along with the titles to some hotels, but there is a bank in Cypress that will give him loans for anything he can purloin from the public.
Of course this is all Obama's and Hillary's fault, He is draining the swamp, and will leave us with a whole town of dead trees with a mortgage on them, held in a bank in Novosibirsk.
53
@David Underwood The White House will definitely need to be fumigated, especially the private living quarters.
Politicians have always loved the swampland throughout history.
But what's most impressive in 2018 is how much America's fake Christian community adores the GOP-Trump Swampland and treats Daycare Donnie like Jesus of Nazareth.
Grabbing women by the genitalia ?
How blessed art Thou, Donald.
Fornicating with strippers and models for hire right after your wife bears you a child ?
How great Thou art.
Lying morning, noon and night ?
The Lord detests lying lips.... but Donald gets a biblical swampland exemption.
Trump University ?
Fraudulence is next to godliness.
Rip healthcare away from millions ?
Damn the sick, the poor and needy to hell on earth.
Paint the toenails of billionaires ?
Amen
Rape and pollute Mother Earth ?
Bless you brother Pruitt; you are an angel from above.
Violating federal campaign finance laws ?
Let us pray.
For unto us an ill-mannered childman is born, unto us a deplorable son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be Orange Fraud, Birther Liar, Cheeto-In-Chief, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace....our Savior in Trumpian Christ.
We thank you, oh God of Swampland for the gift of America's bottom-of-the-political-barrel and complete moral and intellectual bankruptcy.
We offer our whited sepulchers to you, oh God....and our sacred hypocrisy as a sign of the black holes inside of us and we give eternal thanks to our Black-Hole-In-Chief and the bottomless satanic pit that is the Republican Party.
Amen.
661
@Socrates Tell it, Brother! One of your best, and that's really saying something. The current hypocrisy is stifling, but you are a breath of pure air.
14
@Socrates That was beautiful.
8
@Socrates Just so, and yet where I live I read comments and discussion threads in which some will plaintively ask why is he hated so? Sure, he is inelegant in public, but his achievements! He is getting 'it' done. This incredible worship comes from military individuals as well. Lifelong military Heritage families. Strong religious types too. White makes right I suppose.
3
It's not about draining a swamp. At Trump's level, it's about draining the sewer.
A couple of weeks ago on a trip from Cheyenne, WY to Salt Lake City, UT, I stopped in Rawlins, WY, which is midway on the interstate between the two cities. I'd forgotten wire for a project I was transporting so I drove to the local Rawlins hardware store.
A large sign on the front door proclaimed a timely life lesson. "Sewer snakes must be brought in the back and taken out the back."
The good people of Rawlins, WY know you don't want sewer snakes in public areas.
"Swamp" is too vague. The clear vision is to drain the sewer; to clean out the sewer; to vote out all the Sewer Snakes Nov 6th.
170
The last time a rabbit got this much attention in DC and the press, it was a "killer rabbit" attacking Jimmy Carter's rowboat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter_rabbit_incident
29
An article in the NYT says that Trump will have a campaign rally in Indiana while Senator McCain's body is arriving in Washington DC. The article also says Trump plans to hide away at Camp David during McCain's memorial service and that his staff hopes they can contain his anger at not being the center of attention during McCain's service.
Trump is below a swamp creature. No swamp creature would need his anger controlled because he is not the center of attention. No swamp creature would go off and sulk because someone else got the headlines in the news. Pretty sad when a swamp creature like an alligator will show more maturity during McCain's service than Trump will.
318
If cleaning the air has re-emerged as an American priority, one of the first things Democrats should do is keep Big Macs away from the president.
What’s definite is that nobody gives a dead, half-eaten rabbit’s bottom about campaign reform, and that Democrats would do better to cease the muckraking over the abuse of privilege committed by office-holders, because that kind of abuse is strictly a non-partisan offense. Every year, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) releases a list of Congress’s most corrupt members. There usually are as many Democrats on it as Republicans. And then there’s Louisiana, Illinois and New Jersey. Heck, let’s not forget Albany – for every Dean Skelos there’s a Sheldon Silver.
But I guess that when your only real “messages” are that we all need to become social democrats and Trump is icky and nothing ELSE, you DO need to concoct some other distraction that at least ENTERTAINS, because the others are so unconvincing.
Like Bobby, I’m beginning to see you guys goin’ over the hill … with Abraham, Martin and John.
5
@Richard Luettgen
You are wrong that no one cares about campaign finance reform. End Citizens United plans to raise $35 million this year in their fight for campaign finance reform. In their first year (2015) they raised $11 million.
Additionally, advocacy groups like Public Citizen, Common Cause and People for the American Way have been fighting to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision for years.
Just because you are unaware of something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/12/05/democ...
253
@Richard Luettgen
I am not sure what you mean by "entertainment" or the importance of it in politics. To the daily hysterical charade of the Trump administration, there are those who prefer an articulate "message" that motivates human beings to strive for social justice and a reaffirmation of the principles embedded in our Constitution and democratic form of government.
106
@Richard Luettgen
Muckraking?? You mean publishing the facts, speaking up or do you mean ignoring malfeasance. Icky, is that all decent honest people think of Donald the Mad, or is that your interpretation?
All my friends think he is despicable, disgusting, icky would be a compliment. No our message is that we need to teach honesty, trustworthiness, politeness, Even his closest friends will rat him out when the noose tightens enough, Il Duce tRump is feeling it, he shows it, he can not stand to be around decent people, they are an affront to him, honest, well mannered, educated are an example of what he is not, it gives him anxiety attacks.
105
I held this column up to the sun after reading it. It said "HELP"
Dems still--STILL--don't get Trump voters, and dogmatically slumber to the left....I fear the blue wave has gone purplish......
10
Actually, we do get Trump voters ... and we’re terrified.
4
@Tom Merrwit Democrats well understand Trump voters. They know that Trump voters are a lost cause, so they are focusing on turning out the base.
4
@Tom Merrwit Yeah, in your dreams, repub . . .
2
Ms. Collins is upset the Republicans exhibit the behaviour all politicians do, including her beloved heroes, many of whom post-Obama, like Holder, are making millions. She just can't get off her consistently partisan position.
4
At least Holder did his job while in office (without rabbit scandals).
And so what if she's "partisan?"
8
He’s the Mancheerio Candidate.
This is a guy who will show up at an event in a Ford, dressed in cowboy boots. He will hear people bemoaning the U.S. Auto models and others ridiculing cowboy boots. With no pause he will blast Fords, and skewer a man across the room wearing cowboy boot sandals.
He is neverybody. He has no soul, so he doesn’t understand the concept of hypocrisy. If you tried to explain it, you’d see that he’s lost.
31
@K. Corbin
Neverybody - nice term.
1
Oh, I would say it's all a matter of what you want to be rid of in your swamp. I think the donald is trying to rid us of decent politicians (slurp!) oh . . . there goes another one . . .
19
Gail
Your unfailingly optimistic outlook is a joy to read.
42
Innocent, naturally occurring swamps,Gail, are really getting an undeserved reputation as a result of their association with the corruption and criminality of Trump and his band of incorrigibles. In the future, please abandon any references to this rich and life-sustaining ecosystem. Let’s call the much anticipated jettisoning of this collection of moral misfits the "Plunging of the Toilet". Thanks.
140
@John Grillo
I'm concerned that your suggestion is an insult to toilets. In my house, the toilets actually do the job they were installed to do.
2
@John Grillo Indeed, the same goes for “witch hunt”. Except for Ivanka and Sarah I don’t think there are too many women involved in this perverse administration. Oh, I guess we can add Hunter’s wife to the list.
So another diatribe against Trump appears at the Times - that never happens. Complete with calls for more 'new' or 'fair' deals - never mind the damage the original New Deal is still causing - it bleeds with the usual vitriol that has become a daily event. Meanwhile we now learn that the Chinese stole every one of Hillary's emails - you know - from that server in the swampy part of Denver that nobody knew about except the Russians and the Chinese. And it would not be complete without promotion of the 'ethics' espoused from the paragon of virtue Elizabeth Warren. Ar the Times op-ed writers capable of discussing anything else?
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@Keith I always love it when folks complain about the New Deal. So, I take it you don’t use national parks, highways and bridges ( a lot of them in PA were the product of the WPA..I know they’re riven with potholes now, but think how you’d get across the Three Rivers without them). And then, when you get old, try living without a social security check ( however meager it may be). Just asking...
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@Cheryl Run the math on Social Security - take all of your and your employer contributions and pretend they went into a tax-sheltered retirement account at just a 6% growth rate over a full career. Most would retire with well over $1,000,000 and would have far more retirement income - and a legacy to pass down to kids, instead of the government keeping it. See Galveston TX for an example of how it could have been.
Many national parks got their start before the New Deal, with the Park Service established in 1916. The beautiful Allegheny National Forest was established in 1916 before the New Deal. Cooks Forest is a state park established in 1927 - before the New Deal. The main bridges across our beautiful Three Rivers were built before & after the New Deal - the Smithfield Street Bridge is still in operation and was built in 1881. The Ft. Pitt and Ft Duquesne Bridges were built in the 1950's & 1960's. WPA did some commendable things but it was one piece of the larger New Deal.
I always love when folks try to point out the errors of my logic with incorrect facts.
@Keith
Well I have run the math,and when I was young, I thought I could do what you snuggest, well I have some good paying accounts, like a managed IRA,but it does not grow at 6%, and it is not free. I people with $1M in wealth management accounts, and they pay 1.3% for that, and lately with Wells some managers think they found a way to make better personal income from them.
On top of that you can have periods of unemployment, where you do not contribute and have to use any savings you might have, you argument is specious.
You also seem to ignore the effect the Great Depression had don thosepu9blic places and where the money came from for them.
Today 4% is a good return on equity, and that is only $40K a year, minus taxes. Also you are leaving out that SS is an insurance program, it pays if you become disabled and can no longer contribute, it pays your widow or widower if you die, your figures are made up, I can tell you, $1M is peanuts, it goes fast when you get old.
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As a San Diego resident, but not in Hunter's district, it's still very embarrassing. Even more so since I'm in Darrel Issa's district.
Two contiguous districts, one with Hunter and the other with Issa. How bad is that!
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@Phil28 I guess you’re lucky it’s not contiguous with Kevin McCarthy’s district, too. I grew up in SD, but left for the fresher political air of NorCal. I feel your pain, such a beautiful place, too bad about the stench.
@Phil28
You poor American. Migrate to Australia where you can become a citizen and you will then have to vote or face fines. One way to partially drain the sewer.
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You are correct, Gail, this has been the fourth rainiest July in Washington since 1945- ideal for swamp creatures and they are busy at work.They see this as a chance to cause mayhem and havoc before the 2018 elections.I hope you will invite us to join you in your Stop Weasels And Miserable Poiticians - this makes perfect sense-so much work to do-so little time.
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Trump got the idea to drain the swamp because he is a developer. Swamps serve an important environmental role, so of course he wants to drain it, probably to build a golf course.
The Atlantic had a piece recently explaining why his followers don't see what he and his cabinet are doing as corruption. The short version is that they see corruption as an attack on traditional hierarchies. Thus, an ambitious woman who wants to be president is the real "corruption." By cozying up with white nationalists, dissing black athletes, and generally trying to role back the hands of time, he is "draining the swamp" to his fans. Sad. Or perhaps, dare I say, deplorable.
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@kjb This is exactly right. Trump's idea of "draining the swamp" has always been to rid Washington of regulators, progressives and basically anything that stands in the way of making a buck.
Just because he heard the phrase somewhere and incorporated it as a campaign slogan doesn't mean that Trump knew the usual meaning of the phrase, much less that he intended to rid Washington of corruption.
Never has there been a more corrupt president -- financially, ethically, legally or morally -- than the current occupant of the White House. He wallows in the swamp.
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@kjb a
Actually, according to Madeleine Albright, (author of "Fascism a Warning"), Mussolini initiated a campaign to "drenare la plude" (drain the swamp.) We all know how that turned out.
If the rabbit hops aboard and and throws her well travelled foot into the ring, she surely has my vote over one other hairy beast lots of us think should jump back into his rabbit hole.
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New t-shirt slogan for trump supporters:
I'd rather elect a convicted felon than a democrat
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@Claire Elliott
There are already t-shirts out there saying "I'd rather be a Russian than a Democrat."
Democrats are U.S. citizens just like Republicans and Trump supporters. We Democrats actually believe in the Constitution, the National Anthem, and especially the last 3 words of the Pledge of Allegiance which are "justice for all."
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@Claire Elliott Don't suggest that, Claire! His supporters will snap them up!
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@Claire Elliottwhat has trump been convicted of?
I like the oblique historical flea bag reference you snuck in there Gail! It can certainly double as a metaphor for the main subject of the piece. Which brings me to the question, why am I reading this and both laughing and crying? It’s like the Zombie Apocalypse has arrived, and infected the inhabitants of Washington first. The rest of us have to watch in impotent dismay as they spread across the country, while we wait in horror to see if the POTUS will engage in acts of necrophilia.
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@GSL
No, they infected the deplorables first and god help us they are spread all across the nation!
@GSL
Zombie Apocalypse.
Exactly how I feel!
Gail, I’ve been waiting for YOU. It’s been a bad week already, with my long time favorite Republican now gone. You comfort me, like the Sister I never had, but wished for. Anyway, can we hear more about the famous Flying Rabbit ? Please, please investigate. Name, gender, age. This could be the next Seamus, the famous car roof surfing Dog. Imagine the adventures on planes for a pampered bunny, first class all the way. OH, the places you’ll GO, congressional Rabbit !!! Please send pix.
Seriously.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian I wish there was a like button.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian
the rabbit's name is Maurice.
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You are a very lucky lady, Mrs. Collins, to be considering such trivial issues when casting your vote. The rest of America cares about substantive issues (we're not choosing the best boyfriend or a lover.) We care about: the economy, jobs, wages, inflation, housing/rental costs, illegal immigrants working under the table and taking housing stock for multi-families in single-family units, etc.
God bless your lifestyle that you still care about how these people transport their pets... You get a vote, and we get a vote. Bet you didn't care much about us when the economy was in shambles, Bush was starting all those wars that Obama refused to end, and people in your household were hungry for work...
Trump 2020. #MAGA.
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@Midway, that "MAGA" you're in love with is getting to be a steeper and steeper climb with every hour your favorite con-man remains President. If you don't get out, you may drown before he's gone.
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@Midway There are none so blind as those who will not see. Better keep those eye"shades" pulled down - keep out that annoying glow of truth.
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@Midway
You missed the point about the rabbit story. It's about Republican corruption and illegal use of campaign funds for personal use such as buying a plane ticket for a pet rabbit. Outrageous and kind of funny.
The economy began to improve under Obama. Trump creates chaos and surrounds himself with shady, swampy characters and refuses to release his tax return.
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I think passing the S.W.A.M.P. Act is something we can all support whole-heartedly.
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"If the Democrats win a majority in the House, both parties need to feel that the voters demanded change because they want cleaner government. Not sure all the signals are going that way."
But we can hope.
Will the GOP campaign slogan will be "The Art of the Stacked Deal"? Being in the south is like living in the red sea, so many supporters of this unfit president. I'm beginning to wonder if money, for those who have gobs, is thicker than blood. For the rest, they're starting to remind me of snails, waving signs and chanting "We Want Salt!"
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Trump IS the swamp. A big, not so beautiful SWAMP. His constantly changing but always disgraceful staff and his Collaborators are the swamp creatures. We need a Wall all right, around Them. Seriously.
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The 4 dem slogans listed are all lame and will not generate any votes (might even keep people from voting).
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@CraigO2
Dems need to go bold with...
"Stop the Corruption!"
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Rabbits are people too. . .
"Makin' Kale Great Again"
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Get rid of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer and replace them with modern-day Eric Hoffer(s) and the Democrats will control congress and the White House for another 50 years.
Otherwise, if you always do what you've always done you'll always get what you've recently had: Trump, more Trump, most Trump.
Democrats have a choice next election: the weird left and more Trump or the Eric Hoffer choice and real change. Defeat or Victory.
Now please "Pick the Door" and let's be done with it. Stop wasting our time. Don't even consider the Eric Hoffer approach (you won't even think about it) and continue the hot-air polemics on the NYT; convert the front page of the NYT to an illustrated periodical. It's already half-way there with the stridulent polemics anyway. Spare us the slow decline and just do it.
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@robW, sorry to disappoint you in November.
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@robW
No, Hoffer was brilliant, but his life accomplishments outside of his thoughts show having modern-day Eric Hoffer(s) in leadership roles would be disastrous for the Democrats.
Rather, what they all should do is read his works, especially the "True Believer" which certainly nails down the psychology of Trump supporters: essentially how they don't look for Trump to make their lives better, but rather to strike at that part of themselves they hate.
Then they should look to his "men (and women) of action" for leaders.
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Thanks for getting Mitt in there, however obliquely.
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It’s the year of the dog in 2018, the pig in 2019, we don’t get back to the year of the rabbit till 2023. SAD
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I have no desire to live in a swamp but there are many people who are very comfortable there. Draining it is the last thing they want to do. It is their happy place.
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@Robert O.
"......many people who are very comfortable there."
Indeed--like the entire republican Congressional delegation.
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@Robert O.: My childhood was the heyday of really bad science fiction films, among them the creature from the black lagoon. It lacked fire breathing radioactive dragons narrated by Raymond Burr, but it had slime. Unlike that swampy thing, Trump lacks any redemptive qualities and seems to have as much substance as algae. There is more than a little fishy about him, all of it rotting from the head down. He baits his base and they swallow it hook line and sinker. He feels exempt from the scales of justice. Every time a new scandal erupts he scuds away from it sideways like a crab snapping its claws. With the personality of an eel and the spine of a jellyfish he huffs and puffs like a blowfish out of water. I hope Mr. Meuler can make sushi out of him soon.
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Bunnygate!
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@Marat In 1784 Wonderful! You have given me my first true laugh in a long time.
Trump said he would drain the swamp.
We all know how that went.
On 11/6/18, we will all, collectively, take the garbage out.
VOTE.
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@Guitar Man
“Take the Garbage Out”should be the Democrat slogan. I’d put it on my bumper, but don’t want my tires slashed, windshield broken and sugar in my gas tank; we have a very proactive Evangelical community.
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Clearly the rabbit flew coach, so give Hunter a break. He cudda put a hutch on the car roof...
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@Michael c: He could have put the rabbit into a carrier tied to the top of the airplane!
What do you think of the idea that Trump will resign in January 2019 so that Pence will be able to serve two and a half terms as President?
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@Brad
Not gonna happen.
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