“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
― Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
35
"Those who know, do not speak.
Those who do not know, speak."
- Lao Tzu
Those who do not know, speak."
- Lao Tzu
47
Freezing federal hires goes a long way in handicapping agencies like the SEC, IRS, EPA, & so on's ability to enforce existing regulations.
19
Can the Times interview Ralph Nadar on this subject?
7
This is not Fascist America and Trump is not our dictator. Impotent Republicans, in the words of Kellyanne Conspeak, we are taking names and you will be voted out.
37
Eh, get over it Times.
9
The terrorists are in the White House . They are trying to blow up America and tear apart democracy . We all need to work to stop this .
59
DJT is just creating a lot of chatter and confusion and stupid stuff so that "we the people" won't notice that he still hasn't shown us his tax statements.
We the people employed this guy and he can't do the job he was hired to do.
Come on people !! Let's do our job and tell him: YOU'RE FIRED
We the people employed this guy and he can't do the job he was hired to do.
Come on people !! Let's do our job and tell him: YOU'RE FIRED
9
Most Republicans have their head in the sand, as usual. A couple have dissented, very quietly. From the rest, NO outrage whatsoever for rules that contradict the very foundation of this nation. Are they COWARDS, STUPID, TRAITORS--yes to all.
The Trump problem will never be solved until Republicans start to think about what they can do for American citizens and stop pandering to their wealthy donors.
The Trump problem will never be solved until Republicans start to think about what they can do for American citizens and stop pandering to their wealthy donors.
12
Anyone who watched MSNBC's Morning Joe today, January 30, 2017, witnessed Sean Spicer's attempted stonewalling when questioned on the specifics of who exactly vetted the Muslim Ban (call it what it is - and yeah we know that the current POTUS burped it out) witnessed how far the United States of America is falling. Is there a bottom to the abyss?
16
DJT doesn't know how the government works??? Now that's a headline! He knows enough to avoid paying income tax... for years. He knows how to line up a legal team to sue the government. And file for bankrupsty.
He knows how to avoid military service. That he has "beachhead teams" is sweet. He's never seen a beachhead in his life. He's more of a golf course, poolside kind of guy...
He knows how to avoid military service. That he has "beachhead teams" is sweet. He's never seen a beachhead in his life. He's more of a golf course, poolside kind of guy...
11
I just read an editorial in the NYT that claims that Social Media (i.e. Twitter and FACEBOOK) was responsible for the protests that occurred. What the writer neglected to address and report was that TWITTER and FACEBOOK also are responsible for the FAKE NEWS, Lies and Hysteria that Donald Trump, Bannon and Ms. Conway have spread throughout this country. They need to be called to task on this. The American People are being manipulated and used by Twitter and FACEBOOK. If you are going to promote the positive attributes that have cultivated by Social Media, you have to also report the heinous lying and fear mongering that has been generated by Social Media and their absolute irresponsibility to get facts or content straight. To do anything else is irresponsible journalism. Stand up and print the facts.
8
Find his taxes..Find his Russian financiers..the truth will set him free...of us!
20
This Amateur Hour presidency is an excruciating display of incompetence and hubris. Popular vote loser Trump’s idea of “great” is:
—Make America Dirty Again (sure lose the regulations and let our air look like China and our water taste like Flint)
—Make America Hateful Again (as a white person, I say no, no, no! White skin is NO signifier of anything, let alone intelligence, wisdom, integrity, respect, kindness, grace, compassion. We are all human, whatever ethnicity or skin color. GET BANNON OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, NOW!)
—Make America Sick Again (Trump says he has an ironclad healthcare replace plan, but absolutely no sign of it yet)
—Make America Ignorant Again (Trump vilifies and attacks the press, wanting people to think he is the only source of truth. Next they’ll outlaw a free press and allow only one news source: Pravda/Amerika)
—Make America Uneducated Again (the arguments against a DeVos education secretary are numerous, but the most egregious are diversion of public funds into private schools and intrusion of church into state matters)
The incompetency of this presidency is beyond belief. That his security secretaries didn’t even weigh in on the immigration ban before he signed it is perhaps the scariest thing ever to come out of any White House. The amateurs are out in full force and they are in charge!
World, please know that this is not America!
—Make America Dirty Again (sure lose the regulations and let our air look like China and our water taste like Flint)
—Make America Hateful Again (as a white person, I say no, no, no! White skin is NO signifier of anything, let alone intelligence, wisdom, integrity, respect, kindness, grace, compassion. We are all human, whatever ethnicity or skin color. GET BANNON OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, NOW!)
—Make America Sick Again (Trump says he has an ironclad healthcare replace plan, but absolutely no sign of it yet)
—Make America Ignorant Again (Trump vilifies and attacks the press, wanting people to think he is the only source of truth. Next they’ll outlaw a free press and allow only one news source: Pravda/Amerika)
—Make America Uneducated Again (the arguments against a DeVos education secretary are numerous, but the most egregious are diversion of public funds into private schools and intrusion of church into state matters)
The incompetency of this presidency is beyond belief. That his security secretaries didn’t even weigh in on the immigration ban before he signed it is perhaps the scariest thing ever to come out of any White House. The amateurs are out in full force and they are in charge!
World, please know that this is not America!
26
"Sorry, rules don't dissolve by decree." Whom are you talking to? Surely, not the President. Not the people who voted FOR the President. You can't be talking to the people who voted AGAINST the President because they already know that rules are not supposed to dissolve by decree. Get my point? While the Times tap dances on the coffin at the wake, the world increasingly grows unstable. THIS INCIPIENT TOTALITARIAN MUST BE SUMMED UP NOW! The Times needs to express outrage and point itself like a sword Trump. Clearly, axiomatically, self-evidently, the truth is not enough! Stop covering this gathering cataclysm as though it were a hurricane offshore. Know this: You, me, and everyone else, lacks the perspicacity and wisdom to know how all this will unravel or turn out. NOW is the only time to prevent rediscovering the past. You must act, NOW. The principles of journalism are only viable in a viable state. Yours will be one of the first doors heavily leaned upon, with no court to be found anywhere. The Germans are right: Stand up and say, "Kill all Jews!" They arrest you. A corpse is not necessary; indeed, not even a clinched fist, just the words. It's not how they normally like to doing things; but WWII taught them an important lesson: What is said and done matters! No country can long survive that is guided by its uneducated masses. Without a brain, democracy is just a scarecrow.
21
As far as the immigration ban , the language used to substantiate the order
states that these countries were "detrimental to the United States " . No one from any of those countries committed any terrorist acts here in the US , so then what criteria are they using for the ban ? These countries were singled out by Obama as being a warning to Americans to VISIT , but so far no attacks have occurred in the US from anyone living in those countries .
For that matter , using that criteria , he could justify banning immigration from Belgium . Weren't the French attackers of Belgium nationality ?
Sadly , I don't know what will hold up in court . I do know that this is very bad for our country and will only serve to destabilize the world . We are part of a global effort to fight terrorism and what Trump did essentially was to separate us from EVERYBODY . Basically he just made the US a look like a pariah in the eyes of the world .
Sad ..
states that these countries were "detrimental to the United States " . No one from any of those countries committed any terrorist acts here in the US , so then what criteria are they using for the ban ? These countries were singled out by Obama as being a warning to Americans to VISIT , but so far no attacks have occurred in the US from anyone living in those countries .
For that matter , using that criteria , he could justify banning immigration from Belgium . Weren't the French attackers of Belgium nationality ?
Sadly , I don't know what will hold up in court . I do know that this is very bad for our country and will only serve to destabilize the world . We are part of a global effort to fight terrorism and what Trump did essentially was to separate us from EVERYBODY . Basically he just made the US a look like a pariah in the eyes of the world .
Sad ..
16
It's okay, folks, in a couple of months. he'll say that he has cut 75% of regulations. And, that he is going to cut 80% more.
The majority herds in Congress will clap and applaud. A couple of adults in the Senate majority will sound dire. Kellyanne Conway will get on the Sunday talkies and weekday morning shows to tell us what a bunch of inappreciative jerks we are for not understanding the significant things this meaningful president is undertaking (or, maybe, it is the meaningful things this significant president....)
Sean Spicer will show up trailing after her and worry me sick that he is going to have a stroke on live TV, or pull a head spinner like Linda Blaire in The Exorcist. But, it's okay, despite Wringling Brothers' closure, we've still got a circus.
The majority herds in Congress will clap and applaud. A couple of adults in the Senate majority will sound dire. Kellyanne Conway will get on the Sunday talkies and weekday morning shows to tell us what a bunch of inappreciative jerks we are for not understanding the significant things this meaningful president is undertaking (or, maybe, it is the meaningful things this significant president....)
Sean Spicer will show up trailing after her and worry me sick that he is going to have a stroke on live TV, or pull a head spinner like Linda Blaire in The Exorcist. But, it's okay, despite Wringling Brothers' closure, we've still got a circus.
20
Trump won again over the weekend, he proved he could he can do whatever he wants and that no one can stop him. This a phenomenon that defies traditional opposition and containment. His tweets have become executive orders. Spicer kept referring to the United states as the "Greatest" nation in the world. This is offensive to me (an old quiet longhair in Canada) and must be even more offensive to the other nations and religions in the world that Trump denigrates. What great country turns away refugees?
26
This guy (Trump) doesn't know what he's doing. He's endangering America. Around the world people are horrified at what is happening to America. The GOP needs to admit they made a mistake and impeach him. I hate Pence and everything he stands for, but the Trumo/Bannon duo is going to get us killed. At least Pence has some understanding of HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS!
25
It's time for an alternative Oval Office where Trump, Bannon, Miller, Conway, Spicer et al can play amongst themselves. Now we just have to figure out who will be in the real Oval Office. That's a tough one.
11
Why is the article about Bannon being appointed to the Security Counsel down at the bottom of the front page? That, combined with the flood of shocking appointments and directives , is overwhelming the ability of citizens and Congress membersto respond effectively. Bannon is the mastermind here. While the focus is on Trump, Conway Spicer, there looks to be a sort of coup happening e.g.: gutting the State Department of it's most experienced staff. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but the chaos looks strategic to me. We have to stop reacting to the theatrical distractions and recognize that Trump is only the front man.
56
This is all very well and good as long as we aren't facing a coup. The attached post and article are both making the rounds today.
https://medium.com/@yonatanzunger/trial-balloon-for-a-coup-e024990891d5#...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4166610/Kremlin-covered-murder-f...
https://medium.com/@yonatanzunger/trial-balloon-for-a-coup-e024990891d5#...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4166610/Kremlin-covered-murder-f...
8
The Man of the Hour
Cares Only about Power.
He can Destroy Life
With the Stroke of His Pen.
Cares Only about Power.
He can Destroy Life
With the Stroke of His Pen.
2
Mr. Trump is not sowing the seeds of dictatorship. He's following Obama's breadcrumbs.
4
It's informative to look up the annualized number of executive orders issued by each president. So far Trump's number for executive orders per year exceeds all other presidents, even FDR. It's about eight times the rate of orders issued under Obama or the younger Bush.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_federal_executive_or...
The only things this says about Trump is (1) he doesn't understand that the presidency is not a monarchy and (2) he has a sufficient supply of Sharpies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_federal_executive_or...
The only things this says about Trump is (1) he doesn't understand that the presidency is not a monarchy and (2) he has a sufficient supply of Sharpies.
4
It is a pathetic joke. No new business reguations unless two are scrapped. Try this on your teenagers. " No new T shirts unless you throw out two of your clothes items." You know that the teens will comply but find a way to let go of a couple pair of threadworn socks. But fiats like this are a substitute for measured analysis and that takes thinking. Which aint easy for sure.
1
When your strategy is "ready, fire!" without taking aim, you will hit unintended targets. But this is the strategy.
1
Love the title. Hope you had the same opinion when President Obama was issuing his executive orders.
4
gosh, let's mention this sentiment to former president Obama who issued many executive orders, including orders insisting that government employees do not enforce certain laws on the books. The hypocrisy of OKing certain decrees but not others, is clearly evident. We need rule of law, and our citizens should be outraged when it is tramped on by either party.
4
Obama openly choose to, and directed officials to not enforce laws currently on the books. "It's the right thing to do", was his famous quote.
I don't remember anyone crying about it then, so stop crying about it now.
I don't remember anyone crying about it then, so stop crying about it now.
4
Besides doing the obvious, stand in there and accept the protestors for what they–Americans who have forgotten that the regions where the Muslim religion dominates the political landscape have produced the greatest numbers who want to see America turned into a wasteland just like theirs–, Trump needs to do three things for certain:
1) Initiate legal action where appropriate, including prosecution, against state and local officials who are deliberately engaging in nullification of federal immigration laws.
2) Undertake all necessary efforts to end illegal immigration. Deport EVERY PERSON who is here illegally.
And 3) Reduce legal immigration to under 100,000 per year, allowing in only those who deserve immediate sanctuary based on documented religious persecution and those who have demonstrably special skills–getting a job at Facebook, Google, Apple et al. not included–critical to the functioning of our country.
What this will do, of course, is continue to force them into the EU–a good thing according to Merkel.
1) Initiate legal action where appropriate, including prosecution, against state and local officials who are deliberately engaging in nullification of federal immigration laws.
2) Undertake all necessary efforts to end illegal immigration. Deport EVERY PERSON who is here illegally.
And 3) Reduce legal immigration to under 100,000 per year, allowing in only those who deserve immediate sanctuary based on documented religious persecution and those who have demonstrably special skills–getting a job at Facebook, Google, Apple et al. not included–critical to the functioning of our country.
What this will do, of course, is continue to force them into the EU–a good thing according to Merkel.
3
Why can't Big Brother simply tell all of these people, "Your're fired"? And his Ministry of Truth (Bannon and Conway) can simply explain that all of his apprentices in the government will just have to leave.
3
"holding them up and explaining them aloud, like story hour in the Oval Office."
More like " Fun with Don and Vlad" I'd say!
Ten days into the Trump-Putin regime and the gloves are off. Eyes closed they flail away at all that was built by our founding fathers to take a beating, but vulnerable to their kryptonite of foolish hubris. They have found the back door and we hold our collective breath...waiting, protesting, and worrying...
More like " Fun with Don and Vlad" I'd say!
Ten days into the Trump-Putin regime and the gloves are off. Eyes closed they flail away at all that was built by our founding fathers to take a beating, but vulnerable to their kryptonite of foolish hubris. They have found the back door and we hold our collective breath...waiting, protesting, and worrying...
3
In a discussion at work... some people claim Obama and Clinton did the same sort of ban in their administration. is that true? They called the Trump critics "snowflakes" - wasn't sure what that meant. More questions than comments.
3
"signing his executive orders on TV, holding them up and explaining them aloud, like story hour in the Oval Office"--very good!
& of course it IS story hour in the Oval Office!
& of course it IS story hour in the Oval Office!
8
January 30, 2017
For a more perfect union in the simplistic juvenile politician; President Donald Trump's modus operandi obsession to decree Obama's achievements are gone; and all is right with the greatest country on earth so says the theater of the absurd and as well self evaporate from civil society in the home of brave and land of the free to cherish hold what is dear to histrionics by worthy accomplished mature politicians thru the ages and for all times.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
For a more perfect union in the simplistic juvenile politician; President Donald Trump's modus operandi obsession to decree Obama's achievements are gone; and all is right with the greatest country on earth so says the theater of the absurd and as well self evaporate from civil society in the home of brave and land of the free to cherish hold what is dear to histrionics by worthy accomplished mature politicians thru the ages and for all times.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
2
As any businessman who has ever been inspected by OSHA knows, it all depends on their mood and who's on the "knock-down" list that year, month, or day.
Trump has all the levers he needs to move forward once he gets his team in place. At the same time, government employees sympathetic to Obama's view of "government" will leak and destroy as has always been done in Washington, even back to Burr and Jefferson.
We're pretty doomed by our current form of government by careerism bureaucracy, anyway. When the money runs out, which will be soon, it's over for us all, DNC or RNC Politburo-controlled Congress and White House.
Trump has all the levers he needs to move forward once he gets his team in place. At the same time, government employees sympathetic to Obama's view of "government" will leak and destroy as has always been done in Washington, even back to Burr and Jefferson.
We're pretty doomed by our current form of government by careerism bureaucracy, anyway. When the money runs out, which will be soon, it's over for us all, DNC or RNC Politburo-controlled Congress and White House.
1
My comment is about the photo rather than the editorial text. Please remind yourselves that everything that refers POTUS does not need his photo accompanying it. Several of my friends and family say they just cannot read news anymore, and this paper especially, because of having to see the face of the POTUS. These people have not been "low-information" in the past, but seeing many images every day is just too painful.
8
In an earlier posting, Mr. Richard Luettgen notes: ". . . this is ONE way of handling the obsolescence of human labor by automation--get everyone to work for the Feds . . . ."
There are, of course, traditional GOP-Conservative laissez faire solutions:
(1) Privatize Trump's proposed infrastructure project and put unemployed and underemployed laborers to work constructing a oneway superhighway to serfdom;
(2) Benign neglect or the "let nature take its Social Darwinian course" approach:
"To act consistently [in accord with the laws of population increase, of scarcity and of the market], we should facilitate, instead of foolishly and vainly . . . impede, the operation of nature in producing . . . mortality . . . . [W]e should . . . court the return of the plague. . . . But above all, we should reprobate specific remedies for ravaging diseases . . . ." Thomas Robert Malthus, An Essay on the Principle of Population (New York: Dutton, 1960), vol. 2, pp. 179-80; originally published in 1803.
The second approach will no doubt prove close to the compassionately conservative hearts of Representative/Doctor Tom Price and President Trump, and will guide the policies of their Department of Health and Human Services.
There are, of course, traditional GOP-Conservative laissez faire solutions:
(1) Privatize Trump's proposed infrastructure project and put unemployed and underemployed laborers to work constructing a oneway superhighway to serfdom;
(2) Benign neglect or the "let nature take its Social Darwinian course" approach:
"To act consistently [in accord with the laws of population increase, of scarcity and of the market], we should facilitate, instead of foolishly and vainly . . . impede, the operation of nature in producing . . . mortality . . . . [W]e should . . . court the return of the plague. . . . But above all, we should reprobate specific remedies for ravaging diseases . . . ." Thomas Robert Malthus, An Essay on the Principle of Population (New York: Dutton, 1960), vol. 2, pp. 179-80; originally published in 1803.
The second approach will no doubt prove close to the compassionately conservative hearts of Representative/Doctor Tom Price and President Trump, and will guide the policies of their Department of Health and Human Services.
2
If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there’d be no work for tinkers’ hands.
2
Sometimes the NYT editorial board makes me shake my head... and sometimes they make me mad... and sometimes, like now, they just make me laugh.
"Maybe these pledges will actually streamline government in a positive way, instead of undermining it, as the ideologues around the president seem to want. But so far, they are mainly show."
"But so far..." after a week?? You mean after a week the NYT editorial board hasn't seen a noticeable effect from Trump's executive orders trying to curb the size of the $3.6 trillion federal government, its millions of workers or the 90,000+ regulations?? We'll I guess we need to just deem the Trump presidency a historical failure and go ahead and characterize him a lame duck president for the final 207 of the 208 weeks of his presidency. The part that makes me shake my head is the thought that the editorial board wrote this to be serious.
"Maybe these pledges will actually streamline government in a positive way, instead of undermining it, as the ideologues around the president seem to want. But so far, they are mainly show."
"But so far..." after a week?? You mean after a week the NYT editorial board hasn't seen a noticeable effect from Trump's executive orders trying to curb the size of the $3.6 trillion federal government, its millions of workers or the 90,000+ regulations?? We'll I guess we need to just deem the Trump presidency a historical failure and go ahead and characterize him a lame duck president for the final 207 of the 208 weeks of his presidency. The part that makes me shake my head is the thought that the editorial board wrote this to be serious.
6
Obviously, President Bannon is a big problem. How clumsily he wields his Trumpuppet. Yet, perhaps instead this is well played on Bannon's part; he generates maximum chaos on behalf of his nationalist/Leninist friends, and the puppet gets the blame. Smooth, isn't it?
46
Trump's inner circle is problematic.
Steve Bannon is emerging as 2nd in command, and self-assuming power as Trump languishes about preoccupied with perceived slights, poll numbers or what someone says.
We know from his aides that Trump squanders time preoccupied by and infuriated by television coverage of himself. Every day.
Trump's delved into many far-out conspiracy theories even defending it when utterly debunked + he considers Bannon and Alex Jones his heroes.
Bannon's heavily influencing Trump with global conspiracy themes.
In June Trump tweeted "a choice between Americanism and corrupt globalism."
This is Bannon vocabulary.
As noted by Ryan Lenz, who blogs at Hatewatch for the The Southern Poverty Law Center, “Globalism is a principle driver for the fears that animate the radical right in the United States. It is the enemy ultimately."
Mostly folklore in reality, this conspiracy belief also contains anti-Semitic notions.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Trump and the White House did not mention Judaism, Jews, or the antisemitism that propelled Nazi Germany’s murders of six million Jews in the 1940's.
Spokesperson Hope Hicks said the white house did this intentionally.
Despite outrage, Trump "had no regrets."
(??????)
AND, near the end of his campaign, Trump and primarily Bannon released an offensive “closing argument” televised ad that put side by side images of Jewish bankers and public officials---and their ad denounced “global power structure.”
Steve Bannon is emerging as 2nd in command, and self-assuming power as Trump languishes about preoccupied with perceived slights, poll numbers or what someone says.
We know from his aides that Trump squanders time preoccupied by and infuriated by television coverage of himself. Every day.
Trump's delved into many far-out conspiracy theories even defending it when utterly debunked + he considers Bannon and Alex Jones his heroes.
Bannon's heavily influencing Trump with global conspiracy themes.
In June Trump tweeted "a choice between Americanism and corrupt globalism."
This is Bannon vocabulary.
As noted by Ryan Lenz, who blogs at Hatewatch for the The Southern Poverty Law Center, “Globalism is a principle driver for the fears that animate the radical right in the United States. It is the enemy ultimately."
Mostly folklore in reality, this conspiracy belief also contains anti-Semitic notions.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Trump and the White House did not mention Judaism, Jews, or the antisemitism that propelled Nazi Germany’s murders of six million Jews in the 1940's.
Spokesperson Hope Hicks said the white house did this intentionally.
Despite outrage, Trump "had no regrets."
(??????)
AND, near the end of his campaign, Trump and primarily Bannon released an offensive “closing argument” televised ad that put side by side images of Jewish bankers and public officials---and their ad denounced “global power structure.”
24
Anyone concerned about Steve Bannon's new role on the National Security Council should read more about the history between Jeff Sessions, Stephen Miller and Bannon/Breitbart. They've worked together for years, before Trump was a gleam on the horizon, to promote an anti-immigrant, closed borders, white nationalist agenda. They found a puppet and it is no accident that they all have maneuvered themselves into positions of immense power.
83
Perhaps he'll pick up his toys and leave in a fit of pique over not getting his way the second he becomes aware of an "idea" that catches his sub-momentary attention. I can't quite imagine his level of insecure greed and stupidity holding up under the frustration of rules and rationality.
Bannon is a clear and present danger to our democracy.
Trump and his minions must be exposed.
Trump and his minions must be exposed.
6
Again, and as always, Trump doesn't need to be 'successful'; he is talking right past us, and directly to his Real American (tm) followers. They will see one item - Trump Destroys Regulations! - and of course will never follow up, because that's how they follow news. Mission accomplished, again.
2
Can the media please start covering this all as activity by the Republican President and his party and stop using his name? The more the Republicans and their voters are made to feel the spotlight for what they are enabling, the better.
8
Trump and his adviser Bannon have never worked in government, and they don't understand how our government works. They've decided to try being Nazi dictators, but it won't work because we have laws here. We're a nation of laws and regulations. We have processes for enacting laws and revising regulations. The gears of government turn slowly. They don't get it. I'm beginning to think they don't want to get it, that they simply don't care. I'm beginning to think they would welcome chaos.
I've been reading a lot about people in red states who voted for Trump. Many of them are honorable men and women who voted for him only because they figured he might get some jobs back. They didn't like his racism because most of them, unless they are Native American, are themselves descendants of immigrants who came here for a better life. They were hoping it might just be campaign nonsense, to be set aside once he was president. Well, he's not setting the nonsense aside.
The true colors are all showing now, and I'm betting that a lot of Americans are embarrassed that they voted for him.
I've been reading a lot about people in red states who voted for Trump. Many of them are honorable men and women who voted for him only because they figured he might get some jobs back. They didn't like his racism because most of them, unless they are Native American, are themselves descendants of immigrants who came here for a better life. They were hoping it might just be campaign nonsense, to be set aside once he was president. Well, he's not setting the nonsense aside.
The true colors are all showing now, and I'm betting that a lot of Americans are embarrassed that they voted for him.
3
What's with this maybe it will work stuff. If your going to write editorials that are worth the time, write editorials that say something. Truth is not some gentile shallowness. Trumps actions are mostly lies or sophistical non-sense dressed up to look good.
The NYT editorial board needs a little courage to do the job. Think about what the 4th Estate is supposed to be. Have some Heart. that's where courage hangs out. The people need a courageous 4th Estate really bad just now.
The NYT editorial board needs a little courage to do the job. Think about what the 4th Estate is supposed to be. Have some Heart. that's where courage hangs out. The people need a courageous 4th Estate really bad just now.
3
Trump is like a small child, relishing the attention he gets as he signs decree after decree, trying to look important for the TV cameras, as he holds up the piece of paper with his small hands.
5
What the man-child trump is doing has nothing to do with securing the country, more than it is. His "policies" have nothing to do with deregulation. Why would anyone want to stay in a hotel built by the trump organization where building regulations have been torn up? He's just a child making his soiled mark on America and congress doesn't want to change his diaper.
5
Dangerously incompetent, a real nighmare sorcerer's apprentice. But this isn't a fairy tale, or a reality show- real damage is being done, and will continue. And he tweets in response to this? as a defence? or is that his "policy"? Unbelievable
2
Sorry but everything that Obama put in place via executive decree is fair game for Trump to nullify by executive decree.
3
His base is so dumb they think trump is actually accomplishing something. They will be the last to realize when they have no healthcare
14
It is obvious that Trump intends not to govern but to rule by decree.
11
He is not going to be impeached. This is wishful thinking on everyone's part. We have a brief window of time to organize and prepare for mid-terms. At every step along the way, institutions have failed us. The primary process is supposed to weed out maniacs, party conventions are supposed to give people a chance to weed out maniacs, the electoral college is supposed to give us a chance to weed out maniacs. Now, this has all failed. We have only a congressional mid-term election and a free press to save us now. There will be no action from washington, no assistance from beyond our borders. Our last line of defense is staring at you in the face right here, right now. Do not allow attacks on the press to occur and work like hell to get reverse the tide in 18 months.
14
In a naton of more than 300 million, now in its 241st year of existence, and with most of its Members of Congress through history made up of lawyers, 90 federal regulations doesn't seem to be that outrageous, unless of course you believe that even one regulation is too much.
Yes, we can do better in governing ourselves. But I would wager that a sizable chunk of those regulations -- perhaps half of them if not more -- are there to put a brake on mindless, venal capitalism, which would, if it had its own way, still have child labor, no anti-pollution rules, no restrictions on the sale of snake oil, no traffic rules, no seat belts, no rules governing railroads, commercial air carriers, or trucks, no anti-discrimination laws, no voting rights, no restrictions on selling guns to everyone old enough to pick up a handgun, no brake on Wall Street . . .
Which, if I read it correctly, is the world Trump and his minions want. SO here's one vote for keeping the majority of those regulations on the books, if only to save us from ourselves.
Yes, we can do better in governing ourselves. But I would wager that a sizable chunk of those regulations -- perhaps half of them if not more -- are there to put a brake on mindless, venal capitalism, which would, if it had its own way, still have child labor, no anti-pollution rules, no restrictions on the sale of snake oil, no traffic rules, no seat belts, no rules governing railroads, commercial air carriers, or trucks, no anti-discrimination laws, no voting rights, no restrictions on selling guns to everyone old enough to pick up a handgun, no brake on Wall Street . . .
Which, if I read it correctly, is the world Trump and his minions want. SO here's one vote for keeping the majority of those regulations on the books, if only to save us from ourselves.
4
Oops. Typo alert: I meant 90,000 federal regulations, not 90. Even Trump would like 90.
The captain, coming aboard, dismissed 75% of the crew. Then, oddly, the ship ran on the reef and the passengers starved. Despite vacuous complaints about "swollen bureaucracy," the people intent on strangling our government are short on ideas of how it will work out for average Americans when the machinery of government grinds to a halt.
In a government that serves so many purposes in a complex world across a continent sized country and around the world, rules keep it all making sense but rules tend to become obsolete and new ones are needed as circumstances change over time. The ability of bureaucracies to function depends upon those rules being relevant and in accordance with realities, so they must change continually. As the British navy discovered in the 18th Century and the American military in World War II, the best decisions regarding tactics and reactions to situations cannot be done from a central command, the local commander must have a free hand to make decisions without interference from superior command authority. So it is with bureaucracies, the President who tries to rewrite rules without having to deal with the day to day work, is going to waste years and accomplish nothing useful. Trump's hiring freezes and rule suspensions are just further evidence that he does things without looking to the consequences of them beyond the single purpose for which he undertook them. He seems to think that the world will simply fall into line with his campaign rhetoric because he wants it to.
1
Trump's rule by dicta and executive order reflects nothing more than a helpless, emotionally unstable man who confuses power with governance. His grasp of the Constitution is clearly no better than his grasp of reality; his need to blame others(airport computers, Sen. Shumer) for his errors in judgement is not only cowardly but further underscores his unfitness for the office he holds. Where is Congress and the federal courts-whose members also took oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution??
3
I was under the impression that a president had to be at least 35 years old, a concept that implies an expectation of mature and rational judgment. Somehow we seem to have a 12-year old child in the White House. (Or is that an insult to 12-year olds?) And that being the case, is impeachment the proper solution or should we just send him to his room without dessert and no TV?
1
I would ask the NYT to have the grace and good sense, as they expect from the new administration in this editorial, to allow president Trump to admit his mistakes and errors in judgement as the country moves forward from today. For those in the federal civil service who watch administrations come and go, sometimes every four years, such adaptations to the realities of national governance are almost routine.
Trump, et al, think that they are going up against the uncooperative liberal, opposition media but the reality now is that they are in many cases taking on the 320 million citizens of the United States.
Of course the liberal media should really consider their own professional standards and ethics. They know when they are lying and transgressing the standards of their noble calling. If they don't, or won't, people will let them know, as they are doing now. How many journalists have been killed in the past years? It's getting worse, isn't it? Why? Once upon a time, even in my memory, journalists were regarded as people by even the violent, criminal elements of society as trustworthy. They could be trusted to stay objective and tell the truth. HA! Not any more. The NYT, with a few exceptions, has become a political propaganda organ.
Trump, et al, think that they are going up against the uncooperative liberal, opposition media but the reality now is that they are in many cases taking on the 320 million citizens of the United States.
Of course the liberal media should really consider their own professional standards and ethics. They know when they are lying and transgressing the standards of their noble calling. If they don't, or won't, people will let them know, as they are doing now. How many journalists have been killed in the past years? It's getting worse, isn't it? Why? Once upon a time, even in my memory, journalists were regarded as people by even the violent, criminal elements of society as trustworthy. They could be trusted to stay objective and tell the truth. HA! Not any more. The NYT, with a few exceptions, has become a political propaganda organ.
1
The new President has numbered 75% of regulations to be revised simply because, like staffing the west Wing, he has no actual idea what is involved. He's guessing.
And the notion that there are simple solutions to complex problems, solutions obvious to any thinking person but not previously tried by stubborn "elites" is equally puerile.
And the notion that there are simple solutions to complex problems, solutions obvious to any thinking person but not previously tried by stubborn "elites" is equally puerile.
1
The problem is not that the Trump and his administration "cannot eliminate or even modify these rules with the simple stroke of a pen." The problem is that, in neglecting to appoint "people to lead most of the agencies affected by these changes," he and his inner circle have created a situation that allows them easily to bypass protocol and to eliminate resistance within these agencies. (In some respects, this is analogous to last week's purge of State Department senior staff.) Yonatan Zunger argues in Medium that the refusal by DHS/CBP staff to obey court orders suspending parts of Friday's executive order on immigration reveals that "the administration is testing the extent to which the DHS (and other executive agencies) can act and ignore orders from the other branches of government. This is as serious as it can possibly get: all of the arguments about whether order X or Y is unconstitutional mean nothing if elements of the government are executing them and the courts are being ignored." We are already witnessing the alarming erosion of checks and balances with regard to immigration law and border security policy. We can expect the same treatment from our newly authoritarian White House when it comes to our regulatory agencies.
1
Americans, including the liberal opposition media, should be thankful that Trump was elected instead of Hillary Clinton. As a result of that fortuitous historical event Americans are paying attention to what the government is doing on their behalf. If Hillary had won the liberal media would have rejoiced and settled into a familiar routine of letting little ethical and legal lapses slip by without notice or comment, because they trusted the first woman (Glory!) president to do what is best for America, because we all know women do it better and should be allowed a bit of leeway for creative solutions to difficult problems.
The executive signing on federal regulations by the current White House occupant is, like so many right-wing utopian delusions, an abrogation of public responsibility. In this sense, these orders are like meat cleaver chops on sides of bee. They're even worse, because they they are taken under arbitrary smokescreens of, say, 75% or 80% rather than on the basis of any substantive consideration of what the regulations are or what they do. At least the butcher's chop is aimed at something for some reason.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
Designers of most successful initiatives require an extreme position against which to calibrate their proposals. Trump and his executive orders are that extreme. His benchmarks will permit the congress to try and push through only marginally less intolerant legislation. It is essential that the press and the population not be seduced by relativism in the current political environment.
2
Hasn't everybody realized by now that Donald Trump lives in his own little universe, and he's not going to let anything like being president of the United States of America get in his way.
In Trump's world, it's either his way or the highway -- unless of course, he can somehow cut a deal to further enrich & enpower himself.
His recent Executive Orders are proof of that, as is his twitter-brained idea to ban Refugees & Immigrants across-the-board without first notifying his staff, or taking into consideration the hundreds, if not thousands of individuals who would be affected -- not only Mothers, Fathers, Children, Students, Scholars, and foreign personnel who risked life & limb aiding U.S. Armed Forces, but also Naturalized Citizens, and Green Card holders (until he dialed that one back).
While President Obama used Executive Order as the only means available to get past a Congress in lock-step against any of his initiatives since Day 1 -- Donald Trump issues them as a fiat to enact his will.
No surprise.
After playing Dealbreaker-in-Chief for his entire life, he has no use for silly laws and the U.S. Constitution, which he has already shown to know nothing about -- and his inability, or lack of interest to learn its basic fundamentals all but guarantees this country is in for more of the same.
While America is well on its way to becoming a TV reality-show-autocracy produced by Steve Bannon, who is now officially wagging the proverbial Trump "dog".
In Trump's world, it's either his way or the highway -- unless of course, he can somehow cut a deal to further enrich & enpower himself.
His recent Executive Orders are proof of that, as is his twitter-brained idea to ban Refugees & Immigrants across-the-board without first notifying his staff, or taking into consideration the hundreds, if not thousands of individuals who would be affected -- not only Mothers, Fathers, Children, Students, Scholars, and foreign personnel who risked life & limb aiding U.S. Armed Forces, but also Naturalized Citizens, and Green Card holders (until he dialed that one back).
While President Obama used Executive Order as the only means available to get past a Congress in lock-step against any of his initiatives since Day 1 -- Donald Trump issues them as a fiat to enact his will.
No surprise.
After playing Dealbreaker-in-Chief for his entire life, he has no use for silly laws and the U.S. Constitution, which he has already shown to know nothing about -- and his inability, or lack of interest to learn its basic fundamentals all but guarantees this country is in for more of the same.
While America is well on its way to becoming a TV reality-show-autocracy produced by Steve Bannon, who is now officially wagging the proverbial Trump "dog".
3
Mr. Trump's staff is 'skeletal' for several reasons: Incompetence in implementation of and understanding how staffing needs must occur in a governmental venue, reluctance on the part of would be staffers to work for a , well, wordless here - and the fact that they look like refugees from the seventh gate of hell brought back to 'life' by a deal with the devil and a promise of putrefying meat three times a day. No casting office could have picked more demonic looking persons, if indeed that's what they are.
2
Don't be too sure of all these rules and the time it takes, etc. to chop up what remains of government. The inmates at the White House clearly are not concerned with rules.
It would not surprise me, if they are preparing to use violence against regular citizens who stand in their way of dismantling "the system" - they seem intent on "winning."
It would not surprise me, if they are preparing to use violence against regular citizens who stand in their way of dismantling "the system" - they seem intent on "winning."
3
Obviously, Trump wants to destroy the environment and probably profit personally from its destruction. Clearly he's an ignorant fool who doesn't care that all his mistakes are going to make the world a worse place.
But who's to say that rules still apply? Rule of law doesn't seem to apply to him, he just issued an unconstitutional order and it's being carried out. He is hellbent on turning our nation into a fascist/theocratic regime. He wants to be president for life, clearly, and it's not going to be easy to stop him.
The Republican Congress is mainly cowardly and going along with Trump on everything because they hope to gain more power from his fascism. The Democratic Congress is mainly just cowardly, spineless and weak.
So I dunno, I don't see how it's possible to have any hope for America's future. We have just witnessed our once-great nation's fall, with the election of this bigoted idiot. America's reputation internationally has been destroyed already, within the first week, and now Trump is set on destroying our economy and the environment.
If I live through the fall of our civilization completely (which seems unlikely, as I will probably die in a nuclear explosion), then I swear to y'all one thing. In the compound of survivors I wind up in, in the Bronze-age aftermath (if we're lucky) there is going to be one question for entry: who did you vote for in 2016? And anyone answering Trump is going to be eliminated immediately, to benefit all humanity.
But who's to say that rules still apply? Rule of law doesn't seem to apply to him, he just issued an unconstitutional order and it's being carried out. He is hellbent on turning our nation into a fascist/theocratic regime. He wants to be president for life, clearly, and it's not going to be easy to stop him.
The Republican Congress is mainly cowardly and going along with Trump on everything because they hope to gain more power from his fascism. The Democratic Congress is mainly just cowardly, spineless and weak.
So I dunno, I don't see how it's possible to have any hope for America's future. We have just witnessed our once-great nation's fall, with the election of this bigoted idiot. America's reputation internationally has been destroyed already, within the first week, and now Trump is set on destroying our economy and the environment.
If I live through the fall of our civilization completely (which seems unlikely, as I will probably die in a nuclear explosion), then I swear to y'all one thing. In the compound of survivors I wind up in, in the Bronze-age aftermath (if we're lucky) there is going to be one question for entry: who did you vote for in 2016? And anyone answering Trump is going to be eliminated immediately, to benefit all humanity.
5
Now we know the power of the Presidency. We are now in a dictatorship. One man can make the rules, enforce the rules, and no one can stop him! No court, no Congress, no Executive Branch! He doesn't have to consult anyone. Whatever he wants he just decrees and we all have to suffer. Courts take too long! There should be a law that an Executive Order has to take 30 days to take effect!
There is an emergency happening right before our eyes, this very day, this very hour. There is nothing more to wait for, but Congress will not act, and in the mean time tens of millions of Americans are left with no choice but to wait until Republican's in Congress realize the gravity of the situation and start to use the sledgehammer the Constitution provided them to prevent this. This is sledgehammer time, Trump would certainly use one (and is) and is probably amazed himself he has gotten this far. Reign him in now! Impeach this maniac before it is too late!
11
Trump has never managed a large organization which is so large and diverse that it relies upon a bureaucratic system to function and so he has no concept of what rules in such a context do and what is needed to revise them without creating chaos. It fits into the narrative about Trump in which his outsider approach is indeed rattling the entire organization of government but instead of stimulating constructive change, he's just bogging down the whole system with clueless edicts that result in chaos. How he managed with all his studied work on imaging and marketing himself to depict himself as utterly incompetent within the first two weeks in office is not a mystery, he insisted upon doing everything he promised during his campaign without reconsidering any of it, and he's just proving that the world is more complex than his solutions allowed and so are having unexpected outcomes.
23
Who didn't see this disregard for the rule of law, the constitution and political norms by the new incompetent-in-chief as inevitable...starting on day one. An über-narcissist has no normal reference points—and this one has no intellectual ability, no respect or empathy for others and a penchant for preferring bottom-feeder racists like Bannon and bullies like Putin.
Some say not to blame those who voted for Trump, but why not? They own this one. They were just too clueless to perceive how this was going t play out. The rest of us knew, and understood why Clinton would be an excellent president and Trump a failure in all ways...except in his self-obsessed mind.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
Some say not to blame those who voted for Trump, but why not? They own this one. They were just too clueless to perceive how this was going t play out. The rest of us knew, and understood why Clinton would be an excellent president and Trump a failure in all ways...except in his self-obsessed mind.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
8
Rough, off-the-cuff prediction: Trump has at most six months before a healthy majority of Americans recognize him as the erratic, dangerous menace he is.
8
"Now is the summer of our national ascent
made dreadful winter by the shameful son of Trump
and all the sunny days that warmed our nation
in the cold bosom of a winter darkness buried."
- paraphrase of Shakespeare's Gloucester soliloquy, "Richard III"
Fred Korematsu's birthday is today.
How ironic that just 65 years later we're fighting a similar battle against a similar force in American psychology.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Korematsu
made dreadful winter by the shameful son of Trump
and all the sunny days that warmed our nation
in the cold bosom of a winter darkness buried."
- paraphrase of Shakespeare's Gloucester soliloquy, "Richard III"
Fred Korematsu's birthday is today.
How ironic that just 65 years later we're fighting a similar battle against a similar force in American psychology.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Korematsu
8
Regulations are in place for a very good reason. They prevent businesses from taking advantage of an environment where no regulation helps the bottom line. Capitalism without regulations is like democracy without the Constitution, or, to put it another way, it is nothing like democracy in the sense in which we understand it. Clean air regulations, clean water regulations, all of these are in place for good reasons. Take them away and we all lose.
16
"democracy without the Constitution'
Now you're trying to articulate that the UK is not a real democracy because it doesn't have a constitution ? Or you just weren't aware that not all democracies have constitution in place ?
Now you're trying to articulate that the UK is not a real democracy because it doesn't have a constitution ? Or you just weren't aware that not all democracies have constitution in place ?
1
President TrumpBannon, Herr Herod Hater, has already done US credit incalculable harm and is bent on taking civilization down in the service of his shallow vain insecurities. He will continue to meet reality, in the form of a planet whose actions are not subject to decree, and a population who will increasingly realize that hatred and exclusion only make things worse. We can even hope that some right-leaning people who call themselves Christians will actually look for themselves at their own foundational teachings and stop feeding the profiteers out to make a quick buck off of them.
Unfortunately, history is full of collapses under vain stupid violent leaders, and we are about to channel ourselves down that sorry stupid failed road.
So much for progress. But we can resist, and we will.
Unfortunately, history is full of collapses under vain stupid violent leaders, and we are about to channel ourselves down that sorry stupid failed road.
So much for progress. But we can resist, and we will.
17
Resistance is going to have to be violent, looks like. Non-violent resistance is useless against fascists. The only cure for fascists is what was done to Mussolini or Gaddafi.
2
"Herr Herod Hater, "
Sorry but why have you put "Herr" in a negative context ? In my native language, German, it's the equivalent of "Mr". Or you're just an insensitive nationalist dumping others into caricaturized categories ?
Sorry but why have you put "Herr" in a negative context ? In my native language, German, it's the equivalent of "Mr". Or you're just an insensitive nationalist dumping others into caricaturized categories ?
Maybe every presidential hopeful should spend a week following around the current president to see what the job entails. It might lead to a few hopefuls rethinking their prospects or their level of commitment to serving as president. Let them see exactly how much power the president has and how many people, organizations, egos, etc., he has to take into consideration to get a law passed or a good idea looked at. Our current occupant seems to think that power is the only thing that matters. What will he do once he loses it in four or eight years? What will he do if his party turns on him? It's hard to govern without the consent of the governed if one is heading up a democracy. Then again, it seems as if he's planning to destroy it so it may not matter.
12
I agree with you that a shadowing opportunity would help, but it would only help those who care to open their eyes and listen to what is going on. In Trump's case, I don't think anything would have helped. He wanted this job, he had the money to go after it, and his family wanted the reality TV opportunities it affords. At least Ross Perot had Admiral James Stockdale, an intelligent and experienced military man, at his side when he ran. I hope that 4-8-12 years from now, the next generation emerges from this nightmare relatively unscathed.
1
I'm afraid your suggestion only applies to people who can learn from experience, rendering it irrelevant in the present circumstances.
2
90,000 Federal regulations? It is not necessary to be a Trumpie to grasp that somewhere along the long line of legislating more rules to modify earlier legislation and rules implementing the same, the body of regs has probably lost coherency [do your own taxes and experience just a taste of this].
What is disturbing is his arrogance and complete lack of knowledge - he wants the rules pared down [ no argument] but not to achieve the goal tat they were set up to facilitate. And that in place of knowledge and a grasp of the issues, Pres. Trump seems to have a direct feed from Bannon - our own little Rasputin- no formal powers, no direct responsibility to the electorate, just a constant goading towards chaos.
What is disturbing is his arrogance and complete lack of knowledge - he wants the rules pared down [ no argument] but not to achieve the goal tat they were set up to facilitate. And that in place of knowledge and a grasp of the issues, Pres. Trump seems to have a direct feed from Bannon - our own little Rasputin- no formal powers, no direct responsibility to the electorate, just a constant goading towards chaos.
28
The president is the servant of the people, not our ruler. Someone needs to educate this madman. Vain, vicious, venomous, violent, and vile -- sound like anyone we see in the White House?
1
The 'Graboid' sandworm from the movie "Tremors", Trump is like this. He opens his mouth and out comes multiple rants, outlandish threats and down-right frightening moves, all at the same time to distract us. And now, tomorrow (1/31), after the extreme of his Muslim-banning weekend, Betsy DeVos gets a Senate vote at 10AM and he announces his candidate for the Supreme Court at 8PM. We must grow our attention span and sense of importance to match this monster.
11
Trump hopes to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming America’s first self-aggrandizing dictator. During his first two weeks as President, he has committed several “high crimes and misdemeanors.” If the House Republicans won’t impeach him, we will expel them by winning control of the House in the 2018 elections, and impeach him in 2019.
2019 may be too late to undo the damage he will have done to our democracy. So, act now! Phone a Republican Representative each day. You can get their phone numbers at: http://www.house.gov/representatives/.
2019 may be too late to undo the damage he will have done to our democracy. So, act now! Phone a Republican Representative each day. You can get their phone numbers at: http://www.house.gov/representatives/.
13
The NYT narrative for Trump's first week was poorly chosen. "Slow-disorganized-ineffectual-reactionary". The Editorial Board is left looking silly again. They believe that they can manipulate Trump through his ego, but it's THEIR egos that are being exploited by Trump. While his critics are consumed with the size of his crowds, the size of his hands, etc. he is transforming our government in the way he promised and for which he was elected. While this paper is rabidly focused on the superficial, like his orange hair (which has quietly disappeared, like a peacock's plumage, since it's not needed now), Trump has been able to exercise remarkable power - with no help from anyone but America's struggling working class.
6
What power has he demonstrated? He's signing executive orders which are not properly vetted. That means the ACLU can take him to court and get them stayed....so all he has done is nothing. Except sow chaos and confusion.
He's not changing our government, he is tearing it down. Do you actually want to live in an ungoverned society? What is the advantage of that to you? Ungoverned societies devolve into police states, and police states may START with destroying the civil rights of people you deplore, but they come to you eventually.
He's not changing our government, he is tearing it down. Do you actually want to live in an ungoverned society? What is the advantage of that to you? Ungoverned societies devolve into police states, and police states may START with destroying the civil rights of people you deplore, but they come to you eventually.
42
"And Trump is not known for getting less in a trade than what he's trading is worth."
Unless, of course, Trump is trading in Atlantic City casinos, Richard?
Unless, of course, Trump is trading in Atlantic City casinos, Richard?
9
Mr Trump's predecessor used "rules" to unconstitutionally circumvent legislation regarding illegal aliens. I don't remember a peep from you, unless is was platitudes regarding "dreamers" and other such nonsense.
Mr. Trump plans to show that he will not fall prey to Washington's elaborate maze of ways to protect a hidebound bureaucracy. I suggest you give him a chance.
Mr. Trump plans to show that he will not fall prey to Washington's elaborate maze of ways to protect a hidebound bureaucracy. I suggest you give him a chance.
5
He's been given chances; he has royalty screwed up. Look at his cabinet nominations. How many of them have experience in the agency to which they were nominated? Look at his first week: obsessing over inauguration size and the size of the Women's March; putting gag orders on government agencies; this "temporary" immigration ban; more lying; to name just a few.
1
I've given Trump a chance and he's shown with exceptional alacrity that he is unsuited to be president. No more thought needs to be given to that matter.
You might want to think about why Obama acted on DACA. It was the result of Congress's unwillingness to act on the bipartisan Dream Act first proposed in 2007. In contrast, Trump is a Republican with Republican majorities in the House and Senate to do his will. He simply chose not to respect this branch of government and rule as the monarch he imagines himself to be. His annualized rate of executive orders is around 8 times that of Dubya or Obama, so you would be wise not to base your arguments on the actions of past presidents.
You might want to think about why Obama acted on DACA. It was the result of Congress's unwillingness to act on the bipartisan Dream Act first proposed in 2007. In contrast, Trump is a Republican with Republican majorities in the House and Senate to do his will. He simply chose not to respect this branch of government and rule as the monarch he imagines himself to be. His annualized rate of executive orders is around 8 times that of Dubya or Obama, so you would be wise not to base your arguments on the actions of past presidents.
4
no
1
"The prospects are poor. He appears to have little understanding of how the federal government is organized and functions, and his skeletal staff is still trying to learn. He hasn’t yet appointed people to lead"
That's a quote from the NYT editorial.
I suggest that a period belongs after "understanding"
What follows is superfluous.
'
That's a quote from the NYT editorial.
I suggest that a period belongs after "understanding"
What follows is superfluous.
'
11
Call me an alarmist, but what makes us think Trump will approach anything that involves the rules with anything but disdain and disregard? Bannon firing the Joint Chiefs as POTUS advisors while installing himself is apparently not illegal, but is, in fact, a direct departure from established practice. Rex Tillerson firing the senior staff at the State Department was not just a house-cleaning for a new Administration, it was essentially getting rid of any potential nay-sayers for whatever Tillerson's team will deem appropriate when it comes to foreign affairs, up to and including Russian intervention, the dismantling of NATO, and registries of Muslims and Jews. It is no accident the Jews were left out of the statement on Holocaust Memorial Day.
We are witnessing a coup for the rise of White Nationalism with Bannon leading the charge. And the quicker the press stops focusing on procedure as if this was a normal Presidency and starts sounding a massive alarm to our Congressional leaders that something is rotten to the core in the Trump Administration, the better off we'll all be.
We are witnessing a coup for the rise of White Nationalism with Bannon leading the charge. And the quicker the press stops focusing on procedure as if this was a normal Presidency and starts sounding a massive alarm to our Congressional leaders that something is rotten to the core in the Trump Administration, the better off we'll all be.
63
What we witnessed was the fall of America. We are no longer a melting pot, a democracy, or a moral nation. We are now a nation of ignorant fascists and their unwilling hostages, weak liberals. It's a shame, America once had promise, but all empires must fall eventually and ours already did.
1
What a troglodyte, a cavernous brute whose impulsive moods are childishly capricious...if they weren't so harmful, so dangerous, and so irresponsible. Ruling by decree sounds 'royal', a royal disgrace actually. The question is, are we, the people, going to put up with this nonsense, this abuse of power, this institutionalized violence?
22
Trump is sowing the seeds for dictatorship. He has an overweening need for power and using that power to dominate and control. He is delusional and dangerous. If Trump and Putin get together in another Yalta, we will have a world oligarchic order and ordinary people will be forced to fall in line. The media is already being told to "Shut up!" And Trump listens to know one but his Rasputin, Steve Bannon and the Breitbart crowd. Jeff Sessions, once on the fringe of the GOP party, will take his looniness to the center of American governance.
The GOP made this national and Constitutional crisis by tolerating the intolerable thuggishness of its followers. It would seem they choose power and pandering to real leadership. They had 8 years to put together a healthcare plan, a plan to deal with Iran, a way to rebuild the infrastructure and they sat on their tiny hands, incapable due to resentment and feeling aggrieved over Obama's success and skills and ability to lead and inspire.
The GOP made this national and Constitutional crisis by tolerating the intolerable thuggishness of its followers. It would seem they choose power and pandering to real leadership. They had 8 years to put together a healthcare plan, a plan to deal with Iran, a way to rebuild the infrastructure and they sat on their tiny hands, incapable due to resentment and feeling aggrieved over Obama's success and skills and ability to lead and inspire.
31
Even Rasputin would be insulted by this comparison.
Instead of responding to this loud, offensive man with your own loud, offensive retorts, why don't you offer some constructive concrete policy alternatives. Get out of the business of shouting louder than your enemies, and into the business of presenting intelligent criticism. I would normally consider myself a 'leftie,' but those on the left, or those who'd like to pass for leftist types but are wishy-washy liberals, really are getting as bad as the extreme right.
8
The constructive policy alternative to a Muslim ban is not to have one, just as we didn't have one before Trump's executive order. Moreover, the discussion should start with what problem Trump is trying to fix. The annual chance of death from a terrorist act by a foreigner on US soil (including 9/11) is one in 3.6 million. The annual chance of death from a firearm wielded by a US citizen is about one in 600 thousand, or about six times higher. Your annual odds of dying in a traffic accident are about 1 in 9000. Why aren't we more concerned about traffic and gun deaths? Who has demonstrated that there is any need at all to do more about the potential of terrorism by people traveling from a few itemized countries?
https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/terrorism-immigration-...
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/15/how-likely-are-you-to-die-fro...
http://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/mortality-risk
Heck, ladders are more dangerous than foreign terrorists (1 in 750 thousand annual chance of death). We should ban them by executive order immediately.
https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/terrorism-immigration-...
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/15/how-likely-are-you-to-die-fro...
http://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/mortality-risk
Heck, ladders are more dangerous than foreign terrorists (1 in 750 thousand annual chance of death). We should ban them by executive order immediately.
1
Here is my best constructive criticism. This dangerous know-nothing needs to go. Now. The Republican Party needs to admit they made a mistake and impeach Trump.
What are you offering in the way of policy alternatives? Please be specific, and we wishy-washy types will see if we want to follow your lead.
1
This is the result of a highly inexperienced team running the White House. Most of them don't know how government works and the result is before our eyes. Steven Miller, a 31-yr.-old government neophyte, wrote the executive order on the Muslim countries travel ban without input from National Security or Defense experts and lawyers.
31
Oh, no, not a "government neophyte"--the bane of Washington careerism uber alles. Let the professionals--parasites, perhaps--do it, right? Like Bush-Cheney and the CIA and all the idiots--professional politicians and staffers--in Congress who helped them, right?
This administration appears ready to do away with anything that seems to slow down their high speed train to hell. Setting aside due process and consideration of stakeholders in the quest for an expedient 'alternative fact' of having accomplished something.
32
Yes, I think we could skip the televising of Trump's signings. Whereas being on show serves his ego, it serves the viewer not at all. Furthermore, somewhat along the same line, I suggest that the near-constant photos of Trump, for example at the head of this editorial, also add nothing -- we know what Trump looks like.
64
I agree - please stop putting his image at the top of every article. We know what the ugly frog looks like. Just write about his latest outrageous lies and point out what needs to be done. This is a very good article and calls out one of the most important points. Trump has never successfully led even a small organization. He bankrupted every business he touched. He has no idea how to run the government. He will simply sow confusion but in the long run nothing much will change as he runs into more and more resistance. But to the point - really don't print his mug as often. It nauseates many of us and serves no purpose.
Yes, please stop with the endless photos. At least show us a picture of what the articles are really about, like the people who will be affected by things he's signing. Enough pictures of the Emperor.
1
I just mentioned to my wife the other day how I noticed how Trump would always look and talk towards the camera. I think he can't resist a camera.
You writ: "To roll back even one rule requires a whole new rule-making procedure — writing a draft rule, taking public comment, writing a final rule, more comment, and so on — that takes many months. The process, while imperfect, is designed to prevent a president or Congress from capriciously slashing regulations which, after all, were created to protect Americans, their workplaces and environment."
Two comments: first, the key word is OR. The President AND Congress can change a rule in a couple of weeks, with legislation. No law can withstand
repeal.
Second, the "after all, were created to protect Americans, their workplaces and environment." part. That's your left wing opinion. Others think otherwise .. many were made to restrict freedom or ordinary people, and prevent progress such as the XL pipeline, or to lock up Federal land from citizen use (e.g. Wilderness Act and "endangered teensy weensy fish").
Good for you, President Trump.
Second ...
Two comments: first, the key word is OR. The President AND Congress can change a rule in a couple of weeks, with legislation. No law can withstand
repeal.
Second, the "after all, were created to protect Americans, their workplaces and environment." part. That's your left wing opinion. Others think otherwise .. many were made to restrict freedom or ordinary people, and prevent progress such as the XL pipeline, or to lock up Federal land from citizen use (e.g. Wilderness Act and "endangered teensy weensy fish").
Good for you, President Trump.
Second ...
1
In 2009 then President Obama stated "don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas". And then right on cue the government... blew a bunch of cash in Vegas. It's time the culture in DC changes among Federal employees who view our tax dollars like Monopoly money.
Hope you can deal with it, but change is hard, coming and necessary.
Hope you can deal with it, but change is hard, coming and necessary.
1
What we are witnessing is an attempt at a coup-d'état.
Mr. Trump is trying to undermine the Federal government and American standing throughout the world. If he can create crises, be they terrorist attacks or some other event that will capture headlines, he will use them to impose even more radical "Executive Orders" to "address" the problem he helped create.
Unfortunately for us, we continue to be a democracy, at least for the time being. I say unfortunately, not because I lament democracy, but because we still have three branches of government that are supposed to provide checks and balances. So far, with the Legislative branch under Republican control, and the Supreme Court divided, and likely to soon be under Republican control, neither of the other two branches are doing anything to control this out-of-control President.
Until Congress steps up, or the Supreme Court steps up, nothing can and will obstruct Mr. Trump. Protests will fall on deaf ears. He simply does not care, or believes that his actions are being welcomed throughout the country.
Right now the best that we can do is to persuade the Republicans in Congress to rein in this reign of terror. If they won't protests (which MUST continue) will not, alone, do the trick.
If the Republicans in Congress will not restrain him, we either have a civil war, or watch as our country is diminished into an untrustworthy nation, int he image of our President.
Mr. McConnell? Mr. Ryan? Is this what you really want?
Mr. Trump is trying to undermine the Federal government and American standing throughout the world. If he can create crises, be they terrorist attacks or some other event that will capture headlines, he will use them to impose even more radical "Executive Orders" to "address" the problem he helped create.
Unfortunately for us, we continue to be a democracy, at least for the time being. I say unfortunately, not because I lament democracy, but because we still have three branches of government that are supposed to provide checks and balances. So far, with the Legislative branch under Republican control, and the Supreme Court divided, and likely to soon be under Republican control, neither of the other two branches are doing anything to control this out-of-control President.
Until Congress steps up, or the Supreme Court steps up, nothing can and will obstruct Mr. Trump. Protests will fall on deaf ears. He simply does not care, or believes that his actions are being welcomed throughout the country.
Right now the best that we can do is to persuade the Republicans in Congress to rein in this reign of terror. If they won't protests (which MUST continue) will not, alone, do the trick.
If the Republicans in Congress will not restrain him, we either have a civil war, or watch as our country is diminished into an untrustworthy nation, int he image of our President.
Mr. McConnell? Mr. Ryan? Is this what you really want?
22
What they really want is power. The price is irrelevant.
1
I think Chief Justice Roberts is an honorable man and not a Scalia, Alito or Thomas ideologue. I would not give up on the idea of him doing the right thing for our country.
1
This article is very short-sighted in that it ignores the fact that Trump can also work with Congress to kill regulation under the Congressional Review Act, where Congress is empowered to vote to kill regulations it doesn't like
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Review_Act
The law is time limited to 60 legislative days after the rule is issued. That would give Congress a window to kill rules issued since mid-June.
But a recent review of the law has shown that the 60 legislative day window starts when the rule is issued or when a required cost/benefit report is delivered to Congress, whichever is later. For some reason, many agencies in the Obama administration couldn't be bothered to issue the reports, so the CRA reach back could go all the way back to 2009 for some rules
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/congress-might-be-able-to-axe-a-lot-mo...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Review_Act
The law is time limited to 60 legislative days after the rule is issued. That would give Congress a window to kill rules issued since mid-June.
But a recent review of the law has shown that the 60 legislative day window starts when the rule is issued or when a required cost/benefit report is delivered to Congress, whichever is later. For some reason, many agencies in the Obama administration couldn't be bothered to issue the reports, so the CRA reach back could go all the way back to 2009 for some rules
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/congress-might-be-able-to-axe-a-lot-mo...
1
The Republicans wouldn't stop screaming about President Obama's executive orders--executive orders that were far less disruptive and chaotic than those being issued willy-nilly by President Trump.
The weekend ban on Muslim immigration to the United States is in all probability unconstitutional. It is definitely borderline immoral. Certainly it is a public relations disaster for the nation--except for the Trump supporters.
We have seen a whole week of craziness in the Trump White House--so much so that Republican commentator David Brooks declared this an instance of "the Madness of King George" on NPR and PBS on Friday.
Except that King George III was very likely truly afflicted either by a medical condition known as porphyria, or was in a manic phase of a psychiatric illness. Trump has never been diagnosed with such disorders, but if he continues in this vein, he should be forced to undergo medical examination.
The weekend ban on Muslim immigration to the United States is in all probability unconstitutional. It is definitely borderline immoral. Certainly it is a public relations disaster for the nation--except for the Trump supporters.
We have seen a whole week of craziness in the Trump White House--so much so that Republican commentator David Brooks declared this an instance of "the Madness of King George" on NPR and PBS on Friday.
Except that King George III was very likely truly afflicted either by a medical condition known as porphyria, or was in a manic phase of a psychiatric illness. Trump has never been diagnosed with such disorders, but if he continues in this vein, he should be forced to undergo medical examination.
12
Sean Spicer is on television now lying about Trump's orders. His rapid speech always gives it away. On Morning Joe program, he was lying endlessly.
Saying all detainees were accounted for.
The next guest, a human rights advocacy expert, was on the morning talk show and had been at the NY airport, and said clearly there were detainees that were still unaccounted for--- because she was there endlessly waiting with the families.
People should donate to the ACLU and advocacy groups.
Saying all detainees were accounted for.
The next guest, a human rights advocacy expert, was on the morning talk show and had been at the NY airport, and said clearly there were detainees that were still unaccounted for--- because she was there endlessly waiting with the families.
People should donate to the ACLU and advocacy groups.
Come to the coasts - there are no ivory towers [OK, may be Trump Towers]. There are only diverse, productive Americans and immigrants, who pay more per capita tax than they receive benefits from the Federal government, unlike the residents of the middle of the country.
They interact with the world, as well as their neighbors, and are modernizing the country as the world changes.
What are you beaming Trump supporters doing?
They interact with the world, as well as their neighbors, and are modernizing the country as the world changes.
What are you beaming Trump supporters doing?
12
Apart entirely from Trump's ability to carry out his plans and foresee their consequences, a greater concern is that he has no idea of what the cause of job loss is. It isn't over-regulation or outsourcing, as he believes, the "free market" drumroll of less regulation, lower taxes, less overhead (like healthcare, education, environmental protection).
The problem is automation and AI that makes human workers very much less necessary, regardless of whether they are truck drivers or doctors.
Corporations cannot employ enough people. They are saving a bundle dumping human workers, but the profits are going into off-shore tax havens.
If Trump could grasp this point, he would tax these profits and use them to build infrastructure, provide healthcare, provide housing, protect the environment, and so on. Pretending that the profits going to the 1/4% don't exist or is a just reward for the rich is just succumbing to corporate propaganda, and going nowhere.
The problem is automation and AI that makes human workers very much less necessary, regardless of whether they are truck drivers or doctors.
Corporations cannot employ enough people. They are saving a bundle dumping human workers, but the profits are going into off-shore tax havens.
If Trump could grasp this point, he would tax these profits and use them to build infrastructure, provide healthcare, provide housing, protect the environment, and so on. Pretending that the profits going to the 1/4% don't exist or is a just reward for the rich is just succumbing to corporate propaganda, and going nowhere.
15
Our good friends on The Editorial Board tell us, with a straight face I am sure, that all of those 90,000 federal regulations, after all, were created to protect Americans in their workplaces and environment.
Would that include all the regulations that Big Pharma's lobbyists wrote in a breathtaking display of regulatory capture?
Would that include all the regulations that Big Oil's lobbyists wrote in a, gasp gasp, display of regulatory capture?
Would that include all the regulations that are jokingly called the Internal Revenue Code?
Would that include all the regulations that revolving door Wall Streeters wrote, such as carried interest, that made them too big to fail?
Would that include the regulations that the Veterans Benefit Administration follows that condemns a veteran's appeal to years of tortuous inertia in a bureaucratic labyrinth?
Yes, all 90,000 regulations that protect the common folks. With a straight face, no less.
Would that include all the regulations that Big Pharma's lobbyists wrote in a breathtaking display of regulatory capture?
Would that include all the regulations that Big Oil's lobbyists wrote in a, gasp gasp, display of regulatory capture?
Would that include all the regulations that are jokingly called the Internal Revenue Code?
Would that include all the regulations that revolving door Wall Streeters wrote, such as carried interest, that made them too big to fail?
Would that include the regulations that the Veterans Benefit Administration follows that condemns a veteran's appeal to years of tortuous inertia in a bureaucratic labyrinth?
Yes, all 90,000 regulations that protect the common folks. With a straight face, no less.
8
It might be wise to wait and see which ones get cut and who benefits from their disappearance before gloating about this great leap forward.
2
You're just a Trump apologist, and thus everything you say is basically a lie. You try to sow doubt about regulations intended to protect our nation, our citizens, our environment and our economy. Because you want no regulations, because you are a fascist like Trump. I am disgusted that there are people like you in this once-great nation.
1
Did we vote ourselves helpless? (I recognize that the majority voted against him, but he did get a fair number of votes.)
What can we do to disempower him? What are the most effective legal and nonviolent actions we can take?
Will the Republicans allow him to shove judges on the Supreme Court? Do they want his legacy to have the Republican party's imprimatur? Don't Republicans understand that it could take decades to wash this off?
We call on decent Republicans to find a middle road. The Republican party has never been the party of big government run by an autocrat. Step up good Republicans and find common ground against Bannon, Trump, et al
What can we do to disempower him? What are the most effective legal and nonviolent actions we can take?
Will the Republicans allow him to shove judges on the Supreme Court? Do they want his legacy to have the Republican party's imprimatur? Don't Republicans understand that it could take decades to wash this off?
We call on decent Republicans to find a middle road. The Republican party has never been the party of big government run by an autocrat. Step up good Republicans and find common ground against Bannon, Trump, et al
16
I doubty if the "Republicans" of which you speak care about much of anything except keeping the power they can now wallow in even more gleefully than they have over most of the past 8 years. "Shove judges on the Supreme Court"? "Go right ahead, as long as they will rubber stamp our vile shenanigans." "His legacy?" "How will remember how it happened? They can't even remember what happened on last week's episode."
Trump equals chaos. But the TV-show singing sessions of memo/executive orders "bum rush" is not working as a distraction. We're seeing sustained, intense resistance. Those in Congress who do not respect the full electorate will lose their seats. Let's keep our eye on the prize--remove Trump sooner, and
pick up the pieces to make America functional again.
pick up the pieces to make America functional again.
11
People really need to check the Federal Register for the number of executive orders issued by Presidents. Obama's numbers were less than any president since Cleveland, per the Pew Research Center. The right-wing myth that Obama ruled by decree is another example of the misinformation and the double standard that exists in this country. Had a Democratic president spent the first week in office at this level of ignorance and incompetence, the Republican Congress would already be starting impeachment measures. Trump and his Republican enablers are turning our democratic republic into a global joke. Only our enemies and rivals will gain from this level of incompetence.
207
People really need to check the Federal Register for the number of executive orders issued by Presidents. Obama's numbers were less than any president since Cleveland, per the Pew Research Center. The right-wing myth that Obama ruled by decree is another example of the misinformation and the double standard that exists in this country.
===================
The "number of executive orders" argument is one I have always found amusing. The plain truth is in many cases, Obama couldn't even be bothered to issue executive orders, which have to be published and are in a numbered sequence. In many cases he issued "executive memoranda" instead. And in fact if you add the number of memoranda to the EOs you find the number (705) as of a year ago already dwarfs any recent president.
http://memepoliceman.com/obama-and-executive-orders/
But sometimes, Obama couldn't even be bothered to write a memorandum, he just told someone to take action. His most famous overreach slapped down by the courts was the DACA immigration program. If you look into that you'll see he just told Janet Napolitano to write a memorandum rather than do it himself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_Action_for_Childhood_Arrivals
===================
The "number of executive orders" argument is one I have always found amusing. The plain truth is in many cases, Obama couldn't even be bothered to issue executive orders, which have to be published and are in a numbered sequence. In many cases he issued "executive memoranda" instead. And in fact if you add the number of memoranda to the EOs you find the number (705) as of a year ago already dwarfs any recent president.
http://memepoliceman.com/obama-and-executive-orders/
But sometimes, Obama couldn't even be bothered to write a memorandum, he just told someone to take action. His most famous overreach slapped down by the courts was the DACA immigration program. If you look into that you'll see he just told Janet Napolitano to write a memorandum rather than do it himself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_Action_for_Childhood_Arrivals
The editorial board points out that every administration has tried to streamline government, only to be put back on their heels given the number of processes and procedures. But no administration is like this one, and it doesn't matter that it's only a week old, how much more do you need to see?
Trump is trying to turn governing into a TV show. Maybe this is working among his base but for the rest of the 320 million Americans who didn't vote for him – the best majority – it's not playing well.
I would be less concerned about the showmanship of all these executive orders and the fact that Trump is pumping himself up by trying to accomplish a years worth of work in a week, if it weren't for the other more less publicized moves that probably escape the bulk of the US populace.
The worst by far is this elevation of a conspiracy driven, self-professed Leninist whose goal is to blow up government and replace it by a one party authoritarian state.
Bannon is dangerous, with ideology and "ideals" that probably escape the typical Trump supporter. For them it's enough that Trump trusts him enough to essentially turn over the strategy of governing to a non-democratic thinker.
So deregulating government is really a diversion. The real work of governing resides in this under-the-surface attempt to not just repeal regulations, but to repeal democracy itself.
Watch what Trump (and Bannon) do, not what they say or tweet.
Trump is trying to turn governing into a TV show. Maybe this is working among his base but for the rest of the 320 million Americans who didn't vote for him – the best majority – it's not playing well.
I would be less concerned about the showmanship of all these executive orders and the fact that Trump is pumping himself up by trying to accomplish a years worth of work in a week, if it weren't for the other more less publicized moves that probably escape the bulk of the US populace.
The worst by far is this elevation of a conspiracy driven, self-professed Leninist whose goal is to blow up government and replace it by a one party authoritarian state.
Bannon is dangerous, with ideology and "ideals" that probably escape the typical Trump supporter. For them it's enough that Trump trusts him enough to essentially turn over the strategy of governing to a non-democratic thinker.
So deregulating government is really a diversion. The real work of governing resides in this under-the-surface attempt to not just repeal regulations, but to repeal democracy itself.
Watch what Trump (and Bannon) do, not what they say or tweet.
72
You've been watching too many movies. Whatever Trump's "sinister" intent might be, liberals have been offended since the election that their elitist political views did not win the Presidency. If this were more about what is good for the country than politically narcissistic egos on the left, Trump would be allowed to move forwards to do what he promised to do in his campaign. To the extent that his moves contradict the will of those who elected him there are mechanisms in place to ensure equilibrium. The fact that people who live in their own political bubble cannot tolerated change has more to do with their own adolescence than with the good of the country.
Dlud: knee jerk response to anything Trump does. There aren't many mechanisms in place to "ensure equilibrium", since your party controls all 3 branches of government and t hey are too cowardly to challenge Trump. Trump does not have a mandate. no matter what you say. There is change and there is change: it 's no secret that Trump is authoritarian and out to make himself a king. I'm sure that's what Bannon is counseling him: just follow my advice, and you too can be like Putin.
Hey, you voted for him. I didn't. Let's see how you like living in a totalitarian state unless somebody with guts rises to the fore. As for political bubbles, nothing compares to the right-wing, set of Trump supporters who have never met a conspiracy theory or a fake news story they accept carte blanche, just because Donald said it's true.
Hey, you voted for him. I didn't. Let's see how you like living in a totalitarian state unless somebody with guts rises to the fore. As for political bubbles, nothing compares to the right-wing, set of Trump supporters who have never met a conspiracy theory or a fake news story they accept carte blanche, just because Donald said it's true.
5
Right on Dlud! To the victor goes the spoilage--and it is up to the rest of us to deal with the detritus as best we can.
1
America elected trump to disrupt the status quo
He is doing exactly what America want and what sneering liberals despise- efficiency and keeping promises.
He is doing exactly what America want and what sneering liberals despise- efficiency and keeping promises.
1
You, sir, are not "America." He is doing what *you* want, with a minimum of efficiency or even effectiveness, in the case of the Muslim ban, much less any attention to the rule of law. And it's hard to miss the sneer in your voice.
1
Incompetence =/= efficiency
A sign carried at last weekend's Women's March in DC said "Don't Blame Trump - He Did Everything He Could to Prove He Was Unfit to Be President". With almost every action he's taken in the brief time (that feels like forever) since Jan. 20th, Trump has continued to prove his unfitness for his new role. At this point I don't blame Trump as my expectation bar for this reality show, real estate huckster is not even ankle-high. I say it's time for the fitness-for-office bar to be raised for the 535 members of Congress (aka the Legislative branch), who are actually in a position to exert oversight and reasonable control over the actions of the Executive branch (aka the president & his cabinet). We, the people, need to demand more meaningful action and involvement of our elected officials in the governing process - it's time for a 535 fitness tests. Every one of us can call and/or write to our elected representatives, as well as the Senate majority & minority leaders and the House speaker, to ask that they not sit by and watch while Trump's unfitness and incompetence leads the country down the kind of destructive path from which we can't recover.
17
Trump is evidence civics and some form of government are not taught in school. Mr "T" continues to be an embarrassment such that during his executive signings, his cohorts need to be wearing the "I'm with stupid" T-shirt with the correctly pointed arrows.
There is little doubt these "executive orders" are staged dog and pony shows for the sake of his deluded voters. He really is the cartoon character, Tasmanian devil; spinning in, creating confusion, spinning away. Impeachment is coming.
There is little doubt these "executive orders" are staged dog and pony shows for the sake of his deluded voters. He really is the cartoon character, Tasmanian devil; spinning in, creating confusion, spinning away. Impeachment is coming.
10
This is what White-Male-Mediocracy (WMM) looks like.
7
Ah, the good old days, before those "big-government liberals" created all of their pesky regulations. When fuel tanks in cars exploded in rear-end collisions. When lead in paint poisoned curious children. When workers were maimed by machines without safety devices or poisoned by workplace chemicals. When pharmaceutical companies could sell drugs that caused birth defects. When people in wheel chairs couldn't fit through restroom doors. Which four of these five little problems, all common in the "good old days," is Donald Trump planning to bring back?
20
While rules are supposedly adopted in the public interest, they are overly voluminous because they actually protect the industries they regulate. Too many are written by lobbyists for those industries. (Enforcement is a whole other issue). Eliminating 75% percent of the rules would be a good thing, if they're the right 75%. They won't be. He'll increase the number and claim they were reduced and call anyone a liar who disputes it. We need to close the Church of Competition, the religion in which a rule or elimination of a rule can be alleged to promote competition, then it must be in the public interest--you've got to believe! Even if the facts and reason show the opposite, that it doesn't affect competition (there usually is no real competition and all competitors would be treated equally) and it's not in the real public's interest.
4
In Mr. Trump's alternate fact reality, all these marvelous, beautiful executive orders work perfectly. We're winning, and so very, very bigly. Winning, profit, and blind, unswerving admiration are all that matters. Everything he is told confirms his belief.
Mr. Trump has never suffered any consequences of his actions or statements, as he and his oligarch class are shielded from harm by their minions whose living depends on the glorification of their bosses. None of his sycophants, no one near him, can tell the little emperor that he is wearing no clothes.
Mr. Trump has never suffered any consequences of his actions or statements, as he and his oligarch class are shielded from harm by their minions whose living depends on the glorification of their bosses. None of his sycophants, no one near him, can tell the little emperor that he is wearing no clothes.
14
Rules may not dissolve by decree, but President Trumps executive orders were written without any good faith at all. In any contract that forces all involved to seek a courtroom remedy. His ACA edict gives all parties an open door to refuse to honor any part of the process, which harms 15% of our GDP and puts all of the investment in medical in extreme jeopardy. Our economy will tank, unless Trump wants to foot the American deficit himself. That would be, "yuge!"
9
Much or all is about appearances. He can point to the strong action he is taking, promises fulfilled. The "low informed" won't know the difference because they don't read articles like this one..in the "dishonest lying press". So what to do? This is THE problem: how do citizens become informed and leave their "story hour" kindergarten class?
14
Having Trump as your president is like having a doctor who doesn't believe in germ theory.
12
I fear we will have to endure many months of upheaval and uncertainty while Team Trump struggles with "learning on the job". I suspect that many Americans have forgotten that the progenitor of "America's Got Talent" (and its current incarnation: "Make America Great Again") was "The Original Amateur Hour", a popular radio program from the 1930's that moved to TV in the 1940's. Each show began with the spinning of a wheel, and the catch-phrase: Round and round it goes, and where it stops nobody knows!
7
This past week end there was chaos because of an order that was poorly planned. There was poor communication with the public and government. The public is losing trust in Trump. His side kick Bannon has publicly said he wants to destroy our system of government. We had a small taste of that this past week end. They attacked the powerless- refugees, people traveling to see family who has green cards and others with Visa's. What is next on the agenda? They planned this during the transition period. There was plenty of time to get organized but they chose not to... but is that part of their plan? Is chaos a needed item on the agenda to keep the public guessing rather than planning a counter attack. The next Executive Order may harm citizens. Will the police be asked to arrest you because of a characteristic? Be wary of these awful individuals and get organized. Have a list of every politician in your state. Call, write and visit their office's. Stay involved and vigilant.
13
I called my senators to express my concerns about the Muslim ban EO. The Republican's staffer took down my name and address, hopefully, to confirm that I live in his state. But the paranoid person in me wondered if he is compiling a list of enemies. I'll let you know if the police come pounding on my door (if I'm able to).
4
I am seeing a huge increase in activism emerging. Many people thought he'd "pivot" to rational thought, center, whatever. It was a comfort, given the horror show of a campaign. But now we see that he has always been an autocratic megalomaniac who can only see things through the lens of what makes him feel admired or strong. That will be changing. When new rules are proposed, the number of comments will be through the roof. And they matter. Stay alert, stay tuned.
16
Trump keeps claiming that he is being audited by the IRS. He can't change regulations, but he sure can punish his auditors for doing their job. It's like putting the EPA in the hands of oil companies and their supporters. OOps, I forgot We are doing that too. If we do not collect income taxes there is no government. Isn't that What the Republicans and the powerful elites want? More income inequality as our rich overlords strangle the country.
14
A key aspect of the obvious fallacy of "running government like a business" is on display here. In the world Donald Trump used to inhabit, he was presumably able to manage by fiat. It's not clear if he doesn't understand how government works differently, doesn't care, or if this is a ploy to see how far things can be pushed before someone says stop. Whatever the situation, this behavior is disturbing, more so since he seems so offended that he can't make it work that way and blames everyone but himself and his advisory staff. The roles of Congress and the courts are why we have presidents and not kings in this country and Trump needs to understand that sooner rather than later.
23
This is the same misapprehension that the "conservative" Republicans have pushed for thirty years, and we are finally seeing the reality of its utter falseness and depravity.
It would be like having a plumber go into the surgical suite to "shake things up" for the cardiovascular surgeons. Oops, forgot to connect the bypass equipment, well we are learning..., wait till you see what we are doing in the neurosurgery OR on Tuesday.
It would be like having a plumber go into the surgical suite to "shake things up" for the cardiovascular surgeons. Oops, forgot to connect the bypass equipment, well we are learning..., wait till you see what we are doing in the neurosurgery OR on Tuesday.
4
When this country first came to be the Founding Fathers wanted George Washington for King. He said no. If it had been Trump back then, he would have said no too, and demanded to be Emperor. Thank God for George Washington.
1
With everyone yelling at him and hardly anyone liking him, I can see him resigning. He doesn't seem like a 'long haul' kind of guy. His past performance in just about every venue proves it.
I don't think he'll make it 8 years. Hopefully not even 4. The exception would be as a figurehead to a fascist government. That's the part that needs stopping. Not him. He's nobody.
I don't think he'll make it 8 years. Hopefully not even 4. The exception would be as a figurehead to a fascist government. That's the part that needs stopping. Not him. He's nobody.
5
Ignorance and hubris make for a toxic stew
9
And for ill conceived and blatantly partisan editorials...
1
Things should speed up now that Goebbels in on the security council.
16
Yes indeed does 'Mr. Trump relish his boldface proclamations.' He is Mussolini writ American. Small hands, small crowds and a small man can still corrupt a government enough until they control all levels. Trump is working hard to destroy trust in the press, to create alternative facts, to surround himself with like-minded ideologues. As Il Duce fawned over Hitler so does Trump cozy to Putin. Is America strong enough to stand against his megalomania? Will enough Republicans join Democrats, or are they already willing to prostitute themselves as they did calling Romney-Care Obama Care? Time to pick sides. Are you Colonist or Tory? Union or Confederate? For a Republican Democracy or for Tyrannical Dictatorship?
11
Just another Mussolini Moment for The Donald.
The similarities between the two men are astonishing. But at least Mussolini made the trains run on time. What's Trump done that's positive for Americans?
The similarities between the two men are astonishing. But at least Mussolini made the trains run on time. What's Trump done that's positive for Americans?
8
So, he can write.
1
Government of, by and for Brannon, Breitbart, Trump, Exxon, Goldman Sachs, environmental despoilers, an anti-labor Labor Secretary, an anti-public-health Secretary of Health and Human Services, an anti-public school Secretarey of Education--more than sad, sad, it's MAD, MAD.
12
I don't understand regulation even as well as Trump, but you say:
" To roll back even one rule requires a whole new rule-making procedure — writing a draft rule, taking public comment, writing a final rule, more comment, and so on — that takes many months.
Why can't a rule be canceled or rescinded or deleted without being replaced?
Can an executive action suspend the application of a rule?
" To roll back even one rule requires a whole new rule-making procedure — writing a draft rule, taking public comment, writing a final rule, more comment, and so on — that takes many months.
Why can't a rule be canceled or rescinded or deleted without being replaced?
Can an executive action suspend the application of a rule?
1
There are three equal branches of government - executive, legislative and judical. Executive orders can't simply cancel laws/regulations that currently exist. The executive can direct policy on how the laws are to be enforced during his administration. If the executive and legislative branches are at odds or the public believes the law or enforcement of the law to be in the wrong then they go through the judicarcy until the law is clarified or settled.
For those of us old enough to remember tragedies of deregulation like the "Love Canal" the promises of removal of 75% of regulations to encourage business development and free trade really imply supporting profits before people.
When will we ever learn the lessons of history and stop believing that change for changes sake is anything but a fools folly?
When will we ever learn the lessons of history and stop believing that change for changes sake is anything but a fools folly?
16
Anytime I find myself wondering how DJT actually became President, all I have to do is read the comments section of literally any story in the NYT. The name calling and total lack of civility towards any person, conservative or not, who does not swallow the radical progressive view of open border immigration or climate change or even whether a male should use the men's room, hook, line and sinker is attacked without fail. If you look at it from the non liberal point of view, you have to wonder if the left will ever become relevant again.
2
Oh, come on. Didn't you ever listen to Trump? He mainstreamed name calling, false accusations, and inflammatory rhetoric. If you can't take it, don't dish it out.
1
The left has always been relevant. when you wanted your health care - the left, when you wanted to keep social security - the left. when you want to defend women rights - 1/2 the population or so - the left. when you need social safety nets and therefore might have to raise taxes on the rich to pay the bills- the left. when you want to bring back soldiers from war and avoid war - the left.
What has the right done for you and your family?
What has the right done for you and your family?
1
"... you have to wonder if the left will ever become relevant again."
It's on life support right now and the wrong practitioners are in charge of the medicine cabinet...
It's on life support right now and the wrong practitioners are in charge of the medicine cabinet...
1
Just another step backward for government by impetuosity, ill-planning, non-consultation and executive "disorders."
6
Is anyone wondering about that highly staged background that he is using for the Executive Order signature photo ops? With the big sign for the President and the enormous "Valor" sign behind him? Does that not look Nuremberg-y to you?
9
It is amazing how the republicans have controlled political agendas through branding. How "liberal", "regulations" and inheritance taxes became anathemas is truly amazing marketing. Maybe progressives should re brand "liberal" as "Personal Freedom Supporter", regulations as ""Protection of Health and Safety" and inheritance taxes as "Wealth Distribution for the Ultra Rich".
14
By age 13 Trump was so out of control his parents decided to dump him into a Military boarding school. Everything he said to them was a lie and they realized that.
Trump did not change, but the years in boarding school enabled him to somewhat clean up his act, relative to his parents.
The only book president Trump ever read from cover to cover, more than once, was Mein Kampf. Read that book and see the parallels for yourself. Trump intends on proclaiming himself president for life.
He threatens Chicago he is going to send in "The Feds." Newspapers should be prepared for Trump's "Feds" to come knocking with a temporary publisher and Editor-in-Chief to take charge. You don't agree. Read Mein Kampf.
http://michaelslevinson.com
Trump did not change, but the years in boarding school enabled him to somewhat clean up his act, relative to his parents.
The only book president Trump ever read from cover to cover, more than once, was Mein Kampf. Read that book and see the parallels for yourself. Trump intends on proclaiming himself president for life.
He threatens Chicago he is going to send in "The Feds." Newspapers should be prepared for Trump's "Feds" to come knocking with a temporary publisher and Editor-in-Chief to take charge. You don't agree. Read Mein Kampf.
http://michaelslevinson.com
9
The prospects are poor indeed. If this recent mess he created with the Muslim ban is any indication, which I think it is, his rules and hiring freeze will be chaotic and make the situation worse.
3
Obama ruled by executive order decree for years defying the majority will for immigration law enforcement with his "dreamer" sabotage and "all you have to do is report to the border and say refugee and you get in" scam that completely violated the sovereignty rights of American citizens. All Trump is doing now is enforcing the laws and regulations actually legislated by the people's representatives.
2
You may be able to say that the President is acting within the statutory authority granted him by the laws passed by Congress, but that is different from enforcing the laws. It remains to be seen whether what he is doing actually violates the laws we have in place, including the constitution. Our Courts will decide.
2
Borders? Try to focus on the topic at hand @Winthrop. And Obama is irrelevant right now.
If Trump was actually "enforcing the laws and regulations actually legislated by the people's representatives." there would have been no need for an Executive Order to over-ride existing laws and regulations.
What the Trump administration is doing is not representing my interests.
If Trump was actually "enforcing the laws and regulations actually legislated by the people's representatives." there would have been no need for an Executive Order to over-ride existing laws and regulations.
What the Trump administration is doing is not representing my interests.
6
Here's a list of presidents of the last 50 years ranked by the number of executive orders they signed during their tenures. Obama is not the lowest, but he's far from the most (note, of course, that GHW Bush and Carter only served one term, each, which suggests that Bush would have been about average for number of orders had he been re-elected, while Carter probably would have been considerably above average).
1. GHW Bush: 166
2. Ford: 169
3. JFK: 214
4. Obama: 275
5. GW Bush: 291
6. Carter: 320
7. LBJ: 325
8. Nixon: 346
9. Clinton: 364
10. Reagan: 381
1. GHW Bush: 166
2. Ford: 169
3. JFK: 214
4. Obama: 275
5. GW Bush: 291
6. Carter: 320
7. LBJ: 325
8. Nixon: 346
9. Clinton: 364
10. Reagan: 381
2
It appears our new President is increasingly falling under the influences of Steve Bannon and (for unknown reasons) Vladimir Putin. Americans did not vote for this bait and switch.
Jobs? - yes! Infrastructure? - yes! Fixing health care? - yes! But not for creating international crises where none existed just 10 days ago.
Senators John McCain & Senator Graham, please join with other GOP senators willing to put country before party, and caucus with Senate Democrats to stop the further degrading of our institutions and our standing as leader of the free world.
Jobs? - yes! Infrastructure? - yes! Fixing health care? - yes! But not for creating international crises where none existed just 10 days ago.
Senators John McCain & Senator Graham, please join with other GOP senators willing to put country before party, and caucus with Senate Democrats to stop the further degrading of our institutions and our standing as leader of the free world.
37
What bait and switch? Are you kidding me? He flaunted Putin and Bannon all through the campaign. If you didn't know these 2 were his most influential advisors, then what WERE you thinking. All the anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, anti-everybody who isn't white and Christian was on full display from Day 1.
The best way to streamline government and make it more efficient and effective is for Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Steve Bannon, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and all of Trump's administration to RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.
The cost of holding a special election to replace them is tiny compared to the damage they do minute by minute. If Hillary Clinton took office tomorrow, the cost of division within the country would be less than it is now. Again, she won the popular vote and Trump, the loser, lost.
The cost of holding a special election to replace them is tiny compared to the damage they do minute by minute. If Hillary Clinton took office tomorrow, the cost of division within the country would be less than it is now. Again, she won the popular vote and Trump, the loser, lost.
16
I think you are right NYT. It took Hercules a full day to clean the Augean Stables of their dung and Trump is no Hercules. So I guess we will have to give him 8 years to get the job done. And maybe Pence 8 after that.
What a true vision of hell!
1
It is clear that Trump thinks that he can, and perhaps any former President could have done things very easily--as if owning your own private corporations with family members. HOW STUPID. But this sentence I take issue with: "He appears to have little understanding of how the federal government is organized and functions, and his skeletal staff is still trying to learn." I don't think they're trying to learn anything. I'm sure anything real that they could learn or can't help but learn despite themselves is utterly rejected by the fantasy king with no clothes. If your leader is a man who wants to blow up government--what's to learn?
12
To smile and lick faster behind the podium the sicko is speaking from. That is what they are so happily learning. Notice he prefers wider podiums or tables to stand or sit behind when speaking? Its so his favorite thing to have done to him is easier to hide. Though some of his followers are too obese (like him) for even that and must be allowed access in private. None of his "workers" would rate a -10 on anyones list. He himself is a minus one billion and should be kept from public view as a totally ugly facsimile of a human. Bannon being worse.
1
It's a showbiz.
I can't wait to tell him and his minions "You're fired". This includes, all his GOP enablers.
I can't wait to tell him and his minions "You're fired". This includes, all his GOP enablers.
13
Mr. Steve Bannon, trump's "advisor" is clearly the author of this foolish decree.
He doesn't care what you, I or anyone thinks. He's finally got a puppet, and he's gleefully pulling the strings to enact his White America First plan.
He doesn't care what you, I or anyone thinks. He's finally got a puppet, and he's gleefully pulling the strings to enact his White America First plan.
21
How far to the right will Stephen Bannon take the President? When will Congress show some backbone? Will the military do whatever the President orders?
21
Keep it up Editorial Board! Now please do some expose' on Stephen K. Bannon, the puppeteer!!
40
He's a Nazi
2
The poet David Whyte once said to me "Government workers carry the buckets for the rest of us." I for one don't want to carry all those buckets.
2
Buckets full of what?
3
I for one am tired of turning on the news and hearing about Trumps tweets. Tired of hearing the latest fallouts of Trumps thoughtless executive orders that apparently are being written by Steve Bannon. If this is Trump's idea of winning, I am tired of "winning".
18
If you voted for him......its your fault.
If you didnt, but, voted for a 3rd party candidate who had no chance....its your fault.
If you didnt vote at all..........its your fault.
I was in high school when Nixon won. Only MA didnt vote for him. I had a very popular sweatshirt: Dont blame me Im from MA. Then after he started his vengence on us one: Last person leaving, please shut out the lights. MA is still there, still prosperous, still unbowed. We still on occasion vote a Repug into the governership. Though this last election (when the office wasnt up) may mean that never happens again. See, we tend, mostly to vote the person, not the party. My republican father warned me to never register with a party, never vote the straight ticket. He died in 1989. Ashamed of his party. He was a good man. He would be proud I am going to fight to rid this country of the putrid stench in the WH and congress. Even if I join him sooner rather than later (I am 65).
If you didnt, but, voted for a 3rd party candidate who had no chance....its your fault.
If you didnt vote at all..........its your fault.
I was in high school when Nixon won. Only MA didnt vote for him. I had a very popular sweatshirt: Dont blame me Im from MA. Then after he started his vengence on us one: Last person leaving, please shut out the lights. MA is still there, still prosperous, still unbowed. We still on occasion vote a Repug into the governership. Though this last election (when the office wasnt up) may mean that never happens again. See, we tend, mostly to vote the person, not the party. My republican father warned me to never register with a party, never vote the straight ticket. He died in 1989. Ashamed of his party. He was a good man. He would be proud I am going to fight to rid this country of the putrid stench in the WH and congress. Even if I join him sooner rather than later (I am 65).
1
Government for the least-common-denominator... that's what Trump delivers. Watch what he does, not what he says. In this case, that's as depressing as can be in itself. He is incompetent- as most knew he would be. What's interesting is how poor his leadership skills are and how little his type of business experience has prepared him for anything. He's not an entrepreneur- he was handed money by Daddy to then leverage using OPM. A skill set- yes. Preparation for governing- no. He's never answered to anyone; been accountable to a Board. He's never really created anything but a 'brand'- one whose success I never understood. Long before he ran for President, I thought he was an idiot with bad taste. Everything he touches- including that hideous penthouse he lives in- reeks on 'new money,' and proves the point that money can't buy class.
15
"Sorry, Rules Don't Dissolve by Decree" - as long as the courts enforce the rules and the State enforces the court rulings. Each of these actions is now in doubt. Whatever you do, if you support the rule of law never vote for any Republican.
13
Paging Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan....
Time for these two craven swamp dwelling obstructionists to quickly and publicly repudiate Trump and his crazy staff and Cabinet.
Ryan and McConnell need to man up and realize that Trump is not only hopeless as their "President" but also the greatest threat to national and international security we have possibly ever seen.
Ryan and McConnell can change the course of history right now if they simply do the right thing and give up on this mentally unhinged madman - who is in a position to scorch the world with nuclear warfare - especially with Steve Bannon functioning as the shadow President.
Scary times made scarier knowing that my wish is very unlikely to happen.
Time for these two craven swamp dwelling obstructionists to quickly and publicly repudiate Trump and his crazy staff and Cabinet.
Ryan and McConnell need to man up and realize that Trump is not only hopeless as their "President" but also the greatest threat to national and international security we have possibly ever seen.
Ryan and McConnell can change the course of history right now if they simply do the right thing and give up on this mentally unhinged madman - who is in a position to scorch the world with nuclear warfare - especially with Steve Bannon functioning as the shadow President.
Scary times made scarier knowing that my wish is very unlikely to happen.
28
Idle hope. Ryan and McConnell would prostrate themselves in a puddle of mud before Trump, so their Emperor doesn't get his shoes dirty. After he walked over them, they will thank him for the opportunity to be of service.
1
I am glad that the US does not have what India has: Emergency Rule under which the Prime Minister can become a quasi-dictator. Or does the US have something similar? Wonderland where Alice was so mystified?
7
Thank you for this sentence.
" He’s been signing his executive orders on TV, holding them up and explaining them aloud, like story hour in the Oval Office."
Executive orders must still be legal. Rise up lawyers! Rise up!
" He’s been signing his executive orders on TV, holding them up and explaining them aloud, like story hour in the Oval Office."
Executive orders must still be legal. Rise up lawyers! Rise up!
27
Trump's stunt is first and foremost The Rule of Lies. As a rule, lies don't walk far. His stunt must end fast, lest America is loosing all its marbles and really goes bonkers!
10
What we saw in the campaign was what we got. Trump's mob adored him because supposedly he was a successful businessman, based on nothing but his own assessment. And he was a TV 'star', again, according to him.
The mob wanted people in DC with no experience experience and that's what they got. Some of the Trump "team', using that term loosely, are glib of tongue, some world-class motormouth variety and seem on top of things. Sometimes. But it's clear, even in the Vampira eyes of Kellyanne Whatsis that they haven't a clue what the hell they're doing.
It's Old McDonald had a farm: here a filthy pipeline, there another, here a trade war, there a Muslim ban, here sowing chaos and confusion, there a fight with the media, here a fight with nazi-like CIA, there he loves the CIA because they'll do torture the way he likes it. And that's just the first week. E-I-E-I-Oops.
Trump seems to believe, by laboriously signing royal proclamations ... er executive orders, that he's actually done something. Seems to think the world awaits the next tweet storm with bated breath and maybe it does. But It's an empty performance by a hollow shell. He has what he wanted and it clearly isn't enough.
But meanwhile, he will trash the country, undermine our reputation in the world, lower our credit, and just maybe create a recession to match the last one the GOP gave us.
His mob also got what they wanted and it's turned out to be the quintessential pig in a poke. Or pig in a wig?
The mob wanted people in DC with no experience experience and that's what they got. Some of the Trump "team', using that term loosely, are glib of tongue, some world-class motormouth variety and seem on top of things. Sometimes. But it's clear, even in the Vampira eyes of Kellyanne Whatsis that they haven't a clue what the hell they're doing.
It's Old McDonald had a farm: here a filthy pipeline, there another, here a trade war, there a Muslim ban, here sowing chaos and confusion, there a fight with the media, here a fight with nazi-like CIA, there he loves the CIA because they'll do torture the way he likes it. And that's just the first week. E-I-E-I-Oops.
Trump seems to believe, by laboriously signing royal proclamations ... er executive orders, that he's actually done something. Seems to think the world awaits the next tweet storm with bated breath and maybe it does. But It's an empty performance by a hollow shell. He has what he wanted and it clearly isn't enough.
But meanwhile, he will trash the country, undermine our reputation in the world, lower our credit, and just maybe create a recession to match the last one the GOP gave us.
His mob also got what they wanted and it's turned out to be the quintessential pig in a poke. Or pig in a wig?
29
Sacrificing democratic principles to save a democracy is counterproductive.
10
I agree procedural rules (and hopefully at least some of the other checks and balances of government) will hinder Trump's execution of some of his rash orders, but this editorial seems to miss the value to Trump of his actions. My guess is the hindrance doesn't trouble him or his team too much.
Every time Trump signs something, no matter how inane or unrealistic, he gets a narcissistic photo-op that the media covers. He gets a talking point for his next tweet or bloviating rally, which also will generate coverage. He gets to profess he is bucking the system and living up to campaign promises. When the orders don't execute as promised, he will blame bureaucracy or some other convenient scapegoat or just distract with some new "alternative facts."
Every time Trump signs something, no matter how inane or unrealistic, he gets a narcissistic photo-op that the media covers. He gets a talking point for his next tweet or bloviating rally, which also will generate coverage. He gets to profess he is bucking the system and living up to campaign promises. When the orders don't execute as promised, he will blame bureaucracy or some other convenient scapegoat or just distract with some new "alternative facts."
27
I wonder if Trump read this editorial, got angry and then today decide to hold a presser in which he insists that for every one new regulation, two must be repealed.
Nothing he does makes much sense unless you put it in the context of a man who insists on having complete control and no criticism and who lashes out at his, "enemies."
Nothing he does makes much sense unless you put it in the context of a man who insists on having complete control and no criticism and who lashes out at his, "enemies."
14
Trump is basically a little boy who has been given a toy he is much too young to play with: Democracy. Most parents know enough to recognize when they have given their child a dangerous toy and take it away. Won't happen as long as the GOP holds the majority.
23
The lawsuits have just begun, the resistance is strong, and there's even a quiet impeachment discussion. As to congressional inaction, nothing new, right? However, Members of Congress still generally prefer to hold their seats beyond a president's tenure or a year or two. Maybe, even when deluged with calls and letters, many of them are still in denial--or maybe just waiting for the right moment to defect, which may not exist. Those folks can probably look forward to losing their seats. The leaked ACA discussion at their retreat showed some awareness that taking over the gov't. won't be all that easy--they still lack the "hearts and minds".
3
Yup! Too young to play with it. So he's breaking it!
Luckily for us, Trump is a successful businessman. Otherwise...he might be prone to the latest whim that caught his fancy, issuing spur-of-the-moment decrees that are poorly thought out and poorly implemented, and actually make the situation much worse. Of course, if that happened, I'm sure the brave republicans in congress wouldn't hesitate to criticize him.
37
successful business man?
Hogwash!!! Don jon took his day's money and investors into 4 business which bankrupted after don jon pulled out- leaving his investors with nothing.
Daddy did get him tv program were he reveled in firing people during the Second Great Depression of 2008. Got pretty good at TV. Used it to capture POTUS.
Horrible!!
Hogwash!!! Don jon took his day's money and investors into 4 business which bankrupted after don jon pulled out- leaving his investors with nothing.
Daddy did get him tv program were he reveled in firing people during the Second Great Depression of 2008. Got pretty good at TV. Used it to capture POTUS.
Horrible!!
1
His hiring freeze has already hurt veterans because military veterans receive preference in federal hiring. Many have had their job interviews cancelled. Positions are frozen. Veterans who had this happen responded by twitter but Trump ignored them.
Some veterans say "Trump...thinks all federal workers are well-paid bureaucrats in Washington offices."
Advocates say Trump denied veterans what they need more than ever after coming home and getting out of the service.
It also tends to reveal his shocking lack of problem-solving abilities or preparedness for the office of the presidency.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/national-security/...
Some veterans say "Trump...thinks all federal workers are well-paid bureaucrats in Washington offices."
Advocates say Trump denied veterans what they need more than ever after coming home and getting out of the service.
It also tends to reveal his shocking lack of problem-solving abilities or preparedness for the office of the presidency.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/national-security/...
30
While technically regulations cannot be undone with a stroke of pen, in reality Trump can simply not enforce them. The only solution to the Administration's actions would be to sue in court, but a litigation could last months or years and would cost substantial sums of money. And, even if the court finds the Trump administration must enforce regulations, it is very difficult to make someone vigorously do implement a law/program one opposes.
Having worked in this area, I have seen countless times when an Administration will drag its feet on creating or enforcing regulations. The reality is that a President has enormous power to impact our lives by skirting his legal responsibilities.
Having worked in this area, I have seen countless times when an Administration will drag its feet on creating or enforcing regulations. The reality is that a President has enormous power to impact our lives by skirting his legal responsibilities.
14
While technically regulations cannot be undone with a stroke of pen, in reality Trump can simply not enforce them. The only solution to the Administration's actions would be to sue in court, but a litigation could last months or years and would cost substantial sums of money.
=================
He also has the option of not mounting defenses for lawsuits that have been filed against Obama rules. Similar to the way Obama had DOJ stand down on the DOMA lawsuits.
=================
He also has the option of not mounting defenses for lawsuits that have been filed against Obama rules. Similar to the way Obama had DOJ stand down on the DOMA lawsuits.
We have, in a document that was finalized before the Constitution, the right and obligation to revolt in circumstances such as this. The Declaration of Independence gives it to us. The Founding Fathers, in their forsight, knew that someday a dictator wanna be would arise, and like we fought crazy King George, we would fight someone like crazy Trump. Note it is an obligation to our country to keep males like him properly contained. Best way is on the end of a rope. With his staff, cabinet, congressional leaders. Oh VP too. Though all he seems to do is follow 2 steps behind his new messiah, head down to say he is so lesser than he who is the lest in the nation. VPs are mostly kept apart from the prez, for security reasons. But, Trump needs to be able to actually see him, as he is totally untrusted. So, get one, easy to get the other, while another group is taking care of McConnel, Ryan (very unAmerican names, must be immigrants) being the leaders.
R. E. S. I. S. T.
R. E. S. I. S. T.
1
Your assumption with this point of view is that the American Population will continue to abide by the rules and regulations. If our new President tells his supporters that these regulations are no longer in force, they will simply elect to not follow them. If he and his team continue to claim that the courts do not have the power to halt his executive orders, many individuals and more importantly, companies, will stop adhering to the Clean Water Act, EPA regulations or anything else that this administration claims to be within their jurisdiction. They are neutering our judicial system, our intelligence community and our regulatory institutions. They have undermined the faith in the press, the election system and any other powerful element of the United States. All in a scant few weeks. To state that this is merely "show" ignores the success that they have experienced and will continue to have.
49
f our new President tells his supporters that these regulations are no longer in force, they will simply elect to not follow them. If he and his team continue to claim that the courts do not have the power to halt his executive orders, many individuals and more importantly, companies, will stop adhering to the Clean Water Act, EPA regulations or anything else that this administration claims to be within their jurisdiction.
=================
I'm so old I can remember when Obama lawlessly "waived" parts of the ACA and parts of the No Child Left Behind act, Republicans asked what Democrats would say if a Republican president "waived" parts of the Clean Water Act or the Endangered Species Act.
They were generally told to shut up.
=================
I'm so old I can remember when Obama lawlessly "waived" parts of the ACA and parts of the No Child Left Behind act, Republicans asked what Democrats would say if a Republican president "waived" parts of the Clean Water Act or the Endangered Species Act.
They were generally told to shut up.
Trump and Republicans before him have called for reductions in government regulations and mandates. They say that reductions in government regulations and mandates will increase economic activity. Most would consider an increase economic activity to be inflationary. However, to the extent that government regulations and mandates increase costs, reducing those costs is deflationary. Additionally, one entity's higher costs imposed by government regulations and mandates, is spending that is another person's income.
An example would be Trump and Republicans' promise to stop the war on coal. Armstrong Coal Company,had their earnings conference call the day after the election. The President of Armstrong Coal was giddy and said he could not decide who he was happier to see go, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency or the head of occupational safety regulation at the Department of Labor. Both of whom he considered as nemeses to the coal industry. He also said that he had been in contact with some of Armstrong Coal's major customers, electric power utilities, which shared his views.
If coal is the least expensive way to generate electricity, but environmental regulations and mandates force utilities to use other more expensive sources, then eliminating those regulations and mandates reduces power costs and is deflationary. Furthermore, not spending that money on the additional scrubbers or safety equipment reduces economic activi...."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4025083
An example would be Trump and Republicans' promise to stop the war on coal. Armstrong Coal Company,had their earnings conference call the day after the election. The President of Armstrong Coal was giddy and said he could not decide who he was happier to see go, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency or the head of occupational safety regulation at the Department of Labor. Both of whom he considered as nemeses to the coal industry. He also said that he had been in contact with some of Armstrong Coal's major customers, electric power utilities, which shared his views.
If coal is the least expensive way to generate electricity, but environmental regulations and mandates force utilities to use other more expensive sources, then eliminating those regulations and mandates reduces power costs and is deflationary. Furthermore, not spending that money on the additional scrubbers or safety equipment reduces economic activi...."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4025083
4
OMG, your one of those types that says we should go around breaking windows so we can generate economic activity by fixing them
I believe that many Americans (certainly all Trump supporters) don't understand how dangerous Trump and his people are. This is not a "Sit on your butt and see what happens" but a "We need to take strong action immediately".
If we wait any longer, Trump's cabinet, the judicial system and all regulatory agencies will be staffed by his people and than it will be too late. Meanwhile, he is chipping away at our constitutional and civil rights and actually succeeding in tearing this country apart by his legitimization of hate, racism, antisemitism and misogyny!
If we wait any longer, Trump's cabinet, the judicial system and all regulatory agencies will be staffed by his people and than it will be too late. Meanwhile, he is chipping away at our constitutional and civil rights and actually succeeding in tearing this country apart by his legitimization of hate, racism, antisemitism and misogyny!
16
People with good sense know enough to discount their opinions when faced with inarguable expertise. Even my 7 year old, indoctrinated to think he is naturally bestowed with wide-ranging talents and transcendent acumen, will demur in the presence of real skill.
Trump fills the gap between ignorance and expertise with perfunctory arrogance instead of humility, curiosity and deference, things not far from the grasp of even moderately well-adjusted children.
Trump fills the gap between ignorance and expertise with perfunctory arrogance instead of humility, curiosity and deference, things not far from the grasp of even moderately well-adjusted children.
8
I imagine that military officers undergo thorough screening which includes psychological evaluations.
Why isn't the commander-in-chief subject to psychological evaluation as part of the eligibility process? It's clear to most mental health professionals that he has severe mental and personality defects.
Why isn't the commander-in-chief subject to psychological evaluation as part of the eligibility process? It's clear to most mental health professionals that he has severe mental and personality defects.
14
All the same, if the government is not to be brought to a standstill with Trumps dangerous antics that will occupy it and mire it down in endless make-work, it had better get its act together and do something about this wholesale assault on democratic institutions before it becomes even harder to resolve. Please don't lose sight of the forest because of the fallen trees.
9
When Alan Greenspan took over Federal Reserve as Chairman, he made recommendations, based on his Greenspan Commission working at the behest of Pres. Reagan, to deregulate the world of business. We know how badly that worked out. Deregulation the banking and insurance industry created duopolies and near-monopolies throughout the financial world. Despite how many banks and brokerages remained, they used the power of lobbyists to act as one.
Other disasters created by deregulating businesses included uncontrolled mergers, acquisitions and hostile takeovers. This reduced competition, put downward pressure on the workforce and destroyed millions of Americans who had enjoyed some prosperity from doingt their jobs well. Every time we watched a major merger in transportation, banking or pharmaceuticals, the CEO's enriched themselves by nine figures before leaving the mess for other executives to clean up.
When I ask my friends from the Other Side tell me there are too many regulations, I ask them, "What regulations do you find offensive?" Are there too many regulations for clean air, clean water, workplace safety ....? They can never tell me what regulations have weakened business or the economy. They simply parrot what they heard from the Wall Street "reporters on FOX or CNBC.
I am sure there are thousands of regulations that have outlived their reasons for being simply through changes in technology and demographics. But a scalpal, not an ax, must do what must be done.
Other disasters created by deregulating businesses included uncontrolled mergers, acquisitions and hostile takeovers. This reduced competition, put downward pressure on the workforce and destroyed millions of Americans who had enjoyed some prosperity from doingt their jobs well. Every time we watched a major merger in transportation, banking or pharmaceuticals, the CEO's enriched themselves by nine figures before leaving the mess for other executives to clean up.
When I ask my friends from the Other Side tell me there are too many regulations, I ask them, "What regulations do you find offensive?" Are there too many regulations for clean air, clean water, workplace safety ....? They can never tell me what regulations have weakened business or the economy. They simply parrot what they heard from the Wall Street "reporters on FOX or CNBC.
I am sure there are thousands of regulations that have outlived their reasons for being simply through changes in technology and demographics. But a scalpal, not an ax, must do what must be done.
19
Looking at the chaos that is created over immigration right now we can only imagine what will happen to the Affordable Care Act and the people who depend on it. My hope is that the Republican party will wake up soon from their delirious slumber and help impeach the Fuehrer. They need to have the guts to defend our democracy rather than watching it deteriorate day by day. Show some guts and move to the right side of history!
13
Trump knows little if anything about history, philosophy, political science, basic civics , or the rule of law. He also incapable of processing any dissent or engaging in self reflection. He thinks the EC elected him CEO of America, and we are his employees. He thinks we work for him.
This is going to be very painful to watch as the Reality White House continues to unfold .
But I am putting my money on the rule of law. We are , after all, a nation of laws not men.
This will be the biggest test of our Constitution since the 1860s.
Godspeed.
This is going to be very painful to watch as the Reality White House continues to unfold .
But I am putting my money on the rule of law. We are , after all, a nation of laws not men.
This will be the biggest test of our Constitution since the 1860s.
Godspeed.
19
I visited my primary physician at my local VA hospital last week. He advised that Trump's hiring freeze will send the entire health care system at the VA into chaos-- no new hire doctors, nurses, physical therapists-- you would just have attrition, systemic sclerosis of hospital staff, inventory and prescription shortages, and much greater risk of fatality among patients. This, presumably, is what Trump really means with his shpiel about "honoring our heroes." Eliminating our heroes is what he really means. But then. what would one expect from a Vietnam draft-dodging coward?
27
George W. Bush had Dick Cheney telling him how the world worked and how to do things.
Trump has Bannon. Bannon is the "little man behind the curtain" here. He has a position where he can hide and influence, just like Cheney did.
I don't know why Trump even needs a cabinet. His homeland security chief had only gotten half way through a review of the executive order when Trump signed it - written by Bannon, of course, just like the inauguration speech.
Everybody except Trump's inner circle is going to be marginalized. Trump does not have the ability to listen to people outside that circle. I believe there are going to be massive resignations of high level people including cabinet members, when they find out that it doesn't matter what they say or think - especially when they figure out that they are really working for Steve Bannon.
Trump has Bannon. Bannon is the "little man behind the curtain" here. He has a position where he can hide and influence, just like Cheney did.
I don't know why Trump even needs a cabinet. His homeland security chief had only gotten half way through a review of the executive order when Trump signed it - written by Bannon, of course, just like the inauguration speech.
Everybody except Trump's inner circle is going to be marginalized. Trump does not have the ability to listen to people outside that circle. I believe there are going to be massive resignations of high level people including cabinet members, when they find out that it doesn't matter what they say or think - especially when they figure out that they are really working for Steve Bannon.
15
President Trump’s executive orders are more for show than actual effect. Why else would the reality TV star roll in the press every time and hold them up for all to see? So he can show his base that he is “delivering” on his campaign promises? Then if things don’t happen as signed, the base can always blame anyone else but Trump.
This is exactly how it’s panning out with the botched roll out of the Muslim ban, everyone can see how much easier it is to sign an executive order than actually implement it. However, the base is not going to fault Trump for these failures in implementation because they saw him sign the executive order – who said politics would stop once Trump got into the White House?
This is exactly how it’s panning out with the botched roll out of the Muslim ban, everyone can see how much easier it is to sign an executive order than actually implement it. However, the base is not going to fault Trump for these failures in implementation because they saw him sign the executive order – who said politics would stop once Trump got into the White House?
9
Congress rarely passes legislation with all the detailed rules for carrying it out. There is good reason for this: members of Congress cannot be expected to know how new regulations will affect standing ones or how they will impact the public. Agencies familiar with the regulation landscape can craft rules that do the most good and the least harm, put them out for public comment and then draft a final version that meets the need. Trump's executive order will sow disorder in every department of the Executive Branch and tie up the Judiciary in needless lawsuits.
24
Just exactly as Steven Bannon intended it to.
1
Congress needs to act to impeach this heretic and get rid of his deplorable minions. Enough is enough already. He played the long con and somehow won, well, time to call it what it is - a con - and move the conman along as quickly as possible. Nothing good is going to come of his remaining in office except more chaos and a deterioration of our democracy.
19
Heretic! I love the use of this term!
2
I believe the Trump administration never considered hiring and/or retaining employees who actually knew how the government worked or that it even mattered, because their ultimate goal is absolute power and I think they will try their best to achieve it.
God forbid a terrorist attack happens on our soil in the near future, this sinister group will secretly be happy that it occurred, and use it to impose martial law. After all, Trump believes Alex Jones' conspiracy theories and now that he's in the drivers seat, why not go full throttle to achieve his aims?
God forbid a terrorist attack happens on our soil in the near future, this sinister group will secretly be happy that it occurred, and use it to impose martial law. After all, Trump believes Alex Jones' conspiracy theories and now that he's in the drivers seat, why not go full throttle to achieve his aims?
20
This actually happened under Bush Jr., the "Bin Lauden determined to attack on US soil" memo which he ignored on September 10. And what happened? Other than a little destruction of the entire middle east, huge profits for the military-industrial complex. Marvelous- for a few.
But the US endured. We survived Reagan, we survived Bushes, we can survive this one, too.
But the US endured. We survived Reagan, we survived Bushes, we can survive this one, too.
1
Maybe not if the republicans gain control of 34 states and call a constitutional convention, which they are planning to do. They have control of 32 now, I believe. Then they only need 38 states to ratify whatever changes they want to make to the constitution. I don't think many people are aware of this. Add in crosscheck and voter suppression, and this is all in their realm of possibilities.
1
Whilst Donald's mind is slipping over the edge of the abyss, Pence is huddled with the Republican elite.
Why? To tailor a straight jacket of "Incapacity" for Donald.
What a great story - a made for Hollywood story. Even Donald will love the movie. Why? because people will argue whether he was a tragic hero, a simple villain or as pathetic, ineffective narcissist.
Why? To tailor a straight jacket of "Incapacity" for Donald.
What a great story - a made for Hollywood story. Even Donald will love the movie. Why? because people will argue whether he was a tragic hero, a simple villain or as pathetic, ineffective narcissist.
20
Trump can order the personnel in federal agencies not to enforce regulations, which have the force of law until changed as described in the article. He cannot actually change the regulations themselves by decree. Only a dictator could do that and he is not a dictator, - yet. But when the Chief Executive orders laws that he does not like to be enforced by the people who work for him, that is a violation of his oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States. That makes the president an oath breaker.
21
Impeachable. Provided Congress asserts its powers and refuses to enable a wayward president.
3
This morning on the news Trump was mocking Senator Schumer for crying while he spoke about refugees. Trump laughs now at people with knowledge and feelings but, at the rate Trump is dissolving the government, he'll be crying like a baby when he is soon tried and impeached.
26
I honestly think the only two things that would make Trump cry is if he lost all his money and could no longer secure loans, the other would be his cowering before almighty God if we do, indeed, all face our judgement eventually. I don't think death of a loved one would be that upsetting, since he obviously doesn't care about the state of the planet they will be spending their lives on.
3
This is as we feared, sheer insanity. For those who wanted to "throw a grenade into government" they are managing to injure all of us with it's shrapnel.
Maybe this is all for the good though, maybe the American people need to suffer the results wrought by those who hate government trying to govern. Sadly though, and this is not an over statement, people will die needlessly due to Trump's capricious actions. Die from loss of healthcare, die from loss of work safety rules, die from environmental contaminants, die from the extreme weather brought by climate change.
How could it come to this?
Maybe this is all for the good though, maybe the American people need to suffer the results wrought by those who hate government trying to govern. Sadly though, and this is not an over statement, people will die needlessly due to Trump's capricious actions. Die from loss of healthcare, die from loss of work safety rules, die from environmental contaminants, die from the extreme weather brought by climate change.
How could it come to this?
9
Beyond the frenetic activity meant to show us that “President Trump Takes Action,” and beyond appeasing ideologues in his inner circle, I think there’s a meaner motivation… acting to erase every trace of President Obama’s presidency and legacy.
President Obama once humiliated Donald Trump at the Correspondents Dinner and eventually forced a grudging admission that the birth certificate was real. I don’t think Trump will ever get over the humiliation. He’s describes himself as a counterpuncher, and this certainly feels like payback.
However, that score will never be settled, no matter how many Obama policies he overturns. Counterpunchers, like drug addicts, never seem to get all the satisfaction they crave. It's very dangerous when our country's leader is wildly swinging at multiple targets, seeking revenge for an insult.
President Obama once humiliated Donald Trump at the Correspondents Dinner and eventually forced a grudging admission that the birth certificate was real. I don’t think Trump will ever get over the humiliation. He’s describes himself as a counterpuncher, and this certainly feels like payback.
However, that score will never be settled, no matter how many Obama policies he overturns. Counterpunchers, like drug addicts, never seem to get all the satisfaction they crave. It's very dangerous when our country's leader is wildly swinging at multiple targets, seeking revenge for an insult.
16
The amount of knowledge encased in Trump's brain couldn't fill a thimble. The guy has to be led around by the likes of White Supremacist S.S. Bannon, Trump's Goebbels, the not so bright Breitbart baron of vicious bile. Along with his puppy lapdog Sean Insanity licking the floor for scraps Trump leaves for FOX "News" propagandists, Trump has in one week turned the White House into an Animal House of shenanigans and conflicts of interest lawsuits.
Who in their right mind could conceivably think this demagogic egotist would know anything about leading? Only the most deplorable naive sucker in flyover country. Well, Trumpians, you wanted him. You've got him.
DD
Manhattan
Who in their right mind could conceivably think this demagogic egotist would know anything about leading? Only the most deplorable naive sucker in flyover country. Well, Trumpians, you wanted him. You've got him.
DD
Manhattan
9
Gee, I wonder if the Republicans will grumble about the "king" overstepping his bounds, as they did a lot during the past eight years.
17
If he does not continue doing what he promised during the campaign that won him the Electoral College victory over HRC, then even POTUS will feel the heat of his supporters. But right now, we are happy and beaming. The more tantrums the left throws, the less sympathy they get and the more support Trump receives. The left has just not realized that yet. How do they actually expect to get bipartisan support against Trump by continuing to put the right down while scolding them from the liberal ivory towers of the coasts?
6
So, are millions of protesters from around the country just ivory tower elites? With respect, these are not temper tantrums guided by some mythical elites. We are not dupes. We are Americans who are rightly concerned about the direction of this country under Trump. Like it or not, a majority of Americans from all over disagree with him and the agenda being pursued now. Finally, if your grievance is that the right is "being put down," the solution is not for Trump to drive more and deeper wedges between us as he certainly seems to be doing.
15
The flaw in your argument is that Trump's approval ratings are the lowest in recorded history at this point in a presidency. Also, they have gotten worse, not better across the last four days.
11
Trump and Bannon are engaged in a blitzkrieg of calculated destabilization of the government so as to usher in a fascist kleptocracy.
Judicial and legislative officeholders need to recognize that this is #notnormal. It is an emergency situation and Democratic Senators and Representatives, in particular, need to be prepared to respond to it as such. And principled Republican conservatives need to examine their consciences and be prepared, on their ends, to put the Constitution and Bill of Rights above partisan considerations.
Across the board, there should be a demand to kick Bannon out of the White House. Clearly, a white nationalist with fascist tendencies is driving the agenda of the administration and that is a mortal threat to American democracy.
Judicial and legislative officeholders need to recognize that this is #notnormal. It is an emergency situation and Democratic Senators and Representatives, in particular, need to be prepared to respond to it as such. And principled Republican conservatives need to examine their consciences and be prepared, on their ends, to put the Constitution and Bill of Rights above partisan considerations.
Across the board, there should be a demand to kick Bannon out of the White House. Clearly, a white nationalist with fascist tendencies is driving the agenda of the administration and that is a mortal threat to American democracy.
23
Deny Bannon security clearance
2
Thank you for putting out the truth so clearly and forcefully.
3
The only thing missing from the performance art in the oval office is his black pointy hat and a magic wand...
11
Obama took those with him when he moved out since they were finally worn down with the Great Restroom Order of 2016.
Perhaps someone can clarify how such decrees eliminating regulations and signed with such dashing media savoir faire, suggesting some
decisive by the fearless bewigged leader has just happened, can be appealed and rendered moot or irrelevant? Rules may not be easily overturned
officially, but they can be, presumably, always thoroughly ignored by those who assume administrative authority of the relevant agency or department.
How, after all, does one force an agency to apply or insist upon the following of a regulation when from on high that is a policy non grata? It is, presumably,
by means of a slow legal suit, requiring resources and staffing as well as standing. So, these would seem to be significant obstacles to this rather
glib dismissal of the not so dear leader's plans to eliminate regulations and
return the society to those golden pre New Deal era years...
decisive by the fearless bewigged leader has just happened, can be appealed and rendered moot or irrelevant? Rules may not be easily overturned
officially, but they can be, presumably, always thoroughly ignored by those who assume administrative authority of the relevant agency or department.
How, after all, does one force an agency to apply or insist upon the following of a regulation when from on high that is a policy non grata? It is, presumably,
by means of a slow legal suit, requiring resources and staffing as well as standing. So, these would seem to be significant obstacles to this rather
glib dismissal of the not so dear leader's plans to eliminate regulations and
return the society to those golden pre New Deal era years...
1
I suppose we could declare this Administration the most ignorant and inexperienced Administration at least in Modern History. Ignorant people elect ignorant leaders and ignorant leaders will destroy the country. That is how Democracy becomes the most dangerous and potent enemy of a nation. Sixty two million Americans have unveiled their ignorance about Presidency and this country's role and place in the World by voting for the most unqualified, ignorant, uneducated, inexperienced and psychologically disturbed individual that ever occupied the Office of the President of the United States. And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is an existential threat that far exceeds our perceived threats from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and ISIS as we are witnessing the gradual disintegration of the "American Fabric".
23
Your second from the last paragraph sums things up nicely:
"He appears to have little understanding ..."
"He appears to have little understanding ..."
2
The NYT was thrilled with President Obama's many executive orders killing jobs and benefiting his supporters. Now the shoe is on the other foot they are outraged! Someone once said "elections have consequences - deal with it!"
5
hey donna, explain, which orders and which jobs - coal mining? yeah, those are great jobs. we are dealing with it and protesting donny and his band of morons every step of the way.
3
Not clear what job-killing executive orders you might be. Referring to
7
Data, Donna. Data is required for such statements. Otherwise, you're putting out irresponsible gossip. Grown-ups (I assume you're one) are not allowed to be irresponsible gossips just because they're cranky.
6
It would seem that our new president is under the impression he can rule by decree in the form of executive orders. What happens when he discovers it's limits?
Say there was a fire at the Capitol followed by the administration announcing it to be the work of Islamic terrorists and declaring a state of emergency.
Then say someone like, oh, I don't know, maybe Lamar Smith, introduces a bill called the Enabling Act of 2017. Would there be enough GOP defectors to defeat it?
Godwin's law notwithstanding, I'm not putting anything past this crew.
Say there was a fire at the Capitol followed by the administration announcing it to be the work of Islamic terrorists and declaring a state of emergency.
Then say someone like, oh, I don't know, maybe Lamar Smith, introduces a bill called the Enabling Act of 2017. Would there be enough GOP defectors to defeat it?
Godwin's law notwithstanding, I'm not putting anything past this crew.
8
Amusingly, the President* and his gang comprehend the rules and regulations surrounding the Federal Civil Service so little that they have attempted to freeze hiring by issuing a Presidential Memo. Not even an executive order, the instruction went out in the same way that paperclips and yellow stickies are ordered. I suppose that's suggestive of their opinion about the value of the Civil Service. Jobs for everyone - except those who serve the public.
9
It struck me also that among Mr Job-Creator's first acts was slashing jobs. Yes, Mr Trump, those who work for the government are WORKING, and serving the American people's interests
9
I think Trump is trying to fill up a confused, directionless early period with a semblance of action and purpose. Every executive order appears like he is fulfilling a pledge to the American people. Whether they cause chaos and protests is not his concern. They fill up TV and social media time and this serves the purpose of distracting us from the vacuousness of his policy goals and his inability to inspire congress to follow his lead.
I pray that he acquires expert assistance to obtain bipartisan support for his massive infrastructure program. If and when he does, he will forget about all these squid tactics and glory in the implementation of a "great" and "yuge" program.
I pray that he acquires expert assistance to obtain bipartisan support for his massive infrastructure program. If and when he does, he will forget about all these squid tactics and glory in the implementation of a "great" and "yuge" program.
10
I think we are all beginning to understand that this Administration is all about Mr. Bannon's ideas, put into action with a flourish of a pen by his most willing acolyte,. Perhaps we should call our president Tsar BanTrump.
22
The icing on the cake will come when the new budget starves the government agencies.
13
Thank you. Most reassuring thing I've read in The News for a week.
8
Unfortunately, Trump supporters seem to relish his "for show" actions and pronouncements, and one might suspect that the majority of them have no more understanding of the workings of our federal government, not to mention our Constitution, than does their "dear leader." The fact that Trump has excised any mention of global climate change or green energy initiatives from government websites, and has now "ruled" that no government scientist may publicly speak out or publish without his court jesters' prior approval is horrifying and chilling. This man is a charlatan, a fraud, a reality TV con who "creates his own reality" when he dislikes the facts and truth, to which he has always had a pathological aversion. Trump was elected by his wily handler, Vladimir Putin, and abetted by the virulent partisan FBI hack James Comey, who decided to leak discredited nonsense about HRC's emails but has yet to disclose anything about his ostensible "investigation" into Russian tampering with our election. No wonder Trump retained Comey - talk about the fox guarding the chicken coop! There is no bottom or top to this unconstitutional slag heap of a GOTPower uber alles, and their deranged, unhinged, bigoted leader is out of control. God help this nation. 1/30, 10:52 AM
21
Please leave God out of your petulant whining.....perhaps you yourself need a refresher course in the Civics class where you were asleep. That would be the part about elections having consequences
"He appears to have little understanding of how the federal government is organized and functions." When will NYT stop qualifying its reporting with words like "appears" when Trump has demonstrated his ignorance over and over?
36
Our ADHD twitter king is launching proclamations with the same degree of due diligence. That is to say.........none. May our constitution and government truly possess the checks and balances necessary to silence this demagogue.
11
That is one of the Republican myths perpetuated by those that hate everything government does. All these free market fanatics apparently have never been in the bureaucracy of a for-profit corporation accountable to their shareholders. Well, the government is accountable to all of us, it has to be complicated.
To paraphrase Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes on taxes, rules are what we pay for civilized society.
To paraphrase Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes on taxes, rules are what we pay for civilized society.
15
If Trump allows his hiring freeze to be end-run by hiring contractors, Edward Snowden finally will see his path to return from Russia and to gainful U.S. employment – probably doing exactly what he was doing for NSA as a Booz Allen employee.
More to the point, the seemingly inescapable march of the federal work force to encompass the ENTIRE U.S. population (and probably a few Mexicans) will proceed apace … despite the freeze. Of course, this is ONE way of handling the obsolescence of human labor by automation – get everyone to work for the feds by one means or another and pay them with money Krugman simply conjures out of his interdimensional rifts through which free lunches are extracted ad infinitum without needing to affect anything as pedestrian as the laws of conservation of matter, energy, mass or momentum. Which is fine, because the other dimensions paying the freight are populated by plutocrat expats from red states.
No, it’s not so easy to reduce regulation thereby reducing the number required to enforce it. But more than any OTHER president (including Reagan, who had to deal with split congresses), Trump clearly is resolved to reduce what it is that the feds REGULATE. That will obsolesce a lot, and the first to go will be the contractors NOW on the federal milk-wagon. Getting rid of civil servants is tougher, will take more time and certainly will require congressional action.
But it’s early times. On to Week Two: hold on to your hats (and your federal jobs).
More to the point, the seemingly inescapable march of the federal work force to encompass the ENTIRE U.S. population (and probably a few Mexicans) will proceed apace … despite the freeze. Of course, this is ONE way of handling the obsolescence of human labor by automation – get everyone to work for the feds by one means or another and pay them with money Krugman simply conjures out of his interdimensional rifts through which free lunches are extracted ad infinitum without needing to affect anything as pedestrian as the laws of conservation of matter, energy, mass or momentum. Which is fine, because the other dimensions paying the freight are populated by plutocrat expats from red states.
No, it’s not so easy to reduce regulation thereby reducing the number required to enforce it. But more than any OTHER president (including Reagan, who had to deal with split congresses), Trump clearly is resolved to reduce what it is that the feds REGULATE. That will obsolesce a lot, and the first to go will be the contractors NOW on the federal milk-wagon. Getting rid of civil servants is tougher, will take more time and certainly will require congressional action.
But it’s early times. On to Week Two: hold on to your hats (and your federal jobs).
3
More agitprop from RL. Hooray for the optimism! 'Tis pity it's mere agitprop.
6
Plutocrat expats from red states paying the freight, thanks for the belly laugh.
3
Actually the number of federal contractors is likely to go UP in a federal hiring freeze and in many ways, that's the point. First, the work has to get done by someone and second, the goal of Republicans is to privatize as much of government operations as they can.
4
Chaos By Design. Chaos to keep the media and ordinary citizens trying to make sense of things. WE can't. There is nothing "normal" about any of this unless one looks at it through the lens of the Hitler takeover of Germany - also engineered by BIG money and BIG radical religion to get control and power.
OUR job - the media and ordinary citizens - is to STOP this attempt to destroy democracy in America and the world BEFORE it gains a foothold.
It is encouraging to see the Millions of protestors across America standing up for the human rights we value. It MUST continue. Every single one of us must stand up and fight like hell - in every non-violent way possible - to stop them in their tracks. WE must not get tired or discouraged. New leaders who value the things that truly make America great will emerge from this chaos.
The Con Don is going to take advantage of the Chaos he is causing to nominate a justice to OUR U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow - on prime time television. I will not watch his charade. The person will not be acceptable. No candidate will be acceptable until WE take back the U.S. Senate and House in 2018. WE must block his candidates with every trick in the book, including showing up at candidates' homes and places of work and intimidating them until they drop out. WE must not let the Robber Barons take over OUR U.S. Supreme Court and destroy human rights in America, which is their intent.
Keep up the Good Work Good People of America!
OUR job - the media and ordinary citizens - is to STOP this attempt to destroy democracy in America and the world BEFORE it gains a foothold.
It is encouraging to see the Millions of protestors across America standing up for the human rights we value. It MUST continue. Every single one of us must stand up and fight like hell - in every non-violent way possible - to stop them in their tracks. WE must not get tired or discouraged. New leaders who value the things that truly make America great will emerge from this chaos.
The Con Don is going to take advantage of the Chaos he is causing to nominate a justice to OUR U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow - on prime time television. I will not watch his charade. The person will not be acceptable. No candidate will be acceptable until WE take back the U.S. Senate and House in 2018. WE must block his candidates with every trick in the book, including showing up at candidates' homes and places of work and intimidating them until they drop out. WE must not let the Robber Barons take over OUR U.S. Supreme Court and destroy human rights in America, which is their intent.
Keep up the Good Work Good People of America!
138
I felt the same way about reagan and teh criminal cabal he brought tot own as they destroyed our government with the approval of the ignorant unthinking masses. This is an age old way of manipulating people. It's bread and circuses or to use a modern term its Bog Pimpin and after all what do you expect from a man who decorates his home like Huggy Bear just won the lotto.
1
Please publish tricks immediately. I mean it. I'm an 80-year-old retired female professor. I'm smart and stubborn but not particularly politically savvy. I have 5 young grandchildren and I am determined to fight for them but I need directions, pronto.
Help.
Help.
5
Please include Bannon in the mix. He is the Trump whisperer. Yes, Trump is clueless about how to run a government. Hence, he hangs on Bannon's every word. And, Bannon thinks he knows how to run a government, like a dictatorship. Trump trots along with his gold colored self as his only concern.
156
I'm not defending Trump here, but even the NYTimes confirms that presidents have frozen Federal hiring, have made executive orders and memorandums within their first few weeks. Obama did as well. Is it okay to approve of executive orders based on party or policies that YOU agree with?
The immigration issue that has spurned multiple protests is one that has been misrepresented in the media. First, the countries chosen (7) came from Obama as 'countries of concern' identified by his administration. Second, the ban is only for these countries (not 'Muslims'). Third, the temporary ban is also based on vetting - people coming from those countries with visas or those that have been there and are returning go through a vetting process that has been reported to last hours (not 90 days).
Everyone is so anxious for this man to fail early that they, and the media, are not telling us the facts. Worse, the media is loving slamming this man across the globe in an effort to make him a laughing stock. For the most part, no effort is necessary as he says some pretty crazy stuff, but this propaganda creates more ill-will and misinformation (fake news) than anything Trump tweets.
The immigration issue that has spurned multiple protests is one that has been misrepresented in the media. First, the countries chosen (7) came from Obama as 'countries of concern' identified by his administration. Second, the ban is only for these countries (not 'Muslims'). Third, the temporary ban is also based on vetting - people coming from those countries with visas or those that have been there and are returning go through a vetting process that has been reported to last hours (not 90 days).
Everyone is so anxious for this man to fail early that they, and the media, are not telling us the facts. Worse, the media is loving slamming this man across the globe in an effort to make him a laughing stock. For the most part, no effort is necessary as he says some pretty crazy stuff, but this propaganda creates more ill-will and misinformation (fake news) than anything Trump tweets.
2
Read Giuliani's remarks. The braggart has exposed the idea that the target was Muslims, but rewording was a veiled attempt at masking its true purpose.
5
Well, the EO did not mention directly ban Muslims, but it had that effect, and that effect was intentional. It targeted 7 Muslim-majority nations, and then carved out an exception for "minority religions." So if you ban everyone but minority-religion individuals in a Muslim-majority nation, you are in fact banning Muslims from those countries. And it's worth noting that the Administration has repeatedly over the last 48 hours said that it may extend the band to other nations. Do you think any of those nations will not be Muslim nations? Or that the exception for minority religions will not be included? This could easily evolve into a total ban of Muslims without directly saying it. (And Rudy Giuliani just told us that Trump asked him to figure out a way to ban Muslims that would be legal.)
2
The media is not trying to make Trump a laughting stock..there is nothing to laugh about in this ignorant man and the destruction he is causing.
And there has never been a terrorist attack from the countries he singled out. and stop trying to lie to us and say this is not an attack on Muslims, many of whom have fought with us against terror. Another Trump lie just to pander to his base,
If you were so concerned about fake news and ill will then you should have said something during the years of the Obama administration when the Righ wing was doing just that.. Remember the birther movement? Bible says " As you sow, so shall you reap!" so enjoy the bitter harvest..
And there has never been a terrorist attack from the countries he singled out. and stop trying to lie to us and say this is not an attack on Muslims, many of whom have fought with us against terror. Another Trump lie just to pander to his base,
If you were so concerned about fake news and ill will then you should have said something during the years of the Obama administration when the Righ wing was doing just that.. Remember the birther movement? Bible says " As you sow, so shall you reap!" so enjoy the bitter harvest..
9
“Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always.”
― Mahatma Gandhi,
― Mahatma Gandhi,
397
But not before taking a lot of people down with them - which is the real reason to be alarmed. Trump will eventually fail. How much damage will he do between now and that time?
5
Let us all hope that you (and Gandhi) are correct and that it happens before our civilized society are destroyed completely.
2
Dear Gerry, Gandhi's quote isn't a call for inaction, it's a call for action with added awareness of a historical fact that tyrants sooner or later fall. And that can provide us and our corrective actions a sense of hope rather than hopelessness.. And that's something many of us need about now as norms and lives and a sense of security are upended and shattered by abysmal ignorance plus a failure to consider the consequences, as if consequences don't exist.
3
Obama: executive orders, BAD. Trump: executive orders, GOOD
Hypocrisy, much??? A ship of fools, named Titanic.
Hypocrisy, much??? A ship of fools, named Titanic.
131
The problem with Obama's executive orders is that they tried to make law in contravention of the requirements of our Constitution.
14 executive orders in the first 7 days, with no hope that this will slow... this is imperialism at its core. We are facing thousands to come along with a constitutional crisis we've never witnessed in this country before under Trump. I was not happy with Obama's use of a few key executive orders. But I and millions of other Americans were clear that he had little choice in the face of a recalcitrant and hateful GOP that vowed to block him on everything to ensure he failed, starting on the DAY of Obama's inauguration. The worst thing about today's Democratic Party is that they haven't taken the same page from the GOP playbook & used it to oppose this despot from day one. They're now learning the price for waiting around... this vile man will take this country down if we don't stop his unconstitutional and menacing race to doomsday.
2
Fact check time
You have been either reading too much fake news, or you are engaging in the kind of sad and very scary over-simplification of complex that already characterizes the DT regime,
There is no comparison here. Name one Obama exec order that caused a global crisis. Name one Obama exec. order that was ruled illegal by a federal court .
You can't.
I have voted R . I have voted D. This is not a partisan issue.
This is a 14 old getting the car keys after a nigh of beer pong.
You have been either reading too much fake news, or you are engaging in the kind of sad and very scary over-simplification of complex that already characterizes the DT regime,
There is no comparison here. Name one Obama exec order that caused a global crisis. Name one Obama exec. order that was ruled illegal by a federal court .
You can't.
I have voted R . I have voted D. This is not a partisan issue.
This is a 14 old getting the car keys after a nigh of beer pong.
7
Agree. Trump thinks the federal government works like a a fairy tale: sweeping change by imperial decree. The only things missing during these dog-and-pony show televised signings are a royal ermine cloak, and an orb and scepter. It would be laughable, if it wasn't so reckless and destructive. Pathetic, he thinks he can make sweeping changes by announcing "make it so." This farce, with tragic outcomes, will continue until the Republicans finally address what they know is true: #45 must be impeached.
256
He has probobly been watching "Victoria" on PBS.
1
They will never impeach him. You know it and we all know it.
Two things immediately come to mind about eliminating most rules and freezing federal jobs. First, if President Trump can eliminte all IRS employees, then he may feel free to release his tax returns. Second, it is not his lack of government experience which is causing him to take an axe to all regulations. He knows that won't improve anything. As a large real estate developer with many condominiums and coops around the world, what does he think would happen to property values if he took an axe to most of the regulations his property holders consider a second bible?
No, the crowd size lie, the voting fraud lie, the unbelievably excessive travel ban, the hiring freeze and the axing of regulations are all of a piece. Destroy democracy, destroy government, destroy the Constitution, destroy the press and destroy civil society, so that "I am the only one who can save you" begins to sound possible, even inevitable, in the president's mind.
No, the crowd size lie, the voting fraud lie, the unbelievably excessive travel ban, the hiring freeze and the axing of regulations are all of a piece. Destroy democracy, destroy government, destroy the Constitution, destroy the press and destroy civil society, so that "I am the only one who can save you" begins to sound possible, even inevitable, in the president's mind.
171
" First, if President Trump can eliminte all IRS employees, then he may feel free to release his tax returns." Oh, we dream on of T releasing those tax returns -- but he can't; they would reveal much that he can't afford to reveal. What those are is the big question. First, his net worth is tiny or negative. Second, he gets funds from Russia, whether loans or investments; "private" funds of course. Third... that could be where the real truth-bomb is.
8
Steve Bannon's goal is to undermine the existing order. I believe he sees an alliance with Putin who he believes is the white man's last hope.
3
Except, what he means, since he rules by opposites, is that:
He is the only one who can destroy us ...
He is the only one who can destroy us ...
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive
12
The Predator-in-Chief doesn't seem to understand how systems work. But, he has never obeyed any rules in his entire life. Spoiled rotten, manipulated, bigoted adolescent. NOT a president. Never trump.
83
Please don't be sparing in use of the term 'ignorance' regarding this wanna-be administration. It's pathetic and concerning that the tiny tweeting trumpet and team have no idea how Washington works. And Steve Bannon is the simply frightening. I'm watching the group organizing lawsuits re the emoluments clause. Go team.
85
Mr. Trump claims he is trying to make us safer by better controlling opur borders through physical barriers and immigration bans as well as reducing the regulations that prevent us from doing things. I fear that all of his proposals and actions will actually make us less safe.
Half of us seem to fear the "other" while the other half fears those who fear the other.
Half of us seem to fear the "other" while the other half fears those who fear the other.
11
I think you miss the point. Trump's agenda and his immediate actions show that his goal is Bannon's goal: the destruction of American government. Our democracy is being sacked by enemies of the state within the White House. This is a four alarm fire for democracy. To editorialize within the context that our democracy is safe is pure folly. Bannon must be removed immediately. Where is the research on him? Publish more of it, every day. Trump must be removed by impeachment, or by other means. Calls for his removal must begin now, starting with the Congress.
326
Right-on, Liberty!
However nothing will happen to Trump (getting rid of Bannon, impeachment) unless the Republicans in Congress take action. They will give Trump a lot of leeway. They won't take such drastic actions until there's a groundswell of public anger demanding they do something. They will have to fear their jobs are on the line. When their donors start complaining then maybe Republicans will get off their lazy behinds and start to put country before party. (But don't count on it.)
However nothing will happen to Trump (getting rid of Bannon, impeachment) unless the Republicans in Congress take action. They will give Trump a lot of leeway. They won't take such drastic actions until there's a groundswell of public anger demanding they do something. They will have to fear their jobs are on the line. When their donors start complaining then maybe Republicans will get off their lazy behinds and start to put country before party. (But don't count on it.)
4
It seems the only folks willing to warn of the Bannon goal appear here in the comments section. I do agree he is a threat from within. We should be shouting it from the roof tops.
4
trump seems to think rules don't apply to him. It also seems to be how his base feels about themselves.
67
Trump and his team are clearly amateurs who know little about the business of governance and the Federal government structure and functions and seem to care little about learning the intricacies and hard work required of good stewardship.
Unfortunately, ideological zeal seems to be all that they have.
Heaven help us who are not among the top 10% of earners!
Unfortunately, ideological zeal seems to be all that they have.
Heaven help us who are not among the top 10% of earners!
30
Many of Trump's announced actions -- including mundane ones such as reducing regulations but also more controversial ones such as the recent immigration ban -- are primarily symbolic rather than substantive. They are intended to encourage his supporters, discourage his opponents, and create controversy for its own sake. They are agitprop at least as much as governance. As the fiasco over the immigration ban has shown, they haven't yet realized that they can't survive on PR alone, and that even empty pronouncements by the president can have profound practical consequences. One hopes for the country's sake that they adjust to reality soon.
22
Reducing regulations cannot be described as "mundane"! Planned reductions will gut the EPA and render Wall Street regulation even more ineffective than it is already. Are we over-regulated? Certainly. But Trump and the GOP congress can hardly be trusted to do the job the way it needs to be done.
2
The "fiasco" of the immigration executive order can't hold a candle to the fiasco that was the roll-out of Obamacare.
1
Neither Mr. Trump nor his base will believe a word of what you wrote nor are they students of history. Each of his actions will hurt. And when people feel the pain there might be a chance of him or his ilk listening. Until then we can only pray that the pain would not be intense.
20
Exactly. As I've said over and over, the only way his supporters will do something (other than blame Obama) is when they are hurt financially. Unfortunately, it will probably take the rest of us with them.
4
Once again, our Free Press in action! How fortunate that our rule-making process takes time. And must allow for citizen input.
Please, Times, keep us abreast of any rule-change processes which we might weigh in on. I know it's a lot to ask. But so far you are doing a super job! Keeping us informed. And providing proof of citizen resistance.
Yours is to exercise Freedom of the Press. Ours, then, is to Freely Assemble and exercise Free Speech.
Citizens: Support your Free Press. Become a Subscriber. Support legal action networks. Dissent. Together we can push back against subversion of our Constitution and our Republic.
Please, Times, keep us abreast of any rule-change processes which we might weigh in on. I know it's a lot to ask. But so far you are doing a super job! Keeping us informed. And providing proof of citizen resistance.
Yours is to exercise Freedom of the Press. Ours, then, is to Freely Assemble and exercise Free Speech.
Citizens: Support your Free Press. Become a Subscriber. Support legal action networks. Dissent. Together we can push back against subversion of our Constitution and our Republic.
117
Don't say 'Sorry'!
2
Nothing should surprise anyone about Trump. Nothing. He makes up stuff he "believes." He lives in a fact free zone. But what is he does know is how gullible his supporters are. So long as they believe him..he is doing well.
69
As opposed to: study, consult, think and then act, which was Barack Obama's general method of governing; Trumps' method is: act on a slogan - right away, think never ....
88
It is about time Congress takes up it's job of guarding the hen house. We are all quite aware of how useless Congress is, but now might be the time for them to start earning their keep while giving them something worthwhile to engage in......like saving our democracy.
109
Bella - Agree with you, but even more specifically, it's time for the GOP part of the Congress to start earning their keep!
3
They seem completely frozen but this is where the pressure must be applied. We must force our congresspeople to defend the constitution and our democracy. Since the threat of losing office seems to be what motivates them the most, i suggest we start there.
We need to keep our thumbs on their pressure points for the next two years.
We need to keep our thumbs on their pressure points for the next two years.
Neither Trump nor anyone on his staff has ever worked in government. Their lack of experience, understanding and knowledge is astounding. They do not understand checks and balances or basic US government.
85
But what America stands for is dissolving - drip by Donald-decreed drip.
36
You can look at it another way; Trump has awakened Americans' resolve.
Ironically, I had recently lamented that the spirit of the 60s was long gone. In contrast, what I have seen in the past week and a half is a resistance to his banal executive orders that is both refreshing and encouraging. We may have had a lackluster turnout on November 8th, but for people to get up and out of their houses, travel all the way to Washington and/or their city centers, and brazenly confront the Trumpian brand of treasonous politics, is a sign of revolution.
Next up? I believe that, under the current atmosphere of political unrest, we are about to see the birth of a third party, much as it happened in the mid-19th century. I suggest it be called the Freedom Party; freedom from the political collusion that has hijacked American government.
Ironically, I had recently lamented that the spirit of the 60s was long gone. In contrast, what I have seen in the past week and a half is a resistance to his banal executive orders that is both refreshing and encouraging. We may have had a lackluster turnout on November 8th, but for people to get up and out of their houses, travel all the way to Washington and/or their city centers, and brazenly confront the Trumpian brand of treasonous politics, is a sign of revolution.
Next up? I believe that, under the current atmosphere of political unrest, we are about to see the birth of a third party, much as it happened in the mid-19th century. I suggest it be called the Freedom Party; freedom from the political collusion that has hijacked American government.
1
I teach Administrative Law, the details can be damn dry and boring but the forest of the course goes to fundamental issues about the rule of law and accountability to "we the people." Who knew that the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 would be needed to save us from the whims of an autocrat! The Lord and bureaucracy work in mysterious ways.
369
Thanks, Professor. I practiced administrative law as a federal attorney and represented corporations with government contracts. I feel sorry for attorneys tasked with representing the government in court. But we the people are in grave danger, as is. the entire world.
155
As one who worked in federal government agencies for more than a decade, often working to coordinate interagency comments on executive branch proposals, I can assure you that the method by which "President" Trump and his team rolled out their immigration order can serve as a model for how not to do things in government. Their efforts are not -- the global fallout over the weekend proves this -- a sign that a high level of competence (government experience, knowledge of how the government functions) is to be found in those drafting Trump's so-called executive orders.
Trump's unbounded desire for having his ego stroked and his insecurities soothed can do nothing but assure that any decree coming out of his administration is subject to legal challenge, all of which will be extremely costly to taxpayers, including members of his base, and (ultimately) serve to underscore how unfit, unprepared, unintelligent Trump is to be "president".
There is clearly a reason why Trump experienced so many business bankruptcies before hitting on a "successful" (albeit not too ethical) way of doing business; trial and error lends itself to failing businesses/business people rebooting their business models. The business of government, however, does not afford its practitioners such a luxury.
Trump's unbounded desire for having his ego stroked and his insecurities soothed can do nothing but assure that any decree coming out of his administration is subject to legal challenge, all of which will be extremely costly to taxpayers, including members of his base, and (ultimately) serve to underscore how unfit, unprepared, unintelligent Trump is to be "president".
There is clearly a reason why Trump experienced so many business bankruptcies before hitting on a "successful" (albeit not too ethical) way of doing business; trial and error lends itself to failing businesses/business people rebooting their business models. The business of government, however, does not afford its practitioners such a luxury.
24
Hear, hear! When I was pursuing a master's degree in international administration a few years ago, the single most fascinating thing I learned was the profound importance of a well-organized, well-run bureaucracy to the effective functioning of a nation--our best defense against corruption, rent-seeking, nepotism, and all the lovely things we are witnessing right about now from 45.
15
Trump (and Bannon) seek to demonize the Federal Government, declare it doesn't work, replace it and Congress, and rule by executive decree. This is the playbook of every would be dictator. Should a real crisis occur (think 9/11) democracy will be swept aside in an instant. The chess pieces are all being put in place, the moment for action simply awaits a useful spark.
335
Bannon is the game caller here. Trump is incapable of thinking up these actions by himself. Bannon and the other Trump worshipers are working towards another agenda that those who voted for him don't see or understand. Pay attention to the Bannon history and his expressed desires for America.
Not my America. These are very dangerous times for the nation. Trump has no understanding of history or how government works except that he has been subject to some regulations that he doesn't like. He is spoonfed information from Bannon and others and just plumps himself up and signs stuff. Truly scary.
Not my America. These are very dangerous times for the nation. Trump has no understanding of history or how government works except that he has been subject to some regulations that he doesn't like. He is spoonfed information from Bannon and others and just plumps himself up and signs stuff. Truly scary.
13
Our government has been doing a great job of ignoring significant issues and has a big hand in its own demonization.
More terrifying is the possibility that he will create that spark... I honestly believe that Trump- and/or those who pull his strings- will do something to ensure that his supporters scream for the totalitarian government that he'd like to have. I've actually come to believe that might be the point of all of this. There is no other Administration in history- even W's- where I would have believed in this type of conspiracy theory. Frankly, I don't think Trump is that smart. If you asked him to expound on the dictators' playbook, he'd be flummoxed. Bannon, however, is another story.... that is the world that he inhabits and he's the author of the playbook.
9
An open question is whether, or perhaps not whether but why, Trump seems to relish the chaos that follows his too-hastily dashed-off, and too unprepared-for, pronouncements. Is there a method to this madness -- is this a smoke screen being erected to obscure some other behind-the-scenes changes? Is this all bait to troll the media into more hysteria he can criticize and demonstrators into more "unrest" that he can deplore? Or is he just being a salesman who asks for three times as much as he needs or wants, so that his opponents feel they have scored a victory when they settle for only...what he wanted in the first place?
52
Discord leads to uncertainty, then mistrust, and finally a lack of interest. It certainly worked for Trump during the presidential campaign. Voter apathy, with a strong dose of disgust (demonization of Clinton), a dash of intrigue (Comey), and Trump squeaked in. Remember, Russia is waiting in the wings. They can't take us, but Europe would do just as well.
Study both the French and Russian Revolutions (loosely modeled after ours), where revolt was orchestrated through the masses, 2/3 of which are not intellectually capable of thinking fast enough to sort out what is happening.
To quote Trump: "What the hell do you have to lose?" Lacking a frame of reference (i.e. and education), a lot more than you think.
Study both the French and Russian Revolutions (loosely modeled after ours), where revolt was orchestrated through the masses, 2/3 of which are not intellectually capable of thinking fast enough to sort out what is happening.
To quote Trump: "What the hell do you have to lose?" Lacking a frame of reference (i.e. and education), a lot more than you think.
10
Change always looks like chaos at first.
But remember, if there is anything to take out of the 2016 election other than low level of the candidates, it is the The People want change.
Change doesn't come without...we...er....change.
But remember, if there is anything to take out of the 2016 election other than low level of the candidates, it is the The People want change.
Change doesn't come without...we...er....change.
Trump demonstrably defines himself by grandeur, by bold even if unpopular actions, and by an unbridled and wholly unshared and unique vision of himself and his place in history. Details are pedestrian and boring and left to others. He is simply incapable of anything else. He will continue until stopped. How will he be stopped? Who will stop him? And when will he be stopped?
37
Stop Trump, or at least perhaps slow him down, by somehow getting rid of Bannon!
8
Trump is trying to run the government like a reality TV show, of which he is the producer, director and star. The problem is, his ratings are low. Unfortunately we can't just cancel his presidency.
192
Yes We Can!
2
Yes, Eric...
We CAN cancel trump's presidency....through IMPEACHMENT.
We CAN cancel trump's presidency....through IMPEACHMENT.
5
As President Obama famously said "Yes we can."
1
Is it me or does president draft dodger look like death warmed over?
He needs to hire a new beautician to apply his foundation and blush.
He looks silly.