Thank you for acknowledging that FOX is propaganda.
142
Trump is all "Heads I win, tails you lose."
104
As the Washington Post reported, MIT has come up with a computer program to redraw districts and the graphics showing the differences are stark. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/13/this-is-actually-...
51
Ryan and trump deserve each other.
78
who knew that the world outside the ivory palace was so unpredictable?
42
Interesting point about gerrymandering I hadn't considered!
51
seems to me Trump's credibility is shot; the world now knows that his words are only meant to serve the needs (well, his needs anyway...) of the hour and will be forgotten almost immediately. why would any member of congress take his threats seriously anymore?
57
There is only one solution to Trumps dilemma: war.
52
And if the Yemen raid were a success, we would still be hearing about his winning!
55
Blow continues to deliver 8th grade book report level insights.
16
So Charles is it time to take those blue and gray uniforms out of mothballs?
2
Can anybody here - anybody - point to a single wise, creditable, honorable, honest, presidential action this man has taken since his inauguration?
119
I was of two minds regarding the passage of the health care bill If it failed [as of course it did] it would be a stunning defeat for Trump [as it was] but if it passed it was so awful, vicious and cruel it would hurt [and more likely kill] the very people who voted for him.
47
Trump is an impotent con-man full of nothing but hype and bluster and last week's disastrous GOP failure on repealing Obamacare proved it in front of the whole country.
60
Trump let hard line Republicans fail now will negotiate with Democratic and Republican moderates
6
Since the almighty Reagan, the GOP message has been government is the problem so get rid of it, except for the military which is never big enough, and give tax breaks to the Super Rich and have them trickle down on us.
73
Try as I might, and I have honestly tried, for my own peace of mind, for my country, for the sake of decency, to avoid an uncharitable descent into chronic resentment and even hatred, I cannot find a single quality to admire in this man.
143
One can only hope the "world consumes Trump".
20
The iron man quote is an odd one, since Christians believe in a God that not only bled, he died on the cross.
9
Agree with everything said in the article but wanted to add if using film examples, The Man Who Would Be King could serve as an even better example.
16
Yes. but isn't this when the Russian mafia always comes in to rescue Trump's projects?
42
Trump is the Emperor without clothes which a little boy had pointed out long time ago.
35
Add to it all that Trump was too lazy and too stupid to ever even understand what was in the bill he was flogging.
96
"sell a plan to everyday people for whom the belt they notch could become their noose." beautifully stated
70
The only difference between "closer" and "loser" is character
66
I keep asking myself and others the same question: Why does anyone expect people who hate government to be any good at it?
141
The party of "No" has become the party of "Can't".
124
I found it shocking on the day last week when Paul Ryan debuted the gop "No Healthcare for Americans" playbook. This man stood behind a podium and crowed how great this bill would be, ACCESS to healthcare. And that's the rub, there was no medical care in this package of slash and burn politics, only hidden tax cuts for the wealthy. The ACCESS part . . . Well, one could find a doctor, but the useless pile of garbage that Ryan cooked up wouldn't help pay for your care.
Ultimately, one must conclude that those who are members of the gop simply want us all dead, how else to explain a HC plan that takes away more than it provides? And that smile on Ryan's face, well , let's just say that he was really proud of his legislation, for all that it took him 2 weeks to write it. Republicans think Ryan is a wonk!!! Yes, he's a wonk alright, of the local chapter of the D.C. gravediggers, and probably a shareholder as well . . .
Ultimately, one must conclude that those who are members of the gop simply want us all dead, how else to explain a HC plan that takes away more than it provides? And that smile on Ryan's face, well , let's just say that he was really proud of his legislation, for all that it took him 2 weeks to write it. Republicans think Ryan is a wonk!!! Yes, he's a wonk alright, of the local chapter of the D.C. gravediggers, and probably a shareholder as well . . .
196
Trump will not "learn a lesson" from this. He's a man who has declared bankruptcy several time. Cheated people with fake university. Repeatedly ripped off contractors. Insulted innumerable groups and individuals.
Shame, embarrassment, and clearly the law doesn't seem to stop him. It's all worked well for him. He's the real Teflon President.
Perhaps it's time to stop wasting energy on him, (since his intelligence is of the one-page with maps and graphs quality), and focus on all those swamp-things swirling around him in the WH and congress.
Shame, embarrassment, and clearly the law doesn't seem to stop him. It's all worked well for him. He's the real Teflon President.
Perhaps it's time to stop wasting energy on him, (since his intelligence is of the one-page with maps and graphs quality), and focus on all those swamp-things swirling around him in the WH and congress.
102
Come on folks. The demise of this republican bill was quite simple: It wasn't bad enough for some Republicans. The other Republicans were split into two camps; the Ryan "We will pretend it is for the good of the people" and the other camp fretting and knowing their White Constituents really DO rely on Obamacare (and just thankful to the gods the bill was pulled before they had to vote).
118
Why continue saying that Trump is successful, such a deal maker? It's obvious from watching him, in the years he's campaigned and continues to do so, that he doesn't quite believe his own legend or he wouldn't need to tell his mesmerized mob how wonderful he is over and over again. He must somehow perceive how stupid he is.
Trump is not succeeding. Yes, enough all-too-forgiving, gullible people voted for him partly to knock some sense into the GOP Congress. But, like the fable about the boy who cried wolf. Trump has lost all credibility, even among die-hard GOP. Trump lies with such frequency because he knows so little about what he thinks he's talking about.
He burped out that "nobody" knew how complicated healthcare was. That nobody was Trump because many knew exactly how complicated it is, especially did Hillary Clinton. He knows nothing about how legislation is made or enacted or how grand illusions can evaporate in vituperative town hall meetings. He doesn't know how much he doesn't know or the power he has, that morning tweet-blasts have ramifications. It seems he didn't intend to win and actually go to work.
Trump, his thug staff with their alternate facts, his self-dealing family and sycophantic coterie don't cooperate or invest in relationships. He resorts to juvenile insults and blames others when he fails. He can't comprehend his obstacles, can't bear complication, because, in one thing only he is genuine. He's genuinely stupid.
Trump is not succeeding. Yes, enough all-too-forgiving, gullible people voted for him partly to knock some sense into the GOP Congress. But, like the fable about the boy who cried wolf. Trump has lost all credibility, even among die-hard GOP. Trump lies with such frequency because he knows so little about what he thinks he's talking about.
He burped out that "nobody" knew how complicated healthcare was. That nobody was Trump because many knew exactly how complicated it is, especially did Hillary Clinton. He knows nothing about how legislation is made or enacted or how grand illusions can evaporate in vituperative town hall meetings. He doesn't know how much he doesn't know or the power he has, that morning tweet-blasts have ramifications. It seems he didn't intend to win and actually go to work.
Trump, his thug staff with their alternate facts, his self-dealing family and sycophantic coterie don't cooperate or invest in relationships. He resorts to juvenile insults and blames others when he fails. He can't comprehend his obstacles, can't bear complication, because, in one thing only he is genuine. He's genuinely stupid.
177
The prospect of watching #45 thrashing about in a pit of failure and despair of his own making is sort of nice in a way, but what if the cornered rat is the President of the United States! He does have his powers, and this is not a man afraid to use them. Impeachment takes time, and time is running out. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
75
This column is another example of Progressive group-think. Now we are told that Trump is "incompetent." See also Nicholas Kristof's column yesterday. For a different perspective, see Scott Adams's article on how the change in the meme from "Trump-is-dictator" to "Trump-is-incompetent" will actually greatly benefit Trump when, after a few minor successes, the meme will be "Trump-is- somewhat incompetent" and, eventually "Trump-si-ok-kinda like Biden." Too bad, Charles: if Adams's analysis is correct, Trump will win in 2020 and eventually appoint 5 Supreme Court justices.
7
Much of GOP obstruction for the last 8 years is rooted in unreasonable Obama hatred, not logical criticism of his policies. It starts with the birther spin, completely unfounded, yet the foundation for Trump's rise. And it continues with the relentless attacks on the ACA and Obama's foreign policy. Trump's election-- in fact most of current Republican ideology--has been built on anti-Obama platitudes, not real ideas. The game has been to project disgust at all things Obama, even though his policies have been sound. Factions of America were blinded by these anti-Obama memes. And It got Trump elected. But, Trump has no real, rational, actionable ideas. The wall, his health plan, his foreign policy, tax plan, infrastructure...there is nothing there, no plan at all. Just hats and rallies and Spicer spin. One can only spin fear for so long. There comes a time when real things need to happen. Trump has no real things.
110
Looks like the Freedom Carcass, er, a, I mean Caucus, supports Obamacare AND Planned Parenthood. Isn't there a liberal superpac that can get that message out to those districts in 2018?
23
This is a "so-called" president and a GOP majority in whom we can have little faith. Paul Ryan, in his rolled-up-sleeve policy wonk costume, tried to present a bill that would have stripped 24 million Americans of their health care. If that sounds like Bernie... it also sounds a lot like the Congressional Budget Office. Neither the GOP, the Democrats or the vast majority of us can choke down the lie that Ryan's bill was crafted to offer better affordable health care. It felt like a great big fat lie from the git go. The president lies too. He lies often and right to our faces, blatantly with little or no outrage from his supporters or the GOP. He brought that trait with him straight into the (our) Oval Office. His staff and GOP in Congress just cover and deflect or ignore what is a character flaw so poisonous to our faith in our leader that neither we nor our allies can rest easily at night, knowing that and various forms of pretense can weaken, even threaten our democracy. We can't stand for that.
34
We already had one "King of Crash and Burn." After more than 4,000 deaths in a war based on lies, he--and his evil, war-criminal VP--went home wealthy. The first King of Crash and Burn paints, works (I suppose) on his Texas ranch, and will live to a ripe old age.
The children of our damaged future will recall us with scorn.
The children of our damaged future will recall us with scorn.
45
I guess, unlike other presidents, the buck doesn't stop at Donald Trump's desk. Who then?
Back from the dead. Step back and review Trump's rise
to the Presidency from complete disaster before the
election to his win 11/08/16. The politics of Washington are
tougher, and complex and Trump is finding out his real estate background
does not win votes, when he lacks support in
his own party. Trump is not a politician who
presses the flesh, and that is his weakness. Ask Angela Merkel. He can not
be counted out yet. The game is too new.
to the Presidency from complete disaster before the
election to his win 11/08/16. The politics of Washington are
tougher, and complex and Trump is finding out his real estate background
does not win votes, when he lacks support in
his own party. Trump is not a politician who
presses the flesh, and that is his weakness. Ask Angela Merkel. He can not
be counted out yet. The game is too new.
5
There's an existential threat to the survival of the nation when people vote for someone to lead it not caring what he says or does. Lies, corruption, incompetence and buffoonery don't matter to them.
I have read this expressed by Trump supporters in article after article.
They don't care.
This is a cancer growing in our nation. It will kill this country if we don't address it.
I have read this expressed by Trump supporters in article after article.
They don't care.
This is a cancer growing in our nation. It will kill this country if we don't address it.
77
Now let's get back to the Russia connection. Stay focused, people.
79
Cowardice.
A: He lacked the nerve to comfort these rascal. Yet , he had no problem flogging Meryl Streep.
B: He didn't even have the courage to rebuke Paul Ryan he had to outsource that job to FOX.
A: He lacked the nerve to comfort these rascal. Yet , he had no problem flogging Meryl Streep.
B: He didn't even have the courage to rebuke Paul Ryan he had to outsource that job to FOX.
43
Beautifully put: "These people weren’t elected to govern, but to impede governance." It is not just Trump for whom the fable "The Emperor Who Wore No Clothes" was written. When the nimrods who want to tear down the government, rather that run it, try to govern, they are shown for what they are. Haters who are not clothed in anything but bare selfishness. I just want to know why the voters didn't realized this sooner.
37
Again Mr. Blow hits the proverbial nail on the head: the inability of the Republicans to have a coherent governing strategy beyond platitudes, slogans, and hate-filled "dog whistles" against any group unlike themselves. I've known this every since Regan came on the scene spouting his nonsense about "Morning in America", and the Republican party's refusal to deal with the nation's myriad of problems. As long as they could keep their base in the dark about the folks who are really responsible for the decay of the country, the 1%ers, and keep them voting for policies that harm their own economic interests, they were in the clear. But now that the Emperor has been revealed to to not only have no clothes, but no morals or concern for those who elected him, maybe things will change. Or maybe not. Many of the Trump voters will endure much economic hardship to hold on to the mantra that they are members of the superior race and Blacks, Jews, minorities, and other assorted and varied riffraff are the cause of all of the problems in the nation.
35
Time and time again, the GOP has proven one thing, and one thing only. They simply do not know how to govern. This has become increasingly evident since Trump's coronation in January where he was anointed and according to himself, applauded by the entire universe. Together the deranged emperor and his swamp toadies are making a complete hash of things just as the deranged Emperor Nero did when he caused the fire that burned ancient Rome and blamed it on the Christians.
24
With the ineptitude and incompetence of those now wielding most of the power today in Washington from a clear, open viewpoint, will a sudden, state emergency become afoot in the not to distant future? A new terror attack on US soil? An overseas emergency somewhere... anywhere... of considerable interest to the daily lives of most Americans? Something which will consume 99% of all media's attention 24/7 for weeks and months to come? Yes, I'm thinking of the burning of the Reightstag (Germany's Parliment) back in 1933 where the new German Chancellor needed an excuse to suspend most civil rights under the democratic government of pre-Nazi Germany. I would put nothing past this current administration along with their republican lackeys in Washington and *their* media!
26
For eight years it was a wonderful routine. Jumping out of bed to read in the NYT about what our magnificently inspiring President Obama had on his and our country's agenda for the day. For eight years the entire world watched in awe as America led the surging economy, spectacular employment gains, and amazing advances in science, health and technology innovation. Peace and prosperity reigned. The world smiled.
What a difference a few months can make. Now, depressingly and with a sense of foreboding, we crawl out from under the covers towards the computer and with trepidation, click onto the NYT.
What delusional debacle is donald dumping on our demeaned democracy this day? Sad. Sadly, badly sad. Shamefully sad.
Shame.
What a difference a few months can make. Now, depressingly and with a sense of foreboding, we crawl out from under the covers towards the computer and with trepidation, click onto the NYT.
What delusional debacle is donald dumping on our demeaned democracy this day? Sad. Sadly, badly sad. Shamefully sad.
Shame.
59
How could Paul Ryan put forward a plan that almost every organizing, regulatory and/or credentialing healthcare organization disapproved of? How could Ryan underestimate the intransigence of the Freedom Caucus? And perhaps most importantly his seeming deliberate effort to ignore the healthcare needs of the majority of US citizens? WOMEN!
25
Trumpty Dumpty looks out upon his fiefdom and cries, "Let them eat cake!" His bumbling party lemmings munch on caviar and look away: They can't stand their warlord, but the alternative -- governance by socially conscious, fiscally responsible, environmental stewards (Democrats) -- repulses their strong sense of indecency and unfairness for all (but themselves).
Trumpty Dumpty will eventually have a great fall. And his derelict minions will be able to put neither him, nor themselves, back together again.
Trumpty Dumpty will eventually have a great fall. And his derelict minions will be able to put neither him, nor themselves, back together again.
22
Why don't Trump and White House along with Ryan and moderates box out the Freedom Caucus? They are really RINO Libertarians who are working to sabotage a functioning system of governing that has been successful for decades. They might be called Barry (back to cash and carry) Goldwater Republicans.
7
The problem was not the freedom caucus or even Paul Ryan. The problem is a Republican party way out of touch with their constituents. Sure they can rally their base with racism, hatred of Obama and the Clintons. They promise jobs for all while in realty planning huge benefits to the top 1% and gutting environmental protections. Will the Trump voters get It now? They were conned, bigly.
23
The Freedom Caucus is an exposition in the law of unintended consequences. The obstructionist absolutists are an unfortunate side effect but you get strange effects even in moderately gerrymandered districts.
Once you've undermined the two-party process, people start to adapt their behavior to the new normal. This can happen in several ways. The more extreme case is geographic self-identification. Politically similar individuals concentrate in certain areas. More pervasively though, you get RINOs. Republicans in name only.
People in gerrymandered districts realize a vote against the Republican party is a symbolic gesture. After recognizing they've been shut out of the political process, they attempt to game the system. They register with Republicans so they can at least influence the primaries. Obviously, the ideological conversion is expedient rather than actual.
These individuals generally practice one of two strategies. 1) Vote for the lesser of two evils hoping to moderate the more evil party. 2) Vote for the most horrendous candidate hoping to destroy the opposing party from within. These aren't exactly polite and honest things to do but then again neither is gerrymandering.
Not surprisingly, both outcomes are bad for the Republican party. You win the seats but you lose the consensus. Worse, you're not really sure what's happening because you've distorted incentives. A candidate might be party loyal but you can no longer trust your registered constituents. Good luck.
Once you've undermined the two-party process, people start to adapt their behavior to the new normal. This can happen in several ways. The more extreme case is geographic self-identification. Politically similar individuals concentrate in certain areas. More pervasively though, you get RINOs. Republicans in name only.
People in gerrymandered districts realize a vote against the Republican party is a symbolic gesture. After recognizing they've been shut out of the political process, they attempt to game the system. They register with Republicans so they can at least influence the primaries. Obviously, the ideological conversion is expedient rather than actual.
These individuals generally practice one of two strategies. 1) Vote for the lesser of two evils hoping to moderate the more evil party. 2) Vote for the most horrendous candidate hoping to destroy the opposing party from within. These aren't exactly polite and honest things to do but then again neither is gerrymandering.
Not surprisingly, both outcomes are bad for the Republican party. You win the seats but you lose the consensus. Worse, you're not really sure what's happening because you've distorted incentives. A candidate might be party loyal but you can no longer trust your registered constituents. Good luck.
9
Watching his post-Trumpcare defeat press conference, it became abundantly clear that DT didn't have Clue #1 as to what was in the proposed legislation.
He ducked and stammered as reporters asked him to name the parts of the bill that he claimed he liked.
He couldn't name a single item.
One could almost pity him...and then one snapped back to the reality of what a hate-filled fiend he is.
NOT my president
He ducked and stammered as reporters asked him to name the parts of the bill that he claimed he liked.
He couldn't name a single item.
One could almost pity him...and then one snapped back to the reality of what a hate-filled fiend he is.
NOT my president
Residents of Portlandia and Brooklandia now should take the time to try to engage in civil discourse members of their families in red states who hold differing views and try to find common ground, with no snarkiness.
Be welcoming to others and try to build a coalition for the upcoming special elections in 2017, and the full tilt of 2018.
Have the humility to admit that you are not right all of the time.
Have the patriotism to state in no uncertain terms that Putin running the United States is not a good thing.
And be willing to admit that it is fake news that patriotic republicans Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower are clawing out of their graves to strangle traitors in Washington.
But you are not totally sure that it is fake. Humor will help bridge gaps.
Be welcoming to others and try to build a coalition for the upcoming special elections in 2017, and the full tilt of 2018.
Have the humility to admit that you are not right all of the time.
Have the patriotism to state in no uncertain terms that Putin running the United States is not a good thing.
And be willing to admit that it is fake news that patriotic republicans Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower are clawing out of their graves to strangle traitors in Washington.
But you are not totally sure that it is fake. Humor will help bridge gaps.
1
'...and the solution is to forever see government itself as the problem.'
Yes, government is a failed institution. And government will not fix itself. And we are now The Divided States of America and I can only wonder how we will ever come together so as to fix all that is broken in our government.
Thank you Charles Blow for leading the way by calling it like it is ..... Bless you Ole Son.
Yes, government is a failed institution. And government will not fix itself. And we are now The Divided States of America and I can only wonder how we will ever come together so as to fix all that is broken in our government.
Thank you Charles Blow for leading the way by calling it like it is ..... Bless you Ole Son.
3
Sadly, in Trumpworld, he's still King. Fox News tells the faithful that Ryan is to blame for the TrumpCare debacle, and they believe. Trump remains unscathed. The faithful will also believe the lies Trump is about to tell them regarding his tax plan. When it fails, Trump supporters will blame whoever they're told to blame. But, not him. Never him. Impeach their savior? At your peril.
5
Trump is the Wizard of Oz by default because his opponents were even less qualified than he was. The Wizard never thought he would win so his lack of preparedness was a mute point. The most he wanted out of the campaign and election was valuable publicity for the Trump brand to increase the value of his business enterprise.
When Trump got over his shock in winning the election he and Bannon had to decide whether to accept the job or find an excuse to refuse the presidency, such as extensive conflicts of interest.
In a moment to of hubris and inflated ego, Trump decided to take the job including all the publicity and prestige that could strengthen his brand even further.
Unfortunately, his lack of qualifications and complete absence of any aptitude for the presidency has left the entire country in an untenable position: a wealthy but troubled nation in desperate need of leadership but no one to provide the leadership.
My fellow Americans, we are in a load of trouble including enormous risk of a false move or bad judgment call that could lead to a nuclear holocaust! For the sake of America's continued existence, we must find a way to replace Trump with another president.
When Trump got over his shock in winning the election he and Bannon had to decide whether to accept the job or find an excuse to refuse the presidency, such as extensive conflicts of interest.
In a moment to of hubris and inflated ego, Trump decided to take the job including all the publicity and prestige that could strengthen his brand even further.
Unfortunately, his lack of qualifications and complete absence of any aptitude for the presidency has left the entire country in an untenable position: a wealthy but troubled nation in desperate need of leadership but no one to provide the leadership.
My fellow Americans, we are in a load of trouble including enormous risk of a false move or bad judgment call that could lead to a nuclear holocaust! For the sake of America's continued existence, we must find a way to replace Trump with another president.
13
Trump has no real base of support in the GOP: most of that team have been in it together for years, and they have the loyalties, histories, and grudges of any long-standing community. They supported Trump when he was a winner, and--like him--they will desert him when he is a loser. Most of them are rats--whiners and bullies--but not all. There are a few old-style Republicans left who are horrified by Trump. As for the rest, Ryan is the King Rat, and when he leaves the ship (it is extraordinary to watch Trump giving him every excuse to do so) we'll know it is really going down. My bet is by August, but time will tell.
9
The Art of the Deal! Seriously! You were foolish to put this together without the major stakeholders.
We taught our children in pre-school to look for ways to avoid conflict, sharing, team building. So little if any advice from partners (Freedom caucus, democrats, medical experts, 52% of the public (women) and we trust you folks to govern? 2018 here we come!
We taught our children in pre-school to look for ways to avoid conflict, sharing, team building. So little if any advice from partners (Freedom caucus, democrats, medical experts, 52% of the public (women) and we trust you folks to govern? 2018 here we come!
"...and watch as the world consumes Trump."
Beautiful thought isn't it? Pass the popcorn.
Beautiful thought isn't it? Pass the popcorn.
3
mr blow, a moral beacon, yet a creator of the god he now sees falling, caution: counting chickens even after they've hatched is a tricky business, try it at a local hatchery.
to quote from today's wisdom, "just bear with me."
first, reread article I of the constitution and ask yourself if anything resembling original intent or even "living document" is manifest in the congress of mediocrities now exchanging partisan punches instead of doing the peoples business, their intransigence unmasked, if you will, by every utterance, every vote, encouraged by every headline (your cue mr. blow)... see today's times for a page one gloat over the republican health care defeat, rather a celebration of democrat good fortune than a call to arms.
afflicted thus how can anyone call us a democracy, a melding of voices toward singing the "general Welfare."?
ok its easy to gripe, mr b does it for living, so, are there answers?...after article I consider this for starters: toss the entire congress (yes, there are a few bright and diligent ones, alas hardly a quorum) replace them with citizen legislators, one term, four years, biennial election (legislation may be difficult but its not, as the slackers in office would have us believe, complicated) meeting six months a year, 40 hours a week...for three months, each would hold a job job, no supervisory posts, drive trucks, clean offices, press shirts, etc., and three months for visits home in prep for the six in d.c.
what have we got to lose?
to quote from today's wisdom, "just bear with me."
first, reread article I of the constitution and ask yourself if anything resembling original intent or even "living document" is manifest in the congress of mediocrities now exchanging partisan punches instead of doing the peoples business, their intransigence unmasked, if you will, by every utterance, every vote, encouraged by every headline (your cue mr. blow)... see today's times for a page one gloat over the republican health care defeat, rather a celebration of democrat good fortune than a call to arms.
afflicted thus how can anyone call us a democracy, a melding of voices toward singing the "general Welfare."?
ok its easy to gripe, mr b does it for living, so, are there answers?...after article I consider this for starters: toss the entire congress (yes, there are a few bright and diligent ones, alas hardly a quorum) replace them with citizen legislators, one term, four years, biennial election (legislation may be difficult but its not, as the slackers in office would have us believe, complicated) meeting six months a year, 40 hours a week...for three months, each would hold a job job, no supervisory posts, drive trucks, clean offices, press shirts, etc., and three months for visits home in prep for the six in d.c.
what have we got to lose?
4
What disturbs me isn't that trump has been unmasked as an incompetent fraud and blowhard. His character was always there right on the surface for all to see. What bothers me is that ~60 million of my friends and neighbors bought his smoke and mirrors. And they're all around me. It's creepy.
22
As usual, a simplistic, linear case from Blow. So vanilla!
Two other possibilities on the future of Trump and the Rep Congress:
1. Trump will use this opportunity to pivot and reach out to moderate Dems to advance a centrist agenda. This may have some viability for some agenda items, like tax reform. But given the equally rabid nature of the hard left to the hard right, this strategy will likely gain little traction. Welcome to 4 to 8 more years of gridlock.
2. These Freedom Caucus Reps may truly be the tip of the spear that is the precursor to the demise of our bloated, overweening, over intrusive Federal government. The US government is effectual at many things - defense, social security and uniform regulations - it is failing on so many other fronts because it has overstepped its Constitutional limitations. The people may finally reassert their control over their government.
We are on the cusp of change - and it isn't going to be pretty for Blow, me and the rest of the upper strata elite.
The deluge is coming so get ready!
Two other possibilities on the future of Trump and the Rep Congress:
1. Trump will use this opportunity to pivot and reach out to moderate Dems to advance a centrist agenda. This may have some viability for some agenda items, like tax reform. But given the equally rabid nature of the hard left to the hard right, this strategy will likely gain little traction. Welcome to 4 to 8 more years of gridlock.
2. These Freedom Caucus Reps may truly be the tip of the spear that is the precursor to the demise of our bloated, overweening, over intrusive Federal government. The US government is effectual at many things - defense, social security and uniform regulations - it is failing on so many other fronts because it has overstepped its Constitutional limitations. The people may finally reassert their control over their government.
We are on the cusp of change - and it isn't going to be pretty for Blow, me and the rest of the upper strata elite.
The deluge is coming so get ready!
4
It's the chaos, in thinking, language and argument. It makes me feel ill to see the paucity of good ideas and logical debate. To hear the daily lying, disinformation and assault to ones critical thinking. And the shutting out, by shutting down the State Department, of the rest of the world who greatly valued American intellectual ideas and research. The ignorance is just mind boggling. Get rid of the great Putin loving pretender and contorter of the facts. I want America back!
7
Oh my! I have seldom read a more spot-on commentary describing "The King of Crash and Burn". Now, the only thing we have to fear is Trump doing what Trump always does: Declare Bankruptcy...leaving all his partners to take the brunt of the losses. The problem we all face is that Trump's latest bankruptcy is our country, our healthcare and our leadership in the world. With the world laughing at us, with the White House is chaos mode and the Congress totally useless, we have to find a way to rid ourselves of these fools before they do permanent damage to democracy's last best hope.
72
I use to despair that communism would last forever and never go away. I was proven wrong. Just like that screwed up ideology, the Trump presidency will also fall. Can't wait.
24
Dear John of New York City Aka American Net'Zen,
I agree that just talking about the issues consistently regarding this administration is counterproductive, but I want to encourage you to understand that positive change will not occur overnight. We do have a tried and tested blue print to use similar to the civil rights movement, but it will take organization, strategy, planning and structure. As a short term fix, every American should call their Senators and representatives daily and email them as well. If they fail to listen, we have the right to express our feelings at the polls. Perhaps you should lead the charge?
Let me know....I agree that we can't watch our democracy crash and burn.
I agree that just talking about the issues consistently regarding this administration is counterproductive, but I want to encourage you to understand that positive change will not occur overnight. We do have a tried and tested blue print to use similar to the civil rights movement, but it will take organization, strategy, planning and structure. As a short term fix, every American should call their Senators and representatives daily and email them as well. If they fail to listen, we have the right to express our feelings at the polls. Perhaps you should lead the charge?
Let me know....I agree that we can't watch our democracy crash and burn.
14
It turns out that just hating America's first black President wasn't enough to generate anything positive. It also turns out they've had NOTHING for seven years, other than hate. And it turns out that the Master of Flim-Flam couldn't even flimflam his own side for long enough to put together one vote.
What a surprise.
What a surprise.
53
Trump is not a Republican. He's not a Conservative. He's a narcissistic nihilist. He operates on the delusion that "I alone" can fix all the ills of the country. All he will ever fix is his place in history as the biggest disaster we've ever had as president. Buchanan and Harding look like Lincoln and FDR compared to Trump.
42
"...they tried to ram it through without doing the work to promote it..." The problems with the bill were simply a matter of tactics. The bill was a grotesque piece of work - basically a tax cut for the rich that screwed everybody else - created by right-wing ideologues who tried to rush it through without paying attention to what the American people actually want - or what Trump promised over and over again before and after the election. (Trump was so anxious for a "win" he threw his support to whatever garbage came along rather than his campaign promises.)
The head of the Budget Office was on the news shows yesterday talking about how the people were deprived of this wonderful opportunity by political maneuvering, when in fact polls showed it had an approval rating of 17 percent. The bill was defeated as much by the fact that Congressmen finally had to pay attention to what their constituents wanted, or didn't want, through the groundswell of grassroots opposition.
The farther along we go with this, the more it's clear that we are dealing not with Alternative Facts but Alternative Realities.
The head of the Budget Office was on the news shows yesterday talking about how the people were deprived of this wonderful opportunity by political maneuvering, when in fact polls showed it had an approval rating of 17 percent. The bill was defeated as much by the fact that Congressmen finally had to pay attention to what their constituents wanted, or didn't want, through the groundswell of grassroots opposition.
The farther along we go with this, the more it's clear that we are dealing not with Alternative Facts but Alternative Realities.
37
The GOP owns it. They spent eight years obstructing our president, ample time to hone alternate policies. Problem is, these spoiled children can only react and say “No!” They are devoid of beneficial ideas and only know how to slap the title “freedom” onto bills that deliver oppression (discrimination and greed are their real talents). A despicable, impotent bunch of hypocrites, headed by the “disaster” that is Trump — and he’s hardly the only corrupt Republican worthy of impeachment.
27
I have seen post and read statements to the affect that Donald Trump's comments and behaviors were hiding some nefarious schemes, plots etc. a secondary agenda.
Is Donald Trump hiding some secondary agenda or is he just incompetent?
Well at least this Heath Care fiasco proves one thing....
Nah... he is just incompetent.
Is Donald Trump hiding some secondary agenda or is he just incompetent?
Well at least this Heath Care fiasco proves one thing....
Nah... he is just incompetent.
18
So trump continues to prove what many of us already knew, he is a loser. He has bandaged his empire together with debt he owes the Russians. He has found out in two short months that running the government is not like running a corporation.
20
I wouldn't get too optimistic. If the world starts to "consume" The Leader as you suggest might happen, oh, how he will lash out. And the damage he will do. We see this already: "let Obamacare explode!" he shouts, not thinking once about what that means for actual human beings. "Let them suffer mightily," is what it means, so that he might have his policy and the rich might have their money.
A lose-lose situation all around.
A lose-lose situation all around.
18
So, when are we going to start winning so much that we get tired of winning? Maybe he meant whining? He's going to whine so much that we get tired of the whining. Maybe that was what he meant.
20
DJT meets the reality of being a public employee in a rather large company which has different divisions and different issues.
They don't go to him on bended knee.
They can look him in the eye and say no!
He might have learned something, that I doubt. He still thinks he is master of his ship, but he is not master of the navy. Not even an Admiral.
This will be a short presidency. None of this crew have the imagination to govern nor the capacity to compromise.
And then there is Russia. With 60-70% of Americans suspicious of Putin he is in real trouble there. Will the GOP recognize the mortal threat?
They don't go to him on bended knee.
They can look him in the eye and say no!
He might have learned something, that I doubt. He still thinks he is master of his ship, but he is not master of the navy. Not even an Admiral.
This will be a short presidency. None of this crew have the imagination to govern nor the capacity to compromise.
And then there is Russia. With 60-70% of Americans suspicious of Putin he is in real trouble there. Will the GOP recognize the mortal threat?
15
"Trump, as is his wont, did what Trump does: Let someone else do the work — in this case Paul Ryan — and then swoop in at the end to endorse, brand and promote the project, and of course claim it as another of his own successes."
This statement is probably the most concise and accurate description of trump's methods I have ever read. Thank you!
This statement is probably the most concise and accurate description of trump's methods I have ever read. Thank you!
22
Crash and burn is the story of Trumps's life. Too much money, master of fraudulent practices, and even with all that, he was regularly in financial trouble. Think about this: doesn't pay federal taxes, stiffs suppliers, doesn't pay his bills, hires illegal workers and pays little, and still he regularly crashed and burned. This speaks of incompetence on a huge and very visible level. Donald Trump, quite simply, is a legend only in his own mind.
20
You've filled in some dots, on why the Republican party has become so rigidly extreme. In a guaranteed district gerrymandered to perfection, no competition exists, so rigid ideologues are easily elected. The job of those of us who would save our country from this scourge--the job of both GOP and Dems with a conscience--is to educate the public better about extremist thinking. Trump may have given white supremacists and the far right crowd their fifteen minutes of fame, but their time is up. They will not prevail. Americans with common sense, with families to care for, with jobs to go to, will prevail.
9
Too bad Trump, Ryan, McConnell, and the Freedom Caucus don't have that voice in the back of their heads; one of something akin to what Jewish mothers of bygone generations said to their kids for doing something/anything that had bad consequences
"It serves you right!"
"It serves you right!"
The King of Crash and Burn is also the King of Not Accepting Responsibility.
President Trump will not admit that he was wrong. He tries desperately to blame someone else for his mistakes.
President Trump will not admit that he was wrong. He tries desperately to blame someone else for his mistakes.
13
Blaming the Freedom Caucus is too generous to Trump. He had two huge failures. He doesn't need the Freedom Caucus. If he wasn't so hellbent on 'stomping' his enemies, he might have even been able to troll Democrats by offering them appealing reforms. Instead he produced a bill that moderates in his own party couldn't support. Secondly, he found his threats were far less effective than he anticipated. Moderate Republicans realized they'd rather take their chances that an unpopular president would threaten their seat in midterms than make an unpopular vote and definitely lose it when angry constituents had a conniption over their lost benefits.
10
I agree whole-heartedly with this column except for a technical mis-statement about the aims and effects of gerrymandering. A GOP gerrymander would not attempt to create super-safe districts for GOP candidates by putting all the GOP voters in a few districts. Rather the opposite--it would put as many Dem voters as possible in super-safe districts for Dem candidates so that Dem votes are wasted, resulting in a few extra medium-safe GOP districts being created.
The fact that some GOP members are subject to being primaried by even more conservative candidates is just an accident of geographical sorting that doesn't really depend on gerrymandering. Why aren't urban Dems being primaried by radical leftists? I guess because the radical left has been dead in the US for many decades.
The fact that some GOP members are subject to being primaried by even more conservative candidates is just an accident of geographical sorting that doesn't really depend on gerrymandering. Why aren't urban Dems being primaried by radical leftists? I guess because the radical left has been dead in the US for many decades.
3
Oh my, this column gladdens my heart. Henceforth, let it be known "The King of Crash and Burn" will be appended to Trump's every entry in the Big Book of Life.
7
Would that DT actually have a grand plan, and that the Trumpcare fiasco was but a step to topple the Republican status quo and eventually govern from the middle with a coalition from both parties.
That would be a thing of beauty. It would be hyoooge. It would make America greater. Unfortunately ... he seems to be making it up as he goes along, and I for one don't have a lot of faith in his instincts.
That would be a thing of beauty. It would be hyoooge. It would make America greater. Unfortunately ... he seems to be making it up as he goes along, and I for one don't have a lot of faith in his instincts.
3
Trump may be crazy but not a stupid. He is a smart man and everybody is disposable to him except his own family. He will throw the Freedom Caucus under the bus. He knows that these guys are arrogant and not loyal to him. Nobody can work them. They are not Republican but are Conservative Freedom Caucus Party. There are for " our way or highway" . In democracy you can not have autocratic dictatorial game plan. You have to give and take and compromise. Tax Cut bill is coming and my request to all leaders that the word compromise is not dirty word or you will be loosing side regardless your party.
5
This is absolutely correct -- Trump is all about the brand not the substance.
Think of his administration as being like a political form of New Coke. Sounds like a good idea before it hits the market. The message that the old Coke is worn out and going bad sounds attractive and, to some, makes it seem that a new brand can come in and shake things up.
But the reality of the New Trump Coke? It merely makes people want the old stuff back. The shake up offered by the New just makes the soda foam over, bubbling out of control and making a mess. That's why the White House now needs a political janitor -- to get that sticky stuff off the floor, ceilings and walls.
Think of his administration as being like a political form of New Coke. Sounds like a good idea before it hits the market. The message that the old Coke is worn out and going bad sounds attractive and, to some, makes it seem that a new brand can come in and shake things up.
But the reality of the New Trump Coke? It merely makes people want the old stuff back. The shake up offered by the New just makes the soda foam over, bubbling out of control and making a mess. That's why the White House now needs a political janitor -- to get that sticky stuff off the floor, ceilings and walls.
8
The GOP focus is not on improving a health system. It's wanting to garner money for the wealthy, while taking a last bash at Obama. We are all aware that Trump has little understanding and less concern for the country's physical health. Paul Ryan was pushing lies and the final paper was pathetic.
Both party's need to make an effort towards more honesty and truth in governing. Trumps has trashed and disregarded all the safeguards put in place trying to keep us truthful and he's been allowed to do as he pleases. A very disappointed and concerned public sadly looks on.
Both party's need to make an effort towards more honesty and truth in governing. Trumps has trashed and disregarded all the safeguards put in place trying to keep us truthful and he's been allowed to do as he pleases. A very disappointed and concerned public sadly looks on.
8
It actually was as much Ryan's disaster as it was Trump's. Ryan wrote the bill. They are, both of them, arrogant, intellectually lazy, and irresponsible.
19
Mr. Blow's article highlights two of the shortcomings in Mr. Trump's nature that doom his presidency. First, he has spent his life never having to answer to anyone, and consequently he lacks the experience needed to form consensus within the shifting balances of power in our republican government. Second, due to his narcissism, he takes credit he does not deserve and assigns blame, unfairly, whenever things go wrong. This earns him no loyalty. Mr. Trump is singularly ill equipped to serve his office and it is only a matter of time before he is driven from it.
6
Trumpcare, the Trump University of national healthcare systems, is based on promising everything (better coverage for everybody, at lower cost - "something really terrific," in Trump's un-'truthful hyperbole,' typically boastful, swaggering pitch) and delivering nothing. It's all slight of hand, bait-and-switch.
That shouldn't have surprised us, because Trump University itself was the Trump Taj Mahal of er, 'universities.' It was based on promising everything ("something really terrific," in Trump's un-'truthful hyperbole,' typically boastful, swaggering pitch) and delivering nothing. It's all slight of hand, bait-and-switch.
That shouldn't have surprised us, because Trump casinos (the Taj, the Plaza) were Trump operations: based on promising everything ("something really terrific," in Trump's un-'truthful hyperbole,' typically boastful, swaggering pitch) and delivering nothing. It's all slight of hand, bait-and-switch.
The Trump presidency is based on the Trump campaign, which is based on the Trump casino. Lots of bells and whistles, flash and chintz promising everything, delivering nothing but disappointment to the customer and lucre to the huckster.
Trump's whole life and career is based on the PT Barnum dictum "There's a sucker born every minute."
That shouldn't have surprised us, because Trump University itself was the Trump Taj Mahal of er, 'universities.' It was based on promising everything ("something really terrific," in Trump's un-'truthful hyperbole,' typically boastful, swaggering pitch) and delivering nothing. It's all slight of hand, bait-and-switch.
That shouldn't have surprised us, because Trump casinos (the Taj, the Plaza) were Trump operations: based on promising everything ("something really terrific," in Trump's un-'truthful hyperbole,' typically boastful, swaggering pitch) and delivering nothing. It's all slight of hand, bait-and-switch.
The Trump presidency is based on the Trump campaign, which is based on the Trump casino. Lots of bells and whistles, flash and chintz promising everything, delivering nothing but disappointment to the customer and lucre to the huckster.
Trump's whole life and career is based on the PT Barnum dictum "There's a sucker born every minute."
5
Besides "dealing" a successful leader needs a knack for choosing his lieutenants. He chose Ryan. Possibly that was because he recognized another con man and had faith he could blarney the bill through, whatever it was.
In any case, he put his confidence in the wrong man, showing again (if any more evidence was needed after his agency choices) that Trump also lacks a leader's ability to judge men.
In any case, he put his confidence in the wrong man, showing again (if any more evidence was needed after his agency choices) that Trump also lacks a leader's ability to judge men.
Trump brags that he is good a leadership. He does not understand what leadership is: it is not yelling "you're fired." True leadership means two things: getting people to want to follow your lead. This is done by leading by example and "selling" your idea, not by issuing orders and firing people. The second is accomplished by being there to take the heat when the plan fails - your people need to know that no matter what, you've got their back. We once had presidents who believed, as Harry Truman so famously put it, "The buck stops here." Now we have a spoiled, order-giving child who cannot and does not know how to lead, and who blames everyone in sight when something fails. He is already a failure; we must be sure he does not turn America into a failure.
9
Weakened as the "President" may be to outside observes, it is more important if he still has the cofidence of those who support him and back within the elite where he is still a stranger. These individuals are more connected and powerful than the "President" and now he may have to do as they say until they are done with him. He is cursed by his own success and refusal to work with others since he is unable to share the spotlight in victory. He is all alone in the spotlight now. We are also watching Sir.
1
A lot of quotes from history and literature today!
Maybe this one from George Orwell might be as apposite as the others.
"For if you embrace a creed which appears to be free from the ordinary dirtiness of politics - a creed from which you yourself cannot expect to draw any material advantage - surely proves that you are right.
And, the more that you are in the right the more natural that everyone else should be bullied into thinking likewise."
When this was written in the innocent 20th century Democratic leaders of all parties were not expected to gain materially from the office.
Altho this is still nominally the case, Trump has managed to upend the upender himself by double speaking his way to another fortune on the back of the US presidency. The overt corruption is impossible to avoid.
With Justice - it needs to be seen to be done. As with corruption - when you see it happening it is happening. Yes! Donald trump is corrupt and his corruption is staining the fabric of American culture and politics.
We really need to do something to halt our collective downfall.
Maybe this one from George Orwell might be as apposite as the others.
"For if you embrace a creed which appears to be free from the ordinary dirtiness of politics - a creed from which you yourself cannot expect to draw any material advantage - surely proves that you are right.
And, the more that you are in the right the more natural that everyone else should be bullied into thinking likewise."
When this was written in the innocent 20th century Democratic leaders of all parties were not expected to gain materially from the office.
Altho this is still nominally the case, Trump has managed to upend the upender himself by double speaking his way to another fortune on the back of the US presidency. The overt corruption is impossible to avoid.
With Justice - it needs to be seen to be done. As with corruption - when you see it happening it is happening. Yes! Donald trump is corrupt and his corruption is staining the fabric of American culture and politics.
We really need to do something to halt our collective downfall.
4
Trump will throw under the bus anyone who is convenient when he needs to deflect responsibility. His ability to side-step responsibility for ANYTHING is something to behold. It is not, however something that is Presidential...in any way...for one minute. I don't personal care if he throws Paul Ryan under that bus, but eventually, Trump is going to run out of people and the buses will keep on coming.
3
When things get tough, Trump resorted to filing a bankruptcy. Giving up on repealing ACA was like filing just another bankruptcy. But filing a political bankruptcy does not allow you to start all over again with incompetency forgiven.
7
You wrapped this up perfectly. If only last November's election had played out as well as the health care vote. Maybe Trump was sent to us in order to help the Republican party "explode".
4
Trump has now joined Bill Clinton as presidents who had a failed health care plan. I suppose there are other similarities between Bill and Donald. Maybe we could start a list.
2
Perhaps the most honest and patriotic thing Ryan can do is let Trump crash and burn, but not let that go on too long. He and his party need to face this Nation by removing Trump. They then can say they truly believe in the country.
If the reason for the House passing on voting for the health care bill was because it would take too much away from those that need it most would be consoling. But the real reason was because the bill did not take enough away - and that is no reason for anyone to celebrate.
4
Perhaps the silver lining to all of this is; if Trump is the "deal maker", he will have to employ Democrats and their ideas into his plans. This would be a wonderful turn of events to actual go back to legislating across party lines with bi-partisan input and the only ideology would be the peoples business, not the party's business. This is Trumps biggest test, is he really a populist or a demagogue, his choice will affect the next four years of life in America, the opportunity is ripe for the taking.
2
The GOP has devolved into the Party of the crass, survival of the fittest, but Trump, Ryan or their minions have shown that they are not fit much concerned about their constituents. They have their health care coverage and life time security thanks to the government they would destroy and everyone else can just suffer.
Trump will try to do what every rebuffed despot does- go to war. The rest of us, particularly the Senate and House Dems, must be vigilant in detecting this move and squashing it before one soldier is sent to die for Trump's ego.
5
As someone who works at my state's capitol and has plenty of time to scrutinize how politicians work, when I read last week that Trump was strong-arming the GOP to either 'vote for the repeal or deal with Obamacare as law of the land,' I turned to my significant other and proclaimed it the death knell for the vote. Whether you attribute it to ego or true adherence to the idea of constituents being their ultimate 'bosses' so to speak, legislators by nature do not like to be pushed around like that especially with little to no possible benefits for themselves individually. This appears to be the kryptonite to Trump's swagger as a business-man as he is still operating under the assumption that you can run government like a business (a common fallacy for the GOP it seems). Legislators by nature cannot be silent stakeholders as the potential advantages or fallout of governing affects them in real time, due to the (thank goodness) transparent nature of our government. So no backroom negotiating/bullying for the Trump, which some would argue makes him superfluous if that is all he's bringing to the table.
2
If Trump's health care reform legislation were one of his buildings, it would now be boarded up, abandoned, and he'd deny he even built it.
It is not without good reason that the powerful in New York City, where Trump built his business and is best known, have long regarded him as somewhat of a pariah, to be tolerated but not embraced, to be dealt with but not included in their poker games and dinner parties. Congressional Republicans have never been his biggest fans, and it didn't take them very long to realize that tying themselves to his charade parade wasn't in their own best interests, which is what their votes are generally all about.
As for Trump, he his now becoming dimly aware that governing is not the same as politicking, and that when a president gets even less respect than Members of Congress, from Members of Congress, it doesn't take long for the finger of blame to be pointed in his own direction, justifiably so, even as he, as is his wont, attempts to dodge responsibility for his own incompetence and nocturnal Twitter emissions.
Trump can run away from Washington every weekend and head to one of his private TRUMP-emblazoned properties in an attempt to hide from the country he sought to lead, but he can't hide from his own self-destructive tendencies. Sadly for America, he seems incapable of even trying, and even less inclined to do so.
It is not without good reason that the powerful in New York City, where Trump built his business and is best known, have long regarded him as somewhat of a pariah, to be tolerated but not embraced, to be dealt with but not included in their poker games and dinner parties. Congressional Republicans have never been his biggest fans, and it didn't take them very long to realize that tying themselves to his charade parade wasn't in their own best interests, which is what their votes are generally all about.
As for Trump, he his now becoming dimly aware that governing is not the same as politicking, and that when a president gets even less respect than Members of Congress, from Members of Congress, it doesn't take long for the finger of blame to be pointed in his own direction, justifiably so, even as he, as is his wont, attempts to dodge responsibility for his own incompetence and nocturnal Twitter emissions.
Trump can run away from Washington every weekend and head to one of his private TRUMP-emblazoned properties in an attempt to hide from the country he sought to lead, but he can't hide from his own self-destructive tendencies. Sadly for America, he seems incapable of even trying, and even less inclined to do so.
2
The cruelty in the republican replacement bill was mind boggling. The cry should become that all in the nation have single payer or the Congress' health plan. Rich nasty hypocrites.
14
Charles,
The Republican Party has been a religious cult since 1964, It was a violation of the Establishment Clause long before Trump arrived on the scene.
The difference between America and the rest of the World was that America was committed to the scientific method from its outset. The Declaration of Independence was its hypothesis and its experiment and conclusion was to be based on observation.
The Republican Cult is a religion. The conclusion comes even before the hypothesis. It is based on the worship of a false god we call the private economy and even when the evidence overwhelming suggests that single payer is the starting point in providing the least expensive and best universal healthcare provider dogma triumphs over reason.
The Republicans may be illogical, they may not believe in the scientific method, they may even be intellectually challenged but they do understand power. We may have the science and the mathematics and the overwhelming evidence of our correctness but much like the followers of John Duns Scotus we are stuck with wearing the dunce cap.
We have only one weapon at our disposal and that is truth and even that weapon has been rendered useless by the cynicism engendered by an insistence in a subjective reality.
We are Through the Looking Glass and the logic of Charles Dodgson the Oxford logic professor has given way to Lewis Carroll's alternate reality,
The Republican Party has been a religious cult since 1964, It was a violation of the Establishment Clause long before Trump arrived on the scene.
The difference between America and the rest of the World was that America was committed to the scientific method from its outset. The Declaration of Independence was its hypothesis and its experiment and conclusion was to be based on observation.
The Republican Cult is a religion. The conclusion comes even before the hypothesis. It is based on the worship of a false god we call the private economy and even when the evidence overwhelming suggests that single payer is the starting point in providing the least expensive and best universal healthcare provider dogma triumphs over reason.
The Republicans may be illogical, they may not believe in the scientific method, they may even be intellectually challenged but they do understand power. We may have the science and the mathematics and the overwhelming evidence of our correctness but much like the followers of John Duns Scotus we are stuck with wearing the dunce cap.
We have only one weapon at our disposal and that is truth and even that weapon has been rendered useless by the cynicism engendered by an insistence in a subjective reality.
We are Through the Looking Glass and the logic of Charles Dodgson the Oxford logic professor has given way to Lewis Carroll's alternate reality,
5
On the Sunday morning talk shows, all the political pundits and commentators were discussing the Friday failure. Who did what wrong etc. Many Republican and conservative pundits ended up with one rally cry as stated by Hugh Hewitt:
Gorsuch, Gorsuch, Gorsuch! Don't worry about healthcare we had a huge success with our nominee Gorsuch!
It never was about a proper healthcare plan. They did not care because they want American citizens to go it on their own. So why worry about the pitiful details of a plan? If it was about taxes being lower for the rich, well they have another go at that coming up. While they fought about which Republican faction did what to the other, Trump was clearly seen as "oh yeah, the President".
Even Chaffitz has basically said that the Republicans will put up with anything namely Trump to get their guy on the Supreme Court. And Chaffitz and the rest seem to think that in Gorsuch Trump delivered as promised. They are happy for the moment.
But now what? Trump has fulfilled his primary function for the Republicans and clearly they do not really need him anymore. They could not rely on him to bring forth compromise so it is back in Ryan's hands.
Trump needs Congress though and his need is greater. He has investigations to silence and thwart. But will they do it for him? He had better play nice.
Gorsuch, Gorsuch, Gorsuch! Don't worry about healthcare we had a huge success with our nominee Gorsuch!
It never was about a proper healthcare plan. They did not care because they want American citizens to go it on their own. So why worry about the pitiful details of a plan? If it was about taxes being lower for the rich, well they have another go at that coming up. While they fought about which Republican faction did what to the other, Trump was clearly seen as "oh yeah, the President".
Even Chaffitz has basically said that the Republicans will put up with anything namely Trump to get their guy on the Supreme Court. And Chaffitz and the rest seem to think that in Gorsuch Trump delivered as promised. They are happy for the moment.
But now what? Trump has fulfilled his primary function for the Republicans and clearly they do not really need him anymore. They could not rely on him to bring forth compromise so it is back in Ryan's hands.
Trump needs Congress though and his need is greater. He has investigations to silence and thwart. But will they do it for him? He had better play nice.
1
Ryans bill was not a health care bill.
It was a tax cut bill masquerading as a health care bill.
You and I cannot walk into a hospital waiving a Paul Ryan tax credit voucher in place of real insurance or money. They can't operate their facilities on silly vouchers.
Whatever the future brings....let Paul Ryan show us the way by his kids going first in line to represent the quality of his new plans.
And all his (voucher carrying) followers with them.
See you at the funeral parlor......
It was a tax cut bill masquerading as a health care bill.
You and I cannot walk into a hospital waiving a Paul Ryan tax credit voucher in place of real insurance or money. They can't operate their facilities on silly vouchers.
Whatever the future brings....let Paul Ryan show us the way by his kids going first in line to represent the quality of his new plans.
And all his (voucher carrying) followers with them.
See you at the funeral parlor......
6
If Trump wants to survive he will embrace Bernie Sanders and the democrats and embrace the single payer alternative to repair and reduce health care costs. He promised to do this on the campaign trail and it really seemed like one of the very few heartfelt things he ever said. If he was smart he would work with democrats on health care and reject the republicans that just want to screw the people and keep being the shills they are for the super rich. If Trump wants to be a hero, if he wants to be adored by the masses, and we know he does, then he will dump the cruel republicans and create affordable healthcare for all the American people. However, it he continues to spew hate and shift the blame and act like the low life used car salesman he usually acts like his position and status will continue to deteriorate. Love conquers hate. The Trumpster never learned that. He needs to discover it before its too late and his time runs out.
1
I hate these gloating columns from the anti-Trump punditry (and I'm also anti-Trump). As Trump showed throughout the campaign when he vanquished his Republican rivals one by one, then went on to defeat Hillary (yes, he did defeat her), he is no pushover. He will continue to reduce Obama's legacy to tatters and he will rally every Republican in the land (some 50 per cent of the electorate, including Freedom Caucus supporters) with his tax cutting initiative. And he has all the majorities. It will take a lot more than gleeful, self-vindicating columns by Charles Blow et al to stop him.
3
While Trump was waiting for the bus to throw Ryan under instead it ran over him. You, Mr. Blow, are the King of Exposure. You do it so so eloquently every time you write an article. Well, almost, there was one I didn't agree with you on which is good because no one is perfect.
The defeat of the health bill gave me a lot of satisfaction for a couple of big reasons. Number one, in one event, it exposed most of Trump's deficiencies, his lying, his arrogance, his inability to concentrate, his stupidity, and it was a complete defeat to his MO. Number two, it exposed the Republicans for who they are, unknowing people who will, cruelly, deprive 24 million people of their insurance. The real reason they don't like Obamacare is because it has the name Obama in it and who outsmarted them, outworked them, and cost them many defeats around the country plus they could NOT come up with anything better.
The things that are wrong with Obamacare can be fixed if there is bipartisanship. Monikers like death spiral, implosion, and explosion to describe Obamacare are what Republicans are doing to themselves. And well deserved because in the end the truth will always get them.
The defeat of the health bill gave me a lot of satisfaction for a couple of big reasons. Number one, in one event, it exposed most of Trump's deficiencies, his lying, his arrogance, his inability to concentrate, his stupidity, and it was a complete defeat to his MO. Number two, it exposed the Republicans for who they are, unknowing people who will, cruelly, deprive 24 million people of their insurance. The real reason they don't like Obamacare is because it has the name Obama in it and who outsmarted them, outworked them, and cost them many defeats around the country plus they could NOT come up with anything better.
The things that are wrong with Obamacare can be fixed if there is bipartisanship. Monikers like death spiral, implosion, and explosion to describe Obamacare are what Republicans are doing to themselves. And well deserved because in the end the truth will always get them.
6
Charles:
love your columns.
in this one, however you write that "you must also sell the plan to the members of congress who represent these people".
i'm sorry, but i don't think many of them care about the people they represent.
they tend to vote ideologically, voters be damned! later, they will lie about the bill or why they voted this way, raise enough money and get re-elected. or, if defeated get a great lobbying job.
if people were being represented, then the bait and switch game would stop, the healthcare would be national medicare, and the fake christian morality of helping the unborn instead of the existing poor would cease.
love your columns.
in this one, however you write that "you must also sell the plan to the members of congress who represent these people".
i'm sorry, but i don't think many of them care about the people they represent.
they tend to vote ideologically, voters be damned! later, they will lie about the bill or why they voted this way, raise enough money and get re-elected. or, if defeated get a great lobbying job.
if people were being represented, then the bait and switch game would stop, the healthcare would be national medicare, and the fake christian morality of helping the unborn instead of the existing poor would cease.
13
Well said. This pointing finger behavior is what parents warn their children about. Constant blaming of others is a fault that only leads back to the "blamer.' A new title to the Emperor.....Blamer in Chief.
7
the superhero analogy is a good one - we love our superhero movies because the evil is easy to see in the "bad guy", and relatively easy to defeat because of the protagonist's superhero abilities. in reality, evils are harder to detect and more insidious: laziness, ignorance, inflexibility, arrogance, greed, complicity, the propagation of misinformation and disproven conspiracy theories, the lack of personal responsibility, careless rollbacks of environmental protections, institutional xenophobia and racism,... These evils are harder to defeat but as we each do our part, all our actions add up to more than the sum. Thank you Charles and all of the conscientious media for doing your part in holding the Trump administration accountable. And don't forget to VOTE!
3
Mr. Blow,
Thank you for including an explanation of the effects of gerrymandering on our politics in your column. There hasn't been enough attention paid to the manipulation of voting districts, largely by Republicans, to ensure their state and federal dominance. I think gerrymandering and the huge amount of influence bought by conservative groups such as Americans for Prosperity explain a lot about conservative attitudes and their confidence in pushing policies that favor a business elite and ignore the public interest.
Thank you for including an explanation of the effects of gerrymandering on our politics in your column. There hasn't been enough attention paid to the manipulation of voting districts, largely by Republicans, to ensure their state and federal dominance. I think gerrymandering and the huge amount of influence bought by conservative groups such as Americans for Prosperity explain a lot about conservative attitudes and their confidence in pushing policies that favor a business elite and ignore the public interest.
11
They will cosume each other, Mr. Blow. Comic books get their start from ancient cultures, one of which is the Greeks. Cronus was the father who ate his children out of pride and jealousy. This is Trump to Ryan and the Republican party. One old man who only sees himself. He will destroy those around him in order to sate his hunger for self satisfaction
5
My goodness, you are truly brilliant Mr. Blow. Thank you for shinning the spotlight and illuminating the causes and dangers of our disastrous and shameful political situation. Your thoughtful efforts, courage and exceptional writings challenge all of your readers to demand a reset of the nations moral compass. Your work is greatly appreciated and valued.
4
One of the few times I find myself in agreement with Mr. Blow. The GOP had eight years under Mr. Obama to craft an alternative plan which would take away the bad parts of the ACA, and improve upon the good ones. Instead, they simply chanted "Repeal and Replace" without taking the time to determine what should be in the replacement.
This bill read as if it were written in a hurry, and had all the flaws of a rush job. It deserved defeat, and that's what it got. One hopes. probably in vain, that there will be a well thought out replacement somewhere down the line; this certainly was not it.
This bill read as if it were written in a hurry, and had all the flaws of a rush job. It deserved defeat, and that's what it got. One hopes. probably in vain, that there will be a well thought out replacement somewhere down the line; this certainly was not it.
89
Another brilliant column, Mr. Blow.
Let us remember the big picture: Trump, his team and his Russian buddies tainted the election making it null and void.
We need a Special Prosecutor to take care of the entire team and a new election within 60 days for president/vice president to take care of the citizens of the United States of America.
Dedicated career government professionals can run the day-to-day of the country while this transition occurs. If South Korea can do this, so can we.
Let us remember the big picture: Trump, his team and his Russian buddies tainted the election making it null and void.
We need a Special Prosecutor to take care of the entire team and a new election within 60 days for president/vice president to take care of the citizens of the United States of America.
Dedicated career government professionals can run the day-to-day of the country while this transition occurs. If South Korea can do this, so can we.
9
Public service is not and should not look like corporate America. Unfortunately our legislators are finding it harder and harder to keep that in mind. Now that a minority of the populous has elected someone who promised to run our government, a public service, like a business--as if that was ever a good idea-- the less fortunate among us will continue to feel the hurt of profit obsessed leadership.
A small --very small-- part of me wanted the AHCA to pass, because the result would have been catastrophic, and more quickly led to real understanding of the truly evil underpinnings of those who developed and promoted it.
A small --very small-- part of me wanted the AHCA to pass, because the result would have been catastrophic, and more quickly led to real understanding of the truly evil underpinnings of those who developed and promoted it.
3
This was a bad bill. Although a surprising coalition of moderate Republicans (who knew there were still such people?) and inflexible Freedom Caucus members ultimately defeated it, the outcome is for the best. Most Americans heaved a sigh of relief. It is hard to know if Trump and Ryan are irreparably damaged. I hope they learned that, ideally and practically, for a bill to pass and become law it should a) make sense, b) be understood by the President, the Congress and the people, and c) provide a positive good.
26
I wonder if the Republicans' media lapdogs and "the administration's propaganda arm" haven't also contributed to the crashing and burning. Clearly many members of Congress truly believed that the ACA was an abject failure and were caught off-guard by the fact that so many regular people support it. They had probably never heard a positive thing about it in their media bubble. Even in my swing district, where our GOP Representative does contortions to try to show he's a moderate, every time he voiced skepticism about the AHCA it was in the context of stock phrases about how the ACA was a failure and needed to be scrapped. Only now is he suggesting it could be fixed, or even that it's worth fixing.
16
Like all the rest of your opinions lately this is a rambling mess that trips over its anxiousness to attack Trunp and reiterate a long list of impolite adjectives and makes no coherent point. I suggest you simply write "I hate Trump " and spare still rational readers the difficult search for meaning in you meaningless howls. I sure some readers find you a fit cheerleader for those are still baffled why deplorables are allowed to vote and how a "monster" like Trump could get elected ( yes, I know, the Russians did it). Let me tell you that the reason Trump's heath bill was withdrawn was that Trump didn't realize that the two party system now does not including democrats but instead is composed of Republicans and Radical Republicans. The democrats have placed themselves on the sidelines and have abandoned their constituents and their responsibility to participate in governing. They are deplorable but maybe not irredeemable providing they an grow a backbone and put someone with a brain in charge.
4
Seems like the "deplorable" democrats are reading the Republican Party action guidelines from 2008 to 2016. Funny that suddenly that is considered not politically fair. Regardless, the real deplorable here was the Republican health care bill. It did not solve any of the problems in healthcare and was basically a thinly disguised tax cut for the affluent. Hard to hide that sorry to say. Donald Trump campaigned and won on the basis that he would actually improve the lives of the "forgotten people" in this country. When will that start?
2
It was the Republicans who sidelined the Democrats, who they have been demonizing for decades.
3
Tired of winning already?
3
Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and every Republican should refresh their memories about the French Revolution. When you incite the masses to overthrow the government and kill the elites, sooner or later your own head ends up in a basket. The Salem witch trials followed the same pattern: accusers became the accused and were jailed or hung.
That historical pattern keeps repeating until a tipping point is reached. When things finally become too unstable, too wildly intolerable, and everyone's survival is threatened, then and only then do reason and justice return.
And that, Trump supporters, is why in storming the Washington Bastille, you signed your own death warrant. You can't shake up any government without shaking up your own lives, too. Reject facts, laws, and reason, and see the results in your own water, air, health, income, safety net, and future.
Democrats and the Resistance are protecting Trump supporters from the consequences of their doomed and self-destructive choices -- and it's high time Republicans rejected Trumpism and worked with us.
That historical pattern keeps repeating until a tipping point is reached. When things finally become too unstable, too wildly intolerable, and everyone's survival is threatened, then and only then do reason and justice return.
And that, Trump supporters, is why in storming the Washington Bastille, you signed your own death warrant. You can't shake up any government without shaking up your own lives, too. Reject facts, laws, and reason, and see the results in your own water, air, health, income, safety net, and future.
Democrats and the Resistance are protecting Trump supporters from the consequences of their doomed and self-destructive choices -- and it's high time Republicans rejected Trumpism and worked with us.
38
Yes. Yes. And yes.
If this whole debacle proves one thing, it is that our President is truly mentally unstable. Just look at how he managed the process to pass TrumpCare.
He obviously didn't read the bill. Instead he fell back on his delusion that anything was better than the ACA, a delusion he picked up from others. He refused to believe that the bill would drop as many as 24 million people from healthcare, even though that number came from the non-partisan CBO.
He blustered and bullied and threatened people who dared to admit that they would vote against the bill. He said he would go after them even though many of them came from protected districts. He still thinks that he is the CEO of a company and not a politician.
He now blames everyone but himself for the bill's failure to pass the House, from Paul Ryan to the Freedom Caucus. He even blames the Democrats (!!) despite the fact that they were excluded from the creation of the bill.
If he isn't a perfect example of someone living in his own little fantasy world, I don't know what is.
He obviously didn't read the bill. Instead he fell back on his delusion that anything was better than the ACA, a delusion he picked up from others. He refused to believe that the bill would drop as many as 24 million people from healthcare, even though that number came from the non-partisan CBO.
He blustered and bullied and threatened people who dared to admit that they would vote against the bill. He said he would go after them even though many of them came from protected districts. He still thinks that he is the CEO of a company and not a politician.
He now blames everyone but himself for the bill's failure to pass the House, from Paul Ryan to the Freedom Caucus. He even blames the Democrats (!!) despite the fact that they were excluded from the creation of the bill.
If he isn't a perfect example of someone living in his own little fantasy world, I don't know what is.
31
All the bluster and bullying in the world could not hide the fact that calls to the House switchboard ran 48 to 1 against. There are members of the House who love being members of the House much more than they love the Bloviator in Chief.
9
He didn't read it because he CAN'T read it... his rampant ADHD makes it impossible to read a postcard without getting distracted and wandering off.
1
A study by Kruger & Dunning - on why incompetence and unaware of being incompetent leads to overinflated assumption of one's competence, fits so well to what you have written. In short, Kruger and Dunning found out that newbies or people just beginning to learn something, if tested on their competence, tend to overestimate their competence, whereas on the other end of the spectrum, people who have a lot of experience in a subject matter tend to underestimate their competence. Here is the link: Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own. Incompetence ... Justin Kruger and David Dunning, Department of Psychology, Cornell.
Now, using that hypothesis, we find how this 'perfect storm' of incompetence arises when you have these ingredients: 1. a real estate developer who himself has revealed in an article that tweeting probably got him the job of the potus and probably thought governing must be easy. Most telling by his sayer: 'didn't realise that health care is so complex'. 2nd ingredient: voters who think in black and white because they haven't learned to factor in more than two views (good or bad) and therefore can't tell how complex it really is to govern. And then the 3. ingredient: A conservative wing that thinks it knows how complex it is, but by refusing even to join forces with democrats in bi-partisan efforts and offices, have passed the chance to actually acquire more competence. But how do you get people in expanding their competence zone?
Now, using that hypothesis, we find how this 'perfect storm' of incompetence arises when you have these ingredients: 1. a real estate developer who himself has revealed in an article that tweeting probably got him the job of the potus and probably thought governing must be easy. Most telling by his sayer: 'didn't realise that health care is so complex'. 2nd ingredient: voters who think in black and white because they haven't learned to factor in more than two views (good or bad) and therefore can't tell how complex it really is to govern. And then the 3. ingredient: A conservative wing that thinks it knows how complex it is, but by refusing even to join forces with democrats in bi-partisan efforts and offices, have passed the chance to actually acquire more competence. But how do you get people in expanding their competence zone?
17
The way Capitalism handles scarcity is to limit access for those with less money.
How will single payer address scarcity? Does the fact that "government" is not paying for everything suddenly cause more qualified doctors to come into existence? Does it cause medications to invent themselves, or does it cause the companies producing drugs to suddenly stop charging more than what's "fair" for the drugs they create?
We already have single payer for another extremely important service within our society. It's called the military industrial complex.
Why do liberals think that having an unlimited federal government pay for everything somehow puts power in the glands of the people and eliminates fraud, waste and abuse? What planet are you people living on?
Soon the consumer will have zero power in the purchasing decision, and we will have none of the feedback of market economics to protect us. It will all be in our federal government. The better solution would have been to force insurers to sell directly to the consumer instead of through the employers, then let states subsidize those who didn't have adequate access.
So here's to socialism. I'm so glad we get the opportunity to try this in my lifetime, after it's worked out so well everywhere else.
How will single payer address scarcity? Does the fact that "government" is not paying for everything suddenly cause more qualified doctors to come into existence? Does it cause medications to invent themselves, or does it cause the companies producing drugs to suddenly stop charging more than what's "fair" for the drugs they create?
We already have single payer for another extremely important service within our society. It's called the military industrial complex.
Why do liberals think that having an unlimited federal government pay for everything somehow puts power in the glands of the people and eliminates fraud, waste and abuse? What planet are you people living on?
Soon the consumer will have zero power in the purchasing decision, and we will have none of the feedback of market economics to protect us. It will all be in our federal government. The better solution would have been to force insurers to sell directly to the consumer instead of through the employers, then let states subsidize those who didn't have adequate access.
So here's to socialism. I'm so glad we get the opportunity to try this in my lifetime, after it's worked out so well everywhere else.
2
All countries with single payer have lower overall costs and better health outcomes. Study after study have shown that going back many years.
8
Medicare, a wildly popular program in the United States, is basically the same as single payer. It works insanely well, and costs far less than market-based medicine. It would work EVEN BETTER if the government were allowed to negotiate drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies, but the politicians that get kick backs from those pharmaceutical companies have blocked that. I have Medicare. (And a supplemental policy, and a drug plan; Medicare covers 80% of doctor and hospital bills, and the supplemental covers the other 20%.) I can go to ANY doctor or hospital I want in the entire United States. My care is not rationed. The fee for Medicare is taken out of my Social Security. I pay separately for my supplemental policy. My drug plan fee is also taken out of my Social Security. I have friends who are Canadians, and they would not give up their universal health care for anything! When I told one of them what I pay for my supplemental policy she cringed. Canadians are taxed to pay for their health care, and then they never see a bill for anything after that. There is never a co-pay. They do not have the insane amount of paperwork regarding their medical care bills that we do. Their prescription drugs, as everyone knows, are much cheaper than ours. They do not have to worry that they will be forced to go bankrupt in order just to keep breathing. Doctors in Canada make very good livings. I LOVE the planet that the Canadians are living on...
7
All this pales in light of the real stakes: Treason.
They have found suspicious connections between too many Cabinet and administration officials and hangers-on, and we may not have a president Trump for the full term.
Will we finally see a former president removed and jailed for crimes?
They have found suspicious connections between too many Cabinet and administration officials and hangers-on, and we may not have a president Trump for the full term.
Will we finally see a former president removed and jailed for crimes?
33
Paul Ryan, as speaker of the house, smirked disdainfully through out President Obama's last State of the union address. Sitting directly behind the President, his message of distaste for Obama and everything he was and stood for was broadcast loud and clear.
He sat on his hands, ungracious and steely, even when the entire chamber stood and applauded the president during aspects of his speech.
He has shown that same cold-hearted disdain with his draconian health care bill.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Ryan's only goal in trying to ram through his bill, was to deprive President Obama of his signature legislation, one that is his historic legacy.
Making sure he was a "one term" president, hadn't worked. Being a do nothing Congress, hadn't worked.
It must have grated on the obstructionists that Obama did rescue the country from the Great Recession. 818,00 jobs had been lost in January of 2009 when Obama took office. Millions had been lost in 2008. When he left office, a million jobs had been created, the unemployment rate had been cut in half, and the economy was on a sound footing.
Ryan seemed to possess a delusion of arrogance as monumental as Trump's in believing that he was powerful enough and experienced enough in the art of flim flam that he could ram such a destructive bill into law unchallenged.
Ironically, the only one he succeeded in duping was another scammer, Trump.
He sat on his hands, ungracious and steely, even when the entire chamber stood and applauded the president during aspects of his speech.
He has shown that same cold-hearted disdain with his draconian health care bill.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Ryan's only goal in trying to ram through his bill, was to deprive President Obama of his signature legislation, one that is his historic legacy.
Making sure he was a "one term" president, hadn't worked. Being a do nothing Congress, hadn't worked.
It must have grated on the obstructionists that Obama did rescue the country from the Great Recession. 818,00 jobs had been lost in January of 2009 when Obama took office. Millions had been lost in 2008. When he left office, a million jobs had been created, the unemployment rate had been cut in half, and the economy was on a sound footing.
Ryan seemed to possess a delusion of arrogance as monumental as Trump's in believing that he was powerful enough and experienced enough in the art of flim flam that he could ram such a destructive bill into law unchallenged.
Ironically, the only one he succeeded in duping was another scammer, Trump.
50
Thank you, Charles. The morning after the health care bill collapsed, I woke up and felt like a weight was off my shoulders. I'm still worried I'll lose my insurance, and I'm still mad at all of the people I know who voted for Trump who don't seem to care about or even understand any of this, but I feel like I got a reprieve.
I enjoy your columns. You put into words what so many of us are thinking, and you make me feel less alone as I sit here each morning with my coffee, gearing up to face another day of the disaster unfolding in Washington.
I enjoy your columns. You put into words what so many of us are thinking, and you make me feel less alone as I sit here each morning with my coffee, gearing up to face another day of the disaster unfolding in Washington.
36
"They who railed against the ACA" are comprised of three Republican factions:
Freedom Caucus: Just repeal and do not replace. We don't care if our constituents need the ACA or not. Freedom from intrusive government health care is one of our great American Freedoms, like freedom of speech.
Paul Ryan Republicans: We always had a better plan, Democrats refused to work with us. (These Republicans had no plan, they just lied.)
Moderate Republicans: We have constituents who need the ACA. Can't we make it better? Please, can we just stop hating Obama? Is there anybody out there who will help us? Hello...somebody....please help us......
These three factions existed before Trump. They didn't want Trump as their leader any more than the Democrats did. Now Trump is telling them they all have to make nice with each other and come up with legislation to ram down the Democrats throats. Not to do what's best for Americans, mind you, just ram something down everyone's throat so that Trump can say: "See, I Win, and I Win Bigly!"
There was never a "god" here, chaos or no. Just three warring factions of Republicans who never wanted Trump to be president in the first place. Utter dysfunction.
Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders is running around the country telling everybody it's time for "Medicare for All." Bernie may become our de facto president yet.
Freedom Caucus: Just repeal and do not replace. We don't care if our constituents need the ACA or not. Freedom from intrusive government health care is one of our great American Freedoms, like freedom of speech.
Paul Ryan Republicans: We always had a better plan, Democrats refused to work with us. (These Republicans had no plan, they just lied.)
Moderate Republicans: We have constituents who need the ACA. Can't we make it better? Please, can we just stop hating Obama? Is there anybody out there who will help us? Hello...somebody....please help us......
These three factions existed before Trump. They didn't want Trump as their leader any more than the Democrats did. Now Trump is telling them they all have to make nice with each other and come up with legislation to ram down the Democrats throats. Not to do what's best for Americans, mind you, just ram something down everyone's throat so that Trump can say: "See, I Win, and I Win Bigly!"
There was never a "god" here, chaos or no. Just three warring factions of Republicans who never wanted Trump to be president in the first place. Utter dysfunction.
Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders is running around the country telling everybody it's time for "Medicare for All." Bernie may become our de facto president yet.
376
It is a mistake to believe the GOP and Trump are done. Far from it. The GOP will attempt another "health care" bill or starve the Affordable Care Act. They will also continue on their path to enrich the already filthy rich and attack immigrants. Don't celebrate now. It's too early. Way too early. Do not count these people out. Also, look to Russian events (aka assassinations and protester arrests) as a possible preview of what might happen here in the US. Do not dismiss Trump and his toadies. Prepare for a series of outrageous legislation and executive actions during his term.
36
The "crash and burn" of healthcare repeal and replace was coming regardless of who won the presidential election because the Republicans hold majorities in the House and Senate. Imagine the scene that would have played out over the past 20 days if Hillary had won the election. The Freedom Caucus would have been emboldened rather than diminished, as they held the Democratic Administration accountable. Perhaps it is better that Trump owns it, Ryan owns it, McConnell owns it, and the fringe alt-right folks will be forced back into their burrows.
125
Certainly, as you point out, Hillary's job would have been difficult without congressional support. But it's also important to factor in all the good Hillary could have done to improve ACA via executive actions and a supportive HHS department.
2
It's not a singular crusade but a dual one: Trump in conspiracy with the Republican Party wants enormous transfers of wealth to the rich. Trump/Ryan Care took $850+ billion from Medicaid (going beyond the expanded Medicaid to rake in other monies) and $350 billion or so from the ACA. At the same time, it transferred more than one trillion dollars to the wealthy through tax breaks.
This was always a con game. Take from the middle class and poor and give to the wealthy, even if what they were taking was critical health care without which many would suffer and die.
Taking something existential like health care and giving more money to the wealthy - who are now wealthier than any human being ever needs in their lifetime - was fraudulent. But then Trump spends taxpayer money already like sand. What American taxpayer wants to subsidize all of those Trump golf trips to his resort in Florida? Or the extended Trump families extravagant lifestyle and travels?
The Trumps are billionaires, yet they are greedily gulping down the tax dollars of hard working Americans while kicking them to the dirt. And the Republican Party is shoveling the dirt on higher.
This was always a con game. Take from the middle class and poor and give to the wealthy, even if what they were taking was critical health care without which many would suffer and die.
Taking something existential like health care and giving more money to the wealthy - who are now wealthier than any human being ever needs in their lifetime - was fraudulent. But then Trump spends taxpayer money already like sand. What American taxpayer wants to subsidize all of those Trump golf trips to his resort in Florida? Or the extended Trump families extravagant lifestyle and travels?
The Trumps are billionaires, yet they are greedily gulping down the tax dollars of hard working Americans while kicking them to the dirt. And the Republican Party is shoveling the dirt on higher.
28
We've all faked it. We didn't do the hard work to back up our claims. Some times we sneak through, but mostly we get caught and failure stares us in the face and we kick ourselves for not doing what was needed.
Trump, however, has never done the hard work except for something he loves to work on - his fake image. Trump was spared this time around. Can you imagine if the press had the opportunity to question him about a life or death section of the health bill?
Trump, however, has never done the hard work except for something he loves to work on - his fake image. Trump was spared this time around. Can you imagine if the press had the opportunity to question him about a life or death section of the health bill?
6
Actually Mr. Blow it is Obamacare that is crashing and burning.
When it came to healthcare, Donald Trump is quite moderate. He wanted to devise a system that actually worked.
I do not understand Rand Paul and the Freedom Caucus. They are celebrating their defeat of RyanCare in order to maintain Obamacare? I do sort of understand the hardcore left. They hate Doandl Trump so much that they are quite willing to see their great accomplishment go up in flames.
When it came to healthcare, Donald Trump is quite moderate. He wanted to devise a system that actually worked.
I do not understand Rand Paul and the Freedom Caucus. They are celebrating their defeat of RyanCare in order to maintain Obamacare? I do sort of understand the hardcore left. They hate Doandl Trump so much that they are quite willing to see their great accomplishment go up in flames.
3
"Devising a system..." of any kind is outside the President's skill set. Also not sure he cares enough about it to expend the intellectual energy it would take.
Worked for whom? Certainly not the average American.
2
These same Republicans blasted Barack Obama for being inexperienced at legislating. They attacked him for just being a community organizer. Yet, President Obama came in and changed the country with Obamacare. He came in and took hold of policy with incredible detail. He was disciplined. He showed Republicans how it was done. The very idea that Republicans we now have in Congress could somehow outdo President Obama is laughable. What were they thinking?
26
This is where every Republican's and Bernie supporter's got it wrong voting against their arch enemy Hillary Clinton. Her strength, talent and intense desire was to govern and get into the details of what it takes to pass effective legislation. They demonized her in such a way that they lost sight of someone who could actually make a difference. Trump is bored and uninterested in the details of governing. Clinton was a effective, inclusive Senator who, given the chance, would have gotten things done and everyone on both sides, Republicans and Democrats knew it. They made her out to be a shrew, crook and worse. In reality she would have been a great President. Now we are stuck with someone who would watches the news all day, plays golf at his resorts every weekend and couldn't be bothered to learn the details of the failed health care debacle all at the taxpayer's expense.
33
"This protected more seats, but it also meant that the people who hold those seats have little to no incentive to ever compromise."
Worse, it is a very strong motive not to compromise.
The only threat to their seats is a primary election challenge. They fear only someone who is more extreme than themselves, "more Republican."
That is how the safe district created where I live went first to a nutty extremist reindeer farmer who said to media that he thought of himself as Santa Claus, and then to a foreclosure attorney who got rich taking homes during the Great Recession with the faked documents from the process of creating derivatives out of home loans.
They won a primary race to the extreme right. Their only fear was of someone even more extreme. Of course they can't compromise. That is the one thing they are afraid of doing.
Worse, it is a very strong motive not to compromise.
The only threat to their seats is a primary election challenge. They fear only someone who is more extreme than themselves, "more Republican."
That is how the safe district created where I live went first to a nutty extremist reindeer farmer who said to media that he thought of himself as Santa Claus, and then to a foreclosure attorney who got rich taking homes during the Great Recession with the faked documents from the process of creating derivatives out of home loans.
They won a primary race to the extreme right. Their only fear was of someone even more extreme. Of course they can't compromise. That is the one thing they are afraid of doing.
12
Who thought he was a master at deal making, Charles? No one from NYC did.
He is a seriel bankrupt. Period.
If he had taken his $400 million inheritance and invested in the S&P 500 he would have a lot more money than he currently (according to Forbes) has. His business acumen and deal making have made him much poorer, not richer.
He is a con man. And a terrible, awful failure of a "businessman".
He is a seriel bankrupt. Period.
If he had taken his $400 million inheritance and invested in the S&P 500 he would have a lot more money than he currently (according to Forbes) has. His business acumen and deal making have made him much poorer, not richer.
He is a con man. And a terrible, awful failure of a "businessman".
41
Once again, another excellent piece Mister Blow. I look forward to your columns because even though I was a regular reader since this odious cretin descended his faux gold escalator, you have become a Must Read no matter where my travels take me.
There is so much material on Trump and his Keystone Kops (look it up, kids) Republican party you could write a column a day and never run out of targets to skewer. Keep up the great work. You are our go-to guy when it comes to the Trump Resistance.
DD
Manhattan
There is so much material on Trump and his Keystone Kops (look it up, kids) Republican party you could write a column a day and never run out of targets to skewer. Keep up the great work. You are our go-to guy when it comes to the Trump Resistance.
DD
Manhattan
26
A key aspect to the Trumpcare crash and burn was the massive, nationwide outpouring of a mad people showing up at their congressional representatives town hall meetings and raising hell. An alert and needed press informed our people of the disaster that was brewing and the people reacted. This is the most important lesson learned here - stay alert and active. Too much is at stake.
Another lesson learned is that Trump is an empty suit blowhard. He was put to sleep by his own party and shown to be a horrid negotiator and dealmaker.
He came up with zero results. Winning? He gets the boooby prize.
Another lesson learned is that Trump is an empty suit blowhard. He was put to sleep by his own party and shown to be a horrid negotiator and dealmaker.
He came up with zero results. Winning? He gets the boooby prize.
29
Liberals have the art of astro-turfing down to a science. All sound, no fury.
1
Yes and yes! Resist works! Trump is a Loser. I'd almost feel sorry for the guy if he wasn't capable of doing so much damage to so many good people, meaning we the 99 percent.
3
That is how the Aztecs came to attack the Spanish Conquistadors, and how the Hawaiians came to eat Captain Cook. We need not go to fiction or superhero movies to prove this. It has been reality, long known.
9
I wish they would crash and burn already. Trump is not changing things the way he said he could. He's alienating our allies, giving comfort and aid to our enemies, wasting our money, and lying to us repeatedly even when the evidence shows he said what he claims he didn't say and he did what he says he didn't do. For a party that claims to be moral, ethical, concerned about family values, following the Constitution, and operating in the best interests of the American people the GOP is doing none of the above. I guess they enjoy the taste of power too much to bother to exercise it with caution and prudence.
Every thing that has been proposed to help the average American for the last 37 years has been nixed by the GOP. As a result people entering the work force since the 80s have had far less than their parents in terms of job security, training, ability to save for anything, access to medical care, etc. The Greedy Obnoxious Penguin Party has seen to it that they and their rich friends are doing just fine as they strip the rest of us of our creature comforts. Why? Because a population that has to worry about where their next job or meal or place to live is coming from when their salaries are inadequate to the task of supporting them is a population that cannot object to being misused.
Every thing that has been proposed to help the average American for the last 37 years has been nixed by the GOP. As a result people entering the work force since the 80s have had far less than their parents in terms of job security, training, ability to save for anything, access to medical care, etc. The Greedy Obnoxious Penguin Party has seen to it that they and their rich friends are doing just fine as they strip the rest of us of our creature comforts. Why? Because a population that has to worry about where their next job or meal or place to live is coming from when their salaries are inadequate to the task of supporting them is a population that cannot object to being misused.
36
I have seen the future.
"From White House to Jailhouse" tv ratings tank.
"From White House to Jailhouse" tv ratings tank.
33
Zing, and zing again!
All true and telling arguments, and the one I would stitch into a sampler if I had such talents is this, about the anti-Washington fanatics from safe districts:
"These people weren’t elected to govern, but to impede governance. Their mandate isn’t to generate ideas and solve problems by the effective exercise of government. Their singular crusade is that government is ineffective and the solution is to forever see government itself as the problem. Ideas for them are anathema."
Donald Trump will effect his own downfall. These people won't, I fear, but I wonder if it's too much to hope that the backwash against Trump's destructive mischief will also engulf theirs.
All true and telling arguments, and the one I would stitch into a sampler if I had such talents is this, about the anti-Washington fanatics from safe districts:
"These people weren’t elected to govern, but to impede governance. Their mandate isn’t to generate ideas and solve problems by the effective exercise of government. Their singular crusade is that government is ineffective and the solution is to forever see government itself as the problem. Ideas for them are anathema."
Donald Trump will effect his own downfall. These people won't, I fear, but I wonder if it's too much to hope that the backwash against Trump's destructive mischief will also engulf theirs.
35
No wall, no immigrant ban, no Trumpcare. His populist shtick is not working so Trump being the human chameleon that he is must now try to morph into a new persona. Maybe an Independent or faux Democrat. He will try to cajole Chuck and Nancy into working with him but he will require that he get the credit for any successes. Dems should avoid any deal with this carnival act. The next fails will be his budget, the Gorsuch nomination and the environment. Maybe he gets a win with the party of no on one of those tricks. Trump is going to have a difficult time playing in the rough for the next 4 years.
19
JDL,
I think Gorsuch will get through and be seated on the court, unfortunately. The Republicans will take the nuclear option if they need to. I think Democrats should deal with Trump on individual bills for infrastructure money. science money, EPA money and positive changes to the ACA that benefit Americans in general. Those are big "ifs," and the Democrats should be prepared to walk if the don't get what they want in any arena (just like Trump recommends in "The Art of the Deal").
I think Gorsuch will get through and be seated on the court, unfortunately. The Republicans will take the nuclear option if they need to. I think Democrats should deal with Trump on individual bills for infrastructure money. science money, EPA money and positive changes to the ACA that benefit Americans in general. Those are big "ifs," and the Democrats should be prepared to walk if the don't get what they want in any arena (just like Trump recommends in "The Art of the Deal").
2
Thank you Mr. Blow for the insight on the gerrymandering done by the Republican Party. I had not thought of the problems they created for themselves. Yes in gerrymandering they have created a monster, an immovable monster of entrenched unyielding powerful and ignorant legislators that need not tow the company line. Interesting as they have now made government ineffective but so ineffective that they cannot even get rid of it. They cannot do what even these entrenched people have promised to do. Our government is now at a standstill even though one of the parties has a majority they cannot use that majority to push through their promises. Of course, the real wish of the entrenched is that public healthcare just be abolished, Obamacare, Medicaid and Medicare all have to go. They truly believe that is what their constituents want and it is until, of course, it is gone and these same people have to pay for Mom's and Pop's medical care out of pocket. There is an old proverb: "Be careful what you ask for as you may get it." The Republicans gerrymandered their majority only to find they are not all on the same page and that ignorant legislators are as dangerous as ignorant voters. Or as Dickens put it: “This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.”
19
For me who didn't vote for 45 and who dislikes, in fact, detests everything about him and the GOP that he has co-opted, Friday was a real turning point. I know now that 45's days are numbered. The GOP can't govern. Democrats and those who oppose 45 and the Republicans can win by persisting, demonstrating, speaking up, tweeting and being respectfully honest. Now, the Russian connection can and will be investigated and the truth brought to light. Those who need to be removed, charged, tried, and jailed will find this road ahead of them. When you betray and abuse your country and its people that is the path that lies ahead for you.
36
"Republicans created hard-line districts that produced hard-line congressmen: obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering’s political offspring... These people weren’t elected to govern, but to impede governance."
This is the exact truth. The Republican Party structured itself explicitly to be "The Party of No", not "The Party Of Governance". It will take a complete overturn of the Tea Party / Freedom Caucus impeders to correct that. But Trump has made that all but impossible, because 2018 will bring a tsunami of change against the Republicans who supported this egomaniacal simpleton. Even their safely gerrymandered congressional districts won't be able to protect them.
And do we see the Senate Minority Leader preening on about how the Democrat's top priority is to ensure that Trump is a one-term President? Not at all. If course, Schumer doesn't have to do that, since Trump is doing his self-deportation act quite well all by himself.
This is the exact truth. The Republican Party structured itself explicitly to be "The Party of No", not "The Party Of Governance". It will take a complete overturn of the Tea Party / Freedom Caucus impeders to correct that. But Trump has made that all but impossible, because 2018 will bring a tsunami of change against the Republicans who supported this egomaniacal simpleton. Even their safely gerrymandered congressional districts won't be able to protect them.
And do we see the Senate Minority Leader preening on about how the Democrat's top priority is to ensure that Trump is a one-term President? Not at all. If course, Schumer doesn't have to do that, since Trump is doing his self-deportation act quite well all by himself.
16
45 promised Americans that he would replace the A.C.A. with something far better, i.e. everyone would be covered for far less. Then this piece of dreck of a bill is rushed through committee whereby more people would lose coverage than would occur from a simple repeal of the A.C.A. and no replacement. It fails to get enough Republican votes to pass in part because it wasn't cruel enough to satisfy the so-called Freedom Caucus.
Now Ryan is now thrown under the bus by 45 with a tweet to his minions to watch Jeanine Pirro's show wherein she calls for Ryan to step down as Speaker. No doubt he should, but not because of 45's say-so. As a budget wonk Ryan is a complete fraud and as a legislator a total incompetent. In yesterday's NY Times, this about Ryan: "In his time in the House, which he joined in 1999, he’s managed to get signed into law only three of the bills he originally sponsored." But on second thought, that's probably a good thing.
When I was 15 years old, I belonged to a high school fraternity that did community service and whose meetings were run under Robert's Rules of Order. We could have done a better job of governing this country.
Now Ryan is now thrown under the bus by 45 with a tweet to his minions to watch Jeanine Pirro's show wherein she calls for Ryan to step down as Speaker. No doubt he should, but not because of 45's say-so. As a budget wonk Ryan is a complete fraud and as a legislator a total incompetent. In yesterday's NY Times, this about Ryan: "In his time in the House, which he joined in 1999, he’s managed to get signed into law only three of the bills he originally sponsored." But on second thought, that's probably a good thing.
When I was 15 years old, I belonged to a high school fraternity that did community service and whose meetings were run under Robert's Rules of Order. We could have done a better job of governing this country.
21
Is that group still available?
8
Who believed him when he said that he was going to give everyone everything that everyone wanted? The same people who enrolled in Trump U, the same people who bought Trump Steaks, the same people who bought any of his products, maybe.
He is a huckster salesman who used huckster sales tactics to get where he is. The people who support him still do because they believe there is pie in the sky bye and bye.
Those true believers will never stop believing - it is how hucksterism has flourished. Go to any place where people gamble, and tell those people they are throwing their money away. See how many stop.
He is a huckster salesman who used huckster sales tactics to get where he is. The people who support him still do because they believe there is pie in the sky bye and bye.
Those true believers will never stop believing - it is how hucksterism has flourished. Go to any place where people gamble, and tell those people they are throwing their money away. See how many stop.
24
Justice will not be served until those who are not affected are as outraged as those who are.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
25
While the Republicans are into both an internal and external blame game, one thing remains constant - when you control both houses of Congress and the White House, you do not get to pass the buck. You own government lock stock and barrel.
A scary outcome of this scenario reported in this paper and on cable news this weekend is that a large swath of this country buy the Republican rhetoric [lies] as fact. Even when one tells them the 'truth' or present facts they do not believe it unless Fox or Breitbart or Rush or ... say it. The well is deeply poisoned and many continue to drink from these fountains of misinformation.
A scary outcome of this scenario reported in this paper and on cable news this weekend is that a large swath of this country buy the Republican rhetoric [lies] as fact. Even when one tells them the 'truth' or present facts they do not believe it unless Fox or Breitbart or Rush or ... say it. The well is deeply poisoned and many continue to drink from these fountains of misinformation.
Trump didn't care about the content of the GOP bill, never did. He just wanted a win, and when that didn't happen he didn't want the blame. He never will. The story of his life.
26
He not only didn't care, I don't think he bothered to know the content except in how it would get votes. The fact that he was willing to push the gutting of benefits (as was Ryan), shows he cares not at all for those he claimed to represent. Sad.
4
So no one had a clue.
Paul Ryan concluded "We were a 10-year opposition party… being against things was easy to do."
Trump falsely claimed no Americans would lose coverage under Obamacare repeal. He hadn't read the bill.
Budget director Mulvaney said "we think it is going to be wildly successful.”
HHS Sec. Tom Price said “I firmly believe that nobody will be worse off financially in the process that we’re going through.”
Fox News Chris Wallace asks the hapless Sean Priebus how Democrats can be to blame when they were never allowed at the table.
Priebus answers: "You're right...time for the (GOP) to start governing"
Paul Ryan concluded "We were a 10-year opposition party… being against things was easy to do."
Trump falsely claimed no Americans would lose coverage under Obamacare repeal. He hadn't read the bill.
Budget director Mulvaney said "we think it is going to be wildly successful.”
HHS Sec. Tom Price said “I firmly believe that nobody will be worse off financially in the process that we’re going through.”
Fox News Chris Wallace asks the hapless Sean Priebus how Democrats can be to blame when they were never allowed at the table.
Priebus answers: "You're right...time for the (GOP) to start governing"
7
The emporer has no clothes.
But hating Trump, or exhilarating in his setback is a distraction.
Of the 241 Republican house members, 208 thought the American Health Care Act was a good thing. Just 10 shy of a majority.
That's a huge problem for our country as they move to erase as much of Obama's legacy as they can.
They'll find a way yet to gut the ACA.
The paramount principle Republicans stand for is the redistribution of wealth from the poor and middle classes to the wealthy.
They must be voted out of office.
But hating Trump, or exhilarating in his setback is a distraction.
Of the 241 Republican house members, 208 thought the American Health Care Act was a good thing. Just 10 shy of a majority.
That's a huge problem for our country as they move to erase as much of Obama's legacy as they can.
They'll find a way yet to gut the ACA.
The paramount principle Republicans stand for is the redistribution of wealth from the poor and middle classes to the wealthy.
They must be voted out of office.
25
They must be stopped long before the next election.
These obstructionists must be shown that they're on a path to disaster.... for the country, and for themselves. It's only a little more than a year--18 months--to mid-term elections. The country will endure.... but what will be the cost to millions till then?
These obstructionists must be shown that they're on a path to disaster.... for the country, and for themselves. It's only a little more than a year--18 months--to mid-term elections. The country will endure.... but what will be the cost to millions till then?
2
The very fact that Trumpcare failed proves that America stands strong even in the face of adversity. Good for us!
9
Republicans are showing themselves to be great at political theatre, lying, misinformation and obstruction. Actually getting real work done? Not so much. You can't function well in the world operating according to lies and fantasies.
7
“It was the latest loss in a string of losses. Indeed, this president in his first two months in office is proving to be the king of crash and burn.”
o Trump has so far been held in check on immigration (through the Courts and the States/AGs), health care (through the States and Congress), and soon the budget (with Congress). Checks and Balances to the rescue!
“For these people, the choices aren’t about a life of luxury, but about life and death.”
o Perfectly said.
o Trump has so far been held in check on immigration (through the Courts and the States/AGs), health care (through the States and Congress), and soon the budget (with Congress). Checks and Balances to the rescue!
“For these people, the choices aren’t about a life of luxury, but about life and death.”
o Perfectly said.
8
In business, Mr. Trump could swoop in, make a fuss, create chaos, stiff vendors and contractors, and move on, leaving a team of high-priced, high-powered lawyers to keep the hard-done-by at bay. It was on to the next scam, and keeping in motion was essential to Mr. Trump's illusion of success. That illusion of success was so powerful that it carried him into the White House.
Now, however, there is no moving on, leaving someone else to hold the bag. Trump's entire world and the way he is viewed changed on inauguration day and he still hasn't figured it out. Carrot-top is the president now, and for the first time in his life, the buck stops with him.
Trump is like a show that did really well in dinner-theater. He played well in small markets, but then the show went straight to Broadway and is flopping. It couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
When Trump is gone, however, there's still the problem of gerrymandering to be dealt with.
Now, however, there is no moving on, leaving someone else to hold the bag. Trump's entire world and the way he is viewed changed on inauguration day and he still hasn't figured it out. Carrot-top is the president now, and for the first time in his life, the buck stops with him.
Trump is like a show that did really well in dinner-theater. He played well in small markets, but then the show went straight to Broadway and is flopping. It couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
When Trump is gone, however, there's still the problem of gerrymandering to be dealt with.
14
The party of "No!" ascends to the party of "Uh oh".
The GOP lawmakers may have their seats on the Hill, but their policies and proposals don't reflect the wishes of most Americans. Business as usual with the "pubs", pandering to Big Oil, Big Pharma, Wall Street, the Insurance Lobby, etc., etc., etc.
The GOP lawmakers may have their seats on the Hill, but their policies and proposals don't reflect the wishes of most Americans. Business as usual with the "pubs", pandering to Big Oil, Big Pharma, Wall Street, the Insurance Lobby, etc., etc., etc.
7
And now Republicans are calling for a bipartisan effort to improve healthcare! Let's start with making the A.C.A. better. Obamacare is not perfect, but it can be improved.
Trump's weak character was on full display during the healthcare debacle. Who can trust him? He lies about everything. He's completely incompetent and deserve to be impeached. The only Republicans who deserve to be in office after this disastrous train wreck is cleaned up are those who stand up for the truth. I don't hear too many of them lifting their voices.
Trump's weak character was on full display during the healthcare debacle. Who can trust him? He lies about everything. He's completely incompetent and deserve to be impeached. The only Republicans who deserve to be in office after this disastrous train wreck is cleaned up are those who stand up for the truth. I don't hear too many of them lifting their voices.
11
I thought it was "slash and burn". And Trump is certainly trying to slash the rights of the little person.
But once again, Blow you have accurately described the problem, but offered no solution.
What do you do with congressmen that have been sent to Congress to obstruct and only to obstruct?
What do you do with congressmen that have been sent to Congress to bully and only to bully?
But once again, Blow you have accurately described the problem, but offered no solution.
What do you do with congressmen that have been sent to Congress to obstruct and only to obstruct?
What do you do with congressmen that have been sent to Congress to bully and only to bully?
It's not Blow's job to offer a solution, other than perhaps vote the bums out. If he, you or I had a good solution we'd certainly say so, don't you think? As shown again by the GOP's effort for a quick fix to the ACA, complex governmental problems require time, diligence, discussion, and compromise. Those who oppose this regime must stay in for the long haul, write their representatives or run for office, vote, speak up and stay informed.
1
"A wounded Ryan might well sit back and watch, as the world consumes Trump."
Can't come soon enough and fast enough for me.
Thank you Mr. Blow for an excellent and timely article. I have added it to my files of "Articles Worth Rereading" that chronicle this "crash and burn" President since the inauguration.
Can't come soon enough and fast enough for me.
Thank you Mr. Blow for an excellent and timely article. I have added it to my files of "Articles Worth Rereading" that chronicle this "crash and burn" President since the inauguration.
11
Everyone, including Charles Blow is repeating the phrase repeal and replace. But that's not what the republican congress voted yes on about 60 times during Obama's term. They voted yes to repeal. They would have been successful on Friday if this bill was to repeal. It was the replace that got them into trouble.
120
They could get away with just repealing while they were the opposition. Once in power, they were at least smart enough to realize they would also have to replace. And what they (=Paul Ryan) came up with is an indicator of how morally and politically bankrupt they really are.
1
Really, repeal with nothing to replace would have won the day? Middle class and poor people in this country are finally starting to see health care as a right not a privilege and many have come to count on the ACA for the benefits it bestows. Returning to the good old days of preexisting conditions, lifetime caps, primary care via the ER, and market determined premiums would not have produced a Republican victory, it would have been a disaster equal or greater to what happened with Trumpcare. Similarly, now that Trumpcare is in the dumpster, (hopefully followed by our fatally flawed so called President) allowing the ACA to implode rather than working with the Dems to improve it will only spell disaster for the GOP. Let's hope they learned their lesson, but I doubt it.
1
That's the problem! If you go back to 2008 and earlier, more people were using the ER for basic medical treatment. Hospitals covered their losses by increasing prices for treatments that those with insurance could pay. Insurance companies responded by increasing their premiums and also by getting involved with what treatments they would insure. How much and whose involvement do you want in your health care? The insurance companies? The pharmaceutical companies? Government subsidized insurance for the poor and the elderly? It's naive to think that all of our health care concerns can be solved by casting our fortunes to the free market.
The problem extends well beyond Donald Trump. Also into the Democratic Party electorate.
It is the reason single payer back then was cast aside.
A deficiency within the democratic process arises from the fact that each thought group finds itself looking for solutions based its own narrow range of understanding, as well as bias. Psychotic self-interest prevails. As a result, corrective thought and action is unable to overcome the wholeness of the problem.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
It is the reason single payer back then was cast aside.
A deficiency within the democratic process arises from the fact that each thought group finds itself looking for solutions based its own narrow range of understanding, as well as bias. Psychotic self-interest prevails. As a result, corrective thought and action is unable to overcome the wholeness of the problem.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
7
What?
The Democrats produced and passed a real law, the faux conservatives tried to incite a mob with fiction.
And you try to compare the two?
The Democrats produced and passed a real law, the faux conservatives tried to incite a mob with fiction.
And you try to compare the two?
1
One of the best crafted essays from Charles Blow I've seen. His noble endeavor to keep the fire of non-normalization blazing seems to have inspired his writing:
"Republicans created hard-line districts that produced hard-line congressmen: obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering’s political offspring."
Obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering's political offspring.
Someone should create a song with those lyrics.
www.remember-to-breathe.org/Breathing-Videos.htm
"Republicans created hard-line districts that produced hard-line congressmen: obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering’s political offspring."
Obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering's political offspring.
Someone should create a song with those lyrics.
www.remember-to-breathe.org/Breathing-Videos.htm
9
Forget Ryan for a minute. This column is a synthesis of the Trump modes operandi ( mode of action) in all things. So, the test ( for those who cannot see what is directly before them) to see if it is truly valid will come with tax reform. Anecdotal evidence suggests he will continue to follow his own play book: don't bother with the details, read, let others toil in the trenches, ignore the substance of the bill, fly off to play golf at tax payer expense, project an air of confidence and seriousness but use words like "yuge"," big league," "really good", to describe your efforts, etc.,
If he fails to deliver on tax reform an issue he ran on, then we will know he is dead in the water, and just have to wait him out, as he puts in half days, mopes around, tweets more ridiculousness at 3 a.m., and ponders how to make America great again when everyone thinks he's a fool.
If the FBI counter intel folks are able to connect the dots, and they lead back to him and his campaign, it's lights out. Adios. So, there are still lots of moving parts.
In the meantime the Democrats shouldn't squander this opportunity to reorganize themselves, and learn from Trump by "branding" themselves to promote their priorities: infrastructure, tax cut for the middle class and below, only, expanded healthcare by improving the ACA, and equal pay and human rights, humane immigration reform, and strong defense. That will give the rats deserting the sinking ship hope...and they'll jump on board.
If he fails to deliver on tax reform an issue he ran on, then we will know he is dead in the water, and just have to wait him out, as he puts in half days, mopes around, tweets more ridiculousness at 3 a.m., and ponders how to make America great again when everyone thinks he's a fool.
If the FBI counter intel folks are able to connect the dots, and they lead back to him and his campaign, it's lights out. Adios. So, there are still lots of moving parts.
In the meantime the Democrats shouldn't squander this opportunity to reorganize themselves, and learn from Trump by "branding" themselves to promote their priorities: infrastructure, tax cut for the middle class and below, only, expanded healthcare by improving the ACA, and equal pay and human rights, humane immigration reform, and strong defense. That will give the rats deserting the sinking ship hope...and they'll jump on board.
15
Dear Mr Blow,
Your column, as usual, skewers the man who would be king rather effectively., and I applaud you for you tenacity. However, I worry that you may be doing more harm than good. Who reads your column? Is it ardent Trump supporters or effete liberal types like myself who get to feel the bonhomie of righteous indignation by seeing our own thoughts expressed by another in print? If it's the latter, then I'm afraid you're preaching to the converted. Somehow, some way, you need to reach the former. They are the ones who voted for their working class hero, they are the ones who despise the media. The glee which permeates the majority of media outlets is looking unseemly, like a crowd laughing at a drowning man, even to an old leftie like myself. Literary bombardment will only entrench support for Trump and cultivate ever more profoundly the siege mentality that swayed their vote in the first place. The Democrats lost the election because of a failure to understand the deep sociological rift in the United States where common sense was beggared by anger. It was change regardless of result; a revolt from the eaters of cake. Now, the role of the media is not to crucify but to mollify. It needs to report in less prosaic terms the short term failures of the president and more on how his failures affect the people in general. Steve Bannon calls the media the "opposition party," and he's right, and that is wrong.
Your column, as usual, skewers the man who would be king rather effectively., and I applaud you for you tenacity. However, I worry that you may be doing more harm than good. Who reads your column? Is it ardent Trump supporters or effete liberal types like myself who get to feel the bonhomie of righteous indignation by seeing our own thoughts expressed by another in print? If it's the latter, then I'm afraid you're preaching to the converted. Somehow, some way, you need to reach the former. They are the ones who voted for their working class hero, they are the ones who despise the media. The glee which permeates the majority of media outlets is looking unseemly, like a crowd laughing at a drowning man, even to an old leftie like myself. Literary bombardment will only entrench support for Trump and cultivate ever more profoundly the siege mentality that swayed their vote in the first place. The Democrats lost the election because of a failure to understand the deep sociological rift in the United States where common sense was beggared by anger. It was change regardless of result; a revolt from the eaters of cake. Now, the role of the media is not to crucify but to mollify. It needs to report in less prosaic terms the short term failures of the president and more on how his failures affect the people in general. Steve Bannon calls the media the "opposition party," and he's right, and that is wrong.
14
I am far from a big government progressive liberal, yet I look forward to every one of Mr. Blow's columns. I, like most intelligent people, find that I learn more from the writings of those who disagree with me than from the echo chamber of like-minded writers. I can only hope that you and the rest of the effete liberal types pay equal attention to the conservative and libertarian writers so that the Hegelian dialectic can form the proper synthesis.
4
More childish nonsense from Charles.
Trump, in true authoritarian fashion, is accepting legislative defeat and moving on to the next issue.
Do you remember all that excellent bi-partisan legislation passed by the Obama administration? Me neither. So the point about governance is moot.
The Democrats cannot regain power by becoming a party of saboteurs.
Trump, in true authoritarian fashion, is accepting legislative defeat and moving on to the next issue.
Do you remember all that excellent bi-partisan legislation passed by the Obama administration? Me neither. So the point about governance is moot.
The Democrats cannot regain power by becoming a party of saboteurs.
3
Why not? Worked for the so-called Republicans.
1
@JA
"Do you remember all that excellent bi-partisan legislation passed by the Obama administration?"
I think it would be pretty hard to come up with "bipartisan" when there was no "bi". Do you remember the one term president pledge, do you remember the party of NO. The GOP obstructed everything Obama proposed. Now the chickens have come home to roost. The obstructionist GOP are a one-trick pony. Beyond "NO" they have nothing. No policy, no talent and no hope of ever accomplishing anything. Karma.
"Do you remember all that excellent bi-partisan legislation passed by the Obama administration?"
I think it would be pretty hard to come up with "bipartisan" when there was no "bi". Do you remember the one term president pledge, do you remember the party of NO. The GOP obstructed everything Obama proposed. Now the chickens have come home to roost. The obstructionist GOP are a one-trick pony. Beyond "NO" they have nothing. No policy, no talent and no hope of ever accomplishing anything. Karma.
4
Dear Mr. Blow,
Today I have to disagree with your editorial. Whether this was Trump bumbling or part of a grand plan, I think that Trump wins here. He has discredited the Freedom Caucaus and Paul Ryan, he will not shoulder the blame for the failure of this bill to pass.
Trump may even embrace Bernie Sander's plan for single payer. That will make Trump look good. Then he can find a way in the future to discredit Senate democrats as he has just discredited republicans in the Senate. Trump will be able to say that he and only he can "Make America Great Again." He will use all of this as a tactic to shore up power.
Today I have to disagree with your editorial. Whether this was Trump bumbling or part of a grand plan, I think that Trump wins here. He has discredited the Freedom Caucaus and Paul Ryan, he will not shoulder the blame for the failure of this bill to pass.
Trump may even embrace Bernie Sander's plan for single payer. That will make Trump look good. Then he can find a way in the future to discredit Senate democrats as he has just discredited republicans in the Senate. Trump will be able to say that he and only he can "Make America Great Again." He will use all of this as a tactic to shore up power.
36
I'm not sure there is anything that will sway the diehard trump supporters. Repeal ACA=lie, build wall and have Mexico pay for it=lie, ban Muslims=lie, and as far as I can tell not a one has even blinked. How much blood in the water will it take for the sharks to come? Maybe we'll find out when he gets impeached.
6
Crooked lying Trump, in the midst of all his bullying, is an ignorant and gullible man, steered here and there, ruderless, gasping for direction. And charlatans abound, ready and willing to thrash the economy...if we let them. Incompetence breeds corruption. Case in point.
8
It seems that Mr. Blow's slow-burn hatred for all things Trump is beginning to cool: he, too, as he counsels Ryan, is content to watch "as the world consumes Trump." But this game is far from over. The president has shown, if nothing else, an amazing ability to outlast negative news and views. His base are not the cretins as some portray them; they know the depths of the cesspool in the Washington establishment, and that includes many Republicans. They will continue to have Trump's back; they will note the obstructionists in their own party; they appreciate that Ryan, by his failure, will now work harder than ever to redeem himself. Perhaps this is the silver lining, and what Trump saw all along. So,no, Ryan will not be disposed to "sit back;" more likely he will get behind his president and earn his keep.
2
Obama had a mission. His mission was to help people who had a serious problem. Obamacare was designed to address specific problems in the morass that the private health insurance industry had led us into with lifetime caps, uninsurability for those with pre-existing conditions or who had the audacity to grow to upper middle age, nothing for those just above the medicaid income level, nothing for kids too old to be home but too young to afford policies on their own. He designed the program based on the problems.
Trump had no mission other than to destroy all things Obama. He played on those who viscerally hated the man and on those who experience the growing pains of any huge new government plan. Ryan had no mission other than to cut taxes for the wealthy and get government out of health care.
The plan was never meant to right wrongs the people were feeling, never meant as a mission to help people - little people - and it showed - and it rightfully failed.
Go back to the drawing board, find out what's not working with Obamacare, talk to some people, fix it in the next "plan" and everybody will be on board.
Trump had no mission other than to destroy all things Obama. He played on those who viscerally hated the man and on those who experience the growing pains of any huge new government plan. Ryan had no mission other than to cut taxes for the wealthy and get government out of health care.
The plan was never meant to right wrongs the people were feeling, never meant as a mission to help people - little people - and it showed - and it rightfully failed.
Go back to the drawing board, find out what's not working with Obamacare, talk to some people, fix it in the next "plan" and everybody will be on board.
29
The GOP will come back again and again to attack the ACA. It is all Ryan et al know how to do. The defense of the ACA has to increase at the grass roots level from now on complete with explanations of GOP complicity in why the premiums go up. People are paying attention now so the explanations must increase.
As part of this ACA defense is getting rid of Bannon with his Nixonian enemy list. Will that list reach down to voters and include calling out the national guard? I lived through Nixon and his attacks on "the little people". Putin admiration does not increase my sense of security on so many levels.
As part of this ACA defense is getting rid of Bannon with his Nixonian enemy list. Will that list reach down to voters and include calling out the national guard? I lived through Nixon and his attacks on "the little people". Putin admiration does not increase my sense of security on so many levels.
9
Well said, Charles.
Karma may not ultimately be a friend to someone who built his political power on lies, insults, bragging, bluster and blame.
Karma may not ultimately be a friend to someone who built his political power on lies, insults, bragging, bluster and blame.
16
As the bitter fan of the woman who should be president, part of me wanted the republicans to repeal healthcare. Then maybe the fools that were suckered in by the carnival showman might learn just what they had and vote with their brains next time. But most of me is glad it survived, although the republican congress will certainly cut as much funding to it as they possible can (in the name of the federal budget of course). The Democrats help will be needed and I hope they are willing to help, as long as the concept of healthcare for all people is kept. BTW, Trump is the loser.
12
You nailed it again, Charles. Trumpcare had nothing to do with providing medical insurance to the American people in general and to the needy and the elderly in particular. 24 million people were condemned to die in the street like abandoned dogs for lack of medical care. It was simply a shameless, blatant attempt to give millions in tax breaks to the rich. For once justice was served and that sorry con man who calls himself president got what he richly deserved, the rejection of even his own party. Let it be the first of many failures till we get rid of that buffoon for good.
20
But isn't that exactly the history of the foundation of the United States? Impeding government? Plus ca change etc...
You know, when you first suggested you could kill a God by making him bleed, I thought you were referring to the presidency itself and by extension American government as a whole. That is the tragedy I see. The Republican Party has mortally wounded our faith in constitutional democracy and here we sit waiting for ignorance, hatred and lies to destroy us all.
6
It is not over. There are no political deaths here. As you said, just wounded.
After the finger pointing is over, will come the tax reform for his rich friends and the administration will probably do more in the Mexico front for quick wins.
Maybe the funds will come from education after dismantling the public school system.
After the finger pointing is over, will come the tax reform for his rich friends and the administration will probably do more in the Mexico front for quick wins.
Maybe the funds will come from education after dismantling the public school system.
13
It would definitely be in Ryan's best interest to separate himself from Trump. As for the GOP that want to burn the building of bureaucracy down, the only problem is that people still need the building. We are too complicated a society in a variety of ways to not have government involved in our lives. We cannot role the clock back to 1775. It is impossible. The faster the Republicans get on board with that idea, the better chance they have to govern. I am seeing the change in Kansas among Republicans. It can happen on a national scale too.
8
In most traditional superhero films, the conflict between good and evil is clear. The villain is usually trying to achieve a plan of revenge against the whole planet for a previous wrong or a reversal of fortune. The hero represents the greater good, and is thus inspired to "create and perform." The hero struggles to overcome every obstacle and eventually saves the day by cornering and weakening the villain until darkness is thwarted.
The Trump/Ryan healthcare plan was pure evil. Trump did not bother to own up to the gory details, but dastardly Ryan was twisting his proverbial mustache with glee at the thought of ruining healthcare and snatching Medicaid from as many people as possible. The hero was not one individual, but a large group of everyday people inspired and determined to protect the health and wellbeing of their loved ones. The Congress provided the conflict, but the legislative process leading up to the vote was merely a distraction. We now know that the people in this country can prevail if they are willing to stand up and be their own superheroes, but the fight against evil doing goes on and on. A happy outcome is only possible if Trump and his cronies are weakened, defeated, and removed. This is not a movie or a drill. The struggle is very real.
The Trump/Ryan healthcare plan was pure evil. Trump did not bother to own up to the gory details, but dastardly Ryan was twisting his proverbial mustache with glee at the thought of ruining healthcare and snatching Medicaid from as many people as possible. The hero was not one individual, but a large group of everyday people inspired and determined to protect the health and wellbeing of their loved ones. The Congress provided the conflict, but the legislative process leading up to the vote was merely a distraction. We now know that the people in this country can prevail if they are willing to stand up and be their own superheroes, but the fight against evil doing goes on and on. A happy outcome is only possible if Trump and his cronies are weakened, defeated, and removed. This is not a movie or a drill. The struggle is very real.
221
Yes, Charles, you can gloat, but just as it's wise to "beware of a wounded bear," it's even more important to be on guard from an angry narcissist. A distraught, unstable man is always dangerous, and when he happens to be President, it's time to prepare for a hurricane of tweets, executive actions, and other destructive policies to shore up a fragile ego that must, at all costs, have a "win" to avoid the terrifying thought of being a "loser." Typhoon Trump may well be upon us!
12
The Republican Party has devolved into a survival of the fittest morass, but Trump, Ryan or any of their minions have proven caring enough or fit enough to govern. When power alone rules and concern for people dies, the welfare of the country fades and withers. Republicans show their true stripes.
7
"Invincibility is an illusion constructed by false assurances. Puncture the fantasy, expose the mortal, and the dispirited faithful will destroy the false deity."
I don't know if that holds true with Trump.
He's been a dark "fantasy" from the start.
None of his people really believe in his "infallibility", he simply represents the things that these people actually believe, believe it or not.
Above all, they love the bluster and the show.
They are entertained.
I don't know if that holds true with Trump.
He's been a dark "fantasy" from the start.
None of his people really believe in his "infallibility", he simply represents the things that these people actually believe, believe it or not.
Above all, they love the bluster and the show.
They are entertained.
4
There was a simple solution to this Trump and Ryan health care bill fiasco. Engage the Democrats, negotiate, and improve ACA. Trump wins, Ryan wins, moderate Republicans win, Democrats win, ACA subscrbers win, President Obama wins.
Freedom Caucus loses.
Of course this is just pie in the sky thinking. On the other hand, it used to be like this a long time ago, so maybe one day we'll get back to where Congress will negotiate and compromise on both sides of the aisle. One can only hope.
Freedom Caucus loses.
Of course this is just pie in the sky thinking. On the other hand, it used to be like this a long time ago, so maybe one day we'll get back to where Congress will negotiate and compromise on both sides of the aisle. One can only hope.
7
Congress should remember that 45 is only in office due to 2 third party candidates syphoning off thousands votes in 3 states. Those third party voters were in the hundreds of thousands. Combined with the Clinton voters it puts 45 supporters as a clear minority. Millions of women marched around the globe to protest women's rights being voted on my men. We saw a crystal clear Kodak moment of that last week as a room full of white men tried to stop covering mammograms and pap smears so rich people could pay a little less tax.
45 is a horribly unfit president who is clearly hated by the majority of Americans. I know I did my part to stop his agenda, and will continue to do so along with millions of other Americans. Keep up the calls, emails and letters and faxes, apparently it might be working.
45 is a horribly unfit president who is clearly hated by the majority of Americans. I know I did my part to stop his agenda, and will continue to do so along with millions of other Americans. Keep up the calls, emails and letters and faxes, apparently it might be working.
37
I think Charles underestimates the degree to which Trump's supporters are fervently invested in him. To begin these are not the kind of people who are ready to say I was wrong - and the liberal, lamestram media was right when they warned us Trump was a fraud. Trump is the vessel of every one of their grievances and the magician who's going to make them prosperous and privileged again. Every time he fails it will be the fault of one of their bogeymen: liberals, the lying press, Democrats, treacherous Republicans, the corrupt, self-serving Establishment, any person or entity other than their blowhard billionaire savior.
21
I believe you have hit the nail on the head.
Finger pointing has started. The Republicans finally realize they got a loser as President and the Democrats always realized that Hillary Clinton was the least qualified candidate ever proposed. In short, zero option being given to the common man and woman in the most powerful country in the world were its people for the past 75 years were willing to live in poverty and constant flag waving and mandatory school-kid singing of "America the Beautiful." Finally we're starting to look in the mirror and see failure and obviously for many more years to come. We also realize now that these past 75 years we were taken by emotional blindness every single day. Finger pointing should start early in the morning when brushing your teeth.
6
Anyone who says the Democrats realized Hillary Clinton was the least qualified candidate ever proposed is obviously not a Democrat and doesn't understand that Democrats pretty universally believe she was very qualified for the job. The problem with Hillary was not her qualifications. If anything, Democrats are realizing that 20 years of negative bashing from the Republicans will bring a decent and qualified candidate down. It was a successful campaign of little truth that turned her into a villain to too many. The interesting dilemma we now find ourselves in is we have a far more legitimately corrupt villain in the White House. Democrats knew this fiend was not qualified, most anyway. Republicans put him in, along with Russia and James Comey. No we're all in shock, grief and horror.
4
Enough with the false equivalences!
You may not like Clinton, but she would not have made the mistakes our insecure, inexperienced, unprepared, unqualified self-promoting president has. The republican majority in Congress might have passed yet another silly repeal bill but Clinton would have vetoed it in short order. Clinton would not have tried to ban Muslim immigrants. She would not have insulted Germany, England, Australia, Mexico, NATO, and many other allies. She would not be assembling a budget intended to eviscerate dozens of domestic programs that benefit women, children, science, the poor, etc. She would not have nominated an originalist to the Supreme Court. She would not be inexplicably be pandering to Russia. And the list goes on. Whatever you think about Clinton, she would never have fumbled and bumbled around the same way Trump has (and will).
You may not like Clinton, but she would not have made the mistakes our insecure, inexperienced, unprepared, unqualified self-promoting president has. The republican majority in Congress might have passed yet another silly repeal bill but Clinton would have vetoed it in short order. Clinton would not have tried to ban Muslim immigrants. She would not have insulted Germany, England, Australia, Mexico, NATO, and many other allies. She would not be assembling a budget intended to eviscerate dozens of domestic programs that benefit women, children, science, the poor, etc. She would not have nominated an originalist to the Supreme Court. She would not be inexplicably be pandering to Russia. And the list goes on. Whatever you think about Clinton, she would never have fumbled and bumbled around the same way Trump has (and will).
6
Charles, William Shakespeare, himself. would be beholden by the visual imagery you evoke for the ending of this saga A bruised and bandaged Ryan impeaching a withered, imploding Trump. But alas, even Shakespeare would have trouble sleeping after the curtains closed on this act. Absinthe would be no help. We all must be wary of the coming performance of Vladimir Putin and his web of global oligarchs. We, the People must pen the Epilogue to this nightmare, the strategies and solutions that lead us out of this Theatre of the Absurd. Several ideas come to mind. Let's give up the fake challenges like building a wall we don't need... Let's create a national and global initiative to really develop alternative energy sources that help Mother Earth, our planet heal, while a cast of thousands are meaningfully employed and inspired to cultivate their ingenuity and creativity.
18
New Yorkers knew that Trump was—and is—a loudmouth schnook with a penchant for self-promotion. They didn’t believe in his “invincibility” and voted overwhelmingly against him.
Regrettably, much of the rest of the country bought into his “false assurances,” such as “We’re going to have insurance for everybody,” and voted for him by the millions, conveniently forgetting that their man was behind the Trump University fiasco.
Then, much to their regret, their hero backed a healthcare plan that would cost millions their insurance. The question was not *if* they will lose insurance under the TrumpRyanCare, as the Times called it, but how many.
Even Trump, the man who licensed his name to such crooked schemes as Trump University, wasn’t eager about “Trumpcare,” though he promoted it until it was clear that he’d lose.
In addition to puncturing Trump’s “invincibility,” the miserable failure of TrumpRyanCare also punctured the notion that Paul Ryan is some sort of “intellectual” who is the second coming of Sam Rayburn. Heck, he wasn’t even the second coming of John Boehner, who, at least knew that Republicans “will never ever agree on what the bill should be.”
Ryan should have known what Boehner knew.
It is one thing to pass a Obamacare “repeal” bill a zillion times, knowing that Obama will veto it, but quite another to “replace” it when Trump, who has the attention span of a gnat (no offense to gnats), gave up on it after only days. Some intellectual, that Paul Ryan!
Regrettably, much of the rest of the country bought into his “false assurances,” such as “We’re going to have insurance for everybody,” and voted for him by the millions, conveniently forgetting that their man was behind the Trump University fiasco.
Then, much to their regret, their hero backed a healthcare plan that would cost millions their insurance. The question was not *if* they will lose insurance under the TrumpRyanCare, as the Times called it, but how many.
Even Trump, the man who licensed his name to such crooked schemes as Trump University, wasn’t eager about “Trumpcare,” though he promoted it until it was clear that he’d lose.
In addition to puncturing Trump’s “invincibility,” the miserable failure of TrumpRyanCare also punctured the notion that Paul Ryan is some sort of “intellectual” who is the second coming of Sam Rayburn. Heck, he wasn’t even the second coming of John Boehner, who, at least knew that Republicans “will never ever agree on what the bill should be.”
Ryan should have known what Boehner knew.
It is one thing to pass a Obamacare “repeal” bill a zillion times, knowing that Obama will veto it, but quite another to “replace” it when Trump, who has the attention span of a gnat (no offense to gnats), gave up on it after only days. Some intellectual, that Paul Ryan!
55
Interesting to see all these cracks, fissures and canyons develop among the GOP's. I have a hard time understanding what they do and don't agree about. Maybe there's a very strong bent toward saying no, no matter to what. Certainly, the world of the Congress is not the world of high-flying real estate, where apparently fantasy is one of the major elements. Looks to me like it's not just Trump coming up against a different kind of 'reality' from what he's used to. All of the GOP seem to be in a kind of culture shock.
1
Trump's supporters and voters vote what they wish to be the truth, that which reinforces their deep belief they've been screwed and Fox News has told them by whom, the Democrats, even though beyond the hate TV and radio pundits, there's not a shred of truth to it nor one fact to support it. They have been done in by their own for decades and they willingly keep voting them in. Isn't one of the definitions of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? If ever there was a chance to rip away all the falsehoods and pretences and foul lawmaking to assure their perches in government, now is the time. If they can't see it now, they're lost forever. Bipartisanship was a good thing forty years ago. It's a cornerstone of a successful democracy, not polarizing groups against each other so even mutually beneficial laws and policies can thrive and make all our lives better.
1
There are many in the commenting community here who blame the entire country for the Ascendance of Trump to the throne, But that tars the great numbers of politically active people who opposed trump with tooth and claw, in every way possible. I personally reject any collective guilt as my own. I do, however accept the burden of collective national shame.
Back around '90 during a spate of hijackings I wore a maple leaf flag pin when flying overseas; only prudent, as GHWB used to say. That, I felt guilty about.
Back around '90 during a spate of hijackings I wore a maple leaf flag pin when flying overseas; only prudent, as GHWB used to say. That, I felt guilty about.
13
I'd caution you to dig out that pin again if you're planning a trip outside of the U.S. I was in Europe recently and overheard a number of Americans being challenged on the presidential election - even those who claimed they didn't support DJT were being questioned on how any proud American could allow such an electoral calamity to happen.
The world continues to scratch its collective head - and many thanks to Americans like you who resist - we support you 100%.
The world continues to scratch its collective head - and many thanks to Americans like you who resist - we support you 100%.
3
"A wounded Ryan might well sit back and watch, as the world consumes Trump.". Mr. Ryan inflicted many of his wounds on himself by acquiescing to the carnival barker's flim-flam show and by endorsing his get rid of the ACA immediately battle cry. Mr. Ryan appears to be intelligent, so, how and why did he decide to support a person that many of us distrust and put himself in peril and be derided by the screeching mouthpieces from conservative "news" outlets.
Indeed Mr. Ryan might well sit back and watch, and perhaps give up on being speaker and let someone else be the victim of the Bannon-Trump attack, smear and twitter tantrum machine.
Indeed Mr. Ryan might well sit back and watch, and perhaps give up on being speaker and let someone else be the victim of the Bannon-Trump attack, smear and twitter tantrum machine.
6
Ryan isn't really that intelligent. He certainly buys into the ultra right Republican view that people are poor because they are lazy, etc, He believes in policies that will make the rich richer.
3
A wounded Ryan might well sit back and watch as the world consumes Trump but the world would best consume the inept and ineffective Ryan as well. For years he has been promoted by his party as some sort of policy wonk, economist wonk, intellectual wonk though many looking at his efforts were horrified and knew he wasn't even middle school level competent much less the national stage. Our government is running big time on a huge pack of awful delusions. I hope we survive this and wake up.
2
When is the war going to start and with who?
Organized carnage to distract us from the carnage in front of our faces.
Organized carnage to distract us from the carnage in front of our faces.
14
North Korea. And soon, me thinks.
I'm guessing the war will be against Iran or North Korea. China's too big and powerful, and Trump's in bed with Putin.
1
I recall Paul Ryan had to be begged and cajoled to take the job specifically for this reason. And now the party is surprised at how bad it is? My father's republican party and ideals died a long time ago.
14
The main reason for the Republicans' loss becoming Trump's humiliating defeat is, yet again, his wilful ignorance. He did not know what was in Ryan's health care bill, he did not bother to read it or even ask, therefore he did not know why Republican moderates and Republican hardliners opposed it. And he did not know how Congress works, did not bother to learn and believed anything the inept coterie of sycophants around him whispered in his ear. He truly is an empty vessel and will probably remain so. Hopefully, in his narcissistic anger, he will start firing Bannon, Miller et al and look for more competent advisers before the White House implodes.
20
Why would he do that when he believes in their advice - after all he used it to snoooker Americans into voting him. The idea that he will suddenly wake up and see the truth is nonsensical.
The Midas touch indeed. Well, everything he touches turns to something, but it sure isn't gold. Calling him the God of Chaos is spot on. I hope the final observation in this column is spot on as well: Ryan (and others in the GOP?) will sit back and watch as the world consumes the God of Chaos. And the sooner the better for all of us.
15
I find the whole saga of the Replace&Repeal extraordinary for this reason (there are more).
1) Flim-flam Ryan who must have so impressed the old goats of the Republican party by his boyish looks, versatile vocabulary, "eagerness to please" attitude that he was anointed "the" economic wonk. In other words a "wonder boy" ready to plunge into the nitty-gritty of coherent economic analysis that they, the wise ones, did not want to fool with. Ryan, "Just give us the ammunitions and we will rejuvenate America!" The problem is that Ryan did not know any more than you and me about economics. Between his gentleman' C at his Alma Mater, his obligations with the House gym, and rehearsing his public smile, there was no time left for critical thinking about an unlovable topic.
Hence the easy birth of a last-minute term paper in the arms of a wooing assembly of Republicans. The prodigal son had produced the golden egg. Perhaps the White House in the not-too-distant future?
Hopefully, his electorate will dispatch him back to his hometown and elect him to the presidency of the Rotary Club.
1) Flim-flam Ryan who must have so impressed the old goats of the Republican party by his boyish looks, versatile vocabulary, "eagerness to please" attitude that he was anointed "the" economic wonk. In other words a "wonder boy" ready to plunge into the nitty-gritty of coherent economic analysis that they, the wise ones, did not want to fool with. Ryan, "Just give us the ammunitions and we will rejuvenate America!" The problem is that Ryan did not know any more than you and me about economics. Between his gentleman' C at his Alma Mater, his obligations with the House gym, and rehearsing his public smile, there was no time left for critical thinking about an unlovable topic.
Hence the easy birth of a last-minute term paper in the arms of a wooing assembly of Republicans. The prodigal son had produced the golden egg. Perhaps the White House in the not-too-distant future?
Hopefully, his electorate will dispatch him back to his hometown and elect him to the presidency of the Rotary Club.
16
I do not think the Rotary would have him. From their website:
Areas of focus
We direct our efforts in six areas to enhance our local and global impact. Our most successful and sustainable projects and activities tend to fall within the following areas:
Promoting peace
Fighting disease
Providing clean water
Saving mothers and children
Supporting education
Growing local economies
Areas of focus
We direct our efforts in six areas to enhance our local and global impact. Our most successful and sustainable projects and activities tend to fall within the following areas:
Promoting peace
Fighting disease
Providing clean water
Saving mothers and children
Supporting education
Growing local economies
1
Trump never cares about the quality of the product he brands---just give me a product and let me sell it---and this mentality is at the core of Trump's problem. Selling and branding can be fun---fly in on jets, surround yourself with swimsuit models, reach for whatever you are selling...and then let the adjectives fly. Governing is different---you can't sell a product whose quality is questionable. Improving the quality, however, requires knowledge of the product, which, thus far, Trump appears incapable of mastering.
13
The loss is likely also the downside of Republican gerrymandering.
We can only hope!
We can only hope!
3
America again proves its exceptionalism through our system of gerrymandering. Rather than apportioning at-large representatives based on popular vote totality (as most every other democratic country in the world does), we allow the in-office party to control the redistricting, thereby ensuring "safe" districts with representatives showing little desire to compromise. A better system is needed. The history of gerrymandering and the judicial attempts to change it are quite enlightening. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering_in_the_United_States
7
Mr. Trump has made a career of throwing people who worked with him under the bus. Why should this case be any different? I just hope that there will be some cosmic justice coming.
6
You are right about members of the Freedom Caucus: they are the crazies who refused to lift the debt ceiling to pay for stuff Congress had already ordered and were willing to crash our credit rating to get their way. In 2020, there will be another census; it's important that all Americans support a less partisan method of re-drawing Congressional districts so that we no longer have "safe" seats. House seats need to be competitive so that those campaigning to hold them care about how to govern rather than how to obstruct.
8
Mr. Trump's rise was surprising, even magical to some. He would have done well to learn the Magician's Oath: "As a magician I promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician, unless that one swears to uphold the Oath in turn. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic." With his mounting incompetence, he has failed to 'maintain the illusion' of his success. Political gravity for Mr. Trump, like physical gravity for the Flying Walendas, will affirm the emptiness of his message and methods and bring him down.
4
Excellent points re: Republican gerrymandering.
Here in NJ11, recent gerrymandering also played a different and interesting role in the defeat of repeal and replace. A 12-term, well-regarded, moderate Republican (Rodney Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations)- with a newly gerrymandered slice of a progressive town added to his district- received a respectful, informed earful from constituents advocating a no vote on ACHA. On Thursday, before the vote was cancelled, Rep. Frelinghuysen came out as a "no". Many thanks to the Congressman!
I wonder how frequently this scenario of grassroots advocacy of moderate Republicans in gerrymandered districts played out across the country?
Here in NJ11, recent gerrymandering also played a different and interesting role in the defeat of repeal and replace. A 12-term, well-regarded, moderate Republican (Rodney Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations)- with a newly gerrymandered slice of a progressive town added to his district- received a respectful, informed earful from constituents advocating a no vote on ACHA. On Thursday, before the vote was cancelled, Rep. Frelinghuysen came out as a "no". Many thanks to the Congressman!
I wonder how frequently this scenario of grassroots advocacy of moderate Republicans in gerrymandered districts played out across the country?
6
Crash and burn is the likely outcome for Trump interventions ignoring public sector realities. Jared Kushner's new mandate to make government as efficient as the private sector will also crash if he ignores public sector realities. Management guru icon Peter Drucker wrote sixty years ago that the absence of a bottom line and theory of the firm like optimization paradigm alters the incentives that drive the public sector. The default strategy is Results Based Management. Interventions like Trumpcare need well defined objectives formulated as indicators with concrete targets. That's what Trump inadvertently did when he promised 'coverage for all, better, cheaper, deficit reducing...you'll love it!'
These objectives are amenable to indicators and targets. They were never explicitly formulated.. But Trump repeated them so often they became an indelible part of the debate. The projections that emerged--CBO does RBM--sunk a poorly crafted Trumpcare bill that failed miserably on each of these implicit indicators.
Crash and burn is the likely outcome of too many of Trump's interventions. Experts and public officials are continuously crafting solutions that could be improved upon but not by the dogmatic imposition of irrelevant private sector shibboleths ignoring public sector realities.
And hiring ill-prepared family, friends and wealthy, narrow experienced businessmen with no public sector experience is a sure way to crash and burn in the private or public sector.
These objectives are amenable to indicators and targets. They were never explicitly formulated.. But Trump repeated them so often they became an indelible part of the debate. The projections that emerged--CBO does RBM--sunk a poorly crafted Trumpcare bill that failed miserably on each of these implicit indicators.
Crash and burn is the likely outcome of too many of Trump's interventions. Experts and public officials are continuously crafting solutions that could be improved upon but not by the dogmatic imposition of irrelevant private sector shibboleths ignoring public sector realities.
And hiring ill-prepared family, friends and wealthy, narrow experienced businessmen with no public sector experience is a sure way to crash and burn in the private or public sector.
4
Trump is like the guy who starts a rock band because he thinks it will get him chicks for free. The guy that never loved music or lyrics, just the benefits of the gig. Trump simply is too self absorbed to care about much else.
9
Brilliant column as always. Especially like the insight about the kind of reps gerrymandering produces, which does explain the dumb intransigence of Congress.
1
A breath of fresh air! Not stale Trump's failure but the mention of "impeach". I like the sound of this.
3
Now in this Comedy of Terrors, I fear the Master of Buck Passing may be engaging son-in-law Kushner, who will magically manage our Country by reorganizing us all into something more Wonderful than marvelous. Yes, I'm just a cynical Average man...weary of just watching the Normalization
of Abnormality.
of Abnormality.
3
"A wounded Ryan might well sit back and watch, as the world consumes Trump."
One can only hope.
Even as much as I dislike Ryan for all his Randian-ideology, duplicity and deceit, I dislike Trump even more, a man who has no honor or dignity, and therefore gives none.
I suspect if I feel this way, so do many members of Congress.
One can only hope.
One can only hope.
Even as much as I dislike Ryan for all his Randian-ideology, duplicity and deceit, I dislike Trump even more, a man who has no honor or dignity, and therefore gives none.
I suspect if I feel this way, so do many members of Congress.
One can only hope.
4
Unfortunately, once the world consumes The Thing in the Oval Office, the world has no choice but to digest him. This will cause all sorts of discomfort over an extended stretch of time.
Then comes the ultimate result of indulging in a bad meal. How does the world dispose of such a toxic waste?
Then comes the ultimate result of indulging in a bad meal. How does the world dispose of such a toxic waste?
1
Trump plays fast and loose with rules, blusters and lies to maintain an inherited fortune. (We don't know where he gets his money--Russia?--because he lied about making public his tax records.) Somehow a man with multiple bankruptcies, whom US banks refuse to lend to and a practice of stiffing and suing contractors is the choice of THE businessman to lead the US? This is a man who says he builds buildings when he actually licenses his name only, actively profiteers in office and who is chronically dishonest.
The health care debacle? The scariest part is what a dog of a bill it was --and how few GOPers fought for their constituents despite this. A health plan that did not cover health costs; it's primary function was wealthy tax cuts by repealing the ACA taxes--so that down the road the wealthy could receive more tax cuts in a later bill. And it was the beginning of the GOP plan to gut the US safety net starting with Medicaid. Just think, the richest 400 families in this bill would receive $7 million apiece while Trumpcare would not provide "essential health services"--for the SAME premiums or higher than the ACA! The GOP tried to rush this thru before the electorate could realize they just got cheated by Congress.
The good news is that Trump is the guy who never does his homework who gets by with bluster and the GOP believes spin can cover all sins; they got caught--this time.
The health care debacle? The scariest part is what a dog of a bill it was --and how few GOPers fought for their constituents despite this. A health plan that did not cover health costs; it's primary function was wealthy tax cuts by repealing the ACA taxes--so that down the road the wealthy could receive more tax cuts in a later bill. And it was the beginning of the GOP plan to gut the US safety net starting with Medicaid. Just think, the richest 400 families in this bill would receive $7 million apiece while Trumpcare would not provide "essential health services"--for the SAME premiums or higher than the ACA! The GOP tried to rush this thru before the electorate could realize they just got cheated by Congress.
The good news is that Trump is the guy who never does his homework who gets by with bluster and the GOP believes spin can cover all sins; they got caught--this time.
5
A "safe seat" comes with moats and a drawbridge? I am reminded of the plethora of City States in the Holy Roman Empire. Each little free state, the ecclesiastical and secular princes jealously guard their territories. The Emperor had little ability to dictate or decree to such a wide net of self interest.
Today's gerrymandered districts and their patchwork quilt of fiefdoms is as Voltaire said, "neither Holy, nor Roman nor an Empire."
Today's gerrymandered districts and their patchwork quilt of fiefdoms is as Voltaire said, "neither Holy, nor Roman nor an Empire."
134
My fear is he'll take the king's advice to his son in Henry IV pt 2, Act 4, scene 3:
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
May waste the memory of the former days.
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
May waste the memory of the former days.
29
Mark Meadows, the head and a founding father of the so -called freedom caucus just after a few weeks into his first term, is regrettably, my congressman.
Why my neighbors continue to vote for a man who has done absolutely, repeat, absolutely nothing for them remains a puzzle.
When he leaves the House, he will still have the benefit of a pension, health insurance, and all the other perks he so vehemently opposes.
Nice work, if you can get it. He forgets that to the victor belongs the spoils.
Why my neighbors continue to vote for a man who has done absolutely, repeat, absolutely nothing for them remains a puzzle.
When he leaves the House, he will still have the benefit of a pension, health insurance, and all the other perks he so vehemently opposes.
Nice work, if you can get it. He forgets that to the victor belongs the spoils.
183
The Freedom Caucus would not exist in the strength it does if there was at least some ability to look across the aisle and create deals that help America rather than try to govern solely with your own party. The Republicans began this method to block Clinton in the 90s and the idea that a Republican can only support Republican ideas and bills has certainly hurt America.
9
Gerrymandering is indeed the root of the problem. Our 3rd branch of Government must step forward and declare 'exteme' gerrymandering unconstitutional.
11
The Trump situation is a textbook example of the Peter Principle.
Now that he has reached the top spot in the organization (it is true that American voters can demote him, but not soon), and apparently reached his level of incompetence, America is stuck with him.
Now that he has reached the top spot in the organization (it is true that American voters can demote him, but not soon), and apparently reached his level of incompetence, America is stuck with him.
4
The legislative defeat of the most recent Republican "replace" for the ACA does not mean that the ACA will survive what a Trump administration can do to damage it through Sec Price's action, inaction or simply the chaos that is the Trump administration. As insurance companies exit marketplaces, the choices for those who seek access to health care continue to be limited by the for-profit insurance sector. All of the ACA fixes that needed to be done prior to the "Crash and Burn" of the Republican Congress and Trump still need to be done. While the elections of 2018 provide some leverage, the fixes for the ACA will not be a GOP priority.
While rising to resist the most recent Trump attack on the values of the US, it is important to remember the damage done by past actions of Trump and the Republican Congress. Health care still deserves attention; the fight for healthy communities is not over.
While rising to resist the most recent Trump attack on the values of the US, it is important to remember the damage done by past actions of Trump and the Republican Congress. Health care still deserves attention; the fight for healthy communities is not over.
141
Failure of Ryan's health care bill was the best thing that could have happened to Republicans.
If that had passed, so many people would have lost their health insurance and Republicans would not have been able to hide the terrible suffering from the country.
If that had passed, so many people would have lost their health insurance and Republicans would not have been able to hide the terrible suffering from the country.
84
I think we all knew that Trump was incompetent well before this debacle occurred. What is so striking about this failure is that Paul Ryan and House Republicans have been revealed to be woefully incompetent, as well.
195
If you thought Trump-Ryan Care was horrible wait until you see their tax "reform". One-percenters don't buy politicians without expectations of a big payback.
412
Blow is in his glory.
He can spew his vitriol without ever making a constructive policy proposal that will help Americans.
"Trump resistance" as a political strategy, ensures that nothing that benefits Americans will be accomplished.
this will continue the downward spiral of America's disgust with politicians of all parties.
He can spew his vitriol without ever making a constructive policy proposal that will help Americans.
"Trump resistance" as a political strategy, ensures that nothing that benefits Americans will be accomplished.
this will continue the downward spiral of America's disgust with politicians of all parties.
1
It is the job of Congress and the President to make "constructive policy proposals", not the job of a columnist. Don't hold your breath.
5
Don't blame Charles Blow for telling the truth. He is a columnist not an elected official. It is not his job to make policy proposals. Trump "resistance" is what will ensure that ANYTHING that benefits Americans will be accomplished. Are you suggesting that progressives had anything to do with this weeks AHCA fiasco? Don't throw a tantrum to change the subject. We all know what happened. For once in your life, own what your party did, that their ACHA proposal was NEVER going to benefit anyone but the rich, and that 10s of millions would have suffered. OWN IT.
2
An Op-Ed piece is one to digest, talk about and form your own opinion and decide if you would like to do something about the presenters writings.
It is up to us to inform our government what we need and to follow up at the ballot box if we are not heard. Kudos to Mr. Blow for adding kindling to the bonfire.
It is up to us to inform our government what we need and to follow up at the ballot box if we are not heard. Kudos to Mr. Blow for adding kindling to the bonfire.
1
I find it interesting when either party votes in lock step like trained circus animals. The ACA bill received zero GOP votes 7 years ago. The Bill that was pulled on Friday would have received zero votes from the Democrats. I find both of these votes equally disturbing and a clear indication that Washington is, in fact, very broken.
I find it hopeful when there is disagreement inside a political party. That represents honesty within the ranks instead of the follow the leader mentality. The Democrats crowed all weekend claiming victory about the ACA but the Democrats woke up this morning with the same Affordable Care Act which is riddled with problems....Opps!
I find it hopeful when there is disagreement inside a political party. That represents honesty within the ranks instead of the follow the leader mentality. The Democrats crowed all weekend claiming victory about the ACA but the Democrats woke up this morning with the same Affordable Care Act which is riddled with problems....Opps!
2
Independent,
I find Americans all make one fundamental error. Their environment has prevented them from understanding that the Republicans are not a political party. The are a cult, they are a religion. They have little use for truth and scientific observation they are committed to dogma and all the evidence to the contrary will not sway them from their blind enduring faith in a system that is rotten at its very core.
The Oxfam America pdf Broken at the Top is simple concise and accurately describes the whys and hows of America's rot yet as basic as it is it isn't even part of the the discussion.
I find Americans all make one fundamental error. Their environment has prevented them from understanding that the Republicans are not a political party. The are a cult, they are a religion. They have little use for truth and scientific observation they are committed to dogma and all the evidence to the contrary will not sway them from their blind enduring faith in a system that is rotten at its very core.
The Oxfam America pdf Broken at the Top is simple concise and accurately describes the whys and hows of America's rot yet as basic as it is it isn't even part of the the discussion.
A confederacy of dunces with a fraud chosen as their totem...that becomes more obvious each and every day.
13
Vincent,
I am a dunce and I wear my cap proudly. Like John Duns Scotus I continue to peak behind the curtain rather than accept the words of those prospering from telling me what lies behind the veil.
I am a dunce and I wear my cap proudly. Like John Duns Scotus I continue to peak behind the curtain rather than accept the words of those prospering from telling me what lies behind the veil.
1
Yes, Trump lost the Health Care War, but I am getting worried by the smug attitude of the Democrats in celebrating their "victory".
Don't underestimate Trump. His executive orders alone are destroying our environment and our government. He will do his utmost to make sure that Obamacare fails, and then blame the democrats for it.
Forget about focusing about Ryan resigning and concentrate on somehow getting rid of Trump before he starts another war! All it would take for him to consolidate his power and gain support would be another attack on our country, perhaps self-generated. It has happened before: (Gulf of Tonkin, The sinking of the Maine, etc.).
Bad things are happening in America folks. It is time to be very afraid for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. This obviously mentally ill man has his finger on the nuclear trigger. If he doesn't destroy us by poisoning our environment, he still has other ways.
Don't underestimate Trump. His executive orders alone are destroying our environment and our government. He will do his utmost to make sure that Obamacare fails, and then blame the democrats for it.
Forget about focusing about Ryan resigning and concentrate on somehow getting rid of Trump before he starts another war! All it would take for him to consolidate his power and gain support would be another attack on our country, perhaps self-generated. It has happened before: (Gulf of Tonkin, The sinking of the Maine, etc.).
Bad things are happening in America folks. It is time to be very afraid for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. This obviously mentally ill man has his finger on the nuclear trigger. If he doesn't destroy us by poisoning our environment, he still has other ways.
18
Charles, you outdo a mere Hollywood action movie. Your script is more like something by Dickens or Shakespeare. This president is well on his way to becoming the most hated person in the USA, if not on Earth. Of course he exists within some fantasy of himself: "I'm the president, you're not." For him, life is but a stage but his art of the steal playbook is wafer thin. For a guy who rarely cracks books or bothers with homework he seems rather inflated with his sense of knowing. Trust me folks, he's a flimflam man whose about to run out of scams. Everyone is on to his game and we'll all soon be able to say "you're fired." Sad.
13
What would Charles Dickens have made of Donald Trump in one of his novels? The name certainly suits, as well as the hair and clothes. There's the bluster, rage, recalcitrance, mendacity, sociopathy, money grubbing, selfishness, etc, etc. What a feast for a mind like Dickens's!
1
When Nunes crossed the river Styx to hand the White House key intelligence from his committee we crossed into a brave new world of conflict.
Trumps days are now numbered and godspeed to the intelligence communities that we will be relying on for courage and duty to our country and the constitution.
Trumps days are now numbered and godspeed to the intelligence communities that we will be relying on for courage and duty to our country and the constitution.
12
The President is the Commander in Chief and is entitled to see all intelligence raw data, analyses and finished products. No conflict here. Furthermore, he is the ultimate releasing authority for all classified materials.
Can you do a story on gerrymandering and explain it to your readers, myself included? How is it accomplished? What protections are there against it?
7
Partisan gerrymandering occurs when district lines are drawn to advantage one party's candidates over the other's. In most states, the legislatures are empowered to draw district lines with the governors holding veto power over the plans. Nine states use nonpartisan commissions to draw lines.
Gerrymanderers draw lines so that their opponents' voters are aggregated together in a few, highly-partisan districts, while the remainder of the state consists of more competitive districts in which the gerrymandering party holds the advantage. A good plan for Republicans would have a few seats where Democrats win over 70 percent of the vote, and a larger number of seats where the Republicans win 55-45.
Court decisions have restricted the ability of gerrymanderers to draw strangely-shaped districts just to accomplish their ends. The law requires that districting take into consideration historical political jurisdictions and "compactness." Yet demographic trends over the past half century have made compactness a problem for Democrats. In many states most of the Democratic voters live in urban areas while Republicans are spread more widely across suburban and rural areas. This enhances the ability of gerrymandering Republicans to draw lines that create heavily Democratic urban seats and moderately Republican seats elsewhere in the state.
See my: http://www.politicsbythenumbers.org/2012/11/14/the-new-republican-bulwar... and following for more details.
Gerrymanderers draw lines so that their opponents' voters are aggregated together in a few, highly-partisan districts, while the remainder of the state consists of more competitive districts in which the gerrymandering party holds the advantage. A good plan for Republicans would have a few seats where Democrats win over 70 percent of the vote, and a larger number of seats where the Republicans win 55-45.
Court decisions have restricted the ability of gerrymanderers to draw strangely-shaped districts just to accomplish their ends. The law requires that districting take into consideration historical political jurisdictions and "compactness." Yet demographic trends over the past half century have made compactness a problem for Democrats. In many states most of the Democratic voters live in urban areas while Republicans are spread more widely across suburban and rural areas. This enhances the ability of gerrymandering Republicans to draw lines that create heavily Democratic urban seats and moderately Republican seats elsewhere in the state.
See my: http://www.politicsbythenumbers.org/2012/11/14/the-new-republican-bulwar... and following for more details.
2
Ryan, by all appearances, is a one dimensional man.
Trump is a two dimensional man, made of equal parts boasting and self promotion.
Is there much wonder that these two, working together and through the fluttering presence of aides, failed?
This period, bad as it is, reminds me of the early Obama presidency, good as it was. Obama and company at this stage seemed to be drunk on their success. They had ridden to the White House on a massive outpouring of good will, on soaring speeches that seemed to call forth the best in Americans. It was, for a few moments, as if something really grand had begun. Obama and team were so confident that they even gave in to the Republicans here and there, making the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy permanent and other concessions.
Then, with health care, it all came crashing down. Republicans saw their opportunity and grabbed. It is not too much to suggest that the entire Obama presidency was ruined by this effort to bring health insurance to more citizens. The dream was gone.
Now, as Blow suggests, the Republicans have been too successful for their own good. Gerrymandered House districts have given congressional seats to jerks who have no other purpose than to obstruct. The right wing propaganda empire, from websites to AM radio to Fox News, has fertilized the ground so much that giant crops of partisan haters have taken over public dialog. In time, Republicans themselves will need to help the country find a way out of what they have created
Trump is a two dimensional man, made of equal parts boasting and self promotion.
Is there much wonder that these two, working together and through the fluttering presence of aides, failed?
This period, bad as it is, reminds me of the early Obama presidency, good as it was. Obama and company at this stage seemed to be drunk on their success. They had ridden to the White House on a massive outpouring of good will, on soaring speeches that seemed to call forth the best in Americans. It was, for a few moments, as if something really grand had begun. Obama and team were so confident that they even gave in to the Republicans here and there, making the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy permanent and other concessions.
Then, with health care, it all came crashing down. Republicans saw their opportunity and grabbed. It is not too much to suggest that the entire Obama presidency was ruined by this effort to bring health insurance to more citizens. The dream was gone.
Now, as Blow suggests, the Republicans have been too successful for their own good. Gerrymandered House districts have given congressional seats to jerks who have no other purpose than to obstruct. The right wing propaganda empire, from websites to AM radio to Fox News, has fertilized the ground so much that giant crops of partisan haters have taken over public dialog. In time, Republicans themselves will need to help the country find a way out of what they have created
6
Hey, Mr. President, the buck stops where?
15
Trump's "business" acumen/model = hire lawyers and accountants to exploit the system. With a soupcon of PR people. That doesn't work as President.
9
Got to give credit to Charles, he doesn't mince his words. Keep up the good work.
25
Trump's motto: The buck stops somewhere else.
23
Mr. Blow - just want to say thank you for your editorial comments.
Like Mike Bloomberg said "I'm A New Yorker and I know a con when I see one."
Too bad a lot of this country did not see thru this buffoon and charlatan named Donald J. Trump.
Like Mike Bloomberg said "I'm A New Yorker and I know a con when I see one."
Too bad a lot of this country did not see thru this buffoon and charlatan named Donald J. Trump.
22
The time has come...for...Dick Cheney Unchained!
So what that Trumpcare failed.
Deficits don't matter!
Let "tax reform" begin!
So what that Trumpcare failed.
Deficits don't matter!
Let "tax reform" begin!
4
When does the winning start?
10
Trump, the false diety. The God of Chaotic Tweet exposed as a liar, hypocrite, a loser, a naked emperor showing off his invisible clothing. The Big League Deal Maker didn't repeal Obamacare for his AHCA. Legislators - Republicans - let Ryan, his upfront strawman, the "intelligent" Speaker of the House - have the pie in the face. Trump's brand isn't about luxury for the hoi polloi, the red golf-capped MAGA folks who voted for him. His brand always was gilt- icing on the caviar cake, luxurious living, not life and death. For 8 years the gerry-mandered hard line GOP districts threw a monkey wrench into the Democrats' (read Obama's) administration, legislation and governance. Obstructionism and the downfall of Obama their sole mission. Trump promised his adherents and idolators and voters that he would "repeal and replace Obamacare on Day One". Trump's weak administration, full of awful appointees for Cabinet positions and sycophantic earwigs, proved to be a monumental Losers' Ball. We don't yet know, Charles Blow, whether the administration of our 45th Commander in Chief will crash and burn. Whether Donald Trump will be impeached constitutionally, from his three thrones in his New York, Washington, DC and Palm Beach White Houses. But we can all read the writing on the wall from the Book of Daniel. "Mene, mene, tikal, upharsin" - "you have been judged and found wanting." Finger pointers are busy spinning Trump's mess, a fine kettle of fish, into a can of worms.
6
Ha Ha. Love it. You get Trump. You really get him. What a good mess we are in now. Crow, humble pie anyone? That's the next step for the Republican party. If of course they get it! Ha Ha. Love it.
12
Don't count him out. He is like a piece of toilet paper that sticks to your shoe, which you can't scrape off.
12
"It was the latest loss in a string of losses" , that have been going on his whole life. Our so-called President lives for himself and his own needs. You can't serve others or even care about others, if you are obsessed with taking care of your own needs. You may NOT even be able to see others needs, as your own obscure the view. You are blinded by your own selfishness and greed. He is NOT the only one, as there is enough blame to spread around here. To be effective as a public servant, you have to be able to see clearly the needs of the public you are serving, or at least be able to ask and listen.
7
Blame the Democrats? For not joining your school of pirhanas ripping apart a decent--though, like everything else, partially flawed--health plan to replace it with a an empty shell game that got more disgusting and emptier every time you all thought you could put one over on the poor suckers who believed you. No, Mr. Trump, you are attributing to the Democrats, the press--and your voters--stupidity and cruelty as great as your own! We can only hope that soon, you and yours will sink back into the deep mud out from which you have unfortunately emerged.
10
It is vital that Democratic senators and representatives carefully monitor EVERY action by ANYONE in the Trump administration to try to prevent crippling damage to Obamacare and to everything else that benefits ordinary people and the environment.
16
One of your best, Mr. Blow!
6
"...obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering’s political offspring." Nice observation Mr. Blow.
These obstructionists may also pay a political price in 2 and/or 4 years. The failure of their mascot and their team may rub off on them. They can only stay distanced from their own party for so long. We may have only two parties (effectively) but they are coalitions under the umbrella.
Many who voted for TRUMP may end up feeling what those students at TRUMP University felt. Betrayed. They wanted a piece of the gilded life too, but realized after it was too late that were just pawns for TRUMP to gild himself and nobody else. He is now officially infamous. The 3-Card-Monte-Dealer in Chief.
These obstructionists may also pay a political price in 2 and/or 4 years. The failure of their mascot and their team may rub off on them. They can only stay distanced from their own party for so long. We may have only two parties (effectively) but they are coalitions under the umbrella.
Many who voted for TRUMP may end up feeling what those students at TRUMP University felt. Betrayed. They wanted a piece of the gilded life too, but realized after it was too late that were just pawns for TRUMP to gild himself and nobody else. He is now officially infamous. The 3-Card-Monte-Dealer in Chief.
9
Charles M. Blow, thank you.
17
Get ready for a BIG crash, to the economy, like a $100 TRILLION Federal deficit, all to the pockets of the billionaires... PS: The Federal deficit was under $20 trillion on Jan 20, 2017, the day trump took the office…
5
You sound like a Freedom Caucus proselyte.
Anyone tired of "winning" yet ?
19
Pappy,
That's an awesome one!
Yeah...
What a slick con fraudster he is!
That's an awesome one!
Yeah...
What a slick con fraudster he is!
2
All I want is the exact same healthcare that we as taxpayers provide all ,congressman1 Just give us all the same !
24
It is very important to know that taxpayers do receive the same healthcare as the members of Congress... The only difference is that they do receive an employee (US government) subsidy... This is a very common misconception...
All members of Congress and their senior staff have an ACA Gold plan, by law, and have a wide choice of numerous providers. The US Taxpayers subsidize these ACA Gold plan costs so the MOC's and staff pay only 28% of the costs. I think it fair to say virtually everyone in America would gladly accept this benefit at a 72% subsidy provided by US Gov't. If it's good enough fo Paul Ryan, it's good enough for me!
6
Trump is a fraud and a phony. Mike Bloomberg nailed him.." A con man and a fraud." That sums it up. Coupled with the party of no ideas incompetence , just keep thinking midterms 2018 , america.
15
O.M.G., I just realized something. John Boehner is my new hero. He called this debacle two weeks ago.
9
John Boehner understood the Freedom Caucus better than anyone. That's why he retired and went home to fix his lawnmower. He knew he'd have a better shot at a fixing a four-stroke engine than he would getting anything done in Congress.
3
Well written and on point. Can't wait to see the treason "DISASTER" fallout.
6
So I guess they should cancel the "TRUMP HILL" sign planned to be planted on the Capitol?
Alas, he won't notice. He's still in his WH closet, wearing his favorite Trump U sweatshirt, reading "The Art of the Deal" by flashlight and sticking pins in his House Freedom Caucus voodoo dolls.
Alas, he won't notice. He's still in his WH closet, wearing his favorite Trump U sweatshirt, reading "The Art of the Deal" by flashlight and sticking pins in his House Freedom Caucus voodoo dolls.
9
"He made the trains run on time." For all of Mussolini's myriad dictatorial sins, that simple mantra alone was a paean to effective leadership. Trump cannot even manage that. As much as Bannon is whispering in his ear about how he needs to be "The Boss" (ie dictator), Trump's stuck at the starting gate that other dictators get through: they get fundamental stuff done, at least on the surface.
As President, stealing the credit for someone else's work just doesn't work, nor does shucking the blame for failure. Trump has managed to do what only John Tyler did: Get not only the opposition party to detest him, but get his own party to do so as well. If Paul Ryan doesn't realize that Trump is now his mortal enemy, he's more of a fool than I think he is. No matter how he, Priebus and Spicer lie, NOBODY believes Trump didn't know Jeanine Pirro was going to call for Ryan's resignation when he tweeted to watch her show. NOBODY is that foolish.
Finally, Trump truly believes Democrats will come hat-in-hand to him to fix the ACA. While there are far too many jello-spined Dems in both Houses, both Schumer and Pelosi realize that this is the time to stiffen resolve and let Trump and the GOP come to THEM for help, not the other way around. Party discipline by the Democrats is now more important than ever. He may not have intended that, but Mitch McConnell showed Dems the path back to power.
As President, stealing the credit for someone else's work just doesn't work, nor does shucking the blame for failure. Trump has managed to do what only John Tyler did: Get not only the opposition party to detest him, but get his own party to do so as well. If Paul Ryan doesn't realize that Trump is now his mortal enemy, he's more of a fool than I think he is. No matter how he, Priebus and Spicer lie, NOBODY believes Trump didn't know Jeanine Pirro was going to call for Ryan's resignation when he tweeted to watch her show. NOBODY is that foolish.
Finally, Trump truly believes Democrats will come hat-in-hand to him to fix the ACA. While there are far too many jello-spined Dems in both Houses, both Schumer and Pelosi realize that this is the time to stiffen resolve and let Trump and the GOP come to THEM for help, not the other way around. Party discipline by the Democrats is now more important than ever. He may not have intended that, but Mitch McConnell showed Dems the path back to power.
15
As Mark Twain is reported to have stated "I do not belong to any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
1
CNN has already branded Donald Trump as a lame duck President just after two months of his presidency.
His constant lie and snake oil salesman persona has caught up with him already. He coached Jeanine Pirro in FOX to go after Paul Ryan to step down. And no one have any sympathy for Ryan, he shamelessly forgot his own job description and became Trump`s puppet.
Next one who is going to go is Devin Nunes in 2018, he has no business getting our money and run to Donald to tattletale and let us all down.
His constant lie and snake oil salesman persona has caught up with him already. He coached Jeanine Pirro in FOX to go after Paul Ryan to step down. And no one have any sympathy for Ryan, he shamelessly forgot his own job description and became Trump`s puppet.
Next one who is going to go is Devin Nunes in 2018, he has no business getting our money and run to Donald to tattletale and let us all down.
83
I was feeling masochistically hopeful yesterday and headed off to pro-trump sites. I'd advise against it Mr. Blow....trump has been betrayed; nobody should have expected trump to know how the system works; trump was lied to; trump is being used; trump, trump, trump, our poor, poor trump...what can we do to help him in his time need, of having been stabbed in the back: first step, yes, off with Ryan's head and we'll get those traitorous democrats who didn't "vote" for the repeal&replace.
It's still another world, far far away, Mr. Blow.
It's still another world, far far away, Mr. Blow.
53
Perhaps Mr. Trump should have read the bill.
2
Wrong Mr. Blow.
Trump could not have made a reasonable deal for the replacement for Obamacare without having the establishment and conservative Republicans give their plan a chance. It failed. It's not Trump's plan, it's theirs.
Now Trump can move to the center and have a more reasonable plan with a more compliant group of Republicans. Democrats might buy into the new plan, but it's not needed. The main thing is that Trump got breathing room for a more centrist plan with this outcome.
Trump could not have made a reasonable deal for the replacement for Obamacare without having the establishment and conservative Republicans give their plan a chance. It failed. It's not Trump's plan, it's theirs.
Now Trump can move to the center and have a more reasonable plan with a more compliant group of Republicans. Democrats might buy into the new plan, but it's not needed. The main thing is that Trump got breathing room for a more centrist plan with this outcome.
6
What happened to "The Great Negotiator"? Did he run off to play golf?
4
"Now Trump can move to the center and have a more reasonable plan with a more compliant group of Republicans. Democrats might buy into the new plan, but it's not needed."
Yes, Democratic support is needed for any healthcare. The "more compliant" group of Republicans wants to maintain essential benefits, Medicaid, pre-existing conditions, etc., even if they are open to some changes. The Freedom Caucus wants to get rid of all of that, and, as they have already demonstrated, unwilling to compromise. The Freedom Caucus has enough members to kill any moderate bill that does not have Democratic support, and it has already been proven that any bill that satisfies the Freedom Caucus will not have enough votes.
Yes, Democratic support is needed for any healthcare. The "more compliant" group of Republicans wants to maintain essential benefits, Medicaid, pre-existing conditions, etc., even if they are open to some changes. The Freedom Caucus wants to get rid of all of that, and, as they have already demonstrated, unwilling to compromise. The Freedom Caucus has enough members to kill any moderate bill that does not have Democratic support, and it has already been proven that any bill that satisfies the Freedom Caucus will not have enough votes.
1
Your statement that the prospective repeal/replace healthcare plan not voted on last week was not Trump's plan but belonged to conservative Republicans is contradicted by words from Trump's own mouth. Like him and most of his true believers, you have denied evidence that is right in front of your face. He said many times what a great piece of legislation it was. I will grant you that Trump was too lazy and unfocused to write this legislation, but he loudly adopted his party's inept work as his own preferred plan. And you can't really believe that he'll now embrace a more centrist plan. He wants the current ACA to crash and burn, to the detriment of millions of Americans, so he can crow about how "his" plan was better all along.
2
The schadenfreude is undeniable. Ryan is exposed as vacuous and the "president" labelled a loser. But things need fixing and the world remains dangerous.
Trump is exhibit A of the seamy side of entrepreneurship, but he is indeed an entrepreneur and has the ability to radically adjust to make a project successful. If he gives up his white nationalist agenda and refocuses on the working class that gave him his electoral win, he could still form a successful alliance with Bernie Sanders and many other Democrats.
Trump is exhibit A of the seamy side of entrepreneurship, but he is indeed an entrepreneur and has the ability to radically adjust to make a project successful. If he gives up his white nationalist agenda and refocuses on the working class that gave him his electoral win, he could still form a successful alliance with Bernie Sanders and many other Democrats.
9
Dream on. When will people learn that Trump is never going to change, pivot, evolve, mature or grow into anything? How he is and what he thinks and does is just fine with him. He hasn't made errors; other people made errors and THEY have to change. How can you not get that by now?
3
This view still holds out hope that Trump is something other than he is. What evidence has Trump given that he is other than he is? This view, is a projection onto the man. A projection not any more based in reality than Trump is based in reality.
2
dream on!
It would be foolish and naive to think Ryan , even wounded and humiliated would help bring down Trump and do what was in America's best interest as opposed to his own or the party's. Ryan and all the members of the GOP have had ample opportunity to denounce unequivocally Trump and the things he says and Tweets and instead obfuscate and excuse. This plan to repeal Obamacare had to crash and burn because as President Obama repeatedly said they don not have a sensible alternative or any suggestions to improve it. INstead as you point out they secretly hatched a giveaway to the rich, the insurance carriers while devastating most Americans and particularly the poor. THe real issue is when will the residents of this gerrymandered districts wake up and realize these people do not represent their interests and could care less about them?
27
The Democrats had the Dixiecrats as as congressional party within a larger political party. The Dixiecrats eventually left the Democratic Party & became southern Republicans. The GOP has within its congressional ranks the Tea Party with its own Freedom Caucus. They will remain to do as much obstruction as they can but they have no other larger party to decamp to - & never the Democratic Party. What will the Tea Party/Freedom Caucus do? One Tea Party member has already left the Freedom Caucus to rejoin the regular Republican caucus. He probably saw defeat looming in the 2018 mid-term elections. If the Freedom Caucus can't hold their line, it will dissolve leaving Paul Ryan & the regular Republicans in a stronger position. This will give Trump a majority more willing to support him & his program which will ge far worse for the American people.
I believe that Paul Ryan sees an opportunity to weaken the Freedom Caucus despite his strong beliefs in some of their goals. If he brings them into line, then he gives his party & Trump a greater advantage in the mid-terms & makes 2020 a more viable presidential re-election for Trump.
I can only cheer on the Freedom Caucus as the GOP's internal enemy, following a more Bannonite line to destroy the "administrative state." Without Tea Party mischief in Congress, the Democrats will have to remain the sole Party of No. If the Dems agree to "compromise" with the likes of the Tea Party & P. Ryan in Congress, I can no longer be a Democrat.
I believe that Paul Ryan sees an opportunity to weaken the Freedom Caucus despite his strong beliefs in some of their goals. If he brings them into line, then he gives his party & Trump a greater advantage in the mid-terms & makes 2020 a more viable presidential re-election for Trump.
I can only cheer on the Freedom Caucus as the GOP's internal enemy, following a more Bannonite line to destroy the "administrative state." Without Tea Party mischief in Congress, the Democrats will have to remain the sole Party of No. If the Dems agree to "compromise" with the likes of the Tea Party & P. Ryan in Congress, I can no longer be a Democrat.
13
Americans who want good government – fair, effective and honest – need to avoid the same mistake which right-wing Republicans make repeatedly and which Donald Trump made with the healthcare bill.
The right and the man who thought he was their champion believe in the quick fix.
It usually takes the form of a tax cut or some other goody for the donor class.
They cannot govern, because they always are in attack mode.
Democrats must remember that, as much as everyone enjoys celebrating the healthcare debacle for highlighting the weakness of President Trump, achieving and sustaining good government is an often boring process.
We are in a marathon – not a 100-meter dash
The right and the man who thought he was their champion believe in the quick fix.
It usually takes the form of a tax cut or some other goody for the donor class.
They cannot govern, because they always are in attack mode.
Democrats must remember that, as much as everyone enjoys celebrating the healthcare debacle for highlighting the weakness of President Trump, achieving and sustaining good government is an often boring process.
We are in a marathon – not a 100-meter dash
338
Yes, and the real fear is how much more seductive tanks and planes and nukes are to a man like Trump, than diplomacy, reading and discussing. And, given that he was willing to accuse Obama of a felony to divert attention from his Russian campaign--it's just as plausible that he will invent a war to shore up his rallies. Just remember--this man lies 70% of the time--his own FBI branded him dishonest. Any war talk MUST be suspect.
1
I thought Mr. Blow's connecting of gerrymandering with the encouragement of ideologues was particularly enlightening. So much of what's wrong with our political system traces back to districting and the precision afforded by technological advances to promote a party's power and extremism far beyond the aggregated will of the people.
It is my fondest hope that whatever shifts in power occur in 2020 (census year), saner minds of the party in power, will address this issue and put in place a non-partisan system for congressional districting whose goal is to reflect the will of the people rather than to ensconce extremism.
It is my fondest hope that whatever shifts in power occur in 2020 (census year), saner minds of the party in power, will address this issue and put in place a non-partisan system for congressional districting whose goal is to reflect the will of the people rather than to ensconce extremism.
38
Trump was just the salesman of the ACA replacement. He didn't write it or change it or even know what it said. He was a celebrity pitch man for a rotten investment. He put his name on junk. That's where he screwed up.
53
"He put his name on junk."
Not for the first time (how about a nice Trump steak to go with that Trump vodka, while you apply to Trump University?).
And certainly not for the last time, either.
Not for the first time (how about a nice Trump steak to go with that Trump vodka, while you apply to Trump University?).
And certainly not for the last time, either.
2
He has been putting his name on junk his entire "career". The illusion that he is a successful businessman should have been attacked last year - was easy - interviews with all the banks who refuse to lend to him after his AC casino debacles, interviews and profiles with contractors he has stiffed, leaky poorly constructed condos he has sold, lies he has constructed over his years in real estate and self promotion. Lawsuits he has settled to avoid publicity in the hinterlands and be able to sell his worthless "brand" in more extreme places to people who do no oversight. He is Chucky all grown up who sneaks in wearing a suit.
2
Trump will respond as a wounded narcissist always responds: He will viciously attack one or another group of Americans he perceives as vulnerable (an easy win).
Look for even more destructive legislation. And fight it fast. If we don't he'll get a major win and be even further on his way to destroying our Republic.
Look for even more destructive legislation. And fight it fast. If we don't he'll get a major win and be even further on his way to destroying our Republic.
64
Unbelievably salient column. Kudos, Charles!
This line in particular: "You don’t simply have to sell yourself to brand-thirsty aspirants; you must also sell a plan to everyday people for whom the belt you notch could become their noose."
And of course the final blow, the final paragraph. I've read that Bannon is compiling an "enemies" list--such a generous, thoughtful endeavor. However, I very much doubt that Bannon will have to work that hard to maintain it, as he's be better off making a shorter list of all NON-enemies.
Because faster than snow melts in July, Trump makes enemies left, right and center.
This line in particular: "You don’t simply have to sell yourself to brand-thirsty aspirants; you must also sell a plan to everyday people for whom the belt you notch could become their noose."
And of course the final blow, the final paragraph. I've read that Bannon is compiling an "enemies" list--such a generous, thoughtful endeavor. However, I very much doubt that Bannon will have to work that hard to maintain it, as he's be better off making a shorter list of all NON-enemies.
Because faster than snow melts in July, Trump makes enemies left, right and center.
194
Wonderful comments Christine to this very coherent and and "right on" column, and thank you, Charles! We are in America have never before seen such a complicated mess of elected "officials" who are unable and unwilling to govern for the people of this country. How easily this came about is something we need to ponder about - how our system of government got us to this place in time and history.
1
Welcome to kakistocracy!
27
The redrawing of districts following the 2010 census occurred in 2011, performed by Republicans who had bested Dems at the state level in DEMOCRATIC districts. In other words, they exercised their rights the old-fashioned way: they EARNED it. Once having earned it, it’s entertaining that some think that Republicans now have an obligation to respect DEMOCRATIC gerrymandering rather than replace it with their own.
And how did Republicans earn that right? Largely by pointing out convincingly that Dems had abandoned voters. The ACA was a part of that, but there were others, as well. Just look at how many traditionally Dem voters went for Trump and Republicans in the last election, and it’s plain that the main argument is still compelling to voters.
The “king of crash and burn”, eh? With all those executive orders, plus successfully passed and signed legislation, to roll back excessive regulation … with a LOT more to come? With a resolve to do even more legislatively on taxes, that won’t offer the same issues that repeal-and-replace of ObamaCare did? I don’t think so.
The “world” that counts is waiting to see the ENTIRETY of what Trump and congressional Republicans do between now and November, 2018. All that can save you guys from a perpetual wilderness is the utter failure of Republicans … but there are FAR more things they all agree on than there things they disagree on. So, onward, and let’s see if by mere resistance and bile you actually accomplish anything useful.
And how did Republicans earn that right? Largely by pointing out convincingly that Dems had abandoned voters. The ACA was a part of that, but there were others, as well. Just look at how many traditionally Dem voters went for Trump and Republicans in the last election, and it’s plain that the main argument is still compelling to voters.
The “king of crash and burn”, eh? With all those executive orders, plus successfully passed and signed legislation, to roll back excessive regulation … with a LOT more to come? With a resolve to do even more legislatively on taxes, that won’t offer the same issues that repeal-and-replace of ObamaCare did? I don’t think so.
The “world” that counts is waiting to see the ENTIRETY of what Trump and congressional Republicans do between now and November, 2018. All that can save you guys from a perpetual wilderness is the utter failure of Republicans … but there are FAR more things they all agree on than there things they disagree on. So, onward, and let’s see if by mere resistance and bile you actually accomplish anything useful.
6
This administration has racked up an impressive list of legislative accomplishments, alright. At the top of the ledger would probably be H.R.609: "To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs health care center in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the "Abie Abraham VA Clinic.""
A "resolve to do even more legislatively" amounts to nothing more than a hill of refried beans atop one of those tasty taco bowls at Trump Tower. Trump has proven to be an inept negotiator and clueless political actor. The fact that he came away empty after caving to the Freedom Caucus, coupled with reports that he had to be talked out of forcing Republicans to vote on the AHCA, is ample proof that he's out of his depth.
And "the utter failure of Republicans" is hardly a pipe dream. As an NPR wag put it, moving on to tax reform after failing on "repeal and replace" is like resolving to run a marathon after failing to finish a 5K.
A "resolve to do even more legislatively" amounts to nothing more than a hill of refried beans atop one of those tasty taco bowls at Trump Tower. Trump has proven to be an inept negotiator and clueless political actor. The fact that he came away empty after caving to the Freedom Caucus, coupled with reports that he had to be talked out of forcing Republicans to vote on the AHCA, is ample proof that he's out of his depth.
And "the utter failure of Republicans" is hardly a pipe dream. As an NPR wag put it, moving on to tax reform after failing on "repeal and replace" is like resolving to run a marathon after failing to finish a 5K.
142
Yep, you guys are off to a great start. Let's see - we have pissed off England, Germany and Australia, check! We have knocked NATO and the whole European Union, check. We have twice failed to institute a travel ban that does absolutely nothing anyway, check! Trump has appointed people to head agencies who have absolutely no experience or knowledge of those agencies which is exactly what a privately run large corporation would do, right? Check. Trump said what a crisis it would be if Hillary were President because she would be the subject of an FBI investigation. But of course who is under investigation by the FBI, Senate and almost the House, yep TRUMP. And the potential case against him, the RICO statute and possibly Treason. What say you about that? And Trump said he would make the "HUGE" deal and give everybody better health insurance at a lower cost! NOT. No Check. Not in the mail. Undelivered. Blame the other guys. Yes, what a strategy to convince us Democrats they really know how to govern. Keep up the good work.
61
Repent, Richard, the end is near. The investigations are lumbering along, despite the best efforts of Nunes & Co., the conflicts of interest pile up daily on a garbage heap of vainglorious chutzpah, and the truth is marching on, albeit hobbled by the best efforts of the most bumbling spies, miscreants and prevaricators ever to set foot in our government. You're seriously impressed by "all those executive orders, plus successfully passed and signed legislation"? Perhaps you should join Mr. Spicer and Ms. Conway in a rousing rendition of the rooskie national anthem. Repeal and replace were merely otherspeak for the GOP mantra of distract and deceive. Now they're going to take on "tax reform"? I can't wait to see how that turns out. Actually, I'll predict the outcome: further embarrassment, continued and enhanced infighting, more and deeper revelations of Trumps insanity and vicious bile, culminating in failure, blaming democrats and moving on to yet another earth shattering cause, perhaps immigration (unless he panics and starts a war). This administration is a glaring example of a conspiracy in furtherance of an ongoing criminal enterprise, and a circular firing squad that can't shoot straight. Your derision, contempt and alternate facts don't alter that one bit.
57
Your readers all know that Trump and the Republicans don't know how to govern, especially when they profess to hate government so much. However, I would warn that there is nothing as dangerous as a caged animal with a huuge military and a huuuge need to distract.
In addition, given Trump's predilection for both projection of his deficiencies onto others (e.g., calling others liars, etc.) and conspiracy theories, I can only imagine what real conspiracy he and Brannon are cooking up to distract from his problems.
We must be eternally vigilant with this guy.
In addition, given Trump's predilection for both projection of his deficiencies onto others (e.g., calling others liars, etc.) and conspiracy theories, I can only imagine what real conspiracy he and Brannon are cooking up to distract from his problems.
We must be eternally vigilant with this guy.
1047
The GOP ran into the inevitable. Only 44% of the nation actually voted for 45. The rest did not. And to some extent, the actions to suppress the vote - make people believe that it didn't matter because both were so bad, or vote third party - worked.
So some of those Senators, some Representatives, have to worry that actively taking away health care is one of those things that might make a disenfranchised voter turn up.
They will slip other toxic things past. The Senate just agreed to let internet providers sell our key strokes, sell our private information, and we have no control over who is buying it. The folk who make up our credit ratings? Sites which process our resumes? But this, like most other legislation, they will slip past quietly.
You cannot slip increasing the personal cost of insurance by $10,000 past anyone. You cannot hope that people won't notice that they are suddenly required to pay retail for insulin.
The GOP has the reins, but they don't really have the voters. They just have safe districts and a carefully managed razor thin edge in various districts that keeps them in power. Disturb that razor's edge and the game turns.
That is the reality buzzsaw that Trump did not have the ideas, the policies or the political savvy to overturn.
So some of those Senators, some Representatives, have to worry that actively taking away health care is one of those things that might make a disenfranchised voter turn up.
They will slip other toxic things past. The Senate just agreed to let internet providers sell our key strokes, sell our private information, and we have no control over who is buying it. The folk who make up our credit ratings? Sites which process our resumes? But this, like most other legislation, they will slip past quietly.
You cannot slip increasing the personal cost of insurance by $10,000 past anyone. You cannot hope that people won't notice that they are suddenly required to pay retail for insulin.
The GOP has the reins, but they don't really have the voters. They just have safe districts and a carefully managed razor thin edge in various districts that keeps them in power. Disturb that razor's edge and the game turns.
That is the reality buzzsaw that Trump did not have the ideas, the policies or the political savvy to overturn.
206
Only approx. 50% of the voters voted and he won approx. 50% of that group.
therefore in reality only approx. 25% of eligible voters caste their vote for him.
therefore in reality only approx. 25% of eligible voters caste their vote for him.
1
That would be 44% of the people that voted. And that is much less than 44% of the voters--more like 27%.
1
I can’t let this go by… actually, only 26% percent of the 231,556,000 registered voters voted for Trump.
As the population of the U.S. is 324,000,000, only 18.4% *of the nation* voted for him. Nowhere near the 44% you claim.
As the population of the U.S. is 324,000,000, only 18.4% *of the nation* voted for him. Nowhere near the 44% you claim.
4
Trump has attacked and offended so many people and institutions that if he continues to weaken in the polls the long knives will be out for him. He began his campaign by savaging every Republican that shared a stage with him in the debates. Who does not remember such public humiliation. Since taking office, he has attacked the credibility of our courts, the intelligence community, and the press. Will his own Party throw him more lifelines in the Russian investigation now that his public support has eroded so badly. Highly unlikely. Saddam ended up in a hole, the Libyan dictator torn apart in the streets, and Trumps fate may be to die of a thousand cuts with no one willing to staunch the bleeding.
170
We can only hope!
2
I fear that the dysfunction and division so evident in the GOP is a reflection of that same destructive division in the nation. Trump rode into office on a wave of anger, misplaced though it was, and now that his impossible-to-deliver promises will come, one by one, to be seen for what they are he will become the target, and ultimately the victim, of that anger. Then, with any luck, the nation will have once again have learned the valuable but terribly expensive lesson that we can only achieve and move forward when we recognize and determine that our interests are aligned. If we don't or can't do that, the future will look increasingly dark.
69
If only it were true, Michael. I fear Trump is like cigarette smoking. As there will always be 20-25 percent of the population that smokes because it make them feel good, Trump will never lose the 20-25 percent of Americans who love his lies because the lies make them feel good.
1
A president, a speaker and a party with all hat and no cattle.
81
One more thing, Charles: Trump did not do the leg work necessary to push through the health care bill. He's a lazy president. I'm not saying that it would have worked, but a president who wants massive legislative overhaul needs to do his homework. Trump doesn't.
317
Speaking of lazy, let's not forget Paul Ryan. He had all summer to formulate plans and draft suggestions for the content of his "repeal and replace" bill. Instead, he waited until he got back to Washington to come up with a "secret plan" that looked like a book report by a kid who never read the book.
2
When you make a deal with the devil in order to become President of the United States, you will pay dearly.
92
Actually "WE" will pay dearly...
6
I lift my cap and bow to you.
"Republicans created hard-line districts that produced hard-line congressmen: obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering’s political offspring."
Prefect example is TX first congressional district.
Represented by Gomer Pyle aka Louie Gohmert.
Prefect example is TX first congressional district.
Represented by Gomer Pyle aka Louie Gohmert.
56
And my districts in north Texas.12, 6, and 33.
The whinging of Ryan about the GOP was even better than Trump's. Complaining about the growing pains of being in power ! Unbelievable. A fuse has been lit, and in Coyote v Roadrunner fashion, they are going to blow themselves up. These guys are mean-spirited, narrow-minded half-wits who are so out of touch with reality and have a never even bothered to think through the price of their petulance and negativity. And like the best cartoons it's going to be fun to watch.
92
I like your idea Jacques! Those of a certain age remember Saturday morning cartoons: Coyote vs. Roadrunner, Boris and Natasha Badinoff (?spelling?), The Jetsons…Now we have the Saturday AM tweet: not a classic cartoon yet but I am sure the content soon will be.
1
Growing pains of being in power? They have held the House for the last 6 years! They have help the Senate, too. They are not new to power, just very bad at constructing positive ideas and legislation.
2
So Trump finds a stooge on Fox to put the horse's head in Paul Ryan's bed. Then he gets another stooge to make it seem like Trump had nothing to do with it ("a coincidence"). I'm sure Paul Ryan is smart enough to get the message, loud and clear. Question is: How does he respond? Does he defend himself and his constituents or is he a slimy coward who delivers the horse head down the line and becomes a stooge himself ? My guess: Ryan will cave and cede his soul. The real answer though lies in if he delivers the horse head to Nunes.
95
Get the analogy, kinda sick.
jimbo,
Guy's vindictive like no other.
Remember how he paraded Romney around in Manhattan dangling SoS gig before him, then kicked him to the curb and said I wanted Rex.
Guy's vindictive like no other.
Remember how he paraded Romney around in Manhattan dangling SoS gig before him, then kicked him to the curb and said I wanted Rex.
3
It's too easy to oppose tax increases - this is the root of the problem.
We get the government we deserve
We get the government we deserve
20
There is indeed an illusion that there is a united front publicly with Mr. Trump and Mr. Ryan. I even giggled when I heard Representative Meadows positively spin Mr. Trump's Tweet against the Freedom Caucus, but it's just all an illusion to make things appear to look one way when in actuality it is consistently chaotic. This weekend revealed to me that the majority of these politicians don't really care about "We the People" but about the interest of their donor class that put them in office.
61
Mr. Blow, I would like to be so optimistic about Trump's failure (though one wonders if it is really appropriate to cheer on the failure of a president).
Trump has been in office a couple of months. He has plenty of time for mischief, and one failure - huge as it may be - is hardly the end of the line. If we have learned anything about Trump, it is that he can wriggle that bulk out of tight spots into which he's gotten himself. Expect the wriggling and lying and chaos to continue at some length. (Or do you expect the GOP to grow a backbone anytime soon?) Sad.
Trump has been in office a couple of months. He has plenty of time for mischief, and one failure - huge as it may be - is hardly the end of the line. If we have learned anything about Trump, it is that he can wriggle that bulk out of tight spots into which he's gotten himself. Expect the wriggling and lying and chaos to continue at some length. (Or do you expect the GOP to grow a backbone anytime soon?) Sad.
36
Let's see. A disaster called Obamacare, the destruction of the VA Health system, the IRS being used to attack conservatives, telling cops, "they acted stupidly", allowing Assad to run amok and adding to the cause of the worst refugee crisis in centuries, flying to Vegas for a fundraiser ten hours after four Americans are killed in a terrorist attack in Benghazi, and yet...Obama never had to "wriggle" out of anything. Nope. People like Charles and the rest of the bomb-throwing left wing maniac media were right there to protect him. Paul Ryan doesn't deliver on a vote, and it's chaos. Your hypocrisy is not only maddening, its' disgusting.
A line I used to use in relation to breaking up with a serial cheater, "There's always a last time." Meaning, you can practice break-up until you're good and ready, and when it happens, when they cheat that one last time, it's over. I don't believe Trump can just wriggle out of tight spots forever. There is always a "last time."
3
He doesn't even have the guts to blame Ryan publicly, if that was what he wanted to do. Publicly he proclaimed - it's not Paul Ryan's fault. Of course he never accepted it could be his fault, that 'discovering' just a few weeks ago that "Who knew Health care was so complicated? Nobody knew." (everybody knew). And that over-promising (better health care insurance for more people at lower cost) and under-delivering (Trumpcare did the opposite in every way) would be noticed.
So, no "buck stops here' from this President but lots of public magnanimous praise for the failed Ryan, incredible blame for the Democrats (who were deliberately kept out of Ryan's locked room where Trumpcare was hastily fashioned) AND then he slyly, or so he thinks, points his followers to the specific Fox program where Ryan is savaged.
Trump is a coward, like most bullies.
So, no "buck stops here' from this President but lots of public magnanimous praise for the failed Ryan, incredible blame for the Democrats (who were deliberately kept out of Ryan's locked room where Trumpcare was hastily fashioned) AND then he slyly, or so he thinks, points his followers to the specific Fox program where Ryan is savaged.
Trump is a coward, like most bullies.
204
Trump has said he could murder some one in broad daylight and his supporters would still cheer and support him (or words to that effect). It was one of the few truths to come out of his mouth. It will take a lot more than one defeat in Congress to end his reign. The Republicans Fascist Party will never simply give up power through the vote. The gerrymander, voter suppression, billionaire money, crazed supporters, and the Supreme Corporate Court will all need to be changed, defeated or destroyed before there is any hope to return the country to democracy. Let's not be naive about how terrible things have become. The health of the planet and the future of our children is at stake. RESIST !
114
This is the country where my ancestors have lived since the 17th century. They built it with their sweat and defended it with their blood. It is my inheritance as much as the inheritance of every other American. I once believed in America. I will believe in it again when I see Trump and his neo-fascist cabal hauled off to prison or publicly hanged.
1
It's incredible that guys like Meadows get paid quite handsomely to do absolutely nothing, along with all the other lifetime perks that come with the position of congressman. In any other circumstance they would be called out for what they are: parasites. Since their positions are predictable and irrevocable, they contribute nothing to the debate and are essentially inert objects like the chairs they sit on.
44
President Pinocchio, the Insane Clown Posse cabinet, and associates are likely the most incompetent group ever assembled to govern. Pinocchio ran a small business from a human resources perspective, and who really knows how large financially. As a result, for managing the USA he has no:
1. Vision
2. Strategy
3. Objectives
4. Values (Personal or otherwise)
5. Knowledge
This is a man not only lacks the aforementioned, on a personal level he lacks the intellectual capacity and interest in governance, both foreign and domestic. And it's arguable that he may be mentally challenged based on his erratic behavior. Unfortunately for the majority of Americans, they know, the man truly is a loser.
Someone must creatively find a way to impeach this imbecile before he sets the world on fire.
1. Vision
2. Strategy
3. Objectives
4. Values (Personal or otherwise)
5. Knowledge
This is a man not only lacks the aforementioned, on a personal level he lacks the intellectual capacity and interest in governance, both foreign and domestic. And it's arguable that he may be mentally challenged based on his erratic behavior. Unfortunately for the majority of Americans, they know, the man truly is a loser.
Someone must creatively find a way to impeach this imbecile before he sets the world on fire.
82
Oh, he has values:
money, money, money, me, me, me
money, money, money, me, me, me
3
Yes, good point on gerrymandering and it's consequences. We are all addicted to a paycheck and a steady job; why would politicians be any different? Corruptions eventually play themselves out and truth comes into the light.
We are not here to aggrandize or demonize or fight to acquire great sums of wealth and properties. We are great gifts from dark and empty skies. We will eventually wake up to the wonders that we all are. But, that won't stop the need for good, sound economics creating lives and jobs and educations for the billions here. The challenges we face are great. This madman of a President may push us faster and closer to the edge that we've been heading towards for decades. So be it.
Let's speak the truth about the lies and corruptions; also of the inequalities and poverty. And, more importantly, let's speak clearly about what we should do; say, in tax policy, fiscal policy, housing, wages, etc. Nothing will be easy, but everything is important. We the People can do this.
We are not here to aggrandize or demonize or fight to acquire great sums of wealth and properties. We are great gifts from dark and empty skies. We will eventually wake up to the wonders that we all are. But, that won't stop the need for good, sound economics creating lives and jobs and educations for the billions here. The challenges we face are great. This madman of a President may push us faster and closer to the edge that we've been heading towards for decades. So be it.
Let's speak the truth about the lies and corruptions; also of the inequalities and poverty. And, more importantly, let's speak clearly about what we should do; say, in tax policy, fiscal policy, housing, wages, etc. Nothing will be easy, but everything is important. We the People can do this.
394
Let's talk about term limits for corn's sake!! Enough already with these do nothing phoney baloney loafers in Congress!!!
1
Well, I have mixed feelings on that due to the need for professionalism and the need for people having a solid job, including representatives. Yes, what many of our 'representatives' do is follow the lead of the lobbyists, who are there to promote the interests of the wealthy, whether as individuals concerning taxation, or through their interests in corporations and stock prices and such. Yes, we have to do a better job at knowing and calling out phoney-baloney. But, I don't see them loafing; they are working hard for the interests of the few (which puts most of us in a precarious position; including seeing our quality of life and chances of good jobs for our children falling precipitously). I'm with you 'for corn's sake', my mother was born in Nebraska.
1
Coherent and cohesive are key words in terms of the rights ability to appear organized or even function in any sort of organized manner. The GOP for all intent and purpose consists of a plethora of idelogical factions all relying on politics based in fear, loathing and hatred of all things not them.
They now hold the reigns to unfettered power but are lost as to how to manage it because for the last eight years all they have done is impede it. They are a party in disaray led by a real estate mogul without a clue to as to how to approach governing.
It is becoming more evident with each passing day that Trump is little more than a statement gone bad. The combination of inadequacy combined with a platform built on hatred is a recipe for failure. One has to wonder if the executive and congress will ever wake up to the damage they are imposing on this nation and world.
They now hold the reigns to unfettered power but are lost as to how to manage it because for the last eight years all they have done is impede it. They are a party in disaray led by a real estate mogul without a clue to as to how to approach governing.
It is becoming more evident with each passing day that Trump is little more than a statement gone bad. The combination of inadequacy combined with a platform built on hatred is a recipe for failure. One has to wonder if the executive and congress will ever wake up to the damage they are imposing on this nation and world.
19
reins
Laugh while you can, I think the scary part is about to begin. Trump is the President, Republicans have a majority. Tantrums, ideology and pure devotion to the highest donors can still eviscerate us all.
61
To be able to read such a remarkable ( although dishearteningly) column, in the country (France) that did the most to ameliorate the complete control of nations, by inherited wealth and power, will prove to be one of my fondest lifetime memories.
It's relatively easy, once one has read "Vive la Revolution" ( Mark Steele) to liken our presidential "demagogue" to French king Louis XVI.
Only with resignation ( more than likely) or impeachment, at the end, instead of the gioutinne.
It's relatively easy, once one has read "Vive la Revolution" ( Mark Steele) to liken our presidential "demagogue" to French king Louis XVI.
Only with resignation ( more than likely) or impeachment, at the end, instead of the gioutinne.
28
"But the one thing that he could hold on to was the long-maintained mirage of personal success and deal-making. He was the master of tough with the Midas touch."
Mirage is right. There's no personal success and no Midas touch in the tiny fingers of a flimflammer with three trophy wives, six bankruptcies, and thousands of lawsuits for nonpayment of contracts and a fraudulent "university." His incompetence was there all along for all to see, but millions voted for him anyway, a philanderer to lead the gerrymanderers.
Mirage is right. There's no personal success and no Midas touch in the tiny fingers of a flimflammer with three trophy wives, six bankruptcies, and thousands of lawsuits for nonpayment of contracts and a fraudulent "university." His incompetence was there all along for all to see, but millions voted for him anyway, a philanderer to lead the gerrymanderers.
103
Philanderer? Are you SURE you're not talking about that icon of Democrats, Bill Clinton?
1
Charles, if anything that we as responsible citizens of this country learnt is that bombast can only deliver so much.
Trump who rose to stardom on the back of his wheeling and dealing, have hit the brakes to his propaganda bus that the only way he can recover now is by starting all over again.
But his followers will have nothing to do with that.
They've seen the man who proclaimed in all his rallies that "I'll tear up this Obamacare bill the very first day of my office ", has plenty people to blame other than himself just like a coyote who blames other animals in the jungle for his hunger.
Trump now is trying to deflect the blame towards Paul Ryan for not being able to move the bill forward in the Congress.
But he's not telling anyone that it was him who pressured the current speaker to put the bill for vote.
And it's really a shame that the same Trump is asking Paul Ryan to step down through some stupid anchor from the Fox tv, knowing fully well that he could never repeal and replace Obamacare without causing a humongous meltdown in our insurance market.
And in the financial market too. Worse than 2007 crash.
The whole saga of Trump's total failure with his disastrous Trumpcare bill makes us the Democrats proud of ourselves because we know that a person like Trump whose mind is so filthy and who also has many nicknames like sexist,homophobic,racist,islamophobic,misogynist et Al, could never run on a Democratic ticket.
We'd have kicked his butt out from our party.
Trump who rose to stardom on the back of his wheeling and dealing, have hit the brakes to his propaganda bus that the only way he can recover now is by starting all over again.
But his followers will have nothing to do with that.
They've seen the man who proclaimed in all his rallies that "I'll tear up this Obamacare bill the very first day of my office ", has plenty people to blame other than himself just like a coyote who blames other animals in the jungle for his hunger.
Trump now is trying to deflect the blame towards Paul Ryan for not being able to move the bill forward in the Congress.
But he's not telling anyone that it was him who pressured the current speaker to put the bill for vote.
And it's really a shame that the same Trump is asking Paul Ryan to step down through some stupid anchor from the Fox tv, knowing fully well that he could never repeal and replace Obamacare without causing a humongous meltdown in our insurance market.
And in the financial market too. Worse than 2007 crash.
The whole saga of Trump's total failure with his disastrous Trumpcare bill makes us the Democrats proud of ourselves because we know that a person like Trump whose mind is so filthy and who also has many nicknames like sexist,homophobic,racist,islamophobic,misogynist et Al, could never run on a Democratic ticket.
We'd have kicked his butt out from our party.
37
According to Wikipedia, Trump was a Democrat, an Independent and a member of the Reform Party before he decided that it was more expedient to be a Republican, and he's been a Republican, this go-round, for the only past five years.
1
We need a new word, to describe a situation when things turn out as they ought to turn out, but for all of the wrong reasons. Anyone viewing the defeat of Trumpcare as a Democratic victory is beyond wrong, because the next attempt to repeal Obamacare will be ever more Draconian.
We need to have this administration out of office, as soon as possible. Hopefully, the ongoing investigations will yield sufficient evidence of a tainted election to prosecute Trump and Pence in the Senate.
We need to have this administration out of office, as soon as possible. Hopefully, the ongoing investigations will yield sufficient evidence of a tainted election to prosecute Trump and Pence in the Senate.
53
Listen up folks. I get all the angst-riddled commentary. And Blow is on point with most of it. But the commentary reveals that all you're doing is navel gazing, looking for lint. Meanwhile things are unhinged and getting worse.
Here's my question. What are you going to do about it? What are YOU (and me by the way because I do not exclude myself), average America, actually going to do? Right now everywhere I look all I'm seeing and hearing is akin to a closed door badly rattled and fully occupied chicken coop. The cacophony of cackling noises screams to the sky....and the feathers are flying out of every possible opening...but I see zero action out of anyone.
This is America, folks. We cannot afford a "let 'em crash and burn" attitude. We are in desperate need of a positively oriented set of solutions to the unhinged nature of our politics. I'm not willing to shift thru the wreckage to salvage what I can. Yet so far I'm not seeing anyone step up to the challenge. Where's that "can do" American spirit, eh? We need it, and pronto. This situation cannot be allowed to continue unchecked...
John~
American Net'Zen
Here's my question. What are you going to do about it? What are YOU (and me by the way because I do not exclude myself), average America, actually going to do? Right now everywhere I look all I'm seeing and hearing is akin to a closed door badly rattled and fully occupied chicken coop. The cacophony of cackling noises screams to the sky....and the feathers are flying out of every possible opening...but I see zero action out of anyone.
This is America, folks. We cannot afford a "let 'em crash and burn" attitude. We are in desperate need of a positively oriented set of solutions to the unhinged nature of our politics. I'm not willing to shift thru the wreckage to salvage what I can. Yet so far I'm not seeing anyone step up to the challenge. Where's that "can do" American spirit, eh? We need it, and pronto. This situation cannot be allowed to continue unchecked...
John~
American Net'Zen
86
Call your elected representatives and/or prepare to go to the mattresses.
7
John, any reason you are not out there running for office?
Push for the Democratic reps to propose real solutions - hit those Sunday talk shows, get CBO analyses, show that they (we) know what good governance is. Pressure to do these things is already being applied. We need to make our reps listen.
Trump is incompetent and unfit, and the Republicans in congress are a gang of crazy ideologues who have no talent for anything beyond childish food fights.
Among the many problems we have with these people is that they believe, and their voters do too, that they are "exceptional." They are, but only in their incompetence. However reality always intrudes, and here it is dramatic.
LOSERS. No other word for it, and they all need to be given the bum's rush.
Ryan has always been touted by the right as their wonk-genius, but there has never been anything to actually sustain this. Krugman's criticisms of Ryan have always been provably correct: nothing there except magic asterisks. In his tenure in Congress Ryan has actually accomplished next to nothing, and now this spectacular idiocy and failure.
Ryan should resign as speaker -- he's been Boehnered and exposed as incompetent.
I expect Trump will resign too, not today but relatively soon.
Among the many problems we have with these people is that they believe, and their voters do too, that they are "exceptional." They are, but only in their incompetence. However reality always intrudes, and here it is dramatic.
LOSERS. No other word for it, and they all need to be given the bum's rush.
Ryan has always been touted by the right as their wonk-genius, but there has never been anything to actually sustain this. Krugman's criticisms of Ryan have always been provably correct: nothing there except magic asterisks. In his tenure in Congress Ryan has actually accomplished next to nothing, and now this spectacular idiocy and failure.
Ryan should resign as speaker -- he's been Boehnered and exposed as incompetent.
I expect Trump will resign too, not today but relatively soon.
31
"I expect Trump will resign too, not today and relatively soon."
We can only hop-e and pray for such an outcome!
We can only hop-e and pray for such an outcome!
The GOP lost on health care because they forgot that despite all it's problems their constituents were getting the very government subsidies that conservatives love to rail about. It's reminisant of the Tea Partiers who proclaimed "get government off our backs, but don't touch my Medicare and Social Security!"
But Trump is banking on his agency cuts to take longer to hit the ground. That way he might slip them in before local conservative know what hit them. Cuts to agencies like the EPA will hit communities of color first and hardest. But when his voters discover that their kids are being exposed to cancer causing chemicals and there's no government agency to protect them, then we will see whether ideology trumps common sense. No pun intended.
But Trump is banking on his agency cuts to take longer to hit the ground. That way he might slip them in before local conservative know what hit them. Cuts to agencies like the EPA will hit communities of color first and hardest. But when his voters discover that their kids are being exposed to cancer causing chemicals and there's no government agency to protect them, then we will see whether ideology trumps common sense. No pun intended.
14
The Republicans are not against health care. They are against taxes on the Rich The repeal of Obamacare would have eliminated the 8% surtax on higher income taxpayers that pays for the health program. Now, you will see the Republicans band together to pass "tax reform," which is another name for cutting taxes ... on the Rich.
21
I sum up the spectacle as such, yelling from the podium is easy governing not so much. Expect to see Trump holding rallies soon so his fragile ego can get a boost before the next failure.
22
"You don't throw under one of the only people who would stand between you and members of your own party who may one day be asked to impeach you."
A beautiful, gratifying phrase, especially . . ."who may one day be asked to impeach you."
A beautiful, gratifying phrase, especially . . ."who may one day be asked to impeach you."
20
Trump will last until the Republicans in congress become convinced that a Pence presidency will serve them better. I doubt that will be very long, actually.
When they come to that point there's no need to impeach Trump: just enforce the Emoluments Clause. He'll resign in an instant.
When they come to that point there's no need to impeach Trump: just enforce the Emoluments Clause. He'll resign in an instant.
8
Let's be clear about what we just witnessed.
In the midst of a decades-long, still-largely-unregulated, right-wing national healthcare disaster featuring the world's greatest healthcare rip-off (17% of GDP) that the ACA (Obamacare) was helping to fix and was starting to bend down the cost curve, the Republicans attempted to pass a massive tax cut for the wealthy and reverse the substantial progress of the ACA instead of trying to fix it.
We just witnessed a direct attack on the healthcare of tens of millions of Americans by Grand Old Power.
We just witnessed the Republican Party representing Grand Old Profit, Greed Over People and the Grand One Percent....the American people be damned to Grand Old Poverty.
The crash and burn we witnessed is not merely that of Trumpism, which is merely a strain of mutant Republican nihilism, but rather a perfectly public crashing and burning of Republican intellectual, moral and economic bankruptcy that is the manifest destiny of these Grand Old Pyromaniacs whose every public policy urge is to burn down common sense and everything that Made American Great.
Republicans have been very successful at burning down the national IQ with Fake News, hate radio and Grand Old Propaganda.
As Republican arsonists now 'pivot' to 'tax reform', Americans should continue to RESIST as the Reverse Robin Hood Party begins a brand new right-wing bank robbery with the Bank-Robber-In-Chief intoning that the next Republican bank robbery is 'gonna be great !'
In the midst of a decades-long, still-largely-unregulated, right-wing national healthcare disaster featuring the world's greatest healthcare rip-off (17% of GDP) that the ACA (Obamacare) was helping to fix and was starting to bend down the cost curve, the Republicans attempted to pass a massive tax cut for the wealthy and reverse the substantial progress of the ACA instead of trying to fix it.
We just witnessed a direct attack on the healthcare of tens of millions of Americans by Grand Old Power.
We just witnessed the Republican Party representing Grand Old Profit, Greed Over People and the Grand One Percent....the American people be damned to Grand Old Poverty.
The crash and burn we witnessed is not merely that of Trumpism, which is merely a strain of mutant Republican nihilism, but rather a perfectly public crashing and burning of Republican intellectual, moral and economic bankruptcy that is the manifest destiny of these Grand Old Pyromaniacs whose every public policy urge is to burn down common sense and everything that Made American Great.
Republicans have been very successful at burning down the national IQ with Fake News, hate radio and Grand Old Propaganda.
As Republican arsonists now 'pivot' to 'tax reform', Americans should continue to RESIST as the Reverse Robin Hood Party begins a brand new right-wing bank robbery with the Bank-Robber-In-Chief intoning that the next Republican bank robbery is 'gonna be great !'
805
Brilliantly stated. Ouch lol!!
2
Any time I read this commenter or any of the other regulars here write "let's be clear", whatever follows is anything but. Just a rehash of ingrained opinion.
2
Throwing Ryan under the bus is right up there with starting a war with the intelligence community.
I'm convinced that Flynn has been talking to the FBI about immunity and that is what Devin Nunes ran to the WH to tell Trump. These people are not that smart but they think they are.
I'm convinced that Flynn has been talking to the FBI about immunity and that is what Devin Nunes ran to the WH to tell Trump. These people are not that smart but they think they are.
53
Totally unsubstantiated but very very plausible. Yes, yes 10 years in federal penitentiary does wonder to concentrating your mind. He's not going to get immunity though, not with that "quotation" he made the Russian oligarch whose name I can't remember but whom everyone (not just the Times, but the entire Euro press as well..) says was in bed with Putin.
6
A failure like his steaks, all grizzle and no sizzle.
23
The truth is that they will throw ANYONE under the bus, so to further their mission of enriching the rich, and feeding their feeble egos.
It's not surprise they going at each other.
Soon the cannibal party will start, and it will be awful to watch, just because real people will suffer under the governing void.
It's not surprise they going at each other.
Soon the cannibal party will start, and it will be awful to watch, just because real people will suffer under the governing void.
29
No one plans to fail, but many fail to plan. The President is now recognizing how truly difficult this new position is for him. It's as if he and his advisors are flying by the seat of their pants. The time is now to reasses, reorganize and get to work to unite this country. Come up with a better plan that will improve for most, not a plan that was destined to fail from the beginning.
127
As if they're flying by the seat of their pants? As if?????? They ARE flying by the seat of their pants--NONE of them has any experience governing.
6
Or he could quit. That would work too. He made the goal, now he can make up an excuse and leave. Let Pence have the headaches.
2
I don't think he's recognising much. I think he's just uncomfortable.
2
The republican congress and president have been yelling "fire!" about the ACA for 7 years. They have all the water they need to put it out - yet failed to do so.
15
Day by day, lie after lie, failure upon failure, it becomes so obvious that soon no one will stand up for him. It's only been 2 months but in Trump years it seems like a decade.
33
These events may well have destroyed the only protection Trump had, but impeaching him does not solve the problem of Republicans controlling all three branches of government which they achieved by gerrymandering, James Comey, Putin, and the refusal by Republicans to give a hearing to any Obama Supreme Court nominee. Trump's impeachment will not be enough. It will never be enough. We need a new election in which everyone from Trump's administration and campaign are forbidden to participate. All of Trump's nominees, even those awaiting confirmation, need to step down. Any result that leaves in place any part of Trump's administration is a capitulation to criminal behavior and is unacceptable.
1253
Be careful what you wish for. Turning to reins over to Pastor-In-Chief Pence will likely galvanize the Evangelicals into passing Christian-Sharia Law o'er the land, like the plague of locusts.
4
Max Deitenbeck: Your comment mirrors my own thoughts. Getting rid of Trump will not right the grave injustice the GOP has wrought on America. It would leave them fully in power to continue their grotesque campaign to dismantle everything government and the majority of our citizens have worked to create for generations. To further gift the right, impeachment would simply get rid of the excess baggage they would have to drag behind them the next four years, leaving Pence, Ryan and the so-called Freedom Caucus to work their ugly will on all of us. These clowns never wanted Trump in the first place. They simply joined him to siege absolute power. No, take them all down. They were all complicit in this national boondoggle.
5
I adamantly agree with Max Deitenbeck! We must get rid of Trump and everything Trump (including Bannon, Mike Pence, Jared Kushner, Ivanka, Sessions, Tillerson, Gorsuch, and others)! We need to redo the 2016 election because of all the interference in it, some of which was intentional and some of which was unintentional such as Comey's blundering!
4
First Trump encourages using the "nuclear" option (Gorsuch).
Then he wishes for Obamacare to "implode".
Then he wishes for Obamacare to "explode" (it's doubtful he knows the difference).
With Trumps penchant for destruction the only "button" he should be able to use is the one on his lips.
Then he wishes for Obamacare to "implode".
Then he wishes for Obamacare to "explode" (it's doubtful he knows the difference).
With Trumps penchant for destruction the only "button" he should be able to use is the one on his lips.
24
It makes no economic sense to keep people alive who are too sick or old to be productive or whose upkeep is more than what they produce. If they have money, they can spend it to keep themselves alive, just as others with money can buy botox, cosmetic surgery, uppers, downers, or breast implants. Otherwise, preserving their lives or enhancing the quality of their lives makes no sense.
Economic conservatives, including Paul Ryan, accept this but generally do not dare to talk of it openly. Obamacare moved the country somewhat away from this economic rationality, but repealing it without a replacement would dislodge the fig leaves that are essential to cover naked economic rationality. So Trump and the Republicans are caught in a dance of dishonesty and blame-shifting.
Economic conservatives, including Paul Ryan, accept this but generally do not dare to talk of it openly. Obamacare moved the country somewhat away from this economic rationality, but repealing it without a replacement would dislodge the fig leaves that are essential to cover naked economic rationality. So Trump and the Republicans are caught in a dance of dishonesty and blame-shifting.
9
I didn't know GOD lived in Cornwall
9
The human race survives because our ancestors kept alive those who would have died had they not intervened. Those who seemed hopelessly sick or injured were cared for and restored to health. Those who were too old to fight were protected and their wisdom saved others. Obviously, not every outcome was successful, but the rewards made the effort worthwhile. Saving the injured, sick, and old from death was not done with the object of reward in mind. It was done because of the single most admirable trait that most humans share: love. We abandon it at our peril.
21
No economic sense you say, to keep people alive after their "expiration" date. How about moral sense? And, to use a GWB word, who is the "decider."
9
The Healthcare issues are not about Trump or Ryan. Their leadership was non existent. They both worked in a bubble that burst. The problems still exist. The needs still significant. The solution lies more in evaluating different options offered in different countries, and coming up with a viable set of solutions that would work best in the USA. The past week revealed the rudderless incompetency's of the Washington bubble. It is well past the time to think outside the Democratic or Republican box.
29
I don't know about thinking outside the box will be successful, when you are NOT willing to listen and hear the real needs of the people you serve, let alone facts to support them where truth is questionable.
2
President Trump is the joke those of us with an ounce of wisdom knew he was years ago. A loser, in the truest sense of the word. Healthy people have failures and learn from them. Trump is different. He IS a failure. He is OUR failure.
295
Speaking of crash and burn, I was watching the news coverage yesterday and a repeated topic seemed to be, "Will the Gorsuch nomination be the win Trump needs to turn these first 100 days around?". I'm not sure the media, still, understands the enormity of the disaster facing this nation. I feel like I'm in a police car pursuing an out of control 18 wheeler whose driver doesn't have his hands on the wheel, doesn't know how to shift gears and refuses to obey the rules of the road. And, as this monster truck is careen toward death and destruction my partner wants to know "Is that left taillight out or does he have his directional on?".
408
Amen.
2
Mr. Gage,
Very well said.
Very well said.
4
Rick Gage, on the day of the last gasps of the Republican's replacement bill for health care Trump was playing in an 18-wheeler on the White House lawn. Your post perfectly channels those photos of Trump at play.
1
Mr Trump was sent by God to show Warren Harding wasn't all that bad.
34
As bad as Harding was he had the courage to go to Brimingham, Alabama and speak about the fundamental evil of racism in time of heightened bigotry. Something this President seems incapable of doing.
4
Let the Impeachment proceedings begin!
46
The superhero of everyday life is the person who gets up in the morning all his life and goes to work and does the best job he can do for as long as he can do it. Hard work. Paying your dues kind of work. If you're lucky, you'll get noticed and work your way up because people respect your work ethics and the quality of what you do. You become an example to others to follow and admire. And that is the definition of a leader. Happens in blue and red states all the time. But if all you do is play on social media and watch cable tv and go golfing on other people's dime and feign interest in any job not just the most important job in the world and end up failing at it miserably and become the personification of the Peter Principle and do nothing to overcome it, well then, that means only one thing. You're lazy. Lazy as in I don't care. Lazy as in I am entitled. Lazy as in all I can do is talk because that's the only thing I know how to do. Lazy as in I only care about what's in it for me and not anyone else so why do the work. Why do the work, indeed, Super-Duper Lazy Man. Why do the work indeed!
269
Ed, you make a valid point. What I do not understand is why anyone would ever think Trump was out for anyone but himself?
Consider that other rich folks have dedicated their lives to service: Rockefeller, Kennedy. But Trump has always had one aim and one aim only: Trump. Could voters not see this? Did anyone actually believe that a person who was me, me, me for 74 years suddenly turn over a new (fig) leaf? Incomprehensible!
Consider that other rich folks have dedicated their lives to service: Rockefeller, Kennedy. But Trump has always had one aim and one aim only: Trump. Could voters not see this? Did anyone actually believe that a person who was me, me, me for 74 years suddenly turn over a new (fig) leaf? Incomprehensible!
13
Withering, sweltering, hissing. Like a bunch of snakes. This is our politics.
Charles, why don't you give the Gop some examples of health care systems that have long worked well for all for less cost---in dozens of capitalist countries, for hundreds of millions of people? Is this a verboten topic?
Shove all that real factual evidence in the Gop's withering,hissing faces through your position as NYT columnist. Make them react to reality until they have no more excuses. Without comparisons, they can construct their own reality.
Show confused and manipulated Americans what they could demand of their elected reps, for their tax dollars, in a real, functioning democracy.
Use the examples of nations where it's accepted, not radical, for their govts to negotiate insurance/drug prices for their citizens.
Discuss how even their rw parties don't try to imitate the American system of max profits off the sick. It seems a given here, that our govt simply has to operate within the policy parameters of the biggest campaign donors, big insurance and pharma. That to oppose that is unAmerican. Thus America is the last holdout in health care for all.
Gop says those who protest this want to 'interfere with our Freedoms'. The Dems, needing campaign money to beat Trump, protest too weakly.
This is what you have to contradict, along with continued exposure of the crazy Trump and Gop rw extremists.
Charles, why don't you give the Gop some examples of health care systems that have long worked well for all for less cost---in dozens of capitalist countries, for hundreds of millions of people? Is this a verboten topic?
Shove all that real factual evidence in the Gop's withering,hissing faces through your position as NYT columnist. Make them react to reality until they have no more excuses. Without comparisons, they can construct their own reality.
Show confused and manipulated Americans what they could demand of their elected reps, for their tax dollars, in a real, functioning democracy.
Use the examples of nations where it's accepted, not radical, for their govts to negotiate insurance/drug prices for their citizens.
Discuss how even their rw parties don't try to imitate the American system of max profits off the sick. It seems a given here, that our govt simply has to operate within the policy parameters of the biggest campaign donors, big insurance and pharma. That to oppose that is unAmerican. Thus America is the last holdout in health care for all.
Gop says those who protest this want to 'interfere with our Freedoms'. The Dems, needing campaign money to beat Trump, protest too weakly.
This is what you have to contradict, along with continued exposure of the crazy Trump and Gop rw extremists.
67
@Meredith: You're absolutely correct Meredith , the problem is they do it on both sides of the aisle, not something anyone wants to hear, as each brand whether The Times or Fox News panders to their audience while both sides hiss and slither for the public as they do their backroon deals insuring the agendas of the special interests whose payrolls they are on or on whose boards they expect to be on when they leave office. In the meantime until we forcefully rebuke the ongoing charade we get the government we deserve.
4
Mexico has some type or national heath care. I saw it in the mainstream media so where. Any one know more?
This Charles is a win for Trump. First he made the effort to keep his promise of repealing Obamacare, and the only reason it didn't pass was because of as you call them "hardline obstructionists." This is what real democracy looks like not the phony democracy we have seen over the last 8 years where the democrats simply rubber stamped every bill that the president sent down. The Republicans actually have representatives with principle who standup for what their people back home want, even if it isn't popular with the White House or the establishment, this is what really makes America great, freedom to think and choose independent of the status quo.
Next, President Trump moves on to what the vast majority of Americans really want and that is tax cuts. Yes, the 2 most hated words in a democrat's vocabulary other than choose life ! As taxes are cut and burdensome regulations are rolled back the economy that has remained stagnant for the past 8 years will begin rolling again.
Anyway, in closing back to Obamacare, as it implodes in upon itself in the next 2 years as states lose their cash cow from Washington, and have to pickup the entire financial burden themselves to fund all those nice mandates, and as plans costs skyrocket and choices narrow, the people will curse the day they were duped by Obama and the democrats into this medical scam. This will make Trump and the Republicans look like geniuses.
Next, President Trump moves on to what the vast majority of Americans really want and that is tax cuts. Yes, the 2 most hated words in a democrat's vocabulary other than choose life ! As taxes are cut and burdensome regulations are rolled back the economy that has remained stagnant for the past 8 years will begin rolling again.
Anyway, in closing back to Obamacare, as it implodes in upon itself in the next 2 years as states lose their cash cow from Washington, and have to pickup the entire financial burden themselves to fund all those nice mandates, and as plans costs skyrocket and choices narrow, the people will curse the day they were duped by Obama and the democrats into this medical scam. This will make Trump and the Republicans look like geniuses.
5
If this fiasco leads to anyone except Faux Noise thinking Trump and the GOP are geniuses it will certainly rival walking on water, raising Lazarus from the dead, feeding thousands with a few fish, and any other miracle you care to add as the most remarkable occurrences in history. I wamt some of whatever macman is smoking.
22
" This is what real democracy looks like not the phony democracy we have seen over the last 8 years where the democrats simply rubber stamped every bill that the president sent down."
The Republicans won both the House and Senate in 2010. The Democrats were in no position to rubber stamp anything after that. The rest of your diatribe, @macman, follows the same counterfactual path.
The Republicans won both the House and Senate in 2010. The Democrats were in no position to rubber stamp anything after that. The rest of your diatribe, @macman, follows the same counterfactual path.
31
Macman: Excellent presentation of the alternative facts here. Kellyanne Conway herself couldn't have made a more ridiculous distortion of what the defeat of Ryancare means. Kudos.
28
Failed Trumpcare. Sick. Criminal. Bad. So sad.
Now, if only we could shut off terrible failed Fox News' electrical power.
Now, if only we could shut off terrible failed Fox News' electrical power.
60
Trump met his match, and then used it to burn down the house.
I kept waiting for the slightest sign that the yahoo-crowd-pleasing Trump was an act, concealing, at the very least, a normal intelligence. But it's clear now that this is a profoundly unintelligent man. That's proven by his complete lack of skills in any aspect of governance. Even Reagan and Bush, whose combined intelligence approached that of Barack Obama, knew enough to step out of the way and let the grownups do their jobs.
I wonder if Putin is experiencing buyers regret?
I kept waiting for the slightest sign that the yahoo-crowd-pleasing Trump was an act, concealing, at the very least, a normal intelligence. But it's clear now that this is a profoundly unintelligent man. That's proven by his complete lack of skills in any aspect of governance. Even Reagan and Bush, whose combined intelligence approached that of Barack Obama, knew enough to step out of the way and let the grownups do their jobs.
I wonder if Putin is experiencing buyers regret?
46
No, because here's the thing. Russia has long been our ideological enemy, and pretty much the opposite of the "Shining City on the Hill." So by backing Trump, who has, at best, mediocre intelligence, Putin could pretty much guarantee that the "Shining City on the Hill" would go down in flames and he wouldn't have to do a thing. He knew exactly whom to back to bring Russia into global prominence. And so far, it's working, because this country is now more of a mess than it was before the election and we're so disorganized, with no competent person at the helm, that we couldn't defend ourselves from a pack of cuddly puppies. So, buyer's remorse? Oh no, just the opposite! Buyer's glee!
5
Scorched earth is the GOP's policy: to destroy the remnants of the once-dominant middle class and reduce eveyrone who is not a billionaire into craven serfdom. But one sees that a class war is heating up and if it can avoid taking place in the paradigm of racial divisions, may produce a cataclysmic response to this latest cyberfascism.
30
(With apologies to John Kander and Fred Ebb)
Mister Cellophane
is a sad refrain,
but you’d have to say
it applies today
to the “president”…
what a nonevent,
for it’s pretty clear
he’ll soon disappear.
You can look right through me,
walk right by me,
and never know I’m there.
He’s as light as air,
neither here nor there,
neither up nor down,
neither laugh nor frown,
neither out nor in,
always in a spin
and completely lost,
to the nation’s cost.
You can look right through me,
walk right by me,
and never know I’m there.
Mister Cellophane
is a sad refrain,
but you’d have to say
it applies today
to the “president”…
what a nonevent,
for it’s pretty clear
he’ll soon disappear.
You can look right through me,
walk right by me,
and never know I’m there.
He’s as light as air,
neither here nor there,
neither up nor down,
neither laugh nor frown,
neither out nor in,
always in a spin
and completely lost,
to the nation’s cost.
You can look right through me,
walk right by me,
and never know I’m there.
18
You almost have to feel bad for those who inserted this boob into the White House. They looked around at the scam called American Democracy and realized it was time for a Hail Mary pass. Of course, he has turned out to be the disaster everyone saw coming. Trump is a lame duck less than 3 months into his odious 'administration' - a new indoor record (hot air assisted).
31
The whole purpose of the Republican attempt to repeal and replace the AFC was to enable them to create a larger tax reduction to the upper percentile. Having failed now the plan will be to greatly reduce corporate tax and a small bone perhaps to the little people. That if they had been successful and 24 million were thrown to the healthcare wolves mattered little to them.
We can expect more such fiascos from a fragmented political party with supposedly numeric majorities. The question is as more of these legislative disasters come to pass is when will Trumps supporters start to realize that their blind investment in him will turn out for them having to get tired of losing. I predict he will stop doing his ego inflating rallies once his supporters start to boo him. Then he will quickly become very quiet peeking out from behind the White House curtains or perhaps even doing a "You betcha" and resign from office.
We can expect more such fiascos from a fragmented political party with supposedly numeric majorities. The question is as more of these legislative disasters come to pass is when will Trumps supporters start to realize that their blind investment in him will turn out for them having to get tired of losing. I predict he will stop doing his ego inflating rallies once his supporters start to boo him. Then he will quickly become very quiet peeking out from behind the White House curtains or perhaps even doing a "You betcha" and resign from office.
19
What a recipe for disaster, "....obstructionist absolutists are gerrymandering’s political offspring." Is it soup yet?
12
Anyone who confused President Trump (or President Obama, for that matter) of being God deserves to sit through 100 of the most recent Hollywood superhero blockbusters. If that doesn't cure you of your delusions, nothing will.
(Hint: he's the duly elected president battling against the media, the leaks, and all manners of evil in DC. But God? Nobody but spiritual paupers ever made that distinction.)
(Hint: he's the duly elected president battling against the media, the leaks, and all manners of evil in DC. But God? Nobody but spiritual paupers ever made that distinction.)
3
Well said. This whole fiasco has made me wonder how other CEO's conduct business. Trump is (or was) touted as the ultimate business success. Now we see that almost anyone with no conscience, an over-sized ego and a daddy with enough money to launch his son's career, can build a real estate empire without any real knowledge, expertise or temperament for management. Bullying, preening, and blaming everyone but himself seems to have worked wonders in the business world.
106
Oh, but it didn't work wonders in the business world. Haven't you heard of all the bankruptcies and the need to go to Russian banks and buyers?
8
But...the Repeal; Repeal & Replace was and has always been the Congressional Republican's mantra long before Donald Trump. Charles- remember, Candidate Trump only latched on to the frenzy as a means of bragging and then co-opting the charge. Of course- he would do Repeal & Replace- "bigger, better, and cheaper". Yes- he is the President that can't shoot straight- but this really wasn't his issue; he brought nothing to the table and his disinterest was on full display.
41
look's like the trumpster will now have a lot in common with Humpty Dumpty.
15
we can only hope the Repubs sit for trump's impeachment. Sooner rather than later. Get him out.!!
27
Me, I just like the image of Trump in his bathrobe ranting and raging over these headlines. (Of course he reads, well, skims, the failing New York Times.)
In these tough times, a bit of joyful shallowness does the job.
In these tough times, a bit of joyful shallowness does the job.
23
Didn't the president promise to repeal and replace Obamacare "on Day One" when elected to the Oval Office? And call a special session of Congress to get the ball rolling on it? Gee, how's that working out now?
32
After watching one Trump disaster after another unfold over the last 60-some days, culminating in the blessed failure of Trumpcare, I finally realized that the president and the Greek chorus he gathered around him in The White House think that selling presidential programs and initiatives is the same as selling Trump University, Trump Vodka, Trump mattresses and all of the other crappola he has foisted off on a gullible public.
If nothing else, perhaps the four years of Trump misadventure will finally put an end to the notion that government needs to be run like a business, and be headed by someone with executive experience.
Oh, and maybe it will remind Americans that P.T. Barnum is still correct in having noted "there's a sucker born every minute."
If nothing else, perhaps the four years of Trump misadventure will finally put an end to the notion that government needs to be run like a business, and be headed by someone with executive experience.
Oh, and maybe it will remind Americans that P.T. Barnum is still correct in having noted "there's a sucker born every minute."
170
Amen, well put. Corporations exist to create profit. Government exists for the good of the public. Why do people persist in thinking one can be run like the other when their purposes are so distinct?
11
"He was already being proven to be a complete liar and hypocrite. He was already being exposed as a blustery failure."
And let us not ever lose sight of the fact that his election was illegitimate, as Trump received material assistance from Russian cyber espionage and the blatant politicization of the F.B.I.
And let us not ever lose sight of the fact that his election was illegitimate, as Trump received material assistance from Russian cyber espionage and the blatant politicization of the F.B.I.
542
Remember what a balloon does when you blow it up and release it untied? It hurtles around the room with that noisy blurting sound and then collapses in a limp heap on the floor. Rather like the GOP and the "president" after the Obamacare debacle.
471
David - Excellent analogy. Thanks.
8
The faith of Trump voters cannot be shaken. We've gone from "Just give him a chance" to "Just give him another chance."
47
Paul Ryan is going to be the first post-healthcare debacle casualty. I'm sure that the Republicans in Congress are already shopping around for a replacement to hand the Speaker's gavel two. Does it scare Charles Blow that Ryan is third in line to the presidency? It should.
38
with apologies to Elizabeth BarrettBrowning
How do I loath you? Let me count the ways,
I loath your Robber Baron Cabinet,
Assembling every stone heart you could get,
I loath your claims of aims pure and demure
In slashing Medicaid, stamps for the Poor,
I loath your ignorance of Climate Change,
Earth's fate before the Buck, which you find strange,
I loath you surely as you prep for praise
Which seems to fill the whole of all your days,
Obamacare which now you plan to wreck,
The lies concocted which always amaze
So readily at your call and your beck,
The essence of your machievellian haze.
How do I loath you? Let me count the ways,
I loath your Robber Baron Cabinet,
Assembling every stone heart you could get,
I loath your claims of aims pure and demure
In slashing Medicaid, stamps for the Poor,
I loath your ignorance of Climate Change,
Earth's fate before the Buck, which you find strange,
I loath you surely as you prep for praise
Which seems to fill the whole of all your days,
Obamacare which now you plan to wreck,
The lies concocted which always amaze
So readily at your call and your beck,
The essence of your machievellian haze.
735
sorry about that lost e
2
this was a great poem today. thank you
4
Of all the poems you have scribed this is my favorite.
Thank you!
Thank you!
5
This column is like a tv review that does little more than summarize plot and round up as many cliche phrases as possible - the failure this week was not a "comedy of errors," it was a walk into dismal territory that our country has not experienced before, a profound breakdown of legislative process. And the conclusion is incoherent.
22
Despite Republican House and Senate majorities, Donald Trump managed to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" - some negotiator.
210
Ah yes! May the agony of GOP defeat repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat....
19
This president takes responsibility for nothing.
408
He takes responsibility/credit for things he had nothing to do with, like the jobs report since the first of the year, that would make him look good. But, if the outcomes are bad after he pushed for something, he distances himself and blames someone else for the failure.
40
Actually, he would gladly take responsibility for the smallest successes...it's just the failures he abhors which is a symptom of his lacking the most basic tenents of true leadership.
Did Trump and any number of Congressional Republicans actually expect any Democrats to vote for their bill? The GOP victory dance the day after the election has perhaps given way to the sobering realization that the GOP can win elections and still can't govern, but I doubt it. Boasting and braggadocio will not whip up votes. And gleeful proclamations that "I am President and you're not." or we are the majority in the Congress, will not pass legislation. I would not care except that Republican stupidity will effect me and my family. We all have to suffer the consequences of a victory by a broken political party.
276
But don't forget there are still a lot of Trump voters out there. Reason, good government, even basic competence don't work for them, becuase they don't think. They just want to hate Democrats.
32
PS: Do Trump and the GOP expect the Democrats to provide any votes for a budget which eliminates or cuts any number of programs that the Democrats have fought for for years?
15
You're spot on. Trump's sudden and dramatic fall from grace encouraged me to alter the first word of a famous nursery rhyme:
Trumpty-Dumpty sat on a wall,
Trumpty-Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Trumpty together again.
It's over for Trump. He's a lame duck just a few weeks into his presidency.
Trumpty-Dumpty sat on a wall,
Trumpty-Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Trumpty together again.
It's over for Trump. He's a lame duck just a few weeks into his presidency.
221
Mr. Blow, have no fear. Sean Spicer's next presser move on to other topics, such as the tax reform that's next on the Republican agenda, or a bad movie review of Meryl Streep, or Arnold Schwarzenegger's terrible action films that were really losers. What Spicer probably doesn't want to discuss is the president's humiliation by his own party last Friday that said, very clearly, that his health care plan to give Americans "something terrific" was going to, in your phrasing, crash and burn on the House floor if the legislation wasn't pulled before the vote.
A mere two weeks ago, the president was all in on the overhaul of Obamacare, smirking with Paul Ryan who said that the necessary votes to pas his AHCA were in his pocket. Last week, the president, after hearing voices of discontent with the legislation within the GOP, then told Republicans to take or leave the bill he supported. Now, after his public shaming, the White House whispers are blaming Ryan for the bill's failure and that maybe, he should step down from his as Speaker. It's a good bet that, indeed if it comes to a vote on impeachment sometime in the future, Speaker Ryan would definitely not say, "I'm just not there yet".
A mere two weeks ago, the president was all in on the overhaul of Obamacare, smirking with Paul Ryan who said that the necessary votes to pas his AHCA were in his pocket. Last week, the president, after hearing voices of discontent with the legislation within the GOP, then told Republicans to take or leave the bill he supported. Now, after his public shaming, the White House whispers are blaming Ryan for the bill's failure and that maybe, he should step down from his as Speaker. It's a good bet that, indeed if it comes to a vote on impeachment sometime in the future, Speaker Ryan would definitely not say, "I'm just not there yet".
73
we can only hope
Ah, the infighting has begun, Mr. Blow, and it's far from a pretty sight. The White House and Capital Hill resemble a lynch mob. I'd like to address a few words to Trump Nation. How does that draining and cleaning of the swamp look now? In your extraordinary wisdom, you installed a petulant, rattle-throwing infant-terrible into the Oval Office. And now, to your vast surprise, what you now smell now is soiled diapers?
ObamaCare was sold to you as an unworkable plan, a fraudulent scheme cooked up by an un-American president to subvert you by interfering in your most intimate spaces--health care.
Gerrymandering played its satanic part as well, its hellish birds coming home to roost in your homes. Instead of sending to Washington responsible men and women who could (and would--that's important) improve ObamaCare with your needs in mind, the Republican Party emptied its chamber and fired away at the ACA--some three-score votes to repeal it--without once devising a plan (that's what legislation is) to improve it or replace it with something workable. No; all repeal and replace ever meant was the repudiation of the black president. It is, after all, the hurdle that Donald Trump cleared to land in the political arena.
As for Paul Ryan, he's the Straw Man in the Wizard of Oz. He's all stuffing and he's been set on fire by his own cruelty, malice and demonic scheming to savage even further--you!! He doesn't have a heart or brains.
Remember this: you now have what you asked for.
ObamaCare was sold to you as an unworkable plan, a fraudulent scheme cooked up by an un-American president to subvert you by interfering in your most intimate spaces--health care.
Gerrymandering played its satanic part as well, its hellish birds coming home to roost in your homes. Instead of sending to Washington responsible men and women who could (and would--that's important) improve ObamaCare with your needs in mind, the Republican Party emptied its chamber and fired away at the ACA--some three-score votes to repeal it--without once devising a plan (that's what legislation is) to improve it or replace it with something workable. No; all repeal and replace ever meant was the repudiation of the black president. It is, after all, the hurdle that Donald Trump cleared to land in the political arena.
As for Paul Ryan, he's the Straw Man in the Wizard of Oz. He's all stuffing and he's been set on fire by his own cruelty, malice and demonic scheming to savage even further--you!! He doesn't have a heart or brains.
Remember this: you now have what you asked for.
1280
Trump is still stinging from Obamas 2011 put down.
17
Remember this: you now have what you asked for.
-----------------------------
Not yet, but like the president said: we've got to let what President Obama and the Democrats built, but could not pay for, continue its collapse in so many counties out here, so that everyone understands: Obamacare alone will not stand. When the system collapses -- like New York City was shut down in 9-11, and the Great Bail Out was necessary in later years because of the financial collapse -- only then do the Democrats realize that they need the support of the rest of the nation to continue to finance their ways.
If the liberal coastal Democrats could build a long-lasting system on their own, they would have the votes of the nation. They can't and many people are tired of financing their unrealistic dreams.
-----------------------------
Not yet, but like the president said: we've got to let what President Obama and the Democrats built, but could not pay for, continue its collapse in so many counties out here, so that everyone understands: Obamacare alone will not stand. When the system collapses -- like New York City was shut down in 9-11, and the Great Bail Out was necessary in later years because of the financial collapse -- only then do the Democrats realize that they need the support of the rest of the nation to continue to finance their ways.
If the liberal coastal Democrats could build a long-lasting system on their own, they would have the votes of the nation. They can't and many people are tired of financing their unrealistic dreams.
2
Soxared, I agree with what you say, but perhaps rather than the Straw Man, you should equate Paul Ryan with the fraudulent Wizard. After all, the Straw Man really did possess a fine brain, as well as leadership qualities.
16
Trump was always the emperor's new clothes. He didn't even write the book that established his reputation - The Art of the Deal - which was written entirely by Tony Schwartz. Who rues the Frankenstein he created to this day:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/donald-trumps-ghostwriter-t...
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/donald-trumps-ghostwriter-t...
144
It boggles the mind that POTUS is tweeting promotional ads for news shows. He clearly knew what Pirro's message would be...does he think Ryan is too dumb to realize this too?
In groups of friends, as we endlessly ask the question "how long before POTUS quits or is impeached?" (a fantasy game indeed), I have held firm in my belief that as soon as the GOP finds enough to (finally) rue in their support of him, he will be toast. and quickly. Taking on the Freedom Caucus, Tuesday Club, and Ryan all at once is delicious to watch. Surely when his time comes, and it will, even he won't be surprised, saying, "Et tu, Ryan?"
In groups of friends, as we endlessly ask the question "how long before POTUS quits or is impeached?" (a fantasy game indeed), I have held firm in my belief that as soon as the GOP finds enough to (finally) rue in their support of him, he will be toast. and quickly. Taking on the Freedom Caucus, Tuesday Club, and Ryan all at once is delicious to watch. Surely when his time comes, and it will, even he won't be surprised, saying, "Et tu, Ryan?"
121
When Trump's time to go comes, Paul Ryan will be nicely resettled back in his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin.
Paul Ryan has a job.
If he can't do it, he will be sent home.
Speaker of the House is not a lifetime job, and Republicans today do not tolerate the Democratic work ethic. Paul Ryan is rethinking his role today, and I suspect he will be gone in the days to come. He doesn't have the tools needed for the job ahead, and he has been promoted beyond his skill set. People understand that.
Paul Ryan has a job.
If he can't do it, he will be sent home.
Speaker of the House is not a lifetime job, and Republicans today do not tolerate the Democratic work ethic. Paul Ryan is rethinking his role today, and I suspect he will be gone in the days to come. He doesn't have the tools needed for the job ahead, and he has been promoted beyond his skill set. People understand that.
12
But Pence may be more dangerous. There is nothing to look forward to here.
11
I'm a conservative Republican, and I have no problem with a weakened Trump. I did not vote for either Trump or Clinton, and was hoping for an Electoral College Hail Mary that threw the election to the House, or barring that miracle, I hoped that whoever was elected would be so weakened that they could not forcefully implement anything tremendously detrimental. I would think that a weakened Trump would also be encouraging to Charles Blow. Can we assume that we will no longer be inundated with columns from Charles about how the sky is falling? In the end, the defeat of the ACA was a good thing. Like Obamacare, it was a hodgepodge of seemingly good ideas that would not work well together. Obamacare can be left to succeed or fail on its own. If Obamacare survives on its own, so be it. The world will not end. Most of us are paying much more for healthcare, but more people are insured. Not a choice that should have been forced on all Americans, but life is not fair. On the other hand, if Obamacare heads into a death spiral, while nobody can afford to use their health insurance because the deductibles are so high, then both Democrats and Republicans will need to come together to solve the problem.
6
The ACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise “Obamacare”) wasn’t defeated. That would be the American Health Care Act, or “Trumpcare”. Now that it’s failed, I presume the White House would prefer we call it “Ryancare”.
70
Unlike ACA, AHCA was a patently bad idea. There is no comparison. While ACA has problems, at least it is founded on fundamental principle of insurance, that is risk sharing (achieved through individual mandate). AHCA in the final concession to Freedom Caucus had not such requirement, as Trump had conceded removal of essential coverage requirement. ACA can be fixed; AHCA was a cynical plan from the start.
46
@Charles, Tecumseh, Michigan: Sir, I have to ask "what kind of American are you" that you hoped that "whoever was elected would be so weakened...?"
I do not hold against you your conservatism, but your own frank admission that a weak president is preferable to a strong popular choice amazes me. Is this a tenet of the Republican Party? That, if you can't get your way, then the whole thing is no good?
You "have no problem with a weakened Trump"? We should all be heartened by this catastrophic (perhaps first-and-only-term defining) defeat. The problem here is that he'll never learn from experience. He's stupid. He never should have been elected given his complete unfitness for the job. This severely-weakened president, not to mention his exposed-as-fraudulent House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader--for they're all in this together--have done naught but pour chum into the seething waters.
Our allies and enemies have taken due and gleeful note of our inability to keep our own house in order. Last weekend's total humiliation of the Republican president has them smirking in Red Square and Tiananmen Square. Our enemies revel in our taking on water. And, with an America now wobbling out of orbit, we have told our enemies that we are ripe for anything they may plot on the world's stage. Where, around the globe, are our friends to come to our aid, and when have we ever needed a pat on the back, a "keep a stiff upper lip" from abroad?
Conservative, heal thyself.
I do not hold against you your conservatism, but your own frank admission that a weak president is preferable to a strong popular choice amazes me. Is this a tenet of the Republican Party? That, if you can't get your way, then the whole thing is no good?
You "have no problem with a weakened Trump"? We should all be heartened by this catastrophic (perhaps first-and-only-term defining) defeat. The problem here is that he'll never learn from experience. He's stupid. He never should have been elected given his complete unfitness for the job. This severely-weakened president, not to mention his exposed-as-fraudulent House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader--for they're all in this together--have done naught but pour chum into the seething waters.
Our allies and enemies have taken due and gleeful note of our inability to keep our own house in order. Last weekend's total humiliation of the Republican president has them smirking in Red Square and Tiananmen Square. Our enemies revel in our taking on water. And, with an America now wobbling out of orbit, we have told our enemies that we are ripe for anything they may plot on the world's stage. Where, around the globe, are our friends to come to our aid, and when have we ever needed a pat on the back, a "keep a stiff upper lip" from abroad?
Conservative, heal thyself.
68
I wish I could share your optimism about what a bad blow to Trump the man and Trump the President - but I am sadly skeptical - because of that 40ish % - equaling millions of voters - that still think Trump is their guy. And they believe this with the fervor of the most religiously devout. I actually dared to listen to Fox for a little this weekend and the relentless message that its liberals - not bad policy, not bad governance, not lying Trump or GOP tax cheats - but liberals that are the enemy of the state and the "real" America. My fear is that this is what this 40% believes. That somehow my desire to tax the rich more to pay for universal healthcare and better schools is a nefarious plot against them. Yet Trump - who is the biggest welfare queen in American history is the "working man's" ally. My worry is that as long as Trump has that 40%, along with his few mega big money backers and the congress people they have bought and paid for in his pocket - that we may never see a meaningful consensus in this country about him or anything.
716
The Merchants of Doubt have sown their seeds deep in red state country. If you can convince regulators that pillows, not cigarettes were the cause of house fires anything is possible.
20
I share Dana's skepticism.
8
"..., as the world consumes Trump." The "Trump Train" (aka "The Chump of Change") may well be at an inflection point, as the Republican party and its president devour one another and perhaps, finally, we'll be rid of the entire anti-government blight that has so damaged this nation and its good people.
61
It should be obvious to all but the most partistan of Trumpkins that
Trump has no idea how the legislative process works and
has no idea of what he is doing.
He threatened the Freedom Caucus and they laughed at him.
His word is worthless and no one trusts him.
Blaming the dems fo rhis failure is par for the course. He
never accepts blame or responsibility
Yo Mr. Trump you own this fiasco.
Period.
Trump has no idea how the legislative process works and
has no idea of what he is doing.
He threatened the Freedom Caucus and they laughed at him.
His word is worthless and no one trusts him.
Blaming the dems fo rhis failure is par for the course. He
never accepts blame or responsibility
Yo Mr. Trump you own this fiasco.
Period.
770
You know that Trumpcare had to be very bad if even Republicans wouldn't pass it.
2