Not only did everyone who ever bought any stock in any public Trump entity end up with nothing. But most unusually, all of the public buyers of mortgage bonds on any of the Trump casinos also ended up with zero recovery. That is almost unheard-of. In all other casino and airline bankruptcies publicly held mortgage bondholders had significant recoveries.
".., it is becoming increasing clear that the Republicans are probably abandoning any idea of revenue neutral tax reform and will focus on large tax cuts for the wealthy and either accept the increases in the Federal deficits that will result or rely on the false assertion that these tax cuts for the rich will pay for themselves with higher growth.
Until recently I do not remember any serious concern that the concerns regarding the issue of the Federal budget deficit might be addressed by simply using false information and/or employing unrealistic economic projections. That sadly is not true now. It is now widely conceded that Greece essentially hid the extent of its debt problems prior to the events that led to Greece requiring a bailout. America can print its currency and almost all federal debt is denominated in dollars. Thus, there is no danger of default. However, there is a risk that the that the inconsistency between Trump administration desires for addition spending on security and tax cuts could be resolved, at least temporarily, with the use of deception..."
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4075223
".., it is becoming increasing clear that the Republicans are probably abandoning any idea of revenue neutral tax reform and will focus on large tax cuts for the wealthy and either accept the increases in the Federal deficits that will result or rely on the false assertion that these tax cuts for the rich will pay for themselves with higher growth.
Until recently I do not remember any serious concern that the concerns regarding the issue of the Federal budget deficit might be addressed by simply using false information and/or employing unrealistic economic projections. That sadly is not true now. It is now widely conceded that Greece essentially hid the extent of its debt problems prior to the events that led to Greece requiring a bailout. America can print its currency and almost all federal debt is denominated in dollars. Thus, there is no danger of default. However, there is a risk that the that the inconsistency between Trump administration desires for addition spending on security and tax cuts could be resolved, at least temporarily, with the use of deception..."
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4075223
5
Giving aid endlesly engenders laziness in the recipients.
This is according to Mulvaney and most of the koch owned gop.
Hey, does that mean solvent blue states will no longer have to send their tax revenues to lazy insolvent red states?
I mean of the 11 states of the old confederacy 9 of them are insolvent and rely on the equivalent of welfare for their very survival
And 85% of the other red states are likewise insolvent engendering dependency on blue state largess for their very survival.
We have to stop endlessly sending these insolvent red states welfare because they'll never learn to fend for themselves and they will become even lazier.
Thanks to Mr. Mulvaney and the koch owned gop for teaching us the meaning of life.
OH, I'm sorry Mr. Mulvaney, you still want blue state charity to flow to the lazy entitled red states?
Gotcha' Mr. Mulvaney.
For a minute there I thought you might not be a hypocrite.
Thanks for setting me straight.
This is according to Mulvaney and most of the koch owned gop.
Hey, does that mean solvent blue states will no longer have to send their tax revenues to lazy insolvent red states?
I mean of the 11 states of the old confederacy 9 of them are insolvent and rely on the equivalent of welfare for their very survival
And 85% of the other red states are likewise insolvent engendering dependency on blue state largess for their very survival.
We have to stop endlessly sending these insolvent red states welfare because they'll never learn to fend for themselves and they will become even lazier.
Thanks to Mr. Mulvaney and the koch owned gop for teaching us the meaning of life.
OH, I'm sorry Mr. Mulvaney, you still want blue state charity to flow to the lazy entitled red states?
Gotcha' Mr. Mulvaney.
For a minute there I thought you might not be a hypocrite.
Thanks for setting me straight.
5
The pernicious thing about this so-called budget is that people will die, but not en masse like 9/11, but individually where their deaths will be reflected only in statistics. In fact, they already are. They show up in the lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality, but people aren't shocked by statistics.
I believe that it was Napoleon who said that one death is a tragedy, a thousand deaths, a statistic.
I believe that it was Napoleon who said that one death is a tragedy, a thousand deaths, a statistic.
8
Thanks for highlighting how someone who lives compassion as opposed to "compassion" - Pope Francis - was in obvious if complex pain in having to expend the energy required to treat Trump as a child of God. The child part, not so challenging...
10
And Trump graduated from Penn with a degree in Economics. Doesn't say much for Wharton.
16
There is too much wasted money being spent on social programs. People need to take responsibility for themselves. Personal responsibility- the two words that liberals absolutely hate. Trump can add- this budget is reality. We should not be throwing money at social problems which can't be fixed with money.
1
"We’re being run like a bad Atlantic City casino."
Speaking of which, George Soros or someone else who can afford it should buy the Trump Taj Mahal and implode it. That might just be enough to bring Trump (more) over the edge so that we can rid the country of this burden.
Speaking of which, George Soros or someone else who can afford it should buy the Trump Taj Mahal and implode it. That might just be enough to bring Trump (more) over the edge so that we can rid the country of this burden.
7
And GOP Congressmen (yes, men) are all chatting about "dynamic scoring" on the budget and the health care bill. So "dynamic scoring" means they get to count their imagined (and imaginary) economic growth outcomes in the cost projections. So if an individual mortgage loan applicant asked the bank to use "dynamic scoring," they would argue that the tech start-up stock they just bought is bound to produce huge future returns -- and, oh BTW, when Aunt Millie dies, they'll be her sole heir. It's ludicrous ... but then so is all of this stuff.
13
Wow, Gail, who would want to buy USA Steaks? They come with huge helping of antibiotics, GMO grain, and hormones. I'm fortunate enough to live where we have grass-fed beef, or I wouldn't be eating American beef at all.
12
This trump stench that has infested our country just gets stenchier and stenchier. No one is too vile or too abhorrent to be appointed to a position of power. Anyone who, oh I don't know, wants to body-slam a reporter can do it and have a good chance of getting elected to political office. And republicans will just smile and say "gee, that's not nice - next question." Our "leader"
can't add? But he can destroy us.
can't add? But he can destroy us.
20
Hey Gail. News flash. He adds just fine. He just doesn't care how he does it and he doesn't care whether it bothers you or me or anyone else that his figures are all full of holes and lies. It's who he is. If someone had told me years ago when we were pretty much known as the "ugly Americans" that we would actually vote someone into the office of the presidency someone who possessed all of the ugly and despicable characteristics that fit this description to a T I would have told you that it was not possible; that nothing that bad could happen I guess we live and learn.
16
Trump can't wait to declare war on some country, any country. That way, he can become a War President and embrace even more power. Let's pray that none of his advisors tells him about Lincoln's acts during the Civil War.
7
This Trump budget is consistent with his alternate facts, alternate economics and alternate reality.
9
Between the Trump budget and Trumpcare, if passed, we will be on the road to a major economic depression. One that will make Herbert Hoover look good.
On commenter says "his Taj Mahal failure in Atlantic City should be a cautionary tale to voters next November".
I beg to differ, the Taj Mahal failure should have been a cautionary tale to voters in 2016!
Some of us were paying attention in 2016, and being a New Yorker I am overly familiar with Mr. Trump.
But really, NOW you're going to look at his bankrupt casinos in NJ?
I tell you what happened; he paid himself first - took all the cash he could out of the casino. Then he went into bankruptcy and stiffed investors, employees and vendors.
Easy to understand: he's a me first guy.
And now it will be at the cost of the middle class and lower class; Trump and his friends will make out like bandits.
On commenter says "his Taj Mahal failure in Atlantic City should be a cautionary tale to voters next November".
I beg to differ, the Taj Mahal failure should have been a cautionary tale to voters in 2016!
Some of us were paying attention in 2016, and being a New Yorker I am overly familiar with Mr. Trump.
But really, NOW you're going to look at his bankrupt casinos in NJ?
I tell you what happened; he paid himself first - took all the cash he could out of the casino. Then he went into bankruptcy and stiffed investors, employees and vendors.
Easy to understand: he's a me first guy.
And now it will be at the cost of the middle class and lower class; Trump and his friends will make out like bandits.
23
Wake up Ms.Collins, the government isn't going to sell its "name" its going to sell its assets-our assets-for $0.10 on the $1.00 (or less) to Trump and friends (no one's paying any attention to the conflicts of interest) in order to pay off its debts which will spiral out of control owing to the demonstrated financial incompetence of a seven time bankrupt president.
"If another kid comes along, they’re out of luck."
Yes, this is underhanded and cruel, but, you know what? Something needs to be done about overpopulation, and putting tax penalties into the system might help. The world is full, and too many are remaining willfully ignorant about this.
Yes, this is underhanded and cruel, but, you know what? Something needs to be done about overpopulation, and putting tax penalties into the system might help. The world is full, and too many are remaining willfully ignorant about this.
The Trump budget bespeaks little but sociopath lunacy. And it isn't enough to simply indict Trump; it's the republican party itself. And it must end. Otherwise this nation has no hope of maintaining a future that retains membership among advanced industrial liberal democracies. And yes, it's that simple.
1
Can the media stop calling proposed changes in the income tax rates "tax reform?" Reform??
Where in the budget is the Trump line? The trips to Mar-a-lago? His family's trips to promote their businesses. All the secret service overtime! The rent payments for the secret service required to stay at Trump Hotels! Good times for the swamp creatures. How about cutting all the congressional perks: private dining rooms with full time chefs, aides, travel expenses, campaign trips, health care, generous pensions, cushy jobs for relatives and on and on.
1
Trumpbannon like chaos.
Bannon wants to upend government, and will attempt to lead us into a war with Iran, possibly nuke (non white) North Korea, and while we are all reeling, run through these crazy budgets.
The point is, more havoc = more power.
Bannon wants to upend government, and will attempt to lead us into a war with Iran, possibly nuke (non white) North Korea, and while we are all reeling, run through these crazy budgets.
The point is, more havoc = more power.
5
Question for the multitudes of brain-dead zombies across America who actually voted for Mr. Trump:
How's that "Make America Great Again" thing workin' out for ya?
How's that "Make America Great Again" thing workin' out for ya?
3
Trump doesn't care about math. It's like several Republican members of the Congress who signed the tax cut/healthcare bill without even reading it. In this administration, "knowledge is NOT power".
4
99.99% of the time I agree with Gail. I strongly support social programs that help decrease disparities and foster better lives. However, I do think that not rewarding people economically for having children they can't financially support has some merit. Whether through bad luck, bad health, bad education or bad neighborhood, when people are not making a living for themselves the fact that they have 4, 5 or 6 children who then require public support is hard to justify.
I don't think you understood the point of her second to last sentence. She acknowledged that they were going to cut Food stamps, and then cut Planned Parenthood that would prevent people from having children they don't want. It was basically a comment that the right-hand does not know what the left is doing and that the policies are inconsistent. In addition to being colossally stupid.
1
An interesting analysis by the NYT would be a serious prediction of what the country and world will be like in 12 or 24 months from now assuming Trump is still President. It's almost like the perfect storm of ridiculously bad leadership.
2
I keep asking: how do you go broke running a casino? Under the most minimally competent leadership it is a license for printing money. So what does that say, no, scream to the rooftops, about the competence of the djt crew?
1
Miss Ley: I treasure and devour your comments. Thank you.
2
Compassion? No cruelty is the word they need to use.
8
i think you are on to something with the word TWAUP. it is fantastic and prescient for our collective future. thanks Gail Collins
10
Trump isn't good at anything except making money for himself an getting elected. That only goes to show you how bad the opposition is.
Or how, say, 35% of the electorate vote for image instead of substance. (I'm guessing that the rest of Trump voters are, and will be, very happy with his administration and the Republican Congress because their needs will be provided for in the form of tax cuts and deregulation.)
2
By opposition, you mean the Russians?
4
Strange how you don't recognize the predicament of the Democratic party while wallowing in a story that so far lacks ny proof whatsoever.
Trump and company are delivering for the moneyed elite, the people who paid for his campaign, and for his inauguration, and for his Cabinet positions. Trump gets rich, his rich buddies get rich, the rest of America can go eat dirt.
Thanks, Trump.
Thanks, Trump.
16
To address one of the points here: actually, disabled people on SSI or SSDI do receive access to training and are encouraged (in fact, firmly nudged) to seek this training. I have an autistic son who is on disability. He cannot live independently. We have paid -- substantially -- for job training out of our own pockets, just as we paid (hugely) for private schools since the public options were terrible and dangerous -- a bully's paradise. We have availed ourselves of training provided by vocational rehab services. One provider simply gave up on him. And... he has no job. We keep trying. He may wind up with a part-time jb if we are fortunate. And, of course, there are always those great sheltered workshop jobs that pay $60.00 (although he doesn't technically qualify for these positions). Point here: there's a pretty strong suspicion, among liberals & conservatives alike, that those on disability, including children, are all conniving laggards. No, they aren't.
34
Economically speaking everyone should read this article about how a president has performed and why (what factors they had to deal with plus their performance):
https://www.thebalance.com/job-creation-by-president-by-number-and-perce...
Instilling confidence, economic growth and foreign policy are ALL important and so far it seems like democratic presidencies with house and senate cooperation work the best.
https://www.thebalance.com/job-creation-by-president-by-number-and-perce...
Instilling confidence, economic growth and foreign policy are ALL important and so far it seems like democratic presidencies with house and senate cooperation work the best.
2
In Trump's experience as a so-called businessman it is clear he learned nothing except perhaps to hire smarter lawyers. He brings the same 'acumen' to the presidency. If he'd paid attention to the last 20 years or so he would know that tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs or spur the economy.
What most of the rich do is hide their money and they don't spend much. Trump, being who he is needs to flaunt it with glitz and fake stuff. No comments on where some of that fake stuff is applied.
Perhaps someone can get him to go on a spending spree by supporting children, women and the services that help them. We can provide him with fake gold monuments to his ego while science and cancer research and education and the arts get funding and maybe that infrastructure bill he talked on about might get a look.
If he wants to help with military buildup, how about care for veterans and educational opportunities for them too.
In short, history repeats itself as we go back to the 50's with the clueless president who doesn't notice anything much but his reflection in the mirror.
What most of the rich do is hide their money and they don't spend much. Trump, being who he is needs to flaunt it with glitz and fake stuff. No comments on where some of that fake stuff is applied.
Perhaps someone can get him to go on a spending spree by supporting children, women and the services that help them. We can provide him with fake gold monuments to his ego while science and cancer research and education and the arts get funding and maybe that infrastructure bill he talked on about might get a look.
If he wants to help with military buildup, how about care for veterans and educational opportunities for them too.
In short, history repeats itself as we go back to the 50's with the clueless president who doesn't notice anything much but his reflection in the mirror.
2
There is no question that this proposed budget is a nightmare for all but the 1%. But government has catered to the 1% for several decades, the difference between one party and another is one of degree, that's all. There is gross inequality in this country, with outsourcing gutting middle class jobs, corporations transferring their base and hoarding cash to avoid paying taxes, wealthy individuals that have money stashed in offshore accounts, oligarchs laundering their money by buying expensive real estate in the major capitals and getting US visas for the privilege, the cost of home ownership rising beyond people's means , the un-affordability of higher education, student debt out of control creating a new lower class of the forever-indebted, executives having exorbitant salaries compared to their workers, companies hiring part timers to avoid having to provide health insurance, the cost of medical care of the uninsured being picked up by local governments, a minimum wage that no one can live on except by holding more than one job, and the list goes on and on.
Yes, the country is becoming polarized, BY INCOME INEQUALITY. Trump is the result of people looking for a rescue. The GOP will just make matters worse.
Yes, the country is becoming polarized, BY INCOME INEQUALITY. Trump is the result of people looking for a rescue. The GOP will just make matters worse.
3
Another lame 'they both do it' bit of nonsense. When exactly was the last time Republican raised taxes on high earners? I thought so.
1
This was worth the price of admission:
"But Mulvaney used to be a leader in a House caucus so conservative that even the rest of the Republican majority thought they were sort of bananas. Now he’s definitely in the running for most awful cabinet member, even in a competition that includes Jeff Sessions."
And we might add, Betsy Devoss . . .
"But Mulvaney used to be a leader in a House caucus so conservative that even the rest of the Republican majority thought they were sort of bananas. Now he’s definitely in the running for most awful cabinet member, even in a competition that includes Jeff Sessions."
And we might add, Betsy Devoss . . .
5
Repubs have continually toted the line that the 30,000 people killed every year from gun violence is caused by a lack of funding for mental health. The Trump Budget cuts back on mental health spending.
Either you don't care about the 30,000 deaths per year..... or the problem isn't a mental health issue.
What's the cause now??
Either you don't care about the 30,000 deaths per year..... or the problem isn't a mental health issue.
What's the cause now??
3
I think the real issue is in the middle of the piece: the Rs will pass something slightly, only slightly, less draconian, and crow about their compassionate distance from the meanie in the Whitehouse.
4
"The Department of Agriculture says it’s going to cap food stamps at six people per household. If another kid comes along, they’re out of luck."
Breath-takingly awful. Limit food stamps to some arbitrary number, and end funding for Planned Parenthood, and with it information about and access to contraceptives that can support family planning. As has been noted many times before, the Republicans are "pro-life" for fetuses that can't survive outside the womb, but once those fetuses become actual breathing infant human beings, from the Republican point of view, they're on their own. I wonder how many Republicans supporting this travesty if they consider themselves Christian.
Breath-takingly awful. Limit food stamps to some arbitrary number, and end funding for Planned Parenthood, and with it information about and access to contraceptives that can support family planning. As has been noted many times before, the Republicans are "pro-life" for fetuses that can't survive outside the womb, but once those fetuses become actual breathing infant human beings, from the Republican point of view, they're on their own. I wonder how many Republicans supporting this travesty if they consider themselves Christian.
7
"The goal of dismantling the social safety net, Mulvaney said, was to make recipients of federal aid 'take charge of their own lives.'"
So why don't all rich people adopt Andrew Carnegie's philosophy that inherited wealth destroys character and give away all their money before they die rather than try to abolish the estate tax?
So why don't all rich people adopt Andrew Carnegie's philosophy that inherited wealth destroys character and give away all their money before they die rather than try to abolish the estate tax?
6
But Gail. We have already had the coup. It was bloodless, led by a small group of billionaire extremists with no loyalty to the people to whom they appeal and a cadre of their super-rich followers. They have succeeded in defanging rules and regulations, almost entire agencies, that have kept them from making a lot more money, rules that supported things like clean air and water and "public" land free from oil derricks because they have a willing Huge Leader in the Oval Office.
The coup leader has no idea what to do now that he has the Oval Office. He cannot control his tongue or, it seems, his hands. He acts like a brash, ignorant, arrogant teenager, pushing other world leaders away so he can get to the front spot for the cameras.
Yes, Gail, the coup has happened. And we have four more years of it.
The coup leader has no idea what to do now that he has the Oval Office. He cannot control his tongue or, it seems, his hands. He acts like a brash, ignorant, arrogant teenager, pushing other world leaders away so he can get to the front spot for the cameras.
Yes, Gail, the coup has happened. And we have four more years of it.
2
To explain the double entry of the $2 Trillion - $2 Trillion is entered as an offset to the $5 Trillion in cuts. Then it appears again - as paying down the debt!
This was brought to light by Sen. Clair McCaskill in the Senate Finance Committee hearing with Steve Mnuchin.
But there was more - at the end of the meeting, Sen. Ron Wyden said - "You have 1 single, bulletted page. At this rate we will the get full proposed tax reform by 2075."
This was brought to light by Sen. Clair McCaskill in the Senate Finance Committee hearing with Steve Mnuchin.
But there was more - at the end of the meeting, Sen. Ron Wyden said - "You have 1 single, bulletted page. At this rate we will the get full proposed tax reform by 2075."
9
Typical Republicans. Reverse-Robin-Hood policies with a decidedly anti-Christian foundation. And all of this is supported by rabid anti-liberalism fueled by deceptive propaganda peddled by right-wing talk radio (e.g., Rush Limbaugh), right-wing cable news (e.g., Fox News) and right-wing websites (e.g., Breitbart and Drudge).
3
Slashing the health care premiums from the Congress and Senate's paycheck would be the bold vision to lower the deficit !!!
4
"Roll the dice."
As we have now seen in both the 2000 and 2016 presidential elections, the dice are loaded and the gaming commissioners are on the take.
As we have now seen in both the 2000 and 2016 presidential elections, the dice are loaded and the gaming commissioners are on the take.
8
"We established this nation so that government of the wealthy, by the wealthy, and for the wealthy, shall not perish from the Earth."
- Donald Trump, 2017
- Donald Trump, 2017
7
Of course Trump can add things up. We'll have the most richest people in the world, the most poorest people in the world and the most sickest people in the world.
1
I am afraid that there is a method to their obvious madness. The analogy that comes to mind is the merchant who ask for a thousand dollars for an item worth $50 and then invites you to make an counter offer. So, you cut down, if you are smart, to $100 and he sheds tears that you are taking bread from the mouths of his children. So you go to $200, he goes to $800. You go to $300, he goes to $500 to show his good will. And you end up paying $400 for a $50 item. Trump goes for the full 23 million people and the Republicans, after much hemming and hawing, will "reasonably" give you the final offer,and 15 million people will end up without health insurance.
6
To be fair, even though Mr. Trump's budget doesn't add up - it only subtracts - in education, he will introduce, under the eyeless leadership of Secretary of Education Betsy de Vos - she with no known lucubrations - a new mathematics in all schools: multiplying divisions. Anybody who fails at the new mathematics gets body slammed, but will have a guaranteed job with Carrier in Mexico. Now, that's vision and promises kept.
9
Trump conned his way to the White House as surely as he cheated vendors out of payment for building his "huge" hotels and casinos. It doesn't get much lower in budgeting than taking money from a children's health program to give the rich tax cuts they don't need.
We can only hope that those who thought the disruption he would bring to Washington would be good for them soon recognize that what he is disrupting is their own lives.
We can only hope that those who thought the disruption he would bring to Washington would be good for them soon recognize that what he is disrupting is their own lives.
21
Even Trump would be appalled by this budget, if he took the trouble to know what is in it.
It was mind boggling to witness the voters being such willing dupes for the parade of lies trotted out by the GOP and the Orange one in 2016. If the voters do not throw them out after every one of their promises in the last election have been revealed as bare faced lies then there is no hope for country and the majority of the populace will be revealed as having no self respect.
14
Trump and his people can't even get their act together to nominate/hire the nearly 500 more positions needed to help run our government and he wants to cut entitlements to the poor on the basis that they are not pulling their fair share? Or contributing to our society? Talk about the pot calling the kettle...
4
It's not ALL about poor arithmetic. Trump may be a bit weak with addition (except when he's pressuring Forbes to add a few billion to his dollar position on the "500" list), and division (except when he's "uniting"-by-dividing at campaign rallies and post-inauguration campaign rallies), and multiplication (except when he "doubles down" on his latest... umm... "misstatement").
And never mind the really tough stuff, like counting Electoral votes and finding the square root 4. He can safely leave those things to his son-in-law Jared, who's charged with fixing everything in America except making the trains run on time. ("Dad, what's a train?")
But subtraction! Now there's a strong point. Subtract from taxes on the 1% and offset the revenue loss with subtractions from benefits to the 47%...oh, wait, that percentage was from Romney. But what the heck. Who's counting?
Literally.
And never mind the really tough stuff, like counting Electoral votes and finding the square root 4. He can safely leave those things to his son-in-law Jared, who's charged with fixing everything in America except making the trains run on time. ("Dad, what's a train?")
But subtraction! Now there's a strong point. Subtract from taxes on the 1% and offset the revenue loss with subtractions from benefits to the 47%...oh, wait, that percentage was from Romney. But what the heck. Who's counting?
Literally.
10
President George H. W. Bush was the last Republican to recognize "voodoo economics" when it was staring him in the face.
6
Not to worry, it will all "trickle down" (in tears).
9
It won't be long before, despite what video and audio tapes will prove, that the president denies he said that he'd never touch Social Security and Medicare. Just like he's now denying he backed LePen in France. Duh!
7
They can put their money where their mouths are: give us a simple, logical guarantee. In years when growth is less than 3%, the top 5 or 10 percent have their taxes raised for the following 2 years to make up the difference. How could they refuse such a bet in themselves and their math - truly taking responsibility!
8
When is the last time any president's proposed budget was actually adopted by Congress as proposed?
1
Just another example of the "Alice in Wonderland" world of Trump and his administration. Down is up and up is down. So, you give huge tax cuts to the rich and cut programs that feed poor children and their families and support those who are disabled. This is termed compassion for the taxpayer when it is anything but for the vast majority of taxpayers but for the top 1%. Of course this comes from another one of Trump's counterintuitive Cabinet picks. You have to know that if Mulvaney was too extreme for the GOP caucus in Congress he must make Ayn Rand sound like a socialist. This administration is truly a trip through the looking glass. The only saving grace is that Congress is unlikely to pass this budget. Checks and balances sometimes do work.
5
Trump could theoretically be president in 10 years without Constitutional problems if he serves out his current term, waits out for a term, and then runs and wins again. Happily a vanishingly small probability of this scenario actually concurring.
1
" ... we will have super-duper, excellent, great — no, huge — economic growth based on monster tax cuts for the rich and cuts in spending that will leave the poor with no money to buy anything."
What's interesting is that the GOP seems to feel little or no need to rationalize this round of tax cuts for the rich. Trickle-down defenders used to claim that wealthy people and companies would plow their tax savings into expanding their businesses, thus creating new jobs. Instead, they plowed the savings into expanding their accounts in offshore banks.
Is the GOP silent on this topic now out of a sudden burst of honesty, or because they don't think we will care, or because they don't care what we think?
What's interesting is that the GOP seems to feel little or no need to rationalize this round of tax cuts for the rich. Trickle-down defenders used to claim that wealthy people and companies would plow their tax savings into expanding their businesses, thus creating new jobs. Instead, they plowed the savings into expanding their accounts in offshore banks.
Is the GOP silent on this topic now out of a sudden burst of honesty, or because they don't think we will care, or because they don't care what we think?
9
It's that last one.
4
Arithmetic by Carl Sandberg
(too bad we're cutting the Arts budget)
Arithmetic is where numbers fly like pigeons in and out of your
head.
Arithmet ic tell you how many you lose or win if you know how
many you had before you lost or won.
Arithmetic is seven eleven all good children go to heaven -- or five
six bundle of sticks.
Arithmetic is numbers you squeeze from your head to your hand
to your pencil to your paper till you get the answer.
Arithmetic is where the answer is right and everything is nice and
you can look out of the window and see the blue sky -- or the
answer is wrong and you have to start all over and try again
and see how it comes out this time.
If you take a number and double it and double it again and then
double it a few more times, the number gets bigger and bigger
and goes higher and higher and only arithmetic can tell you
what the number is when you decide to quit doubling.
Teachers of America - time to give America a quiz before Memorial Day
(too bad we're cutting the Arts budget)
Arithmetic is where numbers fly like pigeons in and out of your
head.
Arithmet ic tell you how many you lose or win if you know how
many you had before you lost or won.
Arithmetic is seven eleven all good children go to heaven -- or five
six bundle of sticks.
Arithmetic is numbers you squeeze from your head to your hand
to your pencil to your paper till you get the answer.
Arithmetic is where the answer is right and everything is nice and
you can look out of the window and see the blue sky -- or the
answer is wrong and you have to start all over and try again
and see how it comes out this time.
If you take a number and double it and double it again and then
double it a few more times, the number gets bigger and bigger
and goes higher and higher and only arithmetic can tell you
what the number is when you decide to quit doubling.
Teachers of America - time to give America a quiz before Memorial Day
1
I also think, Gail, that we have long had "a feel" for what it is like to have to do business with Trump Org. Namely, you run the risk of not getting paid, or if you do, having to grudgingly accept mere pennies on the dollar( the vendor scam). Or, being the victim of some high-pressure sales pitch laden with misrepresentations, or falsehoods, receiving hamburger when you were promised filet mignon(Trump U.). Or, if you are creditors, seeing your investments wiped out while your debtor miraculously goes on to contrive bigger, better, greater "deals"(the casino magic trick). Or, if you are a governmental entity waiting for tax revenue to keep the lights on, having to face delay after delay, endless litigation, or questionable accounting practices zeroing out a liability(the "only the little people pay taxes" rule). There are more examples, of course.
And to think that the head of this illustrious, hugely successful commercial enterprise was forced to berate today our N.A.T.O. Allies for being skinflints. Their audacity is just unbelievable!!
And to think that the head of this illustrious, hugely successful commercial enterprise was forced to berate today our N.A.T.O. Allies for being skinflints. Their audacity is just unbelievable!!
43
This is all marketing. It satisifies the Republican base by punishing "those people" (which as it turns out, the Republican base is comprised largely of "those people"). Mulvaney satarts out with a budget that is absurdly cruel: he deprives children of food and medical care in order to pass tax cuts on to the wealthy (this from the self-styled Christians who wear their faith on their sleaves).
Then if the GOP hooligans can get their act together, they can pass something that is still stupid and cruel but slighlty less severe. Result? They receive high praise for being so fiscally conservative.
I do not understand the logic. The GOP wants to shred the social safety net and with it healthcare which will kill thousands of Americans every year - guaranteed. But we want to increase defense spending to protect us from terrorists who might kill a handful of us. Meanwhile, the President is passing top secret intelligence to sworn enemies of the United States.
The greatest threat to the United States is our own stupidity. But we got a plan for that too: slash student loans for college.
As has often been said, if this were a Hollywood script, it would be thrown in the trashcan because it is simply too absurd. I know one thing. This can't go on for much longer. I don't know how or when it will end but you just can't run a modern, western democracy with such incompetence and expect it to survive.
Then if the GOP hooligans can get their act together, they can pass something that is still stupid and cruel but slighlty less severe. Result? They receive high praise for being so fiscally conservative.
I do not understand the logic. The GOP wants to shred the social safety net and with it healthcare which will kill thousands of Americans every year - guaranteed. But we want to increase defense spending to protect us from terrorists who might kill a handful of us. Meanwhile, the President is passing top secret intelligence to sworn enemies of the United States.
The greatest threat to the United States is our own stupidity. But we got a plan for that too: slash student loans for college.
As has often been said, if this were a Hollywood script, it would be thrown in the trashcan because it is simply too absurd. I know one thing. This can't go on for much longer. I don't know how or when it will end but you just can't run a modern, western democracy with such incompetence and expect it to survive.
60
Alternative facts need alternative math. At least things are consistent here. Lighten up.
6
I understand in a village near Shanghai they are sewing together a 500 foot banner that says "Welcome to Walmart's Mount Rushmore"
4
All those poorly educated working class Americans (whom Trump said he dearly loved during the campaign) may want to reconsider their steadfast loyalty toward a guy who has a very strange way of delivering all those wonderful promises he made to greatly improve their lives.
Just ask yourselves, how exactly is a budget proposal that will extract over a trillion dollars from programs that are designed to help lower income Americans, and then transfer this money to the wealthiest among us in the form of huge tax cuts, supposed to make America great again for the average Joe??
If you're having trouble figuring this out, it just might be possible that Trump has played you, and you've been had - bigly.
Just ask yourselves, how exactly is a budget proposal that will extract over a trillion dollars from programs that are designed to help lower income Americans, and then transfer this money to the wealthiest among us in the form of huge tax cuts, supposed to make America great again for the average Joe??
If you're having trouble figuring this out, it just might be possible that Trump has played you, and you've been had - bigly.
20
How about a reserve of, say $2 trillion as Trump's budget sends the USA and worldwide economies into a new deep recession. How now, trickle downers?
3
I continue to be amazed by comments that refer to "fat" and "waste" in reference to the large number of American's who for, one reason or another, don't pay federal income taxes. Not only do these sort of comments display an utter lack of understanding of who does not pay federal taxes and why, but they also display a discouraging lack of compassion for those less fortunate Americans. These comments also suggest - mistakenly - that only those Americans who pay federal income taxes are somehow entitled to dictate the well being of those who do not.
More fortunate Americans tend to conveniently forget how much benefit they receive from our tax system in the form of capital gains tax, mortgage deductions, charitable deductions, preferential dividend treatment, etc., which is as much a form of entitlement spending as is food stamp and welfare payments. Likewise, lumping people together as "others" or "those people" provides convenient cover to demonize people whose lives and fortunes don't look like our own. Its easier to assume that they are lazy, ignorant "takers", who could be more like "us" if they would only apply themselves.
Whatever our thoughts may be as to why some succeed and others do not, the simple economic fact is that the fewer people who do succeed, the less healthy our economy will be. Yes, we need more people working, but they need jobs that will pay a sustainable wage, and tax policy alone only addresses the symptom and not the cause.
More fortunate Americans tend to conveniently forget how much benefit they receive from our tax system in the form of capital gains tax, mortgage deductions, charitable deductions, preferential dividend treatment, etc., which is as much a form of entitlement spending as is food stamp and welfare payments. Likewise, lumping people together as "others" or "those people" provides convenient cover to demonize people whose lives and fortunes don't look like our own. Its easier to assume that they are lazy, ignorant "takers", who could be more like "us" if they would only apply themselves.
Whatever our thoughts may be as to why some succeed and others do not, the simple economic fact is that the fewer people who do succeed, the less healthy our economy will be. Yes, we need more people working, but they need jobs that will pay a sustainable wage, and tax policy alone only addresses the symptom and not the cause.
26
Have you noticed that no politician, no reporter, no blogger, no pastor, no tweeter, etc., ever admits that some people are simply naturally more intelligent than others? That we're not all cut out to be millionaires? That we don't all inherit money so that we can pay smart lawyers? I know many people who are far brighter and cleverer than I, but they tend to be scientists and writers, certainly not politicians as a group. So why do we hold millionaires in such awe? What do they contribute to our society? They tend to be takers, as we're learning every day, over and over. Let us bow down before the 1%, hallelujah!
Gail,
Your columns are a humorous look at the most dysfunctional, crazed presidential administration ever to reside in the White House. While I enjoy the many chuckles I get reading each column, the mere sight of Chump meeting with world leaders gives me uncontrollable agita. Not only is he a certifiable, as he would put it, "nut job" but he is so stupid that listening to him speak is comparable to my pre-school granddaughter but not as smart. Thanks for trying to make this terrible situation tolerable but the reality is frightening.
Your columns are a humorous look at the most dysfunctional, crazed presidential administration ever to reside in the White House. While I enjoy the many chuckles I get reading each column, the mere sight of Chump meeting with world leaders gives me uncontrollable agita. Not only is he a certifiable, as he would put it, "nut job" but he is so stupid that listening to him speak is comparable to my pre-school granddaughter but not as smart. Thanks for trying to make this terrible situation tolerable but the reality is frightening.
30
Well, really---the Republicans just don't want the poor to "indulge" in sex---"indulge in food" ----etc. They want the poor to show more discipline---they don't want them to be human.
14
It is better to have a system...and a culture...that takes care of those in need, than one that ignores them. Yes, there will always be a percentage of those who play the system. It's inevitable. It's wise to administer with intelligence (I know that's a shot in the dark). But better to let a small percent scam the system, than to let people go hungry.
Americans are generous one on one, but we are compassion illiterates.
Americans are generous one on one, but we are compassion illiterates.
16
That was beautiful. Really.
2
Trump can't add things up because he is so "addled up."
3
Someone really needs to explain econ 101 to trump. All of the money he wants to remove from the poor and middle class in order to fund his tax cuts will also be removed from the economy. The republican faithful never speak to that truth. People who have wealth spend virtually whatever they spend on a month to month basis whether they have a little more or a little less. Giving them more money does not mean they will buy another yacht or another fancy car. They probably already have as many as they want if they are at the level that will benefit from this massive wealth re-distribution. And that is really what it is. As if the trickle (more like tsunami) up situation we have had since the Reagan administration were not deleterious enough to the poor and middle class this bill is a sign that there will no longer be any holding back. It is a straight up rape and pillage bill for the wealthy. Ryan and his ilk will not stop until they have their greedy paws on the Social Security trust fund and they have the ability to "invest" that into their corporate masters Wall Street casino. This is the most shameful hijacking of our economy in recent history in a country that has become all too accustomed (and apathetic, sadly) to shameful government.
15
This is what happens when brainwashed, uninformed or misinformed citizens vote with their "guts" for the guy in the red baseball cap who says, "I alone can fix it!" From now on, can we please have an IQ test for anyone running for office and for the folks they hire? I would like it if they could, at the very least, pass the same standardized exams required for 9th graders...maybe that way the two trillion wouldn't get counted twice in the budget. Sigh. We are so screwed.
22
Wish we could super-recommend a comment. Yours was right on. Intelligence counts for a lot. Especially in government officials.
2
People knew before the election that Trump was a lying, cheating, swindling charlatan who didn't pay his contractors, filed lawsuits against them to drag them through court so he could drive them to the edge of or into bankruptcy so they'd settle for some piddling amount instead of the full amount of what he owed them for the work they performed, and ultimately bankrupted all of his casinos (a nearly impossible feat since casinos always have the odds in their favor) and put thousands of people out of work as a result. Still the dumber segment of the population voted for this lying, cheating fraudster.
Meanwhile evil trashbags like Mulvaney who would sell their mother if it meant more money for him naturally joined up with a fellow grifter and is now peddling a bag of snakes while proclaiming it to be a bag of gold.
Mulvaney is hideous and until we, the people, throw people like him, Sessions, Cotton, Cruz and the rest of the rot out of government -- this is our future -- watching the greedy scum prey on the sick, the disabled, the poor, the children, the elderly, the defenseless etc. while lining their own pockets.
Meanwhile evil trashbags like Mulvaney who would sell their mother if it meant more money for him naturally joined up with a fellow grifter and is now peddling a bag of snakes while proclaiming it to be a bag of gold.
Mulvaney is hideous and until we, the people, throw people like him, Sessions, Cotton, Cruz and the rest of the rot out of government -- this is our future -- watching the greedy scum prey on the sick, the disabled, the poor, the children, the elderly, the defenseless etc. while lining their own pockets.
34
Even the normally sweat-dampened Mulvaney is not greasy enough to wriggle out of this travesty. He prides himself on conservative buzz words like efficacy, that money shouldn't be spent on anything the government thinks won't be helped by it. Unfortunately they have demonstrated no expertise in assessing cost benefit analysis or cost efficacy, They just use their tired dog-eared propaganda as a substitute for data or truth. If we apportioned money based on efficacy the congressional majority would all be back home on the unemployment lines or picking trash up off the roadsides. That's about all this sweaty hillbilly is good for.
14
As President Trump's budget indicates, the Ryan-Trump-GOP conning of the average Joe and Josephine is proceeding at warp speed.
The Ryan-Trump administration will continue to push its regressive agenda: Deregulate, cut taxes for the rich and--despite Mr. Trump's campaign pledges to protect Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security--privatize or otherwise "reform" the social safety net.
Sure enough, under the GOP majority the government will no longer keep its hands off your Medicare.
But most denizens of the red states will continue to misdirect their resentment. GOP overlords once again will readily convince these red-staters: (a) that all their problems are due to immigrants who are stealing their jobs, and (b) that most of their hard earned red-state tax-payer dollars end up in the Gucci purses of city-dwelling welfare queens.
What's worse, most residents of red states live very far from the penthouses favored by rich city folk--many of whom are Republican donors. How many rural red-staters will ever have the opportunity to huddle far below penthouse decks while reveling plutocrats teach them what "trickle down" really means?
The Ryan-Trump administration will continue to push its regressive agenda: Deregulate, cut taxes for the rich and--despite Mr. Trump's campaign pledges to protect Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security--privatize or otherwise "reform" the social safety net.
Sure enough, under the GOP majority the government will no longer keep its hands off your Medicare.
But most denizens of the red states will continue to misdirect their resentment. GOP overlords once again will readily convince these red-staters: (a) that all their problems are due to immigrants who are stealing their jobs, and (b) that most of their hard earned red-state tax-payer dollars end up in the Gucci purses of city-dwelling welfare queens.
What's worse, most residents of red states live very far from the penthouses favored by rich city folk--many of whom are Republican donors. How many rural red-staters will ever have the opportunity to huddle far below penthouse decks while reveling plutocrats teach them what "trickle down" really means?
11
Are you tired of winning yet??
6
No, actually, it's the Democrats who can't add things up. They just don't seem to get it that there just isn't enough money in the American economy to give, "free," every deadbeat welfare bum everything their lazy little heats desire.
No, the present budget proposal wouldn't "cost 23 million Americans their insurance coverage over the next 10 years." It wasn't "their" coverage in the first place--it was coverage being paid for with money wrested from tax-paying Americans. Basically, "their" coverage was being paid for with stolen money. Not to mention that about 19 million of that 23 million are young, healthy, sorts who neither want nor need insurance in the first place.
And if the proposed budget "leaves the poor with no money to buy anything," maybe the bums should get jobs. Or move to Venezuela. Or do do something other than park on their posteriors watching Netflix on their big-screen TVs while texting friends on their Obamaphones, all while being burdens on the rest of us.
No, the present budget proposal wouldn't "cost 23 million Americans their insurance coverage over the next 10 years." It wasn't "their" coverage in the first place--it was coverage being paid for with money wrested from tax-paying Americans. Basically, "their" coverage was being paid for with stolen money. Not to mention that about 19 million of that 23 million are young, healthy, sorts who neither want nor need insurance in the first place.
And if the proposed budget "leaves the poor with no money to buy anything," maybe the bums should get jobs. Or move to Venezuela. Or do do something other than park on their posteriors watching Netflix on their big-screen TVs while texting friends on their Obamaphones, all while being burdens on the rest of us.
2
Hi,
You sound like a Fox news watcher. Therefore, you have a lot of catching up to do. Reading is fundamental. How about starting with
HIllbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance.
That should be a good first step. Keep reading!
You sound like a Fox news watcher. Therefore, you have a lot of catching up to do. Reading is fundamental. How about starting with
HIllbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance.
That should be a good first step. Keep reading!
10
Speaking of burdens, this post was quite painful to read. But, we must defend even your right to offend.
9
Speaking of fat posteriors parked in front of big screens, greasy fingers shoveling in wings and fries supplied on the taxpayers' dime, let's start w/ POTUS and FLOTUS. Except for one year of revealed tax payment (and that at a % lower than the rest of us due to declared losses of money other people actually lost), this couple have dodged their fair share for a long time and at the expense of every hard working contractor stiffed, bills unpaid, tax due picked up by me. Libertarians tend to be low IQ drones who like the multisyllabic moniker - knock yourself out. You picked a guy who needed $100 million in laundered rubles to get out of debt. Not me.
16
Kudos to you, Ms Collins, for a brilliantly bitter/funny conclusion to this column
8
Mick Mulvaney is an evil (but oddly compassionate) man. I agree with Gail: he's easily a top candidate for most repugnant cabinet member, vying with lil' Elmer Fudd at Justice and belching Smoke-y Pruitt at EPA. Oh, Donald, what a braintrust you've assembled! The worst of the worst, led by the most incompetent and cynical serial bungler of them all. Please, God, get us to the mid-terms and then let the house cleaning begin.
16
“take charge of their own lives.”
Herblock did a great 1960's cartoon.
To black kids sitting on a stoop, Barry Goldwater says--
"You should go out and inherit a department store."
His father's family founded a leading upscale Pheonix department store.
That's called "equal opportunity" by "conservatives" aka neo-feudalists.
It's freedom from government to be a serf to your "betters" working your way up from slave to cotton picker.
Herblock did a great 1960's cartoon.
To black kids sitting on a stoop, Barry Goldwater says--
"You should go out and inherit a department store."
His father's family founded a leading upscale Pheonix department store.
That's called "equal opportunity" by "conservatives" aka neo-feudalists.
It's freedom from government to be a serf to your "betters" working your way up from slave to cotton picker.
9
Roll the dice. There's your labor problems solved. Bring back the orphanages and the workhouses. Mexico, tear down that wall! and let us outta here!
10
Trump Can't ________________. Just fill in the blank, Daily. Seriously.
9
Sad but true. what, after all, can the man do? is he a:
contractor?
architect?
designer?
accountant?
lawyer?
professor?
teacher?
diplomat?
ambassador?
No, no none of the above...
contractor?
architect?
designer?
accountant?
lawyer?
professor?
teacher?
diplomat?
ambassador?
No, no none of the above...
there is a through line to this: the conservative position is pretty much that anybody not in their country club is a smalltime freeloader, and they only respect bigtime freeloaders.
they work hard, and therefore, so should you (quit your complaining; your iron lung isn't THAT heavy).
the problem with this proposition is that conservatives are mainly anal retentive types and don't like to let go of even a dime they don't need, so the clear result is that the undesirable class should work, but not be paid.
slavery is such an unpleasant propositon; serfdom sounds better, kind of like a watersport.
that's the real objective: be in the country club or owe your soul to the company store. good news! we're halfway there!
they work hard, and therefore, so should you (quit your complaining; your iron lung isn't THAT heavy).
the problem with this proposition is that conservatives are mainly anal retentive types and don't like to let go of even a dime they don't need, so the clear result is that the undesirable class should work, but not be paid.
slavery is such an unpleasant propositon; serfdom sounds better, kind of like a watersport.
that's the real objective: be in the country club or owe your soul to the company store. good news! we're halfway there!
8
On the one hand Republicans are against birth control and abortion, on the other, they cut food stamps which feeds all those babies. I guess they prefer to kill babies after birth and of hunger rather than prevent conception or abort a group of cells!
20
And it continues to blow my mind that they do not see the logical conclusion of denying family planning resources. Open your eyes, blind followers of conservative dogma.
3
Give the uber wealthy more money and two things will most certainly happen. First much of it will find its way into tax sheltered investments that benefit only their desire to increase their net worth. Second, when they do spend the extra money, it may go on another lavish meal at Per Se or perhaps a Ferrari or a Matisse. It will be spent on nothing that benefits society as a whole.
This is the reality of supply side, trickle down economics. The wealthy already have all the things that create economic value, expand the economy, create jobs. This while the pockets of those who do add value are emptied.
This is the reality of supply side, trickle down economics. The wealthy already have all the things that create economic value, expand the economy, create jobs. This while the pockets of those who do add value are emptied.
92
Message to Warren Buffett: Trump & cronies need this book now.
After being turned down by some billionaires whom he asked to donate half of their billion dollar wealth Buffett said "If you have trouble living on $500 million, I’m going to put out a book, ‘How to get by on $500 Million,’ "
After being turned down by some billionaires whom he asked to donate half of their billion dollar wealth Buffett said "If you have trouble living on $500 million, I’m going to put out a book, ‘How to get by on $500 Million,’ "
6
Maybe we could have a single line inserted in the bill that says something like, "Anyone who gains more than $50,000 from the tax cuts will open their homes to Americans suffering from unemployment and homelessness." At least then they'd actually know someone who wasn't rich like them.
10
What about Mulvaney's $2 trillion accounting error?- double counting $2 trillion seems to fit right in with general GOP incompetence and mendacity.
9
I'm sorry, but a $2,000,000,000 accounting error is not a mistake, it is a brazen attempt at Republican sleight-of-hand that even Harry Houdini wouldn't attempt. Like so many of the Trump administration's daily foibles, it seems the only gambit they have in their trick bag is "hide it in plain sight." What else explains Comey's valiant but doomed effort to blend into the White House's blue curtains rather than risk physical contact with our President? Or Flynn at his secretly paid dinner escapade photographed while sitting at the foot of Putin? Plausible deniability with your vodka, anyone? How many fools errands does it take to bring down a presidency?
9
It's obvious where the second two-trillion will go: To those who will benefit by the "huge" tax cuts that they don't need. And it will come from the rest of us who can ill-afford to lose it. This cannot surprise anyone. What will be a surprise is when the Congress shows it's honesty and integrity and puts a stop to it.
25
Collins' notion that a strong economy "with an aging population" necessitates immigration on an astronomical scale is deeply mistaken. A multiplicity of economic studies and news stories show that our problem is not a lack of workers; it is non-competitive wages. There are jobs aplenty, but employers need to pay more to attract the 70+ million Americans not in the workforce. In addition, we need for SKILLED WORKERS. It is axiomatic that mass immigration by low-skilled workers with little education into a post-industrial knowledge-based economy with a large welfare system is injurious to that system. The largest cohort of today's immigrants come from Central America and Mexico. Data from the Pew Center for Hispanic Research show over 32% haven't finished 9th grade, and those with a high school diploma may be counted in single digits. This is not the labor force for the 21st century. American workers are far better educated and can more than meet the job demand: again, the issue is wages. Also critical is the difference between what migrants, legal and illegal, contribute to the economy as opposed to the public benefits they receive. Illegal immigration by itself costs approximately $385 billion a year. Yet the contribution of illegal aliens to the GDP amounts to a two tenths of 1 percent -- and the money received by illegal aliens represents a huge transfer of wealth from America's working poor to them, a socially divisive and destructive policy.
4
Good argument, doc. If you would have included the GDP figure it would make it a lot easier for us non-doctors to compute the comparison. Most of us don't walk around with current GDP figures in our pockets. But, most of us can do multiplication. Even hillbillies.
1
Columnists like Gail Collins have it easy. You just wait for something to happen, like Donald Trump's releasing his budget, and then you pick out a few points to criticize and mock with. That's not hard to do. I could do it too.
And in politics, that works. Many politicians spend their whole careers doing that kind of thing without accomplishing anything real. Bernie Sanders comes to mind. Hillary Clinton too. They talk a lot. They have done nothing.
Donald Trump comes from the real world. Unlike the political world, in the real world there are risks and there is failure. You have to learn how to deal with risks, and you have to experience failure, in order to succeed.
So far, I am impressed by Donald Trump and what he has done. A lot of mistakes, sure. A lot of risks taken that turned into failures. But he has learned from those mistakes and failures and moved on. That is how you succeed.
Unless, of course, you live in Gail Collins's fake world where only words matter. There, mockery and insults seem to be the path to her personal success. Works for her. But what does that give to the rest of us?
And in politics, that works. Many politicians spend their whole careers doing that kind of thing without accomplishing anything real. Bernie Sanders comes to mind. Hillary Clinton too. They talk a lot. They have done nothing.
Donald Trump comes from the real world. Unlike the political world, in the real world there are risks and there is failure. You have to learn how to deal with risks, and you have to experience failure, in order to succeed.
So far, I am impressed by Donald Trump and what he has done. A lot of mistakes, sure. A lot of risks taken that turned into failures. But he has learned from those mistakes and failures and moved on. That is how you succeed.
Unless, of course, you live in Gail Collins's fake world where only words matter. There, mockery and insults seem to be the path to her personal success. Works for her. But what does that give to the rest of us?
3
You insult Ms. Collins career choice, while mimicking the behavior you seek to condemn. You have missed your calling as a pot, sir.
9
So, you would volunteer to be one of the contractors that Trump stiffed or one of the employees at the casinos that failed, because hey, that's part of taking risks in business, hum? All he had to do was file for bankruptcy. Of course, if those contractors or dealers had to file for bankruptcy, they had moral failings and deserve everything bad that happened to them.
Who could have imagined that Lewis Carroll would predict 21st-century White House math: Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.
6
Hilarious?
Only if you don't count the cruelty to children and job seekers, the proven-false trickle down economic assumptions, the likely decade-long economic damage, the dis-education of American youth, and the robbery of the Nation's coffers.
Nah - I can't laugh....
Only if you don't count the cruelty to children and job seekers, the proven-false trickle down economic assumptions, the likely decade-long economic damage, the dis-education of American youth, and the robbery of the Nation's coffers.
Nah - I can't laugh....
10
Dear Europe: We apologize for the ugliest American of all. We are trying to rid ourselves of this horrid man. It will take awhile, but we're working on it. The majority of Americans do not claim him as our president. Most of us apologize to our European friends and plead that you will forgive this country for putting this man in an office for which is so unqualified and incompetent.
Please forgive us, and bear with us as we work to rid ourselves of this scourge to civilization.
Please forgive us, and bear with us as we work to rid ourselves of this scourge to civilization.
23
And now we all must understand how his casinos could go belly up and sink Atlantic City's past and future. Now we should all understand that a mere BA in whatever from the Wharton School is not the same as a masters degree from that same prestigious institution, unless of course, one wants to argue somehow his masters/doctorate in Business was granted by Trump University. Needless to say, Trump University never existed as a university but rather was another scam.
Such a great businessman that he knew the ins and outs of the deal, apprenticeship and negotiation. He is the billionaire con man. DJT’s Mathematic Impairment equates with no production of tax returns, appointment of incompetents and no responsibility for any nonsense he can recall related to the economy, healthcare, or trickle-down theft. Somebody please, deliver us from the evils of greed and massive con jobs. In conclusion, this is how America is made great by electing DJT and his band of rich privileged put primarily uncaring, ignorant and incompetent group of folks I have ever lived to see prove they do not know how to govern. Scary sad?
Such a great businessman that he knew the ins and outs of the deal, apprenticeship and negotiation. He is the billionaire con man. DJT’s Mathematic Impairment equates with no production of tax returns, appointment of incompetents and no responsibility for any nonsense he can recall related to the economy, healthcare, or trickle-down theft. Somebody please, deliver us from the evils of greed and massive con jobs. In conclusion, this is how America is made great by electing DJT and his band of rich privileged put primarily uncaring, ignorant and incompetent group of folks I have ever lived to see prove they do not know how to govern. Scary sad?
16
One page for the budget of the United States. I'm surprised it was 147...characters. This is the same due diligence Trump brought to bear when he was in the business of buying, building and bankrupting casinos. Those who ignore history repeat it.
11
Whatever your view are on the Trump Budget recommendation, the accusation that he counted $2 trillion twice is a dishonest conclusion that emanated from Democrat economic figurehead Larry Summers. His claim is a classic example of splitting hairs over terminology.
3
No, johnlo, it is not. Even the Republicans have admitted it's an error and that they are going to "fix it later":
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/05/trump-budget-based-on-usd2-...
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/05/trump-budget-based-on-usd2-...
7
No, all you have to do is the basic arithmetic. The same increase in economic growth is used to claim that the budget is revenue neutral (won't change the budget balance) and then used again to claim that it will bring the budget into balance. That also ignores the pure fantasy of 3% average growth for a decade. You can blame Larry Summers for a number of things but Mulvaney put out this bit of nonsense. It would appear his understanding of basic economics (let alone arithmetic) rivals Trump's.
A TWO TRILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE?
I can understand that.
Back in the 80's I wrote a deposit down twice, loved the balance it showed in my checkbook, had a lovely time and then my rent check bounced.
Boy, I never made that mistake again!
But it's unclear to me: Does that mean that the Uber-1%ers don't get their government subsidies? Or do they get them twice?
Does it mean that the poorest just starve once? Or do they have to starve twice?
Two trillion dollars?
A trillion here, a trillion there.... sooner or later you start talking real money.
Well, unless, as shown here, that it's not real money at all.
Voodoo Economics, indeed!
I can understand that.
Back in the 80's I wrote a deposit down twice, loved the balance it showed in my checkbook, had a lovely time and then my rent check bounced.
Boy, I never made that mistake again!
But it's unclear to me: Does that mean that the Uber-1%ers don't get their government subsidies? Or do they get them twice?
Does it mean that the poorest just starve once? Or do they have to starve twice?
Two trillion dollars?
A trillion here, a trillion there.... sooner or later you start talking real money.
Well, unless, as shown here, that it's not real money at all.
Voodoo Economics, indeed!
79
Great column. The repub and trump playbook: present a fraudulent offer, pretend it's legitimate ... endlessly take advantage of the weak minds that vote them in.
Repeat the swindle.
Yet their supporters remain solidly behind the lie machine that benefits only the wealthy and the war machine.
It's incomprehensible to normal people, but eradicating ignorance seems to be near impossible. Guess we have to keep trying, though.
Repeat the swindle.
Yet their supporters remain solidly behind the lie machine that benefits only the wealthy and the war machine.
It's incomprehensible to normal people, but eradicating ignorance seems to be near impossible. Guess we have to keep trying, though.
8
Gail, you neglected to mention that despite all these cuts, Trump still managed to find $2 billion or so for his Mexican wall.
If this Trump budget were ever to be implemented, he may need the wall to keep our citizens in, rather than the Mexicans out.
If this Trump budget were ever to be implemented, he may need the wall to keep our citizens in, rather than the Mexicans out.
108
What about a real 'working culture' Gail. (This could be a 'conservative' idea if they could think it through). If there isn't a job for you, for whatever reason, then society provides you with one, i.e., the CCC or the WPA or some modern equivalent. Isn't 'work' the conservative philosophy? There's plenty of work to be done, in hospitals, schools, on streets and highways and to care for children. Socialism they may say but that's just a word. There's plenty of 'socialism' in place for the wealthy. If you receive support from a public source, unemployment, welfare, yes even disability you should have to earn it in some way, or be learning new skills in, say, a free community college. Wouldn't that be better than what we have now? And wouldn't that start preparing us for the robotic culture that's almost upon us. The alternative is idleness which can't be good for the psyche.
32
I wish you could live in the skin of some of those that get disability, and then say it is reasonable to ask them to work.If you had such pain that just getting to doctor appointments takes a toll on you for several days, or doing the things around the house to care for your environment, or shopping for your needs, you wouldn't be in any shape to work additional hours. It's not that we don't want to, I spent 2 years after I started on SSDI trying to find a part-time job I could reasonably handle. But employers want assurance that If they hire you, you will show up every day, and that I just can't give. I worked for 25 years paying into the Social Security system, so I have ALREADY worked for anything I receive. There are already work requirements for many sources of public support, and that prevents many people from receiving the help they need because their circumstances are beyond being in a position to work. It takes money to have transportation to and from a job, money for clothes to wear, money to pay for child care. But none of that is provided to force someone to work. In fact, they want to CUT what is provided out. Are there people gaming the system? Yes, but don't punish those that aren't to get at the few that are. AS was stated, this is very labor-intensive, and the Republicans would rather cut it all off than pay more and put more to work to make the programs work.
3
Most of these programs are state managed, meaning 50 ways of administrating and auditing. Lots of times one bad example is used to smear the entire country. I'm not saying most are perfect, but all likely have flaws and great parts as well. We just need to find a "best practices" solution that the states can easily adopt and hopefully standardize.
It might even be the replacement for trump's promised infrastructure upgrades that he seems to be hoping we've forgotten he said. Derailing trains, highways covered by mudslides, crumbling bridges and dams - well, as he said, he doesn't drive any longer, let alone take public transportation,the way we peons have to. Maybe the ultra rich will pay for that kind of stuff? Nah, what's in it for them; they don't even need tax write-offs any longer with this budget.
one of the most hypocritical and sarcastic comments on the Trump budget was the budget director, Mulvaney's remark that it shows compassion for the taxpayer. If President Trump is concerned about the Taxpayers why is he having the taxpayer pay for his expeditions to Mar a logo and the cost of maintaining Trump Tower
10
Stupid and universally derided. Good description of the administration, better description of Trump himself. As in STUD. Is anyone checking to make sure he didn't show the Israelis or even the Pope our launch codes? "I've got the best launch codes. I mean it. They're HUGE...."
7
The silver lining on all of this? Maybe the poorer members of the GOP will start to understand the make-up of the Party to which they so loyally cling.
The Republican Party is traditionally about less government, which means less intrusion into the lives of the American people. This sounds wonderful, of course, unless you require the government's intrusion (or aid) to survive. This President, along with the Republican Congress, is hell-bent on eliminating countless government programs that will truly make for a smaller government, but will also impose a lot of heartache on Americans struggling to make ends meet. But they got caught up in the "God, Guns, & Guts" slogans and failed to see what they were truly supporting.
My heart goes out to them, as this will certainly be a rude awakening. Maybe the "bleeding heart liberals" aren't all that bad? Maybe they were really just looking out for their fellow Americans?
The Republican Party is traditionally about less government, which means less intrusion into the lives of the American people. This sounds wonderful, of course, unless you require the government's intrusion (or aid) to survive. This President, along with the Republican Congress, is hell-bent on eliminating countless government programs that will truly make for a smaller government, but will also impose a lot of heartache on Americans struggling to make ends meet. But they got caught up in the "God, Guns, & Guts" slogans and failed to see what they were truly supporting.
My heart goes out to them, as this will certainly be a rude awakening. Maybe the "bleeding heart liberals" aren't all that bad? Maybe they were really just looking out for their fellow Americans?
6
The difference between the Obama administration and the Trump administration: Intelligence. Sorry, but Betsy DeVos can't spell or read. Mulvaney can't add. Carson is just incoherent. Spicer and Conway (for being Catholics) can't speak the truth. Oops....better had Jeff Sessions in that also, as he can't remember to add his Russian contacts on his application. "Stupid is as Stupid Does".
12
I'm waiting to hear how the big T will protect us from asteroids. Maybe "American First" will be his response. Uh-oh.
2
The nation has concluded that this president has no intellectual capabilities. He is simply is a imbecile. What is the excuse of the technocrats like Ryan - who claims such expertise in planning all the things related to the economy. Or Mulvaney who has not a shred of humanity to snatch from the weakest and the meakest in our society. What a bunch of lowly politicians. Steal from the poorest to overload the richest. Have they got no conscious?
5
It was hard to find humor in this Gail, we are a nation in crisis with an idiot at the helm of a ship of fools.
9
TWAUP is close enough to TWERP that I think the choice should be obvious.
6
Mr. Trump can not add worth a lick. When it comes to lying, cheating, stealing, bullying and feeding his ego, however, he's a freaking Mensa.
It's beyond comprehension that Penn graduated him. Hopefully it won't be the last pen he sees.
It's beyond comprehension that Penn graduated him. Hopefully it won't be the last pen he sees.
11
If this budget reflects Trump's Christianity or his moral values, then I want no part of that kind of Christian faith or those moral values. His budget is a "blame-the-victim" budget, something that Ben Carson would endorse.
How dare this president claim he can lead this nation when his values are so out-of-step with everything our country stands for! Why do we allow this drunk uncle, sitting on a bar stool, to argue for simple solutions, to show no compassion, and to demonstrate total ignorance of how America achieved its place in the world.
Trump is an abomination as a leader, and his administration is deplorable.
How dare this president claim he can lead this nation when his values are so out-of-step with everything our country stands for! Why do we allow this drunk uncle, sitting on a bar stool, to argue for simple solutions, to show no compassion, and to demonstrate total ignorance of how America achieved its place in the world.
Trump is an abomination as a leader, and his administration is deplorable.
5
After all, " poverty is a state of mind". Like, if you're starving, imagine eating, no problem. Personally, I would NEVER allow DR.Carson near my dogs. Husband, maybe. Dogs, Never. Seriously.
9
I'm shocked that Trump et al haven't brought back the off budget gimmick. Spend and borrow trillions, move it into the off budget column and voila, balanced budget. Easy peezy.
5
Andy Borowitz was only telling Americans the truth in his humor column for The New Yorker of January 20, 2017:
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/more-than-three-hundred-m...
The difference is that Trump University victims could get money back in a settlement, and the American people will never get any compensation.
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/more-than-three-hundred-m...
The difference is that Trump University victims could get money back in a settlement, and the American people will never get any compensation.
2
Like any magician, Trump sees no benefit in explaining how his policies would actually work. On second thought, he doesn't know (or care).
5
Well I guess Trickle Down economics tells us what it really means to be a Peon.
5
I laughed out loud at the title of the budget: "A New Foundation for American Greatness". Give me a break. I'd expect to see this ridiculous title on Al Franken's or Jon Stewart's latest book, but not here. My apologies to all of the trees that had to die to print this ridiculous thing.
10
If things get bad enough, thanks to the cuts Trump proposes, and Republicans support, we may end up with two political parties: the Democrats would replace most Republicans and the other party would be the Progressives.
39
If Americans don't rise up against this band of thugs soon, we are all bystanders verging on henchmen to this litany of immorality. (Not to mention just plain stupidity, as Collins points out, squashing immigration when you have an aging population is idiotic.)
8
We're living in Wonderland. "Off with their heads and then we'll see if they're guilty! And the poor are always guilty of being.....poor. So let's make it really, really bad for them since their poorness is the cause of them being poor.
Off with their heads! And I mean the Republicans who are making us suffer through this wicked nonsense.
Make America Hate Again. Yeah, that's the ticket. Go for it boys. Let's see how 2018 rolls out for you. Roll the dice, indeed.
Off with their heads! And I mean the Republicans who are making us suffer through this wicked nonsense.
Make America Hate Again. Yeah, that's the ticket. Go for it boys. Let's see how 2018 rolls out for you. Roll the dice, indeed.
3
Come on, Gail. The Donald is a huuuuge expert in all matters financial. Why, he even has extensive personal experience in bankruptcy. And, for a
" billionaire ", have you noticed that he NEVER pays his own way??? During the campaign, and especially now??? It's always the taxpayers and /or donors paying the um, freight. The every weekend golfing excursion to Florida, the extensive Secret Service " protection" for all the Trumplings, while conducting the Family Business, etc, etc, etc. he has made a art form of avoiding the check, " disputing" the invoice, and stiffing contractors. It amazing, and would be perfect for a new reality TV show.
Call it " Beat the Check". With " celebrity" guests, moderated by IRS agents. Huuuuge ratings, just huuuuuge.
" billionaire ", have you noticed that he NEVER pays his own way??? During the campaign, and especially now??? It's always the taxpayers and /or donors paying the um, freight. The every weekend golfing excursion to Florida, the extensive Secret Service " protection" for all the Trumplings, while conducting the Family Business, etc, etc, etc. he has made a art form of avoiding the check, " disputing" the invoice, and stiffing contractors. It amazing, and would be perfect for a new reality TV show.
Call it " Beat the Check". With " celebrity" guests, moderated by IRS agents. Huuuuge ratings, just huuuuuge.
6
We elected this Stephen-King clown & his ethically, morally bankrupt henchmen. The Russians helped, but they preyed on the gullible. The gullible, poor, & sick will suffer more than others under trumpf's GOP, but American democracy suffers most of all. Trump's GOP is more than a scourge to the population; they are a risk to our very nation.
2
Please please please let's get rid of this cruel clown, no matter who that means is next. Neither the nation nor the world can sustain this. I can barely sustain just reading about it!
4
Well written and even clever piece of writing
This is the presidential equivalent of running away from a town hall meeting! The administration introduces a new budget plan and where is the prez? The Vatican.
On top of all its issues even the GOP faithful know this piece of work has zero chance of passage.
I think I just heard a loud TWAUP!
This is the presidential equivalent of running away from a town hall meeting! The administration introduces a new budget plan and where is the prez? The Vatican.
On top of all its issues even the GOP faithful know this piece of work has zero chance of passage.
I think I just heard a loud TWAUP!
4
TWAUP is an a-OK acronym for the Trump Budget, but I would suggest as a substitute: TRASH (Trumps's Really Awful, Sadistic, Hellish) budget plan for America
3
Despite Gail's best attempts, it is hard to find any humor in this.
2
He has to satisfy all those white (non) working men in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, and the other red states.
Yep he is going to cut their taxes, and return more money to them, after all when you have been out of work for long period of time, you need those tax returns. An the Mexicans are going to go back, sh there will be plenty of jobs cutting lawns, blowing the leaves, and maybe even working in an egg farm taking care of the chickens.
Out west here the citrus farmers are hiring pickers, you get paid by the box, and a good picker can average $20 and hour, you have to be on the job at daybreak, and quit at dark, so when will we see those tRump voters waiting for the bus to take them to the fields?
Tax cuts are going to create jobs, like which ones? Programming robots maybe? But let's face it, people believe fairy tales, and tRump is on of the best at telling them.
Yep he is going to cut their taxes, and return more money to them, after all when you have been out of work for long period of time, you need those tax returns. An the Mexicans are going to go back, sh there will be plenty of jobs cutting lawns, blowing the leaves, and maybe even working in an egg farm taking care of the chickens.
Out west here the citrus farmers are hiring pickers, you get paid by the box, and a good picker can average $20 and hour, you have to be on the job at daybreak, and quit at dark, so when will we see those tRump voters waiting for the bus to take them to the fields?
Tax cuts are going to create jobs, like which ones? Programming robots maybe? But let's face it, people believe fairy tales, and tRump is on of the best at telling them.
6
A lot of the reason Trump was able to get any votes at all is the endless messaging going on starting with Reagan that it's O.K. to suspend common sense, we are on a new trajectory that will "work" as opposed to Democrats "tax and spend." That's how they duped people,with word salad, buzzwords, including the "L word." The GOP, starting with people like Lee Atwater, said anything and everything they just kept the Orwellian messaging going constantly. Even though we finished Reagan's term as a debtor nation, we were still told the GOP had the answers.
People are able to gaze at Trump's casino sociopath character who personally stiffs his contractors with utter detachment. They are the ones who chose to remain under the hypnosis Reagan started them on and for many who are younger, it's all they've ever known.
This time I think it may finally be really different. Trump is going to completely tank the economy. Nobody wants to say it but what else can happen? The only last minute remedy would be the complete removal of him and his people. This is what we got for thinking Reaganism was benign. Far from it. 37 years into it and it's essentially the death of the United States as we know it. I will never understand why American's took the 1980's so lightly. All of this started then.
People are able to gaze at Trump's casino sociopath character who personally stiffs his contractors with utter detachment. They are the ones who chose to remain under the hypnosis Reagan started them on and for many who are younger, it's all they've ever known.
This time I think it may finally be really different. Trump is going to completely tank the economy. Nobody wants to say it but what else can happen? The only last minute remedy would be the complete removal of him and his people. This is what we got for thinking Reaganism was benign. Far from it. 37 years into it and it's essentially the death of the United States as we know it. I will never understand why American's took the 1980's so lightly. All of this started then.
134
Well said, but remember, for a certain class of people the 80's were a golden age. They don't remember Iran-contra, they remember the glorious invasion of Grenada! They don't remember the crack epidemic, they remember "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"! People magazine was in your dentist's waiting room and suddenly it was OK to read and discuss shallow tripe fluff articles about the popular and pretty. The stock market began its ascendance from the glum hundreds to the stratospheric heights. Talking openly about money wasn't considered crass any more, as long as you didn't talk about poor people, because that's class warfare.
3
I believe everyone has overlooked the extreme generosity that is built into this budget. Those meager tax cuts will enable businesses to hire and train the poor and sick at wages that they can feed themselves, afford housing, and health care too! Imagine, if you can, a Trump hotel of the future where the check in clerk has clinical depression, cancer patients are waiting tables, and the maids are all schizophrenic. Nursing homes will be converted to call centers, selling useful items like Trump steaks, or Trump bottled water. Just imagine how great this America would be.
7
I guess the US treasury will have to beg for money from Russia, just like the president.
8
More "fuzzy math" from the GOP.
3
It's more like "Voodoo economics"....
1
Did they ever stop to consider that the family on food stamps might not have that next child if Planned Parenthood weren't defunded?
13
Fact: 70% of US GDP is from consumer spending. Therefore, cut taxes on the middle class if you want to spur the economy.
So which one of Trump's 5 kids is losing his/her taxpayer-paid benefits?
8
And Americans feared death panels, well, they're here.
5
Ha! And today Trump is lecturing NATO to pay their fair share! What does he know about that?!?
6
The Trump Budget? Who believes Donald has any slight notion of the line items or the first detail.
No. This is the Mulvaney/Ryan Republican budget. The GOP in Congress seems all too happy to end welfare programs -- even entitlements (to which we are entitled) and to boost military and border protection to make them look less wimpy for having no military experience in the caucus.
We can pretend Trump is in charge, but it is the Republican Party that carries the water for this fiscal charade.
No. This is the Mulvaney/Ryan Republican budget. The GOP in Congress seems all too happy to end welfare programs -- even entitlements (to which we are entitled) and to boost military and border protection to make them look less wimpy for having no military experience in the caucus.
We can pretend Trump is in charge, but it is the Republican Party that carries the water for this fiscal charade.
147
And yet if we had a President with a clue or an actual interest (or the ability) to run our government, that would be kind of neat.
We have a rubber-stamping president who didn't even do enough due diligence to know that his own gold-gilted Atlantic City casino would fail because the boardwalk turns into a ghost town every winter. And we expect him and his GOP pit bosses to come up with a sensible budget? Roulette, anyone?
96
A little additional due diligence might have directed him to the surrounding slums; Atlantic City was a depressing place, a slum with Casinos. The Boardwalk was a walk through homeless, beggars and aggressive junk sellers. One visit was enough; the most depressing place I ever saw. Reno was fun; Atlantic City was a yuge dose of awful.
This budget has been developed through the use of "Alternative Accounting Principles and Alternative Mathematics" ...
8
I get the impression that everyone "assumes" Trump's budget proposal, like the health care one, was really thought up BY Trump. If he had ANYTHING to do with any of these cockamanie disasters, I would be surprised. I can't imagine him spending any time or thought into anything about government. He probably just directs people to come up with stuff and they shuffle off to do their homework, ask him if he wants to read it, he has no time or patience, so they just unveil it.
I almost gleefully await the proposed dismantling of social programs, especially Social Security and Medicare. "The goal of dismantling the social safety net, Mulvaney said, was to make recipients of federal aid “take charge of their own lives.”
The resulting uproar will be fun to watch.
I almost gleefully await the proposed dismantling of social programs, especially Social Security and Medicare. "The goal of dismantling the social safety net, Mulvaney said, was to make recipients of federal aid “take charge of their own lives.”
The resulting uproar will be fun to watch.
92
Trump, Bannon and company want to deconstruct the Federal Gov. and take us socially back to 1890 when only the wealthy had clean water and air, adequate housing and food.
I find it strange and mystifying that at the same time they want to destroy the Moslems they are destroying the base of the military power they want and will need which is the middle class. The whole thing is typical of those who read history but do understand what they have read and are to lazy to think through consequences their ideas.
I find it strange and mystifying that at the same time they want to destroy the Moslems they are destroying the base of the military power they want and will need which is the middle class. The whole thing is typical of those who read history but do understand what they have read and are to lazy to think through consequences their ideas.
1
Those retired sick people really should take care of their own lives. What a sorry excuse for a man Mr. Mulvaney is.
I'm wondering how old you are, and if you have any medical bills, brother. I know a lot of Republicans that are real happy to have their Medicare.
The Trump budget is nothing but a very very very red herring. Just something to throw to his base and designed to make whatever the congressional Republicans come up with look palatable.
3
Let's just take a big overview. The Trump administration wants to cut every non-defense program that it doesn't understand (most of them) and then show that the budget is balanced by ignoring the fact that they cut taxes by $2 Trillion in order to boost the economy by $2 Trillion. Oh, but don't worry about that, "we'll make it up somehow."
I hate to ignore details of the social injustices for a moment, but could you trust ANY budget in ANY of its details if they can't get their debits and credits to add up like a basic bookkeeper can? Could they possibly know about any of the details? or care?
I hate to ignore details of the social injustices for a moment, but could you trust ANY budget in ANY of its details if they can't get their debits and credits to add up like a basic bookkeeper can? Could they possibly know about any of the details? or care?
8
President Chaos is the ultimate Republican.
The Republican Party line is that government is the enemy.
The Republican actions are to prevent government from doing good things for people, to try to hold up their story about government being the enemy.
The results of Republican actions are to make poor people more poor, uneducated, desperate and sick, and all people more subservient to the rich and corporations that are Republican Party donors.
The Republican Party line is that government is the enemy.
The Republican actions are to prevent government from doing good things for people, to try to hold up their story about government being the enemy.
The results of Republican actions are to make poor people more poor, uneducated, desperate and sick, and all people more subservient to the rich and corporations that are Republican Party donors.
4
Trump voters should love this. This is their idea of winning. This is in fact what has been behind Reaganism for the past 35 plus years. This is why the GOP worships RR. The only reason they didn't do it sooner is because the couldn't. Now they think they can.
The velvet glove falls from the iron fist.
The velvet glove falls from the iron fist.
5
It is mind boggling to me the resources we devote to defense compared to education. I'm not saying eliminate DOD, but education is our best bet if you really want to MAGA.
9
It seems to me that you understand it quite well: BIG tax breaks to big corporations and the rich; BIG cuts in services to the elderly, young, disabled, military families, and poor (aka LOSERS); BIG cuts in things that keep our country great (like the NIH); BIG increases for the military-industrial complex; and HUUUUGE lies to make it all seem like it will work.
5
People and the media need to stop calling this abomination "Trump's Budget!" It is pure and simply the Freedom Caucus/Mick Mulvaney Budget. It is extremely unlikely that Trump knows what's in it nor does he care. The Ayn Rand crowd finally has a champion in a position to promote the idea that if you ain't rich, it's your own fault. Even 6-year old children need to be taught to be rugged individuals.
Trump probably thinks that he can run up the National debt to a point where our creditors are willing to 'renegotiate' it. That's actually what he said during the campaign. That's how he operated his businesses and what he might actually believe for the country.
Yep. We finally have a businessman running the country like a business. How's that working out? It smacks of a parody of that old country song, "They got the gold mine, we got the shaft."
Trump probably thinks that he can run up the National debt to a point where our creditors are willing to 'renegotiate' it. That's actually what he said during the campaign. That's how he operated his businesses and what he might actually believe for the country.
Yep. We finally have a businessman running the country like a business. How's that working out? It smacks of a parody of that old country song, "They got the gold mine, we got the shaft."
7
Bottom line: We can't return to the days before Obamacare where families faced premature deaths for their adults, crippling horrifying medical bankruptcies--and having their precious children unnecessarily die.
Mitch McConnell in the Senate is signaling his Republican Senate will select enormous tax breaks for the rich even at the expense of the health of American families:
--Once again, their health care bill flunked "the Jimmy Kimmel test."
--Republicans such as Newt Gingrich keep saying "there's always the emergency room" if you don't have health care. (He's safely on Medicare.)
But a national newspaper perfectly interviewed a pediatric cardiologist in West Virginia as to what is needed *after* the emergency room:
He said care, procedures + surgeries are only possible if the child has health care coverage that allows the family to afford them. There is only one way for these poor kids to have their basic right honored--and that is Medicaid..
--For Republicans, Medicaid is on the chopping block so the rich get tax cuts.
--Donald J. Trump himself will benefit from these tax cuts.
--We shall see how this clear conflict of interest plays out.
Mitch McConnell in the Senate is signaling his Republican Senate will select enormous tax breaks for the rich even at the expense of the health of American families:
--Once again, their health care bill flunked "the Jimmy Kimmel test."
--Republicans such as Newt Gingrich keep saying "there's always the emergency room" if you don't have health care. (He's safely on Medicare.)
But a national newspaper perfectly interviewed a pediatric cardiologist in West Virginia as to what is needed *after* the emergency room:
He said care, procedures + surgeries are only possible if the child has health care coverage that allows the family to afford them. There is only one way for these poor kids to have their basic right honored--and that is Medicaid..
--For Republicans, Medicaid is on the chopping block so the rich get tax cuts.
--Donald J. Trump himself will benefit from these tax cuts.
--We shall see how this clear conflict of interest plays out.
7
This budget proposal should be placed on a pedestal next to the triumphant Travel Bans and Trump Care as true examples of our President's brilliant leadership and competence. (For the Trump supporters in the audience who might not be able to spot it, that's sarcasm.)
6
Nothing but party liners on public radio this am. touting their "belief" that the needy and poor will get out and work if there are no benefits. Oh yes, and the children? How can these fools let these lies out without hiding behind their rocks.
My Congressman is hiding behind his message tape today.
This is the stupidest Congress I can ever remember. Trump misplaces a trillion or 2, 23 million will lose their healthcare, assistance to rural America will be gutted, and the big item over at Fox is some conspiracy theory about Seth Rich, whose parents are being harassed by Sean Hannity. Unacceptable on every level.
Trump needs to stay away, doing his little necklace and book gathering tour and we need some serious, serious reckoning to happen to Mitch McConnell's gang.
This is the stupidest Congress I can ever remember. Trump misplaces a trillion or 2, 23 million will lose their healthcare, assistance to rural America will be gutted, and the big item over at Fox is some conspiracy theory about Seth Rich, whose parents are being harassed by Sean Hannity. Unacceptable on every level.
Trump needs to stay away, doing his little necklace and book gathering tour and we need some serious, serious reckoning to happen to Mitch McConnell's gang.
4
The double counting for $2 trillion in the budget is not a mistake, folks. It's a huge, blinking neon sign advertising the administration's real intentions.
3
I am struck dumb by the ignorance of both this plan and the ridiculous individuals that is selling it as compassion.
6
Our bloated government is crushing the working class. I'm not a millionaire but I think they pay more than their fair share. The real problem is our GOVERNMENT thanks mainly, not soley, to liberal progressive democrats.
1
People who think Trump is a good business man also think Madoff was a good financial advisor.
5
You've nailed it. This is precisely how Trump ran his businesses until he became a reality TV figure and licencor of his name.
1
I just finished our local newspaper, which had a good article about the effects of rich guy Trump's proposed 30% cut to the food stamp program (SNAP). The article said that 44 million Americans are in the SNAP program that provides an average of $125 a month for food--that's $31.25 for food a week.
So another rant: Let's see Mr. Compassionate Mulvaney and his crones who want to cut poor people off food stamps try to feed themselves for a month on $31.25 a week for their food.
There is nobody I rather see unemployed than these arrogant, callous welfare queen politicians, getting paid with our hard-earned tax dollars.
So another rant: Let's see Mr. Compassionate Mulvaney and his crones who want to cut poor people off food stamps try to feed themselves for a month on $31.25 a week for their food.
There is nobody I rather see unemployed than these arrogant, callous welfare queen politicians, getting paid with our hard-earned tax dollars.
7
A rich person will never reach in their pocket and spend $20 on groceries at a little bodega in a depressed part of town. That $20 will be spent by someone using food stamps. That $20 is stimulative to the economy in exactly the place that the economy need stimulating. The rich persons $20, left to the devices of the rich person, will never reach the lower economic levels, ever. It will float around the top. The government has the ability to tax the rich person and move that money to the depressed parts of the economy. The rich person need not fear however, that $20 will find its way back to the top and back into the rich persons pocket. Money moves up, always has, always will. It rarely if ever moves down of its own accord and when it moves down, it moves slowly. (Moral of the story: Government spending is stimulative BOTH when it is buying a jet airplane or $20 worth of groceries at a little bodega).
7
Gail, I loved that you managed to work Pope Francis and his unenthusiastic expression into this column. The normally jovial and happy pope, who is almost never without a smile, looked downright listless when posing with Trump. Pope Francis was, completely unintentionally, a reflection of what many of us in this country and around the world are feeling when it comes to Trump.
4
The New Great Again Economy will be based upon the "Mega-Yac has and Skyboxes for ALL" Strategy. And, just to boost th=at "Consumer Spending", those will be the only items that will be exempt from ther Trumpian "Consumption Tax", which will be a National Sales Tax--but just on those luxury items: food; clothes, gasoline; toiletries; etc.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Apparently the idea is to have states decide how much of a safety net they want to provide. This would lead to a race to the bottom with the poor moving to the state that provides enough of a safety net fro them to feed their kids.
In matters such as social safety nets and education a reasonable degree of uniformity across the country is important and providing that uniformity is the job of the federal government.
In matters such as social safety nets and education a reasonable degree of uniformity across the country is important and providing that uniformity is the job of the federal government.
2
To mitigate the hardship caused by so many family-related cuts, the least a budget like this should do is offer free on-demand contraception to any man or woman of reproductive age. Of course, they won't be available at Planned Parenthood...
2
If we are polarized as one commenter suggests, it is because part of the population believes we are our brother's keeper and another part of the population believes each to their own reliance.
We used to be a country in the days of Eisenhower, who believed in upward mobility and a progressive tax system which thought the wealthy should pay more. Come Ronald Reagan and the reverse became the normal. Tax cuts and more tax cuts for the wealthiest among us. Now we have spiraling deficits with more tax cuts promised by the GOP, while increasing the military budget and slashing programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and food stamps which prevent hunger for millions of American families.
It has been obvious for a number of years the disdain and lack of compassion the GOP has shown relative to the poor and the working poor. They hate labor unions, have opposed any increase in the Federal minimum wage, and now are prepared to obliterate health care for the same class of people and to include some middle class folks as well. They would take money from Medicaid which pays for medical services for the less fortunate in our society and give that money to the top one percent of the wealthiest Americans.
Republicans long ago sold their souls to the highest bidder, lately that being the Koch Bros., but along the way they also lost their hearts and compassion for others. And to add to the hypocrisy, they have the audacity to call themselves Christians.
We used to be a country in the days of Eisenhower, who believed in upward mobility and a progressive tax system which thought the wealthy should pay more. Come Ronald Reagan and the reverse became the normal. Tax cuts and more tax cuts for the wealthiest among us. Now we have spiraling deficits with more tax cuts promised by the GOP, while increasing the military budget and slashing programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and food stamps which prevent hunger for millions of American families.
It has been obvious for a number of years the disdain and lack of compassion the GOP has shown relative to the poor and the working poor. They hate labor unions, have opposed any increase in the Federal minimum wage, and now are prepared to obliterate health care for the same class of people and to include some middle class folks as well. They would take money from Medicaid which pays for medical services for the less fortunate in our society and give that money to the top one percent of the wealthiest Americans.
Republicans long ago sold their souls to the highest bidder, lately that being the Koch Bros., but along the way they also lost their hearts and compassion for others. And to add to the hypocrisy, they have the audacity to call themselves Christians.
2
Thanks, Gail. As usual, right on target.
2
Making America great again for the top 1%. Yay America.
2
The Trump administration is in a war against far too many US citizens. Evidently, until we - the middle and poorer classes - are living in complete poverty, the wealthy are suffering.
1
The Unbearable Lightness of Trump was felt recently by this American when looking at his photo and The Pope. This is a President who does not have a presence.
My house guest, a widow with a large struggling family, is here to stay for the next few days and we did not talk about this time in American history, but skirted the issue, while she told me of her grandfather, famous as a pilot aviation messenger and now forgotten.
She is a Lutheran and has instilled a deep sense of discipline in her children, now grown. When I mentioned that the Nation did not feel grounded, she nodded with understanding. She was unaware that over one billion persons on our planet are fasting for the Muslim Holiday.
In the meantime, the Catholic Relief Services is not a pro-Abortion organization but is on mission to some dangerous and devastated countries with the goal of Planned Parenthood. If your ten year old daughter was expecting a child, would you forbid a termination of this assault on her person? India responded to this brutal molestation.
Why Are We allowing ourselves to be run by a political Atlantic City Casino? I went once to visit in my youth and Trump's Taj Maj dump was already in rubble. My neighbor and I took one look and walked away.
How long is America going to be used on the Cheap? Thinking of our Veterans this Memorial Weekend. 'Watch "When We Were Soldiers" from One, and I smiled through my tears.
My house guest, a widow with a large struggling family, is here to stay for the next few days and we did not talk about this time in American history, but skirted the issue, while she told me of her grandfather, famous as a pilot aviation messenger and now forgotten.
She is a Lutheran and has instilled a deep sense of discipline in her children, now grown. When I mentioned that the Nation did not feel grounded, she nodded with understanding. She was unaware that over one billion persons on our planet are fasting for the Muslim Holiday.
In the meantime, the Catholic Relief Services is not a pro-Abortion organization but is on mission to some dangerous and devastated countries with the goal of Planned Parenthood. If your ten year old daughter was expecting a child, would you forbid a termination of this assault on her person? India responded to this brutal molestation.
Why Are We allowing ourselves to be run by a political Atlantic City Casino? I went once to visit in my youth and Trump's Taj Maj dump was already in rubble. My neighbor and I took one look and walked away.
How long is America going to be used on the Cheap? Thinking of our Veterans this Memorial Weekend. 'Watch "When We Were Soldiers" from One, and I smiled through my tears.
1
It seems that Mr. Trump and friends think that there aren't enough elderly people working at Walmart - it's time kids work there, too. Heaven forbid someone who has already worked for 40 years get to retire.
But seriously, there is good, basic reason that the rich should pay more in taxes - they use more resources. When the Trumps (for example) own multiple houses, they require police and fire protection in all the cities all the houses are in - paid for by taxes. And the roads in all those places have to be repaired - paid for by taxes. Garbage is collected - paid for by taxes. The rich own more cars, thereby causing more pollution - mitigation paid for by taxes. When the Trumps fly their private jets, they're using FAA resources that are paid for by - yes, taxes.
So the rest of us taxpayers support the very rich who, instead of paying taxes, pay lawyers to ensure that they don't pay their own way.
But seriously, there is good, basic reason that the rich should pay more in taxes - they use more resources. When the Trumps (for example) own multiple houses, they require police and fire protection in all the cities all the houses are in - paid for by taxes. And the roads in all those places have to be repaired - paid for by taxes. Garbage is collected - paid for by taxes. The rich own more cars, thereby causing more pollution - mitigation paid for by taxes. When the Trumps fly their private jets, they're using FAA resources that are paid for by - yes, taxes.
So the rest of us taxpayers support the very rich who, instead of paying taxes, pay lawyers to ensure that they don't pay their own way.
Trump is a political practitioner of magical unrealism. He believes if he says something, it is not merely true, but it is the most true statement ever made by any human. The Trump budget, funny as it might otherwise be, is a direct attack on the millions of Americans who live paycheck to paycheck and voted for him. It couldn't be more obvious unless he ordered drone strikes on America's fading mid-size and small towns.
Someone who thinks he contains all the truth in the world inside his swirling brain matter is dangerous...to himself and, now, many others.
When Trump financed his casino "empire" in Atlantic City, he promised lenders and investors that his casino would turn one million dollars per day in profits. No casino in the entire world had ever made that much money, but, no matter, Trump told them it would happen. It didn't. There weren't enough fools on the entire east coast available to lose that much money.
Now, Trump is trying to same thing with America and the world. Why do so many play along? They are hoping to get their slice of the action while still it is to be had.
Republicans are not completely wrong to say that govt. programs help to induce a culture of dependency. Ironically, the dependents are many who vote Republican. Going on disability, for example, is a scam followed by multitudes in states like Texas and, indeed, across the red states.
A stark, shocking reckoning is coming when Trump voters finally wake up to the scam they've been sold.
Someone who thinks he contains all the truth in the world inside his swirling brain matter is dangerous...to himself and, now, many others.
When Trump financed his casino "empire" in Atlantic City, he promised lenders and investors that his casino would turn one million dollars per day in profits. No casino in the entire world had ever made that much money, but, no matter, Trump told them it would happen. It didn't. There weren't enough fools on the entire east coast available to lose that much money.
Now, Trump is trying to same thing with America and the world. Why do so many play along? They are hoping to get their slice of the action while still it is to be had.
Republicans are not completely wrong to say that govt. programs help to induce a culture of dependency. Ironically, the dependents are many who vote Republican. Going on disability, for example, is a scam followed by multitudes in states like Texas and, indeed, across the red states.
A stark, shocking reckoning is coming when Trump voters finally wake up to the scam they've been sold.
4
Conservatives who support the shredding of our social safety net as proposed by The Donald and his congressional lapdogs might want to bear in mind that, unless they happen to be super-affluent themselves, they may be only one auto accident or one unanticipated pink-slip away from needing the same sort of assistance that will not be there if the GOP gets its way. Sorry to say they're not going to distinguish between you and those "lazy poor folks" whose benefits they presently hope to curtail.
9
If the Republicans really believe in the compassion of taking charge of one's own life through work - why don't they work for truly livable wages that don't require government subsidies just to pay for basic necessities like food, shelter, medical care, clothing, and education?
Why don't Congressional Republicans propose eliminating their own safety net? You know, things like government provided health care and pension and probably free parking, too.
The empirical evidences suggests a little shared wealth and access to a good education goes a long ways towards achieving smaller families - without punishing children and stunting their potential for life because they were born into a large brood.
So yes, Trump is leading us towards becoming a full pledged banana republic worth four cents on the dollar. Believe it.
Why don't Congressional Republicans propose eliminating their own safety net? You know, things like government provided health care and pension and probably free parking, too.
The empirical evidences suggests a little shared wealth and access to a good education goes a long ways towards achieving smaller families - without punishing children and stunting their potential for life because they were born into a large brood.
So yes, Trump is leading us towards becoming a full pledged banana republic worth four cents on the dollar. Believe it.
222
While Trump and gang are trying to throw people off of the food stamp program, the Republicans in Louisiana are doing their part. The vote was 3 for (Dems) to 7 against (all Repubs) to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.00 in committee. Therefore the motion failed to go to a vote in the Senate. Can't make this stuff up. If you're poor, it's your fault.
5
Naturally, the Trump Republicans are proposing to cut food stamps for families with more children. They only care about children as long as it is a fetus. I don't think they get the irony of capping food stamps to six people per families and cutting access to family planning for the poor.
11
The Special Olympics is on the chopping block! Now, which Senator or Congressperson is going to take credit for that one! This budget is not only cruel, its is politically stupid!
So food stamps should be limited on the basis of how many children are in the family but there should be no funding for planned parenthood to dispense family planning information and methods? Something else that doesnt add up.
6
Unfortunately, the Trump casino being run out of the White House is like “Hotel California” – you can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave! So we are stuck with this terrible tycoon and his band of high rollers for the next four years, unless Bob Mueller comes to our rescue.
4
Good column.
Thanks for dropping cute humor.
Thanks for dropping cute humor.
Trump can add much better than the fools who condemn him.
Trump plus Putin plus Netanyahu plus Comey plus Assange plus a majority of the Electoral College vote equals being President of the United States.
Trump plus Putin plus Netanyahu plus Comey plus Assange plus a majority of the Electoral College vote equals being President of the United States.
4
Never mind Trump's failed casinos. What about his new Washington hotel?
Position! Position! Position!
Position! Position! Position!
1
These guys, and they're all guys, are just despicable
Congress will reject both. The sad thing is that stupid americans won't reject Republicans and hang bad ideas like these in doing so.
There is empathy for being stupid and young. But stupid needs to be purged by the time you are 25 for the sake of democracy. What is the idea which is in your best interest? Inclusion or exclusion? Caring or not?
There is empathy for being stupid and young. But stupid needs to be purged by the time you are 25 for the sake of democracy. What is the idea which is in your best interest? Inclusion or exclusion? Caring or not?
So is America is now being forced to pay for the latest vanity adventures of a spoiled, not-particularly-bright, bratty rich guy and his pals?
2
How STUPID does Trump have to go for the GOP supporters to KNOW - THIS IS THE WRONG MAN AT THE WRONG TIME!! GREAT SCOTT!! He is an endangerment to our Country; to our Democracy. Enough is Enough!!
1
I'm a well off Democrat and I am NOT amused by Trump's fascist budget. To my well off friends and myself every day is an exercise in misery as we witness a country sinking into this fascist morass.
6
New Yorkers didn't vote for Trump because we knew who and what he was, but he's turning out to be even worse than anticipated. We knew he'd be an embarrassment on the world stage and an incompetent in the Oval Office, but we could hope he'd have some wise advisors who could get him through without actually crashing the country. So much for that idea. The Republicans are ready to take advantage of the chaos, and the Russians must be proud. The rest of us are--well--sad.
2
Don't you see? If a family has a fifth child, they'll find a few acres on which they can grow all their own vegetables, raise some chickens and pigs, and pasture a milking cow. Self-reliance! Self-respect! Freedom! No more swinging in hammocks and degrading dependency. I'm sure the newborn will be completely on board with this, knowing that even if they don't survive to adulthood at least they were spared the shame of food stamps.
195
...and why would they 'choose' to have another child they can't feed? Hmm, maybe that pregnancy could have been prevented. Oops! No health care, and/or their employer doesn't cover birth control. Oh darn! The local Planned Parenthood offering free condoms was just shuttered. We have a system that hands out HUGE subsidies and benefits to the wealthiest among us, and a criminal justice system that is completely unbalanced in favor of the wealthy (and white). In their bubble of privilege, with every possible benefit, second chance and opportunity handed to them, they tell themselves they got successful 'on their own' as a justification for taking more from the most vulnerable. WRONG. MORALLY CORRUPT. It's heartbreaking to see our country sold to the highest bidder and the lowest impulses of humanity.
1
Truly priceless, Gail. You've hit the Republican nail on the head:
"We’re being run like a bad Atlantic City casino. It’s only a matter of time before the government will be trying to make ends meet by selling its name to golf course developers and marketing USA Steaks."
Well, Trump can cover himself with his mesmerized followers by saying something totally inane, like, "Being president is really, really hard."
Now, being the fair person that I am, I'll offer up a dollop of defense for Trump. If this were a *third world* country, then his budget wouldn't seem so ineptly crafted. I mean, in third world countries, they do this all the time. So the Trump budget could look good in that light. And eliminating aid to the poor is fine; in third world countries, they don't have aid anyway.
And as in AC (Atlantic City as we affectionately refer to it) hype is a huge deal. The name, "New Foundation for American Greatness" is well taken, as is 'The Greatest Show on Earth", which has ended its run.
Given beneficial house odds, gambling can make money. So my suggestion is to eliminate taxes, but also to have Trump casinos throughout the nation where people go to gamble, the proceeds of which go to run our government. With an idea like that, I could replace Mulvaney in the Trump administration. We could call it "The New Age of the High Roller".
"We’re being run like a bad Atlantic City casino. It’s only a matter of time before the government will be trying to make ends meet by selling its name to golf course developers and marketing USA Steaks."
Well, Trump can cover himself with his mesmerized followers by saying something totally inane, like, "Being president is really, really hard."
Now, being the fair person that I am, I'll offer up a dollop of defense for Trump. If this were a *third world* country, then his budget wouldn't seem so ineptly crafted. I mean, in third world countries, they do this all the time. So the Trump budget could look good in that light. And eliminating aid to the poor is fine; in third world countries, they don't have aid anyway.
And as in AC (Atlantic City as we affectionately refer to it) hype is a huge deal. The name, "New Foundation for American Greatness" is well taken, as is 'The Greatest Show on Earth", which has ended its run.
Given beneficial house odds, gambling can make money. So my suggestion is to eliminate taxes, but also to have Trump casinos throughout the nation where people go to gamble, the proceeds of which go to run our government. With an idea like that, I could replace Mulvaney in the Trump administration. We could call it "The New Age of the High Roller".
We should all be asking ourselves and each other, "How did we come to be so polarized?"
It seems to me the Republicans are rather fond of drawing an analogy between government and family budgets. Aren't they forever saying that governments, like families, must live within their means.
So perhaps they will allow me to suggest that the relationship between the Republican and Democratic parties can be compared to a marriage.
Anyone who's been married (to anyone) for any length of time knows that disagreement is inevitable; and knows, too, that the ability to find common ground, particularly in the face of disagreement, is crucial to sustaining a marriage that's viable and productive (to say nothing of cohesive, pleasant and rewarding).
Something is driving the Republicans to want to win at all cost, which is a receipt for divorce.
What happens to this country when it's two leading political parties do, in fact, divorce -- do, in fact, break up the family? Anyone whose parents are divorced care to say?
It seems to me the Republicans are rather fond of drawing an analogy between government and family budgets. Aren't they forever saying that governments, like families, must live within their means.
So perhaps they will allow me to suggest that the relationship between the Republican and Democratic parties can be compared to a marriage.
Anyone who's been married (to anyone) for any length of time knows that disagreement is inevitable; and knows, too, that the ability to find common ground, particularly in the face of disagreement, is crucial to sustaining a marriage that's viable and productive (to say nothing of cohesive, pleasant and rewarding).
Something is driving the Republicans to want to win at all cost, which is a receipt for divorce.
What happens to this country when it's two leading political parties do, in fact, divorce -- do, in fact, break up the family? Anyone whose parents are divorced care to say?
6
As a progressive, I am appalled at Trump's budget. But, I remind myself that the representatives who will vote on this budget were elected by the people. If this budget is not supported by the people, they will be out of power. I am keenly aware that many Republican voters do not have accurate or reliable information. Their news sources are more opinion than facts. Democrats must now find innovative ways to educate the electorate about this budget. Let them decide.
6
Great column. Trump's tax plan not only hits the poor it also fails to invest in America's future. This budget hits state colleges and universities with a sledge hammer. Trumpcare expects the poor to somehow pay for their own healthcare. This tax bill expects the middle class to pony up for escalating higher ed fees.
The dollars and cents story the CBO tells is just the beginning of the problems with Trumponomics. The long term results of both the AHCA and the tax cuts will definitely not make America Great Again.
The dollars and cents story the CBO tells is just the beginning of the problems with Trumponomics. The long term results of both the AHCA and the tax cuts will definitely not make America Great Again.
1
Here's a recap of how to gain those Social Security *handouts.* in 1999, I was a 52-year-old female professional who contracted a debilitating disease accompanied by major depression. After my physician and my psychiatrist both endorsed my application for SSDI, the SSA had me evaluated by another physician, a psychologist and a vocational expert of their choice and a year after my application awarded me benefits. I had to exhaust my savings and exist on credit during the year I was unemployed and uncompensated.
Was I really "gaming the system" by living on monthly benefits equal to less than half of my previous earnings? Should I have been retrained for some sort of minimum wage job of the type I worked to get me through college and professional school?
Please don't judge the disabled until you've walked, hobbled or rolled a mile in their condition.
Was I really "gaming the system" by living on monthly benefits equal to less than half of my previous earnings? Should I have been retrained for some sort of minimum wage job of the type I worked to get me through college and professional school?
Please don't judge the disabled until you've walked, hobbled or rolled a mile in their condition.
16
More than likely your application took a year to process because the agency for which I worked over a period of 32 years is now suffering from immense staffing shortages. In order to address this problem more money, not less, would have to be spent by a Republican president and a Republican congress whose Interest in the expenditure of tax revenues is confined to military procurements and border walls. Perhaps the super-affluent would be willing to donate their tax cuts to the Social Security Administration.
7
When you start negotiations, you usually start with a lot of things you can readily discard as the negotiations move along. This gives you something to give up during the process.
Unfortunately, this is NOT a private industry negotiation and some of the items on the list are too scary to contemplate.
Additionally, the government does not have an alternative available in the private sector - declaring bankruptcy.
Can we actually present a budget that the nation might find viable and proceed from there?
Yes, it would be nice to think that Mexico would pay for a border wall, that trickle down economics can actually work, etc., but we stand a much better chance of actually coming up with a workable budget if we don't begin from more unrealistic posiyions.
Unfortunately, this is NOT a private industry negotiation and some of the items on the list are too scary to contemplate.
Additionally, the government does not have an alternative available in the private sector - declaring bankruptcy.
Can we actually present a budget that the nation might find viable and proceed from there?
Yes, it would be nice to think that Mexico would pay for a border wall, that trickle down economics can actually work, etc., but we stand a much better chance of actually coming up with a workable budget if we don't begin from more unrealistic posiyions.
1
A Modest Proposal; when US citizens are diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness, we should swiftly euthanize them. This will save lots of money, and ensure that all are "able-bodied", and thus require no social insurance support. The elderly will work until they die. Orphans go off to workhouses..er, for-profit charter schools. Saving will accrue to our top income bracketeers, and the economy will hum, powered by their wise and benevolent investments.
With apologies to Jonathan Swift.
With apologies to Jonathan Swift.
10
This is "modest proposal" also sounds like one Charles Dickens would love.
1
Kellyanne Conway gave us "alternative facts".
Mick Mulvaney now gives us "alternative math".
Mick Mulvaney now gives us "alternative math".
5
Let's be clear here. Mick Mulvaney has cashed government checks worth more than $1 million during his time in Congress. He didn't do anything to earn that money outside of showing up for a vote or two. He is a cruel, stupid man who has become a millionaire off government checks. Think about that, tea party fools. He is a welfare poster boy of the highest order. He took the money, all of it, without actually working for it. Even this budget is a copy-and-paste job from the Heritage Foundation, which is the kind of work that is actually below that of an intern.
18
hi Gail,
Let's not sell Trump short. Trump knows how to take care of millionaires and corporate business.
As Trump aptly describes in his book 'the art of the deal', "The point is that you can't be too greedy."
....how this guy sleeps at night is anyone's guess....
Let's not sell Trump short. Trump knows how to take care of millionaires and corporate business.
As Trump aptly describes in his book 'the art of the deal', "The point is that you can't be too greedy."
....how this guy sleeps at night is anyone's guess....
3
It should be called, How to fleece the American public and get away with it. Like the old time snake oil salesman or the barker at the county fair, their budget is good for what ails ya and step right up, for a nickel win a prize. Smoke and Mirrors, Shuck and Jive, Shake and Bake, put whatever spin you want to it, all the GOP propaganda in the world won't sell this load of barnyard manure. As my old Uncle always said, "Son, ya can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear!"
1
You people love the rich! It's the American sacrifice. Let my kid starve for the benefit of the nation that the rich person can trickle a few pennies down to the commoners. Boy you people are suckers!
4
WAIT a minute. Just who do you mean by "You people"???
Let me be the first to remind you that the MAJORITY of Americans didn't vote for the person we now have in office.
And there are many who are close to starving.
Try again.
Let me be the first to remind you that the MAJORITY of Americans didn't vote for the person we now have in office.
And there are many who are close to starving.
Try again.
I'm all in favor of food stamps, but if you have four kids that you are struggling to feed, please stop having kids.
incompetence X fraud = Trump
2
Gail, another funny, scary column--thank=you.
Especially that line about the Pope watching his car being towed away. If you haven't seen it yet, please take a look at Jimmy Kimmel's open Wednesday night. He shows the photos of Pope Francis with Putin, Merkel, Obama and Trump. It is very clear what he thinks of each one. Very funny.
About the budget: cutting out women, elders and kids. What else would we expect from a bunch of old, entitled white guys who need to show us our place?
Especially that line about the Pope watching his car being towed away. If you haven't seen it yet, please take a look at Jimmy Kimmel's open Wednesday night. He shows the photos of Pope Francis with Putin, Merkel, Obama and Trump. It is very clear what he thinks of each one. Very funny.
About the budget: cutting out women, elders and kids. What else would we expect from a bunch of old, entitled white guys who need to show us our place?
Some commenters like to point out that R's hypocrisy is equivalent to D's, a 'false equivalency' that appears to be falling apart. There are crooks who call themselves D's but, on the whole, the Dem's are "nicer bunch of people". That quote came from a executive that admitted be a Republican but who had decided to vote democrat.
The GOP has opened their kimono big time. Trump brings out the worst in that lot. Mulvaney, clearly an idiot, and Sessions, a retrograde, racist monster seem to be the front men in Trump's assault on America. Pillaging like the vandals of old.
Gail will someday be our "poor Yorick"; Laughing in the face of doom. We love you Gail! Let's hope Montana and Georgia have awakened to what they have helped create.
The GOP has opened their kimono big time. Trump brings out the worst in that lot. Mulvaney, clearly an idiot, and Sessions, a retrograde, racist monster seem to be the front men in Trump's assault on America. Pillaging like the vandals of old.
Gail will someday be our "poor Yorick"; Laughing in the face of doom. We love you Gail! Let's hope Montana and Georgia have awakened to what they have helped create.
2
McCain is great until the political handlers get their hands on him, then he turns into an idiot. I really liked it when he wanted to kick the Turkish ambassador out of the country. The real John McCain showed up. Otherwise he's a little too namby-pamby for me.
When the new administration rolled in, I wanted my very Democratic Senators to obstruct everything the way Mitch McConnell and his gang of fools obstructed Obama. Now I realize they don't have to bother to obstruct anything...so much stuff will arrive at the Senate doorstep D.O.A all they have to do is shrug and punt it over to the Republicans. The Republican Senators will have to totally redo anything the House manages to get to them, beginning with checking for numerical errors.
When the new administration rolled in, I wanted my very Democratic Senators to obstruct everything the way Mitch McConnell and his gang of fools obstructed Obama. Now I realize they don't have to bother to obstruct anything...so much stuff will arrive at the Senate doorstep D.O.A all they have to do is shrug and punt it over to the Republicans. The Republican Senators will have to totally redo anything the House manages to get to them, beginning with checking for numerical errors.
1
Gail this op-ed is a waste of time. Why write about a so-called budget that isn't going anywhere, especially when you should be writing about RUSSIAGATE?
You need to do better. There's treason afoot!
You need to do better. There's treason afoot!
President Trump knew how to add when it came to electoral votes!!!!!!!!!!
2
For the GOP, the poor have only themselves to blame --- just a bunch of moochers, drug addicts, "old" people, and greedy children.
4
"The goal of dismantling the social safety net, Mulvaney said, was to make recipients of federal aid 'take charge of their own lives.'" Great idea, Mulvaney!
I can't think of a group more in need of taking "charge of their own lives" than our congressional politicians. So asap, let's end Citizens United and stop our legalized bribery political system via campaign contributions to our politicians.
At least then our alleged political "representatives" (wink-wink) wouldn't need to spend all their time on the phone and schmoozing with fat-cat donors begging for money and selling their souls to the highest individual or corporate donors.
Stop the congressional campaign gravy train, and our representatives would have to answer to the people not the big campaign contributors.
And the first ones to lose "federal welfare" should be already wealthy and way too powerful--(1) the mighty 1% demanding their obscene tax cuts, loopholes, and tax breaks that take from the poor to give to the rich (e.g., Trumpcare and the GOP Unhealthy Bill); and (2) the wealthy corporations--any idea how much transfer of taxpayer money goes to the already wealthy and powerful?
The question of our time is: "Who is government for?"
I can't think of a group more in need of taking "charge of their own lives" than our congressional politicians. So asap, let's end Citizens United and stop our legalized bribery political system via campaign contributions to our politicians.
At least then our alleged political "representatives" (wink-wink) wouldn't need to spend all their time on the phone and schmoozing with fat-cat donors begging for money and selling their souls to the highest individual or corporate donors.
Stop the congressional campaign gravy train, and our representatives would have to answer to the people not the big campaign contributors.
And the first ones to lose "federal welfare" should be already wealthy and way too powerful--(1) the mighty 1% demanding their obscene tax cuts, loopholes, and tax breaks that take from the poor to give to the rich (e.g., Trumpcare and the GOP Unhealthy Bill); and (2) the wealthy corporations--any idea how much transfer of taxpayer money goes to the already wealthy and powerful?
The question of our time is: "Who is government for?"
438
Dear PB: Please run for office (the higher the better). And don't start the revolution without me.
Mulvaney got rich buying up distressed properties in SoCal; he then foreclosed on the unfortunate occupants of those properties. He was known as The Foreclosure King; this was his start in politics.
Most of us thought Trump didn't stand a chance of being elected. We thought surely someone so truly odious, crude, obnoxious, narcissistic, and a bully would be rejected, but he wasn't. It is for that reason, I am uncertain as to whether much of Trump's draconian budget will be rejected by Republicans who are eager to reward the wealthy with more tax cuts, and punish the Middle Class and poor as they have been doing since President Obama first took office.
Paul Ryan as a college student talked gleefully about dismantling the social safety nets. He now has a chance of doing so. Much of what Trump's budget includes for slashing is right in line with what Republicans have been after for years. Food stamps, funding for NIH, NASA, agencies that regulate the quality of our air and water, Planned Parenthood, children's healthcare, PBS, etc., etc., etc. These cuts are something the Republicans have been fighting for. They have fought against anything hinting at compassion for many years, including and especially the social safety nets.
I still remember in the 2012 presidential debate Mitt Romney gleefully told "Big Bird" he would have to go and most remember the "takers" he spoke about in that taped conversation. He was preaching to the choir of Republicans who are now in charge and have nothing but contempt for those who are not wealthy. I do expect and fear that there will be austerity imposed on the Middle Class and poor, with lip service about the budget being DOA.
Paul Ryan as a college student talked gleefully about dismantling the social safety nets. He now has a chance of doing so. Much of what Trump's budget includes for slashing is right in line with what Republicans have been after for years. Food stamps, funding for NIH, NASA, agencies that regulate the quality of our air and water, Planned Parenthood, children's healthcare, PBS, etc., etc., etc. These cuts are something the Republicans have been fighting for. They have fought against anything hinting at compassion for many years, including and especially the social safety nets.
I still remember in the 2012 presidential debate Mitt Romney gleefully told "Big Bird" he would have to go and most remember the "takers" he spoke about in that taped conversation. He was preaching to the choir of Republicans who are now in charge and have nothing but contempt for those who are not wealthy. I do expect and fear that there will be austerity imposed on the Middle Class and poor, with lip service about the budget being DOA.
267
It is a kiss of death to billed as a shoo-in under the Electoral College scam, because then too many people think they don't need to vote at all.
3
Either that, or they voted for a third-party candidate who didn't have a snowball's chance ...
1
@Diana: "Most of us thought Trump didn't stand a chance of being elected."
The NYT reckoned Trump had a 15% chance of winning, and that is a serious chance -- one roll of the die.
I sympathise with faith that people couldn't possibly elect the nightmare that is Trump, but I think the polling was a better guide.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/upshot/presidential-polls-forec...
The NYT reckoned Trump had a 15% chance of winning, and that is a serious chance -- one roll of the die.
I sympathise with faith that people couldn't possibly elect the nightmare that is Trump, but I think the polling was a better guide.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/upshot/presidential-polls-forec...
1
Don't forget that every economist valuing their job and reputation discounts the $2 trillion as impossible. All the math notwithstanding, economics is a soft science. There's no hard and fast rule. However, guidelines do exist. The general guideline for tax cuts is 33% economic growth. Meaning: Every dollar cut adds 33 cents to the economy. Cut $1 million and you expand the economy by about $330 thousand.
There's obviously room for variation here depending on how the tax cut is designed. For instance, regressive tax structures like the ones currently outlined generally yield less economic growth per dollar. They are also distributed far less equitably. Either way though, there's not a snow cone's chance in the Sahara of tax cuts hitting $2 trillion in growth. It's just not possible. Even the Congressional Budget Office will back me up on this.
The Trump administration is double counting their double counting's double counting.
Got that?
There's obviously room for variation here depending on how the tax cut is designed. For instance, regressive tax structures like the ones currently outlined generally yield less economic growth per dollar. They are also distributed far less equitably. Either way though, there's not a snow cone's chance in the Sahara of tax cuts hitting $2 trillion in growth. It's just not possible. Even the Congressional Budget Office will back me up on this.
The Trump administration is double counting their double counting's double counting.
Got that?
14
I take issue with the notion that every dollar cut adds 33 cents to the economy. The economy is a demand side economy, regardless of what the stupid supply side Republicans say. Give a billionaire a dollar tax cut and he is already spending all he wants to spend. He'll take that dollar and put it into the bank or maybe the stock market. Investments in the stock market don't spur the economy, corporate profits result from an uptick in the economy and these profits generate an uptick in the investments in the stock market. Putting money in the hands of people who will spend is the way to spur the economy, whether it's more middle class jobs, higher wages, or providing a social safety net. The middle class and the poor don't provide big bucks donations to the Republicans though and we're stuck with their disproven and outdated economic theories.
I'll believe McCain has reverted to his maverick-y former self when he makes statements resembling Elijah Cummings' "Complying with the United States Constitution is not an optional exercise, but a requirement for serving as our nation’s president.”
He can make a place in history alongside Barry Goldwater by marching up to the White House with a small cadre of wannabe mavericks to send Trump packing. Until then, meh.
He can make a place in history alongside Barry Goldwater by marching up to the White House with a small cadre of wannabe mavericks to send Trump packing. Until then, meh.
I was taught that you need to look at where people or countries spend their money if you want to know who or what they really stand for.
According to our president's budget, we are a country that values the rich over the poor, the disabled, the elderly, the immigrant. We are a country that values military might over scientific research, the arts, the environment. We are a country that values giving large corporations lower taxes over maintaining our roads, tunnels, bridges, water and sewage systems. We are a country that believes that when the government imposes a tax to pay for necessary expenses, it is "stealing from the people".
Our president and his Republican Congress can talk all they want about how great America is, about how we are an exceptional people, about how difficulties build character. But look at the budget and you will see who we really are.
According to our president's budget, we are a country that values the rich over the poor, the disabled, the elderly, the immigrant. We are a country that values military might over scientific research, the arts, the environment. We are a country that values giving large corporations lower taxes over maintaining our roads, tunnels, bridges, water and sewage systems. We are a country that believes that when the government imposes a tax to pay for necessary expenses, it is "stealing from the people".
Our president and his Republican Congress can talk all they want about how great America is, about how we are an exceptional people, about how difficulties build character. But look at the budget and you will see who we really are.
27
They're projecting 3% growth for many years to help pay for this!!Have they not seen what's happened in Kansas??? They tried the same thing and it's been a disaster. Now it'd be on a national scale. Also, the Republicans keep TRYING trickle-down economics and it NEVER works. Isn't the definition of insanity trying the same thing over and over, expecting different results each time??
23
it's a slow motion coup and look who has all the guns. when is the president of the Philippines visiting ?
11
Put something out there so outrageous that "people" are pleased that Congress only initiates half of it, and people quit banding their head against the wall. This tax proposal is nothing near the status quo, which now is looking better and better. Do no harm - no, make nothing "better". Just wrangle and debate over the most outrageous aspects to eliminate. Then you still have huge cuts, fake growth scenarios, the most vulnerable being crushed, and the wealthy receiving tax cuts and benefits that are more than adequate to deal with any "budget cuts" cuts that might trickle up to them. Instead of being a total disaster, it is only about 50% of that disaster. And we let out a collective sigh, relieved that it is not worse. So, let's ask: what ever happened to making things better for those who need it to be "better" - those people who need good jobs, need safety nets to get them through hard times, and who are also key to positive future? Conservatives used to care about these things under the umbrella of conservative fiscal policy. How does this Make America Great Again for anyone but the most fortunate - the rich? It certainly does do that. Is that Trump's most important promise met? Tell that to the people he famously asked: "What do you have to lose?" Apparently, they are about to find out.
6
Imagine a world where you didn't have to worry about food, shelter and medical attention. Such a world exists for billionaires, and most of them care about nothing but their taxes.
Unfortunately, a few of them now control the government of the United States.
Unfortunately, a few of them now control the government of the United States.
7
Going to war, and call for increased military spending, or enrich the rich. This is the concept of the Republican Party. This party does not care for the middle class and the poor. This is clearly evident when we see what goes into the Budget, the Budget Dir is trying so hard to present.
What is so very appalling is when we see the Budget Dir portraying himself as a true patriot. He believes, it is his responsibility to insure the tax payers money is not misused. Therefore, funding for food stamps, meals for school going kids, habitat for humanity, planned parenthood, and several other line items are off the Budget.
Then comes the big shocker. The monstrous figure of almost 800 billion dollars of Medicaid spending will no longer be a priority or important, and removed from the Budget proposal. The impact on these Medicaid recipients is not a concern to our POTUS, or to the elected leaders !
The argument for slashing all these benefit spending is that the recipients must all join the work force.
Ms. Collins, what you failed to mention in your Opinion today, is to ask the Budget Dir to clarify all the spending on behalf of our POTUS. To name a few, the frequent trips by our president to his golf resort, payroll for security personnel; proposed rental for security office and payroll at the Trump Tower; payroll for security for the president's family when they are travelling or wherever they are. Is the POTUS responsible for all these expenses, or included in the Budget?
What is so very appalling is when we see the Budget Dir portraying himself as a true patriot. He believes, it is his responsibility to insure the tax payers money is not misused. Therefore, funding for food stamps, meals for school going kids, habitat for humanity, planned parenthood, and several other line items are off the Budget.
Then comes the big shocker. The monstrous figure of almost 800 billion dollars of Medicaid spending will no longer be a priority or important, and removed from the Budget proposal. The impact on these Medicaid recipients is not a concern to our POTUS, or to the elected leaders !
The argument for slashing all these benefit spending is that the recipients must all join the work force.
Ms. Collins, what you failed to mention in your Opinion today, is to ask the Budget Dir to clarify all the spending on behalf of our POTUS. To name a few, the frequent trips by our president to his golf resort, payroll for security personnel; proposed rental for security office and payroll at the Trump Tower; payroll for security for the president's family when they are travelling or wherever they are. Is the POTUS responsible for all these expenses, or included in the Budget?
5
Ben Carson should be forced to live on $750 a month.
10
more than 1/2 of the American population feels so helpless in this new order. Their way of life is threatened and the government makes no attempt to reach out. This is not democracy, it is majority rule.
1
Oh well, poverty is, after all, only a "state of mind".
8
We had 9 children and thanks to a good public education at a state school, we never had to resort to food stamps. Bit I certainly never resented those not as fortunate who did. As a matter of fact I only resented those pompous republicans that looked down their noses at the poor and those unfortunate to have disabilities. I also never reconciled in my mind why those same republicans were always looking for ways for government to help themselves, such as wanting government help in paying for their private schools for their children, and also was puzzled by the fact that few of their children volunteered for military service, but many of those on food stamps did. That would've been OK if they also weren't the ones that also supported going to war in Iraq.
So, C'mon man! stop the greed on the right.
So, C'mon man! stop the greed on the right.
48
I hear you, but stopping the greed on the right is as possible as stopping the world from turning.
2
So what is not being talked about? The Trump budget is a business plan for for-profit corporations to continue their "coup" of the federal government by assuming the governance of what was once called public education. The shift away from any spending that might benefit anybody making less than a million dolllars a year, to military spending, and restructuring the tax code to do the same, dramatically accelerates exploding income inequality. Representative (a democracy, or a republic) cannot long exist in a country which the economy is rapidly becoming a techno-feudal one. Trump is the slick spokesman. This revolution cannot be effected by a huckster with lies, sweet lies, and threats. Enough of the American people have become sufficiently authoritarian (obedient-compliant; tacit or overt approval of dictatorial, tyrannical government), as compared to their parents and grandparents, as a consequence of a dim awareness of their own powerless in the face of a corporation run government. Unfortunately, many of them work for those corporations, and they are terrified of any threats toothier own economic survival. When God is greed, which it is in the U.S., democratic government is irrelevant, if not an enemy. The enemy is us in this hall of mirrors.
10
Maybe now that it's going to hit trump supporters in their pocketbooks and health care, they will see what incompetent messes they voted into office- both as president and in congress.
8
Trump's cruelty stems in part from the fact that his ignorance is so widespread, so deep, he is unable to comprehend that his 'magical thinking' will not produce a rabbit from an imaginary hat. As to why his enablers, supposedly smart (though mad) can't see the trickery, and the irresponsibly dreadful national deficit they are creating out of thin air. And further, the grave injustice in denying the least among us a chance to survive, even thrive, in this hostile and toxic environment courtesy of a runaway government. If government's function is, as I do believe, to provide for the needs and wishes of it's people, it is failing miserably; and, what's worse, willfully and with 'gusto', cruelty 'gratis', and unsolicited. What kind of monster did we create, ready and willing to eat it's own children? Shall we consult with the healing gods what ailment did afflict us in electing such a wild card, an indiscriminate discriminator with an ever voracious ego in need of immediate satisfaction...at our expense?
13
When I see a statement like this, I speculate confidently that the writer doesn't have a clue what tax rates were back then:
"I say, get taxes on the rich up to the 1960s levels."
When I first noticed tax rates, in the early 1960s, the top marginal rate (federal) was 91%, down from 92% at its peak. As a result, there were very many tax avoidance schemes, far more than there are now. (I remember thinking that Muhammad Ali, in his title fights with Sonny Liston, must have been one of the only US citizens to actually have paid taxes at that rate.)
Federal income tax rates have dropped very substantially since the 1960s, but many tax-avoidance schemes have ended too. If federal rates are kicked back up to 91-92%, as this writer suggests -- in addition to state income taxes, property taxes, and other taxes -- there will soon be new tax-avoidance schemes to replace them.
"I say, get taxes on the rich up to the 1960s levels."
When I first noticed tax rates, in the early 1960s, the top marginal rate (federal) was 91%, down from 92% at its peak. As a result, there were very many tax avoidance schemes, far more than there are now. (I remember thinking that Muhammad Ali, in his title fights with Sonny Liston, must have been one of the only US citizens to actually have paid taxes at that rate.)
Federal income tax rates have dropped very substantially since the 1960s, but many tax-avoidance schemes have ended too. If federal rates are kicked back up to 91-92%, as this writer suggests -- in addition to state income taxes, property taxes, and other taxes -- there will soon be new tax-avoidance schemes to replace them.
But, we'd have to rid ourselves of computers, MyThreeCents, to return to the old days of tax avoidance schemes.
Vote for Trump! Time for a businessman to run the government! Trump will do for Washington what he has done for his businesses!
It was estimated (conservatively too), that if Trump had done nothing with his million dollar inheritance but put it in Mutual Funds and left it alone, it would be worth about $8 billion dollars in today's economy.
But he is the King of Debt and has bankrupted many of his businesses while escaping financial ruin at the expense (literally) of his business partners.
Is it any wonder that his presidency is a disaster? This is all he knows. This is the way that has worked for him in business, where he could bully any opposition with the threat of lawsuits with high-priced hired gun attorneys doing his bidding.
History will not be kind to this man.
It was estimated (conservatively too), that if Trump had done nothing with his million dollar inheritance but put it in Mutual Funds and left it alone, it would be worth about $8 billion dollars in today's economy.
But he is the King of Debt and has bankrupted many of his businesses while escaping financial ruin at the expense (literally) of his business partners.
Is it any wonder that his presidency is a disaster? This is all he knows. This is the way that has worked for him in business, where he could bully any opposition with the threat of lawsuits with high-priced hired gun attorneys doing his bidding.
History will not be kind to this man.
17
You see, one of the many advantages of living here in NYC, is the fact that we are all too well aware of who Donald J. Trump really is. So this is no surprise.
And as you might also remember, Trump didn't spend any time campaigning here. He knew better.
And so did we.
Unfortunately, it has taken the rest of America this long to slowly find out the real deal.
Too bad it's too late.
And as you might also remember, Trump didn't spend any time campaigning here. He knew better.
And so did we.
Unfortunately, it has taken the rest of America this long to slowly find out the real deal.
Too bad it's too late.
11
I agree N.Smith. I am a native New Yorker and have been all too aware of The Donald and how he conducts his business. I, too, noted that he didn't campaign at all in the City. You're right. He knew better than to waste his time.
1
I will never again vote for a Republican candidate for any office - no matter how well-qualified - if anything even remotely close to this so-called "budget" is passed. Never.
9
Wow Gail. This is not the America I grew up in. It's not even an America I recognize. Conservatives used to pretend to care about other human beings. The modern GOP has demonstrated a chilling lack of empathy for anyone but the billionaires in our society yet somehow still believe middle class and poor people will vote for them. Give them credit for chutzpah I suppose. Having your own 24/7 propaganda network and the latest in gerrymandering software goes a long way I guess.
I was always taught that mathematics was an exact science; a discipline where an answer was either right or wrong. You can't spin a number. 2+2 will always equal 4, never 3 or 5. With this GOP though, even basic math appears to be under attack. Mulvaney's incoherent budget is telling us a number can mean pretty much anything the GOP says it does. According to the new GOP math 2 trillion can apparently be used twice in any equation without throwing off the calculations. Who knew?
At least we are seeing a concerted effort by the GOP to employ the intellectually disabled. They have elected several to lofty cabinet positions and have even elevated one to the highest office in the land. Sigh.
I was always taught that mathematics was an exact science; a discipline where an answer was either right or wrong. You can't spin a number. 2+2 will always equal 4, never 3 or 5. With this GOP though, even basic math appears to be under attack. Mulvaney's incoherent budget is telling us a number can mean pretty much anything the GOP says it does. According to the new GOP math 2 trillion can apparently be used twice in any equation without throwing off the calculations. Who knew?
At least we are seeing a concerted effort by the GOP to employ the intellectually disabled. They have elected several to lofty cabinet positions and have even elevated one to the highest office in the land. Sigh.
9
Please no complacency about this being dead in the water. It was made to be outrageous so that the ultimate bill will appear tame by comparison while still decimating the poor. Watch Republicans line up to sign it then, claiming the moral high ground in rejecting the first version.
12
Gail! Please remind me were handing out tax cuts to extremely well off was not a good idea. My good buddy, Joe the plumber, loved the idea back then even though based on his own income, he would never see a dime. So while Joe got the shaft, he at least had his moment in the spotlight. You can't place a price on that.
Mulvaney is an Executive branch version of a used car salesman. "Never mind the millage and rust, this one is a classic. You will feel great behind the wheel."
What I really respect is the fact that so many of Trump's supporters are digging in or in Trump's casino terms, doubling down. They actually think he cares about their plight, worries or life. They are intoxicated by their belief and hope that Trump will make them all like ... Trump. As if Trump will have them over for dinner and treat them to a round of golf at one of his resorts.
You simply scream out "Wake Up". But these supporters are awake and are pushing back. Here I believe they are pushing back to being wrong as hard as they are in pushing back the reality of being duped. And while that might include a segment of the population that will clean up if his initiatives go through, it includes an even larger number of voters that will be devastated if all goes to his plan.
I think it is high time that you and others begin to examine what the infatuation is all about. Because until we understand this, we will have a hard time breaking its ongoing cycle of blind support.
Mulvaney is an Executive branch version of a used car salesman. "Never mind the millage and rust, this one is a classic. You will feel great behind the wheel."
What I really respect is the fact that so many of Trump's supporters are digging in or in Trump's casino terms, doubling down. They actually think he cares about their plight, worries or life. They are intoxicated by their belief and hope that Trump will make them all like ... Trump. As if Trump will have them over for dinner and treat them to a round of golf at one of his resorts.
You simply scream out "Wake Up". But these supporters are awake and are pushing back. Here I believe they are pushing back to being wrong as hard as they are in pushing back the reality of being duped. And while that might include a segment of the population that will clean up if his initiatives go through, it includes an even larger number of voters that will be devastated if all goes to his plan.
I think it is high time that you and others begin to examine what the infatuation is all about. Because until we understand this, we will have a hard time breaking its ongoing cycle of blind support.
2
The Ryan and Trump budget wonks are unlettered pikers. They need to educate themselves through careful study of Jonathan Swift's solution to the problem of famine in 18th century Ireland. Titled "A Modest Proposal For Preventing The Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country and For Making Them Beneficial to The Public," the Swift treatise lays out a perfect solution for eliminating poverty while lining the pockets of the wealthy.
It is a pity that Ryan in particular has wasted his time worshiping a social Darwinist like Ayn Rand, when the free-marketer Swift offers much better solutions to the biblical question, "Am I my brother's keeper."
For those unfamiliar with Swift's modest proposal, it can be read in its entirety at http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html
It is a pity that Ryan in particular has wasted his time worshiping a social Darwinist like Ayn Rand, when the free-marketer Swift offers much better solutions to the biblical question, "Am I my brother's keeper."
For those unfamiliar with Swift's modest proposal, it can be read in its entirety at http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html
11
There must be a hidden agenda in the Trumped-up budget. He and Mickie are going to unveil their secret formula for balancing the budget while dismantling the social safety net and slashing taxes on the tiny minority of the 1% who still pay them. Yes, there's an easy way to make the numbers work: The Trump National Lottery with a top tax-free prize of $1 billion. The poor, sick and disabled will gladly exchange their government handouts for the life-enhancing hand-up the lottery will provide: Hope at last. It worked in Atlantic City -- sort of. It almost worked in Puerto Rico -- now in the throws of bankruptcy. If you're too poor to afford a lottery ticket, you can get a job selling them. This must be the secret Donald and Mickey National Prosperity Plan.
1
Neither can he multiply or divide.
Moreover, those around him that pretend they can usually conflate Arithmetic with drawing noodles on a doodle pad. And that is precisely what narcissistic bullies do - they surround themselves with people who nod approval of the bullies actions at every step. That is why he went through Six bankruptcies and is now desperately trying to run one on the entire public. Trump is an exercise in the broad social application of stupidity.
Moreover, those around him that pretend they can usually conflate Arithmetic with drawing noodles on a doodle pad. And that is precisely what narcissistic bullies do - they surround themselves with people who nod approval of the bullies actions at every step. That is why he went through Six bankruptcies and is now desperately trying to run one on the entire public. Trump is an exercise in the broad social application of stupidity.
4
Nice try Gail, but my vote for worst cabinet officer still goes to Sessions.
2
The Republicans will use this abortion of a budget to prove to us how "compassionate" they are when they make one that is not so insane. Of course it will only be decent in comparison to this one, not in reality. Something that is less awful is not the same as something that is good
3
Wasn't it great when Gail could poke fun at politicians? Now, it's just a tragedy unfolding in front of us.
1
"The budget also eliminates all government payments to Planned Parenthood."
That's the part Pope Francis likes. See Gail, you throw a crumb in the right direction and you get support for the whole loaf.
That's the part Pope Francis likes. See Gail, you throw a crumb in the right direction and you get support for the whole loaf.
1
Let's see if we got this right. Our president can't add; our president can't spell: our president cannot read; our president can't speak; our president can't concentrate; our president can't keep his hands to him self, (these days, as far as we know, he is mostly grabbing the arms of world leaders as after he grabs their hands). As a country we went from one of the most articulate, humane, and humorous presidents in our history, to a self-center, uncaring, humorless man who is committed to his self image, tv ratings and "winning". Let us all hail our Mr. President, we acknowledge you as our Commander-in-Con Man.
12
$119,000,000,000 divided by 23,000,000 = the price of a human life in Trumps America. At least we now have some clarity on the value of a healthy person. That would be $5,173,913. What is next? voluntary suicide to help with the national debt? After all poor people are expendable.
4
The Pope WAS having his car towed away. Trump arrived in an armada of SUVs and immediately the cry went out, "What's this stupid little Ford Focus doing in our way?" Authorities were called. The Roman police said they would get to in a week or two, then they realized they have no authority to tow cars in the nation-state of the Vatican. That would require a United Nations resolution. So, one of the giant SUVs just pushed the pale blue Focus out of the way. Far out of the way. Problem solved.
Since I couldn't have James Bond's Aston-Martin, my own Ford Focus is smiling and driving with pride these days. I have my very own version of a Pope-mobile. As long as the SUVs allow it to live, that is.
Since I couldn't have James Bond's Aston-Martin, my own Ford Focus is smiling and driving with pride these days. I have my very own version of a Pope-mobile. As long as the SUVs allow it to live, that is.
2
Lots of politicians on both sides of the aisle are calling Trump's budget DOA, which is good, but that's not the real problem. The REAL problem is that the budget the House and Senate are probably going to hack out will be incredibly draconian, but next to Trump's Dracula budget (sucking all the blood out of the living to benefit the richest parasites--like the Trump family), it will look "sensible" and "reasonable". Draconian vs Dracul-anian!
Because we can be sure their Draconian budget will still:
1) Cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans and corporations
2) Reduce funding programs that help the neediest, including Medicaid, SNAP, and CHIP.
3) Increase military spending despite the US already spending more than the combined spending of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, UK, Japan & Germany! According to the Stockholm Intl Peace Research Inst, the US spent $611.2 billion, while the next 8 top military spenders spent $595.7 billion! Only when you add the 10th largest spender, S. Korea, do the rest of the Top Ten spend more than the US at $632.5 billion. But the new, improved Draconian budget is guaranteed to take us past THAT!
Despite all that money, Russia has us easily beaten in cyber warfare, China is getting away with stealing a chunk of the S. Pacific and building a naval island there. And N. Korea is getting MORE aggressive! We don't need more military money, we need to spend it smarter!
Because we can be sure their Draconian budget will still:
1) Cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans and corporations
2) Reduce funding programs that help the neediest, including Medicaid, SNAP, and CHIP.
3) Increase military spending despite the US already spending more than the combined spending of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, UK, Japan & Germany! According to the Stockholm Intl Peace Research Inst, the US spent $611.2 billion, while the next 8 top military spenders spent $595.7 billion! Only when you add the 10th largest spender, S. Korea, do the rest of the Top Ten spend more than the US at $632.5 billion. But the new, improved Draconian budget is guaranteed to take us past THAT!
Despite all that money, Russia has us easily beaten in cyber warfare, China is getting away with stealing a chunk of the S. Pacific and building a naval island there. And N. Korea is getting MORE aggressive! We don't need more military money, we need to spend it smarter!
2
The three trillion (with a T) in tax cuts to the uber-riche would be a good start on a National infrastructure rebuild.
There is no getting around it any more with winks and nods; this t rump budget is the republican party of the last 40 years.
We have tried their magic dust for far too long.
Let's get real.
There is no getting around it any more with winks and nods; this t rump budget is the republican party of the last 40 years.
We have tried their magic dust for far too long.
Let's get real.
1
Where is the money for free contraceptives? If food stamp benefits are capped at six people per household make six possible and easy.
1
Here's what I think Gail. 1- trump never wanted the actual job of being president. He wanted to a. Set up his children and grandchildren into the business of politics like say the Bush or Kennedy dynasty. B. Put a gold plated T on the White House.
2. The old saying: be careful what you wish for you may just get it should everlasting be associated with the 2016 election.
3. Its all about the money. Trump only wants to further his empire. What better way than to actually have real leverage as president of the United States.
4. If Trump actually manages to go the distance, his administration/ regime will go down as the most corrupt this country has ever experienced.
5. The Russians did pull off the greatest intelligence coup ever in their history. Only to have it blow up like a loaded cigar. Ha ha! Too bad the punchline is at the expense of us little people.
2. The old saying: be careful what you wish for you may just get it should everlasting be associated with the 2016 election.
3. Its all about the money. Trump only wants to further his empire. What better way than to actually have real leverage as president of the United States.
4. If Trump actually manages to go the distance, his administration/ regime will go down as the most corrupt this country has ever experienced.
5. The Russians did pull off the greatest intelligence coup ever in their history. Only to have it blow up like a loaded cigar. Ha ha! Too bad the punchline is at the expense of us little people.
4
These columns are a joy to read, except I keep wondering what terrible things we all must have done to get people like Trump and Mulvaney in charge of the country.
"No food for you, kid. You have to learn to choose your parents better."
That'll show them. Toddlers are so irresponsible these days.
That'll show them. Toddlers are so irresponsible these days.
10
The intent is to punish people of color because the aging population thinks they are the only demographic on the dole. Not true. We just get credit for it. Trump's support amongst rural America will remain unbreakable even if grandma has to subsist by eating cat food and can no longer afford chronic pain meds as long as the Republican hate machine continues to blame all the country's problems on Mexicans.
4
A couple of trillion here, a couple of trillion there, what's the big deal?
1
I heard a US Senator on NPR this morning defend (ish) the 'new' GOP/TP/FreedomP health...care? plan. He basically talked over the NPR reporter (woman) repeatedly. It seems "Shoot The Messenger" is their gambit....."The Congressional budget office is often wrong".
As Steve Carell's character said to the similarly waffling Standard and Poors 'regulator' in "The Big Short" movie: "What are you, 4?"
If nothing else, the CBO could be low by 40%.
As Steve Carell's character said to the similarly waffling Standard and Poors 'regulator' in "The Big Short" movie: "What are you, 4?"
If nothing else, the CBO could be low by 40%.
The Trump administration no longer needs to be proactive in curbing immigration. Our government is now viewed with such global contempt that scads of bright would-be immigrants are now motivated to stay away from the USA.
Canadian universities, for example, are at this moment welcoming hundreds of thousands of brainy overseas students into their ranks, many of whom are from the USA. Canada will capitalize bigly on our obtuseness. [http://www.international.gc.ca/education/report-rapport/impact-2016/inde...]
Canadians are saying, "Hello brainpower! Keep your couch-sitting, obese, drug-addled, resentful, Trump-voting dead-enders at home." Trump and the GOP need them, perpetually uneducated, for their reliable voting base. Meanwhile, here at home we say, "Good-bye 21st Century!"
Canadian universities, for example, are at this moment welcoming hundreds of thousands of brainy overseas students into their ranks, many of whom are from the USA. Canada will capitalize bigly on our obtuseness. [http://www.international.gc.ca/education/report-rapport/impact-2016/inde...]
Canadians are saying, "Hello brainpower! Keep your couch-sitting, obese, drug-addled, resentful, Trump-voting dead-enders at home." Trump and the GOP need them, perpetually uneducated, for their reliable voting base. Meanwhile, here at home we say, "Good-bye 21st Century!"
Gail, The Fraudster (Don the Conman) told us he loves debt, bankruptcies and uneducated folks. It is a formula that has worked for him his entire life, and still does. The man is just that and will never change. Yes he is an evildoer who will wreak havoc on the United States and is likely guilty of treason. Impeachment if it could and did occur is too good and he should be put in prison for high crimes instead. The term of his sentence should be a life time with no chance of parole, as that is what he has doomed the country too.
1
The Trump budget - Homeless Encampments for All.
2
The Trump, pardon the expression, administration is so full of jugglers/liars, delusional illusionists, intellectual midgets, smoke and fun house mirrors, and the moth-eaten elephants of the GOP, it's no wonder it drove Ringling Bros. out of business.
1
I could not survive this administration without Gail Collins's commentary. It has saved my life.
3
Gail: There really are lots of people receiving SSI disability payments who in a well run system wouldn't. When did our disabiltiy payment system go off the rails? I live in Mississippi and its seems everyone gets a check down here. Frankly, if the system cannot be operated effectively it should be dismantled. Veterans excepted of course. It is incumbent upon more liberal administrations like the Obama administration to show such programs can be run effectively.
33
The population of Mississippi is 2.9 million.
According to government statistics, in 2015, 123,209 people in that state were receiving disability benefits.
That's roughly 2.5% (two point five percent) of the population.
Yet your perception is that "it seems everyone gets a check down here."
By what means have you been brainwashed into thinking that "everyone" in your state gets a disability check when in fact, only 2.5% do?
According to government statistics, in 2015, 123,209 people in that state were receiving disability benefits.
That's roughly 2.5% (two point five percent) of the population.
Yet your perception is that "it seems everyone gets a check down here."
By what means have you been brainwashed into thinking that "everyone" in your state gets a disability check when in fact, only 2.5% do?
3
problem could be Gerry that "more liberal administrations" simply don't care to run such programs effectively.
Good point made, Gerry. The problem now is that the Trump budget cuts the resources necessary for more efficiency. As Stephen Colbert puts it, "robbing Peter to pay Peter" and the rest can fend for themselves. Don't dismantle the whole program, make the funds available to expand better examination of the problems which require more thorough investigation in the first place.
1
Just more cruelty and stupidity from the Trump administration, a group so grotesque, dishonest, mean minded and criminal that it only deserves derision and all out opposition. The only good will come when Trump is removed, or the 2018 elections gut the Republican majority in Congress so that our country can return to a bit of normalcy. However, in the interim we must fight the Trump administration's bloodthirsty nastiness, every day.
4
Bill, dream on. Trump's base is invested in him -- he's their guy.
Trump knew how to appeal to them. The contest between him and Mrs. Clinton should not have been even close. That he won is due not just to Comey's "revelations" but to the Trump supporters' vulgar, crass, undereducated, brutish sensibilities.
Some rich ones voted their pocketbooks, but the others voted their prejudices.
Trump knew how to appeal to them. The contest between him and Mrs. Clinton should not have been even close. That he won is due not just to Comey's "revelations" but to the Trump supporters' vulgar, crass, undereducated, brutish sensibilities.
Some rich ones voted their pocketbooks, but the others voted their prejudices.
At least this president realizes the fat must be cut. Politicians cannot continue to throw all of their waste and financial excess of the U.S. taxpayer. Half are not paying income tax and the other half cannot continually hold up the other half forever. Wise up, spenders.
12
The president realizes no such thing. I see not even a nod to watching for waste in his $54B increase in the military. The half that aren't paying income taxes are not doing so out of protest or resistance, but there is no income to tax. My children and grandparents are a big part of that number, and how much tax are you going to get out of someone making $10k per year, which is what I made as a Sergeant in the Air Force.
Tax the rich (I mean ACTUALLY tax) at the same or higher rate than I am. Tax foreign investments and the stealth wealth of our CEO's. Don't demonize the little guy. Limit our military dollars or call it what it is - a social program for defense contract companies/employees. Then maybe the right will try to limit that as well.
Tax the rich (I mean ACTUALLY tax) at the same or higher rate than I am. Tax foreign investments and the stealth wealth of our CEO's. Don't demonize the little guy. Limit our military dollars or call it what it is - a social program for defense contract companies/employees. Then maybe the right will try to limit that as well.
6
It is not true that the people we call "the working poor" do not contribute to federal revenues, as you allege when you say that "half are not paying income tax."
While half of all wage earners may not wind up directly owing federal taxes -- (and parenthetically, let's acknowledge that this includes high-school and college students working summer and/or very part-time jobs) the working poor work for businesses that do pay federal taxes -- i.e. their labor is contributing to federal revenues -- and what little money they make they spend buying goods and services from businesses that do pay federal taxes -- again, the some of the money that the working poor earn DOES wind up contributing to federal revenues.
Moreover, if the lower "half" you refer to disappeared or for some other reason did not continue working, the entire economy would collapse.
Wise up.
While half of all wage earners may not wind up directly owing federal taxes -- (and parenthetically, let's acknowledge that this includes high-school and college students working summer and/or very part-time jobs) the working poor work for businesses that do pay federal taxes -- i.e. their labor is contributing to federal revenues -- and what little money they make they spend buying goods and services from businesses that do pay federal taxes -- again, the some of the money that the working poor earn DOES wind up contributing to federal revenues.
Moreover, if the lower "half" you refer to disappeared or for some other reason did not continue working, the entire economy would collapse.
Wise up.
4
An excellent example of hard-nosed, over-simplified Republican thinking. God help us all when so many people have no sense of the common good. Trump is their avatar.
2
The highlight of Trump's huge European/Middle East vacation was when the Pope made fun of Trump. From The Post:
"Pope Francis and First Lady Melania Trump appeared to mock President Trump’s weight on Wednesday — giggling over the portly president indulging in high-calorie Slovenian sweets during a meeting Wednesday.
“What do you give him to eat, potizza?” the Pope asked the svelte ex-model, referring to a dessert from her native country.
At first she appeared to think he said, “pizza” and looked at him quizzically — but then she laughed and said, “Potizza. Yes.”
The pontiff then turned to the president and gave him a wide grin. The commander in chief also laughed — but it wasn’t clear if he got the joke.
The pope spoke in Italian, one of five languages the first lady reportedly speaks fluently.
The Vatican said Francis often mentions potizza — a flaky Christmas pasty made with yeast and filled with raisins and chocolate — when he meets with Slovenians."
Pretty amazing that Trump is the laughing stock of the world. I know you're trying to make us laugh too, Ms. Collins, but why do I feel like crying every time I watch the news these days?
"Pope Francis and First Lady Melania Trump appeared to mock President Trump’s weight on Wednesday — giggling over the portly president indulging in high-calorie Slovenian sweets during a meeting Wednesday.
“What do you give him to eat, potizza?” the Pope asked the svelte ex-model, referring to a dessert from her native country.
At first she appeared to think he said, “pizza” and looked at him quizzically — but then she laughed and said, “Potizza. Yes.”
The pontiff then turned to the president and gave him a wide grin. The commander in chief also laughed — but it wasn’t clear if he got the joke.
The pope spoke in Italian, one of five languages the first lady reportedly speaks fluently.
The Vatican said Francis often mentions potizza — a flaky Christmas pasty made with yeast and filled with raisins and chocolate — when he meets with Slovenians."
Pretty amazing that Trump is the laughing stock of the world. I know you're trying to make us laugh too, Ms. Collins, but why do I feel like crying every time I watch the news these days?
22
A yes vote on this "Let Them Eat Cake Again" budget should be indelible - any and all representatives that support it should be individually and constantly defined by it in the media and in the voting booth.
In a just and compassionate society this extraordinarily cruel proposal would result in tangible consequences for its proponents. Not being reelected is what they seem to fear most.
This is another opportunity for us to define what we want to stand for as a nation.
For our participatory democracy to function, we need more participation.
In a just and compassionate society this extraordinarily cruel proposal would result in tangible consequences for its proponents. Not being reelected is what they seem to fear most.
This is another opportunity for us to define what we want to stand for as a nation.
For our participatory democracy to function, we need more participation.
22
Conservative politicians always seem to feel that the best way to spur growth is by giving massive tax breaks to the top earners. Unfortunately this trickle down theory doesn't work. If you want to spur economic growth give credits and grants to the poor and middle class. They will actually spend the money they receive unlike the wealthy who will do nothing with it other than create more wealth for themselves.
IT'S CALLED THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT. Simple economics. A poorer family or middle class family or a small business is more likely to spend the money they have today than are the wealthy. By spending the money today the poor, middle class and small businesses inject it back into the economy. The grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. they frequent get more money sooner, and so on. The billionaires will likely invest any tax break creating more wealth for themselves but no immediate stimulus to the economy. Some people will argue that by investing the money they are putting more capital into the economy to be used by corporations who in turn hire more people and create more jobs. Ford would be much better off selling a million dollars worth of F 150s to middle income earners than it would be if a billionaire buys a million dollars worth of its shares. More sales, increased production = more jobs today. The billionaire who receives a tax break is more likely to buy a new Porsche for his kid before he buys a new truck to haul around dirt for his small business.
7
No surprise here. The GOP has been failing Economics 101 for years. And the Democratic adults in the room are always left to clean up the disastrous mess left behind.
Again, it doesn’t matter what WE think about this disaster of a budget. What matters, and what can finally stop the total farce of the Trump budget—and the Trump program in general—is what Trump’s dedicated voters think. Far too many of the Trump voters believe that if you’re poor, it’s your own fault, and you don’t deserve help at their expense. Likewise if you’re a child, you’re disabled, you’re sick, etc.; that’s just not their problem. And who needs cancer research, anyway? Those greedy scientists are just looking for grant money to fatten their wallets. Trump is great; he sticks it to those Washington elites, and he’s going to bring back Big Coal.
If these Trump voters turn against Trump, we have a chance to stop him before he does irreparable damage to this country. If the dedicated Red-State voters abandon Trump, that will make it possible for Republicans in Congress to turn against Trump, too; possibly even impeach him. If anyone has any ideas about how to persuade the Trump voters to turn against their hero, please speak up now, before it’s too late.
If these Trump voters turn against Trump, we have a chance to stop him before he does irreparable damage to this country. If the dedicated Red-State voters abandon Trump, that will make it possible for Republicans in Congress to turn against Trump, too; possibly even impeach him. If anyone has any ideas about how to persuade the Trump voters to turn against their hero, please speak up now, before it’s too late.
7
The 'turn' against Trump will happen gradually. It will begin when the jobs he promised to create never appear. Once any of his economic principles become adapted and controls on banks disappear the economy will ultimately come apart again. That's a high price to pay I know but it would be worth it.
1
what do you suppose would happen to me if I took the standard deduction twice on my income tax return, with the laughable claim that it was just part of my 'plan' to make butlerguy great again (as if he could ever achieve greatness)?
what would the republicant 'leaders' in congress say if president Hillary had a $2 trillion 'mistake' in her first budget proposal?
did I miss something or did the Donald just propose selling our airports and bridges to 'investors' who could then depreciate them for 20 years, earning themselves handsome tax breaks?
what would the republicant 'leaders' in congress say if president Hillary had a $2 trillion 'mistake' in her first budget proposal?
did I miss something or did the Donald just propose selling our airports and bridges to 'investors' who could then depreciate them for 20 years, earning themselves handsome tax breaks?
18
Not to mention that they'd not pay for needed repairs bc the cost would eat into their short term profits - who cares about their condition 25 yeas from now.
1
About those asterisks (wild cards) that appear in Republican budgets and spreadsheets …
The asterisks indicate the benefits to the economy from more tax cuts for the rich. Excess income for the rich becomes available capital, which may be invested in job-creating enterprise if consumer spending is sufficient to sustain an attractive rate of return for producing products and services. Otherwise, the rich will hoard their capital in financial schemes like hedge funds and derivatives, which are wagers on, not investment in, the real economy.
There is a simple test you can make in your community to assess the economic benefit of increasing the incomes of the rich. Take a pocketful of money to your nearest Walmart. If you find the display shelves empty and the in-store services closed, the economy needs to shower the rich with money to increase capital investment for goods and services.
But if you find the shelves well-stocked and the in-store services bustling, the economy needs to shower the poor with money, which they will spend to bolster consumer demand, better their lives, and expand opportunity for the rich to invest their capital in profitable job-creating enterprise.
Got it? Just kidding, "tax cuts for the rich" is a Republican mantra, not an economic stimulus!
The asterisks indicate the benefits to the economy from more tax cuts for the rich. Excess income for the rich becomes available capital, which may be invested in job-creating enterprise if consumer spending is sufficient to sustain an attractive rate of return for producing products and services. Otherwise, the rich will hoard their capital in financial schemes like hedge funds and derivatives, which are wagers on, not investment in, the real economy.
There is a simple test you can make in your community to assess the economic benefit of increasing the incomes of the rich. Take a pocketful of money to your nearest Walmart. If you find the display shelves empty and the in-store services closed, the economy needs to shower the rich with money to increase capital investment for goods and services.
But if you find the shelves well-stocked and the in-store services bustling, the economy needs to shower the poor with money, which they will spend to bolster consumer demand, better their lives, and expand opportunity for the rich to invest their capital in profitable job-creating enterprise.
Got it? Just kidding, "tax cuts for the rich" is a Republican mantra, not an economic stimulus!
3
These are the numbers that make the least sense: one percent of Americans will benefit from Trump's tax plan, yet thirty-eight percent of Americans continue to endorse him.
11
How much money would be saved by eliminating the Executive and Legislative branches of the government?
4
If a picture is worth a thousand words, that photo of a fog-enshrouded Trump Casino sign with some of its lights out, says it all -- and it serves as a mighty metaphor for this administration.
Anyone who knows anything about Trump's decline and fall in Atlantic City, already knows where this country is headed under his steerage.
EXHIBIT A: Donald Trump's proposed budget.
With no sign of all those jobs coming back to "Make America Great Again", and with far less than the 3% growth that was promised during his campaign, the plan now is to make sick, older, and impoverished Americans pay for tax cuts to the wealthy, while over-subsidizing military spending.
No further exhibits are needed to get the drift.
And no amount of Voodoo math is going to correct this kind of a budget no matter what you twist it.
So I'm with you, Gail Collins; "TWAUP", it is.
Anyone who knows anything about Trump's decline and fall in Atlantic City, already knows where this country is headed under his steerage.
EXHIBIT A: Donald Trump's proposed budget.
With no sign of all those jobs coming back to "Make America Great Again", and with far less than the 3% growth that was promised during his campaign, the plan now is to make sick, older, and impoverished Americans pay for tax cuts to the wealthy, while over-subsidizing military spending.
No further exhibits are needed to get the drift.
And no amount of Voodoo math is going to correct this kind of a budget no matter what you twist it.
So I'm with you, Gail Collins; "TWAUP", it is.
4
Under this budget plan we will soon treat our struggling disabled people as beggars much as they do in India. Are we ready to see hordes of the blind and limbless veterans camped in boxes on our streets looking for a dime? The disabled as with everyone need to be treated with dignity and that means offering them a path to useful employment and help while they are doing it. Humanity is lost under the compassionless capitalism of the Republicans and Trump.
6
What a wonderful four months this has been! Figuring the impeachment process will take another twenty months, we will have to slog through two years of this train wreck before Pence is sworn in. By that time, Democrats would have captured at least one house in the 2018 mid-term election. Welcome to entropy central!
2
No worries. trump's supporters can't add, either. They will never notice, or if they do, they will ignore the lies, and mistakes. Can't have any glitches in the fantasy, can we?
5
If this is being sold based on magical economic growth at 3% or more, why don't we make Trump put up all his properties as collateral. At least the American people would get their 4 cents on the dollar when the bottom falls out.
2
Gail, I don't like to contradict, but as one who sees the future, Trump will be out much sooner than 10 years. -- Prof. Marvell
Well, you're right, Gail -- he can't add. He can't read. He can't speak coherently. He doesn't have enough sense to keep his mouth shut about intelligence matters. Someone failed this man baby educationally. As an educator, I'm embarrassed for us that this guy made it through the educational system. Teachers everywhere are crying these days!
5
What's more troubling is the disdain for education among Trump supporters, a phenomenon also rampant in Canada among our Conservatives. Anyone with expertise is called a left-wing elitist. It boils down to an attitude of "My ignorance trumps your knowledge." Anyone watching the American election campaign who had any understanding of Trump's history as a "businessman" could have predicted that his supporters would be the ones to suffer most.
2
Get with the program, Gail; Mulvaney and Trump are using Alternative Math.
It's the kind of math that allows you to add 2+2 (trillion) and make it = 0 budget deficit.
This is what America voted for. A business leader (ie conman) who can turn science, math or philosophy on its head to serve the greater good: making money for the Trump crime family.
It's the kind of math that allows you to add 2+2 (trillion) and make it = 0 budget deficit.
This is what America voted for. A business leader (ie conman) who can turn science, math or philosophy on its head to serve the greater good: making money for the Trump crime family.
3
This budget represents the American Oligarchs' vision for the workers of our country: "Another day older and deeper in debt. . . . I owe my soul to the company store."
The middle class faces stagnant wages, but it's okay, we can take on more consumer debt. The slum lords, like Prince Jared, squeeze the poor for every penny they can get. Meanwhile, the idle rent seeker class sits back and collects a commission on every transaction, but deserves a tax cut.
---
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
The middle class faces stagnant wages, but it's okay, we can take on more consumer debt. The slum lords, like Prince Jared, squeeze the poor for every penny they can get. Meanwhile, the idle rent seeker class sits back and collects a commission on every transaction, but deserves a tax cut.
---
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
5
Don't think for even a moment that they don't know exactly what they are doing...
2
Less to the needy, more to the rich and the most expensive military in the history of the world. Then, back into unrealistic growing GDP numbers to produce unrealistic growing annual tax revenues. "Voila" - the budget balances, or not! Only a fool would buy this. Where was our President and his team educated – the defunct Trump University?
Mr. Trump will likely be wrong about turbocharging GDP to grow tax revenues and the rich investing into more jobs in our country. More likely, tax revenues will not increase substantially, the rich will deposit their Trump Tax Cut Windfall in their investment accounts, and deficits and the debt will explode – further threatening our national security and enslaving US taxpayers.
If so, taxes will likely not be raised since 208 in Congress and 45 in the Senate, all Republicans, signed a Pledge not to damage the "Republican brand" by raising taxes. They offer no revenue safety net for our country. These Republicans put their self-interest and that of their party above the interest of our country. These 253 Republicans must rescind their Pledge.
Elected Politicians must stop misleading US and stop mismanaging our country for their self-interest, that of their party and special interest contributors. They must be held responsible for their irresponsible $20 Trillion in national debt and $100 Trillion in future, unfunded liabilities they created and are forcing US taxpayers to service and pay.
http://usdebtforum.com
Mr. Trump will likely be wrong about turbocharging GDP to grow tax revenues and the rich investing into more jobs in our country. More likely, tax revenues will not increase substantially, the rich will deposit their Trump Tax Cut Windfall in their investment accounts, and deficits and the debt will explode – further threatening our national security and enslaving US taxpayers.
If so, taxes will likely not be raised since 208 in Congress and 45 in the Senate, all Republicans, signed a Pledge not to damage the "Republican brand" by raising taxes. They offer no revenue safety net for our country. These Republicans put their self-interest and that of their party above the interest of our country. These 253 Republicans must rescind their Pledge.
Elected Politicians must stop misleading US and stop mismanaging our country for their self-interest, that of their party and special interest contributors. They must be held responsible for their irresponsible $20 Trillion in national debt and $100 Trillion in future, unfunded liabilities they created and are forcing US taxpayers to service and pay.
http://usdebtforum.com
2
Unbelievable amount of corruption we see in this President Trump together with his whole family which includes Ivanka and Jared.
Whose fault is that ? Voters thought Hillary was not good enough for them so they sat out or went with Jill Stein, Then we see Stein all decked up sitting with Putin and Flynn. So much for Ms. Jill.
Then came Comey`s last moment attack on Hillary on email and now we know those were fake ones.
Now Trump is the President and there is no going back.
Whose fault is that ? Voters thought Hillary was not good enough for them so they sat out or went with Jill Stein, Then we see Stein all decked up sitting with Putin and Flynn. So much for Ms. Jill.
Then came Comey`s last moment attack on Hillary on email and now we know those were fake ones.
Now Trump is the President and there is no going back.
2
How can Trump and company be worse than our worse fears?
The horror of it... the Trump Administration does not even have access to a decent accountant! Economics and Accounting 101 mistakes abound!
What the heck is happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Is there ANYONE in there with basic job competency?
What the heck is happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Is there ANYONE in there with basic job competency?
2
"Taxpayer First Budget"? Well, that leaves out the "president". And most of his cabinet, I suspect.
1
Mick Mulvaney wants to channel his ethnic heritage and bring the effects of the Potato Famine to poor 'Muricans of every ethnic group. Yay, us?
He wants to call it the "taxpayer budget?" What he really means is that this is the Rebekah and Robert Mercer budget.
He wants to call it the "taxpayer budget?" What he really means is that this is the Rebekah and Robert Mercer budget.
2
Gail Collins. Literary Genius. American Hero.
3
And what are the poor to eat? I quote Johathan Swift from "A Modest Proposal" written in 1729: ”I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled ...”
1
Trump had almost nothing to do with the shape of this budget other than a couple of priorities (e.g., fewer taxes for the rich, because he thinks he and his cronies run or should run the country--echoing 'what's good for General Motors...). This was a Mulvaney creation: ideological, mean-spirited, short-sighted, not just unrealistic but downright deceptive, destructive, stupid, downright dangerous--oh, did I mention that it has to be a Mulvaney creation? TWAUP is accurate and certainly reptilian enough, but it's an insult to frogs, and, perhaps you've heard, global warming is killing off the frogs, which means they're having a tougher time than even the rest of us, so maybe it should be labeled the Kill Off the Frogs budget: KOF, KOF---Ptui. Snort. Anybody got a tissue?
2
Henry Ford figured it out. Workers needed buying power to keep Ford in business.
Trump and the republicans want to lower consumer buying power through trillion dollar federal spending cuts that recipients spend immediately.
In their delusion, republicans then think the US economy will grow faster, As if the rich actually write checks against their wealth transfers.
Trump and the republicans want to lower consumer buying power through trillion dollar federal spending cuts that recipients spend immediately.
In their delusion, republicans then think the US economy will grow faster, As if the rich actually write checks against their wealth transfers.
265
Actually, what Ford figured out was the high turnover in employees was costing him money by having to constantly acquire, hire, and train people - who soon left for less mind-numbing work. Raising the factory wage got him the fixed labor supply he wanted and needed. That it made actual "wage slaves" of people didn't bother anyone for a few more years...
True. But Ford didn't start out with worldwide markets. Companies don't have to pay so much attention to American consumers now, since there are markets overseas. Their loyalty is to themselves, not us, sad to say.
Tourism to exotic locations in private jets (already a thing, apparently, if my mail can be believed) will undoubtedly be helped. Perhaps those who voted for Trump but now will lose everything can get a job acting as "natives" in costume and makeup to amuse the private jet tour crowd.
Most poor families do not have a lot of young children. I'm surprised that Gail Collins even put that in her column today. It's a stereotype that should not be reinforced. On the other hand, if the GOP is determined to cut funding for Planned Parenthood and any organization that includes the word abortion in their literature we may see the return of the 6 child family as women are forced to bear children they and their families cannot support. The GOP might think that poor people and the rest of us ought to take vows of celibacy but that's unrealistic.
In my opinion the GOP leaders ought to step down from their self erected pedestals and mingle with the commoners for a few weeks. Watch us stretch our money to feed, clothe, pay for shelter, pay for health care, pay those insurance premiums, and pray to keep our jobs in a country that they have ruined. Yes, plenty of Americans voted the GOP into office but they didn't expect such naked greed and animosity in payment for electing them. There was, mistakenly as it turns out, a hope that they would work on our behalf.
This budget and the accompanying statements by Mulvaney and others should put to rest any thought that the GOP cares about 99% of Americans. It doesn't. They pulled the same sort of con job that our Toddler in Chief pulled. I just hope that people remember this when it's time for the 2018 elections, if we're still around to have them.
In my opinion the GOP leaders ought to step down from their self erected pedestals and mingle with the commoners for a few weeks. Watch us stretch our money to feed, clothe, pay for shelter, pay for health care, pay those insurance premiums, and pray to keep our jobs in a country that they have ruined. Yes, plenty of Americans voted the GOP into office but they didn't expect such naked greed and animosity in payment for electing them. There was, mistakenly as it turns out, a hope that they would work on our behalf.
This budget and the accompanying statements by Mulvaney and others should put to rest any thought that the GOP cares about 99% of Americans. It doesn't. They pulled the same sort of con job that our Toddler in Chief pulled. I just hope that people remember this when it's time for the 2018 elections, if we're still around to have them.
41
Gail Collins didn't say that most poor families have a lot of children. She pointed out that the families that do, would have their food stamps capped after four kids. That is why she included it, not because it's a stereotype.
20
Her even mentioning that led to some very unkind and inappropriate comments. That's why I wrote what I did.
People who firmly believe that poor people always have too many children don't need Gail or anyone else saying these sorts of things.
People who firmly believe that poor people always have too many children don't need Gail or anyone else saying these sorts of things.
Hen3ry, not all poor people have a lot of children. Condoms are inexpensive, and there are clinics that will help women out too. But what's true is that allowing the state to support your children leads nowhere good.
You can't seem to get yourself together to feed your children breakfast? Can't make a cheese sandwich for lunch? Do you use food stamps to purchase soda? Goodness, Americans have for generations been poor; but not so feckless. Fifty years of well-meaning, optimistic subsidies have really not done the job that everyone thought they would do, and in fact have too often had the opposite effect: dependency has become a way of life for generations of families.
Immigrants with nothing seem to do a better job than Americans (of any color) of climbing out of poverty -- perhaps because they are determined to.
You can't seem to get yourself together to feed your children breakfast? Can't make a cheese sandwich for lunch? Do you use food stamps to purchase soda? Goodness, Americans have for generations been poor; but not so feckless. Fifty years of well-meaning, optimistic subsidies have really not done the job that everyone thought they would do, and in fact have too often had the opposite effect: dependency has become a way of life for generations of families.
Immigrants with nothing seem to do a better job than Americans (of any color) of climbing out of poverty -- perhaps because they are determined to.
Sure, a 2 trillion dollar mistake looks bad even for a man who lost money owning casinos AND selling vodka.
But to be fair, this is the first budget Trump ever put together where he is expected to actually pay his bills. How do you expect him to run government like a business if you take away his one true business insight: it's easy to make money if you don't pay contractors and get to declare bankruptcy when you run out of people to stiff.
Speaking of Vodka (I find myself thinking about alcohol more often since November), one unfortunate Trump supplier sued over unpaid bills and, as a result, melted 500,000 Trump Vodka mini-bottles ready for shipment in a furnace.
Furnace companies may be the only unexpected winner under a Trump Budget.
But to be fair, this is the first budget Trump ever put together where he is expected to actually pay his bills. How do you expect him to run government like a business if you take away his one true business insight: it's easy to make money if you don't pay contractors and get to declare bankruptcy when you run out of people to stiff.
Speaking of Vodka (I find myself thinking about alcohol more often since November), one unfortunate Trump supplier sued over unpaid bills and, as a result, melted 500,000 Trump Vodka mini-bottles ready for shipment in a furnace.
Furnace companies may be the only unexpected winner under a Trump Budget.
16
Trump's "budget" is just more proof that the Republican Party has no new ideas for our country. Their old and tired ideas "supply side" economics are not just fascicle and fantastic, but are actually bad for America. It is time for the Republican Party to die. Let its factions go their own ways. Perhaps a new party could be formed with the very few responsible centrist Republicans and centrist Democrats. But right now, the Republicans are standing in the way and they need to get out of the way, for the sake of America and Americans.
22
The Trump budget is a doomsday plan created to usher in a less awful one, but an awful one nevertheless.
That said, birth control is the surest way out of poverty, and subsidizing people who insist on procreating constantly is the surest way to ensure an education-resistant underclass.
We know that automation is the wave of the future, and that more jobs are being taken away by technology than by much-reviled, oft-blamed immigrants. Unless we can educate everyone to do brain-intensive work, we will be setting ourselves up for disaster. And not everyone can be educated.
I say, get taxes on the rich up to the 1960s levels. The country can use the money, and those people will still be wealthy. But that doesn't mean that every American child will be respectful of education, moderately well mannered, and prepared to work in school.
That said, birth control is the surest way out of poverty, and subsidizing people who insist on procreating constantly is the surest way to ensure an education-resistant underclass.
We know that automation is the wave of the future, and that more jobs are being taken away by technology than by much-reviled, oft-blamed immigrants. Unless we can educate everyone to do brain-intensive work, we will be setting ourselves up for disaster. And not everyone can be educated.
I say, get taxes on the rich up to the 1960s levels. The country can use the money, and those people will still be wealthy. But that doesn't mean that every American child will be respectful of education, moderately well mannered, and prepared to work in school.
26
Actually, the surest way out of poverty has been shown to be a good job, whether they have children or not.
5
"????" In summary, tax the rich and despise the poor. Did I get that right?
Not at all, Dra. Tax the rich. Finance schools and libraries. And let those who want 5-7 children take care of them on their own. Middle-class people limit their families to those they can support financially and emotionally, and there's no reason why others cannot do the same.
Barbara George, the surest way to climb out of poverty and to stay out is to get an education and a job -- before having babies. I am not sure why people seem so antagonistic to the idea of delaying procreating until adulthood and some modicum of fiscal readiness. That's what responsible people do.
Just as I don't like supporting rich people's irresponsibility, so I do not like supporting poor people's. Especially if they enjoy toting guns and making ever more babies who grow up with the same predilection. Who do you think voted for Trump? Or didn't vote at all?
Barbara George, the surest way to climb out of poverty and to stay out is to get an education and a job -- before having babies. I am not sure why people seem so antagonistic to the idea of delaying procreating until adulthood and some modicum of fiscal readiness. That's what responsible people do.
Just as I don't like supporting rich people's irresponsibility, so I do not like supporting poor people's. Especially if they enjoy toting guns and making ever more babies who grow up with the same predilection. Who do you think voted for Trump? Or didn't vote at all?
And Gail, don't forget that Trump & Co also floated the notion of privatizing the infrastructure rebuild. Think of the possibilities: cash up front for the lagging US revenue column, a costly asset moved off the books, plus responsible private corporations-- like the ones that did so well with Trump casinos in Atlantic City-- getting 99 year control over our roads, bridges, tunnels, etc. What could go wrong?
A few years from now, when a bridge breaks or tunnel collapses, you simply phone the call center, listen to "Your call is very important to us, you will be assisted by the next available agent, please stay on the line..."
A few years from now, when a bridge breaks or tunnel collapses, you simply phone the call center, listen to "Your call is very important to us, you will be assisted by the next available agent, please stay on the line..."
28
Trump is at heart a right wing ideologue. We should never expect his "plans" to make sense in terms of logic or accuracy. The crushing burdens he is willing to place on millions of Americans reflects the personality of a sociopath. No pain is too great for working people to bear and no advantage is too insignificant to grant to the wealthy.
Everything he does basically follows that outline and he has left it to is staff to figure out the details. But let's not be fooled. The GOP in congress embrace most of his plans and are fully prepared to turn us more into an oligarchy than we already are.
Everything he does basically follows that outline and he has left it to is staff to figure out the details. But let's not be fooled. The GOP in congress embrace most of his plans and are fully prepared to turn us more into an oligarchy than we already are.
12
Mulvaney called this the very first budget written with taxpayers in mind as its first priority. I think Mulvaney needs to take a look at all of the property, gas, sales, and other taxes that even the poorest of the poor pay in this country. It is true that many of the very poorest do not pay much in payroll taxes, but a lot of their income is eaten up by other forms of government taxes and fees. The idea that poor people don't pay taxes is a myth and it is foolish.
31
Trump's casinos failed and took the rest of AC with them because Trump never understood, and still doesn't, the basic principle of casinos:
You must give your patrons a play for their money. From the nickel slots to the $500-ante Black Jack tables, players have to get a play. Sure, they want The Big Win, but if they don't get a reasonable amount of wins, even if they ultimately lose, they walk away. Slot machines that don't pay off are quickly avoided. Even organized crime knows to pull slot machines that don't pay off enough, because nobody plays them. similarly, all the table games can be set up so the players have a reasonable shot at winning...or not.
But not at Trump's casinos. He thought glitz & hype would lure the suckers in, but he never realized (to this day) that he couldn't keep them. He sued the Wall Street analyst who wrote the devastatingly telling assessment that Trump's casinos couldn't retain a consistent and constant clientele. IOW, the nickel-slot players and the high-rollers ALL quickly went somewhere else.
In his hotels, "Trump Water" costs $25/bottle. Even Evian in the best hotels (like Four Seasons) doesn't cost more than $5. You can only shear the sheep's wool so much.
Because that's Donald Trump: Sell the sizzle, and don't even provide the steak! (unless it's tough, gristle-filled, tasteless, frozen, and insanely overpriced even for what it pretends to be).
So this is the "Skin the suckers!" budget.
You must give your patrons a play for their money. From the nickel slots to the $500-ante Black Jack tables, players have to get a play. Sure, they want The Big Win, but if they don't get a reasonable amount of wins, even if they ultimately lose, they walk away. Slot machines that don't pay off are quickly avoided. Even organized crime knows to pull slot machines that don't pay off enough, because nobody plays them. similarly, all the table games can be set up so the players have a reasonable shot at winning...or not.
But not at Trump's casinos. He thought glitz & hype would lure the suckers in, but he never realized (to this day) that he couldn't keep them. He sued the Wall Street analyst who wrote the devastatingly telling assessment that Trump's casinos couldn't retain a consistent and constant clientele. IOW, the nickel-slot players and the high-rollers ALL quickly went somewhere else.
In his hotels, "Trump Water" costs $25/bottle. Even Evian in the best hotels (like Four Seasons) doesn't cost more than $5. You can only shear the sheep's wool so much.
Because that's Donald Trump: Sell the sizzle, and don't even provide the steak! (unless it's tough, gristle-filled, tasteless, frozen, and insanely overpriced even for what it pretends to be).
So this is the "Skin the suckers!" budget.
22
Well Trump is doddering: can't count, can't focus, can't plan, can't take an interest in reading what he signs.
What's Mulvaney's excuse? My guess he's caught up by the spirit of Ryan-McConnell and is trying to express it more charismatically than they do. It's a low bar, but so far he hasn't managed it.
What's Mulvaney's excuse? My guess he's caught up by the spirit of Ryan-McConnell and is trying to express it more charismatically than they do. It's a low bar, but so far he hasn't managed it.
19
Hey, take it easy on Paul Ryan.
Remember, he's the smart one.
Remember, he's the smart one.
Make the rich even richer is the basis of TWAUP., which seems to be named for a defunct airline. Maybe clicking our heels three times and repeating UP will make it fly.
11
This budget will be devastating to the many disenfranchised among us. I know people who need this support, legitimately. They live not knowing if they will eat or have a place to live next month.
"The goal of dismantling the social safety net, Mulvaney said, was to make recipients of federal aid 'take charge of their own lives.'"
If you remove the words "charge of" from his quote, it's closer to what will happen to them.
"The goal of dismantling the social safety net, Mulvaney said, was to make recipients of federal aid 'take charge of their own lives.'"
If you remove the words "charge of" from his quote, it's closer to what will happen to them.
The Republicans are spending a lot of energy and imagination trying to figure out how to sell the Trump-inspired healthcare bill and the Trump budget to themselves.
Forget about selling Democrats in Congress or the American voters.
Forget about anyone with a brain – except for a handful of very wealthy families, executives of very big corporations with trillions of overseas dollars and the boards of very big insurance companies who went to a lot of trouble sabotaging Obamacare, only to end up with this mess.
We thought we had to look to the Republican-controlled Legislative Branch to see real incompetence and confusion.
The truth is that Donald Trump and his amateurish cabinet and advisers are the gold standard for knuckleheads.
Forget about selling Democrats in Congress or the American voters.
Forget about anyone with a brain – except for a handful of very wealthy families, executives of very big corporations with trillions of overseas dollars and the boards of very big insurance companies who went to a lot of trouble sabotaging Obamacare, only to end up with this mess.
We thought we had to look to the Republican-controlled Legislative Branch to see real incompetence and confusion.
The truth is that Donald Trump and his amateurish cabinet and advisers are the gold standard for knuckleheads.
13
I wish Trump and his crew would crawl back into the hole they came from. Having said that, we are broke, and something has to give. A realistic tax plan would help but even taxing the rich to death would not get us out of debt. Gail's comment about limiting food stamps seems to rubber stamp the status quo. I am a Democrat through and through, but am I wrong to wonder why a poor person would continue to have more five children? Is there no responsibility on their part? Do social programs encourage some of this? Discuss.
2
"....not get us out of debt..." We, the U.S. will never "get out of debt" To do that, taxes on the wealthy would have to be increased significantly and guess what? Each Republican member of the House of Representatives has made a pledge to Grover Norquist to "never raise taxes." The Republicans hogwash about the "burden on their children and grandchildren" will never happen because of their pledge to Grover Norquist.
Poor people have more children because it is difficult and expensive to obtain birth control. Imagine having no car, erratic, if any income, and a host of pressing needs. A woman thinks, "My son needs these shoes, I've got to buy milk and I can always watch the calendar and try to be "careful." But babies happen anyway.
1
I understand that, but does the knowledge that come what may the government (us) will support them allow for more "careless" behavior? It seems they bring this misery upon themselves to a large degree.
When all government services are taken away, & people have to commit crimes to get food for their families, and the mentally ill have access to guns, and unwanted or uncared for babies are born, our country will become exactly what Trump talked about in his inauguration speech. Only, in this bizarro world we're living in, when he said "American carnage stops right here & right now", he MEANT that it STARTS right here & right now
At the center of it all is the intersection of greed and ignorance - this will be the downfall of our "open" society.
At the center of it all is the intersection of greed and ignorance - this will be the downfall of our "open" society.
20
It's a Gracie Allen budget. My new sweater was free. It was half off, so I bought it with the half I saved.
22
If this is compassion, I hate to see what the GOP concept of revenge is. Heartless is more like it.
13
Gail, you cannot blame the R's for making a concerted effort to keep DT happy. All they are trying to do is cut his non existent $0 tax bill further so us American 'loser' taxpayers can actually pay him for not paying any taxes.
10
The government we have now shows exactly what happens when a country's educational system breaks down.
13
Considering that this country has crushing debt, and entitlement programs that are unsustainable, how can you say HIS math is wrong? What kind of crazy math got us into this situation in the first place?
The biggest entitlement program is the US military, and Congress gives them money for jets that don't fly that even military leadership wants to reject. We spend more money on the US military than the next 8 countries combined. And SS is not an entitlement, nor is Medicare - we all pay into it.
3
We have crushing debt because we choose to have crushing debt. Tax and spend liberals are demonized by DON'T tax and spend republicans (they're not conservative). The people who wish to limit these entitlement programs, where the money is generally poured back into the local economy, benefitting the local business owners, are all for giving tax breaks to the super-rich, who squirrel away that money overseas. It's the main reason why the wealth gap is widening. they lower any regulation of companies and don't think it's the Fed's place to tell the CEO of a health insurance company who makes $130,000 A DAY that they should lower their rates. That's the crazy math...
1
Not even close. Also, Trump told those companies, lower the price or cancel the contract. Of course we spend more than other countries for the military, we pay to defend them. Why do you think Trump is telling those NATO folks, hey, pay your fair share. Everyone talks about how great it is in the Sweden, Denmark, Finland. Who are they paying to defend?
No one that's who. Everyone wants America to be a world leader, well, apparently that means footing the bill for other people.
As for the others, these programs are paying out more than is being paid into them. When SS started, people mostly died off in their sixties. These days people often live well into their eighties and sometimes nineties. Also, living longer means more hospitalizations, more skilled nursing care, more rehab etc. Factor in Medicaid, and you are talking about a whole lot of money.
No one that's who. Everyone wants America to be a world leader, well, apparently that means footing the bill for other people.
As for the others, these programs are paying out more than is being paid into them. When SS started, people mostly died off in their sixties. These days people often live well into their eighties and sometimes nineties. Also, living longer means more hospitalizations, more skilled nursing care, more rehab etc. Factor in Medicaid, and you are talking about a whole lot of money.
One of your best, Gail. The Republican budget is as bizarre as Donald Trump. And that's really saying something.
9
Six people on food stamps is quite a bit. Maybe it is time to start limiting all benefits. Social Security payments are limited, something that workers actually fund over their lifetimes. Why not limit benefits that are funded by others? Sometime people need to take responsibility. You can give assistance, but don't make it open-ended.
3
Except SS is only partially funded by the individual's contributions.
The SS recipient gets all the money they put in back in roughly 5 years. After that, the money comes from other sources.
The SS recipient gets all the money they put in back in roughly 5 years. After that, the money comes from other sources.
5
please go read some statistics. only a tiny percentage of people get on assistance an stay there. most people that receive assistance cycle in and out in a matter of months. also, you can't get someone to take charge of their life by wishing they would or punishing them. we need to face up to the fact that are people that will never get it together and our society is better off if we help them thereby helping their children. leaving them to fend for themselves will society less healthy.
2
I guess we should require abortions for the poor, but who will pay for it? You? Of course, if Planned Parenthood, were funded maybe the poor and others would have access to birth control, and not need that abortion or perhaps decide not to have the extra child. But no, let's do it the stupid, heartless, woman-hating, blame-the-victim Republican way. Also, really sick of hearing the lie about other people paying for "benefits" as though you personally were being robbed. They're called taxes and they pay for what people need, or could be used for things like clean air and water, new roads and bridges, not useless walls, wireless throughout the country, not to mention, universal health care, child care and great public education.
1
I recall that Adam Smith in Wealth of Nations argued that for an economy to be successful, it had to sustain that society. (He also argued for the rich paying for it, since they benefitted disproportionately.)
What happened to that idea? Looking at our results, the infrastructure, the National Debt, the inequality ... what about maintenance of our society? Is this the GOP idea of sustainable life?
What happened to that idea? Looking at our results, the infrastructure, the National Debt, the inequality ... what about maintenance of our society? Is this the GOP idea of sustainable life?
39
Smith was supposed to write another book on the resposibilities of the wealthy but he died first. We will never kniw.
More snake oil, I'm afraid. Taxpayers beware. Reduction in Federal taxes through cuts in programs to help those in need merely pushes the burden to the individual states which means that those states will have to increase taxes at a state level and those states with a smaller and weaker economy and tax base will suffer.
17
My husband grew up very poor. His family was on welfare, food stamps and he received the free lunch program. The family frequently ran out of food at the end of the month and heating oil. He also received Pell grants for some of his undergraduate studies.
We are solidly upper middle class. He is a productive member of society, with a masters degree and a high paying job. He has worked as a professional for 40 years.
Not every family or every family member can break the cycle of poverty. We must remember, however, the children are the innocents.
We are solidly upper middle class. He is a productive member of society, with a masters degree and a high paying job. He has worked as a professional for 40 years.
Not every family or every family member can break the cycle of poverty. We must remember, however, the children are the innocents.
58
'the Pope, who occasionally looked as cheerful as if he was watching his car being towed away."
With lines like that from Gail Collins I am happy an delighted to pay the price of reading the NY Times everyday.
Bravo Ms. Collins!!
With lines like that from Gail Collins I am happy an delighted to pay the price of reading the NY Times everyday.
Bravo Ms. Collins!!
28
I liked that line too. If I were dealing with Trump though I'd be happy if it was only my car being towed away. He's been known to sue people, stiff them out of money he owes them, lie about them, and ruin them financially. I wonder if anyone has voodoo dolls of Trump, Ryan, Sessions, McConnell, Gingrich, etc. If so, is there any chance that voodoo works on people as well as economics?
2
It's hard to know what's worse - that the White House can't cut or that they are proud of themselves to be taking the knife to children's health insurance and food stamps for children.
The other - I was going to say bigger but hurting poor children is hard to beat - problem is the inherent contradiction between cutting taxes, adding tariffs and increasing spending and expecting to reduce the deficit.
The other - I was going to say bigger but hurting poor children is hard to beat - problem is the inherent contradiction between cutting taxes, adding tariffs and increasing spending and expecting to reduce the deficit.
9
Apparently, Trump doesn't read his legislative proposals, when he casually looks at them he doesn't understand them and on the rare occasion he does he has no idea how to move them through congress.
Come to think of it, maybe we are better off that way. It would be much worse if his ideas were actually implemented.
Come to think of it, maybe we are better off that way. It would be much worse if his ideas were actually implemented.
8
Trump got there first! The idea of selling assets ("name to golf course developers and marketing USA steaks") is already in the bill. The AP reports that the budget proposes a measly $200 billion (remember the trillions promised in his campaign?) in infrastructure spending over ten years conditioned on sales of airports, roads, and bridges by state and local governments. These purchases have to be financed. Perhaps we can call the resulting fees "Trumptolls." Economically, the proper characterization of these tolls is a regressive tax that hits middle- and lower-income families hardest. No surprise there, either.
17
Policies that would further step on the backs of those less economically advantaged are not new to President Trump. He has declared bankruptcy six times, resulting in economic damage to many of his shareholders: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/live-updates/general-electi... .
Our President could care less that the policies he pushes are different from his campaign rhetoric (he is an extreme example of this sort of common behavior). His concerns about about his "brand" and how they would help his long-standing business practices. Even if occasional sensible ideas appear, that is only because they dovetail with his other agendas.
Trump does not care if he can add or where the numbers may lead for others, as long as he can help his businesses, still tied to him and his family. Trump is not concerned with honesty or accuracy. He wants to use his presidential influence for personal gain--no matter the number of disclaimers. Maybe more people are starting to see this. Maybe they will be less forgiving or tolerant in the 2018 elections and beyond.
Our President could care less that the policies he pushes are different from his campaign rhetoric (he is an extreme example of this sort of common behavior). His concerns about about his "brand" and how they would help his long-standing business practices. Even if occasional sensible ideas appear, that is only because they dovetail with his other agendas.
Trump does not care if he can add or where the numbers may lead for others, as long as he can help his businesses, still tied to him and his family. Trump is not concerned with honesty or accuracy. He wants to use his presidential influence for personal gain--no matter the number of disclaimers. Maybe more people are starting to see this. Maybe they will be less forgiving or tolerant in the 2018 elections and beyond.
7
We're being advised, "Here! Take this budget! It's nowhere near as bad as the previous one!" and some people are nodding in assent.
Because we are somewhat shellshocked, we are lowering our expectations. We should be grooming functioning adults for office next year. It is very likely that none of these draconian measures will pass. Next year we can get to work on Medicare for all.
Because we are somewhat shellshocked, we are lowering our expectations. We should be grooming functioning adults for office next year. It is very likely that none of these draconian measures will pass. Next year we can get to work on Medicare for all.
4
So what do the incredibly rich cabinet members of djt want with bigger tax savings for themselves? Are they going to use those savings to establish foundations to help the poor and starving citizens of the USA? Are they going to establish free hospitals and clinics? Are they going to do anything to help rebuild infrastructure for the country? Or is this simply a way to make sure their heirs are billionaires in perpetuity - or at least until climate change submerges the country under the rising oceans.
23
> the New Foundation for American Greatness, but I wanted to call it the Taxpayer First Budget,”
I would like the next President to call their budget "Budget for the United States for 2019."
I would like the next President to call their budget "Budget for the United States for 2019."
1
The wealthy resent helping to pay for programs that benefit poor people who clearly are not working hard enough and just living off their tax dollars. Generosity and compassion are not words in their vocabulary.
I have a proposal that could end many of the government subsidy programs - a living minimum wage - say $15 t0 $25. More people could live without government aid. We could lower the taxes the wealthy pay. Of course, the wealthy might really need the tax break because more of their money would be going to pay much higher and more realistic salaries. We can rely on Trump to embarrass any company that might plan to move out of the country where wages are lower.
I have a proposal that could end many of the government subsidy programs - a living minimum wage - say $15 t0 $25. More people could live without government aid. We could lower the taxes the wealthy pay. Of course, the wealthy might really need the tax break because more of their money would be going to pay much higher and more realistic salaries. We can rely on Trump to embarrass any company that might plan to move out of the country where wages are lower.
8
I have suffered through a number of Thanksgiving dinners with relatives sharing the same beliefs and lines of reasoning as Trump's cabinet now articulate. But these dinners only lasted two hours---now I have to put up with this crowd for four years.
138
Actually you don't, I would think. Bag it and tell the relatives you are volunteering to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a church or mission this time. Or say you are going on a Thanksgiving vacation and then do it. Of course, I am not familiar with your particular situation, but why risk the anger. There is the danger of permanent estrangement. Such a thing is happening in my family now.
8
Ms Collins, thank you for your sense of humor, one of the great traditions in American culture. In difficult times like these, we need wonderful humorists like you. A good smile and laugh early in the morning always portends a good day!
Keep us smiling!
Keep us smiling!
I hope the budget passes as is. Sure, a ton of folks will be hurt and badly. But no Republican will be elected to any federal office for the next century. And we will be able to fix things like institute Medicare for all. Think about that. Pure bliss.
86
Agreed. All liberals should support this budget wholeheartedly. This is our best chance at enforcing some belated and much needed Darwinism to this country.
Don't be so naive. The money will run stooges and drones under the Democratic Party label because the Democrats are clueless. The money front-runs everything.
1
Let's see now The Populist President is trying "bigly" to take care of the people by banning Muslims, getting rid of HHH, HUD, Department of Energy, the Social Security Administration, the ACA, Department of Education, etc. In other words every Department that helps the average citizen. And also make sure they pay more taxes so that he and his cronies can have more of the American pie. Silly me, I thought a populist was some one who was for "people's concerns" I must have missed something in my civics class. I think the Congress and the Senate are not interested in righting this ship, which they can do. Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
And all of these actions by Trump, Cabinet members, Congressional Representatives and the Senate speak volumes. These people are really the "basket of deplorables".
And all of these actions by Trump, Cabinet members, Congressional Representatives and the Senate speak volumes. These people are really the "basket of deplorables".
67
I do not believe Mulvaney (or anyone else in the WH) actually knows anyone who is collecting SSDI/SSI or food stamps. Most of these folks are living on approximately $750.00 a month. Try budgeting rent, utilities and food on that paltry sum. And if you are lucky you have qualified for HUD (unless hapless Ben Carson decides that program is making life too easy for them). These folks suffer from a variety of mental health disorders usually coupled with health issues; making them some of societies most vulnerable. No matter what the WH budget throws at us someone will have to continue to care for them. This usually falls on local emergency rooms and social service agencies. I invite any of them to visit our small community and meet with those of us who do the real work of running the country.
This budget is a sad commentary on our society...and an obvious slap in the face of social services and those of us who actually know and work with these folks.
This budget is a sad commentary on our society...and an obvious slap in the face of social services and those of us who actually know and work with these folks.
189
They don't have a clue - and refuse to know - about all of the communities all over the country trying hard to manage. Trump claimed to have been shocked when shown pictures of Syrian children injured by gas attacks; Someone should show him pictures of children and older people, and the ill, and the conditions under which they live. They are expected to survive on less that he spends for a meal; on less than the security cost for his stroll from the WH to the helicopter pad.
3
According to 2013 census figures, the majority of poor in the US are NOT white. So, not only does the budget lack compassion, it is RACIST.
And ho-hum, to cover their tracks, the next census budget is being cut too!
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/11/us-census-bureau-b...
And ho-hum, to cover their tracks, the next census budget is being cut too!
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/11/us-census-bureau-b...
1
generally, no one admires Ms.Collin's columns
more than I do, but what is wrong with capping
food stamps at six children?
how many kids do poor people need?
I myself have needed government aid at times,
but the idea is not to abuse it,since the taxpayers
are footing the bill.
it is one thing to help poor people help
themselves,but it is quite another thing to ask
taxpayers to subsidize them ad infinitum.
more than I do, but what is wrong with capping
food stamps at six children?
how many kids do poor people need?
I myself have needed government aid at times,
but the idea is not to abuse it,since the taxpayers
are footing the bill.
it is one thing to help poor people help
themselves,but it is quite another thing to ask
taxpayers to subsidize them ad infinitum.
12
I agree that many people should use family planning to reduce the size of their family but it is much harder when they also plan to stop funding to Planned Parenthood and contraception services, elsewhere.
10
People should be responsible about how many children they can afford to bring into this world. But what about a family with six children who loses a good-paying job through no fault of their own? Does the tax bill consider that situation?
1
But her point about this is in the following paragraph. If you tell people not to have children and at the same time you make it much harder or impossible for them to get birth control or abortions, then what's their choice--stop having sex? This is the cruelty of the Republican budget plans: they advocate everybody taking responsibility for their choices (such as having more children or not), and then make it impossible for them actually to exercise that choice.
3
But this is exactly why Republicans supported Trump: he is so utterly detached from reality and policy detail that they figured they could jam just about anything through in his name, and he wouldn't be the wiser. Between this budget and the health care bill the game is pretty obvious … well, maybe not so pretty.
53
Ms. Collins expresses transparent joy in the failure of Trump's budget. Wealthy Democrats are amused by Trump's failures. Poor Democrats can't afford to be.
9
I don't think she's amused at all. Merely pointing out the absurdity of what " We the People " voted for in November 2016. They bought the huckster's line. Now we pay the price. Hope that some of those who voted this mess in have long memories for 2018.
7
I think your reading of this column is way off base. This obscene joke of a budget would badly hurt the poor, including poor Democrats. Collins is jeering at a failed (let's hope) effort to harm the poor.
3
...neither can poor rightists.
I’m curious
Republicans often advocate for moving responsibility for a variety of programs to the states. The president’s tax reform package includes removing the deduction for state taxes from the income tax burden. Democrats argue against reducing the tax burden for the wealthy.
So let me get this straight. State citizens should take responsibility for programs designed to support elders, the disabled, and others. They cannot take a deduction on their federal income taxes for the state taxes it would take to address these obligations. A substantial portion of the money we send to Washington would go to reducing taxes on the very rich.
Surely I’m missing something.
Republicans often advocate for moving responsibility for a variety of programs to the states. The president’s tax reform package includes removing the deduction for state taxes from the income tax burden. Democrats argue against reducing the tax burden for the wealthy.
So let me get this straight. State citizens should take responsibility for programs designed to support elders, the disabled, and others. They cannot take a deduction on their federal income taxes for the state taxes it would take to address these obligations. A substantial portion of the money we send to Washington would go to reducing taxes on the very rich.
Surely I’m missing something.
66
The GOP is just trying to make the US conform to the economic model of their Russian overlords: a few oligarchs and lots of poor.
43
As an American living in Sweden for the past 25 years I don't know whether to laugh or cry or scream bloody murder. It is not that hard to make a budget that works fairly for most people. But it does mean that the people that get the most out of society have to put more in. It also means that people have to vote for their own self interests. I pay about 28 percent of my income in tax here. For that we get health care for all. (It costs about 20 bucks for a check-up or heart surgery.) Free day care for kids. 18 months of paid parenting leave. 5 weeks paid vacation. Tuition covered university studies plus students loans for living expenses. Sick leave at 80 percent of salary even for serious illness. I don't have to walk through crowds of homeless people when I go to town. We take more refugees per capita than any other western country. And on and on. And no, it's not perfect, but it is so much better than what exists in the states that it feels almost as if the U.S. is a developing nation by comparison. I wish you people that voted for Trump and other Republican politicians, or Democrats for that matter, could experience living here for one year and see how much better a government can serve it's people. It really doesn't have to be so bad.
119
Actually you are correct: by any objective measure, the US is a developing country. We export a lot of raw materials (corn, wheat, lumber) and import a lot of finished goods. Measures of health care place us at a third world level. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Homelessness is epidemic. Hunger and malnutrition are common. Only our large economy and enormous military give the US international clout.
2
I too wish I could experience living in Sweden for one year.
The "Starve the sixth child" budget, that promises to stimulate the economy by giving the least likely to spend huge tax cuts while putting those most likely to spend on a fast.
Everyone in America has evidence that Republicans really do hate the 99%, especially the 47% of "takers". The "takers" are all persons under 18, and all persons over 65, all disabled persons, sick people, and Veterans. Programs that are being cut include Public Education, Medicaid, Medicare, and Food stamps. This is a powerful message to the young and the old. This is cruelty for the sake of the rich.
Even if you are rich, or upper middle class, are you willing to wreck Public Education, Medicaid, Food stamps so that you can speculate with the "found money" as you have done since the Bush tax cuts? Isn't it clear that the best way to stimulate the economy is to give money to the poor who will spend it all rather than the rich who have a history of creating speculation bubbles and spending....very little.
Everyone in America has evidence that Republicans really do hate the 99%, especially the 47% of "takers". The "takers" are all persons under 18, and all persons over 65, all disabled persons, sick people, and Veterans. Programs that are being cut include Public Education, Medicaid, Medicare, and Food stamps. This is a powerful message to the young and the old. This is cruelty for the sake of the rich.
Even if you are rich, or upper middle class, are you willing to wreck Public Education, Medicaid, Food stamps so that you can speculate with the "found money" as you have done since the Bush tax cuts? Isn't it clear that the best way to stimulate the economy is to give money to the poor who will spend it all rather than the rich who have a history of creating speculation bubbles and spending....very little.
38
Or buying multimillion dollar artworks that they then hide away in warehouses while they "appreciate."
2
As Henry Ford once said, "If I don't pay my workers, who will buy my cars?"
2
Thanks Gail,
You're right....it's amazing how Trump got through Wharton's MBA program. One thing Trump does know how to do is x out funds for the poor.
In every conceivable way, Trump removes funds necessary for the poor's survival and sustenance. In particular, deleting $1.85 trillion reduction over a decade from Medicaid and subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and $192 billion from food stamp spending, is unconscionable.
How Trump sleeps at night is anyone's guess.
You're right....it's amazing how Trump got through Wharton's MBA program. One thing Trump does know how to do is x out funds for the poor.
In every conceivable way, Trump removes funds necessary for the poor's survival and sustenance. In particular, deleting $1.85 trillion reduction over a decade from Medicaid and subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and $192 billion from food stamp spending, is unconscionable.
How Trump sleeps at night is anyone's guess.
21
He could not go to the MBA program as he wasn't accepted. He attended the Wharton undergrad real estate program, but clearly doesn't understand basic economics (or real estate, for that matter).
13
Ed,
Just to clarify...Trump was not in the MBA program at Wharton. He has an undergraduate degree from Penn, having transferred there for the last two years of college and took classes in the Wharton School of Business. He went to Fordham University for his first two years of college.
Just to clarify...Trump was not in the MBA program at Wharton. He has an undergraduate degree from Penn, having transferred there for the last two years of college and took classes in the Wharton School of Business. He went to Fordham University for his first two years of college.
6
Trump did not get an MBA at Wharton. He has an undergraduate degree in business from Penn.
3
Forget about arithmetic. The trickle down "theory" is idiotic without going to the economic realities. Think of a fairly well off person with $100 million. Giving that person a tax break of say $10 million means nothing. With $100 million what would he want that he couldn't already own? The answer is nothing! If he needs nothing, he spends nothing! Giving food stamps to children spurs the economy because they are spent. Think of the stamps as a tax break for the poor. They spend 100% of their tax break which spurs the economy. Trickle down started in the 19th century and has failed every time it has been tried. Why are conservatives so against helping the poor in a society where the bottom 50% of us own 2.5% of the wealth? If the bottom 50% were to be made twice as rich, they would then own 5% of the economy. Apparently, the Trump people wen to the old failed school of economics. Didn't work in the 19th century; will not work now!
38
It didn't work in the 20th century either!
4
To understand the budget, you must first understand the language. When the GOP talks about taxpayers, they are really talking about tax avoiders. The rich believe that they should pay no taxes at all. They also believe they should be completely unfettered in all they do both in business (a pox on regulations) and their private lives (I'll fly my plane upside down if I want to!).
We, the people whose taxes are automatically deducted from every paycheck, think they mean us when they refer to "taxpayers". We could not be further from the truth.
This is the Break the Back of the American Middle-class (BBAM) budget. People, unite! We have nothing to lose but the shirts on our backs.
We, the people whose taxes are automatically deducted from every paycheck, think they mean us when they refer to "taxpayers". We could not be further from the truth.
This is the Break the Back of the American Middle-class (BBAM) budget. People, unite! We have nothing to lose but the shirts on our backs.
25
I propose Mr. Mulvaney, show us himself exactly how to pull ourselves up by the boot straps. Give up your job, your home, your money, your cell phone, and all your contacts with the wealthy. Go live in the worst neighborhood, work at a sub shop for minimum wage with no health benefits. Let's see YOU go first.
I would bet the man hasn't missed a meal in his life.
I would bet the man hasn't missed a meal in his life.
42
I really hate the old "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps" canard. What if you don't have boots?
3
Opening a newspaper in the morning is now without joy. The headlines are exhausting. This is not the America I once loved. Everyone and everything gets attacked, the poor, the infirm, and the ones who ask uncomfortable questions. All the people who can not or will not fight back, not even in the voting booth.
Giving a helping hand to people who really need it, even if it is only for a short period, is no longer in vougue, not even with the voters who show it again and again when they vote people into office that are clearly against everyone's well being, except their own.
Giving a helping hand to people who really need it, even if it is only for a short period, is no longer in vougue, not even with the voters who show it again and again when they vote people into office that are clearly against everyone's well being, except their own.
23
We don't really know what went on in that room when the Pope and Donald Trump were alone. Perhaps Francis heard Donald's confessions, absolved him of his sins, and Donald, ashamed and repentant, promised to lead a pure life from then on. And as first enlightened thought, Donald pledged to turn the Oval Office into an anchorite's cell, in which he would spend many long, lonely hours pondering the best way to reintroduce the Equal Rights Amendment so that it would pass this time and Donald Trump would go down in history as the man who saved the ERA.
3
Budget to make US dumber, breathing toxic coal air, poisoning our water, elimating pre-natal and child care, walling us off, tossing miliions back into the prior health condition nightmare, but lots and lots of guns and huge tax cuts for the top 1/10th of 1%. Not to mention the budget is built completely on lies about future economic growth and income. We are about to find out just how stupid the Republican Party is. Myself, I live in the "real" America with real Americans. Certainly not Republicans.
19
"We’re being run like a bad Atlantic City casino. It’s only a matter of time before the government will be trying to make ends meet by selling its name to golf course developers and marketing USA Steaks"
Actually Gail 99% of us will be selling our clothes and home furnishing in street fairs to buy food, while the Ivankas and Kushners of the world skiing happily in Aspen.
Actually Gail 99% of us will be selling our clothes and home furnishing in street fairs to buy food, while the Ivankas and Kushners of the world skiing happily in Aspen.
9
Attacking Trump's budget is like shooting fish in a barrel. Here are some positive suggestions we might offer:
1. Institute an efficient universal gov run health care system, say Medicare for All. The data shows we could save over 1.5 TRILLION dollars each year which could better used elsewhere.
2. Return to much more progressive tax rates to encourage the Rich to leave more of their profits in their companies & their companies to pay their workers more, & to discourage the Rich from wild speculation.
3. Strengthen unions by requiring workers to pay for the union benefits they receive & by enforcing rules on coercion by companies against organization. Follow Germany & require union representation on the boards of large companies.
4. Strongly regulate speculation, e.g. require the buyer of a futures contract to take delivery, require banks to get a court order to sell its end of a mortgage contract, outlaw naked credit default swaps.
5. Stop worrying about the debt & invest in America--fix our crumbling infrastructure, build a better power grid, increase support for education at all levels, fund research, etc. If we grow the economy, the debt will fade into insignificance as in 1946 - 1973.
6. Make the federal gov the employer of last resort with a decent job or paid training for such a job for everyone able to work. There are plenty of things that need to be done. See 5.
http://www.levyinstitute.org/topics/job-guarantee
1. Institute an efficient universal gov run health care system, say Medicare for All. The data shows we could save over 1.5 TRILLION dollars each year which could better used elsewhere.
2. Return to much more progressive tax rates to encourage the Rich to leave more of their profits in their companies & their companies to pay their workers more, & to discourage the Rich from wild speculation.
3. Strengthen unions by requiring workers to pay for the union benefits they receive & by enforcing rules on coercion by companies against organization. Follow Germany & require union representation on the boards of large companies.
4. Strongly regulate speculation, e.g. require the buyer of a futures contract to take delivery, require banks to get a court order to sell its end of a mortgage contract, outlaw naked credit default swaps.
5. Stop worrying about the debt & invest in America--fix our crumbling infrastructure, build a better power grid, increase support for education at all levels, fund research, etc. If we grow the economy, the debt will fade into insignificance as in 1946 - 1973.
6. Make the federal gov the employer of last resort with a decent job or paid training for such a job for everyone able to work. There are plenty of things that need to be done. See 5.
http://www.levyinstitute.org/topics/job-guarantee
19
"Maybe we could just call it by the nickname it has already acquired in the outside world, Thing that Won’t Add Up (TWAUP). I sort of like TWAUP. It sounds like a dyspeptic frog."
Can we all just agree that Gail Collins won the Internet for the year? (yes, clean up that coffee you snorted first if you like ...)
I'm thinking there is a meme here, given that TWAUP has the same number of letters as TRUMP.
I'm beginning to see the shape of a merchandising plan: slightly off-red caps, those coffee mugs that change when hot or cold, those holo-cards that depend on the angle you view, an animated character frog that says "TWAUP" the way Bill the Cat said "Ack" (that might rehab Pepe for real)
Come on, work with me people ...
Can we all just agree that Gail Collins won the Internet for the year? (yes, clean up that coffee you snorted first if you like ...)
I'm thinking there is a meme here, given that TWAUP has the same number of letters as TRUMP.
I'm beginning to see the shape of a merchandising plan: slightly off-red caps, those coffee mugs that change when hot or cold, those holo-cards that depend on the angle you view, an animated character frog that says "TWAUP" the way Bill the Cat said "Ack" (that might rehab Pepe for real)
Come on, work with me people ...
5
Trump forgot to tell his fans that he knew absolutely nothing about governing and was going to ask far right think tank types and the snakes in his entourage to choose the most rabid zealots who had no interest in "populism" to mismanage his cabinet and then get out his sharpie and bullhorn to promote cruel, backward, frequently ludicrous legislation.
The problem is that his fans appear to believe that they signed a blood oath at hello and no matter what the behemoth does, they must defend him and his ideas or lack thereof. If they imagine he is going to live up to his end, they need to go their public libraries before Trump tries to eliminate them for sedition and check out a few of his biographies.
The problem is that his fans appear to believe that they signed a blood oath at hello and no matter what the behemoth does, they must defend him and his ideas or lack thereof. If they imagine he is going to live up to his end, they need to go their public libraries before Trump tries to eliminate them for sedition and check out a few of his biographies.
13
Gail
It is no longer "roll the dice" since we are making cuts and limiting government involvement - now it is " roll the die " : method and outcome already linked.
It is no longer "roll the dice" since we are making cuts and limiting government involvement - now it is " roll the die " : method and outcome already linked.
Trump can't add, but he sure can subtract.
22
On the campaign trail Trump bragged bigly that his "health care plan" would cover everyone, cost less, and give better coverage. Either he lied or he's incompetent. Either way, he needs schooling in how health insurance coverage actually works. Time to take a closer look at Medicare for all or some form a Single Payer.
The house always wins.
6
Just when I think things could not be worse, the Republicans produce a clear blueprint proving me wrong and showing exactly how things could be much, much worse.
Naked greed and chicanery may allow you to have all the money and power but who would be left to buy your products, tend your estates, care for your spoiled children and do your bidding then? Serfs cannot serve you who are left with the scraps and effluvia from Trumpanzee Tower.
Naked greed and chicanery may allow you to have all the money and power but who would be left to buy your products, tend your estates, care for your spoiled children and do your bidding then? Serfs cannot serve you who are left with the scraps and effluvia from Trumpanzee Tower.
10
Donald Trump may not be able to "add," but he sure can "subtract" and divide."
10
Trump still multiplies our woes, and he divides us more and more.
11
If it were just one of the following, every plan and every statement made by this dysfunctional and ignorant Administration might be at least a little bit defensible; but every plan and statement seems to contain all of these adjectives: 1)dysfunctional; 2)hypocritical; 3)contradictory; 4)unworkable; 5)doomed; 6)irrational; 7-10)stupid/dumb/idiotic (throw a dart and pick one, or get four darts to pick all three!). There is no attempt at logic in this group effort at failure, and certainly not of compassion and consideration of the public and its welfare (dare we say the word?!). The new incoming Congress that is sure to arrive in 2018, and the new Administration in 2020 will most surely have the feeling they are trying to pick up Lego pieces strewn in all directions by a bad, undivine wind (if undivine isn't a word, we surely need to invent it for use during the rest of this mess of an administration).
6
"Mulvaney claimed the new budget was all about 'compassion.'”
Yes, compassion for the millionaires and billionaires who need the tax cuts to get by. So what if it comes at the expense of the poor.
Come on now, have a heart, Gail! The millionaires in Trump's cabinet(Mnuchin, Ross, Devos, Tillerson, et al) and their friends need their tax breaks and the money has to come some program other than defense.
Yes, compassion for the millionaires and billionaires who need the tax cuts to get by. So what if it comes at the expense of the poor.
Come on now, have a heart, Gail! The millionaires in Trump's cabinet(Mnuchin, Ross, Devos, Tillerson, et al) and their friends need their tax breaks and the money has to come some program other than defense.
421
Instead of adding things up, Trump, Mulvaney and the too-many-lies crew are into making things up. Double counting a phantom $2T (with a T) budget to justify a tax cut while returning social security into the dark age is the norm and not an exception.
As former Treasury Secretary, Dr Larry Summer, would put it, they all flunk ECON 101. It is the antithesis of a blue print of American Greatness
As former Treasury Secretary, Dr Larry Summer, would put it, they all flunk ECON 101. It is the antithesis of a blue print of American Greatness
29
So I rolled the dice and came up with snake eyes. Think they were loaded? Doubtless Russian dice. But surely our Constitution protects us from a POTUS who thinks he's pit boss of the global casino. There's some Amendment (can't keep all those Roman numerals straight the way the Pope can) to protect us against against this sleazy, cheat who's planning a debtors prison for all us luckless dupes.
19
Guns for the military and no butter for the people? What a nasty little sheet of paper the Trump administration handed out last month and the heavy-lifting budget distributed this week by the Congressional Budget Office is another insult from our inadequate and unqualified President.
TWAUP - "Things that won't Add up" - a horrid reminder that the Trump Administration is being run by the head of the casinos and golf clubs and hotels from sea to shining sea. Fish rots from the head down.
"Dead on arrival", intoned Senator John McCain, when he saw the Trump Budget. D.O.A. a worthy acronym for the whole Trump Presidency. Spending cuts as demented as possible, dismantling the social safety net by ordering the poor, recipients of federal aid, to pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Limiting Food Stamp benefits and completely eliminating all government payment to Planned Parenthood...what more dare the Republicans offer in their budget and in their swift amd calamitous effort to repeal and replace of President Obama's Health Care Act on DAY ONE" (sic) of Trump's malign and demented administration?
TWAUP - "Things that won't Add up" - a horrid reminder that the Trump Administration is being run by the head of the casinos and golf clubs and hotels from sea to shining sea. Fish rots from the head down.
"Dead on arrival", intoned Senator John McCain, when he saw the Trump Budget. D.O.A. a worthy acronym for the whole Trump Presidency. Spending cuts as demented as possible, dismantling the social safety net by ordering the poor, recipients of federal aid, to pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Limiting Food Stamp benefits and completely eliminating all government payment to Planned Parenthood...what more dare the Republicans offer in their budget and in their swift amd calamitous effort to repeal and replace of President Obama's Health Care Act on DAY ONE" (sic) of Trump's malign and demented administration?
21
I used to look forward to reading the news every day. I can't really remember how long it's been since then.
Life is now like that scene where Trump jumped out from behind the wall and scared the school kids on the White House tour. Except for us, it keeps happening all the time.
It's like being stuffed into a carnival house of horrors with the lights turned out. Somebody with a flashlight -- could you show us the exit? What do you say? And sooner would be a lot better than later.
Life is now like that scene where Trump jumped out from behind the wall and scared the school kids on the White House tour. Except for us, it keeps happening all the time.
It's like being stuffed into a carnival house of horrors with the lights turned out. Somebody with a flashlight -- could you show us the exit? What do you say? And sooner would be a lot better than later.
33
Any legislation proposed by the Republicans always includes a big tax cut for rich people. It's their main thrust. Why would people of average means support such a political party? When was the last time the Republicans proposed any legislation that would benefit the average American?
31
This administration is apparently of the view that government is unnecessary and therefore there is no reason to seriously govern. It is difficult to argue that the proposed "budget;" the "effort" at healthcare "reform;" and the current foreign "policy" do not reflect this nihilistic perspective.
17
And you elected these republican losers america- congratulations.....
46
.... and many of them again and again - and again.
Beware any reporter who presses for details on this monstrosity of a budget. He/she will risk being subjected to a full Gianforte. That's the move the GOP candidate in the Montana special House election put on a reporter who asked for a reaction to the CBO scoring of the Republican health care plan. The reporter was body slammed by the candidate and had his glasses broken.
The WWE meets the Republican Party. Be ready to rumble!
The WWE meets the Republican Party. Be ready to rumble!
49
"The WWE meets the Republican Party. Be ready to rumble!"
Well, Trump did appoint Linda McMahon to lead the Small Business Administration.
Well, Trump did appoint Linda McMahon to lead the Small Business Administration.
2
Gee, Gianforte just copied Trump's WWE move from years ago; give him a break!
2
Shorter Collins:
Trump Can't Add. Or Subtract
Budget is DOA. Tax plan a joke. Repeal and replace in tatters. Travel ban stopped. ''Persons of interest'' in WH and another at head of DOJ. Trump supporters finally starting to defect.
Hard to see how Trump administrations ends, but it is definitely falling apart.
Trump Can't Add. Or Subtract
Budget is DOA. Tax plan a joke. Repeal and replace in tatters. Travel ban stopped. ''Persons of interest'' in WH and another at head of DOJ. Trump supporters finally starting to defect.
Hard to see how Trump administrations ends, but it is definitely falling apart.
34
I remember thinking that about the Trump campaign - and look how that turned out.
1
As Trump so presciently predicted at a rally on May 26th, 2016, if he was elected he would make sure that he would subject the country to so much winning that it would make Americans sick and tired.
Unfortunately, that sea of red hats didn't realize that he meant them specifically and he meant it literally.
Unfortunately, that sea of red hats didn't realize that he meant them specifically and he meant it literally.
56
I volunteer at a food pantry in a neighboring county. The poverty rate in Dixie County is about 40 %. Some of these people receive SNAP benefits . Many grumble that they do not get enough support in that regard. Most of the 150 families we serve ( once a month) were, and are, trump supporters. This mystifies me.
265
The government is not a babysitter. America is the most charitable country in the world. The churches and private organizations are made for charity, not the government. People are WAY too dependent on government.
1
Because Fox News "codes" all of this and tells their beloved followers that it's "those" people (of color) who are costing the gubmint so much money, getting all those freebies. They also think if there were decent jobs for them, they could and would work, but there aren't and they can't so they deserve a hand up. Never mind that your friendly Hispanic family down the street will work at anything and actually work two jobs to feed their family. Trump supporters really don't believe it pertains to them at all.
Our interfaith food bank in Anderson, Calif. assists more than 800 families each month in a small town of 10,000 population. We depend on Emergency Food and Shelter grants to purchase dietary staples to match donated food. I predict cuts to SSI, food stamps and WIC, Hud housing subsidies, and health care will nearly double the need for emergency food aid in one year. Pray that common sense will prevail.
Gail,
Thank you for your wit. Unfortunately all this is so cruel, it's really just mean math.
It's all to hurt the poor and helpless. What cruelty the stupid voters have unleashed. I hope our country survives it.
Thank you for your wit. Unfortunately all this is so cruel, it's really just mean math.
It's all to hurt the poor and helpless. What cruelty the stupid voters have unleashed. I hope our country survives it.
48
If this country can survive deceitful Obama it can easily survive this.
Just wake me when, and if, this nightmare ends. Or let me drift peacefully into that good night. Every day it gets worse and worse and his rabid base still defends him. He's even worse than Teflon ron. Is it because the names rhyme? Teflon ron, Teflon don? Or because he's republican?
Not only is he dangerously ignorant and possibly involved in treasonous acts, he is an utter embarrassment to our dignity as a nation and an insult to our intelligence. Refusing to call ISIS monsters he labeled them with the greatest insult known to man. LOSER!! Oooh! Boy that'll show them! Did he say their mother wore army boots too? Or your mother is sooo ugly...It's like I'm in first grade again. "The New Foundation For American Greatness"??? Wow, the title alone sends a thrill up my leg. How can we NOT be great with such a great sounding title? Who cares if the numbers don't add up? It's alternative math in an alternative universe. Can I get a unicorn with that?
Too bad the "greatness" will only apply to the wealthy. The rest of us will fight amongst the crumbs. Our health insurance will become unaffordable so our care will become unaffordable. My husband and his employer pay 30K, yes 30K, a year for our BCBS health insurance yet we still have a deductible! Apparently the extortionist price of 30K a year isn't enough to cover our $1000 medical care costs per year. Now we get to pay $32K a year before anything is covered. I can feel the greatness thrill going up my leg! Can it get any greater?
Not only is he dangerously ignorant and possibly involved in treasonous acts, he is an utter embarrassment to our dignity as a nation and an insult to our intelligence. Refusing to call ISIS monsters he labeled them with the greatest insult known to man. LOSER!! Oooh! Boy that'll show them! Did he say their mother wore army boots too? Or your mother is sooo ugly...It's like I'm in first grade again. "The New Foundation For American Greatness"??? Wow, the title alone sends a thrill up my leg. How can we NOT be great with such a great sounding title? Who cares if the numbers don't add up? It's alternative math in an alternative universe. Can I get a unicorn with that?
Too bad the "greatness" will only apply to the wealthy. The rest of us will fight amongst the crumbs. Our health insurance will become unaffordable so our care will become unaffordable. My husband and his employer pay 30K, yes 30K, a year for our BCBS health insurance yet we still have a deductible! Apparently the extortionist price of 30K a year isn't enough to cover our $1000 medical care costs per year. Now we get to pay $32K a year before anything is covered. I can feel the greatness thrill going up my leg! Can it get any greater?
90
They never cease to amaze me, cuts to planned parenthood and then penalize families for having too many kids. Not only can't his gang shoot straight they can't add.
95
Perhaps not. But we can. Under this budget, we will save many thousands in taxes that fund activities and policies that do not serve us directly. In fact, there is no federal budget result that would change our daily lives whether enacted by a pack of crimson-eyed red state yahoos, or one enacted by an unctuous cadre of half-witted urban liberals, designed to turn diamonds into dust. Under a budget of theirs, we simply shift numbers on a page and voila! - we have no taxable income to speak of; not only that, we can apply for UI benefits, food stamps and the host of giveaways a family owing businesses and with accounting degrees can maneuver into. So you see folks, independence from the grabbers and the gabbers is possible. But you must know the lie of the course and have the proper clubs in the bag. Oops. Tee time approaches.
3
The trouble with Gail Collins' understanding of history is that she didn't realize that when Lincoln said "a government of the people, by the people, for the people" he, of course, meant the 1%.
21
Mulvaney captured it all - a Government of the taxpayer, for the taxpayer and by the taxpayer. The larger the taxpayer, the more influence. Forget about the people. He has turned our nation's history (and Lincoln) on its head back to a time we call the Middle Ages.
32
Dollars are people too!
"Vindictive" is the word I find most applicable to the GOP these days. I've worn out "greedy, stupid, ignorant," and lots of others. Fair enough, label them TWAUP, and that's funny, but the hard-edged brand of conservatism and "Christianity" they practice is vengeful and vindictive.
Oh, and wait a couple of weeks and they'll tell us to celebrate the signing of Magna Carta at Runnymede. They like their myth of MC, because that was a charter for a bunch of bloody-minded barons, not by any means for the ordinary people. Our Roberts Court gave our bloody-minded barons their MC in the Citizens United case.
Oh, and wait a couple of weeks and they'll tell us to celebrate the signing of Magna Carta at Runnymede. They like their myth of MC, because that was a charter for a bunch of bloody-minded barons, not by any means for the ordinary people. Our Roberts Court gave our bloody-minded barons their MC in the Citizens United case.
27
Let's take the 20+ MIllion citizens projected to lose their existing HC coverage and put them to work as Mexican border guards. We could place them 25 feet apart, run 3 shifts, 24-7 and would still have enough "staff" left over to fill-in on sick days and holidays. And we wouldn't need to spend the $20 Billion on a wall. Problem Solved!
30
The problem with you proposal, GTM, is that it doesn't take into account the infrastructure necessary to support the human shield. You'd have to build what would amount to a long, thin city to house, feed, educate and entertain the "guards." You'd need roads. And probably little guardhouses every 25 feet, unless you went with something like portable beach huts. Or maybe we commission NASA to build kind of suit that would supply heat and cooling, food, waste elimination, etc. for the guards. Imagine the R&D and contracts for that!
Unfortunately, I don't think your proposal is well enough thought out, GTM. Much like everything else this administration proposes.
Unfortunately, I don't think your proposal is well enough thought out, GTM. Much like everything else this administration proposes.
1
And those not needed at the Wall can be prison guards. There will be more need for those under AG Sessions.
In answer to Bill Twyman, down under:
"How can they contemplate a healthcare scheme and a budget of such calculating cruelty?" In a word, gerrymandering. Simply google North Carolina's Congressional District 12 and get a load of the egregious nature of how that beast conveniently contains only the urban parts of 10 separate counties. This is only one of several examples across the country.
There are just enough voting-age, misanthropic miscreants, and credulous rubes for the toady republican legislators to keep winning in their districts, kept safe by the astronomical financial war chests of a handful of radical malefactors of great wealth who are intent on dismantling anything our government might actually do to help citizens who pay the taxes.
The republicans now run our federal government from top to bottom, as well as 32 state legislatures. They put forward these calculatedly cruel budget/healthcare plans because they have convinced themselves they can get away with it.
We must not let them.
"How can they contemplate a healthcare scheme and a budget of such calculating cruelty?" In a word, gerrymandering. Simply google North Carolina's Congressional District 12 and get a load of the egregious nature of how that beast conveniently contains only the urban parts of 10 separate counties. This is only one of several examples across the country.
There are just enough voting-age, misanthropic miscreants, and credulous rubes for the toady republican legislators to keep winning in their districts, kept safe by the astronomical financial war chests of a handful of radical malefactors of great wealth who are intent on dismantling anything our government might actually do to help citizens who pay the taxes.
The republicans now run our federal government from top to bottom, as well as 32 state legislatures. They put forward these calculatedly cruel budget/healthcare plans because they have convinced themselves they can get away with it.
We must not let them.
65
How cruel, our government will only house, feed & support 10's millions of people.
I think it's time for Mel Brooks to make "History of the World Part II," although this episode would be hard to distinguish from the one from "Part I" in which Louis XVI urinates wherever he wants and repeats, "It's good to be the King."
A casting must would be Ben Carson as an updated Marie Antoinette proclaiming, "If they have no bread, let them eat cake!"
And, of course, those millions of voters receiving government assistance who voted for Trump auditioning for the role of Julius Caesar, roaming the countryside with knives sticking out of their backs, shouting, "Et tu, Bubba?"
Of course, for complete irony, Paul Ryan should be cast as the updated Christ, although a great director like Ang or Spike Lee might have to be brought in to get him to say the following convincingly:
"If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be ... For the poor you will always have with you in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'" (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)
Remember, Trump and the Republicans are the BEST Christians.
Everybody says so.
A casting must would be Ben Carson as an updated Marie Antoinette proclaiming, "If they have no bread, let them eat cake!"
And, of course, those millions of voters receiving government assistance who voted for Trump auditioning for the role of Julius Caesar, roaming the countryside with knives sticking out of their backs, shouting, "Et tu, Bubba?"
Of course, for complete irony, Paul Ryan should be cast as the updated Christ, although a great director like Ang or Spike Lee might have to be brought in to get him to say the following convincingly:
"If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be ... For the poor you will always have with you in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'" (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)
Remember, Trump and the Republicans are the BEST Christians.
Everybody says so.
66
When it comes to health care, I always thought the answer to What Would Jesus Do? perfectly obvious. Health the sick and ask for nothing in return would be his reply.
The rich in this country are acting with such arrogant disdain for their fellow Americans it is breathtaking. I expect them to start showing up at weddings to demand the droit du seigneur. After all, doesn't everything belong to them?
Many of us are angry at Trump, but all of us should be angry at the 500 billionaires who are just like him (except for the length of their ties) and are fully in support of this budget. In fact, I suspect they gave it to his administration as the boilerplate.
To paraphrase a famous Republican, "Read my lips, no more Republicans". Hear that Montana? Florida? Georgia?
The rich in this country are acting with such arrogant disdain for their fellow Americans it is breathtaking. I expect them to start showing up at weddings to demand the droit du seigneur. After all, doesn't everything belong to them?
Many of us are angry at Trump, but all of us should be angry at the 500 billionaires who are just like him (except for the length of their ties) and are fully in support of this budget. In fact, I suspect they gave it to his administration as the boilerplate.
To paraphrase a famous Republican, "Read my lips, no more Republicans". Hear that Montana? Florida? Georgia?
He uses alternate math, just like the alternate facts.
26
Gail, you did the impossible: You made me laugh, hard. Of course, by the end I was crying again. But, thanks.
23
Trump and the GOP, including space brain-surgeon Ben Carson, seem to feel that when you hand the already wealthy a tax cut, they immediately race out and spend it. Of course, that is utter rhino-wash. The rich hoard money because they have no word for 'enough' - if you ask them how much money would suffice they look at you like you are asking it in Swahili.
Give people just scraping by $1000 and it will be spent very quickly. Something the economists call the velocity of money.
This budget is an insult to all but the top 1% who of course bought themselves a government so they could have yet MORE.
Give people just scraping by $1000 and it will be spent very quickly. Something the economists call the velocity of money.
This budget is an insult to all but the top 1% who of course bought themselves a government so they could have yet MORE.
1327
"This budget is an insult to all but the top 1% who of course bought themselves a government so they could have yet MORE."
I agreed with you until the last sentence.
"Regular" Americans -- those who laugh at the disabled, who cherish their guns, who worship independence but collect subsidies they don't consider subsidies, who hate Asians, Jews, gay people, Hispanics, and blacks, who scorn museums and books, whose pastimes lie in shooting and hanging out with their beer buddies -- they're the ones who elected Trump. Oh, some rich people voted for him too, but don't kid yourself.
Middle America elected itself a government that's going to give the top .01% yet more.
I agreed with you until the last sentence.
"Regular" Americans -- those who laugh at the disabled, who cherish their guns, who worship independence but collect subsidies they don't consider subsidies, who hate Asians, Jews, gay people, Hispanics, and blacks, who scorn museums and books, whose pastimes lie in shooting and hanging out with their beer buddies -- they're the ones who elected Trump. Oh, some rich people voted for him too, but don't kid yourself.
Middle America elected itself a government that's going to give the top .01% yet more.
2
Recently on "The Simpsons," uberwealthy Mr. Burns told Homer that "Yes, I have billions of dollars, but I'd give it all up to have just a little more." As usual, the Simpsons writers show themselves as smarter than the politicians. (And yet my own sister in South Carolina, who isn't a dummy, said she voted for Trump because he's so rich that he wouldn't be greedy.)
1
Don't forget to give our conservative justices on the Supreme Court led by John Roberts credit for helping create the Trump administration. These justices work hard to come up with ideas like corporations are people and money is speech. The GOP plan is to keep on enriching the top one percent which is why its policies like their health plan is all about cutting taxes for the wealthy. Can't wait for how they plan to reform taxes. Also give a shout out to FOX for its hard work at keeping the poorly educated ignorant of what the GOP is doing to them. Isn't America great?
1
I suggest that youmight want to consider buying precious metals - especially the 1oz silver coins that you will be able to use to buy food after the dollar collapses.
6
When David Koch ran for vice president as a Libertarian candidate in 1980, he had silver (not gold) coins made with his head and that of the presidential candidate stamped on them. The only thing missing was the patrician crown of laurel leaves on his head.
1
As my brothers and I tended to our elderly parents' deaths three months apart a few years ago, we agreed, "Thank God for Medicare and Medicaid." I say let this despicable crew of neocon con-men get whatever they want . . . it'll last two years tops, then out with all of them.
27
You may have noticed, as we did in our parents' last years (the last, my father, recently died at age 96), that the caretakers in hospitals and assisted living, who tend to the elderly's basic needs with gentleness and compassion, are primarily immigrants. I have no idea if they were legal or not, but we were so grateful for them. Who will help us in the baby boomer generation as we become dependant, if immigration of people willing to take these low-paying jobs is cut off? It won't be our children, who are struggling to get their adult lives established.
9
Maybe it's time to look straight at this budget-which must give the Koch Brothers frissons of delight-the GOP doesn't believe in "personal responsibility" or "freedom"-they believe in culling the herd.
19
Remember when Trump touted his plan to bring back 700 Carrier jobs back from Mexico to Indiana? The company in Indianapolis just announced that most of those jobs are going back to Monterrey Mexico where the minimum wage is $3.90.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide is part of the chaos theory of Trump as it has been during his time in business. Now that he's president, his Taj Mahal failure in Atlantic City should be a cautionary tale to voters next November. You're right, Trump can't add but let's hope that at least some of his voters recognize that they were conned by him last November.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide is part of the chaos theory of Trump as it has been during his time in business. Now that he's president, his Taj Mahal failure in Atlantic City should be a cautionary tale to voters next November. You're right, Trump can't add but let's hope that at least some of his voters recognize that they were conned by him last November.
756
And yet I'd wager that 90% of the Carrier employees who are about to be laid off would say Trump did his best for them and they continue to support him and 80% would blame the Clintons or Obama.
7
Note that the $3.90 minimum wage in Mexico is per DAY, not per hour!
1
With those much-touted jobs 'saved' at Carrier going after all, Trump declares that "For Americans, this is an exciting time. A new spirit of optimism is sweeping our country."
1
Dear Ms. Collins,
Part of the problem with the Cabinet is that Mr. Trump actually thought it had something to do with redecorating the White House a job that is, from Mr. Trump's eyes, definitely "woman's work".
I understand that he did want the number of cabinets in the presidential home to be less than 500 and he certainly wanted them to be "made in 'Murica" and that they should be better than ANY cabinets procured by lesser presidents. Mrs. Trump was detailed to investigate "cabinet procurement" but was stymied in her efforts as people just kept yammering to Mr. Trump about "positions in the cabinets" and he was puzzled why anybody would want to be inside a cabinet (He was then fearful these cabinets would just be chock full of "deep state" folks listening and reporting on everything he said).
Meanwhile, I understand some beautiful wooden, glass doored and huge pieces of furniture have been delivered already (Though 54 of these things might just get in the way) and, since Mr. Trump can't admit to errors, have been "put in place" as assistant secretaries in departments that don't count such as Education, Human Services, etc.
Ms. Conway has been detailed to "talk to them' every so often in an attempt to fool reporters that they're actually "people" and, since hunks of furniture are as least as intelligent as most individuals serving this administration, she's doing a swell job.
She also gets to polish them.
Hey, this beats REALITY doesn't it?
Part of the problem with the Cabinet is that Mr. Trump actually thought it had something to do with redecorating the White House a job that is, from Mr. Trump's eyes, definitely "woman's work".
I understand that he did want the number of cabinets in the presidential home to be less than 500 and he certainly wanted them to be "made in 'Murica" and that they should be better than ANY cabinets procured by lesser presidents. Mrs. Trump was detailed to investigate "cabinet procurement" but was stymied in her efforts as people just kept yammering to Mr. Trump about "positions in the cabinets" and he was puzzled why anybody would want to be inside a cabinet (He was then fearful these cabinets would just be chock full of "deep state" folks listening and reporting on everything he said).
Meanwhile, I understand some beautiful wooden, glass doored and huge pieces of furniture have been delivered already (Though 54 of these things might just get in the way) and, since Mr. Trump can't admit to errors, have been "put in place" as assistant secretaries in departments that don't count such as Education, Human Services, etc.
Ms. Conway has been detailed to "talk to them' every so often in an attempt to fool reporters that they're actually "people" and, since hunks of furniture are as least as intelligent as most individuals serving this administration, she's doing a swell job.
She also gets to polish them.
Hey, this beats REALITY doesn't it?
11
Other news outlets have reported that Mick Mulvaney thinks Big Bird earns too much so the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is looking at a HUGE funding cut.
Apparently, Mulvaney thinks it's OK for Fat Cats to get HUGE tax cuts but large, slightly obese, yellow birds that entertain 4 year olds get the budget ax.
Mulvaney just drips spitefulness.
Apparently, Mulvaney thinks it's OK for Fat Cats to get HUGE tax cuts but large, slightly obese, yellow birds that entertain 4 year olds get the budget ax.
Mulvaney just drips spitefulness.
39
There was plenty of road kill in the way Trump ran his businesses. The man also had absolute no conscience in the wreckage he left behind. Unpaid small contractors, creditors left holding the bag, and people steam rolled out of their properties. 70 years of being a narcissistic and heartless monster and all that evidence left in the open for everyone to see. Trump graduated from having mob associates to having business dealings with Russian oligarchs with close ties to the thug Putin. He has gone out of his way to being mean, cruel, and heartless to people. His wife no longer wants to hold his hand. But with all the crushing evidence of a shameless and destructive man that he is, he can always rely on rural whites to still flood to his rallies and cheer him on.
42
He can also count on the equally vile billionaires to fund the political campaigns of their toadies to all levels of government, from dog catcher to president.
1
You have to love a "stimulus" focused tax plan that ensures that wealthy people and companies that take enormous profits get to hoard their money. And do that at the expense of providing a little extra money to poor people, projects to maintain and improve infrastructure, or the health of the entire country, all of which keep money flowing (being spent) in the economy.
If you don't understand why large corporations and the wealthy shouldn't pay proportionally much more in taxes, you're either a lefty economist or a cynical not-really-rich person. You know, one of those people that are so critical of alternate-facts.
If you don't understand why large corporations and the wealthy shouldn't pay proportionally much more in taxes, you're either a lefty economist or a cynical not-really-rich person. You know, one of those people that are so critical of alternate-facts.
4
This Trump-GOP budget is once again a HUGE tax cut for very rich people/corporations...and a severe economic beating for every other American.
The Trump budget includes a proposed $5.5 trillion in tax reductions mostly for the wealthy and the corporate, none of which is accounted for in the budget.
If you include the cost of the Trump tax cuts and use realistic math and assumptions to calculate this 0.1%-tax-cut-budget, $7.6 trillion of new deficits will occur over 10-years thanks to the King of Bankruptcy's vision for national bankruptcy.
Obama added debt, too, but he was cleaning up the Bush-Cheney Depression and Iraq catastrophe.
Trump and his Fake News Nation believe that there are too many 'takers' in America, so we have to pull the plug on welfare, even though most Americans who receive welfare are white...and voted for Trump.
Trump Nation has no use in identifying America's real takers, because that would involve real facts, real research and reality.
Here are America's top welfare queens:
General Electric - 2008-2013 US profits of $34 billion; IRS tax refund of $2.9 billion over same period
Boeing - 2008-2013 US profits were $26 billion; IRS tax refund of $400 million over same period
Verizon - 2008-2013 US profits were $42 billion; IRS tax refund of $732 million over same period
Trump and his Reverse Robin Hood Congress would like to give himself, his family, and his corporate billionaire friends a HUGE raise.
Make The 0.1% Takers Great Again: Trump 2017
The Trump budget includes a proposed $5.5 trillion in tax reductions mostly for the wealthy and the corporate, none of which is accounted for in the budget.
If you include the cost of the Trump tax cuts and use realistic math and assumptions to calculate this 0.1%-tax-cut-budget, $7.6 trillion of new deficits will occur over 10-years thanks to the King of Bankruptcy's vision for national bankruptcy.
Obama added debt, too, but he was cleaning up the Bush-Cheney Depression and Iraq catastrophe.
Trump and his Fake News Nation believe that there are too many 'takers' in America, so we have to pull the plug on welfare, even though most Americans who receive welfare are white...and voted for Trump.
Trump Nation has no use in identifying America's real takers, because that would involve real facts, real research and reality.
Here are America's top welfare queens:
General Electric - 2008-2013 US profits of $34 billion; IRS tax refund of $2.9 billion over same period
Boeing - 2008-2013 US profits were $26 billion; IRS tax refund of $400 million over same period
Verizon - 2008-2013 US profits were $42 billion; IRS tax refund of $732 million over same period
Trump and his Reverse Robin Hood Congress would like to give himself, his family, and his corporate billionaire friends a HUGE raise.
Make The 0.1% Takers Great Again: Trump 2017
353
Doing some fact checking it comes up that that GE's tax returns are private so no one really knows how much or little they are paying.
Charles...doing some reality-checking reveals GE is a public company that releases quarterly public records about its profits, taxes, expenses and financial reality.
GE is a well known tax-dodger.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/business/economy/25tax.html
http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2015/06/general_electric_routinely_pays_little...
Thanks for obfuscating, though.
GE is a well known tax-dodger.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/business/economy/25tax.html
http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2015/06/general_electric_routinely_pays_little...
Thanks for obfuscating, though.
4
So no more PP and birth control, leading to large families, where each kid might say, eat every third day.
And I'm supposed to feel compassion for the US taxpayer in thinking this budget is just swell. Well, I'm a US taxpayers who thinks it 's horrendous even if Charles Koch--whom Mulvaney really had in mind when he called for compassion---loves it.
So, birth control, potential starvation, Mulvaney, Trump and the Pope. What do two of them have in common? The only non-Catholic is Trump and one of the most important tenets of the Catholic faith is compassion for the poor, the hungry, the naked, the sick.
Awhile back there was a book, "What Would Jesus Say? " If Jesus in the Temple is any indicator, I think what He'd say would be unprintable.
Yesterday in commenting on the healthcare plan, there was a churlish comment from someone from "everywhere," expressing rage that his tax dollar should go to fund healthcare for somebody else. Of course I rose to the bait, and said, well, I don't want to help lower taxes for Charles Koch, or give more to the military. The point being, we don't get a choice.
And it's precisely that attitude--whether from a poster to the NYT or the Congressional candidate in Montana who belted a reporter, or a Congressman voting for terrible health bill that throws 23 or 24 million off health insurance--that tells me we have a long way to go to Make America Great Again."
And I'm supposed to feel compassion for the US taxpayer in thinking this budget is just swell. Well, I'm a US taxpayers who thinks it 's horrendous even if Charles Koch--whom Mulvaney really had in mind when he called for compassion---loves it.
So, birth control, potential starvation, Mulvaney, Trump and the Pope. What do two of them have in common? The only non-Catholic is Trump and one of the most important tenets of the Catholic faith is compassion for the poor, the hungry, the naked, the sick.
Awhile back there was a book, "What Would Jesus Say? " If Jesus in the Temple is any indicator, I think what He'd say would be unprintable.
Yesterday in commenting on the healthcare plan, there was a churlish comment from someone from "everywhere," expressing rage that his tax dollar should go to fund healthcare for somebody else. Of course I rose to the bait, and said, well, I don't want to help lower taxes for Charles Koch, or give more to the military. The point being, we don't get a choice.
And it's precisely that attitude--whether from a poster to the NYT or the Congressional candidate in Montana who belted a reporter, or a Congressman voting for terrible health bill that throws 23 or 24 million off health insurance--that tells me we have a long way to go to Make America Great Again."
58
What else can we expect from a man who has enough money, ego and sense of grandure to have three wives, five children,countless dwellings( many of which are commercial buildings so he pays himself rent ..see tax filings!...and acts as if borrowed money is just...I dunno..toilet paper.
Who knew a county's budget ......
Who knew a county's budget ......
2
Limit food stamps to 6 people per household? So, family where mom & dad work minimum wage jobs and granny & pops live with them has 3 kids. That's 7 people - what is 'bad' there in the eyes of the DOA? Many folks receiving food stamps are the working poor. We want to make their lives harder? Sure, that's making America "great" - sure it is.
169
If you have a minimum wage job, how do you think you are going to support three kids? Maybe these folks need to brush up on their math skills.
If you support Trump, are you happy with more guns and less butter? Do you fear your lazy neighbors and your sister's meth and opiate addicted sons less than the idea that China (certainly not Russia, now that the "pressure is off") might attack the West coast--so you are willing to pay for the defense of California? And NATO?
If you voted for Trump, applaud! Women are slowly being returned to barefoot-and-pregnant status through wage inequity, healthcare losses, poor education and overly expensive childcare (the poor can't write it off their taxes, Ivanka!). But women voters for Trump, is this the greatness you expected?
If you voted for Trump, tell me how the US will achieve 3% growth, the size of the economy of Monaco? Tell me how you will afford healthcare with your pre-condition? Tell me how your retirement fund will grow when your adviser doesn't have to put your interests first? How will your job keep you safe and protect your health when OHSA rules are dropped? How will you keep up with inflation while the minimum wage remains where it's been for over a decade?
Trump supporters: how will your kids learn in schools funded to discriminate? What will choice mean for your family when the voucher doesn't cover tuition? And how will today's students pay off those huge student loans? (Forget buying a house!)
The good news: out of work factory workers can take the jobs held by deported undocumented residents--there will be plenty of work to go around!
If you voted for Trump, applaud! Women are slowly being returned to barefoot-and-pregnant status through wage inequity, healthcare losses, poor education and overly expensive childcare (the poor can't write it off their taxes, Ivanka!). But women voters for Trump, is this the greatness you expected?
If you voted for Trump, tell me how the US will achieve 3% growth, the size of the economy of Monaco? Tell me how you will afford healthcare with your pre-condition? Tell me how your retirement fund will grow when your adviser doesn't have to put your interests first? How will your job keep you safe and protect your health when OHSA rules are dropped? How will you keep up with inflation while the minimum wage remains where it's been for over a decade?
Trump supporters: how will your kids learn in schools funded to discriminate? What will choice mean for your family when the voucher doesn't cover tuition? And how will today's students pay off those huge student loans? (Forget buying a house!)
The good news: out of work factory workers can take the jobs held by deported undocumented residents--there will be plenty of work to go around!
214
Bravo! Well said.
5
The absurd pretense of math in this so called budget is exactly what Ryan has been doing for years, and getting credit for as the wonk of the Republicans.
The magic asterisk has been a feature of Republican ideas in DC for decades. It is not just Trump. It is all of them.
When Trump's casinos went broke, Trump made money anyway. He made a lot of money, and got a billion dollar tax break on it too.
The magic asterisk is a scam. The casinos were a scam. The one certain thing is the guys running the scam will walk off with the money.
Trump is not a bankrupt incompetent, he's much more dangerous than that.
Now he's doing what the Republicans have been doing for decades. He's taken Ryan's magic asterisk into the White House budget. That is not foolish, that is dangerous, and Republicans will walk off with big money from doing it, likely as yet more tax breaks.
But it is not just Trump, and it is most definitely not incompetent. It is all of them, and they know only too well just exactly what they are doing.
The magic asterisk has been a feature of Republican ideas in DC for decades. It is not just Trump. It is all of them.
When Trump's casinos went broke, Trump made money anyway. He made a lot of money, and got a billion dollar tax break on it too.
The magic asterisk is a scam. The casinos were a scam. The one certain thing is the guys running the scam will walk off with the money.
Trump is not a bankrupt incompetent, he's much more dangerous than that.
Now he's doing what the Republicans have been doing for decades. He's taken Ryan's magic asterisk into the White House budget. That is not foolish, that is dangerous, and Republicans will walk off with big money from doing it, likely as yet more tax breaks.
But it is not just Trump, and it is most definitely not incompetent. It is all of them, and they know only too well just exactly what they are doing.
469
Gee Mark, tired of your guy you promoted incessantly after Bernie lost? Sorry, but the observations are a bit too late.
2
sharon -- Still defending Hillary as not-Trump? That was not good enough, and still isn't.
2
ryan being respected for wonkishness has always mystified me. my boss thinks he is!! people just don't read the numbers let alone the details!!
2
apparently Mulvaney was missing his abacus when he added the budget up.
30
"The Department of Agriculture says it’s going to cap food stamps at six people per household. If another kid comes along" - Let them eat cake.
37
It's the bit at the end, about cutting funding for Planned Parenthood, that's the icing on said cake.
16
One silver (or at least shiny tin) lining of this mess is that it's no longer possible for the GOP to claim that things would be better under their governance. All throughout Obama's administration, the GOP basically said "We could do better" and now they have their chance and no, they can't. The GOP has shown itself to be filled with thugs, traitors (literally), church freaks, gun freaks, racists, and reverse Robin Hoods. It is one of the worst assemblages of Americans ever assembled in public life. But at least we now have proof of the GOP soullessness and no longer have to speculate on it. Now the American people are seeing (if they can tear themselves away from FOX for a second) the giddy cruelty and self-enrichment that motivate pretty much everything the GOP does. It's all out in the open, like genital warts at a nudist colony: you see exactly what you'd be getting. So now the American people must choose between continuing down this lunatic path or excising these loons from positions of power. The choice we make now, given all that we know about the GOP, will determine what kind of country the USA will be. There will be no way to claim ignorance of what we've chosen.
235
Jmolka-This supposition only works if the republican voters admit that the gop is to blame. And that is the one thing they will NEVER do!
9
But please remember, in fly-over country, food stamps for the fourth kid sounds like too many.
12
And yet they oppose birth control.
21
Thanks Gail. Your humor is always welcome, particularly in these dark times.
In reading the article what came to mind was a "T" shirt I saw years ago. Printed on the front. "Can I pay my VISA with my Mastercard?"
Thanks again.
In reading the article what came to mind was a "T" shirt I saw years ago. Printed on the front. "Can I pay my VISA with my Mastercard?"
Thanks again.
23
Mulvaney cant account for a trillion dollar math error. So is this a budget? Is he a budget official?
It is just nonsense as is everything else Republican.
The people who did not vote put Trump and Republicans in and Hillary and Democrats. The non voters won the electoral college by 490 votes to Trumps 14 and Hillary and her 32 votes. American politics is dead and Trump and this budget are a result.
Apathy and disinterest is where Trump comes from. We are in big trouble now and perhaps near collapse as the Old Soviet Union was. When the USSR fell it was a surprise to news and politics here. Same thing is being repeated now. Don't be surprised.
It is just nonsense as is everything else Republican.
The people who did not vote put Trump and Republicans in and Hillary and Democrats. The non voters won the electoral college by 490 votes to Trumps 14 and Hillary and her 32 votes. American politics is dead and Trump and this budget are a result.
Apathy and disinterest is where Trump comes from. We are in big trouble now and perhaps near collapse as the Old Soviet Union was. When the USSR fell it was a surprise to news and politics here. Same thing is being repeated now. Don't be surprised.
20
Has anyone noticed the irony here that the ideal person - the holy grail of American grit - for the most conservative of the conservatives - are the immigrant workers they are trying to toss out?
They work grueling hours, grueling jobs, Many pay cash for their own health care. The spend everything they make on their kids. They make their kids learn English and get a good education. The kids - we get many in our office - have responsibilities that make them mature such as translating and taking care of siblings.
The very fact that the people that Conservatives say they admire the most are the ones they are evicting makes it pretty clear that all the hoopla about character and dependence is so much horse hockey. They just want to cut taxes.
Trumponomics may not survive, but the idea behind it has been hard to kill. And the stress of it is killing us. Conservatives have been selling the idea of personal responsibility by guaranteeing that no one has to be responsible for paying for Democracy and for security, let alone roads, bridges, clean air and water and research.
They work grueling hours, grueling jobs, Many pay cash for their own health care. The spend everything they make on their kids. They make their kids learn English and get a good education. The kids - we get many in our office - have responsibilities that make them mature such as translating and taking care of siblings.
The very fact that the people that Conservatives say they admire the most are the ones they are evicting makes it pretty clear that all the hoopla about character and dependence is so much horse hockey. They just want to cut taxes.
Trumponomics may not survive, but the idea behind it has been hard to kill. And the stress of it is killing us. Conservatives have been selling the idea of personal responsibility by guaranteeing that no one has to be responsible for paying for Democracy and for security, let alone roads, bridges, clean air and water and research.
282
One of the best comments I've read in a while, thank you. Living in NYC, I see the sheer grit and determination our immigrants (who work our restaurants, clean our homes, care for our children, build our new buildings, etc.) exert every day. I'm proud to live in a sanctuary city.
25
Wait until those Conservatives grow old enough to need help with bathing, dressing, toileting.... Even in the highest priced retirement communities for wealhy elderly, those low paying caretaking positions are staffed by immigrants. Just as with agricultural workers, the crackdown on immigration is shortsighted and not thought through. Americans are not waiting in line to fill those jobs.
4
Cathy, Excellent comment! Trying to evict people who are hard working, family oriented, and planning for the future is another example of the hypocrisy of the Republican Party. They would evict exactly the type of people who made this country great.
As a member of the second generation of my family born in this country, I know how hard my grandparents worked to build a better life for their children who in turn worked hard to build a better life for me. I'm just glad that these Republican lowlifes were not in power when my family immigrated to this great country.
As a member of the second generation of my family born in this country, I know how hard my grandparents worked to build a better life for their children who in turn worked hard to build a better life for me. I'm just glad that these Republican lowlifes were not in power when my family immigrated to this great country.
2
The proposed budget sounds to me like an interview I heard about a new housing development. An older set of apartments would be torn down, residents moved out of 2,3 and four bedroom units and told they would be able to move back into the new units. One catch. The new units would all be one and two bedrooms. A multi generational family of grandma, two son, daughter and two grand children was told, told mind you, that grandma could go to a retirement home, the sons move into an an apartment and The daughter and grandchildren move into another. The family would magically be broken up, scattered and incredibly find the cash to fund three households. THAT is casino developer math and it does not work to build strong supportive families...only leads to more losses all around.
53
Your Republican-controlled Congress could foreshorten this incumbents' presidentency by passing into law his proposed budget as presented without change or modifications. That would indeed be a service to the country.
14
I must agree that some of our safety net ideas need work and the programs could be improved. I do not agree with the idea that to get someone to take responsibility for themselves you should kick them and family into the street and let them get sick and starve.
27
Hunker down America. The tsunami is coming. It might not be as tall as this budget suggests, it might not be as strong as this budget suggests, but given the Republican control in both chambers plus the executive, plus the Supreme Court, you know it's coming. And with new record consumer debt, it's not a good time to have it come.
27
Trump can add, and what this budget adds up to is the final blow to what is left of the American middle class.
33
Regrettably, djt marks the creation of a new political era, Gail - as Bernie Sanders said in an MSNBC interview Wed. night, this budget is part of a Koch Bros. legislative/budgeting agenda that doesn't give a flying flip about what any voter thinks, since now GOP'ers and the djt Trojan Horse are backed by the Koch Billion$, which will be used to beat back any Democrats and ensure ever more conservative GOP'ers.
Our representatives and the 1%-ers no longer need to even pretend to follow our wishes, or engage in open hearings; Drunk Uncle has his sugar daddies.
Our representatives and the 1%-ers no longer need to even pretend to follow our wishes, or engage in open hearings; Drunk Uncle has his sugar daddies.
103
Did Bernie realize the bottomless pit of despair that would be brought upon the American people, especially the poor, when he relentlessly demonized Hillary for a couple of Wall Street speeches? Did he try to educate his naive followers what would could happen when all 3 branches were owned by Republicans, or was he too energized by his followers claiming they would withhold their Hillary votes since "there was no difference?" Pure, spiteful, spoiled low information voters, who, unlike the uneducated white southern voter, didn't even have the knowledge to recognize the importance of the Supreme Court. I have yet to hear one person who withheld a vote, or one supporter like Cornel West or god forbid, the traitor to environmental causes Jill Stein admit would they brought to the country. Until the wing of the "progressives" admit what they did, we face future elections with peril.
Bernie, loving the attention he is getting, has yet to take proper blame.
Bernie, loving the attention he is getting, has yet to take proper blame.
9
CLSW - You're preaching to the choir; the comments sections leading up to the nomination are replete with our support for Hillary, reminding over and over and over the danger of ' purists ' causing a repeat of what was seen in Fla. in 2000 with Dems who voted for Ralph Nader essentially throwing away their votes.
What we feared has come to pass, juiced along by CNN hiring commentators who were actually still on djt's campaign payroll (!!) and the attitude expressed by CBS chairman Les Moonves on Feb. 29, 2016 when he proudly proclaimed " It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS ":
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/01/network-ex...
What we feared has come to pass, juiced along by CNN hiring commentators who were actually still on djt's campaign payroll (!!) and the attitude expressed by CBS chairman Les Moonves on Feb. 29, 2016 when he proudly proclaimed " It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS ":
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/01/network-ex...
2
True, 90% of Americans wanted increases in gun checks after Sandy Hook, and were ignored by the Congress as they pander to their contributors. They are supposed to be representing and working for the majority, not the lobbyists.
1
Every time McCain occasionally lapses into lucidity we all cheer him on, but let's remember that one of his complaints about the Trump budget is that does not do ENOUGH to "rebuild" the military; with him, it's just a reflex, requiring no thought. The Chinese already have non-nuclear ballistic missiles made to punch right through one of our $10 billion dollar aircraft carriers by reentering the atmosphere so steeply and rapidly there is no adequate defense. But sure, just to be safe, lets build some more carrier groups, stock them with shiny new F35's and keep them close to shore so the rickety planes have an even chance of making it back.
39
@stan continople: Let's also not forget the biggest, blackest indelible stain on McCain's legacy: Sarah Palin.
30
Release the PALIN!!!! We could all use some real humor. Bigly.
Regarding the name of this project:
Can we just refer to it as "The Republicans' Modest Proposal?"
Can we just refer to it as "The Republicans' Modest Proposal?"
61
Or as an homage to Anatole France: it will be compassionate to all equally,
"In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread."
"In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread."
8
No, Trump can’t add. But he can certainly divide. And, unfortunately, he can multiply.
The question now is…can the American people subtract?
The question now is…can the American people subtract?
1153
Brilliant
3
Subtracting is important, but for real change, you must first differentiate, then integrate. We can hope that the gradient will be steep, and that as curl around it, we find nothing. After that, one set will need to perform a union with another set. Those without unions, hopefully, we can find the intersection, else the set will be null. We can hope that our operators can build momentum, and the limits expand without bound.
2
Perfect
3
Last November 8 the "American" people spoke. They want little government. And the government they want is to be focused on military spending...guns, not butter. To this aim, the Trump Budget makes perfect sense.
Look people, how can we afford a new fleet of aircraft carriers if we aren't willing to cut Social Security Disability benefits? How can we commit to research and development of Star Wars laser swords if we are not willing to cut Medicaid and Food Stamps for the moochers? (Does anyone know how many military families get food stamps?)
And haven't the wealthy suffered enough? Think about it. For decades they have had to pay teams of CPA's to figure out ways to not pay taxes. They have struggled with the question of how to leave vast fortunes to their children without paying taxes. Don't they deserve a break? As an example: Trump is over 70...he's doing his estate planning to provide for his hapless children without paying the life-is-unfair death tax.
Well, you get the point. Trump is delivering on what "Americans" want. On November 8, they spoke loud and clear, showing their willingness to cut their own throats, true patriots, willing to sacrifice so that the United States of Wars can continue as the world's enforcer...even if it now works on behalf of the Russians. (And don't worry about the disabled who lose their Social Security check..there's a job waiting for them on an aircraft carrier.)
Look people, how can we afford a new fleet of aircraft carriers if we aren't willing to cut Social Security Disability benefits? How can we commit to research and development of Star Wars laser swords if we are not willing to cut Medicaid and Food Stamps for the moochers? (Does anyone know how many military families get food stamps?)
And haven't the wealthy suffered enough? Think about it. For decades they have had to pay teams of CPA's to figure out ways to not pay taxes. They have struggled with the question of how to leave vast fortunes to their children without paying taxes. Don't they deserve a break? As an example: Trump is over 70...he's doing his estate planning to provide for his hapless children without paying the life-is-unfair death tax.
Well, you get the point. Trump is delivering on what "Americans" want. On November 8, they spoke loud and clear, showing their willingness to cut their own throats, true patriots, willing to sacrifice so that the United States of Wars can continue as the world's enforcer...even if it now works on behalf of the Russians. (And don't worry about the disabled who lose their Social Security check..there's a job waiting for them on an aircraft carrier.)
134
So, let me get this straight.
Mick "Eager Beaver" Mulvaney et al didn't realize what the abbreviation for the name of this budget--the New Foundation for American Greatness--would turn out to be?
Good grief!
Mick "Eager Beaver" Mulvaney et al didn't realize what the abbreviation for the name of this budget--the New Foundation for American Greatness--would turn out to be?
Good grief!
12
Republicans Can't Do Math
That should be one of the political slogans of the left. It's easy to remember, it's true, and there's lots of historical evidence.
That should be one of the political slogans of the left. It's easy to remember, it's true, and there's lots of historical evidence.
76
Agree!
3
No, he can't add. But he's certainly proven that he can divide.
And, unfortunately, he can multiply.
And, unfortunately, he can multiply.
27
The only math Trump knows is that 2 is bigger/better/greater/more than 1. How do we know that? He always wants two scoops of ice cream while his guest gets one.
46
Mick Mulvaney worse than Jeff Sessions? Isn't that kinda like infinity plus one?
202
From Trump's perspective, the budget presented by Mulvaney has already been a resounding success in two ways:
1. It made all liberals scream - always popular with Trump's base.
2. It sets the start of negotiations at the far end of the field beyond the end zone.
The only way this madness can change is if Republicans manage to actually get such insane proposals enacted before 2018 and Trump supporters (and everyone else) suffer the consequences.
So far Trump's base remains loyal because seeing him outrage liberals is way too much fun and they haven't had to pay a price. When they begin to personally feel the consequences of voting for (fill in with adjectives and nouns from Charles Blow here)... things will change.
1. It made all liberals scream - always popular with Trump's base.
2. It sets the start of negotiations at the far end of the field beyond the end zone.
The only way this madness can change is if Republicans manage to actually get such insane proposals enacted before 2018 and Trump supporters (and everyone else) suffer the consequences.
So far Trump's base remains loyal because seeing him outrage liberals is way too much fun and they haven't had to pay a price. When they begin to personally feel the consequences of voting for (fill in with adjectives and nouns from Charles Blow here)... things will change.
40
I wish it were so simple. Sorry to say, there are millions of "bitter clinging" members of the conservative base who are more than content to suffer their paltry lot, as long as they can revel in the misery of others like liberals, immigrants, and people of color.
As LBJ so insightfully opined: "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
As LBJ so insightfully opined: "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
21
Gail referenced Atlantic City. "Everything dies baby that's a fact" Bruce Springsteen's lyric from "Atlantic City" would seem the perfect description for the disillusionment that millions of voters who had faith in Donald Trump must feel after the release of his budget."I'm tired of comin out on the losin end...I met this guy I'm gonna do a little favor for him". Donald Trump has betrayed his supporters trust. His entire presidency has been an unmitigated disaster from the serial lies, to the Russia connection, unabashed nepotism, revelations of classified information, and gross incompetence. The devastation of Atlantic City is the perfect metaphor for Trump's failed presidency and an ominous foreshadowing.
53
The dog on the roof should now be officially replaced with "Roll the dice."
30
Years ago, I had a business colleague who thought Archie Bunker had it right. We both liked the TV series but he could not understand the sarcasm in the plot. I'm serious.This was a person who had a college degree and by the way was raised in Queens, NY.
I equate that episode in my life to today's Trump Administration as being a B rated movie based on the plot of "The Idiot". There are a lot of people ought there who don't understand the sarcasm of the plot.
Thank you Gail. I look forward to everyone of your columns.
I equate that episode in my life to today's Trump Administration as being a B rated movie based on the plot of "The Idiot". There are a lot of people ought there who don't understand the sarcasm of the plot.
Thank you Gail. I look forward to everyone of your columns.
64
Nothing Trump says or does adds up. His arithmetic is an alternate fact. No doubt he has done this in business. My guess is his personal balance sheet shows large sums for both assets and liabilities with the asset value of his brand extremely overvalued without which he would probably have a negative net worth. That's would explain why he will not reveal his tax returns. Well, that plus the fact that he probably has enormous loans through Deutsche Bank, Russian banks, or Russian oligarchs. My bet is he is a huge, tremendous phony success story.
43
Okay, I'm terrified. And just how many of these brilliant ideas were Jared's? Jared, another 'YUGE' ( you forgot Gail...not just 'huge') asset to the Trump administration. More brains than Einstein behind that expressionless brow. (Do he and Ivanka BOTH get Botox?). Is this over yet? I can't take it.
101
@R C: Scariest slogan in the English language: "He went to Jared."
27
And let us not forget, Jared has been exposed as a slumlord in Maryland.
17
Not to rub salt in a wound, but don’t be so sure that Trump won’t be president in ten years. The Governator has wanted to amend the constitution for years to allow an Austria-born son of a former Nazi sympathizer to be president. If we can do THAT, we can remove the term-restriction on a POTUS.
And, of course, Democrats count the same $2 trillion twice LOTS of times. They count the money they’re going to extort in yet higher taxes on an increasingly narrow sliver of Americans to save Medicaid from fiscal ruin, then to provide a free education for all Americans, then to provide a universal guaranteed income, then to … but you get the idea. The inability of DEMOCRATS to add things up probably plays some part in the fact that they’ve been banished so thoroughly to the political wilderness.
Then, if spending less is all that offensive to Sen. John McCain, he might consider switching parties. Trump’s priorities for spending might be “DOA”, but spending less decidedly is NOT with this Congress.
Finally, a presidential budget proffer is just that: it’s not a final product but a starting-point. Democrats should seriously consider that if the only ones seriously engaged in dickering over it are Republicans, while everyone else simply “resists” volubly and spends ALL their time looking for smoking Kalashnikovs, then what we’re going to get is a lot less money spent on just about everything Dems hold most dear. In the end, that probably means fewer Democrats in Congress.
And, of course, Democrats count the same $2 trillion twice LOTS of times. They count the money they’re going to extort in yet higher taxes on an increasingly narrow sliver of Americans to save Medicaid from fiscal ruin, then to provide a free education for all Americans, then to provide a universal guaranteed income, then to … but you get the idea. The inability of DEMOCRATS to add things up probably plays some part in the fact that they’ve been banished so thoroughly to the political wilderness.
Then, if spending less is all that offensive to Sen. John McCain, he might consider switching parties. Trump’s priorities for spending might be “DOA”, but spending less decidedly is NOT with this Congress.
Finally, a presidential budget proffer is just that: it’s not a final product but a starting-point. Democrats should seriously consider that if the only ones seriously engaged in dickering over it are Republicans, while everyone else simply “resists” volubly and spends ALL their time looking for smoking Kalashnikovs, then what we’re going to get is a lot less money spent on just about everything Dems hold most dear. In the end, that probably means fewer Democrats in Congress.
1
@Richard Luettgen: Drop the "smoking Kalashnikovs" bit. It has grown tiresome, and it was never clever.
So now you have a new way to excuse every stupid thing Trump does. It isn't what he says it is; it's merely a "proffer" meant to be replaced by something much better in the future.
Sorry, no sale. That one doesn't work, either.
So now you have a new way to excuse every stupid thing Trump does. It isn't what he says it is; it's merely a "proffer" meant to be replaced by something much better in the future.
Sorry, no sale. That one doesn't work, either.
95
Wow Richard. Suggesting that John McCain should leave your party if he doesn't like it. Just wow.
34
Pat:
There's nothing more basic to Republican beliefs that ours is a LIMITED government, that taxes are necessary evils that we merely tolerate to pay necessary bills and do great things behind which we build substantial popular consensus, and that government currently is too big, too intrusive and too demanding of ever-increasing "revenue".
If Sen. McCain rejects those principles, that a budget proffer that in its current form excessively seeks to address but at least starts the ball rolling ... then perhaps it's HE who needs to consider who he really is.
There's nothing more basic to Republican beliefs that ours is a LIMITED government, that taxes are necessary evils that we merely tolerate to pay necessary bills and do great things behind which we build substantial popular consensus, and that government currently is too big, too intrusive and too demanding of ever-increasing "revenue".
If Sen. McCain rejects those principles, that a budget proffer that in its current form excessively seeks to address but at least starts the ball rolling ... then perhaps it's HE who needs to consider who he really is.
This Congress is disgusting. That guy Mulvaney should break out the Marie Antoinette wig- what a complete mess. Incompetent and wasting our time.
358
And, in addition to the food stamp cuts - Let them eat cake! which they can't afford.
15
Ok--I LOVE the wig comment--and the Marie A. allusion--although at least Marie had an excuse as she was only 16 when she became Queen and was essentially uneducated when she made her famous, "Let them eat cake" comment...Mulvaney has no such excuse--he's just a rube and a selfish piece of work like the rest of the Republicans. Thank you for amusing me for the moment with your comment!
3
From the antipodes it seems incomprehensible that President Obama's successor could be the Trumpster. You've gone from the sublime to the For' Blimey!
I understand that the GOP are liars and cynics who have been comprehensively bought by big oil, big business and the NRA. I understand that, with a few honourable exceptions, the Democrats seem to suffer the same afflictions.
But I've spent time in the US and I thought the people I met there were among the most generous and welcoming folk in the world. How can they contemplate a healthcare scheme and a budget of such calculating cruelty?
I understand that the GOP are liars and cynics who have been comprehensively bought by big oil, big business and the NRA. I understand that, with a few honourable exceptions, the Democrats seem to suffer the same afflictions.
But I've spent time in the US and I thought the people I met there were among the most generous and welcoming folk in the world. How can they contemplate a healthcare scheme and a budget of such calculating cruelty?
613
Because they believe it will only be cruel to those "others". Remember Trump won because he convinced his supporters that he hated the same people they did.
34
Americans have a tendency to elect the opposite of the previous president. When we have a smart president, we pine for a dumb one, regardless of the consequences we faced with the last dumb one.
Imagine how smart and compassionate the one after Pence will be!
Imagine how smart and compassionate the one after Pence will be!
10
By dividing the working class against the poor. They claim that their declining standard of living is the fault of big spending democrats who give their tax money to lazy poor people who lie around collecting welfare checks.
11
Something else Trump can't add up: the amount representatives of foreign governments spend in his hotels & resorts. To try to get around the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, Trump promised to donate all the profits from these foreign dignitaries' expenditures to the U.S. Treasury. If you don't know the value of a Trump promise, compare his cruel DonTCare plan & his Sheriff of Rottingham budget to his campaign promises.
Now the Trump Org. tells Congress it's just too haaaard to figure out who-all is staying in its hotels & ordering its taco bowls. Kind of like, "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated." Besides, the wait staff are unaccustomed to taking diplomatic credentials with that order.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), who has a way with words, wrote a letter to the Trump Org. in which he explained, “Complying with the United States Constitution is not an optional exercise, but a requirement for serving as our nation’s president.” Even Junior & Eric, who ostensibly are running the company while Dad's away, might be able to understand that.
Oh, and speaking of double-dipping: just as his budget does, Trump appears to be planning to double-dip any "donations" he does make. His lawyers won't say whether or not he plans to take these profit donations as tax deductions. I think we all know what Trump will decide on that. Even as Trump giveth to the Treasury, so he shall taketh away.
The Constant Weader at http://www.RealityChex.com
Now the Trump Org. tells Congress it's just too haaaard to figure out who-all is staying in its hotels & ordering its taco bowls. Kind of like, "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated." Besides, the wait staff are unaccustomed to taking diplomatic credentials with that order.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), who has a way with words, wrote a letter to the Trump Org. in which he explained, “Complying with the United States Constitution is not an optional exercise, but a requirement for serving as our nation’s president.” Even Junior & Eric, who ostensibly are running the company while Dad's away, might be able to understand that.
Oh, and speaking of double-dipping: just as his budget does, Trump appears to be planning to double-dip any "donations" he does make. His lawyers won't say whether or not he plans to take these profit donations as tax deductions. I think we all know what Trump will decide on that. Even as Trump giveth to the Treasury, so he shall taketh away.
The Constant Weader at http://www.RealityChex.com
504
Profit? That's what's left after expenses are deducted. How does one know if somebody in a Trump hotel is there because he/she needs a room or a suite for a night or week, or because they are interested in Trump's power? And when the hotel orders special flowers, are they an expense against hotel receipts, or something that can be deducted for political reasons. For Trump to offer profits to the public coffer is completely disingenuous. NOT ONE SINGLE PENNY WILL HE PAY TO THE IRS FOR HIS HOTELS. In fact: his bottom line will be to expect a HUGE tax rebate.
5
What most people don't know is the president has a special calculator. It's an Orwell 1984, which makes liabilities assets, losses gains, poverty wealth. It's magic, like beans.
339
We really are going into a 1984 reality, that is unreal just like 1984 seemed when I read it.
21
I've used the 1084 analogy in reverse ala
1984; The government says 2+2= 5
Today's Republicans- 2+2= 5
the government- No, that's not right 2+2 = 4 !!
Today's Republicans - Are you going to believe the government, the source of all of our problems?
1984; The government says 2+2= 5
Today's Republicans- 2+2= 5
the government- No, that's not right 2+2 = 4 !!
Today's Republicans - Are you going to believe the government, the source of all of our problems?
2
The republican budget is essentially the same play that has been run over and over and over again for the last generation or two.
Go extreme right to the point that it is cartoonish and tact back a millimeter and then suddenly you are ''reasonable'' .
This is why the American voter ( reinforced daily by the press ) has no idea whatsoever where the country is on the political spectrum. ( nor any candidate for that matter )
So, when a candidate comes along talking truth that people must pay their fair share ( essentially just 3 or 4 % more in taxes ), then they are branded as a ''Socialist'' or extreme.
What is extreme is not that republicans cannot add, but rather they have their own math. A tax cut for them and the bill for you an I .
Addition through Subtraction.
Go extreme right to the point that it is cartoonish and tact back a millimeter and then suddenly you are ''reasonable'' .
This is why the American voter ( reinforced daily by the press ) has no idea whatsoever where the country is on the political spectrum. ( nor any candidate for that matter )
So, when a candidate comes along talking truth that people must pay their fair share ( essentially just 3 or 4 % more in taxes ), then they are branded as a ''Socialist'' or extreme.
What is extreme is not that republicans cannot add, but rather they have their own math. A tax cut for them and the bill for you an I .
Addition through Subtraction.
289
In March, Carl Icahn gave up on the now-closed Trump Taj Mahal and sold it to investors led by Hard Rock International for an undisclosed sum. This means Gail Collins's estimate of "4 cents on the dollar" is already outdated: the Trump Taj Mahal has probably returned less than one cent on the dollar by now. A business that even Icahn couldn't resurrect must really have been quite a sinkhole. But then, sinkholes are Trump's specialty.
324
Ambrose Bierce said that a revolution is a violent change of mismanagement.
I would love to hear what he might say about the Trump "revolution".
Trump and his ship of fools are making dotty old Ronny look positively competent. They've even managed to make Watergate seem deft by comparison. The stunningly gross incompetence and mismanagement we are witnessing should be enough, on their own, to prove that Trump is wholly unfit to run a corner store, let alone the country.
I ask you, Congressional Republicans, when is enough enough? You, the champions of capitalism, of business, of fiscal responsibility and competent management. Even if you can't find outrage over the Russian connection, the lies, the coverups, that episode on the bus, and all the other whoppers, can you not find outrage over painfully obvious gross incompetence?
I suppose not, because it's becoming clear that the entire party, with a very few exceptions like McCain, have given in to stupidity and incompetence.
We have Ben Carson, the head of HUD and an actual brain surgeon musing that poverty is simply a state of mind. When even the brain surgeons of the party make statements like that, a person has to wonder if the whole lot of them haven't been lobotomized.
I would love to hear what he might say about the Trump "revolution".
Trump and his ship of fools are making dotty old Ronny look positively competent. They've even managed to make Watergate seem deft by comparison. The stunningly gross incompetence and mismanagement we are witnessing should be enough, on their own, to prove that Trump is wholly unfit to run a corner store, let alone the country.
I ask you, Congressional Republicans, when is enough enough? You, the champions of capitalism, of business, of fiscal responsibility and competent management. Even if you can't find outrage over the Russian connection, the lies, the coverups, that episode on the bus, and all the other whoppers, can you not find outrage over painfully obvious gross incompetence?
I suppose not, because it's becoming clear that the entire party, with a very few exceptions like McCain, have given in to stupidity and incompetence.
We have Ben Carson, the head of HUD and an actual brain surgeon musing that poverty is simply a state of mind. When even the brain surgeons of the party make statements like that, a person has to wonder if the whole lot of them haven't been lobotomized.
997
But still, it works. I read comments from rational people saying how lunatic all this is; yet I would be willing to bet - even in one of the Donald's casinos - that the product of all of this cant and controversy will be a whopping tax cut for the few and a disaster for the many. I cannot get my head around this suicidal insanity of the real "losers" that have been victimized by GOP policies for years. Do the so-called socialized European Union countries have an equal percentage of the profoundly stupid in their populations?
5
" ask you, Congressional Republicans, when is enough enough? You, the champions of capitalism, of business, of fiscal responsibility and competent management."
Part of the problem is Dems in Congress are weak and vilified by FIX News 24/7. And almost all voters in the south -most of them are desolates and poor-are completely intoxicated by McConnell and Ryan fascist manifesto.
Part of the problem is Dems in Congress are weak and vilified by FIX News 24/7. And almost all voters in the south -most of them are desolates and poor-are completely intoxicated by McConnell and Ryan fascist manifesto.
After hearing Ben Carson, I begin to wonder if he could find the brain when operating. Simply amazing statement.
6
One sentence in this article jumped out at me -- "We're being run like a bad Atlantic City casino." When one considers how many times businesses (including casinos) run by Trump have resulted in bankruptcies, one cannot be surprised at the downward spiral being observed in the US government under his leadership. The unfortunate fact is that as the US, by actions of its government, devalues the principles upon which the nation is founded, we risk running out of all the moral capital that democracy has garnered for the nation.
158
Digital currencies, like Bit Coin are booming. There are hundreds of them. Surely our President has gotten with the program, and figured out how he can pay a bunch of programmers in Nepal 32 cents/hour, (same rate he paid his workers there to make Trump ties) to create billions or trillions or even Trumpillions in digital dough! Enough to pay our budget needs.
Also, since our budget has been liberated from supporting our nation's federal programs, their "no ones", "all zeros" approach to digital money, will work just fine!
Remember when Reagan thought, Psychiatry was a communist plot? Well, Trump and co. realized that health care, dollar bills and the rest of that junk were plots of one kind or another, all along!!!
Also, since our budget has been liberated from supporting our nation's federal programs, their "no ones", "all zeros" approach to digital money, will work just fine!
Remember when Reagan thought, Psychiatry was a communist plot? Well, Trump and co. realized that health care, dollar bills and the rest of that junk were plots of one kind or another, all along!!!
31
Just figured out why he doesn't button his suit jacket=cuz he wants to display his ties!
28
And, as the Pope pointed out, it won't button over that cake induced belly.
25
For Trump it's his favorite sport
Always ends up in Bankruptcy Court,
Cool under the collar
Pays less on the dollar
It's the other guy that comes out short.
It worked in Atlantic City,
If it doesn't now more's the pity,
Our Putinized POTUS
In case you didn't notice
Has a mind in size that's itty bitty.
Always ends up in Bankruptcy Court,
Cool under the collar
Pays less on the dollar
It's the other guy that comes out short.
It worked in Atlantic City,
If it doesn't now more's the pity,
Our Putinized POTUS
In case you didn't notice
Has a mind in size that's itty bitty.
617
Larry Eisenberg, one of the best. "Putinized POTUS" Ha! Can we put the Russian dolls back inside each other - and there are a lot of them - and send them back to Moscow?
115
Just want to say, "thanks!" Larry. Your rhymes are the best part of the articles!
4
Larry, I see you now live in Medford, MA. What happened? I thought you were a serious lifelong New Yorker.
Anyway, hope all is well. This poem is one of your best!
Anyway, hope all is well. This poem is one of your best!
3
Sure the average rightist voter swallows this tripe but those clowns still celebrate losing The Civil War so don't go by them.