I’ve written several times since Trump, our “so-called” president, took office that the big question in my mind is how much damage will he be allowed to do before he’s removed from office – either by republicans (unlikely) or “we the people” at the ballot box in 2020 (likely).  The answer to that question may determine if the republican party survives this deplorable president.  And, of course, those in leadership of the republican party are drooling all over themselves having someone in the “White House” who will sign virtually ANY piece of legislation they can get to him so that both Trump and Fox “news” can claim “victory” – at the clear expense of “we the people.”

Well, so far, republicans been unable to come up with a replacement for the Affordable Care Act – which MOST people believe, at the minimum, needs to be improved.  If the ACA wasn’t providing health insurance to so many Americans this would not be a problem for the republicans – they’d just repeal it – as they voted to do something like 60 times while President Obama was still in office.  However, Trump or some other unsuspecting republican caused the phrase “repeal and replace” to be accepted as “politically correct” so republicans were screwed.  They were the experts at the repeal part of that, but when it came to “replace” they were lost.  They attempted to “replace” the ACA (aka “Obamacare”) in the only way they know how to do anything – via TAX CUTS for the wealthiest Americans – the ones who’ve bought them off at an unbelievable amount since “Citizens United” – and, curiously, there were three republicans who didn’t go along with the scam.

So, now – kind of like a “mulligan” in golf – they’re on “plan B.”  As I’m writing this Trump is LYING to the American people about the impending TAX CUT which will balloon the deficit (you know, the thing republicans blamed on President Obama) by probably $3 TRILLION (at least – more if we go into recession due to Trump’s policies which will be “on the table” as 2018 draws near – he’ll no longer be “coasting” on Obama’s “coattails”).  This is the republicans “back door” way of repealing “Obamacare” by CUTTING over $1.5 TRILLION from Medicare and Medicaid to mitigate the HUGE deficits caused by their TAX CUTS for the wealthy.  The question now becomes – will ALL the republicans go along with this – which is a boon to Trump and a boondoggle to people like me.

Of course, history has proven over and over again that welfare for the richest Americans does NOT boost the economy – they don’t rush out and raise wages for their workers or hire people off the street as a way to spend the MILLIONS they save on their taxes (keep in mind, we’re talking about BILLIONAIRES here).  Dick Cheney claimed “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter” – but, he actually proved cutting taxes AND regulations for business puts the economy at risk.  President Obama and the democrats bailed the republicans out of the “Great Recession” with a modest stimulus package – but, here we are again – deja vu all over again – with the HUGE tax cuts, deregulating the banks and big business, and a Wall Street that is over heated.  You get three guesses and the first two don’t count as to where we’re headed.  (somehow, Trump will blame it on Obama)

For those of us like me who do believe that deficits DO matter, we can only hope there’s at least three senators who agree and will vote this thing down.  You’d think this constant propaganda that tax cuts for the rich is good for the economy (of course, the philosophy is put forth by the – you know – the rich) would be getting old after almost 40 years of “busting the budget” so rich people can have more money to spend.  (trust me, the extra money won’t be spent at the grocery store)  The WORST part of all this, to me, are the continued LIES of the republicans – it’s not hard to figure out what they’re saying is akin to HOGWASH!

For example, today I listened to the supreme tax cutter of them all, Grover Norquist, claim that Trump’s proposed tax cuts will “create jobs and stimulate the economy.”  Well, despite the FACT the economy’s 85 STRAIGHT months of job creation at a “steady pace” – the result of Obama’s administration – and record low unemployment numbers – again, the result of Obama’s policies – Norquist and every other republican “pundit” – who seem to be programmed by the same organ grinder – are claiming these tax cuts are aimed at the middle class and will created jobs (in an economy at full employment, that is).  What it’s really designed to do is give the republican benefactors – all those MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES who’ve been funneling their money into the coffers of republicans in Congress – a return on their investment.  LITTLE or NONE of these tax cuts will filter to “we the people.”  But, the LYING will continue. (By the way, Wall Street and America’s corporations DON’T need any more help – their profits are at ALL TIME highs and their “cash on hand’ is bordering on obscene.  They’ve got PLENTY of money, and it’s NOT trickling down – at least in the form of higher wages.

I’ve only seen the framework of their proposal, and, by my calculations those Americans who have two members of their family working and making at least $50 thousand per year each are in for an unpleasant surprise.  Their taxes are going up.  There’s a plethora of reasons why middle class Americans should be gagging at what Trump is trying to cram through in about the next two weeks – we can only hope there’s a few republicans who will block it.  Just like “repeal and replace” republicans are putting this legislation together in the “back rooms” and there’s going to be no discussion with any democrats to get it passed.  They have to do it this way because if “we the people” get a chance to actually digest what’s being proposed, then Trump would still have NOTHING to show for his first year in office.  (which very well could be his last)

Tax cuts are an issue that republicans will have no problem pushing through despite the FACT their president is likely going to be indicted for, at a minimum, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  Whether that gives them the backbone to remove him from office, we’ll have to wait and see, but they’ve been drooling to FURTHER cut taxes for their wealthy benefactors since the last time they pulled this off.  There’s just NEVER enough “dough” for those at the top in America.  I’m not sure Trump even understands that the proposed tax cuts raise taxes on those in the “upper” middle class – like, for example (because I’m familiar with this scenario), families with two working teachers.  By the time they figure out the reality of this proposal, it will be too late and it will be years until the problem is fixed.  (And, trust me, those at the top will fight any changes “tooth and nail” down the road)

Here’s the main rub for me.  Why would members of Congress vote through anything while Trump is still the president.  He’s damaging this nation in far worst ways than these tax cuts – although, they will be bad if they get through.  For example, while Trump is promoting the coal industry, China is at the head of the class developing clean energy technology that the WORLD – and that would include the United States – will be more dependent on as time goes by.  The Climate change deniers – like Trump, and MOST in his cabinet – are going to be public pariahs before long.  Trump, and, to be fair, MOST other politicians – including democrats – opposed the TPP trade agreement negotiated by President Obama, one of Trump’s first acts in office was to pull the U.S. out of that agreement – which will come back to haunt us, again, as China takes the place of America as the world’s leading economy.

Trump is pushing American troops into places like Niger – likely because he’s ignorant of “the world” and he’s given too much “power” to “his” generals – instead of thinking “outside the box” and attempting to help countries in Africa create jobs for their people which might discourage them from joining groups like ISIL.  Of course, militarism seems to be somewhat a “bipartisan”issue in America – but, I give us ZERO chance to change course under Trump.

Trump is attacking the Justice Department as if he believes it should cater to his every beckoning.  This is scary right along with his attack on the “media” (although, I guess, “Fox and friends,” Sean Hannity, and anyone else who’s learned that by “kissing his ass” they can get the president of the United States on their programs on a regular basis – so they can participate in LYING to the America people right along with Trump), the intelligence community, and the FBI (which, of course, is part of the Justice Department).  Trump, in fact, has taken LYING to almost astronomical levels – and, evidently, in orderf to work for him you must be willing to do the same.

Trump is preparing “we the people” for when Robert Mueller’s “shoe” drops – and, it’s likely to drop right on Trump’s head.  The way I see it, Trump is already ginning up the 30% of America that’s going to follow him right into the impeachment shed – and, some of them are likely to REVOLT.  Trump is defiant – and, will remain so even in the face of what likely will be the MOST serious charges EVER leveled at an American president.  And, his surrogates are right there with him.

I’m sure Trump sees Sarah Huckabee Sanders as a strong supporter.  Personally, I see her as a pathetic spokesperson who’s as willing to LIE right off the top of her head as her boss.  I believe she is damaging her career EVERY day she steps up to that podium and LIES to the American people – provable, pathetic LIES.  (As I’ve said before, there’s always Fox as far as jobs for Ms. Sanders post Trump – that is, until the America people wake up to what a treasonous outfit Fox “news” really is)  Then there’s John Kelly.  I’m having a hard time placing his former rank in front of his name because it really grieves me to have to understand his true character.  That after he chose to lament all the things about American society the “used to be sacred.”

Well, I was only in the U.S. Marine Corp for about six months – NEVER on active duty due to failing my physical at induction (in 1967 when just about anyone who could walk was inducted – my knee was worst than I thought – I CAN say, I DIDN’T have bone spurs) – one thing that was “sacred” in the Marine Corp back during the Viet Nam years was HONOR.  A true Marine would NEVER purposely LIE about ANYTHING – at least, that was my understanding.  Even though I was given a medical discharge I’ve felt, over the years, a sense to honor that which I had enlisted for – the Marine Corp sense of HONOR.

Well, after I heard the actual speech given by Frederica Wilson, the Congress woman Kelly referred to as an “empty barrel” (more than once), and I relistened to Kelly’s remarks which accused her of things she DID NOT do AND made false accusations about President Obama I was, to use Kelly’s own words, SHOCKED!  What I learned from that – and Kelly’s subsequent refusal to set the record straight and APOLOGIZE (Something else held “sacred” in “my day”) – is that Trump’s chief of staff is not in the uncomfortable position the “media” is attempting to suggest.  He’s, apparently – like his boss – a LIAR and, based on his comments one would have to suggest he’s also a racist.  Right at home in the Trump “White House.”  He’s encouraging a “draft dodger” to disrespect the Constitution – they both gave an OATH to protect.  Yikes!

Potentially, the worst damage Trump will cause this great nation will occur when Mueller’s investigation concludes – I’m guessing it will conclude right at the top layer of the “White House.”  At a minimum, there’s little disagreement from “experts” that Trump’s already committed OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  I believe there’s more.  There’s a reason why Trump has such a “bromance” with Vladimir Putin.  It’s called “Kompromat.”  Until someone disproves ANY of the so-called “dossier” – I’ll believe it’s completely true.  So, by turning his followers against the press, against the FBI (and Mueller – they’re attacking him as I’m writing this), against the CIA, the Justice Department, and the Congress – Trump is setting the stage for a violent protest by his followers.  This is all CRIMINAL behavior.

I’ve said this before, those people carrying Tiki Torches at Charlottesville are not the type of people who oppose caches of weapons.  I’m certain MOST are armed to the hilt.  And, I believe there’s cohorts (cells) all around this nation who will “explode” when Trump is impeached if the republicans have the stones to do so.  This is going to get ugly and “we the people” will be depending on a Justice Department with Jeff Sessions at the top to stop any pro Trump revolt.  The fringe element behind the Trump movement has been encouraged to despise the “government” since the days of Reagan.  The republican party has prostituted itself to get the support of Trump and this fringe element – all in the name of “power.”  It could come back to haunt us all!  The “damage” is mounting FAST!