During the 2016 campaign for president of the United States while many, including myself, were observing what we thought was republicans selecting a buffoon as a candidate for the highest office in the land, well, the joke was on us.  Donald Trump was the perfect candidate for all the right wing republicans who want to “Make America White Again,” and who couldn’t get their draconian legislation past Barack Obama.  Additionally, he was the perfect candidate for Vladimir Putin who had/has a passionate HATE for Hillary Clinton (and Obama).  I don’t believe either Putin or the right wing republicans thought Trump had the slightest chance to actually win, but they were dead set on damaging Mrs. Clinton to the “nth” degree in the process of the election.  As it turned out, both got more than they could have dreamed of.

Let’s start with the Russians.  It’s clear to me their intention was to create as much discord in America as they could.  While their efforts were aimed at propping up Trump, in reality, I believe, their goal was to tear down Mrs. Clinton as much as possible to further weaken her ability to govern once, as expected, in office.  Of course, just as they’re still involved in their efforts to use our open society against us, that is to turn Americans into divisive cliques – they would possibly be more-so had Clinton won – because I’m not sure “we the people” would be as aware of what they were/are up to had Trump not been elected.  For example, it’s unlikely there would  be a “special counsel” investigating the Trump campaign’s potential involvement with the Russians had Mrs. Clinton won.  (I don’t believe democrats carry out political vendettas against their defeated opponents)

However, presuming the intentions of the Russians was/is to sow discontent and exacerbate the divisions that already exist in America, Trump is likely beyond their wildest dreams.  It’s like the gift that just keeps giving – in the form of “tweet” after “tweet.”  As more evidence comes out showing what the Russians were/are up to – instead of reacting in a way that would make “we the people” believe he wants to do something about it – Trump roils into fits of “Twitter” rage.  Keep in mind, there’s no doubt the Russians knew the level of Trump’s narcissism before they “chose” him as the republicans’ candidate back in 2016. (I believe their “work” in cultivating Trump began well before 2016) He’ll NEVER accept that his “brilliance” wasn’t the reason he “won” the election (with 3 MILLION less votes than Mrs. Clinton).  But ………

Therefore, the Russian “intrusion” into America’s politics will continue as long as Trump is in  the “White House.”  They will continue to strategically send the REAL “fake news” to the places in America where the people are the most vulnerable.  (Sadly, it’s as if they’re working hand and hand with Fox “news” and people like Sean Hannity)  And you have to wonder – well, at least I am wondering – how they’ve figured out where those places are?  It does make me think they’re getting help from somewhere.  I’m sure, at this point, the Russians are preparing the “true” Trump supporters for impeachment possibilities and they’ll be “ginning” them up to a fever pitch.  Remember, their goal is to destabilize America, and Trump is the perfect “stooge” to allow them success.  The Russians would like nothing better than to see Americans fighting in the streets over the so-called “Russia thing” – as Trump put it to Lester Holt when he admitted to obstructing justice – after Trump is impeached OR after he and his republican enablers cut off Mueller’s investigation prior to its completion.

Not only is Trump perfect for the Russians by allowing them to turn Americans against each other, but he’s the perfect (so-called) president, from the Russians point of view, in regard to what he’s doing to America’s stature around the globe.  Trump, in his obsession with undoing as much of President Obama’s work as possible, is undermining “we the people’s” best interests in several areas world wide, especially to Vladimir Putin’s delight, in regard to dealing with NATO.  Just as Trump, himself, recently “tweeted,” the Russians “are laughing their asses off” at “we the people” (my words) he’s correct – contrary, however, to what Trump thinks, they’re laughing AT him (and, unfortunately, us for falling for their “tricks”).  Which brings me to the republicans.  Who knew?  That is, who knew it would be the republicans who would be willing to allow our nation to be attacked, without response, by the Russians.  All that bloviating over the years is, presently, ringing quite HOLLOW!

So, as I stated earlier, Trump is also a perfect president for the republicans.  I’ve mentioned many times over the years – since the era of Bush/Cheney – the republican “dream” as articulated by none other than Karl Rove for the so-called “permanent republican ‘majority.'”  They believed back in the days of Bush/Cheney that with control of the courts, the “White House,” and Congress – along with GOP TV (Fox) and the right wing water carriers on the radio airwaves – they could have a “stranglehold” on POWER in our “democracy” for the foreseeable future.  That is, with their “caginess” they could maintain POWER indefinitely with much less than a majority of voters supporting them.  (GW Bush seemed perfect for the job of president – but, he had one problem – a sliver of a “moral compass” and believed in the constitution – to a degree)

How would they pull this off?  Well, by gerry rigging the voting process on one “front.”  Let’s start with gerrymandering – where they “rig” the voting districts across as much of America as they can, creating “safe districts” in their quest to control the House of Representatives.  And, obviously, they’ve succeeded in this part of the plan.  For the past several elections, democrats have earned MILLIONS more votes than republicans in the “battles” for seats in the House of Representatives, yet republicans continue to have a significant “majority.”  George W Bush bungled up so much during his regime that democrats managed to take back control of the House in 2006 as the American public clearly voted democrats into control of the House to stop the war in Iraq.  (Of course, what “we the people” got was the so-called “surge” as Bush and republicans thumbed their collective noses at democrats daring them to “do something about it” – which of course, they didn’t, but, I digress – it’s a habit)

The next part of the republican scheme is voter suppression.  We saw that in its most arrogance when Trump actually set up a commission designed to PROVE 3 to 5 MILLION illegal aliens ALL voted for Hillary Clinton – explaining why he LOST the popular vote.  But, their actual “plan” is much more sophisticated than that.  First, it relies on their control of the courts – the courts that started all this by declaring Bush president back in 2000 (I’m digressing again) – in 2014, led by Justices Alito and Roberts – GW Bush appointees to the court – the Supreme Court GUTTED the 1965 Voting Rights Act that so many heroic – mostly – African Americans shed their BLOOD in order to get passed.  Almost as if in coordination with the right wing court one state after another began instituting VOTER SUPPRESSION laws within days of the courts ruling.  Just those laws, themselves, aside from the Russians, aside from Comey, and aside from the false narrative presented by the media, and aside from Hillary Clinton’s poor campaign – those voter suppression tactics may have been enough to carry the election for Trump.

I heard reports right after the election that somewhere around 300,000 people in Wisconsin were disenfranchised in 2016 by their new voter ID law.  Additionally, other states which passed various forms of restrictive voter ID laws prior to the election were North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida – to name a few.  Something like a TOTAL of 75,000 votes across Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania swung the electoral college in Trump’s direction.  There were other factors in the 2016 election, but this was a significant one that gets little attention.  The point is, it’s part of the strategy that leads republicans to believe they can control our government with significantly less than a 50% plus one level of support.  I believe Trump, himself, believes 40% is enough to get re-elected.

And, of course, the courts are a very IMPORTANT part of this republican scheme – which would essentially turn America into an autocracy.  The Supreme Court has made some – shall we say – curious decisions of late – but, in my view, they ALL pale compared to “Citizens United.”  The Citizens United decision, for example, essentially made it easier for the Russians to “interfere” in the 2016 election.  It’s what is allowing Charles and David Koch to pour HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars into each election cycle.  They’ll likely “invest” close to HALF A BILLION dollars during the 2018 election as they attempt to continue the republican stranglehold on government.  And, as I mentioned above, they’ve got the perfect “stooge” in the “White House” – so, if they can prevent the democratic “wave” of 2018 – the Koch’s and their “peer group” will be every bit as happy as Vladimir Putin – they’ll essentially be working together to keep Trump in POWER!

Why do I call Trump the “perfect stooge?” you might ask.  Well, for starters, he is a significant improvement, in the eyes of the republican “puppet masters” in that he has NO moral compass and believes the constitution is a ridiculous burden on his vision of POWER.  Additionally, he’s willing to FIGHT the free press in a manner that would make people like Erdogan of Turkey and Putin in Russia proud.  Of course, in America, the press is still “standing” and “we the people” still have the opportunity to vote these republicans out of office – despite the obstacles mentioned above – but Trump will not shy away from his attempt to turn America into a totally fascist state as long as he’s still in the “White House.”  To the republican “elite” they couldn’t ask for more – as the saying goes, “It’s all about the POWER baby!”  (Well, actually, I think I just made up that “saying.”)  The daily dose of “scandal” bothers the republican leaders NOT (at all) – all they care about is having someone in the “White House” who will sign their legislation – like the recent HUGE gift to America’s wealthy in the “tax scam.”  (the $1.4 BILLION headed to the Koch’s will leave a smile on their faces as they pour much of it back into the pockets of their republican “puppets” who will continue to vote against the interests of “we the people” – “it’s all about the money, baby!” – I think that might actually be a “famous saying”)

If you remember all the self-righteous republicans joining the “never Trump” team after the “Access Hollywood” tape came out and then, later, doing exactly what Amarosa Manigault predicted – which was “bowing down to Trump.”  Makes my stomach curl just writing that!  Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and now even, apparently Bob Corker – and, maybe even Mitt Romney – plus scores of other republicans, they’re all “soiling” themselves as they “bow down to Trump.” As the Mueller investigation continues to “unwind” it will be interesting to watch these republicans equivocate as they try to find their way back to the “never Trump” team they abandoned for political expediency.  We’ve learned “for sure” the “Russia thing” is NO “hoax” – so Trump will have to aim his “tweet storm” in a different direction.  Sadly, “we the people” still have little hope there are honorable republicans in Congress willing to do “the right thing” in the face of overwhelming evidence there’s a tyrant in the “White House.”  Is he still their perfect tyrant?

What will be interesting lies ahead – with the final report of Mueller.  It seems clear to me that Trump is in Mueller’s “headlights.”  And, Jared Kushner, Donald Jr., and many others along the way could be facing serious charges.  This issue with the Russians, despite the words of people like Hannity, is serious business.  We’re talking words like, espionage, sedition, treason, traitor.  This could get very ugly and, I believe, there really are Americans who want to FIGHT BACK against the Russians in a way that shows we can GOVERN ourselves and we’re going to keep our OPEN society despite their (the Russians) efforts to undermine it!  Trump might be the perfect “stooge” for the Russians and the republicans, but Robert Mueller is perfect for “we the people.”

Final Thought:  I didn’t elaborate on Trump’s propensity to LIE – he’s a pathological LIAR which puts him in the company of other tyrants like the above mentioned Erdogan and Putin – PLUS Trump’s actions are putting smiles on the faces of the leaders in China, for sure, and likely other places around the world as Trump is taking us down instead of up.  Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accords and the TPP will just cause Trump even more unfavorable comparisons to the president he despises above all others, Barack Obama.  And, if he succeeds in undoing the Iran agreement, the comparison will become even more stark.  Trump is making President Obama more popular than he ever was while in office!

I want to write about how John Kelly fits so nicely in Trump’s “White House” but, first, I’ve got to “crow” a bit.  I still remember back in the early 70’s listening to Richard Nixon defend deficit spending by claiming it was like having a “mortgage on your house.”  Of course, back then the deficit was a few BILLION dollars.  Foolish people like myself have been complaining about deficit spending repeatedly since.  And, curiously, each time there’s a democrat in the White House, the annual deficit goes down – despite the claims from “conservatives” to the contrary.

Jimmy Carter took the deficits he inherited from Nixon/Ford and cut them in half.  Yet, in 1980 the deficit was one of the PHONY reasons given by Ronald Reagan why he and his “supply side” (“trickle down” economics, which I call “trickle up”) philosophy should be elected.  He claimed, “I’ll cut your taxes and balance the budget.”  Right!  Of course, republicans have been making that claim ever since and, recently, we saw version number three of Reagan’s “voodoo economics” – in the words of George HW Bush.  Reagan’s initial tax cuts raised the deficit (Well, yes, he also instigated a HUGE increase in military spending – sound familiar?) about “four fold” to over $200 BILLION annually within two years of taking office.  The deficits resulting from his initial tax cuts led to the one time in my lifetime I believe you could actually call “tax reform” tax reform – which happened in 1986.  However, Reagan left office with Deficits in, what was at the time, the stratosphere.

George HW Bush famously said, early in his term – which followed Reagan’s (despite both Reagan and Bush teetering on potential accountability for their role in Iran/Contra aside from the HUGE deficits) – “read my lips, no new taxes.”  Well, when the deficit looked as if it was going further into the stratosphere Bush did the responsible thing – which ruined his future in the eyes of MOST republicans – and signed a bill raising taxes.  Despite doing so, he still left annual budget deficits surpassing $300 BILLION (in 1992 dollars).  The national debt, at that point in time, was approaching 4 or 5 TRILLION – I’m too lazy to look up the actual amounts, but I believe I’m pretty close.  (going from my diminishing memory)

Well, along came Bill Clinton (and, yes, he had and gained a lot of “baggage” while in pursuit of and then while in the White House) and the first thing he did was propose a budget that RAISED taxes and was passed with NOT ONE republican vote.  Clinton and Al Gore actually reduced the size of government – a claim that republicans just can’t understand.  (That’s exactly what republicans CLAIM to do) They always seem to HATE deficits except when there’s a republican in the White House and they’ve successfully put their “big government” label on democrats.  This, of course, is contrary to the facts.  Well, we could argue all day about Clinton and his personal behavior (I find some of his actions deplorable – using a word of his wife in describing a portion of Trump supporters in the 2016 campaign – so, let’s focus on the topic) but, the reality is that when Clinton left office the budget had a surplus of $250 BILLION per year and was predicted to wipe out our national debt in 10 years!  Additionally, Clinton – and by extension, the United States – was very popular around the world – which, despite what some republicans say, is very important.

I believe Clinton’s personal failures led many Americans to shy away from Al Gore in the 2000 election although he won the “popular vote” by around 1 MILLION votes. (Over 500,000)  Of course, GW Bush’s brother was the governor of Florida and managed to create enough confusion around the Florida election results to cause a serious recount of the votes.  There were issues with voting machines that either changed votes from Gore or the famous issue with “hanging chads.”  Republicans controlled the Supreme Court (as they do today) and it “swooped in” to bail out the Bush campaign and declare Bush/Cheney the “winners” of the 2000 election.  That was the end of the budget surpluses  Bush/Cheney inherited and the beginning of astronomical increases in the annual deficit and the national debt that Barack Obama was getting under control until, well, you guessed it, another “republican” was in the “White House.”

Shortly after they took the oaths of office Dick Cheney famously said, “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”  That was the preclude to the MASSIVE increase in our national debt that was recently “restoked” with an ill timed tax “scam” and further increases to both the annual deficit and, of course, the national debt.  Bush/Cheney not only made two HUGE tax cuts, but they got America entrenched in TWO occupations that were “open ended.”  AND, they “hid” the budget effect of BOTH wars er occupations.  Until Barack Obama took the oath of office the money going to BOTH the Iraq fiasco and the Afghanistan fiasco were “off the books” – in a futile attempt to make the budget deficits look better.  But, the sad reality was by the time Bush/Cheney left office the annual deficit was hovering in the neighborhood of $1.5 TRILLION and, they left office with the nation mired in the “Great Recession” which, without the Obama administration’s “stimulus” (with, again, almost NO republican support) we could have gone into another “Great Depression.”

Bush/Cheney repealed many regulations that freed businesses to operate with a total disregard to customers and a complete focus on profits and little regard to actual “conservative” ideals – at least the ones I always thought made me a conservative.  (obviously, by today’s definition, I’m no conservative)  The Bush/Cheney administration was encouraging an economic disaster in waiting – and, it happened in 2007 – 2008.  The other day, as the stock market was “trimming” 1000 pts. for the second time in one week from the “Dow” I heard members of Trump’s “team” saying the “underlying fundamentals of the economy remain strong.”  Those were the exact words used over and over from 2007 until shortly before Bush/Cheney high tailed it out of Washington DC.  They stopped using that claim when Hank Paulson was forced to propose what became known as the TARP bailout of Wall Street.   Do you see any parallels?

There really are times when tax cuts are appropriate.  Two of the times when they would be inappropriate would be when the country is involved in a war – if “we the people” are unwilling to pay for a war, we shouldn’t have one – and when the economy is strong and unemployment is low.  Well, the Bush/Cheney tax cuts were ill-timed due to the “wars” and their other actions left President Obama with an unbelievable mess to “clean up.”  Despite the un-apologetic claims by republicans and their supporters that their NUMBER ONE goal was to ensure President Obama “FAILED,” (I’ll let you figure out why) Obama led a “correction” to the economy from what he inherited to a STEADY upward climb for the last 7 years of his term – taking Wall Street from the bottom of around 6500 in 2009 to about 20,000 when he left office AND taking unemployment from well above 10% when he took office to around 4% when he left.  4% unemployment has been considered FULL employment during my lifetime.

So, the last thing the economy needed upon our “so-called” president Trump moving into the “White House” was a tax cut (scam).  Honestly, listening to Paul Ryan say, “I’ve been wanting to say this for years, we’re giving the American people their money back,” made my stomach crawl.  First, it was ALL borrowed money (so, they weren’t giving “we the people” our money back – who knows where it’s coming from?)  Secondly, “we the people” weren’t/aren’t getting much of the money – OVER 80% is going to the top 1%. Ryan was LYING on so many levels – aside from the FACT, the economy didn’t NEED  a tax cut.  But, who’s surprised at Ryan LYING? Not me!  Corporations and the top 1% of Americans were FLUSH with cash, corporate profits were at near all time highs, and inflation was relatively under control.  The last part of that sentence, by my prediction, will be the major problem with the tax scam.

Yes, when Obama left office there was a definite issue of income inequality, but his attempts to deal with that were constantly “rebuffed” by republicans in Congress.  Mitch McConnell initiated around 700 FILIBUSTERS in his attempts to make sure President Obama “failed.”  Somehow, our “liberal media” was unable to grasp what republicans were doing and McConnell essentially “got away with it.”  (I’ve written numerous posts about my disenchantment with MSNBC – which, for whatever reason, is what I watch when I can stomach it) Trust me, GIVING 82% of this tax scam to the top 1% won’t “fix” the issue of income inequality.  This is just another example of “reverse Robin Hood” economic theory and republicans have convinced enough Americans they’re for the “working stiff” that they “get away” with it.  Hopefully, this will be the last time!

McConnell even blocked a Supreme Court appointment for almost a year making sure the right wing “bent” of the court continues for the foreseeable future.  Despite all this, when Obama left office the annual deficit had been reduced by almost 70% and stood  at around $400 BILLION.  It was gradually going “down” and conceivably could have been eliminated and we could begin the process of paying off the debt in just a few years.  But, NOOOO!  America, with the help of Vladimir Putin, “elected” – with THREE MILLION less votes than his opponent – Trump and, regarding the deficit and the debt, “here we go again.”  Trump’s right wing “Evangelical Christian base” is willing to trade America’s republic for a few right wing judges in their never ending fight against abortion.  Here’s the reality for any of them who might happen on this site.  Women were having abortions before Roe v Wade and they’ll be having them after – should it get repealed.  Maybe someday those “pro lifers” will actually participate in a dialogue on the issue of “life.”

There are two things obvious to me as I’m writing this – first, the annual deficit will surpass $1 TRILLION for this fiscal year – and, likely with increases over the next few years – until “we the people” elect another democrat to the White House.  The second thing I’m sure of is that right wing media and their “spin machine” will find a way to BLAME these increases to the national debt on democrats.  At some point, hopefully, the American people will understand what’s going on – this problem is continuing to get worse – and, keep in mind, these deficits are ushering HUGE amounts of money into the bank accounts of republican donors.  It’s not as if we’re investing in America – most of the money is going to the people and businesses who’ve bought off our right wing Congress.  (Yes, there are democrats who’ve allowed themselves to take money from wealthy donors, but MOST of them voted against, for example, Trump’s tax scam)

In summary, as I mentioned above, regarding when tax cuts are appropriate – obviously, the Bush/Cheney tax cuts came at the wrong time – during two “wars.”  (Yes, neither were ever declared a “war” by our recalcitrant Congress – I guess we could call them endless occupations)  And, now we have the Trump “tax scam” – while the economy is strong – close to “booming.”  Corporations are sitting on record amounts of CASH and are experiencing record profits.  The issue of income inequality was, prior to the tax scam, a major issue – it’s likely to get worse.  Too few people at the “top” and too MANY at the “bottom.”  Yet, the Trump “tax scam” will usher over 80% of the benefits to the top 1% of Americans OR to corporations that don’t need the cash.  If you read my previous post you know there’s a word my granddaughter won’t allow me to use anymore, (she heard Trump use it and told me it’s officially a “bad word”) but the Trump tax scam was foolish.  And, as this “scam” was being rolled out I was forced to listen to those LYING words Paul Ryan spoke as if they were coming from  Dick Cheney during the Bush/Cheney regime:  “we’re giving the American people their money back.”  (I’ll just add one more note to this thought – GREED is a terrible human failing – it reared its ugly head during the Bush/Cheney years and. well, I’m sure it’s no surprise to the “never Trumpers” – here it is again)

One more time for good measure, in the case of the Trump “tax scam” those words – “we’re giving the American people their money back” – were so ridiculous they almost made me gag.  First of all, as I’ve said several times on this site, they weren’t giving “we the people” our money back!  Aside from the FACT MOST of the money was going to the top 1% of Americans (who don’t “need” it – it’s reportedly giving $1.4 BILLION to the Koch brothers, for example) it’s NOT “our money.”  Virtually EVERY cent of this tax “scam” will be BORROWED money.  Who’s money they’re giving back is still to be determined, but what we do know is it WON’T be “we the people’s money.  Ryan was simply speaking ANOTHER republican LIE.  This tax scam, done at exactly the WRONG time, was done for two reasons.  First, it’s what republicans do.  Secondly, republican donors were demanding a return on their “investment” – and, they are getting what they wanted “big time.”  However, the end result may not look so good to them.  (It’s a deficit for “we the people” and a “bonanza” for the “top 1%)

We’ve seen, already, skittishness on Wall Street as investors who understand what inflation does to the economy are looking to find other places for their money.  Now that there’s been a “budget resolution” that further exacerbates the deficit issue I believe we can expect further negative impacts to our economy.  Obviously, I’m not an economic guru, but common sense tells me there’s got to be a limit on how much “we the people” can borrow.  My experience tells me Trump and the republicans are pushing “we the people” into an inflationary cycle that will cause the “Fed” to increase interest rates at an accelerating pace – likely causing distress to the housing market – which, traditionally, in my lifetime means recession.  Only time will tell, but it appears to me, the republicans are making one last fleecing of taxpayers before “we the people” wake up and understand what they’re doing.  Remember, in the 1950’s the top tax rate was 90% to counter act the GREED which is actually going on in America today.

It appears to me, Trump is dead set on taking America back to the “robber baron” days and his republican Congress is willing to go along with whatever he wants.  And, that’s giving his intentions a generous interpretation.  I’ve pointed out Trump’s authoritarian (Nazi like) tendencies many times on this site – beginning during the campaign for the republican nomination when I first started researching who he is.  There’s so many “NO’s,” to me, when I analyze Trump, that it’s unbelievable to me he’s our “so-called” president.  It’s not unreasonable for me to believe he’s the “work” of Vladimir Putin – who, by the way, is still hard at it trying to undermine the American system of government – but, whatever the reason he’s in the “White House” – the reality is Trump is FLEECING “we the people” of our tax money at a near record pace and, if we don’t figure this out soon, our national debt will surpass $30 TRILLION and we’ll be laying it at the feet of our children and grandchildren.   Sad!

Final Thought:  I said, at the start of this post, that I want to write about John Kelly, Trump’s “chief of staff.”  I was watching as he began remarks that defined him during the “Gold Star” fiasco with these words, “when I was young, women were considered sacred.”  He was giving a list of things he considered “sacred” that, according to him were no longer considered in that light.  Of course, right after saying that about women he proceeded to desecrate a woman member of Congress (who happens to be Black) with some incredible LIES that included LIES about President Obama, his former “commander in chief.”  Not only was he LYING, but he exposed his racist beliefs.  These racist beliefs have been on further display in his remarks since that day and, just the other day, he came to the defense of a man, serving in a very important role in the “White House,” who has a KNOWN history of domestic abuse – both mentally and physically.  John Kelly is showing himself to be one of the “deplorables” Hillary Clinton referred to in the campaign – words that cost her votes, but were Oh so true.  We saw many of the deplorables marching with Tiki Torches at Charlottesville and wearing Nazi armbands chanting anti-Semitic slogans and being referred to by Trump as “very fine people.”  As far as I can tell, Kelly would have felt right at home marching with all those “very fine people.”

The foolishness (my 5 year old granddaughter has informed me I can no longer use the word “stupid” because she heard Trump use it and said, “that’s a bad word”) associated with our so-called president just continues unabated.  I keep thinking I’ll get a few days off from having ideas swirling around in my head as I attempt to understand how “we the people” managed to get to the point where enough of us think having a buffoon as president somehow will “make us ‘great’ again.”  It seems to me that every time, in my lifetime, we’ve “elected” republican presidents  we’ve become “less great.”  Especially, the last two.

George W Bush was “asleep at the switch” while 20 hijackers were planning 9/11 and he was getting warning after warning that he disregarded.  After the tragedy, he decided the “shock” (read Naomi Klein’s “The Shock Doctrine” – one of the BEST books I’ve read about why we’re seemingly headed in the wrong direction) was enough to allow him and all his “neo-conservative” buddies to LIE the United States into an ILL ADVISED invasion and, ultimately, occupation of Iraq.  This, while destabilizing the Middle East, also led to the creation if ISIS and enhanced the spread of “terrorism” instead of stopping it.  Bush was CHOSEN as president by the Supreme Court – which blocked the recount of votes in Florida which would have given the election to Al Gore – who prevailed in the “popular vote” by nearly 1 MILLION votes.

Trump, however, set the record for “winning” the 2016 election with 3 MILLION less votes than Hillary Clinton using the help of Russia which – due to Trump’s refusal to admit the Russians were involved AND a recalcitrant Congress that appears willing to put party before country – may succeed in hiding their impact on the final results.  What they WONT be able to hide is the FACT they were doing all they could to give Trump the boost he needed to win – and with surprisingly sophisticated methods – almost as if they had Americans guiding them.  For example, Russians were using “Twitter” and “Facebook” in very strategic manners to target vulnerable parts of America as they attacked Mrs. Clinton and boosted Trump.  That’s precisely why the so-called “Russia investigation” was started.  This activity was reported by 17 sections of America’s intelligence community.  It’s really beyond question that the Russians were “here,” what’s still to be determined is who was helping them target specific groups?  (which they did, almost as if they were “guided” by “experts”)

You’d think, if Trump is as innocent as he claims, he would be totally cooperating with the investigation, he would never have FIRED James Comey – and, days later gone on national TV and explained to Lester Holt the reason he fired Comey was to stop the “Russia thing.”  To top it off (and, I want to use that word my granddaughter has forbidden here) a couple days after ADMITTING to obstructing justice to Holt Trump “doubled down” by meeting – IN THE OVAL OFFICE – with the Russian foreign minister AND the Ambassador who was part of MOST of the controversial meetings his campaign had with “Russians” which they had LIED about – calling Comey “a nut job” and saying “I fired him to end the Russian investigation.  The pressure is now off.”  Of course, Trump thought he’d “get away” with that admission of obstruction because NO American interpreter OR journalist was allowed in the meeting.  The problem for Trump is there were Russian interpreters and journalists in the room and they reported what happened on RT TV – which is broadcast around the world.  What’s that word?

Fast forward to yesterday and a speech Trump was giving to a group in Ohio who are still supporting him despite ALL the reasons not to – and he had the audacity to suggest that the democrats who sat through his State of the Union remarks without wildly cheering “the good news” were “un-American.”  Apparently, at the urging of one of the “whack jobs” in the audience, Trump decided to call the democrats “Treasonous.”  I keep wanting to use that word my granddaughter has forbidden – so, I’ll just say “ill informed” – giving Trump the benefit of the doubt.  What it did is accentuate Trump’s lack of understanding (my granddaughter is having an influence on me) regarding the FACT the president’s words MATTER.  My words here don’t matter that much.  I’m just a retired school teacher who loves his country and feels the best way to deal with the frustration of where his country is headed happens with writing.  Sometimes I say “ill informed” things – but, it doesn’t matter as when Trump does so.

In Trump’s attempt to “Make America White Again” he keeps pushing “we the people” over one “cliff” after another.  I’ve listed many examples in previous posts, but his accusation democrats were “treasonous” – whether “tongue in cheek” (as the “White House” claimed after the fact) or not, it’s clear Trump will never be able to control the words coming from is mouth – which is exactly why his lawyers DON’T want him testifying in the “Russia thing” because they KNOW he’ll LIE.  (It’s interesting to listen to Trump’s supporters – from Congressional “minions,” to Fox “minions,” to people like Rush Limbaugh ALL believing Trump will LIE if he’s questioned by Mueller.  Most are calling it a “perjury trap” – which would be illegal – but, in reality they know Trump is a pathological LIAR and they’re all OK with that during the “business day.”  They’re OK with Sarah Sanders LYING virtually EVERY day to the American people, they’re OK with John Kelly being a LIAR and racist (like Trump) – they only care about keeping POWER.

Republicans and their donors scored big with the tax scam which is designed to fool the same people Trump was speaking to when he made the “treasonous” comment that he’s actually “cutting their taxes.”  In reality, it will (temporarily) cut their taxes almost enough to offset the INCREASE in health care costs due to the same bill (and, not taking into consideration the increases caused by their other attacks on “Obamacare”)  What the tax scam did was create enough additional income for people like the Koch brothers (estimates at $1.4 BILLION per year) to allow them to continue comfortably infusing HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of dollars into republican campaigns so they can pay for more LIES going into the 2018 mid terms in a desperate attempt to prevent democrats from retaking control of Congress.  Trump, and the donors, know what that would mean.  (Impeachment!  Yes, I’ve digressed, but hopefully it’s “strategic” :o)

So, back to my point.  Treason:  Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.  That definition comes from Article 3 section 3 of the United States Constitution, which I doubt Trump has ever read.  It’s not un-American to sit on your hands while the president is giving the State of the Union address and, it’s certainly NOT treason.  Joe Wilson yelled “you lie” to President Obama (when he wasn’t “lying”) during one of Obama’s State of the Union addresses and that wasn’t treason (personally, I thought it was un American).  So, let’s consider what MIGHT be considered TREASON – including in my “mind’s eye.”

Let’s just assume, for the help of discussion, that a foreign country decided they wanted to decide who was elected in one of our elections.  Say they ATTACKED us via cyber ATTACK by STEALING information from one of the two campaigns and using it to influence voters from the other campaign – especially at strategic times.  Say they had a strong interest in preventing one of two candidates from winning the election and wanted, at minimum, to weaken that candidate in case he/she won.  That would be an ATTACK on the nation.  For argument’s sake, say members of the country being attacked (in this case, the United States) chose to work with the ATTACKERS (in this case, say, the Russians) to either swing the election in favor of their chosen candidate OR, the more likely scenario, weaken the other candidate in ways that would enhance the interests of the ATTACKER.  Many, including myself, would consider that “adhering to their enemies.”  Do you get my drift?

It’s true, at this point in time, we don’t know whether Trump knew what his campaign was likely up to – in fact, we don’t know the extent beyond MANY undisclosed meetings what members of Trump’s campaign were up to, but what we do know is America was ATTACKED by Russia at her most vulnerable spot during our previous election.  I could go on and on about all the reasons I believe the Russians were doing this – remember, that they were doing it is an unmitigated FACT – but suffice it to say they ATTACKED our country which makes them our ENEMY.  Many call them an “adversary” – but, by attacking our electoral system and attempting to turn Americans against each other – in my mind that makes them our ENEMY.

Therefore, using the definition of TREASON in Article 3 Section 3 of our Constitution – the thing republicans claim to carry in their lapel pockets – ANY member of Trump’s campaign who was “adhering” to the Russian ATTACK (the definition of “adhere”: to be devoted in support or allegiance) would not simply be doing “campaigning as usual.”  Trump’s own son replied to an offer of incriminating evidence on Hillary Clinton – directly from the Russian government that was “supporting your (Trump Jr.’s) father” – with “I love it.” AND, along with Trump’s son-in-law and his campaign manager (at the time) he met with representatives of the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin in a clear effort (by the Russians) for the repeal, by Trump, of the Magnitsky Act should they succeed in getting him elected.  That meeting alone suggests “adhering to our enemy.”

But, there was much more.  The 33,000 emails STOLEN from the DNC and John Podesta by the RUSSIANS were strategically disbursed at times beneficial to the Trump campaign.  For example, one group (of emails) was released about two hours after the “Access Hollywood Tape” was published, attempting to change the narrative away from Trump’s admission of sexual misconduct.  The emails were selectively released periodically throughout the process which followed the conventions.  Was somebody in Trump’s “orbit” working with the Russians and “Wiki Leaks” (remember, on more than one occasion, Trump’s announcement – “I love Wiki Leaks” – after he had encouraged the Russians to find Mrs. Clinton’s “missing” emails)

And, then there was Facebook and Twitter.  Now, I’ve got to say this – I’ve said it before, I don’t do Facebook or Twitter – but Mark Zuckerberg is fast becoming my least favorite American – at some point he could rival Trump – because, we don’t really know all there is to know about his involvement in the Russians’ use of Facebook to spread the REAL “fake news” Trump SHOULD be concerning himself with.  The Russians “weaponized” Facebook to spread LIES about Mrs. Clinton and PROPAGANDA about Trump during the 2016 election and it had an undetermined (at this time) impact on the final vote.  Twitter was used as well.  This is all very sobering, but the reality is someone was helping the Russians TARGET specific groups of people to make their “fake news” the most effective.  Helping them would be “adhering to our enemy.”

As I’ve pointed out in prior postings, this crap is still going on and the Trump administration is doing NOTHING to stop it.  In fact, they even continue thumbing their nose at Congress by refusing to implement the sanctions Congress passed on near unanimous votes against Russian interests.  I really don’t know how much we need to see before the reality here becomes obvious.  OK, it’s long ago OBVIOUS to me – but, like most other Americans, I’m anxiously waiting Robert Mueller’s “findings.”  But, let me end by saying:  Failing to applaud at the State of the Union is NOT Treason; conspiring with Russia to rig our elections IS TREASON!

For years the republican party has been dreaming of what Karl Rove, during the Bush/Cheney regime, called “the permanent republican ‘majority.'”  This, of course, meant they would have control over all three branches of government and would create a circumstance where they would not be subject to the wrath of the voting public.  To make this work, they needed a somewhat “buffoon” at the top who would simply sign whatever they could manage to get through Congress.  Of course, George W Bush was not the best “buffoon” because, despite his inability to put a complete sentence together in a press conference, he had some measure of respect for the American tradition of government.  We haven’t heard much from Rove lately (I haven’t heard anything) but I’m sure he’s out there playing a role in what’s going on somehow, somewhere.  What Rove and the republicans have proven is they’ll do anything to “win” including getting a “boost” from the Russians!

Bush had the makings of the republican “dream,” but he blew it by listening to all the war mongers that took us into Iraq when we should have been taking care of Osama bin Laden and that was it – after 9/11.  The democrats temporarily gained control of Congress only to lose it during President Obama’s tenure by showing an incredible lack of will to defend their own fundamental beliefs.  The democratic “leaders” often times didn’t support their own president.  Obviously, in politics, the racist undertones goes both ways.  Democrats have traditionally been the supporters of the working class of America and, in many instances, they still are.  But, they tend to “sway back and forth” depending on the latest poll.  In my mind that’s why the Affordable Care Act is “crumbling” instead of being improved – toward a “medicare for all” or some other “plan” that leads to universal coverage for the American people.  (Yes, I’m digressing – it’s a bad habit, I write off the “top of my head”)

Bush had Dick Cheney to take care of the – what I call – republican dictatorship – another phrase for “the permanent republican ‘majority.'”  In their vision – and, I believe republican donors such as David and Charles Koch among many support this view – they DON’T need a ‘majority’ for their plan to work.  In fact, while many, including myself along with much of Trump’s support staff in the “White House” consider Donald Trump a pathological LIAR, a NARCISSIST of the highest order, a misogynist, a racist, and on and on, he may be the PERFECT buffoon for those who believe in this “permanent republican ‘majority.'”  That’s because he’ll sign ANYTHING they bring him – he’s got NO IDEA of how American government works, no idea of American History, (he still believes Frederick Douglass is with us) and his idols on the world stage are the exact opposite of what Americans supposedly believe in.  One thing about Bush/Cheney, they would never have partnered with Putin to win an election which, apparently, can’t be said for Trump.

For example, Trump believes Vladimir Putin is a great “leader.”  The fact he has journalists KILLED, he jails and tortures his political opponents, is widely considered “un-American,”  and has amassed a huge fortune while in office.  Trump would have us believing he’s longing for the day he has the same “power.”  Trump has been attacking the so-called “liberal media” since “day one,” he’s been going after the intelligence community since day one.  In fact, his first official act as our so-called president was to stand before the CIA wall of honor and SOIL himself with maybe the worst collection of remarks by any president in American history.  To today’s republicans, that is irrelevant.  ALL of that is irrelevant.  What they see in Trump is a mechanism to turn America into their “permanent republican ‘majority’ as laid out, originally, by Rove.

How, you might ask are they going to do this?  Well, if you’re paying attention, they’re in the middle of the most egregious attack on the fundamentals of America in her history.  Trump is making a play to turn himself into another Putin – or maybe Erdogan of Turkey would be a better comparison.  And, the sad reality is that more and more republicans are going along with this plan – and, “we the people” don’t have much hope in the short term other than to unite behind the democrats to stop what’s happening.  As I’m writing this, Trump is furthering his attacks on the FBI and the Justice Department – both of which are SUPPOSED to be totally independent of ANY meddling from the “White House” – as he’s trying to head off the Mueller investigation which is likely to paint a portrait of someone involved with organized crime, not to mention “collusion” and obstruction, when the investigation concludes.

Trump and both his son and son-in-law are in Mueller’s “cross-hairs.”  Additionally, I believe there are many in Trump’s support staff who are vulnerable to legal issues because virtually NONE of them had any idea what they were getting into when Trump unexpectedly “won” the election.  (albeit, with 3 MILLION less votes than Mrs. Clinton)  Republicans are doing everything they can to head off Mueller’s investigation before it gets to Trump (I, personally, believe it got there long ago – he’s in the details at this point in time) and, at the same time, they are allowing the Russians to continue their intrusion into America’s “open society.”  When all is said and done with what’s going on right now, republicans will have put themselves into something near the head of the class regarding America’s hall of SHAME!

It’s not impossible for someone like myself to feel a bit of compassion for some in the “White House” who may end up facing criminal charges as “collateral damage” to Trump’s attempt at turning the U.S. into a Russian satellite, but this is too important for me, or anyone else who loves this country, to allow themselves into “wimp mode.”  There’s nothing more important at this point in time than STOPPING Trump – sooner rather than later!  The people in the “White House” – if there are any – who have a semblance of moral rectitude, chose to be there.  Those on the front lines, like Sarah Sanders and John Kelly have proven themselves to be willing LIARS and unrepentant racists – willingly defending Trump’s attacks on our history as a “land of immigrants.”  They know what they’re doing and what they’re defending!

Hope Hicks, I’m not so sure.  She seems to be a young, naive lady who happened into this sphere and is way over her head.  To this day I haven’t heard anything coming from her mouth to suggest I can characterize her in any way – as opposed to John Kelly who confirmed his racist, misogynist beliefs after the fiasco with the “Gold Star family” – although reports suggest Hicks may be up to her eyebrows in Trump’s continued OBSTRUCTION of Mueller’s investigation.  My point here is, when all is said and done regarding the “Russia thing” there needs to be accountability for Trump and those in his “circle” who conspired with the Russians to get him elected and those participating in the cover-up.

I used a lot of ink in my disdain for President Obama’s decision to “look forward instead of back” as he let Bush/Cheney leave Washington with a “get out of jail free card” regarding all their ILLEGAL behavior during their disastrous regime.  Just the idea that they were allowed to publicly authorize TORTURE without even a single investigation has bothered me to this day.  That is exactly why Trump has stated he’d authorize waterboarding “and a whole lot more” and people hardly blink an eye.  Had Bush/Cheney faced charges as WAR CRIMINALS we’d NEVER see another president suggesting TORTURE is OK.  Most Americans are better than that (plus, it’s proven that TORTURE doesn’t work) and our nation has played the role, during my lifetime, as one of the beacons in the fight for “human rights,” at least publicly.   Looking the other way only encourages people, down the road, to continue pushing the limits of what is “acceptable.”

To me, TORTURE is NOT acceptable, nor is what Trump is attempting to do – which is to turn America into a “sister country” to Russia.  Hopefully, we’ll, at some point, fully understand what has motivated him to have this bromance with Putin while allowing the continued presence of Russia in our political process.  I suppose, in his mind, as long as they’re working for his behalf, why not?  (or worse – I’m not sure how much credit to give his thought process)  Of course, Trump could never pull this off by himself – so, he needs the republicans to help.  And, many of them are choosing to do just that – which is clearly to put their own power over their country.  My guess is the idea that being “White” will soon mean you’re (I’m) no longer in the “majority” in an America that will soon be officially a “minority majority” nation scares them – especially, the racists in the so-called “tea party.”  Kind of reminds me of South Africa when apartheid was on its way out.

The bottom line here, however, using the phrase I’ve heard republicans use countless times in my own lifetime (I’m 70), we are a “nation of laws, not men.”  What that means, and has always meant, is that even republicans are supposed to follow the laws – even though, just as organized criminals behave, the present version of republicans seem to feel the laws don’t apply to them and they’re constantly looking for ways to circumvent them.  The latest version of this – their infamous “Nunes memo” which landed with a “thud” comparable to the drop of a “needle” at an NBA game will hardly slow them down as they attempt to prevent “we the people” from getting Russia out of our business.  Today, some of what I heard, well, made me gag – AGAIN!

I’m not sure, at this point, who’s the bigger LIAR, Sean Hannity or Trump.  Clearly, and unbelievably, and SADLY we have a president STUPID enough to be using Hannity as one of his leading “advisors.”  It wouldn’t surprise me to see Trump bring Hannity into the “White House.”  Today, Trump was quoted as saying, “This is shameful” or “This is disgraceful” or words to that effect – and, it is – for once I have to agree with him.  Trump is SHAMEFUL and DISGRACEFUL and, to me, Hannity is almost worse.  These people are disgusting.  I can kind of understand Trump – he’s GUILTY of something, or he wouldn’t be acting and LYING as he is, but Hannity?  Trump, Hannity, and many republicans are working together to impede a federal investigation – Hannity is calling for Mueller to be “jailed” and for all charges to be dropped against Mike Flynn (who’s already plead GUILTY to LYING to the FBI – I don’t think you can change that) and Paul Manafort – who’s accused of essentially being connected to Russia’s organized crime network.  I guess Hannity’s just an old “softy.”  Don’t hold your breath!

Hannity and Trump are making these LUDICROUS claims based on Nunes releasing a memo that claims the FBI “illegally” got a FISA warrant on Carter Page, of all people – AFTER he was no longer part of Trump’s campaign – the same Carter Page that numerous members of Trump’s campaign have claimed played NO PART in his campaign.  So what’s the big deal here?  Are we trying to have something both ways – something that’s meaningless regardless?  Is this Benghazi part 2?  Page has been on the FBI’s radar since 2013 which makes this whole thing even more ludicrous.  Now Nunes is claiming the “next memo” will be designed to tear down our State Department – likely some kind of TERRIBLE situation regarding the infamous “Uranium 1” deal in 2010!  That’s right, in 2010!  That will prove Trump’s innocence regarding the “Russia thing” – which, if he was innocent, you’d think he would have simply, from the start, encouraged the investigation to run its course ASAP – without the 30+ LIES regarding meetings with Russians by Trump campaign members ALONG WITH Trump’s refusal to hold Russia accountable for their intrusion on our election AND all the OBSTRUCTION.

Russia is still here, and, apparently, to get rid of them, “we the people” will need to get rid of Trump!  There are enough “uneducated voters” in America, the ones Trump claimed to “love” during the campaign, who watch Fox and Hannity and actually believe this garbage.  They may be willing to allow the republicans in Congress – mainly the so-called “Freedom Caucus” – to tear down our intelligence community in a desperate attempt to save Trump from something they apparently are aware of, but not MOST  of us.  I’ve said this many times, Trump knows what he did and it’s causing him to act in desperate ways – I believe those who are enabling him are volunteering to be held accountable for OBSTRUCTION as well.  It makes sense to me that if a president can be held accountable for attempting to block a federal investigation, so can members of Congress (Nunes) and members of the media (Hannity and others).  When the smoke clears, if we’re still a “nation of laws” all will be OK.