Since the days of Ronald Reagan republicans “hitched their wagon” to the so-called “pro life” issue, knowing it was a “winner” to suck in the “evangelical Christian” movement, among others, allowing them to pursue a right wing “trickle down” economic movement which has funneled TRILLIONS up to America’s Oligarchs over the past 40+ years. “Pro-life” was a part of their “plank” over the years and it worked for them to keep a bunch of single issue voters in line as they executed their “trickle up” plan on America – resulting in a more and more bloated national debt. (See Frank Shaeffer’s “Crazy for God”) And, of course, while pushing the debt toward the “stars” they’ve figured out how to put the blame on democrats. (And, of course, their supporters rarely check the facts on who’s the major blame for the deficit)
Then, along comes Trump and then he, with the hypocritical help of “Moscow Mitch” McConnell in the Senate, put three right wing members on the Supreme Court who, despite what they PROMISED in their conformation hearings, managed to pull off the “wet dream” of their “Christian” supporters by overturning Roe v Wade and putting the issue of abortion at the state level. Well, if you’ve been paying attention, the issue of abortion has been driving women and those who support women’s rights to the polls in state after state as initiatives to put the right to an abortion into state constitutions, including in so-called “red states,” have passed overwhelmingly.
So, the issue of abortion went from being a driving force for republicans to, in many places, a “heavy weight” on the backs of candidate after candidate. Republicans had to find an issue their sycophantic voters would latch onto and, at the same time, be able to overcome the “weight” of the abortion issue which has now turned against them. Well, one thing Trump is good at is LYING to his supporters and he chose the “border” as an issue he would use to fire up his supporters. “Biden is in favor of open borders” has been the cry of one republican after another in obedience to the TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING four times indicted (91 alleged FELONIES) ex president who apparently sprays orange coloring on his face daily. (Except when he plays golf – if you’ve seen any of the photos) Oh yes, the Biden administration has deported more people (don’t believe me, click HERE) from the border than Trump. Just sayin……..
It appears a problem arose recently when maybe the most conservative person in the Senate, James Lankford of Oklahoma, negotiated a very “conservative” immigration bill which was designed to create order at the border and, to no surprise, Trump intervened at the last moment and caused the republicans in the Senate to vote the agreement down. Trump even said, “Blame it on me.” (Sound bites to come) Republicans had said this agreement was necessary for them to vote for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and now that aid is hanging in the balance. Republicans and Trump are actually working to cause their supporters to put their allegiance with Vladimir Putin at the expense of Ukraine. To me, if republicans succeed in blocking aid to Ukraine EVERY one of them will end up in the darkest of pages in our nation’s history.
Will Democrats be able to get out the message that Trump and his republican sycophants in Congress don’t actually want to solve the problems at our Southern border? Will they be able to convince people republican sycophancy to Putin is, well, patriotic? YUK!? Who knows, the MAGA creatures are beyond reasoning with, but maybe the news today that Putin had Alexei Navalny MURDERED – for the capital offense of being in the opposition (reports are he didn’t fall from a hotel window – likely, the other fave of Putin’s Russia – poisoning). I saw video coming from St. Petersburg in Russia of “little old Russian ladies” attempting to lay flowers at makeshift memorials for Navalny being arrested. Yep, like Trump Putin is one tough “cookie.”
The U.S. Senate voted by a 70 – 29 total to approve aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the Palestinians in Gaza and the response by Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, was to send everyone home until February 28th. I’m trying to keep this all appropriate for sixth graders (like Trump) so I’m watching my language. But, the evidence is EVERY day this aid is not forthcoming is resulting in unneeded DEATHS of Ukrainians. To me, I really never thought I’d live to see the U.S. act in such a “deplorable” manner. And, of course, I never thought I’d see the day when someone as “deplorable” as Trump could ever get within breathing distance of the Oval Office.
But, as usual with EVERYTHING republican, there’s always more. Republicans are planning to return on February 28th and two days later the House MUST pass the so-called “omnibus spending bill” (ie budget) to keep the government (well, much of it) open. From this vantage point, that “ain’t” happening. Especially, when one of the leaders of the House republican caucus just came out and said “no more temporary spending bills” (ie “kicking the can down the road”). These republicans have no idea what they’re doing as they attempt to act as if they have a clue how to govern. (Do you wonder how many House republicans miss Kevin McCarthy?)
Do you think ANY of this bothers the presumed republican candidate for president this year, Trump? Not likely. He boisterously said, “Blame me” when it was reported the bipartisan immigration bill was torpedoed – essentially, by Mr. Johnson saying it would be “dead on arrival” in the House. Do you think Trump’s going to make that same claim after House republicans cause the “government shutdown?” He’s incredibly STUPID, so, personally, I suspect he will. But, whether or not Trump claims responsibility for shutting down the government, we KNOW he’ll be the impetus behind it. For heaven’s sake, he’s been quoted as saying he hopes the American economy crashes between now and the election – apparently, believing that will make him look better.
Personally, at this point, there’s NOTHING Trump can do to make himself look better to me – but, wishing for an economy which has performed near miraculously since Biden took the reins of government and immediately attacked the pandemic both economically and via an incredible plan to put the vaccines in places all across the nation where anyone who wanted one had it available to them to fail is ,well, deplorable! There’s been OVER 14 MILLION jobs created, wages are up, as of the past couple of months consumer confidence is up, the stock market is up – and, inflation is down – more-so in America than in virtually any other economically advanced nation.
Yes, inflation has been a problem – but, for those of us who’ve been around since just after WW II it’s not the first time we’ve seen this phenomenon. This round of inflation was caused by pent up demand from the pandemic, a supply chain bottleneck – also due to the pandemic, higher wages for lower to middle level workers, and, of course, the previously mentioned Vladimir Putin and his brazen attack of Ukraine – as major contributing factors. It’s been impressive to me in how quickly, all things considered, inflation has come down. As usual, the Federal Reserve’s way of dealing with it is to keep raising interest rates until enough people have lost their jobs to effect demand. I actually was put out of business in 1984 by that very policy by the Fed. This time, no matter what they have done – every month – more jobs have been created and the predicted recession, at least so far, hasn’t arrived.
But, republicans in Congress may be able to accomplish what the Fed has failed to accomplish – and, that’s bring this BOOMING economy to a halt. (I certainly hope not) By shutting down the government – and, without a plan to get it up and running again, these republican House members may be able to accomplish what Trump wants – and, that’s to crater this BOOMING economy. I’m not sure how long they would need to leave the economy/government “shut down” or how extreme they’re willing to go, but, at this point in time, nothing surprises me. And, of course, as of today Trump is angrier than he’s been for quite some time and, remember, Trump is all about Trump.
This afternoon Trump was levied a fine of $355 MILLION, each of his sons were fined $4 MILLION, and his former CFO was fined $1 MILLION for what was referred to as MASSIVE fraud over an extended period of time in regard to Trump’s business centered in New York. Trump can not be an “officer” of any business in New York (that would apparently include the Trump organization) for three years, his two eldest sons are barred for two years and I believe Allen Weisselberg (and maybe one or two other “officers”) is barred for life. (Although Weisselberg is older than me so, well, who knows how long that ban will last?)
On top of the $355 MILLION Trump was levied a charge for INTEREST of $100 MILLION and when you add all that up to include the $83.3 MILLION he was awarded recently for CONTINUALLY defaming E. Jean Carroll the total is nearing $550 MILLION. Of course, Trump has said he’s going to appeal, but appealing the verdicts is not as simple as filling out the forms. As I’ve pointed out here several times, to appeal a judgement in the state of New York, you have to first put up the “dough.” Trump has a couple options, but neither looks that encouraging to me, at least from my viewpoint as a retired teacher who’s scraping by on a “fixed income.”
His first option is to deposit the money – plus the anticipated interest which will accrue during the anticipated time of the appeal process in an account overseen by the court. Most experts I’ve listened two have said that amount is usually 120% of the judgement amount. So, using the mental math skills I once had (I’m now into approximating) between the Carroll judgement (the second one) and today’s ruling Trump will need to deposit about $675 MILLION – in CASH, if he chooses “option 1.”
The second option is to find a lender or bonding company who will front him MOST of the money. The way that works is he would (likely) have to put up 20% of the judgement amount (In the Carroll case it would be about $16.5 MILLION and in the fraud case it would amount to around $100 MILLION in CASH) PLUS the usual charge for that kind of “bond” would be around another 10 – 20%. Additionally, if he chooses option 2 (and, there’s no guarantee a lender will “touch” this – plus he can not do business with ANY bank chartered in New York for the three years) he will have to put up unencumbered collateral sufficient to cover the amount of the judgement, less the cash put up front, but PLUS whatever the lender’s fee is – likely between $60 and $100 MILLION. For example, that would mean until the appeal process is completed that real estate – or however he comes up with the collateral – will be, in essence, frozen.
For someone who is more likely worth around $1 BILLION than the $10 BILLION he claims, this could be a near “death penalty” on his business. I’ve heard estimates that the total value of his real estate holdings in New York – after considering the mortgages on them (which could be an additional problem possibly forcing Trump to begin liquidating assets in order to cover these judgements) have a combined value of between $600 and $700 MILLION. (Some people I listened to today considered those numbers optimistic) If he decides to liquidate his New York assets it will be under the supervision of the Court appointed “independent monitor.” He won’t be able to abscond with the money until he’s satisfied the judgements.
Should be interesting as Trump has 22 days to post the money if he wants to appeal the Carroll judgement and 30 days with the ruling made today. (Actually, that 30 day “window” might begin at some point next week) Today is February 16 and his “election interference” TRIAL in Manhattan is scheduled to begin on March 25 – giving him a week from when the judgement is due and when the trial is scheduled to begin. And, the trial is supposed to last about 6 weeks, which would give just enough time to schedule in his “January 6th” DC trial regarding his attempt to overturn the 2020 election should the SCOTUS do what myself and MANY others believe they SHOULD do and that’s refuse to grant the “stay” of the DC Court case so Judge Chutkan could put that case back on the docket.
I’m just trying, tonight, to get into Trump’s head as he MUST be realizing the “walls” are closing in around him. And, how pissed off do you think he is thinking about who is holding him to account. Of course, he blames Joe Biden and the DOJ, but Biden has nothing to do with it and the Justice Department has nothing to do with state charges – in fact, I would argue the reason these impending trials are “up against the clock” is due to Merrick Garland’s original position to NOT investigate Trump’s CRIMINAL conduct. But Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, Fani Willis, and Judge Chutkan all have one thing in common that likely riles Trump – they’re all African Americans. I believe the judge in the Manhattan election interference case was born in Colombia and emigrated to America at a young age as was Judge Chutkan who was born in Jamaica (which I believe Trump once referred to as a “shit hole” country) Do you get my drift? Trump is being held accountable to people he despises. Is this karma, or what?
Trump has taken IMMIGRATION off the table, maybe turning it against republicans with his brazenness, he’s again BRAGGING about getting Roe v Wade overturned, he’s been found guilty of sexual assault, serial defamation, and massive fraud, his company has been found guilty of CRIMINAL fraud, he’s likely going to take credit for republicans shutting down the government, and he’s the republican “frontrunner.” What could go “wrong?” My advice to Nikki Haley would be “stay in the race.” Trump either is imploding or it appears to me he will implode – possibly leaving Ms. Haley as the last one “standing.” Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s no way I’d vote for Ms. Haley, but my guess is there are many republicans who are “never-Trumpers” who would. The question would become, how many of the MAGA republicans would vote for her if Trump somehow is “sidelined.” Stay tuned……….
Final Thought: Do you remember when Trump claimed he would NEVER negotiate a lawsuit? Of course, shortly after saying that he paid a $25 MILLION settlement for the fraudulent “Trump University.” He said, he’d build a wall and MEXICO would pay for it – and, his cult followers believed him. He said, “I’m really rich” and don’t need anyone else’s money to run for president – only to be grifting hundreds of MILLIONS from his followers, scamming some of them into recurring payments they didn’t realize they were agreeing to – then using the money for his mounting legal bills. I could go on, but my point is his BS is so deep (and smelly) that anyone who believes a word coming from his pathological LYING mouth is, at this point, choosing to be willfully STUPID.
I point this out because I have some advice for Mr. Trump – at least regarding the two federal cases (and approximately 40 alleged FELONIES). I think he should tell his lawyers to negotiate a plea deal. I believe if he was willing to plead guilty and part of the plea agreement included him withdrawing from the upcoming election and accepting a sentence of home confinement for ???? he would be well ahead of the impending legal tsunami headed his way. He once said, “You’ll get tired of all the winning!” The question I have is he tired of all the LOSING? He’s basing everything on finding a way to “win” (cheat) in November and if that doesn’t pan out the question becomes will he be placed in jail if he’s found guilty in any of these CRIMINAL cases?
I can tell you I’m TIRED of watching all the LOSING and anticipating when the next time he LOSES will come up – apparently, starting on March 25th – and, he’s going to have to be in the courtroom EVERY day of the trial’s six weeks. Would DA Bragg or DA Willis agree to a plea agreement? It seems unlikely in the Georgia case because there are still 14 co-defendents in the case. I’ve heard the prisons in Georgia are not even a place you want to visit and I have no idea how these judges will react at sentencing for any guilty verdicts. So, maybe Trump could negotiate himself out of the remaining part of his predicament (he’s GONNA have to pay the judgements unless he wins on appeal and remember, the interest charges started accumulating TODAY), spend a few years in home confinement and “we the people” would be FINALLY through with this nightmare. I doubt he’s capable of being that level headed, but I can always hope!
I have to add: If Trump somehow withdraws, then I would hope President Biden would withdraw and maybe we could have a Governor Newsome v. former Governor Haley contest in November. That would, I believe, stimulate a lot of us “progressives” to flock to the polls! Call me a “dreamer.” Oh yes, that reminds me, the immigration bill which was torpedoed by Trump was tilted strongly to the “right.” There was NOTHING in it for “Dreamers” and I can tell you I had many of them in my classroom over the years and I pray for them regularly. Those who I knew about at the time were really outstanding students, in almost EVERY case. So, the “torpedoed” bill would have been a start, but until we address the issue of the “Dreamers” and the MILLIONS of other “illegal immigrants” who play such an important role in our economy and our communities, giving them a “pathway to citizenship” the solution will be incomplete!