#"Trump's blustering got him into the White House. Now he's trying to govern the same way, issuing a flood of executive orders backed up by menacing, thuggish language, lashing out at immigrants, Muslims, the media, Mexicans,and others." "We are witnessing the birth of what could be the largest coordinated regional resistance movement to federal policy since the Civil War." (Source: Sasha Ahamsby, "The West Coast Fights Back Against Trump," The Nation, February 27, 2017).
#Although President Trump has focused on manufacturing jobs, the service sector makes up over 80 percent of U.S. employment. "In 1994, there were 3.5 million more people employed in manufacturing than retail, but now those numbers have nearly flipped." (Source: Bryce Covert + Michael Konczal, "Jobs for a Few," The Nation, February 27, 2017).
#"Polling before the election showed that seven in ten Americans agreed the government should do something about global warming. Polling after the election showed that 86 percent of voters -- including three out of four of those who voted for Trump -- supported action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy." "The courts don't look kindly on arbitrary reversals of rules that have been finalized and implemented, especially when they're supported by a mountain of scientific evidence."
#U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson turned an earlier temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction. Hawaii's Attorney General Douglas Chin argued that the ban's implied message is like a "neon light flashing 'Muslim ban, Muslim ban' that the government didn't bother to turn off."
#Health and Housing Secretary Tom Price said on March 29 that he plans to undo parts of the Affordable Care Act through regulations and non-enforcement. Price outlined how his department could make insurance plans cheaper by scaling back several federal mandates. And he refused to say he will keep providing subsidies for insurers participating in the federal marketplace. He also said: "We believe that the current law has harmed many individuals."
#The Energy Department's international climate office told staff to stop using the phrase "climate change," "emissions reduction," and "Paris agreement."
#Economists at the University of Massachusetts found that spending on education creates 2.5 times as many jobs as spending the equivalent amount on the military. The United States have been at war except for relatively short periods in its history.
#Budget Director Mulvaney told CNBC's John Harwood that Trump's "goal of eliminating the debt" by the end of his second term was "hyperbole." He said there was no way he could eliminate $20 trillion in debt.
#Federal Judge Nelva Ramos Gonzales ruled for the second time that the Texas ID law was discriminatory.. She had previously ruled that the law was discriminatory, but an appeals court told her to consider if it was deliberately discriminatory. On April 10, she ruled that the law "was passed, at least in part, with a discriminatory intent in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965." In her new ruling, she said the law "revealed a pattern of conduct unexplainable on non-racial grounds, to suppress minority voting."
# "The simple fact is that Pyongyang would have no nuclear weapons if Clinton's agreements had been sustained." "But North Korea reportedly has some 15,000 underground facilities of a national-security nature. It is insane to imagine the Marines traipsing around the country in such a 'search and secure operation." (Source: Bruce Cumings, "Korean War Drums," The Nation, April 10, 2017).
#"Iowa now gets 36 percent of its electricity from wind, a higher percentage than any other state, even California." "In 2016, some 9,000 Iowans worked in the wind industry, about a fifth of the number operating farms." (Source: Maddie Oatman, "The Gust Belt," Mother Jones, May/June 2017).
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Polling Results on Trump and Obama
Public Ignorance of Government Spending
Polls of the general public have found that people believe that 25 percent of the federal budget goes to foreign aid (it's less than one percent); that 10 percent goes to pensions and benefits (today, it's 3.2 percent); and that 5 percent goes to PBS and NPR (it's 0.01 percent). The median guess about how much food and housing assistance cost was three to four times as much as the true figure.
GenForward Survey
Regard Trump as legitimate president: 25 percent of Latinos; 28 percent of African Americans; 53 percent of young whites --- Disapproval of Trump's record in office: 71 percent of A-A; 72 percent of Latinos; 69 percent of Asian Americans; and 55 percent of young white adults. The report on the poll came out on March 21.
McClatchy-Marist Poll
Approve of his performance: 38 percent of registered voters approve and 51 percent disapprove. Grade: "A" - 15 percent; "D" - 15 percent; "F" - 32 percent. At the same point in his residency, Obama got 58 percent "A's" and "B's". He got 11 percent "F's".
ADDENDUMS:
*The New York Times has reported that bills to restrict free speech have been introduced in 16 states.
*A three-judge panel in San Antonio ruled 2-1 that Republicans in Texas gerrymandered some congressional districts to weaken the growing electoral power of minorities. Republicans hold two of the three districts ruled newly invalid.
*Medicaid recipients break down into 41 percent white; 25 percent Latino; and 22 percent African American.
*Texas is the only state in the nation with a Landowner's Bill of Rights, that makes seizing property via eminent domain a costly and time-consuming prospect. There is much private land in Texas that runs to the border with Mexico.
*Not a single person at a town hall meeting in Rep. Mike Coffman's Colorado district thanked him for his vote in favor of the GOP replacement for the ACA but dozens condemned him for it.
*Rep. Joe Wilson, who hollered "You lie!" at an Obama State of the Union speech, was met with constituents chanting "You lie! You lie! You lie!"
Polls of the general public have found that people believe that 25 percent of the federal budget goes to foreign aid (it's less than one percent); that 10 percent goes to pensions and benefits (today, it's 3.2 percent); and that 5 percent goes to PBS and NPR (it's 0.01 percent). The median guess about how much food and housing assistance cost was three to four times as much as the true figure.
GenForward Survey
Regard Trump as legitimate president: 25 percent of Latinos; 28 percent of African Americans; 53 percent of young whites --- Disapproval of Trump's record in office: 71 percent of A-A; 72 percent of Latinos; 69 percent of Asian Americans; and 55 percent of young white adults. The report on the poll came out on March 21.
McClatchy-Marist Poll
Approve of his performance: 38 percent of registered voters approve and 51 percent disapprove. Grade: "A" - 15 percent; "D" - 15 percent; "F" - 32 percent. At the same point in his residency, Obama got 58 percent "A's" and "B's". He got 11 percent "F's".
ADDENDUMS:
*The New York Times has reported that bills to restrict free speech have been introduced in 16 states.
*A three-judge panel in San Antonio ruled 2-1 that Republicans in Texas gerrymandered some congressional districts to weaken the growing electoral power of minorities. Republicans hold two of the three districts ruled newly invalid.
*Medicaid recipients break down into 41 percent white; 25 percent Latino; and 22 percent African American.
*Texas is the only state in the nation with a Landowner's Bill of Rights, that makes seizing property via eminent domain a costly and time-consuming prospect. There is much private land in Texas that runs to the border with Mexico.
*Not a single person at a town hall meeting in Rep. Mike Coffman's Colorado district thanked him for his vote in favor of the GOP replacement for the ACA but dozens condemned him for it.
*Rep. Joe Wilson, who hollered "You lie!" at an Obama State of the Union speech, was met with constituents chanting "You lie! You lie! You lie!"
Monday, April 24, 2017
A Compendium of Trump-Related Short Subjects
#The Washington Post's Fact Checker has found that Trump has products manufactured in twelve nations: China, the Netherlands, Mexico, India, Turkey, Slovenia, Honduras, Germany, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea.
#In a December 2015 interview with Steve Bannon, Donald Trump said: "I have a little conflict of interest because I have a major building in Istanbul." Bannon then hosted a radio on Breitbart.
#Trump tweet on Canada: "What they've done to our dairy farm workers is a disgrace." "We can't let Canada or anybody else take advantage and do what they did to our workers and to our farmers."
#Trump described the slightly revised health care bill as "good" and "getting better every day." The only revisions being publicly reported are to allow states to get waivers to opt out of the prior medical condition requirement and let them delete some "essential benefits" requirements.
#In the wake of the cruise missile strike on a Syrian airstrip, the Syrian Network for Human Rights has noted no reduction in Assad's use of cluster munitions, incendiary weapons and barrel bombs.
#At last count, more than 200 cities and countries in 32 states have declared they are a sanctuary entity and will not cooperate with ICE. "In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that the feds cannot command a state to 'administer or enforce federal... laws and regulations.' " (Source: Diane Dimond, "Sanctuary cities ignore presidential threat," The Albuquerque Journal, April 15, 2017).
#When Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni asked Trump to help him in an effort to bring about a stable government in Libya, Trump said: "I do not see a role in Libya." "I think the United States has right now enough roles. We're in a role everywhere."
#Trump urged Gentiloni to spend at least 2% of his nation's GDP on defense, Gentiloni said there were budget "limitations."
#Trump said his administration was analyzing the Iran nuclear deal "very carefully" and he would have more to say about it in the "not-too-distant future." "They are not living up to the spirit of the agreement, I can tell you that." The State Department had recently certified that Iran was living up to the terms of the agreement.
#On May 21, 2015, Donald Trump said: "I am going to save Social Security without any cuts." "Trump's proposal [to eliminate FICA taxes] is a Trojan horse [... It] would, if enacted, lead to the destruction of working Americans' fundamental economic security," said Nancy Altman, co-chair of Strengthen Social Security, quoted in the Los Angeles Times, on April 10, 2017.
#Last month, Trump said he would hunt down "the low-life leakers" in his administration. Some whistleblowers have objected to being called "low-life."
#When asked if he authorized a strike against militants in Iraq and Syria, Trump responded: "Everybody knows what happened, so, and what I do is authorize my military." Leon Panetta objected to Trump saying "my military." Panetta: "The military belongs to the country. Our defense system belongs to the country. And it's not the president's military."
#"When Trump talks about Europe, it tends to be as a land of his own imagining: a once terrific place brought low by NATO deadbeats and so wrecked by immigration-related disasters that no one wants to visit anymore; its discontent a harbinger of his success and proof of his perspicacity." (Source: Amy Davidson, "Eurotrump," The New Yorker, March 27, 2017).
#"By now, Trump's tactics are familiar. Schooled by Roy Cohn, Joseph McCarthy's protege, in the dark arts of rage, deflection, insult, and conspiracy-mongering, Trump ignited his career with 'birtherism' " "The problem in Washington, is not a Deep State. The problem is a shallow man -- an untruthful, vain, vindictive, alarmingly erratic president." (Source: David Remnick, "First as Tragedy," The New Yorker, March 20, 2017).
#In a December 2015 interview with Steve Bannon, Donald Trump said: "I have a little conflict of interest because I have a major building in Istanbul." Bannon then hosted a radio on Breitbart.
#Trump tweet on Canada: "What they've done to our dairy farm workers is a disgrace." "We can't let Canada or anybody else take advantage and do what they did to our workers and to our farmers."
#Trump described the slightly revised health care bill as "good" and "getting better every day." The only revisions being publicly reported are to allow states to get waivers to opt out of the prior medical condition requirement and let them delete some "essential benefits" requirements.
#In the wake of the cruise missile strike on a Syrian airstrip, the Syrian Network for Human Rights has noted no reduction in Assad's use of cluster munitions, incendiary weapons and barrel bombs.
#At last count, more than 200 cities and countries in 32 states have declared they are a sanctuary entity and will not cooperate with ICE. "In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that the feds cannot command a state to 'administer or enforce federal... laws and regulations.' " (Source: Diane Dimond, "Sanctuary cities ignore presidential threat," The Albuquerque Journal, April 15, 2017).
#When Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni asked Trump to help him in an effort to bring about a stable government in Libya, Trump said: "I do not see a role in Libya." "I think the United States has right now enough roles. We're in a role everywhere."
#Trump urged Gentiloni to spend at least 2% of his nation's GDP on defense, Gentiloni said there were budget "limitations."
#Trump said his administration was analyzing the Iran nuclear deal "very carefully" and he would have more to say about it in the "not-too-distant future." "They are not living up to the spirit of the agreement, I can tell you that." The State Department had recently certified that Iran was living up to the terms of the agreement.
#On May 21, 2015, Donald Trump said: "I am going to save Social Security without any cuts." "Trump's proposal [to eliminate FICA taxes] is a Trojan horse [... It] would, if enacted, lead to the destruction of working Americans' fundamental economic security," said Nancy Altman, co-chair of Strengthen Social Security, quoted in the Los Angeles Times, on April 10, 2017.
#Last month, Trump said he would hunt down "the low-life leakers" in his administration. Some whistleblowers have objected to being called "low-life."
#When asked if he authorized a strike against militants in Iraq and Syria, Trump responded: "Everybody knows what happened, so, and what I do is authorize my military." Leon Panetta objected to Trump saying "my military." Panetta: "The military belongs to the country. Our defense system belongs to the country. And it's not the president's military."
#"When Trump talks about Europe, it tends to be as a land of his own imagining: a once terrific place brought low by NATO deadbeats and so wrecked by immigration-related disasters that no one wants to visit anymore; its discontent a harbinger of his success and proof of his perspicacity." (Source: Amy Davidson, "Eurotrump," The New Yorker, March 27, 2017).
#"By now, Trump's tactics are familiar. Schooled by Roy Cohn, Joseph McCarthy's protege, in the dark arts of rage, deflection, insult, and conspiracy-mongering, Trump ignited his career with 'birtherism' " "The problem in Washington, is not a Deep State. The problem is a shallow man -- an untruthful, vain, vindictive, alarmingly erratic president." (Source: David Remnick, "First as Tragedy," The New Yorker, March 20, 2017).
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Dispatches From an Increasigly Bizarre Nation
Jeff Sessions by the Numbers
6 - Years of litigation reversed when Attorney General Jeff Sessions dropped a Department of Justice lawsuit against discriminatory voter-ID practices in Texas.
21,366 - Number of inmates in private for-profit prisons when Sessions rescinded a DoJ directive to reduce the companies' contracts.
25 - DoJ investigations of police departments during the Obama years, a practice Sessions vowed to curtail. (Source: The Nation, March 27, 2017).
FCC Rules by the Numbers
50 - Number of senators that voted to eliminate FCC rules that prevent internet service providers from selling customers' browsing data.
$138K - Average amount that House Republicans who voted to repeal the rules received from the telecom industry.
12K - Public comments sent to the FCC about the repeal of protections. (Source: The Nation, April 24/May 1, 2017).
"Bad Boy Made Good"
In the March 17, 2017 issue of The Nation magazine, Gary Younge discusses the rehabilitation of George W. Bush. Following are some headlines and comments, then and now:
"A Welcome Return" - The Guardian on Bush, February 27, 2017.
"Bush sneaks through host of laws to undermine Obama." - The Guardian, December 13, 2008.
"Michelle Obama isn't the only liberal embracing George W. Bush these days." - The Washington Post, March 3, 2017.
"He's Only Fifth Worst" - The Washington Post, December 3, 2006.
"I know liberals made a big mistake because we attacked [George W. Bush] like he was the end of the world. And he wasn't." - Comedian Bill Maher, November 4, 2016.
"He combines the corruption of Warren G. Harding, the abuse of power of Richard Nixon, and the warmongering of James K. Polk. I mean, who would you rank lower than George W. Bush?" - Bill Maher, May 25, 2007.
Yemeni-American Activist Awaits Husband
Rabyaah Althaibani awaits her husband, Basheer Othman, who is in Malaysia, waiting for a visa. Othman's immigration problem is complicated by the fact that he fled Yemen, one of the targeted countries in President Trump's original and revised temporary immigration bans.
"The new order stresses that people like Othman mst be barred because they hail from a country that is a 'state sponsor of terrorism, has been significantly compromised by terrorist organizations, or contains active conflict zones,' thus making them an 'unacceptably high' risk 'to commit terrorist acts of otherwise harm the national security of the United States.' But even Trump's own Department of Homeland Security disagrees, stating that it has found no evidence to show that people from the countries on the list pose such a threat." (Source: Julianne Hing, "New Ban, No Relief," The Nation, March 27, 2017).
Environmental Wrecking Crew
Newly Inaugurated President Trump declares: "I am, to a large extent, an environmentalist," then proceeds to revive the Keystone XL pipeline, which had been sidetracked by Barack Obama.
Myron Ebell, who led the Trump administration's transition team at the EPA, calls the environmental movement "the greatest threat to freedom and prosperity in the modern world."
The White House orders the EPA to remove the climate change page from its website. After a public uproar, the order is reversed, so the page remains.
Trump proposes slashing the EPA's budget by a quarter and giving the savings to the military. The amount would be roughly enough for the navy to purchase one destroyer.
The first major piece of legislation signed by the new president repeals an Obama-era rule that required oil and mining companies to report payments to foreign governments.
The president signs a repeal of the Stream Protection Rule, which limited the coal industry's ability to dump mining debris into rivers and streams.
Trump signs a executive order to repeal the Clean Water Rule (a.k.a. Waters of the U.S. Rule). The rule clarified which streams and wetlands were subject to protection under the Clean Water Act. Trump owns 12 U.S. golf courses that might have been affected by the rule.
EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, who as attorney general of Oklahoma sued the agency on numerous occasions, questions whether the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases. (Source: Paul Rauber, "The Wrecking Crew Arrives in Washington," Sierra, May/June 2017).
Fetal Homicide Laws
38 states have enacted fetal homicide laws, 16 of which have no maternal exception. Most state laws only protected fetuses starting from some point after the first trimester, but the federal bill sought to cover fetuses from conception. With the federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act as a model, the newest state fetal homicide laws protected fetuses from the moment of conception; several states with laws that previously only applied after viability amended them to start earlier in a pregnancy.
6 - Years of litigation reversed when Attorney General Jeff Sessions dropped a Department of Justice lawsuit against discriminatory voter-ID practices in Texas.
21,366 - Number of inmates in private for-profit prisons when Sessions rescinded a DoJ directive to reduce the companies' contracts.
25 - DoJ investigations of police departments during the Obama years, a practice Sessions vowed to curtail. (Source: The Nation, March 27, 2017).
FCC Rules by the Numbers
50 - Number of senators that voted to eliminate FCC rules that prevent internet service providers from selling customers' browsing data.
$138K - Average amount that House Republicans who voted to repeal the rules received from the telecom industry.
12K - Public comments sent to the FCC about the repeal of protections. (Source: The Nation, April 24/May 1, 2017).
"Bad Boy Made Good"
In the March 17, 2017 issue of The Nation magazine, Gary Younge discusses the rehabilitation of George W. Bush. Following are some headlines and comments, then and now:
"A Welcome Return" - The Guardian on Bush, February 27, 2017.
"Bush sneaks through host of laws to undermine Obama." - The Guardian, December 13, 2008.
"Michelle Obama isn't the only liberal embracing George W. Bush these days." - The Washington Post, March 3, 2017.
"He's Only Fifth Worst" - The Washington Post, December 3, 2006.
"I know liberals made a big mistake because we attacked [George W. Bush] like he was the end of the world. And he wasn't." - Comedian Bill Maher, November 4, 2016.
"He combines the corruption of Warren G. Harding, the abuse of power of Richard Nixon, and the warmongering of James K. Polk. I mean, who would you rank lower than George W. Bush?" - Bill Maher, May 25, 2007.
Yemeni-American Activist Awaits Husband
Rabyaah Althaibani awaits her husband, Basheer Othman, who is in Malaysia, waiting for a visa. Othman's immigration problem is complicated by the fact that he fled Yemen, one of the targeted countries in President Trump's original and revised temporary immigration bans.
"The new order stresses that people like Othman mst be barred because they hail from a country that is a 'state sponsor of terrorism, has been significantly compromised by terrorist organizations, or contains active conflict zones,' thus making them an 'unacceptably high' risk 'to commit terrorist acts of otherwise harm the national security of the United States.' But even Trump's own Department of Homeland Security disagrees, stating that it has found no evidence to show that people from the countries on the list pose such a threat." (Source: Julianne Hing, "New Ban, No Relief," The Nation, March 27, 2017).
Environmental Wrecking Crew
Newly Inaugurated President Trump declares: "I am, to a large extent, an environmentalist," then proceeds to revive the Keystone XL pipeline, which had been sidetracked by Barack Obama.
Myron Ebell, who led the Trump administration's transition team at the EPA, calls the environmental movement "the greatest threat to freedom and prosperity in the modern world."
The White House orders the EPA to remove the climate change page from its website. After a public uproar, the order is reversed, so the page remains.
Trump proposes slashing the EPA's budget by a quarter and giving the savings to the military. The amount would be roughly enough for the navy to purchase one destroyer.
The first major piece of legislation signed by the new president repeals an Obama-era rule that required oil and mining companies to report payments to foreign governments.
The president signs a repeal of the Stream Protection Rule, which limited the coal industry's ability to dump mining debris into rivers and streams.
Trump signs a executive order to repeal the Clean Water Rule (a.k.a. Waters of the U.S. Rule). The rule clarified which streams and wetlands were subject to protection under the Clean Water Act. Trump owns 12 U.S. golf courses that might have been affected by the rule.
EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, who as attorney general of Oklahoma sued the agency on numerous occasions, questions whether the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases. (Source: Paul Rauber, "The Wrecking Crew Arrives in Washington," Sierra, May/June 2017).
Fetal Homicide Laws
38 states have enacted fetal homicide laws, 16 of which have no maternal exception. Most state laws only protected fetuses starting from some point after the first trimester, but the federal bill sought to cover fetuses from conception. With the federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act as a model, the newest state fetal homicide laws protected fetuses from the moment of conception; several states with laws that previously only applied after viability amended them to start earlier in a pregnancy.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Detritus of a Failing Presidency
#ICE Melts - ICE is suspending the recently adopted practice of reporting cities that don't cooperate with federal detention efforts after the first few reports were plagued by errors.
# Wrong-Way Corrigan - Wrong-way Corrigan earned the moniker when he ran toward his own goal line instead of that of the opponent. The Trump administration contended that a carrier fleet was steaming toward North Korea when it was actually steaming away. It was days before the Pentagon acknowledged a wrong-way carrier fleet's movement, raising questions about its own competence.
#Tax Return Obfuscation - When the issue of Trump's tax returns comes up, a standard response is that there is no law requiring him to release the returns to the public. This is not correct. A 1924 law, the result of conflict-of-interest concerns about the Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon and executive branch officials involved in the Teapot Dome scandal, gives Congress the authority to examine Trump's returns and reveal them to the public without the President's consent.
#FICA Elimination - The Associated Press reports that as part of President Trump's tax reform proposal, consideration is being given to eliminating the FICA contributions. Because only the first $127,200 wages are taxed, Trump's allies are calling this a middle-class tax cut.
#Trump Travel Costs - Donald Trump was highly critical of President's travel costs, especially the many times he played golf. The Hill is reporting that President Trump's travel costs -- $20 million in three months -- is on pace for him to cost more in one year than Obama's 8-year travel costs.
#Buy America - Under most treaties, the U.S. cannot apply the Buy America law for contracts worth more than $10.1 million, an amount that adjusts every two years. The reason is that the U.S. wants to have the opportunity to compete in bidding for contracts originating in other countries. Thus, foreign businesses can bid to supply materials for the proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico.
The wall could take 8 million to 12.67 million cubic yards of concrete -- the Hoover Dam required only 4.4 million cubic yards. Two of the three companies best positioned to supply concrete and cement to the border region are based in Mexico, according to research by Alliance Bernstein, an investment firm. The two, Cemex and GCC, have plants along the border.
There are loopholes in Buy America provisions: Dozens of companies currently have waivers that allow them to avoid following Buy America provisions. President Trump has given no indication that he will try to revoke these waivers.
#Reviving Coal - Although President Trump has vowed to bring back the coal industry, he has given no indication that he will take action to extend government-funded health benefits for 20,000 retired miners, which benefits will end after this April if no action is taken.
#Sabotaging the ACA - In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on April 12, President Trump suggested that the key subsidy payments to health insurers offering coverage to low-income Americans could be held back. Trump said: "Obamacare is dead next month if it doesn't get the money." Two days before that, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) told the New York Times that the subsidies would continue. Two administration officials told the New York Times that Trump was incensed by what DHHS did, because he wanted to use the subsidies as leverage to force the Democrats to the table. DHHS then withdrew the statement to the Times.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) blasted Trump for threatening to withhold subsidies. "President Trump is threatening to hold hostage health care for millions of Americans, many of whom voted for him, to achieve a political goal of repeal that would take health care away from millions more." "This cynical strategy will fail."
#Iran Nuclear Deal - The Trump administration has confirmed that Iran has continued to comply with the Iran disarmament deal but the National Security Council will lead an interagency review of whether easing economic sanctions as part of the accord "is vital to the national security interests of the U.S." Trump seems to be bent on applying the national security test to every government agency or activity he wants to eliminate. There are agencies and activities of government that are beneficial to society but don't qualify as vital to the nation's national security.
A year after the nuclear deal with Iran went into effect, the international monitoring agency reported that Iran had reduced its uranium stockpile by 98 percent and had removed two-thirds of its centrifuges. When Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his televised statement on the deal, he made no mention of Iranian compliance. I would brand this as a great disservice to the public, as learning about Iranian compliance would increase public confidence in the deal.
A universal withdrawal for the Iranian nuclear deal would cause diplomatic chaos with the five other major powers and the European Union representative who agreed to the deal.
#North Korean Diplomacy - When Vice President Mike Pence started his journey to Asia and the Pacific Rim, he announced the end of diplomatic relations with North Korea. His message was that all options were on the table. This, of course, would include the use of nuclear weapons. Later, Pence opened the door to diplomacy; however, it was such a tiny opening that no one would be able to squeeze through it. Secretary of State Tillerson later weighted in with the observation that the Trump administration was not interested in reaching any kind of deal made by either George W. Bush or Barack Obama. Successful diplomacy between two nations usually involves both sides getting something they want. Tillerson seems bent on precluding North Korea from getting even a crumb in any so-called diplomacy.
Secretary Tillerson's harsh rhetoric on Iran coming so close to an upcoming national election in Iran could help hard-line candidates to get elected.
A final observation is that President Trump is reviewing so many actions taken by prior presidents, coupled with his failure to fill many positions in government, particularly in the Department of State, may mean that his administration will have no time nor personnel to work on any proposals to move the nation forward.
# Wrong-Way Corrigan - Wrong-way Corrigan earned the moniker when he ran toward his own goal line instead of that of the opponent. The Trump administration contended that a carrier fleet was steaming toward North Korea when it was actually steaming away. It was days before the Pentagon acknowledged a wrong-way carrier fleet's movement, raising questions about its own competence.
#Tax Return Obfuscation - When the issue of Trump's tax returns comes up, a standard response is that there is no law requiring him to release the returns to the public. This is not correct. A 1924 law, the result of conflict-of-interest concerns about the Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon and executive branch officials involved in the Teapot Dome scandal, gives Congress the authority to examine Trump's returns and reveal them to the public without the President's consent.
#FICA Elimination - The Associated Press reports that as part of President Trump's tax reform proposal, consideration is being given to eliminating the FICA contributions. Because only the first $127,200 wages are taxed, Trump's allies are calling this a middle-class tax cut.
#Trump Travel Costs - Donald Trump was highly critical of President's travel costs, especially the many times he played golf. The Hill is reporting that President Trump's travel costs -- $20 million in three months -- is on pace for him to cost more in one year than Obama's 8-year travel costs.
#Buy America - Under most treaties, the U.S. cannot apply the Buy America law for contracts worth more than $10.1 million, an amount that adjusts every two years. The reason is that the U.S. wants to have the opportunity to compete in bidding for contracts originating in other countries. Thus, foreign businesses can bid to supply materials for the proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico.
The wall could take 8 million to 12.67 million cubic yards of concrete -- the Hoover Dam required only 4.4 million cubic yards. Two of the three companies best positioned to supply concrete and cement to the border region are based in Mexico, according to research by Alliance Bernstein, an investment firm. The two, Cemex and GCC, have plants along the border.
There are loopholes in Buy America provisions: Dozens of companies currently have waivers that allow them to avoid following Buy America provisions. President Trump has given no indication that he will try to revoke these waivers.
#Reviving Coal - Although President Trump has vowed to bring back the coal industry, he has given no indication that he will take action to extend government-funded health benefits for 20,000 retired miners, which benefits will end after this April if no action is taken.
#Sabotaging the ACA - In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on April 12, President Trump suggested that the key subsidy payments to health insurers offering coverage to low-income Americans could be held back. Trump said: "Obamacare is dead next month if it doesn't get the money." Two days before that, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) told the New York Times that the subsidies would continue. Two administration officials told the New York Times that Trump was incensed by what DHHS did, because he wanted to use the subsidies as leverage to force the Democrats to the table. DHHS then withdrew the statement to the Times.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) blasted Trump for threatening to withhold subsidies. "President Trump is threatening to hold hostage health care for millions of Americans, many of whom voted for him, to achieve a political goal of repeal that would take health care away from millions more." "This cynical strategy will fail."
#Iran Nuclear Deal - The Trump administration has confirmed that Iran has continued to comply with the Iran disarmament deal but the National Security Council will lead an interagency review of whether easing economic sanctions as part of the accord "is vital to the national security interests of the U.S." Trump seems to be bent on applying the national security test to every government agency or activity he wants to eliminate. There are agencies and activities of government that are beneficial to society but don't qualify as vital to the nation's national security.
A year after the nuclear deal with Iran went into effect, the international monitoring agency reported that Iran had reduced its uranium stockpile by 98 percent and had removed two-thirds of its centrifuges. When Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his televised statement on the deal, he made no mention of Iranian compliance. I would brand this as a great disservice to the public, as learning about Iranian compliance would increase public confidence in the deal.
A universal withdrawal for the Iranian nuclear deal would cause diplomatic chaos with the five other major powers and the European Union representative who agreed to the deal.
#North Korean Diplomacy - When Vice President Mike Pence started his journey to Asia and the Pacific Rim, he announced the end of diplomatic relations with North Korea. His message was that all options were on the table. This, of course, would include the use of nuclear weapons. Later, Pence opened the door to diplomacy; however, it was such a tiny opening that no one would be able to squeeze through it. Secretary of State Tillerson later weighted in with the observation that the Trump administration was not interested in reaching any kind of deal made by either George W. Bush or Barack Obama. Successful diplomacy between two nations usually involves both sides getting something they want. Tillerson seems bent on precluding North Korea from getting even a crumb in any so-called diplomacy.
Secretary Tillerson's harsh rhetoric on Iran coming so close to an upcoming national election in Iran could help hard-line candidates to get elected.
A final observation is that President Trump is reviewing so many actions taken by prior presidents, coupled with his failure to fill many positions in government, particularly in the Department of State, may mean that his administration will have no time nor personnel to work on any proposals to move the nation forward.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Selected Trump Tweets and More
Trump Tweets on Obama Transparency - (6/6/12) "Why is Barack Obama spending millions to try and hide his records? He is the least transparent President ever -- and he ran on transparency." --- (7/17/12) "For the sake of transparency, Barack Obama should release all his college applications and transcripts -- both from Occidental and Columbia." --- (10/26/12) "If Obama doesn't accept my offer to be fully transparent, what will he say?" --- (10/31/12) "In the spirit of transparency, Obama should immediately release the 9.11 tape of Tyrone Woods pleading for military support in Benghazi."
These tweets relate to Trump's refusal to release his tax returns; also, they relate to the recent decision to not release the logs for White House visitations.
Trump Tweets on Striking Syria - (8/29/13) "What will we get for bombing Syria besides more debt and a possible long term conflict? Obama needs Congressional approval." --- (8/30/13) The President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria -- big mistake if he does not!"
Trump Tweet on Flynn Immunity - (3/31/17) "Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that there is a witchhunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!"
Michael Flynn had asked for immunity before he would testify before intelligence committees. Flynn had joined in the chant of "Lock her up!" at the Republican National Convention. He wanted to lock Hillary Clinton up but his new chant could be stated as "Don't lock me up!"
Donald Trump had once said that asking for immunity is indicative of guilt.
Trump Tweet on China Currency Manipulation - (4/16/17) "Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with the North Korean problem? We will see what happens." --- (4/16/17) He said he was confident "that China will properly deal with North Korea. If they are unable to do so, the U.S., with its allies, will! U.S.A."
Just because China may help us with North Korea doesn't resolve the issue of whether or not China is a currency manipulator.
Trump Tweet on the Military and Tax Returns - (4/16/17) "Our military is building and is rapidly becoming stronger than ever before. Frankly, we have no choice!" This tweet makes no sense. --- (4/16/17) "Someone should look into who paid for the small organized rallies yesterday. The election is over!" (4/16/17) "I did what was almost an impossible thing to do for a Republican -- easily win the Electoral College! Now tax returns are being brought up again?"
Trump routinely claims that any demonstrations against him are paid for and he grossly underestimates the size of the demonstrations. He also exaggerates the size of his Electoral College win, no matter how inappropriate the setting is. Both Trump and his "alternative facts" senior adviser, Kellyanne Conway, contend that the election win resolved the tax returns issue, when polling has consistently shown a majority wanting him to release his returns.
ADDENDUMS:
*The fiduciary rule that would require retirement advisers to give their clients investment advice that is in their best interest is being delayed pending a review by the Department of Labor. Under President Obama, the White House Council of Economic Advisers estimated that the failure to put the clients' interests first cost Americans $17 billion a year.
*Judicial Watch has slammed President Trump for deciding to not voluntarily disclose who visits the White House complex. It says it mirrors the Obama administration on visitor logs and violates the Freedom of Information Act, even though Obama did partially release visitor information.
*President Trump has signed a bill that will allow states to withhold money for family planning services, such as birth control.
*A lawyer representing the Trump administration told U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick that the executive order targeting so-called sanctuary cities and counties was "narrow" and would not result in a loss of massive funds to governments that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities.
*The Associated Press is reporting that as part of Trump's tax reform proposal, consideration is being given to eliminating the FICA contributions to Social Security. Because only the first $127,000 of wages are taxed, Trump's allies are calling this a middle-class tax cut.
*Beneficiaries of the carried interest loophole in the tax code are private equity partners and hedge fund moguls, who are allowed to treat a portion of their multimillionaire-dollar-a-year incomes as capital gains and therefore pay only 20% taxes on them, compared to the 39.6% tax ordinary mortals pay. Although Trump touted the elimination of the loophole found in his December 2016 written tax proposal, it is not clear that the loophole will actually be eliminated.
There are conflicting reports that the White House is working on a rewrite of Trump's December 16 proposal. Given that the GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is also working on a tax plan, there could be dueling tax plans in circulation.
These tweets relate to Trump's refusal to release his tax returns; also, they relate to the recent decision to not release the logs for White House visitations.
Trump Tweets on Striking Syria - (8/29/13) "What will we get for bombing Syria besides more debt and a possible long term conflict? Obama needs Congressional approval." --- (8/30/13) The President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria -- big mistake if he does not!"
Trump Tweet on Flynn Immunity - (3/31/17) "Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that there is a witchhunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!"
Michael Flynn had asked for immunity before he would testify before intelligence committees. Flynn had joined in the chant of "Lock her up!" at the Republican National Convention. He wanted to lock Hillary Clinton up but his new chant could be stated as "Don't lock me up!"
Donald Trump had once said that asking for immunity is indicative of guilt.
Trump Tweet on China Currency Manipulation - (4/16/17) "Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with the North Korean problem? We will see what happens." --- (4/16/17) He said he was confident "that China will properly deal with North Korea. If they are unable to do so, the U.S., with its allies, will! U.S.A."
Just because China may help us with North Korea doesn't resolve the issue of whether or not China is a currency manipulator.
Trump Tweet on the Military and Tax Returns - (4/16/17) "Our military is building and is rapidly becoming stronger than ever before. Frankly, we have no choice!" This tweet makes no sense. --- (4/16/17) "Someone should look into who paid for the small organized rallies yesterday. The election is over!" (4/16/17) "I did what was almost an impossible thing to do for a Republican -- easily win the Electoral College! Now tax returns are being brought up again?"
Trump routinely claims that any demonstrations against him are paid for and he grossly underestimates the size of the demonstrations. He also exaggerates the size of his Electoral College win, no matter how inappropriate the setting is. Both Trump and his "alternative facts" senior adviser, Kellyanne Conway, contend that the election win resolved the tax returns issue, when polling has consistently shown a majority wanting him to release his returns.
ADDENDUMS:
*The fiduciary rule that would require retirement advisers to give their clients investment advice that is in their best interest is being delayed pending a review by the Department of Labor. Under President Obama, the White House Council of Economic Advisers estimated that the failure to put the clients' interests first cost Americans $17 billion a year.
*Judicial Watch has slammed President Trump for deciding to not voluntarily disclose who visits the White House complex. It says it mirrors the Obama administration on visitor logs and violates the Freedom of Information Act, even though Obama did partially release visitor information.
*President Trump has signed a bill that will allow states to withhold money for family planning services, such as birth control.
*A lawyer representing the Trump administration told U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick that the executive order targeting so-called sanctuary cities and counties was "narrow" and would not result in a loss of massive funds to governments that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities.
*The Associated Press is reporting that as part of Trump's tax reform proposal, consideration is being given to eliminating the FICA contributions to Social Security. Because only the first $127,000 of wages are taxed, Trump's allies are calling this a middle-class tax cut.
*Beneficiaries of the carried interest loophole in the tax code are private equity partners and hedge fund moguls, who are allowed to treat a portion of their multimillionaire-dollar-a-year incomes as capital gains and therefore pay only 20% taxes on them, compared to the 39.6% tax ordinary mortals pay. Although Trump touted the elimination of the loophole found in his December 2016 written tax proposal, it is not clear that the loophole will actually be eliminated.
There are conflicting reports that the White House is working on a rewrite of Trump's December 16 proposal. Given that the GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is also working on a tax plan, there could be dueling tax plans in circulation.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
A Closer Look at Defense Spending Increase
A publication called the Stock Strategist Industry Reports took a closer look at President Trump's 10% defense spending increase in an email article of March 3, 2017. The administration's initial statement coupled with the budget and political environment confirm the stock strategist's forecast of around $650 billion in defense spending for FY 2018, of which $625 billion will go to the Department of Defense.
Confusion has set in about the actual increase the trump administration is looking for and what it means for the industry. There have been reports of a $54 billion increase; Sen John McCain complaining about only getting a 3% increase; and others reports mentioning a 10% increase.
Here is how the Stock Strategist Industry Reports article dissects the situation: "The Obama administration requested $552.8 billion in defense spending for fiscal 2017 and planned $586.2 billion for fiscal 2018. Comparing that plan for fiscal 2018 with $603 billion yields a 2.9% increase, hence McCain's complaint. The $54 billion figure compares the $603 billion figure with the Budget Control Act of 2011, which caps defense at $549 billion for fiscal 2018. The 10% increase --assuming some rounding -- may be referring to either the Trump administration's defense budget increase versus the fiscal 2017 request of the Budget Control Act caps for fiscal 2018, or both."
There is a budgetary category called Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which was requested at $58.8 billion for FY 2017, and the article finds it highly likely will add about $30 billion to this amount in a defense supplemental spending bill. Thus the article forecasts a FY 2018 total defense budget request of well over $650 billion.
Although determining a measuring point for the proposed defense spending increase causes confusion, what is known about specific increases, such as an increase of 90,000 to 100,000 military personnel, an augmented Marine Corps, increased warships and war planes, the $54 billion figure is the best available estimate.
The National Priorities Project, which does a pie chart of each FY budget, concluded that the Pentagon would consume a 54% chunk of the FY 2017 budgetary pie. The Trump defense spending proposal would likely mean that the Pentagon share of the pie would increase to over 60% of the total congressional discretionary budget in future fiscal years. For comparison, the National Institutes of Health budget, which funds biomedical research on all the diseases that afflict tens of millions of Americans, is about $33 billion, less that 3% of the congressional budget. By FY 2022, defense appropriations could reach $800 billion.
In addition to increasing the national debt, further bloating of the Pentagon will require cutting every sector of the civilian side of the budget -- housing, transportation, environmental protection, biomedical research, education and health care. For many years, caps on these programs have continued to weaken them.The current proposal will essentially bankrupt the federal contribution to the civilian side of the economy.
President Trump has bought into the further modernization of the nuclear weapons triad. Great damage can be done with conventional weapons to people and their communities. But the increased investment in nuclear weapons increases the chances of inadvertent or intentional nuclear war.
Rutgers climate scientist Alan Robock and his colleagues have shown that even a limited exchange -- for example, between India and Pakistan -- would generate firestorms throwing enough soot and particles into the upper atmosphere to generate a nuclear winter, lowering the Earth's temperature and creating worldwide famine for decades following.
Confusion has set in about the actual increase the trump administration is looking for and what it means for the industry. There have been reports of a $54 billion increase; Sen John McCain complaining about only getting a 3% increase; and others reports mentioning a 10% increase.
Here is how the Stock Strategist Industry Reports article dissects the situation: "The Obama administration requested $552.8 billion in defense spending for fiscal 2017 and planned $586.2 billion for fiscal 2018. Comparing that plan for fiscal 2018 with $603 billion yields a 2.9% increase, hence McCain's complaint. The $54 billion figure compares the $603 billion figure with the Budget Control Act of 2011, which caps defense at $549 billion for fiscal 2018. The 10% increase --assuming some rounding -- may be referring to either the Trump administration's defense budget increase versus the fiscal 2017 request of the Budget Control Act caps for fiscal 2018, or both."
There is a budgetary category called Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which was requested at $58.8 billion for FY 2017, and the article finds it highly likely will add about $30 billion to this amount in a defense supplemental spending bill. Thus the article forecasts a FY 2018 total defense budget request of well over $650 billion.
Although determining a measuring point for the proposed defense spending increase causes confusion, what is known about specific increases, such as an increase of 90,000 to 100,000 military personnel, an augmented Marine Corps, increased warships and war planes, the $54 billion figure is the best available estimate.
The National Priorities Project, which does a pie chart of each FY budget, concluded that the Pentagon would consume a 54% chunk of the FY 2017 budgetary pie. The Trump defense spending proposal would likely mean that the Pentagon share of the pie would increase to over 60% of the total congressional discretionary budget in future fiscal years. For comparison, the National Institutes of Health budget, which funds biomedical research on all the diseases that afflict tens of millions of Americans, is about $33 billion, less that 3% of the congressional budget. By FY 2022, defense appropriations could reach $800 billion.
In addition to increasing the national debt, further bloating of the Pentagon will require cutting every sector of the civilian side of the budget -- housing, transportation, environmental protection, biomedical research, education and health care. For many years, caps on these programs have continued to weaken them.The current proposal will essentially bankrupt the federal contribution to the civilian side of the economy.
President Trump has bought into the further modernization of the nuclear weapons triad. Great damage can be done with conventional weapons to people and their communities. But the increased investment in nuclear weapons increases the chances of inadvertent or intentional nuclear war.
Rutgers climate scientist Alan Robock and his colleagues have shown that even a limited exchange -- for example, between India and Pakistan -- would generate firestorms throwing enough soot and particles into the upper atmosphere to generate a nuclear winter, lowering the Earth's temperature and creating worldwide famine for decades following.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)