Month: November 2024

Donald Trump Trying To Bully Senate Into Submission On Appointments!

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Donald Trump is clearly working to bully the Republican majority in the US Senate into submission regarding his many controversial Cabinet and other appointments, and stripping the Senate’s power of “advise and consent” on Presidential appointments.

Trump’s aim is to make the US Senate lose its status as a co-equal branch of government, along with the House of Representatives, part of his plot to establish an authoritarian executive branch, uncontrolled by the legislative branch.

In so doing, he is working to undermine the Constitution, rule of law, and American democracy.

This, despite the reality that his victory was NOT a massive one, and that he has not won a majority of all votes cast by the American people, while defeating Kamala Harris by less than a two point margin.

Trump is causing our closest allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Israel, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to consider NOT sharing intelligence information.

Such an eventuality undermines American national security, and puts America in danger from its adversary nations, including Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran, among others.

Republicans And Male Sexual Assault And Abuse Becoming A Norm!

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Republicans and Sexual Assault and Abuse are becoming a norm, and the lack of a moral and ethical standard surrounding Donald Trump is maddening!

Trump himself has been convicted of sexual assault and abuse, but apparently will not pay the price, since he was elected to return to the Oval Office.

But Trump is surrounding himself with a slew of immoral, unethical characters, who have a record of sexual assault and abuse, and or cheating on wives, including

Matt Gaetz
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Pete Hegseth

And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

In the past, people with such low morals would be prevented from serving in a President’s cabinet, and in many cases, their political career was destroyed by scandals.

One thinks back to Gary Hart and Al Franken, as just two examples of Democrats, who were destroyed by revelations of sex scandals, that were, actually, quite minor by comparison, but the Democratic Party worked against them, and their careers in public elected office came to an end!

But now, Republicans, particularly those surrounding Donald Trump, have no accountability for their misbehavior!

And yet, millions of Americans seem unphased by this reality, which demonstrates how ethical and moral standards have declined precipitously in recent years!

Two Women Republican Senators Likely To Resist Trump Appointments, But Can They Gain Two Other Republican Senators As Supporters?

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Two women Republican Senators who have often disagreed with and voted against Donald Trump—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine—are seen as likely to resist many of Trump’s controversial Cabinet nominees.

Both women voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges in his second trial. Both are seen as moderates, and have shown courage and conviction in their careers in the Senate, with Collins in the Senate since 1997 and Murkowski since 2002.

The question is whether they can gain at least two Republican colleagues to join them in fighting to reject Trump’s outrageous Cabinet nominees, including:

Matt Gaetz, Attorney General
Pete Hegseth, Defense
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

It seems clear other Republican Senators are very unhappy with some, or all of these choices, but will they be willing to challenge Trump is the unknown matter.

And sadly, future Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, not Trump’s “favorite”, has to deal with the likelihood of Trump deciding to call for the Senate to go into recess.

This would be an abdicating of their responsibility as a co-equal branch of government, and allowing two year “recess” appointments, which might be challenged in the courts, but with no clear answer as to what the resolution on the matter would be!

Impossible To Reject All Of Trump’s Outrageous Cabinet Appointments!

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Reality must sink in, that there is no possibility to expect the Republican controlled US Senate to reject all of Donald Trump’s outrageous Cabinet appointments. Trump is not allowing FBI checks of his nominees, and threatens to force recess appointments of his nominees, if the majority Republicans do not play along!

At most, maybe one might be stopped, with the one thought to be most likely being Attorney General nominee, former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who has most members of the House of his party, and many Republican Senators really opposed to him, based on his scandalous life, but also his horrendous relationships with fellow Republicans over the years.

Sadly, Director of National Intelligence nominee, former Congresswoman and Democrat Tulsi Gabbard; Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr (also a former Democrat); and Pete Hegseth, Fox News host and nominee for Secretary of Defense, despite horrendous information about all three of them, will unlikely be able to be stopped.

All of these male nominees have been accused of sexual harassment and sexual abuse, but will likely overcome accusations of their misbehaviors, as Donald Trump has managed to do so throughout his life!

The idea that America’s Justice Department; Intelligence Agencies; Health Care System; and Military and Defense establishment are under attack by extremists chosen by a President who is out to destroy the existing system of American democracy, is a reality hard to accept.

All decent people, including this author and blogger, are fighting off a sense of despair and depression, but knowing that if good people give in and give up, then the damage done will be greater, than if there is resistance.

Two “Democrats” Who Now Are MAGA Republicans And Cabinet Members!

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It is stunning that two former Democrats are now MAGA Republicans, and will be part of Donald Trump’s second term Cabinet, assuming they are confirmed by the Republican majority in the US Senate!

Both are very dangerous to be part of the Cabinet, but sadly, we are faced with the likelihood that they will be in key positions

Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, as Director of National Intelligence, despite her flirtations with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin over recent years. The thought that such a person, who is a massive security risk, would become the leading spy executive of our federal government is horrifying beyond belief!

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, son of the late Senator and Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is a conspiracy theorist; anti vaccine advocate; against flouride in America’s water supply; and desirous of damaging America’s health care system. He is a disgrace to the Kennedy family name, and has a horrendous history of drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual misconduct during his three marriages.

Neither Gabbard nor Kennedy should have any impact on American government policy, and both are very dangerous, but unlikely that either can be stopped from gaining power under Donald Trump!

US Senate Should NOT Give Trump Recess Appointments For Cabinet Choices!

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Donald Trump is clearly attempting to grab power from the US Senate in his move to make recess appointments to his Cabinet, bypassing the power of the Senate “to advise and consent”.

The idea of recess appointments has always been rarely utilized, and for Trump to just go ahead and pick his advisers, and ignore the Senate, is alarming.

One has to hope that enough Republicans are willing to challenge Trump, and prevent what would be the gaining of a new absolute power of Trump, and potentially, future Presidents, making the Senate a weakened legislative body.

There may be 53 Republican Senators, but if four of them resist Trump, they, hopefully, could stop this dangerous power grab.

Potential such Senators would likely include:

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Senator Susan Collins of Maine
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Senaator Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma

If the Senate allows Trump to do what he wants, and allows Billionaire Elon Musk to have a major power over Trump policies as well, without any resistance, it will be a massive step toward what Trump had called “Dictatorship on Day One”!

This is a battle for survival of American democracy, and no patriotic American can sit on the sidelines, and they must pressure the Senate and others on Capitol Hill to fight and resist in every way possible!

Trump’s Proposed Department Of Government Efficiency Headed By Musk And Ramaswamy A Threat To American Democracy!

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An attack on the federal bureaucracy has been proposed by Donald Trump, with his idea of a new Department of Government Efficiency, to be pursued by two billionaires—Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy!

This is an attack on American democracy and the authority of the legislative branch, as the proposal is to cut the federal budget by about one third, saving $2 trillion, out of a $6.5 trillion national budget!

There are very few public figures more oboxious, all knowing, and arrogant than Musk and Ramaswamy, and the irony is that they want to create a new government agency to cut funding on other government agencies, truly looney.

Ramaswamy wants to cut the Department of Education, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service, and also, overall, cut the federal work force by 75 percent.

That should, on its own, be enough to declare these two arrogant, super wealthy prima donnas, as totally off the wall lunatics, and the ideas they promoted are basically anarchistic in nature, and needs to be repudiated in an aggressive manner!

Massive cuts in Social Security and defense spending would be required under this lunatic plan, and instead, both Musk and Ramaswamy need to be told to go back to enrichment of their own fortunes, and leave the American people alone!

Unqualified And Controversial Trump Appointments Abound In Early Selections!

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When one observes Donald Trump’s early appointments, one concludes that he has decided to name unqualified individuals to a multitude of major positions.

When one can say that Florida Senator Marco Rubio becoming Secretary of State is the “best” appointment of a horrendous list, that summarizes what a disaster the nation is facing!

Rubio has 14 years of Senate experience, and is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and while no great intellectual, he meets the minimum requirements to lead our foreign policy establishment, but is no star in any sense.

But then, one looks at other appointments:

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News Host, as Secretary of Defense
Kristi Noem, South Dakota Governor, as Secretary of Homeland Security
Elise Stafanek, NY Congresswoman, as United Nations Ambassador
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor, as US Ambassador to Israel
Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii as Director Of National Intelligence
Lee Zeldin, former NY Congressman, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

Pete Hegseth is a total surprise to the Pentagon with no real credentials to head the Pentagon.

Kristi Noem has ZERO experience to head Homeland Security, and has been an embarrassment as Governor of a very small state, South Dakota.

Elise Stefanik is an ultimate example of an individual who transformed, conveniently, from being a moderate Republican to a MAGA Republican, as a way to advance her career.

Mike Huckabee is a Christian Zionist, whose ultimate aim is to convert Jews to his radical brand of Christianity, the last thing that American Jews would support, but may be acceptable to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he works to take over the Palestinian territories.

Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic Presidential contender, who has gone over to the Republican Party, after going off the rails in her foreign policy views, and now will be more powerful over intelligence gathering than anyone else .

Lee Zeldin has no desire to promote environmental protection, so can be described as a fox put into a chicken coop.

It seems clear that the major qualification to be in the Trump Cabinet is to be slavishly loyal to his agenda, with no concept of considering what is constitutional and legitimate!

Add to this list Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possibly being Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Billionaire Elon Musk everywhere, trying to have a major influence.

This list will become even more controversial as the days pass, and fireworks are possible on some of the appointments.

And now, as I am writing, controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been chosen to be Attorney General, which would seem extremely divisive.

It also means now THREE Republican House members, including Mike Waltz of Florida as National Security Adviser, along with Stefanik and Gaetz, will be removed from that chamber, endangering, at least for the short term, having a Republican majority, which seems a lunatic move!

The last 24 hours have been shocking, and will continue to be in the coming hours and days!

A Multitude Of Qualified Democrats For 2028, As Party Assesses The Future!

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A week after the disturbing defeat of Kamala Harris, causing great distress and dismay among Democrats, including this author and blogger, it is important to learn from the disappointment and plan for the future.

The Democratic Party cannot move toward the center Right, if it means ever to offer a reasonable alternative.

However, that does not mean that it should adopt Bernie Sanders Left Wing type progressivism, which, despite what some say, would never be accepted by voters at large as an alternative in the future.

The party needs to continue to promote mainstream progressivism and liberalism, including labor rights, protection of the environment, and enforcement of basic civil rights for the growing Latino minority, African Americans, Asian Americans, gays and lesbians, and women, along with promotion of more voter education as to the details and effects of government policies.

The idea that Latino males, young people, and white women would think of Donald Trump as the better alternative is shocking, so therefore the need for greater voter education is essential.

And as the Democrats ponder their future, it is blessed with a multitude of qualified Presidential contenders!

This includes the following Governors:

Gavin Newsom, California
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania
Wes Moore, Maryland
Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
Andy Beshear, Kentucky
J D Pritzker, Illinois
Jared Polis, Colorado
Tim Walz, Minnesota
Josh Stein, North Carolina

Additionally, there are US Senators in the mix, including

Christoper Murphy, Connecticut
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Cory Booker, New Jersey

Also, present Transportation Secretary and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is rumored to be planning to run for Michigan Governor, to succeed Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited from running for reelection in 2026.

To assume that Donald Trump and his party will be able to keep public opinion on his side over the next four years is failing to realize that it is certain there will be a major negative reaction to the agenda that is now being imposed on America by aggressive and extreme Right wing forces!

Democrats must be optimistic and willing to work hard for the future of common decency and empathy as part of American principles!

Disturbing Influence Of Elon Musk And Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., As Neither Should Be Near Power!

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It has only been a few days since Donald Trump won a second term in the Oval Office, surprising millions of Americans.

But now, the apparently growing influence of Billionaire Elon Musk, along with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is alarming even many who voted for Trump.

Musk, the wealthiest person on the planet, is a control freak who would wish he could be President, but is ineligible, since he was born in South Africa.

But his dominating personality and desire to influence national and international policy in ways that benefit his own bottom line, has for now, at least, attracted Donald Trump, since Musk contributed more than $100 million to the Trump Presidential campaign.

RFK Jr. has also attracted Trump support, and the fear is that he will play a major role, possibly in the Trump Cabinet, as possible Secretary of Health and Human Services or specific health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, advocating his crazy campaign against vaccines, and even fluoridation of drinking water.

Both many medical and dental professionals are deeply alarmed that his looney attitudes on public health will endanger America, if Trump gives him a free hand to do what he wants, which so far, is the indication of what is about to happen.

The nation is in the early stages of what is likely to be a series of nightmares on many areas of government policy, brought about by millions of Americans, who have lost all sense of sanity and common sense, in their decision to support Donald Trump, despite the many shortcomings and scandals of the first Trump Administration!