The Donald Trump Score Card

Kushner vs. Christie: The nasty Trump transition fight that goes back a decade
By Gregory Krieg, CNN
Updated 8:29 AM ET, Thu November 17, 2016

Kushner vs. Christie: This nasty Trump transition fight goes back a decade - CNNPolitics

excerpt:

"After Charles Kushner pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax evasion, one count of retaliating against a federal witness -- his brother-in-law (more on that below) -- and another count of lying to the Federal Election Commission, Christie put out a statement calling the deal a "great victory for the people of New Jersey."

Months later, Christie went a step further, expressing his pleasure in triumphant terms when Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison. The punishment, he said at the time, "sends a strong message that when you commit the vile and heinous acts that he has committed, you will be caught and punished."

The statement landed not only a rhetorical twist of the knife, but called to mind the absurd revenge plot hatched and executed by Charles Kushner in December 2003."

 

I voted for Obama the first time out. Was disappointed by that choice. I doubt there will be a better candidate than him. Even if there was, the party in general doesn't seem to get that their insistent screaming and whining is an embarrassment to America.

That aside, putting people to work instead of trying to drain money from the fewer and fewer left that have money in order to prop up the country isn't working for me.

Further demanding that America spend exorbitant amounts of money to cater to a fraction of it's population doesn't set well with me.

And they need to throttle back on the never-ending political correctness that makes us look like idiots to the world.

I'll happily not vote than vote for what is being offered as leadership in this country.

 

China Contributing $500 Million to Trump-Linked Project in Indonesia
By Jack Crowe
May 14, 2018 1:56 PM

China Contributes $500 Million to Trump-Linked Indonesia Project | National Review

excerpt:

"The Chinese government is extending a $500 million loan to a state-owned construction company to build an Indonesian theme park that will feature a Trump-branded golf course and hotels.

A subsidiary of Chinese state-owned construction firm Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) signed a deal last week with the Indonesian firm MNC Land to build an “integrated lifestyle resort,” as part of Beijing’s global influence-expanding “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative.

The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence. While the $500 million loan will not be directly allocated to any of the Trump-branded features, Beijing’s contribution of half the project’s total operating budget ensures the success of the broader theme-park venture.

The Trump properties are considered flagship elements of the theme park, according to MNC marketing materials, and internal documents obtained by Agency France-Presse show Trump’s sons have been directly involved in its planning.

Though negotiations began prior to Trump’s election and his pledge to cease engaging in new business dealings with foreign governments, the project raises questions about the extent to which the Trump organization is dependent on Beijing amid contentious trade negotiations with the U.S.

“Even if this deal is completely and entirely above board, it simply furthers the perception of impropriety” surrounding Trump’s business dealings, Christopher Balding, an economics professor at Shenzhen’s HSBC Business School, told AFP. “Especially with the potential trade war, this is not a good look….Critics will be entirely right to demand answers.”"

 

Trump has a knack for picking the best...bigots.

 

Analysis: How the growing Trump scandal could affect his presidency
Gregory Korte, USA TODAY
Published 4:22 p.m. ET May 13, 2018

Analysis: How the growing Trump scandal could affect his presidency

excerpt:

"University of Houston professor Brandon Rottinghaus has studied scandals from Nixon to George W. Bush and found patterns in the ways that presidents respond to scandals.

• They give more speeches. After a mini-hiatus following the defeat of Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore last December, Trump has returned to holding monthly campaign rallies, mostly in states he won in 2016. In a rally last week, he made no mention of the controversies, but instead attacked Democrats running for Congress. "Give me some reinforcements, please," he told 7,000 people in Elkhart, Ind.

• They pick fewer fights with Congress. After successfully getting a tax cut package passed last December, Trump's legislative agenda has largely stalled. His top priorities — infrastructure and immigration — appear unlikely to pass before the midterm elections in November.

• They take fewer unilateral executive actions. After signing 101 executive orders and presidential memoranda in 2017, Trump has had just 26 appear in the Federal Register this year as of Friday.

Usually, presidents face a point where they "come clean" — or at least take some action to try to mitigate a scandal.

Trump hasn't done that.

His defiant response to scandals is informed by his decades as a target of New York tabloid media: When hit with an accusation, deny it — and then hit back harder against the accuser. And never apologize."

 

Last minute, Adelson flushes Trump campaign with cash
Adelson's money will be going to a superPAC called Future 45, which has in recent weeks run anti-Clinton ads comparing Clinton to former President Richard Nixon.
By Michael Wilner
November 1, 2016 04:55

https://www.jpost.com/US-Elections/Last-minute-Adelson-flushes-Trump-campaign-with-cash-471380

"In May, Adelson reportedly promised to spend up to $100m. to elect Trump, topping the $93m. he spent in the 2012 cycle to elect former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, according to The New York Times. Prior to his gift on Monday, Adelson had only given $10m. toward Trump’s efforts."

 

Pro-Israel businessman’s $20M donation to Trump election campaign pays off
DAILY SABAH
ISTANBUL
Published December 8, 2017

Pro-Israel businessman’s $20M donation to Trump election campaign pays off

excerpt:

"According to the New York Times, Adelson and other pro-Israel backers put great pressure on Trump to take the Jerusalem decision as soon as possible, after he became president of the United States.

Trump's Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner, however, reportedly advised the new president to wait at first until strong U.S. relationships have been established in the region.

According to the article, Adelson opened up about the urgency of the Jerusalem issue during a dinner with the U.S. president and top officials.

The pro-Israel businessman is known for his close relationship with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and using his casino fortune to influence Republican Party members with his Zionist ambitions."

 

Trump is an embarrassment to America, and people who enable him are worse than embarrassments.Outside of Russia and Israel, citizens of thirty-five countries have a negative view of Trump 9 charts on how the world sees President Trump
Is This How the World Sees America Now?
and the United States How the World Views America So Differently from how America Views Itself
U.S. Image Suffers as Publics Around World Question Trump’s Leadership

Do you want to get rid of Social Security and Medicare? The rest of the industrialized world has government supported medical care. The United States stands alone in its moronic refusal to provide it. The $trillion tax cuts for the rich, reckless borrowing to pay for it, and spending on frivolous projects like the Wall squander our taxpayers' dollars on 1% of the 1%. The majority of income gained from commodity support programs actually goes to large agribusiness corporations such as Archer Daniels Midland. The federal government spends over 170 billion dollars $17 billion in direct aid to business corporations and 11 billion dollars on Aid for Dependent Children. State and local governments provide $40–50 billion annually in economic development incentives,which amount to corporate welfare. So yes, America spends exorbitant amounts of money to cater to a fraction of its population, namely the corporate elite.

 

Dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza protests over opening of new US embassy in Jerusalem
Ross McGuinness,Yahoo News UK
May 14, 2018

Dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza protests over opening of new US embassy in Jerusalem

excerpt:

"Israeli forces have killed at least 41 Palestinians and wounded 1,800 during mass protests along the Gaza border, casting a cloud over the inauguration of the new US embassy in Jerusalem.

It is the deadliest single day of protests since the Palestinians began staging weekly border demonstrations on March 30 in an attempt to break an Israeli-Egyptian blockade.

Protesters set tyres on fire, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air, while the Israeli military accused protesters of trying to break through the border fence and plant a bomb. They also claimed troops had come under fire.

By the, at least 41 Palestinians – including a 14-year-old boy – were killed, while more than 500 were wounded by Israeli gunfire, Palestinian health officials said."

 

You know that the democrats had intended to implement a massive public works project, right? That would have put people to work. Trump promised the same thing, but of course it was a lie. The democrats are still supporting it, btw.

So you think that political correctness is embarrassing to America... but Trump isn't?
Really??

I don't know if you're talking about giving people tax cuts, but you know that trickle down doesn't work, right? The money just stays at the top... this has been common knowledge since the Bush era.

 

No Trump hasn't abandoned Infrastructure at all. And since you are also in favor of it, I'll expect you will support it whole heartedly.

And if trickle down didn't work, then why is it I seemed to always have more money spend, when Reagan and Bush were in office?

I didn't say Trump isn't an embarassement. But he is a singular person, not a political philosophy. I'd love to see Trump gone. So we can really get going. Although he won't bother me, the left is gonna REALLY hate Pence if Trump goes.

 

Of course the left would hate Pence, his brand of Christian conservatism wants to inject theology into all aspects of government. Why would anyone support that?

 

Also in attendance was John Hagee.


Opinion The Day Donald Trump Was Crowned King in Jerusalem
Along with many other U.S. Jews, I wanted to feel pride at the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. But amid the carnage in Gaza, I felt nausea
Debra Shushan
May 15, 2018 11:35 AM

The day Donald Trump was crowned king in Jerusalem | Opinion

excerpt:

"The fact that the Congressional delegation that attended yesterday’s ceremony was composed solely of Republicans speaks volumes. Couple that with the religious officials who offered benedictions: a Chabad rabbi, hardly representative of U.S. Jewish community demographics, and two evangelical pastors – John Hagee and Robert Jeffress – so beyond the pale for their bigoted views that they have been disavowed (and even condemned) by past Republican presidential candidates."

 

John Hagee

John Hagee - Wikipedia

excerpt:

"John Charles Hagee (born April 12, 1940) is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church, a megachurch in San Antonio, Texas.[2] Hagee is also the CEO of his non-profit corporation, Global Evangelism Television (GETV). He is the 5th of 6 pastors in his family, all of whom were named John Hagee, dating back to the colonial era.

Hagee is the President and CEO of John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts his national radio and television ministry carried in the United States on ten television networks. He is shown on networks around the globe, including The Inspiration Network (INSP), Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), and Inspiration Now TV.[3] John Hagee Ministries is in Canada on the Miracle Channel and CTS and can be seen in places including Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.[4] Hagee is the founder and National Chairman of the Christian-Zionist organization Christians United for Israel, incorporated on February 7, 2006.[5]."

 

The Trump White House Will Not Apologize About John McCain (or Much Else, Really)
WASHINGTON — Missteps? This White House has made a few.
But apologies? Almost never.
By Katie Rogers
May 14, 2018

The Trump White House Will Not Apologize About John McCain (or Much Else, Really)

excerpt:

"White House officials reiterated their position on Monday that a morbid joke an aide made about John McCain — an 81-year-old, six-term Republican senator with brain cancer — is not the sort of thing that warrants an apology on behalf of this administration. This decision led colleagues and relatives of Mr. McCain to wonder what sort of situation would.

It has also drawn consternation from some Republicans, who are waiting for more lawmakers to back up their colleague and demand an apology from the White House. So far, they’ve heard little.

“Senator McCain is an American hero who has given his life to public service,” Mike Steel, a Republican strategist, said in an interview. “This would’ve been a one-day story if there had been an apology at the end of last week.”

Slowly, several of Mr. McCain’s fellow Senate Republicans — including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, John Cornyn of Texas, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Dan Sullivan of Alaska — began to call for an apology. But relenting to others’ critiques is not the way of the Trump White House. And it is certainly not the way of President Trump. As pugilistic a president as he was a candidate, Mr. Trump’s apologies are rare."

 

And how will he fund it? Another trillion to the debt? You seemed to have more money because we were living on borrowed time and borrowed money--borrow and spend--and you, as a businessman, were one of the lucky ones. It was under Reagan that the debt went through the roof. Remember how Bush '41 had to back down on his campaign promise "No new taxes". Sugar highs are nice while they last. Most of us did well under Clinton, too, and he even got the deficit under control. I you want to see how well trickle down economics works, come to Oklahoma or neighboring Kansas. No money for infrastructure, education, law enforcement, etc. BTW, whatever you and Trump may think, the tax cut and the Wall will leave little room for an infrastructure program, and so far it's just talk.

 

are you surprised? trump did not even venture to the hospital while Melania was having her surgery. I find that odd. I've had two surgeries, and both times I had relatives at the hospital while the procedure was happening.

 

Why is you accept that the wealthy will be generous just because?

People like you often say socialism does not work because people are lazy and greedy. So even laws on this will not stop human nature. Yet under trickle down economics people will just be so nice they create a socialist system on their own where pay is high.

So the wealthy are not greedy and lazy now? They don't seek the highest cost benefit at all times? They don't outsource to China and crush unions for this same reason?

From an actual ecomnic perspective it's laughable to imply it works.

 

Another one of Trump's drama queen tactics hasn't worked out as he had hoped. His gimmick has been to create a stink by generating a crisis and later claiming he is the only one who can fix it. His latest ploy has deteriorated into one one praising himself for trying to save Chinese jobs in China.

Similar to how his action against ZTE has damaged U.S. electronic component suppliers, Trump's tariff action has damaged the U.S. farmers. Trump and his 1940's minded people in the Commerce Department don't appreciate the interconnection of markets in the modern world.

A bargaining chip isn't a bargaining chip when it's damaging your own country like it is the others. It can become a chip for the other countries as it has for China with its talk of shutting down ZTE which has coerced Trump into changing his tune. Trump's tactic resembles a dog chasing and biting its own tail.

It's unfortunate that Trump has lowered trade talks down to a coercion game that plays individual companies as pawns, similar to how he has been using the U.S. farmers as pawns.

He has melded politics, trade policy, military policy, diplomacy with allies, survival of individual companies, and Trump personal family business interests into one conglomerate 'art of the deal' mess.


US companies suffer amid punitive ban against ZTE
Xinhua
Updated: 2018-04-26 14:32

US companies suffer amid punitive ban against ZTE - Chinadaily.com.cn

excerpt:

"NEW YORK - American companies that supply chips and other components to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp are experiencing sizable revenue loss after the United States imposed a denial of export privileges against the company on April 16.

Shares of several US suppliers of ZTE slumped immediately after the US Department of Commerce banned sales of components to ZTE for seven years for its alleged violations of the Export Administration Regulations.

The stock prices of Acacia Communications Inc, Oclaro, and Lumentum plunged 35.97 percent, 15.18 percent and 9.06 percent, respectively, on the day when the ban was announced.

Acacia, the Massachusetts-based optical interconnect components maker, is among the major affected American companies.

The company noted in a February filing that ZTE accounted for 30 percent of its $385.2 million yearly revenue in 2017."

 

Another thing I don't like about the left. The continual attempts to put words in other peoples mouths that were not said.

I at no time stated the character of the wealthy as good or bad people. I am sure that Bill & Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet etc and those that are attempting to bring about huge good by giving away 90% of their wealth, are hugely good people that care for others. They give it away to whom they see fit. Its theirs to make those decisions with. They probably would not be near as nice if they had a government that demand they give up 90% as a tax in order to feed government programs that they have no say in.

I know for a fact that they are being generous, because they have the means and the ethics to do so.

Doesn't mean I expect or demand it of all rich people. People are people. There are good and bad in every class.

Socialism does not work if it takes all the money from those that have it and provide it to those that don't. You can drain the value of every billionaire in this country, and it would solve none of our social issues.

Socialism works if everyone works and pay an equal share into the kitty.

For fact I have more money to spend now than I did during the Obama years. With that money, I spend more, which in turn provides more people with more. Maybe that's too simplistic but to me that's my own personal example of trickle down economics. They didn't get it from my tax dollars and I get to decide who gets it. I use who I wish to use, and pay who I chose to use. None of them are complaining that I'm spending it towards their benefit and not someone elses. My yard guy that I couldn't afford 2 years ago is happy I can now. Etc Etc Etc.

I'm not paying into a green yards tax fund, managed by the government, to be sent someone they choose to take care of my yard.

I applaud any story by which a person can pursue the American opportunities provided here. There are many stories of immigrants that have come here and are now rich. Nobody gave them that meal ticket. It gives me hope that the problem isn't about rich and poor. It's about abilities, talents, hustle, persistence etc. The rich will be rich. Because they have the drive and skills to be. I'd rather they choose here in the U.S. to do so if we can. No other way to benefit America unless we can provide them the path to have money to give away.

Typical example: Hamdi Ulukaya - Wikipedia

Came here in 1994. With nothing but the desire to succeed. He VOLUNTARILY saw that paying his employees more, made for a better path for his company. Now he is giving 10% of his company to employees. Further he is a Philanthropist for causes of his choosing. THIS is how we as a country set ourselves apart from the rest of the world. He is a Big Bad Muslim.

If we listen to the left, they are hated, have no opportunity and are being persecuted by Trump. I hugely beg to differ. Every Muslim I know that has come here has worked hard, made a good life for themselves and praises the place they had the opportunity to do so in.

None of them vote Democrat before Trump and show no signs of voting Democrat now. In fact my business partner, a Jordanian American, wants to help turn in all the illegals he knows about. He feels they are making his life worse. He wants them gone. And is applauding the efforts to do so.