TRUMP’S DECISIONS AND MY DERANGEMENT SYNDROME

I am writing this tome to show my families concern that my Trump derangement syndrome is due to his actions.  Trumps actions below give me the rationale and ammunition for my concerns.  After each of my selected subjects one must ask oneself if the decision made by this Commander in Chief was a well thought out decision that has the benefit of serving all of the peoples of the United States or just a selected few without regard of the ultimate consequences. 

IRAN NUCIEAR POLICY

Donald Trump is using Iran as a tool for his own political purposes.  Every authoritarian leader needs a foil to show he is strong and is here to protect you from a perceived enemy.  His withdrawal and imposition of the punitive actions of sanctions for complying with the treaty makes this decision one of the most consequential for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

First of all his departure  excuse was to try to force Iran to stop funding Shiite militias.  If you understand middle east militias you would know that the frontier  has mixed Shiite and Sunni populations.  The since the late 70’s the only places that have security in the majority of the land masses in the middle east is the larger cities.  With the exception of Iran and Iraq the Shiite Muslims are in the minority.  These Iranian backed militias act as the sheriffs and posse where they are a minority in the lawless frontier.  Security forces in most of this area are useless in the rural outposts. Iran was in compliance with the nuclear treaty obligations and had met all demands for inspections.  So Trump says he is the great negotiator I call this BS.  Obama obtained the agreement for what we owed to Iran for payments made to the United States for military hardware that was cancelled after the Shah had fallen.  With a judgement in the world court rendered against the U.S. and the judgement required interest at over 7% for the debt.  Obama negotiated something for nothing (what we owed).  Let’s see how Trump resolves his stupidity.  I don’t see them running to the bargaining table.  Trumps actions have further consequences of having distrust the U.S. to keep any future treaty obligation. 

Donald Trump assassinated a well-liked Iranian General Soleimani in Iraq with the excuse that an Iranian back militia (Shiite) killed an American in the Green Zone.  The Iraqi security officers found the suspect’s vehicle at the scene.  The Kia pickup was found at the edge of the Embassy compound with the rocket launchers in the back abandoned.  The owner of the vehicle was known to be an Isis fighter.  We almost got into a hot war in the middle east again under false pretenses?  If it weren’t for the Iranians shooting down their own AC where would we be today?  This hasty decision is going to lead us to war.  Our own intelligence has stated they knew of no eminent threat of any attacks.  Knowing the Iranians I can say they are not finished with payback.

Westinghouse has tried to woo the Saudi Government into buying nuclear generating reactors for generating electricity.  The question I have is this,  if Iran has a nuclear program it makes it easier for Westinghouse to sell the reactors to the Saudi government.  The reactors are priced in the billions.  Would Trump sacrifice dollars for nuclear proliferation?

PARIS CLIMATE ACCORDS

Another one of his gems was pulling out of the Paris climate accords.  These accords were not mandatory and had no real consequences for violating the goals set by the accords.  The best result of staying in would be that we the United States believes in climate change and want to attempt to do something about it. The message sent was one that the United States does not believe in the science and are willing to put our heads in the sand for the Oil, Gas, and coal lobbies.  Nice message huh.  By leaving the accords gives it Trumps climate change deniers free reign to obliterate environmental protections.  We know Trump,  the stable genius, knows climate change is a hoax  Trump proves it by conflating climate with weather and to his low information trump voters believe the con man.

TRUMP TAX CUTS

Trumps tax cut is a doosie.  The upper 10% got 90% of the benefit.  It gave a 40% cut to the Corporate rate.  In real terms wage increases are no better than was under Obama. 10% of the population control 90% of the stocks. The tax cut provided to corporations was a 40% reduction, however, the average corporation only paid 15% tax and many of the largest corporations paid 0 in taxes in 2019.  The World Wide average corporate rate is 24%.  The cut in rates were meant to spur investment both foreign and domestic.  The same time as the cuts he made investments in capital equipment be immediately written off.  The write-offs created a mini boom; however, the long term investments did not materialize.  In fact investments have not increased at all.  Manufacturing jobs are at their lowest level ever and the farm sector is hurting.   The reason for the boost in the stock market was corporations buying back their own stocks, and not from added productivity or cost efficiencies.  The stock market is a useless measure of the economy. 

With the tax cuts Trump promised of 5 to 7% growth in the economy would pay for the cuts.  Classical trickle-down voodoo economics.  Growth at the time of the tax cut was 3.3% and since then it has only been over 3% in three month since.  His average for his first 3 years is only 2.3%. (March 2020)

The average family is only $400 from poverty and live week to week and some even need 2 jobs to make ends meet.  Every reliable economist has concluded many years ago that  trickle-down economics only accelerates the disparity in incomes between rich and poor. 

Economists always said the best way to stimulate the economy is put the stimulus at the bottom.  It takes time; however the stimulus dollars will ultimately rise to the top.  In the meantime everyone wins and not just the capitalist.  A rising tide lifts all boats (with the exception of those boats with holes in the bottom). 

DEFICIT SPENDING

Deficit spending during an economic boom is the kind of decision an economist cringes at.  You have 22 trillion in debt.  During good times Past Presidents recognized the only time you can tackle the debt and pay it down was when we are in a growth economy.  Trump is on the path to equal Obamas debt. 

Obama had the 2008 financial crash that only recovered due to financial market bailouts, and the Auto bailout and an infrastructure program to kick start the economy devastated by cheap debt and bad loans.  What excuse does Trump have?  Is the reason for the boom the spending his and his debt?  Trumps debt and a tax cut at the same time Huh!  What stable genius thinks that is a good idea? 

He has spent all that money without tackling infrastructure.  His fantasy that economic growth will wipe out the debt is a joke.  He once promised to wipe out debt by 2024.  His new prediction with his 2020 budget is 2034 before wiping out debt. Trickle down does not work it never has and never will,  it has always been shown only to increase the disparity between rich and poor.  Trumps economic success is smoke and mirrors. 

TARIFFS and TRADE

The rationale Donald Trumps used for imposing tariffs is the trade deficit.  Why China?  First let’s look at trade deficits and what they mean and how they are used.  Trade deficits are generated when one country buys more goods and services than the other.  We have had trade deficits for years. There are some countries trade deficits that are not as bad as others.  China, Japan, Mexico, and Germany have been our largest deficit countries..  There is no trade debt like the national debt, as trade debt balances are cleared on a monthly basis.

The clearance process involves exchanges of financial instruments tied to the dollar such as our debt.  China uses our trade deficit to purchase our securities (our National Debt).  Our debt then is used by China as collateral for their currency and the purchase of resources in third world countries.  Their exploits are evident in Africa.  It is also being used to fund internal and external Chinese infrastructure a programs.  China is also investing in African infrastructure programs to support their resource exploration.

Trump, in a sense, is not misguided, however let’s look at why China specifically. China ate our lunch on tariffs.  This is due to our dependence on their low cost electronics and adding tariffs only make their goods more expensive but still desirable.  Our largest export of farm products to China is soy beans The US produced 45% of the market commodity and Brazil has had 38%.  Soy beans can be easily produced by Brazil cheaply clear cutting jungle and with the use of mechanization. By imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, Trumps thoughts were that the increase in price discourage buyers of their products by making their products relatively more expensive.  Thus reducing the monthly deficit. This in theory would work , unless the other country retaliates.  This creates a tariff war.

Let’s look at what Japan and Germany does with the monthly trade deficit reconciliation.  Both countries reinvest within the United States their  trade deficit dollars.  One need only look at the Volkswagen, Audi, Toyota, and Honda plants operating in the U.S..  These countries do not accumulate our deficits like China.  The deficit can create jobs within the U.S. if reinvested.  China, as shown, accumulates our Debt without creating jobs here like Japan and Germany.

As you can realize not all trade deficits are bad. If the deficit is reinvested in the debtor country jobs follow.  The reinvestment scenario is why globalization works well.  Chinas economic model works off others trade deficit.  The economic production model employs the masses with sweat shops and questionable working conditions to generate products which are labor intensive and cheap.  One method of combating this phenomenon is to encourage other countries in the Asian area to band together to manufacture products with a guaranteed U.S. market. Oh my! Is this what the Obama administration proposed with the Trans Pacific Partnership or TPP which Trump abandoned after all countries had agreed.  An agreement that would guarantee our copyrights and patents are honored as well as the job benefits of their reinvestment.  This would also reduce the trade deficit.

I argue Trumps tariffs were not imposed for treating the problem of a Chinese trade deficit, but the use of the accumulation of our deficit and turning it into our National Debt. This is the Chinese reinvesting in their own country rather than ours.  China does not act like Japan and Germany.  Trump calls this currency manipulation.

Now back to tariffs and China specifically.  Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese electronics using the rationale of trade deficit.  Obviously his concern is due to the ways China is using the trade deficit.  Shame on the Chinese to accumulate our debt and not reinvesting in the U.S.. 

China then retaliates with by buying its Soy bean crop from Brazil and puts tariffs on Whiskey and other goods.  Keep in mind China imports massive amounts of foodstuffs our largest export to China.  Soy beans is a crop that is traded internationally and when our farmers lose market share with alternate sources everyone loses more than once.  The first year the farmers are ok due to the Trump farm subsidy bonus to the farmers.  Is this political pandering to gain traction in the mid-west?  With the farmers next year crop comes the added completion and voila lower profits.

Who pays for tariffs?  Ultimately the taxpayer pays twice for Trumps ill-suited tariff policy.  Let me explain.  The first payment made is the tariffs paid on Chinese goods when they hit our shores.  These costs are passed on to the ultimate consumer. Note we pay!  The second payment made to eliminate the debt incurred by the Trump farm subsidy.  This subsidy amounts to 28 billion to date and is far in excess of Obamas 12 billion auto industry bailout.  Of the 28 billion dollars,  68 million dollars was given to a Brazilian and other foreign agricultural conglomerates one had previously pleaded guilty of fraud. For this the administration is being investigated for prejudice in giving out subsidies.  Brazil is where China has turned for agricultural products and their use of mechanized methods competes with our production and they are increasing market share.

Does this mean that Trump is a Socialist, after all he is picking winners and losers?  The redistribution of your tax dollars to the mid-west big agricultural giants. This redistribution took

place without any opposition.  The small family farm did not receive any benefit.   The soy crop is a crop that is only profitable in large scale.  A record numbers of small farms failed under

Trump.  Yet he says he saved the small farmer with his actions.  The Secretary of agriculture said when questioned about the farm failures said “go big or get out”.  There has been a 40% increase in family farm foreclosures.  The suicide rate in the Midwest is higher than it has ever been.

I have another opinion why trump imposed the tariffs.  Tariffs are a very effective cudgel which has the effect of either stimulating or depressing an economy.  He said he is negotiating a trade deal with China.  He has started and stopped his foray into  the tariff game.  His uncertainty and gyrations create fluctuations in the stock market.  This information can be monetized easily. Are trumps friends and colleges benefiting from the chaos? 

This Corporate tariffs and bailouts socialism (redistribution of wealth) has been a burden to taxpayers generated by greed and avarice at the highest levels.  The use of bailouts seem to be the mantra of the capitalist that wants the redistribution of wealth concentrated at the top.  A free market economy would have had the market do its thing and let the chips fall.  These fiscal and monetary policy decisions are eventually detrimental to the economy and are contrary to sound economic practices.

SANCTIONS

Sanctions have been a tool of presidents and their use has been increasing for decades.  Trump uses sanctions as a core tool of  his foreign policy.  They are used on both individuals and entities.  How this tool is used is concerning.  This tool is meant to punish the recipient usually to have the country to modify their behavior .  What makes one think he would not use this tool for another quid pro quo transaction to personally benefit himself or his family? 

Some sanctions like those levied on Iran will not work as their trading partners are Russia and the former Soviet Union. In Iran in the 1970’s the Shah purchased his Air Force military hardware from the U.S. and all the ground force equipment from the former Soviet Union. The Europeans quickly set up alternate payment methods when he sanctioned banking.  His sanctions are debilitating to Iran however they have always found alternative partners. 

China, Russia, Iraq, India, Turkey, and their former states are  more than happy to trade with Iran and have ignored the sanctions.  Not all the participants of the Iran Nuclear treaty have honored our sanctions.   Sanctions only create animosity if there are alternate sources for the products or goods. Instead of having his desired effect of cowering to the bully it has managed to piss off those defying the sanctions. 

Trumps uses his tools of tariffs and sanctions as sticks and does not seem to know how to use carrots. The carrots include investments, aid and dialogue.  In his last year Obama used sanctions on individuals and entities almost 700 times.  Last year Trump imposed a record of almost 1000.  This year he is expected to exceed that amount. Trump once stated he could monetize the presidency. “I can make money as president”.  The biggest problem with sanctions is the do not work 90% of the time according to a study of 100 years of sanctions by the Chicago Project on Security and Threats.  Sanctions on Japan import of oil in 1941 created the Japanese response at Pearl Harbor.  Sanctions – What could go wrong? 

IMMIGRATION POLICY

            Ronald Reagan stated, upon leaving office, opined that a country that closes its boarders to immigration ceases to be a world power.

 The wisdom of Ronald Reagan is profound when you consider that the average intelligent quotient (IQ) of anyone that is multi-lingual is 15 points higher than the average population.

 Languages like Chinese and Japanese with 100’s of symbols are more complex than English   individuals learning another language are more likely to outperform students that speak only one language. Those willing to immigrate and leave everything behind  to flee violence and seek asylum should be welcomed. 

Some immigrants struggle, however I have found they are willing to work hard to succeed. It is my opinion that anyone residing in the United States for a period of 10 years and has not been arrested and convicted of a felony should be eligible for a green card, and also eligible to take a test to obtain citizenship the test should contain minimum English proficiency which would allow them to be a productive citizen.  Dreamers should also be eligible for a green card and be eligible for citizenship after 10 years in the U.S. and taking the citizenship test.

Diversity can be utilized to build by using the best of a cultural aspects and incorporate them into richer societies over the eons.  The United States is a prime example of diversity and the benefits when you embrace diversity. Embracing diversity can give you the ability to understanding cultural differences this will provide a secure feeling to offset the fear of the “other” and eventually may be able to get along with everyone. This works only if you attempt to understand the benefits and embrace the differences.   When change is coming it is best to understand and embrace it. 

 If you cannot embrace change, or resist it, then it is best changing your environment if you are resistant to change.  It is irrational to think a country based on immigration, with its inherent benefits of creating a more intelligent society, is shunned by anyone.  Is it due to the inherent insecurity of the ignorant or are they culturally deficient individuals?  It is my belief that education is the key to a society which can operate without the fear of the ‘‘other”, or someone unlike yourself. 

Once upon a time the Republican party embraced immigration as you can see by the attitude of Ronald Reagan toward immigration.  Reagan knew that cheap labor helped the farm economy and made crops cheap enough to export.  It was a win-win as these are temporary work

that has little success in employing locals to perform the menial labor.  It was once upon a time that workers were bussed from Mexico and returned when the crops were picked as guest workers . 

The workers did not want to live here, their families were in Mexico.  Crops have been tilled under in Northern California due to a lack of laborers.  Without a seasonal immigrant labor force any labor intensive or menial tasks would create a demand for unskilled labor for work no-one will take and thus no food.  Immigrants take jobs no one wants that are low skilled and low paying.  That was the past.  In my opinion without immigration, the United States is in a race to the bottom.  No person in these United States should fear immigration after all we are all immigrants.

 History has shown initial animosity toward immigrants, however they ultimately these peoples have become some of the best productive citizens.  The examples are numerous, take

 the Italians fleeing from fascism, the Irish fleeing the potato famine, the Chinese imported to building America with the western leg of the Transcontinental Railroad.  These immigrants were

all initially taken advantage of by their hard work ethic.  These individuals were taken advantage of until the unions began to level out the employment playing field.

Note: I left out the slaves from the above paragraph.  This is due to the repression of the population imported into indentured servitude.  This kept these forced immigrants to submit to a master.  They were forced into labor without access to education and repression of their cultural identity. This injustice has lasted even after their freedom garnered by the civil war. I would recommend as reparations empowerment zones provided to concentrations by providing

tuition free city colleges that can provide both the general education requirements required by colleges which would provide for the first 2 years of an advanced degree.  The curriculum should also concentrate on trades which are used in the general area.  Included should be SBA low interest loans promoting minority businesses in these areas. The trades education provides a choice for the individual to be able to pursue their dreams. Speaking of dreams, Dr. Martin Luther King once said  “injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere”.  Our past collective actions have put us to where we are today.  I believe these  injustices could be remedied by giving educational and economic benefits to the justly aggrieved.

The race to the bottom manifests itself with the lack of emphasis on education.  Every high school student should be able to pass the citizenship test prior to graduation.  Besides STEM students should also be taught Civics, Ethics and Logic and Art.  These skills help to determine real from fake and provides for independent thinking.

My personal preference is always diversity over exclusion.  Religion must never be used as a barrier to immigration. Religious freedom is at the foundation of the United States Constitution when bars all laws from “respecting an establishment of religion”, and “the free exercise thereof” The Constitution does not mention God, Jesus Christ, or Christianity. Federal  Law states that no religious test may be applied to any individual to hold any federal office.  The founding fathers were not all Christians as some would have you to believe. Some were Deists and Thomas Paine wrote that the bible was the “pretended word of God” in his book The Age of Reason. 

Being harsh on individuals fleeing from poverty and violence is both cruel and unjust.  The manner that Trump is using in regard to current immigrants attempting to enter the United States is to discourage anyone seeking asylum from anywhere and for any reason.  His total disregard for human decency is astounding.  Imagine your child is taken away from you at the border and you are put into a chain link cell to wait for months for a hearing. The children of these immigrants are lost in the system and the only laws they had broken was that of crossing the border at a location other than the border crossing. Prior to trump anyone seeking asylum crossing anywhere along the frontier was not treated as criminals. When released the parent is not reunited because they do not know where they are in the U.S. imagine how you would feel?

Obama when faced with the same situation with immigration put ankle monitors on some. All the individuals were told where and when to have a hearing for amnesty.  The cost of Trumps decision is $350/person /day in Trumps for profit prisons and Obama’s cost was having only 3% that did not show up for the hearing.  Which policy is more humane?  Look at the cost vs

benefit analysis. Cost of $11,000/person/month times thousands of detainees makes the number mind numbing considering detainees are spending month in cells before their hearing.  Consider a cruise ship charges around $100-150/night per person.  These amnesty hearings are being slow rolled by starving the numbers of judges hearing the refugees.  

IMMIGRATION and CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

The ICE policies have become more like the actions of the SS.  There is  only thing stopping ICE from being the same as rounding up the Jews in Germany.  ICE has a tactical unit that is normally used for drug interdiction and drug busts in coordination with federal agents.  These tactical units are being deployed to force undocumented to return to their home of origin.  These officers must abide by federal guidelines which says ICE must have a warrant to enter a home or place of business.  These Tactical units with military armor and tactical automatic weapons.  These units are being deployed to intimidate undocumented aliens.  Judges are the only thing between ICE being the same as the SS in Germany.  ICE tactical units used to deport individuals with their only crime is to seek a better life by crossing a border or committing a misdemeanor is a crime itself.  This tactic is only for intimidation and not necessary.  If the undocumented has committed a federal crime then the FBI getting a warrant is the correct method of removal of the individual and not the ICE tactical unit.  If the ICE agents want to have authority for enforcement they should go through the Courts.  Instead they seek to stalk, wait outside employees’ workplaces.  Judges have a difficult time with the issuance of a warrant for misdemeanor.

MIDDLE EAST POLICY DECISIONS

To understand the middle east one must first consider the adage “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”.  This friendship is only one of convenience and the friendship will disappear when necessary.  Take the Trump’s thinking that by selling billions of dollars of military hardware.

Donald thinks the Saudis are our friends and the Saudis friendship with Israel lets him make deals with Israel about peace without the Palestinians participation.  The Peace deal Jared Kushner

negotiated had the Palestinians give up land to Israel for concessions on Palestinian autonomy.  A land for peace deal that was rejected by the 22 nations of the Arab League.  This was seen by the Arabs as a grab by the Jewish nation taking Muslim land.  The trump administration needs to learn the Sunni/Shiite relationships and how this relationship has historical relevance in the area.  Keep in mind 17 of the 19 hijackers attacking the U.S. were Saudi Nationals – Sunni Muslims.  The Saudi government financed the Madrasas in Pakistan that created fundamentalists inspiring both Al-Qaeda and Isis fighters.  These are Sunni fighters.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Environmental policy is a reflection of the appointed leaders in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  These appointed individuals are a reflection of the president’s views on the environment.  The policy development and implementation is performed by  3 agencies and is divided into The Environmental Protection Agency, The Department of the interior, and the Department of Energy.  In total Donald Trump in 4 years has hired and appointed 281 former lobbyists.  This is twice what Obama had in key appointed positions.  The “drain the swamp” mantra by was used by Trump.  He has actually drained the swamp and has installed a cesspool.

Some examples of the current 1/2020 heads or temporary heads in the EPA are as follows:

Head of the EPA

A.R Wheeler 

Responsibility: The regulation enforcement and deregulation enforcement of industry and clean air and water.

Prior employment: Lobbyist for uranium, electric utilities and coal industries.  The coal industry contributed to his firm $2.7 million over 8 years to loosen restrictions on coal dumping sludge into rivers allowing them to continue mining.  The sludge contains toxic materials and the polluted streams and fields are sterile due to sludge.

What the department has done: Rolled back air quality legislation and supported coal and chemical and water pollution.

Senior Appointed Officials under the EPA (5) other key positions

Former Attorneys -lobbyists

1.) Head of the Land and Emergency Management The responsibility is for super fund cleanup.  The current head came from the chemical lobby.   The current head was a lawyer for Dow Chemical that fought to lessen responsibility for a toxic spill by Dow Chemical.

2.) Head of the Air Quality Management The office oversees decisions on air pollution and climate change.  The current head once sued the EPA for dirtier (lower) air quality in Texas for the oil and gas industries.  Overseer of air quality. The current head is unsure of the human responsibility for climate change.

3.) Head of Chemical Safety Management TheResponsibility is stated in the title.  The position has made the decision not to ban the chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to impaired child brain development.

4.) Head of the Water Management The office is responsibility for clean water. The department has challenged the EPA’s clean water rule and has led the effort to nullify the Obama era Clean Water Act.

5.) Head of Research and Development (R&D)  Studies chemical and water pollution risks.  the latest move is to restrict the use of scientific studies by the EPA when creating or modifying pollution regulations.

Head of the Department of the Interior

D. Bernhardt

Responsibility: Oversees Federal lands and waterways.

Prior employment: Lawyer and lobbyist for Oil, Gas companies including Haliburton, Energy and the petroleum industry lobby.

What the department has done: they have Weakened protection for endangered species, rolled back regulations on methane gas, and weakened protections for fish.  Allowing oil and gas drilling on federal lands, parks, and monuments as well as the Alaska wildlife preserve.  Employees have denied climate change and revised methodologies that predict the changes..

Senior appointed officials in the Department of the Interior

Former Attorneys – Lobbyists

1.) Acting Chief of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) As acting head is responsible  for federal lands in the 12 western states.  The chief  grants oil and gas leases on federal lands.  He has given the ok to explore for oil and gas in Utah national parks and other federal lands as retribution to Romney’s vote to impeach.  The announcement came within days of his vote.

2.) Director of Fish and Wildlife Services: The responsibility is the overseeing of 150 million acres of federal lands wildlife protection and land conservation efforts. The

 department is also responsible for protection of  wildlife refuges.  Responsible for rolling back of protected species act animals.

3.) Director of the United States Geological Services (USGS): The current focus is Climate change.  The director has misled the public about climate change by limiting the climate change model the USGS uses to stop at 2040.  The prior model was out to 2100 which showed the dire consequences of mans impact on his environment.  The new model lessens the impact because the compounding effects do not show up until after 2040.

4.) Head of Offshore Safety and Enforcement  This head overseas oil rig and safety requirements for offshore drilling and blow-out prevention.  Previously lobbied to roll back Obama era safety regulations issued after Deep Water Horizon blowout.  Shortly after his appointment he stated to an oil industry group “Help is on the way”.

5.)  Head of Overseas Oceans Coasts and American Territories This department oversees territories and national monuments.  Previously lobbied for and involved in lawsuits that would weaken environmental policies.  His current foray into his responsibilities was to scale back the number of National Monuments in Utah and reversing  endangered species act protections.

Head of the Department of Energy (DOE)

D. Brouillette

Responsibility: Oversees Responsible for the Nuclear energy stockpile. And National Laboratories energy research. 

Prior employment:  Lobbied for the American Automobile Association, Lockheed Martin, Time Warner and other energy sector companies.

What the department has done:

One of his first acts was to ease restrictions on light bulbs.  They have rolled back energy efficient standards for appliances and promoted the export of oil and liquified natural gas.

Senior appointed officials in the Department of the Interior

Former Attorneys – Lobbyists

1. Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Responsible for interstatetransmission of energy -natural gas, oil, and electricity.  Has ruled that renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and other renewable sources of energy can be charged a surcharge when bidding within the largest energy market.  This has the effect of promoting fossil fuels.
2. Assistant Head of Energy Efficiency and Renewable energy  Mission is to support renewable energy sources and energy efficient sources.  This position is held by a former lobbyist working for a group that wants the elimination of the department he runs.  Also a Vice President of The Institute of Energy Research which is funded by fossil fuel industry including the Koch brothers.

SPACE FORCE 

Or should I say Space Farce.  I was on the team presenting a logistical concept proposal paper to Air force Space and Missile Command in 1971.  This is  the Space Force that Trump wants that has existed at least since 1960’s located in El Segundo Ca. Space and Missile

Command as part of the Air Force had the same scope of work as the new official Space Farce that has a budged request of 15.4 Billion Dollars.  The budget for Space and Missile expenditures in 2019 was 4.3 Billion Dollars.  The excuse of generating a separate Space Farce was to be able to justify a huge increase in military spending without any additional benefit.  By the way it is still a branch of the Air Force.  Nothing has changed except a new budget of 15.4 billion dollars of taxpayer dollars. Look up Air Force Space and Missile Command, El Segundo to read all about their mission.  Like I stated before this is the Trump Space Farce.  

GUANTNAMO  BAY DETANEES

Spending at a rate of 13 million dollars/prisoner/year Trump has made the edict that no prisoner is to leave or be repatriated even though they were 5 to be set free but did not have a country that would except them.  There are 40 prisoners and 1,800 personnel.  That’s 45 guards per prisoner.  Take the Federal super max prison in Colorado the rate/year is $78,000.  The military runs the prison in Cuba.  The only rationale not using the Federal prison system is that they would be under Federal jurisdiction and would be treated with civil rights under the laws of the United States.

FORWARD LOOKING DECISIONS

Trump has asked his military to begin buying and producing both Cluster bombs and land mines.  These weapons are to be stockpiled for future use.  These are indiscriminate killers that kill long after the conflict ends.  In Vietnam today there are thousands of unexploded ordnance killing children.  Who thinks this won’t go bad for someone?

At Davos in 2020 Trump opined when asked by world leaders about his future attempts to reduce the deficit.   He offered that he was up to a reduction in social programs and offered

up his reduction in food stamps and his desire to cut Medicare/Medicaid.  His budget request deletes 1.5 trillion dollars from social programs as stated in Davos 2020 this includes reductions to Medicaid which he promised not to touch..

Borrowing 1 trillion dollars during a good economy is good policy?  A normal president would have attempted to pay down the debt instead of giving corporations a 40% reduction in their tax rate creating the debt.  90% of the tax cut went to the top 10% of the population.  This is capitalist socialism with a wealth transfer of unbelievable proportions.

The gap between rich and poor has increased under Trump, primarily due to his conscience decisions including his tax cuts for the wealthy, his farm subsidies to big agra, and corporate tax cuts, tariffs and  corporate socialism.  The larger the gap the more our country will act like the Russian Oligarchy model. The numbers of billionaires has doubled in the last decade.   Central control of all aspects of society by the uber rich.  According to Oxfam a group dedicated to anti-poverty reported that the 2,153 billionaire’s wealth is equal to the wealth of 60% of the worlds’ population or 2.7 billion of the 4.5 billion population.

LYING AND GASLIGHTING

Trumps Insistence on lying when it is not necessary and when it is easily proven to be false then gaslight to try to convince he is correct.  Take the weather incident.  The only rationale for the marker highlighting Alabama was to enforce his belief he was right no matter the facts.  This psychological anomaly is also present in insistence on his inauguration crowd size.  His idea of the deep state is his paranoia over individuals putting morals  and ethics first without being political.  These individuals are dedicated to the service of the country and will put country before the Donald.  These individuals are a threat to someone that wants to bend the norms to the point it is un-ethical for his own political or financial benefit. 

His false touting that the economy is the best ever makes the confidence level rise and thus individuals borrow due to low interest rates. Trump lies about his actual job creation numbers for no reason.   The numbers can be verified ,  Obama in his last 36 months created 8.08 million jobs and Trump in his 1^st 36 months only created 6.56 million jobs created Trump.  Trumps average is 182,000/mo. And Obamas average was 201,000 or 10% higher than the Donald , yet he claims he has created the most jobs of any president.  Lying about and gaslighting the facts about the economy has created a sense of well-being that has brought the economy to generate the largest debt (Mortgage and credit debt) in history 14.4 Trillion dollars which is 1.5 Trillion  higher than it has ever been.  This brings the average household debt to approx. $106,000.  The increase is over $11,500 per household.  The last year saw a 4.4% or 600 million dollar increase.  This comes with a 2.5% wage increase.  How long before this bubble bursts? 

RELIGION

Of religion and Donald Trump – where do I start.  He cheats at anything and those around him turn a blind eye.  For example his 3 wives were all cheated on.  One while his wife was pregnant.  He notoriously cheats at a game of honesty and integrity – Golf.  To cheat at golf is to cheat on yourself since golf is a game where you keep your own score. 

The evangelical community has canonized Trump ignoring his obvious flaws of infidelity and dishonesty.  He has stated he has never asked for forgiveness for anything he has done.  This is a sign of the acceptance of his immoral behavior. His behavior  sullies the reputation of all the evangelical community.  Their acceptance has generated the meshing of the political with the religious.  This has culminated in the loyalty to Trump being equated to the loyalty to God. 

Evangelicals have buried their heads in the sand and have associated themselves with corruption.  Once upon a time the IRS would eliminate the tax exempt status of churches that promoted any candidate-not now.  What happened to separation of church and state.  Donald does not know the first thing about what religion is all about.  He thinks it’s a tool for him to use at his discretion for his own benefit.  Just what is the relationship between God and someone that thinks he has the ultimate power of a monarch.

Trump has asked the department of education to allow state and federal monies be allowed to be utilized for funding religious and private institutions.  When you mix religion and politics the consequences are unintended. One example is the madrassas of the middle east that teach basic Koran fundamentalism and sharia prescribing both secular and religious duties. Does he want to fund the madrassas in the United States?   I am not prejudice against the Muslim faith, I feel that religion has no place in politics.  I feel that public education is where my tax dollars should go not any specific religious indoctrination.

ABSOLUTE POWER

Lord Acton a British historian once stated “absolute power corrupts absolutely”.  By the President calling the civil servants which act without any political prejudice enemies of the state and deep state actors he is putting out a warning not to come forward with actions that break the law. The vilification of his perceived enemies , individuals that call out his inadequacies, cringe worthy decisions, and intimidation of witnesses that had sworn to tell the truth only creates fear of coming forward.  This intimidation is the actions of, and misdeeds by, this authoritarian acting president.  This mobster tactic of vilifying opposition, witness intimidation, and retribution comes from the President that thinks he has absolute power.  Thank you Moscow Mitch.

 It was recently (1/2020) it was revealed that Trump has had his consigliere Mr. Barr intervene in every case that has been brought to the Southern District of New York that involves Rudy Giuliani or any of Trump ongoing family investigations. This action was taken the day after Barr was sworn in.   He also asked that he and the Eastern District oversee any actions taken in any of those investigations. 

Barr has already been involved in requesting special treatment of Trumps 30 year political associate  Roger Stone in his sentencing after Trumps suggestion via tweet.  As a result 2000 former Attorney Generals signed a rebuke of his actions. 

CONCLUSION:

John Adams once said “Facts are a stubborn thing”.  Where you obtain information allows one to determine opinion from fact.  Fox states they are news, however, I would argue they are 90% opinion and conspiracy theories and the mouthpiece of political talking points with half truths and gaslighting.  For example Trump and Fox news keeps repeating Trump has presided over the best economy ever.  GDP growth is the best indication of growth. Under Trump GDP growth is number 6 out of the last 11 Presidents.  He has falsely boosted confidence in the economy and thus created the highest consumer debt ever 14.4 Trillion dollars which is the highest by 4.5%. During the same time wages only rose 2.5%. What could go wrong? Debt bubbles could have a dramatic effect on the economy.  A pandemic would devastate anyone in the 40% that has only $400 from financial devastation.

Just remember the stock market is a poor indicator of the overall economy.  The stock market is easily manipulated.  When I look at trading trends the market makes me a sceptic.  The example is stock trading volume.  I have seen the market volume low when the index goes down and very high volumes when the stock rises.  With 35% owned by foreign investors the potential is there for manipulation. Sector investors such as oil and gas are subject to the actions in the middle east.    

Say the current outbreak of coronavirus in China becomes a pandemic.  If the virus effects the Chinese manufacturing the supply chain for parts the result would be that numerous industries in the United States will create substantial unemployment.  Parts for numerous automobile manufacturers are already creating layoffs at Hundi plants, and Apple stated that deliveries are being halted due to the virus.

The stock market is not a good measure of the economic health.  The stock market bubble will soon burst.  There are 3 theories financial experts have for the rise. 

First speculation is the concentration of market share by 5 largest components of the S &P 500 control 18% of the market.  They are Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook, and Microsoft these companies account for ½ of the rise in the S&P.  The quick rise of these companies will ultimately break. When the break comes, which could come soon due to the coronavirus for Microsoft and Apple production which stems from China. 

The Second theory is that the feds market policy of plentiful liquidity and a loose monetary policy has contributed to the speculation.  The fed has also started buying back its own Treasury bills to prop up the housing repossession market.  Low interest rates during a bull market ultimately will result in inflation.  Consider the unemployment level being low and pressures for employees increases wages.  With easy money borrowing is eased and consumer debt is 4.5% higher than at any other time.  Real wages have not kept up with the debt increases.

The third theory is Passive Funds, that is Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s).  These funds as well as mutual funds have permeated the markets. The impact of ETF’s in the markets is uncertain.  There is no consensus as to the effect of these funds on the bubble, however due to their market share (ETF’s make up 12% for S&P) they have a definite impact if markets fail.  With easy money comes speculation.  Speculation creates a financial bubble.

PANDEMIC RESPONSE

For the first 2 months that the known dangers of the pandemic President Trump said the virus was a hoax and that the Democrats are spreading the rumors to impact the market.  Trump is acting as the revisionist historian in chief. He and his cronies and sycophants continue to praise daily his responses as the Drs. and nurses are pleading for PPE and ventilators.

There is no individual with immune antibodies for this virus as it is a new and previously unknown variant of 2 known viruses.  Epidemiologists have speculated that a Pangolin was bitten by a bat each of which had a virus that combined to form the coronavirus and was eaten and started the chain.   Just like the Native Americans with the small pox in colonial times there was no antibodies since Native Americans had never been exposed to the disease.  This current pandemic will last until a vaccine or it runs through the population.  No one is known to be immune to the virus and its mortality is 10-30 times greater than the flu virus.

In 2017 as the Obama administration was transitioning to the Trump administration a number of briefings were conducted to insure smooth transition.  During one of these briefings on potential emergencies requiring federal response such as Hurricanes and Earthquakes and also Pandemics were discussed and specific responses were modeled were given.  This included 30 experts were present from both the Trump and Obama administration.  In 2019 only 1/3 of those experts remained within the Trump organization.  Obama as a result of SARS and MERS instituted a Pandemic Response Team that reported to National Security advisor John Bolton Trump disbanded the office.

Then came the corona virus and the recession will turn ugly fast and will morph into a depression.  20% unemployment and soup kitchens will prevail.  Capitalism has winners and losers.  In good times the winners are the wealthy and losers are less fortunate.  In a true capitalistic society there would be no bailouts.  Bailouts are true corporate Socialistic measures.

The first 2 months the administration gave the excuse that it was a hoax perpetrated by the Democrats to wreak havoc on the markets.  Although Trump has no responsibility for the virus, he does own the response.  Testing that can determine the extent of the virus.  This would picture where the hot spots are to concentrate the response. 

Trump administration at the start of the pandemic was offered test kits from the World Health Organization the same as those used in Korea and he turned them down. Adequate testing remains a hindrance to an active response.  The Chinese billionaire J. Ma offered ½ million test kits and they were refused.  This pandemic will not turn out well for those which do not have the means to support themselves.

After 14 pages I decided to concentrate on the daily missteps this buffoon and his sycophant minions has brought this nation.  Light on the  daily decisions will be pursued,   I have only just begun.