One week you're mopping floors next week it's the fries

It sounds like they're going after Medicare and SS next. Kind of have to with how much debt this tax plan adds on.

You know when someone keeps banging on about the same thing despite being in a minority view, despite inconveniences like facts proving them to be wrong? People stop trying to argue and just ignore them.

For me, that is what is happening to the US in global terms - Trump spouting his garbage means I’m now getting tired of any American global politics.

So when Nikki Haley pops up asking for global assistance in isolating N.Korea, I’m thinking, even though in this case she probably has a point, why the hell should we listen to you?

I honestly think it will be the US that gets isolated because of Trump (I’m sure Jon will quite like this idea), and it will simply allow China and Russia to become the world’s largest powers, if they aren’t already (which Jon won’t like)

If there’s any planning involved, it’s incredibly short sighted by Trump to act the way he does, and will end up setting the US back for generations.

That can't be right, Trump said the rest of the world is just now starting to respect the US.

It's already happened IMO. The rest of the West (and in some cases the West and Asia) are working together in lieu of the US. The US is the world's largest military power still, but the case could be made that China and Russia, maybe in that order, are the most powerful powers right now.

Looks more likely that Trump will get a win here.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/politi...lan/index.html

The text of the Senate bill still isn't public, John.

That just proves his maverickness.

From Sen. Hatch:


Now excuse me, I need to vote for trillions in revenue cuts.

Good lord, you have to watch this hardcore Jake ownage pic.twitter.com/MwEfmDfnuM

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) November 30, 2017

Flynn is pleading guilty to making false statements to the FBI. More indication that he is fingering bigger fish?

Breaking: Robert Mueller has charged former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn with “willfully and knowingly” making “false, fictitious and fraudulent statements” to the FBI regarding conversations with Russia’s ambassador.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) December 1, 2017

Guilty plea coming.

Without question.

One count.

This is a deal of some kind.

So "nothing to see" about Russia now Donald?

Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 31, 2017

Here is the criminal information: See the Charges: U.S. v. Michael T. Flynn - The New York Times

Benjamin Wittes on Twitter: "A criminal information, as opposed to an indictment, is almost always a prelude to a negotiated plea agreement."

Benjamin Wittes on Twitter: "Look for the release later today, or very soon, of a stipulation of fact document that will contain much more information."

Just now: @BrianRoss on @ABC News Special Report: Flynn promised full cooperation to the Mueller team and is prepared to testify that candidate Trump "directed him to make contact with the Russians.” https://t.co/E0tA37GOo0 pic.twitter.com/PmNEO7eekt

— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) December 1, 2017

There is smoke in both camps, I would like to see both campaigns investigated.

Nothing is ever going to come of this. I dunno why we're wasting time and resources on it. He will not be impeached or arrested and will win reelection.

Two people have plead guilty and a third is facing conspiracy charges. That, in and of itself, is not nothing.

Yes, yes, many fine people on both sides.

Bwahahahahahahah President Clinton should be ashamed of herself!!

From the President's lawyer:


lol

What's the end game though? Not going to be impeachment/indictment or a resignation. What's the victory? Donald Jr. In cuffs basically?

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if the pee tapes are real.

Oh I'm sure all of it is real. Piss tapes. 14 year old hookers. Etc etc.

Make America great again and hang traitors

I'm pretty sure a deterrent effect on any future election is a worthy goal.

I thought they were a little too far fetched. Then Trump recently started trying to say the Billy Bush tapes were faked. And I read an article on Russia targeting him in the 80s (and any other high profile Americans with potential political aspirations), goals to gather information, turn if possible and and gather compromising information.

Oh yeah, that was a great article. Read that too.

So all they've got so far is one of Obama's generals and a coffee boy.

Yup, seems that Flynn has flipped.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/01/us-s...he-agenda.html

Yeah that is the intent of this investigation - let future candidates know there are consequences no matter if they're President or not ..

That's some next level trolling.

Comey Makes His Instagram Debut With a Bible Verse on ‘Justice’ - Bloomberg

Comey is a moronic prima donna.

The Senate is pretending to have debate and amendments on the tax bill, but the plan is to have the last amendment offered by a complete substitution of the bill language with what has been agreed to previously by the GOP.

I'm so old I remember when the GOP promised to have three days between making a bill public and voting.

Remember when they cared about the deficit?

I'm sure he knows he gets an automatic and free get-out-of-jail card.

To be fair, I can see where Kushner did not understand the consequences of his actions/direction back then.

No problem here, someone that treats me like dirt and fires me like that, sure I'll get back at them.

So the guy who screamed "lock her up" at the Republican Convention just happened to have committed some light treason.

The GOP is set to pass a tax bill in just a few hours that currently looks like this. You can't make this up. pic.twitter.com/Atsk3AYW5R

— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) December 1, 2017

So college endowments get taxed unless they have ties to DeVos. LOL

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/01/demo...e-college.html

I mean I guess if you're going to pass an unpopular tax bill that fucks over people, might as well really go all-in and appease all your donors and buddies.

DeVos went to Calvin, not Hillsdale. Her chief of staff, however...

Notable alumni: Erik Prince, Navy SEAL and founder of Blackwater.

(aka Betsy DeVos's brother)

Why don't we make it easier and just let them decide what companies and people don't have to pay any taxes? Like just make a list of friends that are exempt. It appears that's where we are at.

She's a huge donor to the school.

I actually agree with this, but after all the shit about reading the ACA I hope all the GOP gets killed over statements like this.

Is there anything that the GOP has complained about that applies to them as well? Literally, any single thing?

RIP America.

I'm just happy that they got those tax breaks for plane owners in there. I mean, that along really simplifies the tax code and helps our country win.

I also can't wait until I hear all the amazing things that are in this thing. All the last minute adjustments that I know will benefit all of us! It's like a special Christmas present where it's all a secret, then BOOM nothing but WINNING!

I sure hope they fix the grad school tuition waiver issue. My PhD students take classes, work about 70 hours a week in the lab, and TA for 2 classes during their stay...all for 30k a year. If you tax them on 60-70k of income because the PI or university is paying the tuition, nobody will want to go to grad school. Talk about an innovation killer.

But hey, maybe they can all band together and buy a G4 to get that tax break.

More food for thought:

If it's the biggest tax cut in the history of the US, and my taxes go up, what is that saying exactly?

dola

If every person in the top 1% doesn't incorporate in some way they are idiots. The top tax bracket being 30-whatever percent is all for show. Pass through's will now be at 25% and as a corporation you can take an income of $1 and everything else will be your business expense. Really what you're seeing is a massive gain for anyone who is in a position to benefit from it.

The top 1% aren't salaried already - I totally agree the top tax bracket is just there for 'show', its the other changes which make a difference.

Yeah, looks like my taxes will go down by a whole $200. Yipee! I had $11K itemized deductions plus the $4K personal exemption and about $800 student loan interest deduction last year and now I'll just have the $12K standard deduction. And the tax brackets in the Senate bill aren't nearly as generous as the house version to make up for the lost deductions.

You could probably skip buying the plane and just get by on the tax break for your luxury car.

Here’s another fun one: school teachers won’t be able to deduct the cost of school supplies they buy for their students — luxury car owners on the other hand... pic.twitter.com/pZuGGhdg8T

— Jenna Ruddock (@natlsciservice) December 2, 2017

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Oh my god, he just admitted to obstruction of justice. If Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI when he asked Comey to let it go, then there is your case. https://t.co/c6Wtd0TfzW

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) December 2, 2017

That's the fix. Punish (liberal-leaning) universities, punish students who have the gall to be not-rich. Limit their opportunities so they can be taken advantage of by the corporate sector.

There is a clear message here about what is going on with this bill. They are going to institute everything they possibly can into law, knowing that if they lose control of either side of congress, it is going to be near impossible to roll everything back.

Looks like the news is up in arms that he just admitted to OoJ via twitter...

This is why lawyers tell clients to not talk.

I think that's the point.

Lawyers also don't release statements in Comic Sans, yet here we are.

Trump’s lawyer Ty Cobb: "Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn." pic.twitter.com/vk7Hx9pOm0

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 1, 2017

Cobb is fighting for his job. Bannon has been pushing Trump to fire him and Cobb had told Trump the investigation should be wrapped up around Thanksgiving. Continuing to sell Trump in the light at the end of the tunnel is vital to his employment.

KT's emails are coming out implicating everyone... huzzah!

“Which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him” https://t.co/Nun3wVfP6K pic.twitter.com/xhqGqifcgi

— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) December 2, 2017

The Post is now reporting that the tweet was authored by Trump's personal lawyer, John Dowd, according to two people familiar with the situation. The fact that Dowd authored the tweet could limit its salience to the investigation, but the White House still hasn't publicly corrected anything.

WTF?

Oh my
:popcorn:

Trump tweeted today that he never asked Comey to back off and basically called him a liar.

The real issue is congress under GOP control would never impeach him/put country before party.

We've got so far to go to get the country back from the special interests and gang mentality in DC.

71% of likely GOP voters no not believe the allegations against Moore

Moore has a 6 point lead in the same poll

McConnell now is saying that the voters of AL will decide who is in the Senate

He's beginning to realize it's like Trump said - he (and probably other Republicans) could shoot somebody in the middle of the street in broad daylight and followers wouldn't care. They don't care if their side lies, they don't care if they beat up reporters, they don't care if they harass or molest women/girls.

Remember Democrats are elitists.

https://iowastartingline.com/2017/12...=socialnetwork

Molesting girls and killing kids is accepted in the US to protect freedoms for everyone.

When you're attacking FBI agents because you're under criminal investigation, you're losing https://t.co/SIoAxatCjp

— Sarah Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) November 3, 2016

Having grown up and gone to school less than 10 minutes from Alabama, it's not surprising that my social media contacts contain a fair number of people who live there. In the last couple of weeks, I've endeavored to engage (mostly privately) with old friends who are current Alabamians. There's not a consensus among conservatives that I know there. They range from holding their noses and voting Jones to voting Moore enthusiastically, and everything in between. That said, one common theme definitely has emerged among the ones who say they intend to vote for Moore despite thinking that there's at least *something* to the charges. This sentiment was best expressed in two sentences in an email that I received overnight from a friend who is the father of two teenage daughters.

"It's quite possible that he's a child molester, and there's no way I want him anywhere near {daughters' names}, but we're not hiring a babysitter. We're hiring someone to wage political war against our enemies on the left, and there's no question that he's the best candidate for that job."

This is where we are.

Hmmmm...when the President's lawyer is saying that the President cannot obstruct justice, I'm guessing that's an admission that if it were anyone else, it'd be obstructing justice.

Exclusive: Trump lawyer claims the "President cannot obstruct justice" - Axios

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michael.../#3a16282832ba

I find this argument to be laughable as household actually do pay down their debt by making mortgage and other loan payments, but this does bring up another question - when does the federal debit become a problem?

Another way of putting it: Nixon's only error was admitting defeat.

For current policy makers, it doesn't. Not as long as GDP keeps growing and even if it doesn't as long as there's some other way to rationalize it, they'll just keep letting it ride. Hey, they'll be dead long before any of this really matters to them.

The problem with this view, of course, is that the President can ABSOLUTELY obstruct justice, because the concept of Presidential infallibility implies a form of Divine Right that is not inherent in the American political tradition. The man isn't a King; he's simply the guy we hired to see to it that the REAL infallible part of American democracy, the Constitution, is followed. The President can only be incapable of obstructing Justice when his actions are in service to the document. If he is obfuscating the attempt to determine whether his administration's actions undermine the Constitution, then you can't consider that anything BUT obstruction.

Senate GOP Accidentally Killed All Corporate Tax Deductions

It would appear KT McFarland committed perjury.

McFarland Contradicted Herself on Russia Contacts, Congressional Testimony Shows - The New York Times

Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital | TheHill

Because we want, you know, more unrest in the Middle-East than there already was.

On the bright side, the knowledge that Trump is calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel should be enough to unify the rest of the world in the belief that it isn't.

This attack on Romney by Steve Bannon is really ugly:

But his former boss... deferments...okay.

Those heel spurs are nothing to mess around with. Trunp is lucky that he can still golf 5 days a week.

Not sure what to think about recognizing Jerusalem. Its not as if anything is happening right now anyway but is definitely dangerous ... this may change the calculus, spur more talks (after the initial intifada-like reactions) or blow things up long-term.

The so-called ISIL caliphate has been cowed, we are much less beholden to ME oil, and some Arab countries are probably more concerned about the SA-Iran power struggle. All makes for a very interesting dynamic.

The issue isn't really recognizing it as the capital, the issue is that there is zero chance he is doing it for the right reasons and not as some sort of demented powerplay (towards other countries), political statement against the arab world and as a showboating move.

Don't forget about blowing things (and people) up short term.

Funny how we demand something from countries for everything else but we're giving this to Israel for nothing. America first...after Israel.

Israel have a whole lot of leverage, being located where they are.

so much for being a great deal maker.

To be fair, we also don't demand anything from Russia.

Wonder how this is gonna go pic.twitter.com/HtX5uwTWzc

— Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) December 6, 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...=.73b3cca2ba8f


Drain the swamp?

What a deal for Russia. Either they get everything they wanted from Trump or they end up having us look like complete idiots to the rest of the world while not-so-slowly destroying us from within.

You appear to be misunderstanding what that term means ... it was first thought to mean 'remove money from politics' or 'remove corporate interests from politics' ...

But what it means to the right is 'removing any left wing influence from politics' - as far as I can see most right wing people on Fox don't care about Russian influence, Corporate influence or billionaires milking the system ... so long as anything associated with the Democrats is destroyed.

In the end it might be both.