The Trump Presidency – 2016

[stevew]

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

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I bet this tax bill lays the groundwork for repealing the ACA. With the mandate already gone the CBO score on a repeal bill will look much better in comparison to the previous bills. All the moderates will say, “Mission Accomplished!” and presto, ACA repeal.

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

[AlexB]

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.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by AlexB

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.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by AlexB

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)

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.

[Edward64]

Looks more likely that Trump will get a win here.

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

Sen. John McCain said Thursday he will support Senate Republicans' tax plan, a major sign of progress for GOP leaders as the party barrels toward a vote on their overhaul of the US tax system by the end of the week.

McCain, who had remained a wild card and had kept his position on the tax bill unclear even from leadership, said that he came to support the legislation because he believed it had gone through committee and would improve the economic outcome of Americans.

"After careful thought and consideration, I have decided to support the Senate tax reform bill. I believe this legislation, though far from perfect, would enhance American competitiveness, boost the economy, and provide long overdue tax relief for middle class families," McCain said in a released statement Thursday morning. "For months, I have called for a return to regular order, and I am pleased that this important bill was considered through the normal legislative processes, with several hearings and a thorough mark-up in the Senate Finance Committee during which more than 350 amendments were filed and 69 received a vote."

Republicans have 52 members in the Senate, and could only afford to lose two votes and still pass their legislation.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

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

That just proves his maverickness.

[JPhillips]

From Sen. Hatch:

But let me tell you something. We're going to do CHIP, there's no question about it in my mind. It has to be done the right way. But we—the reason CHIP is having trouble is because we don't have money anymore. We just add more and more spending and more and more spending, and you can look at the rest of the bill for the more and more spending.

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

[mckerney]

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

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) November 30, 2017

[Ben E Lou]

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

[Logan]

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.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

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

Without question.

One count.

This is a deal of some kind.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Logan

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.

[Thomkal]

So "nothing to see" about Russia now Donald?

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

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

[corbes]

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."

[mckerney]

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

[Warhammer]

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

[stevew]

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.

[digamma]

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

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

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

Yes, yes, many fine people on both sides.

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by digamma

Yes, yes, many fine people on both sides.

Bwahahahahahahah President Clinton should be ashamed of herself!!

[JPhillips]

From the President's lawyer:

Today, Michael Flynn, a former National Security Advisor at the White House for 25 days during the Trump Administration, and a former Obama administration official, entered a guilty plea to a single count of making a false statement to the FBI.

lol

[stevew]

Originally Posted by digamma

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

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

[JPhillips]

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

[stevew]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

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

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by stevew

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

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

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by stevew

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 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.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by jeff061

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.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

From the President's lawyer:



lol

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

[Edward64]

Yup, seems that Flynn has flipped.

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

Michael Flynn (L), former national security advisor to President Donald Trump, arrives for his plea hearing at the Prettyman Federal Courthouse December 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. Markets fall on ABC News report that Flynn is prepared to testify on Trump and Russia

Stocks fell Friday on a report that Michael Flynn was directed by President Trump to talk to Russians.

ABC News reported that Flynn, the former national security adviser, would testify that he was directed to make contact with Russians during the presidential campaign in 2016. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his postelection contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

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

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

[CrescentMoonie]

Kushner Is Said to Have Ordered Flynn to Contact Russia - Bloomberg

[CrescentMoonie]

That's some next level trolling.

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

[jeff061]

Comey is a moronic prima donna.

[JPhillips]

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.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

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?

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

Kushner Is Said to Have Ordered Flynn to Contact Russia - Bloomberg

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.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Comey is a moronic prima donna.

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

[RainMaker]

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

[mckerney]

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

[RainMaker]

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.

[CrescentMoonie]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

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...

[cuervo72]

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

(aka Betsy DeVos's brother)

[RainMaker]

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.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

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

She's a huge donor to the school.

[JPhillips]

GOP Senator Ron Johnson -

"You really don't read this kind of legislation."

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?

[Izulde]

RIP America.

[PilotMan]

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!