First 100 days

[sinjefe]

Now that Trump has been elected, if you were advising him on what significant steps to take, symbolic or otherwise, in his first 100 days in office, what would your advice be?

Mine? Move to disband DHS, HUD, HHS, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Department of the Interior and fire all currently serving GO / FO / SES throughout government service and start anew.

[frostfire]

terminate all czar positions, no more tax stamps and advocate for nationwide hearing conservation :D ....also stop policies that reward irresponsible behavior i.e. abuse of emergency room, Medicaid, medicare, foodstamps, etc.

If Trump has class, I also want him to demonstrate his commitment and no-nonsense approach by skipping the in-your-face-celebrity-packed extravagant days of celebration as the divider-in-chief did in 2008. Git-r-done, Mr. President Trump!

[Ret10Echo]

1. Rescind all Executive Orders and unilateral WH memo's that bypass the legislative process

2. Disassemble the "czar" system completely and put in place measures that would block any such future action.

3. Assess the policy and regulatory overreach used and abused by Federal Departments and Agencies (DHS, EPA, DOJ, Agriculture, Education...etc...etc...)

4. Demonstrate a commitment to support and uphold the Constitution and the political processes outlined therein (see items 1, 2 and 3).

5. Institute a "daylight" policy to counteract the previous administrations (so-called) "transparency" and allow the American people to really see what has been going on within the EOP over the last 8 years.

6. Destroy the "DC Insider/Royal Court" by outlining a plan to move Federal Department and Agency Headquarters OUT of the DC metro area and into the regions of the country where their primary mission focus is (USDA in Iowa, Interior in Montana, DHS in Arizona).

[cbtengr]

#s 2 and 3 Excellent replies to the OP.

[1stindoor]

Send him a link to professionalsoldiers.com.

[Badger52]

Send him a link to professionalsoldiers.com.:lifter I'm sure there would be no lack of sage consulting available.

[miclo18d]

Get a new FBI Director and investigate the swamp... to include the lobbyists congress, and Gubmint agencies...

[Paslode]

Make George Soros and his spawn disappear

[Hand]

6. Destroy the "DC Insider/Royal Court" by outlining a plan to move Federal Department and Agency Headquarters OUT of the DC metro area and into the regions of the country where their primary mission focus is (USDA in Iowa, Interior in Montana, DHS in Arizona).

This is a novel (to me) idea. If you don't mind indulging me, would you mind unwrapping this one a little?

Where to get/how to fund existing or new buildings
How to fund moving personnel/ acquiring new local personnel.
Projected increased or decreased utility/effectiveness of the dept in their new location


I think it's a great idea, I would like to delve a bit and see your thought process.

[PSM]

Fill a basket of deportables. ;)

Pat

[Team Sergeant]

Make George Soros and his spawn disappear

I'd take that mission.......:munchin

[Dusty]

Beef up security to an exorbitant extent.
Take a gold shovel to the Mex border and break ground.
Enumerate exhaustively the failures of the previous administration while slapping his forehead and saying "Thank God we still got enough real Americans to turn this around.
Say "you're fired' to Obama on national TV.
Take baby steps to eradicate abortion, gender neutrality and Obamacare.
Link up tight with BiBi.
Double the recruiting efforts for the Military.
Get rid of the idiotic notion of female GB, Rangers, and SEALs. MARSOC not a priority.
Show the football on TV while addressing the Sunnis everywhere on Al Jazeera.
Tell BLM to cross a red line, then enforce the consequence.
Stop running Duck Dynasty and 90 percent of all reality shows; especially home improvement farces.
Fire Megyn Kelly.
Hire Jerry Boykin.

[sfshooter]

As stated above by Dusty; most important to reverse all the social engineering changes the military has been put through in the last 8 years!

There won't be a strong military with that crap continuing!

[RomanCandle]

Who'll be AG and who will be the Special Prosecutor. I for one would be very interested to see all the sordid details of the Klinton Kabal spread out for all to see. Trey Gowdy?

I think there will be some stomach churning sh*t.

[Badger52]

This is a novel (to me) idea. If you don't mind indulging me, would you mind unwrapping this one a little?

Where to get/how to fund existing or new buildings
How to fund moving personnel/ acquiring new local personnel.
Projected increased or decreased utility/effectiveness of the dept in their new location


I think it's a great idea, I would like to delve a bit and see your thought process.Ditto. Putting them in their functional AO would make the strap-hangers/sycophants look at lobbying duty as a hardship tour. No compensatory per diem; you make what the local populace makes (generally, not to drop below your grade) and subsist IN your AO. Eventually, the ticks drop off because the teat is dry and those who want to be there will be. Service, as part of something bigger than yourself.

[frostfire]

, symbolic or otherwise,

Who'll be AG and who will be the Special Prosecutor. I for one would be very interested to see all the sordid details of the Klinton Kabal spread out for all to see. Trey Gowdy?

A special committee to investigate Clint0n Foundation through and through. Now that she's out of the presidential bid, would the Bureau director finds a reasonable prosecutor to indict on various counts? I want her exposed for all the poisoning she had done to young girls' mind. This is wishful thinking, but perhaps learning and wisdom will take place as they see her deeds and speech and true nature outside media spotlight. We are now stronger to-get-her!

geez, I can see a Hollywood movie made in near future about the fall of the clint0n oligarchy

[PedOncoDoc]

A special committee to investigate Clint0n Foundation through and through. Now that she's out of the presidential bid, would the Bureau director finds a reasonable prosecutor to indict on various counts? I want her exposed for all the poisoning she had done to young girls' mind. This is wishful thinking, but perhaps learning and wisdom will take place as they see her deeds and speech and true nature outside media spotlight. We are now stronger to-get-her!

geez, I can see a Hollywood movie made in near future about the fall of the clint0n oligarchy

What are the odds on a presidential pardon in the next couple months?

[Badger52]

What are the odds on a presidential pardon in the next couple months?My understanding is that pardons are for convictions. For him to use the 'amnesty' word might f-up Valerie Jarrett's vision of herself in the history books. Depends on what Valerie & Michelle say. Preoccupations with careless white folks of no value is not likely to be high on their agenda. Now the Prez Library in Hawaii maybe...

[Ret10Echo]

This is a novel (to me) idea. If you don't mind indulging me, would you mind unwrapping this one a little?

Where to get/how to fund existing or new buildings
How to fund moving personnel/ acquiring new local personnel.
Projected increased or decreased utility/effectiveness of the dept in their new location


I think it's a great idea, I would like to delve a bit and see your thought process.

This is a high level overview and not a comprehensive plan. There are informational holes and certain points of data that I am lacking

Moving Federal Agencies out of the DC Metro.

The challenge here is to do this in as much of a budget neutral manner as possible. It also only make sense to move those entities that have an operational role. The bureaucratic paper pushers don’t apply and ideally you would want to do away those agencies that are not providing a public service or meeting a constitutional requirement of the federal government. An essential part of downsizing the government is to make it more like the military in the sense that it is about service and not about a stepping stone to a lucrative career in the private sector or huge dollars from consulting or speaking engagements.
Political appointees would have to think long and hard about accepting an appointment (one of 4,000 political appointees in federal service) if that means they are going to have to leave their McMansion in Loudon county or Old Town Alexandria.

Such a move also presents an opportunity to conduct an organizational restructuring and workforce analysis. Cutting the redundant and useless programs (and associated staffs). D.C. has also created a muffin-top organizational structure where there are excessive levels of seniority for menial jobs.

Also, technology now provides a level of connectivity today that did not exist when these agencies were established so the necessity of being in walking distance of the Hill or the WH is gone. Only thing needed in DC is Department of Treasury and the War Department

At the end of the day, a farmer should be able to go from his pasture to the agriculture building without getting off of his tractor. Appointees and employees should SEE their constituents and those they serve EVERY DAY on their way to work, at the PTA meeting and on the softball field.

Target Agencies
Agriculture
Interior
Homeland Security
Labor
EPA

Selection of locations can be achieved through a bidding process following an analysis of the missions and what geographical location most closely aligns.

The examples I provide are unscientifically derived, but it would look something like:
Agriculture – Iowa
Interior – Washington (Eastern)/Montana/Wyoming
Homeland Security – Arizona
Labor – Ohio
EPA – West Virginia/Arkansas

A factor for consideration would be local unemployment statistics(Bureau of labor statistics) and infrastructure opportunity projects (where local towns can benefit from infrastructure construction or upgrades)
Yuma AZ – 15%
Steubenville, OH – 9.2%
Richland, WA – 8.4%
Davenport, IA – 7.1%

Timeline for relocation would require a multi-year approach to align budgeting processes and authorizations as well as providing for proper notification to affected agencies and employees to consider options and make a decision.

Personnel:

Cost savings can be achieved through the relocation in a number of ways and can generally be accomplished within the current guidelines from the OPM.
97% of the federal workforce is located CONUS
15% of the federal workforce is located in the Washington DC Metro area.

Average paygrade of federal employees GS-10 (Base Salary $47,000)
Average paygrade of federal employees in D.C. GS-12 (Base Salary $62,000)
Savings $15,000 annually in base salary

Knowing that initially certain employees will simply relocate, the locality pay creates an initial savings in a status quo environment. i.e. GS-10 Step 5 employee: DC Locality $66,690 Moline Iowa Locality $61,158 Savings= $5,500 annually
OPM regulations allow for a 2-pay grade reduction if the organization is required to relocate or if the mission area is overstaffed or no longer viable. This initiative would also encourage those federal employees that are eligible for retirement to go ahead and drop paperwork. This has the potential to reduce overall staffing costs by increasing the number of entry level employees.

Realistically if you look at the cost of living comparison between the DC Metro and Iowa, an individual could theoretically accept a 38% reduction in salary and maintain the same standard of living (Bankrate.com) A person making $66,690 in DC translates to a $42,158 salary in Iowa. This being based upon cost of living decreases such as auto insurance (DC=$177/mo IA=$88/mo). The government also pays out a huge amount in transit benefits in the DC metro to encourage employees to take public transit. This can be up to $250 per month depending on Congressional approval. Since this is generally a pass-through to local governments it may waver but usually comes back.
OPM allows for relocation authorization for employees not to exceed 25% of their base salary times the number of years of service not to exceed 4. In our example that could be between $13,000 and $53,000…but the recovery of that cost can occur through the reduction in salary and benefit costs between 2.5 and 10 years.

Attrition through retirement or departure will account for a partial reduction in overall staffing levels. Recruitment events held in the targeted towns and cities would serve as a method of educating and recruiting local talent. Federal human capital and recruiting teams can partner with local high schools, Junior colleges, universities and trade schools to collaborate on priming the pump for those skill sets the agency would seek to hire.

Buildings and facilities

The Feds currently lease around 8 Million square feet of office space in the DC metro area. The cost per square foot for leased office space is between $45 and $52 per square. Average cost per square foot of leased office space in Iowa is $12 - $15.
Redirection of appropriated facilities funding – DHS, in their 2016 budget had appropriated $215,822,000 for Headquarters consolidation. I would argue that $215M goes a bit further out in the real world than it does in the DC Metro region.

Effectiveness

I’m am basing this on a supply-chain sort of methodology. How many stages and steps are there between the materials, production, transport and delivery? Cutting down on the number of steps and go-betweens as well as doing some real QA/QC on activities of the agency. Immediate feedback on applied policy or operational decisions improves efficiency of services delivered and seeks to avoid needless wasted resources because a decision is made by a policy wonk operating in a vacuum.
Congressional delegations operating in their home district would be able to engage with the Federal Agencies most likely to impact constituents and improve communications between the citizen, legislator and agency.

Again, this isn’t exhaustive, just what I’ve got sketched out currently.
Poke holes please.

[PedOncoDoc]

My understanding is that pardons are for convictions. For him to use the 'amnesty' word might f-up Valerie Jarrett's vision of herself in the history books. Depends on what Valerie & Michelle say. Preoccupations with careless white folks of no value is not likely to be high on their agenda. Now the Prez Library in Hawaii maybe...

I found an interesting article from 2008 that suggests otherwise. (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2008/07/preemptive_presidential_pardons.html)

[tonyz]

I'm guessin' donations to the Klinton Crime Foundation won't be as large over the next 100 days.

...and much fewer $850K speeches...go figure.

[Badger52]

I found an interesting article from 2008 that suggests otherwise. (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2008/07/preemptive_presidential_pardons.html)Interesting, thanks. (And, yes, I'd forgotten about Ford/Nixon for the moment.)

Regardless of wording it would be tantamount to a clear indictment of the individual's conduct which would prompt inquiry into his motive. Because if he pardons Hillary & Crew (but can't pardon himself) he ends up being the only one hanging in the breeze in terms of reputation (let alone wrongdoing).

I'm going back to thinking about first 100 rather than last 60; easier on the digestion.
:)

[Sdiver]

Get someone in Scalia's empty seat ASAP.
.

[mark46th]

Millions of acres of desert and mountains, formerly under BLM responsibility have been changed to National Monument status by Bill Clinton and Obama, removing their use by hunters and recreational motor sport fans.

Remove these lands from National Monument status, so the public can use them, again.

[Badger52]

The bureaucratic paper pushers don’t apply and ideally you would want to do away those agencies that are not providing a public service or meeting a constitutional requirement of the federal government.Nicely fleshed out sir; helluva first cut. I would bet that a candid evaluation first - of what an agency's actual role is vis a vis a valid requirement of a National government - would trim the list.

Also, not to put too fine a point on it, I would prefer that it certainly not be "revenue neutral." That term is used too often to be the smoke & mirrors for the populace when, really, it's one hand letting go of something while the other one grabs it up. (Same reason I don't like "balanced budget" efforts.) I would prefer that such a process be a revenue (to the Gov) decreaser. The net result must be a savings that results in less burden to the individual. Only with less will there be a motivation to spend less & prioritize what remains and do it with support of the people. Example:

"Ret10Echo, hi this is Donald. We've pretty much gutted this Agency-of-No-Value (ANV) and folded its remains into the Dept of Agriculture. Your annual tax burden could go down $112; but we're only going to reduce it by $62 because we're plowing the rest of that into our ravaged & neglected military for training fuel & ammo production budgets. If that's OK, let your Congressional reps know."

Maybe Trump the businessman can get between these two approaches and achieve some compromise in the name of doing the right thing or, at least, doing something. There's a whole town out there full of pet rice bowls. They're going to get disturbed and, in my view, not in such a way that everyone still gets fed. Some are going to be starved & have to forage elsewhere & that's alright with me.

:)

[LarryW]

1. Convene a military tribunal and execute the swine worshipers in Gitmo.
2. Appoint SCOTUS candidate to Congress
3. Secure the borders including convening immigration courts to clear the ques
4. Direct the Atty Gen'l to investigate all "foundations" for money laundering & pay-for-play
5. Reduce corporate tax rates to encourage business and offer all former US companies that moved overseas in the past ten years a tax break if they return
6. Give Congress a deadline to fix the healthcare goat rodeo or face Executive Order to cancel the thing
7. Collect engineering surveys from all states on their requirements for repairing transportation infrastructure in their states
8. Put a large monument in front of the White House with the Ten Commandments
9. Go to church every Sunday
10. Play the banjo on the Truman porch

[Ret10Echo]

Nicely fleshed out sir; helluva first cut. I would bet that a candid evaluation first - of what an agency's actual role is vis a vis a valid requirement of a National government - would trim the list.

Also, not to put too fine a point on it, I would prefer that it certainly not be "revenue neutral." That term is used too often to be the smoke & mirrors for the populace when, really, it's one hand letting go of something while the other one grabs it up. (Same reason I don't like "balanced budget" efforts.) I would prefer that such a process be a revenue (to the Gov) decreaser. The net result must be a savings that results in less burden to the individual. Only with less will there be a motivation to spend less & prioritize what remains and do it with support of the people. Example:

"Ret10Echo, hi this is Donald. We've pretty much gutted this Agency-of-No-Value (ANV) and folded its remains into the Dept of Agriculture. Your annual tax burden could go down $112; but we're only going to reduce it by $62 because we're plowing the rest of that into our ravaged & neglected military for training fuel & ammo production budgets. If that's OK, let your Congressional reps know."

Maybe Trump the businessman can get between these two approaches and achieve some compromise in the name of doing the right thing or, at least, doing something. There's a whole town out there full of pet rice bowls. They're going to get disturbed and, in my view, not in such a way that everyone still gets fed. Some are going to be starved & have to forage elsewhere & that's alright with me.

:)

Thanks for the feedback. I think having things stay within current budget levels would be an initial goal. You'll have to project into the future to figure out the point where you are going to spend less (note I did not say "save" because most government function is on money that doesn't exist).

[Badger52]

Thanks for the feedback. I think having things stay within current budget levels would be an initial goal. You'll have to project into the future to figure out the point where you are going to spend less (note I did not say "save" because most government function is on money that doesn't exist).

Roger that. You're x-ring on that cost-of-living thing. My last Army assignment was in a vault-like substance in the A-ring, then took a 7/9/11 living in Davenport when I got out. Friend called from Woodbridge, VA where I'd just left from (back when it was tumbleweeds blowing through a strip mall) and offered me a 9. Declined after I got done LMAO 'cause in Davenport I was livin' large and it would be Ramen-3-Ways with the other one.

I'm just hoping that Trump can assemble a task-force that will look at this stuff and make a start. Youtube cry-babies are only the tip. The list of butt-hurt people hasn't really started yet.

One other thing I'd like to see done but doubt it can be achieved because it requires a collective will is to rid the DoD-functions of this constant & consuming effort to act like some McNamara-esque factory plant somewhere. That is, if you want to track how to get people to process retiree applications more efficiently, great, save money, go forth & do great things.

But the operational arm of the military should be treated as a COST-center, not a Work-center. What we do is impose national will by killing people & breaking shit. It's not supposed to be a profit-making enterprise, so get off our backs. You want us to go do something? Then pony up the will & the stuff.
(Note: I was sadly unable to harm any F-35's during the typing of that.)

[PSM]

Here's DJT's plan:



What follows is my 100-day action plan to Make America Great Again. It is a contract between myself and the American voter — and begins with restoring honesty, accountability and change to Washington

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interest collusion in Washington, DC:

* FIRST, propose a Constitutional Amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress;

* SECOND, a hiring freeze on all federal employees to reduce federal workforce through attrition (exempting military, public safety, and public health);

* THIRD, a requirement that for every new federal regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated;

* FOURTH, a 5 year-ban on White House and Congressional officials becoming lobbyists after they leave government service;

* FIFTH, a lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying on behalf of a foreign government;

* SIXTH, a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections.

On the same day, I will begin taking the following 7 actions to protect American workers:

* FIRST, I will announce my intention to renegotiate NAFTA or withdraw from the deal under Article 2205

* SECOND, I will announce our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership

* THIRD, I will direct my Secretary of the Treasury to label China a currency manipulator

* FOURTH, I will direct the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to identify all foreign trading abuses that unfairly impact American workers and direct them to use every tool under American and international law to end those abuses immediately

* FIFTH, I will lift the restrictions on the production of $50 trillion dollars' worth of job-producing American energy reserves, including shale, oil, natural gas and clean coal.

* SIXTH, lift the Obama-Clinton roadblocks and allow vital energy infrastructure projects, like the Keystone Pipeline, to move forward

* SEVENTH, cancel billions in payments to U.N. climate change programs and use the money to fix America's water and environmental infrastructure

Additionally, on the first day, I will take the following five actions to restore security and the constitutional rule of law:

* FIRST, cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama

* SECOND, begin the process of selecting a replacement for Justice Scalia from one of the 20 judges on my list, who will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States

* THIRD, cancel all federal funding to Sanctuary Cities

* FOURTH, begin removing the more than 2 million criminal illegal immigrants from the country and cancel visas to foreign countries that won't take them back

* FIFTH, suspend immigration from terror-prone regions where vetting cannot safely occur. All vetting of people coming into our country will be considered extreme vetting.

Next, I will work with Congress to introduce the following broader legislative measures and fight for their passage within the first 100 days of my Administration:

Middle Class Tax Relief And Simplification Act. An economic plan designed to grow the economy 4% per year and create at least 25 million new jobs through massive tax reduction and simplification, in combination with trade reform, regulatory relief, and lifting the restrictions on American energy. The largest tax reductions are for the middle class. A middle-class family with 2 children will get a 35% tax cut. The current number of brackets will be reduced from 7 to 3, and tax forms will likewise be greatly simplified. The business rate will be lowered from 35 to 15 percent, and the trillions of dollars of American corporate money overseas can now be brought back at a 10 percent rate.

End The Offshoring Act. Establishes tariffs to discourage companies from laying off their workers in order to relocate in other countries and ship their products back to the U.S. tax-free.

American Energy & Infrastructure Act. Leverages public-private partnerships, and private investments through tax incentives, to spur $1 trillion in infrastructure investment over 10 years. It is revenue neutral.

School Choice And Education Opportunity Act. Redirects education dollars to give parents the right to send their kid to the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school of their choice. Ends common core, brings education supervision to local communities. It expands vocational and technical education, and make 2 and 4-year college more affordable.

Repeal and Replace Obamacare Act. Fully repeals Obamacare and replaces it with Health Savings Accounts, the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines, and lets states manage Medicaid funds. Reforms will also include cutting the red tape at the FDA: there are over 4,000 drugs awaiting approval, and we especially want to speed the approval of life-saving medications.

Affordable Childcare and Eldercare Act. Allows Americans to deduct childcare and elder care from their taxes, incentivizes employers to provide on-side childcare services, and creates tax-free Dependent Care Savings Accounts for both young and elderly dependents, with matching contributions for low-income families.

End Illegal Immigration Act. Fully-funds the construction of a wall on our southern border with the full understanding that the country Mexico will be reimbursing the United States for the full cost of such wall; establishes a 2-year mandatory minimum federal prison sentence for illegally re-entering the U.S. after a previous deportation, and a 5-year mandatory minimum for illegally re-entering for those with felony convictions, multiple misdemeanor convictions or two or more prior deportations; also reforms visa rules to enhance penalties for overstaying and to ensure open jobs are offered to American workers first.

Restoring Community Safety Act. Reduces surging crime, drugs and violence by creating a Task Force On Violent Crime and increasing funding for programs that train and assist local police; increases resources for federal law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors to dismantle criminal gangs and put violent offenders behind bars.

Restoring National Security Act. Rebuilds our military by eliminating the defense sequester and expanding military investment; provides Veterans with the ability to receive public VA treatment or attend the private doctor of their choice; protects our vital infrastructure from cyber-attack; establishes new screening procedures for immigration to ensure those who are admitted to our country support our people and our values.

Clean up Corruption in Washington Act. Enacts new ethics reforms to Drain the Swamp and reduce the corrupting influence of special interests on our politics.
On November 8th, Americans will be voting for this 100-day plan to restore prosperity to our economy, security to our communities, and honesty to our government.

This is my pledge to you.

And if we follow these steps, we will once more have a government of, by and for the people.

Link: http://www.npr.org/2016/11/09/501451368/here-is-what-donald-trump-wants-to-do-in-his-first-100-days

Pat

[Badger52]

a requirement that for every new federal regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated

That is like someone on his team read Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
LOVE IT.
:lifter

[Team Sergeant]

Anyone here receive a contractor bid for the liberal/socialist "Re-Education Camp" security? Heard it's going to pay very well. :munchin


Edit to add: Oh crap, did I post this in public?

[cbtengr]

What are the odds on a presidential pardon in the next couple months?

If she's pardoned isn't that an admission that she is guilty of some sort of wrong doing? This is no new win situation for the WH.

[miclo18d]

If she's pardoned isn't that an admission that she is guilty of some sort of wrong doing? This is no new win situation for the WH.

Yes, according to SCOTUS, prez can pardon but it would be an admission of guilt to accept it.

[Patrin]

I'd take that mission.......:munchin

I'd like to second...and come along.

DJT has set up a website specifically for all of his supporters...us...to share ideas on what issues he should tackle first and policies to be implemented.

I think it's a great opportunity:

https://www.greatagain.gov/

[The Reaper]

IIRC, pardons cannot be issued for crimes for which one has not yet been convicted, and it is unlikely that such a conviction will occur before Obama leaves office.

I guess Trump could cut a drug deal, but after the bad blood, I doubt he would do so.

TR

[mojaveman]

Now that Trump has been elected, if you were advising him on what significant steps to take, symbolic or otherwise, in his first 100 days in office, what would your advice be?

Mine? Move to disband DHS, HUD, HHS, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Department of the Interior and fire all currently serving GO / FO / SES throughout government service and start anew.

You forgot to include the IRS.

[CAARNG 68W]

Anyone here receive a contractor bid for the liberal/socialist "Re-Education Camp" security? Heard it's going to pay very well. :munchin


Edit to add: Oh crap, did I post this in public?

Even better Sergeant, some ADOS orders to ¡Construir El Muro! :D:boohoo:lifter

[PedOncoDoc]

IIRC, pardons cannot be issued for crimes for which one has not yet been convicted, and it is unlikely that such a conviction will occur before Obama leaves office.

I guess Trump could cut a drug deal, but after the bad blood, I doubt he would do so.

TR

I posted this (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2008/07/preemptive_presidential_pardons.html) in another thread and it addresses your query.

As long as the crime has already been committed, a pardon can be given regardless of where things are in the legal process (pre, during or post conviction).

[tonyz]

Not a bad idea from Ann Coulter below - but I get a sense that Trump is a multitasker. The people have given you the opportunity. Now, make them proud.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FIRST 100 DAYS
November 9, 2016

Well, that was the easy part. All Trump had to do was vanquish people too stupid to pick up the thousand-dollar bill lying on the sidewalk -- smug, smirking, out-of-touch establishment drones.

Now comes the part Americans have desperately hoped for, but almost never seen: A politician keeping his promises to the American people. (See, e.g., Senate candidate Marco Rubio's 2010 promise to oppose amnesty if elected; Sen. Mitch McConnell's 2014 promise to block Obama's executive amnesty if Republicans were handed a Senate majority; Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Ted Cruz's promise to support the 2016 Republican presidential nominee.)

Hey, anybody else remember "Read My Lips"? That was from the family too pristine to sully themselves by voting for Trump.

With the self-assurance of everything else they've said wrong about Trump from Day One, the media are already announcing that he, too, will betray the American people.

I don't think so! To help Mr. Trump keep his promises, I've compiled a detailed schedule for his first 100 days in office. Please note that each day is meticulously planned:

Day 1: Start building the wall.

Day 2: Continue building the wall.

Day 3: Continue building the wall.

Day 4: Continue building the wall.

Day 5: Continue building the wall.

Day 6: Continue building the wall.

Day 7: Continue building the wall.

Day 8: Continue building the wall.

Day 9: Continue building the wall.

Day 10: Continue building the wall.

Day 11: Continue building the wall.

Day 12: Continue building the wall.

Day 13: Continue building the wall.

Day 14: Continue building the wall.

Day 15: Continue building the wall.

Day 16: Continue building the wall.

Day 17: Continue building the wall.

Day 18: Continue building the wall.

Day 19: Continue building the wall.

Day 20: Continue building the wall.

Day 21: Continue building the wall.

Day 22: Continue building the wall.

Day 23: Continue building the wall.

Day 24: Continue building the wall.

Day 25: Continue building the wall.

Day 26: Continue building the wall.

Day 27: Continue building the wall.

Day 28: Continue building the wall.

Day 29: Continue building the wall.

Day 30: Continue building the wall.

Day 31: Continue building the wall.

Day 32: Continue building the wall.

Day 33: Continue building the wall.

Day 34: Continue building the wall.

Day 35: Continue building the wall.

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Day 99: Continue building the wall.

Day 100: Report to American people about progress of wall. Keep building the wall.

Good luck, President Donald Trump!


COPYRIGHT 2016 Ann Coulter

http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2016-11-09.html

[Dusty]

Perpetual losers suffer a special disgruntlement that lasts 'til they croak or changel

[bblhead672]

Make George Soros and his spawn disappear

This would eliminate a lot of problems for the country.

[bblhead672]

Get a strict Consitutionalist in Scalia's empty seat ASAP.
.

Agreed if changed as above.

[bblhead672]

Pretty much everything I have thought of someone else has already posted.

Just a couple more, work with Congress to pass and sign into law the following:

1. National Militia Act - all citizens who are legally able to own firearms are members of their respective state's militia and controlled only by the governor of the state. No state shall infringe upon a citizen's rights to be a state militia member nor upon the citizens rights to purchase and own modern weapons.
State governors may not utilize the state militia in non-Consitutional acts.

2. Sovereign State Borders Protection Act - allows each state to supplement federal Border Patrol with members of the state militia to enforce immigration laws and protection of the state's border with other countries.

[frostfire]

https://www.facebook.com/realbencarson/videos/462892340543904/

Appoint Dr. Ben Carson to untangle our education and healthcare mess :lifter

[Badger52]

Appoint Dr. Ben Carson to untangle our education and healthcare mess :lifterActually several sources are postulating that he's THE list for HHS secretary.

[Mills]

I'd like to second...and come along.

DJT has set up a website specifically for all of his supporters...us...to share ideas on what issues he should tackle first and policies to be implemented.

I think it's a great opportunity:

https://www.greatagain.gov/

Already went on there and expressed concern about our leadership run amok and the increased social engineering in the military.

Recommend many of you do the same.

[Badger52]

Already went on there and expressed concern about our leadership run amok and the increased social engineering in the military.

Recommend many of you do the same.Done. A good vehicle. And everyone thought Fluffies in their safe spaces were the only ones leveraging social media. LMAO.

[cbtengr]

Stay true to the issues you ran on, they are what got you elected, it is not your job to play nice with the left or be taken in by Obamas personal wishes, these people loathe you and they loathe those of us who voted for you. The R's do this every time they get in power, they think they have to please the other side and it is their downfall.

[WarriorDiplomat]

As stated above by Dusty; most important to reverse all the social engineering changes the military has been put through in the last 8 years!

There won't be a strong military with that crap continuing!

He needs to clean house with the SECDEF and Branch SEC's, clean out the Pentagon staff of social agenda agents of social change to include the massive staffs full of GS;s like the CENTCOM debacle, GS union protections, Officers who sold out to support the agenda and looked out for their career first over the troops like a cancer cell they can't leave one cancer cell in the military or it will spread again this includes NCO's the military has no place for socially ambiguous people.

The liberals irrational reaction and destruction of property over this election should concern everyone if their is an irrational group who would celebrate martyrdom for the cause it is them. IMO we came so close to losing this country as we know it we can not simply think they will come around and support.

BTW anyone here the rant about Colin Kaepernick not voting

[PSM]

BTW anyone here the rant about Colin Kaepernick not voting

This one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM38Phpz_UE

Pat

[WarriorDiplomat]

This one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM38Phpz_UE

Pat

Thats the one LOL

[Mills]

Stay true to the issues you ran on, they are what got you elected, it is not your job to play nice with the left or be taken in by Obamas personal wishes, these people loathe you and they loathe those of us who voted for you. The R's do this every time they get in power, they think they have to please the other side and it is their downfall.

Well, the issues that he covered in his speech at Gettysburg a few weeks back anyways.........

That paid maternity leave and minimum wage increase madness is a bunch of hot liberal garbage.

Honestly, the man really dialed in his message the last month or so of the campaign and I salute him for that. I think the best service we can all do is remain critical of him to ensure that he does not run amok once again due to the Hannity and Coulter effect.

[Badger52]

I think the best service we can all do is remain critical of him to ensure that he does not run amok once again due to the Hannity and Coulter effect.+1 That's our job regardless of who's in there.

[Mills]

+1 That's our job regardless of who's in there.

Yes, but with that being said........many of those in the mainstream so called "conservative media" did a horrible job of that during the general election and it almost.........almost cost us the election.

Had he not dialed himself in the last month or so, the 90% of "conservatives" who voted for him..........may not have. If he had continued down the line of the "paid maternity leave and minimum wage increases"............I certainly think that we would have been screwed. His message about bringing in Bernie supporters was a fallacy as Democrats will generally always come home to roost.

[7624U]

What everyone else said and if I repeated something on my list my bad

1. Audit the Fed
2. Inspect the Gold at Fort Knox (and report it)
3. Abolish Ethanol in our Gas
4. Make CA a Prison State while extending the wall from the Mexico project

lots of work to do..........:lifter

[sfshooter]

Not sure why this is being bantered about. How about someone with knowledge of how the DoD works.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-team-discussing-ayotte-for-defense-secretary/ar-AAkc3Jy?OCID=ansmsnnews11

This is foolish in my opinion. Not seeing where she has any experience to hold this position.

[Badger52]

Not sure why this is being bantered about. How about someone with knowledge of how the DoD works.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-team-discussing-ayotte-for-defense-secretary/ar-AAkc3Jy?OCID=ansmsnnews11

This is foolish in my opinion. Not seeing where she has any experience to hold this position.I frankly would prefer his team NOT pander to the traditional GOP policy establishment, whether it be to mend a gender fence, appease neo-cons, or any other reason. Not particularly thrilled with some other cabinet names being "floated" but that's what they do sometimes is just toss a name out there & gauge reaction.

He can go below the traditional tier/4-star equivalent people to find the talent to do what's needed. If his transition team doesn't understand that, then we have a problem.

[The Reaper]

Not sure why this is being bantered about. How about someone with knowledge of how the DoD works.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-team-discussing-ayotte-for-defense-secretary/ar-AAkc3Jy?OCID=ansmsnnews11

This is foolish in my opinion. Not seeing where she has any experience to hold this position.

Great, another carpet bagger, rejected by her own state. :rolleyes:

TR

[GratefulCitizen]

There has been an economic bubble created the last 8 years for a particular industry.
The bubble may pop now, and they are deserving of bailout package.

The industry: firearm and ammunition manufacturers.
:D

[Patrin]

Not sure why this is being bantered about. How about someone with knowledge of how the DoD works.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-team-discussing-ayotte-for-defense-secretary/ar-AAkc3Jy?OCID=ansmsnnews11

This is foolish in my opinion. Not seeing where she has any experience to hold this position.

No thanks...how about Allen West? Yes, please.

[Mycroft]

Create a separate Cabinet of 10. 1 for each of the Bill of Rights. Their job: to make sure the rights protected by each amendment they represent are protected. The person covering the third amendment can help out with the second amendment in between cases.

[Dusty]

Create a separate Cabinet of 10. 1 for each of the Bill of Rights. Their job: to make sure the rights protected by each amendment they represent are protected. The person covering the third amendment can help out with the second amendment in between cases.

Brilliant

[Ret10Echo]

Create a separate Cabinet of 10. 1 for each of the Bill of Rights. Their job: to make sure the rights protected by each amendment they represent are protected. The person covering the third amendment can help out with the second amendment in between cases.

A "Czar" by any other name.....

That role is what the Supremes are supposed to do....before becoming political tools.

Smaller government please. No mutant/bastardized entities regardless of how well intentioned.

YOMV

[bblhead672]

This weekend I made the comment to family members that President Trump could greatly improve the education system in America by abolishing the Department of Education and telling "the people" that education of the children is their local, county/parish, state responsibility.

Then while all the teacher's unions and education lobbyists are screaming and protesting, find another federal "Department of" to shut down and return the responsibility to the states. Continue until federal government is out of the people's everyday lives.

[Badger52]

This weekend I made the comment to family members that President Trump could greatly improve the education system in America by abolishing the Department of Education and telling "the people" that education of the children is their local, county/parish, state responsibility.

Then while all the teacher's unions and education lobbyists are screaming and protesting, find another federal "Department of" to shut down and return the responsibility to the states. Continue until federal government is out of the people's everyday lives.This. And in other areas. People choose to live in certain places for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the mores around which they feel comfortable raising their children. To impose that on another local set of values is an act of war. Once a few of the teachers throw their chains off and remember why they took it up, the rest can find other work. San Fransanctuary & the emerging (yet to be recognized) People's Republik of Kalifornia will surely need barristas for the tourists, who will appreciate the blackmarket tips in USD. Then again, there's great surf, seafood & music in the Carolinas as well.

[Badger52]

The very disappointed (and largely ignored) Greenies have secured their funding to officially file for recounts in 3 states. WI was filed today right before the deadline, MI & PA to follow. Regardless of who pays for it (they are), the states have to endure getting the recount done before the elector deadline or their state's electoral votes get tossed. And besides waiting right till the deadline, the Greenies have demanded a hand count. I'm sure it's just coincidence that, immediately upon reaching their funding goal, they raised that goal by another $2M.

Articles abound, here's the one from FNC (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/25/green-partys-stein-files-for-wisconsin-recount.html).
:rolleyes:

[mark46th]

his weekend I made the comment to family members that President Trump could greatly improve the education system in America by abolishing the Department of Education and telling "the people" that education of the children is their local, county/parish, state responsibility.

Then while all the teacher's unions and education lobbyists are screaming and protesting, find another federal "Department of" to shut down and return the responsibility to the states. Continue until federal government is out of the people's everyday lives." Bbl head


Hows about Depts of Education, Energy and EPA.

[WarriorDiplomat]

The very disappointed (and largely ignored) Greenies have secured their funding to officially file for recounts in 3 states. WI was filed today right before the deadline, MI & PA to follow. Regardless of who pays for it (they are), the states have to endure getting the recount done before the elector deadline or their state's electoral votes get tossed. And besides waiting right till the deadline, the Greenies have demanded a hand count. I'm sure it's just coincidence that, immediately upon reaching their funding goal, they raised that goal by another $2M.

Articles abound, here's the one from FNC (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/25/green-partys-stein-files-for-wisconsin-recount.html).
:rolleyes:

Any candidate who receives barely 1% demanding a recount is doing this on behalf of their closest ally which I would bet liberals have funded this in the hopes that they can change the electoral vote, hell they are offering to pay reps fines if they vote against the majority choice in their district.

[Paslode]

The very disappointed (and largely ignored) Greenies have secured their funding to officially file for recounts in 3 states. WI was filed today right before the deadline, MI & PA to follow. Regardless of who pays for it (they are), the states have to endure getting the recount done before the elector deadline or their state's electoral votes get tossed. And besides waiting right till the deadline, the Greenies have demanded a hand count. I'm sure it's just coincidence that, immediately upon reaching their funding goal, they raised that goal by another $2M.

Articles abound, here's the one from FNC (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/25/green-partys-stein-files-for-wisconsin-recount.html).
:rolleyes:

I pray they don't pull an Al Franken and steal the election. One thing is for sure, the libs have planned this out from the get go. It is all about the popular vote, Russian Hackers, Fake News and making Trump Illegitimate.

[PedOncoDoc]

Regardless of who pays for it (they are), the states have to endure getting the recount done before the elector deadline or their state's electoral votes get tossed. And besides waiting right till the deadline, the Greenies have demanded a hand count.

Why the hell aren't the republicans doing this with California?

I'm sure Trump and/or some political group can scrounge up enough cash to demand a hand count of California's votes to be demanded just prior to the deadline. Good lukc with meeting that deadline... :munchin

[bblhead672]

Why the hell aren't the republicans doing this with California?

I'm sure Trump and/or some political group can scrounge up enough cash to demand a hand count of California's votes to be demanded just prior to the deadline. Good lukc with meeting that deadline... :munchin

Absolutely! The leftists want to play games, lets play games. Demand recounts in every state that went to Hillary.

[PedOncoDoc]

Absolutely! The leftists want to play games, lets play games. Demand recounts in every state that went to Hillary.

I misspoke - the Republicans should do this every election cycle that the democrats win the electoral college vote with less than 325 votes (assuming California keeps their 55) so their candidate doesn't reach 270.

At least they're showing us all their cards - we should only be too happy to use them when the tables are turned and watch them piss themselves in terror after realizing they set the precedent and did this to themselves.

They get pissed when you remind them that "Elections have consequences, and in the end, Trump won," or that Trump also has a pen and a phone....

...they get even more pissed when you remind them that these were quotes from Dear Leader Obama.

[sfshooter]

[QUOTE=PedOncoDoc;620363]Why the hell aren't the republicans doing this with California?/QUOTE]

When have the Republicans ever stood up for something? One of the reasons Trump was elected. They have no balls and are to scared about what someone will say about them.
Was hoping Trump was serious about emptying the sewer but after some of today's cabinet picks it doesn't look that way.

[Dusty]

[QUOTE=PedOncoDoc;620363]Why the hell aren't the republicans doing this with California?/QUOTE]

When have the Republicans ever stood up for something? One of the reasons Trump was elected. They have no balls and are to scared about what someone will say about them.
Was hoping Trump was serious about emptying the sewer but after some of today's cabinet picks it doesn't look that way.

At least it's Trump who's picking the Cabinet.
I'm waiting for an exhaustive Benghazi investigation (which had better happen).

[Badger52]

General Mattis --> SECDEF (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/01/trump-says-hell-nominate-retired-marine-gen-mattis-as-secretary-defense.html)
:cool:

Things are about to get sporty; and I don't think his confirmation is going to be a problem, procedurally or otherwise. For the Dems it is not the fight they want to pick.

[LarryW]

Imagine the staff he'll assemble. Then, imagine when he makes his first trip to Moscow.

[PSM]

General Mattis --> SECDEF (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/01/trump-says-hell-nominate-retired-marine-gen-mattis-as-secretary-defense.html)
:cool:

Things are about to get sporty; and I don't think his confirmation is going to be a problem, procedurally or otherwise. For the Dems it is not the fight they want to pick.

Still have that pesky "7 years out of uniform" law. Hard for Trump to get his anti-lobyist laws passed if the first thing he does is to try to overturn this one for Mad Dog.

Pat

[Kat]

This. And in other areas. People choose to live in certain places for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the mores around which they feel comfortable raising their children. To impose that on another local set of values is an act of war. Once a few of the teachers throw their chains off and remember why they took it up, the rest can find other work. San Fransanctuary & the emerging (yet to be recognized) People's Republik of Kalifornia will surely need barristas for the tourists, who will appreciate the blackmarket tips in USD. Then again, there's great surf, seafood & music in the Carolinas as well.



I think you have it exactly right about CA, it is getting untenable. Been but getting worse, hearing a city of 2M with no housing, much less affordable housing is due for 3500 Syrian refugees is insane. Plus we have 5 k OTM in TJ ready to cross at night. Common Core taught in the schools, The Carolinas sound very inviting.

[sfshooter]

General Mattis --> SECDEF (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/01/trump-says-hell-nominate-retired-marine-gen-mattis-as-secretary-defense.html)
:cool:

Things are about to get sporty; and I don't think his confirmation is going to be a problem, procedurally or otherwise. For the Dems it is not the fight they want to pick.


A decent pick for sure. The previous few are damn sure questionable. Why do we need all those billionaires in a cabinet position? And why the hell is Mitch "stand up for nothing" McConnel's wife have a seat?
Trump is definitely a wild card. I hope it all works out.

[Badger52]

Still have that pesky "7 years out of uniform" law. Hard for Trump to get his anti-lobyist laws passed if the first thing he does is to try to overturn this one for Mad Dog.

PatUnderstood, but Congress has to grant that exception vs. POTUS making a phone call & picking up a pen. I think he'll get it.

[Badger52]

A decent pick for sure. The previous few are damn sure questionable. Why do we need all those billionaires in a cabinet position? And why the hell is Mitch "stand up for nothing" McConnel's wife have a seat?
Trump is definitely a wild card. I hope it all works out.I'll agree with not caring for a few of the cabinet picks simply because their connections are part of the swamp. We will see; one of the things that got Trump there was a feeling that he knows how to pick competent people & that includes high achievers - if one looks not-too-hard one can easily find rookie politicians that grabbed parachutes from the companies they owned before coming to the Capitol. I imagine Elaine Chao was picked based on her years of experience as Secretary of Labor under GW Bush rather than being married to that lackluster turtle in the Senate. He hasn't been inaugurated yet, but he does seem to be nominating folks who might take file cabinets of needless regulatory crap and do what Bill Veeck did to disco records at Comiskey Park, both things I favor.

The real fight is going to be when he starts making Judicial Branch nominations, the current SCOTUS vacancy, and then anything likely to be a pipeline to feed another SCOTUS vacancy during his term.

[Ret10Echo]

United States of America Inc.

It's going to be interesting.

[frostfire]

United States of America Inc.


Well, better than Amreeka Union :p ...I hope & pray.

[sfshooter]

We are stuck with what we have.......it is better than Hitlary for sure.
That doesn't mean we can't hold his feet to the fire to do the right thing.
He promised to drain the swamp and part of his picks show that, but others show a continuation of the swamp.
All we can do is ride it out and see how the show goes. With him I think it will be a mix of good and bad decisions.

[Divemaster]

Mattis is a good pick. I'd like to think the transition team tested the waters with congress to make sure they can get the 7-year waiver.

Also, I think keeping some GOP mainstream, like Reince Preibus and others, close is smart. Drain the swamp is a good slogan, but you can't go it alone in D.C. and you need some institutional knowledge for domestic and foreign politics.

Without some astute political handling who knows, Trump might do something crazy like talk to Taiwan.

[scooter]

Mattis is a good pick. I'd like to think the transition team tested the waters with congress to make sure they can get the 7-year waiver.

Also, I think keeping some GOP mainstream, like Reince Preibus and others, close is smart. Drain the swamp is a good slogan, but you can't go it alone in D.C. and you need some institutional knowledge for domestic and foreign politics.

Without some astute political handling who knows, Trump might do something crazy like talk to Taiwan.

Too much of our foreign policy is on autopilot being run by career staffers at various agencies and think tanks. We do things because "its a core tenant of our foreign policy," not because they are currently paramount to the national interests of the United States.

The US could do with some violent breaking of some sacred paradigms. For the last 25 years we have been like a very large simpleton with a great big hammer, gleefully and madly swinging away at stuff because we could. Everything we have done since 1996 has been a failure. The core ideas of our foreign policy are remnants of the Cold War, and we've never bothered to reevaluate them.

We are largely self sufficient in oil production at this point. Why is the Middle East a concern at this point? Sure, there is that terrorism thing... but that isn't going anywhere, and our current policies aren't going to do anything to help. Iran is regionally destabilizing... so what? Why does the US care if Saudi Arabia and Iran duke it out for a while? Why are we protecting Japan (a country with a huge GDP) still? Why do we care if North Korea is making noises at South Korea? The north isn't going to invade, they are an economic shit show. We cared in 1951 because of the march of communism. If they started it again, why is this our problem? Why are we duty bound to protect Europe, whose GDP exceeds ours in the aggregate? If we didn't care if Russia invaded Georgia and Crimea, why Latvia or Estonia? Is their territorial integrity a vital national interest we should be willing to send our sons to die to protect?

Think of all of our enemies in the world. How many are our enemies because we are the global idiot who is meddling in affairs that have absolutely nothing to do with US national interests? We have been the world police for years, invading small countries while threatening big ones in order to "protect stability". How have we benefited, really? Is anyone still grateful at this point?

I have watched my brothers be maimed and die over the last 15 years in order to guarantee Iraq allies with Iran and to help Afghanistan go from Taliban rule back to Taliban rule.

Trump's foreign policy ideas are an anathema to the professionals? Good. Fucking good. At this point they all need to retire and do something else. Fresh ideas are needed.

[EricV]

I'm not particularly happy that a Goldman Sucks banker is T Sec considering what the past ones did. Trump's attitude and the fact that he actually went to Wharton makes me feel he'll have a better handle on the financial end.

I'm hoping that appointment turns out like FDR's first appointment to the S.E.C. People were disturbed but most on both sides thought Joe Kennedy did a good job when he left.

I think FDR's comment when asked why he appointed him was "It takes a thief to catch a thief."

[Surf n Turf]

Too much of our foreign policy is on autopilot being run by career staffers at various agencies and think tanks.

DEMS = Nitze School of Advanced Int'l Studies, Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), Economic Policy Institute, Center for American Progress, etc.

REPUB= Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, Lexington , Claremont , Hudson ,and Cato Institutes, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and The Federalist Foundation

We do things because "its a core tenant of our foreign policy," not because they are currently paramount to the national interests of the United States.

Much of our foreign policy comes from the Weltanschauung of Kissinger and Nixon. Henry has not updated much of his portfolio in his dotage. As a consequence of Washington’s single-minded focus on a zero defect foreign policy, we are still pursuing his agenda items from the 70/80's:

détente

Triangular diplomacy

United States will keep all of its treaty commitments.

we shall provide a shield if a nuclear power threatens the freedom of a nation allied with us or of a nation whose survival we consider vital to our security.

other types of aggression, we shall furnish military and economic assistance when requested in accordance with our treaty commitments.

"political multipolarity"

The US could do with some violent breaking of some sacred paradigms.

"Better to fight them in XXX than in our own country", has left us with 1970's foreign entanglements, as you point out playing "cops of the world"

building the democratic peace

maintaining a favorable balance of power among the great powers

punishing rogue actors

investing in good governance and allied capabilities abroad.

When the driving principle of FP must be defending the American homeland from attack.

For the last 25 years we have been like a very large simpleton with a great big hammer, gleefully and madly swinging away at stuff because we could.

Lebanon. Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Haiti, Iraq, ETC.

SOF [Special Operations forces] were deployed to 134 countries” during fiscal year 2013 (open source)

I do understand and support the use of Special Forces of any stripe as opposed to going to war.

Everything we have done since 1996 has been a failure. The core ideas of our foreign policy are remnants of the Cold War, and we've never bothered to reevaluate them.

We are largely self sufficient in oil production at this point. Why is the Middle East a concern at this point? Sure, there is that terrorism thing... but that isn't going anywhere, and our current policies aren't going to do anything to help. Iran is regionally destabilizing... so what? Why does the US care if Saudi Arabia and Iran duke it out for a while?

I don't care about a regional kerfuffle in the ME (in fact, I would probably enjoy it..if we were not involved), but keep it contained there, and I am afraid that is no longer possible with all of the ROP adherents currently in Europe...... but that is their problem.. hope they are just like South Africa and transfer the NUKES before the Muzzies come to power.

Why are we protecting Japan (a country with a huge GDP) still? Why do we care if North Korea is making noises at South Korea? The north isn't going to invade, they are an economic shit show. We cared in 1951 because of the march of communism. If they started it again, why is this our problem? Why are we duty bound to protect Europe, whose GDP exceeds ours in the aggregate? If we didn't care if Russia invaded Georgia and Crimea, why Latvia or Estonia? Is their territorial integrity a vital national interest we should be willing to send our sons to die to protect? NO

Think of all of our enemies in the world. How many are our enemies because we are the global idiot who is meddling in affairs that have absolutely nothing to do with US national interests? .

I would hazard an estimate of MOST

We have been the world police for years, invading small countries while threatening big ones in order to "protect stability". How have we benefited, really? Is anyone still grateful at this point?

“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests” ...Henry Kissinger

I have watched my brothers be maimed and die over the last 15 years in order to guarantee Iraq allies with Iran and to help Afghanistan go from Taliban rule back to Taliban rule.
Trump's foreign policy ideas are an anathema to the professionals? Good. Fucking good. At this point they all need to retire and do something else. Fresh ideas are needed.

I think that a lot of armchair Generals (real and make believe) are in for a surprise when our next SECDEF says NO BOYS, we are not going to do that. I think (and hope) that he will use his office to engender a stand down from this opstempo, and saying HELL NO to missions of no redeeming value.

SnT

[Badger52]

'Cause I'm certain all the real working folk in Big Sky country (yes, really, it's one of the 57 states) and thereabouts, deplorable all, just love the typical metrosexual bureaukrats they've been getting.

On the surface, I like it & think this would continue to send the right message.

LINK to full story. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/13/trump-to-pick-rep-zinke-ex-seal-as-interior-secretary.html)

President-elect Donald Trump intends to pick Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke as secretary of the Interior, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday evening to Fox News.

Zinke is a first-term House member and a former Navy SEAL commander.

Neither the Trump transition team nor Zinke has made a public statement. But Zinke reportedly has accepted the offer.

He was purportedly in the running with Washington Rep. Kathy McMorris Rogers, who met at least twice with Trump, a fellow Republican, in recent days.

McMorris Rogers has made no official statement either. But she posted a message late Tuesday on her Facebook page that suggested she will remain on Capitol Hill as part of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s leadership team.

[Badger52]

While ambivalent about Perry as Energy Secretary, I reeeeally like the idea afoot of naming a sitting Dem Senator (Heitkamp from ND) to Agriculture. 1 less in the OPFOR when it comes confirmation and judicial appointment times if they're done quickly.

Looks like Ag, Interior & Veteran's Affairs are all that's left for a cabinet.

[WarriorDiplomat]

While ambivalent about Perry as Energy Secretary, I reeeeally like the idea afoot of naming a sitting Dem Senator (Heitkamp from ND) to Agriculture. 1 less in the OPFOR when it comes confirmation and judicial appointment times if they're done quickly.

Looks like Ag, Interior & Veteran's Affairs are all that's left for a cabinet.

Trump is ingenious what he is co opting a wide range of talent through his choices, this is a rare animal that would run the Presidency while pulling libs into his plan and in effect is running it like a corporation where he is hiring the best talent and tapping into the lib crowd without giving them real power.

[Badger52]

Trump is ingenious what he is co opting a wide range of talent through his choices, this is a rare animal that would run the Presidency while pulling libs into his plan and in effect is running it like a corporation where he is hiring the best talent and tapping into the lib crowd without giving them real power.
Yes sir, think you got it. Recalling the various cabinet-level debacles resulting from Obama's "the people I surround myself with" the wife & I pondered an exit-poll question we didn't see as much discussion of, to wit:

"Which candidate do you think is likely to hire the most competent (not necessarily party-loyal) cabinet?

Most of the discussion during the campaign centered either on Trump's bluster or Clinton's untrustworthiness. I wonder how many actually thought, in the quiet confines of their living rooms, who's going to bolster our defense, who can sit eye-to-eye with a world leader & not give away the keys to the store, who's going to stop the EPA from giving me grief about digging a drainage ditch on the back 40, who's going to get rid of the infestation at the VA so our son can get the treatment he needs, why can't we hand our store off to the kids without them getting financially raped, etc.?

These are questions asked by those characterized as "deplorables" who just want some skin in the game since they're paying for the ticket.

[Roguish Lawyer]

IIRC, pardons cannot be issued for crimes for which one has not yet been convicted, and it is unlikely that such a conviction will occur before Obama leaves office.

I guess Trump could cut a drug deal, but after the bad blood, I doubt he would do so.

TR

Ford pardoned Nixon.

[Badger52]

Army Secretary nominated; Vincent Viola, head of the Florida Panthers. '77 West Point.

This should be interesting (I hope).
(http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/12/19/trump-picks-florida-panthers-owner-as-army-secretary.html)

Viola became the first member of his family — Italian immigrants living in Brooklyn — to attend college, served in the 101st Airborne Division, then was part of the U.S. Army Reserve after his active duty.

[LarryW]

I'm concerned whether any of the august line up Trump is assembling will ever get a chance at bat. Maybe under a Mike Pence administration...

[PSM]

Army Secretary nominated; Vincent Viola, head of the Carolina Panthers. '77 West Point.

This should be interesting (I hope).
(http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/12/19/trump-picks-florida-panthers-owner-as-army-secretary.html)

Florida Panthers hockey team, not Carolina Football team. ;)

Pat

[Badger52]

Florida Panthers hockey team, not Carolina Football team. ;)

PatOops! Sorry about that. OK, all you Carolina fans go find a safe space.
:o

ETA: Changed original post (thanks Pat); Florida... hockey... I'll be damned.
:D

[Divemaster]

On January 20th we're all supposed to stop blaming Bush and start blaming Trump, right?

[bblhead672]

The outgoing POS Obama is doing his best to screw things up in new and big ways before leaving office.
-backstabbed Israel at the UN in a final act (hopefully) of bashing our oldest and most trusted Middle East ally
-provoked Russia with sanctions and expelling diplomats over alleged (still no proof other than the Dims say it happened) hacking of the DNC.
-numerous new regulations and restrictions

The only bright side is that Trump should feel free to ignore any agreements he made with Obama during their post election meeting.

Drain the swamp Mr. Trump!

[Badger52]

....and expelling diplomats over alleged (still no proof other than the Dims say it happened) hacking of the DNC.That cuts 2 ways traditionally. Probably some "deputies" and "cultural attaches" at AMEMB Moscow (Station) that'll be packing their bags. Putin's gotta be just shakin' his head.

[cbtengr]

I sure am glad that O and the Beast smoothed out relations with the Russians, rumor had it the Cold War was ebbing if not actually over.

33205

[Badger52]

That cuts 2 ways traditionally. Probably some "deputies" and "cultural attaches" at AMEMB Moscow (Station) that'll be packing their bags. Putin's gotta be just shakin' his head.Sometimes it's really entertaining to be wrong; lmao.

The Russian president has rejected a suggestion of the foreign ministry to expel 35 American diplomats in response to a similar move by the US. He said Obama’s act was designed to provoke a reaction, but Russia would not take the bait.

“We reserve the right to retaliate, but we will not sink to the level of this irresponsible ‘kitchen’ diplomacy. We will take further moves on restoring Russian-American relations based on the policies that the administration of President-elect Donald Trump adopts,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published by the Kremlin website.

Putin said that, unlike the Obama administration, Russia will not target foreign diplomats and their families days before New Year’s celebrations.

“We will not forbid families and children from spending the New Year’s holidays at the places they are used to. Moreover, I invite the children of all American diplomats with accreditation in Russia to New Year’s and Christmas festivities in the Kremlin,” the Russian president said.

RT's link. (https://www.rt.com/news/372256-putin-diplomats-expulsion-rejects/)

[miclo18d]

The children holding office dont realize what just happened!

[frostfire]

Sometimes it's really entertaining to be wrong; lmao.



RT's link. (https://www.rt.com/news/372256-putin-diplomats-expulsion-rejects/)

The Russians taking the higher ground???

...must be maskirovka...must be maskirovka...*mumbling*

[bblhead672]

The Russians taking the higher ground???

...must be maskirovka...must be maskirovka...*mumbling*

Well, the standard of what the higher ground is has been lowered pretty far by the Obama administration over the last 8 years.

[GratefulCitizen]

Scott Adams has had some good observations about Trump.
He correctly predicted Trump's win in the general election early in the Republican primaries.

Time will tell whether this observation is accurate:
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/156628357041/is-president-trump-doing-management-wrong

[1stindoor]

Thanks for that link. It was a good read. I haven't read his blog in quite awhile.

[Badger52]

If this hits light of day there will be a new level of collective-batshit-crazy coming to a CNN clip near you.

[Badger52]

I thought this interesting because it showcases another positive attitude about the President and that it was being carried at MSNBC. As might be expected, it was categorized under their series of pages they devote to NBC-Black, versus the blank space they allocate under "Positives about President Trump."

LINK to story (http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/exclusive-omarosa-manigault-trump-s-executive-order-hbcus-n726521) - yeah, I know their webpage is a bloated piece of malware but so is Fox.

Some snippets:

This week President Donald Trump did something few could have predicted: He signed an executive order on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on his fortieth day as President.
...
Though the HBCU executive order was similar to several signed by past presidents starting with Jimmy Carter, there was a noteworthy difference. Trump's executive order moves the White House Office of HBCU Initiatives out of the Department of Education and into the Executive Office of the President, a first of its kind delineation.
...
Another noteworthy aspect on the White House visit of over 60 HBCU Presidents this week was that a routine photo-op President Trump held with HBCU Presidents in the Oval Office may have been historic.

"I was told there were more African-Americans in the Oval Office than ever before in the history of the United States of America. Who knew President Trump would make that happen?" said Dr. Leonard Haynes in the White House driveway to reporters after leaving the Oval Office. Haynes was a former executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities under President George W. Bush. He also had input in the order.
...
"I think we should note that today is day 40 of the Administration and he has done this on the 40th day of the Administration," said Manigault. "The previous Administration did not meet with HBCU Presidents collectively in the full eight years. Today was a very historic day."

[GratefulCitizen]

I thought this interesting because it showcases another positive attitude about the President and that it was being carried at MSNBC. As might be expected, it was categorized under their series of pages they devote to NBC-Black, versus the blank space they allocate under "Positives about President Trump."

LINK to story (http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/exclusive-omarosa-manigault-trump-s-executive-order-hbcus-n726521) - yeah, I know their webpage is a bloated piece of malware but so is Fox.

Some snippets:

Trump snookered the left by trolling them into frenzies which created low expectations.
He used this as a foil to make a decent SOTU address looks even better, and left them with nowhere to go.

They learn.
Expect occasional praise WRT their pet causes, as this will give them room to criticize when they need to undermine something important on his agenda.

[Badger52]

Trump snookered the left by trolling them into frenzies which created low expectations.
He used this as a foil to make a decent SOTU address looks even better, and left them with nowhere to go.

They learn.
Expect occasional praise WRT their pet causes, as this will give them room to criticize when they need to undermine something important on his agenda.True enough; I don't trust 'em either but 2 edges to that blade. I'd say this has a lot more substance than starting out one's legacy with "Clearly, the Cambridge police acted stupidly." The stakeholders in that room, who've been trying to get something like this done for a long time - plucking something neglected out of the bureaucratic dungeon - are going to carry that back. I imagine the business-model piece of the decision was a no-brainer and both he & the people he has around him probably saw that piece of it immediately.