Here is a list of Politics Blogs ordered by Most Commented, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
OBAMA’S SABOTAGE OF TRUMP EXPOSED, AND IT’S WORSE THAN WE IMAGINED
The Obama administration worked in its final weeks in office to undermine the incoming Trump White House and continues to do so, according to multiple sources both in and out of the White House.
Behind the effort, these sources say, are senior government officials who previously worked under President Obama and remain loyal to his agenda. These individuals leak negative information about the Trump White House and its senior staff to a network of former Obama administration officials who then plant this information in key media outlets including the Washington Post and New York Times.
Behind the effort, these sources say, are senior government officials who previously worked under President Obama and remain loyal to his agenda. These individuals leak negative information about the Trump White House and its senior staff to a network of former Obama administration officials who then plant this information in key media outlets including the Washington Post and New York Times.
adjust government spending
I have posted articles concerned with government spending and have received acceptance from a number who have read them, I have not posted on CS blog so I am going to give it a try here.
My proposal is cut the base salary of all elected and appointed federal officials by 20%. There are approximately 600 elected legislators whose base salary is $174,000 each year, now doing a little math I find multiplying $174,000 X 600 (mind you that number is a guestimate) equals $88,200,000 , if we multiply that amount by 20% we find it is $17,640,000. Quite a savings I would say. Now think of the other elected, and appointed people that would be affected, for instance the President and VP, judges (Oh boy , just think of the huge number in that category) , there are a number of ambassadors , I could go on but I need to get some sleep tonight. Back to the 600 + legislators, do you realize we are paying them to become millionaires? On top of that, they do little to earn half that amount of money. They do figure out ways to cut the cost of government , such as cutting the cost of food for the poorest in the nation, or medicine for the elderly, or for schools , and for many other programs, but not one thought to reducing the cost of the elected who are on the gravy train. $174,000, that blows my mind ,when I think of my salary as a teacher ! The above is something to ponder on, and I welcome any response from any of you. studicar
P.S. The legislature would have to do the adjusting so don't hold your breath, you might think about who you are going to elect in November!
My proposal is cut the base salary of all elected and appointed federal officials by 20%. There are approximately 600 elected legislators whose base salary is $174,000 each year, now doing a little math I find multiplying $174,000 X 600 (mind you that number is a guestimate) equals $88,200,000 , if we multiply that amount by 20% we find it is $17,640,000. Quite a savings I would say. Now think of the other elected, and appointed people that would be affected, for instance the President and VP, judges (Oh boy , just think of the huge number in that category) , there are a number of ambassadors , I could go on but I need to get some sleep tonight. Back to the 600 + legislators, do you realize we are paying them to become millionaires? On top of that, they do little to earn half that amount of money. They do figure out ways to cut the cost of government , such as cutting the cost of food for the poorest in the nation, or medicine for the elderly, or for schools , and for many other programs, but not one thought to reducing the cost of the elected who are on the gravy train. $174,000, that blows my mind ,when I think of my salary as a teacher ! The above is something to ponder on, and I welcome any response from any of you. studicar
P.S. The legislature would have to do the adjusting so don't hold your breath, you might think about who you are going to elect in November!
Bahrain and Trump Ethical Concerns
Trump continues to set himself up for impeachment over his businesses and business connections... how bullish can a person be to disdain known rules and regulation of the Constitution in highest office as President, As I've said many times, Trump is about money in his own pockets and trying to make himself world known... 
Bahrain to host event at Trump's D.C. hotel, raising ethical concerns
Ethical dilemmas existed even before Trump was elected. But the president-elect hasn’t taken any actions to ease concerns.
By NOLAN D. MCCASKILL and MADELINE CONWAY 11/29/16 01:52 PM EST Updated 11/29/16 03:37 PM EST
Bahrain has just booked at Donald Trump's new Washington hotel.
As ethics lawyers warn about potential conflicts of interest facing the billionaire businessman's presidential administration, the kingdom reserved space for a reception at the president-elect's flagship property less than a mile from the White House, according to an invitation from the country's embassy obtained by POLITICO on Tuesday.
“On the occasion of the forty fifth national day of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the seventeenth anniversary of his majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s accession to the throne,” the invitation begins, “Ambassador Abdulla Al Khalifa cordially invites you to a national day reception on Wednesday, December 07, 2016 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.”
A Trump International Hotel representative declined to confirm the details of the event. “It’s always been a policy of Trump that we never ever discuss individual guests or groups in the hotel,” the sales and marketing official told POLITICO.
News of the reception drew an immediate rebuke from Richard Painter, one of several legal experts who has been sounding alarms over the possible conflicts presented by the unprecedented scope and scale of the incoming president's business interests.
Painter, President George W. Bush’s chief ethics lawyer, said a foreign government making payments to Trump’s businesses while he is president would violate a provision of the Constitution called the foreign Emoluments Clause.
The clause bars officials from accepting gifts from foreign powers without congressional approval, Painter said, adding that a diplomat staying at a Trump hotel to get in his good graces would qualify as one.
Whether the Bahrain reception, set to take place a month before Trump’s inauguration, would violate the Constitution depends on whether the payments are made before or after Jan. 20, Painter argued. Regardless, he maintained that it raises serious concerns, and the only solution is for Trump to sell the hotel — either to his children or another buyer.
“The point is, this is not where we want to go,” Painter said. “This is a concern. This is not where we want to go.”
Next week’s event won’t be the first example of the blurred lines between the president-elect and the businessman who has yet to relinquish his business empire, though.
Roughly 100 foreign diplomats drank Trump-branded champagne at Trump International Hotel earlier this month as they took in a sales pitch about the hotel, according to a Washington Post report published Nov. 18.
But the ethical dilemmas existed even before he was elected president. And Trump — who still hasn’t released his tax returns and is the target of Democrats in Congress who are requesting a review of his financial arrangements for possible conflicts of interest before he’s sworn in as president — hasn’t taken any actions to ease such concerns.
Read more... very interesting article
Bahrain to host event at Trump's D.C. hotel, raising ethical concerns
Ethical dilemmas existed even before Trump was elected. But the president-elect hasn’t taken any actions to ease concerns.
By NOLAN D. MCCASKILL and MADELINE CONWAY 11/29/16 01:52 PM EST Updated 11/29/16 03:37 PM EST
Bahrain has just booked at Donald Trump's new Washington hotel.
As ethics lawyers warn about potential conflicts of interest facing the billionaire businessman's presidential administration, the kingdom reserved space for a reception at the president-elect's flagship property less than a mile from the White House, according to an invitation from the country's embassy obtained by POLITICO on Tuesday.
“On the occasion of the forty fifth national day of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the seventeenth anniversary of his majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s accession to the throne,” the invitation begins, “Ambassador Abdulla Al Khalifa cordially invites you to a national day reception on Wednesday, December 07, 2016 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.”
A Trump International Hotel representative declined to confirm the details of the event. “It’s always been a policy of Trump that we never ever discuss individual guests or groups in the hotel,” the sales and marketing official told POLITICO.
News of the reception drew an immediate rebuke from Richard Painter, one of several legal experts who has been sounding alarms over the possible conflicts presented by the unprecedented scope and scale of the incoming president's business interests.
Painter, President George W. Bush’s chief ethics lawyer, said a foreign government making payments to Trump’s businesses while he is president would violate a provision of the Constitution called the foreign Emoluments Clause.
The clause bars officials from accepting gifts from foreign powers without congressional approval, Painter said, adding that a diplomat staying at a Trump hotel to get in his good graces would qualify as one.
Whether the Bahrain reception, set to take place a month before Trump’s inauguration, would violate the Constitution depends on whether the payments are made before or after Jan. 20, Painter argued. Regardless, he maintained that it raises serious concerns, and the only solution is for Trump to sell the hotel — either to his children or another buyer.
“The point is, this is not where we want to go,” Painter said. “This is a concern. This is not where we want to go.”
Next week’s event won’t be the first example of the blurred lines between the president-elect and the businessman who has yet to relinquish his business empire, though.
Roughly 100 foreign diplomats drank Trump-branded champagne at Trump International Hotel earlier this month as they took in a sales pitch about the hotel, according to a Washington Post report published Nov. 18.
But the ethical dilemmas existed even before he was elected president. And Trump — who still hasn’t released his tax returns and is the target of Democrats in Congress who are requesting a review of his financial arrangements for possible conflicts of interest before he’s sworn in as president — hasn’t taken any actions to ease such concerns.
Read more... very interesting article
Trump is proving America’s power through economic warfare
President Trump's economic approach has foreign dictators rethinking their hostile policies toward a "weak America." Could "America First" be working?
After nearly two decades of strategically aimless military action in the Middle East, the Trump administration has apparently decided upon a new and smarter way to fight: employing resurgent American economic power in the forms of tariffs, sanctions and trade deals.
Starting with the oil embargoes of the 1970s, foreign adversaries have routinely employed economic warfare against the US. The rampant inflation of the Nixon, Ford, and Carter years were exacerbated by soaring gasoline prices that threw a monkey wrench into the American economy. But instead of pushing back against the Gulf States, which soon grew obscenely wealthy on the backs of the American consumer, presidents from Reagan on did little or nothing except coddle them.
Glittering new cities arose across the Gulf and in China while American manufacturing and jobs went overseas. In March 2002, in the wake of widespread steel-company bankruptcies, George W. Bush slapped tariffs on imported steel, but by year’s end he had reversed course after European threats of a major trade war. Obama tried a 35 percent tariff on Chinese tires from 2009-2012, which saved some 1,200 American jobs and resulted in a sharp increase in tire production — but economists complained that they raised prices for consumers and cost retail jobs in the long run.
Full story:
After nearly two decades of strategically aimless military action in the Middle East, the Trump administration has apparently decided upon a new and smarter way to fight: employing resurgent American economic power in the forms of tariffs, sanctions and trade deals.
Starting with the oil embargoes of the 1970s, foreign adversaries have routinely employed economic warfare against the US. The rampant inflation of the Nixon, Ford, and Carter years were exacerbated by soaring gasoline prices that threw a monkey wrench into the American economy. But instead of pushing back against the Gulf States, which soon grew obscenely wealthy on the backs of the American consumer, presidents from Reagan on did little or nothing except coddle them.
Glittering new cities arose across the Gulf and in China while American manufacturing and jobs went overseas. In March 2002, in the wake of widespread steel-company bankruptcies, George W. Bush slapped tariffs on imported steel, but by year’s end he had reversed course after European threats of a major trade war. Obama tried a 35 percent tariff on Chinese tires from 2009-2012, which saved some 1,200 American jobs and resulted in a sharp increase in tire production — but economists complained that they raised prices for consumers and cost retail jobs in the long run.
Full story:
online today!
Why N.M.P. Trump refused to release his tax returns
BTW, N.M.P. stands for Not My President in case you were wondering.
Recent developments have combined to paint a picture for me which may explain a conundrum as to the reason Donald Trump would risk losing a portion of the electorate by refusing to release his tax returns. This decision can only be explained by the metric that to refuse to release would have less adverse impact than to release. To refuse to release, meant losing some votes. To release, could mean going to prison.
Let me explain.
During the 2016 campaign Trump was winning primary after primary and as he got closer to the nomination people started getting more and more concerned about seeing his tax returns. The higher he got in the campaign, the harder people pushed to have him release. It's entirely possible there are certain business deals outlined in them which could be hard to explain especially if they are going to be scrutinized word for word and down to the penny by people who are not big fans of his like the SEC or Securities and Exchange Commission not to mention the NYSE and NASDAQ and lawyers working with other candidates. I'm talking stock manipulation or insider trading which is what got Martha Stewart some time behind bars. There's an old saying, "It Takes A Thief To Catch A Thief." It also takes a Stock Trader to catch a Stock Manipulator. I've been trading stocks & bonds since 1967 and I can spot a "Pump & Dump" or maneuver to either raise or lower a stock price pretty damn quickly. Judges have been caught up dabbling in stocks of companies which run "for profit" prisons. It's easy for them to enhance their portfolio by incarcerating offenders by the bus load.
For a president who may be invested in steel companies like US Steel symbol x or AK Steel symbol AKS or Alcoa Aluminum symbol AA or a raft of other companies to make his holdings go through the roof by imposing tariffs on imported steel & aluminum. Maybe he has a position in Whirlpool which would explain a tariff on washing machines which had to be the strangest move imaginable. That was what got me wondering WTF is the logic behind that? Maybe he holds a large block of stock of a domestic manufacturer of solar panels. Who knows? A look at his tax returns and his 1099's would show that in less than a minute. Import tariffs would also affect his other businesses.
Electing a businessman with billions invested in corporations just may be the worse decision a country can make. Corruption isn't restricted to 3rd world countries by any means.
If I'm right, and I have very little doubt I am, the American voter will never see Donald Trump's tax returns. At least not until the statute of limitations on securities fraud runs out. It could mean swapping his luxury digs at Trump Tower for a cot at the "Tombs" in NYC.
Recent developments have combined to paint a picture for me which may explain a conundrum as to the reason Donald Trump would risk losing a portion of the electorate by refusing to release his tax returns. This decision can only be explained by the metric that to refuse to release would have less adverse impact than to release. To refuse to release, meant losing some votes. To release, could mean going to prison.
Let me explain.
During the 2016 campaign Trump was winning primary after primary and as he got closer to the nomination people started getting more and more concerned about seeing his tax returns. The higher he got in the campaign, the harder people pushed to have him release. It's entirely possible there are certain business deals outlined in them which could be hard to explain especially if they are going to be scrutinized word for word and down to the penny by people who are not big fans of his like the SEC or Securities and Exchange Commission not to mention the NYSE and NASDAQ and lawyers working with other candidates. I'm talking stock manipulation or insider trading which is what got Martha Stewart some time behind bars. There's an old saying, "It Takes A Thief To Catch A Thief." It also takes a Stock Trader to catch a Stock Manipulator. I've been trading stocks & bonds since 1967 and I can spot a "Pump & Dump" or maneuver to either raise or lower a stock price pretty damn quickly. Judges have been caught up dabbling in stocks of companies which run "for profit" prisons. It's easy for them to enhance their portfolio by incarcerating offenders by the bus load.
For a president who may be invested in steel companies like US Steel symbol x or AK Steel symbol AKS or Alcoa Aluminum symbol AA or a raft of other companies to make his holdings go through the roof by imposing tariffs on imported steel & aluminum. Maybe he has a position in Whirlpool which would explain a tariff on washing machines which had to be the strangest move imaginable. That was what got me wondering WTF is the logic behind that? Maybe he holds a large block of stock of a domestic manufacturer of solar panels. Who knows? A look at his tax returns and his 1099's would show that in less than a minute. Import tariffs would also affect his other businesses.
Electing a businessman with billions invested in corporations just may be the worse decision a country can make. Corruption isn't restricted to 3rd world countries by any means.
If I'm right, and I have very little doubt I am, the American voter will never see Donald Trump's tax returns. At least not until the statute of limitations on securities fraud runs out. It could mean swapping his luxury digs at Trump Tower for a cot at the "Tombs" in NYC.
A Gift To All South Africans.
Last night, while everybody was celebrating Valentine’s Day, we received the biggest Valentine’s gift we could ask for. Under immense pressure Jacob Zuma resigned as president of South Africa. 
At about 10 PM former president Jacob Zuma addressed the nation, at least the part who was near TV sets, to announce his resignation. In a national television address, Zuma said he had "come to the decision to resign as president of the Republic with immediate effect".
This is rich. He decided to abdicate! He had no choice. He was facing impeachment and a forceful eviction. At least he sort of admitted to that when he said "I have only asked my party to articulate my transgressions and the reason for its immediate instruction that I vacate office." I would have expected that he would know this; the press is full of it. Oh yes, I forgot He had no formal schooling, so reading may be a bit of an obstacle.
In an earlier TV interview on the same day, he said he had received "very unfair" treatment from the party he joined in 1959 and for which he had fought for decades against apartheid. Well, at least this part was more or less true although I don't know if it was unfair
He further expressed his anger over "the manner in which the decision is being implemented... I don't agree as there is no evidence of if I have done anything wrong." Now this is priceless; no evidence. He has a dossier that will put Encyclopaedia Britannica to shame.
There are no jubilations in the streets as was the case in Zimbabwe but we are holding our breaths in quiet optimism. We are not expecting miracles overnight but rather hope that our new president will improve our image and restore some credibility overseas.
And we are speculating about the future of Jacob Zuma. Just like Mugabe, he also tried to get his wife (one of the six) in power to protect him. Will he now, at last, be held accountable for his deeds in the past? We don’t know but if the new president and The ANC won’t interfere, he is going to have big problems. Cyril Ramaphosa has no love for Jacob Zuma but we don’t know what they may be up to in order to preserve unity within the ANC.
All in all, everybody appears to be fairly happy with getting Ramaphosa as our leader and we’re all hoping that he will live up to expectations.
At about 10 PM former president Jacob Zuma addressed the nation, at least the part who was near TV sets, to announce his resignation. In a national television address, Zuma said he had "come to the decision to resign as president of the Republic with immediate effect".
This is rich. He decided to abdicate! He had no choice. He was facing impeachment and a forceful eviction. At least he sort of admitted to that when he said "I have only asked my party to articulate my transgressions and the reason for its immediate instruction that I vacate office." I would have expected that he would know this; the press is full of it. Oh yes, I forgot He had no formal schooling, so reading may be a bit of an obstacle.
In an earlier TV interview on the same day, he said he had received "very unfair" treatment from the party he joined in 1959 and for which he had fought for decades against apartheid. Well, at least this part was more or less true although I don't know if it was unfair
He further expressed his anger over "the manner in which the decision is being implemented... I don't agree as there is no evidence of if I have done anything wrong." Now this is priceless; no evidence. He has a dossier that will put Encyclopaedia Britannica to shame.
There are no jubilations in the streets as was the case in Zimbabwe but we are holding our breaths in quiet optimism. We are not expecting miracles overnight but rather hope that our new president will improve our image and restore some credibility overseas.
And we are speculating about the future of Jacob Zuma. Just like Mugabe, he also tried to get his wife (one of the six) in power to protect him. Will he now, at last, be held accountable for his deeds in the past? We don’t know but if the new president and The ANC won’t interfere, he is going to have big problems. Cyril Ramaphosa has no love for Jacob Zuma but we don’t know what they may be up to in order to preserve unity within the ANC.
All in all, everybody appears to be fairly happy with getting Ramaphosa as our leader and we’re all hoping that he will live up to expectations.
My vote counts
I only ever voted once. That was for Margaret Thatcher, and she got in. That's a 100% success rate, when you think about it. I don't know if I will vote in the upcoming election; my uncanny ability to influence the outcome puts a heavy responsibility on my shoulders. I might put the Liberal Democrats in. Apart from it being fun to see the amazed look on their faces, it would be interesting to see what sort of job they would make of running a country. Or I might go for Labour. A proper socialist government could be just what we need right now. I need to have a proper old think about this. 
online today!
Democrats leaving the Plantation
State Senator John Yudichak of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania said that he will be switching his registration to become an Independent. He will caucus with the Republican majority.
Yudichak has criticized an increasingly liberal Democratic caucus that has led to this decision.
Due to issues that he finds important, Yudichak believes there is a better home in the Republican caucus.
Yudichak’s announcement comes less than 24 hours since we learned that New Jersey Democratic Congressman Jeff Van Drew has also made a decision that speaks volumes.
Van Drew has strongly opposed the Democrats’ impeachment efforts. After meeting with President Trump, Van Drew is now leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a member of the Republican Party.
More people Waking Up and Walking Away
Yudichak has criticized an increasingly liberal Democratic caucus that has led to this decision.
Due to issues that he finds important, Yudichak believes there is a better home in the Republican caucus.
Yudichak’s announcement comes less than 24 hours since we learned that New Jersey Democratic Congressman Jeff Van Drew has also made a decision that speaks volumes.
Van Drew has strongly opposed the Democrats’ impeachment efforts. After meeting with President Trump, Van Drew is now leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a member of the Republican Party.
More people Waking Up and Walking Away
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