New Directions And A DIfferent Kind Of Politics

I've been thinking about this for some time.  Going a new direction with this blog.  I'm burned out when it comes to politics.

There are two reasons for this.  First is the 5 acres we live on and now that spring is essentially here we have a lot of  winter damage to clean up.

Secondly I have taken a board position with the Film Alliance Northwest which is a non-profit dedicated to providing a forum and educational opportunities for those in the entertainment business, those who would like to be and those who are merely curious.

The organization is in a period where it is redefining itself and there is much to be done.  Perhaps I'll muse on the politics of getting things done on this level for a change.  For instance what type of permits are needed to film in the city and county and their costs.

Perhaps most importantly, and one of my tasks, is figuring out how to generate funding to keep it going.  No easy task this day and age.

So there you have it.  A change of direction and pace.  I hope those who have followed me over the years will continue to do so and perhaps I'll pick up some new readers in the process.

His Own Worst Enemy, And Ours

President Trump has been made to look the fool.  So much for "the art of the deal".  Whether either is true is in the eye of the beholder but he didn't help himself for backing a very flawed bill.

One thing they could do now is to have Secretary Price just begin rolling back all those "secretary shalls" that Sebelius put in the original legislation.  I'm not sure why this hasn't been mentioned.

It's funny that the Republican leadership tried to do exactly what the Dems did do - pass it without knowing what was in it.  Those who say the Republicans don't know how to govern have a point. They made a debacle of this.

What worries me most, however, is the man at the top. He doesn't know how to govern either.  I'd like to think any other businessman we might have put in that office would have been a quick study but not so Mr. Trump.  He's bellicose in a controlled way, he thinks procedure doesn't matter, he attacks every and any body who he deems is against him. This is not the stuff of leadership.

He won't stop tweeting using the excuse it's his way of connecting with his base.  But when it's always negative does the base stick with him?  I doubt it.  At least not for long.  Soon they're going to realize they've been duped in their desperation for something other than rule by ideology rather than by the needs of the country.

He was a buffoon when the campaigns started and he remains one. He has appointed some very good people but some of his closest advisers are suspect to say the least.  They have their own agenda  and have found Trump can be manipulated.

I fear he has already become enclosed in the "bubble" that seems to encompass all of Washington. Those in opposition to him will run circles around him because he doesn't know how to combat said opposition.  He's too used to the positive results  for him from bullying and disparaging.

We're in a state of flux these days.  How it will all shake out is any ones guess.  My guess is it will go to those who best play the game.  And right now it's not the Republicans!

Rocket Science? Not Hardly!

Of course the Obamacare repeal failed!  But for all the wrong reasons.  Let's face it.  The proposed legislation was lousy. I can't imagine what Tom Price was thinking when he agreed to a three part plan.  Not with the opposition as rampant as it is.

And Paul Ryan.  He's beginning to act like a little dictator.  Fortunately it backfired on him.  I won't even get into the Freedom Caucus.  They plain don't think things through.

Being a senior, health care is important to me but then I'm lucky.  I have Medicare and it works fairly well. But for the really poor who slip between the Medicaid cracks and those not quite Medicare eligible the prospects are dim.

It might have something to do with the fact those creating the legislation haven't a clue what the real needs are out among we commoners. Nor do they understand the insurance industry nor the steps medical providers have taken to protect their interests. Men shouldn't have to pay for pre-natal care, no one should be paying for hair transplants nor Viagra. Get real! We could use a lot of help with prescription costs.  These are things they could address but won't because they just don't get the nitty gritty plus it's an issue that doesn't and won't affect them.

Actually, and I never thought I'd say this, Obamacare can be tweaked and retweaked and become pretty decent legislation that will provide affordable health care for all.  So why don't the politicians get off their high horses, quit the partisan bickering and get down to business.

So they hate Trump.  Get over it.  Your legislation should have to do with the people, not Trump. And quit spouting your vow to repeal to Obamacare is the reason why you were sent to Congress.  I'd bet if you asked your constituents they'd advise you to have a plan to replace it first. It's just plain common sense.  Get some.

What About The Country??

I literally want to pull my hair out listening to the selfish, self-serving antics of our government.  Both sides.

True.  Trump isn't the greatest. He's a man-child but we elected him.  That the Democrats and Obama are bent on destroying his Presidency is appalling.  I know he isn't helping matters with his incessant tweeting with loose words and an even looser handle on facts but he's going to continue doing it.  Those who are in his inner circle have to learn to work around it.  And to anticipate it.  They need a war room like Clinton had so as soon as he tweets something they're on top of it instead of the media.

The Democrats, in their way are just as bad.  I don't know who is holding what over who's head but for them all to march in lock step tells me there is no thought being given to anything other than destroy, destroy, destroy.  We don't need to manufacture robots.  We've a whole Congress full of them.

And Mitch McConnell, get some guts and get the remaining cabinet officials into their offices. You don't have to put up with the Democrats delaying actions.  Put a time line on it and move forward.  Sheesh!  Do note he got his wife confirmed a while ago.

I know, I know.  It has been awhile since I've written much of substance but what is there to write about other than the inanity of it all?  I keep seeing images of Rosie O'Donnell screaming, "Nyet! Nyet! Nyet!" at some rally or Barbra Streisand complaining that Trump is making her gain weight.  Man, the substance of all this just escapes me.

But that's what I hear. Health care?  Does any one really have a clue?  I think it's all posturing because there is no plan and it's no more than a stalling tactic.  Rather than reforming the TSA the pat downs are going to get more invasive?  Is that actually possible?  And have those pat downs actually caught anyone that was a potential threat to the flight they were going to board?

I can't stand it any more! I really can't.  There's a country out here waiting for all those promises to become reality.  Is it going to happen?  I have my doubts. You have no idea how much it hurts to have to say that.

Respect

It's not such a difficult concept, you know, but it seems lost on those who govern us.

Let's start with the latest flap.  Kellyanne Conway perched on a couch in the Oval Office, feet tucked under, shoes on, snapping pictures of a group of black college leaders meeting with the President.

Shabby to say the least.  Don't any of these people have any respect for anything any more?  Decorum?  What's that?  The ones who have it aren't the Trumpites!  They are part of the Pence faction.

I don't know if my opinion of this administration can sink any lower.  Why was Conway taking pictures anyway?  She's not the official White House photographer.  Did she go so far as to take selfies with them?  Nah, that would be too demeaning. Ha.

But let's consider the President himself.  Does he respect anyone?  It isn't a judge with a Hispanic name.  It certainly isn't the media.  Nor many in his own party.  Not the Democrats.  Not his predecessor in the office. Not Muslims nor Mexicans.  Maybe Putin still holds his favor. It must be lonely, not respecting anyone.  Does he wonder, ever, why he is so disliked?

Let's too look at the Democrats. They have no respect for us or they wouldn't be playing their petulant games with Trump's cabinet nominees.  Delaying confirmation is not doing the country any good and adds to the perplexity with which the rest of the world is looking at America. Republican infighting is of no help either.

I know how we got into this mess but those who are the cause of it seem content to shrug their shoulders and say, "Who?  Us?"

The culture in Washington needs changed but this President isn't the one to accomplish it.  He needs too much change himself and it isn't forthcoming.

We have elected a man-child.  I have great sympathy for those who have accepted positions often at great personal expense. I'd like to think they believe they can control Trump enough to move parts of his agenda ahead no matter how much he tries to sabotage himself.

I wish them well.  They, at least, have respect for the Office of the Presidency if not the President.  We should all remember it is due and in most circles, expected.