First Blog

Many politicians not fulfilling their election promises end up promising again to do what they haven’t done.  Or excusing what they haven’t done to evil-doers from the other party. Or stating they really have done what they haven't done.  --------------- Stove-top diplomacy.  It seems on diplomatic side of the street, President Trump has appointed two rather different personalities, Nikki  Haley (UN Ambassador) and Rex Tillerson (Secretary of State). The difference between them is simple: Haley likes to turn up the burners giving more and more heat.  Tillerson tries hard to keep the lids on all the pots.  Hmm. What’s for dinner? ------------ Nancy Pelosi, who you might admit is getting a bit long in the tooth, has called the Rep tax bill Armageddon on one day and then Frankenstein on another. Her next claim may that by supporting it you will have eaten a poison apple that will make you fall asleep forever. She also missed calling it equivalent to the black plague.  Nancy

Trump.  Nowadays...  If you watch left-leaning channels, you will rarely hear anything positive about Trump.  If you watch the other channels, you will hear constant editorials about how Trump is not living up to promises.  I mean like we are only at about 100 days in.  The Dems are locked into a unity of contempt; the Reps seem to have more camps of interest than most countries have political parties, each criticizing Trump isn’t pure enough in their direction.  Promises???  Most newly elected officials simply say what's that?  Go figure. -------------------------------- Salt.  When I was a kid, years and years ago, almost every locker room had salt dispensers.  We were advised to take some any time we felt we needed the mineral.  Then, suddenly they disappeared, with the admonition that it was only rarely needed.  More damage than harm, etc. Now it’s back with trainers recommending the need for salt when working out or playing hard.  Go figure. ------------------

The tyranny of correctness.   Currently, we see a reversal within the party of inclusion to a party of intolerance in the name of tolerance.   If you do not agree with me, so they say, you must be racist, sexist, islamophobe, homophobe, or some other -ist or - phobic .   So fantastic are these to be unbelievable.  Usually, you call others the names you would yourself abhor. So, name-calling has a limited reach. They have forgotten what made them great.   They have embraced some easy targets while ignoring all but a couple of large groups, assuming their old-time supporters would continue to support.   They have made the fundamental mistake of assuming those in the tank should damn well stay there. Like Pandora’s box, once released, these forces roam independently. How can they put them back in their tank?   Maybe they will offer more promises, which of course translates into more spending. Maybe they will offer more detractors up to the pillory.   Yet, this

Trump is wrong.   In his Detroit message, he offered to the American people more jobs and more wealth to all, yes all. He believes, as do the Republicans, that such a promise will gain votes and hopefully adoration of the potential voter. Moreover, it will attract to the ballot box their endorsement of his offer.   This is his promise, and I believe it is sincere.   It is possible, though it would be difficult to achieve. The promise should be a winner!   So they think.   This was the pitch of all the Republican candidates of this cycle and last; it was the promise and pledge of Romney.   Trump discussed the TPP at length*.    How can Trump be wrong?   Those millions of people out of the workforce and the smaller number listed as unemployed (current 4.9% unemployment rate) have no belief anything will happen in their favor.   This includes even those who believe he is sincere.   However, there is another mechanism at foot. It is the notion of equity.   Those who are downtrodde