It's just a general overview of how we got where we are from TomDispatch, but he raises a few issues that are worth considering in both policy and politics... as we have a little more than thirteen and a half more periods of "one hundred days" of Trump to go.

Good article. Thank you.

much improved name. what's the demand? keep at it.

JL

Thanks for the response. It's quite -and I mean this in a good way- informationally dense, so I'm not now in a position to comment intelligently until I have the time to look at.

In general, though, I support electoral reform encouraging increased candidate access. This so, while at the same time realizing that reforms which threaten both political parties will face reactionary resistance, above and below board, and, quite unusually, not resistance by one checked by support of the other.

Herein may lurk the unintended consequences of well intended success of the reform.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-trumps-wars-should-seem-so-familiar_us_58fe0d5ee4b018a9ce5d15b9?wyl&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

It's just a general overview of how we got where we are from TomDispatch, but he raises a few issues that are worth considering in both policy and politics... as we have a little more than thirteen and a half more periods of "one hundred days" of Trump to go.

A

Yeah, well, most journalists aren't activists, and mainstream journalists in particular have been trained not to rock the boat... and they are well aware that the number of jobs in the profession has dwindled with the massive consolidation in the "news" business.

I wouldn't get too hung up on what Les said.
It sounds like he'll be a supporter when you notch your first success. But people with a full plate already aren't the ones you should expect to help you get there.

As for holding a grudge, though he does it to maintain the status quo or make things worse, we've already got one guy here playing the fake "loyalty to the country" card. We don't need another.
I was just reminding you that CW isn't the only one reading the comments.

A

Just a reminder that other approaches are possible and may even be more successful-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-survey-shows-bernie-is-right-young-americans-want_us_58fd0314e4b0f420ad99c918?93l&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

The idea of Democrats addressing the issue of inequality with policies rather than platitudes is not welcome by the establishment, so if you think everything is great right now or you're afraid of rocking the boat, don't follow that link.

A

If neither of your approaches is working, come up with a third one.

I do agree that CW will forgive you though.
But I may hold a grudge.

A

Since the GOP refuses to actually put forth legislation, thus continuing the trend begun during the Obama years, I can't wait to see the hidden gems put forth to further the goals of the "forgotten voices" in the upcoming CR.

All one has to do is look at the list of big money donors to the inauguration and start checking off stuff done to help them...

Indeed.
I was offering my perspective.

But questioning CW's loyalty to our country does seems a little extreme to me, however you put it.

And CW has a clear record of seeking positive reforms within the Democratic party which are regularly in direct opposition to the wishes of the Democratic establishment... including on your favored topic of campaign finance reform. He is an ally in your efforts.

That is what shapes my perspective.

But if you think your tactics are effective, go for it.

A

Maybe that should all go under the category of Swamp Maintenance.

I thought about adding in the Immigration and the resulting expansion of the constitutional rights free zone stuff, but again that is more of a judicial function and as such in not traditionally used as a yard stick for the first hundred days.

But... Since I am sorta visiting this. He to has been wildly successful here as well... If you apply the POTUS is the POTUS and there shall be no others before the POTUS logic of the GOP. Except of course when the POTUS can't get what he wants, let alone gets what he needs... then it is always the DEMS in Congress' fault.

He has managed to not only deport those "Bad Hombre" DACA recipients, he has also caused a drop in the reporting of crimes of the said "Bad Hombres" due to the fact that the RP might get deported for simply reporting that actions of a bad person.

He has further codified the violation of rights against unreasonable search and seizure by allowing and encouraging search of phones and other electronic devices upon entry to the country.

He has further infringed upon our rights to travel freely by imposing US exit interrogations for various countries.

He has set the playing field for the restriction of free speech by calling for the searching of social media not just of those wishing to emigrate here but also for those returning home.

All in all he is doing a good job of returning us to the 50's ... Which was a great time for all... Right?

As an interesting side note he has managed to spend 4 million on legal fees resulting from shenanigans on the campaign trail....

It is only the OT listing since we are measuring only his first 100 days... So I opted to keep it legislative. The next 6 months will be when we start to see his agenda for the "forgotten voices" come to fruition.

He has issued a few memorandums ordering the evaluation of various environmental, workplace, and financial regulations and then has directed the agencies to go back to the industries being regulated to seek input as to which ones should be done away with and how processes can be "streamlined",or, as I like to call it moving things back to the darkness.

good list. i would also add the spate of deportations without due process, mostly of individuals who were not even remotely "bad hombres" as donald had suggested would be the case - and threatening to withhold federal funding from cities whose authorities don't comply with this hysteria.

JL

Thanks for that list of accomplishments the Trumpon can't boast about. It sure does point to who he is actually working for and can't be repeated often enough.

A

I occasionally wish CW would cover topics he does not choose to mention, and I try to encourage him to do so.

But since he provides a forum in which you are able to essentially post a guest column in the comment section, and since you have covered the topic thoroughly leaving little left to write about, perhaps a different approach to convince him is in order?

I'm just saying I think you know CW well enough to know that your last two questions are not fair, and that your approach may be counterproductive.

A

If it transfers wealth he has signed it...

Let's see he has:
Signed legislation allowing our information to be sold without our consent.

Signed the repeal of regulations that required government contractors abide by the labor laws and not commit wage theft.

Repealed the overtime regulations that would have put money into the pockets of the workers

Repealed the clean streams act. Thus transferring responsibility from companies that can afford to keep water clean before it gets polluted to the taxpayer after it has been polluted.

Got rid of that pesky requirement that employers track workplace injuries for 5 years.

Signed legislation repealing regulations that allow states, counties, and cities to implement their own retirement savings systems for people who do not get it through work.

Signed the CRA to allow christian sharia forces to defund planned parenthood.

Signed the CRA to striking down the DOL guidelines for states drug testing on Unemployment.Thus making it harder for people to get the benefit they have paid for.

Signed his EO essentially forbidding the government from preparing reports on the effects of climate change. It can't be happening if we aren't reporting on it right?

Signed the CRA repealing regulations in place that made it easier for the public to comment on the use of public lands during planning and permitting phases.

Signed a CRA for the repeal of regulations that required states to effectivly comply with teacher training program regulations from the higher education act of 1965.

Signed legislation "realigning" NASA to be soley looking into space and away from Earth. I guess understanding our planet is not essential to colonizing another.

Signed a CRA to continue to allow people who need someone to manage their affairs and are on disability to own guns.

Signed the CRA requiring disclosure of payments to foreign governments by resource extractors. nothing says security more than not knowing when you may be getting into a conflict with someone who is funded by one of your own energy companies.

Signed memorandum delaying the implementation of the fiduciary duties rule

Signed memorandum for allowing the KXL and Dakota Access pipelines to go through...all sans American steel.

Signed memorandum requiring the departments permitting big projects to speed things up and to seek input from the people seeking the projects on how the process can be streamlined. NOthing can go wrong there.

Gag rule on abortion back in place. Christian sharia at it's finest.

Two stabs at a ban...which has been semi successful even-though they have not been implemented. Just the concept has lead to less people wanting to come to the US for tourism and bussiness.

That gem increased vetting for all who are coming or going from the US ...

He has brought back Federal for profit prison contracts.

I am sure that there are some I missed, but given the above list he has had a pretty successful 100 days on the incremental front.

Nice column.

I think it would have been nice to mention that Repubs had to change the rules in order for Trump to achieve his single accomplishment, but I do tend to like rubbing salt into wounds and you're a better person... or you were until that United Airlines dig. Ouch!

Ossof's awards are both merited.
If he ends up losing there's going to be a lot of hand wringing.

I don't get the Matt Lauer reference, but that whole episode and Trump pissing off the Koreans to boot was hysterical.
I would add that we should all feel lucky that Number Un didn't launch an attack and leave us wishing the missing battle group would show up.

Trump choosing Brownie for NZ is just odd.
It reminds me of that column you wrote about presidents choosing VP's who won't outshine them. Apparently Trump fears heck of a job ambassadors too.

I think the billion dollar estimate on medical marijuana is probably low.
People use it for all sorts of things other than pain relief. Everything from PTSD to depression.

As far as Chaffetz and conspiracy theories...
I think one uninvestigated aspect of Benghazi should be in there... or at least uninvestigated by Congress... Seymour Hersh did some investigative journalism on it.

Supposedly the real reason our boys were in that lovely city was to buy Libyan weapons for delivery to the Syrian "rebels"... so my conspiracy would involve Chaffetz accidentally revealing this information and therefore being threatened with losing his security clearance if he didn't resign.

Not as exciting as a Bigfoot love child, but...

A

I think this is the earliest I've posted one of these in the past year or so....

:-)

-CW