Donald Trump

Elizabeth MacDonough, Senate Parliamentarian, A Light In The Darkness!

Ronald 7 Comments

Elizabeth MacDonough has been the nonpartisan Senate Parliamentarian for the past 13 years since 2012.

She has a high level of respect and regard by most members of the Senate, and has been seen as the “guardian” of Senate rules, who does what is best for the Senate and its reputation. This is true even when some disgraceful Senators, like presently Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, have called for her to be fired for refusing to back all of the demands of Donald Trump.

She has presided over periods of Democratic and of Republican party majorities, and been part of the institutional history of the upper chamber in a very distinguished manner.

MacDonough has enforced the so called “Byrd Rule”, named after the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, which allows elimination of “extraneous” proposals that interfere with reconciliation of provisions of legislation, with 60 votes needed to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian, a high barrier.

It seems likely that Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota will not listen to a few Senators who want her fired, as she is well respected, and Thune is reluctant to interfere with her nonpartisan approach to Senate rules.

Already, with North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, opposed to aspects of the House bill, it is possible that the Trump “Big And Beautiful” bill might fail to get past the Senate, if on final passage, other Senators, such as Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Josh Hawley of Missouri, vote to reject the legislation as it is constituted right now, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts.

Birthright Citizenship, A Basic Part Of The 14th Amendment, Lies In Tatters! :(

Ronald 2 Comments

Donald Trump’s despicable attack on the 14th Amendment and Birthight Citizenship has won a battle in the right wing, extremist Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote on Friday.

While it is not final, as the issue has been sent to the lower federal courts for further adjudication, the signs are that a basic right, insured 150 years ago after the Civil War, may be totally wiped out.

The tensions are high on the Supreme Court, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson in particular, being highly critical of the majority decision produced by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The language utilized by both Justices and the clearcut tone of exasperation at what the Court is doing to promote an Imperial Presidency makes one wonder how thare can be any sense of camaraderie of the Court members toward each other.

It seems clear that the three Justices in the minority, also including Elena Kagan, probably would wish to leave the Court in disgust, but of course, cannot do so, as that would only promote an even more extremist right wing Court.

But it is clear that there are no “happy days” on the Court led by Chief Justice John Roberts, who has clearly presided over a totally disgraceful Court, that will undermine his reputation in the long run of American history!

The Republican Stronghold, Rural America, To Be Disastrously Affected By Medicaid And Food Stamp Cuts In “Big And Beautiful” Trump Budget Bill!

Ronald 11 Comments

The Republican Party stronghold in rural America will be disastrously affected by the proposed Medicaid and SNAP (Food Stamp) Cuts in the “Big and Beautiful” Trump budget bill being promoted to become law by July 4!

Much of rural America is “red”, the strongest supporters of Donald Trump, but clearly, Trump and his Republican Party are more interested in promoting massive tax cuts for the wealthy one percent and corporations, and ignoring the reality that rural health care will be dramatically harmed by this legislation, with many rural hospitals shutting down, when Medicaid is cut.

And to cut nutrition for poor people is unseemly, and the bulk of people affected by these heartless cuts in Medicaid and SNAP (Food Stamps) are actually white working poor, disabled, elderly, and deprived children.

Most Trump supporters are not aware of what is happening, and a rude awakening is coming!

Massive Split Among MAGA Supporters Of Trump Over US Attack On Iranian Nuclear Sites!

Ronald 5 Comments

A massive split among MAGA supporters of Donald Trump has emerged as a result of the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites a few days ago.

Many MAGA Republicans are isolationists, which they thought Donald Trump was, but in his early second term, Trump has shown that he is willing to be interventionist, and assist Israel and attack Iran.

So, for example, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Steve Bannon have expresed outrage at the bombing of the Iranian nuclear sites, while, on the other hand, Sean Hannity, Laura Loomer, Matt Gaetz and Charlie Kirk have supported Trump.

The coalition around Trump is wearing thin over the controversial foreign policy Trump has adopted.

Shocking, Stunning NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary!

Ronald 12 Comments

New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a mostly obscure politician with only brief experience in government at age 33, born in Uganda of Indian parents, with his father Muslim and his mother Hindu, with him professing to be a Muslim who is pro Palestinian in his views, has stunned the Democratic political establishment in New York City and nationwide, with his shocking, stunning, seismic first round victory in the NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary, over highly favored former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo!

Mamdani, seemingly, came out of “nowhere” and has a seven point lead on Cuomo, with ranked choice voting system adopted by NYC having to wait until July 1 or later, before having a final victory in the primary, but with a solid seven point leader for Mamdani likely to hold up in the end.

The ultimate Democratic nominee for Mayor will be a heavy favorite to win in a city strongly loyal to that party. But present Mayor Eric Adams, under a cloud of corruption, will be on the ballot as an Independent, and Cuomo had previously planned to run on an Indepedent line along with what he hoped would be the Democratic nomination. So if Cuomo does that, it will be a”wild and wooly” campaign, with Mamdani, despite his strong left wing views, likely to win, but no certainty at the result in November.

At age 33, which would make Mamdani the youngest Mayor since John Purroy Mitchel (1914-1917), he would with his Muslim heritage have to combat both Jewish groups that in most cases would be against him; African Americans, who would favor Adams; Establishment figures who would favor Cuomo; and with the likelihood of great conflict in the future between a potential Mayor Mamdani and the Trump Administration.

Ranked Choice Voting is only used widely in three states–Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii, along with a number of states in local elections, and some cities, including Washington DC; New York City; Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and Oakland and San Francisco, California.

Mamdani, with his Democratic “Socialist” ideas, would be, likely, the most leftist Mayor of New York in modern times, and possibly, of any major city, and with his backing and endorsement by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, makes “fireworks” likely in NYC politics by the various opposing groups in the city and in the national government.

It reminds one of Mayor Fernando Wood, who served two rounds as NYC Mayor (1855-1858) and (1860-1861), becoming a leading critic of Abraham Lincoln, and a supporter of the Confederacy in the first year of the Civil War as a “Copperhead”, northern supporter of the South against the Union. He even proposed NYC secede from the Union!

Wood also served in the US House of Representatives from 1863-1865, as well as later terms, and promoted continuing opposition to Lincoln and the Civil War, and opposed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, ending slavery. He was also married three times, including his third marriage at age 48 to a 16 year old!

Most certainly, Mamdani will shake up American politics if he becomes Mayor of NYC, with its 8 plus million people, larger than all but 12 of the 50 states in America!

Back From Vacation Break, And Total Mayhem! :(

Ronald 58 Comments

This author and blogger took a well deserved and needed vacation, and avoided following news of public affairs for the past ten days!

Now I am back, and total mayhem is in process on so many levels!

The continued violation of civil liberties, with the arrest by ICE of unjustified individuals; the arrest of a Democratic Mayoral candidate and New York City Controller Brad Lander; and the decision to back up Israel’s war on Iran by Donald Trump taking the bold action, without Congressional consultation or approval under the War Powers Act of 1973, to bomb Iranian nuclear sites—this all causes a sense of total mayhem in action!

We have a President who has taken a controversial action without any consultation, and his mental stability seems lacking in a sense of giving confidence that he knows what he is perpetrating, a possible major Mideast War, having learned nothing from the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.

40,000 US troops are in danger in the Middle East by the unstable, emotional reaction of Donald Trump, who is continuing to alienate our long term allies in Europe, Canada, and in Asia.

We have just passed the five month point of this four year term, and there is no comparison possible for the tumultuous, overwhelming, and shocking series of events that have taken place in both foreign and domestic policy!

One has to wonder how the survival of American democracy and the rule of law, and our 80 year stable set of allies in the world, can be accomplished with the reality that there are three years and seven months until the next Presidential Inauguration, and one year and five months until the next Congressional Elections, which the Democrats need to win to attempt to put controls on the most dangerous President in American history!

It is hard to be optimistic as we look to the future!

Trump Threatens Heavy Force Against Protesters At Military Parade To Celebrate His Birthday!

Ronald 2 Comments

Donald Trump is threatening heavy force against any protesters at his Birthday Military Parade on this Saturday, June 14.

It is expected that there will be “No Kings” Marches all over the nation, including in Washington, DC, so this is a very worrisome situation.

There are hints that he may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, even though normal demonstrations and freedom of assembly are protected by the First Amendment.

There is a sense of foreboding of what is about to occur over the next few days and weeks.

The thought that the US Marines are being given the role of military force against civilians is a shock to all decent Americans, and a danger sign of authoritarianism potentially coming.

This is a very tense time in America, as it, seemingly, is veering toward a possible, dangerous turning point that threatens American democracy, the rule of law, and the Bill of Rights.

Trump Calling Out Marines For Domestic Use, And Threatening Arrest Of Gavin Newsom Totally Beyond The Pale!

Ronald 7 Comments

President Donald Trump’s decision to call out the Marines for domestic use in Los Angeles to back up deportation raids, and his threat to arrest California Gavin Newsom, has escalated the crisis of Trump moving toward authoritarianism!

The possibility of the invoking of the Insurrection Act, when there is no rebellion or invasion, is horrifying, and moves America close to a true Fascist dictatorship, reminiscent in many ways to Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

And yet, millions of Americans seem content, as their racism, nativism, and lack of concern about anyone other than their selfish selves, is demonstrated for all to see.

The worship of money, and prejudice toward immigrants shows how sick and demented many Americans are, until the time comes, that they would become victims themselves.

When that horrifying moment occurs for many of these unprincipled, selfish people who only care about their financial bottom line, there will be no sympathy by those who have, vigorously, opposed Donald Trump and his evil supporters in the Republican Party, who are not patriots, but rather traitors to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the rule of law!

Trump Utilizing National Guard In Los Angeles, Defying Governor And Mayor, Highly Unusual!

Ronald 28 Comments

With immigration raids and arrests mounting all over the nation, but particularly in the major cities of Los Angeles and New York City, Donald Trump has taken the step of escalating his authoritarian impluses by deciding to utilize the National Guard in LA, against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. It is extremely unusual and rare to take such an action against the recomendations of state and local officials.

This is clearly seen as a move toward total crackdown on basic civil liberties, perpetrated by Thomas Homan, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and a host of other Trump appointees.

We have entered a “police state” situation, with great danger of massive violence and bloodshed, and it could spread quickly around the nation, and lead to the potential of civil war, a horrifying scenario!

There is no indication of massive violence, just of street protests, so this is a power grab by Trump and his government perpetrated to justify suspension of basic First Amendment rights.

It is not clear what can be done about the aggressive and abusive moves inititated by Donald Trump, so we are in a period of great mourning for our Constitution, rule of law, and American democracy!

Trump-Musk Split A Major Boon For Democrats!

Ronald 10 Comments

The sudden end of the “bromance” between Donald Trump and Elon Musk may have surprised many observers, but there were many others who predicted it would happen, but maybe not so rapidly.

At this point, Trump seems to have all the cards in the battle, as it seems highly unlikely that many, if any, Republican officeholders in Congress, particularly in the House of Representatives, are going to rush to Musk’s side.

But Musk’s threat to form a third political party, and to finance opponents to many Republicans in the House and US Senate who face election contests in 2026, throws a “fly in the ointment”, complicating the hope of Trump and Republican office holders to keep their majorities, particularly in the lower chamber, but even possibly in the Senate.

So this split can be seen as a major boon for Democrats, looking forward, if they can manage the breakup of Trump and Musk in a way that benefits their party.