He hates immigrants.
He hates free trade deals.
He says he can save
The jobs they steal.
Global commerce out of favor.
Walls and tariffs are our saviors.
Donald Trump just wants to rule the world.
Government is dumb.
Obama is dim.
We can fix it all
By electing him.
He tells us that only he
Can deal with Putin and with Xi.
Donald Trump just wants to rule the world.
Parody of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears.
Imagine how many of our current problems would be solved if the burning of fossil fuels causes climate change and makes the Middle East uninhabitable. The irony of it is too compelling for words.
Of course, they would probably find a way to build an air-conditioned dome over Jerusalem, and then they could fight over that.
They don’t in his state, I guess.
The objective of Black Lives Matter is to address institutional racism in the criminal justice system, starting with the police. Every analysis I have seen indicates that the group’s concern is perfectly legitimate. It is outrageous to suggest that the group is responsible for the inflammatory comments and actions of a handful of people at demonstrations.
I understand that Christie’s campaign is floundering, and that he is desperately searching for an issue that he can use to bring his swagger back, but the cynicism of this gambit is positively Nixonian, and my guess is that it is going to have negative repercussions in New Jersey.
It should be interesting, because the subject matter brings several of the GOP factional fault lines into play. One would hope that the moderators will use that to their advantage without turning the event into a cockfight.
Some of the subplots will be:
Real men love fossil fuels. Clean energy is for wimps.
Old Wine in New Bottles
I’m the one who’s sparkling new.
Even liberals say it’s true.
Everything that’s old is through.
But take a good look at my views.
Lots of tax cuts for the rich.
You’ll get some, too, so don’t bitch.
We’ll eliminate Dodd-Frank.
Life is better for the banks.
Global warming? What a crock!
We’ll be turning back the clock.
Starting wars in the Middle East
Won’t disturb me in the least.
When I’m in charge, women lose
Their immoral right to choose.
For the poor, life will be tough.
It’s your fault; get off your duff.
Obamacare is in the past.
Marcocare is built to last.
Don’t be filled with gloom and doom.
You still have the emergency room.
Having said this, you’ll agree
Things are different under me.
It’s the same old tired refrain.
What was old is new again.
There are certain world leaders (it should be obvious who they are from previous posts, but I won’t name them) who irritate me to the point that I shout at the TV whenever they appear. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.
I’m taking a poll here: who are the most annoying leaders in the world today? Please feel free to send in your comments. I will announce the results next Saturday.
Another debt ceiling crisis looms. Everything depends on Speaker-to-be Ryan’s willingness to invoke the Boehner Rule and rely on Democratic votes to get it done. I’m hoping this time will be less stressful, however, for the following reasons:
The great would-be emperor Xi
In the UK was met graciously.
He drank with the Queen
Though absurd it may seem
As a red prince it came naturally.
The imperial DNA in the Chinese government becomes conspicuous every now and then.
Average worker
You’re a shirker.
Off your duff.
No more free stuff.
Businessman.
Deserves a hand.
Can’t give enough
Here’s more free stuff.
Bernie Sanders understands very well that he cannot win the Democratic nomination, let alone get elected and accomplish his legislative objectives, without a tidal wave of support from people who have never seen fit to participate in politics before. Is that a realistic possibility?
I don’t think so. The only scenario in which I can see such a thing happening requires the convergence of a young, charismatic candidate and a huge national crisis. Under different circumstances, that could have been Obama in 2008. It certainly isn’t Sanders at a time when unemployment is at 5%.
There once was a woman named Hill.
She answered the questions until
The chairman got tired.
He should have been fired.
The public long since had its fill.
Jeb Bush is standing on the terrace of an expensive condo in Miami. He looks pensive. He speaks.
Jeb: Rubio, Rubio, wherefore art thou, Rubio?
Marco approaches in the square below and responds.
Marco: Here, my former liege.
Jeb: Why hast thou betrayed me, Rubio?
Marco: Thou gaveth me a sword. Didst thou not expect me to use it?
Jeb: On the Democrats, Rubio, the Democrats.
Marco: The time hath come for a new band of leaders. Thou art too old. Thy energy is waning.
Jeb: Long life is a good thing.
Marco: And thy brother is an albatross. Thou claimeth to be thy own man, yet thou useth his advisors. It looks bad.
Jeb: My brother is a problem, I’ll grant you. But thou stoleth my donors! My friends!
Marco: Politics are not for the overly scrupulous, or the faint of heart.
Jeb: Thou wouldst have been my successor. I would have given thee my blessing in 2024.
Marco: The time is now. I leave for Iowa. He leaves.
Jeb: Fool I was to be his friend.
I’ll fight him to the bitter end.
He goes back in the condo and turns on the A/C.
“Can’t live with them; can’t live without them” encapsulates the relationship between the PBPs and the Reactionaries. From the PBP side, Reactionary votes are necessary to win power, but Reactionary excesses damage the GOP brand and make victory in presidential elections much less likely. From the Reactionary perspective, the alliance with the PBPs wins elections, but only results in frustration afterwards.
Reactionaries in the House are already operating as a de facto third party. The question now is what actions, if any, would cause them to formalize that arrangement. I plan to discuss that in a future post.
Everything about Fiorina’s background suggests that she is a PBP. However, her passionate prattling about abortion was her most memorable moment (other than her interactions with Trump) at the last debate, which means we don’t have a definitive answer at this point.
I would hope that the candidates will be asked a question about the debt ceiling and government shutdowns at the next debate. That will be the acid test. Anyone who is even willing to consider refusing to lift the debt limit is a Reactionary. What will Fiorina say? My guess is that she will out herself as a PBP, and her support on the far right will collapse as a result.