Trump II

[Alan Klein]

Jim, thanks.  We all want what's best for our country.  We just come at it from different ways. Maybe Pogo was right.   

[Schewe]

Well, now that we've had our Kumbaya moment...we still have the problem that the President of the United States is not, uh, well presidential and so far has proven to be a less than stellar leader. The following article by David Frum who is a conservative leaning senior editor at The Atlantic and was a speechwriter for President George W. Bush. So, it's not like he's a screaming wild-eyed liberal left-wing wing nut.

The Souring of American Exceptionalism

Commitment to liberalism once distinguished the United States—now, it’s the disdain of American elites for the troubles of their fellow citizens that sets the nation apart.

Tomorrow, the Fourth of July, Americans will celebrate their independence, the birth of a free nation. Leading the celebrations will be a president mysteriously dependent on a foreign power—a president who lavishly praises dictators and publicly despises the institutions of freedom, not only the free press but also an independent judiciary and other constitutional restraints on his will.

This is a Fourth tinged with sad ironies. Can we put the occasion to any good use? Near the end of a much more terrible national ordeal, Abraham Lincoln urged Americans: "Let us, therefore, study the incidents of this, as philosophy to learn wisdom from.” Good advice. We should try.

A traditional theme of the rhetoric of the Fourth is the celebration of “American exceptionalism.” That phrase has acquired a boastful overtone, which is why President Obama famously handled it so diffidently. "I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism."

“American exceptionalism" began its career, however, not as a boast, but as a question.

“Why is there no socialism in the United States?” asked a Marxist German in 1906. According to Marxist ideology, the United States—as the most highly developed capitalist nation—should have led the way toward proletarian class-consciousness. When that did not happen, Marxists squirmed to explain the deficiency away. Non-Marxists took up the inquiry after World War II. With a Labor government nationalizing railways and steelworks in Britain—Germany shattered by Nazism—and communism holding Russia, China, and half of Europe in its grip, the United States stood out as a lonely beacon of liberalism. Again America seemed a special case that needed explaining. This time the explanations came from fellow-liberals who admired the American exception, which is how the phrase acquired its secondary and more positive meaning.

Over the next decades, however, as both democracy and market economics became accepted facts across the developed world, the question changed form. Even pre-Trump, it was hard to argue that the United States was a consistently more liberal society than Germany or Britain, let alone Denmark or Canada. In some ways, yes: Free speech is more protected in the United States than other places. In some ways, no: The right to vote is better protected almost everywhere else in the democratic world than in the United States.

But most of the compliments Americans paid themselves half a century ago ring hollow in the 21st century. In 2010, as a rising star in the Tea Party movement, Marco Rubio delivered the keynote address at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. He told his own inspiring personal story and credited it to the unique opportunities of the United States. "The result is an America where—which is the only place in the world where it doesn't matter who your parents were or where you came from. You can be anything you are willing to work hard to be. The result is the only economy in the world where poor people with a better idea and a strong work ethic can compete and succeed against rich people in the marketplace and competition.” None of that is true, and in important ways it is the opposite of the truth. Who your parents were and where you came from matters probably more in the United States than in most other advanced economies, at least if statistics on upward mobility are to be believed.

America’s uniqueness, even pre-Trump, was expressed as much through negative indicators than positive. It is more violent than other comparable societies, both one-on-one and in the gun massacres to which the country has become so habituated. It has worse health outcomes than comparably wealthy countries, and some of them most important of them are deteriorating further even as they improve almost everywhere else. America’s average llevels of academic achievement lag those of other advanced countries. Fewer Americans vote—and in no other democracy does organized money count for so much in political life. A century ago, H.L. Mencken observed the American “national genius for corruption,” and (again pre-Trump) Transparency International’s corruption perceptions index ranks the U.S. in 18th place, behind Hong Kong, Belgium, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany—never mind first-place finishers Denmark and New Zealand.

As I said: pre-Trump. Now the United States has elected a president who seems much more aligned with—and comfortable in the company of—the rulers of Turkey, Hungary, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines than his counterparts in other highly developed countries.

That result forces a reshaping of the question of American exceptionalism.

“Why was the United States vulnerable to such a person when other democracies have done so much better?” Part of the answer is a technical one: The Electoral College, designed to protect the country from demagogues, instead elected one. But then we have to ask: How did Trump even get so far that the Electoral College entered into the matter one way or another?

Thinking about that question forces an encounter with American exceptionalism in its most somber form. If, as I believe, Donald Trump arose because of the disregard of the American political and economic elite for the troubles of so many of their fellow-citizens, it has to be asked again: How could the leaders of a democratic country imagine they could get away with such disregard?

Nor has that elite learned its lessons. Look at the progress of the Republican health-care bill through the House and Senate. The authors of the bill are acutely aware of how despised it is, how much more despised it will be once it goes into effect: That’s precisely why they have broken through all normal legislative processes, why they do not hold hearings, why they conceal its elements, why they outright lie about its effect. Even so, only fewer than one in five Americans support what they wish to do. Rather than make any attempt to build consensus—never mind to make adjustments that could gain broader consent—a small leadership group is pushing through. Some of those leaders are dogmatically sure that they are correct, no matter what anybody else thinks. Others are heedless of consequences for anyone but their supporters and donors. Still others feel cynically certain that if they can prevail now against the numbers, they can use the inertia of the American system to prevent the large majority who opposed them from reversing their actions.

Only in America, as the saying goes. This Fourth of July, however, it is harder to say with pride.

Yeah, sorry...I thought the essay was good enough to copy the whole darn thing here...

I'm feeling patriotic today which means I reject accepting the current situation as the new normal. This is not what I want for our country...I would hope we could regain American exceptionalism...

[LesPalenik]

I agree with you and would like to decrease our military roll. We can't afford it any more.  That's why Trump wants our allies to pay more.  He understand we can't afford it anymore either in money or blood.   But then all the crazies will use the vacuum for more adventurism.  We tried that after WWI and got WWII as the result.  It's a real predicament.  Damned if we do and damned of we don't.  On the other hand, Europe is rich.  They could finance their own defense without us.  After all they are the European Union.   France and England have nukes too.  In the Pacific, we could ignore North Korea.  They aren't really going to do anything.  Let them be happy in their middle kingdom.  But if we reduce our presence, China will move out which may encourage Japan to nuke up, others too.  Do we save in money and blood by up-fronting some rather than waiting for the whole thing to blow up again?  For now, Trump's made the decision to show some muscle and keep the status quo.  That might change after the next recession.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile Tuesday in the direction of Japan.
The reclusive nation claimed to have test-launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, contradicting South Korean and U.S. officials who earlier said it was an intermediate-range missile.



Photographically, it's an impressive picture. Great timing, nice composition with pleasing and complementary colours, however no humans in the frame.

[Alan Klein]

Well,  it is a little too centered.  As far as ignoring them, what do you propose?

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

If, as I believe, Donald Trump arose because of the disregard of the American political and economic elite for the troubles of so many of their fellow-citizens, it has to be asked again: How could the leaders of a democratic country imagine they could get away with such disregard?

Hallelujah!

[LesPalenik]

Well,  it is a little too centered.  As far as ignoring them, what do you propose?

I strongly disagree. A rocket that can travel 6,000 miles all the way to Los Angeles, deserves the central placement.

As to the next course of action in the surrounds of the depicted launch, I would suggest first cataloguing accurately all such sites in that country. That could be used in cooperation with North Korea for conducting photo workshops and shooting the big rockets with flames or failing such cooperation for a different activity on the said sites.

One day later, USA and South Korea have shown their little rocket, while staying in the same colour palette.

[Otto Phocus]

This hate that is tearing the country apart has to stop. I know it burns with the public, but the fuel comes from our government and the press, from both sides.

I agree.  It will be the cancer that will eventually destroy our country as we know it.  Empires like ours are not defeated externally, but are eroded from within. I truly believe that we are witnessing the end of the American Empire.  All empires have an end.  We had a pretty good run though.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Hallelujah!

Indeed, but how's the current administration really any different? The only difference is in even more partisanship and disdain for the middle and lower classes, disruption of international partnerships, and announced tax breaks for those who didn't need them, to begin with.

It looks like the American electorate settled a score, with/against itself (!).

And I'll repeat, The USA is Lesterland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw2z9lV3W1g

Cheers,
Bart

[Alan Klein]

Indeed, but how's the current administration really any different? The only difference is in even more partisanship and disdain for the middle and lower classes, disruption of international partnerships, and announced tax breaks for those who didn't need them, to begin with.

It looks like the American electorate settled a score, with/against itself (!).

And I'll repeat, The USA is Lesterland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw2z9lV3W1g

Cheers,
Bart

The current administration is different because it has instituted processes that begin to redress the economic, social and political loses of the regular American rather than exclusively favoring the elite politician or businessman and crony capitalist.  These elite groups didn't suffer under the last Administration as you indicate.  Rather, they made out much better during the recession than the average guy. 

Whatever changes happen won't be perfect; nothing is.  And one man doesn't have that power, especially in the USA.  But you ought to give him a little time.  He's done a lot already setting the table, but still, it's only been 6 months.   

[pegelli]

The current administration is different because it has instituted processes that begin to redress the economic, social and political loses of the regular American rather than exclusively favoring the elite politician or businessman and crony capitalist.  These elite groups didn't suffer under the last Administration as you indicate.  Rather, they made out much better during the recession than the average guy. 

My impression is that the current administration is doing this even more (maybe not for the politicians, but surely for the rich businessman and capitalists) and that the average and lower class guy will be bleeding even harder then before. Both the new tax plan as well as the new health plans favour the rich and take from the average and poor.

[Alan Goldhammer]

We have been in England and Ireland for two weeks and have yet to find any local who thinks Trump is any good.  They all seem dumbfounded that he won the election.  Just what we have observed.

[Alan Klein]

We have been in England and Ireland for two weeks and have yet to find any local who thinks Trump is any good.  They all seem dumbfounded that he won the election.  Just what we have observed.

Well,  Trump wants to help Americans not Irish and English citizens.  Obama and Hillary on the other hand wanted to help everyone but Americans.

[Schewe]

Obama and Hillary on the other hand wanted to help everyone but Americans.

Yeah, ya know, that dog don't hunt. If you honestly think Obama cared less for Americans than he did others in the world you have a perverted perspective of reality. Sure, Obama had a great deal of empathy for others but to to say he wanted to help everybody but Americans is, well, horseshyte, pure GOP talking point horseshyte (and I question whether you honestly believe this or are just trying to be provocative).

Hum, I wonder, do you believe Obama was born in Hawaii or Kenya?

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Well,  Trump wants to help Americans not Irish and English citizens.

In case you hadn't noticed, the world outside the USA is much larger than inside its borders alone. A huge market for selling stuff awaits, no more.

Today, Europe and Japan signed the precursor to a new Free Trade Agreement (tomorrow the formal signing will be done by Japan's PM before the G20 meeting) as the TPP trade deal members are moving ahead without the USA, and the European Union agreed to intensify the trade relations with Cuba (567 parliamentarians voted in favor,  65 against, 31 withheld their vote), pending ratification by the member states.

And last month:

The European Union and China will boost their research and innovation cooperation with a new package of flagship initiatives targeting the areas of Food, Agriculture and Biotechnologies, Environment and Sustainable Urbanisation, Surface Transport, Safer and Greener aviation, and Biotechnologies for Environment and Human Health.

This is one of the outcomes of the 3rd EU-China Innovation Co-operation Dialogue, organised today in the margins of the 19th EU-China Summit, and co-chaired by Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, and Wan Gang, China's Minister of Science and Technology.

The train goes on, without the USA. How that helps 'Americans' escapes me.

Cheers,
Bart

[LesPalenik]

In case you hadn't noticed, the world outside the USA is much larger than inside its borders alone. A huge market for selling stuff awaits, no more.
Today, Europe and Japan signed the precursor to a new Free Trade Agreement (tomorrow the formal signing will be done by Japan's PM before the G20 meeting) as the TPP trade deal members are moving ahead without the USA, and the European Union agreed to intensify the trade relations with Cuba (567 parliamentarians voted in favor,  65 against, 31 withheld their vote), pending ratification by the member states.

Cheers,
Bart

As it happens, Airbus just signed a deal to sell 140 planes worth $23 billion to China.
And Volvo which today announced that it will stop producing new gasoline-only engines from 2019 and shift to a variety of hybrid and all-electric models just gave a shock to Tesla and caused its stock drop by 7%.

Neither of these news will help America.

[LesPalenik]

We have been in England and Ireland for two weeks and have yet to find any local who thinks Trump is any good.  They all seem dumbfounded that he won the election.  Just what we have observed.

It seems that this very same sentiment is reflected in all European countries. With the exception of Russia.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Pressure builds on Trump at home over pledge for closer Moscow ties
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN19P0J8

QUOTE Tue Jul 4, 2017 | 11:11am EDT "During his presidential campaign, Republican Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "strong leader" with whom he would like to reset tense U.S.-Russian relations.

But as Trump heads to his first face-to-face meeting as president with Putin on Friday at the G20 summit in Germany, he is under pressure at home to take a tough line with the Kremlin.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year’s U.S. election have alarmed both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who are pushing to extend tough sanctions placed on Russia following its 2014 annexation of Crimea, a peninsula belonging to Ukraine.

Lawmakers including Republican Senator Cory Gardner are also concerned Russia has prolonged the civil war in Syria by backing its President Bashar al-Assad, a strongman whose forces have used chemical weapons against insurgents and civilians. The chaos has fueled instability in the region and a flood of migrants to Europe."

Cheers,
Bart

[Alan Klein]

Yeah, ya know, that dog don't hunt. If you honestly think Obama cared less for Americans than he did others in the world you have a perverted perspective of reality. Sure, Obama had a great deal of empathy for others but to to say he wanted to help everybody but Americans is, well, horseshyte, pure GOP talking point horseshyte (and I question whether you honestly believe this or are just trying to be provocative).

Hum, I wonder, do you believe Obama was born in Hawaii or Kenya?

Well, I suppose they wanted to help themselves more than anyone.  Obama protected all the Wall Street crooks.  None of them went to prison.    His first paycheck after leaving the presidency after his $60 million book deal was to get a $400,000 speaking engagement from, well, Wall Street.  Now he vacations with the billionaires in  Tahiti and the Bahamas.  What a phony. 

Of course he was only continuing the tradition of Hillary and her husband Bill who got millions from Wall Street for speaking engagements.  Remember in the campaign when she refused to provide the transcripts of her Wall Street speeches?  You could only imagine what assurances she gave them.  I'm sure she was thinking of the deplorables when she spoke.   I'm sure she had Americans in mind when she sold 20% of America's uranium to who was it?  Oh yes.  It was the Russians.  And all that money she collected selling political influence to the Saudis, Qatarians, and other terrorist supporting countries.  That really helped Americans a lot too.

[Alan Klein]

As it happens, Airbus just signed a deal to sell 140 planes worth $23 billion to China.
And Volvo which today announced that it will stop producing new gasoline-only engines from 2019 and shift to a variety of hybrid and all-electric models just gave a shock to Tesla and caused its stock drop by 7%.

Neither of these news will help America.

I don't understand what point you're making?  Airbus and Boeing are both fine aircraft companies.  I think Boeing sold $7 billion to the Chinese but did better overall than Airbus recently at the Paris Air show.   Boeing did better but that changes from time to time. Boeing is leaving the show with orders and commitments for more than 571 new aircraft worth $74.8 billion at list prices. Airbus secured 346 new orders worth $42.2 billion.

What does Volvo wanting to make only electric or hybrids have to do with Trump?  What does Trump have to do with Tesla?

[James Clark]

Well, I suppose they wanted to help themselves more than anyone.  Obama protected all the Wall Street crooks.  None of them went to prison.    His first paycheck after leaving the presidency after his $60 million book deal was to get a $400,000 speaking engagement from, well, Wall Street.  Now he vacations with the billionaires in  Tahiti and the Bahamas.  What a phony. 

Of course he was only continuing the tradition of Hillary and her husband Bill who got millions from Wall Street for speaking engagements.  Remember in the campaign when she refused to provide the transcripts of her Wall Street speeches?  You could only imagine what assurances she gave them.  I'm sure she was thinking of the deplorables when she spoke.   I'm sure she had Americans in mind when she sold 20% of America's uranium to who was it?  Oh yes.  It was the Russians.  And all that money she collected selling political influence to the Saudis, Qatarians, and other terrorist supporting countries.  That really helped Americans a lot too.

This argument is and always has been utterly bizarre.    Hillary and Obama are in the tank for Wall St. because they accept speaking fees either before or after their times in office, but Trump is an innocent despite the fact that he selected the very same Wall St. guys to *run the government* and has been actively trying to hinder media oversight at every turn.   Makes my head explode :/