President Elect Donald Trump broke from a pattern of choosing early supports for cabinet positions this past week by making two picks of individuals that did not support his candidacy to become Republican nominee during the primary campaign. On the surface this could indicate that Trump is putting in place an administration that may offer some diversity in ideological philosophy. In accepting those nominations, the individuals selected may be signaling Republicans are willing to set differences aside and work together for the betterment of the country. Sadly, neither scenario is likely the case. These picks are not the beginning of a Lincoln-like team of rivals. They are selections rooted in political reward and personal gain.
Trump chose Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina to become Ambassador to the United Nations. Haley was instrumental in removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capitol grounds in the aftermath of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston and one of the Republican notables that called out Trump for not denouncing white supremacists during the campaign. At first glance, Haley looks like a good pick. In reality, her nomination is a net loss. Trump's distain for globalization, his desire to undo international accords such as the Iran nuclear deal, and his penchant for policy promoting nationalism likely means he has little use for the UN or the US Ambassador. Trump's real victory here is to solidify his base in South Carolina and reward lieutenant governor Henry McMaster, a staunch supporter early in the campaign, with governorship of the state. For her part, Haley could have maintained the high ground she held during the campaign by remaining in South Carolina and continuing to cultivate herself as a GOP front runner of the future based on credibility and track record. Instead, she chose to compromise her integrity and hedge her bets on a political future by being a seat warmer for Trump. She also bolsters her own resume with some tacit foreign policy experience. It's a win-win proposition if the goal was solely to advance her own political ambitions.
Betsy DeVos is Trump's nominee to become Secretary of Education. DeVos is a billionaire philanthropist and big time GOP contributor that, like Haley, did not support Trump during the primaries. However, the two do have common ground when it comes to allowing the private sector to make money on the backs of students. DeVos has for decades promoted the use of vouchers to attend private and parochial schools. She is a strong advocate of privately run, for-profit, charter schools in her home state of Michigan where the implementation has been expensive and lacking in accountability. DeVos has also praised the work Vice President Elect Mike Pence did to expand schools of choice in his home state of Indiana. Trump's own experience with for-profit education in the form of Trump University speaks for itself with the recent $25 million settlement of pending fraud cases by former students. DeVos has never been a teacher but Michigan's Republican Governor Rick Snyder complimented DeVos' selection in a statement that indicates "she'll put kids first." High praise from a man whose emergency managers helped ruin Detroit Public Schools and whose attorneys just this past week decried "There is no fundamental right to literacy" in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of seven Detroit schoolchildren. DeVos likely gets the job of Secretary due to her support of Pence and as a nod to the republican establishment that have relied on her soft money assistance for years.
The President Elect said he would "drain the swamp" by removing all corrupt politicians and outside interests from Washington, D.C., during his tenure. His methodology so far has been to reward early supporters of his candidacy like Reince Priebus, Michael Flynn and Jeff Sessions with high profile positions. Names of other cronies such as Rudy Giuliani continue to surface as additional contenders. Dissenters such as Haley and DeVoss have made the cut yet none seem to have any reason for being there other than for political reward or personal gain. Soon it may be hard to tell the swamp water being drained from the sewage pouring in.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Tweets Out of Trumpworld
President Elect Donald Trump isn't letting the business of putting together an administration get in the way of attacking critics on social media. Trump was dropping tweet bombs again this weekend after Vice-President Elect Mike Pence received a personalized encore at the conclusion of a Friday night performance of the Broadway hit Hamilton. Trump blasted the actors and called the show itself "overrated" after hearing the cast made a statement from the stage directed at Pence that thanked him for his attendance but expressed concern "that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights." Trump declared via Twitter, "The Theater must always be a safe and special place."
Trump is right, the theater should be a safe and special place. So should schools, streets, mosques, gender neutral bathrooms, and virtually any place of business in the Vice-President Elect's home state of Indiana where, as Governor, Pence signed into law a bill allowing business owners to discrimination against the LGBT community. Since the election, there have been numerous incidents of verbal and physical hate crimes that the President Elect didn't see fit to speak out against with the same fervor as that of a respectfully delivered statement on behalf of the cast and producers of Hamilton. Therein lies the terrible reality of a Trump presidency.
To Pence's credit, he said he was not offended by the pointed comments made to him at the play and sought to reassure the country that Trump would be a president "for all Americans." Pence's own political record would indicate otherwise but setting aside the irony that he went to see (and reportedly enjoyed) a play about a penniless immigrant that became the father of Federalism, at least Pence's remarks were an acknowledgment of message received.
Trump, however, continued his Twitter assault into Sunday lobbing more insults at the Hamilton production like a teenager whose BFF was wronged by the other kids a school. It must be somewhat embarrassing, if not emasculating, for Pence to have Trump keep fighting his battles for him on Twitter.
Pence was treated fairly during his night at the theater, far more fairly than he and Trump have treated immigrants, the LGBT community, women, and minority Americans. Had Trump responded with a tweet even remotely near the tone of Pence's remarks he would have at least demonstrated a departure from the social media pettiness he's demonstrated to date. Perhaps it would have even signaled a recognition that being president for all Americans actually means he will need to recognize opposing points of view have the right to exist.
Instead, Trump reinforced his priority remains meting out ire to those he perceives wrong him (or his BFF) in 140 characters or less.
Trump is right, the theater should be a safe and special place. So should schools, streets, mosques, gender neutral bathrooms, and virtually any place of business in the Vice-President Elect's home state of Indiana where, as Governor, Pence signed into law a bill allowing business owners to discrimination against the LGBT community. Since the election, there have been numerous incidents of verbal and physical hate crimes that the President Elect didn't see fit to speak out against with the same fervor as that of a respectfully delivered statement on behalf of the cast and producers of Hamilton. Therein lies the terrible reality of a Trump presidency.
To Pence's credit, he said he was not offended by the pointed comments made to him at the play and sought to reassure the country that Trump would be a president "for all Americans." Pence's own political record would indicate otherwise but setting aside the irony that he went to see (and reportedly enjoyed) a play about a penniless immigrant that became the father of Federalism, at least Pence's remarks were an acknowledgment of message received.
Trump, however, continued his Twitter assault into Sunday lobbing more insults at the Hamilton production like a teenager whose BFF was wronged by the other kids a school. It must be somewhat embarrassing, if not emasculating, for Pence to have Trump keep fighting his battles for him on Twitter.
Pence was treated fairly during his night at the theater, far more fairly than he and Trump have treated immigrants, the LGBT community, women, and minority Americans. Had Trump responded with a tweet even remotely near the tone of Pence's remarks he would have at least demonstrated a departure from the social media pettiness he's demonstrated to date. Perhaps it would have even signaled a recognition that being president for all Americans actually means he will need to recognize opposing points of view have the right to exist.
Instead, Trump reinforced his priority remains meting out ire to those he perceives wrong him (or his BFF) in 140 characters or less.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Some Things Trump Political Difference
Donald Trump won the election Tuesday and there have been numerous takes from pundits and experts on exactly why. Columnist Ingrid Jacques wrote in Friday's Detroit News sexism isn't to blame for Hillary Clinton's loss. That is true, character is to blame instead. Not Secretary Clinton's character, which for sure has numerous flaws, but rather the character of those that voted to put their personal interest in front of their own professed integrity. Ms. Jacques, stated that she did not vote for Clinton and that does not make her sexist, racist, or deaf to protecting the rights of all Americans. She said she could not support Clinton because of her policies. Fair enough and end of story for her or anyone that voted for a candidate not named Donald Trump.
But many people that did vote for Trump put forth the same argument and it simply rings hollow. Trump's platform to tear up trade deals, repeal Obamacare, and cut taxes resonated with half the electorate. Supporting Trump's policies should not be condemned as evil by those that disagree. Civil discourse over difference, even heated at times, is expected as the country together defines a future path. However, there is a line of right and wrong that Donald Trump crossed to deliver his message during the campaign. His language was inflammatory, sexist, racist, and intolerant. His words were even meant in some cases to condone violence and his refusal to disavow support from actual deplorables like David Duke and the KKK is indefensible.
Defending the basic rights all Americans against discrimination and intolerance must "trump" differences in policy and economic issues. Those rights make up the core of values the United States was built upon and are at the heart of what truly makes America great. Regardless of whatever else Trump stood for in the campaign he clearly did not stand for those rights.
Trump voters that made the claim they are not sexist, racist or intolerant, may try and believe it themselves but their action demonstrates complicity. At best, their anger over government, Clinton, or economic fortune caused them to put their self interest in front of their personal character when it came to choosing between basic right and wrong.
If there ever was a time to ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, it was Tuesday. Voting to repudiate intolerance, even at personal expense, truly would have made America great again.
But many people that did vote for Trump put forth the same argument and it simply rings hollow. Trump's platform to tear up trade deals, repeal Obamacare, and cut taxes resonated with half the electorate. Supporting Trump's policies should not be condemned as evil by those that disagree. Civil discourse over difference, even heated at times, is expected as the country together defines a future path. However, there is a line of right and wrong that Donald Trump crossed to deliver his message during the campaign. His language was inflammatory, sexist, racist, and intolerant. His words were even meant in some cases to condone violence and his refusal to disavow support from actual deplorables like David Duke and the KKK is indefensible.
Defending the basic rights all Americans against discrimination and intolerance must "trump" differences in policy and economic issues. Those rights make up the core of values the United States was built upon and are at the heart of what truly makes America great. Regardless of whatever else Trump stood for in the campaign he clearly did not stand for those rights.
Trump voters that made the claim they are not sexist, racist or intolerant, may try and believe it themselves but their action demonstrates complicity. At best, their anger over government, Clinton, or economic fortune caused them to put their self interest in front of their personal character when it came to choosing between basic right and wrong.
If there ever was a time to ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, it was Tuesday. Voting to repudiate intolerance, even at personal expense, truly would have made America great again.
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