FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Oct 22

Tweet, Tweet – Guess Who? Trump is on Twitter Again!

by bcurry

When will President Trump stop tweeting his nonsensical assertions? His latest tweets had to do with whether former Presidents contacted the families of fallen soldiers, Hurricane Maria’s effect on Puerto Rico, the Democrats holding up judicial nominees, the overall tax burden in the United States compared to other industrialized countries, as well as dozens of other topics. Now, using twitter might not be so bad but for all the inaccuracies, falsehoods and factual errors. A follow-up of Trump’s assertions usually shows up his ignorance of the facts and the use of Twitter to promote his views and personal attacks on others who have the gall to criticize him publicly.

Unfortunately, Trump’s tweets appear to be followed blindly by his supporters who view his assertions as something on par with gospel. Talk about false news! At least legitimate news media expressly disclose such journalistic views as editorial opinion. What Trump has yet to realize is that what comes out of the Oval Office, no matter in what format, is taken as representing his administration’s policies. What is also disconcerting is the continuous display of administration officials being hauled out to interpret what Trump is actually saying in each tweet. I’m getting a little annoyed when officials declare that the President was only joking. There is nothing to joke about North Korea, health care, gun control, etc., etc.

Moreover, it is almost impossible to make sensible assertions in 140 characters or less. Trump firmly believes that he would not be President without Twitter, regularly using Twitter to mount vigorous attacks on political opponents, news outlets and people who have criticized him.  Indeed, one can argue that the extensive use of this social-media platform represents a very dangerous precedent.  Trump believes that he can bypass what he labels unfair media coverage by speaking directly through social media. The primary problem is that, unlike in other legitimate news media, there is no initial confirmation of what is being asserted is actually backed by established facts and valid sources.

What does this do to democratic debate and the role of truth with respect to positions normally backed by study and defensible facts? Americans and others need to take a hard look at how social media is being manipulated as a political tool.  Otherwise, this President and future leaders will continue to abuse their office in order to achieve political gains at the expense of the truth.

Donald Trump Social Media US US Politics

Leave a comment »
Aug 19

What Is It With Trump And All These Post-Election Rallies?

by bcurry

Someone should tell President Trump that the electioneering should have been over last November. However, once again Trump is planning to continue holding rallies to arouse the masses.  For example, Trump is pressing forward with plans for a large-scale political rally next week in Phoenix, Arizona, despite pleas from the city’s mayor and other officials not to hold a polarizing event while feelings remain so raw over the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. These are not presidential events to officially announce or promote new legislative initiatives because there are none.

Last November, I blogged that I couldn’t help but compare Donald Trump with the former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Mussolini loved rallies and military parades, with his black shirted supporters marching in step to patriotic music and shouting nonsensical slogans.  Now, I’m not saying that Trump’s supporters at these rallies are fascists.  However, let me quote from my earlier blog: “Mussolini had quickly gained a reputation for his magnetism and remarkable rhetorical talents, inspiring large disenchanted crowds with populist slogans. Trump adeptly worked his campaign rhetoric to galvanize his supporters at large orchestrated gatherings.”  As an extreme narcissist, Trump appears to need regular reassurance that some Americans still adore and support him, including apparently the white supremacists whom he refuses to condemn in no uncertain terms.

What’s with all these continuing rallies? There are no mid-term elections at this time.  If there were, I’m not too sure that very many Republican candidates would want Trump’s support at this time.  The GOP appear to be in disarray following the failure to pass their proposed health care legislation and to end so-called Obamacare.  The White House is in a mess with even the house rats fleeing the premises.  Trump’s staff still spend most of their time trying to clarify what the President’s actual position is on a number of important current issues, not always succeeding to do so.

Instead of parading around the country seeking reaffirmation of his popularity, which is now at an all time low, Trump should spend more time in Washington. He needs to mend fences with Congress, his Cabinet and what’s left of his original staff.  What Americans don’t need are more rallies.  What Americans are looking for is clear and unifying leadership from their president and his administration.  No more off-the-cuff meanderings.  No more divisive speeches full of historical inaccuracies and bombastic statements.  Either be president for all Americans, or resign and let someone else provide the essential leadership needed to tackle the critical issues that America and the world face. Then and only then can one begin to talk about “making America great again”!

Donald Trump US US Politics

Leave a comment »
Jul 18

On Creating Jobs For Disadvantaged Youth, Trump Doesn’t Walk the Talk

by bcurry

The U.S. Federal government has funded a number of worthwhile job creation programs for disadvantaged and unemployed youth. One of these is the Job Corps program which is the nation’s largest residential training and employment program. Job Corps serves about 50,000 young people annually, providing a largely disadvantaged group of 16- to 24-year-olds with training and work experience.  Indeed, it was reported in 2015 that more than 80 percent of Job Corps graduates found a job, went on to college, or entered the military.  71 percent received an industry-recognized credential before graduation.  However, under the Congressional Budget for the Employment and Training Administration, Trump has proposed a 14 percent cut from its $1.7 billion current budget.

Yes, Trump’s recent executive order would redirect over $100 million of federal job training money to pay for the new apprenticeships, supplementing $90 million in funding for the existing program. However, the transfer of funds would be done at the expense of other employment programs like Job Corps and those aimed at seniors and veterans.  As in the case of the Republican health care bill, many of these same individuals would be detrimentally affected by proposed changes to existing programs.  Without such programs as Job Corps, many of these young people would end up in poverty, incarcerated, back on the street and on social assistance.

Trump talks a lot about putting Americans back to work, but budget cuts appear to be telling a different story. As in Canada, American apprenticeship programs are largely controlled by state agencies, unions and educational institutions.  They are fine as far as they go, but most often require certain educational qualifications such as a high school or college diploma.  Most disadvantaged youth have not graduated from high school and would not meet the basic prerequisites.  Some may even have criminal records as juveniles or adolescents. In a country as large and wealthy as the U.S., you’d think that a couple of billion dollars in support of helping disadvantaged youth enter the labour market would be a good thing.  Apparently, the Trump administration doesn’t think so.  So much for walking the talk!

Budget Donald Trump US US Politics

Leave a comment »
Jun 1

Trumps Nominated for ‘Hypocrites’ Of The Year Award

by bcurry

The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘hypocrisy’ as “the practice of claiming to have higher standards or beliefs than is the case”. A ‘hypocrite’ is a person who indulges in hypocrisy.  Sorry to say, but the Trumps are in line to be named hypocrites of the year.

Donald Trump complains about the millions of cars that Germany sells in the U.S., and has threatened to stop them. Yet over the years he has been an enthusiastic buyer of German luxury cars.  After their Palm Beach wedding in 2005, Donald and Melania reportedly jumped into a Mercedes Maybach limousine.  He reportedly also once bought a limited-edition silver Mercedes SLR McLaren roadster, with a supercharged AMG V8 engine, for the small sum of $465,000. Needless-to-say, Melania had her own Mercedes at the time.

Ivanka Trump’s shoes and other accessories sold as part of her U.S. line are mostly manufactured in China. The Donald J. Trump Collection includes ties, suits, dress shirts, eyeglasses and other accessories. The Washington Post tried last year to ascertain where the products in the Collection were actually manufactured, including those sold on Amazon.com.  Their research showed that the actual country where some products are manufactured is difficult to determine.  However, it was discovered that Trump shirts are made in China, Bangladesh, Honduras and Vietnam and some Trump sport coats are made in India. Trump eyeglasses are made in China.  So much for creating jobs at home.

As President, Trump continues to complain about unfair trading practices by the Chinese, Germans, Canadians, Mexicans and others at the expense of American jobs. Trump criticizes American companies for manufacturing their products overseas.  Meanwhile, Trump trademarks are still being copywrited in various countries overseas, the most recent in China where his company secured 38 new trademarks to develop potential businesses.  This of course has raised serious conflict of interest questions among ethics lawyers.

In more personal terms, Trump recently had an audience with Pope Francis. Talk about hypocrisy.  Here you have a President who wants to ban travel from several predominantly Islamic countries and built a wall between the U.S. and one of the most Catholic countries on the planet, Mexico.  In addition, just think about all those charities that Trump claimed to support, but never did.  Really, Trump is about as religious and charitable as Steve Bannon is a socialist!  The only thing that Trump has in common with the Catholic church is misogyny and wealth.

The list goes on and on, but the evidence speaks for itself. The Trumps have definitely earned consideration for the ‘hypocrites’ award of the year.  Congratulations!!!!

Donald Trump US US Politics

Leave a comment »
May 22

Why People Have Become So Reliant On News And Opinion Via Twitter?

by bcurry

Let’s face it, many of the 140-character “tweets” by individuals seem inane. Why would Twitter users want to read short messages about what someone ate for breakfast or lunch?  It’s a reasonable question.  However, people like President Trump seem to understand that social media has become the nervous system of the American news business and political thinking. With one or two tweets, Trump can dominate cable TV, the web, newspapers and talk radio for an entire day.

The attention span of the average American and Canadian is about a few minutes before they need to skip to the next social media excerpt. The need for brief releases proved very successful during Trump’s campaign when he cultivated a Twitter fan base.  His core of supporters continue now  to hang on to his every tweet as if it were gospel.  In turn, the main stream media is forced to pay attention to President Trump’s tweets which have now become part and parcel of our daily news.  However, his continued use of Twitter has proven to be much more than a mere annoyance to Trump’s advisors and staff, since they must regularly respond to each nonsensical tweet by clarifying what the President actually meant to say in the tweets.

Now, we have Twitter co-founder Evan Williams apologizing for the fact that Twitter may have helped Trump become President. You see, Twitter tends to penalize nuance and moderation, while rewarding hot takes and bombast.  Twitter was intended as a research tool to allow individuals, governments and business share information and opinions about products and services through social media.  However, like any new technology, the Internet and Twitter can also be abused by anyone to put out “fake news” or spew hate and falsehoods instantaneously anywhere in the world.

Evan Williams is correct in suggesting that Twitter can create more problems than solutions, but he may be giving social media too much credit. I would suggest that the fact that over fifty percent of Americans and Canadians get their news from social media, their blind acceptance of such news and opinions without further investigation is the real problem.  One 2012 study further revealed that 51 percent of people age 25 to 34 use social networking at the office – more so than any other age group. Doesn’t look good for future generations!

I personally gather my information for my blogs from reputable news sources which are normally peer reviewed for their facts and accuracies. Without journalistic integrity, who is really to blame if individuals simply accept opinions or arguments put forward in tweets and social media as valid and truthful?  Like anything else, it’s buyer beware.  For all you know, one might be providing you with a bill of goods, biased and filled with falsehoods.  I also keep my blogging to four or five short paragraphs in recognition of our brief on-line attention spans.  Given Trump’s limited attention span, Twitter certainly appears to have been made for him.

Canada Donald Trump Social Media US US Politics

Leave a comment »
May 6

‘Trumpcare’ Danger Is What It Takes Away From Existing Health Insurance

by bcurry

Any politician worth his or her career will tell you that the hardest thing to do in government is to take away what currently exists in law or programs that affect their constituents. Obamacare was often seen as a ‘band-aid’ solution to long-standing problems with health care coverage in the U.S., either private or public. Prior to its introduction at the time, the government estimated that the number of people in the country without health insurance was about 47 million persons.  Furthermore, if the proportions remained constant, it was estimated that there might have been nearly 16 million people with a chronic condition but no insurance to pay for medical care.  Individuals with health preconditions could either not obtain health insurance or could not afford insurance due to much higher premiums.

What the Republicans have to worry about is a real danger to their control of the House and Senate in upcoming elections because of Trumpcare. Based on the current bill, budget analysts estimate 24 million people would lose insurance over a decade, 14 million in the first year. Older Americans would face higher costs. It also gives the states more leeway to reduce coverage under Medicare and Medicaid, as well changing other health care policies. The insurers that will almost certainly feel the strain are those who provide a lot of coverage through Medicaid, which is subsidized. The Democrats have already accused the GOP of favouring the rich over the poor with proposed changes under Trumpcare. One can bet that Democrats will carry this highly emotive issue into the next federal elections. Republicans up for re-election have already faced hostile opposition from affected constituents to the point where some Senators have vowed to write their own bill.

There’s a basic premise in politics that it is always harder for a ruling party to take away provisions or funding that exist under current laws. Given that Obamacare has been around for several years, Americans who have benefited are prepared to fight to maintain their access to health care under the present system. Despite assurances by the GOP and the President, Trumpcare represents a great number of uncertainties. With the health of millions of Americans, both young and old, at stake, these uncertainties represent a real danger to the GOP control of Congress. In dismantling the Affordable Care Act, the stakes are very high, especially if done in a quick and dirty fashion.  No issue has been more contentious in modern times.  If mishandled, this critical issue could eventually lead to the downfall of the GOP, one way or another.

Donald Trump Health Care US US Politics

Leave a comment »
May 2

President Trump, Cozying Up To ‘Dictators’ Can Be Very Hazardous

by bcurry

In 1938, British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, flew to meet Germany’s Adolf Hitler at his private mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden in an attempt to resolve the Sudetenland crisis in Czechoslovakia. If history has taught us anything, Chamberlain’s appeasement policy made war much more likely because Hitler thought he could get away with anything.  Meetings between legitimate elected leaders and ‘dictators’ are seen as legitimizing ‘dictatorial’ regimes.

Trump’s description of Russia’s Vladimir Putin as a “nice guy” two years after Russia annexed Crimea from the Ukraine baffles one’s mind. The incursion by the Russian military was seen as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces. Many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, implemented economic sanctions against Russia or Russian individuals or companies.  Amnesty International expressed its belief that Russia is fuelling the conflict, noting that there had been an estimated 8000 casualties resulting from the conflict.  The Russian Federation was accused of fuelling the ongoing violence with the presence and continuing influx of foreign fighters and sophisticated weapons and ammunition.  More recently, Putin has aligned himself with Syria’s dictator, Bashar al-Assad, who has used chemical weapons on his own citizens. Maybe, not so much a “nice guy” or one to be admired!

Now one sees President Trump continuing to outreach to rogue leaders, even declaring that he would meet North Korea’s dictator, Kim Jong-un and Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte. Kim’s grandfather Kim Il-sung established a Stalinist state after the Korean War.  Kim has continued to build a huge military arsenal, including a nuclear potential, while human rights are abused and North Koreans are starving from a lack of food.  Of course, we are familiar with Duterte who is accused of supporting thousands of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in his country.

Having a face-to-face meeting between two or more businessmen is not the same thing as it is in the world of international diplomacy. You are not only the President of the world’s most powerful nation, but you are also a leader among ‘democratically elected’ national leaders.  You have alliances, both military and political, and their policies and positions must be respected.  The international community looks to you for coherent and strategic leadership, not showmanship.  Simply by meeting with the likes of Assad, Duterte and Kim can look like recognition of and support for their regimes, both internally and externally.  For the most part, this is exactly what they relish and seek out.  Such meetings will achieve very little towards resolving the real issues and dictatorial behaviour.  Only comprehensive and aggressive international actions and their economic and political consequences can help to prevent further abuses in these countries and future threats to global peace.  Indeed, beware of the Chamberlain effect!

Canada Donald Trump Foreign Policy Foreign Policy US US Politics

Leave a comment »
Apr 20

With Trump, ‘Brinksmanship’ Appears to be the Name of the Game

by bcurry

Brinksmanship is defined as the pursuit of a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping. When it comes to Syria, North Korea and Iran, it appears that President Trump is willing to employ this approach to his foreign policy. What is curious, is the fact that during his campaign Donald Trump indicated that he wanted the U.S. to avoid becoming the world’s policeman. Even then, his platform was and continues to be incoherent as evidenced on his changed stance on Russia and NATO. Putin was a good guy, now not so much!  NATO was obsolete, now not so much!  Worry about ISIS, not about Syria’s Assad regime. All that changed with the recent use of chemical weapons by Assad on civilians, including children.

I remember the Cuban blockade of Soviet Union cargo ships which was imposed unilaterally by President Kennedy in response to Soviet missiles being installed in Cuba. Fortunately, this scary example of brinksmanship did not lead to a full-out nuclear war because of delicate behind-the-scenes diplomatic negotiations with Moscow at the time. The U.S. had to agree to withdraw its missiles stationed in Turkey in exchange for the removal of the Soviet missiles from Cuba. Both sides came to their senses, and back room diplomacy saved the day.

The U.S. is today’s only real superpower. With respect to the proportion of its GDP in terms of military spending, it far outspends countries such as China and Russia. However, even though the U.S. currently has enough nuclear weapons to completely destroy any country, President Trump wants to increase its nuclear arsenal. Given such policies, one would think that other countries would see his position as a further threat to their internal and external political and economic objectives.  Whether one agrees or not with American intentions, launching unilateral military strikes against countries or carrying out military exercises off their shores is being interpreted as belligerent actions.  Moreover, saying that foreign regimes “must behave” sends an ‘inciteful’ message.

I would suggest that American behaviour has to also be in accordance with international laws and coherent foreign policy goals. The way to avoid brinksmanship is to keep open the lines of communication through diplomatic channels, including those of one’s allies.  Canada and its other NATO allies cannot afford to sit back, wait and watch as this dangerous drama unfolds on the international stage. It is incumbent upon America’s allies to provide a stabilizing effect when confronted with any form of brinksmanship. As during the Cuban crisis, we may be able to avoid future conventional wars, and even all-out nuclear conflicts.

Donald Trump Foreign Policy US US Politics

Leave a comment »
Mar 20

Does Quasi-Isolationism Really Work?

by bcurry

Who is it that once said? “No man is an island unto himself”.  According to Wikpedia, this originally was a famous line from Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, a 1624 prose work by English poet John Donne.  Moreover, the gist of the saying is that human beings do not thrive well when isolated from others.  One has to ask whether the quasi-isolationism adhered to by Trumpism will really work in the era of globalization?

Since the start of the industrialized age, the world has become an increasingly smaller planet. What affects one region of the world can affect most regions.  Technological advances in communication, transportation, cybernetics, medical fields, agriculture, energies, etc., etc. have brought continents together.  As for trade among countries, years ago it was recognized that there are advantages to having freer trade.  Most economists argue that everyone benefits from promoting freer trade because each country produces or provides cheaper goods and services by creating economies of scale and greater efficiencies in output and costs.  Such freer trade promotion is also supported by numerous international oversight forums which emerged post-World War II.

For some time now, we have lived in a world of commerce involving multi-national corporations operating in several regions. Besides providing greater access to investment capital, technical expertise and business savvy, multi-nationals develop local labour markets and service industries.  To be certain, their primary goal is to increase their profits by taking advantage of local markets, natural resources, cheaper labour and government assistance.  Multi-nationals out the U.S. have greatly benefited from access to overseas markets. Recognizing however that there are also regional socio-economic costs involved — be they environmental, political or social.

Who has certainly benefited from increased trade is the American consumer. Next time that you go to a Walmart or Target, think about the variety and quantity of affordable goods available.  “Buy American” is a nice slogan, but would be an expensive one to act upon.  To effectively compete on the international stage, American businesses have to continue to develop knowledge-based products and services and promote greater innovation wherever possible and cost-effective.  Backing ‘quasi-isolationist’ doctrines will not only backfire economically and politically, but will cause the rest of the world to minimize their trade dealings with the U.S.  Countries have formed more-and-more regional trade blocs and will continue to do so, often out of necessity.  After all, no one can afford to become isolated on an island.

Foreign Policy US US Politics

Leave a comment »
Mar 14

A Letter to Precedent Trump

by bcurry

C/O Trump Tower, New York, N.Y., LOL999XOXO

Dear Precedent Trump:

Hi. Big fan here! I think that you are doing a tremendous job.  I don’t read or watch the fake news media which are always totally negative and the enemy of the American people according to your left-hand man Steve Bannon.  Instead, I rely on Brietbart and Fox News which gives us the real insight and alternative facts.  As for all those nasty terrorists, I fully support your ban on Moslums wanting to travel to our wonderful country and do harm.  These are bad dudes and need to be stopped.  Don’t let a bunch of supposed judges stop you.

As for your tweets, please keep them coming. I find them so informative and precedential. It’s important to get information right from the horse’s mouth.  Don’t let those late night TV shows discourage you, because they’re only concerned about ratings.  The American people need to know firsthand what you’re thinking, just like when you were on the ‘Apprentice’.

As for the Washington establishment, keep giving them the boot. Keep the campaign going.  Most good Republicans will continue to back you no matter what.  There are a lot of government agencies that we could do without, like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Labor Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency.  They just get in the way of businesses wanting to create good paying American jobs.  Chinese businesses don’t have to put up with all those environmental and health and safety regs.  Oops, that reminds me to fix my made-in-China glasses.

I am fully supportive of enlarging our brave armed forces, especially our ability to nuke other countries. It’s not enough that we already outspend Russia and China for defense by double and triple the amounts. Good for you telling those so-called NATO partners to contribute more to their own defenses.  They’re all a bunch of loafers.  Besides, Russians love you and Putin is really the nicest guy.  Nevertheless, it’s always good to have those nukes in your back pocket, just in case.

As for the planned wall with Mexico, I’m going to adorn it with good old American graffiti. If you need more bodies to patrol the border, I know a few fellows who would be more than happy to help out.  They’ll even bring their military-grade rifles and equipment.  Know what I mean?

Precedent Trump, keep up the terrific work. As we saw from the election, there are millions and millions of Americans behind you, given that you won the popular vote.  Keep on tweeting.

Sincerely, a fan.

Donald Trump US US Politics

Leave a comment »
«Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Blog at WordPress.com.