+6 more
posted on Apr, 28 2017 @ 06:35 AM
Yeah, we've about reached the first 100 days of President Trump's administration. I'm not convinced how major a landmark this is (the media seems
enthralled by it), but it does seem a reasonable place to take a look at how things are progressing compared to how I, as a voter, wanted them to
progress. This is obviously one man's opinion, but I believe it will be close to what the majority of America are thinking... and, sorry if this
triggers anyone's sensibilities, the American people do and always have held the true power. On person, one vote, as opposed to who can cry the
loudest or twist things the hardest.
So here's my report card on Trump, the Congress, and the activists:
President Donald Trump
- Immigration (aka the Wall): A
He has sought bids and is seeking funding for his signature wall, but more importantly, illegal border crossings are down substantially.
- The Economy: B+
I am already seeing jobs increase in Engineering in my area. I wish it could be faster, but that might be unrealistic. He has also been very busy
trying to get rid of regulations that have caused job growth in higher-income industries to move off shore.
- Sanctuary Cities: B
Despite the court setbacks, he has actively proposed defunding cities which harbor illegal immigrants in defiance of Federal law.
- Military: A+
Trump has used the military twice already, first to bomb a source of illegal weapons deployment in Syria and the second to destroy a series of ISIS
tunnels in Afghanistan. Both actions were taken decisively, and both were a complete surprise to those targeted. He also was able to use these actions
to further other goals, like strengthing relations with China and changing the dynamic with Russia. In North Korea, he is exhibiting strength while
also maintaining some measure of restraint.
- Foreign Relations: A
Trump seems to be getting along with other countries well, despite taking a hard-line stance with the military. China is cooperating on North Korea,
Jordan and Saudi Arabia are cooperating in the Middle East, Russia has backed down once on the Syria standoff, and Mexico and Canada are renegotiating
NAFTA.
- Energy: B
Trump has backed us away from the disaster known as Global Warming. He has also opened the door to clean coal technology and restarted completion of
pipelines. Hopefully more renewable energy technology is in our future, but for now we need energy and Trump is getting out of the way of us obtaining
it.
- Supreme Court: B
So far, I like what I see in Neil Gorsuch. This can quickly change depending on his actions as a Supreme Court Justice.
- Domestic Issues: D
I'm very concerned about removing the Net Neutrality law.
- Health Care: C
The replacement for Obamacare is more of a weakening of Obamacare. While the Congressional GOP carries much of the blame for that, Trump did support
it. He gets credit/blame for his support.
- Taxes: I
Looking OK, but not enough information yet to form a solid opinion. I would have liked to see the tax brackets more progressive, but increasing the
standard deduction, wiping out some of the other loopholes, and reducing the overall burden (including simplification) are good things. I'm concerned
about removing the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Overall Grade: B
Congress (GOP):
- Healthcare: D-
The bill was a disaster, even to the point that the entire party couldn't get behind it. This issue should have been worked out long before now, but
apparently even the GOP couldn't believe they were about to win. Still no excuse for sitting on their hands.
- Confirmations: C+
Slow, but they did finally get most high-profile appointees confirmed. The '+' comes from the Senate's forced vote on Gorsuch. Points removed
because there seemed to be more concern about partisanship than actual vetting; I have concerns about DeVos.
Overall Grade: C-
Congress (DNC):
- Healthcare: D-
Despite the bill being a disaster, their solution was to do nothing rather than try to find a solution. The GOP and Trump have made many offers for
them to come to the table, all to no avail. They still own Obamacare in my mind since they have done nothing to try to even fix it.
- Confirmations: F
Stall, complain, accuse, exaggerate, complain some more. Warren even went so far as to get herself censured. I have seen nothing productive, nothing
even approaching reality, from the DNC representatives, which has only served to increase partisanship and make them more impotent.
Overall Grade: F
Activists (GOP):
Overall: B-
No real change from earlier years, but they actually get a boost from the DNC by comparison. That is the only reason they got above a 'C'.
Activists (DNC):
Overall: F-
Riots over losing an election, continual judicial activism, extreme arrogance, apathy towards the electorate, reversed positions based only on
partisanship, false accusations, childish name-calling, hypocrisy, and complete illogic dominate this group. The recent episodes at Berkeley are only
the latest expose of their particular brand of inequity, and I believe all this will lead to major political defeats in the years to come. It's now
going to take a long time to get the bad taste they have left out of the American citizens' mouths. An 'F' is generous; expulsion would be more
truthful (and may well be the final decision of the voters).
Now, I know there will shortly be a slew of partisans by to tell me how wrong I am. The truth is that I may be misinformed, but it is not possible for
me to be wrong. These are opinions and perceptions, not facts, and thus not subject to fact-checking. I feel the way I feel. A better method of debate
on this issue would be to present one's own perceptions along with supporting reasoning. It is my hope (but not my expectation; hence the Mud Pit
forum) that this would be the direction this thread would take.
TheRedneck