WASHINGTON Its strange how six months can feel like six exhausting years when theyve produced nothing but a string of nonsensical superlatives.
As Donald Trump celebrates the first eighth of his ridiculous amazing, stupendous, unsurpassed presidency, we mere mortals are left to ponder what we have learned. Well, here are some takeaways:
Facts do not matter to this White House. Trump has publicly lied about important matters more than 100 times since becoming president. These are not just equivocations open to dispute; theyre flat-out, verifiable untruths. For example, he said he has accomplished more and signed more bills into law than any previous president. Not true. His staff follows his lead, disseminating statements that are lies.
Trump not only failed to drain the swamp, he deepened and widened it. He has filled top posts with Wall Streeters and business cronies, doling out jobs like mints to loyal minions. After he promised not to touch Medicaid, which serves the disabled, poor and elderly in nursing homes, we were introduced to a Trumpcare plan that called for disqualifying 75 million and taking another 22 million off health insurance.
He is a costly public servant. He is on track in his first year to spend more taxpayer money on personal travel than President Barack Obama did in eight. We also pay for security at Trump Tower, his hotels and his golf courses. His re-election committee (of course he wants four more years after 2020) has raised millions to pay legal fees and rent for office space in Trump Tower.
Trump does not care that he has the lowest approval rating of any president since polling started (about 70 years). His base loves him even though he has done nothing for them since taking office. Is it any wonder that 34 percent of Americans do not believe in scientific evolution, according to the Pew Research Center? Is it surprising that a majority of Republicans believe that colleges and universities are a negative influence on the country? (Pew again.)
Trump has set the precedent that a presidents conflicts of interest do not matter. Refusing to divest himself of his holdings, he has put his son Junior (the one who loves meeting with Kremlin operatives) in charge. His wealthy daughter and son-in-law have offices in the White House. His hotels draw foreign leaders who want to curry favor. Fees at his Mar-a-Lago golf resort have doubled to $200,000.
Getting rid of excessive and overlapping regulations is one thing. Gutting environmental protection and consumer protection regulations as Trump is doing is another. A future column will detail the astonishing number of actions the administration quietly has taken to further the interests of big business to the detriment of Americans who love their parks, want to breathe clean air, drink clean water and buy products that wont hurt their children.
The artful dealmaker has not managed to make any good deals. Even with a GOP-controlled House and Senate, he could not repeal Obamacare. Instead he sabotages it by eliminating advertising, shortening the enrollment period and not enforcing the mandate to buy insurance or pay a tax to keep premiums low. Wages are not increasing. Exporters of American goods and services will be hurt by the lack of free trade he is engineering. No wall. No tax reform. No infrastructure plan.
The number of investigations caused by Trumps inexplicable fondness for Vladimir Putin, the Russian thief, thug and murderer, is unparalleled for a first term. Trump refuses to admit Russia meddled in our elections yet wants a national registry of all Americans personal information to root out voter fraud the experts say does not exist. Hey, Russia, Trump will make it easy for you to re-elect him.
The United States is no longer the leader of the free world and fighter for human rights in the eyes of our once closest allies. After seeing Trump up close and personal at international meetings, some say openly they may never again trust us.
Trumps misogyny, hedonism, lack of discipline, coarse language, bullying and refusal to read briefing papers or attempt to learn what he doesnt know diminish us. The man who convinced millions to watch him say Youre fired every week parlayed celebrity into the White House, but the applause is fading. Only 12 percent liked his disgraceful health care plan. It died.
2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Continue reading here:
What we've learned from 6 months of Trump - Circleville Herald
- Well-Being (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2016]
- Hedonism | Definition of Hedonism by Merriam-Webster [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2016]
- Couples Resorts, Negril, Jamaica | Hedonism II [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2016]
- Hedonism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2016]
- Couples Resorts, Negril, Jamaica | Hedonism II [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Hedonism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Hedonism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Hedonism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Hedonism | Definition of Hedonism by Merriam-Webster [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- Hedonism | Define Hedonism at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- Clothing Optional Resorts, Negril, Jamaica | Hedonism II [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- What is Hedonism? (with pictures) - wiseGEEK [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- Hedonism | Define Hedonism at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2016]
- Clothing Optional Resorts, Negril, Jamaica | Hedonism II [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2016]
- Hedonism - Utilitarianism [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2016]
- Hedonism Resort II Jamaica adults-only all ... - Call Now [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2016]
- Hedonism - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2016]
- Rates and Promotions Hedonism II - Negril Jamaica [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Hedonism Wikipedia [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2016]
- DennyP Travel: Information Central for travel to Jamaica ... [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Hedonism - By Branch / Doctrine - The Basics of Philosophy [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Christian Hedonism | Desiring God [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Hedonism II | Top Clothing Optional Resorts In Negril, Jamaica [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2016]
- Hedonism II | Top Clothing Optional Resorts In Negril, Jamaica [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Hedonism - NEW ADVENT [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2016]
- Wirehead hedonism versus paradise-engineering [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- Adult Vacations, Negril, Jamaica | Hedonism II [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2016]
- Hedonism - Vikipeedia, vaba entsklopeedia [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2016]
- Caribbean | Caribbean Hideaways [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- Hedonistic Theories - Philosophy Home Page [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- Our Resort | Hedonism II [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Cyrenaics | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2016]
- Club Hedonism - HTML Site Disclaimer [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Hedo II or Hedo III - Review of Hedonism II, Negril, Jamaica ... [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- hedonism ii photo album - Castaways Travel [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2016]
- Paradox of hedonism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- Christian hedonism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Home - Wild Women Vacations [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2017]
- Hedonism II Resort Negril, Jamaica [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Hedonism II Community | Home [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2017]
- Run The Beast Down, Finborough, London, review: Ben Aldridge keeps you compelled by the character's monomania - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Dark side of hedonism: a rock journalist's battle with drug addiction - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Hedonism and healing - Independent Online [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Katamama review: Craft cocktails, hipster coffee and haute tapas at Bali's coolest new hotel - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Rainbow Serpent turns 20: a weekend of boundless hedonism - Mixmag [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Lady Gaga jumps off edge - University of Virginia The Cavalier Daily [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Black Wave review: From hedonism to the apocalypse - Irish Times [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- 'Dream Boat': Love Comes In All Shapes And Sizes In This Candid Berlinale Documentary Set On A Gay Cruise Ship - moviepilot.com [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Feminism, ambition, hedonism: drama explores lives of university's privileged - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Leftism: From Bloody Tragedy to Therapeutic Parody - FrontPage Magazine [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Science: How to Get into the "Flow" and Do What Makes You Happiest - Big Think [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Now We Are 40 by Tiffanie Darke review a generation lost to hedonism and irony? - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Chefs to Watch for 2017 - Hedonism II, Negril - Jamaica Observer [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Style, romance win in 'Man of Mode' at UNCSA - Winston-Salem Journal [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Chefs to Watch for 2017 - Hedonism II, Negril - Food ... - Jamaica Observer [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Berlin Syndrome - The Upcoming [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Tears in the Club - PopMatters [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Pleasures: the desert of life - Tulsa World [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Living Like a Hedonist - Daily Trojan Online [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- When did Britain stop being a nation of hedonists? - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- How dirty do you like it? Revel in hedonism with You Pull It, the new EP from The Byzantines - Happy [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- What is Hedonism wines? Mayfair vendor owned by Russian exile counts Jose Mourinho among its clientele and ... - The Sun [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Claudio Ranieri: Look around the wine shop where Leicester boss ... - Daily Star [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Pastor's column: Hedonism: Self-driven life of pleasure - Gridley Herald [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- The Gooch Palms are a handful of hedonism - Mandurah Mail [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Jose Cuervo's Apocalyptic Vision Encourages Hedonism 03/08/2017 - MediaPost Communications [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Tove Lo review pop's queen of candour bares more than just her ... - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Joey LaBeija's 'Violator' EP Will Bring Hedonism to Dead NYC Club ... - Out Magazine [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- A remembrance of Spring Weekends past at SUNY-New Paltz - Hudson Valley One [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- Nothstine: Navigating the campus sexual assault crisis - North State Journal (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Art house horror film 'Raw' is an impressive directorial debut by Julia Ducournau - Washington Post [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- A celebration of The Streets' 'Original Pirate Material' on its 15th birthday - NME.com (blog) [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Elite Dance & Theatre presents 'Dorian Gray' - Albuquerque Journal [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Watch: Samantha Bee lends a hand to New Jersey newspaper with ... - Philly.com (blog) [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Here's a look-see at some of my -isms - Fairfield Daily Republic [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Unthinkable: In defence of hedonism - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- From Greece, Suntan Takes on the Madness of Old Schlubs Pursuing Young Beauties - Houston Press [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Steppingstones - The Gleaner [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Burgers, Not Boobs: Carl's Jr. Brilliantly Flips the Script by Tearing Down Its Own Smutty Ads - Adweek [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Put on your party shoes it's time for political hedonism - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]