In the beginning of a democratic republic, yes, politicians still pinched their secretary’s derrieres and skimmed money from public budgets. But at least they kept it quiet and were generally ashamed.
Recall in the summer of 2020, during the COVID lockdown, when President Trump tweeted “We need to open up!”. It was a shocking tweet, although I don’t think most Americans grasped its significance, then or now. I’m not even sure Trump did on a conscious level, although he may have. What the tweet meant, literally if you unpack it, was “I’m not in charge”. Think about it. Wouldn’t you have expected a tweet coming from the head shed, from the most powerful position in the most powerful country on earth to have instead read: “WE’RE GOING TO OPEN UP!”. But that’s not what he wrote, and I don’t believe I can be accused of reading too much into it. Trump knew he wasn’t in charge, and he said so in the tweet. It may have been a deliberate message to the American people.
In late stage empires the top job, whether Ceasar or Monarch or POTUS, is often stripped of power. It is made redundant one way or another. Not convinced it has happened here? Think about the 4 years under Joe Biden. He was never in charge. His office wasn’t needed, nor was it wanted.
The Presidency is a powerful position, but it is not a dictatorship. It was the governors and mayors in our Federalist system that were locking things down. Trump disagreed and expressed that on several occasions even saying that the cure can't be worse than the disease. So, there were Governors and mayors that kept their States and cities open and those that didn't. Trump expressed his views but didn't impose them just as he should have done.
This was a declared National Emergency. That gives the Federal Government powers that it does not have in normal times. In WW2 FDR had powers that the states dare not oppose. 2020 was a time for leadership at the top if there ever was one. The Emergency Declaratiion technically gave Trump extraordinary powers. He learned that it gave him power that his office had been stripped of. Could he have fought harder? Perhaps. Should he have? Most certainly
Well, I'll take your word for it that he had the power to do what you say although I don't recall it that way. I actually take some solace in the fact that he didn't use dictatorial powers to impose his will on the country and allowed each State to make its own decisions on COVID policy. We all could then observe and see what worked. During that time, there was much disagreement on what the best approach was, so I believe he did the right thing. Not that he didn't make mistakes in his pursuit of ventilators and issuing stimulus payments to name a couple of errors. And yes, Trump could have surrounded himself with better medical advice to counter Fauci and his minions and should have fought harder on that front. So, I agree with you to that extent.
I would add that WW2 and COVID were miles apart in terms of what most would consider a national emergency. And the FDR administration was pretty much fascist in terms of all the programs he imposed on America with the help of a compliant Congress. He pretty much set the tone for the welfare state, and we are paying for it dearly today.
"I actually take some solace in the fact that he didn't use dictatorial powers to impose his will on the country and allowed each State to make its own decisions on COVID policy."
Same with Abortion. Yet how many brain-dead moron leftardes are SURE Trump is Hitler and we will see his "Dictator" side this time?
80% of our "media" is treasonous and 30% of our populace has been dumbed-down beyond the hope of recovery. Plan accordingly...
Covid and the vaccines were/are the greatest crime against humanity ever committed, including the crimes against humanity committed during World War 2.
I take no solace in our Commander in Chief not doing the right thing, emergency powers or not.
Well, if you think COVID and the vaccines are the greatest crime against humanity, I understand why you want executive action, although I still don't agree with it. By the way, by the time the vaccine came out and the fact that we had been lied to constantly by Fauci and his goons, I researched how the COVID vaccines worked. I didn't like it and never got the vaccine and never got COVID after that (I did have what I believe was COVID before it was generally known - in early March 2000 after going to the dentist I came down with what I thought was a bad cold, but I am convinced it was COVID). In any event, I think the death toll attributed to COVID was grossly overexaggerated from what I have read.
The death toll from Covid was massively over exaggerated. However within the COVID “crime” there was something which now carries the term “hospital murder protocol” or sometimes rendered hospital death protocol. It was largely aimed at the elderly and the unvaccinated. In simplified form it amounted to coerced PCR test(s) until a positive(often false positive) result was obtained, followed by admission to a hospital Covid death ward. Here the protocol was Remdesivir-Sedation-Dehydration-Starvation-Ventilation-Death. The protocol was designed to kill, and it did, in the millions. Every corporate hospital in America administered this protocol, as did most corporate hospitals worldwide(in some form). It was institutionalized mass murder. This along with the forced/coerced vaccine which renders injury, sterility and death is what constitutes the crime against humanity. As for the SARS-Cov2 viral pandemic goes, it was a scam. The pandemic was a combination of false positive PCR tests and lies.
You start out with a good commentary on the state of the country. You remind everyone that most administrations are in cahoots with the elites and ruling class. You MAY be right. When you mention that a gambler is coming to the presidency is very unfair. Why not be a little more optimistic on the incoming Trump administration. Why not give the man a chance; it could be different and surprise everyone. Stop the pessimism; wait and see. If at the end of one year things are the same; please shoot your mouth off as usual. If you see an improvement; APOLOGIZE. AP
Here's a crazy thought: Trump announces that as of 2025, he will not sign into law any spending bill that does not balance the budget. So, he says, "Congress, you need to get to work and earn your money." Then he vetoes any legislation that doesn't balance the budget. Congress would eventually relent--I don't think the Republicans would allow an override of his veto. It is put up or shut up time. Thoughts?
He could have used illegal EOs like the rest of the Executive gang always does to make good on his campaign promises but he didn't. No balls, no glory. Meanwhile, many of the EOs he did sign were in support of the CONVID fake. MIGA!
What's illegal about an executive order? The problem with EOs is that WE accord them status equal to actual law. The executive order is not a law of the land; it applies to the Federal Government as a guideline and as policy. We need more constitutionally based discipline in our government, for sure, but I see nothing "illegal" about executive orders. Best always. PM
I'm quoting from Wikipedia here for the sake of brevity. I hear your argument, and I understand your frustration, but the EO has been around since George Washington and is here to stay. Its legality is not seriously in question. Best always. PM
"In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government.[1] The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of the United States Constitution gives presidents broad executive and enforcement authority to use their discretion to determine how to enforce the law or to otherwise manage the resources and staff of the executive branch. The ability to make such orders is also based on expressed or implied Acts of Congress that delegate to the president some degree of discretionary power (delegated legislation).[2] The vast majority of executive orders are proposed by federal agencies before being issued by the president.[3]"
As did jackwagons in the Repub Party. There are Republicans in Washington that are really Democrats. There are no Democrats who are really Republicans.
Ok Bill, tell the truth, is a federal job cutting the fat out of the government a “reward” for guys like Elon and Vivek. Seems more like a difficult chore for two men who could be doing anything else considering the wealth and power they already have. It’s a job they are perfectly qualified to do. Why? They can’t be bought, just like Trump and I think they are doing it because they love this country.
Elon has already been bought. He's received billions in taxpayer subsidies for his Spontaneous Combustion EVs. Plus billions in contracts with the MIC and Alphabet agencies. I have a saved tweet of Trump in which he states Musk came to see him for more subsidies and "I could have said 'drop down on your knees and beg' and he would have done it". Trump also criticized Elon's rocket ships to nowhere and EVs that don't go long enough.
Funny how these characters change opinions of each other. Now Trump thinks Elon is a high IQ genius.
Decent column today Bonner except for your insistence that Trump is appointing people that will do his will instead of following the Constitution. I disagree. The people he has nominated for the various posts are people, for the most part, that respect the Constitution.
Bill, I think you missed the language about the bottom third consumers and the working class. They are not the same. 1/3 of Americans, at least, do not work. Because of that, they are broke. I would even go so far as to say thst the bottom third of consumers are unemployable. I have personally tried to employ them. They are an insufferable, ignorant, drug induced comatosed, voilent lot. AI will take their place in the workforce because employers had to do something to solve a problem. I saw a robotic apple picker that uses drones to select apples. The narrator described it as being 100% punctual, never complained, and would work until the job was done. Now why would he use those words? Hmmm, because those are the problems with low paid, low skilled workers. The real issue with banks 46 B write off is that credit should have never been extended to them in the first place. IMHO......
I'm no Voltaire, but if I could menu up my version of "best government", we'd have a fearless dictator who would be a committed and strict constitutionalist in all things, every time. Best always. PM
I do not think that Trump is in it for the money. Nor are Musk or Vivek, or RFK jr, or Bondi, or Hegseth. And why shouldnt the Prez reward those who helped him with top jobs if they are good at those jobs? I would want my circle to consist of those who fought for me.
Bill’s DJT syndrome is always at the helm. It’s sad.
JWB: That’s what salaries are for. I understand that they are well paid and have plenty of benefits ( better than most) plus plenty of perks. No Trump probably isn’t in for just the money, but he loves the fame and being in charge.
I sadly agree with Bill’s cynicism. Whatever optimism I have about this administration is that the savings will exceed the grift…and that the bureaucratic parasites sucking the life out of this country will be plucked off the commonweal’s payroll like a tick yanked out with tweezers.
For all of us to spread to every voter all over the country, who complains about every other voter: "In the most recent example, 96% of those up for election won another term, even though Congress has only a 15% approval rating." It doesn't matter who Bill likes or doesn't like; it only matters who we vote for. How much change can you expect from DJT if Congress is essentially the same? I contradict Bill because at least some of DJT's picks for his cabinet are not swamp dwellers. But who knows??
As a form of national service, appoint all representatives to one, single term of 2 years by lot from a pool of NET taxpayers, and return the appointment of Senators to the state legislatures, repealing the "Progressive" Era mistake of the 17th Amendment (1912/1913). Poof! The bulk of the grift disappears overnight. If we don't have the fortitude to face the outlawing of "lobbying" outright, then de-centralize the government making it less convenient. Best always. PM
Interesting how Bill notes bad things about the country in general (and there are lots no doubt) and mentions on Trump. That’s just stupid. Maybe Bill should get a new career as influencer.
In Trump’s first pretty much everything he did was positive for Americans. We have now had 4 years of the most stupid, imbecilic, incompetent individuals to ever pretend to be thinking human beings. It is beyond stupid to criticize ANY of Trump’s recommendations after sitting through 4 years total total total failure with Biden’s. We don’t even know who has been running the country. Maybe Trump can’t fix things. But he was our only chance. And I THINK the popular vote moved almost 10M toward Trump.
(Biden was +5M, now Trump was +5M.)
If only the Republicans would see this opportunity rather than stabbing each other n the back. Happy New Year to
PS - "He’ll want to keep the grift going for as long as possible, accumulating as much wealth and power as possible."
Are we talking about the same guy who donated his entire Presidential salary every year the first go'round (and has pledged to do it again), as well as his estimated Net Worth having been $4.7 billion when he took the Oath and $3.6 billion the day he left? Now tell us how he is only there to enrich himself in "secret" ways that we can't see but you can, Bill. How pathetic.
Knowing what we know, it still amazes me how comfortable we’ve become with the status quo no matter how bad it looks. “In a most recent example, 96% of those up for election won another term, even though Congress has only a 15% approval rating.” https://open.spotify.com/track/1gIVJAKlkWQwzO7pXBCvOZ?si=-g4ousRuTraKfKmOXzr4yg
Recall in the summer of 2020, during the COVID lockdown, when President Trump tweeted “We need to open up!”. It was a shocking tweet, although I don’t think most Americans grasped its significance, then or now. I’m not even sure Trump did on a conscious level, although he may have. What the tweet meant, literally if you unpack it, was “I’m not in charge”. Think about it. Wouldn’t you have expected a tweet coming from the head shed, from the most powerful position in the most powerful country on earth to have instead read: “WE’RE GOING TO OPEN UP!”. But that’s not what he wrote, and I don’t believe I can be accused of reading too much into it. Trump knew he wasn’t in charge, and he said so in the tweet. It may have been a deliberate message to the American people.
In late stage empires the top job, whether Ceasar or Monarch or POTUS, is often stripped of power. It is made redundant one way or another. Not convinced it has happened here? Think about the 4 years under Joe Biden. He was never in charge. His office wasn’t needed, nor was it wanted.
The Presidency is a powerful position, but it is not a dictatorship. It was the governors and mayors in our Federalist system that were locking things down. Trump disagreed and expressed that on several occasions even saying that the cure can't be worse than the disease. So, there were Governors and mayors that kept their States and cities open and those that didn't. Trump expressed his views but didn't impose them just as he should have done.
This was a declared National Emergency. That gives the Federal Government powers that it does not have in normal times. In WW2 FDR had powers that the states dare not oppose. 2020 was a time for leadership at the top if there ever was one. The Emergency Declaratiion technically gave Trump extraordinary powers. He learned that it gave him power that his office had been stripped of. Could he have fought harder? Perhaps. Should he have? Most certainly
Well, I'll take your word for it that he had the power to do what you say although I don't recall it that way. I actually take some solace in the fact that he didn't use dictatorial powers to impose his will on the country and allowed each State to make its own decisions on COVID policy. We all could then observe and see what worked. During that time, there was much disagreement on what the best approach was, so I believe he did the right thing. Not that he didn't make mistakes in his pursuit of ventilators and issuing stimulus payments to name a couple of errors. And yes, Trump could have surrounded himself with better medical advice to counter Fauci and his minions and should have fought harder on that front. So, I agree with you to that extent.
I would add that WW2 and COVID were miles apart in terms of what most would consider a national emergency. And the FDR administration was pretty much fascist in terms of all the programs he imposed on America with the help of a compliant Congress. He pretty much set the tone for the welfare state, and we are paying for it dearly today.
"I actually take some solace in the fact that he didn't use dictatorial powers to impose his will on the country and allowed each State to make its own decisions on COVID policy."
Same with Abortion. Yet how many brain-dead moron leftardes are SURE Trump is Hitler and we will see his "Dictator" side this time?
80% of our "media" is treasonous and 30% of our populace has been dumbed-down beyond the hope of recovery. Plan accordingly...
Covid and the vaccines were/are the greatest crime against humanity ever committed, including the crimes against humanity committed during World War 2.
I take no solace in our Commander in Chief not doing the right thing, emergency powers or not.
Well, if you think COVID and the vaccines are the greatest crime against humanity, I understand why you want executive action, although I still don't agree with it. By the way, by the time the vaccine came out and the fact that we had been lied to constantly by Fauci and his goons, I researched how the COVID vaccines worked. I didn't like it and never got the vaccine and never got COVID after that (I did have what I believe was COVID before it was generally known - in early March 2000 after going to the dentist I came down with what I thought was a bad cold, but I am convinced it was COVID). In any event, I think the death toll attributed to COVID was grossly overexaggerated from what I have read.
The death toll from Covid was massively over exaggerated. However within the COVID “crime” there was something which now carries the term “hospital murder protocol” or sometimes rendered hospital death protocol. It was largely aimed at the elderly and the unvaccinated. In simplified form it amounted to coerced PCR test(s) until a positive(often false positive) result was obtained, followed by admission to a hospital Covid death ward. Here the protocol was Remdesivir-Sedation-Dehydration-Starvation-Ventilation-Death. The protocol was designed to kill, and it did, in the millions. Every corporate hospital in America administered this protocol, as did most corporate hospitals worldwide(in some form). It was institutionalized mass murder. This along with the forced/coerced vaccine which renders injury, sterility and death is what constitutes the crime against humanity. As for the SARS-Cov2 viral pandemic goes, it was a scam. The pandemic was a combination of false positive PCR tests and lies.
Bill:
You start out with a good commentary on the state of the country. You remind everyone that most administrations are in cahoots with the elites and ruling class. You MAY be right. When you mention that a gambler is coming to the presidency is very unfair. Why not be a little more optimistic on the incoming Trump administration. Why not give the man a chance; it could be different and surprise everyone. Stop the pessimism; wait and see. If at the end of one year things are the same; please shoot your mouth off as usual. If you see an improvement; APOLOGIZE. AP
Here's a crazy thought: Trump announces that as of 2025, he will not sign into law any spending bill that does not balance the budget. So, he says, "Congress, you need to get to work and earn your money." Then he vetoes any legislation that doesn't balance the budget. Congress would eventually relent--I don't think the Republicans would allow an override of his veto. It is put up or shut up time. Thoughts?
You have more confidence in the Repub inhabitants of Congress (BOTH chambers) than I do. Best always. PM
As I recall, President Warp Speed had unlimited chances from 2016 - 2020 but this time will be different, right?
Kevin
The democrats created roadblocks every step of the 2016-2020 Trump administration
He could have used illegal EOs like the rest of the Executive gang always does to make good on his campaign promises but he didn't. No balls, no glory. Meanwhile, many of the EOs he did sign were in support of the CONVID fake. MIGA!
What's illegal about an executive order? The problem with EOs is that WE accord them status equal to actual law. The executive order is not a law of the land; it applies to the Federal Government as a guideline and as policy. We need more constitutionally based discipline in our government, for sure, but I see nothing "illegal" about executive orders. Best always. PM
Where is the EO (or its justification) mentioned in the Constitution?
I'm quoting from Wikipedia here for the sake of brevity. I hear your argument, and I understand your frustration, but the EO has been around since George Washington and is here to stay. Its legality is not seriously in question. Best always. PM
"In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government.[1] The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of the United States Constitution gives presidents broad executive and enforcement authority to use their discretion to determine how to enforce the law or to otherwise manage the resources and staff of the executive branch. The ability to make such orders is also based on expressed or implied Acts of Congress that delegate to the president some degree of discretionary power (delegated legislation).[2] The vast majority of executive orders are proposed by federal agencies before being issued by the president.[3]"
That's putting it mildly. Best always. PM
As did jackwagons in the Repub Party. There are Republicans in Washington that are really Democrats. There are no Democrats who are really Republicans.
Mr. Bonner is neither a optimist or peesimist. He is a realist.
Ok Bill, tell the truth, is a federal job cutting the fat out of the government a “reward” for guys like Elon and Vivek. Seems more like a difficult chore for two men who could be doing anything else considering the wealth and power they already have. It’s a job they are perfectly qualified to do. Why? They can’t be bought, just like Trump and I think they are doing it because they love this country.
Elon has already been bought. He's received billions in taxpayer subsidies for his Spontaneous Combustion EVs. Plus billions in contracts with the MIC and Alphabet agencies. I have a saved tweet of Trump in which he states Musk came to see him for more subsidies and "I could have said 'drop down on your knees and beg' and he would have done it". Trump also criticized Elon's rocket ships to nowhere and EVs that don't go long enough.
Funny how these characters change opinions of each other. Now Trump thinks Elon is a high IQ genius.
Hope you are right, but Bill’s cynicism will likely be proven correct.
Decent column today Bonner except for your insistence that Trump is appointing people that will do his will instead of following the Constitution. I disagree. The people he has nominated for the various posts are people, for the most part, that respect the Constitution.
Bill, I think you missed the language about the bottom third consumers and the working class. They are not the same. 1/3 of Americans, at least, do not work. Because of that, they are broke. I would even go so far as to say thst the bottom third of consumers are unemployable. I have personally tried to employ them. They are an insufferable, ignorant, drug induced comatosed, voilent lot. AI will take their place in the workforce because employers had to do something to solve a problem. I saw a robotic apple picker that uses drones to select apples. The narrator described it as being 100% punctual, never complained, and would work until the job was done. Now why would he use those words? Hmmm, because those are the problems with low paid, low skilled workers. The real issue with banks 46 B write off is that credit should have never been extended to them in the first place. IMHO......
I'm no Voltaire, but if I could menu up my version of "best government", we'd have a fearless dictator who would be a committed and strict constitutionalist in all things, every time. Best always. PM
Sounds like Voltaire to me PM
Speaking of grifters, Vivek fits the bill: https://thegoodcitizen.live/p/candidavant
I appreciate the cynical theme of the link. Thanks for posting.
Glad you appreciate it - normies clutch their pearls when encountering such wrongthink.
Mr. Johnson, Thank you for sharing. Enlightening.
" He would get out the chainsaw and hack away at federal spending until receipts equaled expenses."
Surely this is what DOGE is about?
I do not think that Trump is in it for the money. Nor are Musk or Vivek, or RFK jr, or Bondi, or Hegseth. And why shouldnt the Prez reward those who helped him with top jobs if they are good at those jobs? I would want my circle to consist of those who fought for me.
Bill’s DJT syndrome is always at the helm. It’s sad.
JWB: That’s what salaries are for. I understand that they are well paid and have plenty of benefits ( better than most) plus plenty of perks. No Trump probably isn’t in for just the money, but he loves the fame and being in charge.
I sadly agree with Bill’s cynicism. Whatever optimism I have about this administration is that the savings will exceed the grift…and that the bureaucratic parasites sucking the life out of this country will be plucked off the commonweal’s payroll like a tick yanked out with tweezers.
Tweezers are ok, but I'd prefer we use the lit-match-to-the-ass-end method...
LOL…I had actually typed that in and then omitted it. My mom used a hot match head to get ticks to release. It required us to be quite still!
Subprime Democracy?
More like Junk Democracy.
For all of us to spread to every voter all over the country, who complains about every other voter: "In the most recent example, 96% of those up for election won another term, even though Congress has only a 15% approval rating." It doesn't matter who Bill likes or doesn't like; it only matters who we vote for. How much change can you expect from DJT if Congress is essentially the same? I contradict Bill because at least some of DJT's picks for his cabinet are not swamp dwellers. But who knows??
As a form of national service, appoint all representatives to one, single term of 2 years by lot from a pool of NET taxpayers, and return the appointment of Senators to the state legislatures, repealing the "Progressive" Era mistake of the 17th Amendment (1912/1913). Poof! The bulk of the grift disappears overnight. If we don't have the fortitude to face the outlawing of "lobbying" outright, then de-centralize the government making it less convenient. Best always. PM
Not yet…
Today's BPR headlines:
1. Shitshow to continue
2. W.B. endorses C5-6 amputation remedy
2025 is more interesting already
Interesting how Bill notes bad things about the country in general (and there are lots no doubt) and mentions on Trump. That’s just stupid. Maybe Bill should get a new career as influencer.
In Trump’s first pretty much everything he did was positive for Americans. We have now had 4 years of the most stupid, imbecilic, incompetent individuals to ever pretend to be thinking human beings. It is beyond stupid to criticize ANY of Trump’s recommendations after sitting through 4 years total total total failure with Biden’s. We don’t even know who has been running the country. Maybe Trump can’t fix things. But he was our only chance. And I THINK the popular vote moved almost 10M toward Trump.
(Biden was +5M, now Trump was +5M.)
If only the Republicans would see this opportunity rather than stabbing each other n the back. Happy New Year to
Make Shame Great Again....
PS - "He’ll want to keep the grift going for as long as possible, accumulating as much wealth and power as possible."
Are we talking about the same guy who donated his entire Presidential salary every year the first go'round (and has pledged to do it again), as well as his estimated Net Worth having been $4.7 billion when he took the Oath and $3.6 billion the day he left? Now tell us how he is only there to enrich himself in "secret" ways that we can't see but you can, Bill. How pathetic.
PSS - You're never too old to Rock and Roll...
Knowing what we know, it still amazes me how comfortable we’ve become with the status quo no matter how bad it looks. “In a most recent example, 96% of those up for election won another term, even though Congress has only a 15% approval rating.” https://open.spotify.com/track/1gIVJAKlkWQwzO7pXBCvOZ?si=-g4ousRuTraKfKmOXzr4yg