Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794

These days we content creators have to post advisories and disclaimers. This podcast is not a list of reasons to ‘build the wall’. It does not include 5 reasons to impeach Trump. Learn more in Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794.

Trump Blew It In 2018

Especially relevant is the fact that less than a month ago the so called conservative base was furious at the president and the republican party for taking a ‘shellacking’ in the midterm elections.

It Is Trump’s Fault

Furthermore I did several podcasts on the midterms explaining polling showed the GOP did not have to lose congress.

Raise The Stakes To Win

Therefore it is most noteworthy that the president opened the new year by raising the stakes. First a government shut down. Then threats to declare an national emergency.

What’s the issue?

A campaign promise by Donald Trump to solve what he has described as a crisis on the border.

Consequently, the solution he hit upon? ‘Build A Wall‘.

First of all. the president failed to get a republican congress to fund a wall. Now he has redoubled his efforts to get a democrat house to fund the wall, which they say they won’t. Enter the shut down. Enter the specter of a ‘National Emergency‘.

Outrage Controversy and Emotional Outpouring

If outrage and controversy over the shut down wasn’t enough, Trump is raising the stakes with threats to declare a national emergency. Under an emergency the military can build what is now described as a steel barrier by the president. Or at least he thinks so. Is he right? Find out in Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794.

The Sushi Shutdown

After a late evening sushi happy hour, I came to my studio to tell the truth about this whole episode. It’s not about the shut down or even a national emergency. Trump is doing what Roy Cohn taught him to do many years ago. Make threats. Throw tantrums. Demand. Raise the stakes until the other guy gives you what he wants. Above all force the opposition to talk about what you want to talk about. Control the media battle space. Use the ‘bully pulpit‘.

Throwing Blood In The Water To Shore Up The Base

In conclusion, Trump does this again and again. And everyone takes the bait, hook line and sinker.

Every time.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors and WhiteTail Builders

Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794

America’s Royalty-Bush-McCain Funerals-Bob Davis Podcast 784

Watching coverage of George HW Bush’s funeral I wondered when we turned our presidents into emperors. Learn more in America’s Royalty-Bush-McCain Funerals-Bob Davis Podcast 784.

Royal Weddings and State Funerals

Moreover I think state funerals in this country are going overboard. The State Funeral has become our answer to British Royal weddings and coronations.

No Pomp and No Titles of Nobility

Most noteworthy our constitution forbids granting of titles of nobility. Furthermore Alexander Hamilton called this the cornerstone of the Republic.

Why No Royalty In The US?

The real founders of this country did something that had never been done before. Our constitution guarantees the sovereignty of the people.

We The People Are The Nobility. Not The Politicians!

Moreover We the people ARE sovereign. Americans don’t need royalty.

In contrast, leave it to the media and the politicians to create a backdrop to make them seem like royalty.

Mediocre Politicians Should Not Be Hailed As National Heroes

These days a mediocre politician who dies can’t just be a guy who lived a full life and served his country. The loss is a national tragedy. The deceased was a “contemporary founding father“, or a “Hero”.  Hence, Bush and McCain funerals carry all the trappings of American Imperial Nobility.

Settling Scores At Funerals Is Bad Form

Even more offensive to me is the penchant some of these people have to settle political scores.

We are submitted to an endless stream of mind numbing stories about politicians who won’t talk to other politicians. Or reports on what clothing was worn and how it was received and so on.

The Media loves these royal funerals. Funerals mean big ratings.

Consequently politicians love funerals. Above all, they love the chance to be seen being seen. I’ve never met a politician who will miss a funeral.

A Macchiavellian World Without Principle

Truth is we’re lauding men and women who came up in a system which demands loyalty. The rules in politics are, never refuse a favor. Dance with the one who brung ye. Be a good boy. Good boys get rewarded. Long political careers sand away the rough edges and principles.

Is This What We Want?

Finally these days people complain a lot about politicians. The people say their representatives don’t listen and aren’t true to their word.

Here we have President Bush who famously pledged “Read My Lips, No New Taxes”, then raised taxes.

Then we have John McCain, who torpedoed the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Remember, the republican majority, and the president ran on repeal legislation. This is heroism?

In conclusion I think we should remember, no matter how high the media holds them up, even presidents are chosen by the people. We delegate our sovereign authority to them. It’s not the other way around.

They are not Caesars.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

America’s Royalty-Bush-McCain Funerals-Bob Davis Podcast 784

 

World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742

Sometimes an eclipse is just an eclipse. Friday’s ‘Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse‘ did not destroy the world as predicted. These days someone needs to keep track of the soothsayers! We’ll talk about it in World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742.

Best Economic Growth Ever!

Friday also marked the release of first quarter Gross Domestic Product numbers. To hear the president tell it, 4.1 percent economic growth is historic. Hear my take on the first blush of reporting on the good economic news in World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742.

Does It Matter?

On a desolate lake road in Western Wisconsin at midnight, in the full moonlight, one wonders whether any of that matters anyway! What’s more the silence here in the middle of nowhere is incredible.

No Rules No Prep

I took a short road trip to what we like to call “God’s Country” to talk about organic farming. I’ll take that up in the next podcast. Every now and then I have to do walk and talk podcasts. No rules. No Prep. I call these ‘consolidation podcasts’.

A Midnight Walk Is Good For Making Sense Of It All

Because things seem to happen so frequently, following the news can be a head spinner. I do these walk and talk podcasts, usually at midnight, to try to make sense of it all.

News Flash! World Doesn’t End!

Furthermore last week the boomers were predicting the end of the world after the big eclipse. On top of that we are whipsawed by reactive coverage of the news. Getting subscribers and listeners to the Bob Davis Podcasts on track at the beginning of the week is one of my missions.

Good News Is Good News

Most noteworthy for this podcast is the release of the new economic data. 4.1 percent GDP growth in a single quarter is not unprecedented or even historic. It is good news. The key here is what caused the growth? Moreover is the growth sustainable?

Finding Truth At Midnight

In conclusion this week you may hear a lot of chatter about the economic numbers. Due to partisanship equal amount of chatter passing for ‘analysis’ will be negative and positive. Above all listeners wonder what to look for to find information without partisanship.

Sometimes you find a little bit of truth on a quiet country road in the mist and moonlight!

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742