Trump State Of The Union-America’s Back-FBI-Russia-Economy Booming-Podcast 697

First of all, the state of the union message used to be a letter. These days you’d think it is the Grammys, Golden Globes or the Oscars. In addition it’s a national event. We’re ‘supposed’ to watch. In Trump State Of The Union-America’s Back-FBI-Russia-Economy Booming-Podcast 697.

America Is Back

Trump’s says the Economy Is Booming and America is Back. Really? Since when is 2.6 percent GDP growth a booming economy?

Wall Street Is Main Street

Furthermore during the Obama presidency republicans used to say ‘Main Street Isn’t Wall Street‘. Now that republicans are in power suddenly main street IS wall street. Even when the market is down.

Booming Roaring Economy, right?

In Trump State Of The Union-America’s Back-FBI-Russia-Economy Booming-Podcast 697 I’ll outline factors that go into our old style measurement of the economy. Yes there are bright spots. Much as we like good news, let’s not go overboard.

Wait. It’s Trump.

Go overboard!

The Tax Bill. The Tax Bill!

The singular legislative ‘accomplishment’ of this administration so far is the tax bill. Lower corporate taxes are thought of as a good thing for business. Whether the so called middle class will benefit remains to be seen. Certainly the economic effects of changes in the tax code only a month old are not part of the current economic numbers. Find out why inTrump State Of The Union-America’s Back-FBI-Russia-Economy Booming-Podcast 697.

Executive Orders!

Trump supporters like to tout his executive orders. Many of these don’t do more than tell cabinet departments think differently. Most importantly Trump is issuing far fewer regulations. Have these actions produced economic results?

Witch Hunts Galore

Especially relevant are investigations on Russia and the FBI. The truth is none of this has had any real impact on the day to day business in the rest of the country and have failed to yield conclusive results so far.

Distractions Are The Order Of The Day

Welcome to life in America at the dawn of a technology revolution. This one makes the industrial revolution look like the middle ages. As it gathers speed every tenet of government and society will be challenged. Meanwhile we’re talking about porn stars and Trump’s latest insult.

No One Cares About Outmoded Thinking

In conclusion, most of the older adults in this country dream of a time marked by their own innocence in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Moreover our thinking about almost everything is outmoded. Mercantilism, trade protection, mass surveillance, bigger and more expensive government, and huge debts are not about freedom regardless of which party is in control of congress or the executive branch.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: On February 1st 2018 the Atlanta Federal Reserve projected US Economic Growth in the first quarter of the year to be 5.4 percent. This is a noteworthy prediction and if it holds for the US overall it will be a game changer. 5.4 percent GDP would be robust and if it holds through 2018 the terms ‘booming’ and ‘roaring’ would apply, at least as it pertains to GDP measurement.)

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating, Brush Studio in The West End and Reliafund.

Trump State Of The Union-America’s Back-FBI-Russia-Economy Booming-Podcast 697

 

 

When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627

One issue above all others has been the driving force in Republican politics for the last seven years. Repeal ObamaCare. None of the candidates said anything about repeal and replace. When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627 takes a raw view of the latest health care fiasco of the US Congress.

Promise Broken Again

President Trump and Republicans call The American Health Care Act of 2017 a victory.  HR 1628 keeps much of ObamaCare intact. There are still two hurdles. The bill has to pass the senate. The president has to sign it into law. Call it what you will but it is not a repeal of the ACA. This is what republican voters wanted. In When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627.

Republican Entitlement

Many in politics and the media will argue what the American Health Care Act does and doesn’t do. One thing is for sure. If it passes the senate and is signed into law, the American Health Care Act anchors a new entitlement passed by congress in 2010 and makes republicans, not democrats responsible for it. In When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627.

Those Who Endorsed Republicans Own It

Pundits and personalities cry, “If this is what happens why vote republican?”. Rather than endorsing and supporting republicans perhaps these personalities and other politicians should have been asking this question. A question that should have been on the lips of every republican for several cycles.

An economic Question

Commitments to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Drug Benefits and now Health Insurance will eventually swamp the United States Budget. The government cannot grant its citizens anything. Whatever is ‘given’ must be paid for through taxation eventually. The biggest issue in governments whether they are local, state or federal is spending. Talk about it in When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627.

Debt

The United States Federal Debt is more than 100 percent of its yearly GDP. The republican congress just passed another trillion dollar budget. State, federal and local governments employ over fifty percent of us. Public institutions have become major stakeholders in every political decision made.

Why Don’t They Ever Fix Anything

When government is so involved our personal lives, it’s personal. Every decision is politicized. Frustration and anger are the order of the day. Politicians solve problems by creating problems. We have an archaic and sclerotic government bureaucracy. Because the republicans failed to keep their promise to repeal the health insurance entitlement, the ‘health care debate’ will rage for the foreseeable future. In When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627.

New Thinking

With government largesse comes oppression. Surveillance, policing and prisons. War. It’s time people consider a new political movement in this country to permanently remove the power of government over our lives.

Sponsored by X Government Cars and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul.

When A Repeal Is Not A Repeal-Podcast 627