Post Everything Here

[#1]

[PacificKnots]

Well, it's official. The President has been impeached by the House. Off to the Senate.

[JMOldeVintage]

Someone from Fox News asked the question of why the House would impeach when they know the Senate will not convict. Well, I as a voter want to know for "future reference" where my elected representatives stand on the issue. 

[finickypatternshop]

Likely the first time in his life he was held somewhat accountable for his corrupt, vile behaviour. 

[JMOldeVintage]

CNBC: "Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said Wednesday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is responsible for his colleagues’ apparent lack of enthusiasm about his bipartisan bill to lower drug prices.

When asked by reporters during a briefing why more Senate Republicans haven’t supported the legislation, the Senate Finance Committee chairman said because McConnell “asked them not to.”

“The president wants it!” Grassley said, according to a recording of the briefing.

Grassley and McConnell have reportedly been at odds over the bipartisan measure, which has support from President Donald Trump and many Senate Democrats.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for McConnell directed CNBC to a report where McConnell is quoted saying the Senate’s path forward on drug costs is still “under discussion” and he is “looking to do something on drug pricing.”

Grassley and ranking Democrat Ron Wyden, of Oregon, advanced the broad drug pricing bill through committee in July. Looking to gain more Republican support, the lawmakers unveiled a revamped version of the bill earlier this month. The bill would make changes to Medicare by adding an out-of-pocket maximum for beneficiaries and capping drug price increases at the rate of inflation, among other measures.

High health-care costs have become a rare bipartisan issue, drawing support from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the Trump administration.

The House last week approved Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s sweeping drug pricing legislation, which would allow the U.S. government to negotiate lower prices for certain drugs. That bill is also unlikely to be taken up in the Senate, where McConnell has previously ruled out any action on it."

[PacificKnots]

McConnell hasn't meet a health care bill that he didn't vote against. Even my Republican representative voted for the drug pricing legislation. But again she has sides with the Democrats when it comes to health care issues.

[JustBCre8tive]

If this was like the ole days in the old forum, I could only imagine it would have been hard to keep up with the post. There's a long road ahead but we will see a light shining above the horizon letting us know this tiresome reckless ride is almost over, then it will be time to celebrate! I am proud of those today that have made a choice to honor their oath to the constitution and to bring country over party and found it within their character, a moral & ethical obligation to do what was right for those they represent.   

[finickypatternshop]

The ones who put their country and oath before their job should be very proud, they did what was right even knowing with rep in the senate it is unlikely to go anywhere. I like leaders with character who are fearless, in short supply sometimes.

No doubt some are celebrating, the guy is a jerk, not to mention corrupt and covering it up. Can any future president facing impeachment just withhold evidence because it is likely to prove their guilt. Cross their arms and stomp their feet like a toddler, just say it's a sham and your done. Seems so according to trumplicans. Weak.

I have no doubt trump will feel emboldened and ramp up his crap. The shining light might be a ways away but I do hope it shows up before it's too late.

[finickypatternshop]

Good grief, the * impeached president already went full on propaganda with a meme pinned on his twitter feed.

"In reality they're not after me they're after you.

I'm just in the way."

Almost like he and the trumplicans from the hearing coordinated that message. Gag.

[JMOldeVintage]

Besides his Tweets, Trump already in "vile mode" with remarks such as those he made about Rep. Dingell. The odds of Trump going whole-hog on the dirt Rudy has reportedly gathered probably favorable. There are so many other things Trump will probably latch onto & tweet or push at his ego rallies. At what point will the GOP say "enough is enough" or are they so wrapped up in Trump they can't see the forest for the trees(?) 

[finickypatternshop]

Seen a tweet that says it best.

"David Axelrod
@davidaxelrod

All of life is transactional for
@realDonaldTrump
. You could almost picture him saying, “Sure Mrs. Dingell, we’ll lower that flag for your husband but I need you to do me a favor, though...”

[finickypatternshop]

Another perspective, from Christianity Today, the article was in my twitter feed. Link included since this is just bits of it.

"Trump Should Be Removed from Office"

from around middle of article.

"The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral.

The reason many are not shocked about this is that this president has dumbed down the idea of morality in his administration. He has hired and fired a number of people who are now convicted criminals. He himself has admitted to immoral actions in business and his relationship with women, about which he remains proud. His Twitter feed alone—with its habitual string of mischaracterizations, lies, and slanders—is a near perfect example of a human being who is morally lost and confused.

Trump’s evangelical supporters have pointed to his Supreme Court nominees, his defense of religious liberty, and his stewardship of the economy, among other things, as achievements that justify their support of the president. We believe the impeachment hearings have made it absolutely clear, in a way the Mueller investigation did not, that President Trump has abused his authority for personal gain and betrayed his constitutional oath. The impeachment hearings have illuminated the president’s moral deficiencies for all to see. This damages the institution of the presidency, damages the reputation of our country, and damages both the spirit and the future of our people. None of the president’s positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character...

...To use an old cliché, it’s time to call a spade a spade, to say that no matter how many hands we win in this political poker game, we are playing with a stacked deck of gross immorality and ethical incompetence. And just when we think it’s time to push all our chips to the center of the table, that’s when the whole game will come crashing down. It will crash down on the reputation of evangelical religion and on the world’s understanding of the gospel. And it will come crashing down on a nation of men and women whose welfare is also our concern.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/december-web-only/trump-should-be-removed-from-office.html

[JMOldeVintage]

"None of the president’s positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character..."

AMEN.

[JMOldeVintage]

Trump's Tweets in Reply:

"A far left magazine, or very “progressive,” as some would call it, which has been doing poorly and hasn’t been involved with the Billy Graham family for many years, Christianity Today, knows nothing about reading a perfect transcript of a routine phone call and would rather.....have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President. No President has done more for the Evangelical community, and it’s not even close. You’ll not get anything from those Dems on stage. I won’t be reading ET again!"

"I guess the magazine, “Christianity Today,” is looking for Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, or those of the socialist/communist bent, to guard their religion. How about Sleepy Joe? The fact is, no President has ever done what I have done for Evangelicals, or religion itself!"

Okay, so religions or religious organizations need to stay in the "dark ages", if they don't agree with Trump they're stupid or liars or both. And sorry, but when it comes to protecting an Individual's choice of faith & their right to worship as they choose I'm going with Senators Warren or Sanders on understanding and acting on that importance. Will also rely on them to keep "the separation of church & state" in a heartbeat, but definitely suspect of Trump & others who have acted & spoken in quite a different fashion.  

[finickypatternshop]

So basically, trump to evangelicals "Sure, I will give you your pro life judges...but I would like you to do me a favour, though."

Everything is transactional, heck he threw in pretending he is a 'man' of faith, he feels they owe him bigly. I suppose the test will be if he keeps that faith or throws them under the bus with everyone else. And trump deciding who is a believer or not is a joke. He is vulgar.

[finickypatternshop]

"But the facts in this instance are unambiguous: The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral."

From the article, though the media and trump are focusing on some finally recognizing trump is "profoundly immoral" the first part of that bit is as important. He violated the Constitution which is why he was impeached and should be removed.

Despite all the whining from the trumplicans before the vote, it is not simply because no one likes trump, though he is quite a jerk. I doubt they even like him, just scared he will attack them if they grow a spine.

[TheShoppingMoll]

Highly doubt trump ever read Christianity I was wondering where trump got ET. Twitter is having fun with this. ET phone home.

He cannot understand that people are just tired of his corrupt, nasty behavior. Only his die hard followers believe the socialist/communist mumbo jumbo that comes out of his mouth.

It didn't take trump long to turn on evangelicals.

[finickypatternshop]

"After 2 Years, Trump Tax Cuts Have Failed To Deliver On GOP's Promises"

"Two years ago today, Republicans in Congress passed a sweeping tax cut. It was supposed to be a gift-wrapped present to taxpayers and the economy. But in hindsight, it looks more like a costly lump of coal.......

The federal deficit this year was $984 billion — an extraordinary figure at a time when the country is not mired in recession or widespread war.

The tax cut also failed to produce a permanent boost in economic growth, despite promises from Republican supporters.

"After eight straight years of slow growth and underperformance, America is ready to take off," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said when the tax cut passed two years ago.

In fact, the economy grew 2.9% last year — exactly the same as in 2015...."

https://www.npr.org/2019/12/20/789540931/2-years-later-trump-tax-cuts-have-failed-to-deliver-on-gops...

[TheShoppingMoll]

The only ones who benefited from these tax cuts were the wealthy corporations. They got another tax cut, plus all the regular credits that they receive, so they came off much better than the average folk.

Add in the buyback of stock and they really came out well and much more wealthy.

[finickypatternshop]

"U.S. Steel says to lay off 1,545 workers in Michigan"

"United States Steel Corp plans to lay off as many as 1,545 workers at its Great Lakes Works facility in the electoral swing state of Michigan following its decision to indefinitely idle a “significant” portion of the facility...."

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-u-s-steel-layoffs-idUSKBN1YO287?taid=5dfd260fd872490001b17e0b&utm...

* the impeached president lies, why he really disparages the media.

[TheShoppingMoll]

trump's base are happy to talk about toilets which fail to flush. trump does a rally and Nancy Pelosi is doing presidential duties. GOPS are having anxiety attacks and 25 are set to retire.

I am waiting to see which GOP member voted yes, then a few seconds later turned it to no. I wonder what van drew got for selling his soul to the devil. Majority of staffers resigned, but the senior one stayed. Something was dangled in front of them. I am sure a lot of people, especially his Democratic constituents, would like to know why he became a turncoat.

[JMOldeVintage]

One of our local news shows reported this morning that just over 50% of workers did not receive a raise this year. So while more people employed their wages might not have gone up. But of course, nothing else went up in price, right(?) US Steel is hopefully just one of a few, but when you read the news about Boeing, that retailers' holiday sales have not reached the goals set, you do have to wonder. And since the Corporations can't benefit from stock buybacks, guess all those wonderful bonuses everyone was so excited about last year have disappeared. 

[JMOldeVintage]

Some food for thought: (Sorry for the rough cut & paste, the ads ridiculous):

"My simple test for all of us: What if President Barack Obama had engaged in precisely the same behavior?" former Republican Senator Jeff Flake asked his Senate GOP colleagues in a passionate Washington Post op-ed Friday, regarding President Donald Trump's upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

"I know the answer to that question with certainty, and so do you," he continued. "You would have understood with striking clarity the threat it posed, and you would have known exactly what to do."

Flake wrote to his former Senate colleagues that not only is Trump on trial, but "so are you. And so is the political party to which we belong." 

But what is indefensible is echoing House Republicans who say that the president has not done anything wrong. He has," Flake continued.

"Personally, I have never met anyone whose behavior can be described as perfect, but so often has the president repeated this obvious untruth that it has become a form of dogma in our party," Flake penned "And sure enough, as dogma demands, there are members of our party denying objective reality by repeating the line that 'the president did nothing wrong.'"

My colleagues, the danger of an untruthful president is compounded when the coequal branch follows that president off the cliff, into the abyss of unreality and untruth," the former Arizona senator continued.

Flake wrote that he doesn't "envy" his old colleagues, "You’re on a big stage now. Please don’t accept an alternate reality that would have us believe in things that obviously are not true, in the service of executive behavior that we never would have encouraged and a theory of executive power that we have always found abhorrent."

"If there ever was a time to put country over party, it is now. And by putting country over party, you might just save the Grand Old Party before it's too late""

[finickypatternshop]

Is there still a Grand Old Party to save or was it part of the swamp/elite/deep state blah blah blah, and already been replaced by the trumplican party. There might be nothing left to save.

[finickypatternshop]

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

A total Witch Hunt!

"The Associated Press

@AP

· Dec 19

BREAKING: Russian President Vladimir Putin says U.S. President Donald Trump's impeachment is far-fetched and predicts the U.S. Senate will reject it. http://apne.ws/QSginnX

10:30 PM · Dec 20, 2019"

Does the impeached president really think putins opinion counts. Of course he does, it's where trump gets his briefings.

[JMOldeVintage]

Who would have Ever Imagined that a POTUS would be posting (bragging about) an endorsement by a Russian President. Just when you think the OMG moments can't become any more outrageous, more frightening, Trump bring us that snapshot in time via twitter.

And from Putin's "control room": "One of the Kremlin’s top propagandists, Vladimir Soloviev, heaped praise upon Trump and rattled off a list of bogus defenses in his coverage of the impeachment proceedings. During his show, The Evening with Vladimir Soloviev, the host favorably mentioned a “documentary film” based on the Ukrainian exploits of the U.S. president’s private lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani."