Hawaiian

34 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I'm not sensing they want to abolish it.  It reminds me of Bush Jr when he reshuffled quite a few agencies after 9/11.  It was a huge shake-up, but they were all agencies under the Executive Branch... 

 

Of course, W had a few advantages: 

1) He was a uniparty insider, and a legacy at that. 

2) He wasn't named Trump and

3) Americans were scare mongered into thinking there was a terrorist behind every tree and anyone who didn't get in line was a "threat to Americans" (Sound familiar?)

 

Looks like USAID will just report to the Sec of State for some oversight, and won't be spending money willy nilly.

I'm sure it will be fought out in courts at several levels and taxpayers will be hit with $billions in legal fees as one agency sues another (x 10).  But I suspect that smarter MAGAs than me have mapped all that out.  Trump learned from his last term.

 

What you say is true.  Trump, this time around, will listen more closely to his advisers.  He commented during his first term that he didn't need to be briefed.  He soon found out there was valuable information he knew nothing about.  I am not a MAGA person per se, but feel he is the one to fix some of our most pressing problems, like illegal immigration, a demoralized military and wasteful spending.  History will judge his successes and failures.

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

But it's not unconstitutional.  The president has emergency powers that allow it.  Within 45 days, he has to report to Congress what he's done and why.  Then they can override his EOs.  Or not.

 

Since USAID was established by Congress Trump cannot arbitrary abolish it.  What other things he legally can and cannot do regarding the agency, I don't know. We may have to see where courts go with this.

7 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Trump should just bomb iran. No one would object

Quite a few would object.  Bombing with direct provocation is a terrible idea.  Let Israel take care.  They already have justification since the two have been exchanging blows with Israel coming out ahead.

13 minutes ago, gargamon said:

It looks like the most evil empire is now south of the 49th parallel. Take over Greenland by force. Take over the Panama canal by force. Take over Gaza by force(to build Trump golf courses).

Guess you missed my point.  I said he uses hyperbole to make a point.  No doubt about it, Trump is far from being diplomatic, very blunt and abrasive.  Unfortunately, sometimes that is what it takes to get results.

1 minute ago, scottiejohn said:

So you support an inarticulate so called world leader who is totally unable to state what he really means?  That is the road to ambiguity, misunderstanding and dangerous actions by those who do not get/understand his so called message!

Like Biden, Trump has his people to clarify things.  Not the best scenario, but it is what it is.

Just now, Patong2021 said:

 

Yes, it is a good idea to  control the debt. It will require a sharp knife and a willingness to step on toes etc. However, the US has a constitution and is supposedly a nation subject to the rule of law. There is something quite concerning about unelected, unvetted and unknown people acting without transparency. The US Congress controls the purse of the USA. Dismantling agencies and departments that Congress has initiated, or has a right to oversee, without the knowledge or consent of Congress is undemocratic. Musk  has conflicts of interest with the groups he is attacking. Let a neutral person without a conflict of interest take responsibility.

Yes, a very unorthodox, and unconstitutional was of doing it.  Maybe if Congress had done a proper job in tackling the debt problem we wouldn't be where we are today.  But, by exposing all the wasteful spending the taxpayers will demand that Congress acts.  One way or another something drastic needs to be done before a heart attack occurs. 

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I think they're afraid the DOGE AI audit will find out that the USAID money is being recycled back into campaign donations.  Through donation mules.

 

I wish it was just one party to blame.  But it's both the Demicans and the Republicrats.

 

2025 is going to be a wild ride.

 

Very good reason to be defensive and conservative with one's investments. Lots of volatility ahead.

2 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

I think he was flexing for Bibi?

 

The majority of the Iranian population, 80+%, does NOT support the Islamic Regime.

 

If 'obliterate' means what I think it means, murdering ~ 60+ million people seems like an over-the-top threat.

 

 

 

 

 

We all know that Trump, at least I do, is not the most articulate speaker.  He often uses hyperbole to make a point.  Good and bad.  Good, confuses his and America's enemies.

Bad, sometimes puts him on the hot seat.

13 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Seems as you never give up.  Just like the man you so despise  adore.

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

Trump said about nato quote I know all about nato in 2 minutes that I need to know then he believes putin over our intillegence agencies….remember helinsky?I sure do!I also remember as trump is undermining nato .putin for real is emptying his prisons and mental institutions arming the inmates and sending them over to rape and loot his neighbor.so YES our adversaries see trump as an asset it’s in their best interests to have him in the oval.

Lot of disagreement to go around.  If you look at my posting history on AN I have not approved of everything Trump has done or promised to do.

23 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Please tell me there's a senator actually named Coons...

 

Yep, Chris Coons, Democrat senator from Delaware.

17 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Or they could be rejoicing because they can fill the vacuum left by the US. The US vets programs a lot more strictly than China does. So all China has to do is step in and fill the space formerly occupied by the US.

They could, but unless desperate, these countries will be less inclined to accept aid from China because of its well publicized debt trap diplomacy.  China rarely gives money away for "free"even though it may be a tiny portion of its budget.

2 hours ago, placeholder said:

As usual, allegations about "tons of waste and fraud" What does "tons" mean in relation to the federal budget. This is just emotionalism. And it's always entertaining to see a Trump supporter bemoaning the budget while their guy not only wants to extend the unpaid for tax cuts he got passed last time he was in office, but he wants to create even more.  And as for sending money abroad it's a tiny portion of the budget. But I'm sure that China is rejoicing in the cutbacks the US is making.

What does sending money abroad it's "a tiny portion" of the budget mean in relation to the federal budget? 

Is China rejoicing because matching U.S. foreign aid will be less for them to give?  Aid to Pakistan is not working out as China planned.  Now, total BRI spending has been cut back.

Just now, Cryingdick said:

just wait.

Yes.  Just wait until frustrated motorists start taking the law into their own hands.  Then what?

Just now, KhunLA said:

Interfering with and inconveniencing people's lives, always gets you support for your cause 

There can be consequences, and not always pleasant.

45 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I'm guessing both Mexico and Canada will eat crow and introduce reasonable border controls rather thsn decimate their economies. Just like Panama did.

 

Trump holds all the Aces in this skirmish.

But most of America holds deuces.  And you failed to address the issue of what we really import from Canada and Mexico. 

21 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Im sure Americans will do just fine. Sombreros and maple syrup are not life essentials.

Anyone relying on your information is in for a big surprise when they find out what we really import from Canada and Mexico.  Sticker shock to say the least.