by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
The federal government shut down for a few hours last night, though it was back open for business by the time most of bureaucrats made it to work this morning. Senator Rand Paul, a man who has always enjoyed listening to himself, held the floor of the Senate until after midnight. When he finally shut up, the Senate quickly voted to pass the compromise spending bill, a measure that troubled Senator Paul because it spent too much. The House followed suit shortly before daybreak and sent the completed bill to Donald Trump for his signature.
Trump signed the new spending bill and then immediately got on Twitter:
Trump's fluffing of the military in that tweet probably has more to do with his desire for an ego-stroking military parade than it does for actual concern about an institution that was well beneath his aspirations and interests when he was of an age to serve in uniform. Back then he would have rather been clubbing in New York City with his rich peers, but now that he sits on his golden perch as commander-in-chief and is safely out of harm's way, he is all about our glorious military.
Some who have followed and chronicled Donald Trump for years are quick to caution that Trump's main focus is always Trump, and that would seem to be the case here. He appears to be caught up in a recurring wet dream where he is standing in a reviewing stand beaming proudly as mile after mile of military equipment and troops marching in formation go passing by - all saluting or genuflecting to him and his greatness. That's the reality that Donald Trump wants to put before America and the world, a show that the ex-Navy Seal who killed bin-Laden referred to as "third world bullshit."
Trump's tweet said that the new spending limits would make the military "stronger than ever before." He added that "We love and need our military and gave them everything - and more." And while the notion of "more" than everything might seem to defy logic, it does fit with the long established congressional practice of including money for items in appropriations that the military specifically did not want. Defense contractors traditionally get their wares included in appropriations bills by making donations to the right political officials and by having those items manufactured in plants in the districts of pivotal politicians. Even if the military does not want a particular plane, or gun, or uniform, it's hard to stop Congress from investing in those items if their manufacture means more JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! in their districts or more campaign contributions in their pockets.
Some might argue that the military should be the best judge of what it needs to function properly, but Congress obviously knows better. It's the best Congress that money can buy, especially for the defense industry, and Donald John Trump is the defense industry's most faithful lap dog.
Citizen Journalist
The federal government shut down for a few hours last night, though it was back open for business by the time most of bureaucrats made it to work this morning. Senator Rand Paul, a man who has always enjoyed listening to himself, held the floor of the Senate until after midnight. When he finally shut up, the Senate quickly voted to pass the compromise spending bill, a measure that troubled Senator Paul because it spent too much. The House followed suit shortly before daybreak and sent the completed bill to Donald Trump for his signature.
Trump signed the new spending bill and then immediately got on Twitter:
Just signed Bill. Our Military will now be stronger than ever before. We love and need our Military and gave them everything — and more. First time this has happened in a long time. Also means JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!
Trump's fluffing of the military in that tweet probably has more to do with his desire for an ego-stroking military parade than it does for actual concern about an institution that was well beneath his aspirations and interests when he was of an age to serve in uniform. Back then he would have rather been clubbing in New York City with his rich peers, but now that he sits on his golden perch as commander-in-chief and is safely out of harm's way, he is all about our glorious military.
Some who have followed and chronicled Donald Trump for years are quick to caution that Trump's main focus is always Trump, and that would seem to be the case here. He appears to be caught up in a recurring wet dream where he is standing in a reviewing stand beaming proudly as mile after mile of military equipment and troops marching in formation go passing by - all saluting or genuflecting to him and his greatness. That's the reality that Donald Trump wants to put before America and the world, a show that the ex-Navy Seal who killed bin-Laden referred to as "third world bullshit."
Trump's tweet said that the new spending limits would make the military "stronger than ever before." He added that "We love and need our military and gave them everything - and more." And while the notion of "more" than everything might seem to defy logic, it does fit with the long established congressional practice of including money for items in appropriations that the military specifically did not want. Defense contractors traditionally get their wares included in appropriations bills by making donations to the right political officials and by having those items manufactured in plants in the districts of pivotal politicians. Even if the military does not want a particular plane, or gun, or uniform, it's hard to stop Congress from investing in those items if their manufacture means more JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! in their districts or more campaign contributions in their pockets.
Some might argue that the military should be the best judge of what it needs to function properly, but Congress obviously knows better. It's the best Congress that money can buy, especially for the defense industry, and Donald John Trump is the defense industry's most faithful lap dog.
1 comment:
Eisenhower warned us of the Military Industrial Complex. The bill gave the Pentagon all they asked for and more. The problem is the "and more" which is wasteful spending designed to line the pockets of defense contractors and lubricate the revolving doors from Congress to the cadre of lobbying firms for them. Even Ike never imagined either a President like Trump nor his own Republican Party being soiled by this administration.
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