President Trump: Making America Great Again...

[Jeff Lebowski]

I was unclear becasue you had posted about several issues previously.

As to the gag order, it is not at all surprising. First, this is the sort of thing most new administrations have done from time to time. Second, it should also not be a surprise that he is doing this to the EPA when he appoints a guy who has made a career out of suing the EPA to be its leader. I am sure the gag order is to allow them to implement their vision of the EPA without a bunch of mid-level bureaucrats bleating about it to the press. I dont see this as anti-science; it is very much a policy move. The policy is to eviscerate the EPA. In this context I am not sure the EPA gag order is that big of a deal.

OK... Absolutely nothing to worry about.

[Jeff Lebowski]

"All you EPA employees need to settle down and stop worrying. This gag order is just a temporary move until the president can eviscerate your agency. You will be out of work soon and then as private citizens you can blab all you want."

[Omaha 680]

Interesting...

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/ev...ORdBDY.twitter

I may not be politically homeless for long!

Jane's law is real.

"The devotees of the party in power are smug and arrogant. The devotees of the party out of power are insane."

So true. And the devotees seamless swap roles when power changes hands. It's a beautiful system!

[BlueK]

Do we really think it's crazy for the new people in power to institute control over government operations?

No. But stupid actions around that control deserve to be pointed out.

[BlueK]

I am not on board with his immigration policy nor his efforts that might start a trade war, but I am playing the wait and see.

Here's the problem. These two things you disagree with have the potential to be the most destructive to the economy if he can manage to push them through -- meaning deep recession that could hurt everyone to some extent, but sadly most especially those who supported him the most enthusiastically (lower middle class, rural white people). The other silly stuff won't have as great of a negative impact even if they're dumb.

[BlueK]

Yeah, I am sure it is nothing. After all, Trump has a long track record of being measured and reasonable.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer...-a-madman.html

This is a president of the US who has an irrational banana republic dictator mentality. Heaven help us.

[Omaha 680]

So my options for potential relocation might be significantly greater than what I thought a couple months ago.

President Donald Trump’s team has compiled a list of about 50 infrastructure projects nationwide, totaling at least $137.5 billion, as the new White House tries to determine its investment priorities, according to documents obtained by McClatchy’s Kansas City Star and The News Tribune.

The preliminary list, provided to the National Governor’s Association by the Trump transition team, offers a first glimpse at which projects around the country might get funding if Trump follows through on his campaign promise to renew America’s crumbling highways, airports, dams and bridges. The governor’s association shared that list with state officials in December. The group told the officials the projects on that list were “already being vetted.”

Among the projects could be a new terminal for the Kansas City airport, upgrades to Interstate 95 in North Carolina and a proposal to replace the nation’s radar-based air traffic control system with one called NextGen, based on satellites.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/poli...128492164.html

Those projects don't directly impact me, but looking deeper into the top 50, I find DC Union Station Expansion, Chicago Union Station Redevelopment, Chicago Red/Purple Line Modernization, Boston MBTA Green Line Extension, Maryland Purple Line, Detroit M-1 Rail, NYC 2nd Ave Subway Phases 2/3, and Cotton Belt Line (Dallas to Houston High Speed Rail). And this is just the first draft. Supposedly they want to spend $150B+ /year on this stuff during his first term.

I'm on record in other threads saying I don't necessarily think massive rail investments are the way of the future. But hey, when in Rome... #makemycareergreatagain

Edit: Cotton Belt is actually a proposed Dallas Commuter line and is separate from Dallas to Houston HSR

[creekster]

OK... Absolutely nothing to worry about.

GO ahead and worry. but dont be surprised. he's just doing what he said he would do or at least made clear he was likely to do. Its not an anti-science crusade per se. And nothing in my post or anyone else's post said anything about EPA employees. They should worry about their jobs, but I am sure they started doing that when they saw who was appointed to direct the EPA.

[Northwestcoug]

Adios, Mexicans.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...=.d1fdbc0b6fab

So the guy who complained about Mexican rapists and drug dealers in his presidential announcement was not kidding. I guess we should take him both seriously and literally.

[imanihonjin]

So the guy who complained about Mexican rapists and drug dealers in his presidential announcement was not kidding. I guess we should take him both seriously and literally.

My biggest concern now is that he has been serious all along about his protectionist tax policies. I had hoped beyond hope that he was merely saying that to get the rust belt to buy in, but perhaps he really meant it and is intending to do it.

[myboynoah]

Adios, Mexicans.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...=.d1fdbc0b6fab

Don't forget to donate to The Wall Fund on your way out!

[BlueK]

My biggest concern now is that he has been serious all along about his protectionist tax policies. I had hoped beyond hope that he was merely saying that to get the rust belt to buy in, but perhaps he really meant it and is intending to do it.

Not sure why anyone should be surprised. Hopefully Congress will oppose the idiocy.

[imanihonjin]

Not sure why anyone should be surprised. Hopefully Congress will oppose the idiocy.

I am not surprised as this has always been a big Trump concern for me. I agree and hope that Congress doesn't play along.

[BlueK]

I am not surprised as this has always been a big Trump concern for me. I agree and hope that Congress doesn't play along.

I'm sure I'll get along fine with Paul Ryan. But if not, there is going to be a price to pay!

Paul Ryan and most GOP members of the House aren't too big on trade wars and tariffs -- along with a decent number of the Dems, and for good reason. It's insanely idiotic policy.

[byu71]

The Dow Jones is over 20,000 and almost all of the gain in the market for 2016 came after Trump was elected.

I will agree with his being a dip shit, egomaniac, insecure, etc. I really don't care for the guy.

That said, I hope none of you who are warning us about how bad things are going to be economically will be offended that I would put you right along the gold doomsdayers who have been on TV since 2009 while the market triples.

I won't quite be as big a jerk to put you in the group I called idiots who pushed the futures down 700 points when they could see he was being elected.

There is plenty to rip him on. If you are going to rip him on his effect on the economy, well you probably ought to go to cash.