Knowing they know? Priceless.
*****
Speaking of duplicity, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan did something to show the duplicity of three Democrat representatives. I guess when you're on your way out, it really doesn't matter that the hoi polloi get to see.
Anyway, back to my story. The three righteous Democrats decided to introduce a bill calling for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). It's a ludicrous suggestion, but Ryan decided to call their bluff, so he agreed that he would introduce their bill and let the House of Representatives vote on it. Who wouldn't want to abolish customs enforcement at our seaports, airports, and borders? I mean, what opioid crisis? What terror threats? The three Democrats seemed hell-bent to stand up for righteousness and goodwill.
So how did the three Democrats respond when Ryan supported their effort?
Wait for it.
They said if Ryan introduced their bill, they would VOTE AGAINST IT!!! Yes, you heard me correctly. They would vote against their own bill. You can't make this stuff up. See here:
Three Democratic congressmen declared on Thursday that they will vote “no” on their own legislation if House Speaker Paul Ryan puts their bill on the floor.
Reps. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Adriano Espaillat of New York introduced the Establishing a Humane Immigration Enforcement Act earlier Thursday, which would abolish ICE within one year of enactment, and also assemble a commission tasked with setting up a new immigration enforcement agency.
Hours later, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced he planned to bring the proposed “Abolish ICE” bill to the floor, reported The Hill.
The three congressmen promptly released a joint statement accusing Ryan of not taking their bill seriously, and as an act of protest, they will vote down their own legislation....
Yes, folks, simpletons actually do get elected to lead our nation. Fortunately, most of them are not this stupid. There's a reason you've never heard of these three. I think they just showed why.
Your vote counts in November. Let this serve as a reminder.
*****
I am somewhat sympathetic with never-Trumpers who keep hoping the worst for him and his administration. While I never wished ill on Barack Obama or his family, or on the country, I must admit I fostered an extreme distaste for what I saw as his duplicity, opportunism, narcissism, foreign policy ineptness, lack of spontaneity and a genuine absence of leadership skills (unless reading from a teleprompter is a virtue). He's the single greatest gift to conservatives since the 1920s. Just look at the takeover of state and local governments by conservatives during his tenure. There's been nothing like it in our lifetime.
I opposed Obama's leadership at every sensible opportunity. Results matter. Mr. Obama produced precious few of them. Yet, as an individual, he was extremely popular. He gets credit for that. At the same time, he gets credit for being glib and inept. Such as in moments like this, when his teleprompter malfunctions and he must think on his feet, which is not his forte:
So have at it, Trump critics. If you don't like him, that's okay. I felt somewhat like you during the Obama years. I respect your safe space as you adjust to the new reality. At some point, however, we need to agree on relevant criteria and compare notes. Middle-class jobs, for instance. Or net take-home pay. Or unemployment levels. Or investments in durable goods. Or beef prices. Or the stock market. Or GDP. Pink hats and black masks don't count. Anyone heard from PETA lately? I haven't. Made-up grievances don't count for much in the real world.
If you are a never-Trumper, let me encourage you with a few facts:
- Trump's approval ratings are as good as Obama's during the same time in office.
- Manufacturing investments in the U.S. have sky-rocketed.
- We now have more job openings than we do applicants (best news in a long time for middle-class workers) Watch what this does to middle-class wages.
- Tax legislation has increased take-home pay for working-class families.
- Unemployment is at an all-time low for blacks and Hispanics.
- Wall Street did not collapse with Trump's election, as predicted by certain stupid people, but instead has begun redirecting its investments to Main Street. These Wall Street folks are opportunists, but good for them if it works for Main Street.
- Unlike the Obama years, when we were told those manufacturing jobs were never coming back, blue-collar workers are now first in line to benefit from Trump's new economy. If you have poor neighbors, be happy for them. For yourself, too. Happy neighbors make for happy neighborhoods.
- ISIS is on the run. You can thank General Mattis for that. And Trump, for putting Mattis in charge.
- Kim Jong-Un is still in the game for denuclearization. Kudos to Pompeo.
- Russia and China understand that Trump knows how to squeeze them economically -- via tariffs -- rather than merely rattle sabres, give speeches and talk tough in media interviews.
- Trump is willing to call out hypocrisy (cf. Germany's willing reliance on Russian oil and gas) no matter how embarrassed the hypocrites feel. There's no need to hate Russia, as the E.U. and Democrats insist we must. For those who don't remember, the Soviet Union died in 1989. Much of their Potemkin village died with them. Aside from oil and gas, Russians really don't have much of an economy remaining. Additionally, the Russian people are nice, no matter what you think of Putin and his team.
- The Iranian mullahs have suffered severe losses in Syria and face civil unrest among their own citizens. Thank Trump and his Arab allies.
- Heard of Hamas or Hezbollah lately? Me, neither. The MSM are licking their wounds.
- Political leaders in Canada, Mexico and the E.U. are beginning to realize they can no longer feed at the U.S. taxpayer's trough in order to provide government benefits to their citizens. Again, thank Trump.
Anyway, enjoy your Saturday. We are living in extraordinary times.
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