slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

From Forbes Magazine

By Stan Collender

What the Trump administration did last week on the federal budget was so astoundingly bizarre that it would have been a great plot for an episode of The Twilight Zone if that show were still on the air.

For those of you who are too young to remember (No one who is old enough to have watched it could ever forget), The Twilight Zone was one of the most compelling and scariest programs ever shown on television. Each week, the show presented a story that was so strange and macabre that you couldn't help but be frightened. The fact that the program was in black and white and initiallly aired at 10 pm greatly increased how scary it seemed.

The Twilight Zone's basic premise -- that there is a point at which you cross over from the normal to the a******l -- last week was displayed by the Trump White House for all to see. Indeed, Trump's a******l was so prevalent that it's hard to see how he will get back to the natural order of things any time soon.

Consider the following.

President Trump tweeted that we needed a government shutdown at almost the same time his administration indicated he would sign the appropriation that would...wait for it...prevent a government shutdown.

In that same tweet, Trump called for changing the filibuster rules in the Senate so his agenda could pass without compromises with the Democrats. Senate Republicans then almost immediately rejected that idea.

Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney, who a week earlier insisted the fiscal 2017 omnibus appropriation had to include funding for the wall and take away funds from sanctuary cities that didn't follow Trump administration's preferences, last week announced that the bill was a huge win even though it included neither of these things.

At that same press conference, Mulvaney criticized congressional Democrats for "spiking the football" when they celebrated the 2017 omnibus appropriation. He then spiked the ball for the Trump administration by vehemently insisting (some thought he actually was close to hyperventilating) that the White House deserved credit for everything in the bill.

Also at that same press conference, Mulvaney said Trump had cut "a tremendous deal for the American people" even though the bill rejected virtually everything the president had proposed for fiscal 2017 in the document (Again, I still refuse to dignify it by calling it a "budget") the administration released in March.

Later in the week, the president did an end zone dance of his own when he and House Republicans celebrated passing legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. They did this even though they knew Senate Republicans weren't going to consider it and that the House-passed bill has virtually no chance of being enacted. The Senate GOP leadership made that publicly clear shortly after the end zone celebration had ended.

Finally, the Trump administration supported an ACA repeal and replace bill that penalizes people with pre-existing conditions the same week that it moved to k**l healthy eating requirements for schools kids that will make it more likely they will...wait for it...have pre-existing conditions.

All of this was Trump Twilight Zone-like behavior: up was down, no was yes, a nonnegotiable demand really meant extreme flexibility and everything was a win even when you were the obvious biggest loser.

It's all very much like the story in The Twilight Zone episode "The Eye of the Beholder" where what's normal anything but what you think it's going to be.

It's also somewhat analogous to the episode "To Serve Man," where a tome brought by aliens to Earth that gives humans a warm and fuzzy feeling about the visitors is actually a cookbook.

For the record, the original version of The Twilight Zone had trouble finding an audience. After several moves by CBS, including format and time slot changes, the show was cancelled for good after a four-year run.
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From Stan Collender...

I have been involved with the federal budget and congressional budget process throughout my entire career. In addition to being one of the few people who has served on the staffs of the House and Senate Budget Committees, I'm the author of The Guide to the Federal Budget, which was published annually from 1982 to 2000 and was one of the most-assigned texts on the topic. I founded and edited Federal Budget Report, a newsletter that was published for almost two decades. I've also written weekly columns on the budget for NationalJournal.com and Roll Call and founded the Capital Gains and Games blog. I'm currently an executive vice president at Qorvis MSLGROUP, where I work closely with financial services clients and an adjunct professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

Mr. Collender is a contributor to Forbes. The opinions expressed are his own.

fullspinzoo

Just another L*****t blowhard who thinks spending $10 Trillion (more than all the other presidents combined) and accomplishing absolutely NOTHING is just fine. Couple more fine moves like that and this country will be finished.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Bizarre truly bizzare that we have gotten ourselves all worked up on pure conjecture about what the bill that actually goes before the house willl have in it....

A lot of speculation, does make for great discussions but it's like screaming wolf with no wolf around, yet..

We can debate until blue in the face but not a one of know what's to come yet.. Heck the people working on it don't even know yet..

One good thing at least there are discussions going on and that's better than what we had before..

vernon

I want to know ,since we Have used continuing resolution for the at least 8 yrs why is it sin a sin now.

Homestead

"President Trump tweeted that we needed a government shut-down at almost the same time his administration indicated he would sign the appropriation that would...wait for it...prevent a government shut-down."


I know your trying, but, your just not very bright.

The shut down he is preventing is right now, by finishing Obama's CR from last year. Obama never did a budget and never bothered to finalize his Continuing Resolution.

Trump's budget won't start until October 1, 2017. Which they will begin discussing in September.

The losing minority party, Democrats, tried to dictate terms to Trump, while Trump was finishing up Obama's unfinished business, by threatening to shut down the government if Trump didn't do as he was told when finishing out Obama's CR.

If the Democrats wanted say in Obama's CR, they should have done it while he was still in office like they were supposed to.

Now Trump wants to make it very clear to the Democrats, the media, the Republicans and his supporters, that when the time comes to do his budget in October, he won't put up with this crap.

If it takes shutting down the government to get his budget passed, then the government will shut down.

He's not making any bones about it and is putting everyone on notice as to what's coming.

The Democrats need to lend a hand, shut the f_ck up or get the hell out of the way.

The Republicans might be afraid of a government shut down, but, Trump is not.

I know it's hard, but,............................PLEASE TRY AND KEEP UP!

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Very true, L-J. But, the article is simply the author's assessment of the bill presented to the Senate by the House. We will, indeed, wait to see if there is a "wolf" around to scream at...if & when the Senate likely returns an adjusted bill. Right now, I look forward to poster's counter-points to what Mr. Collen singles out, individually. After all, this is (reportedly) a forum for discussion, not immediate condemnation or dismissal of others thoughts.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

Good morning Linda. Great to see your post that is properly conceived. Also until we see what the Senate does to make it a better deal for the people.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Not very bright, huh I did not write the article, but with a minimum mention of the existing darkness in both your mind and personal netherworld, I will point out exactly what this and most of my cut'n paste articles are posted for: An exchange of ideas and comments regarding the subject/matter presented to be discussed. As I suggested to LindaJoy (just above) an exchange of varying viewpoints is almost always much more stimulating than an echo chamber of like-minded individuals. Besides, OPP was formed as a forum for open discussion.

However, despite your tendency to denigrate all who disagree with you, your response to actually reasonably to the point. That is, of course, if you realize that the entire article spoke to the hypocrisy of all politicians in justifying their legislative misbehavior.

PLEASE TRY AND KEEP UP, yourself, Homestead. I did type this very slowly...for your benefit.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Quite frankly, Vernon, IMO, it is a sin/crime whenever an administration or congress fails in fulfilling their constitutional duties.

mongo Loc: TEXAS

Good morning slatts,
We have elected a president that is definitely different than any before. He has faced distention head-on unlike any others.
So far, he has beaten the Rinos at their own game and I would like to see him bring some honor and order back to our government.
He is the first in a long time, that has attempted to fulfilling his campaign pledges and clean house.
Like we have said before, one man cannot undue all the damage that's been done by all political parties for so long. If not for this
e******n, we would not have been informed just how corrupt our politicians have become. If Hillary had been elected, we would probably
be speaking some middle eastern dialect.
And yes, it does seem like a parallel to the "Twilight Zone!"

SEMPER FI/Brother

Homestead

"President Trump tweeted that we needed a government shut-down at almost the same time his administration indicated he would sign the appropriation that would...wait for it...prevent a government shut-down."

This is the initial premiss that the article is built on.

It is false, misleading and takes two instances out of context, but, stands as if it's basic premise is true.

The subject matter does not exist, because it is false.

End of discussion, there is nothing here to build a discussion on.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Good morning & thank you, Mongo. Marines have a way of seeing through the fog of confusion and, dare I say, bullsh*t Too many from both sides have thin skin and can't take questioning of their values and beliefs, especially when they are ensconced in an individual such as our president. I know few, if any, of our generation who don't recall the old "Sticks & stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." When someone convinces me of a flaw in my way of thinking, I accept and learn from it. Even if not convinced, it does, at the minimum give me pause for reflection and for thinking in ways I may have been unable to prior to hearing them out.

Either way, I come out ahead.

SEMPER FI

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Well, that is because in your dimly-lit mind, it is "my way or the highway."

(BTW, the word is 'premise,' not "premiss.")

BTW, the article's true premise was stated clearly & emphatically..."The Twilight Zone's basic premise -- 'that there is a point at which you cross over from the normal to the a******l -- last week was displayed by the Trump White House for all to see. Indeed, Trump's a******l was so prevalent that it's hard to see how he will get back to the natural order of things any time soon.' "

Ricko Loc: Florida

Slatten-its all about timing. Why should Trump be embroiled in a stop-gap 5 month CR battle when the first
Trump budget is due in the Fall. Let us see what the democrat victory laps look like at that time. With a meaningful, HC bill and Tax Reform either passed or close thereto, Trump will be in a better position to allow the democrats to shut-down the government if they so desire. With illegal crossings down over 70% the "wall" is not as urgent a matter as it was. It is amazing what the Border Patrol can do when allowed to enforce i*********n l*ws. Lefties seem to enjoy dwelling on the negative and are the most pessimistic people in America. Trump will be successful in spite of any and every obstacle left- wingers throw in his path. The man is a "doer" vs a "talker" and he is implementing the agenda which got him elected. I applaud him for have the intestinal fortitude to overlook
the lies spread by the democrats and staying focused on the job he needs to do for the country. This is one strong leader and a stark contrast to his "panty waist" predecessor. America First !!!

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

As usual, Ricko, you present a tempered and reasonable response. Thank you.

Time will tell how successful President Trump is to be in his agenda. I wish only the best for our nation.