slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Rick Newman

Donald T***p w*n the presidency in 2016 in part because v**ers perceived his opponent, Hillary Clinton, to be a dishonest, self-dealing phony.

Trump has now pulled off the improbable: He makes Hillary Clinton and her husband Bill look like ethical exemplars, compared with the corruption endemic in Trump’s administration.

Wh**ever you think of Trump, there was legitimacy to his call, back in 2016, to “drain the swamp” and bring fresh blood to Washington. Team Clinton, it turned out, was the perfect foil for Trump, thanks to Hillary Clinton’s six-figure Wall Street speech-making, her shifty explanations for violating government policy by using a private email server, and the money flowing into the Clinton Foundation from shady deal-makers undoubtedly hoping for favors once Hillary ascended to the White House.

How quaint those Clinton controversies seem, compared with the Trump presidency.

Trump’s knifing of American law-enforcement agencies, while on a podium at the Helsinki “summit” with American enemy Vladimir Putin, visibly raised the possibility that Trump might sell out his own country to appease a ruthless dictator who at this moment is working to manipulate the upcoming U.S. e******ns. Trump is now going even further to aid Russian attacks against the United States, by saying Russia is no longer targeting U.S. e******ns. Intelligence officials contradict Trump and say Russia is still at it. The president of the United States is defending a foreign government that’s attacking the United States. Right now.

Before Trump’s capitulation to Putin, the president deserved the benefit of the doubt from rational observers on the question of Russian aid for his 2016 campaign, because there was no public evidence that Trump knowingly solicited or accepted any Russian help. But Trump’s defense of Putin is now evidence in itself. What does Putin have on Trump that would compel the American president to turn on his own country? Everybody wants to know, as Trump might say.

It’s now undeniably clear that Trump puts self above country, self above party and self above v**er. Is Trump’s alliance with Putin an act of self-preservation? Is it personal opportunism? Is Trump doing Putin a favor in exchange for return favors? We don’t know, yet, but if there’s a trail of illegal Russian money in the Trump p**********l campaign, or in Trump’s far-flung business empire, it’s likely that special prosecutor Robert Mueller knows about it, which means the public will, eventually. It’s now obvious why Trump has been trying for months to torpedo Mueller’s investigation, even though Trump claims to have done nothing wrong: If anybody knows the real reason Trump fawns over Putin, it’s Mueller.

Americans expect politicians to be self-serving. Trump doesn’t disappoint. But if you v**ed for Trump as a repudiation of Billary-style greasiness, you got duped. Team Trump is abusing its power in ways Hillary Clinton couldn’t even dream of – perhaps even to cover up crimes by the man elected to run it.

Then there are the more routine forms of corruption. Three Trump Cabinet members have resigned, so far, for abusing the perks of office. Former EPA commissioner Scott Pruitt stayed on the job for months after a vast pattern of grifting emerged, as if Trump saw no problem and was simply waiting for the flap to die down. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, meanwhile, has violated government stock-ownership rules meant to prevent top officials from benefiting from their own policy decisions. It might be an honest mistake, but there’s so much mendacity in the Trump administration that it is time to presume guilt rather than innocence.

Boy Wonder Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and White House factotum, has violated government ethics guidelines by retaining ownership in his family’s real-estate company while working for the government. There’s some evidence Kushner’s privately owned company has already enjoyed favored treatment from lenders and other business partners because of Kushner’s newfound access to power. Kushner had no experience in government before Trump became president, and he’s only at the White House because he fulfills Trump’s loyalty requirement. Competence and capabilities are irrelevant.

The Treasury Department just changed disclosure rules for some political groups in a way that will allow more rich donors to contribute anonymously to organizations that lobby for favored candidates and causes. Just what America needs: more opportunities for powerful people, including foreigners, to secretly manipulate U.S. e******ns. There’s much more, including unqualified companies getting government business because of personal friendships with Trump officials.

Trump has Clintonized the White House, and gone much further. He certainly matches Bill Clinton’s sneaky infidelity, with his porn-star affairs and secret hush payments. Hillary Clinton alienated v**ers by, among other things, shirking responsibility for her mistakes and rarely taking the blame for anything gone wrong. But she was an amateur compared with Trump, who lies every day, calls his own statements “f**e news” and now courts a dictator associated with numerous assassinations. Even the Clinton Foundation, which took money from every opportunist hoping to get an audience with a Clinton, didn’t stoop that low.

This isn’t a defense of Hillary Clinton. She lost the 2016 e******n because of her own arrogance and mistakes. But it’s time for those who thought they were getting something better, in Trump, to realize they were wrong.

sisboombaa

Slat, since you are sharing Rick Newman's opinion, I assume you agree with it. If all politicians cannot be trusted just what are we the v**ers to do? It is disheartening to hear all the negatives without some suggestions of a solution. Do you have any?

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

We're still waiting to talk about the elephant that was in the room in 2016...............................Russian operations against the US. I hear folks say " the v**es were not changed or tampered with ", as though that was the only effort Russia made to screw us up. Even if that WERE the only issue, most States announced that conclusion BEFORE any forensic analysis of their electronic systems was undertaken, and many States have YET to do such an analysis.

To what extent did Russian disinformation campaigns sway American v**ers? Was it purely coincidental that Russian efforts and Trump campaign efforts, targeted the SAME districts at the SAME time in the very districts that gave Trump the E*******l College win? Had the Russians not conducted anti Clinton operations, would she still have lost? There are other questions that need answering, and many of them cannot be answered even if asked, and more importantly, even if some of them ARE answered, nothing much will change - except maybe making Americans a little smarter and less likely to succumb to such actions in the future.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

I have talked to a few friends who v**ed for Trump and now regret it. My feeling is Trump got in over his head by taking on the presidency. He can't do every thing he wants to but he sure puhes toward trying. He never gave up his buisness interests. He has a head full of ideas and right or wrong he wants to try them.He I believe sincerely wants to do a good job for America but his lack of political knowlege really shows.

vernon

Slat, I have a problem with Newmans comparing Trumps ethics with the clintons.The clintons darn near destroyed this country and Obama was helped greatly by clintons 8 yrs in office.Clinton destroyed our doj when he fired every Republican
in the doj.Now we have the most corrupt doj and fbi in the history of America.

Now I realize that Trump is not perfect but he is working for the working people of this country. That is More than I can say
For clinton or Bush or Obama.

But no one knows what was said in the 2 hour meeting. All these reporters who have h**ed Trump from the first day
just jumped on this Press conference and have savaged Trump,with out knowing a thing that went on.

I know we don't agree politically but i think i need to say something when I disagree with your attack.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

I don't necessarily align with the writer in all articles I post, but I somewhat do with this one. Though, to answer your question, I don't sense there is anyone on the current national political scene who could provide a solution for our nation's woes. Until one is found, we simply have to hope for the best with the current administration, even when discouraged. However, this past week has been terribly discouraging for me.

WWII Admiral William Halsey was attributed to stating..."There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with." We need to find that individual to deal with what our nation is now facing. Good luck with that...for, without knowing who he/she might be, IMO at least, that person is most certainly not President Donald J. Trump. But, being that he is who we have at the helm, I continue to hope for the best.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Any opposing political views does not make either of us less a patriot, Vernon. I respect the rights of all posters/citizens to express their views with passion. All we need to ask of one another is civil discourse. Your comments are civil, well stated, and thus welcomed.

Too often on OPP, "We all lose when bullying and personal attacks become a substitute for genuine conversation and principled disagreement."

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

I tend to agree with most of what you state here, Tom.

jimpack123 Loc: wisconsin

If you are talking about the 1 percent yes Trump is working for the working people the corrupt Trump mostly is working for his own selfish interest Wake up and v**e with your head Blue wave in November

Radiance3

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To begin with Rick Newman is a diehard liberal thinker for the clown comedians. Their brains are so left headed, full of lies and denials, that could never understand the righteous and civilized ways of living.

Slatten always defend these kinds of left thinking and presses hard on the right to make it appear that the right is always wrong. I've read all comments of slatten and I never agreed with his mental set of liberalism.

I refrained from getting into his liberal brain until now. I think he is self-conceited, and tried to impress others about his military background. Although I respect and thank for his service, but singing for himself does not impress me.

There are others who have sacrificed most including putting up their lives but never tried to exonerate themselves. But allow others to see the merits of their accomplishments.

Don't sing for yourself to make it known to others. Because the t***h will set you free.

Manning345 Loc: Richmond, Virginia

It is amazing to me that Trump has been able to accomplish so much worthwhile in the face of Congressional, NeverTrump and MSM opposition and outright hostility. It is true that Trump has a tin ear for diplomacy, but what has diplomacy done to get NATO members to meet their obligations? It is unfortunate that Trump made a gaffe on stage with Putin, but who hasn't misspoken, or tangled up a sentence once in a while, especially under pressure? I rate plain speaking above the circumlocutions and hypocrisy of the usual "polished" politician anyway.

It is interesting that many people judge, even prejudge, or simply repeat what others have said about Trump, not for his accomplishments, but for his past and present foibles such as his tweets, and for his leadership against the darker sides of our government. If one rates Trump for his accomplishments, though, he shines, and if one waits for another year or so before making a decision to v**e him into a second term or not, there may well be tremendous reasons to change one's mind in his favor.

jimpack123 Loc: wisconsin

Tell me please what has he done for the working man. the tax cut was for the one percent the middle class gets peanuts. He is a con man a crook and his adminsrtation is full of crooks looking out for the Donald and no one else but -please explain what he has done I am all ears

vernon

Trump has rolled back most of the socialist edicts that were holding the economy back for 8 yrs.Now if you are right about Trump not doing anything That means he just did away with the problem which was holding back the economy.Now that proves Obama
was at fault for the slow economy.He took a 3 month recassion and turned it into a 8 yr recession and darn near a depression.

jimpack123 Loc: wisconsin

But his tariffs are doing the same thing as the things he rolled back one step forward and two steps back but I will give you that one his spending is terrible thou

Radiance3

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Almost every human being is working now with the 3.8% unemployed. There are about 608 thousand jobs available waiting for qualified applicants.
Tax cuts for the low income is now taking effect. Corporate tax cuts are now showing positive effects.
How?
** When more people work, they are able to provide the supply and demand.
**More demands mean more revenue and profits to businesses thus businesses pay more taxes.
** More people working means these people now are taxpayers, instead of handouts during the Obama years. During Obama, taxpayers spend hundreds of billions of dollars to feed these people.
** Now we collect more taxes as a result because most people work.
** Fact is president Trump has been able to reduce $1 trillion of budget deficits during his 18 months of his administration.
**Our stock market is roaring high. The 501k retirement of workers are also soaring high.
**Most Muslim extremist are eliminated. Most Drug Cartels are stopped, and criminal i******s reduced.
**More Us companies are coming back to the US. Thus providing more employment and our US Treasury collect taxes when their business operation returns home.
** More benefits will show up by year-end when taxes are finalized both corporate and individual.
** President Trump appointed brilliant and constitutional SCOTUS.
** President Trump is trying to motivate Russia with a peace agreement to save our planet and for saving millions of people. This follows what God ordered his people. "Love one another as I have loved you"
And God in Genesis " Be fruitful and replenish the earth." As people get old and die new ones come in. Genesis 1:28
**President Trump asserted his authority when convinced NATO members comply with the 2% agreement which they have breached for a number of years. Now NATO will be more solvent as the members provide their fair share.

During the democrat administration these were their accomplishments.
Of course the drug addicts, MS 13 gangster, and B*M are not qualified. Their brains are so screwed up, could not handle any productive ways except k*****g and duping their brains. These are cultivated and protected by democrats. E.g. Democrats protect the Sanctuary cities where these criminals are hidden, and by inviting more illegal drug dealers come to America.
Democrats invited 23 million i******s costing us taxpayers more than $116 billion annually not including all the drugs they poison our people.
Democrats invited millions of Muslims including radicals and ISIS, with their main objective, to make the US for Islam, that Obama called religion of peace.

Their masterpiece are lying and corruptions. Very smart they called that.
Liberals prefer handouts. And complain to protect their baby k*****g.