President-elect Donald Trump is going to be an unconventional president as he was an unconventional presidential candidate. Trump has now turned his Twitter account against two of the largest defense contractors – Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Both are reeling and the defense industry in general must be nervous.
On December 6, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump Tweeted, "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Boeing stock immediately dipped after Trump’s Tweet and Boeing’s Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg arranged for a call with Trump.
On December 9, 2016 Trump Tweeted, “The F-35 program and cost is out of control.” Since then Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force have been jumping through hoops to mitigate any potential immediate damage and begun building their case to present to a newly empowered Trump Administration.
Liberty Takes Effort is a blog for the discussion of current national, state, and regional issues while relying on the wisdom of the founders of our nation.
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Buy on AmazonRussian hacking - misplaced outrage
Much of the media is repeating Washington Post reporting that alleges Russia tried to help Donald Trump win the 2016 Presidential election. As is the standard for our time this issue too has been politicized with Democrats screaming outrage and Republicans skepticism. The average citizen doesn’t know what to think, but may better be advised to focus their outrage not at Russia, but at U.S. officials that move the country toward greater and greater digital dependence while failing to protect critical infrastructure, financial, economic, and government systems from hacking, cyber theft, and cyber attacks.
The Washington Post reported on December 9, 2016 that a “Secret CIA assessment says Russia was trying to help Trump win White House.” As the principle drafter of a major National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) for the Intelligence Community while temporarily assigned to the CIA I have detailed personal knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Intelligence Assessments. I am skeptical of the Washington Post report conclusions, but I am not surprised that the Russians may have hacked the DNC.
The real issue that should spark outrage throughout the citizenry is the fact that systematic hacking of critical U.S. systems has been rampant for decades. Our government and political leaders speak of it as if it is inevitable and we are powerless to do anything about it except complain about it when it suits a political purpose.
The Washington Post reported on December 9, 2016 that a “Secret CIA assessment says Russia was trying to help Trump win White House.” As the principle drafter of a major National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) for the Intelligence Community while temporarily assigned to the CIA I have detailed personal knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Intelligence Assessments. I am skeptical of the Washington Post report conclusions, but I am not surprised that the Russians may have hacked the DNC.
The real issue that should spark outrage throughout the citizenry is the fact that systematic hacking of critical U.S. systems has been rampant for decades. Our government and political leaders speak of it as if it is inevitable and we are powerless to do anything about it except complain about it when it suits a political purpose.
Hillary is ahead by 2.5 million votes - so what
Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. Hillary Clinton lost. Many who are dissatisfied with the outcome are latching on to immaterial and irrelevant efforts and discussions that will not or cannot change that fact.
One theme says it is unfair or even immoral that Clinton won the national popular vote yet Trump won the election. Memes appear on social media as Clinton’s national popular vote tally increases to near 2.5 million. The disgruntled anxiously await the next tally announcement. The press continues to report the count in daily headlines as if it means something to the election. It does not.
The United States of America was founded as a representative republic under a federalist system - NOT A DEMOCRACY. The sovereign states joined in a federation under specific rules embodied in the Constitution.
One theme says it is unfair or even immoral that Clinton won the national popular vote yet Trump won the election. Memes appear on social media as Clinton’s national popular vote tally increases to near 2.5 million. The disgruntled anxiously await the next tally announcement. The press continues to report the count in daily headlines as if it means something to the election. It does not.
The United States of America was founded as a representative republic under a federalist system - NOT A DEMOCRACY. The sovereign states joined in a federation under specific rules embodied in the Constitution.
Don't get in the way of the pendulum!
The surprise result in the 2016 presidential election was driven by a large segment of the citizenry feeling overlooked, ignored, and insulted by the political and media establishment. The powers-that-be are shocked and surprised, but the common citizen once again demonstrated that power originates from the people. Our constitution and its framers continue to inspire awe.
Hillary Clinton wished President-elect Trump success and told her supporters they “owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.” President Obama, while announcing he had invited Trump for a meeting at the White House said, “the peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our republic” and committed to an orderly and professional transition such as he received from George W. Bush. Again, the power of our democracy is awe inspiring.
Many are not happy with the outcome of the election. Their values and expectations for the direction of the country have been disrupted. Understandably, they are disappointed. But to expect one’s views and preferences to dominate uninterrupted in a democracy is foolhardy.
Hillary Clinton wished President-elect Trump success and told her supporters they “owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.” President Obama, while announcing he had invited Trump for a meeting at the White House said, “the peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our republic” and committed to an orderly and professional transition such as he received from George W. Bush. Again, the power of our democracy is awe inspiring.
Many are not happy with the outcome of the election. Their values and expectations for the direction of the country have been disrupted. Understandably, they are disappointed. But to expect one’s views and preferences to dominate uninterrupted in a democracy is foolhardy.
My Vote - fight consolidated power
The 2016 Presidential Election is upon us. The three presidential debates are over. It is time to make a decision.
Never before have I expended so much energy in making a decision about my vote. Faced with two very flawed candidates from the two major parties the decision is more difficult, and the ramifications more profound than in previous elections. Simple impulses to vote for the person one dislikes least or because a historical barrier will be broken are not adequate in this election.
I believe that the greatest threat to our nation at this point in its history is consolidated power.
Powerful moneyed elites and international corporations drive choices, two parties entrenched in power for 160 years are beholden to them and completely disconnected from the common citizen, federal Executive powers expand unchecked, a massive entrenched bureaucracy has become a power unto itself, corporate media is the handmaiden of powerful interests rather than the watchdog, and digital-age companies are unchecked as they increase power greater than the industrialists and financiers of the Robber Baron era of the late 19th Century.
Never before have I expended so much energy in making a decision about my vote. Faced with two very flawed candidates from the two major parties the decision is more difficult, and the ramifications more profound than in previous elections. Simple impulses to vote for the person one dislikes least or because a historical barrier will be broken are not adequate in this election.
I believe that the greatest threat to our nation at this point in its history is consolidated power.
Powerful moneyed elites and international corporations drive choices, two parties entrenched in power for 160 years are beholden to them and completely disconnected from the common citizen, federal Executive powers expand unchecked, a massive entrenched bureaucracy has become a power unto itself, corporate media is the handmaiden of powerful interests rather than the watchdog, and digital-age companies are unchecked as they increase power greater than the industrialists and financiers of the Robber Baron era of the late 19th Century.
The elections of 2016 and 1852
The two very flawed presidential candidates presented as nominees in 2016 result from a divisive two-party system that is long overdue for tumultuous change. That change is likely to occur over the next two or three presidential election cycles and may result in a major political party realignment such as occurred in the period 1852-1860.
The Democratic and Republican Parties have dominated the political process of the United States for over 160 years. Two-party dominance over such a long period has resulted in a political system unresponsive to the needs, concerns, or desires of most citizens. Despite the warnings of George Washington and others to avoid factions, the success of the Democratic and Republican Parties is now largely dependent upon the creation of factions and the exploitation of division.
The Democratic and Republican duopoly is not mandated by the Constitution. These two parties can be replaced by two others – or three, or four. If both do not wake up and begin to focus on solving the problems of citizens of the United States in a manner acceptable to a broad consensus majority - they deserve to be replaced.
The Democratic and Republican Parties have dominated the political process of the United States for over 160 years. Two-party dominance over such a long period has resulted in a political system unresponsive to the needs, concerns, or desires of most citizens. Despite the warnings of George Washington and others to avoid factions, the success of the Democratic and Republican Parties is now largely dependent upon the creation of factions and the exploitation of division.
The Democratic and Republican duopoly is not mandated by the Constitution. These two parties can be replaced by two others – or three, or four. If both do not wake up and begin to focus on solving the problems of citizens of the United States in a manner acceptable to a broad consensus majority - they deserve to be replaced.
Freedom From the Press
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a state dinner at the White House on October 18, 2016. The Italian Prime Minister was the guest of honor. George Stephanopoulos and his wife were pictured at the event. The full guest list of the White House state dinner revealed a half dozen other media attendees from NBC, MSNBC, and NPR.
For those who have forgotten or are not old enough to remember, George Stephanopoulos was the Communications Director for Bill Clinton’s first presidential bid. After Clinton’s election he became White House Communications Director. Later in the Clinton Administration he was made Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. He left the Clinton Administration in 1997 to join ABC News as a political commentator.
Stephanopoulos now sits as the most important personality in the “news” division at ABC. He hosts two of the networks three major news and information programs - Good Morning America and ABC’s Sunday Morning This Week - and held titles of ABC’s Chief Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent.
For those who have forgotten or are not old enough to remember, George Stephanopoulos was the Communications Director for Bill Clinton’s first presidential bid. After Clinton’s election he became White House Communications Director. Later in the Clinton Administration he was made Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. He left the Clinton Administration in 1997 to join ABC News as a political commentator.
Stephanopoulos now sits as the most important personality in the “news” division at ABC. He hosts two of the networks three major news and information programs - Good Morning America and ABC’s Sunday Morning This Week - and held titles of ABC’s Chief Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent.
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