Just Plain WRONG

Trump praises Putin and criticizes POTUS and dismisses the CIA and FBI.  Trump is wrong.  This goes so far beyond disrespect and taking yet another step in presenting the United States as in chaos.  This follows Trump's weighing in on the UN resolution and subsequent fall out. 
The concept of one President not in Trump's wheelhouse..  It is one thing to forge new ground but trump is ruining the reputation of the USA on the international stage.  Who on the entire planet would think that Trump has a handle on what he's doing? 
Trump's repeated statements that nobody knows what is going on undermines credibility of the entire USA.  Does he think he knows what is going on?  What is he going to say after January 20?  He ahs lied so extensively - I focus for the moment on hhis statements that he won by a landslide and how much Clinton lost by, and that he would have won the popular vote except for the "million of illegal voters".
Most importantly, what does Trump think he gains by his behavior?  Is it the tactic of a forward thinking international chess player planning the next step or is it a spontaneous flippant quip of a egocentric personality?  Who knows. 
Will anyone ever be able to trust anything Trump says when he is President?
Terrifying

Cult of Personality

Get used to it.
Trump "announced" the return to the USA of 5000 jobs by Sprint.  He declared that this was because now there is hope.
In fact, this return of jobs was apparently planned in July, thereby having nothing to do with Trump.  The Japanese head of Sprint may have let Trump announce the job return because Sprint wants to merge with TMobile and has been blocked as anti-competitive.  So Sprint has every reason to curry favor with Trump.
Trump knows how to use publicity to his own interest.  Trump has talked publicly about Boeing, Lockheed and Carrier.  Now Sprint. 
Regarding Sprint, Trump did nothing to get these 5000 jobs to the US.  It was Indiana that put up $7 million to keep some carrier jobs in Indiana - and Carrier is still sending some jobs to Mexico. 
So, first of all, Trump is definitely taking credit for the work of others.  Is that lying?  Misrepresenting?
And, of more concern, is the paradigm of Trump's dealing with individual corporations on very small unique deals.  Is there quid pro quo?  Do these corporations expect favorable decisions in return?  Is that anti-competitive toward the competitors of these favored companies?  Should Carrier's competitors also be given $7 million?  Should the Trump administration permit the Sprint TMobile merger?
This is no way to run a country.  Well, maybe a banana republic.

Kerry & Israel

Secretary Kerry spoke with great passion for over an hour.  A passion for a realistic peace.  Even more, a lesson for President-elect Trump.  We can be sure that Trump has listened to those who donated to his campaign, including Sheldon Adelson and David Freidman, the latter who is now designated to be the US Ambassador to Israel.  However, does anyone have any confidence that Trump has explored the details of the longstanding issues involved in the Israeli-Palestinian efforts to live in one space? Has Trump listened to all sides of this issue?  Who knows.  At least Secretary Kerry just provided a thorough education if President-elect Trump listened.

Transition

Trump just tweeted that the concept of a smooth transition is not happening and laying the blame on President Obama.  President Obama tried.  But the President-elect Trump has gone out of his way to take steps that at a minimum contradict the current President or at worst interfere with the current governing process, which includes everything from contacting the Taiwanese leader to generally declaring positions that will change upon his taking the oath of office.  Not to mention his vague tweeting that leads to fears about nuclear proliferation, undermining the UN and leaving the relationship with China in doubt.

This tweeting is not an appropriate way to express views and positions that remain unclear.  The long standing tradition of communicating via the mainstream media with a press secretary and press conferences allows for more accurate clear communication.  Not to mention that the USA has one President at a time and Trump doesn't care about that anymore than he cares about stability both domestically and internationally.  Everything is personal to Trump.  This time it's a zinger against the President - wait until he is President and the zinger is against the Chinese premier.  Terrifying.

It is high time that President Obama stand firm on his views and continue acting upon them while he is President.  A beginning for the political response to the coming Trump Presidency from the Democratic Party.

American Cancer Society

I have been seeing endless tv ads for the American Cancer Society over recent weeks, endlessly!  My guess is that these are paid ads, not PSA's, since these ads recur so frequently.  In any case, I decided to take a look at their financials.  Here's what I discovered through the reliable charity evaluator, Guidestar:
Assets $1,893,983,000 (almost $@ trillion!)
Expenses:
Administration $48,606,000
Fund Raising $177,011,000
Program Services $631,708,000
Add fund raising and administration and the total is $225,617,000 while program services are $631,708,000.  It doesn't look like much is going to services.  I think there are many other organizations both fighting cancer and supporting patients. 
My advice - look closer where you donate and don't get sucked in by glitzy endless sentimental ads.  Do some research and make sure you get your money's worth when you contribute!

Terrorism

Trump is no better than a terrorist with words.  He is vindictive and against peace.  No wonder he appeals to angry white men - he is one.  He is going to launch World War 3 - he doesn't know history nor understand the art of diplomacy.  remember, his art of the deal brought him and his companies into bankruptcy as many as eight times.  Fighting terrorism and international relations are not games. His words have meaning.  Take away his twitter and nuclear codes before he gets us all killed.
What a sad situation for us to be facing at this time of light and peace and a new year.  very bleak and terrifying.

Speechless

Trump says "let there be an arms race." i'm ready to cry - this is beyond terrifying. Where will he get the $$ to destroy the planet? reducing Social security, medicare and Medicaid. And ending healthcare coverage via Obamacare for 26+ million people. TIME FOR SANE PEOPLE TO ORGANIZE AND STAND STRONG

So Far Gone

Trump tweeted about expanding nukes, is appointing a radical right winger as Ambassador to Israel and now Trump is opposing President Obama's decisions on US position on UN resolutions.  Trump is out of control, not following the long standing American tradition of ONE PRESIDENT AT A TIME.  He is WAR MONGERING at the most dangerous level.
TERRIFYING.
TIME TO UNITE

Total Sleaze

Or totally unethical.  Carl Icahn, hedge fund megamillion investor, is now designated to advise the future President on regulatory matters.  Icahn is known to oppose regulations and he is invested in transportation and energy among other stock areas.  As unpaid, informal advisor, he won't have to divest!  HE WILL BE ADVISING ON HOW HIS HOLDINGS WILL GAIN MONEY.  THE RISH GET RICHER.
There is no way that the middle class who voted for Trump anticipated this.  Many Trump voters never expected him to actually repeal Obamacare and take away their health insurance - the press has been interviewing numerous Trump voters to reach this conclusion about their view of Obamacare.
There is nothing in what we can see in the Trump administration that would help the middle class.

Lies Continue

After the berlin tragedy, Trump declared this was an attack on Christians.  Today, he was actually nabbed by the press and, in answer to aa shouted question about that claim of attack directed at Christians, he replied, "who said that?"  Who? It was him!  Instead, today, he said it was an attack "on humanity".  Doesn't he remember what he said? doesn't he care? Did someone tell him it was not the right way to characterize the attack?  Or did he just lie again?
Eventually, his lying, off the cuff comments, or whatever he thinks he is saying, is going to get the nation into diplomatic disasters.

No Excuses

The talk of changing the election result through the Electoral College hangs its legitimacy on the issue of Russian hacking.  No such excuse is needed.  First of all, Hillary Clinton won the popular for by almost 3 million votes!
And ultimately, Trump is incompetent to be President.  His campaign was based on an array of lies.  His proposed cabinet is radically conservative, contrary to views of the vast majority of American positions, Republican and Democrats alike.  Then there is the unknown - Trump's never revealed tax filings, his business dealings, including his international indebtedness, the proposed involvement of his family in government and the Trump businesses.  Finally, there is his lack of foreign policy knowledge and experience.  He is openly attracted to Putin and Russia -  maybe based on debts owed to them - and he has openly stated that he does not get daily intelligence briefings and he does not trust the CIA.
Just now, I read that Russian official news media are expressing concerns that anti-Trump elements in the USA was to stage a coup d'état!  So Russia is openly meddling in the final stages of the SU election.  So Russia shows more evidence of their pro-Trump position.
We don't need the excuse of Russian hacking. 
Trump is incompetent and will present a danger to world stability in every way imaginable.

The Red Line

December 19, 2016

I just heard a talking head , formerly affiliated with Senator Rand Paul, talking about "The Red Line."  Meaning of course Obama's red line posed over the use of Asad's chemical weapons in Syria - presenting that declaration and not following through on it - as a major sign of how the USA is no longer the power in the world and the world is turning inward and de-stabilizing.  John McCain also talked about how the USA has not presented a position of strength.  Others are saying that bck in October, Obama did not make enough of  the Russian hacking - even though he did speak personally to Putin about it and did publicize it.

Do you see a trend?  I do - let's blame Obama! Another result of this phoney thinking is to encourage Trump's saber rattling with China.  Where this leads us on Russia since Trump and Tillerson are in love with Putin.

Could you imagine what Trump would have said in his rallies if Obama had been more forceful?  Trump already said that the election was rigged.  And the media made headlines of the content of the WikiLeak products of the hacks, all against Hillary Clinton,  while not pointing out that the content was the result of Russian hacking.

And "The Red Line".  Were the American people willing to enter another war?  Was the American budget deficit to assume that responsibility?  While at the same time taking on another instance of nation building.  Oh, and by the way, fighting Russia?

Puh-lease! 

Is this a way to blame Obama and validate the Trump nonsense?

Trump Revises Constitution's Intent

Yes, Trump has decided that the reason the Founding Fathers designed the Electoral College was to prevent Americans for staying in Boston or some other coastal location (I can't remember which one).  To lie about the basis of our Constitution is just another frightening lie.  The Electoral College was included because the Founding Fathers did not think that the common man (no women voted at all of course) could be trusted.  Trump has attributed his lie because it fits his victory - that he won the popular vote in the middle section of the country.  Of course, it's ironic because those states are OVER represented in the Electoral college relative to their populations.  The most UNDER represented state in the Electoral College relative to its population is California!

WOW

so many aspects of the Russian hack.  Former Ambassador Michael McFaul, a super top expert on Russia, says that it would feed into the Russian hands to somehow de-legitimize the recent election, that in fact, we must accept the result and move on.
A new point that astounds me even further than Trump's refusal to acknowledge the accuracy of the CIA conclusion that it was Russia, if that's possible.   That point is that some republicans re saying the hacking was okay because it revealed the "horrible" things about Hillary Clinton.  WHAT?!?
Republicans are supporting Russian hacking!  President-elect does not accept CIA work product.
Insanity prevails, no it's treason.  A question is raised - did any Republican or Trump official support help Russia?

New Evidence

NBC News has discovered from CIA sources that Putin was aware of the hacking of Democrats and probably directed its distribution.  That is provocative enough to warrant sanctions or, in earlier times - think of the immediate provocation of World War I, ie, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand - war. 
Equally provocative is Trumps' response to disbelieve the CIA, along with refusing his daily intelligence briefings.  He stated that the CIA doesn't know who hacked the Democrats and he's a smart person who doesn't need daily briefings.
Anyone with sense would want to know the truth and the facts, especially since his Presidency could be tainted by the belief that the Russians hacked to gain Trump a win.  But no, he would rather provide the disinformation, read LIE,  that no one really knows.  Maybe he would know if he took his daily briefings.
Another point I have not yet ranted about is this - despite the dedication, knowledge and skill of the US professional government intelligence community, a general principle is that when some material is developed and left on the cutting room floor, eventually that material is not produced.  Well, since we cannot rely on the incoming President, we can only pray that the intelligence apparatus maintains their high standard.
Finally, remember that Trump ahs announced his personal failings for the entire world - Russia, China, ISISS, you name it.  He ahs just told the world that he is an irresponsible fool.
If this isn't enough evidence for the Electoral College to their task as conceptualized by alexander Hamilton.

So True!

http://www.teenvogue.com/story/donald-trump-is-gaslighting-America

An op-ed in teen Vogue is so correct, it should terrify every American.  On the day that the GOP revealed a plan to gut Social Security as we know it.  Here's the thing - Trump may eventually be defeated or impeached - will he take the Republican Party with him?  Time for Republicans to stand up and be counted - if only to preserve the two party system.

Unpredictable, Jim Cramer

Trump said he would be unpredictable and he is.  Today's tweet is about the Lockheed Martin cost overrun for the F-35.  Trump says he won't pay it.  Watch Lockheed's stock price drop today. 

Jim Cramer, CNBC guru whose words I respect, is apoplectic.  Why?  Trump has never paid his bills and loads of vendors said so during the campaign, it was well known that he declared bankruptcy about five times and he said, during the campaign that he might support the USA simply not paying its debt.

Cramer has been on this jag -"Trump Stock or Not a Trump Stock".  Wrong, Jim.  The right advice now is take your profits.  The USA is in for a wild ride - either Trump will create economic chaos with his policies and tweets or there will be financial instability as the country fights out impeachment.  Take your choice.

How Soon?

How long will it take before Trump is impeached?  I give it less than a year.

Trump is Playing the USA into an Alternate Universe

I honestly feel like I'm living in an alternate universe.  This is no longer a partisan political issues.  Trump says he is "like, a smart person."  Ergo, he has told the daily intelligence briefers to let him know if something changes!!!!!  He says he doesn't need to be told the same thing every day.

He doesn't believe the CIA's statement that Russia was behind the hacks with the goal of electing Trump.  Trump doesn't believe the CIA and suggests the Democrats are behind the revelation.  Trump said the hacks could be China, could be a guy on his bed in New Jersey.  Making his refusal to accept CIA's statement even more troubling - insane, really - is the myriad ties to Russia by Manfort and his Secretary of state nominee and his many favorable comments on Russia. 

Trump also declares his victory was a landslide, the greatest in US history.  WHAT?  Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by 2.8 million.  Think about the elections of Reagan and  the Goldwater loss.  Trump either doesn't know history or he lies, or both.

Our national security and personal safety will be in this man's hands.  Along with an array of nominees that is truly bizarre, maybe excepting Genral Mattis and Representative Mike Pompeo.  And a couple appointees not requiring confirmation who maybe worse yet, ie, Bannon and Flynn.

Terrifying.

James Comey Worse Yet

Joy Reid interviewed Senator Harry Reid  who revealed that Comey, FBI Director, knew about the CIA conclusion that Russia was influencing the election for Trump's win!  This takes my breath away.  Comey is the same person whose announcements about Clinton emails just before the election had impact. 
This election is so flawed. 
The USA is in the hands of the Electoral College electors.  If the electors fail, the country will face impeachment proceedings sooner rather than later.

Trump is for Trump

How far can the disrespect go?  Washington Post reveals that the CIA learned that not only did Russia engage in hacking, but that they did so with the specific objective of electing Donald Trump.  Trump's response?  A snide statement that the CIA is the organization that said Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.  So Trump doesn't believe the CIA.  Excellent point of view for the future President ho will rely on the CIA for the information to guide his decisions.  (note the sarcasm, please).  This is the same future President who has had only four of the daily intelligence briefings since the election.  This does not indicate someone prepared to be the ultimate authority and decision maker of the federal government - to put it mildly.

Meanwhile, he told his rally that he no longer needed their votes and when the audience chanted "lock her up", Trump replied "we don't care about that anymore".  So much for his followers.  Which explains why there are three people who worked for Goldman Sachs (remember his accusations against Clinton for her speeches) and an array of millionaires and billionaires who funded his campaign and who are generally opposed to the missions of the cabinet  departments they are appointed to lead.  Huh?

Bottom line - Trump is for Trump.  When he reveals his plan for control of his businesses on December 15, the best choice will be to withdraw from the electoral process.  He is is without a foundation, without a compass of any sort to guide him through the process of governing.

Worth Noting

Hillary Clinton's popular vote lead has now surpassed 2.8 million.  Ahd the CIA reports that Russia was behind an effort to elect Donald Trump.  So way is Trump creating the most extremely conservative administration I can even imagine?  And, with Trump denying Russian involvement, now we are hearing that Trump is seriously considering the Exon CEO, with agreements in place with Russia, for secretary of State.
NOW will the Electoral College come to its senses and become patriots?

It's Time

It's time for Democrats to stop talking about the racism of the Trump campaign, despite that very valid  point.  It's time for Democrats to start fighting the Trump cabinet appointments.  See my December 8 Daily Commentary that lists the nominees.  Their known positions could destroy the fabric of this country.

WELCOME!

I have been commenting on politics and news for months, starting with the recent Presidential campaign.  My point of view is to look at current news and attempt to distinguish between facts and fiction and also to communicate sensible comments on the absurdity of  politics today.

Americans are very polarized in their views and that polarization has been encouraged by politicians, particularly politicians in the Republican Party, for their own end.  I point to Senator Mitch McConnell who declared his goal to make President Obama a one term President back in 2008.  It is my belief that McConnell simply found the vulnerability of President Obama that he could tweak  - the racism in America that we all know reacted to an African American in the White House.  We could go back further and look at the impeachment of President Clinton.  Again, Republicans found the vulnerability of a successful President and took it as far as they could.

Simple fact - Republicans obstruct and Democrats compromise.  Republicans in Congress stonewalled every reasonable action put forward by democrats, culminating in their refusal to confirm President Obama's moderate Supreme Court nominee.  Republicans obstructed and then blamed the Democrats for inaction.  Huh?  Republicans want to go back to values and attitudes of a time that doesn't exist anymore while Democrats try to move the country into the twenty-first century.  It seems that the Republican Party's main value is power, while Democrats value is reason. 

Donald Trump won by promising a return to employment in industries that are dying or dead and by stoking all manner of fear and prejudice.  Actually, I predict that Trump will either decide to resign when the realities of governing confront him or he will be impeached.  Either way, we will simply face a new President who is just as frightening, maybe moreso because he is the ultimate conservative ideologue while Trump's values remain unclear.

So, I continue my blog as the Democratic Party confronts years of reactionary policies.  Please check out my pages, especially my effort to call out the many lies that are sure to continue.

Here's a sample of my take on Trump's Lies.  He declared that millions of illegals voted for Hillary Clinton.  Wow.  He scored big with that one - a two-fer of points for Trump - he manages to dismiss Clinton's 2.7 million vote popular win AND, as a bonus, casts further distress about undocumented immigrants.  Now here is a great lie - it manages to serve two purposes at once!   What a bonus!

CNN Van Jones

Usually, I have been impressed with Van Jones' journalism.  Last night, his special on the election postmortem left me angry and offended.  It is too soon for this as all sides remain raw and hurt.

His representives of the Republican and Democratic positions were uneven choices.  Former Senator Rick Santorum of PA is definitely a conservative, known for his fanatical pro life position.  He defended Trump positions down the line, while denying the radical statements that trump made while campaigning.  Maybe he's looking for a job - I'm sure their are many positions, perhaps below cabinet level, available.  Award winning film maker, Michael Moore, represented the Democratic position.  But Moore focused on his mantra over past months - the serious issue in the heartland, the loss of jobs in the rust belt, and how the Democrats missed that point.  The third rep, whose name I missed, was a Republican Latina who voted for Hillary Clinton and argued that the Republican Party needs to accept people of diverse views on issues like LGBT rights.

Efforts to talk about race were extraordinary examples of denial of truth.  The enormous hole in the discussion was total absence of the discussion of sexism.

The fact is that in 3 critical states, Trump won by about 100,000 votes.  Clinton won the popular vote by 2.7 million votes.  If no patriots come forward to change the result of the Electoral college, Trump will be President in January.  So be it. 

BUT the current discussion should be about how to bring both sides together - in the middle, where the collective body politic is located.  Trump's staff and cabinet selections take no account of the facts of the election and Kellyanne Conway's statement, "Hashtag, we won," sums up the Trump position.  Do not ask me to accommodate anything coming from the Republicans right now.  I ask Democrats in Congress - make the most of confirmation hearings and point out as firmly as possible the problems Trump is creating.

FACTS

Hours before Trump declared the new Air Force One from Boeing as too expensive at $4 billion, Boeing confirmed that they are under contract for $1.7 million for design of Air Force One, targeted for completion in 2024.  At best, $4 billion is an estimate.  News outlets are reporting the Boeing CEO's public statement hours earlier in which he pointed out the vast segment of their plane construction and delivery goes overseas and criticized Trump's advocacy of  tariffs, particularly mentioning China.
At best, this is a disturbing example of Trump micromanaging and fudging facts, if not lying.

I plan to open separate page on this blog that will be devoted to lies in the news, particularly lies by Trump. 

Truth, Please!

Trump tweeted and then said in person that $4 billion was too expensive for a new Air Force One.  David Faber, on CNBC, who ahs amazing amounts of information at his fingertips, declared that the most recent public information was a cost of one million and change for 2 new Air Force One planes.  He was unable to get a clarification from Boeing so far. 
Surely Trump knows that Air Force One is a moving secure Oval Office.  Let's look closely at the costs - security, development programs involved, number of planes, cost overruns, agreed upon initial costs, etc. 
These glib pronouncements continue to undermine faith in government.  How can this be combtted when glib pronouncements, if not lies, pour forth?
Where is the truth? 

Secretary of State

This "search" is a joke.  The position is too important for the search to be a very public game.  The "game" includes many candidates of vastly different views, coupled with the supposition that interviews of some of these candidates were Trump's efforts to elicit groveling from his former opponents.  Think Romney, who talked the talk, probably because he is willing to serve his country, even to the point of practically humiliating himself.  While all the opinions of these candidates might be valuable to this very needy President-elect, but plying the guessing game is nonsense.
It is likely that whoever is now selected will have less gravitas, less authority than a selection chosen without this very public game. 
Come to think, this is also a way for the President-elect to retain his own position of power and authority.  How will any Secretary of State in a Trump administration be able to negotiate anything?  Now that is w Trump really wants!

YIPPEE!!

There's hope. Joe Biden is considering running for President in 2020.  It can't come soon enough!  Joe would have crushed Trump.  He still can.

Trying to Catch Air

Trump takes a phone call and then says it's no big deal, Taiwan just called  for congratulations.  Public and press get upset, Trump spokespersons downplay the implications of the phone call and then Trump tweets enumerating serious issues that he has with China's policies and then VP-Elect Pence and Trump surrogates say it's just a Trump response to those distressed by his phone call and he supports the One China policy.
Isn't it reasonable to be confused?  What does Trump want?  Just this - keep everyone guessing.  After all, he said during the campaign that he liked being unpredictable.  well, here it is in action.  And at best, this is an inappropriate way to conduct foreign policy, worse, it's terrifying.

Unintended Consequences

I think it was General Colin Powell who reminded us about unintended consequences when George Bush contemplated the second Iraq war.  Those words haunt to this day.  And Trump seems ready to pursue unintended consequences with China.  Initilly, he tweets that there was nothing in the Taiwan phone call - he said they called him, implying what's the big deal.  A couple days later, he tweets about the problems that he finds with China and e learn that the Taiwan call was  in the works for a while.
China reacted by blaming Taiwan for the call.  This is just as dangerous as if China actually confronted Trump, who is, thankfully, not yet, the American government representative.  China could easily gobble up Taiwan - one little island against a nation that is a continent of how many people?
What happens then?  Do we take on China militarily over Taiwan?  Then there is always the issue of American debt held by China and North Korea.  And does Trump want American shoppers paying a 35% premium due to the tariffs he wants to impose?
I don't think Trump has ever played chess.

Some Day

Currently, it serves Trump's interest to be both the President-elect and to be seen as inexperienced, unprepared, etc.  He can tweak China with Taiwan and test their response.  China was quite gentle in their response.  Then, Trump tweets about China's alleged positions and affronts to the USA.  This tweet tells us that Trump seemed to know what he was doing with the Taiwan phone call. 

Any way you look t this, Trump is heading down a dangerous path.  The most important issues with China are  North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the US debt held by China.  Taiwan and trade phoney ways to appease Trump's voters.  The debt is a huge issue and has potential to interfere his plan with rebuilding the infrastructure.  Tweeting will prevent effective diplomatic relations with China. 

Diplomacy by tweet is dangerous, short sighted, rude and just plain wrong.

Aha!

I think I figured it out.  Rep Tom Price for Health & Human Services.  Of course.  VP-Elect Pence is in charge of the transition team.  That pick is Pence's choice.  Whether Trump said, do your thing, I don't care or, simply, it's your call, or I owe you one, or I'm too busy focusing on the economy and foreign affairs or working on pay back to the people who trashed me -whatever - this is Pence's choice.  Fro whatever this possible insight is worth.  Does Trump even realize the potential impact of this appointment on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security?

My Opinion

Pundits have been parsing whether Trump knew what was involved in the Chin-Taiwan-USA when he participated in the phone call from the Taiwan president.  Then the pundits sited the calls to the leaders of Pakistan and the Philippines.  It has been reported that Trump is not taking the daily intelligence briefings that are offered nor has he consulted with the department of State.  Meanwhile, Kelly Ann Conway states that Trump is getting the necessary advice about international diplomacy.
None of the above matters.  What is very clear is that Trump does what he feels like with disregard for the ramifications. 
He said in the campaign that he wanted to my unpredictable.  He is doing just that.
My conclusion is that he is doing what any child, especially any spoiled child does - test.  Trump just does stuff, seemingly saying, let's see what happens.  With the Taiwan call, when there is a "kerfluffle", he tweets that the Taiwan president called him.  This is a typical child's response to a fuss - he started it!
I don't think Trump cares about the details of history and diplomacy.  He just throws it out there  and waits to see what will happen.  Utterly terrifying in a President.

Impeachment

I am curious as to how long everyone thinks it will take for Trump to get impeached.  I remember the Republicans who held hearings that were heading toward the Nixon impeachment before he resigned.  "What did he know and when did he know it?"  Remember that?
I wonder what the issue will be - his conflicts of interest? his military stances led by the generals?  his diplomatic mistakes? - and when it will happen.  I'm inclined to expect it after the midterms in 2018 and a result of his actions as President, not his conflicts of interest.  I wonder what will drive the Republicans over the edge.  Maybe interest on the debt or its repayment.
Or will he do something so illegal it can't be ignored?

Trump is over the edge

Trump spoke to the President of Taiwan - the first contact by an American President or President-elect in about 40 years.  Thereby he contradicted the American policy toward China for the past 40 years.  Mainland China maintains that they are the one and only China and the American position accepts that position.  China is a major trading partner and holds countless amounts of American government debt.
It is reported that Trump has not accepted the daily intelligence briefings nor has he consulted with the US Department of State.  So why did Trump take this action?  Why did he tell the President of Pakistan that he (the President of Pakistan) was great?
Why is Trump doing these things?  Either he is simply stupid, choosing to take positions contrary to long standing positions of the US government, listening to someone who wants to destabilize American foreign relations.  Is he trying to undermine Obama and the sitting US government?  He can't wait to screw it up until he is sworn in?  reporters say that John Bolton was visiting Trump today.  Did he listen to this radical out of the mainstream voice?
This is the same person who last night declared publicly that his promises (to keep carrier jobs in the US) are "euphanisms"!  Trump has told us that he views his words as meaning nothing!
Can it get more terrifying?

Trump Smiled

He held a rally in Columbus, Ohio and I listened to a bit.  He asked the audience if the campaign had been so much fun, adding something about fighting Hillary.  The audience cheered and began the now famous chant, "Lock her up."  Trump stood there and smiled.
He also declared that he had won by so much that he had a mandate.  He did not.  Hillary's lead in the popular vote is over 2.5 million votes.  Maybe that's why he held the rally - he has good reason to still fight the campaign.
Here's the thing.  Trump had the perfect opportunity to put the campaign behind the country and attempt to unify the country.  But NO!  Trump fed the mob.

Two Percent !

With Philadelphia updating its vote total, Hillary Clinton now has a 2% lead over Trump in the national popular vote.  This is despite Trump declaring that he has a mandate.  He continues to lie.

Why?

I hear that Carrier had previously turned down the Indiana offer of support to keep their jobs in Indiana.  The current thinking is that the motivator to accept the offer now is that the parent company, United Technologies, is a big defense contractor and that they want to stay in Trump's good graces.
Moving on to the why of the election, the carrier issue is a microcosm of Republican politics.  It's about control.  Just like Senator McConnell promising to make Obama a one term President and Boehner promising obstruction of Obama's every initiative.  Again, Republican control.
While the democrats try to compromise.
Here's my point.  democrats are playing the wrong game.  Republicans have been seeking how to attck going back to the President Clinton impeachment.
Now Democrats are dithering over why they lost and why they are loosing voters.  They don't play rough (or dirty) - choose your own perception.  Yes, perhaps they needed to hone their economic message.  But it goes beyond that.  Democrats need to attack Republicans. 
Add to that the Republicans ready targets - there is a segment (a large one) of white America that is only too happy to revolt even now against the idea of an African-American President and white male America continued the revolt against the possibility of a woman as President.
Democrats, stop arguing and start fighting!

Jobs in Indiana

Jim Cramer, CNBC “guru” and sometime sage, has been on a post-election rant of euphoria.  Claiming to be apolitical and nonpartisan, but suspected to be Democratic (large “D”) leaning, Cramer reports the prospects of the upcoming reduction in regulation, favorable approach to fossil fuels and change allowing the repatriation of vast amounts of corporate profits now held overseas, lower tax rates for corporations and repeal of some or all of Dodd Frank Law (which includes the Consumer Protection Bureau and oversight on lending policies of big banks).  Not to mention Trump’s desire for more oil pipelines.

The prospective Presidential cabinet and staff is loaded with millionaires and billionaires and graduates of Goldman Sachs.

There is some debate about the forthcoming position on income taxes, with Trump pledging a big reduction in upper income taxes while the Treasury Secretary nominee claims any reduction in upper income taxes will be offset by reductions in allowable itemized deductions.

Meanwhile, the prospective Secretary of H&HS has been vocal about repealing the Affordable Care Act and Medicare and Medicaid hang in the balance.  Now there is something that will seriously damage the middle class AND potentially increase the charity bill for hospital emergency rooms.

And, today, Trump will take a falsely called “victory” lap, for saving 1,000 jobs at the Carrier plant in Indiana.  What no one is talking about is the “deal” that made it possible – some sort of government subsidy from Indiana – the Indiana governor is still vice President-elect Mike Pence.  So government funding is keeping these jobs in Indiana.  Think about the future prospects – a corporation can threaten to send jobs overseas and the “deal” will be government subsidy to keep them here?  Where is the Republican promoted free marketplace?  What about the competitors who don’t get the government subsidy?   This is a dreadful precedent.  I think of George W Bush’s proclamation of victory in Iraq – remember that big publicity stunt on the aircraft carrier?  Here we go again.

One thousand jobs saved in Indiana with government subsidy is just another sign of the phoney bait and switch game of mirrors designed to sucker the average American.