I'm not sure that it's bloodless.
One observation about the response to that drone strike in Yemen, hasn't our
government been doing precisely the same thing for years? Why, suddenly, is
everyone critical of the number of women and children who were killed in what
the media is calling, "the bungled drone strike"? Is it because Trump is now
responsible, rather than Obama?
Another observation: Granted, Trump's financial gains from the Presidency, as
well as those of his family and appointees, are obvious, crude, and illegal.
But didn't the Clintons do the same thing, and aren't all of our senators and
representatives, or most of them, doing the same thing? Isn't the real
difference that now it's all out in the open for everyone to see?
Of course, there's something else going on which, I think, is what Carl is
referring to. We are seeing a very fast emergence of an authoritarian fascist
state. All of the signs are there: the Muslim ban, the deportations of
immigrants, the new presidential orders regarding surveillance, arrests, and
the criminalizing of descent. And that criminalizing of descent is happening on
a state, as well as the federal level.
There's something else going on. I don't know if its purely cynical or whether
these organizations really believe that if we donate money to all of them,
they'll acdtually be able to win against totalitarianism. All of these emails,
describing the horrors that are occurring and asking me to donate money to
fight back. I am attempting to unsubscribe from all of these organizations.
I'll sign only carefully selected petitions, those that won't get me back on
everyone's fund raising lists.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2017 10:15 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Team Trump's Wrecking Crew - The Early Roster
What we are witness to is the final link in the bloodless coup by Corporate
America. The circle includes the Military, the Wall Street Billionaires, the
"Dare to be White" Americans, and all of those who believed that their
participation would make no difference.
Welcome to the Bright, White World of Donald J. Trump, and Company.
Carl Jarvis
On 2/9/17, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
<http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/41805-focus-team-trump
s-wrec
king-crew-the-early-roster>
Boardman writes: "What follows is a briefly annotated roster of the
key players on Team Trump assembled to carry out its game plan of a
top-down assault on America, to seize and destroy much of the US
government as it existed in 2016, and to accept whatever collateral damage
may ensue."
Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump are joined by
congressional leadership, including Paul Ryan, before formally signing
his cabinet nominations into law at the Capitol on Jan. 20. (photo:
Getty
Images)
<http://readersupportednews.org/>
Team Trump's Wrecking Crew - The Early Roster
By William Boardman, Reader Supported News
06 February 17
The Donald's various US-haters want to make America grate again
There's little question that a cohort of the people who elected Trump,
possibly a minority of a minority of the population, want to tear down
most of the existing government and replace our imperfect government
of the people, by the people, and for the people with - well, with
what? It's not really clear beyond the premise that the Trump hats
decide and the rest of us are expected to obey bare-headed.
The people who didn't elect Trump, along with the people who regret
electing Trump, as well as the people who didn't elect anyone - all
those people, a majority of a majority, are already reacting in
surprising numbers against early Trump initiatives. This apparent
majority of Americans, with little help from Democrats or any of the
other old swamp creatures in the Trump-drained swamp, have more or
less spontaneously risen in resistance to Trumpian attacks on freedom,
decency, constitutionality, and whatever else might offend the
nonpartisan oligarchy of rich predators.
The game is on now, and this may be the real Super Bowl for American
constitutional government. Unlike a typical sports bowl, this
political bowl has constantly changing rules, no time outs, and a
running clock for the game's four-year duration. There is no
out-of-bounds and there is no limit on the numbers of plays a team can
run at the same time. And this time, this bowl has only one organized
team on the field, Team Trump. The Trumps say the media is the
"opposition party," to which Democrats offer no objection, making it
clear that where, in the past, there was something like an opposing
team, now there is a so-far largely disorganized rabble and maybe some
specialty squads (like the courts). This other "team" has no unifying
playbook, but it has the numbers, it can jam the field with more
players than the Trumps, at least now in the opening period, and that
makes the game seem less one-sided, perhaps.
What follows is a briefly annotated roster of the key players on Team
Trump assembled to carry out its game plan of a top-down assault on
America, to seize and destroy much of the US government as it existed
in 2016, and to accept whatever collateral damage may ensue.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (POTUS) - Donald J. Trump, 70, the
team captain, quarterback, calls the plays, sometimes takes
suggestions from the sidelines, is well known for being not very well
known except in a celebrity sense. Businessman. Billionaire (alleged
net worth $3.7 billion, no transparency; Trump himself has said $10
billion). How unpredictable is he really? Who, if anyone, has his ear?
VICE PRESIDENT (1st in line of succession to Presidency) - Mike Pence,
57, attorney, conservative radio host, congressman (12 years), Tea
Party loyalist, governor (3 years). Est. net worth $300,000 (not a
typo). Said he is "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in
that order." Stands for religious freedom to control other people. Has
never released tax returns. Seems to believe God has his ear.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE (2nd in line of succession) - Paul Ryan, 47, not
actually a Team Trump member, but forced by circumstance to line up
with the team. Est. net worth $5 million. Professional politician,
congressman (18 years), Ayn Rand devotee (25 years), fitness fanatic
(30 years). Enemy of Social Security, among other things. Not known to
have an ear.
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF US SENATE (3rd in succession) - Orrin Hatch, 82,
also not an official Team Trump member but boxed in by circumstance.
Est. net worth $4 million. Attorney, senator (41 years), reliably
slippery, trashed Anita Hill, tied to pharmaceutical industry, opposed
fair housing. Keeps ear to ground.
SECRETARY OF STATE (4th in succession) - Rex Tillerson, 65, oil
industry engineer (42 years), CEO of Exxon Mobil (10 years), close
business ties with Russia/Putin, opposes sanctions on Russia (over
Crimea, Ukraine). Est. net worth $325 million. Clear conflicts of
interest, but business interests depend on global peace. Comes across
as one of the grown-ups in the room.
Seems to have ears in all directions.
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (5th) - Steve Mnuchin, 54 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), Skull and Bones at Yale, Goldman Sachs honcho
(17 years), hedge fund manager (6 years), OneWest Bank owner and
rapacious mortgage forecloser (8 years). Est. net worth $300 million.
Not prosecuted for "widespread misconduct
<https://theintercept.com/2017/01/03/treasury-nominee-steve-mnuchins-b
ank-ac cused-of-widespread-misconduct-in-leaked-memo/> " of bank.
Defendant in fraud lawsuits. In financial disclosure, "forgot" $100
million. Opposes bank regulation, corporate taxation. Enjoyed Kamala
Harris blowing in his ear.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (6th) - Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis, 67, first
cabinet member confirmed, vote of 98-1, despite law barring his taking office.
Career military officer (48 years). Never charged with war crimes in
Iraq (not even Fallujah, Mukaradeeb wedding party massacre).
Post-military corporate board member. Est. net worth $5 million. Obama
appointee. Takes hard line
<http://www.redstate.com/streiff/2017/02/04/mad-dog-mattis-removes-sou
th-chi na-sea/> on China, North Korea, Iran. Opposed targeting
Muslims
<http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/01/31/mad-dog-mattis-just-another-pu
ssycat
/> , until Trump did it. 2013 quote
<http://freebeacon.com/national-security/the-best-from-mad-dog-mattis/> :
"The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event.
That said, there are some assholes in the world that just need to be
shot." Ear tuned to master's voice.
ATTORNEY GENERAL (7th) - Sen. Jeff Sessions, 71 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), Eagle Scout, attorney, US attorney (12
years), senator (21 years). Rejected by Senate in 1986 as too racist
to be federal judge.
Supported Iraq war, opposed same-sex marriage. Est. net worth $8 million.
Epitomizes southern charm and viciousness, graded "zero" by Human
Rights Campaign. Opposes Voting Rights Act. Believes life begins at
conception, marijuana more dangerous than alcohol, and climate change
not real. Has ear tuned to the smallest slight.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE (8th) - Sonny Perdue, 70 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), veterinarian, Georgia state legislator (both
parties, ten years), Republican governor (8 years). Net worth $4.4
million. No direct experience in agriculture, led official state
prayers for rain in 2007, Trump calls him
<http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/01/some-sketchy-things-tr
unps-u
sda-pick-did-while-governor-georgia> "a great, great farmer."
sda-pick-did-while-governor-georgia> Conflict of
interest land deal 2003, doubled value of his property. Loves
Confederacy, voter ID laws. Open ear to agribusiness.
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE (9th) - Wilbur Ross, 79 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6) investor/banker/leveraged buyout (50+ years),
known as the "King of Bankruptcy" who off-shored 2700 jobs
<http://www.salon.com/2017/01/17/wilbur-ross-donald-trumps-secretary-o
f-comm erce-nominee-has-offshored-2700-jobs-since-2004/> since 2004.
Net worth est. $2.9 billion, 10 times Bush
<http://time.com/money/4587400/trump-nominee-cabinet-richest-histry/>
's entire cabinet. Sago Mine disaster 2006 killed 12, part-owner Ross
well aware of safety violations. Opposed TPP, China-bashing as
"intellectually wrong." He doesn't have to listen to anyone.
SECRETARY OF LABOR (10th) - Andrew Puzder, 67 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), attorney (22 years, including 5 years with a
mob lawyer
<http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/04/new-york-times-digital-for-andrew-puzd
er-lab or-nominee-fighting-for-ownersa-interests-began-early.html>
defending charges of looting Labor trust funds), CEO of CKE
Restaurants (Hardee's, Carl's Jr.) (17 years). Est. net worth $45
million. Opposed minimum wage increase, overtime pay, Obamacare, paid
sick leave. Spoke highly of robots/automation because machines are
"always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they
never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall or an age, sex, or
race discrimination case." He has a hard time hearing worker issues.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (11th) - Dr. Tom Price, 63
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb. 6), doctor in his own orthopedic
clinic
(20 years), Georgia Senate (10 years), congressman (12 years). Opposes
abortion rights, gay marriage, gun control, environmental regulations,
Obamacare, National Public Radio, and withdrawing US forces from Iraq. Est.
net worth $13.6 million. Shady deals include his buying shares in
Zimmer Biomet, then introduced legislation to help the company, which
then donated to his campaign. He has not heard from prosecutors.
SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (12th) - Dr. Ben Carson, 65
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb.6), neurosurgeon (30 years),
politician
(4 years). Est. net worth $29 million. He has no experience in
government generally, and none in housing or urban development. He
told Fox News
<https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/us/politics/ben-carson-housing-urb
an-dev elopment-trump.html> : "We cannot have a strong nation if we
have weak inner cities. We have to get beyond the promises and start
really doing something.
The amount of corruption and graft and things, shell games that are
played
-
we need to get rid of all that stuff." He has his ears cocked.
SECRETARY OF ENERGY (13th) - Rick Perry, 67 (nominated, not confirmed
as of Feb. 6), Eagle Scout, salesman, cotton farmer (with father),
career politician (33 years). Switched from Democrat to Republican in
1990, ran for Agriculture Commissioner, Karl Rove campaign manager,
beat Jim Hightower by 1%. Est. net worth $3 million. Texas governor
(14 years). Running for president, famously forgot he wanted to
abolish Energy Department
<https://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-managemen
t/hist ory/brief-history-department-energy> . Has no experience or
expertise in energy issues, most of which involve nuclear reactors and
weapons. He says
<http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-perry-confirmation-vote-former-texas
-gover nor-heads-to-full-senate/> "nucular." He keeps an ear peeled
for every siren song.
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION (14th) - Betsy DeVos, 59 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), born rich, married richer, philanthropist and
school "choice"
advocate. Est. net worth $5.1 billion. She and husband support
Neurocore, a string of "brain performance centers
<https://www.neurocorecenters.com/> "
based on fake science
<http://reverbpress.com/discovery/living/education/common-core-neuroco
re-bet sy-devos-fake-science/> . Opposes public schools. Advocates
unregulated government spending on private, religious, charter
schools. Testified using fake statistics
<http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/02/04/513220220/betsy-devos-gradu
ation-
rate-mistake> . Supports guns in classrooms
<http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/betsy-devos-schools-might-need-gu
ns-due
-potential-grizzlies-n708261> to defend against "potential grizzlies."
Listens carefully to own voice.
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (15th) - Dr. David Shulkin, 58
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb. 6), doctor and medical
administrator (31 years), current Under Secretary in Veterans Affairs
(Obama nominee). Est. net worth
$17 million. Trump reported considering privatizing VA, Shulkin
testified
<https://www.limacharlienews.com/politics-society/senate-holds-hearing
-for-v a-nominee-david-shulkin/> : "The Department of Veterans Affairs
will not be privatized under my watch." Critique: he's not a veteran,
that he's working with the Koch Brothers to turn VA into an insurance
company
<http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/314082-is-david-shul
kin-th
e-best-pick-for-va-secretary> . Keeps ears pinned back.
SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY (16th) - Gen. John F. Kelly, 67, career
military officer (47 years), confirmed by 88-11 vote despite law
barring his taking office. Est. net worth $4 million. Opposes
sanctuary cities, DREAMers. Supports Mexico wall with "a layered
defense," including patrols and sensors. Calls drug trade "existential
threat
<http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/07/top-general-says-mexico-bor
der-se
curity-now-existential-threat-us/87958/?oref=search_%22existential%20t
hreat%
22> " to US. 37 Democrats voted for him
<http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/01/27/what_the_hell_is_wr
ong_wi th_senate_democrats.html> . Said: "I don't know why they hate
us
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/retired-marine
-gen-j
ohn-f-kelly-picked-to-head-department-of-homeland-security/2016/12/07/
165472
f2-bbe6-11e6-94ac-3d324840106c_story.html?utm_term=.6eb24f4061bb> ,
and I frankly don't care, but they do hate us and are driven
irrationally to our destruction." Hears what he wants to hear.
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION - Elaine Chao, 64 (not in line of
succession, not natural born citizen), came to US on freighter at age
8, banker (25 years), Secretary of Labor (8 years), married to Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (24 years), part of 1996 shady
campaign giving
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_campaign_finance_con
trover
sy> . Est. Net worth $24 million. Favors highway spending. Disregards
energy
efficiency, urban transit, pedestrians. Has extensive business and
political links to China
<http://www.wnd.com/2016/11/trump-shocker-who-is-elaine-chao/> .
Listens to own drummer.
SECRETARY OF INTERIOR (not currently in line of succession) - Ryan
Zinke,
56
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb. 6, would become 8th in line for
Presidency), Navy SEAL (22 years), Montana legislator (2 years),
congressman
(2 years). Est. net worth $800,000. Wrote 2010 letter calling climate
change "a threat multiplier for instability in the most volatile
regions of the world.. the clean energy and climate challenge is
America's new space race."
In Congress backtracked, "not proven science," got grade of 3 from
League of Conservation Voters. Opposed federal land giveaways, favors
gas/oil/mining exploitation
<https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/01/17/trump-s-doi-nominee-rep-ryan-zi
nke-fa
ce-questioning-climate-record-support-oil-gas-and-coal> . He seems to
ce-questioning-climate-record-support-oil-gas-and-coal> hear
the money talking.
That's it for the cabinet and presidential succession members of Team
Trump.
Still to come: Team Trump deep insiders, like the CIA, National
Security Counsel, and White House staff.
_____
William M. Boardman has over 40 years experience in theatre, radio,
TV, print journalism, and non-fiction, including 20 years in the
Vermont judiciary. He has received honors from Writers Guild of
America, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Vermont Life magazine,
and an Emmy Award nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work.
Permission
to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader
Supported News.
<http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize>
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump are joined by
congressional leadership, including Paul Ryan, before formally signing
his cabinet nominations into law at the Capitol on Jan. 20. (photo:
Getty
Images)
http://readersupportednews.org/http://readersupportednews.org/
Team Trump's Wrecking Crew - The Early Roster
By William Boardman, Reader Supported News
06 February 17
The Donald's various US-haters want to make America grate again
here's little question that a cohort of the people who elected Trump,
possibly a minority of a minority of the population, want to tear down
most of the existing government and replace our imperfect government
of the people, by the people, and for the people with - well, with
what? It's not really clear beyond the premise that the Trump hats
decide and the rest of us are expected to obey bare-headed.
The people who didn't elect Trump, along with the people who regret
electing Trump, as well as the people who didn't elect anyone - all
those people, a majority of a majority, are already reacting in
surprising numbers against early Trump initiatives. This apparent
majority of Americans, with little help from Democrats or any of the
other old swamp creatures in the Trump-drained swamp, have more or
less spontaneously risen in resistance to Trumpian attacks on freedom,
decency, constitutionality, and whatever else might offend the
nonpartisan oligarchy of rich predators.
The game is on now, and this may be the real Super Bowl for American
constitutional government. Unlike a typical sports bowl, this
political bowl has constantly changing rules, no time outs, and a
running clock for the game's four-year duration. There is no
out-of-bounds and there is no limit on the numbers of plays a team can
run at the same time. And this time, this bowl has only one organized
team on the field, Team Trump. The Trumps say the media is the
"opposition party," to which Democrats offer no objection, making it
clear that where, in the past, there was something like an opposing
team, now there is a so-far largely disorganized rabble and maybe some
specialty squads (like the courts). This other "team" has no unifying
playbook, but it has the numbers, it can jam the field with more
players than the Trumps, at least now in the opening period, and that
makes the game seem less one-sided, perhaps.
What follows is a briefly annotated roster of the key players on Team
Trump assembled to carry out its game plan of a top-down assault on
America, to seize and destroy much of the US government as it existed
in 2016, and to accept whatever collateral damage may ensue.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (POTUS) - Donald J. Trump, 70, the
team captain, quarterback, calls the plays, sometimes takes
suggestions from the sidelines, is well known for being not very well
known except in a celebrity sense. Businessman. Billionaire (alleged
net worth $3.7 billion, no transparency; Trump himself has said $10
billion). How unpredictable is he really? Who, if anyone, has his ear?
VICE PRESIDENT (1st in line of succession to Presidency) - Mike Pence,
57, attorney, conservative radio host, congressman (12 years), Tea
Party loyalist, governor (3 years). Est. net worth $300,000 (not a
typo). Said he is "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in
that order." Stands for religious freedom to control other people. Has
never released tax returns. Seems to believe God has his ear.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE (2nd in line of succession) - Paul Ryan, 47, not
actually a Team Trump member, but forced by circumstance to line up
with the team. Est. net worth $5 million. Professional politician,
congressman (18 years), Ayn Rand devotee (25 years), fitness fanatic
(30 years). Enemy of Social Security, among other things. Not known to
have an ear.
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF US SENATE (3rd in succession) - Orrin Hatch, 82,
also not an official Team Trump member but boxed in by circumstance.
Est. net worth $4 million. Attorney, senator (41 years), reliably
slippery, trashed Anita Hill, tied to pharmaceutical industry, opposed
fair housing. Keeps ear to ground.
SECRETARY OF STATE (4th in succession) - Rex Tillerson, 65, oil
industry engineer (42 years), CEO of Exxon Mobil (10 years), close
business ties with Russia/Putin, opposes sanctions on Russia (over
Crimea, Ukraine). Est. net worth $325 million. Clear conflicts of
interest, but business interests depend on global peace. Comes across
as one of the grown-ups in the room.
Seems to have ears in all directions.
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (5th) - Steve Mnuchin, 54 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), Skull and Bones at Yale, Goldman Sachs honcho
(17 years), hedge fund manager (6 years), OneWest Bank owner and
rapacious mortgage forecloser (8 years). Est. net worth $300 million.
Not prosecuted for "widespread misconduct
<https://theintercept.com/2017/01/03/treasury-nominee-steve-mnuchins-b
ank-ac cused-of-widespread-misconduct-in-leaked-memo/> " of bank.
Defendant in fraud lawsuits. In financial disclosure, "forgot" $100
million. Opposes bank regulation, corporate taxation. Enjoyed Kamala
Harris blowing in his ear.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (6th) - Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis, 67, first
cabinet member confirmed, vote of 98-1, despite law barring his taking office.
Career military officer (48 years). Never charged with war crimes in
Iraq (not even Fallujah, Mukaradeeb wedding party massacre).
Post-military corporate board member. Est. net worth $5 million. Obama
appointee. Takes hard line
<http://www.redstate.com/streiff/2017/02/04/mad-dog-mattis-removes-sou
th-chi na-sea/> on China, North Korea, Iran. Opposed targeting
Muslims
<http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/01/31/mad-dog-mattis-just-another-pu
ssycat
/> , until Trump did it. 2013 quote
<http://freebeacon.com/national-security/the-best-from-mad-dog-mattis/> :
"The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event.
That said, there are some assholes in the world that just need to be
shot." Ear tuned to master's voice.
ATTORNEY GENERAL (7th) - Sen. Jeff Sessions, 71 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), Eagle Scout, attorney, US attorney (12
years), senator (21 years). Rejected by Senate in 1986 as too racist
to be federal judge.
Supported Iraq war, opposed same-sex marriage. Est. net worth $8 million.
Epitomizes southern charm and viciousness, graded "zero" by Human
Rights Campaign. Opposes Voting Rights Act. Believes life begins at
conception, marijuana more dangerous than alcohol, and climate change
not real. Has ear tuned to the smallest slight.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE (8th) - Sonny Perdue, 70 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), veterinarian, Georgia state legislator (both
parties, ten years), Republican governor (8 years). Net worth $4.4
million. No direct experience in agriculture, led official state
prayers for rain in 2007, Trump calls him
<http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/01/some-sketchy-things-tr
unps-u
sda-pick-did-while-governor-georgia> "a great, great farmer."
sda-pick-did-while-governor-georgia> Conflict of
interest land deal 2003, doubled value of his property. Loves
Confederacy, voter ID laws. Open ear to agribusiness.
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE (9th) - Wilbur Ross, 79 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6) investor/banker/leveraged buyout (50+ years),
known as the "King of Bankruptcy" who off-shored 2700 jobs
<http://www.salon.com/2017/01/17/wilbur-ross-donald-trumps-secretary-o
f-comm erce-nominee-has-offshored-2700-jobs-since-2004/> since 2004.
Net worth est. $2.9 billion, 10 times Bush
<http://time.com/money/4587400/trump-nominee-cabinet-richest-histry/>
's entire cabinet. Sago Mine disaster 2006 killed 12, part-owner Ross
well aware of safety violations. Opposed TPP, China-bashing as
"intellectually wrong." He doesn't have to listen to anyone.
SECRETARY OF LABOR (10th) - Andrew Puzder, 67 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), attorney (22 years, including 5 years with a
mob lawyer
<http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/04/new-york-times-digital-for-andrew-puzd
er-lab or-nominee-fighting-for-ownersa-interests-began-early.html>
defending charges of looting Labor trust funds), CEO of CKE
Restaurants (Hardee's, Carl's Jr.) (17 years). Est. net worth $45
million. Opposed minimum wage increase, overtime pay, Obamacare, paid
sick leave. Spoke highly of robots/automation because machines are
"always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they
never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall or an age, sex, or
race discrimination case." He has a hard time hearing worker issues.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (11th) - Dr. Tom Price, 63
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb. 6), doctor in his own orthopedic
clinic
(20 years), Georgia Senate (10 years), congressman (12 years). Opposes
abortion rights, gay marriage, gun control, environmental regulations,
Obamacare, National Public Radio, and withdrawing US forces from Iraq. Est.
net worth $13.6 million. Shady deals include his buying shares in
Zimmer Biomet, then introduced legislation to help the company, which
then donated to his campaign. He has not heard from prosecutors.
SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (12th) - Dr. Ben Carson, 65
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb.6), neurosurgeon (30 years),
politician
(4 years). Est. net worth $29 million. He has no experience in
government generally, and none in housing or urban development. He
told Fox News
<https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/us/politics/ben-carson-housing-urb
an-dev elopment-trump.html> : "We cannot have a strong nation if we
have weak inner cities. We have to get beyond the promises and start
really doing something.
The amount of corruption and graft and things, shell games that are
played
-
we need to get rid of all that stuff." He has his ears cocked.
SECRETARY OF ENERGY (13th) - Rick Perry, 67 (nominated, not confirmed
as of Feb. 6), Eagle Scout, salesman, cotton farmer (with father),
career politician (33 years). Switched from Democrat to Republican in
1990, ran for Agriculture Commissioner, Karl Rove campaign manager,
beat Jim Hightower by 1%. Est. net worth $3 million. Texas governor
(14 years). Running for president, famously forgot he wanted to
abolish Energy Department
<https://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-managemen
t/hist ory/brief-history-department-energy> . Has no experience or
expertise in energy issues, most of which involve nuclear reactors and
weapons. He says
<http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-perry-confirmation-vote-former-texas
-gover nor-heads-to-full-senate/> "nucular." He keeps an ear peeled
for every siren song.
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION (14th) - Betsy DeVos, 59 (nominated, not
confirmed as of Feb. 6), born rich, married richer, philanthropist and
school "choice"
advocate. Est. net worth $5.1 billion. She and husband support
Neurocore, a string of "brain performance centers
<https://www.neurocorecenters.com/> "
based on fake science
<http://reverbpress.com/discovery/living/education/common-core-neuroco
re-bet sy-devos-fake-science/> . Opposes public schools. Advocates
unregulated government spending on private, religious, charter
schools. Testified using fake statistics
<http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/02/04/513220220/betsy-devos-gradu
ation-
rate-mistake> . Supports guns in classrooms
<http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/betsy-devos-schools-might-need-gu
ns-due
-potential-grizzlies-n708261> to defend against "potential grizzlies."
Listens carefully to own voice.
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (15th) - Dr. David Shulkin, 58
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb. 6), doctor and medical
administrator (31 years), current Under Secretary in Veterans Affairs
(Obama nominee). Est. net worth
$17 million. Trump reported considering privatizing VA, Shulkin
testified
<https://www.limacharlienews.com/politics-society/senate-holds-hearing
-for-v a-nominee-david-shulkin/> : "The Department of Veterans Affairs
will not be privatized under my watch." Critique: he's not a veteran,
that he's working with the Koch Brothers to turn VA into an insurance
company
<http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/314082-is-david-shul
kin-th
e-best-pick-for-va-secretary> . Keeps ears pinned back.
SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY (16th) - Gen. John F. Kelly, 67, career
military officer (47 years), confirmed by 88-11 vote despite law
barring his taking office. Est. net worth $4 million. Opposes
sanctuary cities, DREAMers. Supports Mexico wall with "a layered
defense," including patrols and sensors. Calls drug trade "existential
threat
<http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/07/top-general-says-mexico-bor
der-se
curity-now-existential-threat-us/87958/?oref=search_%22existential%20t
hreat%
22> " to US. 37 Democrats voted for him
<http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/01/27/what_the_hell_is_wr
ong_wi th_senate_democrats.html> . Said: "I don't know why they hate
us
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/retired-marine
-gen-j
ohn-f-kelly-picked-to-head-department-of-homeland-security/2016/12/07/
165472
f2-bbe6-11e6-94ac-3d324840106c_story.html?utm_term=.6eb24f4061bb> ,
and I frankly don't care, but they do hate us and are driven
irrationally to our destruction." Hears what he wants to hear.
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION - Elaine Chao, 64 (not in line of
succession, not natural born citizen), came to US on freighter at age
8, banker (25 years), Secretary of Labor (8 years), married to Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (24 years), part of 1996 shady
campaign giving
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_campaign_finance_con
trover
sy> . Est. Net worth $24 million. Favors highway spending. Disregards
energy
efficiency, urban transit, pedestrians. Has extensive business and
political links to China
<http://www.wnd.com/2016/11/trump-shocker-who-is-elaine-chao/> .
Listens to own drummer.
SECRETARY OF INTERIOR (not currently in line of succession) - Ryan
Zinke,
56
(nominated, not confirmed as of Feb. 6, would become 8th in line for
Presidency), Navy SEAL (22 years), Montana legislator (2 years),
congressman
(2 years). Est. net worth $800,000. Wrote 2010 letter calling climate
change "a threat multiplier for instability in the most volatile
regions of the world.. the clean energy and climate challenge is
America's new space race."
In Congress backtracked, "not proven science," got grade of 3 from
League of Conservation Voters. Opposed federal land giveaways, favors
gas/oil/mining exploitation
<https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/01/17/trump-s-doi-nominee-rep-ryan-zi
nke-fa
ce-questioning-climate-record-support-oil-gas-and-coal> . He seems to
ce-questioning-climate-record-support-oil-gas-and-coal> hear
the money talking.
That's it for the cabinet and presidential succession members of Team
Trump.
Still to come: Team Trump deep insiders, like the CIA, National
Security Counsel, and White House staff.
William M. Boardman has over 40 years experience in theatre, radio,
TV, print journalism, and non-fiction, including 20 years in the
Vermont judiciary. He has received honors from Writers Guild of
America, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Vermont Life magazine,
and an Emmy Award nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work.
Permission
to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader
Supported News.
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