# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 7, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070 "2016-12-07T00:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1570
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31385 "2019-03-26T20:53:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So why do they want to eliminate the ACA? Who benefits by doing so? Who wants to return to the days when those with pre-existing conditions were unable to buy insurance in the individual marketplace (to mention only one benefit of the law)? And am I on the hook for the extra four years my daughter has been on my health insurance? Is BCBS going to claw those payments back out of me? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31386 "2019-03-26T23:01:39Z")
America’s political system allows for incremental change; it also enables obstructionism, which begets political crisis. The consequence is that any momentous change - medicare for all, major tax reform, campaign finance reform, etc - will only likely happen as a result of major changes in attitudes, which occur once every couple of generations. To my progressive friends, get ready for that once in a 100-year moment when the opportunity lends itself to substantive change and the opportunity to change how we define what our country should be. And when the moment comes, we must not let anyone stand in our way. Steamroll, crush those who do. Round them up, throw them in jail, and re-educate them. And if they can’t be re-educated, then they will become human farm animals, part of a human zoo. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31387 "2019-03-26T23:21:20Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > America’s political system allows for incremental change; it also enables obstructionism, which begets political crisis. The consequence is that any momentous change - medicare for all, major tax reform, campaign finance reform, etc - will only likely happen as a result of major changes in attitudes, which occur once every couple of generations. > > To my progressive friends, get ready for that once in a 100-year moment when the opportunity lends itself to substantive change and the opportunity to change how we define what our country should be. And when the moment comes, we must not let anyone stand in our way. Steamroll, crush those who do. Round them up, throw them in jail, and re-educate them. And if they can’t be re-educated, then they will become human farm animals, part of a human zoo. And remember kids, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Because if you put that on the table, don’t assume they wouldn’t be willing. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31388 "2019-03-26T23:33:43Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > And remember kids, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. > > Because if you put that on the table, don’t assume they wouldn’t be willing. We already know that the right wing is evil; the righteous will resist and overcome, and overwhelm. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31389 "2019-03-26T23:41:09Z")
Okaaay, sorry to change the subject, however: Does anyone else think it is clusterfucky that the Barr letter plainly states that Russia interfered in our elections, and so far the only response out of this administration is to falsely claim exoneration and to attack Democrats? Um, correct me if I am wrong, but such an act could be considered an act of war, no? So, how about a few words about how we intend to respond to Russia? Aren’t they the real bad guys in this whole mess? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31390 "2019-03-26T23:47:14Z")
The rule of law won’t save us. The Constitution won’t save us. What will save us? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31391 "2019-03-26T23:48:41Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > America’s political system allows for incremental change; it also enables obstructionism, which begets political crisis. The consequence is that any momentous change - medicare for all, major tax reform, campaign finance reform, etc - will only likely happen as a result of major changes in attitudes, which occur once every couple of generations. > > To my progressive friends, get ready for that once in a 100-year moment when the opportunity lends itself to substantive change and the opportunity to change how we define what our country should be. And when the moment comes, we must not let anyone stand in our way. Steamroll, crush those who do. Round them up, throw them in jail, and re-educate them. And if they can’t be re-educated, then they will become human farm animals, part of a human zoo. You started out so well. Then you started talking about human zoos. Like, jesus, mate, that’s so _inefficient_, and that’s just the start of the complaint list. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31392 "2019-03-26T23:53:08Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > You started out so well. Then you started talking about human zoos. Like, jesus, mate, that’s so _inefficient_, and that’s just the start of the complaint list. Also, who puts farm animals in a zoo? Forget inefficient, that’s just _wasteful_. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31393 "2019-03-27T00:09:25Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Also, who puts farm animals in a zoo? Forget inefficient, that’s just _wasteful_. Not to mention boring. Who wants to go to the zoo to see a chicken? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31394 "2019-03-27T00:35:51Z")
Well, maybe a petting zoo. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31395 "2019-03-27T00:40:59Z")
I think re-education MIGHT BE necessary. Problem is we can’t force anyone to be smart or dumb. The advantage of being smart and educated used to show some better results, but right now, being uneducated makes you popular. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31396 "2019-03-27T00:53:46Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Not to mention boring. Who wants to go to the zoo to see a chicken? > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Well, maybe a petting zoo. These posts just lend themselves to way too many, er, _odd_ jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31397 "2019-03-27T01:22:36Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Okaaay, sorry to change the subject, however: Does anyone else think it is clusterfucky that **the Barr letter plainly states that Russia interfered in our elections, and so far the only response out of this administration is to falsely claim exoneration and to attack Democrats**? > > Um, correct me if I am wrong, but such an act could be considered an act of war, no? So, how about a few words about how we intend to respond to Russia? Aren’t they the real bad guys in this whole mess? Another reasonable question: why don’t reporters ASK ABOUT THIS when interviewing TRUMP’S CONGRESSIONAL YES-MEN (and women)? Because it’s a real elephant in the room. A giant hairy irresponsible borderline-treasonous elephant in the room. (my emphasis) > [@Sherrerd](#): > > Of course if media were to exclude guests who make “outrageous and unsupported claims” in earnest, there would be few right-wing voices left on air. We’d have seen the last of Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kellyanne Conway, to name but two. > [@Zakalwe](#): > > This. I am ALL in on the policy as outlined. Of course, it has to be applied to ALL guests by ALL networks (Fox News can run Married with Children reruns in all the empty airtime they’ll have). Won’t work. There are only 259 episodes of _Married with Children_. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31398 "2019-03-27T01:32:25Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Contrariwise I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with making money and everything to do with courting those who think that everything any democrat has ever done should be burned to the ground. I have to wonder whether Trump thinks that only Democrats buy insurance through the ACA exchanges, and that this is his way of sticking it to them. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31399 "2019-03-27T03:05:31Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Also, who puts farm animals in a zoo? Forget inefficient, that’s just _wasteful_. When I finished Air Force Basic Training, my roommates and I drove from Wichita Falls to Dallas to make flights to other places, and we passed herd of cows. One of my roommates, who was from the Bronx, got all excited. We all asked him if he had never seen cows before, and he said, “Well, yeah, in zoos.” * * * Betsy DeVos wants to eliminate funding completely for Special Olympics, cut the Education Budget by $7 billion altogether, but add $60 million for charter schools and grant tax cuts for people who contribute to charter schools. > **[Betsy DeVos: Deep cuts to Special Olympics, student programs warranted](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2019/03/26/betsy-devos-funding-cuts-special-olympics-warranted/39260497/)** > > Betsy DeVos’ proposal includes a $17.6 million cut from Special Olympics and said helping the disabled is better supported by philanthropy. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31400 "2019-03-27T03:28:54Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > When I finished Air Force Basic Training, my roommates and I drove from Wichita Falls to Dallas to make flights to other places, and we passed herd of cows. One of my roommates, who was from the Bronx, got all excited. We all asked him if he had never seen cows before, and he said, “Well, yeah, in zoos.” The Farm in the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo was one of my favorite parts when I was a kid in the 1960s. I could see cows in the fields when we drove upstate, but at the Farm you could see them being milked. I was astounded at how big the hogs were. It was a full fledged farm, not just a petting zoo, with barns and stables. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31401 "2019-03-27T15:45:30Z")
Thump’s 2020 campaign. I guess eventually this will have its own thread. But until then. (My bold.) [**Inside the Trump campaign’s plan of attack**](https://www.axios.com/inside-the-trump-campaigns-plan-of-attack-03364e8d-99ea-418b-b6e7-510c117dc0bf.html) > [@](#): > > The Democratic campaigns are getting all the attention right now, but the Trump team is following them closely, sending trackers and watching all of the candidates for liberal base-pleasing proposals — like packing the Supreme Court — **that they can use to make the eventual nominee look extreme.** > > Details: The Republican National Committee, which is taking the lead on opposition research ahead of 2020 in coordination with the campaign, has been funding a network of trackers in all the early states. It’s already out filming Democratic candidates, trying to catch their mistakes — especially in smaller, more rural settings away from the eyes of the national media. > > [ul] > [li]“We started gathering research on 2020 candidates in spring of 2018,” Mike Reed, the RNC’s deputy chief of staff for communications, told me. [/li][li] **The RNC is “going to make whoever the nominee is radioactive well before they get the nomination,” a former campaign official told Axios. “That’s Trump’s strategy. Stay at 45-46% [in the polls] and just make the other guy radioactive.”**[/li][/ul] > > And the campaign plans to highlight the Democratic candidates’ far-left proposals in a way that that would "look poorly on the entire Democratic brand,” a Trump 2020 campaign adviser said — such as court packing, abolishing the electoral college and reparations. "Even Bernie’s not for reparations,” the source added. > … From now on any candidate around or under the age of 40-ish in every race for every office has had basically his/her whole life online someplace. That will only increase as time goes on. No more searching through paper archives in some dusty old high school basement, or hunting down old yearbooks. If a candidate said the n-word as a joke at a birthday party when s/he was three years old and gramma filmed it, someone will find it, resurrect it, and broadcast it _out of context_ on the interwebs. And if they don’t have a social media presence, that alone will be grounds for suspicion. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31402 "2019-03-27T19:47:16Z")
OTOH, that kind of “paper trail” didn’t hurt Trump a lot. And I can think of at least one politician who didn’t need social media to have an old specter come up… I’ve also seen it mused that the impact of such things will lessen as time goes on and social media becomes more of a standard part of life. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31403 "2019-03-27T21:01:11Z")
It’s ironic that they’re trying to make a Democrat look toxic. Trump is like a barrel of nuclear waste in the White House! ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/31404 "2019-03-27T21:51:35Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I’ve also seen it mused that the impact of such things will lessen as time goes on and social media becomes more of a standard part of life. Yeah, using an insecure email server will someday be looked upon as an extremely minor offense. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1569) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1571)