# 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:** 730
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14585 "2017-12-22T01:16:52Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > LOL! ISWYDT. But s/he’s right: Pence is definitely waiting to pounce, and whispering sweet nothings in Trump’s ear in the meantime. (Although he’s the only guy in the administration who can’t be fired, not by Trump at least.) He can’t be fired by Trump, but Trump _could_ sic his alt-right fans on Pence if he felt Pence was a threat. Thus Pence’s unflagging adoring gaze—Pence knows Trump looks at the video (and stills). One critical expression, and Trump’s displeasure will translate to Breitbart et al mocking Pence unmercifully. And there’s plenty to mock. How about Pence’s obsession with broad shoulders?..As of August of this year, he’d mentioned Trump’s supposedly impressive physique in speeches seventeen times: > [@](#): > > … Mike Pence has a different view of how foreign affairs works — a simpler, more rugged view, with distinct homoerotic overtones. As Pence once explained, Ronald Reagan’s “broad-shouldered leadership inspired my life.” Pence’s shoulder-width-based model of foreign-policy-making has guided him throughout his career. And it has given him confidence that Donald Trump is endowed with sufficient collarbone spacing to ensure a successful tenure on the world stage. > > July 15, 2016: “Donald Trump is going to provide the kind of broad-shouldered American leadership on the world stage that I think will make the world a more stable place.” … > **[17 Times Mike Pence Said Trump’s Shoulders Prove He’s Good at Foreign Policy](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/08/12-times-mike-pence-praised-donald-trumps-shoulders.html)** > > The vice-president has a different foreign-policy model: simpler, more rugged, with distinct homoerotic overtones. Reading through the entire list of seventeen gives one a rather odd feeling about Mr. Pence. This guy really thinks about broad shoulders–a _lot_. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14586 "2017-12-22T02:11:00Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Suppose you are in a horrible accident that mangles your leg. They can do a simple amputation or a long, involved surgery that will save your leg and allow you (after extensive therapy) to regain full use of the limb. Your chances of surviving either surgery are the same. > > It doesn’t matter how old you are, how many people depend on you, or whether you’ll be unable to work as an amputee. There’s only one criterion to determine which surgery you get: Are you insured? There was an incident similar to that here in Canada many, many years ago. There was a little boy who had a serious bone condition. His parents didn’t have much money, and it looked like he was going to lose his leg. Then one of the surgeons got interested in his case and decided to treat him for free. He saved the little boy’s leg, though for the rest of his life he had a bit of a limp. While the boy was grateful to the surgeon for his kindness, he hated the thought that only a chance charitable encounter saved his leg, and that others missed out on medical care that they needed, because they lacked money. The little boy was [Tommy Douglas, who grew up to become Premier of Saskatchewan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas#Medicare). And that, Virginia, is why Canada has universal medicare. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14587 "2017-12-22T02:18:37Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > There was an incident similar to that here in Canada many, many years ago. > > There was a little boy who had a serious bone condition. His parents didn’t have much money, and it looked like he was going to lose his leg. > > Then one of the surgeons got interested in his case and decided to treat him for free. He saved the little boy’s leg, though for the rest of his life he had a bit of a limp. > > While the boy was grateful to the surgeon for his kindness, he hated the thought that only a chance charitable encounter saved his leg, and that others missed out on medical care that they needed, because they lacked money. > > The little boy was [Tommy Douglas, who grew up to become Premier of Saskatchewan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas#Medicare). > > And that, Virginia, is why Canada has universal medicare. What a great story. I guess Douglas is the anti-Paul Ryan, who has dreamed of abolishing Medicare since his college days. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14588 "2017-12-22T02:26:36Z")
> [@](#): > > And there’s plenty to mock. How about Pence’s obsession with broad shoulders?..As of August of this year, he’d mentioned Trump’s supposedly impressive physique in speeches seventeen times I am more than a little squicked out :dubious: YUCK ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14589 "2017-12-22T02:30:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What a great story. I guess Douglas is the anti-Paul Ryan, who has dreamed of abolishing Medicare since his college days. Get your story straight! MedicAID. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14590 "2017-12-22T02:39:37Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Like the rest of the world declaring war on us because we’re acting like shits? That is not likely, with Trump in power, and the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14591 "2017-12-22T02:46:46Z")
Tommy Douglas is a national hero. There should be statues of him in every town square. I think that would make my uncle turn over in his grave, one of the doctors who went on strike against medicare in Saskatchewan. Reply to Northern Piper. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14592 "2017-12-22T02:54:03Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > Get your story straight! MedicAID. 😃 Seriously? I thought Ryan has always wanted to abolish MediCARE. Okay after googling, I see that it’s MediCAID he has wanted to abolish, “ever since I was drinking out of a keg.” My bad. But in his dotage, he has wanted to privatize MediCARE. He’s a M.F. either way. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14593 "2017-12-22T02:56:58Z")
> [@Catamount](#): > > Every time Mike Pence is around Trump I can almost see the dagger in his hand ready to strike. Et tu, Mikey? Speaking of backstabbers, get a load of 'dis guy lately: > **[Steve Bannon reportedly joked to a friend that Trump is 'like an 11-year-old...](https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-trump-like-11-year-old-child-2017-12)** > > After leaving the White House in August, it looks like Steve Bannon has soured on Trump — he reportedly told a friend Trump is "like an 11-year-old child." Trump is “like an 11-year-old child” I also found it interesting how Bannon recently seemed convinced that Trump’s cabinet is going to stage a coup using the 25th Amendment. Seems to me Trump’s not the only one living in conspiracy theory land. Seems to me Bannon is projecting his own smouldering resentment at a White House that he failed to fit into. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14594 "2017-12-22T02:57:04Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Seriously? I thought Ryan has always wanted to abolish MediCARE. > > Okay after googling, I see that it’s MediCAID he has wanted to abolish, “ever since I was drinking out of a keg.” My bad. > > But in his dotage, he has wanted to privatize MediCARE. He’s a M.F. either way. On that, we can all agree. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14595 "2017-12-22T03:21:55Z")
Has Mrs. Pence allowed Mikey and Donnie to be alone together? ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14596 "2017-12-22T03:46:16Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > More from the “break stuff” administration. Looks like they’re gonna try to break the UN. > > [Trump's bullying and bluster on Jerusalem is bad news for the UN | United Nations | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/21/trumps-bullying-and-bluster-on-jerusalem-is-bad-news-for-the-un) > > I could totally see the US de-funding the UN. First of all, Obama liked the UN. Secondly, the right wing conspirocrats have always talked about how one-world government is going to enslave them (read: promote human rights and protest human rights abuses). Foreign aid in the current budget is $41.9 billion out of a total budget of $4 trillion. Of that $4.7 billion goes to Afghanistan and $3.1 billion to Israel. That leaves just $34.1 billion for the rest of the world. China has a trade surplus of $347 billion with the USA. So about 36 days of the Chinese surplus with the USA would pay for all US foreign aid outside of Israel and Afghanistan. Think China would be happy to make the payment? You bet. They’d love to gain influence. [http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-global-aid-true-false-20170501-htmlstory.html](http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-global-aid-true-false-20170501-htmlstory.html) [https://www.thebalance.com/trade-deficit-by-county-3306264](https://www.thebalance.com/trade-deficit-by-county-3306264) ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14597 "2017-12-22T04:17:29Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > I don’t recommend the strategy of going without insurance and then relying on the ER to treat you for free if you face a medical emergency. > > My niece’s fiancé is a resident in orthopedic surgery. Here’s how he says it works. > > Suppose you are in a horrible accident that mangles your leg. They can do a simple amputation or a long, involved surgery that will save your leg and allow you (after extensive therapy) to regain full use of the limb. Your chances of surviving either surgery are the same. > > It doesn’t matter how old you are, how many people depend on you, or whether you’ll be unable to work as an amputee. There’s only one criterion to determine which surgery you get: Are you insured? I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14598 "2017-12-22T08:16:33Z")
After a study was suspended (last August) of potential health risks for people living near Appalachian surface coal mines, now an [independent scientific study](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/22/business/trump-administration-halts-study-offshore-oil-inspections/) on Gulf of Mexico oil inspections has been axed by the Sweathog Administration. I’m sure they’re still smelling “there’s still oil in that-thar already-shat-with-200-fucking-gallons-of-crude-oil gulf floor”. not my usual source, perhaps, but good to go ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14599 "2017-12-22T08:58:02Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14600 "2017-12-22T09:06:18Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. How do you think it works? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14601 "2017-12-22T10:38:11Z")
[The Daily Beast is not impressed with Trump’s North Korea strategy.](https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-kim-jong-un-ran-circles-around-americas-dear-leader) Marc Thiessen, at the right-wing AEI “think” tank, wrote “Trump should take out the site where North Korea just launched a missile.” You might want to work on your “thinking” skills there, Marc: NK used a _mobile_ launcher. At the time of the November test, all the key top State Department posts for dealing with North Korea were vacant: No Ambassador to South Korea. No Assistant Secretary of State for the Asia-Pacific region. Tillerson is trying to negotiate single-handedly but Trump badmouths Tillerson from his Twitter account. One military plan would require, according to an independent expert, “that you would have to already be occupying North Korea to use [the plan].” Even top Trumpist intellectual Steve Bannon writes “There’s no military solution here, they got us.” Are we Making North Korea Great Again? ---
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14602 "2017-12-22T11:05:23Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > How do you think it works? I’m not gonna do your homework for you - look it up on Breitbart! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14603 "2017-12-22T11:52:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “In Cabinet meeting, Pence praises Trump once every 12 seconds for three minutes straight” > [http://wapo.st/2B8xlQS](http://wapo.st/2B8xlQS) > > I read this over lunch. Don’t make the same mistake. > > Did the faithful chant _ora pro nobis_ after every line? Reminds me of this classic from 6 months ago: [Trump Forces Everyone in His Cabinet to Praise Him to The Media Before Cabinet Meeting Begins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS7J6kTikU0) ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/14604 "2017-12-22T12:15:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Seriously? I thought Ryan has always wanted to abolish MediCARE. > > Okay after googling, I see that it’s MediCAID he has wanted to abolish, “ever since I was drinking out of a keg.” My bad. > > But in his dotage, he has wanted to privatize MediCARE. He’s a M.F. either way. To be fair, it’s easy to be confused - Paul Ryan doesn’t care if you’re poor (Medicaid), old (Medicare), or disabled (usually on both) - he just doesn’t want to have to contribute a single cent to ensure you don’t die in the streets from lack of health care. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=729) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=731)