# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/161 "2016-12-13T18:53:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is Secretary of State one of the positions that has to do the “blind trust” thing? I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/162 "2016-12-13T18:54:50Z")
“The business of America is business.” - Calvin Coolidge ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/163 "2016-12-13T18:57:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is Secretary of State one of the positions that has to do the “blind trust” thing? There is no such thing anymore. The graft is pretty much right out in the open now. It’s a business, and the goal is to enrich Trump and those he appoints. I would not be at all surprised if the administration has an open call for companies to pay Trump or any of his cabinet directly, in cash for preferred government treatment. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/164 "2016-12-13T19:05:08Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > “The business of America is business.” - Calvin Coolidge Hmmmmm … > **[When less led to more](https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2013/02/23/when-less-led-to-more)** > > America’s 30th president has been much misunderstood > [@](#): > > “WEANED on a pickle” was how the acid-tongued Alice Roosevelt Longworth described Calvin Coolidge, America’s president from 1923 to 1929. Popular historians have been no kinder. Many blame his laissez-faire approach for prompting the Wall Street crash of 1929. > > Implicit in this view is the presumption that only interventionist central government can help America recover from economic shock. Mr Coolidge’s hallmark was distrust of government. He saw it as an entity that uses “despotic exactions” (taxes) that sap individual initiative and prosperity across the board. > … > He also objected to public ownership of the Post Office, tax exemptions for municipal debt and farm subsidies, all of which have produced costs that still hang heavily over America. > … > Even in the face of natural disasters, he held back, fearing that intervention would undermine individual initiative and corrupt the national government. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/165 "2016-12-13T19:07:43Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > There is no such thing anymore. > > The graft is pretty much right out in the open now. It’s a business, and the goal is to enrich Trump and those he appoints. I would not be at all surprised if the administration has an open call for companies to pay Trump or any of his cabinet directly, in cash for preferred government treatment. I see it as a deliberate attempt to legitimize “pay to play” at the highest levels, and the crippling or destruction of the very agencies that might have stopped or at least limited the unprecedented level of corruption we will see. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/166 "2016-12-13T20:18:17Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > In a totally unrelated item, Tillerson’s company, Exxon, stands to make BILLIONS of dollars in deals with Russia, once the sanctions have been lifted. > > I’m sure that the fact that Tillerson is the CEO of Exxon, and has been given the Russian Order of Friendship (highest award a non-Russian can get) by Putin himself will have NO. BEARING. WHATSOEVER. on the soon to be announced lifting of sanctions. > > Just think about that again… the man whose company stands to make BILLIONS in business deals from his good Russian friends has just been named Secretary State. > Enjoy this, Republicans. Revel in it. This is now what you support - open, in-your-face, totally obvious corruption. It’s all part of the master plan. Once the EPA is gutted and the Arctic warns up, Exxon will have access to new oil fields! :eek: ---
**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 13, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/167 "2016-12-13T20:39:46Z")
My God! Calvin Coolidge is a 2016 Republican! :eek: **HurricaneDitka** , I believe this man would be your ideal president, amirite? > [@SteveG1](#): > > [When less led to more](http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21572176-americas-30th-president-has-been-much-misunderstood-when-less-led-more) > > > [@](#): > > > > “WEANED on a pickle” was how the acid-tongued Alice Roosevelt Longworth described Calvin Coolidge, America’s president from 1923 to 1929. Popular historians have been no kinder. Many blame his laissez-faire approach for prompting the Wall Street crash of 1929. > > > > Implicit in this view is the presumption that only interventionist central government can help America recover from economic shock. Mr Coolidge’s hallmark was distrust of government. He saw it as an entity that uses “despotic exactions” (taxes) that sap individual initiative and prosperity across the board. > > … > > He also objected to public ownership of the Post Office, tax exemptions for municipal debt and farm subsidies, all of which have produced costs that still hang heavily over America. > > … > > Even in the face of natural disasters, he held back, fearing that intervention would undermine individual initiative and corrupt the national government. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/168 "2016-12-13T20:46:41Z")
I see a theme in many of these appointments: For Secretary of Energy, Labor, Education, and the Head of the EPA, he has basically gone and found the person who is most opposed to the mission or very existence of these departments and put them in charge. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/169 "2016-12-13T20:50:05Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > I see a theme in many of these appointments: For Secretary of Energy, Labor, Education, and the Head of the EPA, he has basically gone and found the person who is most opposed to the mission or very existence of these departments and put them in charge. [Cough.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19836904&postcount=52) I swear, I am invisible. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/170 "2016-12-13T20:52:01Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > I see a theme in many of these appointments: For Secretary of Energy, Labor, Education, and the Head of the EPA, he has basically gone and found the person who is most opposed to the mission or very existence of these departments and put them in charge. I’m surprised someone hasn’t brought this up before. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/171 "2016-12-13T21:00:17Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > I see a theme in many of these appointments: For Secretary of Energy, Labor, Education, and the Head of the EPA, he has basically gone and found the person who is most opposed to the mission or very existence of these departments and put them in charge. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/172 "2016-12-13T21:02:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m surprised someone hasn’t brought this up before. > 😃 So am I. Shocked! Shocked! 😃 > [@SteveG1](#): > > I see it as a deliberate attempt to legitimize “pay to play” at the highest levels, and the crippling or destruction of the very agencies that might have stopped or at least limited the unprecedented level of corruption we will see. ---
**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 13, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/173 "2016-12-13T21:10:06Z")
It’s _deja vu_ all over again. Again. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/174 "2016-12-13T21:18:18Z")
Well, at least he’s has his priorities in line: [CNN: “Kanye West meets with Donald Trump at Trump Tower”](http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/politics/kanye-west-donald-trump-trump-tower/index.html). Trump could certainly use some sound life coaching and advice on dealing with the stress of being a major public figure known for making cogent statements and sound fiscal decisions. This is much better time spent than, say, getting a daily briefing on the state of national security and foreign relations. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/175 "2016-12-13T21:19:59Z")
Well fuck it. He won’t be running the country, Putin will. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/176 "2016-12-13T22:55:19Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Well fuck it. He won’t be running the country, Putin will. And let’s face it. If Trump let Putin walk into Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, the Republican voters would defend that decision mightily, as would many R’s in senate and the house. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/177 "2016-12-13T23:25:15Z")
Latvia. Sad. ---
**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 14, 2016, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/178 "2016-12-14T00:48:41Z")
How can people (including some Dopers) be blind to the kind of man who will soon be president?? And act like it doesn’t matter?? > [@](#): > > **Donald Trump, the all-knowing know-nothing** > > …Today we stand on the verge of a new presidency, one that has a complex and, to be frank, rather appalling relationship to knowledge and certainty. The implications are deeply troubling. > > In Donald Trump, we may never have seen a political figure who more easily blended his own certainty with a contempt for the knowledge of others and the belief that knowledge itself is largely irrelevant to making vital decisions. It may have had a rational basis for a candidate running with zero relevant experience, but throughout the campaign, Trump poured contempt on the idea that knowing about things like policy and how government works might be useful for a president. “I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me,” he said. He didn’t need to seek counsel on foreign affairs because “I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things.” And in an interview on Sunday, he said he isn’t bothering to receive daily intelligence briefings like previous presidents did, because “I’m, like, a smart person.” > > So Trump knows all. Yet at the same time, he tries to convince the public that there’s almost no such thing as truth. He lies constantly, of course, dismissing any evidence contrary to the position he’s taking at a particular moment as nothing but the product of dishonest media or his partisan opponents. He’ll even say something, then tell you he never said it. Simultaneously, he tries to convince the public that we live in a land of the unknowable. … > > [Cite](http://theweek.com/articles/666931/donald-trump-allknowing-knownothing) ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/179 "2016-12-14T00:51:17Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > I believe that’s the actual one he forgot in the oops moment. I like Rick Perry and I think he’d make a decent bartender or preacher but how do you put that guy in charge of a department full of our best scientists and oversight of our nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. I mean, he’s not Homer Simpson but wtf? ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/180 "2016-12-14T00:55:10Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > So am I. Shocked! Shocked! 😃 Of all the countries in all the world, he had to get elected in mine. > [@SteveG1](#): > > Well fuck it. He won’t be running the country, Putin will. Putin can see his new house from Russia–the White House. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=10)