Well, how interesting.
Besides the usual Trump stuff (all the pardons, his talks of martial law, etc.), Trump has just made a HUGE mistake.
Basically, Trump has suggested that he won't sign the Covid relief bill.
Now, I am sure he thought that this would be smart on his part. He would make the Democrats scream "foul," make the Republicans cringe (because it puts their control of the Senate at risk), and it helps to make him feel powerful. He also believed that if he refused to sign the bill because the stimulus checks of $600 was not enough, he would get the support of the MAGA crowd.
But he just got outplayed by Pelosi.
Not thirty minutes after Trump signaled his little power play, Pelosi tweeted how she agreed with Trump that the payments were far too low and that all the Democrats would support bigger payments and would bring it by unanimous consent.
I fell out of my chair laughing.
Pelosi is a genius. With one tweet, she left the Republicans and Trump in a situation less comfortable than having their private parts stuck in a bear trap.
Now, if Trump backs down and signs the bill, it will look as though he was just "talking big" again. If he decides in the back of his tiny mind that fighting for bigger payments will mean that the people will suddenly give him back the presidency, he will double down and refuse to sign the bill. This will put McConnell and the Republicans in an impossible situation, because if they yield, they loose their argument (balance the budget) that so many of them are planning to implement in Biden's presidency. Also, this will create a power struggle between McConnell and Trump for control of the Republican party. If McConnell yields, he won't be able to keep many Republicans from trying to overturn the election results on January 6 (McConnell doesn't want it to occur because it forces Republicans to vote on the issue, which will kill them in 2022). But if Trump yields, he loses much of his power over these Senators that he mistakenly believes has the power to overturn the election.
Pelosi and Democrats have just gotten a huge Christmas gift. All they need to do is say "get money out now." It doesn't matter if Trump wins or if Republicans win. It is the Democrats who look innocent in the whole affair. No one can say that they wanted to delay the money coming out, and no one can claim that they didn't want to give more money to the American people. All Democrats need to do is to keep repeating Pelosi's message over and over.
I doubt that the Republicans will let the people suffer and refuse to pass the bill if Trump continues to demand higher payments. If they do, they will lose Georgia. Period. But I also doubt Trump will take it that far. If he does, his MAGA people will starve over Christmas. Methinks he just stirred up this tweet in an attempt to take interest off his pardons today (manufacturing a crisis, in a sense). But Pelosi has turned it all upside down. I love her political savvy and genteel sass.
That statement served 2 purposes in his tiny little brain. 1. Took the attention off the pardons and 2. Fixes the election problem he has the only way he knows how-throw money at it til he gets what he wants. He did just screw Mitch for the 2nd time in 24 hours and thats going to come back to haunt him. How this bill looks when it passes will determine the future of the GOP. If there is more money, he owns the party and if there isn't, hes an afterthought woth no power at all come 1/21. It has to pass because people (especially the rural gop voters) need this money too desperately. My guess is that he signs it after a big huff and puff show because it also avoids a shutdown and he can't veto both this bill and a military paradise without pissing off some of even his most ardent supporters
On the question of sending light to people like DT;
I have to admit that he is in my prayers every night before I meditate. I send "light and love" (among other things) to my siblings, children, grandchildren, and former wife. To DT, on the other hand, I pray that he receives wisdom. (I don't see any indication that my prayers are being answered yet or maybe it's just that he is ignoring them or that people like me are being overwhelmed by those who are praying for him to continue on his current path.)
I completely agree with the idea that people like DT are here as teachers. Look at all of the dark parts of our society that are being brought to the daylight. It will take years for us as a nation to process these difficult lessons but I have faith that, over time, they will be understood and we will be a better country for the experience.
Wonderful to send prayers for people in conjunction with meditation (and at any time really). However, I would strongly recommend instead to pray for DT to receive compassion, rather than wisdom. Wisdom without compassion is very dangerous and very scary. We are in fact lucky that DT does not have the wisdom that would have enabled him to destroy our democracy. Because as we all know, we all can see clear as day, he sure did try his darnedest.
I agree. But you have to admire Pelosi. By agreeing to support Trump's push to ask for $2000, it makes the Democrats look good either way. Democratic and Independent voters know that it is Trump/Republicans who are causing the problems. If the bill is not passed, then Democrats will not be blamed, as Pelosi has framed this issue as a fight between Trump and the Republicans. Also, if Trump somehow succeeds in making the Senate agree to $2000 for Americans, it is not going to cause the American public to suddenly decide that we want to keep him around (he could pay me one million and I would still support kicking him out on January 20 because I can't be bought).
MAGA voters can't blame this mess on the "evil liberal Democrats." If Trump backs down and signs the bill, he can grumble about how Congress overruled him, but Pelosi will point out that she and the Democrats also supported $2000 (bottom line-blame McConnell and the Republicans. And if the Republicans won't work with Trump, then why not let the Democrats win the Senate, since they don't oppose him.). McConnell's role as the "Grim Reaper" will hurt him here, because there are no bills that Republicans can point to to suggest that Democrats are liberal voters. How can he, when he wouldn't allow votes to take place in the first place?
Also, if Trump doubles down and forces the Republicans to stage a vote to override his veto, then Democrats still look good. After all, Democrats can say "we wanted as much money as Trump did, but some is better than nothing." Remember, most voters are smart, and they know this is a p###### contest between McConnell and Trump. But it is the MAGA voters that will feel blindsided. How can they blame Democrats for the fight over the bill? They can't. Democrats are agreeing with him! Even as delusional as they are, MAGA supporters will have a hard time saying that Democrats are at fault for agreeing with Trump over the issue of payments, while Republicans oppose their supreme leader. So....either Democrats are evil and Trump is wrong, or Republicans are wrong for opposing Trump.
To all of those who are gifted out there, where do you see this going? Will Trump concede? Will Republicans fold? Will relief be delayed? Will it cost Republicans their power? Goodness knows that we need some guidance right now, because as entertaining it is to see Trump and Republicans fight like idiots, there are millions of lives on the line, so while I rejoice at Pelosi's political prowess, I wonder how much darker the collective must get before we finally reach the end of the tunnel.
@allyn I threw 3 spreads on this issue......(1 of 3)
Will McConnell be happy with the new Stimulus Deal
Trump wanted more money for people, Nancy Pelosi quickly agreed and said the Democrats would support that. This leaves Moscow Mitch in a bind; does he support the President and agree to more money or does he try to prevent an increase in cash payouts
Signifier – Page of Wands
Clarifiers – Ace of Wands, The Tower, 5 of Pentacles
Under the deck – Queen of Wands
Moscow Mitch is in a tough spot. He’s been put in an impossible position, so now he needs to reinvent his position and hope that people will believe his new stance.
Clarifying this – Ace of Wands, there is a big push for action. This was triggered by Trump’s posturing for more money for people (whatever his motivation is) and the Dems jumping on this posturing to force McConnell’s hand. Trump is using this issue like a club to beat down McConnell for his lack of loyalty and force people to choose between him or McConnell.
The Tower – this is it. McConnell is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. I suspect he will try to compromise to limit the damage, but this is the event that defines him and his obstructionist ways.
5 of Pentacles – People being left out in the cold…..in Winter…..near Christmas….and the government can help but through partisanship the people are suffering and they will now be laser focused on the GOP, because the President wants them to have more money, the Dems want them to have more money, but the GOP doesn’t.
Under the Deck – The Queen of Wands. McConnell and Trump got outplayed by a wise woman of action. Fair minded people will now look at this situation and think that increasing the payments is a sensible approach.
@allyn Spread (2 of 3)
Will Pelosi be happy with the new Stimulus Deal
Trump wanted more money for people, Nancy Pelosi quickly agreed and said the Democrats would support that. This leaves Moscow Mitch in a bind; does he support the President and agree to more money or does he try to prevent an increase in cash payouts
Signifier – The Emperor (further clarified by the World, the High Priestess, and the Knight of Swords)
Clarifiers – The Hanged Man, Ace of Wands, The Star
Under the deck – The World
Nancy hit a home run with this one. She is now in charge of this issue and the country, she’s the Emperor now, with this maneuver. The increase will make a world of difference to people. Nancy has shown wisdom in jumping on Twitter and amplifying Trumps demands and putting the GOP in a corner. The knight of Swords represents COVID-19 in my readings, but it also shows that this bill needs to pass quickly.
Clarifying this – The Hanged Man – Now we wait and see what McConnell and the GOP do. I’m sure their constituents will be on the phone demanding they act quickly and the puppet masters will be screaming about wealth redistribution and debt. Who will win?
Ace of Wands, there is a big push for action. This was triggered by Trump’s posturing for more money for people (whatever his motivation is) and the Dems jumping on this posturing to force McConnell’s hand. Trump is using this issue like a club to beat down McConnell for his lack of loyalty and force people to choose between him or McConnell. And Nancy is using the same club and smacking McConnell too. Blunt force trauma for the win.
The Star – There is a lot of hope now. This will really help people in the short term until the Dems get control of Congress and can do some real disaster relief, mislabeled as Stimulus.
Under the Deck – The World. This is the end of an era and the start of the Age of Aquarius. Where we slowly turn away from blind greed and move towards helping those in need. And this is how you out maneuver the ones who refuse to change.
@allyn Spread (3 of 3)
Will the Stimulus be a lot closer to $2,000 rather than $600?
Signifier – The King of Pentacles
Clarifiers – King of Cups, 7 of Pentacles, The Empress
Under the deck – 6 of wands
Trump is sitting there triumphant. He’s gotten one over on McConnell and watched him capitulate. I don’t even want to know what Trump thinks of this whole thing and didn’t bother to ask because it is irrelevant. I don’t need to read the energy of a mad man, thank you very much.
Clarifying this – The King of Cups – Trump will feel “benevolent” and may even get praise from Joe Biden for showing empathy to the working poor of this country. If McConnell is smart (and he is) he will try to take some of this Fatherly Compassion credit for himself and the GOP.
Seven of Pentacles – This money will help the working poor. They are doing what they can and this will help them survive for a little while longer.
The Empress – While it still won’t be enough, it is a good start and it will help some people provide for their families.
Under the Deck – 6 of wands – this is a victory for people and for the Democrats. This is a fight between Trump and the GOP and one of them is not going to win. In this case the GOP had to blink, because they are scared that Georgia will go to the Democrats and they will be helpless to stop a Biden agenda through sheer obstructionism.
If the $2000 goes through, that’s great. Trump will have helped people in spite of himself. (That’s a reason to pray for “bad” people).
However, I think it will be used by Republicans as a reason to undercut Biden’s efforts at a second relief/stimulus bill early next year. I do think that is a motivator for Trump in this.
Yes, thanks for the great spreads! I threw a quick spread after seeing yours and asked the following questions:
If the $2000 goes through, that’s great. Trump will have helped people in spite of himself. (That’s a reason to pray for “bad” people).
However, I think it will be used by Republicans as a reason to undercut Biden’s efforts at a second relief/stimulus bill early next year. I do think that is a motivator for Trump in this.
I think you're right about the first part, but I don't think Trump thinks further ahead than the next 185 characters on Twitter.
Given my budget projections for the next few months which includes that dental procedure I hadn't counted on, our family really, really needs the $600 per person. $1200 per person would be fantastic. And $2000 per person would change our fortunes considerably. At this point I don't care which one passes - I just need one to pass! (okay, I do know which one I want to pass - go big or go home!) - And we're a middle class family who weathered all of this relatively unscathed thanks to our profession. I cannot imagine all the people who are not as lucky as we have been if politics screws over the entire country.
This season finale of 2020 is terrible. I give it 1 star, am boycotting all of the show's sponsors, and hoping the network cancels it for good and brings back something heartwarming like Extreme Makeover Home Edition for 2021.
Extreme Makeover United States of America Edition for 2021.
Just a thought... When we have had big dental bills we have used CareCredit so we don’t have to come up with the whole amount at the checkout desk. I hope this is helpful. In case the bottom falls out of the relief bill. ?
Trump is in trouble no matter what. Despite his ability to give these pardons to his friends, it will not benefit him. First of all, these pardons can't cover state charges or civil lawsuits. So even if Trump tries to pardon himself, it won't work. He can still be indicted and/or sued in New York, and there is nothing he can do about it.
Also, the pardons only protect for (1) past crimes and (2) current charges that the person isn't convicted of yet. So, if one of Trump's underlings is called before a grand jury, they must tell the trust about the crimes because, since they are pardoned, they lost all fifth amendment protections (they can't remain silent). So, if they refuse to answer or lie, then they can be charged with a new crime of either obstruction and/or perjury. A pardon will not protect them.
So, basically, Trump has just made the situation a lot worse for him. If, for instance, Roger Stone is dragged before a court and made to answer questions about his involvement with Trump and Russia, he can't argue he has the right to remain silent (because he was pardoned). But if he lies again, then he is charged again and there is nothing Trump-o can do about it. There is no such thing as a blanket pardon that protects against future crimes.
Personally, I hope he tries to pardon himself. It will go to the Supreme Court, who will throw it out (no man can act as judge over his own trial). Also, thanks to his insistence about voter fraud, he can no longer resign and allow Pence to pardon him (as Ford did for Nixon), else the Democrats will gleefully point it out and use it to say to Trump's base that he conceded the election (why would Trump resign unless he lost). And even if Trump tries to take a temporary leave (such as Reagan did when he was in surgery for being shot), he will be destroyed because Democrats will say that he isn't "healthy" enough to be president. So either way, he is screwed.
Trump's actions will have long lasting consequences. Democrats will gleefully work to take him down behind the scenes. Republicans will pretend to be outraged but secretly support it (remember, many of them want to be on the 2024 ticket, and they can't if he runs). And even his recent pardons may make him a target for assassination from Iraqi (for pardoning those killers) or Iran (for killing that general). And thanks to his actions, many of his followers are dying or facing financial ruin in deep red states. This will allow Democrats an edge in 2022 and in 2024, especially if Trump continues to make himself newsworthy (which he is guaranteed to do.)
So don't let these pardons upset you too much. Sometimes you have to let some of the smaller fish go before you get the big fish. And it is Trump who deserves to be prosecuted by the courts for the rest of his life. Even if he never sees the inside of a jail cell, the hope that the courts and the press will keep him from sleeping peacefully at night will be a small measure of justice.
@allyn The pardons don't upset me...well, okay, they do, but not because I think he's going to get away with anything. The only thing in your post I would take issue with is the following statement:
Also, the pardons only protect for (1) past crimes and (2) current charges that the person isn't convicted of yet.
Ford's pardon of Nixon included "all offenses...which he...has committed or may have committed or taken part in", thus including crimes that may not ever have been investigated or charged.