Secretary of State Expansion

[Jeanne]

So...no biggy politics here..but just wondering how everyone feels about Trump adding former Governor Huntsman to his short list...or long list..  I, personally think that Mike Huntsman, a former Chinese ambassador is exactly what we need right now.  Any comments?  Just curious as so many are hoping for Romney.

[ksfisher]

39 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

So...no biggy politics here..but just wondering how everyone feels about Trump adding former Governor Huntsman to his short list...or long list..  I, personally think that Mike Huntsman, a former Chinese ambassador is exactly what we need right now.  Any comments?  Just curious as so many are hoping for Romney.

I don't know anything about former Chinese ambassador Mike Huntsman...but former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman was the US Ambassador to China for a time. 

Edited December 6, 2016 by ksfisher

[Jeanne]

8 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

I don't know anything about former Chinese ambassador Mike Huntsman...but former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman was the US Ambassador to China for a time. 

Duh...I am so embarrassed.

Edited December 6, 2016 by Jeanne

[strappinglad]

I suppose Trump could consider Queen Latiffa   for SoS. It would tick so many diversity boxes. The stunned silence  from some in the media would be marvelous to behold. But I digress. Jon Huntsman would likely do fine in that position. He doesn't carry Romney's baggage and does have foreign policy experience,

[Jeanne]

16 minutes ago, strappinglad said:

I suppose Trump could consider Queen Latiffa   for SoS. It would tick so many diversity boxes. The stunned silence  from some in the media would be marvelous to behold. But I digress. Jon Huntsman would likely do fine in that position. He doesn't carry Romney's baggage and does have foreign policy experience,

I agree.  Interesting year ahead of us. I liked Jon Huntsman.  I apologize for the mistake before..I saw news this morning but must of had a Mike Leavitt on the brain.  Thanks for your response. 

[Tacenda]

1 hour ago, Jeanne said:

I agree.  Interesting year ahead of us. I liked Jon Huntsman.  I apologize for the mistake before..I saw news this morning but must of had a Mike Leavitt on the brain.  Thanks for your response. 

I really like Jon Huntsman, and had at one time hoped he would be president. 

[Jeanne]

14 hours ago, Tacenda said:

I really like Jon Huntsman, and had at one time hoped he would be president. 

Yeah..when he ran..it just didn't work for him..but I was so hoping!!

[VideoGameJunkie]

I'd be fine with a pick of Jon Huntsman.

[longview]

It is not January 20th yet but Trump is displaying an awesome amount of energy and dynamics!  I am eagerly waiting to see the process of draining the swamp begin in earnest.

edit:  I left out the word in red above.

Edited December 8, 2016 by longview

[thesometimesaint]

I'd be fine with Jon Huntsman. But Exxon CEO Tillerson is the more likely choice.

[Jeanne]

5 hours ago, longview said:

It is not January 20th yet but Trump is displaying an awesome amount of energy and dynamics!  I am eagerly to see the process of draining the swamp begin in earnest.

I am so hoping that he follows through on so many things.  So far, I have been impressed. Saving those jobs was a big deal..and in a way, it would be nice to have a president that really sticks to his convictions...with room for learning from the best and a little compromise.  In any case, it will be a very interesting year.

[The Nehor]

6 hours ago, longview said:

It is not January 20th yet but Trump is displaying an awesome amount of energy and dynamics!  I am eagerly to see the process of draining the swamp begin in earnest.

He helped negotiate a deal that Pence should have dealt with alone as the governor of his state and is running his cabinet selection like a season of "The Apprentice" providing lots of candidates and trying to stir up controversy over who will advance to the final round. I think I prefer a swamp if draining it will uncover bad reality shows.

[Jeanne]

1 minute ago, The Nehor said:

He helped negotiate a deal that Pence should have dealt with alone as the governor of his state and is running his cabinet selection like a season of "The Apprentice" providing lots of candidates and trying to stir up controversy over who will advance to the final round. I think I prefer a swamp if draining it will uncover bad reality shows.

Hopefully, this will not be your mindset if some good things happen.  I want him to take his time and pick someone that will be able to work with others already on the cabinet or nominated for positions.  Now Nehor..I love you...you are the one whose wit makes me laugh so hard..Let's give this man a chance.

[The Nehor]

6 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

Hopefully, this will not be your mindset if some good things happen.  I want him to take his time and pick someone that will be able to work with others already on the cabinet or nominated for positions.  Now Nehor..I love you...you are the one whose wit makes me laugh so hard..Let's give this man a chance.

I hope it works out but I doubt it will. The President dealing directly with businesses to convince them to do things in exchange for government benefits spells 'crony capitalism' to me and that makes me nervous. This is the closest the US has come to plutocracy as well which also worries me.

[longview]

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

He helped negotiate a deal that Pence should have dealt with alone as the governor of his state and is running his cabinet selection like a season of "The Apprentice" providing lots of candidates and trying to stir up controversy over who will advance to the final round. I think I prefer a swamp if draining it will uncover bad reality shows.

1. True.  At the same time he is sending a message to all the so-called "globalist" elites that he will put FIRST the interest of the common people of America.  I am sure Pence will assist Trump with additional negotiations and persuasions in other parts of the country.
2. The scale is MUCH grander than a TV show.  The top positions (in the hundreds and thousands) will be staffed with "Heavy Hitters" that will implement a tremendous amount of reform.
3. Sounds like you are scared of the process of "Draining the Swamp?"  Are you afraid that socialists (and other "wild-eyed Bolsheviks"), establishment elites (of both parties) and deeply entrenched bureaucrats will be brought out in the glaring light of accountability?

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

I hope it works out but I doubt it will. The President dealing directly with businesses to convince them to do things in exchange for government benefits spells 'crony capitalism' to me and that makes me nervous. This is the closest the US has come to plutocracy as well which also worries me.

1. Why would not ANY president work "directly" with business?  That is NOT the definition of cronyism.  In the early part of the 20th century, railroads and unions were "persuaded" (without force of law) to moderate prices or avoid stoppages.  This was called "Jawboning."  All done above board and out in the open.
2. Cronyism occurs when business interests meet SECRETLY with politicians and/or bureaucrats to enact laws or impose regulations that favor them (if you will scratch my back, I will reward you generously).  When we see a "Revolving Door" between government agencies and the entities being regulated, we KNOW cronyism is happening right before our eyes.  For examples, review the history of solar power companies in the last 8 years.
3. If there is a plutocracy, it existed BEFORE the advent of the Trump campaign.  Trump is VERY unconventional.  He is very much anti-establishment.  The elites at the moment are having a very difficult time knowing how to react to the astonishing energy being demonstrated by the Trump Team.  They are stumbling all over themselves.  For an excellent review of the acts of the establishment elites from the days of FDR to the present, read Ann Coulter's informative book:  "Treason."

[Jeanne]

Yes...I understand what you are saying..but isn't this the first president that has had direct business experience?  Good heavens, Obama wouldn't know what questions to ask and answer to new and old businesses. 

[thesometimesaint]

38 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

Yes...I understand what you are saying..but isn't this the first president that has had direct business experience?  Good heavens, Obama wouldn't know what questions to ask and answer to new and old businesses. 

Trump has no experience in governance or the military. Trump tanked 5 businesses including casinos he owned. Trump has been repeatedly sued for not paying his bills. Driving small businesses into bankruptcy. Trump was forced to pay millions of dollars in settlement money for his fraudulent Trump University. Obama increased the Stock Market 3 fold, and raised the median income by over $2,000, decreasing the unemployment rate to under 5% while decreasing the size of the Federal Government. Gas was $5/gal now it is well under $3/gal.

Edited December 8, 2016 by thesometimesaint

[Jeanne]

13 minutes ago, thesometimesaint said:

Trump has no experience in governance or the military. Trump tanked 5 businesses including casinos he owned. Trump has been repeatedly sued for not paying his bills. Driving small businesses into bankruptcy. Trump was forced to pay millions of dollars in settlement money for his fraudulent Trump University. Obama increased the Stock Market 3 fold, and raised the median income by over $2,000, decreasing the unemployment rate to under 5% while decreasing the size of the Federal Government. Gas was $5/gal now it is well under $3/gal.

Hopefully he has learned like so many the hard way.  The fact that he has no experience in government is why I think he is picking the best around him..or trying to.  I see where you are coming from..like so many here..my vote came to picking the lessor of two evils..I can only have hope. 

[longview]

11 hours ago, thesometimesaint said:

Trump tanked 5 businesses including casinos he owned.

You are being silly.   He has/had at least 3000 business ventures.   Let's see:   divide 5 by 3000 you get a failure rate of 0.16 %.   THAT would be astonishing in ANYBODY's book.   Trump is SUCCESSFUL at the rate of 99.99% of the time.  Can't you just cheer up a bit?

[thesometimesaint]

22 hours ago, Jeanne said:

Hopefully he has learned like so many the hard way.  The fact that he has no experience in government is why I think he is picking the best around him..or trying to.  I see where you are coming from..like so many here..my vote came to picking the lessor of two evils..I can only have hope. 

We can always hope, but so far it doesn't look good. More like a collection of old Batman villains.

SEE

 

11 hours ago, longview said:

You are being silly.   He has/had at least 3000 business ventures.   Let's see:   divide 5 by 3000 you get a failure rate of 0.16 %.   THAT would be astonishing in ANYBODY's book.   Trump is SUCCESSFUL at the rate of 99.99% of the time.  Can't you just cheer up a bit?

You sound like a Trump University graduate.