Wrong Again

(Before starting I do apologize for the abundance of transmissions in recent days. I do realize people work for a living. But there's so damn much going on!)

I have now, officially, joined the ranks of JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Betty DeVos and a boatload of others who got it wrong with regard to Donald Trump. In 2015, I jumped on the Trump bandwagon. In 2023, I was ready to jump off. I felt Biden was a sitting duck. And that the other duck, Donald (or Fred Flintstone) could beat him as long as cheating was held in check. While I loved the job Trump did as 45 and the one he promised to do as 47, I thought why take the risk? The confluence of indictments, TDS, Never Trumpers and his uncontrollable need to hurl personal insults and general irreverence made him hugely vulnerable - as I saw things. Quite frankly I cringed every time he opened his mouth. Still do.

But again I was wrong (Loved DeSantis). I have to give all the credit to the majority of Americans, many of whom held their nose and voted for the best interests of their country and their families. Really should not come as a surprise but after 16 years of BLM, Riots in Cities, Riots on Campuses, DEI everywhere, Rubbish in our Schools and Colleges, continual misinformation and biased brainwashing from the LSM, and the grandaddy of them all - Biden winning in 2020, I was blinded. I felt it was only 50-50 that a majority of Americans would vote country first.

I was wrong. Hats off to to the Republican Party and Trump voters (At least I voted the right way). You got it right - by a lot. Looks like the House and Senate are now locked as well.

A Wild Ride

As is well documented, we are a nation in need of form reversal. Most agree we are insanely divided, gridlocked, growing more impotent by the day and, by many standards, in decline. We desperately need change. The battleship needs to be turned around and four years isn't much time to do it. (Actually, mid terms are only 24 months away.)

So, fasten your seat belts, because we are in for the ride of a lifetime. The paradigms and sacred cows of American bureaucracy will soon be under attack. The untouchables - the Military, Government employment, Deportation, Entitlements - are not only on the radar, they are in the crosshairs. Last Tuesday's mandate demands uncompromised, fearless restructuring. If ever there was time to upset the apple cart, this is it. If ever there was a leader capable and eager to do it, it is the man 76 million voters just elected.

As we enter this insanely exciting (and for liberals terrifying) time in American history, it is useful to take a moment and recap who our leader is. As both a fan and critic, when I think of Donald J. Trump the following comes to mind.

He is Big Thinker and a Big Talker. This is how he built his fortune and how he will govern. He is mercurial and irreverent.

He is given to hyperbole and, at times, wild exaggeration. Unmanageable, this trait provides multitudinous openings for adversarial attack. As the much beloved Puerto Rican Golfer, Chi Chi Rodriguez once said, "I don't exaggerate. I just remember 'Big". Well - Trump does both. Often spouting unverified claims and half truths. Regardless, his alleged fabrications usually prove on target. Most times he gets the essence right. Over the next four years this habit will emerge time and time again. The media will jump on every claim and predict Armageddon or call him a liar. Doubt they'll revert to Hitler or Fascist - but one should never underestimate the Left. Still there's no way around it. The man can't stop. The man won't stop. So after you cringe, look past it and keep your eye on the prize.

He reveres and rewards loyalty, yet is quite capable of letting bygones be bygones. Think Vance and Rubio. But one must be openly contrite and promise fealty in the future. When I think about Mad Dog Mattis, John Bolton, Jeff Sessions, John Kelly, Bill Barr, Mike Pence, Mark Milley, Rex Tillerson, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie and others, two things come to mind. First, jeez, Trump you must be a vengeful SOB and second don't hire anyone from the Beltway. Appointees so far indicate he will sacrifice apparently relevant experience for being smart, tough and, above all else, loyal to the mission. Not sure that's all bad. No time to sing kumbaya when turning around a battleship.

He is clever. The carrot and stick is a common ploy. He believes in peace through strength. He knows there is no deterrence without genuine fear. When he draws a "red" line he means it and stands ready to punch you in the face if you cross it. Look out CRINK. Just because he calls Putin a friend or Xi smart, doesn't mean he won't bring the hammer down. Just as he uses the threat of tariffs or pulling out of NATO to get Americans a fair and better deal.

Expect a different Trump in 2024 from the one who occupied the Oval from 2016 to 2020. First and foremost, he understands the job and its myriad nuances. He doesn't have to and should not listen to "that's the way it's always been done." Even though Trump is bold and brash, everyone would be intimidated as a first timer in the biggest, toughest job on earth. Especially with no political, Beltway or government experience. He arrives this time battle tested and combat ready.

He will change his mind, make mistakes, contradict himself and reverse positions. And by so doing drive those around him bonkers. This is his nature. It is also endemic to one who is processes information quickly (superficially), makes rapid decisions and is generally in a hurry to get things done. He believes it better to do a 100 things and get 90 right than do 10 and get them all right. He will rarely apologize or acknowledge missteps. Turning a battleship around in four years is no small task. He has no time to look back or waste effort on recriminations (no doubt he will still find time for offhand snipes at critics). Donald Trump has only one gear - full speed ahead. I bet he doesn't even have a rear view mirror in his limo.

He will hold subordinates and allies accountable. He will not hesitate to fire those who underperform or deviate from the mission. He will demand quid pro quo, punishing those who fail to deliver and eviscerating those who attack America or Americans.. He will not waste time worrying about criticism.

He will ruffle feathers. Oh my goodness will he ruffle feathers. I have every confidence the sacred cows will be gored. DEI will be driven out of the military, the government and everywhere else he can reach. Government waste will be attacked not with a scalpel, but a cleaver. He will deport millions. Starting with criminals, terrorists, got-aways and recent illegals. Of course, most all of his actions will be cartridges for Woke and LSM AK-47s. They will twist every occurrence out of context to destroy Trump, his administration and his agenda. It will not matter. He will not be deterred.

He trusts his gut...like no President since Reagan. He speaks his mind...like no one since Reagan. He is widely liked and widely disliked...like Reagan whom many hated but later revered. He is confident and steadfastly committed to his goals, his promises...just like Reagan. Hopefully, he will transform this country...just like Reagan. And, when all is said and done, he may stand alongside Ronald Reagan as the most effective Commander in Chief in the last 75 years.

Fasten your seat belt. The next four years are not for the lily-livered.

Tippy Toes?

Naturally there is a great hue and cry from liberals, the Beltway and fair weather friends over several of President Trump's Cabinet and Key Staff appointees. Especially from lobbyists for defense contractors and other constituencies who expect the hammer to fall.

To them I say - what did you expect? Did you think Trump, after all he went through, would walk around on tippy toes once he got the reins back?

Hell No. His appointees make this pretty clear.

A Look at the Slate So Far

Marco Rubio (Secretary of State) - Son of Cuban immigrants. Age 53. US Senator (FL) since 2011. Ran against and afoul of Trump in the 2016 race. Little Marco. Along with Vance proves Trump doesn't hold a grudge when something makes sense. Can't say I really trust the guy but he's been VERY stout on Hamas, Illegal Aliens, etc. Certainly knows his way around the hill. Just hope he isn't too much of an insider.

*Tom Homan (The Real Border Czar) - A Bulldog. (63) Former Cop. Joined INS in '84. Served under Obama and Trump. Was acting Director of ICE under Trump. Perfect for what needs doing. Rough and Tough. Said the View "doesn't know what the hell they're taking about!" I love this guy. He's no Tim Walz or Dougie, that's pretty clear. You're gonna love this guy too, I bet. He's a real Dude.

Pete Hegseth (SecDef)- Big target for the naysayers as a Fox News Correspondent. Age 44. Princeton/Harvard Grad. No defense department experience except if you consider he is a National Guard guy who actually did fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Commanded men. Two Bronze Stars. Wrote a book, The Case Against The Establishment. Not beholding to the Military establishment, the Generals or the Defense contractors' lobbyists. He'll get rid of DEI so we can close the gap in recruits. We were 41,000 short in 2023. Obviously smart. Obviously tough.

Kristi Noem (head of Homeland Security) - (53) First Female Governor of ND (2018). Ran her family's ranch before she earned a college degree at age 41. Staunch Trump ally. Big advocate of "all of the above" energy. Member of the House. Known also for taking some liberties in her book, No Going Back, in which she also admitted shooting her pet dog and goat. So, she remembers "big". This knocked her out as a Trump VP candidate. Kristi has blemishes, which is probably part of the reason Trump likes her Her policies as Governor portray guts and toughness. We know she knows how to shoot a gun. First priority - clean up the damn Secret Service.

Matt Gaetz (AG) - (42) On the House Judiciary Committee, which performs oversight of DOJ, Matt played a key role in defeating the Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization. I pretty much hate this pick. Reminds me of Conway Twitty. Talk about blemishes. Gaetz's tenure as congressman led to widespread controversy, with The New York Times noting that he faced accusations of "illicit drug use, sharing inappropriate images and videos on the House floor, misusing state identification records, converting campaign funds for personal use, and accepting impermissible gifts." In 2020, Gaetz was accused of child sex trafficking and statutory rape. Biden DOJ did not charge, which is shocking. I resent the way he made us look stupid in the battle over House leadership last Fall. But he's another bulldog. He may not be confirmed. This may be Donald's first double back. Iffy pick at best.

Musk & Ramaswamy (DOGE) - Nuff said. Will have non governmental roles heading Department of Government Efficiency. Tech mogul Musk, the world’s richest man, and entrepreneur Ramaswamy have been tapped to head up the effort to attack government spending. The two men have until July 2, 2026, to try to remake the federal bureaucracy, working in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget. Remember Reagan say $1 of every $3 of government spending could be cut.

Susan Wiles (Chief of Staff) - A veteran of Republican politics, Wiles was the co-chair of Trump’s 2024 campaign and his Florida director in 2016 and 2020. Wiles is a long-time Florida political operative and fundraiser. She previously worked on successful campaigns for Ron DeSantis in 2018 and Rick Scott in 2010. Wiles, the daughter of storied NFL sportscaster Pat Summerall, will be the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. This lady uniformly gets RAVES! Plus she knows how to kick, I'm sure.

Lee Zeldin (EPA) - (44) Eight year member of U.S. House from Long Island, New York, Zeldin rose to prominence after running an unexpectedly close race for New York governor in 2022. He lost by approximately 6 points, a strong showing that national Republicans credited with helping the party flip several House seats in the state. Lt. Colonel in Army. After Congress, Zeldin joined the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank launched by former Trump administration officials in 2021. He has said he will prioritize efforts to roll back regulations while in office. Lee the Cutter.

Elise Stefanik (UN) - (40) Stefanik is currently the chair of the House Republican Conference and a House member from upstate New York. First elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was initially a Trump skeptic. But she has since become one his biggest supporters, joining his defense team during his first impeachment trial, and working as a surrogate on cable news and on the campaign. When then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from House Republican leadership for rebuking Trump in 2021, Stefanik ran a Trump-endorsed campaign to replace her.

When people attack appointees who lack their view of relevant experience but are smart and tough - I remind them of Ronald Reagan. He performed in Bedtime with Bonzo.  Smart, tough people is the recurring theme. And most are YOUNG.

*NB - Lots of chatter that something big (terrorist act) is coming. Why else would so many sneak in? Even Trump-hater Christopher Wray (FBI) has mentioned this fear the last 6 times he's testified before Congress. Said threat risk is at an all time high. We need a beast in charge. Homan is da man.

True to the End

Biden imposes a new methane emissions tax as he prepares to leave the White House.

A Mandate

The significance of winning the popular vote should not be underestimated. In 2016, Trump beat Hilary by 306 to 232 electoral votes. He lost the popular out 63M to 66M. A margin of 3 million votes. He lost just CA and NY by 5M. Two states accounted for the entire deficit.

This time around he beat Harris by 312 to 226 electoral votes. He won the popular vote by 76M to 73M. He only lost CA and NY by 4 million votes this time around. He only lost NJ by 5%. IL by 8%. That is significant...or so experts say.

By the by - this is EXACTLY why we have an electoral college. Otherwise we'd be voting for President of Caliyork.

Being the first Republican Candidate to win the popular vote in 20 years is no small thing.

An Immigration Solution

As documented ad nauseum the actions of the Biden/Harris administration have led to catastrophic illegal immigration and border security situations. Over 11 million (seems like a consensus) have entered illegally since Joe and the Border Czar took office. Among them countless drug traffickers, convicted criminals, gang members, sex traffickers and terrorists. Not to mention the 3 million got-aways, the 320,000 children who came across illegally that Biden/Mayorkas lost track of and the Fentanyl. A disaster by the most forgiving of measures.

But that is immigrants across the river. What to do now?

Well, we know deportations are coming. How many? Not sure. Trump/Homan promise an aggressive, rapid and logical process. Bad guys out first. Next illegals who entered most recently. Then...TBD. Always bear is mind...without credible fear there is no deterrence. If we don't deport those who break the law and enter illegally, why have a law?

This issue has been a thorny one for decades. First one side proposes a solution and the other rejects. And vice versa. I readily acknowledge the complexity of the issue, admit I don't have an adequate appreciation thereof and certainly am aware that vested interests differ significantly among lawmakers.

Nonetheless it's way past time to get a deal done. Using the incumbent's pen to authorize solutions is ridiculous. Change the President, change the rules. Democrats want future voters. Republicans want security. Never the twain have met.

So what should the goals be? I'll name a few.

The law must be upheld. Those who break the law, whatever it is now or turns out to be in the future, must be prosecuted and punished accordingly. No exceptions.

The borders of this country must be secure - at whatever and all costs. Be it a wall, manpower, equipment, technology, enforced treaties with neighbors. Whatever it takes. No borders, no country.

Immigration opportunities should be based, first and foremost, on what's good for all Americans. Not what's humane or compassionate. (Or necessary to pad Dem voter rolls).

All potential immigrants must be subject to comprehensive vetting to prohibit bad actors.

The overriding priority of immigration law should be to provide necessary skills for American employers and consumers. If we have a shortage and immigrants can fill it, they should get priority and the pathway should be swift.

Fair and compassionate consideration should be given to illegal immigrants who have status in the country. Longevity, a record of civic responsibility, full time employment, pay taxes, family, no hint of criminality.

The asylum boondoggle must be blown up. No asylum unless you have exhausted all possibilities with neighboring countries. No asylum consideration without thorough criminal vetting. No asylum without proof of physical abuse and a clear threat in the future. Time to play hardball.

Courts should be staffed to handle within 90 days the cases expected after these measures are implemented.

Those awaiting trial should wait in their home country or the country from which they crossed. No release into US society while awaiting trial. No room and board at taxpayer expense. No baby formula, diapers or sex changes on taxpayer nickel.

All this and whatever I have inadvertently omitted will cost money. But nowhere near what 11 million illegals every three years, the crimes, drug deaths, sex trafficking and likely terrorist acts cost.

A pathway to citizenship should exist for those enter legally, of course.

And that's all, folks.