Current National Political Environment – A Report Card
On KLO Talk Radio, Tuesday October 23rd, the second of a series of 4 commentaries regarding current matters of interest to us all were graded. The final grading and categories presented were as follows:
Economy A- (3.7)
Military / NSS B+ (3.3)
Health Care F (0.0)
Budget Deficit B (3.0)
Trade Negotiations B- (2.7)
Immigration / Border C (2.)
Enemies / Allies D- (0.7)
Nominations / Appointees B- (2.7)
Stature of the Office of President C- (1.7)
The overall grade to date of the current National Administration is a C+. However, the three most important legs of the administration (economy, military, and political leadership) were cautiously graded a B+ (economy, military, and stature of the Office of the President).
Without writing a book, here is the summation of each category’s assessment:
1. Economy (A-). Though cautiously optimistic, it’s hard to argue with a DOW that’s up 25% 18 months after a new president has taken office with unemployment standing at a 50-year low. However, the debt and deficit that’s paying for it is a huge gamble. If the gamble pays off, America is a winner. If it does not, America will have gambled and lost and pay a painful penalty. Time will tell, but for now, a cautious A- has been assessed. Grade: A-.
2. Military / NSS (B+). The military is still painfully over tasked and under-resourced. Work needs to be done. However, 18 months into a new Administration, the U.S. military is still second to none, with all the positive and negative consequences that are routinely deliberated on that. However, with the absence of climate change as a security challenge (not to mention sequestration only being mentioned once), the President’s National Security Strategy (NSS) released 10 months ago in December 2017 is pretty good. It even underscores American values as a key component of assuring our security. It is a good document, an important document, but there’s much work to be done. Grade: B+.
3. Health Care (F). What a disaster and representative of the failure of both parties. The Republicans cried for 8 years about Obamacare. Yet, when they finally won the House, Senate, and Executive Branch, they had NOTHING! This is a disgrace and symptomatic of what’s wrong with both predominate U.S. parties. They are simply unprepared and unwilling to govern. And, they do not do their homework even though they have the resources to shape intelligent legislation that’s healthy for America. This is why the Utah Bull-Moose Party exists and why The Utah Bull-Moose Party presses you all to stop voting for anyone running for office under either the Republican or Democratic Parties until the disease of impotency is cured from both of them and effective leadership is installed. Grade: F.
4. Budget Deficit (B). Yes, trillion-dollar deficits are alarming and symptomatic of decades of irresponsible Republican and Democratic bickering and poor leadership that dug us into a painful fiscal hole. However, the President’s gamble to reduce taxes (and government revenues) in the short run by increasing our debt at an alarming rate to spur innovation and consumer confidence. The latter approach for attaining longer term fiscal health is in the direction of right due to the lack of good alternative choices – mainly because there are few other options other than austerity and “living-with-in-our-means” budgetary controls. Both the latter options have spoiled, and riskier action is now unfortunately necessary. Though the debt and deficit numbers are big, hairy, and scary, the projected 2019 deficit only officially represents approximately 5% of America’s annual GDP (our annual household income). Though America no longer represents 50%+ of global GDP, nor is the lender to the world, we still have options, though the stakes are much higher. The time is now to leverage the assets we still have and take action to deliberately optimize and leverge our economic, military, and political positions on the global stage for our longer-term good. Grade: B.
5. Trade Negotiations: B-. The president’s efforts to reexamine our trade agreements is absolutely on target. Every President that comes into office should do the same. When agreements are no longer in Americas interests, it is time to renegotiate them. Time will tell if the terms of the renegotiation efforts will have a measurable effect on America’s economic fortunes, but perpetually reexamining and renegotiating the terms of our agreements is always healthy. Grade: B-.
6. Immigration / Border Control: C. The Administration’s focus is in the right direction on this very important matter, but it has fumbled the ball dramatically. We have all seen the ridiculous individual tragedies knee-jerk initiatives have caused. America has at its disposal a deep well of modern Immigration and border management legislation and expertise at its disposal. Those tools need to be leveraged intelligently. The emotional physical manifestation of “a wall” is understandable. People want action and they are tired of excuses. Sometimes pandering to folk’s emotions matters. But friends, as a 38 Year Army Colonel, Combat Engineer, and U.S. State Department Diplomat responsible for advising foreign nations on border management techniques, I can show you a dozen ways to get over, under, around, and through a wall. A better answer is empowered and well-funded modern border management infrastructure and immigration law (both national and internationally with our neighbors). Sure, waste the money, embrace the unfavorable optics of what America is and stands for, and build a physical wall if that’s an itch that just must be scratched. Then, let’s get on with intelligent and modern techniques of border control and immigration policy – before more unintended consequences such as the South and Central American “Caravan” approaching our southern border festers out of control and provides America another punch in the nose we could have avoided. Grade: C.
7. Enemies / Allies: D-. Our threats are real and well documented. Our allies are just as important today as ever. America still controls the greatest percentage of global GDP compared to the rest of the world’s nations. However, China (a threat to global stability and America’s interests) and India, are projected to overtake America’s GDP leading position in a few years. To counter this, intelligent economic policy and leveraging our Allied coalitions are crucial. Though China may overtake the number one global GDP position, America still leads the global agenda, international rule of law, and like-minded allied nations that embrace American values. The key is ”Doing-The-Right-Thing” for ourselves and our allies. Our allied relationships of like-minded nations represent over 70% of global GDP, led by America. Intelligently continuing to lead it is in America’s best interests. Cultivating strong relationships with like-minded GDPs, where all allies commit to doing their financial part, is what will assure our security interests going forward. Alienating allies will serve to undermine America’s interests. Grade: D-
8. Nominations / Appointees: B-. The Administration has put forth some really poor cabinet nominations over the last 18-14 months. Poor examples include Mathew Spenser Peterson (District Court Judge nominee), Jared Kushner (President’s son-in-law), Rex Tillerson (SECSTATE). Responsible, informed, and appropriate nominees include James Mattis (SECDEF), John Kelly (WH CofS), and Mike Pompeo (SECSTATE). Who a leader surrounds himself with is a window into their leadership ability and the credibility they experience among peers and competitors. A new Administration has a mountain to climb and invariably, a weak nominee or appointee may slip though occasionally. As the current Administration settles in, though some bad apples have had to be purged from the mix, we currently have some good adult supervision in the most important key positions. I am always cautious, however, of any leader. As Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Bremer, and General Franks demonstrated during the Bush years, seemingly capable leaders completely fumbled the ball and cost tremendous amounts of American prestige, treasure, and lives that are still hurting us today. Having intelligent leadership in place that makes the right calls is mandatory at the Executive Level. Grade: B-.
9. Stature of the Office of President: C-. The President is our leader. I’m for us. I am for the success of our leadership. I want our country and our President to succeed. Our current President is a change agent and he is pulling many of the levers of American interests in an effort to make America healthier, stronger, and more competitive on the global stage. This is what we demand of him. However, the emotional theatrics and un-Presidential behaviors are not necessary and lay into question competency and confidence. One only needs to look to the UN’s recent laughter at the President’s during his address to the General Assembly. Folks, you’re kidding yourself if you think the world’s leaders publicly laughing at American leadership is not a reason to be concerned about. Grade: C-.
In summary, the grade for the current leadership of the Republican controlled House, Senate, and Executive branch is an overall C+. I have patience and concede that a change of administration is a bumpy process and we are only half way through the first term, so cautious optimism is where I stand. I grade, again cautiously, the three most important legs of national power (Economy, Military, and Political Leadership on the global stage) a B+. I am for the success of America. I expect a lot of the people we elect (and employ). They work for us. There is room for improvement and I, and you, deserve nothing less than the best including elected representatives that “Do-The-Right-Thing.”
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