100 days in - congrats to us all for keeping sane on the Trump train

[TheClaws]

The Trump thread continued. We are all LEGENDS!

I hope that this link to Rachel Maddox last night works. The piece is lengthy but worth watching all through. As one commentator said - words to the effect of - 'It sounds partisan but, sadly, it's accurate.'

Rachel Maddow

Sorry. Rachel Maddow.

I wonder if he'll ever be able to live again in New York.
Lweji, He's so egotistical that the opinions of the hoi polloi mean nothing to him. He has enough money to float above the crowd surrounded by other 1%ers and sycophants. The same for his adult children. Money insulates from a lot of things. It's his wife and youngest son who will suffer the most because of him.

On other things, in terms of 'pre-existing conditions' there are generally two types. The first is usually long term chronic; diabetes, heart conditions, Coeliac, MS. Things that a person may have that either does or may cause health problems. They don't want to take the risk that you're going to cost them lots of money down the road. The second is more 'acute'; current cancer, recent heart attack, current pregnancy. These are things you are currently being treated for (or have been recently) that an insurance company doesn't want to have to start paying out for until you've 'paid your dues' (premiums). Their concern is that they get enough money from you in premiums before they start paying out benefits. Either of these is enough to either refuse coverage, limit coverage to things not attributable to the pre-existing condition, or jack up your premiums.

I think pregnancy and rape would be more likely to fall into the second type. DV and C Sections into the first. Either way, it's disgusting.

Just watched the Dutch documentary. Lots of info and names I recognised from reading these threads.
Also had a wee lightbulb moment when it covered the Icelandic private equity FL, which was the largest and basically financed with Russian/ Putin money. I remember in the 00's the Icelandic economy had everyone trying to figure out how it was doing so well. Seems like Russian money flowing in/ being laundered could have been part of it.

People Behind Trump @DonyaMarie

@POTUS Im 50+ I not only voted 4 u but I campaigned 4 u Day & night now Im faced w/this new health care that is going 2 cost me 5xs more WTF

I saw on Twitter someone saying that this Act would even pay you a premium if you were ill and would agree to euthanasia.

I thought WTF but the sad thing is... I had to go and check this wasn't true. That's what I think of the POTUS and his lot. There is nothing so outlandish he can say or do that I won't believe.

The GOP are hearing the sound of those flapping wings now. Holding a 'celebratory party' at the White House was just madness.

@POTUS Im 50+ I not only voted 4 u but I campaigned 4 u Day & night now Im faced w/this new health care that is going 2 cost me 5xs more WTF

Well... lesson learned? Why should people believe a known liar?

It's the triumph of self-interest over responsibility, Lweji. They though their interests were aligned with 45.

I suppose for all my "Trump is so obviously something to oppose" there are still some that don't think he's devious and underhand. I know there'll always be a core who blindly swear allegiance but this passing of the bill has got to open some more eyes.

I find it ironic that my sister and BiL who are staunch Trumpers are now facing a worst case scenario rise in their HI premiums of approximately $24,000.00 per year. I'm sure it won't be that drastic but I do hope it makes both of them sit up and take notice.

Do you think it might?

Bearing in mind that they're 'staunch' that is.

Honestly, I don't know. We don't discuss politics as we're so diametrically opposite to each other. To the extent that they probably won't say a thing to us if their premiums do skyrocket, simply because they know they'd get a big fat 'told ya so' with a side of 'what did you expect'.

I have a feeling though that BiL will find some way to blame Obama for it. After all, he's already responsible for everything from climate change to ISIS. DSis will be more realistic. I honestly think she could be 'converted' if it weren't for BiL.

It's so funny (not ha ha funny), BiL is one of the kindest most charitable people I know to those he knows and/or loves. He's always been the first to help friends and family members with jobs, loans, a place to stay, etc. But when it comes to 'others', they 'deserve' nothing and are spongers, users, etc. He never puts it in actual racial terms (Blacks/Muslims deserve nothing), but always in Socio-economic terms ('Poor people' or 'people who come here with nothing'). He's a real 'self made man' and just seems to have a 'block' when it comes to people being positioned to earn wealth.

Last time I went to stay with them (we live in different states) he had Fox News on from the time he woke up until the time he went to bed. DSis, DM, and I spent our time out and about as much as possible.

I think that there are some people - the 'heartland' - who are going to keep to that view. In the privacy of the voting booth if nowhere else. You may well be right. Perhaps the best that you can hope for is that they decide not to/'can't be bothered to' vote ?

The people who are going to be influenced are the 'in-betweens'. There are a good many of those if I recall?

OK, just watched the Dutch doc - very interesting. Part 2 due next week.

I made a few scattered notes.

Trump had 6 bankruptcies in the 1990s, so no major New York banks would lend to him. Only able to finance his recovery after 2000 with money coming from places Russia and former Soviet Union countries, including people looking to launder criminal money.

Donald Trump jr in 2008:
"Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

Financial investigator claims he hasn't come across Russians investing to this scale in other property magnates' real estate. He suggests Trump's relationship with Russians may go back to 1980s.

Many of these people have had offices in Trump Towers, apartments in Trump buildings.

If Trump's involvement in and knowledge of Bayrock's alleged money laundering and fraudulent activities (including Bayrock's Dutch companies set up via Rudy Giuliani's law firm) can be proved, strong case for prosecution of Trump.

Sorry, that won't make a lot of sense if you haven't watched the doc.

GOP prioritizing of tax cuts over health care seen in new bill www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/gop-prioritizing-of-tax-cuts-over-health-care-seen-in-new-bill-936880707949

This segment has Schiff talking to Maddow about how he was discussing passing the ACA with someone and after outlining how it would expand insurance to millions of people who previously did not have access to healthcare, got a response back saying that if people were too poor to afford healthcare, they didn't deserve it.

Yes indeed.

Sadly, he said that he felt a lot of people thought that even though they might not say it out loud in a public place.

Interesting piece about the next weeks.

Senators and races

Oh ffs

North Korea claims CIA plotted to kill Kim Jong-un
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39815561

It's a very elaborate plot they've come up with!

Phew!

I've just been commenting on an article about yesterday's vote elsewhere. Goodness me, there are some bonkers Trumpers around with truly awful views. Someone has just said this...
"I only wish you could enjoy the opportunity that ONLY exists here in America. Here everyone has an opportunity to be successful and those that embrace America and it's values do so. Some people just like to complain and be failures - it's a choice"

I have asked if it's a choice to develop MS or Parkinsons or be born with a hole in the heart.

Glad to be back here!

Perking It was interesting that they pointed out his denial is always phrased as 'I have no business dealings in Russia,' whereas the reality is that the Trump organization outside of Russia, depends on Russian investment from dubious, not to say, scary sources.

Yes, he has business dealings with Russians, rather than owning property in Russia.

Mind you, given 45's general level of untruthfulness, I'm not sure his wording is significant. Other people give narrowly phrased "lawyer's answers", 45 just makes shit up.