American Oligarchs and appeasement

[kernelbogey]

Both? I've been saying for some time that Trump has dementia/Alzheimers, which i believe runs in his family, and having lost my mother to this dreadful disease, the signs are fairly easy to spot. I wonder how far down the line this will go before the 25th Amendment kicks in. In my view, it should have already done so.

Wouldn't that require at least even numbers of Democrat and Republican numbers in Congress? (I assume it would require Congress's initiative.)

[Maclintick]

They are still behaving badly

https://www.tramatm.com/blog/category/fashion/hugo-boss-trade-mark-challenge-turned-into-pr-nightmare

Very interesting. A small brewery in South Wales would be an easy target. I doubt whether they'd have the cojones
to go after Suntory...

[Frances_iom]

This week's Tablet has an excoriating article "In the court of King Donald" by Nicholas Boyle - the front cover has an image of Trump as crowned monarch a la Henry VIII titled The Restoration - America brings back the monarchy; - "In the "deals" of which he claims to be a master, he is often content with the appearance of victory, rather than its substance, with the submission of an adversary, rather than their defeat.

[pastoralguy]

This week's Tablet has an excoriating article "In the court of King Donald" by Nicholas Boyle - the front cover has an image of Trump as crowned monarch a la Henry VIII titled The Restoration - America brings back the monarchy; - "In the "deals" of which he claims to be a master, he is often content with the appearance of victory, rather than its substance, with the submission of an adversary, rather than their defeat.

We’re only a month into the Trump ‘presidency’ and what we’re seeing is jaw dropping. Goodness knows what the next four years will bring.

[Pulcinella]

We’re only a month into the Trump ‘presidency’ and what we’re seeing is jaw dropping. Goodness knows what the next four years will bring.

Much as I abhor Trump and all he stands for, at least he's getting things done.
Would that Starmer, with his huge majority, would do the same, but in a typically British fashion we have to have enquiries, pointless consultations, and complete inertia.

[french frank]

Much as I abhor Trump and all he stands for, at least he's getting things done.

What?

[Pulcinella]

What?

All the executive orders he's signed.
You might not like them, but they've made an impact already on all those poor citizens who've been affected.
With luck, one that will see a reversal from Republican to Democrat in the mid-terms, if the Democrats can get their act together by then.

[teamsaint]

Much as I abhor Trump and all he stands for, at least he's getting things done.
Would that Starmer, with his huge majority, would do the same, but in a typically British fashion we have to have enquiries, pointless consultations, and complete inertia.

Well Starmer is cracking on with invading digital privacy quick as you like. And he upped employer NI at speed.And he didn’t hang about on the winter fuel payment.
What are the things that you would like implemented more quickly Pulcers ?

[Jazzrook]

Jonathan Freedland on Trump:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/21/donald-trump-usa-russia-vladimir-putin-weakest-strongman

JR

[Pulcinella]

Well Starmer is cracking on with invading digital privacy quick as you like. And he upped employer NI at speed.And he didn’t hang about on the winter fuel payment.
What are the things that you would like implemented more quickly Pulcers ?

House of Lords reform for starters.
As you know, I'm all in favour of ID cards, having had one as a graduate student in Canada 1975 to 1981 that showed exactly what my entitlements were.

[Petrushka]

House of Lords reform for starters.
As you know, I'm all in favour of ID cards, having had one as a graduate student in Canada 1975 to 1981 that showed exactly what my entitlements were.

We're probably getting too close to party politics and I've no wish to be banned so I'll just say that HoL reform isn't a priority and would waste precious parliamentary time when things like the NHS and cost of living are things that concern voters more. NHS waiting lists are already down (and in winter) while the economy is in better shape than this time last year. HoL reform is something for the next parliament.


Agree about ID cards, by the way.

[Pulcinella]

We're probably getting too close to party politics and I've no wish to be banned so I'll just say that HoL reform isn't a priority and would waste precious parliamentary time when things like the NHS and cost of living are things that concern voters more. NHS waiting lists are already down (and in winter) while the economy is in better shape than this time last year. HoL reform is something for the next parliament.


Agree about ID cards, by the way.

Yes: Must be careful what I say.
But I used HoL reform as an example of something that could now possibly just get done without the need for endless consultations and use of parliamentary time.
At least Trump hit the road at full speed, however disastrous his decisions might be for Americans and the world at large.
Many sadly crave government (influence, power, whatever) but have no real plan once elected or in a position to effect change.

[Petrushka]

Yes: Must be careful what I say.
But I used HoL reform as an example of something that could now possibly just get done without the need for endless consultations and use of parliamentary time.
At least Trump hit the road at full speed, however disastrous his decisions might be for Americans and the world at large.
Many sadly crave government (influence, power, whatever) but have no real plan once elected or in a position to effect change.

Actually, I think that HoL reform would need a great deal of consultation and parliamentary time, particularly with regard to exactly how the second chamber would be constituted. Regrettably, I wouldn't expect it to be a speedy process. Press/media reform is also needed but that's another one for the next parliament unless something drastic forces it up the agenda.

As for Trump, his blizzard of executive orders are bogged down in legal disputes and most probably won't happen. Watch what he does, not what he says.

[Pulcinella]

Actually, I think that HoL reform would need a great deal of consultation and parliamentary time, particularly with regard to exactly how the second chamber would be constituted. Regrettably, I wouldn't expect it to be a speedy process. Press/media reform is also needed but that's another one for the next parliament unless something drastic forces it up the agenda.

As for Trump, his blizzard of executive orders are bogged down in legal disputes and most probably won't happen. Watch what he does, not what he says.

You're probably right. And I certainly hope some of the orders are never allowed to happen.

[french frank]

All the executive orders he's signed.
You might not like them, but they've made an impact already on all those poor citizens who've been affected.
With luck, one that will see a reversal from Republican to Democrat in the mid-terms, if the Democrats can get their act together by then.

Ah, yes. By 'getting things done' you meant like getting Brexit done? Though you did say 'at least he's getting things done'.
Judging by this morning's news, it will be interesting to see when the revolution comes which side the military are on.

As far as the Lords is concerned, I'm a pragmatist. It may lack a democratic mandate, but it is more sensible than the Commons. The House of Commons is, if I remember, an 'elective dictatorship'. With universal suffrage in populous states perhaps the best we can hope for is governments which do very little harm.