WEEKEND THOUGHTS

This clear cold Saturday leading up to a wintery week and #99 may be a revelation of our today’s political world 

Yes. even though he is getting less dollars than in the bill he refused to sign, Trump the self-acclaimed Deals Maker claims a victory in the resolutions ending the danger of another shutdown. Of course, he is trying an end run through his declaration of a NATIONAL EMERGENCY.

It is true  that there have been 31 National Emergencies declared since 1978 and 31 are still in effect. But only about 3 have been for national reasons including a Flue epidemic; the others for international reasons including freezing of funds or sanctions.

None before "The Wall" had been opposed by Congress as a whole. Before the Midterm election defeats Trump had not pushed the Wall but now he is trying to rally support from the Far Right.

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He may succeed in diverting monies earmarked for disaster relief and the military  military construction, narcotic containment, Treasury  seized funds. .  “Congress can terminate a declared emergency, but it requires a joint resolution – a high hurdle. Democrats in power at the House of Representatives would have to convince Republicans who control the Senate to join them in blocking Trump's move. Then they would have to get a signature from the president, the same person who declared the emergency in the first place or override his veto.”

But political shenanigans are not limited to DC.  There have been plenty occurring in Trenton, and locally the Administration will b e able to sneak through its plan to privatize the 911 operation when the public is not looking. As Rebecca Perkins commented on by 2/14 blog:” A motion that does not receive a second is treated as though it were never introduced. It may be introduced again as a new motion”.

Our mayor continued to flout as progress his and others attacks on our pocketbook. He wrote: “Regardless of industry or profession, no one should put in a full day's work, and a complete work week and not be able to afford somewhere to live; or have to choose between paying bills and feeding their family.

This increase will also allow more people to afford a better quality of life, more goods, services, and more living options, which will provide a boost to the local economy.

I will continue to fight for job opportunities for residents, fair working conditions, affordable educational options, accessible vocational training, and housing options to meet a variety of household budgets. We are a diverse community, and our needs and means are also different. As we continue to grow, there will be changes, but these changes are reflective of our progress and the ongoing momentum of our renaissance.”

Like all socialistic programs and action results in a counter action. To raise wages will cause increased costs therefore there will be the inevitable decrease in the purchasing value of the Dollar, i.e.: INFLATION. Add to this the increased costs of supporting Universal Health Care even if financed by increasing the debt that will eventually have to be paid or wiped out through bankruptcy; the fixed income senior citizen will be the biggest loser.