SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

[ALSO PUBLISHED IN NEWSMAX]

In 1933, science fiction writer H.G. Wells wrote “The Shape of Things to Come”. His startling predictions covered 173 years into the future. Many of his visions were tragically accurate, like the strategic bombing of cities.

The following vision of December 2020 is one possible reality of the next two years. These predictions could become real if Republicans remain complacent, disorganized, and disloyal. Republicans bungling their historic opportunity over the last two years was terrible. Republicans failing during the next two years will be disastrous. Time to stand for something. Time to fight for something.

It is December 2020. President-elect Michelle Obama is filing her transition team and administration with liberal activists. The media is gushing over her every move.

Obama waged the most effective nomination fight in memory by not waging one. She hinted and teased, but waited until May 2020 to plunge into the fray.

The crowded Democrat field played its part brilliantly. Each of the fifteen candidates exhausted themselves moving ever further left with each debate, caucus, and primary. Conservative pundits and social media were delighted to assail the Democrat field and make fun of their over the top stances. It all paved the way for Obama to enter the race to “save the Democrats from themselves”. Democrat Party leaders breathed a sigh of relief and rallied to Obama’s cause.

Starting with the release of her book, Michelle Obama fostered “Obama Nostalgia”. This movement spread throughout media and academic circles. The movement expertly positioned the Obama years (2009-2016) as a calm, scandal free, period. They claimed that Republican Bush destroyed the economy, Obama rebuilt it, and Trump benefited from it.

“Obama Nostalgia” capitalized on the chaos in Washington.

House Democrats launched investigations into President Trump and his administration on an unprecedented scale. They voted to impeach Justice Kavanaugh in March 2019. His Senate trial failed to convict with only 40 votes. The House voted to impeach Trump in May 2019 on five counts including the emoluments clause, treason, exceeding authority on border security, and obstruction of justice. The Senate trial dominated the summer of 2019. Sixty Senators voted against Trump on the emoluments and obstruction charges, falling short of the 66 votes required to convict. The 13 Republicans voting to convict tore apart the GOP across America.

Democrats shifted to impeaching Trump appointees. Two Cabinet Secretaries resigned during their impeachment processes. The third Cabinet Member fought back and the House impeachment effort failed with only 170 votes. Speaker Pelosi stopped further impeachment actions stating, “it is time to heal”.

The impeachment assault achieved its goal. No further Trump appointees were confirmed by the Senate, including judges. Fewer and fewer people were willing to be named to Administration positions. Except for a steady stream of Executive Orders, Trump’s Executive Branch ground to a halt. The Stock Market sagged and economic indicators reflected increased uncertainty.

Romney, Flake, and Kasich ran against Trump. They benefited from a flood of leaks from the Romney, Bush, and swamp dweller operatives embedded in Trump’s inner circles. The Never-Trump candidates collectively garnered 35 percent of the delegates, but winning only a handful of caucuses and primaries (i.e. Utah). Trump prevailed and continued to speak to huge enthusiastic crowds throughout 2020.

The media positioned 2020 as the choice between continued Trump chaos or a return to Obama calm. Republican hopes for taking down the Clintons as a counter narrative were dashed when members of the Federal Grand Jury nullified federal law by refusing to indict. Several jurors explained that, while the Clintons broke numerous laws, they could not put America through the tragedy of their trial. This was applauded by the media and academia as the right decision to “heal the country”.

Republicans in Congress and their media allies, remained ineffective and panicked throughout 2019 and 2020. They were in disarray about Trump, and how to counter the Democrats. Republicans paid the price by losing the Senate. Voters defeated the most zealous Democrat House Members, who over reached on anti-Trump accusations, shrinking their majority 223 seats.

Time is running out to craft a different future. Our nation is at stake.

A Blue Wave in November? I Doubt It!

[Guest Contributor - Donald G. Mutersbaugh Sr.]

All of the pundits seem to feel that there is going to be a blue wave this November, and the Democrats are going to trounce the Republicans. Historically, in the off year of a presidential election, the Party in control of the White House loses seats in the Congress. This is not going to happen this November. I do not have any algorithms; I also do not have any computer models. However, what these psephologists and others who perform statistical analyses of elections and polls have not recognized is there has been a paradigm shift in the electorate. The old models are just not going to work anymore. I made this observation, “The Birth of the Electorate Paradigm Shift,” in Citizen Oversight’s August 2015 posting, “…why should we, the electorate, believe any of it? It is the ‘same old – same old’ because the majority of the candidates are calcified bureaucrats … who espouse non-winning strategies.” I wrote that there’s been “…a change in the direction and tone of conversations, interviews, and stump speeches concerning many topics which are of interest to most Americans (not so much politicians – except as it relates to their electability).”

Let’s look at some numbers. In the Senate 35 seats are up for reelection (includes MN and MS special elections); 26 of those seats are held by Democrats, and they need 2 seats to take control. All 435 House seats are up for reelection; probably 215 “favor” Republicans and 200 “favor” Democrats. That means approximately 20 to 25 seats are tossups. Here is where I diverge in my projections from everyone else because I believe the days of Party voting are on the wane. I believe that the electorate is going to be influenced by the people who vote based on the Zeitgeist (German Zeit or “time” and Geist or “Ghost”, specifically, the spirit or invisible force of that period). It will be this defining spirit or mood of the people that will determine the outcome of this election. Included in this assessment are economic issues such as taxation, regulation, employment/unemployment, immigration, terrorism, and social issues. Regardless of regional differences, all will be judged according to what’s happening in Washington.

I think that the midterm elections are going to be decided by those motivated voters who have had enough of the Democratic Party and RINOs and their continued refusal to accept the fact that Donald Trump won the election. Between them and the liberal press, voters have grown tired of only hearing the negatives about the President and our country. In a recent article reported in CNS News, “Today's strong economy is the result of President Donald Trump's policies, according to a recent poll by CBS News, which also showed that nearly half of Americans believe Trump is keeping a good number of his campaign promises. …. As for the 2018 congressional elections, 34% said they would prefer to vote for a ‘Republican who is more in line with Donald Trump.’ Only 22% said they would prefer to vote for ‘a progressive of [sic] liberal Democrat.’” The same poll reported that 72% (of Democrats and Independents) want a Democratic candidate who will promote a progressive agenda; 28% want a candidate who will oppose Trump’s agenda. https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/cbs-poll-68-credit-president-trump-current-economy

I have thought about this continued resistance to everything that is “Trump”, and I have finally concluded that the model to explain this is the Kübler-Ross model, otherwise known as the five stages of grief. The five stages are: anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCbler-Ross_model Let’s start with the first stage: anger. It would be hard to find anyone who is a Democrat (and some Republicans) who is not angry that Trump won; I have never seen so much anger and hatred after a national election. The second stage, denial, is evident in the fact that Democrats and Republicans (especially RINOs) are trying to completely ignore him by refusing to accept the fact he is the President (and leader of the Republican Party) by trying to circumvent or prevent his programs. The third stage of bargaining is beginning to creep into the National agenda; it appears that Congress and the Democrats sort of realize he is the President and are trying – in some cases – to find common ground. The fourth stage of depression will occur if the Republicans retain control of both the Senate and the House; I am pretty sure this will put the Democrats over the edge. The last stage, acceptance, will occur at some point between 2020 and 2022. In my opinion this might be the most dangerous stage because the Democrats will regroup and try to refocus an agenda that will resonate with the electorate – and not just be an anti-Trump campaign strategy.

I believe that the voters are going to go to the polls this November with the intent of voting out the incumbents – both Republicans and Democrats. I believe that this anger will be more directed at the Senate level; the numbers (presented previously) favor Republicans coming out on top because of the number of seats up for election/reelection. I believe that the house will be less chaotic because it is a more “personal environment (i.e., smaller jurisdictions). There will be some juggling within the incumbency, but overall I believe the Republicans will come close to keeping control of their existing numbers. The 20 or so House seats that are undecided will probably add to the Republican’s majority.

Obviously, a lot can happen between now and November. I’m going to believe that the positive direction present in Trump’s performance is going to continue. The Consumer Confidence Index is increasing, job openings are increasing, and unemployment is declining. Hopefully the positive things that he is doing will be reported on by the media, and people will realize that Trump is really Making America Great Again! And Americans prefer winners who play fairly. When a campaign ad starts off something like “I’m going to show Trump!” – well, you know that person is a loser who will probably not play fair. As far as the anger against incumbents, James Madison, referring to the House of Representatives, wrote in The Federalist Papers, No. 57: “. . . [T]hey can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society. If it be asked, what is to restrain the House of Representatives from making legal discriminations in favor of themselves and a particular class of the society? … I answer: the genius of the whole system; the nature of just and constitutional laws; and above all, the vigilant and manly spirit which actuates the people of America -- a spirit which nourishes freedom, and in return is nourished by it.” While this particular comment is applicable to both parties, the point is that the electorate is upset – and this is just one more reason. Also, according to the latest Gallup Poll, 17% approve of the way Congress is doing their job, but 79% disapprove. Blue wave – I don’t think so, but I do think that somebody’s going to pay!

Donald G. Mutersbaugh, Sr. earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland and his Master of Business Administration degree from Mary Washington College. He is the former Associate Administrator of Information Resources for the U.S House of Representatives under Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Beware the RINOgator

Also published on Newsmax.  #TRUMPING  #RINOGATOR

A very dangerous species is loose in Washington, DC.  If it’s not eradicated it will bring ruin to Trump’s Administration and the nation.

RINOgator is a subspecies of fake Republicans (as in Republican In Name Only) that lives in the swamp of our nation’s Capital.   The swamp is its natural habitat, filled with conflicts of interest, incestuous relationships, avoidance of accountability, hiding documents and information from the public; waste, fraud, and abuse. 

RINOgators’ role in life is to expand the swamp and to destroy anyone who tries to drain it. Any reduction in the swamp reduces their numbers and threatens the species.

RINOgators eat tax dollars and absorb energy from reform minded humans. They have insatiable appetites and are never full.  There is always one more meal to eat.

RINOgators are highly territorial.  They relentlessly defend their turf among Congressional Committees and special interests. It is far more important to maintain their turf than for anything to be accomplished.

RINOgators live in close-knit family units.  One generation promotes the next through education, internships, sinecures, and contracts.  There is constant intermingling and intermarriage with other RINOgator family units. 

RINOgators can also be highly incestuous. They will give awards, place media stories, hire, and promote family members at every opportunity.  Multi-generational RINOgator family units hold more territory and become impervious to elections.

RINOgators may migrate to corporate, academic, and media positions, to promote the swamp, but will always return to their native swamp.

RINOgators are pernicious.  They use their knowledge of the swamp to convince their prey that they are necessary.  Their prey willingly appoints them to office, listens to their advice, and invites them into their inner circles. Like cowbirds, RINOgators lay their eggs in the nests of reformers, setting the stage for their young to devour the souls of competing species.

RINOgators have a distinct call, which is heard on cable news, in policy forums, and reported in the mainstream media.  Its call is for maintaining the status quo, no matter what.  Lesser calls are for “further study”, new programs, new legislation, and more funding.  Squawks of alarm are heard whenever reformers call for accountability, transparency, “running government like a business”, “doing more with less”, privatization, and cutbacks.  Squawks are usually accompanied by assertions of “we are unique”, “it cannot be done”, and various lies about how the process “actually” works.

RINOgators have an array of formidable defenses.  Their most effective is delay. Their other defense mechanisms include the ability to erase memory, dismiss facts, and divert attention so reformers pursue only irrelevant or tactical issues.

RINOgators are chameleons.  They adopt the rhetoric of their enemies to better blend in until the right moment to strike. 

The Trump era has become a major threat to the RINOgators and their swamp.  The RINOgators did not see Trump as a threat until he had entered their territory. 

That is why the RINOgators have forged elaborate family groupings, nesting on Capitol Hill, to thwart Trump initiatives.  RINOgators chose not to attack the past foibles of Obama and Hillary.  They think it is better having Democrats on the offense against Trump instead of on the defense.

RINOgators have the innate ability to rebound after being stunned.  That is why, after being surprised by Trump winning the nomination, they insinuated themselves into Trump’s transition planning, transition team, and Administration.  Legions of RINOgators wrote Trump Transition briefing books and developed personnel “vetting” processes that slowed the staffing of Trump’s Administration to a crawl. They adjusted selection criteria to favor swamp preservationists and surrounded incoming Trump Executives with them, instead of swamp drainers.

RINOgator eradication efforts have been sporadic and only partially successful.  The main barrier to eradication is convincing people RINOgators exist. Their chameleon defenses allow them to avoid detection.  RINOgators and their allies have the unique talent of reflecting problems and disappointments back onto Trump.  This reflective surface is a key part of the RINOgator’s outer armor.

Thankfully, RINOgators have weaknesses.  They are susceptible to sunshine when light is shown on their true selves.  They are too smug, leading them to make wrong assumptions about the American people.

The RINOgator eradication program must begin with Americans unmasking the species and ripping away its reflective surfaces.  RINOgators are especially vulnerable during primaries. 

Trump and the nation must track down and wipe-out the RINOgator, before it is too late.  This is critical to draining the swamp.

[Scot Faulkner helps private corporations and governments save billions of dollars by flattening organizations; achieving dramatic and sustainable cost reductions while improving operational and service excellence. He served as the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives.  He also served on the White House Staff, and in Executive Appointments, during the Reagan Administration.]

Donald Trump and Ben Carson: The Winning Ticket?

[Guest Contributor - Donald G. Mutersbaugh Sr.]

I have to confess that I do not understand the mentality of the Republican leadership.  It appears that they are more interested in losing the election than supporting Donald Trump.  It also appears that the majority of people who are professionally involved in politics that their real loyalty is to themselves or to people that will benefit them. Professional politics has become a way of life; and all of them are more interested in staying in power, whether as an elected politician, as a political pundit or political commentator. Anything that might disrupt the status quo must be fought.  This, unfortunately, leads to an outcome in which the Republican Party becomes noncompetitive in national elections.

Donald Trump is a businessman – a very good businessman.  He has made a lot of money over the years because he understands the economy, human relationships, commercial and industrial processes as an owner and investor.  He knew he would have to stay on the good side of the politicians on both sides of the aisle; that is why he has such a diverse pattern of contributions to both Democrats and the Republicans.  Now, it seems that they have turned on him. They no longer want to have contact with him because he is gaining traction with the electorate and threatening to do away with “business as usual.”


Voters are tired of candidate bashing. Candidate bashing has always turned out to be deceptive and a way for one individual to get their 15 minutes of fame. I would guess that if each candidate’s focus had been on the common enemy – the Democratic candidates – Trump would never have had the platform that he now has. But instead, they attack each other and lose sight of the brass ring – the White House. The ineptitude of the Congress is also fueling the anger that is now surfacing; if the Republican controlled Congress would only keep their promises, Trump would probably not resonate so clearly with the voters. The media is not creditable in the eyes of most (informed) voters; and the promises of career politicians who only want more power, money, and backroom games and influence are dampening any chance of a Republican victory. The result is that the Republican establishment is going insane trying to derail The Donald!

The RINOs are doing everything they can to take the focus off of Trump. I truly believe that most of the GOP base is looking for reasons to revolt. It is the “same old – same old” because the majority of the candidates are calcified bureaucrats or career politicians being managed by RINOs and consultants who espouse non-winning strategies. Establishment favorites of the politically connected seem to be terrified that they will lose their influence in the decision-making process – and rightly so.  However, many of the conservatives are disgruntled with the Party's officeholders; and they are angry about immigration, trade and a whole lot of other agenda items that the incumbents have pooh-poohed.

And it’s not just Republicans; it is a lot of ordinary Americans who are concerned because regular politicians aren’t addressing the issues they are concerned about. I wrote in a previous blog (2/11/2013): “The more studious historians will, of course, have many explanations of why elections are won and lost: employment or unemployment; interest rates; tax policies; disposable income and voting one's “wallet”; monetary policies; balance of trade; deficit reduction; quantitative easing; wars; the list goes on and on.  And I agree with them: there have got to be logical, motivating factors that drive people to the polls to vote for one candidate or the other. But I also thought about the cyclical swings: today a Republican, tomorrow a Democrat. This mood of the country – the zeitgeist – manifests itself in the actual electoral outcome….”


It appears, statistically, that the electoral outcome is primed for a Republican victory.  All the Republican Party needs to do is stop fighting with each other and herd the cats into the voting booths to pull the lever for whoever the Republican nominee is.  Why the leaders do not recognize the sentiment of the public is unknown – but sad.  Currently, both Trump and Carson are polling in double digits; all of the other candidates – 14 of them - are in single digits and trailing by a wide margin! 


The image of the Republican Party needs to be vastly improved, also; it will never happen in today’s mileau. I am hopeful that the power structure of the Republican Party will recognize that there has been an electoral paradigm shift, and they take that knowledge with them when they do their planning on how to win a national election. Regardless of who the final nominee is, I hope that the voters – conservatives and moderates – coalesce and recognize that the only way to recapture the White House is to put aside their petty differences and vote Republican – any Republican! Period.


Conclusion: “The lessons to be learned: 1) Barring voter registration fraud, stuffing the ballot box, and the Republicans managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, political hysteresis smiles favorably upon a Republican Party win in 2016. 2) It appears that voters generally prefer a Republican as President; they just need a Democrat once in a while to remind them why….”

____________________________________

Donald G. Mutersbaugh, Sr. earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland and his Master of Business Administration degree from Mary Washington College. He is the former Associate Administrator of Information Resources for the U.S House of Representatives under Speaker Newt Gingrich.