Saturday, November 12, 2016

Fred Mazelis — Trump packs his transition team with ultra-rightists and family members


This is the initial message that Trump is sending and it presages his appointment of key players and advisers in his administration. 

Looks like the same old establishment, suggesting that the wrecking ball that his supporters were voting for is missing in action.

WSWS
Trump packs his transition team with ultra-rightists and family members
Fred Mazelis

29 comments:

Malmo's Ghost said...

LOL. Anyone even slightly to the right of a socialist is an ultra right winger.

Who else can he pick? Moderate Republicans ARE the Republican version of the establishment--neocons for all those wondering.

He sure as hell isn't picking any Democrats (maybe a true recalcitrant one, maybe), thus his choices are limited.

But so what if right wingers sign on to Trump's populist message. If you think they will be the tail wagging the dog then you've got Trump all wrong. Trump's primary message on trade and immigration were historical Democrat positions until they sold out to the plutocrats. His position on the Supreme Court I agree with. I don't want judge made law circumventing the democratic process. And on Obamacare I say good riddance to most of it. Finally, on the Grand Bargain Trump has indicated he won't sign on.

No matter what his cabinet is they'll all take their marching orders from the boss. Orders their ideology might not be aligned with. Oh well.

Matt Franko said...

No same old establishment Tom, Theil not even in govt neither Carson, Bannon, or his kids.... Flynn thrown out by neo-cons ...

Didn't know Socialism is synonymous with abortion on demand and border crashing until now either...

Why don't these people just throw in with the Democrats and avoid the confusion wrt "socialism "

Matt Franko said...

Mal what do you think ?

This looks better to me after Thursday's Ryan-fest at least...

Ryan Harris said...

Unless you get a bloody war that kills everyone, the same people keep reinventing themselves like the best ultra fresh and clean detergent. It's the time problem that economics pretends doesn't exist.

Matt Franko said...

Here this is funny from the site backgrounder:

"When the first issue of the World Socialist Web Site was posted on February 14, 1998, the corporate media was proclaiming the irreversible triumph of capitalism and “the end of history.” A new era of peace and prosperity had supposedly dawned. What followed, however, was the unending “war on terror,” (TRUMP AGAINST) the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s (TRUMP WANTS 1T infrastructure and rip up sequestration), a devastating collapse in working class living standards (TRUMP WANTS END TPP AND WORKER TARIFFS, END ILLEGAL WORKERS), unprecedented attacks on democratic rights (ELECTION RIGGED AGAINST TRUMP), and, in the face of these events, profound cultural and intellectual disorientation."

These people are just partisan Democrats masquerading as Socialists...

Malmo's Ghost said...

I think Trump will have a neocon here or there, but they will be neocon light and virtually castrated from their neocon roots. Along those lines I also think anyone he picks will be told Trump's the boss and on many issues their so called hard line right wing credentials aren't going to circumvent Trump's way, which likely will differ fundamentally from their various ideologies (Trump is quite liberal socially, viz; his sex musings, etc). Trump will make clear "THIS IS AN ANTI ESTABLISHMENT ADMINISTRATION" and it's my way or the highway. "Anti Establishment doesn't mean a right wing coup, so if it bothers you then don't apply"..

Tom Hickey said...

Jus' sayin' that these are establishment people.

The only new blood is Trump's family, and that is now as establishment as one can get — Trump Dynasty.

Malmo's Ghost said...

Just sayin that it doesn't matter if they're Establishment.

Trump dynasty. Good.

Unknown said...

this left right stuff is just partisan trash. Used as distracting propaganda from things that really matter. Everybody is right and left depending on the subject, and the more detailed the look into a particular issue, the less relevant and more confusing the entire left right paradigm becomes. Hell, how many people even agree with what constitutes left right anyway?

More equality vs less? Hell, quotas and affirmative action are by definition less liberal from one POV as the Govt forces people to do things, potentially against their will and with the threat of force. But from a social justice POV, given the context this might be a net good (like preventing public businesses from excluding service to any particular group), and certainly is supported by liberals. But which way is left or right is hardly clear cut.

For example, what is I wrote the first sentence like this "Hell, quotas and affirmative action are by definition more right as the Govt forces people to do things, potentially against their will and with the threat of force." This using the conception that authoritarian = right and anarchy = left. Which is something itself I disagree with as I'm no anarchist, I dont even think anarchy is possible in the human species. "no social organization = anarchy" thats crazy humans always organize on some level (family, community, tribe, etc) and always have. Hobbes "nature of man" is a garbage fantasy. I believe in a strong Govt, does that make me on the Right?

Would Mal and Franko agree that affirmative action is a "rightist" policy from the pov of big Govt? I doubt it.

What about abortion? Forcing someone to give birth is the biggest "Big Govt" policy besides maybe the death penalty there is. Is that on the "right"? then what about lefties like me who support restrictions on abortion at something like the time of viability for the fetus minus threats to the life and safety of the mother.Am I on the left on my abortions views or right? Relative to who? Is it "left" or right to allow the mother to murder (ahem) "abort" the fetus 1 week before birth? 1 day? 1 hour? 1 minute?

Dont even get me started on economic policy.

What about drugs?

Tom Hickey said...

Chelsea is apparently being prepped to run for Congress when Rep. Nita Lowey retries. She is 79.

George P. Bush recently won office in Texas.Land Commissioner (2015). It may not sound like much but it is politically powerful in TX.

I guess we can live through another dynasty.

Malmo's Ghost said...

I like various anarchists more than I do most liberals, FWIW. Bob Black and John Zerzan are two of my favs.

Malmo's Ghost said...

Chelsea Hubble? :)

Peter Pan said...

Michael Bolton is acceptable, but not the other one.

Unknown said...

Mal=

Thats crazy about the WSWS quote you provided. I bet that would make many a Dem partisan hack head explode to think acknowledge that Trump is further to "left" then many of their beloved Corporate Dem jerkoff heroes like HRC and Obama (quite possibly the greatest Con man\actor to have ever lived).

Not that they'd ever acknowledge that reality. Like the recent development of Obama finally stopping the madness of supporting the mass murderers in AlQaeda in Syria now that HRC lost. Thats just disgusting, that Obama would announce that we are now going to kill the people we were just supporting because HRC lost. Which is the best indicator you can dream of to indicate the criminality of Obama\HRC foreign policy. How cynical (brilliant from a do-evil POV) of BO to change this policy now so that Trump cant take as much credit for stopping the support of Terrorists.

Tom Hickey said...

this left right stuff is just partisan trash

Not so sure.

The right stands for limited government, low taxes, strong military, and family values, as well as a business-friendly economic policy.

The left stands for active government, redistribution, adequate defense, social liberalism, and a worker-friendly economic policy.

Malmo's Ghost said...

Clarification: can't stand libertarian anarchists.

Unknown said...

Its my turn to be not so sure Tom

The right is for Big Jail, Big abortion, Big Military, Biz friendly poliicy is often Big Govt, like using Govt to ensure monopoly of Telcos. All of these are Big Govt and I would consider "right". R's are plenty in favor of active Govt (just for their favored causes), redistribution (upwards to the wealthy).

So that just made a complete hash of your big right description. I could do the same for the left.

Unknown said...

Should read "just made a hash of your Left\right description"

Matt Franko said...

Auburn,

"I believe in a strong Govt, does that make me on the Right? "

imo that would make you non-libertarian... ie non anti-authority...

imo the big problem is libertarianism...

If those outside of our knowledge arent plain stupid then what their bias is that keeps them ignorant is libertarianism...

Probably a combination of stupidity and libertarian bias operating..

Malmo's Ghost said...

My biggest hope for Trump is that he goes full in MMT even if it means he doesn't say so explicitly.

Unknown said...

Matt-

Well, I am very anti authority when I view that authority or its policies as illegitimate. I oppose the war on drugs because of the tremendous damage its caused both socially, personally, and financially. SO Im "libertarian" wrt todays current drug policy. But Im extremely authoritarian when it comes to banking, as I view banking as an extremely important and potentially dangerous public good (not unlike nuclear power) and so must be constrained severely in the public interest. Constrained as in low, stable rates, no selling off loans to third parties, complete separation from investment and commercial banking, etc. Which of course offers the benefit of having much lower taxes or higher Govt spending without generating undesired levels of inflation.

lastgreek said...

Chelsea ... George P. Bush ...

I guess we can live through another dynasty.


Doesn't Bernie have any kids?

Auburn, you got me quoting Chomsky on a Saturday night!

“Authority, unless justified, is inherently illegitimate and that the burden of proof is on those in authority. If this burden can't be met, the authority in question should be dismantled.”

Tom Hickey said...

A lot of politicians have kids that don't go into politics and ride on their parents fame.

Unknown said...

Greek-

Thats a good one. Dont agree w Chomsky on everything (IMHO his a total apologist for fundamentalist Islam), but he's great on power relations and propaganda.

Kristjan said...

I Hear that Trump has read 7DIF.

https://soundcloud.com/financialexchange/warren-mosler-economist-trump-victory

Matt Franko said...

"Well, I am very anti authority when I view that authority or its policies as illegitimate."

Auburn you are conflating definitions here...

If the authority mandated that small drug possession was not a criminal act, then you would be pro authority here... you cant be either anti or pro authority at the same time...

Consider your issue is not with "authority" it is with the specific law/policy that is enforced via 'authority'... 'authotity' is not a personal noun... it is an abstract concept...

iow 'authority' is above the specific law/policy in question...

If the law is 'no drugs' then authority enforces that... and if the law changes to 'no LARGE amount of drugs' then authority enforces that...

You cant be both for something and against something at the same time... this is the classic "a house divided AGAINST ITSELF cannot stand" from Greek Scriptures...

You are either pro-authority or anti-authority...

USD system is operated via authority of the Fed. govt institution... libertarians repel from this current condition... so they are being just like you describe yourself on the small drug possession issue... so you cant say "well I am pro authority on currency systems BUT I am anti authority on the small drug possession issue..."

Wont work...

Matt Franko said...

K,

Warren still bearish there... calling for current 4Q recession... pretty bold...

Also revealing: First thing the host asks Warren is "what is going to happen to the deficit?"

lastgreek said...

I Hear that Trump has read 7DIF.

Mosler: He's talked to people who have, but I can't say he speaks for it.

The only book "Two(!) Corinthians Trump has ever read was Tony Schwartz's The Art of the Deal ... a book of fiction.

Tom Hickey said...

I Hear that Trump has read 7DIF.

https://soundcloud.com/financialexchange/warren-mosler-economist-trump-victory


Warren said that Trump had talked to people that have read it but he did not know that Trump himself had and his policy formulation so far doesn't show it.

It is worth listening to. Warren argues for eliminating FICA as the most effective way to goose the economy and he believes that he it the easiest to get bipartisan support on.