Rational Nation USA

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth How to Build an Autocracy The preconditions are present in the U.S. today. Here’s the playbook Donald Trump could use to set the country down a path toward illiberalism. Following is an audio version of a recent article by David Frum published in The Atlantic. Given trump’s presidential campaign and the record of his first 11 days in office the scenario Frum lays out is entirely possible. If democrats, moderate republicans, and independents don’t join together to defeat this yuuuge abscess four years from now it is entirely likely. Audio Version

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth America is f**ked. We now have a certifiable lunatic as President of our once Great Nation. A man who is severely lacking in diplomatic skills, lacks a basic understanding of our constitution, has shown disdain for America’s most cherished tradition, sees himself as infallible, sows bigotry and hate, has ignited protests at home and across the globe - the result of his knee jerk executive travel ban, is a known to be a conspiracy theorist, travels in and spreads alternative facts – in other words lies frequently, and now what you see directly below. WASHINGTON — The whirlwind first week of Donald J. Trump ’s presidency had all the bravura hallmarks of a Stephen K. Bannon production. It started with the doom-hued inauguration homily to “American carnage” in United States cities co-written by Mr. Bannon, followed a few days later by his “shut up” message to the news media. The week culminated with a blizzard of executive orders, mostly...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth We’re hearing a great deal about alternative facts, fake news, that the media is the opposition party, as well as a steady stream of hyperbole and platitudes casting the other side as the side that a engages in undesirable and unethical behavior.   In fact neither the conservative or liberal media, conservative or liberal politicians are immune from bias.   Bias is something all people are prone to. An individual’s environment, his upbringing, education, career path, and indeed the total of one’s life experiences shapes their biases. As a person ages and gains experience their biases can change.   Bias is a powerful driver on how we view reality and the world. Another factor that often works in forming a person’s bias is their own self-interest. It is this writer’s contention that politicians are heavily affected by their own personal self-interests and as a result fail to serve their constituency honestly as they shoul...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Today, just a few interesting links. Applied for Social Security retirement benefits and Medicare online today (easy but more time consuming than advertised), and now it is time to celebrate. First I'm putting up what I think are a few interesting articles and then off to Iron Duke Brewery for the best brews in Western Massachusetts. Of course the drinking will be responsible and the conversation lively. The end of Sarah Palin is here FINALLY! Mexico's Vicente Fox to Trump: We are 'ready for the trade war' Who could've guessed? Trump and the Republicans Are on a Suicide Mission Together REALLY? Mikhail Gorbachev: ‘It All Looks as if the World Is Preparing for War’ It sure does look that way Mikhail. Throttle down with trump's foot on the gas pedal. New U.S. U.N. envoy warns allies: back us or we'll take names Here it comes, the bully threatens! Have a great weekend all.

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth “I want you to quote this,” Bannon told the newspaper, “The media here is the opposition party. They don’t understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States.” “You’re the opposition party, not the Democratic Party. You’re the opposition party. The media’s the opposition party.” “The paper of record for our beloved republic, The New York Times, should be absolutely ashamed and humiliated. ... They got it 100 percent wrong.” Americans should be concerned. Very concerned. Stephen Bannon, chief strategist for Donald Trump has just told the press to shut up. That they are the opposition party. It falls in line with the Trump administration’s narrative that the news media disseminates “fake news”, essentially saying that Trump and his administration have the “real news”. Trump (we refuse to refer to him as president in our commentary) has a plan, a plan to turn document...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Another day passes as Trump continues his flurry of executive orders (remember the hoopla over President Obama’s use of executive orders) and moving on his promises to reshape USA politics and government. He is not only shaking up this country he has the global community on pins and needles as well. Our hope is he doesn’t create a shell the size of which only we can fit in. Then there is the danger that truth and our civil liberties will disappear under a Trump administration as we approach realizing a Orwellian dystopia. More on that later. Trump press secretary says the administration is considering a 20% border tax on Mexican imports to help pay for the wall Kellyanne Conway Defends Trump on Border Wall and Unsubstantiated Voter Fraud Claims Mexican president cancels visit to Washington as tensions with Trump administration intensify Trump: I have settled on my Supreme Court pick. Probably Trump administration asks top...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth As we enter the era of Trump, or as we prefer to say here at Rational Nation U S A , The Era of Trumpspeak, the new administration continues its unfounded claims of voter fraud, begins to make good on his border wall promise and cracking down on refugees entering the US, is preparing an executive order to re-open “black sites” where terrorist suspects were detained and tortured prior to President Obama closing them down, is preparing orders to reduce funding of the UN, and has given instructions to pull the page on climate change from the EPA website. Read the full stories on all by clicking on the links below. Trump’s voter fraud claims undermine the democratic process and his presidency Trump Orders Mexican Border Wall to Be Built and Is Expected to Block Syrian Refugees Trump Poised to Lift Ban on C.I.A. ‘Black Site’ Prisons Trump Prepares Orders Aiming at Global Funding and Treaties Trump administration tells EPA to cut climat...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth President Trump is on a feverish pace to implement his personal agenda. From rolling back regulatory controls to repealing the ACA (ObamaCare), as well as his apparent desire to bring to life a government like Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, President Trump is digging into dismantling DC as we’ve known it. Just as he promised to do. This weblog owner hasn’t the time or the desire to comment on the President’s efforts at changing America into something the majority of its citizens do not want. Going forward from today we will be simply posting the linked bylines of 3-8 articles we feel have merit for our readership to consider. Trump hangs portrait of inauguration crowd in WH press hall   Special Observances: National Day of Patriotic Devotion (Proc.  9570) Trump Repeats Lie About Popular Vote in Meeting With Lawmakers Trump Administration Imposes Freeze On EPA Grants and Contracts Senate Democr...