Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/15/2020 8:25:22 PM

I am thinking about something and I would be interested in hearing what other people think about this.  

From a lot of sources I have read, after JFK died, Jackie Kennedy started weaving this tapestry (starting with the LIFE interview) that JFK's presidency was "magical" i.e. Camelot.  And she cotinued to weave this tapestry of "Camelot" to preserve his legacy of his being a great man and a special president.  History at this point is not kind to his legacy as President - his mistakes and misaasumptions are well known, not to mention his personal failings.  

So now we have had Obama - and I think the same kind of tapestry is trying to be woven about his presidency.  Like he was somehow special and that his time in office was Camelot II - no problems and just did everything so wonderfully.  His wife, Michelle and people like Joe Biden (who can only benefit from this narrative) are trying to weave this - yet, we can bet that history will not be kind to Obama's presidency too.  Michelle as we know is very ambitious and sees herself as a black Jackie Kennedy.  So they keep up the narrative that nothing Trump does is what Barrack would do.  That there were no problems at all when he was President and everything went to hell when Trump was elected.  

We know this isn't true, of course, but I still think they are trying to weave the tapestry.  

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/15/2020 9:00:17 PM

Only thing that went to hell is the swamp.  I believe Trump will be remembered as solving problems and bringing wealth to all, everyone who wants to work, achieve excellence and believes in the dream.  If he get four more years the sky is the limit.  The American people are a honest hard working generous people.  Unbridled they always excel!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/15/2020 9:41:42 PM

We agree on that.  The thing is, I don't think the federal rank and file is the Swamp.  The Swamp that needs to be drained is the Congress.  All those old people need to be retired and get some younger people in with some logic and common sense.  So many of the leadership on the Hill are only interested in political games and their party - they've been there way too long, getting sound bites and having their butts kissed by lobbyists.  They are the real reason nothing gets done.

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	Political people need to go
Date:	1/15/2020 9:48:26 PM

Agreed.  I was a state employee, university employee and a private non profit employee while at the same time an advocate.  Worked well until the swamp was flooded with politics.  

each president must prove their mantle and history will find the imposters and expose them.  

trump on.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 6:03:51 AM

We will never get term limits so I would propose a mandatory retirement age of 70.  No running for re-election or election over that age.  The swamp critters passed laws requiring maandatory retirement on other professions.

And the swamp being made up of congress only is a joke.  Yes they are swamp critters but so are the beaurocrats at the top and and apparently at all levels throughout.  To say otherwise is delusional.  Does Lois Lerner ring a bell?

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 8:05:02 AM

Congress is a mud puddle compared to real swamp.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	More like an ugly quilt
Date:	1/16/2020 8:37:14 AM (updated 1/16/2020 9:35:54 AM)

I've long thought that had JFK not been assassinated his Presidency would have been mired in scandal and incompetence.  People forget he was the one that got us into Vietnam, Bay of Pigs and the escalation with the USSR which led to the standoff regarding missiles in Cuba. Jackie O may have promoted the Camelot nonsense but it was the work of the media in their quest to make him a martyr and a legend (at least in their minds).

As for Obama, he really has no legacy except being the first black President.  That is literally it.  His signature legislation, Obamadon'tcare, is an abject failure and rather than leading to Medicare for All has doomed the idea as Americans see what happens when the govt tries to take over 1/6th of the economy.  Pretty much everything the guy touched went in the toilet.  And calling his administration scandal free is probably the most delusional aspect of his two terms.  More like free of scandal coverage.

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 9:40:27 AM (updated 1/16/2020 9:41:53 AM)

I wholly agree on term limits//mandatory retirement at 70; but remember congress would have to approve that, the same group that votes their own pay raises; while they're at it, why not reduce their salaries and huge for life pensions ? I wonder how much we deplorables paid for those 24 sterling silver pens engraved with Queen nancy's name, served up on 2 silver platters, like it was an inauguration//celebration--all while "doing the work of the people."; makes me want to barf.   I've never worked for gov't, always self employed, but none of these outlaws could ever survive in the private sector, manage a budget, control expenses--just living off the t_t, spendind OUR money; and thats my rant for today--now doing deep breating exercises to control anxiety (PTCS- post traumatic Congress Syndrome)

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 12:10:06 PM

Wasn't Lerner a political appointee.  I forget.  I'm not sayng there are no political bureaucrats, I'm just saying that given recent events, the Swamp that really needs draining is on the Hill.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 12:12:10 PM

I think you may be giving them too much credit.  They pull in a respectable salary, benefits and all that they can reap from lobbyists - not to mention the trips billed as "CODELS" (Congressional delegations for "fact finding" in say the Bahamas in January)

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 12:22:46 PM

Just to clarify - they have to serve 30 years in Congress to get a pension and it's 50% of their base pay.  That information floating around that they get a huge pension for life just for being there is not correct.  I do believe they get to carry their government health insurance even when they no longer serve, just for having been there; but it's not free.  (If you don't believe me, google it).  

What they do get when they leave is entree to serve in think tanks, boards of Directors, and after a fashion, they can become lobbyists.  They go on the rubber chicken circuit and get paid $$$$ for their insights into government.  And they can run again.  

I think 70 is a reasonable mandatory retirement.  Despite what social media pundits have to say, 70 is not the new 50.  Yes, there are those that are extremely healthy and fit at 70, but they are not the norm.  

The most disgusting thing to me about Congress is the way people kiss their butts and how they expect it.  If they serve any time at all, they quickly become so insulated from the real world.  And if their butts aren't kissed to their satisfaction, they threaten people, as we see in all these hearings.  That is not just for the camera - I've been in meeting with staffers, no less, and seen them threaten to have a budget pulled.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	A tapestry
Date:	1/16/2020 1:38:38 PM

I don't think so because I was infurated that she got slink away with retirement, which indicates years of service.  She was a mid-level manager who was as corrupt as could be.  She is the ONE we know about.  How many Lois Lerners do you think are lurking in the shadows still today?  The answer is ALL of them.  And why not, they saw her walk away after flagrantly breaking the law with a nice pension for life without so much as a slap on the hand.  

Name:	Old Diver -	Reply
Subject:	Some Hope
Date:	1/16/2020 6:31:42 PM

   The only way that it is possible to pass term limits is the way Convention of States is working to do. Under Article V of the Constitution.

That Article provided for 2/3 of the states to hold a convention ( away from Washington) to proposed amendments to the Constition. Then if 3/4 of the states pass these then the Amendment becomes law. Look it up and join!

  So far 15 states have passed the legislation for this convention and 4 states have passed it in one of their representstive bodies.

  They are proposing term limits and a ballanced budget.