My contrarian is bigger than your contrarian.
How about a little poll? Which of the following four seeming inconsistencies is the most . . . exasperating?
Immigration
States like California are gearing up for “sanctuary” litigation. First of all, what’s the definition of “sanctuary”? For example, churches, cities, counties and states, and their agencies and facilities, such as subways and busses, are all making ready their sanctuary plans. Even judicial environments are focusing on the issue. Traditionally, courts have always been neutral sites, off limits. Service of subpoenas in or about a courtroom has always been verboten, a complete no-no. We didn’t want any chilling effect on people testifying, serving as jurors, etc., things that uphold our American judicial system. Yet, ICE is now arresting illegal aliens on their way into and out of court proceedings, causing them to be no-shows.
Now that we’ve resolved what a potential sanctuary is, how much money are we going to waste litigating who “trumps” whom in this battle of wills and policy between the federal government and local governments on immigration policy?
Contrast this with why doesn’t Congress just get off its rear and actually do something, like enacting a definitive immigration act that would render all of this moot?
Environment
Trump’s proposed 2018 budget preserves billions of dollars to send exploratory rockets to Mars and Jupiter but cuts billions of dollars from environmental and health research, and from the arts. Why are we worrying about tackling outer space when we can’t agree on how best to protect and save our own planet?
Gender
Have you seen “Fearless Girl” taking on the Wall Street bull? Commissioned by an asset management firm that only wants to invest in companies run by women, and making its debut appearance on March 8, International Women’s Day, isn’t it odd that its benefactor is dominated and run by males and has a checkered past of not providing pay to female employees equal to their male counterparts?
And How Trump’s Doing So Far
According to the Los Angeles Times this past week, Trump’s credibility continues to plummet. He has not been able to come up with any evidence to support his claims that the Obama administration wiretapped Trump Tower in New York during the election campaign. He talked tough to China during his campaign but has backed down dramatically during his time in office. He was going to assure health care coverage for all, but the GOP proposal hurts many of his supporters worse than others.
Yet, business leaders across the country like what they’re hearing from Trump and his fellow Republicans. According to the same Los Angeles Times, a new survey by the Business Roundtable, comprised of some 200 of the U.S.’s largest companies, CEO optimism is the highest it’s been in three years. In fact, the group’s Economic Outlook Index, based on projected sales, capital spending and hiring for the next six months, jumped from 74.2 to 93.3 in the first quarter, the biggest increase since third quarter, 2009. The stock market is at all-time record highs. And if that isn’t enough, online sales of Ivanka Trump’s fashion line soared last month in spite of a boycotts against the brand. At the start of the year, her label was ranked 550th in sales according to fashion search engine Lyst. By mid-February, according to USA today, it was the Lyst’s 11th most popular brand.
So, who’s got it right (or left)?
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