Oh, right, the news.

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I am beginning to believe, in spite of his public support, Trump meant to keep zerocare in operation.  Why?  For the reason I have suggested, he stated, and because there wasn't another option.  Was ryancare really a loss?  I don't think Trump was in on it.  He was just letting that thing handle itself.  Wouldn't surprise me if he soothed ruffled feathers for the nays in the background.  He really never did say he would end zerocare.  However, he knows he was elected, in part, to do that very thing.  The problem?  Dems are holding out and Republicans are split.  It's not... doable.  Not yet.  Zerocare has to burn before something can be done.  And... it will.  Ryancare simply wasn't tenable.  And it's a damned good thing enough Republicans realized it.  If too, many who voted for it, or would have, did so (mostly) because they were sure it would not pass.  Dog and pony show, much of D.C., as with Hollywood, is just that.

Now, what will congress and Trump do?  Probably not much.  Every big government program they truly cut ends up cutting off some of their revenues... personal and "social".  Billionaires and senators, perhaps less so representatives, don't have friends.  All they do it balance assets and allies so as to accrue the most.  There is some hope that Trump is nominally more allied with Americans and American business interests than has been the case.  Even Republicans are not pro-American anymore.  They really can make more from foreign alliances.  Trump?  We'll see.

The border wall seems to be moving forward.  Could it go faster?  You know, I don't think so.  It takes a while to create the criteria wanted for the wall.  What is really needed to complicate passage.  Then allowing construction companies to review, design, price, and build a sample?  That takes time too.  Especially when bureaucrats and even elected and some appointed officials are dragging their feet.  This is as fast as could be expected.

A wall won't be enough, alone.  But it will stop mass transport.  Foot traffic, through some of those areas, isn't actually possible.  People who try often die.  Still, that is a choice.  It is no different than if some of them try to swim around and drown or get attacked by sharks or other creatures.  It is a risk born of choice.  Not our monkey.  Still, I am hoping there will be heavy patrols and very easy ROE options.  A thrown rock?  A bullet back.  Escalate?  Call in state and national guard.

Of course, it looks like Republicans are not playing well with Trump or our wishes.  That has to be sorted.  Do we want to cut off our nose to spite our face?  Well, yeah, actually.  If need be.  There is some level of negotiation.  But if a, or a group of, congressmen isn't going to play ball, force them out.  I promise, while it might hurt in the short term, it is much better to have Republicans who play like they are with us than to never know what the brand means.  Clear and clean.  If we are going to lose, best to lose honestly than to have their team playing in our colors.

Busy, busy, busy, and yet not much more, of any importance or longevity beyond the next president with a pen, has been done.  Even the wall isn't much without changes in law, fixing the judiciary, and some other things.  Then again, with a president who doesn't uphold the law, there is some limit to changing any law.  With nearly half of the people willing to vote for a criminal, where does Christ have a place?  Right?  This isn't His kingdom, but it can't be completely let go?

Later.