Our New Attorney General: Matt Gaetz

[Clizby Wampuscat]

The underage stuff has not been verified -- and now never will be. The House Ethics Committee, which expanded its probe in June to include additional allegations, was to decide on Friday whether to release its report, but his resignation effectively ended the investigation.

On Thursday morning, the panel's chairman, Michael Guest, R-Miss., told reporters as he left the floor that he did not plan to make the document public.

As Church Lady would certainly say: "How conveeenient!"

I think it should be released. I am not a Gaetz defender. But I have no idea what is in the report and neither do you.

 

[Clizby Wampuscat]

Of course you do.

????

 

[Foxfyre]

How about expertise, leadership, & good values?

Experience is hard to come by in a position that has never existed before. Vivek is a Summa Cum Laude Harvard graduate and law school graduate, has started and run successful businesses and was effective enough in those businesses to amass a significant fortune. He doesn't need and I don't think he intends to accumulate more wealth by doing something good for his country. That's pretty hard to criticize.

Like Trump, Vivek and Elon are good at seeing what isn't working, what is counter productive to achieving positive goals, what is broken, what needs to be fixed. And both seem to be pretty good at finding ways to fix what's broken.

From what I've read, this is not intended to be a permanent cabinet position but just a vehicle to use to identify what's broken in our government and propose means to fix it. I can't think of anyone more qualified to do that than Vivek and Elon are.

I say give them a chance and see what they come up with. I say the same for Matt Gaetz even though I have reservations about that appointment. But if he makes it through the confirmation process, I will be interested to see what he comes up with to fix what's broken at the DOJ. And in my opinion there is a LOT to be fixed.

 

[Revoltingest]

????

!!!!

 

[Clizby Wampuscat]

!!!!

&&&&&

 

[Revoltingest]

Experience is hard to come by in a position that has never existed before.

The position is new, but the field is old.

Vivek is a Summa Cum Laude Harvard graduate and law school graduate, has started and run successful businesses and was effective enough in those businesses to amass a significant fortune. He doesn't need and I don't think he intends to accumulate more wealth by doing something good for his country. That's pretty hard to criticize.

Government is a different animal from business.
There are different rules, restrictions, & cultures.
If one has never faced them before, then one is
at the start of a learning curve.
Many people are smart. No shortage there.
But smart & experienced would be best.

If you want a heart transplant, you certainly
wouldn't go to a really smart & successful dentist.

Like Trump, Vivek and Elon are good at seeing what isn't working, what is counter productive to achieving positive goals, what is broken, what needs to be fixed. And both seem to be pretty good at finding ways to fix what's broken.

Yet no record of fixing problems in government.

From what I've read, this is not intended to be a permanent cabinet position but just a vehicle to use to identify what's broken in our government and propose means to fix it. I can't think of anyone more qualified to do that than Vivek and Elon are.

I say give them a chance and see what they come up with.

Musk appears to be merely getting a rewards
for glomming onto the Trump campaign, &
feting him. No comment on Vivek.

 

[Revoltingest]

&&&&&

&*^#!

 

[SkepticThinker]

Experience is hard to come by in a position that has never existed before. Vivek is a Summa Cum Laude Harvard graduate and law school graduate, has started and run successful businesses and was effective enough in those businesses to amass a significant fortune. He doesn't need and I don't think he intends to accumulate more wealth by doing something good for his country. That's pretty hard to criticize.

Like Trump, Vivek and Elon are good at seeing what isn't working, what is counter productive to achieving positive goals, what is broken, what needs to be fixed. And both seem to be pretty good at finding ways to fix what's broken.

Really????

From what I've read, this is not intended to be a permanent cabinet position but just a vehicle to use to identify what's broken in our government and propose means to fix it. I can't think of anyone more qualified to do that than Vivek and Elon are.

I say give them a chance and see what they come up with. I say the same for Matt Gaetz even though I have reservations about that appointment. But if he makes it through the confirmation process, I will be interested to see what he comes up with to fix what's broken at the DOJ. And in my opinion there is a LOT to be fixed.

 

[Revoltingest]

Really????

Musk's idea of efficiency....
Depend solely upon software & electronics to open a car door.
Or a passerby with a rock.

Fiery Tesla Crash Traps And Kills Four After Electric Doors Couldn’t Open

Five people were trapped inside a Tesla Model Y after it crashed and burst into flames, just one person escaped after onlookers smashed a window

jalopnik.com

I've worked on control systems for vehicles.
I treated safety as paramount. Failure of any
kind must be failsafe. Musk doesn't agree.

 

[SkepticThinker]

Musk's idea of efficiency....
Depend solely upon software & electronics to open a car door.
Or a passerby with a rock.

Fiery Tesla Crash Traps And Kills Four After Electric Doors Couldn’t Open

Five people were trapped inside a Tesla Model Y after it crashed and burst into flames, just one person escaped after onlookers smashed a window

jalopnik.com

I've worked on control systems for vehicles.
I treated safety as paramount. Failure of any
kind must be failsafe. Musk doesn't agree.

Oh dear god.

 

[F1fan]

If you like everything your politicians do you are a blind supporter. It is ok to disagree with politicians you support.

Gaetz doesn’t represent a minor disagreement. He is completely unqualified, and his nomination is seen as a joke. But Trump is being serious. Rubio is a good pick. Gaetz? That guy won’t pass a security clearance, so wgat is up with Trump?

 

[Foxfyre]

The position is new, but the field is old.

Government is a different animal from business.
There are different rules, restrictions, & cultures.
If one has never faced them before, then one is
at the start of a learning curve.
Many people are smart. No shortage there.
But smart & experienced would be best.

If you want a heart transplant, you certainly
wouldn't go to a really smart & successful dentist.

Yet no record of fixing problems in government.

Musk appears to be merely getting a rewards
for glomming onto the Trump campaign, &
feting him. No comment on Vivek.

What appears to you may not appear that way at all to someone with a different perspective.

Who has government experience ever until they are elected or appointed or hired to do something in government?
Trump had zero political experience when he was elected President in 2016 and yes he made a lot of mistakes learning on the job as ALL new Presidents do, even those with government experience. But he also accomplished more good for America and Americans in the three years before COVID that he had than ANY President in my now very long lifetime.

And I think Elon and Vivek were excellent choices for the job they are tasked to do. They are both government outsiders so there are no internal entanglements, they both bring brilliant business experience and huge business success to the effort and if they find they are unable get it doen we haven't lost and thing and at least we tried. I will be really surprised if they don't make a difference though.

 

[Clizby Wampuscat]

Gaetz doesn’t represent a minor disagreement. He is completely unqualified, and his nomination is seen as a joke. But Trump is being serious. Rubio is a good pick. Gaetz? That guy won’t pass a security clearance, so wgat is up with Trump?

So now you are arguing with me on something we overall agree about.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Trump had zero political experience when he was elected President in 2016 and yes he made a lot of mistakes learning on the job as ALL new Presidents do, even those with government experience. But he also accomplished more good for America and Americans in the three years before COVID that he had than ANY President in my now very long lifetime.

I would love to see some evidence of that. Obama, for example, took over in a recession caused by the financial crisis, and handed Trump a strong economy.

So, do us a favor, please -- do the research. You've made the claim that Trump accomplished more good -- so no tell us what all that good was, and compare it to what they did. You can find pretty much all the data you need on Wikipedia, you just need to summarize and quantify it.

Now, I'm not cruel, so I'll give it my own shot, first -- just to give you the sense of how you might go about such a task.

George W. Bush (2001–2009)​

• 9/11 Response and War on Terror: Led the U.S. response to 9/11 with a focus on homeland security and counter-terrorism, establishing the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Impact: Mixed; improved domestic security but led to extensive surveillance.
• Afghanistan and Iraq Wars: Initiated military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq to dismantle terrorism networks and remove Saddam Hussein.
  • Impact: Widely debated; destabilized the Middle East, leading to long-term conflict and instability.
• Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: Signed Medicare Part D, providing prescription drug coverage for seniors.
  • Impact: Generally positive; helped seniors access medications, but criticized for rising healthcare costs.
• No Child Left Behind Act: Education reform aimed at improving accountability in public schools.
  • Impact: Mixed; aimed to close educational gaps, but criticized for excessive testing and limited effectiveness.

Overall Assessment: Mixed impact, with significant contributions to national security but with long-term, costly conflicts and challenges in education reform.

---

Barack Obama (2009–2017)​

• Affordable Care Act (Obamacare): Overhauled U.S. healthcare, extending coverage to millions.
  • Impact: Generally positive; reduced uninsured rates, though criticized for high premiums and limited choice.
• Economic Recovery (Post-2008 Crisis): Passed stimulus packages and bailouts to stabilize the economy and reduce unemployment.
  • Impact: Positive; economic recovery followed, with steady job growth and stock market recovery.
• Paris Climate Agreement: Signed onto the international climate agreement to combat global warming.
  • Impact: Positive for environmental policy and climate action, though met with opposition domestically.
• DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): Provided legal protections for undocumented immigrants who arrived as children.
  • Impact: Positive for immigrant rights, though controversial and challenged by opponents.

Overall Assessment: Generally positive impact, focusing on healthcare expansion, environmental protections, and economic recovery.

---

Donald Trump (2017–2021)​

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Implemented significant tax cuts, primarily benefiting corporations and high-income earners.
  • Impact: Mixed; boosted short-term economic growth but increased national debt.
• Deregulation Efforts: Rolled back many regulations, especially in the environmental sector.
  • Impact: Mixed; beneficial for businesses but detrimental to environmental protections.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Managed the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, including initiating vaccine development.
  • Impact: Mixed; vaccine development was a success, but overall response criticized for inconsistencies and high infection rates.
• Trade Policies and Tariffs: Imposed tariffs on imports, particularly from China, to protect U.S. industries.
  • Impact: Mixed; some gains for U.S. manufacturing but led to trade tensions and increased consumer costs.

Overall Assessment: Mixed impact, with achievements in tax reform and deregulation, but criticized for environmental setbacks and pandemic management.

---

Joe Biden (2021–Present)​

• COVID-19 Vaccination and Relief Efforts: Oversaw a significant COVID-19 vaccination campaign and passed stimulus bills for economic recovery.
  • Impact: Positive; helped reduce COVID-19 impact and supported economic recovery.
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Passed a major infrastructure bill for roads, bridges, broadband, and other improvements.
  • Impact: Positive; expected to modernize infrastructure and boost job creation.
• Climate and Healthcare Investment (Inflation Reduction Act): Enacted climate initiatives and healthcare reforms focused on lowering prescription costs and emissions.
  • Impact: Positive; supports renewable energy, healthcare affordability, and emission reductions.
• Foreign Policy and NATO Reaffirmation: Worked to strengthen NATO alliances, particularly in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
  • Impact: Positive; improved international relations and demonstrated support for allies.

Overall Assessment: Positive impact, with substantial investments in infrastructure, healthcare, climate, and diplomatic relations, though criticized for rising inflation.

---

This comparison reflects each president’s impact on critical national issues, though assessments may vary depending on political perspectives. Generally, the achievements under Obama and Biden are seen as constructive, while Bush's and Trump's legacies remain more divisive due to long-term policy consequences and specific controversies.

So, there you go. Now, over to you.

 

[Foxfyre]

I would love to see some evidence of that. Obama, for example, took over in a recession caused by the financial crisis, and handed Trump a strong economy.

So, do us a favor, please -- do the research. You've made the claim that Trump accomplished more good -- so no tell us what all that good was, and compare it to what they did. You can find pretty much all the data you need on Wikipedia, you just need to summarize and quantify it.

Now, I'm not cruel, so I'll give it my own shot, first -- just to give you the sense of how you might go about such a task.

George W. Bush (2001–2009)​

• 9/11 Response and War on Terror: Led the U.S. response to 9/11 with a focus on homeland security and counter-terrorism, establishing the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Impact: Mixed; improved domestic security but led to extensive surveillance.
• Afghanistan and Iraq Wars: Initiated military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq to dismantle terrorism networks and remove Saddam Hussein.
  • Impact: Widely debated; destabilized the Middle East, leading to long-term conflict and instability.
• Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: Signed Medicare Part D, providing prescription drug coverage for seniors.
  • Impact: Generally positive; helped seniors access medications, but criticized for rising healthcare costs.
• No Child Left Behind Act: Education reform aimed at improving accountability in public schools.
  • Impact: Mixed; aimed to close educational gaps, but criticized for excessive testing and limited effectiveness.

Overall Assessment: Mixed impact, with significant contributions to national security but with long-term, costly conflicts and challenges in education reform.

---

Barack Obama (2009–2017)​

• Affordable Care Act (Obamacare): Overhauled U.S. healthcare, extending coverage to millions.
  • Impact: Generally positive; reduced uninsured rates, though criticized for high premiums and limited choice.
• Economic Recovery (Post-2008 Crisis): Passed stimulus packages and bailouts to stabilize the economy and reduce unemployment.
  • Impact: Positive; economic recovery followed, with steady job growth and stock market recovery.
• Paris Climate Agreement: Signed onto the international climate agreement to combat global warming.
  • Impact: Positive for environmental policy and climate action, though met with opposition domestically.
• DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): Provided legal protections for undocumented immigrants who arrived as children.
  • Impact: Positive for immigrant rights, though controversial and challenged by opponents.

Overall Assessment: Generally positive impact, focusing on healthcare expansion, environmental protections, and economic recovery.

---

Donald Trump (2017–2021)​

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Implemented significant tax cuts, primarily benefiting corporations and high-income earners.
  • Impact: Mixed; boosted short-term economic growth but increased national debt.
• Deregulation Efforts: Rolled back many regulations, especially in the environmental sector.
  • Impact: Mixed; beneficial for businesses but detrimental to environmental protections.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Managed the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, including initiating vaccine development.
  • Impact: Mixed; vaccine development was a success, but overall response criticized for inconsistencies and high infection rates.
• Trade Policies and Tariffs: Imposed tariffs on imports, particularly from China, to protect U.S. industries.
  • Impact: Mixed; some gains for U.S. manufacturing but led to trade tensions and increased consumer costs.

Overall Assessment: Mixed impact, with achievements in tax reform and deregulation, but criticized for environmental setbacks and pandemic management.

---

Joe Biden (2021–Present)​

• COVID-19 Vaccination and Relief Efforts: Oversaw a significant COVID-19 vaccination campaign and passed stimulus bills for economic recovery.
  • Impact: Positive; helped reduce COVID-19 impact and supported economic recovery.
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Passed a major infrastructure bill for roads, bridges, broadband, and other improvements.
  • Impact: Positive; expected to modernize infrastructure and boost job creation.
• Climate and Healthcare Investment (Inflation Reduction Act): Enacted climate initiatives and healthcare reforms focused on lowering prescription costs and emissions.
  • Impact: Positive; supports renewable energy, healthcare affordability, and emission reductions.
• Foreign Policy and NATO Reaffirmation: Worked to strengthen NATO alliances, particularly in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
  • Impact: Positive; improved international relations and demonstrated support for allies.

Overall Assessment: Positive impact, with substantial investments in infrastructure, healthcare, climate, and diplomatic relations, though criticized for rising inflation.

---

This comparison reflects each president’s impact on critical national issues, though assessments may vary depending on political perspectives. Generally, the achievements under Obama and Biden are seen as constructive, while Bush's and Trump's legacies remain more divisive due to long-term policy consequences and specific controversies.

So, there you go. Now, over to you.

I would be happy to but not on this thread which is focused on Matt Gaetz and I already strayed more off topic than I like. Start your own thread on presidential success or lack thereof, invite me over, and I'll give it a shot.

 

[Revoltingest]

What appears to you may not appear that way at all to someone with a different perspective.

You have a keen sense of the obvious.
My perspective doesn't include feting Trump.

Who has government experience ever until they are elected or appointed or hired to do something in government?
Trump had zero political experience when he was elected President in 2016 and yes he made a lot of mistakes learning on the job as ALL new Presidents do, even those with government experience. But he also accomplished more good for America and Americans in the three years before COVID that he had than ANY President in my now very long lifetime.

And I think Elon and Vivek were excellent choices for the job they are tasked to do. They are both government outsiders so there are no internal entanglements, they both bring brilliant business experience and huge business success to the effort and if they find they are unable get it doen we haven't lost and thing and at least we tried. I will be really surprised if they don't make a difference though.

Let's hope that no one in DOGE dies because
the doors don't work during a fire, eh.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I would be happy to but not on this thread which is focused on Matt Gaetz and I already strayed more off topic than I like. Start your own thread on presidential success or lack thereof, invite me over, and I'll give it a shot.

Done: Trump - A Great First Term?

 

[Foxfyre]

You have a keen sense of the obvious.
My perspective doesn't include feting Trump.


Let's hope that no one in DOGE dies because
the doors don't work during a fire, eh.

I dont think DOGE will be dealing with doors.

 

[Revoltingest]

I dont think DOGE will be dealing with doors.

I hope not.
Tesla & Musk have a deadly record with those.

 

[Revoltingest]

What appears to you may not appear that way at all to someone with a different perspective.

Apparently many Republicans also oppose Gaetz.

‘It Won’t Even Be Close’: As Many As 30 Republican Senators Are Reportedly a ‘No’ on Matt Gaetz

A new report from The Wall Street Journal paints a bleak picture of Matt Gaetz's chances of being confirmed as attorney general.

www.mediaite.com

He has more problems than questionable competence....

Woman testified to House Ethics Committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17: Sources

The woman at the center of the DOJ's probe of Matt Gaetz testified to the House Ethics Committee that he had sex with her when she was 17 years old, sources say.

abcnews.go.com