Encore of Revival: America, April 3, 2017

Federal interference and wielded “power of the purse” miraculously became unethical in Seattle when Trump took the helm from Obama. Nearly everything the new president does is bad, not because it is bad in principle, but because it is done by the president whom the media didn’t predict would win the election.

The “Freedom Caucus” in the US House of Representatives will gain power. By defeating a half-baked “repeal and replace”—a bill that reaffirmed the power for a US Secretary to create whatever related policy he willed—the Freedom Caucus proved that it was not only powerful enough to defeat a bill that it’s own voting bloc presidential candidate sought, but that their defeat was so powerful that they provoked him into giving them credit for wielding such power.

But, an understanding of President Donald J. Trump suggests much more. This is a mere game of “catch” with a hardball. Trump didn’t get what he wanted, he negotiated hard line, so did the Freedom Caucus. In the end, he will surely make an awesome deal. Republican party unity will increase. Paul Ryan will object every bit as much as he takes public credit for “party unity”. And, a bitter few will seethe in smoke-filled back rooms while the Republican party feigns unity through Trump’s tenure. After that, the Freedom Caucus will have to find a new home.

The big news this week is that third party politics already had its cornerstone laid, and that nobody noticed.

Jeff Bezos Is Now the World’s Second Richest Person | Blomberg

‘The largest windows in space’: Inside Blue Origin’s New Shepard flight capsule… | Daily Mail

Seattle Files Lawsuit Over ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Funding Threat | NBC News

What George W. Bush Really Thought of Donald Trump’s Inauguration | New York mag

Fed Officials Say They May Need to Pick Up Pace of Rate Increases | WSJ

Trump, Christie pledge to combat nation’s opioid addiction | AP

WikiLeaks’ Assange asylum winner in Ecuador election | USA Today

Soon you’ll be able to go to work in a flying taxi | NY Post

Trump takes up health care with Rand Paul, on golf course | WTOP

Freedom Caucus saved Paul Ryan’s job: GOP has promises to keep | The Hill

House Freedom Caucus Defiant in Face of Trump’s Attacks | US News