New in PJ Media:
If he is reelected this November, will Donald Trump manage to drain the swamp this time? The swamp-dwellers are saying no.
Ever since he began his first run for president, Trump has famously vowed to drain the swamp, that is, clear out the far-left bureaucracy in Washington that bears so much responsibility for the leftward drift of the nation over the last decade and a half.
In his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2017, Trump announced:
Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another—but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the American People. For too long, a small group in our nation’s Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished — but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered — but the jobs left, and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country…. That all changes — starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you.
Unlike numerous other presidents who had spoken in the past about taking the government from the oligarchs who controlled it and giving it back to the people, Trump’s words didn’t herald a push to expand government power under the guise of working for the people. On the contrary, he was determined to expand the freedom Americans enjoyed and roll back government power.
The swamp, however, struck back hard, and Trump’s promise that power would be transferred back to the people remains unfulfilled. Trump has been criticized for failing to follow through on his promise, but at that time, no one knew just how entrenched and determined the swamp dwellers were.
In fact, before Trump was elected and the Washington bureaucracy rose against him, few people, if any, knew that there was a swamp at all. One of the most important results of the Trump presidency was not one anyone intended: it revealed the deep corruption and politicization of the civil service. Now, a more experienced Trump is again vowing to destroy the swamp, but the swamp-dwellers are insisting that they’re not going anywhere and will continue to run things. The gauntlet has been thrown down.
The Washington Examiner reported Thursday that the will of the people just doesn’t matter to Beltway bureaucrats: “Washington’s bureaucracy, expanded and emboldened by the Biden-Harris administration, feels so secure that most managers would impose new regulations even if voters ‘overwhelmingly’ rejected their plans.”
There is more. Read the rest here.
Wellington says
And a major reason why all those who want term limits for politicians should rethink matters because if term limits did occur for Senators and Congressmen then this would result in the unelected federal bureaucracy becoming even more powerful and more arrogant. At least with Congress, the option exists, however difficult most times, to get rid of a doofus, a skank, like Schumer, Pelosi or McConnell. But the option does not exist with federal bureaucrats. So, as is often the case, be careful what you wish for because you might get it.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I think Vivek Ramaswamy did propose term limits for bureaucrats, in addition to legislatures. Your point has been used by politicians to argue against term limits for anyone, except executive heads, although they now want it for the judiciary in addition to the executive, but not for themselves
In addition to purging the current bureaucracy, one solution could be to have a “distributed capital” i.e. different departments housed in different cities. Like the State Department could be housed in New York, which already has a gaggle of diplomats worldwide for the UN, and which is the #1 international port of entry. DOD could be based in Colorado, w/ different arms in different places, like the Navy in Charleston, SC, Air Force at Yorba Linda and so on. Treasury could be in Charlotte, NC, Energy in Dallas and so on
That way, bureaucrats who lose their jobs in one department can’t suddenly overnight find new jobs in another w/o relocating. Also, in this era or AI and automation, automate as much government work as possible, making it a series of major Open Source projects. Already Elon Musk has expressed an interest in being on a panel that improves government efficiencies, and one good way to do that is to get rid of the bureaucracy altogether and just have the executive appointees based on skills, and a whole boatload of AI in b/w
James Lincoln says
Infidel,
I like your idea of a “distributed capital” as there is too much concentration of power in DC.
It would also “dilute” the risk associated with a terrorist attack by having the “DC power” over multiple geographic regions.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
James
Good point. In fact, this is a good model for large countries – countries large in either area or population – to adapt. Like you said, it improves security, among other things
James Lincoln says
Thanks, Infidel.
JS says
Maybe Trump now understands that he won’t show his hand, this time.
MD Anthony says
Really? Then why are the Media, The Swamp Dwellers and the DNC so worried if Trump gets in???….that they are even trying to assassinate him.
Doesn’t sound like the swamp dwellers will be very much in control after November.kg
gravenimage says
D.C. Swamp-Dwellers Say It Doesn’t Matter Who Wins the Presidency, They’ll Do What They Want
…………………………..
Sadly this sounds about right…
OLD GUY says
Lawyers making word said in Washington is the problem. It takes them 1000 pages of garble to write a three page bill. And guess what they the lawyers get paid by the time it takes to write those pages.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
This time, on day 1, in addition to reversing all the EOs that Biden issued on his day 1, Trump should issue one more purging all the departments. Particularly the State Department, which likes to run its own foreign policies regardless of whether it benefits the US or not. Then hire from scratch only those people necessary to operate, not just employ everyone in Heritage or AEI or Cato
That, and as I suggested above, implement a distributed capital: relocate every department of government to other cities across the country, such as Interior to, say, Wichita, KS. That makes it too inconvenient for bureaucrats fired from one department to just switch to another w/o relocating
terry says
Very good ideas and many of them have been discussed before under various terms and across sundry branches of knowledge! There are a great many solution that are transparent, simple, and equitable. Our key problem is ‘double standards’. Shadiness and crookedness is embraced by billions, and empowers those ruling all around the globe.
Westman says
Let’s see, two wars that could usher in WW3, nothing to see here other than this time two oceans mean nothing. The Ukrainians are losing and the US and UK are full of weak men, nation-hating newcomers, abortion family planners, rootless students, and Hamas sympathizers.
The deep state swamp is not in control of the outcome of these potentials and finally has stumbled into a lethal exposure, no longer considered proxy. This time the Deep State swamp will not escape the responsibility for bad outcomes as in all the past failed wars of carnage and destruction. If there is such a thing as Karma it will unfortunately bring a Kismet previously unknown by the West.
Somehow we read the mistakes of previous Empires and believe we can make the same mistakes with a different outcome. It’s a very sad realization that we are living out the decline and not the ascension of Empire because of corrupt humans attempting to create global control over the Earth’s inhabitants.
I remember picking up a history professor as we were both on the way home from the University for lunch. I said to Jerry, “You must have a lot of satisfaction knowing you are teaching students how to avoid the mistakes of the past.” He laughed out loud and said, “They never learn!”.
Let’s hope things turn out better that the deep state swamp deserves.
OLD GUY says
The difference between Trump and the Swamp Dwellers is Trump made his millions before he ran for political office. The Swampers want to make their money using their political office at the tax payers expense.
Naja says
Old Guy is correct,in my opinion. It’s all about the money.
I’m afraid that ultimately, American Patriots are going to individually have to fight for saving America. I don’t think it is wise to “wait” for a Government to do it. Look at France, Germany and the UK. Patiently waiting, hoping, and praying is not going to work. Even voting is proving to be ineffective, because the forces of evil cheat.. Fight fire with fire. Fight terror with terror. The war is already happening. Waiting until one is stabbed, shot or blown up is too late. Be prepared.