Political Roundtable - Part VI

[Induveca]

Menendez indicted....I wrote about on these boards over 2 years ago and his shady dealings in the Dominican Republic ports (where massive drugs flow through via Mexico to Miami these days).

It goes so much deeper than the current leaks......it will be interesting to see how far his enemies take this publicly.

Bill and Hillary Clinton flew to Melgen/Menendez' mansion in the DR multiple times via the La Romana airport. This will prove troublesome for Hillary Clinton over the next year.

[Dat2U]

I don't know what's worse. The idea of another Bush as president or the right finding any and all methods to trash the Clinton name.

I'm actually not the biggest Clinton fan (I'll never forgive Bill for NAFTA) and probably wouldn't vote for her in the democratic primaries but the over-the-top hate from the right is simply unbearable.

This is one election cycle I'm really not looking forward to.

[dckingsfan]

Agreed - this will be a visceral reaction to the names more than an honest discussion of the policies... And there are some pretty big issues that need to be discussed.

What is our foreign policy going to be going forward after the failed Bush & Obama policies?

How are we going to reduce our spending to our receipts? Will entitlement spending continue to be a 3rd rail? Will defense spending push us over the top?

What will be the strategy for growth?

What will be their Tax Policies - how would do we address having one of the most punitive corporate tax rate in the world?

What will be their energy policies?

[Zonkerbl]

Hillary Clinton, at one point, was in charge of USAID and she purged all the economists. ALL OF THEM.

Only now, about 15 years later, has USAID started hiring economists again. She left behind her a peculiar mixture of arrogance and incompetence in her wake.

I will never, ever, ever vote for Hillary Clinton. Ever.

[Induveca]

I don't know what's worse. The idea of another Bush as president or the right finding any and all methods to trash the Clinton name.

I'm actually not the biggest Clinton fan (I'll never forgive Bill for NAFTA) and probably wouldn't vote for her in the democratic primaries but the over-the-top hate from the right is simply unbearable.

This is one election cycle I'm really not looking forward to.

I actually like Bill Clinton I think he was a great president. But this Menendez thing is much bigger than the media knows/is ready to admit. I lived a few blocks away from Melgen/Menendez in Casa de Campo for a few years. Literally a few streets away. The home was like a fortress, and dignitaries would arrive and shut down entire blocks.

Why would the Clintons go to Melgen's house? This isn't just a rumor, there are photos of them there. Local news stories celebrating their arrival. Then they would just stay in an eye doctor/drug dealer's home along with Menendez.

Melgen is a drug dealer, plain and simple and is known as such in the DR. In the US Melgen co-hosted democratic fundraisers for the Obama campaign alongside Menendez. Gets really shady. Not sure where this goes.

Here's a worse one. Menendez/Melgen's partners are the Fanjul brothers known drug exporters. They also own Casa de Campo....Clintons visited them this year in their home.

http://www.listindiario.com/iphone/article?id=351173

[Dat2U]

Agreed - this will be a visceral reaction to the names more than an honest discussion of the policies... And there are some pretty big issues that need to be discussed.

What is our foreign policy going to be going forward after the failed Bush & Obama policies?

How are we going to reduce our spending to our receipts? Will entitlement spending continue to be a 3rd rail? Will defense spending push us over the top?

What will be the strategy for growth?

What will be their Tax Policies - how would do we address having one of the most punitive corporate tax rate in the world?

What will be their energy policies?

1. First of all get rid of Obamacare. Then Slash entitlements for the old & poor to Zero. Who cares about the old & poor, the old likely die soon anyways & there's no financial benefit to helping the poor. That means no medicare/no medicaid. No welfare. No food stamps, etc. If Hospitals want to be in the business of servicing folks who can't pay for services, then lets see how long that business model works for them without the government cutting checks for everyone.

2. Use savings from entitlements to double the military budget so we can be a robust force overseas. Maybe start with giving a huge grant to Halliburton to coordinate the massive effort.

3. Cut Corporate taxes to 10% across the board in encourage growth & development. Offer a stimulus to businesses that hide assets/cash overseas by offering a short term program where companies can re-invest that money back into american banks with no tax penalities.

4. As far as energy. Stop the regulation madness! Let the private sector do what it does best, research, develop & innovate ways to improve fuel efficiency. That means remove constraints on infrastructure & resources here in the US. Alot of what we need is available to us if the government would simply get out of the way.

See, I can play a conservative policy wonk too!

[dckingsfan]

You missed the green font Dat - and where is your green font foreign policy?

[dckingsfan]

Hillary Clinton, at one point, was in charge of USAID and she purged all the economists. ALL OF THEM.

Only now, about 15 years later, has USAID started hiring economists again. She left behind her a peculiar mixture of arrogance and incompetence in her wake.

I will never, ever, ever vote for Hillary Clinton. Ever.

being pragmatic - I would vote for her over John "you can never have a big enough defense budget" McCain

[Dat2U]

I don't know what's worse. The idea of another Bush as president or the right finding any and all methods to trash the Clinton name.

I'm actually not the biggest Clinton fan (I'll never forgive Bill for NAFTA) and probably wouldn't vote for her in the democratic primaries but the over-the-top hate from the right is simply unbearable.

This is one election cycle I'm really not looking forward to.

I actually like Bill Clinton I think he was a great president. But this Menendez thing is much bigger than the media knows/is ready to admit. I lived a few blocks away from Melgen/Menendez in Casa de Campo for a few years. Literally a few streets away. The home was like a fortress, and dignitaries would arrive and shut down entire blocks.

Why would the Clintons go to Melgen's house? This isn't just a rumor, there are photos of them there. Local news stories celebrating their arrival. Then they would just stay in an eye doctor/drug dealer's home along with Menendez.

Melgen is a drug dealer, plain and simple and is known as such in the DR. In the US Melgen co-hosted democratic fundraisers for the Obama campaign alongside Menendez. Gets really shady. Not sure where this goes.

I don't disagree with you on Menendez, where there's smoke, usually there's fire and folks have been mentioning how shady he's been for years. But DC is filled with elected public servants who've have gotten their hands dirty with some of the worst people imaginable. That's why I laugh when people make very distant associations, like Obama to Frank Marshall Davis or Tony Rezko. IMO it would be far far easier to find a politican that has a questionable association than one that doesn't have any at all.

[Dat2U]

You missed the green font Dat - and where is your green font foreign policy?

Hehe. If I gotta do the green font then I'm trying too hard lol.

[pineappleheadindc]

Hillary Clinton, at one point, was in charge of USAID and she purged all the economists. ALL OF THEM.

Only now, about 15 years later, has USAID started hiring economists again. She left behind her a peculiar mixture of arrogance and incompetence in her wake.

I will never, ever, ever vote for Hillary Clinton. Ever.

being pragmatic - I would vote for her over John "you can never have a big enough defense budget" McCain

Wow -- I understand Zonker's anger. And I understand the concerns about McCain.

The takeaway I get from Zonker's post and dckingsfan's reply is this:

"Dang, the pickings are slim among those politicians who have reasonable chance of winning the Presidency in 2016. Don't citizens of the USA deserve better choices?"

I am really NOT looking forward the campaign season. And with the infusion of unlimited money into campaigning (thanks for squat, Supreme Court) you can expect obnoxious and hateful TV and radio commercials in heavy rotation like forever. SMH.

[Induveca]

I don't know what's worse. The idea of another Bush as president or the right finding any and all methods to trash the Clinton name.

I'm actually not the biggest Clinton fan (I'll never forgive Bill for NAFTA) and probably wouldn't vote for her in the democratic primaries but the over-the-top hate from the right is simply unbearable.

This is one election cycle I'm really not looking forward to.

I actually like Bill Clinton I think he was a great president. But this Menendez thing is much bigger than the media knows/is ready to admit. I lived a few blocks away from Melgen/Menendez in Casa de Campo for a few years. Literally a few streets away. The home was like a fortress, and dignitaries would arrive and shut down entire blocks.

Why would the Clintons go to Melgen's house? This isn't just a rumor, there are photos of them there. Local news stories celebrating their arrival. Then they would just stay in an eye doctor/drug dealer's home along with Menendez.

Melgen is a drug dealer, plain and simple and is known as such in the DR. In the US Melgen co-hosted democratic fundraisers for the Obama campaign alongside Menendez. Gets really shady. Not sure where this goes.

I don't disagree with you on Menendez, where there's smoke, usually there's fire and folks have been mentioning how shady he's been for years. But DC is filled with elected public servants who've have gotten their hands dirty with some of the worst people imaginable. That's why I laugh when people make very distant associations, like Obama to Frank Marshall Davis or Tony Rezko. IMO it would be far far easier to find a politican that has a questionable association than one that doesn't have any at all.

Agreed, the real issue is the Clintons staying with him at Melgen's mansion multiple times. Harry Reid as well. The Fanjuls are known major drug dealers, it's just a country most people don't even think about.

The DR and its ports have become drug infested over the past decade with tons of South American cocaine flowing through the island. With Menendez forcing a security deal for "port scanning" and security through for his friend, the Fanjuls (known drug kingpins) who also own Casa de Campo.........why do the Clintons spend time with these people?

It's going to be an issue in the election, one that could derail her quickly.

[Zonkerbl]

Port scanning is a Republican thing though. I should know, I worked on it under W.

Well, ok. Right after 9/11 Congress passed this idiotic port security law that required all containers be scanned before being shipped to the US. If memory serves would've cost about $18 billion. Which is why we got the infamous "10+2" rule instead (I won a Silver Medal award for my team's analysis of that!).

God I miss the sane Republicans.

[Induveca]

Port scanning is a Republican thing though. I should know, I worked on it under W.

Well, ok. Right after 9/11 Congress passed this idiotic port security law that required all containers be scanned before being shipped to the US. If memory serves would've cost about $18 billion. Which is why we got the infamous "10+2" rule instead (I win a Silver Medal award for my team's analysis of that!).

God I miss the sane Republicans.

This has nothing to do with US republicans or democrats. Port security in the DR has been a license to steal since the 70s. The reality of port scanning in drug infested 3rd world countries is certain containers owned by specific companies are "ignored" upon entry or exit regardless if US approved scanners are in service.

The company awarded the contract for providing the scanners/security receives major monthly kickbacks in the hundreds of thousands from Mexican cartels these days. Melgen's group (and by proxy Menendez) receive/received these kickbacks throughout the entire organization by sub-license with the government's preferred group (due to Menendez threats). The news is reporting his group's contract was never fully implemented, this isn't entirely true.

Melgen/Menendez essentially became equipment/"professional services" middle men instead of sole providers of the port security/scanning service. There is no telling how much cash Melgen/Menendez have stashed in the past 4 years. Melgen co-funded an Obama fundraiser, has been to the White House on multiple occasions, had dinner with Bill and Hillary Clinton in the DR as recently as January.

Going to get ugly.

Edit: Listening to Dominican news, Melgen has donated hundreds of thousands to the Clintons. He even donated money to Hugh Rodham, Hillary's brother for his failed senate run. Ugh.

[DCZards]

Agreed, the real issue is the Clintons staying with him at Melgen's mansion multiple times. Harry Reid as well. The Fanjuls are known major drug dealers, it's just a country most people don't even think about.

The DR and its ports have become drug infested over the past decade with tons of South American cocaine flowing through the island. With Menendez forcing a security deal for "port scanning" and security through for his friend, the Fanjuls (known drug kingpins) who also own Casa de Campo.........why do the Clintons spend time with these people?

It's going to be an issue in the election, one that could derail her quickly.

There is no defending the Clintons'--or anyone else--doing business with drug dealers or other bad guys. But I seriously doubt that this relationship with Mendendez/Melgen will even be a blip on the radar screen during the upcoming US presidential race. And it's certainly not something that will "derail" Hillary. There are far more important domestic and international issues that Americans will be focused during the 2016 race for the White House.

Plus the Clintons will spin their relationship with Mendendez/Melgen in a way that minimizes any PR damage.

[Zonkerbl]

Scanners I'm thinking about were for detecting nukes anyway, not drugs.

[dckingsfan]

SMH.

Hey Pine, thought I would give you a preview of the election process...


Moderator Question (MC): How are we going to reduce our spending to our receipts? Does the deficit matter?

Republican Candidate (RC): We have to get better at controlling costs and not giving money out to these people that don't work - they need to work harder. They don't care, they just aren't working hard enough. But one thing we aren't going to cut - defense.

MC: We see that you offered a balanced budget but then paid for then increased defense spending using the Overseas Contingency Operations. How will you pay for this?

RC: Freedom isn't free and there are somethings you can't touch.

MC: Okay, but how are you going to pay for that?

RC: Our plan balances the budget.

MC: Oh, never mind.

Democratic Candidate (DC): We just need to raise taxes. If we raise taxes we can do everything. There really isn't anything government can't solve if we raise taxes. The rich need to pay more - lot's more. The rich are killing us. The rich are the root of this problem. If it wasn't for the rich we would all be more equal.

MC: It seems that the deficit and payments on the debt are growing. This seems to be affecting new services you want to offer. What is your solution.

DC: This is easy, we are going to borrow the money from our grandchildren. They won't be around anyway - they will be killed off by global warming. We are going to tax the 1%. And we have more govenment programs to increase tax receipts.

MC: So you don't propose to reduce spending. It has been pointed out that even taxing the 1% at 100% you wouldn't balance the budget.

DC: We can increase government spending with our plan and balance the budget.

MC: Oh, never mind.

[Induveca]

Scanners I'm thinking about were for detecting nukes anyway, not drugs.

Issue is the company running port security is always connected to drug lords moving drugs through the ports. For the top foreign relations guy to actively own a portion of the security company controlling the ports where the largest amount of drugs pass through in the Caribbean? That's bad enough as the kickbacks are flowing into a Swiss account.

There were articles in the DR a few years ago during Menendez' prostitute scandal (which was legitimate, I lived in Casa de Campo and caddies and security guys all laughed. Melgen is known on the entire resort for his prostitutes and parties).

When that first broke and details about his/Menendez' company ICCSI were revealed, a common theme in the local news was drug kickbacks for Melgen/Menendez making the DR-> Miami the best route for a dirty bomb via cargo containers. This was picked up in Miami in Spanish language papers and here and there in other press.

[dckingsfan]

(MC): Voters in the US are very concerned about the chaos in the world right now. Please let us know your thoughts on the matter.

(DC): Breaks into verse: "why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends..."

(MC): Yes, but some of the threats out there don't seem to pay attention to diplomacy.

(DC): Well, if the cross that line - I will be very mad at them.

(MC): Your thoughts on the matter?

(RC): If they step out of line we WILL make them pay! This is why you can NEVER spend enough on defense.

(MC): But we already spend more on defense than any other country.

(RC): Thank god for that. And if I am elected President, we will double down on that strategy.

[dckingsfan]

Wow, just wow... I call this the "head in the sand" strategy. Zonk - help me with this? What is there thinking?

http://politicalwire.com/2015/04/06/dem ... -strategy/