"Government should serve the people . . ."

1. 83

   Don Wposted 7 years ago

   "We are fighting for every citizen that believes that government should serve the people, not the donors and not the special interests"
   - Donald Trump before the election.
   
   3 days after the election, Trump announces his transition team will include:
   
   Jeffrey Eisenach - lobbyist who worked many years for Verizon and other companies to fight regulations by the Federal Communications Commission. Appointed head of the team choosing staff for the Federal Communications Commission.
   
   Michael Catanzaro - lobbyist whose clients include Devon Energy, Hess Corporation, and Encana Oil and Gas. Appointed to oversee the “energy independence” portfolio.
   
   Michael Torrey - lobbyist who runs a company that campaigns for food industry corporations like American Beverage Association, Dean Foods etc. Appointed to choose staff for the Department of Agriculture.
   
   Martin Whitmer - chairman of a Washington law firm that lobbies for Association of American Railroads and National Asphalt Pavement Association. Appointed to oversee the “transportation and infrastructure” portfolio.
   
   David Malpass - chief economist for Wall Street investment bank Bear Stearns (which collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis). Appointed to oversee the “economic issues” portfolio.
   
   The list also includes Trump's highest donors including Peter Thiel and Anthony Scaramucci.
   
   Can someone who voted for Trump please explain how these appointments ensure that government serves the people, not donors and special interests?

   replyreport
   1. 95

      wildernessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Would it help to label it as "pay for play"?  Didn't bother Clinton voters when SHE did it, shouldn't bother them now.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         PrettyPantherposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         I believe he was asking Trump voters what they think about the people who Trump is choosing for his transition team. I am sincerely interested in what they think.

         replyreport
         1. 95

            wildernessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Can't help you as I recognize none of them.
            
            It is interesting that they are all lobbyists or ex-lobbyists with the single exception of an experienced economist.  But then hasn't most in the field of politics been a lobbyist at one time or another?  Excepting, of course, those that have never left the legislature.
            
            Except, of course, I see that the (partial) list here was designed to include only that - the lobbyists - without mention of what else there is.  The accepted norm, that is, of producing only one side of the question in an effort to prove evil.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               PrettyPantherposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               http://fortune.com/2016/11/12/trump-transition-team/
               
               This provides a little more info.

               replyreport
      2. 83

         Don Wposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         So are you saying that Trump doesn't plan to "ensure that government serves the people, not donors and special interests"?
         
         If not, then please explain how asking lobbyists and donors to choose who runs federal agencies ensures government serves the people and not special interests and donors.

         replyreport
         1. 95

            wildernessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Looked at (some of) the list PP gave, instead of the grossly shortened one your provided.  And I didn't catch a single one in the "lobbyists" category.  Which tells me that the large majority do not fall there - that you are cherry picking and insinuating that his whole transition team is composed of only lobbyists. 
            
            And of course, that "transition" team must be more concerned with politics rather than actual issues.  It is their job to get Trump and his advisers, cabinet, etc. into the political scene, not advise or work on those issues.  Or so I interpret "transition team".

            replyreport
            1. 83

               Don Wposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               Never said or implied that's the whole team. I said very clearly that his transition team "will include . . . " And obviously I'm asking about those people in particular, because I don't understand how the inclusion of lobbyists and donors achieves Trump's stated goals.
               
               The roles of the people listed are to choose who heads the various federal agencies like the FCC etc. I'm asking you, as someone who voted for Trump on the basis of his campaign promises, how letting lobbyists and donors choose who works at federal agencies, ensures that government serves "the people, not the donors and not the special interests"? You put him in the White House, so I'm asking you to explain how these choices meet the promise he made to you. And frankly I'm wondering why you aren't asking that yourself!

               replyreport
               1. 0

                  ahorsebackposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  Pretty simple if you ask me - Trump Team has just announced a plan for NO lobbying for minimum of five years after serving !      Kind of takes the wind out of your  sail !   As for me , make that five years ten years  ----Did Clinton promise Anything resembling this ?

                  replyreport
                  1. 83

                     Don Wposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     I read Pence has asked for no lobbyists to be allowed on the transition team. If that's true, it's good news.
                     
                     And no it doesn't take the wind out of my sails. This isn't a team sport, reds vs. blues! I don't want to be "right" about Trump and the future damage he will cause. If ever I've wanted to be proven wrong, it's now.

                     replyreport
   2. 84

      oceansnsunsetsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I think a leap in thinking or assuming has been made here, perhaps.  If one wants to include people that BELIEVE and THINK the idea that government serves the people first, why couldn't the choices include those that donated a lot to a campaign, IF they are the right kind of person for a job? 
      
      I think a possible leap has been made, that all choices MUST EXCLUDE such people, in part, to avoid simply looking like they are doing so to not serve the people and only special interests.  Looking for hypocrisy, and assuming that a leader wouldn't also know that he would be accused of such by those that want to find something to accuse him/her for. 
      
      So I wanted to point these things out first.  If one could make that case, then I think the original question is a valid one. 
      
      If it does turn out the people mentioned don't also believe that government is there to serve the people and not special interests, then we can know for sure.  Its possible he could be a huge liar and hypocrite, but we do know for sure that Trump knows far more about these people than we do.  If he had to worry about people's disapproval that think like this and then stay his hand for fear of simply appearing a certain way.  I did not vote for him, by the way. 
      
      I could understand sharing an opinion that big doners need to be excluded from serving the people to avoid possible improper appearances.  I don't think its a question that has that idea as a foregone conclusion, that others need to answer as if the onus is on them to do so.

      replyreport
2. 78

   colorfuloneposted 7 years ago

   President-elect Donald Trump's "Transition Team"
   
   VP Mike Pence replaced Chris Christie on the Transition Team
   Christie will now serve as a vice-chairman alongside...
   Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama
   Retired Army Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn
   Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
   Dr. Ben Carson
   Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich
   
   Donald Trump isn't breaking his promises.  There is a lot of mis-information across the web to make people think he is a part of the establishment, that he hates his followers, and that he is going back on all of his promises...blah, blah, blah.   Don't get took by those fools or you'll have egg on your face too!  They are even taking things Trump said out of context and editing footage to make it look like he isn't going to deport illegals now.  This is crazy!  So, when he actually does what he says he will do in office, they'll say he is flip-flopping then. 
   Trump hasn't even taken office yet.
   
   These media shills hope your stupid, they think you are.  Spinning!

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Don Wposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Once again, for anyone who misunderstood the opening post. Trump has announced that his transition team will include, among others:
      
      Jeffrey Eisenach - lobbyist who worked many years for Verizon and other companies to fight regulations by the Federal Communications Commission. Appointed head of the team choosing staff for the Federal Communications Commission.
      
      Michael Catanzaro - lobbyist whose clients include Devon Energy, Hess Corporation, and Encana Oil and Gas. Appointed to oversee the “energy independence” portfolio.
      
      Michael Torrey - lobbyist who runs a company that campaigns for food industry corporations like American Beverage Association, Dean Foods etc. Appointed to choose staff for the Department of Agriculture.
      
      Martin Whitmer - chairman of a Washington law firm that lobbies for Association of American Railroads and National Asphalt Pavement Association. Appointed to oversee the “transportation and infrastructure” portfolio.
      
      David Malpass - chief economist for Wall Street investment bank Bear Stearns (which collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis). Appointed to oversee the “economic issues” portfolio.
      
      The list also includes Trump's highest donors including Peter Thiel and Anthony Scaramucci.
      
      Can someone who voted for Trump please explain how these appointments ensure that government serves the people, not donors and special interests?

      replyreport
3. 78

   colorfuloneposted 7 years ago

   Pence will serve as Chairman of the Presidential Transition Team, according to a press release on Friday. It adds:
   
   Dr. Ben Carson, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, USA (Ret.), Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions will join the team’s Executive Committee as Vice Chairs.
   
   According to the press release, the following individuals will serve as leaders on the Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee:
   
   Congressman Lou Barletta
   Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
   Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
   Congressman Chris Collins
   Jared Kushner
   Congressman Tom Marino
   Rebekah Mercer
   Steven Mnuchin
   Congressman Devin Nunes
   Anthony Scaramucci
   Peter Thiel
   Donald Trump Jr.
   Eric Trump
   Ivanka Trump
   RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
   Trump Campaign CEO Stephen K. Bannon
   
   Rick Dearborn will serve as the team’s executive director. Dearborn previously served as Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) chief of staff.
   
   Others joining Dearborn on the team are:
   
   Kellyanne Conway, Senior Advisor
   David Bossie, Deputy Executive Director
   Stephen Miller, National Policy Director
   Jason Miller, Communications Director
   Hope Hicks, National Press Secretary
   Dan Scavino, Director of Social Media
   Don McGahn, General Counsel
   Katie Walsh, Senior Advisor
   
   Source:  http://www.breitbart.com/2016-president … tion-team/
   
   
   
   President-elect Trump's Transition Team website: https://www.greatagain.gov/news/press-information.html

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Don Wposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You seem to be having difficulty understanding the question, so here it is again for you:
      
      How does the appointment of the people below, ensure that government serves the people, not donors and special interests?
      
      Jeffrey Eisenach - lobbyist who worked many years for Verizon and other companies to fight regulations by the Federal Communications Commission. Appointed head of the team choosing staff for the Federal Communications Commission.
      
      Michael Catanzaro - lobbyist whose clients include Devon Energy, Hess Corporation, and Encana Oil and Gas. Appointed to oversee the “energy independence” portfolio.
      
      Michael Torrey - lobbyist who runs a company that campaigns for food industry corporations like American Beverage Association, Dean Foods etc. Appointed to choose staff for the Department of Agriculture.
      
      Martin Whitmer - chairman of a Washington law firm that lobbies for Association of American Railroads and National Asphalt Pavement Association. Appointed to oversee the “transportation and infrastructure” portfolio.
      
      David Malpass - chief economist for Wall Street investment bank Bear Stearns (which collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis). Appointed to oversee the “economic issues” portfolio.

      replyreport
4. 0

   ahorsebackposted 7 years ago

   Don W ,Its all quite an easy answer ,    yet easy answers always elude the idealist :
   You don't appoint the following .
   - A gardener to rebuild  a national highway infrastructure
   - A Miser to regulate  or even understand the banking industry
   - A one cow dairy farmer  to oversee  a food industry -
   - A band aid seller to oversee  health care
   - A slingshot manufacturer to run a defense dept.
   
   
   I know you didn't ask the above question totally WITHOUT  a clue but you did ask it WITH an agenda . .
   Maybe my being a builder all of my life makes the jump to logical conclusions to your  question  easy but ............?

   replyreport