I thought a comparison between Trump's New Year's message and Putin's might tell us a lot about their character.
Here is Trump's:
Here is Putin's:
To be fair, New Years is a much bigger deal in Russia than it is in America. Both messages are heavily produced, but only the Trump message is about Trump, and nothing else. I found it embarrassing. Be sure to listen to the music at the end of Putin's message, the music is very traditional Russian.
The silliness over Russia is, obviously, part of the Establishment’s drive to get rid of Trump. Yes, the man is erratic, contradictory, shoots before he aims, backs off much of what he has promised, and may be unqualified as President–but that is not why Washington and New York want to get rid of him. It is about money and power, as is everything in the United States. Wall Street, the Pentagon, the Neocons, and the Empire run America. Trump has threatened their rice bowls.
There is an important distinction here. America is not looking for an Empire, hegemony or anything else like that, but the elites who run America do want these things, it is literally their "bread and butter." I know that some of those who read this blog think I am pro-Trump. This would be wrong. I tend to agree with what I think is his foreign policy, but I am fearful of what I think his domestic policy is—increased spending and tax cuts. With deficits as far as the eye can see, this is not wise. But I am not actually sure what his policies are. Time will tell.
I remember thinking as I read Obama derangement syndrome posts in my Facebook feed last year, don't they know what the Bible teaches about the relationship of Christians to their rulers? The same thoughts are occurring today as I look in my Facebook feed with regard to Trump.
I remember the scene from Fiddler on the Roof where the rabbi is asked about prayer for the Czar. The suggested prayer was along the lines of "keep the czar safe, and far away from us."
While because of various pogroms against the Jews this is understandable, it does not fit the spirit of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Eccl 10 20
While this is more advice than a command, it is good advice. If you say negative things in private, it may spill over at a time you don't want it too.
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. Ex 22:28 (KJV)
There is some ambiguity about the word "gods" here. The word is Elohim and can mean the true God, gods in general or judges. I lean toward the latter interpretation. This is why David, who was fleeing from King Saul, never condemned Saul. Saul wanted David dead, responding in kind would seem normal, yet David did not do so.
The Greek scriptures continue this pattern.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, I Tim 2. 22
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.1 Peter 2:17
It must be remembered that the king or emperor referenced was the Roman emperor who had the authors of these passages killed. Yet, they were to be honored and prayed for.
I tend to have an anabaptist approach to religion-so structure is suspect. As a result I personally have not done too well in this area. I remember praying for Obama on occasion, but never for Bush! As for Trump, it has not been that long since he became president, even though it seems like an eternity. I prayed for him on his inauguration, but not since. The Orthodox Church seems to have it more correct. They build such prayers right into their liturgy.
I imagine that people blog for different reasons. Mostly I blog for myself. If you happen to come along for the ride, well the more the merrier. This particular blog post, if it actually appears, will be set to post some time in the future. If it appears that will mean I have prayed for Trump for a while and recommend it.
Remember that while God can and does intervene, the purpose of prayer is not that. Prayer is good because it changes us as people. Are you up to having some changes in your life? It might even change what you post on Facebook.
As Trump himself said during the election, no matter who is elected, the next president will have to deal with an economic crisis. Trump used the adjective "massive." I think it will happen this year or early 2018. I predicted this in 2014. Of course I could be wrong and there are a number of things that might delay it. But unless the business cycle has suddenly been abolished, it will happen. The only question is when and how bad it will be.
Trump's tax plan might delay it as massive tax cuts will be a strong, but temporary, stimulus. But the best outcome for Trump is for the slump to come sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, massive tax cuts and spending increases would delay the inevitable, and make it worse. Some are predicting that the recession will be delayed until 2019.
My update on my 2014 prediction is that it will not be as bad as 2008, but there are plenty of things Trump could do to make it a lot worse. I know the perception is that I am pro-Trump, but in fact, it seems likely that Trump will screw this up badly. I do agree with his policy not to have a war with Russia, and stop mucking around in other countries, but beyond that I do not agree with him.
Here is David Stockman, Reagan's director of OMB, Office of Management and Budget, on the coming crisis. I am not as pessimistic as he is, but I think he is right.
One reason Trump was elected is that he indicated that he would not go to war with Russia. But he made no such promise in the Middle East. Trump did say that the US would stop interfering in other countries, but seemed to exempt Islamic terrorists from this. To a large decree this makes sense, but the execution of it is paved with difficulties.
The New York Times yesterday reported that military officials had been planning and debating the raid for months under the Obama administration, but Obama officials decided to leave the choice to Trump. The new president personally authorized the attack last week. They claim that the “main target” of the raid “was computer materials inside the house that could contain clues about future terrorist plots.” The paper cited a Yemeni official saying that “at least eight women and seven children, ages 3 to 13, had been killed in the raid,” and that the attack also “severely damaged a school, a health facility and a mosque.”
Trump has an opportunity to be a different kind of president. So far, we are not seeing that in the area of foreign policy in the Middle East. No one voted for Trump to continue Obama's foreign policy. (The whole article is worth reading if you are interested.)
Of course the phrase "Why Trump Will lose" is subjective. The idea I have in mind for winning or losing in these posts is the idea of electoral success. Mucking around the Arab world might actually help Trump with most voters.
Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 3:00AM 
