What Happened?

"Arguing is not the same thing as presenting an argument."

nationalreview.com

Every since last years election, the Losers have been asking "What happened?" Trump presented a clumsy but direct message to the people and the Opposition (Hillary, the Democrats, the GOP and the Media) attacked it constantly. And yet Trump is the President. Why?

In the movie "My Cousin Vinnie" the Prosecutor made an opening statement about the crime, the accused and how the two were connected. Joe Pesci countered by saying "Everything that guy said is bulls**t." He was right then, but had the trial ended at that moment the boys would be on death row. Why? Because Joe argued but did not present an argument.

Hillary did the same thing. If one looks at her few campaign interviews and rally appearances, she never really presented a vision for the future to counter President Trump's. She did not say how her plan was better and she did not say how she would continue President Obama's agenda or improve on it. She simply told us that Candidate Trump was wrong. That is not an argument.

quinypublicschools.com

To really settle any issue by debate one side presents an argument, the other presents a counter-argument, and then they take turns explaining why the other side is wrong. Finally they get to present a defense of their own argument in light of the totality of the debate. The judges then decide who has the better argument.

Today we see no debate. The Conservative side presents facts, evidence, and solutions. The Left attacks the Conservatives on character and then declares themselves the winners of the debate. This happens everyday in the news media and to people like us online in every forum where comments are open. Instead of counter arguments we get nothing but condescension, insults, and threats. That is not an argument.

We do not ever settle any issue because we can never have a debate. The Left has no argument, no solutions, and no evidence that their vision could improve lives for anyone but themselves. So they argue constantly without ever bringing an argument to the table and lack the courage of their convictions to defend their vision for the country. Thus we have a perpetual stalemate.

. . . or not. The American people saw through the mainstream agenda. Since Hillary did not present a vision for the future we compared Donald Trump's vision with the reality of Hillary's predecessor vision and rejected both the vision and the heir. That is what happened.

THE F.A.R. PLAN: Foreign Aid Reform

Foreign Aid Reform

 

It is in the best interest of the American people to ensure that the government spend their money wisely and get the best possible value for each expenditure.  One valuable step in that direction is to reform how their tax dollars are distributed around the world. That is at the heart of the Foreign Aid Reform Plan.

Under the current system billions of dollars are allotted to most of the countries in the world to do with as they please with no accountability and no effort to see that the funds are used for the stated purpose. When questioned about the use of American aid dollars we are often met with “sovereignty” or “national security” stonewalls. That will no longer be the case.

Under the Foreign Aid Reform Plan there will be a detailed accounting for money received and tangible proof that the money was used for the requested purpose. If the American taxpayers sent 1.5 billion dollars to build a new highway, a new harbor or a new dam, these are the sorts of things that can be monitored and verified independent of government contact. These are the sorts of things that foreign aid was originally intended for: essentially, to improve the lives of friendly nations and enhance their abilities to grow economically, respond to emergencies and adequately defend their territory. Any other use must be shown to be in the interest of the United States as well as the people of the country receiving aid.

1. INITIAL STAGE

1. All foreign aid for the subsequent fiscal year is cancelled.
2. A very limited list of countries will be granted a waiver of effect for this Plan. That list can have as few as three names but no more than ten (10).
3. Those funds will not be restored. Instead they will be used for the purposes benefitting the people who earned it in the first place: infrastructure improvement, national defense, Social Security solvency.
4. Every country will have to submit a request for aid in writing for the following year. It is to be detailed in describing the use of funds, reportage for accounting, and progress from year to year.

WAIVER OF EFFECT

1. The most controversial part of this controversial bill is the granting of waivers and who will be on that list and who will decide. Simply put: the granting of waivers of effects will be predicated on those countries that have shown loyalty to and consistent support for the interests of the American people. (Countries such as Japan, Australia and Israel come to mind.)
2. The duration of waivers has not been determined at this time.
   
   

1. APPLICATION CONSIDERATIONS
    
   There are additional issues associated with the FAR Plan application. The relationship between America and the applicant nation is paramount. A nation that is consistently hostile to American interests and policies will not have a strong position from which to make a request. A nation routinely disrespectful of American culture and policies will likewise have difficulties in getting their “request” granted.
   Understand this is a request for money from the American workers. Every sovereign nation is entitled to operate in its own best interest. Every nation is entitled to hold any opinion or policy its laws and people permit. No nation is entitled to money from the citizens of the United States. Your problems are your problems. If we choose to help, we will, but no one can expect generosity from a neighbor who has suffered your abuse in the past.

1. FINAL CONSIDERATION
    
   Every nation must understand that America is also a sovereign entity and it is also a unique entity in that sovereign powers are invested in each American citizen. Since every citizen is a valuable part of the nation it follows that how nations treat those citizens within their borders is of interest to the United States. Fully twenty-five percent (25%) of any final request will be dependent on the Status of Americans Abroad Report filed by our State Department. This will include:

1. Issues of crime and official corruption affecting visiting tourist, workers abroad and ex-patriots dwelling on a ‘permanent’ basis within your borders and areas of control.
2. Treatment of those suspected of criminal offenses. The laws of the host country may be enforced as those nations see fit. However, access to prisoners by American officials is never to be denied, proper medical and nutritional needs are to be provided by the host nation or permitted through the State Department resources.
3. Even after conviction, access to prisoners is not to be denied and prisoners are to be treated humanely in the manner that nation expects its own citizens to be treated in American prisons.
4. An unsatisfactory rating from the United States government will automatically reduce any granted aid by 25%.

 

This is not an effort to exert undue pressure on the sovereign rights and independence of any nation. This is not an effort to influence policies of any nation. This is an effort to properly steward the wealth and goodwill of the American people. They are not under any obligation to fund those nations who mistreat them, who abuse them and do not agree with their policies and will expressed through Trade, Travel, Military Assistance and Personal Safety. It is in the interest of any nation choosing to request aid from the American people to ensure they are in their good graces. Otherwise, seek aid elsewhere.