Peter Lance Dwares

Obama went on an apology speech in Egypt when he got in office. He was criticized by Republicans me included for his criticism of America. He sounded like his reverend a bit.

Trump apologized for America in Helsinki saying that it was equally culpable to Russia’s (Crimea invasion, Ukraine invasion, plane shot down, poisoning Russians in England, cyber hacking. I can’t figure out why he does what he does. I’d like to see Romney, Kasich, Bloomberg, Haley and Pompeo run in 2020, and Trump retire declaring victory on every front.

Too polarizing but effective in many ways. I’ve supported him.

I attended Aspen Ideas Conference.

Larry Summers, former Secretary of Treasury pointed out we are in 9th year of recovery, money too easy. Bubble maybe. Advocates public works. Infrastructure. He pointed out healthcare costs are close to 20% of GDP, i.e. $4 trillion.

We have allowed hospital mergers to raise costs.  I agree.

Teachers should be paid like Finland.

He says what China is stealing is not a threat. (I say elaborate.) Points out trade is 5% of our economy. Tariffs 20% of that. Total 1%. Not much impact.

Some drugs should come faster. Amazon will reduce drug costs.

Deferred maintenance roads, bridges etc  and unfunded pensions etc. big problems.

Larry did not say much good about today’s economy. He’s very partisan in my view.

Peter Dwares

Thinking Friends

President Trump has made substantive moves I like. Tax reduction, relatively full employment and trickle down to lower level workers, offshore money returned, at least talking with North Koreans, pushing theft of technology issue, raising tariff issue with results, securing border and being fair to those 1.1 million a year who go through process status.  I also recognize he is too polarizing. We have a Country with very differing mindsets. I was a big McCain fan although while Trump is an acerbic critical guy in public, John McCain was in private.

It would be OK to me if Trump would step aside in 2020, declare his unique brilliance and mission accomplished and support Niki Haley to run with Mike Pompeo, bypass Mike Pence.

Let someone less bombastic but gutsy build on economy.  Also healthcare delivery. Also raise age of social security. At the same time start pre-school with breakfast if needed and a policy of job preparedness classes in high schools.

We need Republican Democratic bilateralism back. Reagan, O’Neil, Baucus/Grassley, McCain, Kennedy, Feingold, Lieberman (immigration, finance reform, foreign policy).

Warm Regards,

Peter

As a thoughtful person, I feel pounded from friends on Left when I say there is a limit on how many immigrants we can take in. I tried to defend Trump/Sessions separating kids and releasing in 14 days from parents arrested to come in without visa. Seeking refugee status as a way to dissuade.

I also am a very empathetic person. I can’t defend this.

I offer a practical thought. Although it’s not mentioned, NAFTA creating business in Mexico very likely reduced immigration to U.S. to a trickle. (NAFTA worked for Mexico. Also to US company building plants there. Also to US consumers. It hurt employees in US who lost jobs.)  Let’s expand NAFTA into Central America. Let’s work with Brazil, Argentina and Chile in that regard. I am sure Venezuela refugees will enter the mix to cross our borders.

We have taken in over 90% of refugees seeking Asylum. They are poor, desperate even if not threatened. There are limits. I’m sorry but there are 1.1 million legals who wait eight years. 200,000 or so work with visas – we need them. 20,000 refugees from South, Syria, Libya, how many can we take? What to do with them? Pay Mexico to resettle.

Europe has the same problem. It’s changed governments, been a cause of Brexit.

I have to agree with Trump if he will give amnesty to 2 million DACA, most illegals here and secure southern border to do so. Trump leaving Paris Treaty, leads other countries to look at us as leaders and do whatever they want with environment.

We need the EU. No wars for the first time in thousand years, He should push its value. Putin wants it weakened.

I can’t defend Trump beyond saying they need to pay more for their defense.