An Angry Freedom Caucus Responds To Trump's 2018 Threat

Zero Hedge ^ | 03/30/2017

[SeekAndFind]

After Trump drew 'first blood' this morning with a tweet threatening to fight Freedom Caucus members in the 2018 mid-term elections, a pair of House representatives have fired back with aggressive tweets of their own implying that Trump's healthcare plan was evidence that he had "succumb to the D.C. Establishment."

"It didn't take long for the swamp to drain @realDonaldTrump. No shame, Mr. President. Almost everyone succumbs to the D.C. Establishment."

 

".@realDonaldTrump it's a swamp not a hot tub. We both came here to drain it. #SwampCare polls 17%. Sad!"

It didn't take long for the swamp to drain @realDonaldTrump. No shame, Mr. President. Almost everyone succumbs to the D.C. Establishment. https://t.co/9bDo8yzH7I

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) March 30, 2017

.@realDonaldTrump it's a swamp not a hot tub. We both came here to drain it. #SwampCare polls 17%. Sad! https://t.co/4kjygV2tdS

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 30, 2017

 

Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, the former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, also defended conservative lawmakers earlier today on Fox News.  Per The Hill:

"The Freedom Caucus is trying to change Washington, this bill keeps Washington the same, plain and simple," Jordan said Thursday on Fox News' "America's Newsroom."

 

"We appreciate the president, we are trying to help the president. But the fact is, you have to look at the legislation. It doesn't do what we told the voters we were going to do, and the American people understand that. That's why only 17 percent of the population supports this legislation."

 

Jordan wouldn't comment on the threat regarding the 2018 midterms, instead characterizing the scuttled healthcare vote as just a "postponement" and arguing that Republicans will succeed if they deliver on their promises to voters.

 

"Lets forget the blame and what may happen in the future, lets just do what we said. That's what the Freedom Caucus and what Republicans are committed to," he said.

Of course these latest tweets come after Trump took to twitter earlier this morning, saying "The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!"

The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

 

So, Republican civil war it is...Ultimate winner:  Democrats.

[BuddhaBrown]

“...because it was a defense of the HFC.”

Oh!

In that case, it’s me that makes no sense at all!

[Dick Bachert]

I reluctantly forward this Pastor Chuck Baldwin rant and fully expect to catch unholy hell from fellow Trump supporters (of which I am still one). You will find it at the link at the very bottom.

There are a number of Chuck’s comments with which I take issue — SERIOUS issue (one being Israel v. Zionism) — BUT much of what he writes squares with points I attempted to make in the 7 minute video I produced over 7 years ago here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkyEtw8lBtI

And, of course, there is the MAJOR ISSUE that the dissembling, divisive criminal Hillary Clinton would have been much, much worse.

As is true of ALL elections, 2016 was a choice between two flawed human beings by equally flawed human voters who had grown weary and angry about the country’s slide into the abyss. Trump, who was not just another Beltway insider and had no track record, won the day.
It MAY be too early to know just where Mr. Trump is taking us, but I BEG you to read this piece with an open mind so that you can be alert to further signs that Baldwin MAY be right.

And, of course, there’s the distinct possibility that the world has become so screwed up by the Deep State apparatchiks, intelligence “spooks” and Globalists that NOTHING can be done to right our course. As I reread that, a small tear came forth for my children, grand children and great grand children. Consider cremation as they might dig many of us just to spit in our faces for the mess we left behind!

Now, it’s off to my underground bunker to brace for what I anticipate will be a firestorm of incoming! (Some of it, sadly, from otherwise good folks who declare they detest the current PC goal of shutting down dissenting viewpoints.)

http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/…/This-Is-Not-Going-To-End-Well…;

[RitaOK]

Oh, puh-leeze..

There is none of Trump’s Campaign promises that conflict with the Constitution.

The nerds flogging the Constitution all day long for the pitch fork rabble out there, who thought they meant it, were being fully funded by globalist Big Money, interested in a North American “Community” (Union), and happy to see sovereignty diminished and the Constitution scorched.

Trump has been stymied legislatively by these same serpent tongues and their donors, who have purchased the Establishment players and the several conservative pretenders of which you sound devoted. The Freedom Caucus is loaded with constitutionalists, but some are so fiscally purist they stop Trump’s drive for fiscal growth.

(You have to spend money to make money, especially following Obama’s US-collapse-agenda.)

Some of these guys are up for re-election, sitting on four million dollar war chests, because they ran for president.

Trump has exposed all the corruption and wising up the people to the depth of it just might save the Constitution, if these people don’t destroy our last frigging chance, first. His name is Trump.

[BuddhaBrown]

“...tread marks in my sleep”

DON’T go to sleep!

The Donald is starting to look more and more like his last name is really Sutherland and he is pointing and screeching at you, me and the HFC.

[SharpRightTurn]

“Then, one of them needs to pushing for a vote on the plan in the House.”

I don’t know if anyone can get anything out of a committee without Ryan’s approval. If the FC can move the bill without Ryan’s backing, or even over his opposition, I agree with you. Usually, the Speaker can pretty much direct the flow of all legislation unilaterally.

“And, if they can’t get a vote on it, then they should demand individual pieces of legislation be passed — defund PP, work for Medicaid, medical savings accounts, etc.”

I always prefer more bite-sized bills, but if they were trying to pass this on a reconciliation basis so as to facilitate passage when it moves to the Senate, I don’t know what effect the single bills would have in terms of chances of passage there.

[Reno89519]

Ah, but you miss that he FAILED to keep his Day One promises to end Obama’s executive actions and orders vis-à-vis amnesty and is still accepting new people into Obama’s amnesty. Further, his endorsed illegal aliens getting insurance under his replacement. And, he is now letting go forward a continuation of H1B. Rescinding Obama’s executive orders and amnesty are no brainer simple steps but show his hand. Allowing illegal aliens to get benefits even more so. And, letting H1B continue taking our skilled jobs?! I want action, not words. These are simple and failing them shows he may be talk, not action. I definitely put these several points above most of what you list. I supported Trump, still do, but it is wearing thin. I am not a Kool-Aid drinker.

[Turbo Pig]

Ryan is a problem, IMHO.

So good I'm posting it for you, again.

[A CA Guy]

But if the Parliamentarian did if fact say we could do a lot more under reconciliation than Ryan stated, then we all have an immediate problem with Ryan.

If Trump himself did not call the Parliamentarian to the White House as well to find out all he can about the truth of how far they can go, then that also speaks badly of Trump.

If Trump relies on only what swamp types tell him, then how could he be operating at his best level of judgment?

[Reno89519]

Good points. Leaving failed Republican leadership in the House and Senate is problem one. Ryan needs to go and Trump has the bully pulpit to accomplish this. All he has to do is tell House Republicans that he has lost confidence in Ryan and his deputies, as that the House find new leadership that will promote the Republican agenda that got Trump and the party elected. Or, he could ask Ryan and deputies resign. I don’t care how, but Ryan and McConnell and their deputies need to go. Trump cannot win with them in place.

[SharpRightTurn]

“But if the Parliamentarian did if fact say we could do a lot more under reconciliation than Ryan stated, then we all have an immediate problem with Ryan. If Trump himself did not call the Parliamentarian to the White House as well to find out all he can about the truth of how far they can go, then that also speaks badly of Trump. If Trump relies on only what swamp types tell him, then how could he be operating at his best level of judgment?”

Good questions. Also, Sen. Cruz said he had authority to the effect that the President Pro Tem (Pence) actually has priority over the Senate parliamentarian in applying the rules.

[McGavin999]

The idea is to work together, not just stand on the sidelines and throw rocks. If they are putting something forward great, if not they need to get out of the way and not moan and groan about not getting anything they want. I live in Arizona and Obamacare is killing us. It’s so bad that anything would help. You can always make it better but when people are hanging on by our fingernails we resent the people in congress fighting over the number of strand they want in the rope to save us.

If you don’t like the Ryan bill fix it or throw us some kind of floating device until you can fix it the way you want

[A CA Guy]

He can say who refused to repeal in front of a mike.

[gwjack]

Hi Kazan —

Do your own research. Even if JJ has zero, it is the same as King Trump.

Gwjack

[Kazan]

I have -- Jordan hasn't gotten a single piece of legislation passed into law.

I like Jordan. He was my congressman. But, griping and standing on principle and not getting squat down is UTTERLY USELESS.

[ManHunter]

Very remarkable!

Jamie Gorelick, the architect of the “wall” that supposedly forbids the exchange of information between the Intelligence Community and the federal law enforcement community. Unless, that is, the information happens to be the result of illegal electronic surveillance of a political opponent...

[Sontagged]

“Take me in, kind lady Trump” said the GOPe Freedom Caucus Snake.

[Sontagged]

Exactly,

Freedom Caucus releases their own plan or they prove they are part of the Swamp.

[Sontagged]

Freedom Caucus are not conservatives.

[Pirate Ragnar]

Many of us supported Trump for a host of reasons. The fact of the matter is that he is not and never will be a Conservative. He will do good things, but do not expect the ideal.

[Ohioan]

This battle--the l;ast few hours of it, at any rate--is not key. It is folly compounded. As I have posted elsewhere, this afternoon:

We have to bridge all unnecessary party conflicts--all that is, that do not reflect a real difference in American objectives.

In this spirit, let me suggest a compromise on Health Care, which could satisfy both the strict Constitutionalist & strict Jeffersonian, on our side, while reassuring the "moderates," who fear the result of an abrupt abandonment of the present Federal involvement in Civilian Health Care. This approach, understood, is intended to be acceptable in principal by almost all Republicans, as well as some Democrats in districts where everyone is not a Leftist "whack job."

We start with a brief recital of medical history, to postulate the ideas--the long term objectives--first, what the framers of our Constitution intended, when they left health care legislation to the States; and secondly to the honorable intentions of the class of physicians, who assumed the responsibility of the Hippocratic oath.

{Why this is important as a unity gesture, is not just that it would appeal to the hard core right--of which I am one. It actually leads to a public debate as to an ideal that argues for a Republican approach. It leads to an ability to demonstrate why Obama care has simply worsened the already grossly inflated medical costs that LBJ's 1965 intrusions have directly contributed to. The fact is that it is lunacy to allow the Federal Government, via various mandates, to meddle in something as immediate as the relation between a physician and patient, and expect the two certain results that anyone able to picture the dynamic interaction of factors, would expect: to wit, soaring costs & declining efficiency of service. Properly employed, this discussion will help public attitudes.)

Next, there needs to be what at first blush will appear as a factual recital in the opposite direction, relating only the factors now present in American Health Care, which actually have to be taken into account, as we endeavor to pursue a reasonable strategy, acceptable to all fair minded people of all persuasions, to back the bureaucrats in Washington out of American medicine. Here is the essential legal analogy:

We have in the law a doctrine that provides an exception to ordinary contract law, which allows the creation of a binding obligation, where one party--even without legal consideration for the promise--induces another party to commit to something, or part with something of value; where the party inducing the commitment is deemed to be estopped from denying the benefit promised. Under such an understanding, it would be unfair to immediately cancel the benefit promised to those who voluntarily signed up for Obamacare, under the promises made at the time.

Note, I am not suggesting a permanent continuation of any Federal entitlement; only that we recognize the concept that people who committed their future medical needs under the fallacious--but for many over-powering--inducements, have a legitimate situation--from a lay perspective--that needs to be addressed in a satisfactory manner.

We have to acknowledge these concerns--both sets of concerns--the reality of what worked without the Federal Government for 2200 years, and what works in human concerns generally, and the mess that the Socialist manipulators have created by their misuse of Federal power, for functions never delegated to those Socialist manipulators.

Just starting with a brief discussion of both factors, will elevate the level of public trust that we are not bulls in the proverbial china shop.

Now before someone accuses me of compromising principle, this is how Medicare & Medicaid are handled in the appropriate Chapter of the Conservative Debate Handbook:

Panacea or Death Potion.