TRUMP’S THIRD TERM?

The PAC Perspective by Ted Flint

TRUMP’S THIRD TERM? It is the Left’s worst nightmare: Donald Trump getting re-elected to a third term in 2028. But wait, does not the 22nd Amendment limit the president to two terms in office? The Economist magazine put that question recently to Steve Bannon, Trump confidante and one of the main architects of the populist-nationalist movement that propelled Trump into office. Bannon, who has been known to lob a few rhetorical bombs to drive home a point, explained to the incredulous interviewer that Trump needs to “finish what we started” and the only way to do that is for Mr. Trump to serve “at least” one more term. These comments may appear hyperbolic, but Bannon was totally serious. He said America needs to return to a capitalist system in which the average American is able to prosper, instead of the corporatist structure currently in place.

Bannon says we live in a revolutionary time: technologically, geopolitically, and financially; and claims America is headed toward financial Armageddon unless it changes course. And Trump is the providential instrument to bring about that change. Or course, it is more likely that Trump, and by extension, Bannon, are trolling a media all too eager to affix the ‘Dictator’ label on the 47th President.

Shutdown Showdown

By the time this piece goes to press it is highly likely the federal showdown will be over. If it is not, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ( S.N.A.P.) benefits for 42 million Americans could end if no agreement is reached. The fact that one in eight Americans is on a program funded by the other seven is a travesty, especially for such a wealthy nation. For the record, House Republicans have passed all 12 appropriations bills in an attempt to pass a ‘clean’ Continuing Resolution. Democrats are holding out for a half a billion dollars for NPR(imagine the reaction from democrats if Fox News were on the receiving end of such largesse), more subsidies for Obamacare which are set to expire at the end of the year, and a restoration of funds to Medicaid.

Due to the Senate's 60-vote threshold for ending a filibuster, Republicans need Democratic votes to pass any continuing resolution or budget bill. Democrats have used this as leverage to get funding for their priorities, which include $1.5 trillion in healthcare subsidies for illegal aliens. House Democratic Whip Catherine Clark recently admitted that a shutdown is the only “leverage” democrats have to get what they want. In other words, she and her liberal colleagues are using the suffering of millions of Americans as a bargaining chip.

Congress acts as though the laws of mathematics do not apply to them. What is another one or two trillion dollars in deficit spending when the national debt is approaching $38 trillion? You can bet that if lawmakers were going without pay the way tens of thousands of military personnel and federal law enforcement have been, that there would have been an agreement in place long ago.

World Series

A commentator on an ESPN Radio program recently asked if anyone is even watching the World Series. Why wouldn’t they be? Just because the Yankees or Red Sox are not in it, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth watching. This year’s Fall Classic has been one for the ages. By the time this column goes to print, either the Toronto Blue Jays or the LA Dodgers will be crowned 2025 Champions. The Dodgers are defending champions and perennial contenders. This is Toronto’s first Series appearance since 1993 when they beat the Phillies in six games. To say each team has great players would be an under-statement. The Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is an almost impossible out especially during the playoffs in which he has hit eight home runs and is batting over 400. As for the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani had a Ruthian performance in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers. He became the first player ever to hit three home runs while striking out 10 as the Dodgers swept Milwaukee. Then, the 31-year-old homered twice and tied a 119-year-old major league record with four extra-base hits in Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.

But Ohtani was not done. After his four-hit barrage in the first seven innings, Ohtani drew five consecutive walks in an epic 18-inning marathon, making him the first major leaguer in 83 years to reach base nine times in any game, let alone the postseason. The Dodgers finally won 6-5 on Freddie Freeman's walk-off homer leading off the 18th.

Despite what some in the Chattering Class may think of this year’s World Series, it has been one of the more memorable in recent times, despite the absence of the Bronx Bombers and Boston Red Sox. It is easy to understand why baseball is still America’s pastime.