GOVERNANCE BY LAWSUIT – The Only Game trump Knows

Are you ready for the era of governance by lawsuit?

Donald trump’s long-time personal attorney and mentor, mob lawyer Roy Cohn, taught him well how to use the law as an aggressive weapon against the slightest objection or criticism. Now trump has brought his next personal attorney, Michael Cohen—also known for his take-no-prisoners aggression—with him to the White House.

It’s the only strategy—business or personal—trump has ever known. It’s simple. You do whatever you want to do, no matter how unscrupulous.

Someone challenges you? You instantly discredit them to the world with whatever Twitter prattle you want—doesn’t matter how ridiculous. The person sues you? No problem; you just counter-sue them for 100 times the money.

Incredible how many of those pesky little former employees, business dupes, cheated consumers—oh, and women…don’t get me going on women—you can scare away like that.

        Just more fodder for this clinically-narcissistic 
        child-man's insatiable appetite for attention.

TAINTING A WHITE HOUSE
Nonetheless, at last report, there were still some 75 lawsuits against trump and his businesses with enough staying power to survive, some of which have undoubtedly followed him into the white house.

Gee, do you think being subpoenaed for court appearances and depositions might prove a distraction to the new president? Just ask Bill Clinton. Of course trump would say he loves this shit—and he’d be right. Just more fodder for this clinically-narcissistic child-man’s insatiable appetite for attention.

Besides, all that other “presidenting”—you know, stuff like sensitive diplomacy with world leaders, crafting smart, constructive legislative initiatives, commanding the armed forces with clarity and restraint, serving as a role model for millions of American kids—that crap just bores him.

Trump knows no other way. Dashing the hopes of supporters who’d hoped he might become at least somewhat more disciplined once he was actually in office, he continues to spend a shocking proportion of his time on the defensive. Hunched over his Korean-made Samsung Galaxy smartphone, he scours Twitter for folks he sees as threats to his ego, and crudely disses them.

I know you are, but what am I? And by the way, your mother's a whore.

The man's insecurity knows no bounds. If you won't adore him as he demands, you're the enemy, be you a citizen, a government official—elected or appointed—or even a long-standing, loyal ally of the United States.

So presidential.

Tellin' It Like It Is...NOT!

Most trump supporters I’ve seen interviewed come up a little short when asked what it is they so love about the man and his professed policies. Oh, they might recite some nonsense they’ve bought from one of his campaign rants or a tweet about terrorist immigrants or sticking it to China. But what they do say quite clearly, almost to the person, is “…and he tells it like it is.”

Well folks, here’s exactly how your guy is telling it:

Tax Returns: When it comes to this disclosure, one of the few credible pieces of evidence suggesting any presumptive President’s innocence of conflicts of interest—and one which every major-party presidential candidate since 1976 has provided—he’s not tellin.’

Putin Influence: trump’s been accused of being under the thumb of Vladimir Putin—the ruthless, egomaniacal president of an adversary bent on undermining our democratic process. Those tax returns and perhaps a few business records just might put that concern to rest. But uh-uh, he’s not tellin.’

   trump offered a doctor's note—the 
   equivalent of the ten-year-old's note to his teacher saying 
   "Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sik."

Russian Obligations: Surely trump has business and banking records to refute allegations that he was bailed out of his massive 1980s bankruptcy by Russian oligarchs whose favor he’d long courted. Right? Nope—not tellin’ that either.

Medical Records: Instead of the specific medical evidence of their physical and psychological health Americans expect of their presidential candidates, trump offered a doctor’s letter—the equivalent of the ten-year-old’s note to his teacher saying “Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sick.” Obviously…not tellin.’ 

Contributors: How about disclosing who’s contributing to his inauguration extravaganza—something our last three presidents have done before being sworn in? No way, not tellin.’

     trump is "one of the most secretive presidential candidates 
     in modern history."

Cabinet Nominees: Shouldn’t they be providing Congress with all the customary background materials to clarify any offenses or potential conflicts of interest they might have? Once again, not tellin.’

White House Media Access: Perhaps most chilling of all, trump wants to ban from the White House any reporters who might force him to stop not tellin.’

There are many, many other shady—a better word would be opaque—areas of trump’s dealings, from his claimed charitable giving, to his business practices, to his behavior toward women…the list is long.

So, this is the man a disgruntled minority of American voters say they love for his openness and candor. The man they’ve entrusted with the hardest, most nuanced job in the world. The man who’s supposed to represent the interests and values of this country around the world. The man with his finger on the nuclear trigger. So what will trump do with all that power?

Clearly, there’s no telling.

                     John Wonderlich, executive director of the Sunlight
                     Foundation, which advocates for more openness in
                     government, calls trump one of the most secretive
                     presidential candidates in modern history.