Ralph Nader on Hillary Clinton on Fox Business News - A Menace to the United States

By any Measure, the Collection of Characters would be bizarre and Mind boggling; Ralph Nader, Hillary Clinton, Fox News...sort of like mixing Chili Peper with Fried Donuts and then adding White Vinegar to it...Still, sometimes, in order to think out of the Box, it is perhaps not a bad Idea to do just that...and listen to them:

Ralph Nader sparring over Hillary Clinton with somebody named Cavuto, on Fox Business News:

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3869704531001/ralph-nader-hillary-clinton-is-a-menace-to-the-us/?intcmp=sem_outloud#sp=show-Clips

One Thing's for sure...neither of them likes her and they both give plenty of Reasons why one should look with utmost Scrutiny and Concern over the presumed Candidacy of Hillary Clinton for President of the United States...

Ralph Nader goes as far as to call her a „Menace to (the Interests of) the United States.”

A Step in the Right Direction: President Obama requests a Congressional Resolution on Syria

Unexpectedly the News Wires carried the White House Announcement that President Obama has decided to seek Congressional Approval Prior to bombing Syria or engaging in any Type of Military Conflict with Syria.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/31/20270696-obama-will-seek-congressional-approval-before-any-military-action-against-syria?lite

This would appear to signal a signficant Departure from what has been the Norm for several Prior Administrations, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton and, most recently and most disastruously, Bush Jr., who managed to get the United States not in one but two Wars concurrently, one of which is still being fought.

By a strict Interpretation of the Constitution, the Power to declare War rests with Congress. Article 1, Section 8,

„The Congress shall have Power...to declare War.”

This was something which was observed with fairly consistent Regularity until 1941, when Congress declared War on Japan (8 December 1941) followed by Declarations of War on Germany and Italy.  There was even a Time, including up to the Vietnam War Era and beyond, when, officially, such Events were not referred to as Wars but rather Conflicts; obviously, because no War had been declared by Congress and, how could you be involved in a War if there is no Declaration of War?  Duhhhhh!

Over the Course of History, going to War has never been an easy Thing to get into and, often, not an easy Thing to get out of either, the Latter, even more so.

Witness the still on going Conflict in Afghanistan, the Mess in Iraq which is still going on, or earlier, the Vietnam Saga.  Back to Vietnam in a Moment.  First an interesting Footnote.  Although nobody thinks of it in those Terms, from a purely technical Point of View, until today, there is no Peace Treaty which has ever been signed between the United States and Japan or, for that Matter, between the United States and Germany or Italy ending World War II.

Vietnam.  Vietnam was a Situation all its own.  The Involvement began with President Kennedy and deepened under President Johnson.  Faced with a broadening Conflict, President Johnson went to Congress and obtained a Resolution (much as President Obama appears to be seeking now), known as „The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution” (7 August 1964) and proceded to justify all further Actions during the Vietnam Conflict based upon that Resolution.  Only two Senators (Wayne Morse was one of them), voted against it.  There was considerable Debate afterwards over what the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution authorised and what it didn't but one Thing is indisputable; President Johnson had a Resolution.  Nobody after him bothered, even if it meant getting embroiled into Conflicts which were just as messy, or even messier, in Terms of what President Obama was later to refer to as „Blood and Treasure.”

 

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

The Situation in Syria is complex.  If one were to listen to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Assad of Syria should forcefully be removed immediately, by the United States, of course, with Turkey in a „Supporting Role.”  But it may be easier to speak from Ankara, especially if one doesn't have to pay the Bills.

President Bashar al Assad of Syria is not an Angel.  Far from one.  The Mess in his Country is enormous.  So is the Mess in his neighboring Countries, Egypt, Iraq and, yes, Turkey as well, to name a Few.

Despite what the Evidence laid out before President Obama may indicate, the Situation is complex and laden with Perils.  Moreover, as suggested by German Philosopher and Journalist Peter Scholl-Latour, the Evidence may lead different People to reach different Conclusions and this, with the United Nations Inspectors' Report yet to be made (Peter Scholl-Latour characterises a possible Military Intervention in Syria as senseless and dangerous).

http://www.tz-online.de/aktuelles/politik/scholl-latour-analysiert-syrien-drama-der-militaerschlag-sinnlos-gefaehrlich-tz-3081517.html

(in German)

But, back to President Obama.  Earlier, Critics noted that after „drawing a Line in the Sand” with Syria, he was not left with any good Choices.

As President Obama gets ready to head to Moscow, where the Chinese and others, not to mention President Putin, will also be, to take part in the 2013 G-20 Conference, the Decision to seek a Congressional Resolution on Syria effectively moves the Target Date from last Thursday (as it was urged on President Obama by some), to at least September 9, when Congress is scheduled to return to Washington after a „well deserved” Vacation.  Prime Minister David Cameron who was required to get a Resolution of Approval from the British House of Commons before committing to Military Action against Syria, surprised many, including, not the least of all, himself, by failing to get it.

Perhaps it would be nice for someone to send a Note to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan informing him that if he wishes to remove President Bashar al Assad all on his own, he is welcome to do it but, otherwise, he just needs to cool his Heels and wait until September 9 or maybe a Little later.

Secretary of State John Kerry - Attempting to diffuse Tensions with North Korea and Elsewhere

Former Massachusetts Senator, now Secretary of State John Kerry, was selected by President Obama at the Beginning of the Year to succeed Hillary Clinton's turbulent Reign.

John Kerry had come very close to becoming President of the United States, far closer than Hillary Clinton.  He lost the Election to George W. Bush in 2004 by only 34 or 35 Electoral Votes.  But lost he did and now, as soon as he became Secretary of State, one could sense the Difference in Tone which he established from the Onset.  He went to Afghanistan, an unsteady Ally which, in the Words of President Obama cost the United States „Blood and Treasure” in a non ostentatious Military Plane, rather than the Luxury Jetliner which Secretary Clinton relentlessly used during her Tenure.

 John Kerry arriving on a Military Plane in Kabul, Afghanistan for Talks with President Karzai

(February 2013)

Hillary Clinton arriving on the State Department's Luxurious Jetliner in Kabul, Afghanistan

for the Inauguration of President Karzai 

(Archive Photo)

Instead of „lecturing” President Karzai and letting a bad Situation becoming worse, Secretary of State Kerry showed real Diplomacy by seeking to calm down not only President Karzai but the entire Afghanistan Situation which remains extremely volatile and one in which the United States has decided, wisely, not to aimlessly throw any more „Blood and Treasure.”

But the Statemanship of Secretary of State Kerry and what distinguishes him sharply from former Secretary Clinton has become even more evident in recent Days, with the rapidly escalating Tensions with North Korea, where a Dictatorial Regime makes anything possible.

As Korean Dictator Kim Jong-Un unleashed one Verbal Escalation after another against the United States (and against South Korea as well), the Administration initially followed a Clintonesque „Tit for Tat” Series of Responses.  Then, the Secretary of State intervened.

He wisely saw that nothing good can come out of this, with Kim Jong-Un possibly willing to risk it all, including Nuclear Weapons, for a Conflict which the United States does not want and does not need.  Following a Series of uninterrupted Escalations and Threats, which still continue, North Korea has closed the Rajin-Sonbong Special Economic Zone to South Korea and, on Friday 5 April recommended that Germany and Russia, among other Countries, evacuate their Embassies in Pyonyang, the Capital of North Korea (Interestingly, we do not know if North Korea has asked China to evacuate its Embassy).

The Tone was neutralized; the United States Response was that Dialogue is still possible and that North Korea should consider taking down the Tone of its Escalations an Octave or two.  Secretary of State Kerry's thinking, we believe, is clear; obviously, North Korea could be defeated, „Bombed into the Stone Age” as the Late Senator B. Morris Goldwater may have put it some Decades ago but the Question is, does the United States need another Mess on its Hands.  We think Secretary Kerry may have quickly looked over the Situation (or perhaps he had done so long before he became Secretary of State); with the unfinished Business left in Afghanistan, a Mess in Iraq which President George W. Bush generously dumped on the Lap of his Successor and diplomatic Blunders by his Predecessor, Secretary Clinton in Egypt and elsewhere, he chose, wisely, to walk the higher Moral Ground, save Money and act with Deliberation.

One more Thing...Secretary of State Kerry, following the Example set by his Boss, President Obama, has decided to donate 5% of his Salary to Charitable Causes.

This stands in glaring Contrast with Secretary Clinton's Husband, former President Clinton, who, it is thought, amassed Millions (some say Billions) through lucrative Dealmaking with Foreign Leaders whom he had met, yeah...when he was President of the United States. 

The Social Security Tax - why it is a Regressive Tax and what Solutions are possible

One of the Tax Increases enacted or, more correctly, reinstated by the ,,Fiscal Cliff’’ Legislation is the additional 2% Social Security Tax.  This Tax was reduced from 6,2% to 4,2% by the Bush Tax Cuts; in one of the more bizarre Offshoots of the ,,Theory of Reaganomics,’’ take in less and pay out more, don't worry, as an old Sales Manager used to say, we'll make it up in Volume.

Of course, it doesn't work that Way but, then again, Economics was not Mr. Bush's Forté.  We don't know what his Forté was, actually, but certainly Economics was not one of them.

As a Result of this Action and previous underlying Actions, the Social Security Fund is facing a Deficit (Loss) of around $ 100 Billion in 2013; nobody knows for sure, really, but this Estimate is as good as any.  Reverting to the 6,2% Rate will alleviate the Problem somewhat but nowhere nearly enough.

Everybody who gets a Wage pays this Tax (matched by an equal Amount in Employer Contributions; the Employer Contributions Rate had not been reduced so it did not have to be revised - interestingly, no ,,Job Creation’’ Argument was made for that by the Bush Administration); however, the more interesting Part is that this Tax applies only to the First $110.000,00 or so of Income that everybody earnes; after that, one is home free; no 6,2% for Employee nor Employer.  This Policy, which interestingly, is not practiced by any other major Country which has a Social Security Type System merely exacerbates one of the most regressive Taxes imaginable.  Doubling the Social Security Tax Ceiling would eliminate 40-50% of the Annual Deficit and eliminating it altogher would allow for financing of Social Security and Medicare without straining any other Part of the Federal Budget.

Raising or eliminating the Ceiling would affect only that Part of Salaries in excess of $ 110.000,00 which would allow the Tax to become less regressive (although it would still be regressive) and bring a slight Modecum of Equity to the Social Security System as well as resolving another Piece of the Federal Budget and Deficit Dilemma.

The one Caveat would be, not to let the Clintons get Wind of this (admittedly, a hard Feat to accomplish) and throw the additional Revenues into the General Fund (as they did before), claim that somehow they ingeniously balanced the Budget and then leave for someone else after them the Task of straightening out the Mess once again.

Be careful what you wish for

We all recall ,,The Arab Spring'' and the Encouragement which was offered, particularly by Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton to the Forces which toppled Regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Lybia.  Traditionally, some Long Term Thinking and Analysis of what the Consequences might be when one undertakes a particular Course in Foreign Policy are indispensable.  Many Historians and Political Scientists compare Foreign Policy to a Game of Chess, where thinking several Moves in Advance is essential.

Thus, the Statement reported to have been made today by Egypt's relatively freshly elected President, Mohamed Morsi is quite insightful, we believe:

In a speech that was by turns defensive and conciliatory, he ultimately gave no ground to the critics who now were describing him as a pharaoh, in another echo of the insult once reserved for the deposed president, Hosni Mubarak.

“God’s will and elections made me the captain of this ship,” Mr. Morsi said.

 

(as reported by The New York Times - Emphasis added)

Full Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/world/middleeast/amid-protest-egypts-leader-defends-his-new-powers.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20121124&_r=0
 

 

Traditionally, Secretaries of State have been notably apolitical.  A Secretary of State strived, sometimes more succesfully than at other Times, to further the Interests of the United States to be served for the current and future Administrations, regardless of which Political Party were to come into Power.  Secretaries of State did not harbour Presidental Aspirations.

 

However, all this Amalgamation of Developments in the Middle East already combined with Talk about ,,2016'' and how long Mrs. Clinton will stay on the Job as Secretary of State after having announced her Announcement to leave, for so long and so many Times, might be Ground for one to give thought to the Adage:

 

,,Be careful what you wish for.''

 

To this, we should consider the Thought that Events in Syria and Gaza, not to mention Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and even Turkey, are still unfolding.

The Danger of War

Fifty Years ago, if one were to ask someone on the Street, be it in New York, Washington, Moscow, Paris, London and, yes, probably even in Beijing (then referred to as Peking or Pekin), People would have said, most likely, that the greatest Danger of the Possibility of a War comes from Berlin.  There were good Reasons for this Line of Logic.  Although the Devastation of World War II which killed, according to some Estimates, 45 Million People (25 Million of them Soviets/Russians) in total had ended, there was no Peace Treaty formally ending World War II.  The City of Berlin was divided by a terrifying Wall, Germany was divided by an equally terrifying Fence and East and West (in Europe and in Asia, too) faced each other, in many Spots, through the Barrel of a Shotgun.

As of today, there has still been no Treaty signed formally ending World War II.  Technically, the United States, Russia (as Successor to the Soviet Union), England and France are still at War with Germany, Japan and Italy.  But nobody takes seriously, or even in Jest the Possibility of a Conflict in this Theatre.

In historical Terms, 50 Years is a short Time but in this Span of a little more than 50 Years, the increased and continuing Danger of Conflict in The Middle East has been widening not only in Amplitude but also territorially.  This Conflict which was initially (after the End of World War II) a Conflict basically encompassing the Debate between Israel and the Palestinians has now, under the Banner of Allah and Islam enveloped Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Lybia and, with perhaps more concern that has been accorded until now, Turkey as well.

Ethnically, the Mix is extremely diverse, involving not only Israeli Jews on the one Side but Pakistanis, Turks, Kurds, Persians and Arabs of various Colourations (including but limited to Sunnis and Shiites), to mention just a Few.  Wars costing Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, if not more, severalfold the Cost of World War II have been fought by Western Powers, including but not limited only to the United States.  Is there an End in Sight?  The current Conflict between Israel and the Hamas Faction of the Palestinians casts Doubt on that Hope.

We hear Talk about one Comprehensive Solution after another, grandiose Achievements, even Nobel Peace Prizes but, all these Things have proven, in Retrospect, to be, at best, just Band Aids.

Is there a Solution?  There doesn't seem to be one in Sight.  However, all Sides should think about the Fact that the gradual broadening in these Conflicts, now not just limited to the Israel/Palestinian Situation but also involving Countries, such as Egypt and Lybia which have basically become unstable after an ill thought out Policy of ,,Arab Spring'' pursued by Mrs. Clinton and others has simply succeeded in making the World a more dangerous Place to be.

The Cadence of these Conflicts is so rapid that one Event overshadows another and we can no longer even focus on some of the Conflicts which are still going on.

The Flareup of the Israeli Situation with Hamas in the Sinai Peninsula has just overshadowed Events in Syria where not much Attention is being paid anymore to what is going on.  Earlier, Syria overshadowed the Instability in Egypt and Lybia (where an American Ambassador lost his Life).  The Goings on in those Countries have pushed to the Back Stage whatever may be going on in Afghanistan, where, the Italians have left long ago, the French left this Week and the Germans as well as the British are getting ready to leave shortly.

A Dialogue, a serious Dialogue on what is going on and what may yet develop is indispensable.  We can only hope that the next Secretary of State President Obama will choose, will be more interested in opening and attracting Voices from All Sides to such a Dialogue, rather than ordering a new Airplane and focusing on setting a Record on how many Foreign Countries he or she will be visiting.

Honesty and Integrity - The ,,All In'' Case

In Light of the sordid Petræus Affair, there has been a growing Chorus of Voices being raised in the Interest of Internet Privacy for the average Citizen.  Particularly of Concern to these Voices has been the Fact that the FBI has been able to access IP Addresses and track down Writers of eMails without a Court Warrant (although, it might quickly be added, if the FBI were to go before just about any Judge and raise National Security Concerns, it would take the lesser Part of 5 Seconds for most Judges to sign such a Warrant).  These Concerns carry a great Deal of Legitimacy.  Where these Concerns do not apply, however, is in the Area of Privacy for Public Officials.

Being a Public Official, especially a High Level Public Official has traditionally carried the Implication that such a Person surrenders his or her Privacy because of the High Level Position he or she holds (this is Public Service, not an Executive Position at General Motors, whether it be pre or post Bailout).  This Legal Principle has extended to Presidents, such as but not only Mr. Clinton, Senators, Representatives and other High Public Officials as well.  We do not believe we need to cite additional Examples.    Therefore, to argue, in this Circumstance, that General Petræus or General Allen might enjoy some Level of Privacy, especially, as it happens to be in this Case, where the Issues do not involve Intra Family Communications (,,Honey, what's for Dinner tonight,'' or ,,Honey, how are the Kids,'' etc.) is simply disingenuous.

It is also evident that he Communications that General Petræus had with Mr. Broadwell were salacious enough to where both he and Mrs. Broadwell went to great Lengths to maintain them remain secret.  The Focus of these Communications was not some covert CIA Operation or a Mission in Benghazi or something going on in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere.  These were simply Communications involving an Extramarital Affair and, it must be emphasized, Mr. Petræus was and knew he was on Government Payroll; unless he would maintain now that he was writing and reading these complicated eMails involving Things such as Draft Folders and Cross Accessing Mrs. Broadwell's Account at home, while Mrs. Petræus was watching TV or something.

The other Personages involved in this Affair are deeply problematic.  Mrs. Natalie Khawam, who is Mrs. Jill Kelley's Twin Sister and a Lawyer, is involved in a nasty and bitter (Divorce) Custody Battle.  According to Court Records, she took her infant Child out of State without Court Authorisation or Permission, changed the Name of the Child and was found by a Judge to have a

 “stunning willingness to say anything, even under oath, to advance her own Interests.”

Attorney Natalie Khawam, Mrs. Jill Kelley's Twin Sister, here, from a Larger Photo showing Mrs. Khawam, Mr. and Mrs. Kelley and Mr. and Mrs. Petræus in the Kelleys Mansion

Those are pretty strong Words a Judge would use when referring to an Attorney.  The same Judge found Jill Kelley to be a

"patently biased and unbelievable Witness"

Ms. Kelley also seemed to have invoked, at least on one Instance, ,,Diplomatic Immunity.''  She seems to have recently gotten hold of the Title ,,Honorary Consul'' for, all of Places, South Korea.  Honorary Consuls do not enjoy the Privilege of Diplomatic Immunity except when they are on Official Business, which they rarely are.  Mrs. Kelley appears to have quickly developed an interest in pursuing Business Deals involving South Korea and, according to some Reports, began asking for Fees amounting to Tens of Millions of Dollars.  Earlier Reports that Mrs. Kelley was acting as some sort of a ,,Generals' Consul'' (which would have been inconsistent to Consular License Tags on her Automobile) have been proven false and were, more likely, an inept Plant.

Therefore, now, when we come across the Fact that General Allen wrote to the Court a Letter of Support on Behalf of Mrs. Khawam (Mrs. Kelley's Twin Sister), we can legitimately raise the Issue whether General Allen doesn't have his Hands full worring about the Taliban and the Future of Afghanistan, rather than why and how Mrs. Khawam, a Lawyer, took a Child across Interstate Lines without notifying any Court.

It would just seem that requiring a higher Standard from Public Officials, rather than a lower Standard (or the same Standard applicable to ordinary Citizens) is not unreasonable and neither is putting under Scrutiny any of their ongoings is unreasonable either.

Just a Couple of more Points.  Unconfirmed Reports have it that Mrs. Khawam, the Lawyer who should know better than taking a Child across Interstate Lines without Court Permission, lives in Mrs. Kelley's Mansion.

Ah, yes and also, while we are not able to definitively confirm, Mrs. Broadwell's Security Clearance has been revoked.

The one additional Personage who has just emerged was the mysterious FBI Agent to whom Mrs. Kelley went in the First Place, complaining about Mrs. Broadwell's anonymous eMails.  His Name is Frederick W. Humphries II, 47 and he has had a distinguished Career with the FBI.  Why Mr. Humphries would have sent shirtless Photos to Mrs. Kelley is yet to be revealed; however, Common Sense appears to suggest that, given the many Self Serving Statements which have been made by the various Individuals who have taken Part and still are in this Tragico/Comic Soap Opera with National Security Implications, it is best to wait out and see what emerges next.

Stay tuned.


 

ALL IN!!!

The Unfolding of the Story surrounding General Petræus continues at a dizzying Pace.  Senator Diane Feinstein from California compared it to ,,Peeling an Onion'' with one Revelation more startling than the one before unfolding before our Eyes.

Where all this will lead, nobody knows and, those who might possibly know are likely far more interested in ,,Damage Control'' than revealing what has been really going on.  Mika Brzeziński, Daughter of former distinguished Presidential Adviser, Zbigniew Brzeziński, a Man of, some would say, considerable Gravitas, expressed as much on her intellectually worth listening to TV Program today.

Most of us would agree that the rapidly unfolding Facts allow no Conclusions to be drawn at this Point; however, here at The Vitznau News Team, we thought we would highlight Compilation of some of what is known or believed to be known so far, along with the Concerns which these Pieces of Information raise:

§ Mr. Petræus and Mrs. Broadwell, both married, had an Extramarital Affair.

 

General Petræus and Mrs. Broadwell

 

§ Mrs. Broadwell appears to have been in Possession of some Classified Information, the Extent of which we do not know.  She did not have a Security Clearance.  How Mrs. Broadwell obtained this Information has not been revealed yet.

 

§ Mrs. Broadwell has made unverified Statements regarding ,,CIA Prisoners'' being held in Benghazi, Lybia at or around the Time of the Attack which killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

 

§ Mrs. Broadwell perceived, correctly or incorrectly, that Mrs. Jill Kelley (née Khawam) was, or was about to become her potential Rival.

 

Mrs. Jill Kelley (née Khawam)

 

§ Mrs. Broadwell sent anonymous eMails, possibly as many as 20.000 to Mrs. Kelley, apparently in an Attempt to disrupt the Social Relationship which Mrs. Kelley states existed between the Kelleys and the Petræuses.

 

§ Mr. Petræus sought to convince Mrs. Broadwell, unsuccesfully, it would appear, from sending this Avalance of eMails to Mrs. Kelley.

 

§ Mrs. Kelley knew an FBI Agent who had sent to her shirtless Photographs.  She turned to this Agent (after she had received the shirtless Photographs) in an Attempt to have Mrs. Broadwell, (whose Identity she did not know because the eMails were sent anonymously or using fictitious eMails), stop what she considered to be Harassement.

 

§ Apparently not calculated in Mrs. Kelley's Consideration was the possible Emergence of, some say, 30.000 eMails or 30.000 Pages of eMails which she had exchanged with General John R. Allen, ISAF (Allied) Commander in Afghanistan, who was in Line for a Promotion.

 

 

General John R. Allen

 

§ General Allen has stated that there was no ,,Inappropriate Relationship'' between him and Mrs. Kelley but, at least for the Time being, his Promotion as Commander in Chief for NATO has been put on Ice.

 

§ Mrs. Kelley is a wealthy Socialite and, undisputedly, well connected in Military Circles.  Her Husband is a Surgeon.  Together they have 3 Children.  Either Mrs. Kelley or someone in the Kelley Family serves as an ,,Honorary Consul'' for somebody or something.

 

 

Mrs. Kelley and the Florida License Plate on her Mercedes Benz

 

§ All of the Principals in this bizarre unfolding Story have, understandably, gone ,,Under the Radar'' and made themselves unavailable for Press Interviews.  Some have hired Agents or Representatives to speak on their Behalf.  Mrs. Kelley has hired as her Spokeswoman Judy Smith, who represented, yeah, Monica Lewinsky and Abby Lowell, who represented John Edwards.

 

Judy Smith, here seen with Monica Lewinsky

 

§ We need not tell you, President Clinton is ,,Under the Radar'' on this one.

 

§ Nobody ,,knew'' anything about this until after the Election.

 

Stayed tuned and, to any and all Readers of this Column; any News or developing Stories on this Saga, which appears to be quickly becoming more than just a little ,,Story'' about Sexual Escapades, please drop us a Note.  We welcome, indeed, seek to hear from all of you.

 

N. B. The Title of Mrs. Broadwell's Book about General Petræus is ,,ALL IN'' (whatever she meant by that) and, while we do not know if this is ,,ALL IN'' yet, neither does it appear to be ,,ALL OUT.''

 



 

High Class and, let's not forget, President Clinton

General David H. Petræus has just announced his Resignation as Chief of the CIA, not particularly because he was involved in an ,,Extramarital Affair'' with another Woman, also married, Paula Broadwell, but because an FBI Investigation into the Incident suggested that



Security Breaches might have been involved.  Details into what exactly happened are still unfolding but, apparently, another Woman (not Mrs. Petræus), may have played a Role in blowing the Lid.

Mrs. Broadwell, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, seen above in a not too spartan Government (possibly military) Executive Jet, together with Mr. Petræus, gives expanded Meaning to the all too oft heard Phrase, ,,Your Tax Dollars at Work,'' Rosewood Paneling and all.  So far as it is known until now, the Decision to resign was Mr. Petræus's own and he received no Pressure from the President to do so.  If this is true, Mr. Petræus is to be commended for doing so in a Responsible Manner, even though, his Decision may not help very much the Explaining which he will have to do to Mrs. Petræus (who also just happens to come from a military Family with a distinguished Lineage which stretches all the Way back to the Civil War).

What is lamentable, we believe, is not only the Appearance (if not the Actual) Breach(es) of Security which may have ocurred, but also the Intertwining of such Relationships between current and former Government Officials.  Mrs. Broadwell worked for the Military for 15 Years and is a West Point Graduate.  Mrs. Petræus works for the Government, too.  So far, this Column has not been able to find out who the ,,Third Woman'' works for or what her Identity is.

What is possibly even more lamentable, though, is the Lavish and Praise that former President Clinton currently enjoys (still), despite having been involved in a Situation which was not all that different than the ,,Pickle'' General Petræus suddenly finds himself in.

So far as we know, General Petræus did not call and ask President Clinton how he might have been able to handle the Situation.  Is it possible that President Clinton's salacious Relationship with Monica Lewinsky, whatever it was, was such that President Clinton was just ,,Too big to fail'' and, thusly, General Petræus decided to forego such Advice?

 

The $ 1 Billion Presidential Election: One Billion Dollars and 10 Days to go

Way back then, way back when, in the 1960's an American writer by the Name of Theodore H. White came up with a brilliant Idea:  write a Book each four Years entitled ,,The Making of the President."  The Idea met with great Success.  Theodore H. White, who first wrote ,,The Making of the President 1960'' about the historic Kennedy-Nixon Campaign, went on to write Sequels about subsequent Presidential Elections, none as succesful as his First One, but still, all of them succesful enough.  Today, this Tradition seems to have faded.

So, one wonders, what insightful Issue might be noteworthy enough to bring to the Forefront if one were to write a Book titled ,,The Making of the President 2012.''  Several Campaign Issues which have been played up by the two Candidates come to mind.

§  Jobs - this is an Issue that impacts every American.

§  The Economy - again, this is an Issue that also impacts every American as well.

Other Issues, be they in the Area of Foreign Policy, Women's Rights, Homosexual Rights, Minority and Immigration Issues, are all Policy Issues, which, while being important enough and likely to affect the Outcome of the Election in a profound Manner, are still issues which, directly, ipso Facto, do not directly and imminently affect every American in the same Way that Jobs and the Economy (Two Facets of one and the same Issue) do.

However, there is another Aspect which does affect each and every American and, at that, in a profound Way and that is the Deficit.  Currently at $ 16 Trillion (it was 11 Trillion when President George W. Bush left Office) it is projected to rise in the upcoming Four Years, regardless of which Candidate wins the coveted Office.

http://economywatch.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/15/14453514-whether-its-obama-or-romney-either-will-face-huge-obstacles-on-economy?lite

And, aside from Generalities which are difficult to pin in Terms of tangible Policies, neither Candidate has a stark, aggressive and palpably effective Plan to deal with this Morass.  Even more worrysome is the Fact that the Federal Debt is held largely in foreign Hands, China, surprisingly, Japan (No. 2), according to several Reports and then followed by other Countries.

More worrysome is the Fact that under Mr. Bernanke's Policies, the Federal Deficit has become more susceptible to short Term Effects, this, because of Mr. Bernanke's Implementation of something he calls ,,Operation Twist'' under which the Fed is retiring as much as possible of the Long Term Debt, in exchange for Short Term Debt at somewhat lower Interest Rates.

This, of course, has the Effect of reducing, in the Short Term, the Federal Deficit which would be worse if the Interest Rates paid by the Federal Government were higher rather than lower, as they would become and are becoming, under the Policy of swapping higher Interest Long Term Debt for (slightly) lower Interest Short Term Debt, sometimes as short as a Month, a Week, or even a Day.

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/11/14370868-washington-must-avoid-fiscal-cliff-goldmans-blankfein-warns?lite

However, there is serious Danger in the Policy being pursued by Mr. Bernanke.  Any Increase in the Interest Rates (on which the Fed has mercilessly kept the Lid on), would be ruinous for the Federal Debt.  Higher Interest Rates would push Interest Expenses into the Stratosphere, worsen the Deficit and Situations like that are ocurring right now not only in Greece, but also in places like Italy and Spain.  Mr. Bernanke does not tell us what Plan he has to deal with these Dangers and, what the Heck?  He wants to retire after his current Term expires.  Let someone else deal with that Problem.

 

But for the Presidential Candidates, there is another Aspect.  The President of the United States, or an Aspirant to that High Office, the Highest Office in the Land can set an Example.  An Example of a Modecum of Fiscal Discipline.  And, Mr. Obama, who has been unable to exercise this and Mr. Romney who claims he has ,,Experience'' in Fiscal Discipline have both set an unglorious Example:  this will be the First Presidental Election which will cost more than $ 1 Billion, which, as everyone else knows, is $ 1000 Million, that is to say, the Equivalent of $ 3,00 being spent for each Man, Woman and Child in the United States; that includes everyone, voting or non voting.

A significant Part of this Expenditure is yet to happen and it is about to happen now:  in the last 10 hectic Days of the Election, on an unprecedented Advertising Blitz by both Candidates.  That means, the Candidates would not be spending the Bulk of this Money on explaining or discussing the Issues which affect the Nation but rather, spending the Money on Advertising of one Sort of another.  Someone even before Theodore H. White said that the campaign for President of the United States is akin to selling a Box of Cereal on Television.

 http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/17/14511630-ad-spending-tops-800-million-on-pace-to-reach-or-come-close-to-1-billion?lite

What Confidence can this Kind of senseless Spending instill in the Electorate that the succesful Candidate Ten Days from now, is going to have what it takes and it is going to take a Lot, an awful Lot, to bring Sense and Reason to a Financial Mumbo Jumbo built Brick by Brick by President Reagan with his Supply Side Economics Theories, President Clinton with his ,,Take the Money from here, put it there and balance the Budget'' Theories,  President Bush with his we can do two Wars at the same Time and do everything else at the same Time Theories, Mr. Greenspan with his ,,Irrational Exuberence'' Theories,  Mr. Bernanke with his ,,Operation Twist'' Theories and, and...Mr. Obama who, regardless of what one's Opinion might be of him, certainly was faced, for the last Four Years with a nagging Question:  how do we get out of this Mess which took so long to create?

One Way, admittedly four Years later that both he and Mr. Romney could have done was:  don't spend this Kind of ,,Irrational Exuberance'' Money to be elected President.

The Problem with President Clinton

The Problem the Democrats have with President Clinton, but do not or do not want to recognize, at least not yet, is similar to the Problem Republicans have with President Reagan but, it may be, that Republicans do not recognize their Problem, not yet anyway, either.  Certainly, the Republicans do not want to recognize it, though.

However, President Reagan has slowly began to fade from Memory, that ,,Great Communicator'' who had to have ,,Handlers'' when it came to Presidential Debates.  President Reagan caused enormous and, one might say, irreparable Damage by stimulating the Economy with enormous Deficits which expanded the Economy, created a Lot of rich People but also started the Build Up of an unprecedented Debt Load.  After a brief Hiatus during the 4 Year Presidency of President George H. W. Bush (Bush ,,41'', who called ,,Reaganomics'' ,,Voodoo Economics'') President Clinton not only continued President Reagan's Tradition but even praised it.

So now President Clinton whose salacious Activities with Monica Lewinsky have long ago faded from Memory, he and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton now boast, he knew how to balance the Budget.  Yeah, he did.  But how he did it is the more interesting Part.  President Clinton took the Postal Service Retirement Fund ($ 7 Billion) as well as the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds (which were enormous Sums of Money) and threw them into the General Budget thusly creating a huge but temporary Infusion of Cash and, ,,Poof!,'' it looked as if the Budget was ,,balanced,'' but, again, only temporarily.  Now, not only the U. S. Postal Service but, far more worrying, Social Security and Medicare are in dire Straits.  Everyone is scared of raising the Payroll Tax Deduction Ceiling (now at $ 110,000 for People earning $ 110 Million, or $ 11 Million or even $ 1,1 Million because it would ,,discourage'' the Creation of new Jobs?).  President Clinton's Two Terms were then followed by the two economically disastrous Terms of President George W. Bush (Bush ,,43,'' the Dubya) and during his Term and after that, we all know what happened.  The Federal Deficit now adds up to $ 16 Trillion, give or take a Couple of Pennies and nobody has come up with a Plan of any Kind as to how this Deficit might begin to be retired.  Statements by the two Presidential Candidates, President Obama and former Governor Romney are about how they plan to reduce the Size of future Deficits and eventually reach (one hopes) a Balanced Budget, if...if this and if that and if something else, but, without raising Taxes.  Go figure.

So, when Mr. Clinton claims that the Economy is not ,,hunky dory'' but on the Mend,

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/19/14567670-clinton-lauds-obama-says-economy-not-hunky-dory-but-on-the-mend?lite

it is reasonable to question his Authority at coming up with such Statements.  Actually, with the Congressional Impasse over Cuts and Taxes and with ,,Automatic Sequestrations'' being a Problem which, no matter which way it is resolved or remains unresolved, the adverse Consequences on the Economy, the Problems which will be faced by the President after he takes the Oath of Office on 20 January 2013, no Matter if it is the current President or the Republican Challenger, will be daunting, very, very daunting, indeed.  And that, while at the same Time having to deal with Mr. Bernanke's untested Theories about ,,Quantitative Easing,'' ,,Operation Twist'' and who knows what else that Mr. Bernanke might come up with.

Sometimes, we can overcomplicate Things in spite of ourselves.  The basic Truth is that just like the Republican Party is not the Party of Ronald Reagan, it is the Party of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt; equally, the Democratic Party, it would be good to remember, is not the Party of Bill Clinton; it is the Party of Thomas Jefferson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  President Clinton said, when he first ran for President, ,,It's the Economy, Stupid!'' and he was right.  One could have also said at the same Time and certainly can say it now:  ,,Keep it simple, (Stupid!)''  ,,Do not solve a Problem by creating another Problem.''

 

A Letter to the Democratic Party Regional Director

Portions of the Letter and several Names have been edited.

...

Now there are many People who are far smarter than I am and I have no Idea how Things have been worked out or are going to be worked out on this Budget Thing.  All I know, as they used to say, is what I read in the Papers.  And what I read is that there is going to be a super bloody Fight over the next Sixth Months about these Cuts, and then something about a Constitutional Amendment and on and on and on.

We, when I say we, President Obama and all of us who voted for him inherited Two Wars from President Bush and they were both funded outside of the Budget by Mr. Cheney and, I suppose, Mr. Bush must have signed off on it.  But these Expenditures are being continued and they are huge and I do not sense any Urgency about the Money being spent, or as one might put it, wasted, on this.  I doubt that The Department of Defense can afford to get three competitive Bids every time they have to airfreight Drinking Water to Afghanistan.  Yet, that Money is coming out of somewhere and somebody is getting rich, very rich out of it.  That is just an Example.  And that is a Lot of Money.

Someone just acquiesced when Mr. Bernanke spent, I am not sure how much, they say, $ 6 or 7 Hundred Billion; that sounds like a Lot of Money to me, on ‘Quantitative Easing’ and for the World of me, I never heard that Phrase when I went to College nor ever since.  I just wonder whether President Wilson is rolling in his Grave when he hears Mr. Bernanke talk like that, wondering what has become of his beloved Princeton University.

Equally, a Lot of People are concerned about the Things that Mr. Geithner is doing in Office, including the Fact that he is spending more Time, the Way one hears it, talking to Wall Street People and Bank People each Day, than talking with Government People and, just intuitively, that doesn’t sound right either.

I am sorry that President Obama appears, some say, manœvered by People like this, after all, these People are not Tea Party Republicans, they work for the President and we all pushed for an Agenda when working to elect the President and overcame nearly astronomical Odds in order to prevail.

Moreover, it is disingenuous for both Mr. and Mrs. Clinton to trumpet that they have balanced the Budget when they took all of the Entitlement Funds, that includes Medicare and Social Security and dumped them in the General Fund.  Even my Cat, had I had one, would have known how to balance the Budget that Way.

One should perhaps lament not having President Bush, not George W. Bush, that other President Bush, to come out and say a few Words today, as he did to President Reagan, when he called this Type of Behaviour that President Reagan wanted to institute and instituted ‘Voodoo Economics.’  But President Reagan succesfully managed to kick the Can forward and now we all have to deal with it.

To this, one should reflect, perhaps, that the Republican Party was the Party of Abraham Lincoln, a Man who towers as a Beacon in the Annals of History throughout the World as someone who stood for Justice and Equality and paid with his Life for it, yes, Abraham Lincoln and not Ronald Reagan, as some of our Republican Friends would have us believe today and that the Democratic Party, the oldest Political Party in America and one of the oldest Political Parties in the World is the Party of Thomas Jefferson, who found his Inspiration in the Jewish Philosopher Baruch Spinoza and his Writings about Ethics, yes, Thomas Jefferson and not Bill Clinton.

The Budget Impasse

While Congress and the White House are struggling with the Debt Ceiling, Taxes and Expenditures, with so many Accusations being thrown in every which Direction, this Writer makes a modest Suggestion for a new Approach:

Under this Approach:

- President Obama would stop by Presidential Decree (no Congressional Approval needed), all Military Expenditures outside of the United States, except those needed to protect Diplomatic Missions and Government Officials travelling Abroad

- President Obama would fire Mr. Bernancke and Mr. Geithner, without appointing any Replacements for them

- By Executive Order, President Obama would direct Attorney General Holder to investigate any Allegations of Fraud and Mismanagement in any Government Expenditure of over $ 1 Billion

- By Executive Order, All Appointed Government Officials who earn in Excess of $ 100.000,00, would be required to study the Writings of Thomas Jefferson and pass a Course Completion Exam, in order to maitain future Job Tenure.  Those wishing to be considered for Promotions, should also be required to take Courses on Kant and Spinoza.

- President Obama would request Mrs. Clinton to return to the Air Force the Jetliner made available exclusively for her Use; however, she would continue to be free to travel anywhere she wishes internationally, via Military or Commercial Flights.

- Mr. Carter, at the frail Age of 86, would be called out of Disgrace and respectfully requested to conduct a Course on Zero Base Budgeting to all Members of Congress who wish  to receive future White House Invitations.  Mr. Carter is without Doubt going to accept this Responsibility.  Which Members of Congress would choose to attend, remains to be seen.  Side Bets on such Things would be allowed.

- The White House may consider reminding both the Republican and Democratic Congressional Leadership, but especially the Republican Leadership, that the Father and Shining Beacon of the Republican Party was Abraham Lincoln and not Ronald Reagan, that Ronald Reagan, who succeeded President Carter was the First to allow the Federal Deficits to explode to this insane Level of Magnitude, in no small Part through Military Expenditures for Things which have never been used and will never be used and that it was a Republican Senator from Pekin, Illinois (not China), to whom the Saying is attributed:  '...a Billion Dollars here, a Billion Dollars there and pretty soon you are talking about real Money!...'*

- Then, President Obama would sit in The White House and await for both Mr. Boehner, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Kantor and whoever else might be on their Side, to fold their Tent.

- A Re-Election Celebration Committee made up entirely of Volunteers should also be set up, should this Strategy be implemented.

Upon the Tent being duly folded, President Obama would request Congress to implement the following Legislation:

- Eliminate Social Security and Medicare Tax Ceilings which, have been drastically lowered while People collect Millions of Dollars in Bonuses, Tax Free, while at the same Time, People earning under $ 100.000,00 have no such Benefit and, the Medicare and Social Security Funds are underfunded.  See, Spinoza, Kant and Jefferson.  This would also be a good Time to ask Mr. Clinton to explain himself, not that it would do any good, why he proposed the intermingling of these Funds with the General Budget, thus showing a Surplus, whereas had this not been done, there would have been no Surplus and possibly, irresponsible Expenditures in subesequent Years could have been avoided.

- Propose a Value Added Tax of a Percentage to be determined, on all Luxury Goods Purchases over $100.000,00. 

- Tax Unearned Income at a Different, higher Rate than Earned Income, as it was done previously and as everyone prospered under the System, did not have to deal with Mortgage Derivatives, Countrywide Bank of America, AIG, Goldman Sachs nor all of the Goldman Sachs Employees who have infiltrated the Government and who do not give a Hoot about Thomas Jefferson, Immanuel Kant or Baruch Spinoza.  As far as they are concerned, who the Hell did Baruch Spinoza think he was, anyway?



____________

* The Quote is attributed to, although disputed as to its exact Form to Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, Republican, Illinois, 1896 - 1969.

Uncharted Waters

One Week after Mubarak's Departure from Cairo to the Sea Side Resort of Sharm el Sheikh, the Demonstrations in Tahrir Square and elsewhere in Egypt continue unabated. Strikes abound. The Egyptian Economy is in Ruins. Sketchy Reports notwithstanding, only the Ancient Egyptian Deities know for sure just how much Damage has been done and how much has disappeared from the Cairo Antiquities Museum just like a few Years earlier, irreplaceable Artifacts of the Messopotamian Æra had disappeared from Baghdad, never to be found again or, in any Case, not for a long, long Time. It is difficult to envision what the Future holds for Egypt.

Additionally, the Proponents of the Domino Theory appear to have gained further supporting Arguments. Earlier, Unrest had spread to Jordan and the Palestinian Territories. Now, fullblown Unrest appears to be underway in Libya, Bahrain, to a lesser Extent in Iran and even in Morroco, which had been considered to be 'Moderate' or 'Safe.' Yemen, where an increasing Number of Terrorists have taken refuge, is on the Edge of exploding. In Libya, Demonstrators are being mowed down with Machine Guns and some Reports indicate that Benghazi, Libya's Second Largest City, has fallen.

Most of us may not have even known where exactly Bahrain is; thus, we may be surprised if we were to find out that the tiny Oil Producing Island is only 200 Miles or so from Riyadh, the Capital of Saudi Arabia and that, unfortunately, there is actually a Bridge connecting Bahrain to the Arabian Peninsula Mainland; the Road leads straight to Riyadh.

After earlier offering to supply the now failed Mubarak Regime any U. S. Military and other Aid which Egypt may have lost from the United States, now the Silence from Saudi Arabia regarding the spreading Unrest is deafening. No less deafening is the Silence from Mrs. Clinton, who earlier all but pulled the Oriental Rug from under Mubarak.

As this Writer earlier noted, in the Days preceding Mubarak's Fall, Wall Street minimised Egypt's Importance to the Turmoil in the Mid-East, Suez Canal and all. Now, while North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, which together produce an indispensable Proportion of the World Oil Supplies, are experiencing Seismic Challenges to Stability, Wall Street appears to be 'concerned' with Wal-Mart Earnings.

This Forum previously suggested that the Linkage between The Fed's Policy of 'Quantitative Easing' and the Flow of Capital into Wall Street needed to be examined. It would seem to make Common Sense, at a Time when the Federal Government is being confronted with Massive Deficits and how to manage them, that Congress look into 'Quantitative Easing' and establish if this massive Outflow of Federal Funds, which Mr. Bernancke, an Economist and a distinguished one at that, found a Way to 'spend' without having it appear on the Books as a Deficit and without the Need of Congressional Approval, is flowing to re-energise the Economy or to re-energise Wall Street.

If President Reagan's Theories of 'Trickle Down Economics' are being adopted by Mr. Bernancke, having forgotten that President George Herbert W. Bush had described them as 'Vodoo Economics,' perhaps we can at least remember an Observation attributed to another Distinguished Republican, who was quoted to have said: 'A Million Dollars here, a Million Dollars there and pretty soon you are talking about Real Money!' However, we would now have to correct the Late and nearly forgotten Senate Minority Leader Everett McKinley Dirksen and add 3 Zeroes at the End of his Numbers. After all, we are talking about Billions here, 600 of them, and more, if 'needed,' according to Mr. Bernancke.

Duel - Obama v. Clinton Teil 2 - Part Two - Deuxième Act

One little Item went nearly unnoticed over the News Wires a few Days ago; Mrs. Clinton said, she would not (Emphasis added) commit to serving as Secretary of State in a Second Obama Administration. For that, obviously, the Implication is that Mr. Obama would be re-elected for a Second Term but, the Implication also is that Mr. Obama would be re-nominated by the Democratic Party for a Second Term; an almost universally shared Assumption. However, one should not assume that almost universally shared means that Mrs. Clinton shares in that Universe. Not too long ago, Mrs. Clinton had also stated in various Interviews that she loves her Job as Secretary of State, that it is such a great Job and that it gives the Opportunity to deal with so many Challenges on the World Stage.

Last Weekend, The New York Times broke with the Story regarding the Rift between 'The White House' and 'The State Department' (on the Issue of the Transition in Egypt, with Mubarak staying Short Term or Longer Term) which, translated into English means, the Rift between President Obama and Mrs. Clinton. There have also been Suggestions that the Leak(s) regarding the Rift came from The White House, which, if true, would absolve Mrs. Clinton of any Attempts to undermine the Authority of the President. Only The New York Times knows that for sure. However, before going too far inside that Suggestion, it might be useful to make a few Observations.

When the Demonstrations in Egypt broke out, the First Hawkish Statements came from Mrs. Clinton herself. In her inimitable Albrightesque-Cojonesque Style, Mrs. Clinton declared, with a menacing Voice, that the Leaders of Egypt (i. e., Mubarak) have no Choice but to listen to the Voices being raised in Tahrir Square. The White House bought into the Argument and, as the Demonstrations proceeded and gained Intensity, Mr. Obama came out on Television and through Statements issued by The White House and his Press Secretary, for a Rapid Transition in Egypt, accusing Mr. Mubarak of not moving fast enough, which of course he was not.

When, for all Intents and Purposes, Mubarak's Fate had been sealed, then the State Department became engaged into an Effort of lobbying for a Longer Transition, with Mubarak continuing to play a Role. That, in Effect, as we say, pulled the Rug from under the White House Statements, or, as I think somebody said way back during the Nixon Administration, left the White House 'twist slowly in the Wind,' without full, active and unqualified Support from The State Department.

Thus, one may ask the Question: 'Why?' One possible Answer is that Mrs. Clinton may be eyeing 2012. Many think that Mrs. Clinton would not attempt such a Thing until 2016. However, Politics today seem to dictate, 'Sooner is better than later,' in every Circumstance except when it comes to Budget Cuts and raising Taxes. Additionally, many of us, including Mrs. Clinton, could not help but notice the meteoric Rise of Sarah Palin who has literally come out of nowhere and who, many think, is going to make a Run for the White House, no matter what. Virgil said, 'Audentes Fortuna juvat.' With a little Bit of Luck, there may even be some Palin v. Bachmann Republican Primaries or even Palin v. Nikki Haley Primaries, in the South. Most astute Observers think that Palin is not very likely to be nominated by the Republican Party and, if she were, she would lose badly against President Obama or, any other possible Democratic Nominees and there aren't that many other 'possible Democratic Nominees' except, of course, for Mrs. Clinton. However, the very Fact of a Palin Candidacy in the Primaries, would raise the Awareness for a Woman Presidential Candidate.

For Mrs. Clinton to make another Run for the Democratic Nomination, the Stars would have to line up not just right, they would have to be perfectly lined up. That would mean, for the Budget, Deficit and Economy Issues to continue to run South; those, Mrs. Clinton knows she has no control over; they are on Automatic Pilot but the Automatic Pilot is steering a Course favourable to Mrs. Clinton; so, a few Foreign Policy Misalignments would not hurt.

Mrs. Clinton received a Total of 18 Million Votes in the last Series of Presidential Primaries; that is a formidable Achievement, particularly because she ran against a formidable Opponent and this Time, if it were that even the Possibility arose, that the First Woman President of the United States could be elected, the prevailing Wisdom would very likely be: No! Not Nikki Haley, not Michelle Bachmann and Heaven forbid Sarah Palin; Clinton!

And President Clinton would no longer have to go to the Pulpit in a Black Church and have to ponder outloud, how to solve the Dilemma of an 'Abundance of Riches' when it comes to making up his Mind regarding who would be the best Presidential Candidate this Time; there would now be only one logical Choice.

Nicollò Macchiavelli's Book, 'Il Principe' may have finally come to deserve a Sequel...'La Principessa.'