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The Art of Lying About the Deal
Author: BobR    Date: 12/07/2016 15:00:39

It's been common knowledge for decades that tRump is a shyster. He has always been more a salesman than a "business leader", and like all salesmen, will say whatever it takes and promise whatever he needs to in order to close the sale. In short - he's a professional liar. During the campaign, his bullshit was flowing at such an amazing rate, it was impossible for fact-checkers to keep up. While it was exasperating during the campaign, it was just that - campaign talk. As I've noted previously, he is already walking a lot of those back.

Now that he is the president-elect, however, his words carry more weight. What he says matters. His comments can effect jobs and the economy, if only because he will have the power to put them into action. In the last few weeks, he has created large ripples by blundering (the Taiwan call... the meeting with the Japanese prime minister and tRump's daughter). What's worse is the blatant lies.

Yesterday tRump took credit for securing a promise from a Japanese tech conglomerate to invest in the U.S. and create 50K new jobs. Wow - he's doing great and he's not even in office yet, right? Well... it appears he may have gotten played:
...in October, weeks before the election, SoftBank and the government of Saudi Arabia announced plans to form a $100 billion fund to invest in technology companies around the world.

[Masayoshi] Son told The Wall Street Journal in an interview that the money he promised Trump would come from the huge fund.
[...]
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Son said he told Trump he would like to "celebrate his presidential job" by investing in "startup companies" in the U.S.

He said the reason was that Trump has made deregulation part of his platform.

That could be a reference to Son's failed attempt in 2014 to merge Sprint with T-Mobile (TMUS), which ran into regulatory hurdles. SoftBank paid more than $20 billion to take control of Sprint in 2012 and has struggled to turn the U.S. carrier around.

So in other words - tRump thinks he pulled in this great deal that was actually already in the works before the election, and Japan is going to get something in return from tRump: favorable deregulation to allow the creation of a monopoly. The net effect is a loss for our country, and tRump thinks he made a great deal.

The other great "deal" he thinks he made involves the Carrier air conditioning company. Everyone is fairly familiar with this - he supposedly convinced them to keep jobs here in the U.S., claiming he saved 1000 jobs. That number is suspect:
WTHR, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, took a closer look and found that the agreement “may not have saved as many factory jobs” as Trump claimed.
“We found out today that more jobs are leaving than what we originally thought,” [Carrier worker T.J. Bray, who’s also a communications rep for the union] said. “It seemed like since Thursday, it was 1,100 [jobs saved] then it was maybe 900 and then now we’re at 700. So I’m hoping it doesn’t go any lower than that.”

Union workers got a letter at the plant saying Trump’s deal with Carrier will save only 730 factory jobs in Indianapolis, plus 70 salaried positions – 553 jobs in the plant’s fan coil lines are still moving to Monterrey, Mexico. All 700 workers at Carrier’s Huntington plant will also lose their jobs.

As for Trump’s “1,100” figure, the president-elect was apparently including 350 research and development jobs that, according to the local report, “were never going to move to Mexico in the first place. Those were jobs that Carrier said all along would stay in Indianapolis.”

The worker's union president is not happy. What was the price to make this deal? $7 Million. One could consider this ransom paid, and it sets a dangerous precedent for other companies to try the same tactic.

It isn't just jobs saved that tRump exaggerates. He tweeted yesterday that the current contract to replace Air Force One is too expensive, at $4B (one presumes he is implying per plane). Once again, though, the truth is very different:
Earlier in 2016, Boeing received a $170 million contract to design a replacement for the aging pair of Air Force Ones used by the president. Boeing is not actually building the jet, though logically it is the only U.S. manufacturer with the capability to build such an aircraft.
[...]
At a minimum, there would be two Air Force Ones. You need a spare in case there is a problem with one. The jets generally have a life cycle of 30 years.
[...]
Cost have actually not been set. The Defense Department’s five-year plan indicates a cost of $2.9 billion over the next five years for design and development. It’s logical to assume at least another $1 billion in additional expenses to complete and procure the aircraft.

So an estimate of $4 billion — for design, testing and manufacture of at least two jets — is not completely out of line. But the budget is subject to approval by Congress and the actual design of the aircraft. Boeing literally needs to re-engineer the plane from the ground up, so there are many one-time expenses.
[...]
Nothing has been ordered yet. But the program could be eliminated. This may not be a problem for Trump, but certainly would affect his successors, especially if no order is placed before Boeing stops making 747s. The current aircraft were delivered in 1990, and as we noted, the life cycle is about 30 years. The Pentagon says the current fleet “faces capability gaps, rising maintenance costs, and parts obsolescence as it reaches the end of its planned 30-year life-cycle.”
(more details at the link)

I think it's also safe to assume that tRump thinks he could negotiate a "better deal". What that would entail one can only imagine, if you look at the shabby deals he's worked with the Japanese investors and Carrier. There's also the reality that he wants to create jobs, but cancelling government contracts destroys jobs and ultimately hurts the economy...

... and the Blunderer-in-Chief isn't even in office yet.
 

39 comments (Latest Comment: 12/07/2016 21:14:46 by Raine)
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Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 14:13:17
Morning

Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 14:20:04
Goos morning! I was coming to post this here and they just played it on the SMShow: (F bomb at the end)



Comment by Scoopster on 12/07/2016 14:21:15
Mornin' all..

Comment by Scoopster on 12/07/2016 14:27:42
Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 14:32:20



I thought that guy owned Sprint and we were going to get more Sprint kiosks at the mall.

Comment by TriSec on 12/07/2016 14:38:07
<-- Van Cliburn

Yes, listening to some rather loud Tchiakovsky at the moment. Shostakovich up next.



Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 14:54:41
Comment by BobR on 12/07/2016 15:01:22
BLOG IS POSTED

please refresh

Comment by BobR on 12/07/2016 15:03:00
Quote by TriSec:
<-- Van Cliburn

Yes, listening to some rather loud Tchiakovsky at the moment. Shostakovich up next.


Going with the whole tRump Russia thing?

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 15:13:03
The thing about the Boeing flap, Trump isn't interested in the damn planes, he's never going to fly on them. He wanted to damage Boeing because their CEO was critical of Trump's trade plans.

The Chicago Trib piece that russled Trump's jimmies.

Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 15:13:54



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 15:17:49
Quote by wickedpam:



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.


MALA! I am so judging you right now. I am judging you so harshly you should be able to feel it 750 miles away.


Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 15:21:38
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.


MALA! I am so judging you right now. I am judging you so harshly you should be able to feel it 750 miles away.



Judge away - I've always said I'm more Star Trek then Star Wars Plus I come by my geek card via old school Sid & Marty Kroft and Joss.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 15:33:27
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.


MALA! I am so judging you right now. I am judging you so harshly you should be able to feel it 750 miles away.



Judge away - I've always said I'm more Star Trek then Star Wars Plus I come by my geek card via old school Sid & Marty Kroft and Joss.


Suddenly my massive Field of Judgement fails. Mala must have rolled a twenty on her saving through vs judgy nerd.

Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 15:34:20
Really good Blog, Bobber.

I am telling you the rubes won't care until it really starts affecting them.

The nation -- this great experiment -- will be forever damaged by the greatest con job played on us.



Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 15:35:12
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.


MALA! I am so judging you right now. I am judging you so harshly you should be able to feel it 750 miles away.



Judge away - I've always said I'm more Star Trek then Star Wars Plus I come by my geek card via old school Sid & Marty Kroft and Joss.


Suddenly my massive Field of Judgement fails. Mala must have rolled a twenty on her saving through vs judgy nerd.



Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 15:37:56
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.


MALA! I am so judging you right now. I am judging you so harshly you should be able to feel it 750 miles away.



Judge away - I've always said I'm more Star Trek then Star Wars Plus I come by my geek card via old school Sid & Marty Kroft and Joss.


Suddenly my massive Field of Judgement fails. Mala must have rolled a twenty on her saving through vs judgy nerd.





Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 15:47:17
Quote by Raine:
Really good Blog, Bobber.

I am telling you the rubes won't care until it really starts affecting them.

The nation -- this great experiment -- will be forever damaged by the greatest con job played on us.




I give the rubes about six months to a year to figure this out.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 15:47:42
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:



It sounds great

Though Haven't watched a Star Wars movie since, oh gosh, um......I think it was Return of the Jedi.


MALA! I am so judging you right now. I am judging you so harshly you should be able to feel it 750 miles away.



Judge away - I've always said I'm more Star Trek then Star Wars Plus I come by my geek card via old school Sid & Marty Kroft and Joss.


Suddenly my massive Field of Judgement fails. Mala must have rolled a twenty on her saving through vs judgy nerd.





I aim to please! : )

Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 15:50:05
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Really good Blog, Bobber.

I am telling you the rubes won't care until it really starts affecting them.

The nation -- this great experiment -- will be forever damaged by the greatest con job played on us.




I give the rubes about six months to a year to figure this out.



But they will never admit it, cause no one wants to admit they've been conned and made to look like fools.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 15:51:55
Had to email NPR again this morning. They had an interview with Stephen Moore this morning. He was yammering about the Boeing flap in the part I heard. Why did they interview this git? I mean he is one of Trump's economic advisors, but he's never had an original thought in his life. If you have ever heard him he has never met a Republican talking point he didn't like.

Comment by BobR on 12/07/2016 15:55:51
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Really good Blog, Bobber.

I am telling you the rubes won't care until it really starts affecting them.

The nation -- this great experiment -- will be forever damaged by the greatest con job played on us.


I give the rubes about six months to a year to figure this out.

But they will never admit it, cause no one wants to admit they've been conned and made to look like fools.

That's how he ended up getting elected.

Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 15:58:59
I NEED THIS BEER!

https://i1.wp.com/beerstreetjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Rabbit-Chinga-tu-Pelo.jpg?w=600


Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 16:05:26


Comment by TriSec on 12/07/2016 16:13:26
So, I was just shopping for some airplanes this morning.

A "stock" Boeing 747-800 costs about $351.4m by the each. This is a subjective cost, since depending on the configuration, engines, and avionics installed, the price could vary significantly.

So for two, that gives us $702.8m.

Of course, for government use they need to be significantly upgraded, including aerial refueling capability, EMP protection, and a whole host of secure communication gizmos. Plus the internal configuration is quite different; since AF One doesn't carry luggage or cargo, there's space to work on all three decks, and they do. So it's a custom config that will up the price a bit more.

So it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a bit over $1b for two Presidential Aircraft. Even allowing Boeing a generous overrun, I would still expect the two A/C to clock in at no more than $1.5b.





Comment by wickedpam on 12/07/2016 16:14:06
Quote by Raine:
I NEED THIS BEER!

https://i1.wp.com/beerstreetjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Rabbit-Chinga-tu-Pelo.jpg?w=600



As far as I can tell its only available in IL.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/07/2016 16:18:57
Good morning, bloggers!!!

BobR, thanks for a great blog. I fear that Trump will be played time and time again. His followers may reluctantly admit that they were played after they begin to suffer.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 16:20:52
My response to Louie Gohmert's statement expressing his disappointment in the House not impeaching the IRS commissioner. Louie called doing this part of "draining the swamp."

So, Louie, what is you opinion on the president-elect walking his promise back to drain the swamp by hiring a banker or Treasury Secretary? Oh, right! It's okay if you're Republican. To paraphrase Dean Wormer from "Animal House," "Hypocritical and stupid is no way to go through life, son."


Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/07/2016 16:25:00
I had a second interview at an alternative high school yesterday. There were only two students in the class, so I am not optimistic that I can get judged as well when compared with candidates who had a regular sized class. The school will call me to let me know if I am picked for the job.

However, a regular CPS school called me to come in for a history teacher interview tomorrow.

Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 16:27:00
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I NEED THIS BEER!

https://i1.wp.com/beerstreetjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Rabbit-Chinga-tu-Pelo.jpg?w=600



As far as I can tell its only available in IL.
I may have to ask a friend to send a yeast sample via
U
P
S


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 17:11:46
75 years ago at this time here on the East Coast, people were starting to hear about the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 17:13:24
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I NEED THIS BEER!

https://i1.wp.com/beerstreetjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Rabbit-Chinga-tu-Pelo.jpg?w=600



As far as I can tell its only available in IL.
I may have to ask a friend to send a yeast sample via
U
P
S


There are T-shirts.


aaand they are sold out. Mondo wanted one.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 17:57:22
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15337513_1173522549369496_1464591361245940557_n.jpg?oh=eb04590c24944d1d9780798d79b19cf4&oe=58FC7558


Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/07/2016 18:11:01
Quote by TriSec:
So, I was just shopping for some airplanes this morning.

A "stock" Boeing 747-800 costs about $351.4m by the each. This is a subjective cost, since depending on the configuration, engines, and avionics installed, the price could vary significantly.

So for two, that gives us $702.8m.

Of course, for government use they need to be significantly upgraded, including aerial refueling capability, EMP protection, and a whole host of secure communication gizmos. Plus the internal configuration is quite different; since AF One doesn't carry luggage or cargo, there's space to work on all three decks, and they do. So it's a custom config that will up the price a bit more.

So it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a bit over $1b for two Presidential Aircraft. Even allowing Boeing a generous overrun, I would still expect the two A/C to clock in at no more than $1.5b.




Apparently Cheetolini believes that we won't need a new AF1 when he's done with us.

Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 18:42:06
Quote by Mondobubba:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15337513_1173522549369496_1464591361245940557_n.jpg?oh=eb04590c24944d1d9780798d79b19cf4&oe=58FC7558

That is creepy as hell.



Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/07/2016 19:08:28
Just because.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/trojanrabbit74/35j9qw9_zps2gu1waev.jpg


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 19:25:13
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15337513_1173522549369496_1464591361245940557_n.jpg?oh=eb04590c24944d1d9780798d79b19cf4&oe=58FC7558

That is creepy as hell.



The McPoyles are suppose to be creepy as hell.


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/07/2016 19:27:18


"We've elected a shitty businessman."

"Generalissimo Shitty Businessman."



Comment by Raine on 12/07/2016 21:14:46
The Pope does not approve of fake news AT ALL.
"I think the media have to be very clear, very transparent, and not fall into - no offence intended - the sickness of coprophilia, that is, always wanting to cover scandals, covering nasty things, even if they are true," he said in the interview.

"And since people have a tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia, a lot of damage can be done."