[Schneed10]

Also sticking with the thread...

I voted for Hillary. First time I've voted D in a presidential election in my life. I'm particularly troubled that Steve Bannon is being permitted in the room for National Security Council discussions, and the Joint Chiefs are not. I don't understand that at all and it concerns me greatly. That concern is so great that it overshadows all other concerns by a mile.

That said, sticking with the theme of the thread, I'll hand it to Trump in the following regard:

- Thumbs up on his pick for Supreme Court

- I'm a free trade guy, but I get economic protectionism in an era of increasing automation. Automation is going to continue, and as long as it does we're going to have oodles and oodles of people out of work. My first inclination as a free trader is to say well those folks need to train themselves for other jobs. Not that simple, the automation is going to be too vast. We need something for those people to do. I'm at least ready to keep an open mind that his protectionist strategies might help create better paying jobs for the middle class.

- Putting Iran on notice. Thumbs up.

- Generally carrying himself with a no-nonsense, take no bullshit persona. Didn't like the way he treated Australia, but toughness counts on the international stage when it comes to your enemies. I already like the way that plays better than I did Obama's intellectual, thoughtful posture.

But again, Bannon in the room. It dwarfs everything else. I'm so worried about the advice Trump is getting from that guy. Not sure Flynn is much better. Removing the Joint Chiefs, independent level-headed people, for those two guys is unbelievably concerning. I just hope Mattis can keep everybody's head on straight.