Please allow a personal point of privilege at the outset:
I REALLY like Mike Pence. Zero sarcasm – I think he is a really good guy.
Pence once saved my professional bacon – now more than a decade ago.
I had scheduled a huge Capitol Hill anti-Fairness Doctrine press conference. Lots of Senators and Congressmen were part of the itinerary – including then-Congressman Pence.
One of the Senators’ offices had secured for us a Senate press room – which then turned out to be not so secured. It was double-booked – and we were out.
Pence stepped right up – and had his staffers scramble and secure us a place on the House side to host it.
Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things. But emblematic of the man I got to know a little over the years.
I was absolutely thrilled when Donald Trump chose Pence to be his vice presidential candidate. It was a brilliant decision.
Pence is a solid conservative – who bolstered a presidential candidate whose conservative bona fides were at that time understandably in question.
After winning the election, I then remember Pence being excoriated stupidly and ridiculously – for wisely not having one-on-one private meetings with women not his wife.
Pence was lambasted by the Left as being a prude – who was holding back his (very many) women staffers by not granting them equal access to…what, his hotel room on business trips? Grabbing a coffee in the lobby is anti-women?
Five seconds later, the Harvey Weinstein story broke and the #MeToo “movement” swept the media landscape. One Democrat after another was revealed to be a women-assaulting ass hat.
Proving Pence and his personal policy – were wise and right. And the Leftists in and out of the media who attacked him – were stupid and stupid.
I think Pence is the perfect presidential successor to Trump. We the People will get all the great policy substance – with a much more low-key style.
I don’t mind Trump’s style. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy it. I enjoy most people from Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx – most of whom are nigh exactly like Trump.
But if eight years delivers US to a critical density of Trump Fatigue – President Pence is the perfect national palate cleanser.
All of this is to say – I have long very much liked and respected now-Vice President Mike Pence.
Which is why his one political and policy blind spot – is so very out of character. Pence appears to suffer from Elon Musk Syndrome.
Pence is by no means alone in being afflicted with Elon Musk Syndrome. It is a condition – run rampant in Washington, D.C.
Elon Musk Syndrome – is being enamored with government money sopper Elon Musk.
Elon Musk: The $5-Billion-Government-Money-Recipient ‘Genius’
That $5 billion tally – was tallied in 2015. Musk’s take is MUCH huger now.
Musk’s far-and-away greatest skill? Convincing lots and lots government officials to keep giving him gobs and gobs of our money.
To keep propping up his very many failed businesses.
Many of Musk’s failed businesses – are predicated upon fake energy.
Musk loves taking LOTS of our money for his ridiculous solar power (SolarCity) and electric car (Tesla) businesses.
Walmart Shines Light on Elon Musk’s Thorny SolarCity Deal in New Lawsuit Against Tesla
Heavily Subsidized and Failing: Elon Musk and SolarCity
SolarCity Deal Is a Rich Subsidy Package
Elon Musk’s SolarCity Sues Government For More Subsidies
Tesla’s Main Product Isn’t Cars, It’s Subsidies
It’s Confirmed: Without Government Subsidies, Tesla Sales Implode
Where does a whole lot of our money go? Mainlined into Musk’s wallet.
Musk self-compensated – $2.3 billion. In one year. For running a car company that can not even exist – without massive, ongoing infusions of our money.
All of this – is exceedingly lame.
Speaking of exceedingly lame – behold Musk’s SpaceX.
Is SpaceX Wasting Taxpayer Dollars?
Short answer – yes:
“Elon Musk’s SpaceX has made a name for itself as an innovative company on the cutting edge of aerospace technology. Behind the successful marketing, however, lies a disturbing case of cronyism that needs more investigation and public transparency….
“It is dumbfounding that more questions aren’t being asked about SpaceX. Despite the government’s knowledge of systemic deficiencies with SpaceX rockets and systems, it continues to contract with them, putting billions of taxpayer dollars in the hands of an unreliable company.”
Musk’s latest SpaceX failures?
Why NASA’s Annoyed About Elon Musk’s Giant Rocket:
“SpaceX has never flown a person into space in its Crew Dragon, its first crew-capable spacecraft.”
Ummm…if Musk has never flown a crew on his Crew Dragon – it ain’t “crew-capable”:
“(T)he Crew Dragon…(is) well behind schedule. Awarded a NASA contract in 2014, SpaceX initially said it would deliver an operational vehicle that astronauts could fly in by 2017. But that still hasn’t happened.”
Delays and Safety Concerns Mar NASA’s Plans to Fly Astronauts on Commercial Spacecraft
But wait – it appears The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has FINALLY had enough of Musk and his very many failures.
NASA Attacks Elon Musk and SpaceX for ‘Years of Delays’ Failing to Deliver for US Taxpayer:
“NASA boss Jim Bridenstine has taken a thinly veiled shot at Elon Musk over the SpaceX chief’s inability to meet his deadline to the US space agency….
“Mr Bridenstine tweeted:
“‘Commercial Crew is years behind schedule. NASA expects to see the same level of enthusiasm focused on the investments of the American taxpayer. It’s time to deliver.’”
The only thing Musk has more of than our money? Annoying, extraordinarily mis-possessed chutzpah.
Elon Musk Trolls NASA Chief with His Own Sick Space Burn
In response to very real concerns about billions of our dollars – expressed by Musk’s boss – Musk gets insulting and snarky. On CNN.
What an ass hat.
It is time to FINALLY fire Musk and his SpaceX (and his Tesla…and his SolarCity…).
Which brings us back to Pence.
Pence has been an apparent fan of Musk.
SpaceX Gets a Shout-Out from Vice President Pence – February 22, 2018
Well, Trump made Pence the Chair of the Administration’s National Space Council – in July, 2017.
Which means by now – Pence knows all about Musk and SpaceX’s very many failings.
Which means Pence – is in a position to do something about it.
Which means Pence – should fire Musk and his SpaceX.
To FINALLY save We the Taxpayers from Musk and his SpaceX – and their very many failings.
This first appeared in Red State.