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bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:03 PM Jan 2019

As an air traffic controller, I wrote this and posted in on my FB page

We are in a job that not many people think about when they travel. This is what we deal with. Full Disclaimer: Other than the 10,000 I used below, all numbers are hypothetical for purposes of highlighting the point.


For those that don't quite understand the implications this (or any) shutdown this has on essential services, allow me to paint a picture for you (WARNING: Long Post)

I work for the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller. I am deemed "essential" during both times of shutdowns and national emergencies. Right now, I am currently working but not getting paid for my services. What does this mean for you, the American taxpayer?

First and foremost, it means I have to put everything on credit and work with my creditors to delay payment, etc. until the main characters of this badly-written tragedy realize they love each other and skip into the sunset holding hands singing Kumbya. That's just the personal consequences of a shutdown.

Second, I work in a critically understaffed profession. There are just over 10,000 Certified Professional Controllers (CPC) nationwide, plus several hundred more in various stages of training. To make the numbers nice and easy to work with, we'll round the overall controller ranks to 11,000.

Of these 11,000 controllers, roughly 1/3 of them are eligible to retire right now, so that means about 3,600 can walk out the door today. That would dwindle our numbers to to 7,400 NATIONWIDE.

Now, that's just among those that are already working in the FAA.

Let's look at the hiring practices of the Agency for a second. We'll assume that the FAA is authorized to hire 1,500 controllers this fiscal year. Already, they are unable to make up for the 3,600 that are eligible to retire. Keep in mind we have MANDATORY retirement when we hit age 56. Among those 1,500, we will assume that 50% will wash out of the Academy. That leaves 750. Among those that do make it, we will assume that 30% will fail training at their first facility. That leaves 525 controllers out of 1,500. That means 2/3 of those hired are already gone. This still puts us at a deficit of about 3,100 controllers. That is using current numbers. So while the FAA may have "met" their hiring goal on paper, the number of training failures quickly begins to mount and the true numbers become more bleak. The reality is this profession demands about 12,000-14,000 to operate effectively and efficiently.

When a shutdown occurs, many of those that are eligible to retire decide they are tired of the government using them as pawns in a sick game. They decide to pull the plug, and at a higher rate than just a "normal" retirement cycle. This doesn't include those who may not be eligible to retire, but are thinking about leaving the profession to secure a more stable job in the private sector. At the same time, the Academy is shut down and those that are trying to become controllers are literally sent home with the promise of "eventually" resuming their training. The FAA (i.e. the taxpayers) pays those expenses. If the shutdown goes on long-term, the FAA must start their training from the very beginning, which creates a backlog for additional classes and they end up in a perpetual cycle of chronic understaffing. In addition, the FAA (again, the taxpayers) must spend additional money to fly those students BACK to the Academy, plus per diem and housing expenses. In reality, shutdowns do nothing to save the government money and end up costing taxpayers MUCH more.

Understaffed facilities inevitably lead to delays. A supervisor is unable to split a busy sector because there is nobody available to assign it to. As a result, the lone controller becomes overwhelmed and is forced to reduce services until they can catch themselves up. A tower controller working an arrival push by himself because his relief called in sick that day and the next one won't be in for another hour, is forced to hold your flight outside the airspace until traffic is at such a level he can bring you in safely. Because your flight is circling outside Tower's airspace, the radar controller is forced to work that much harder, which mean's you friend's flight may be delayed, which can change the dynamic of the vacation you spent a year planning. Every last one of these events sets off a chain reaction elsewhere in the system. Oh, and did I mention that both of these controllers are being forced to work the maximum 10 hours a day, on their 6th day because the staffing shortages are leading to mandatory overtime? Oh, and their family vacations and much-deserved time-off has been cancelled because the staffing shortages have led to all Leave being denied, and perhaps most dangerously of all, the controllers are fatigued.

I am only speaking about the Agency I work for, but this can be used as a snapshot as to what is ocurring government-wide. Every shutdown has real effects on real people, both on the front-lines, and to many behind the scenes, including the flying public. Eventually, the uncertainty of our next paycheck and the will to simply survive off what little money a controller might have left will cloud their judgement and cripple their ability to perform their job safely. Shutdowns hurt EVERYONE and they must end NOW!

60 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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As an air traffic controller, I wrote this and posted in on my FB page (Original Post) bluevoter4life Jan 2019 OP
A really good post -now get thee to the greatest page malaise Jan 2019 #1
Totally agree. maddiemom Jan 2019 #34
should be read on Senate floor Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2019 #53
Incidentally the National Transportation Safety Board is on furlough dalton99a Jan 2019 #2
The shutdown needs to end. redwitch Jan 2019 #3
Actually, I suspect they know very well and are pleased as punch about it pangaia Jan 2019 #43
Agend Orange relishes that awsome power he has to reek havoc! GetRidOfThem Jan 2019 #59
Excellent post PJMcK Jan 2019 #4
Reagan started the Air Traffic Controllers' mess malaise Jan 2019 #12
Only partly correct PJMcK Jan 2019 #14
Hard not to notice their contempt for this stressful form malaise Jan 2019 #25
You are correct bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #58
A good point that should not be overlooked. LisaM Jan 2019 #15
May I post this on my facebook page? appleannie1943 Jan 2019 #5
Absolutely. Spread it far and wide. eom bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #6
Thank you I will be sure to share this. Dem_4_Life Jan 2019 #16
Thanks for this great post and explanation FakeNoose Jan 2019 #7
Check this out - help is on the way FakeNoose Jan 2019 #20
Happy to K&R this post... SidDithers Jan 2019 #8
Thanks for the enlightening and thoughtful post lunatica Jan 2019 #9
Hard to say bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #24
Well I hope this ends very soon for you guys! lunatica Jan 2019 #39
Kick GemDigger Jan 2019 #10
K&R onecaliberal Jan 2019 #11
Normally I like fact-based posts with numbers. This one is depressing and extremely scary. erronis Jan 2019 #13
Your opinion, please... JudyM Jan 2019 #17
Not worth even thinking about. Odds are multi millions to 1 of a plane crash. nt USALiberal Jan 2019 #22
You don't fool me... brooklynite Jan 2019 #18
I've been mentioning the immediate potential impact to ATC Major Nikon Jan 2019 #19
I studied for the job in college long ago Sherman A1 Jan 2019 #21
A major Kick and Recommendation defacto7 Jan 2019 #23
It might get harder to recruit new ones IronLionZion Jan 2019 #26
Hubby and I were just talking about sending some pizzas Corgigal Jan 2019 #27
We appreciate all the support we are getting from the communities bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #28
Just to let you know, Corgigal Jan 2019 #47
Your generosity is very much appreciated bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #49
How nice of you! LittleGirl Jan 2019 #55
My Daughter and I have flights booked out of O'Hare Heartstrings Jan 2019 #29
Great post. Bluevoter. This shutdown has caused all sorts of hardships & problems. Honeycombe8 Jan 2019 #30
The sad thing is bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #31
I hope so, too. He really doesn't care, or know anything about, ordinary Americans. Honeycombe8 Jan 2019 #40
I worked at DCA nearly 50 years ago. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2019 #32
I can't tell you when exactly bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #33
I have no idea how long that has been the rule Major Nikon Jan 2019 #36
Clinton allowed the fired controllers bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #42
I just remember him saying he had no age limit Major Nikon Jan 2019 #45
Thank you for posting this PatSeg Jan 2019 #35
I wonder if there are restriction imposed? LiberalFighter Jan 2019 #37
Thank you for your very informative and frightening post. smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #38
I am so sorry for what you and your coworkers littlemissmartypants Jan 2019 #41
Thank you. moondust Jan 2019 #44
I wish you and your colleagues the best mcar Jan 2019 #46
Thank you so much for what you're doing for all of us. yardwork Jan 2019 #48
I remember Ronnie Raygun's "fixing" air traffic controllers' problems by murdering the union catrose Jan 2019 #50
K&R Niagara Jan 2019 #51
K&R. Thanks for sharing that newsworthy info, bluevoter4life. KY_EnviroGuy Jan 2019 #52
The union has been canvassing the major airports bluevoter4life Jan 2019 #60
My brother is an ATC. Behind the Aegis Jan 2019 #54
I am so worried LittleGirl Jan 2019 #56
drumpf is sacrificing the real safety of Americans to cause chaos and blame Democrats. lark Jan 2019 #57

maddiemom

(5,106 posts)
34. Totally agree.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:48 PM
Jan 2019

Hope NOBODY offers "thoughts and prayers." The solution here requires some "head busting" to Trump and Mitch. A distant relative (but one I had a long discussion with during the Reagan abomination) was an Air Traffic Controller. I know I have had great appreciation for them when flying. Once, when landing after a flight on a passenger jet, we were subjected to a screeching halt. Everyone was already belted in, but we were jerked around, and everything in the overhead racks went flying into the aisles. The pilot apologized and explained that a small plane had somehow strayed across the landing strip. He concluded with telling us to give great credit to the Air Traffic Controllers, who had averted a tragedy ( sure death to the passengers of the the small plane), by instantly alerting him within seconds after realizing what was happening. I was left with the understanding that pilots really appreciate the ATCs, and despise the fact that politicians don't.

Hermit-The-Prog

(33,041 posts)
53. should be read on Senate floor
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 03:57 AM
Jan 2019

Tales like this and the OP should be read into the record on the Senate floor while this idiocy is going on. Let Mitch and the nation hear about the wide effects of the Trump-McConnell shutdown.

dalton99a

(81,091 posts)
2. Incidentally the National Transportation Safety Board is on furlough
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:06 PM
Jan 2019

New and ongoing investigations are on hold.

redwitch

(14,933 posts)
3. The shutdown needs to end.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:11 PM
Jan 2019

The idiots in charge have no idea what havoc they are creating. Hang in there!

GetRidOfThem

(869 posts)
59. Agend Orange relishes that awsome power he has to reek havoc!
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 12:00 PM
Jan 2019

Ohhhhh! He can break the country! Wow!

I often see paralells berween him and Jack Nichoson's Joker in the original Batman...

PJMcK

(21,922 posts)
4. Excellent post
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:12 PM
Jan 2019

This is great insight into the trickle-down effects of Trump's Shutdown. He and the Republicans in the Senate are screwing the country and its people. One presumes that your examples are mirrored at the other agencies and departments that are shut down. These would include the EPA, FDA, IRS, NPS and others. It's a real mess and will take a long time to repair.

Thanks for your post, bluevoter4life. I hope you and your colleagues and families can weather this Trump storm.

PJMcK

(21,922 posts)
14. Only partly correct
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:24 PM
Jan 2019

You are absolutely correct that Reagan's decertification of PATCO, the air traffic controllers' union, created a mess. If I recall correctly, the FAA had to get controllers from the Pentagon since there weren't many, if any, in the private sector (if there is such a thing for air controllers).

However, in the nearly 40 years since, the FAA has rebuilt the service and the thousands of professionals doing this important job are among the best in the world. From the OP, I get the impression that they actually need something like 1,000 more controllers but that staffing problem existed before Trump's Shutdown.

Hey, malaise! Do you notice how it's always Republican presidents who fuck up our air travel? What's with that?! Don't Republicans need to fly, too?

Asshats.

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
58. You are correct
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 11:19 AM
Jan 2019

Our staffing shortage pre-dates Trump. NATCA has been warning the FAA and the public about it for decades and they are now starting to see thd consequences of their inaction. During the summer at my facility, I am on mandatory OT for 3 months. Working 6 days up to 10 hours a day. After about 4 weeks, it takes its toll on you. I am exhausted come the fall.

LisaM

(27,762 posts)
15. A good point that should not be overlooked.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:27 PM
Jan 2019

I recall a few years ago hearing on a talk radio show that because of Reagan's firing the air traffic controllers (can you imagine if Bill Clinton had done that?) and then hiring a bunch of new ones all at once, we were going to be vulnerable to their all retiring at the same time.

Reagan caused terrible damage.

FakeNoose

(32,356 posts)
7. Thanks for this great post and explanation
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:15 PM
Jan 2019

Most of us have never experienced the stress that you guys must deal with every day on the job. I can't even imagine it! But the political bullshit that's going on now is completely unfair and anti-productive. If you decided to leave the USA, I'm sure you could get a great job working for more money in a better place like Germany or similar.

Please don't lose heart, we're going to see that you get treated fairly as soon as the adults can take over. Hopefully that will happen in 2020 or maybe sooner.

FakeNoose

(32,356 posts)
20. Check this out - help is on the way
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:34 PM
Jan 2019



Just posted today on Nancy Pelosi's Twitter - Air traffic controllers have incredibly stressful jobs keeping us safe – but federal ATCs aren’t getting paid during the shutdown. The House already voted to fund the FAA this week. It’s time for the Senate to do the same. #EndTheShutdown https://goo.gl/f5km61
2:43 PM - Jan 11, 2019

SidDithers

(44,228 posts)
8. Happy to K&R this post...
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:16 PM
Jan 2019

really, really sucks that you're in this situation.

Hope that there's a speedy resolution.



Sid

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
9. Thanks for the enlightening and thoughtful post
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:16 PM
Jan 2019

I remember way back when Reagan fired the air traffic controllers in order to bust the union.

What do you think lies in the immediate future? How will airlines react? Do you think there’s a chance of a disasterous accident being more likely? I always hear that the job is demanding and exhausting. It scares me.



bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
24. Hard to say
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:43 PM
Jan 2019

But the reactions I'm seeing is it wouldn't surprise me if they either reduce flights out of the hubs or outright cancel. Despite the message the FAA and DOT have been spreading, human nature will overrule and for every day this continues, and we work without pay, the chances of a catastrophic incident increase exponentially. The stress of the job, with the added stress of not knowing when our pay is coming creates a distraction in the operational quarters. We take pride in our jobs and do it perfectly every day, but this situation is completely different from the stresses of the job.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
39. Well I hope this ends very soon for you guys!
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 07:40 PM
Jan 2019

Of all the insane things he’s done this is among the worst! How his base don’t see it is a true mystery.

erronis

(14,955 posts)
13. Normally I like fact-based posts with numbers. This one is depressing and extremely scary.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:23 PM
Jan 2019

Good luck with your current job. I hope the next administration can get things right again - if we ever have another administration.

JudyM

(29,122 posts)
17. Your opinion, please...
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:29 PM
Jan 2019

how long after the shutdown is over would you wait to fly, as a passenger? I read that the longer the shutdown goes on, the longer and more likely it is that problems will persist, such as planes not being properly inspected....

brooklynite

(93,880 posts)
18. You don't fool me...
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:29 PM
Jan 2019

Those Air Traffic Controllers CAN'T retire because all the HR clerks have been furloughed.....

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
19. I've been mentioning the immediate potential impact to ATC
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:32 PM
Jan 2019

It’s interesting to know what the residual effects will be.

On the pilot side this is also having a significant impact which I’m pretty sure will also have many residual impacts. All part 121 and 135 operations have an FAA person that provides oversight. Even without the shutdown the FAA has problems keeping people in those positions because they go back and forth to the industry. I suspect many of them are going to bail out as well.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
21. I studied for the job in college long ago
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:34 PM
Jan 2019

Passed the written in 45 minutes with a 90 as I recall. Then decided to go with another career which was good as Reagan would have fired me anyway.

to all the folks in the Towers, Centers and if they still exist Flight Service Stations.

IronLionZion

(45,269 posts)
26. It might get harder to recruit new ones
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:50 PM
Jan 2019

and I'm sure many will choose to retire or find other jobs because of this.

Federal work of all types is going to change for the worse since the workers won't feel valued by their country.

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
27. Hubby and I were just talking about sending some pizzas
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:50 PM
Jan 2019

To the tracon or tower for you people.

I'm a former ATCer from the USAF. No one deserves this stupidity.

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
28. We appreciate all the support we are getting from the communities
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 05:51 PM
Jan 2019

Controllers love food . Thank you for your service, ma'am.

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
47. Just to let you know,
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 09:31 PM
Jan 2019

It took an hour, but were getting 6 pizzas delivered to our local FAA facility at 630 for dinner tomorrow.

Maybe next week, we will send lunch over to a local FBI office.

It's just a thanks, no biggie.

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
49. Your generosity is very much appreciated
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:12 PM
Jan 2019

And I know my union brothers and sisters at your local facility will mirror my sentiments. Thank you for looking out for us.

Heartstrings

(7,349 posts)
29. My Daughter and I have flights booked out of O'Hare
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:10 PM
Jan 2019

in 4 weeks for a trip to Hong Kong, Phuket and Bangkok. The “trickle down” you speak of is real and making us uneasy as this shutdown lingers....

Hang in there, this is going to be a turbulent ride....my best to you and your family. Your well being is more important than my vacation....

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
30. Great post. Bluevoter. This shutdown has caused all sorts of hardships & problems.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:12 PM
Jan 2019

It's just horrible. I can't believe any President would do this to the country and to government workers.

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
31. The sad thing is
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:21 PM
Jan 2019

I work with a lot of Trumpers. The field has a lot of Trumpers. All of which are 1) union workers AND 2) government employees. He made his utter disdain for both classes known very early on and they still voted for the son of a bitch. I hope this served as a hard lesson to them that elections have consequences.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
40. I hope so, too. He really doesn't care, or know anything about, ordinary Americans.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 07:44 PM
Jan 2019

He has never lived in their world. Has never known any. He has no clue what not getting a paycheck means to ordinary Americans. And he doesn't care. To him, if you're shy a few hundred thousand one month, you make a few adjustments. No new diamond necklace for Melania that month.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,750 posts)
32. I worked at DCA nearly 50 years ago.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:23 PM
Jan 2019

I recall the ATC slowdowns of the late '60s and early '70s, and I watched the guys who worked the control tower age VERY quickly.

One thing in your post that surprised me: I had no idea you had mandatory retirement at age 56. When did that come about?

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
33. I can't tell you when exactly
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:28 PM
Jan 2019

But as far as I've been following aviation (most of my 33 years) that's been the rule.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
36. I have no idea how long that has been the rule
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 07:01 PM
Jan 2019

However, I have a pilot buddy that retired from the FAA as a controller about 5-10 years ago and he was well into his 60’s at the time. He said he had been grandfathered under the old rules and had no mandatory retirement age. I haven’t spoke to him in about 5 years.

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
42. Clinton allowed the fired controllers
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 08:50 PM
Jan 2019

To be re-hired until they had their 25 years of federal service. Your friend was probably fired under Reagan and rehired under Clinton. There is a quickly diminishing number of controllers who lived through those days. Most of them are retired by now.

PatSeg

(46,807 posts)
35. Thank you for posting this
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 06:51 PM
Jan 2019

I've tried several times to explain how serious the situation is at the FAA, but I didn't have the data and numbers. I get most of my info second hand from my ATC son, so I understand what is happening, but I lack the expertise to explain it clearly.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
38. Thank you for your very informative and frightening post.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 07:12 PM
Jan 2019

I am sorry for what you and your fellow ATC's are going through. All because an insane person with a massive ego threw another temper tantrum and decided to make other people suffer as well.

littlemissmartypants

(22,418 posts)
41. I am so sorry for what you and your coworkers
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 08:26 PM
Jan 2019

Are going through. Thank you for your service helping to keep our airways safe and the business people who are still fortune enough to have jobs going and families connecting. I don't know what else to say this makes me so sad. Our time is coming, stay encouraged. Thanks again, bluevoter4life.

Enthusiastic kick.

moondust

(19,917 posts)
44. Thank you.
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 09:09 PM
Jan 2019

The potential degradation of air safety due to this shutdown madness has been one of my main concerns. Now I know why.

Thank you for your service and the excellent explanation.

catrose

(5,050 posts)
50. I remember Ronnie Raygun's "fixing" air traffic controllers' problems by murdering the union
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:29 PM
Jan 2019

I was appalled, just like I was when Nixon allowed for-profit insurance companies. (Later, hospitals got in on the act, and the industry promised to police its prices, no need for Congress to bother making laws to restrict them.)

It's no joy having grown old enough to say, "I told you so."

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
52. K&R. Thanks for sharing that newsworthy info, bluevoter4life.
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 01:15 AM
Jan 2019

Sounds like our ATC group is the one that should be declaring a national emergency. Hard for us laymen to see how our air traffic system can operate safely with that degree of personnel shortage, although we know you guys are doing your very best under the circumstances. And we thank you for your steadfast and highly professional service.

Even for non-crucial industries, how many could continue to operate with a potential 30-to-40% manpower shortage?

Our general public must somehow be made aware of this dilemma in plain, frank terms.....

This is another clear case of a right-wing tax-averse administration making bold and reckless policy decisions without consideration of the consequences.

bluevoter4life

(784 posts)
60. The union has been canvassing the major airports
Fri Jan 18, 2019, 09:21 PM
Jan 2019

If you happen to be flying through the hubs this weekend, please take just a few minutes to stop and listen to the controllers. You'll see that we are just middle class workers trying to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. Who knows, you might be able to arrange a tour of an air traffic facility when you get back. You'd be amazed at how complex the system is and how everything is connected, such as creating a delay in Atlanta to prevent future delays in Seattle. We'll be handing out pamphlets explaining the dangers the shutdown will have. Many of us will be wearing purple ATC shirts from our lobbying on the Hill last week.

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
54. My brother is an ATC.
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 06:31 AM
Jan 2019

He posted his blank check to Facebook. Sadly, many of his friends are MAGAts, so it is just post after post of stupid comments. I don't comment out of respect for my brother, but it is VERY upsetting when these people are too goddamned stupid to realize there is only ONE person to blame, yet they keep lauding him as a genius.

ATC is a very stressful job, and adding this bullshit stress to it is not good for you all, nor is it good for the American people! The pResident is so "worried" about the "dangers" at the border, he, and his stupid supporters are ignoring the national emergency they are creating in the American skies!

Hang in there!

LittleGirl

(8,261 posts)
56. I am so worried
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 08:44 AM
Jan 2019

I moved to Europe in June and have been living out of a suitcase since. We are flying back to the states in 2 weeks to get our storage unit emptied and shipped over here. I can't take another delay and I will be furious if the gov't is still shut down.

This shutdown can really trickle down to problems for everyone and I'm livid. I know it sounds selfish but damnit, we have to get our stuff over here.

I hope you get back pay (tax free too) and this get resolved soon.

lark

(23,006 posts)
57. drumpf is sacrificing the real safety of Americans to cause chaos and blame Democrats.
Sat Jan 12, 2019, 10:42 AM
Jan 2019

He's hoping some tragedy happens which he will immediately blame on the Dems when it's him and PUtin all the time. He's not declaring a national emergency because he's not finished with the Mueller distraction yet. He wants us to be unsafe, the border to be more porous, the court actions against him, his organizations and family stalled (except for Muellers), air flight far less safe and he's hoping and praying (could actually be planning a false flag terrorist operation) something really bad happens which he can pin on brown people and Democrats. I just hope he's not planning his version of a Reichstag fire, although would not be surprised if PUtin is doing this for him. Don't think he's smart enough to do it himself, too lazy and stupid.

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