Likely, neither does the phrase ‘coconut treatment.'
More:
After this came to my attention, I contacted two sources in Washington and asked if presidents routinely conferred with the CBO on budget scoring. Both called this highly unusual and could not recall if or when it had been done in previous administrations. It treads on the entire process of legislative oversight and threatens the independence of the CBO from the administration, which is essential for Congress — if it’s interested in independent analysis. [snip]This feels like an attempt to either intimidate or co-opt the CBO, neither of which would be a good thing.
Way to completely understate things, Ed! (Empahsis mine.)
Regardless of which purpose is the correct one such a meeting is completely in keeping with the manner in which this administration has operated from beginning. Repeated demonstrations of disregard for the U.S. Constitution and the concepts set forth therein are meant to do one thing: render that Constitution meaningless.
Of course we know that this same Constitution has been savaged by earlier interpreters and enforcers of it—by those who saw laws which are not there. The thing about that is this: it emboldened those who are now ready to ignore or render meaningless the laws and concepts which are there.
