Trump’s announcement last night that he was placing high tariffs on countries around the world came after the stock market closed, but it drove stock futures dramatically downward.
Trump’s economic plan seems to be: short the markets, take the weekend off, and tee off with the Saudis. He's running the Presidency like a side hustle.
Right now Musk is getting the brunt of the anger of the American people. I think it is going to be spilling over to Trump as the tariffs don't work in the way he wants them too. People in the rest of the world are sick and tired of Trump. They will walk away if they can.
Benjamin Franklin wasn't just wisecracking with "A republic, if you can keep it" in 1787. Let's make sure, when the States are finally re-united, that they understand at last how to stay that way.
Anne-Louise, our neighbors, who while they vote D, to my knowledge, have never gone to a protest and they are going on Saturday. I will have to pass as I cannot be on my feet for very long. It will be interesting to see how many show up here in Salem. He also spoke about the dangers because Proud Boy types have already shown up recently here in Salem. I hope it remains peaceful. I wish I trusted local LE to be even handed, but in the past, some of them have not been.
My husband is going. I will make sure he has his full metal water bottle with the shoulder strap. Will make a good defense. Hopefully I can go too but we have another event tonight and it might be too much for my health.
I read there would be agitators from the right to make trouble while pretending to be against Trump destroying our country.
My husband is the quiet type. He discusses politics with friends but thinks I am totally crazy Been to 2 demonstrations already. However, he has purchased a protest t-shirt and is willing to go in the rain to protest.
Yes Ricardo, quite a diatribe telegraphing how badly we are screwed. What I've gleaned as a mental health therapist is that with most people change happens only after experiencing rock bottom. And we've seen nothing yet....
The pendulum will begin to swing slowly back to sanity ONLY when enough Republicans and Independents threaten to dislodge the sycophants they elected to represent them. When legislators get enough blowback because their voters are experiencing enough PAIN, $Trump's popularity will go the way of most dictators.
But it will take millions of people who either voted for the sociopath or stayed at home (over 160 million) to feel true PERSONAL PAIN. And it is coming - like a distant wave about to be a tsunami of suffering.
When special needs kids are ignored, when libraries are closed, when hospitals close, when grandma lies in a urine soaked bed at the nursing home, when the retirement account is savaged, when the Social Security checks don't show up.....
None of this will end real soon - despite the millions of us who will be demonstrating tomorrow and in the future. And protest, we must. But it will, in the beginning, be described as a rebellion of lefty Marxists who got out of control. And if there is some peaceful good trouble that is met with authoritarian violence, MAGAs will applaud.
But - then that kid with special needs will start acting up, grandma will be rushed to the ER with bed sores that won't heal, the auto parts plant closes, the checking account won't look right....only then will the pendulum reverse its perverse direction. When their lives hit "rock bottom". When they finally say "We didn't vote for THIS!"
Thanks Bill Alstrom. I have lost the energy to keep expressing my despair over the trump administration. I now welcome terrible news in the hope that there will finally be a nationwide recognition of what this administration is doing.
Add to the Republicans and Independents those Democrats who voted AYE for Brooke Rollins (Sec. AG), Scott Bessent (Sec. Treasury), and the other evil-doers in the Trump Cabinet. They consented to the devastation.
Bill Alstrom: gramma may be lying in a urine-soaked bed in a back room or basement with her unemployed daughter/grandson/ niece because the Medicaid that paid for her nursing home no longer exists
Wait until the Chinese don't buy our soy beans. Wait until the farmers have to fertilize their fields. You need potash, I understand, and we import 90% of it. The rural people are going to get hit the hardest since a lot of them are on welfare of some sorts.
Ha, ha. No one has a crystal ball. But Wisconsin was so encouraging. We keep up with self-care and then keep up with the resistance. Slow and steady. It is key to remember that MAGA is a cult, and that showing respect is the only way to tease away cult members. And we don't even have to convince MAGA. We just let the terrible situation speak for itself to the non-MAGAs who voted for Trump. That may take time. Few like to admit a mistake.
But we have to take care of ourselves first. No pretending that we are not angry, sad, frustrated, afraid. Feel it, then move. I avoid too much focus on MAGA. They are delusional. I am learning when I need to step away from the news. I aim to accept, move on, and practice gratitude, especially towards my friends who see.
I am really looking forward to protesting tomorrow, to being with others who know what is going on.
Who knows...it depends on how low the stock market plummets, how bad food scarcity will be, and if there's some huge national security breach. It's all happening....
United States of America Born July 4, 1776, became terminally ill January 20, 2025. The patient can still recover, but it's going to take a lot of hard work by sane, rational people with the guts to do the right thing and not cave in to this "reality show fantasy" we seem to be stuck in.
I got 1 positive message yesterday which was a postcard card with a photo of Judge Crawford thanking all supporters" ... for standing with me and being a part of [her] Campaign". See, www.CrawfordForWI.com
The soon-to-be Justice Susan Crawford will be sworn in on August 1, 2025.
Ricardo, I would say at this point that former applied to us is an excellent description. I am also noting that what Anne-Louise says other countries are doing to avoid us and find what they need elsewhere is happening.
Well, these states certainly aren’t united. Everything about this country is divided. Trump is trying to rake in money to fill his personal coffers with his mob boss tactics. And Eric talking about it like it’s a movie. What drug are all these people on that they think they’re running television to entertain the masses?
Americans are “teed off!” Local food pantry Hunger Task Force just lost food shipments worth $600,000 - in today’s paper. Great countries take care of the vulnerable.
Let the Trump voters take care of the hungry. I've seen so many MAGA's claim that most of the people using the food banks are scamming the system.
I switched my donations from our local food bank to the local pre-K - 8th grade school. The local priest makes the people getting food listen to his patriarchal BS. That's what get's me going. When I give, I give "no strings attached and I give anonymously." I don't give so that someone can be born again into the Catholic and white Christian Nationalist cults.
I think the American people will not comply as he lives his twisted fantasy of "America's God Father" and mob boss in chief. We've fought for our Democracy and the freedom of others around the world for 250 years, and it's time to do it again at home. Stand up, find your voice, and join the fight!
Well, I guess you missed it! democracy in its purest form just happened on November 5, 2024 and if you liked and cared for America and stop listening to the garbage from legacy media and just shut off your TV turn off the news and see how anything at all has affected your life let us know and unfortunately for you, it is you who did not comply with the popular vote the electoral college landslide and the fact it over 85% of all counties in America became more right leaning than the past election in other words redder …… you don’t need to fight as I keep telling the left side of the aisle you need to come up with an agenda a rational agenda you need to come up with a goal. Viepoint you need to find a couple of liters because resisting doesn’t tell the voters anything
Instead, with the most hypocritical actions, probably in history, you try to destroy a car company that was seen as an idol in protecting your cherished climate change, and nothing happened with the company. It’s still doing the same thing and you wouldn’t attack the owner, even though 75% of Teslas on the road are owned by Liberal.
I agree with your description of T***p, but I disagree that other countries are avoiding the "former" United States. They are avoiding the current United States, which bares little resemblance to the country we grew up in.
Always nice to be able to reply with somebody so levelheaded as you.
And so aware of what goes on on the other side of the aisle. Biden wasn’t mentally capable of playing golf, but Obama managed to squeeze out 87 rounds during his tenure. Not sure if I heard you complaining about it back then
Hey, In just 90 some odd days Kamala managed to squeeze out $2 billion And her fundraiser and didn’t have one dinner look how much money she saved on the food. Lololol. She only raised 22 million a day.
My husband works with many people who work for companies contracted by the gov't. The majority of them voted for trump. Yesterday, the most hardcore of them, who always razz him that 'they won and he lost', said to him, "..I didn't want this" referring to his now depleted 401K. He also asked my husband why he isn't "giving him shit" or saying "I told you so".
Now, finally, after it's too late to stop the worst of it, it's Americans who are walking away.
Now is the time to tell them that we are in this together...it's not us versus them, contrary to the rhetoric from the orange traitor and his ilk. In reality, it's us versus trump, a man who has conned those voters to get what he wanted...and now has no use for them.
What is so sad about most(?) MAGAs is a lack of compassion for others. Couldn't care less about anything or anyone else until the trouble hits their own wallets.
Same here, Miselle. During my journey from evangelicalism to non-deism, I joined the United Methodist Church, thinking they would come to their senses regarding LGBTQ members.
In fact, it took 20 years for the homophobic faction to get their way. In the end, the UMC not only allowed the haters to steal the denomination's buildings and other property, they paid them $25 million of members' donations to leave before the agreed-upon date of the split.
The remaining so-called "good guys" have still not fully implemented policies acknowledging LGBTQ members as full human beings.
Granted, the UMC – and other denominations – do good work in the world, but these good works DO NOT offset the extreme harm they've caused humanity for centuries. All in service to a deity that does not exist.
Mona, in fact MAGAts appear to require the checking of one’s compassion or empathy at the door into the party as a requirement for entry. They see empathy as a weakness and a drawback on effective action and leadership.
Hey John, I’d like to hear what you think and what you say once Congress passes a bill that says no tax on tips no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security. Love to see your perspective and empathy at that point pal
It's not a lack of compassion, it's a concerted plan to reboot America as a dictatorship for the benefit of tech billionaires. Musk and Thiel bought the two highest offices in the land and they both follow Curtis Yarvin.
Are you really going there? Well, I guess gaslighting is the conservative superpower.
Did you actually listen to the interview? Have you looked at Curtis Yarvin is? Have you paid attention to his influence among tech bros? Why do you think that Musk and Thiel bought the White House? Why else would Trump crow about how great his tariffs are going and why else would Musk and his tech bros go about destroying the infrastructure? They are not crazy, they are determined.
Do you know MONA you should really think this through a little bit there’s a bill being circulated right now, which is what Trump promised in the first place with the following three precepts. And here they are no tax on tips no tax on overtime no tax on Social Security. WHO , do you think that benefits honestly? No compassion, come on stop listening to the nonsense change the channel and watch and learn
Just curious, do you actually live in the United States?
The guardian is a socialist newspaper that comes from across the water. Is it not?
What I suggest for you is to change the channel try opening both eyes and opening both ears instead of seeing out of only one and hearing out of only one. But on the good news for you, it lets Joe Biden off the hook LMAO. Did they also talk about black male by the way oh maybe I made a mistake
Good for your husband for not being vindictive. By not joining the campaign of hate and division, maybe the reasonable Republicans will join us to stop the destruction. We cannot go back. And we shouldn't try. But out of the ashes...the phoenix will rise.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Most of the republican voters wanted change in our government, change that is beneficial and long overdue. A con artist picks up on peoples' desires and exploits them. That's what that orange traitor has done.
We are not each others enemies, we are all Americans. If we learn nothing else from this disaster, it's that we really care about one another and we need to work together to repair the damage to our lives and our country.
Susan don’t be that agreeable with people that call him a traitor without a line with Russia because none of that is true none of that not one little piece and I noticed it it’s very quiet around here tonight stock market had a little bit of a turnaround today and we all know it’s only tentative but it certainly is an incredible sign and it takes all the air out of the economy etc. etc.
What I have been saying for weeks and months is everybody just calm down wait for some results. Be patient then if it doesn’t work out rant and rave if that makes you feel better. In the meantime, apparently some 90 countries in our asking for a meeting to negotiate Terrace the only exceptions to the rule of Cours for China and the euro nations that decided to up the ante, but that’ll get fixed as well. Susan have a good evening.
What disaster? Lol. Yikes. In just 70 days he’s accomplished more than Biden did from Delaware Beach in four years well actually maybe only a year and a half until he became mentally defective which is now coming out more and more every day.
Well, wouldn’t it be embarrassing if he did gloat in three years later, he gloated 10 times more. No one is gloating, but everybody that voted for Trump is very happy. If you really thought there was a problem you sell everything you own in the stock market today but you’re not doing that are you and why? You know damn well why
Trump is gloating because he is wrecking everything and he's too ignorant to understand what he's doing. The real question is why you are supporting him. You don't appear to be a billionaire.
So Edwin, how did the wreckage go today? It’s only one day in the life but it’s eerily quiet here with people were jumping up and down the past five days. Chicken little was running amuck
Like I tell everybody Edwin, just calm down take a breath and be patient
You don’t head honestly, you don’t listen very well. What are the reasons he won? This election was the following who’s bill is now being worked out in the Senate and will be toy back-and-forth for the next couple three weeks and then end up on the floor of both houses to be voted upon and the main precepts of that bill is the following. No tax on tips no tax on overtime and especially for you. No tax on Social Security income.
Either get your head on straight and listen to other channels, and stop believing things that are simply not true.
By the way, so far, he’s wrecked nothing on the contrary, and only 60 days of a presidency he’s created miracles. He is taking Joe’s open border, although it might not have even been Joes now that we know he was non compos mentis. It’s gone from 11,000 illegals A day to only 70 per day when AOC, the brilliant genius of the left said there have to be legislation to control the border. She also said that the world would be dead from climate change in about four years so start packing.
He has brought home hostages were Joe Biden has not even reached out to bring them back. He has brought back a couple of astronauts that it has been admitted that Joe Biden did not want to do. He has begun to deport, many illegal criminals. He has passed the law that will not allow men to participate in women’s sports although every idiot on the Democratic side in Congress voted against it when 80% of the country is foreign and you wonder why your popularity is so low or favorability
His department of justice has now deported I understand about 50,000 individuals or arrested. His department of justice is now arrested. Three of the top 10 most wanted. People on the FBI’s list were Biden did nothing. And he’s trying to make peace in the world, and had a true set up between Israel and hummus, and a true set up between Russia and Ukraine , until they both ruined it well, all Joe did was the fuel, a war, killing a million people Destroying cities entirely where people used to live. He has now filed very strangely against antisemitism. And he created Department of government efficiency, which was first discussed and originated in the Clinton-Gore administration and followed up thoroughly and repeatedly in the Obama administration Who relieved a half million federal workers from the payroll While you liberals to totally quiet versus today, and he deported 2 million illegals. The double standards and hypocrisy are stunning.
And that’s why he won the popular vote the electoral college votes by a great margin over 85% of every single county in America turn redder than the election previous. He helped win the house and the senate And now it only the fourth or fifth time in recent political history he has control of both houses of Congress at least for now. Let’s not remind you that every case where a president had this position that the following election ended up in a flip-flop in one or both houses so he’s trying to get as much done as he can and unfortunately for you. he’s succeeding
If you would like to offer practical and rational discourse in opposition, Rick, that would be welcome. I, for one, am so over the sarcastic remarks thrown back and forth. I am from the era when we could "argue" our points and still be friends.
Well, ever since I posted some rational remarks, I never hear back from anybody. That goes for pretty much most of you you make an argument I come back with some rational contradiction of facts, which prove the points that you were making or invalid and then I don’t hear a word which only leaves me to one supposition. Patience Susan that’s all we need right now is patience
Honestly Susan, that’s all that I’ve been doing, but if you were me you would probably evaluate yourself as honestly as I do I am the wolf in a flock of sheep here and there are frankly too many sheep year that come here unfortunately just to commiserate with each other I have been called every name in the book I’ve been insulted a great while I’ve been told to get the F out and I’ve been told to go F myself So maybe you understand where the sarcasm or the antipathy comes from.
So let me repeat all of my doing since I’m on this thread is offering practical and rational discourse but people here for the most part are really close minded… they only want to see out of one eye and hear out of one ear they are deluded in fantasies and fables that don’t exist so it’s very hard to deal with it in medication but if you’d like to do so, I’ll be more than happy to do it with you
Debbie: I advise getting all documentation of citizenship, just in case. Including name matches for people who changed their names for any reason, just in case. I expect voter suppression plans may escalate and some will move forward everywhere. Especially in swing states.
Yes. Do it now!!! Here's my cautionary tale: when I went to the NJ DMV to get a six-point license last year, I was told that my birth certificate, the one I had used to first obtain and then renew my passport, as well as, a six-point license in another state, was not sufficient. (After 70 years!!!). I had to obtain an "official birth certificate" from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the New Jersey state capitol in Trenton. As I lived near the city, I did this in person.
To add to this, my marriage certificate from my second union was also rejected so I had to obtain an "official" one from the place in which I was married, also fortunately close to home.
Imagine how long this would have taken if I had lived in another state or abroad. So get all of your papers in order ASAP. And then vote as if your life depends on it because it does.
Everybody should vote in every election 2026 is no different from any other but just keep in mind you’ve got 46 more beautiful months of Trump coming up in America reimagined to what it was when the middle class actually had a voice
The middle class had a voice because of two things: 1) high marginal tax rates on the rich and high capital gains taxes and 2) strong unions. The middle class doesn't have a voice because Reagan, Clinton, W, and Obama sold them out. Trump doesn't care about the middle class and Musk literally called us ants to be destroyed by progress. You need to pay attention to facts and history. Your gullibility is showing.
Michael ability when the bill comes attempts to resurrect the middle class and rhythm of unneeded and unwanted taxes out you’ll apologize if you’re don’t mind
The only people who are gullible or most of the people here, who don’t change the channel who thinks, for example, that oh a N, or Fox News, or any other news organization is entertainment, and not news that they dismiss out of hand. And the only way you can be gullible is the only listen to one side of the story
Exactly why he has got to go. Again, protect our voting rights so that in 2026, the majority in Congress can change and we can put a stop to most of the damage yet to be done by that traitor.
He may not have any use for us, but the feeling is mutual...and there are more of us! The Wisconsin result proves that if enough of us take action, we will win, billionaires be damned.
Really well you had 100 million invested in a Supreme Court election in a state like Wisconsin. Not one of your larger entities amongst the states. And you don’t care about at least 25 million of that money was to support Crawford by billionaires from out of the state
That is the problem with many of you, who only see out of one eye, and only hear out of one ear. $100 million of out-of-state money for a STATE Supreme Court election amazing.
But at least you guys did something really really well you voted in voter ID good for you and thank goodness for that.
Now tell the public that your Supreme Court was already in Lipoa control so it didn’t really change anything.
Are you for real? That was defense against Musk buying the seat in order to get a good outcome for his cases in front of the Court. If you are so concerned about the corrupting influence of money, how come you aren't screaming to overturn Citizens United and McCutcheon?
No tax on tips no tax on overtime no tax on Social Security and that benefits who? The bill is being worked on as we speak but of course they’re not gonna tell you that on this thread
And you think that the rest of his mania is good for the country? Extorting money from law firms and universities; defunding libraries???; closing down Social Security offices, defunding FEMA; trespassing on students' and others' first amendment rights; promising to cut our national parks for drilling and extractions? And do you think calling good people "scum" is mature and decent for the leader of a powerful country? Do you????
Here’s a couple of things I think about his “mania”. I don’t know about extorting money from loft terms. You’ll have to bring me up to speed on that one, but if universities which get a lot of federal money are not living up to the law, then they don’t merit federal funds. So for example, at Columbia University, who is supporting antisemitism and not protecting its Jewish students. I’m not sure about the funding libraries unless the money was not being spent on the library for its own good there’s been a lot of waste in that area as well so that could be the issue. I’d have to study that. Most business these days is done online by Stephanie just out of curiosity when was the last time you have been to a Social Security office? Oooooops. People people generally go once now they’ve made it easier to go online and sign up and get verified, etc.. as far as first amendment rights as you probably have heard the much used phrase that I don’t particularly like although it should be updated. You cannot allowed to yell fire in a filled theater. When people threaten other people’s lives as one did the other day saying that if you see an ice agent, you should shoot him that certainly is free speech according to you right you’re just able to threaten anybody, but now he’s in jail and probably to prison, so there are limits even to free speech that you’d have to understand.
I know he’s looking to drill in many places, but I’m not sure about drilling in national parks. There are plenty places that we can drill and if it makes sense to do so then they will, but these are private companies who have to make investments economic investments to assure that they are drilling is going to be successful otherwise they won’t drill in the first place
One of my high school classmates believe it or not was actually an executive for Beel who did what I was just saying above he was the research analyst that was able to tell geologically where the potential for a well would be by researching it all
I’m not exactly sure who he’s calling scum but if you’d like to point out the details of that I’d be more than happy to respond and I don’t necessarily agree with you unless perhaps it’s true but I’d have to see first before I’d make A comment
Edwin, you could be one of the most naïve people here and there are many of them, but here’s a particular. And there are lots of them unfortunately and that’s why I keep crying and crying and crying term limits. Very recently, there have been a lot of exposure as far as the wealth and net worth of many politicians. You seem to think that this is something new which points to your incredible naïveté.
Makes 194,000 a month and her net worth is 200 million a part of that which is her husband when she is nice enough to impart all she knows about the stock market and companies to her husband so he can make the incredibly well timed investments
Chuck Schumer has a salary of 195,000 a year and he is worth 65 million
How does that happen?
There are members of Congress on both sides of the aisle that threw a mere amount of salary. Let’s say $175,000 a year have become multi multimillionaires now how the hell does that happen?
AOC who is a new member of Congress is already worth from what I understand about 20 million that’s what I understand. I’m not sure it’s accurate but that’s what I’ve heard if you’d like I can do some research for you and maybe give you some more updates but for you to think that this is something new is a joke, an absolute joke, and I’m not condoning it at all, but if you think the Supreme Court has just made this legal, give me a break But as I said in my earlier missive, I guess Joe Biden is off the hook now, especially when he does it serve tip surrepetitiously
Neither is mine. Sadly, the MAGAts in my former work cohort seem to be in a disinformation bubble where everything is good. “Buy low, sell high opportunities” statements abound; what fortune are you gonna make on your pension and social security income??? Feckin’ idiots.
I love the way you think! I send them baked goods from time to time. It seems like a good time to send some their way, with a note for good wishes at this tough time! Tact!
The people who voted for the convicted felon who bc are now saying, “I didn’t vote for this” need to call their Republican members of Congress on a regular basis and tell them to stand up to the felon. If they truly care about what’s happening they need to take action NOW.
Well, I guess you sold all your stock the other day who has been hard?
Today was only one day with many more to come in fact 45 months or more. You have to come everybody. Just calm down and be patient. Been awful quiet here tonight. Oh boy the haters. Just hate America coming back.
Any smart Americans are doing just the opposite of walking away they’re doubling down i’m not beliefs. We are re-creating a new government system, and Rome wasn’t built in a day for a good quote apropos to hear in the moment. I’m guessing if you feel this way, you’ve sold all your stock and you’re leaving the country? But you’re not doing that you’re gonna sit there and not sell anything and wait because you have confidence that it’s gonna come back and you’re right
Do me a favor and take your project 25 nonsense and put it on the shelf somewhere so it can collect dust for the next 50 years.
Project 25 was initiated by project 25. Heritage foundation was not initiated by Trump. It was not bought into by Trump however, just like any book if you could take a book that you absolutely hate you’ll find some things in there that you like project 25 is no difference there are many basic precept in project 25 that ring true such as no men in women’s sports for example, unless you’re part of the 20% of the country, they believe that there should be men in women’s Sports. Trump is running the same playbook that he invented and talked about on Oprah Winfrey back in the 80s and hadn’t nothing to do with project 25. I’m serious you guys need to change the channel and watch some other stuff. They’re only feeding you one side of the story and since you’re only looking at one side of the story, that’s what you believe and it’s really pathetic.
As a computer programmer with over 50 years designing, maintaining, installing and converting systems used by hundreds of thousands of users, I am terrified of what Musk is proposing to do to the SS system. According to a GAO memo from 2009 the system sends and receives data from over 800 other state and Federal systems.
Musk is an idiot as are his DOGE boys if they think they can replace their databases and myriad applications in 4 months.
And there is NOBODY that can stop him. If and when this happens the 70+ million of his will no longer receive our payments from SSA.
Senator Crapo of Idaho is head of the Senate Committee responsible for SS. Let him know that you know Trump and his Republican buddies are going to screw us all.
Gary, don't tell me that they are not acting as if they had decided already that it won't be any future election they have to be concerned about. We are getting distracted and taking certain rights for granted but we have to start, at least, a conversation regarding my gut feeling. And I hope I'm totally wrong.
exactly. People are acting like this is a temporary thing and in a couple of years we will revert back. THEY ARE BREAKING EVERYTHING. I picture the inner workings of the US now as the gross images I see of the war torn, bombed our countries.
Elections? Smh. I think we saw the last free and fair presidential election last year.
Judy Croft Barkume, “ I’m not sure that last election was free or fair.”
Strong claims (about the conduct of the 2024 election) call for strong explanations, not conspiracy whispers, not syre where your comment is going. Redistricting unfair, well documented, yet quasi-legal and a stacked supreme court, yes agreed, not fair. Voting machine antics, bring your receipts. Don’t advance theories like Mike Lindel / Rudy Giuliani without bringing receipts. Their receipts turned out to be nonexistant, or non-determinative, or just paranoid rants. Ask yourself why and how one third of the eligible electorate did not go to vote, that is the problem.
Marj- I don’t believe 2024 was entirely free and fair. The swing states were all they needed to win, and they had the time, tools and plan. GWB may have “only” stolen Ohio (many published articles and books. What Happened in Ohio is a good one), but it worked. And now they have more options- and used them.
I was a cobol programmer in the 80's. This was because of affirmative action and my grandmother was worried about my future and gave me $5000 to get trained in a career path. I was on a trip thru multiple jobs with on the job training. You can't break a Cobol system as the format is structured in a proven pattern. The tech bro's use web coding that is built to be modular and can be moved around and reused. This will turn out social security system into swiss cheese.
Rewrite in a couple months, like they claim? Crazy.
Who does testing and evaluates the results when half people with that knowledge are fired or forced into retirement?
How are the ancestral COBOL systems and data formats documented?
There is said to be hundreds if not thousands of linked databases and allied data sources and systems with links to and fromSSA. Surely the nubes know if you break the linkage to another data source you don’t have a working system, it all collapses?
And we're supposed to believe the DOGE boys, are geniuses that know what they are doing. They are updating SS records marking millions of them as deceased. Supposedly, they are only updating the records where the people's current age is greater than 115. But why do it at all? It's the programs that check the current age with a simple IF THEN ELSE statement. Fucking morons.
Eleanor, Gary, it gets worse now. More of the ‘move fast and break things’ stuff published today 4/5 at Wired mag:
“DOGE Is Planning a Hackathon [NEXT WEEK] at the IRS. It Wants Easier Access to Taxpayer Data…
DOGE operatives have repeatedly referred to the software company Palantir as a possible partner in creating a “mega API” at the IRS, sources tell WIRED.”
Wiz kid of Elmo’s wrecking ball, “Corcos has discussed plans for DOGE to build “one new API to rule them all,” making IRS data more easily accessible for cloud platforms, sources say. APIs, or application programming interfaces, enable different applications to exchange data, and could be used to move IRS data into the cloud. The cloud platform could become the “read center of all IRS systems,” a source with direct knowledge tells WIRED, meaning anyone with access could view and possibly manipulate all IRS data in one place.
“Over the last few weeks, DOGE has requested the names of the IRS’s best engineers from agency staffers. Next week, DOGE and IRS leadership are expected to host dozens of engineers in DC so they can begin “ripping up the old systems” and building the API, an IRS engineering source tells WIRED. The goal is to have this task completed within 30 days. Sources say there have been multiple discussions about involving third-party cloud and software providers like Palantir in the implementation.”
….” Last Friday, DOGE suddenly placed around 50 IRS technologists on administrative leave. On Thursday, even more technologists were cut, including the director of cybersecurity architecture and implementation, deputy chief information security officer, and acting director of security risk management.”
People reading will recall Palantier is Peter Theil’s company, isn’t it?
So, the partitioning of databases in the federal government, for reasons some combination of privacy, statutory requirements, or sensetivity of data? That’s going to be gone in months, and congress will again reneg on any statute enforcement THAT IS THEIR REASON FOR BEING A BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.
“We love disruption and whatever is good for America will be good for Americans and very good for Palantir,” Palantir CEO Alex Karp said in a February earnings call. “Disruption at the end of the day exposes things that aren't working. There will be ups and downs. This is a revolution, some people are going to get their heads cut off.” [ooh. Watch that reference, tech bro.]
But it still had to be tested. I've used code generators as well and it does save time, but the programmer still has to know what they're doing.
There's no question that programming is way more efficient than it was 20 or 30 years ago. And the tools that are available have really simplified things.
There was a Senior VP at a company I worked at. He would come to IT and tell a programmer that he wanted a report on his desk at 8 am that did such and such. If the report wasn't on his desk, he would fire the programmer. But, they had Quikjob and Sort and other tools which made these requests possible. Was the VP an asshole? Of course and we all hated him, but he knew it could be done.
Absolutely! I wrote test plans to go along with all that code.
When I changed jobs and went into a testing only role on Windows NT machines (give me back my DOS prompt) every time a new release came out we had to uninstall and reinstall NT. Then when I’d report a problem to the programmer they’d say “it always worked that way”. I’d get out my handy test plan and show them. This job was an exercise in futility and I only stayed a year to fulfill my headhunter contract so I didn’t have to pay a fee.
'Cause of your tech background, take a look at this shocker from 4/16 in ArsTechnica. I posted full comment earlier today to Gary Loft.
"Government IT whistleblower calls out DOGE, says he was threatened at home. "Stay out of DOGE's way": IT worker details how Musk group infiltrated US agency."
Moselle, thanks. Just called. I told him we don't trust Elon and his boys. If they need to bring a system up to date do it the right way but not in this way which just creates chaos.
Gary, as a fellow traveller in tech (retired from), I totally agree with you. Most people don’t understand what ‘root access’ means but we do. The first breech was those first couple cabinet secretaries and dept heads whom the Senate approved (GSA, Treasury, OMB), and who provided the imprimatur (or ‘impression of authoritative permission’) to existing staff to allow God-level access to systems and server administrator accounts. The dam breeched, the wave spread as these idiots barged through flashing their (temporary contractor) badges. Unthinkable breech, at any tech company I worked you couldn’t even get in the door let alone the server room with these antics, yet, they buffaloed their way in. The fact that the defense/national security posts are headed by syncophantic morons and tv personalities, and now the NSA head ousted, gives rise to greatest concern. And here we are. Recalling a link, for those wanting to read about…
Gary, being in the profession I think you will see the full import of this article. Spread the word. Whistleblower in IT for NLRB says new Doge login credentials username/password were accessible and used by Russians within 15 minutes of being created at NLRB. And data exfiltration observed. And top management saying Shhh no one talk about this and scratch SOP, scratch reporting intrusion and exfiltration to US-CERT. The guy was threatened at his home while preparing whistleblower report - so he's come out publicly. Doge are traitors, in all the sense of that word.
"Government IT whistleblower calls out DOGE, says he was threatened at home
"Stay out of DOGE's way": IT worker details how Musk group infiltrated US agency."
It may be a subtle difference but instead of "tariffs don't work the way he wants them to," I would say tariffs don't work the way he's believed they do for decades. This despite his B.S. in economics from an Ivy League university.
Well, Trump’s professor at Wharton did say that Trump was one of the dumbest students he ever had, and Trump wants to inflict that stupidity on the nation.
Good point. But isn't it time to consider that the "stupidity" $Trump is inflicting on America (and the world) is not really stupidity. But it is a deliberate attempt to disassemble the American leadership of the free world. That weakening our governmental structures serves two very intentional purposes.
1. Help Putin's Russia expand its influence around the world as we create humanitarian vacuums. Yes, HELP PUTIN. Not just because $Trump admires Putin - but because $Trump has been a Russian asset since the 1980s.
When banks stopped loaning to $Trump, Russians stepped in to bail him out. $Trump Jr told us so! NOTHING happens financially in Russia without Putin's direction. He controls the entire system. $Trump and Putin are intertwined like mating snakes.
2. As our prosperity collapses, the Fascists, led by a blackmailed con man will blame all previous presidents and the "Deep State" for the troubles. "See how bad 'government' is?" Time to privatize everything.
The latest shot across the bow was the announcement that $Trump wants to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He just installed Pulte (a home builder !!!???) to lead a public entity. Please read this:
I think it is well past the time that we expect $Trump to be anything but a financial partner of Putin. Trump just allowed Putin's top finance guy in the White House. The next day, insane tariffs are levied on every country - except Russia.
I agree that Trump has been a Russian asset since the late 80s and that Russian money is what has helped create the myth of success that was sold to a gullible public. But it's more than his coziness with Putin, Trump is following the authoritarian playbook. I love James O'Brien and his low-key but devastating assessments of US and UK politics. The first segment of yesterday's show lays it all out, point by point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdnZf5PWAA
And I can’t tell you how deeply sorry I feel for those of you who actually believe anything having to do with Russia do you have a Russia on the brain it’s metastasized to your entire body.
There is a famous word in Jewish that I believe applies here and it’s called rochMones. Utter pity and sadness.
And by the way, for this, my own personal belief is Adam Chef should be hung by his ankles in public until he passes away
Yes he did. He further said Trump came to class thinking he already knew everything. Donny retains the same lack of interest in learning anything, which is dangerous in a leader.
Well, I hope you learned a little something today AA it’s not over til it’s over be it was only one day just like the past three days they were only one day and there’s 45 months left to go calm down take a breath and by the way, don’t listen to the bullshit about anything happening with our precious social Security and Medicare
Donald was doted on and protected because of his learning disability. He grew up believing he's a Very Special Boy, and nobody ever tried to disabuse him of that error. When you can't learn, but everyone around you asserts that you already know everything, a perfect storm of ignorance and hubris is created.
Fact Nanny here: Donald is the 4th of five children. His mother was quite ill for much of his early childhood and his father lacked the ability to nurture his young son. Which is to say that Donald grew up not knowing love or affection while at the same time being provided with all the creature comforts available to a wealthy family. It wasn't until Fred Jr. refused to go into the family business that Fred Sr. began using Don to get a toe-hold in Manhattan real estate circles. Knowing how unloved he was is the only thing about Trump's biography that elicits any compassion from me.
100% on target regarding the scumbag president stupidity but remember he is surrounded by ideologist like J D Vance, his most likely successor. He and others are the real danger in the near future. Thanks for your comment Kathy.
The tarriffs might be effective in some industries if we still had factories in place to replace foreign plants and equipment. We don't.
IMHO the no 1 loser is Canada, and I think he is doing it to force them to sell their sovereignity. Shades of Stalin. Putin.
He has the data from the trade representative and other sources that track all this. I don't think Musk or Navarro, et al are looking at better deals for the consumer.
Some investors use "value" analysis. Not These guys. They speculate. Trump went bankrupt 6 times. In NY he has to have a couyrt appointed monitor because he's unreliable.
Donald may think economic warfare could force Canada to capitulate, but PM Mark Carney has already signaled the country's response. And it's not capitulation.
It's important to remember that Donald has failed at every business endeavor he's undertaken. After Fred died and there was no more financial reserve for Donald, his personal finances remained in the red until he signed The Apprentice deal. The show did well because he was NOT in charge. He was merely an actor playing the role of a successful tycoon.
Donald is a failure at everything. He failed to get the Trump family accepted by NYC Society. He failed in business. He will fail in taking Canada.
The low labor costs that fueled offshoring 1980-2010: how will those costs be re-shored back to the USA? It doesn’t work. Re-shoring manufacturing and “cheap stuff made in the USA” doesn’t work as a plan, and his cabinet economists know it. The USA became a consumer goods and services-based economy.
Maybe all the kids can work the factories and fields for sub-tip wages or for $5/day. Hi Florida, I’m looking at you!
Do you know was awful noisy here the last three days but I don’t understand. It’s awful quiet here tonight. I’ve said it 100 times for everybody here 45 months to go be patient take a breath stop the panic. The sky is not falling like you think it’s falling which is really laughable.
Yes they are on every foreign nation that we’ve been allowing to buy our products for cheap and they come back and send us products and tear of them Daniel you;re hopeless.
Minor point but the revolt was against the Stamp Act, which taxed everything. Yes, tariffs are ultimately taxes but there isn't a line on an invoice that says tariffs.
One of his professors in the prestigious Wharton School of Business said he was the dumbest student he'd ever had. I imagine that teacher watching this unfold and looking like a parody of Edvard Munch's, The Scream.
Did you say that when Biden was elected or when he was thrown overboard and a mental defective done nothing woman was put in his place and 73 million people voted for that idiot ?
The Death of Expertise is what a brilliant UofMN history professor calls our current epoch. People feel they have all knowledge at their fingertips (SmartPhones, social media) and can know the correct information without the need for nerdy experts. And The Dunning-Kruger effect describes the tendency of people with limited knowledge or skill in a particular area to overestimate their own competence.
Then there is also the declining cognitive abilities of many in the population, due to attention deficit (caused by rapid-fire information and stress overload).
One of the few things I remember from my high school days is a teacher saying that the global IQ was declining. That was in the early 1960s. Wish I'd known then to keep track of the evidence of his claim.
Oh, I think you’re absolutely correct about the IQ and here’s why.
One of the worst presidents in history, although he had a very good heart invented the Department of Education. Since then, we’ve decided not to educate our children. And there was back to back that up. In 1979 we were in the number one position ranked in education in the world. 30 years later we were number 18th. Today we are Ranked 40th. High school students come out of high school not even knowing how to read or do basic math. And I could tell you horror stories having only restaurants and have people come in to apply for a job when they needed help filling out the application and couldn’t tell how much change to give From a $20 bill if the bill was $18.04.
It’s not only about IQ it’s about challenging and pushing people to learn
So after a number of bankruptcies, tell me how the dummy created the wealth that he has amassed? I’ve listed you a number of people that have had bankruptcies and came out of it successfully some of the most famous people and inventors in the US history. Unfortunately, for you, Donald Trump will be one of those.
I would love to see Congress limit Trump's expense account. I'm sick and tired of paying for his golfing trips every week and for his $20 million trip to go to the Super Bowl for a photo-op.
And today the market good one? If you care at all for America, which is doubtful, you would say well. Today was a good day for America but no, there’s nothing here because all you do is hate.
What are you, blind? As well as stupid? The market went up because Trump paused the damage to the world economy that he himself caused.
And I damn well know he did it because his superiors to,d him he over- reached. Not because he knows what he is doing. No hate, just reality. It bit him on that ass that he lied about everyone kissing. Trump can do no wrong, right?
Just what I told you, Martin our issues in progress and it’s gonna take time to work them out because it’s been 40 years since we’ve been treated right on trade and it’s gonna take a little work to get it back to normal. And for all of those, we think that yesterday was contrived and set up well guess that’s not the case if you look at the market today, but nothing in the world has changed other than negotiations. Nothing P. A. T. I. E. N. C. E.
Well, I laid out a whole post, but somehow it got lost when I try to correct the spelling of one word, but I’ll try it all over again
You’re gonna need to simmer down and stop the hate. or it’s gonna kill you. I am not ignorant, nor the fool but you need a mirror to determine who it is and here’s why
The market did not go up today because Trump pause the tariffs . The market went up today because Trump wanted negotiations and the strategy readily set out from the beginning and the media and the market understands now. He has given the 75 countries that have come forward to negotiate power of situation to meet with him, and to renegotiate the terms of our trade and tariffs. You really don’t think too deeply do you nor too far ahead.
As I said to you many times, and I’ve told everybody here nobody has the patience and when you hate you, don’t care about patience you just care about attacks you don’t care about how embarrassing it will be when you find out you were wrong. This has been Trump strategy all along. He wants to negotiate. He’s a constant and adamant negotiator, and he got exactly what he wanted as well as he put the pressure on China big-time, who is now isolated itself.
He will spend the next 75 days, negotiating new tariff deals, and and other related deals with all these countries, and will come out better for it in 90 days or more if it takes a little bit while longer but it’s going to start immediately. It’s people like you that fit the equation if Trump found the cure of cancer, you would find fault in that
You were relishing in the fact that Trump demolish the stock market and Tesla lost his ass for two or three days, but when the Market comes back up at 95 or 90% of the losses that it took, came back in one day highest single day point increase in market history, or you can talk about is the reason is because Trump pauses tariffs you don’t care about all the money that people got back on that now we are in the driver seat once again. Hate makes you blind, Martin it makes you unable to think rationally and thoroughly.
And by the way, nothing happened in the world economy not a damn thing other than the scare tactics that your media tries to dictate to you on a daily basis and you swallow it like mothers milk.
Other than the presidency, Trump has never earned anything in his life. And, despite the votes, it's safe to say that he didn't really earn that either.
Wow Linda, you come up with some good ideas. Sometimes the one above makes me think you’re on an LSD trip or something like that.
In 90 days, Kamala Harris raised $2 billion and out spent Trump two to one in the final campaign. The idiots on the left side actually raced $2 billion for this twerk to run for president. I wouldn’t hire her to be a cashier at one of my restaurants.
Wharton school has now been discredited by the orange idiot. Sorry for the decent graduates who are embarrassed by the one who is destroying their reputations.
To be fair, U Penn isn't the only Ivy that has cause to be embarrassed. Look at the number of idiots with undergraduate and/or graduate degrees from elite universities. A few years ago I had too much time on my hand and made a list of those from Harvard.
Well, you just made my point thank you very much. Nothing against you, Pam but in general antisemitism a pretty disgusting behavior for those who supported, and for those who actually participate in it
Would you like a list of all the people that started some of the most amazing companies in the world and didn’t even have a college degree. You know there’s a saying that I’ve seen proven out in many cases, and the people I encounter in my business dealings. There are too many damn educated derelicts. Just like Jackson Browns song. That started off strong only to surrender.
People thought they could do well by studying the inter-workings of the relationship between Nepal and Ghana. Etc. Or the philosophy of Zen and how it fits into the 1800 economic matrix.
Certainly a college degree shooting for a better outcome, and usually does but only a small percentage of those folks have actually ascertained what they set out to do in the first place
You have to have a drive you have to have a ganas. You have to have the will to work long hours for many years to get what you want college degrees don’t teach any of that. And many people do it naturally with intrinsic gifts. So touting a college degree I think put you in a more assured income strata, but by no means guarantees that you’re going to be what you think you’re gonna be if you don’t want to put the work in.
Many of today’s most successful companies started out with somebody who didn’t necessarily have a degree from a revered institution so stop the nonsense OK
Just when I think your responses couldn't be more non-contributory, more nonsensical, or, importantly, more of a distraction from the discussion, you go and outdo yourself. Congratulations.
After the last 2 days of free-fall of the stock market in response to another of tRump’s bizarre efforts at ruling the world Rick, ‘twould seem most of us, especially your Dear Leader, would benefit from “changing the freaking channel!"
I guess the vast majority of investors and funds voting with their feet must be ‘wrong’ about 47’s horsefeathers economics. we will see how it turns out, I’m sure ‘Rick sender’ has stayed fully invested and is catching that falling knife of a market (in his teeth, no less).
Cat got your tongue tonight, John? Just like the past three days it’s just another day. Why not just watch and learn, and make judgment in six months or so? Because today, all you did, was embarrass yourself for your past rants
Well, if you like history, John, try going back to 1980s on a Oprah Winfrey show when Trump touted tariffs as a way to go about fair trade and as well as I pointed out to you big proponent of terrorist were none other than Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders.
You know, I know too many PhD‘s in various fields that are utterly crazy and the predictions that they make based on what they learned in school have been 100% incorrect. Paul Krugman for example, hasn’t made a good call in years and he was actually upside down in his estimate of what was gonna happen in Trump’s first administration. Robert Reich is exactly the same in my opinion. I could use when he writes as toilet paper, and I would be very comfortable doing that. This is what happens Misty, when PhD‘s in certain devices become political pawns and buy into one side of an argument, because they staunchly support their party instead of staunchly supporting what they learned in school from a economics perspective not from a political perspective
BS is absolutely what he gleaned from his schooling. If daddy endows a chair, little Donny doesn’t have to crack a book, and if he doesn’t get good grades, the endowment goes away. Now, I’m not saying that’s what happened, it explains his negotiating technique. God help us all if those he targets cave.
Rick seems like a bot account. I base this on the amount of time he spends posting. I just attended a webinar which leads me to suspect this. In that case, he is probably a Russian agent account. So, I am grateful to the person who taught me to collapse what "he" says, so that I don't need to see it to interrupt the flow of other comments.
I voice text. I am NOT A BOT. STOP the nonsense. I am the ONLY contrary opinion here. Do you imagine that’s a good thing?
That is how gullibility happens. Only hearing and reinforcing what you already believe. No challenging what you hear? Obviously it must be true then. Nope
The left is going to have to understand that not everything that makes you a success in life is learned in school. In fact there’s a big poster I have that I picked up in college that said there are far too many college educated Derelicts in the world. People get an education in philosophy and become carpenters, which is fine, but they didn’t learn anything about carpentry in school.
Then you have people like many savants that don’t need school to take them to success take Mark Zuckerberg, for example. There were five-year-olds that could sit down in a piano with the first time and play. There are people like Bobby Fisher who didn’t learn how to play chess in school. And there are people like Elon Musk and Alexander, Graham Bell and Enrico, Femi and Thomas Edison. That took what they learned in school and enhanced it beyond anything they learned in school.
So stop doubting education as the end all and be all of a human being because that’s all the left seems to wanna do is that and keep referencing them back to some book that was written 50 years ago that is no longer applicable because the entire world has changed since then
Well, in some cases here, Harvey, you’re correct all foreign governments have a price and he’s not breaking the legs, but he sure putting a lot of pressure on them and they’re coming to the table.
Or your economy. And he’s correct it’s called negotiating And what’s funny is when Chuck Schumer just buckled to Trump a couple weeks ago his party is going apeshit over the fact that he did that and didn’t “NEGOTIATE’ with Trump on the reconciliation bill to not shut down the government and get something out of it, but didn’t. And now to tell you how I don’t even have the synonym, stupid, dumb, idiotic, los, have shown that AOC is more popular than Chuck Schumer to succeed him in the Senate. But everyone forgets that in only four years according to her, we’re all going to die in this planet is going to implode. Lol
Everything in life is a choice/negotiation. And provided it’s not blackmail. That’s how this world gets along every single day. You negotiate with your boss for a higher salary you negotiate with your significant other in various areas of your relationship Life is a do to yourself proposition with very few exceptions
Yes please! The rest of the world needs to thumb their collective noses at this lunatic. Will it be painful? Indeed, for everyone. Will it be worth it? You bet. Make the bully look like the anal opening that he is, and he will eventually collapse in on himself. It can't come soon enough, for the entire world.
I agree. Perhaps Europe, in particular, can apply some lessons learned from Vlad's Russia towards this "administration". I would very much like to see this thing collapse in upon itself as well. I am quite concerned about this friendship and advisor in Vlad though. He has so far not allowed his situation to implode and will certainly do his best in order it not happen here. So, to me, that is troubling.
so as I’ve sent to any of you in the circumstance that his big beautiful bill that includes no tax on tips no tax on Social Security and no tax on overtime gets approved by Congress. What will you say then about the anal opening?
On the other hand, the past president, anal opening was sealed shut, and what turned out that everything he did was full of shit for this country.
Yeah that’s what you said in 2020 and how did that work out with the non compos mentis robotic president that now coming out that he should’ve never run in the first place let alone for reelection now all the people are writing books especially Democrats that the writing was on the wall for at least 2 1/2 to 3 years. That’s your guy don’t forget it
Linda, read something yesterday that I am taking more or less with a grain of salt, that death star is preparing to throw muskrat under the bus. I am thinking it will happen once muskrat has completed the damage.
Yes Doug, I read that piece. I agree. I have been saying, since last summer when I read the first chapter of Project 2025 in my book club, which was The Dept. of Education, that it was a formula for turning the US into a third world country. I taught in one and I know what it looks like. Then, as I read more I realized it would turn the US into a third world, Christian Nationalist Theocracy. Of course, it is a Kakistocracy, Kleptocracy and Oligarchy too. Chilling is correct! Also, as a history major, I think of the blood, sweat and tears that went into making the US what it is, and tantruming trump is destroying it all, like a toddler on a bender with blocks.
I agree, Linda. And I think of the complicity of the Republicans by standing by while he fiddles. And not to mix my Roman emperors, but I think of the courage it took Roman senators to get rid of Caesar. Mind you, I'm not calling for that, but it's astonishing to me that a formidable bunch of Republicans in the House and Senate don't band together and say “Enough is enough!”, get rid of Johnson (at least) and demand a return to checks and balances.
Trump gets tired of people. I don't believe he likes Vance at all, do you? He treats him like the stepchild. All of the cabinet members are expendable to him. However, Stephen Miller has lasted. We shall just see. There are some predictable things about Trump, which is he gravitates to Putin and when he is in power he is a lot less likable to his adoring fans than when he is just a grievance monkey.
what’s really funny about what you said Susan is the following for the last eight or nine years Elon Musk has been almost a demigod for the left inventing an automobile that helped to create a prevention against climate change. Nothing changed in the way he manufactured cars or shot off rockets or controlled. A huge company of communication services called Starlink that helped areas that couldn’t get service get service totally effed up made up hate against Elon Musk is so bereft of reality. It’s defies comprehension. All we keep hearing is he’s not elected. He’s not elected. He’s not elected. He’s not elected, which has nothing to do with the issue at hand not an effing thing.
Donald Trump could have appointed Ted Cruz or even worse, cash Patel to head up DOGE then what would have been your defense? And who would you protest against then?
And just like the quintessential liberal hoping against America couldn’t be better said Potter. The outer world first America last. That’s what the left personifies today.
Stupid..still at your age. Wasting the time you have left obsessively trying to prove something here to yourself about your own wisdom, using hate and ignorance as well as off the wall accusations... similar to Trump actually. Dummies don't know we are all connected. Go away.
Wait? I’m the one using hate? lol omg. Do you read any of these posts at all everyone of the people here hate Donald Trump! The left are the haters around protesting Tesla, which is about the stupidest thing I have ever seen the most double standard and hypocritical thing I’ve ever seen.
Trump could’ve appointed Ted Cruz or cash Patel to head up those where were they go to protest then he’s not elected he’s not elected he’s got elected there is the hate and there’s are morons
I’m the dummy? We are not connected, and you know why we’re not connected because the left is now fully disconnected. Disconnected from the truth, disconnected from reality, disconnected because their entire being is full of TDS, MDS, and gullibility.
You were like many others here, who talked about items, hypothetically, ethereally, I have no factual specifics to back up your statements.
I’m not the one calling Trump or Elon Hitler. I’m not the one talking about fascism. I’m not the one talking about oligarchy or dictatorship
When the Democrats win an election, and if executive orders start flowing from the White House or the auto pen LOL everything is just fine but when Trump does it, it’s autocracy DISREGARDING AN ELECTION ….
You are the epitome of what they say is when the Democrats accuse the Republicans of doing something when they were actually doing it themselves. And you are the poster child for the same calling me hateful
Right now I’m thrilled to death and hate nothing other than frustration with people who don’t learn and don’t want to learn, don’t want to change the channel.
By the way, Potter, this is directed only to you. I don’t want to impugn other people here but when you start calling me stupid I have to let out a huge belly laugh. I don’t have a belly. I have pretty much been on the correct side of politics my whole life voting twice for Billy the wandering PP was probably the third best president in history, other than a few major mistakes but we all make mistakes. And you know why he was so good because he was smart enough to work with Gingrich to bring the party to agreement rather than splintering the country. And we are here today splintered because of one Barack Hussein, Obama.
So you can go along your merry way but if you have any sense at all, you’ll wait a year or so to see how things progress and then you could make a partial judgment because you have 45 more months to go to be able to evaluate as president.
The sad truth is we didn’t hear this rhetoric from you when Biden double the price of everything on a daily basis or allow us 11,000 illegal migrants in this country every day or against the general precepts of Democrats want peace I don’t like guns Biden sending hundreds of billions of dollars to Ukraine to kill people instead of trying to create peace.
I am a happy go lucky guy 90% of the time at a completely successful business career. I’ve been retired for 12 years after coming out of abject poverty as a child and right now I’m smiling every day. I have no hate at all. Merely frustration with so many misguided haters here
I would say Trump is and will always be the one who will be the main tool for chaos, and with Musk gone, people with notice it more and remember how tired they got of him during covid. The new covid is tariffs.
When it spills over to Trump, he will no doubt respond, "Tariffs? I don't know anything about tariffs! Elon, must have done those. Elon, get in here right now, and tell everyone about your tariffs!!"
Did Elon send you to Mars already? I.e or aka what planet are you living on? Just for history sake’s Trump has been talking about tariffs since interviewing on Oprah Winfrey show back in the early 80s.
“……the tariffs don't work in the way he wants them too.”
Oh they’ll work exactly as he wants them to. Tarrifs put more money in the treasury which he will (pretty much already does )control. Money is power, he wants both.
We shall see. I have my thoughts about this, but they are too bleak to post. I am in Europe, and I know my groceries will still be cheaper even with tariffs,
Food here is way cheaper than in the USA, and the cost of living is lower. Germany is ranked 23 and the US 13. I think we should look at these numbers again next year.
Maybe you haven’t noticed we just had an election and he has the power and he already has the wealth and he’s 78 years old and could live on $1 billion a year for the rest of his life and never run out of money. Let’s have some patience. Shall we knee jerk reactions or seldom correct?
Well welcome to the real world ROBIN many huge countries I’ve been talking about this for years and years like China Brazil, etc., to change the world’s currency barometer. And guess what it could happen having nothing to do with today because they’ve been working on it for decades.
How about give Mr. Trump a quiet time to enjoy his golf? No one deserves continued criticisms without Sunday holoidays. After all he was elected, unlike Musk. We must share our responsibility and giving him a quiet weekend is one way.
Another ignorant soul talking about musk wasn’t elected. Yikes. I have never seen so much misguided hate in my life. As I’ve said 20 times here posting Trump could’ve picked Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio or anybody to head up those now what would you say? Why don’t you talk about what those is accomplishing instead of who’s the head of doge idiot
What about the hundred thousands of your hypocrites walking in the ts Monday with signs that read FREE SPEECH. Do you think it would be better if the government didn’t listen to you from here on out?
That’s actually going to be the J6 committee and Adam shift and not necessarily in that order. I’m sure we’ll be looking at some of the 51 liars as well
Your head may have been under sand but the people who weren't watching Fox saw the attempt to steal the election by violent mob attack, organized by Trump.
Yeah William I’m sure a few hundred people are going to overthrow the government only if you’re totally delusional. But it’s OK when one black man dies to create $2 billion worth of damage kill 25 police policeman burned down cities take over police precincts and occupy large portions of north western cities. Only one person died on January 6 and she was an innocent bystander shot by police. Hmmmmm with no convictions and the guy who accidentally killed George Floyd was convicted so what was all they mayhem for? And like I said earlier, it’s been a good day. I hit a nerve people or maybe waking up.
When you read the post, I just made with quotes and speeches from the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama, Obama.
Obviously, denial is King here I don’t wanna sit and paste all day, so please look them up for major speeches denoting that Pelosi and Bernie supported tariffs fervently and that the inventor of doge were actually Bill Clinton and Barack Obama ooooooooops
And please take something for your Russian delusion
A mentally and physically deteriorating mob boss’s side hussel. I am not convinced he know his left from his right side currently. Who ever is in front of him showering praise and suggesting tariffs based on a distorted AI model (Musk/Doge) or firings of key cybersecurity experts (Loomer).
Why don’t you change the channel and do something too confirm or deny Social Security’s problems? DOGE.GOV. AND THEN LOOK AT THE INTERVIEW WITH THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF SOCIAL SECURITY HAVING TO DO WITH DOGE. IT WILL SHOCK YOU INTO BELIEVING.
Heather: "Republican members of Congress could stop Trump at any time. In the case of tariffs, they could simply reassert their constitutional power to manage tariffs. If they choose not to and the economy doesn’t recover and thrive as Trump keeps promising, voters can be expected to hold them, as well as him, to account.".
Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, joined Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington in introducing a bipartisan bill to rein in presidential authority over tariffs and give Congress more control over future trade duties.
Why It Matters
The bipartisan bill comes a day after President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day," in which he imposed a new round of sweeping tariffs on foreign imports, reigniting debate over executive power in trade policy.
Several Republicans, many of whom are Trump allies, have raised concerns about Trump's tariffs, warning that they will raise prices and derail the economy. Many economists have warned that significant tariffs could spark a recession and that American consumers would end up shouldering the burden of the tariffs as importers pass on costs in the form of higher prices.
Daniel, Thank you. I attempted to call Sen Grassley, but his DC office voicemail is full.
I was able to get through to the Cedar Rapids voicemail at 319 363 6832
I thanked him for opposing the tariffs, and also mentioned that as an agricultural state, the farming community needs the USAID to be reversed, and that seniors will be left sick and in poverty if the safety nets are effectively GONE thanks to Trump. I ended by saying that Trump is NOT faithfully executing the laws of the US and it is time to remove him.
I am asking all the LFAA readers to stop right now and call his office.
EDIT: I also called Sen Thune and MAGA Mike Johnson. I said that although I'm not their constituents, I am calling them because of their leadership roles. I said that the tariff impact on the market is draining my retirement funds, and that with SS, Medicare and Medicaid on the chopping block, they will leave seniors sick and impoverished. I couldn't get through to MAGA Mike's DC office so I called a district one.
Sen Thune 202 224 2321
Rep Johnson 337 423 4232
PLEASE everyone, stop reading and call their offices now. Thank you.
Daniel, what some senators are trying, won't result in any practical action unless M. Johnson decided to do something positive for this country. I'm not hopeful.
We work on it every day. You obviously are not following Feathers of Hope. The protests should be tactical. Don't waste time on Democrats or MAGA Republicans. 22 senate Republicans and dozens of Republican House members support Ukraine funding.
Musk's humiliation in Wisconsin should be an object lesson to Reps in majority Dem districts like mine.
If their constituents and donors protest, we'll pick up a few.
Nancy Pelosi in 1996 a fervent supporter of tariffs check the link above in her own words and Bernie Sanders in his own words in 2008 on C-SPAN doing exactly the same.
You are not only misinformed Daniel but uninformed
America had a choice when NAFTA came around pay Americans a little bit higher wage or buy goods cheaper from other countries and so for 40 years the middle class has been disappearing and you wonder why ? Now China produces about 80% of our medicines. I hope you’re happy.
I was for targeted tariffs when we still had an infrastructure. Unfortuanately corporate vultures like Mitt Romney sold the goose that laid the golden egg. The plants in my hometown were razed... The workers had to relocate...to Mejico. El Trumpo as #45 fortified NAFTA.
Need to find the wormhole in space and go back in time....
In all Trump is trying to do to bring all those factories back. By the way, when was Romney president? He was a senator. And now plants are coming back $5 trillion have been committed to build factories and businesses here. Did you hear the auto workers union speaking yesterday the fireman’s union yesterday they were excited and they’re backing Trump 100% because he’s going to bring back factories. That’s the goal. The decision America is gonna have to make which it made it back in the days was we’d rather buy cheap goods from elsewhere, then produce them here and pay American workers a higher wage. And now we’re sitting at the point where China imports us all our medicine great call huh? We can buy jeans for less and refrigerators for less while American sit on the sidelines out of work especially the middle class.
Well our most dangerous enemy is now a petulant child who traffics in perverted ideologies, who is holding our freedoms hostage, destroying a once healthy economy, diminishing accountability by the government, depressing public access to news and education and public debate - darkness is swallowing our country.
Republican members of Congress have the constitutional authority to regulate tariffs, yet many have allowed former President Trump to act unilaterally in this area. They could reassert their power at any time, particularly if his tariff policies harm the economy. If the economy fails to improve, as Trump repeatedly promises, voters may hold not only him but also Congressional Republicans accountable for inaction. Their continued support or silence implies shared responsibility for the outcomes of Trump’s trade strategies. With clear constitutional tools available, their decision not to act could have serious political consequences. In a democracy, elected officials are expected to serve as checks and balances—failing to do so can shift blame and electoral backlash onto the entire party.
And the maggots got hustled! Screwed, left behind, fired, forgotten! 4F
Never cared about anything, did he, really, just his bloviating ego! Now he can play golf and fiddle, with himself.
Love the English term…’He’s real wanker!’ We used the term jerk, he’s that too! Maybe they are the same thing…playing Mr Potato Head! “I’m just looking for my balls, they were here someplace?”
But the bottom line is he’s really Putin’s ‘asshole for hire’…Manafort made that deal many years ago. And got screwed too.
Trump's tariff "operation" & Musk's DOGE with surgery by chainsaw will not kill the "patient", but will bring on recession or worse...economic pandemic, panic, depression on a scale that most of us have never experienced.
When MAGAs realize how Trump policies screw them: "I blame Biden. He shoulda done a better job explaining how Trump's policies were gonna screw people like me. That's why I'm still MAGA.”
Trump World & CalvinBall: ignore facts & science; make rules up as you go…
It IS a side hustle to him! What is the likeliest result of these over-the-top tariffs? One by one, the CEO's of companies hurt by the excessive tariffs will come to Trump and beg for tariff relief. And Trump will grant the relief graciously...after a suitably humiliating amount of groveling and the payment of cash or favors or both. Putin will be very pleased by the toppling of the U.S.'s booming economy and the loss of our premier position of leadership. Putie might even pat Twumpie on his iddle head for this gift.
And hopefully if everything goes right, Mr. Pappas in two weeks or maybe three, depending upon intermit intermingling circumstances, there will be a bill presented to Congress, no tax on tips , no tax on Social Security, and no tax on overtime.
The perfect remedy to help Trump? Are you effing kidding me? It will close our border. It will increase our military, and it will help assure further manufacturing business in the United States.
The only one dreaming are the Democrats. They are in total in complete disarray and their approval rating which was 36% a month ago lowered to 27% two weeks ago is now at 21% according to CBS and NBC and CNN
And all they need to do is instead of pushing all the energy into resisting is to organize an agenda. Have a goal have a plan select a couple of leaders that have some ideas that the American people see is rational and helpful for the country. Right now they have none of that. And a country needs at least two parties.
You probably said it right. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime--well there will not be either overtime or jobs or tips coming in from non-existent jobs. And Social Security will not be taxed because it will be closed, shuttered, and collected monies will go to those who have dismantled it.
I’m curious if in your reading about or thinking about the return of manufacturing jobs to the US you’ve factored in the research that robots/AI are projected to take over all manufacturing jobs in the next couple of years. I think the assumption is that moving manufacturing back here will “bring back” jobs? But what if the assumptions behind all of this disruption (and lost value of capital in the markets) are wrong?
By the way, Kate, I would also like to add one other thing that just dawned on me when AI comes to fruition , it will make production of goods and services less expensive, which indeed will lower prices in many cases because it won’t need the manpower in specific industries and such
Yeah, but guess what AI builds needs human help to build robots. It takes people to be involved in the manufacturer, production and design and construction of the robots and yes right now many of our cars are built with AI, but there are parts that have to be built and there is construction that it has to happen and there is maintenance that has to happen. Continued maintenance. And people have to run them. There are industries that will use AI and there are some that will not to major degree.
Well, and it’s not a couple of years it’s gonna take a lot longer than that and along the way people are gonna get educated and how to deal with this, but they are still going to be the middle class not the rich and not the poor unless the poor want to become more educated which they should
And lastly, Kate, I don’t ever deal in what if’s. I am a very results oriented individual in fact, all the minutia and all the talk and all the BS and all the fighting and all the political arguments along the way mean nothing to me whatsoever If things work out, that’s what I look at if they don’t that’s what I look at. And that’s why more and more the unions are now supporting Trump because they see that plants and jobs will come back, including as you saw hopefully yesterday the United auto workers
Add to that that so far other companies have added some $5 trillion to our economy or will be adding in the form of factories jobs plants and industry and I’m excited about the fact that’s some of that at least to begin with will be in medicine and prescription drugs Which you’d have to admit. It’s pretty scary when the vast majority of our drugs are not produced in China.
Also, this is a major step. It’s a major rework and reinventing and read structuring of our middle income job class so it’s not gonna happen overnight.
I’m not happy at the pace that Is being pushed, but I’m a novice. I like the overall concept a lot by the way as does Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders and I hope you’ve seen those speeches that they made if you haven’t please get back to me and let me know and I will send you the links.
"You’re going to see employment leaping starting today,” in fact, both automaker Stellantis and appliance manufacturer Whirlpool announced layoffs because of the tariffs." This reporting reveals, in my opinion, a fundamental flaw of American management practice. That is working people are bearing the cost ofuncertainty under changes in economic policies, while stock owners can maintain living.
The U.S. House of Representatives can be bi-partisan if only three Republicans agree to Dem Hakeem Jeffries as its Speaker, so Dems take committee chairs from the most ludicrous MAGA now in them.
The three joining Dems can have committee chairs, with guarantees that no Dem will oppose them in the 2026 elections – and that Dems will support the three if any MAGA primaries them.
Then, Hakeem’s first vote: Constitution’s Article 14, Section Three. As U.S. highest law, not even corrupt Clarence court can interfere. If the House has no 2/3 to clear him, Trump must vacate office.
Here it is, in its entirety:
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
The challenge is to find three Republicans with a backbone.
Given the results of last Tuesday’s elections, maybe, just maybe, there might be a very few. Besides political support, Democrats are going to have to think about physical security for any Republican who jumps ship, including his or her family. We have descended into having to consider threats from MAGA goon squads. Brown shirts, anyone? Is there a Krystalnacht in our future?
A selling point for any Republicans thinking about his or her future might be a question; Do you want to go down in history as one of the few Republicans who stood up to save the nation? Who refused to sit and watch your country get flushed down the toilet. A real patriot as opposed to MAGA.
Because, in the end, MAGA is going to lose. Authoritarians always do.
But maybe they don't lose for a *very* long time and drag the country down in the meantime. Just look at Putin. Not that Russia is a great example of a previously thriving country.
Here 3 Cuban American House Republicans represent majority Democrats.
Call, email, picket Gimenez, Diaz Balart, Salazar. All have protested parts of Trump immigration policies. Gimenez, born in Cuba, was our Dem county mayor to 2020.
Also CANF, Cuban American National Foundation .... "Based in Miami and Washington, DC, CANF engages in cultural activities, supports education and research, and conducts various events, including lectures and conferences. Historically, the organization has been known for its hardline stance against the Cuban government..." Miami (305) 592-7768. The Republican donor base is connected here. 202 530 1894.
Any of these three could do the job (along with Don Bacon and Mike Lawler as I suggest, above).
But why not more Republicans who can admit to the crisis we inhabit, and admit to the unprecedented need for a bipartisan Congress at least for a while -- but initially Dem-controlled, just to get rid of the Putin Manchurian Candidate, the orange pestilence?
I just received the following letter from Don Bacon regarding Putin's puppet Donald Trump.
Thank you for contacting our office to share your views. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with you on this issue.
Let me be clear: Russia started this war. Vladimir Putin is war criminal with no regard for international peace and security. By making the reckless and unprovoked decision to invade the sovereign state of Ukraine, Putin plunged Europe into the largest military conflict since World War II. Despite recent attempts to muddy the waters, we must remember Russia and Putin are entirely to blame for the bloodshed in this conflict. Ukraine desires democracy, free markets, and the rule of law. As the leader of the free world, America has both a moral obligation and a national security interest in ensuring Ukraine's freedom.
I have consistently opposed any approach that would reward Putin for his savage aggression. A just and durable peace must be our goal but not peace at any cost. While I welcome the Administration’s serious efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine, I maintain that any agreement must include strong security guarantees from the United States and Europe. Recent history makes clear that we cannot trust Putin to keep his word without enforceable protections. I believe that any requirement for Ukraine to cede territory must also be accompanied by enhanced security assistance from the United States and a European-led military presence in Ukraine.
I also strongly believe that any peace negotiation regarding this conflict must include Ukraine in the conversation. It is unwise and self-defeating to sideline the very nation fighting for its survival.
Like many of you, I believe we must take a hard line with Russia to end hostilities and achieve a durable peace and share your concerns about public statements that appear to treat Putin favorably. By standing with Ukraine, we stand on the right side of history and maintain our position as the indispensable leader of the free world.
The stakes in this conflict could not be higher. This isn't just about Ukraine – it's about preserving the international order that has maintained global peace and prosperity for the last eighty years.
I will continue to advocate for a strong, principled American response to this crisis. Our national security interests and our values demand nothing less.
Again, thank you for contacting our office, and please feel free to do so at any time. It is an honor to represent you and the Second Congressional District of Nebraska.
The democrats should have voted down the CR and shut down the government. Shumar's explanation that the shut down was the worst thing that could happen. Really?
I think it will not really work if there are just a few who are willing to peel off — as others have said, they will be physically terrorized by MAGA fanatics and dismissed like Cheney, Kinzinger, and Romney.
I believe it will not work until enough non-MAGA/reluctant Trump Republicans and independents who voted for Trump in 2024 make it clear that they’ve had enough and they are demanding Congress do something.
At that point I can see dozens or scores of Republicans on the Hill taking a stand. People who know they likely will not get reelected if they stick with Trump. So the threat of a Trump primary is not really there. There were 30 Republicans identified to have won by a smaller margin than the two Florida Republicans just won by on Tuesday, for example.
This bigger crowd would first need to be were willing to get rid of Johnson, like you said — and put in Hakeem Jeffries or even one of the “defectors” — it does not necessarily have to be a Democratic Speaker to get this done, that might be asking too much anyway.
Then I think they should impeach. It will be much stronger and much more accepted by the public (less coup-like) if it were led by Republicans anyway – – like Goldwater et al going to the White House and telling Nixon he needed to resign.
The best part about an impeachment is that they could impeach Vance at the same time – – indeed they must. I think his crew (BROligarchs Thiel, Yarvin, Sacks, etc) are even more dangerous than Trump. Trump and Vance have both certainly committed enough high crimes and misdemeanors in these past 75 or so days to pass the impeachment requirement.
Between this (totally unsurprising) tariff fiasco, the recent bonkers firing of anyone with any experience at NSA at the direction of the white supremacist conspiracy theorist Loomer, and of course, signalgate, DOGE’s dismantling of democracy via the implosion of the federal government—both of them could be gone at once and Mike Johnson would not be in line to be president. If it could only be done if one of the Republicans who crossed over were voted Speaker, so be it. This is not actually a democratic opportunity to take power in a few months rather than in four years; this is the people’s attempt to rescue the global economy and western democracy and restore their country to the rule of law. 🤷♀️
Phil, I took your suggestion and just left voice mails on both their phones. I told them that I am not in NY, but I AM in the US, and I am begging reasonable Republicans to STOP Trump and what the Project 2025 is instituting.
LFAA Tribe: here's their numbers. Please call. Thank you.
So Phil, so far you have two maybe and one not sure? I wouldn't bet. We are talking about the maga party here ,not the republican party that dont exist any more.
The billionaires have succeeded far beyond the dreams of the original 1971 Powell memo. The international oligarchs have united, triumphed far beyond the imaginations of any and all media supposedly following power.
And schools? All around the world? Just dutiful handmaidens to the worst of the corrupt, the most incorrigible of the dehumanized testers.
Her book, which is excellent, is titled "Oath and Honor." I doubt she has any regrets. She wondered whether or not to run for office after Jan 6, knowing that she would lose. A Republican she admired encouraged her to run, saying that she shouldn't be afraid to lose in service of the truth. She is so brave, and a hero of mine. Not that I agreed with any of her policies, but when Jan 6 showed her what Trump was made of, she never wavered.
I would hope the EU, while negotiating with Trump, makes ties around the world w other tariff-stricken countries to shore up business around the US. It would only make sense to double-deal Trump. The only businesses truly trapped are the American ones who either resource or manufacture somewhere else.
We are. We already do. The EU has trade deals all over the world, and this is an opportunity to strengthen them (e.g. with Canada, Asia, Latin America).
I work for a small, independent, US based company in a field where 90% of the goods in my industry are produced in China. I have no idea what happens next.
It wouldn't make any sense for the EU to trust the scumbag president on any negotiation. They have to have a plan A deal with other countries and a plan B with the US. Who would be the net looser here ?. Not hard to imagine.
I believe the applicability of the 14th Amendment was considered in the context of Trump's second impeachment, after the Jan. 6 insurrection. Despite the plain language of the "Disqualification Clause", the argument was made that it did not apply to the President, and that there was no official mechanism for determining if someone had "engaged in insurrection or rebellion". There was enough wiggle room that the current Supreme Court could find a way to ignore it.
Though at a certain point perhaps 5 of them will not have the stomach to wiggle anymore. This guy is stoking financial terror internationally.
Or the Hill could always by-pass the court the old-fashioned way, might be easier:
Do you reckon that the egomaniacal act of putting a horse‘s head in between the sheets of every single country in the world, including islands inhabited solely by penguins, resulting in a global economic meltdown, would constitute either a high crime or a misdemeanor? Not to mention the countless illegal acts he has authorized DOGE to make as his regime topples our democracy by dismantling the federal government, as well as the shipping off of immigrants to foreign prisons with no due process? McConnell seems much more willing to buck Trump these days and if their portfolios take a big enough hit, I’m thinking enough Republican senators can be persuaded to join the handful they already have—third time’s a charm!
This rule was created by men/women who though imperfect recognized and respected our human need for rules, law and order....and compassion.
The person who has the title of "President" follows his own rules. His minions are laughing, joking, raking in the "dough" while they can....destroying our friendships throughout the world, destroying the foundations of our government once held by sacrificial, though imperfect heroes. Poverty, abuse, suffering and cruelty will be on the rise.
Disease and catastrophic weather events are also happening....who is organizing aid to the broken and helpless...those who have lost family and home??? Are you all partying at Mara Lago??? Did you not realize with power comes responsibility for those under your care?
We knew this was/is Trumps character. His "mob" is as he is and enjoying this time....they can not believe how easy it was for the great America to begin to crumble. How easy it was to brainwash "Christians?".....to use men and women with more ego than brains or love of this country. The "light " America has been to the world is diminished.
Will heroes arise: thank you Jasmine Crocket....thank you Corie Booker! I see little by little, more and more are rising up.
I am begging people who live in Republican districts to call or email their representatives and DEMAND they act to reverse ALL of Elon's cuts; to STOP the SAVE act; and to IMPEACH TRUMP. I have other issues as well, but I read to limit your concerns to three things.
TRUMP, by virtue of the kidnapping of immigrants and Signalgate (among other issues I'm sure) is NOT "faithfully executing the laws of the nation".
Yesterday, I tried to call Durbin and Duckworth, my senators. Durbin's voice mail doesn't allow messages. Duckworth's (all 6 offices, DC and Illinois) automatically put me on hold, then after a moment, said the staff was unable to answer due to call volume. I emailed them both, and my House rep as well.
I TRIED to call various top Congress people. Many of those aren't accepting voice mail, and their emails refuse me because I'm not in their district.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep bugging the *stuff* out of them!!
Unfortunately, talking to Kevin Hern is a monumental waste of time. He simply ignores anyone who does not sing PINO's praises, and in my case tried to pretend I was not one of his constituents. (how I wish that were true!) You would have better luck talking to a brick wall.
Yes Republicans are like frogs in a warming pot of water. With every action by Trump it gets more uncomfortable for them. Right now there are 5 squawking but not budging. When legislators are forced in the budget negotiations to cut medicare and social security so that the wealthy cam have tax breaks it will be more than Vets applying heat to frogs. Nixon was impeached only when sufficient Republicans put down the Kool Aid and saw their impending combustion.
Though, too, we know the fat orange criminal has long-standing, cretinous, villainous, money-laundering and other ties to Putin and many other deeply corrupt Russian oligarchs.
Vance, only his ties to U.S. high tech billionaires.
With so much happening on any given day, it's heartening to know you continue to track and document it all for us, Heather. And yes, a tanking market couldn't have a better opening bell mascot than Four Seasons Total Landscaping man himself, Rudy Giuliani.
On Amanpour & company this evening, Ms Amanpour noted that the Norwegian Ambassador to N.A.T.O. asserted that this careening tariff scheiße violates Article II of the N.A.T.O.; (s)he is correct.
"The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them."
Orbán is about to face EU Treaty Article 7 proceedings, which will lead to Hungary losing voting and veto powers in the EU until it re-establishes democracy. That will cost Hungary a lot more than friendship with Netanyahu, Putin and Trump will bring.
P.S., and while the democracies are at it, pull all N.A.T.O. and E.U. funding as well as assets from Hungary; let the man out of central casting for the Star Wars bar-room scene know he is going to be on his own. https://www.tiktok.com/@its.hunique/video/6966179381165165829
There's not much that's peaceful and friendly about demanding Greenland from Denmark and refusing to take outright invasion off the table, nor in insisting you'll absorb your closest ally and friendly neighbor, against their wishes.
Baerbock has really distanced herself from other German politicians in her scope and positioning in Europe. This will benefit her and Europe/Germany. She has been very "hard nosed" along with the Baltic and Slavic Statespersons who live on the "front line" with Putin. I can understand that a German politician is not going to express outrage over Israel's continued aggressiveness in their Region, but she should have made some remarks about the perfidy of Orban's exit from the ICC during Netanyahu's recent visit to Hungary, where he should have been arrested for crimes against humanity.
Well, the discussion was primarily about the terrorism by tariff. So, I do not fault Minister Baerbock though the comments you call for would have been most helpful. Nevertheless, I am sympathetic with Germany. ✌🏽
While she has a substantial land buffer between her and Russia, Germany is the only of the four core N.A.T.O. powers -- U.S., U.K., France and Germany -- who does not possess an independent nuclear strike capability, albeit small. 😳
So, Germany could arguably be a logical target were Russia to go nuclear beyond use of tactical weapons in Donbass or possibly using the nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhia as a giant dirty bomb. That creates the sense of vulnerability that Germany faces. 😰
Should Russia attack, trusting the U.S. to deploy her twenty nukes based in Germany would be shakey. Germany sets an example for repair or entrenchment of republicanism after a very dark past into democracy; we need her and other allies now. 🤝
Germany's ascent into a great power democracy, especially with her history in the first half of the last century and the horror of the Holocaust, places her in a unique position to call out Israël's hypocrisy for her genocidal intent displayed in Gaza.🪞
Well, the credit readily goes to Mmes Amanpour and Baerbock. ✌🏽 But, hey, I lived in N.Y.C. and D.C. long enough to take credit when it is not due. 😉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annalena_Baerbock
Thank you for crystallizing yet another day of dissolution. Someone has to hold this all together, even if it’s only possible with powerful words and commanding history right now.
They say to buy the dips in the market. But I’m not sure if there is any sage advice to buy the malignant sabotage of a narcissistic Russian agent wielding AI-generated tariffs like a reanimated 1930s gilded cadaver. Anyone know if there’s a clichéd truism for that?
I am channeling my current despondency into community this Saturday at the nation wide HANDS OFF protest. Maybe you should too! https://handsoff2025.com/
And I've sublimated my rage into a dispassionate analysis of why the right wing is dismantling the CDC, NIH, and FDA: it comes down to power, ideology, and money. Maybe a little public health survival guide I crafted at the end of this post adds another string to hold this all together: https://mccormickmd.substack.com/p/heres-why-they-are-dismantling-the
We lost a lot of money when the market tanked yesterday. Hopefully, we lose a lot more today.
Let's hope the State of Wisconsin files criminal charges against Elon Musk for bribing voters to vote against Judge Crawford. And they take him into custody and hold him without bail. I'm sure he's a flight risk.
'Buy the dips'...'don't try and catch a falling knife'...'Don't worry about return on principal, worry about return of principal'. Current P/E ratio is 26.82 after today's losses. Historically, Mean:16.14 Median:15.05. Shiller P/E ratio (earnings adjusted for inflation) is 33.32 Mean:17.23 Median:16.04. Warren Buffett is sitting on $334B in cash. FYI.
I’m not sure, but does MD stand for mental defective? I’m just asking for a friend
Before reading go to read the incredible supportive initiative of Tariffs by Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders in the wrong words
The Democrats are handling DOGE in the very same way. Clinton-Gore did a lengthy TV announcement about reducing the size of government and minimizing the waste and fraud. THEN Barack Obama himself said the same exact thing and initiated the same practice that DOGE Performing today and eliminated 1/2 of 1 million federal positions and I didn’t hear a peep out of anyone of you. In addition, he also deported some 2 million illegals during his term. The silence was, and is still deafening
I noticed. I know HCR is trying to tamper down raw trolling. I am not sure that is what Rick is doing. He seems to have a real passion for tariffs as a policy tool and approved of this all out assault even as it pertains to an island of penguins. (The calculations used to fill the tariff tableau’s in the …soon to be paved..Rose Garden reminded me of his hurricane sharpie stunt and I doubt he will acknowledge the errors made vis-à-vis those remote islands.) Ironically, this contraction of global trade probably is good for the other creatures who call this globe home, although it will not help the Ellen Wilson/Jackie Kennedy roses.
He seems to have time to go back and peruse every statement ever made in any circumstance. A tried and true Republican strategy. Like how they got Dems to ditch Al Frankin. James O’Keefe another who distorts, and creates venom to paint Dems with. They are legion, it seems
I have no passion for tariffs although Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders do and I’ve posted four quotes from them in long speeches they gave in 1996 in 2008 affirming their desire, fervent desire for tariffs. Check out the links they’re here somewhere.
Americans are not very patient when it comes to doubt and I understand that, but I’ve never seen so much ridiculous misinformed uninformed rhetoric in a long time one of the reasons that Democrat party is in such disarray and CNN puts their approval rating of the party of 21% now down from 36% just four weeks ago as I keep doubling down on incorrect
For starters, why don’t you just check out the links I sent you first ones about tariffs and then one’s about doge then when you have some information that you didn’t have before, maybe you’ll take a different perspective
No, I leave all the violence lately to the Democrats killing the vehicle that they loved for 15 years. Sitting there, like children hammering on a toy car on the sidewalk, they’ve lost their minds. Maybe choreograph dancing, will solve the problem? Yikes Or perhaps the violence and murder and killing of police and destruction of cities by the Democrats, because of one dead black man whose police arrest Cut off his airway by mistake? As if it were intentional. Not to mention that the policeman was arrested and convicted. 2 BILLION DOLLARS OF DAMAGE SND SOME 600 INJURED AND 25 POLICE KILLED. Citi‘s taking over police precinct burnt to the ground.
The only one killed on J6 was an innocent civilian.
Ooooooh. And she couldn’t have been controlled by the police. Wow without killing her. Was he aware of her knife? Even though he killed her, he didn’t wound her. He didn’t tease her. He didn’t try to wrestle with her. He just shot her. And when George Floyd died $2 billion worth of damage 25 police killed cities bird to the ground pretty much a police precinct burnt and neighborhoods taken over in commandeered by violin protesters.
If that was your daughter Would you want killed or captured?
Feel free to deny fax that’s not a problem for me. These words are not from my mouth they’re from the actual supporters of tariffs. Take a listen and be informed.
Now in my next little misinformed diatribe missive, let’s see if I can address Bill Clinton and Al Gore in the early 90s a major push for what exactly doge is ding today Let me also find the video of Barack Obama saying the exact same thing while he fired/dismissed 500,000 federal workers and not a peep out of anybody here. Not to mention you also deported 2 million illegals.
I’ll do that in my next post because I don’t wanna overwhelm you with facts
I took the time to read the articles you provided links for. I don’t think they prove what you think they do.
Every president in the modern era has had plans for reducing governmental “waste, fraud and abuse”. It is a popular goal. The difference is in how the plans were to be implemented.
According to the information in the links you posted –
Clinton proposed a reduction of 100,000 government jobs over four years, to be accomplished primarily by attrition, not layoffs.
Although accurate figures are difficult to pin down, CBS has reported that Trump and DOGE have fired at least 216,000 government employees in three months.
Clinton also called for a “National Performance Review”, with participation of 5-10 officials from each major federal agency, over a “crash” 6 month period.
I don’t believe Musk has invited the participation of any agency officials, locking them out of their own buildings instead.
In his FY 2010 budget, Obama proposed more than 120 program terminations or reductions. Congress approved 60 percent of the proposed cuts to discretionary programs.
Trump and Musk have not sought Congressional approval for their actions.
Obama and Vice President Biden established a “a new oversight and accountability board to help federal agencies improve their performance and reduce waste, fraud and abuse across government.” The board was to include “11 members, including agency Inspectors General, agency Chief Financial Officers or Deputy Secretaries, an official from the Office of Management & Budget, and other such members the President may designate. – With regular cabinet meetings to report progress to the Vice President.”
Obama also planned to use targeted “payment recapture audits”, in some cases using specialized private auditors. The approach was “demonstrated through pilot programs to be highly effective.”
In contrast, Trump has fired many of the government Inspectors General, whose role was to “conduct independent and objective audits, investigations and inspections; Prevent and detect waste, fraud and abuse; Promote economy, effectiveness and efficiency; Review pending legislation and regulation; and Keep the agency head and Congress fully and currently informed.”
Instead, Trump has allowed Musk to install teams of programmers with no experience in government systems to hack and slash through agencies with no apparent planning, care, or precision, and no Congressional approval.
As for the tariff situation, selected clips of Sanders and Pelosi do not convey a full understanding of their positions. Tariffs have been selectively used in the past, to support specific goods and industries in the U.S.
Trump is slapping them on entire countries at exorbitant rates. Again, there is a significant difference in the details of implementation.
You can call it anything you want feel free to call attrition. it’s still the same thing. Not to mention that Obama, based on findings here released 500,000 federal employees and reported over 2 million illegal immigrants.
Now, tell me how many protests you heard about when he was doing this?
They intended to do everything that does is doing today. Maybe the process is different but unfortunately Trump is pushing against time that he doesn’t have. For your information to things she’ll probably occur. And I’m hoping it doesn’t happen but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Democrats come up with some kind of incredible plan to impeach Donald Trump once again.
Second history has told us that every time and it’s only been five times that he president enters his term of office and has the complete control of the House and Senate in the succeeding midterm elections at least one house has turned for the other party every single time.
So he’s trying to turn out the builder he’s promised America, which is been includes no tax on tips no tax on Social Security no tax on overtime a stronger military, a stronger army, a stronger border.. he doesn’t have eight.
Did you by any chance watch the video of the Clinton-Gore backdrop of the thousands of documents that they showed that were waste and abuse that they were going to get rid of ? Again, my point is you didn’t hear anything from the left when this was happening not about the federal employee ‘ATTRITION” nor the federal worker layoff.
Obama made several speeches which I have not linked all of them specifically about how many times and how many things he wanted to do to shrink the size of government. Exactly how do you think that happens?
And one other thing that Trump is doing the Biden and gore, and Obama didn’t do was investigate and have a full investigative team and all segments of the administration before them specifically initially before them and determine the incredible amount of payments that were being paid out and not going to where they were supposed to go
And hopefully heard of them all the schemes that were paid overseas for crap. And like, for example, in the last week of Biden‘s term, he set aside $2 billion for the. I forgot her name the lady in Georgia to supply refrigerators and appliances to essentially Black people and of course all the money didn’t get to where it was supposed to go, but that’s just a few of the things. Really and honestly interested to see where all this waste and abuse is and you’re an honest person who’s looking for the truth. Try this. DOGE.GOV. Every single day they post, monies that they find fraud waste and abuse, and you can see exactly what it is. The it’s so unimaginable, and the items are actually laughable like trying to train transgender mice in somewhere in Africa. I mean it to suckers beyond belief.
At least you have the courage and desire to find out the truth and seek out the truth and while I agree with you to some extent that the Manor is a mess in which does is working in slightly different than Obama and Clinton did technology is certainly change that substantially and the ability to address waist and Fried has become a lot easier because it’s all online now. In any event, end of story thanks for getting back to me and for your research. I respect you for doing so
Unfortunately, at 71 I don’t have the employment nor the time to make back the money he’s forcing out of my meager 401k with his insane games. This scares me tremendously.
A month ago or so I saw tariffs coming and converted as much as I could stomach to a money market fund in my retirement account earning a cool 5% in interest.
I did exactly the same thing. I took 75% out just before the inauguration and then on January 31 I had it all taken out of the market and put into something that was a little safer.
The Senate GOP seems ready to take back fiscal control, given that Chuck Grassley has introduced a bill that would require Congressional approval for new tariffs.
But then there's Mike Johnson, who will be reluctant to put it on the House floor for fear of angering Trump.
I see a major Senate / House shakedown about to happen.
Why are We Surprised About Today's Stock-Market Plunge? DJT is the Supreme Wealth Destroyer... DJT is Simple-Minded, and his Dementia is getting Worse... Didn't DJT's MisManagement of COVID Crash The Market in March 2020? DJT has squandered Billions of $, and has filed for Bankruptcy 6-Times... In the year 2000, the USA had a Balanced Budget, and was slated to payoff the National Debt by 2010... Then came GWB, and his Forever-Wars, and DJT's Tax-Cuts for the Wealthy... The Wealthy own the Corporations thru their Funds, and Stock Holdings... DJT was a 'Successful Businessman' only in a Simple-Minded Fantasy Reality Show.... DJT never really ran a large-complex organization... DJT 'Crashed' his first Presidential Administration... DJT is the Perfect Orange Puppet for Putin, and Musk... Putin wants to Destroy the U.S. led Western-Order, Musk wants to Pillage the USG for his own Ends... Note which Agencies have been Crushed by Musk... Keep an Eye on China... The Chinese play an extremely Long-Game, and they are are starting to Fight Back...Per Tom Freidman, Chinese Tech is starting to Eclipse American Tech... China does not have a Mad Orange Emperor in Charge.... Tom Freidman wrote today in the NYT, that his Chinese Friends are asking if DJT is America's Mao Tse-Tung...
Apache, the scumbag president is also a puppet for Peter Thiel that controls the Manchurian JD Vance. the most likely agent orange successor in the near future. That's the real danger.
You are absolutely correct about Peter Thiel. The orange moron is only the distraction while the authors of project 2025 are still implementing every piece of that BS that was written. Vance was also one of the authors so therefore they have it all set up now that everybody is in fear of their money being lost. I wish someone would do some investigating into how much has been implemented from 2025 and that the people who authored are pulling the strings. The orange moron has no brains just oversize ego.
Well look who doesn’t invest in the stock market? I bet you sold everything today and yesterday and you have no more invested in the market, right? Please when you post try to tell people the truth. And you’re actually quoting Thomas Friedman oh my God help help pathetic why don’t you “Paul Rudd, Krugman and Robert right when they both said that trumps administration would cause a recession in. First administration when job growth was the fastest when well wealth growth was the fastest for middle income, earners in recent history.
Tom Friedman ? I’d be embarrassed to mention that name
Hey Jack, would you like to hear the names in the list of people who had bankruptcies and came out of it with Much success…. OK, Abraham Lincoln, henry Ford Steve Jobs, PT Barnum, Milton Hershey, Donald Trump, George Foreman, Larry King, Cyndi Lauper, Mike Tyson, American Airlines Elton John, General Motors, Henry Heinz and certainly let’s not forget Walt Disney Recognize any of those names
Pretty sure they did not have 6 bankruptcies a piece despite all the advantages of being born wealthy, or fraud and felony convictions to their names. They didn’t even have foreign countries/ Putin via Deutsche Bank Cyprus to bail out their other failing ventures.
He is skilled in the art of ruining a business, walking away with a sum of money and leaving others holding the bag. He is a great communicator and salesman but not so good at management. He is now managing our economy. Think about it.
Hello Jack... Communicator... DJT typically unleashes a Torrent Of BS... He wears out the listeners... Do You Think That His Speeches Will Be Quoted in 100Years?... DJT is a Con-Man that Preys on People....
He is a master propagandist to his base and pretty much only his brainwashed base. He has them convinced that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Many millions believe this complete lie. Nobody in history has done better at propaganda. Never underestimate his skills in certain areas. As for his general fund of knowledge, he is woefully inadequate.
Well, I thought about it it took me about a nanosecond. The man is worth about 15 billion today.. Hotels in golf courses around the world with his name on them a social media site worth 10 billion. Poor guy. He can’t seem to manage a thing. Other than being elected by the popular vote for the second time.
Let me name you a few other people who ruined their business and came back winning like Trump. Let’s start with Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, PT, Barnum, Steve Jobs, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Elton John, Milton, Hershey, HJ, Heinz, and this little guy name Walt Disney just to name a few
And you’re sitting there waiting for your Social Security check and you’re going to critique Donald Trump‘s wealth and fortune?
How to quote a very infamous guy. Think about that
Well, I’m not the one who says it norris Trump apparently his social media company, truth social , is worth $10 billion in and of itself.
I’ve read that in many places. Not to mention that’s not that critical that he is worth that much but I did mention to someone earlier here that Donald Trump could spend $1 billion every year as long as he live and never run out of money and they are totally against Trump, but they agreed with that statement.
So do you still see that on the horizon? Liberals have become the worst predictors of tomorrow, than dead people. Try living in the moment as I recommended to a few other people shut off the TV don’t read the paper don’t blog here and you’ll notice that almost nothing in your life is changed. Progress is being made in the correct direction, curbing crime, closing the border, lowering prices, creating jobs and manufacturing back to America
Hey Liz, technically we’re already bankrupt. We’re writing checks without any money in our account. And I think right now, or in the next few months, our debt service will be more than our entire military budget, which is the largest portion of our budget. How about that?
What are the problems with not only the liberals but liberal so called economists who are wrong 95% of the time like Paul Krugman for example or Robert Reich for example. Donald Trump first took office Paul Krugman said we’re going into a recession and the next thing you know the middle class and gain more monthly income than they had in two decades and the economy was booming before Covid. Stock market was up tremendously as was the overall economy. Gas prices were just over two dollars. Inflation was 3% mortgage rates were 3 1/2% and as soon as Biden took office inflation more than double mortgage rates more than doubled almost tripled. Gas prices went up double about two bucks… that’s the definition of Paul Krugman’s prediction
But you democrats haven’t had a decent crystal ball or Ouija board in years. And you should stop trying to use them! wait for the evidence to present itself, and then you can talk about recession and bankruptcy. And in the midterms, if things are not doing well, I’ll be on your side arm in arm
Until yesterday, Harvard's endowment was $52BILLION and a real profile in courage is Liz Cheney! An educational institution capitulating to a dictator and Pence (who never wavered in his support of trump) receiving an award for "courage" for doing his job one freakin' time! Every.Single.Day the insanity just keeps coming from every direction.
I disagree with you on Pence. I never had much time for the man, but on January 6th 2021, he faced down a violent crowd of insurrectionists, his own boss, and half his party, and certified that election. When faced with fascism and an attempted coup, doing one’s job can be the bravest thing.
Pence's alternative was not doing 'the easy thing' or going along with the crowd. It was violating the Constitution, his oath of office, violating God's strictures as he saw them as a religious guy and engaging in an overt act in an Insurrection, a crime. The crowd was not going to stop and leave the Capitol if he had refused to certify the election. Not a hero, just a guy who reluctantly followed the law after 4 years of being an enabler to a criminal.
You seem to dismiss (or not know) the sheer violence of fascism. Confronting it is an admirable action, including in people we disagree with.
Are you aware that the famous Pastor Niemöller was also a religious nationalist ? Yet when it was time to stand up to the Nazis, he did so, and was sent to concentration camp as a result.
Is cruelty the point? Every day it seems the goal is to destroy our democracy, ruin our alliances, and decimate the finances of our citizens. Today was a blood bath for many of us.
"All of the people who support an authoritarian power structure are equally authoritarian as well. Someone who uses this strategy reconnects themselves to the world through what Fromm calls a type of sadomasochism. Two words there—sadism and masochism: sadism being the desire to control others, to dominate exploit or steal from others; masochism being the desire to submit to some power and be controlled or dominated. The authoritarian is sadistic in the sense that they want to support an authoritarian setup so that other people and groups will be controlled. But they are masochistic in the sense that they themselves want to submit to that authority as part of the process.
Both of these are a direct sacrifice of their freedom and individuality. See, as a sadist, you cannot exist unless if you have somebody else to control. You’re no longer capable of being an individual at that point. And as a masochist, same thing, you cannot exist unless if there’s somebody out there to control or dominate you. But consider this. Freud said and Fromm agreed that you never really see sadism in a person without some type of masochism attached to it, and vice versa. He says Hitler may have been an extreme example of somebody who was sadistic, but he was always masochistic towards his position within history and the ideas of fate and chance.
People with this authoritarian mindset will often escape from freedom by looking around them and finding out where the power structures lie. They’re very good at searching out and finding where there’s a concentration of power. Then masochistically they submit and insinuate themselves into that power structure. They become one small part of this power structure—something they see as bigger than themselves, something that’s compensating for their weaknesses as a scared individual—and then they’ll use their position as a foot soldier of that authoritarian to then take out their sadistic tendencies on other people in the name of this thing that they’ve submitted to.
The point is this: in this state, they are no longer individuals. They are no longer free. They have retreated back towards the womb, back to a set of social conditions that can tell them how to live, what to think, who the enemy is. And they spend their days limiting the freedom of others, creating chains for people."
I visited the United Nations in 1962 when I was seven years old. I have understood that we are really one human family here on planet Earth since that day. The UN acknowledges that while we may argue using violence to settle our arguments is a path to global destruction. And while it has failed to achieve its mission of preventing such violent outbreaks, the foundational truth that we are one human family (even though we may disagree between family members) remains. 
I know that Trump and Musk and Vance and Putin and Peter Thiel cannot conceive of us all being one family here on planet Earth, but that does not mean we who do understand that factual reality in our hearts and souls should stop advocating for a global transformation in keeping with that truth. 
I believe that advocacy work must be front and center in all the efforts we make to stop Trump. I say this because it is not enough to say what you want to stop. It is also important to say what you want to start. We cannot defeat fascism by saying we want to keep democracy alive. People don’t know what democracy can give them, which is why so many didn’t vote in 2024. We must make the case that democracy can give us the transformed world that has been waiting to be born for many decades now!
I encourage everyone to study the work of Buckminster Fuller to see an example of how far back the advocacy efforts for a world where we relate from the truth of being one human family goes. 
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller.
Well, since it’s only been 60 days. How do you know we always greater presidential accomplishments in 60 days. You people crack me up. Read above links on Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders, staunch support of terrors in the wrong words.
It’s apparent who owns that hound: his own Dear Leader. A more pathetic example of MAGA lame-brained ineducability you’ll not find. Just block his nonsense.
Especially from my perspective on the other side of the world, this news update is so ridiculous that it's hard to believe it's true. Professor Richardson, thanks for the summary and for pointing out that Republicans in Congress could stop this mess at any time. We all need to put pressure on our congressional representatives to find the courage to stand up to this chaos.
I was referring to how Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska recently voted for a Democratic Senate resolution demanding that the 25% tariffs on Canadian products be rescinded. I know it's not much and probably won't go anywhere in the House, but it could be a start.
Let us not forget the famous Hillel quote: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?"
An "American First" without any values has become "America Alone." That does not translate into a prosperous, democratic America. I am hopeful that this Saturday, April 5, with the motto Hands Off!, we, the people, will show our strength, will make it clear that we are with the rest of the world in demanding that this lawless administration stop its march toward autocracy.
I would like to nominate our resident MAGA troll to be the ambassador to the Heard and McDonald Islands. He and the residents can toss guano at each other.
Interesting times indeed. As a historian, it must be especially fascinating to be in the midst of events that will be analyzed and written about for many years to come.
The epic stupidity of Cheetolini and the abject cowardice of the GQP congresscritters makes for a dangerous brew . . .
Actually, the rebirth of manufacturing in this country. So you here and all of us will have to decide is it worth it to have manufacturing here and pay workers a decent wage and have to pay slightly higher prices for that or is it better to offshore all our important and vital needs to people that aren’t four dollars a day for example Or $.20-$.30 an hour. The reason the middle class is gone is because we chose the latter.
People want to pay less we’re good and services, but didn’t realize what was happening to American manufacturing and factories. And now most products will be made by robots built by Americans factories, built by Americans and jobs to run the robots bite Americans. You choose. Do you really wanna count on China for all her medication which we do now? Do you wanna have the same lack of products because of Covid and having to halt shipping services etc. and be at the wheel of foreign governments for our survival or should we take care of ourselves first and then worry about the world?
Nope not at all but nice try Pam. I hate it comes out of his mouth but I love what comes out of his pen and you should do the same. Stop listen to the bullshit rhetoric you hear on the mainstream media telling you they’re gonna steal your Social Security and they’re gonna steal your Medicare, when nothing even close is true.
Trump’s economic plan seems to be: short the markets, take the weekend off, and tee off with the Saudis. He's running the Presidency like a side hustle.
Right now Musk is getting the brunt of the anger of the American people. I think it is going to be spilling over to Trump as the tariffs don't work in the way he wants them too. People in the rest of the world are sick and tired of Trump. They will walk away if they can.
I think they're already finding ways of avoiding the former United States.
AI is useful, but has its limitations, and right now there's no stupider dictator than the American con man playing golf in Florida over the weekend.
"the former United States". What a sad but real way to describe our country Anne-Louise.
Benjamin Franklin wasn't just wisecracking with "A republic, if you can keep it" in 1787. Let's make sure, when the States are finally re-united, that they understand at last how to stay that way.
Anne-Louise, our neighbors, who while they vote D, to my knowledge, have never gone to a protest and they are going on Saturday. I will have to pass as I cannot be on my feet for very long. It will be interesting to see how many show up here in Salem. He also spoke about the dangers because Proud Boy types have already shown up recently here in Salem. I hope it remains peaceful. I wish I trusted local LE to be even handed, but in the past, some of them have not been.
I’m going with my walker
My husband is going. I will make sure he has his full metal water bottle with the shoulder strap. Will make a good defense. Hopefully I can go too but we have another event tonight and it might be too much for my health.
I read there would be agitators from the right to make trouble while pretending to be against Trump destroying our country.
My husband is the quiet type. He discusses politics with friends but thinks I am totally crazy Been to 2 demonstrations already. However, he has purchased a protest t-shirt and is willing to go in the rain to protest.
As usual, 💯 % agreement!!
YES, let's make sure.
Yes Ricardo, quite a diatribe telegraphing how badly we are screwed. What I've gleaned as a mental health therapist is that with most people change happens only after experiencing rock bottom. And we've seen nothing yet....
Exactly, Sophia.
The pendulum will begin to swing slowly back to sanity ONLY when enough Republicans and Independents threaten to dislodge the sycophants they elected to represent them. When legislators get enough blowback because their voters are experiencing enough PAIN, $Trump's popularity will go the way of most dictators.
But it will take millions of people who either voted for the sociopath or stayed at home (over 160 million) to feel true PERSONAL PAIN. And it is coming - like a distant wave about to be a tsunami of suffering.
When special needs kids are ignored, when libraries are closed, when hospitals close, when grandma lies in a urine soaked bed at the nursing home, when the retirement account is savaged, when the Social Security checks don't show up.....
None of this will end real soon - despite the millions of us who will be demonstrating tomorrow and in the future. And protest, we must. But it will, in the beginning, be described as a rebellion of lefty Marxists who got out of control. And if there is some peaceful good trouble that is met with authoritarian violence, MAGAs will applaud.
But - then that kid with special needs will start acting up, grandma will be rushed to the ER with bed sores that won't heal, the auto parts plant closes, the checking account won't look right....only then will the pendulum reverse its perverse direction. When their lives hit "rock bottom". When they finally say "We didn't vote for THIS!"
Thanks Bill Alstrom. I have lost the energy to keep expressing my despair over the trump administration. I now welcome terrible news in the hope that there will finally be a nationwide recognition of what this administration is doing.
Add to the Republicans and Independents those Democrats who voted AYE for Brooke Rollins (Sec. AG), Scott Bessent (Sec. Treasury), and the other evil-doers in the Trump Cabinet. They consented to the devastation.
Bill Alstrom: gramma may be lying in a urine-soaked bed in a back room or basement with her unemployed daughter/grandson/ niece because the Medicaid that paid for her nursing home no longer exists
Let's never forget how the GOP utterly capitulated to Trump. They have sold out the U.S. for a mess of pottage.
Wait until the Chinese don't buy our soy beans. Wait until the farmers have to fertilize their fields. You need potash, I understand, and we import 90% of it. The rural people are going to get hit the hardest since a lot of them are on welfare of some sorts.
How much longer to hit bottom Sophia?
Your degree as mental health therapist comes with a crystal ball ? 😄
Ha, ha. No one has a crystal ball. But Wisconsin was so encouraging. We keep up with self-care and then keep up with the resistance. Slow and steady. It is key to remember that MAGA is a cult, and that showing respect is the only way to tease away cult members. And we don't even have to convince MAGA. We just let the terrible situation speak for itself to the non-MAGAs who voted for Trump. That may take time. Few like to admit a mistake.
But we have to take care of ourselves first. No pretending that we are not angry, sad, frustrated, afraid. Feel it, then move. I avoid too much focus on MAGA. They are delusional. I am learning when I need to step away from the news. I aim to accept, move on, and practice gratitude, especially towards my friends who see.
I am really looking forward to protesting tomorrow, to being with others who know what is going on.
Who knows...it depends on how low the stock market plummets, how bad food scarcity will be, and if there's some huge national security breach. It's all happening....
It doesn't have to be rock bottom. The reactions at the town hall meetings should tell you that.
I'm talking about the MAGA base
United States of America Born July 4, 1776, became terminally ill January 20, 2025. The patient can still recover, but it's going to take a lot of hard work by sane, rational people with the guts to do the right thing and not cave in to this "reality show fantasy" we seem to be stuck in.
This is my protest sign, printed on a tombstone.
I got 1 positive message yesterday which was a postcard card with a photo of Judge Crawford thanking all supporters" ... for standing with me and being a part of [her] Campaign". See, www.CrawfordForWI.com
The soon-to-be Justice Susan Crawford will be sworn in on August 1, 2025.
On Wisconsin!
Thanks for that extra news about Judge soon-to-be Justice Crawford. Glimmers of light in the darkness.
Ricardo, I would say at this point that former applied to us is an excellent description. I am also noting that what Anne-Louise says other countries are doing to avoid us and find what they need elsewhere is happening.
Well, these states certainly aren’t united. Everything about this country is divided. Trump is trying to rake in money to fill his personal coffers with his mob boss tactics. And Eric talking about it like it’s a movie. What drug are all these people on that they think they’re running television to entertain the masses?
Yes, "the former United States"; so sad and also embarrassing.
America and the world burn as tRump plays golf. Sound familiar?
Americans are “teed off!” Local food pantry Hunger Task Force just lost food shipments worth $600,000 - in today’s paper. Great countries take care of the vulnerable.
Let the Trump voters take care of the hungry. I've seen so many MAGA's claim that most of the people using the food banks are scamming the system.
I switched my donations from our local food bank to the local pre-K - 8th grade school. The local priest makes the people getting food listen to his patriarchal BS. That's what get's me going. When I give, I give "no strings attached and I give anonymously." I don't give so that someone can be born again into the Catholic and white Christian Nationalist cults.
Yes, it does. And apparently Nero wasn't much of a musician, either.
Yes, it sounds very familiar. They are Harvey since Obama played 87 rounds of golf during his tenure if you wanna call that golf. lol
I think the American people will not comply as he lives his twisted fantasy of "America's God Father" and mob boss in chief. We've fought for our Democracy and the freedom of others around the world for 250 years, and it's time to do it again at home. Stand up, find your voice, and join the fight!
Well, I guess you missed it! democracy in its purest form just happened on November 5, 2024 and if you liked and cared for America and stop listening to the garbage from legacy media and just shut off your TV turn off the news and see how anything at all has affected your life let us know and unfortunately for you, it is you who did not comply with the popular vote the electoral college landslide and the fact it over 85% of all counties in America became more right leaning than the past election in other words redder …… you don’t need to fight as I keep telling the left side of the aisle you need to come up with an agenda a rational agenda you need to come up with a goal. Viepoint you need to find a couple of liters because resisting doesn’t tell the voters anything
Instead, with the most hypocritical actions, probably in history, you try to destroy a car company that was seen as an idol in protecting your cherished climate change, and nothing happened with the company. It’s still doing the same thing and you wouldn’t attack the owner, even though 75% of Teslas on the road are owned by Liberal.
I agree with your description of T***p, but I disagree that other countries are avoiding the "former" United States. They are avoiding the current United States, which bares little resemblance to the country we grew up in.
Thanks to Biden
Always nice to be able to reply with somebody so levelheaded as you.
And so aware of what goes on on the other side of the aisle. Biden wasn’t mentally capable of playing golf, but Obama managed to squeeze out 87 rounds during his tenure. Not sure if I heard you complaining about it back then
I'm told he also hosted a million dollar a plate dinner fundraiser.
Hey, In just 90 some odd days Kamala managed to squeeze out $2 billion And her fundraiser and didn’t have one dinner look how much money she saved on the food. Lololol. She only raised 22 million a day.
Presumably they weren't given a plate if they hadn't paid up. Er, contributed. Who on earth are these people?
My husband works with many people who work for companies contracted by the gov't. The majority of them voted for trump. Yesterday, the most hardcore of them, who always razz him that 'they won and he lost', said to him, "..I didn't want this" referring to his now depleted 401K. He also asked my husband why he isn't "giving him shit" or saying "I told you so".
Now, finally, after it's too late to stop the worst of it, it's Americans who are walking away.
Now is the time to tell them that we are in this together...it's not us versus them, contrary to the rhetoric from the orange traitor and his ilk. In reality, it's us versus trump, a man who has conned those voters to get what he wanted...and now has no use for them.
What is so sad about most(?) MAGAs is a lack of compassion for others. Couldn't care less about anything or anyone else until the trouble hits their own wallets.
That is what has driven me away from the church. The CINO attitude.
Same here, Miselle. During my journey from evangelicalism to non-deism, I joined the United Methodist Church, thinking they would come to their senses regarding LGBTQ members.
In fact, it took 20 years for the homophobic faction to get their way. In the end, the UMC not only allowed the haters to steal the denomination's buildings and other property, they paid them $25 million of members' donations to leave before the agreed-upon date of the split.
The remaining so-called "good guys" have still not fully implemented policies acknowledging LGBTQ members as full human beings.
Granted, the UMC – and other denominations – do good work in the world, but these good works DO NOT offset the extreme harm they've caused humanity for centuries. All in service to a deity that does not exist.
Your church is within you, Miselle.
what a kind expression to read this morning.
Thank you, Anne Louise!
That’s probably a factor in their being MAGAts. Their leader doesn’t give a crap about any of us either.
Mona, in fact MAGAts appear to require the checking of one’s compassion or empathy at the door into the party as a requirement for entry. They see empathy as a weakness and a drawback on effective action and leadership.
Hey John, I’d like to hear what you think and what you say once Congress passes a bill that says no tax on tips no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security. Love to see your perspective and empathy at that point pal
Mona, I don't think that is every MAGA. The MAGA couple I know best are among the most compassionate people I know. They just believe the Fox stuff.
I don't find any of those Fox faces even minimally trustworth. They are just actors. And yet their lies are currency.
It's not a lack of compassion, it's a concerted plan to reboot America as a dictatorship for the benefit of tech billionaires. Musk and Thiel bought the two highest offices in the land and they both follow Curtis Yarvin.
https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101909416/is-the-nerd-reich-taking-over-the-government
Omg. And then delusion set in. So sad so sad
Are you really going there? Well, I guess gaslighting is the conservative superpower.
Did you actually listen to the interview? Have you looked at Curtis Yarvin is? Have you paid attention to his influence among tech bros? Why do you think that Musk and Thiel bought the White House? Why else would Trump crow about how great his tariffs are going and why else would Musk and his tech bros go about destroying the infrastructure? They are not crazy, they are determined.
So true. They seem to think that everyone else is trying to rip them off. Trumpian thinking.
Do you know MONA you should really think this through a little bit there’s a bill being circulated right now, which is what Trump promised in the first place with the following three precepts. And here they are no tax on tips no tax on overtime no tax on Social Security. WHO , do you think that benefits honestly? No compassion, come on stop listening to the nonsense change the channel and watch and learn
It benefits Trump because SCOTUS recently declared that bribes are actually gratuities. I.e., tips.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jun/27/supreme-court-bribes-gratuities-snyder-kavanaugh
Just curious, do you actually live in the United States?
The guardian is a socialist newspaper that comes from across the water. Is it not?
What I suggest for you is to change the channel try opening both eyes and opening both ears instead of seeing out of only one and hearing out of only one. But on the good news for you, it lets Joe Biden off the hook LMAO. Did they also talk about black male by the way oh maybe I made a mistake
Good for your husband for not being vindictive. By not joining the campaign of hate and division, maybe the reasonable Republicans will join us to stop the destruction. We cannot go back. And we shouldn't try. But out of the ashes...the phoenix will rise.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Most of the republican voters wanted change in our government, change that is beneficial and long overdue. A con artist picks up on peoples' desires and exploits them. That's what that orange traitor has done.
We are not each others enemies, we are all Americans. If we learn nothing else from this disaster, it's that we really care about one another and we need to work together to repair the damage to our lives and our country.
1000% celeste!
Susan don’t be that agreeable with people that call him a traitor without a line with Russia because none of that is true none of that not one little piece and I noticed it it’s very quiet around here tonight stock market had a little bit of a turnaround today and we all know it’s only tentative but it certainly is an incredible sign and it takes all the air out of the economy etc. etc.
What I have been saying for weeks and months is everybody just calm down wait for some results. Be patient then if it doesn’t work out rant and rave if that makes you feel better. In the meantime, apparently some 90 countries in our asking for a meeting to negotiate Terrace the only exceptions to the rule of Cours for China and the euro nations that decided to up the ante, but that’ll get fixed as well. Susan have a good evening.
I could not agree more. Trump is a con artist. Thank you, Celeste!
And he’s conning how? Yikes
What disaster? Lol. Yikes. In just 70 days he’s accomplished more than Biden did from Delaware Beach in four years well actually maybe only a year and a half until he became mentally defective which is now coming out more and more every day.
You come across as especially pathetic today, Rick
There are no “reasonable Republicans.” They vote with Trump. Plus, just being Republicans they create a majority in Congress.
I believe there are. Have you listened to The Bulwark?
Well, wouldn’t it be embarrassing if he did gloat in three years later, he gloated 10 times more. No one is gloating, but everybody that voted for Trump is very happy. If you really thought there was a problem you sell everything you own in the stock market today but you’re not doing that are you and why? You know damn well why
Trump is gloating because he is wrecking everything and he's too ignorant to understand what he's doing. The real question is why you are supporting him. You don't appear to be a billionaire.
So Edwin, how did the wreckage go today? It’s only one day in the life but it’s eerily quiet here with people were jumping up and down the past five days. Chicken little was running amuck
Like I tell everybody Edwin, just calm down take a breath and be patient
You don’t head honestly, you don’t listen very well. What are the reasons he won? This election was the following who’s bill is now being worked out in the Senate and will be toy back-and-forth for the next couple three weeks and then end up on the floor of both houses to be voted upon and the main precepts of that bill is the following. No tax on tips no tax on overtime and especially for you. No tax on Social Security income.
Either get your head on straight and listen to other channels, and stop believing things that are simply not true.
By the way, so far, he’s wrecked nothing on the contrary, and only 60 days of a presidency he’s created miracles. He is taking Joe’s open border, although it might not have even been Joes now that we know he was non compos mentis. It’s gone from 11,000 illegals A day to only 70 per day when AOC, the brilliant genius of the left said there have to be legislation to control the border. She also said that the world would be dead from climate change in about four years so start packing.
He has brought home hostages were Joe Biden has not even reached out to bring them back. He has brought back a couple of astronauts that it has been admitted that Joe Biden did not want to do. He has begun to deport, many illegal criminals. He has passed the law that will not allow men to participate in women’s sports although every idiot on the Democratic side in Congress voted against it when 80% of the country is foreign and you wonder why your popularity is so low or favorability
His department of justice has now deported I understand about 50,000 individuals or arrested. His department of justice is now arrested. Three of the top 10 most wanted. People on the FBI’s list were Biden did nothing. And he’s trying to make peace in the world, and had a true set up between Israel and hummus, and a true set up between Russia and Ukraine , until they both ruined it well, all Joe did was the fuel, a war, killing a million people Destroying cities entirely where people used to live. He has now filed very strangely against antisemitism. And he created Department of government efficiency, which was first discussed and originated in the Clinton-Gore administration and followed up thoroughly and repeatedly in the Obama administration Who relieved a half million federal workers from the payroll While you liberals to totally quiet versus today, and he deported 2 million illegals. The double standards and hypocrisy are stunning.
And that’s why he won the popular vote the electoral college votes by a great margin over 85% of every single county in America turn redder than the election previous. He helped win the house and the senate And now it only the fourth or fifth time in recent political history he has control of both houses of Congress at least for now. Let’s not remind you that every case where a president had this position that the following election ended up in a flip-flop in one or both houses so he’s trying to get as much done as he can and unfortunately for you. he’s succeeding
If you would like to offer practical and rational discourse in opposition, Rick, that would be welcome. I, for one, am so over the sarcastic remarks thrown back and forth. I am from the era when we could "argue" our points and still be friends.
Well, ever since I posted some rational remarks, I never hear back from anybody. That goes for pretty much most of you you make an argument I come back with some rational contradiction of facts, which prove the points that you were making or invalid and then I don’t hear a word which only leaves me to one supposition. Patience Susan that’s all we need right now is patience
Honestly Susan, that’s all that I’ve been doing, but if you were me you would probably evaluate yourself as honestly as I do I am the wolf in a flock of sheep here and there are frankly too many sheep year that come here unfortunately just to commiserate with each other I have been called every name in the book I’ve been insulted a great while I’ve been told to get the F out and I’ve been told to go F myself So maybe you understand where the sarcasm or the antipathy comes from.
So let me repeat all of my doing since I’m on this thread is offering practical and rational discourse but people here for the most part are really close minded… they only want to see out of one eye and hear out of one ear they are deluded in fantasies and fables that don’t exist so it’s very hard to deal with it in medication but if you’d like to do so, I’ll be more than happy to do it with you
Now is also the time to tell others to be sure to register to vote for 2026. And then act like your life was at stake.
Debbie: I advise getting all documentation of citizenship, just in case. Including name matches for people who changed their names for any reason, just in case. I expect voter suppression plans may escalate and some will move forward everywhere. Especially in swing states.
You poor dear. What are the greatest quotes? I’ve heard lately is this country is so great that even the haters won’t leave.
With the way it's going, people better start to register NOW! it might take forever to register the year you want to vote.
Yes. Do it now!!! Here's my cautionary tale: when I went to the NJ DMV to get a six-point license last year, I was told that my birth certificate, the one I had used to first obtain and then renew my passport, as well as, a six-point license in another state, was not sufficient. (After 70 years!!!). I had to obtain an "official birth certificate" from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the New Jersey state capitol in Trenton. As I lived near the city, I did this in person.
To add to this, my marriage certificate from my second union was also rejected so I had to obtain an "official" one from the place in which I was married, also fortunately close to home.
Imagine how long this would have taken if I had lived in another state or abroad. So get all of your papers in order ASAP. And then vote as if your life depends on it because it does.
Everybody should vote in every election 2026 is no different from any other but just keep in mind you’ve got 46 more beautiful months of Trump coming up in America reimagined to what it was when the middle class actually had a voice
The middle class had a voice because of two things: 1) high marginal tax rates on the rich and high capital gains taxes and 2) strong unions. The middle class doesn't have a voice because Reagan, Clinton, W, and Obama sold them out. Trump doesn't care about the middle class and Musk literally called us ants to be destroyed by progress. You need to pay attention to facts and history. Your gullibility is showing.
Michael ability when the bill comes attempts to resurrect the middle class and rhythm of unneeded and unwanted taxes out you’ll apologize if you’re don’t mind
The only people who are gullible or most of the people here, who don’t change the channel who thinks, for example, that oh a N, or Fox News, or any other news organization is entertainment, and not news that they dismiss out of hand. And the only way you can be gullible is the only listen to one side of the story
Trump has absolutely no use for anyone who isn’t a billionaire. The rest of us are apparently useless leeches on what he wants for himself.
Exactly why he has got to go. Again, protect our voting rights so that in 2026, the majority in Congress can change and we can put a stop to most of the damage yet to be done by that traitor.
He may not have any use for us, but the feeling is mutual...and there are more of us! The Wisconsin result proves that if enough of us take action, we will win, billionaires be damned.
Really well you had 100 million invested in a Supreme Court election in a state like Wisconsin. Not one of your larger entities amongst the states. And you don’t care about at least 25 million of that money was to support Crawford by billionaires from out of the state
That is the problem with many of you, who only see out of one eye, and only hear out of one ear. $100 million of out-of-state money for a STATE Supreme Court election amazing.
But at least you guys did something really really well you voted in voter ID good for you and thank goodness for that.
Now tell the public that your Supreme Court was already in Lipoa control so it didn’t really change anything.
Are you for real? That was defense against Musk buying the seat in order to get a good outcome for his cases in front of the Court. If you are so concerned about the corrupting influence of money, how come you aren't screaming to overturn Citizens United and McCutcheon?
No tax on tips no tax on overtime no tax on Social Security and that benefits who? The bill is being worked on as we speak but of course they’re not gonna tell you that on this thread
And you think that the rest of his mania is good for the country? Extorting money from law firms and universities; defunding libraries???; closing down Social Security offices, defunding FEMA; trespassing on students' and others' first amendment rights; promising to cut our national parks for drilling and extractions? And do you think calling good people "scum" is mature and decent for the leader of a powerful country? Do you????
Here’s a couple of things I think about his “mania”. I don’t know about extorting money from loft terms. You’ll have to bring me up to speed on that one, but if universities which get a lot of federal money are not living up to the law, then they don’t merit federal funds. So for example, at Columbia University, who is supporting antisemitism and not protecting its Jewish students. I’m not sure about the funding libraries unless the money was not being spent on the library for its own good there’s been a lot of waste in that area as well so that could be the issue. I’d have to study that. Most business these days is done online by Stephanie just out of curiosity when was the last time you have been to a Social Security office? Oooooops. People people generally go once now they’ve made it easier to go online and sign up and get verified, etc.. as far as first amendment rights as you probably have heard the much used phrase that I don’t particularly like although it should be updated. You cannot allowed to yell fire in a filled theater. When people threaten other people’s lives as one did the other day saying that if you see an ice agent, you should shoot him that certainly is free speech according to you right you’re just able to threaten anybody, but now he’s in jail and probably to prison, so there are limits even to free speech that you’d have to understand.
I know he’s looking to drill in many places, but I’m not sure about drilling in national parks. There are plenty places that we can drill and if it makes sense to do so then they will, but these are private companies who have to make investments economic investments to assure that they are drilling is going to be successful otherwise they won’t drill in the first place
One of my high school classmates believe it or not was actually an executive for Beel who did what I was just saying above he was the research analyst that was able to tell geologically where the potential for a well would be by researching it all
I’m not exactly sure who he’s calling scum but if you’d like to point out the details of that I’d be more than happy to respond and I don’t necessarily agree with you unless perhaps it’s true but I’d have to see first before I’d make A comment
It benefits politicians now that bribes have been reclassified as gratuities. Please try to keep up.
Edwin, you could be one of the most naïve people here and there are many of them, but here’s a particular. And there are lots of them unfortunately and that’s why I keep crying and crying and crying term limits. Very recently, there have been a lot of exposure as far as the wealth and net worth of many politicians. You seem to think that this is something new which points to your incredible naïveté.
Makes 194,000 a month and her net worth is 200 million a part of that which is her husband when she is nice enough to impart all she knows about the stock market and companies to her husband so he can make the incredibly well timed investments
Chuck Schumer has a salary of 195,000 a year and he is worth 65 million
How does that happen?
There are members of Congress on both sides of the aisle that threw a mere amount of salary. Let’s say $175,000 a year have become multi multimillionaires now how the hell does that happen?
AOC who is a new member of Congress is already worth from what I understand about 20 million that’s what I understand. I’m not sure it’s accurate but that’s what I’ve heard if you’d like I can do some research for you and maybe give you some more updates but for you to think that this is something new is a joke, an absolute joke, and I’m not condoning it at all, but if you think the Supreme Court has just made this legal, give me a break But as I said in my earlier missive, I guess Joe Biden is off the hook now, especially when he does it serve tip surrepetitiously
My heart is not bleeding for these m*therf*ckers.
Neither is mine. Sadly, the MAGAts in my former work cohort seem to be in a disinformation bubble where everything is good. “Buy low, sell high opportunities” statements abound; what fortune are you gonna make on your pension and social security income??? Feckin’ idiots.
celeste, I hope your husband told them to CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
I have read that calls are more effective than emails, and don't bother with snail mail.
The reps particularly need to hear from their constituents.
Perhaps you could print out small notes with the phone numbers of your senators and your rep, and give them to your husband to hand out to them?
A great idea
I love the way you think! I send them baked goods from time to time. It seems like a good time to send some their way, with a note for good wishes at this tough time! Tact!
The people who voted for the convicted felon who bc are now saying, “I didn’t vote for this” need to call their Republican members of Congress on a regular basis and tell them to stand up to the felon. If they truly care about what’s happening they need to take action NOW.
Maybe you had a dream that that’s the case but unfortunately, he’s becoming more popular with his supporters than ever before.
As a poster I saw points out...it's not right versus left. It's too versus bottom. Guess who's who. tRumpers, you've been had.
Well, I guess you sold all your stock the other day who has been hard?
Today was only one day with many more to come in fact 45 months or more. You have to come everybody. Just calm down and be patient. Been awful quiet here tonight. Oh boy the haters. Just hate America coming back.
Amen!
I agree Celeste.
My thought: "I'm not asking for an apology, just help right the damn boat!"
Any smart Americans are doing just the opposite of walking away they’re doubling down i’m not beliefs. We are re-creating a new government system, and Rome wasn’t built in a day for a good quote apropos to hear in the moment. I’m guessing if you feel this way, you’ve sold all your stock and you’re leaving the country? But you’re not doing that you’re gonna sit there and not sell anything and wait because you have confidence that it’s gonna come back and you’re right
Rick, “ We are re-creating a new government system,”
1) “we” who?
2) would you care to give a citation for that… you mean the Projectb2025 document? Or the Curtis Yarvin / Peter Theil junk?
3) are you a troll?
https://www.thenerdreich.com/tech-elites-vs-government-katherine-boyles-strange-speech/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/magazine/curtis-yarvin-interview.html
https://www.thenerdreich.com/reboot-elon-musk-ceo-dictator-doge/
https://www.cato-unbound.org/2009/04/13/peter-thiel/education-libertarian/
Sheesh, Rick.
Do me a favor and take your project 25 nonsense and put it on the shelf somewhere so it can collect dust for the next 50 years.
Project 25 was initiated by project 25. Heritage foundation was not initiated by Trump. It was not bought into by Trump however, just like any book if you could take a book that you absolutely hate you’ll find some things in there that you like project 25 is no difference there are many basic precept in project 25 that ring true such as no men in women’s sports for example, unless you’re part of the 20% of the country, they believe that there should be men in women’s Sports. Trump is running the same playbook that he invented and talked about on Oprah Winfrey back in the 80s and hadn’t nothing to do with project 25. I’m serious you guys need to change the channel and watch some other stuff. They’re only feeding you one side of the story and since you’re only looking at one side of the story, that’s what you believe and it’s really pathetic.
As a computer programmer with over 50 years designing, maintaining, installing and converting systems used by hundreds of thousands of users, I am terrified of what Musk is proposing to do to the SS system. According to a GAO memo from 2009 the system sends and receives data from over 800 other state and Federal systems.
Musk is an idiot as are his DOGE boys if they think they can replace their databases and myriad applications in 4 months.
And there is NOBODY that can stop him. If and when this happens the 70+ million of his will no longer receive our payments from SSA.
Senator Crapo of Idaho is head of the Senate Committee responsible for SS. Let him know that you know Trump and his Republican buddies are going to screw us all.
Gary, don't tell me that they are not acting as if they had decided already that it won't be any future election they have to be concerned about. We are getting distracted and taking certain rights for granted but we have to start, at least, a conversation regarding my gut feeling. And I hope I'm totally wrong.
Not wrong, I fear, nor are you alone. It's like the "2025 blindness".
If you want to track it, check out Ed Weir. https://www.youtube.com/@MyGovExpert
exactly. People are acting like this is a temporary thing and in a couple of years we will revert back. THEY ARE BREAKING EVERYTHING. I picture the inner workings of the US now as the gross images I see of the war torn, bombed our countries.
Elections? Smh. I think we saw the last free and fair presidential election last year.
I’m not sure that last election was free or fair.
Judy Croft Barkume, “ I’m not sure that last election was free or fair.”
Strong claims (about the conduct of the 2024 election) call for strong explanations, not conspiracy whispers, not syre where your comment is going. Redistricting unfair, well documented, yet quasi-legal and a stacked supreme court, yes agreed, not fair. Voting machine antics, bring your receipts. Don’t advance theories like Mike Lindel / Rudy Giuliani without bringing receipts. Their receipts turned out to be nonexistant, or non-determinative, or just paranoid rants. Ask yourself why and how one third of the eligible electorate did not go to vote, that is the problem.
There was enough voter suppression in 2024, never mind other possible shenanigans, to have swung the result to Trump.
https://sdvoice.info/trump-lost-vote-suppression-won-here-are-the-numbers/
Marj- I don’t believe 2024 was entirely free and fair. The swing states were all they needed to win, and they had the time, tools and plan. GWB may have “only” stolen Ohio (many published articles and books. What Happened in Ohio is a good one), but it worked. And now they have more options- and used them.
I was a cobol programmer in the 80's. This was because of affirmative action and my grandmother was worried about my future and gave me $5000 to get trained in a career path. I was on a trip thru multiple jobs with on the job training. You can't break a Cobol system as the format is structured in a proven pattern. The tech bro's use web coding that is built to be modular and can be moved around and reused. This will turn out social security system into swiss cheese.
Rewrite in a couple months, like they claim? Crazy.
Who does testing and evaluates the results when half people with that knowledge are fired or forced into retirement?
How are the ancestral COBOL systems and data formats documented?
There is said to be hundreds if not thousands of linked databases and allied data sources and systems with links to and fromSSA. Surely the nubes know if you break the linkage to another data source you don’t have a working system, it all collapses?
And we're supposed to believe the DOGE boys, are geniuses that know what they are doing. They are updating SS records marking millions of them as deceased. Supposedly, they are only updating the records where the people's current age is greater than 115. But why do it at all? It's the programs that check the current age with a simple IF THEN ELSE statement. Fucking morons.
Eleanor, Gary, it gets worse now. More of the ‘move fast and break things’ stuff published today 4/5 at Wired mag:
“DOGE Is Planning a Hackathon [NEXT WEEK] at the IRS. It Wants Easier Access to Taxpayer Data…
DOGE operatives have repeatedly referred to the software company Palantir as a possible partner in creating a “mega API” at the IRS, sources tell WIRED.”
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-hackathon-irs-data-palantir/
Wiz kid of Elmo’s wrecking ball, “Corcos has discussed plans for DOGE to build “one new API to rule them all,” making IRS data more easily accessible for cloud platforms, sources say. APIs, or application programming interfaces, enable different applications to exchange data, and could be used to move IRS data into the cloud. The cloud platform could become the “read center of all IRS systems,” a source with direct knowledge tells WIRED, meaning anyone with access could view and possibly manipulate all IRS data in one place.
“Over the last few weeks, DOGE has requested the names of the IRS’s best engineers from agency staffers. Next week, DOGE and IRS leadership are expected to host dozens of engineers in DC so they can begin “ripping up the old systems” and building the API, an IRS engineering source tells WIRED. The goal is to have this task completed within 30 days. Sources say there have been multiple discussions about involving third-party cloud and software providers like Palantir in the implementation.”
….” Last Friday, DOGE suddenly placed around 50 IRS technologists on administrative leave. On Thursday, even more technologists were cut, including the director of cybersecurity architecture and implementation, deputy chief information security officer, and acting director of security risk management.”
People reading will recall Palantier is Peter Theil’s company, isn’t it?
So, the partitioning of databases in the federal government, for reasons some combination of privacy, statutory requirements, or sensetivity of data? That’s going to be gone in months, and congress will again reneg on any statute enforcement THAT IS THEIR REASON FOR BEING A BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.
And that WIRED story ends with this:
“We love disruption and whatever is good for America will be good for Americans and very good for Palantir,” Palantir CEO Alex Karp said in a February earnings call. “Disruption at the end of the day exposes things that aren't working. There will be ups and downs. This is a revolution, some people are going to get their heads cut off.” [ooh. Watch that reference, tech bro.]
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-hackathon-irs-data-palantir/
Subscibe to WIRED, they are doing good reporting.
I worked on a system that generated those modules with reusable code and C generators in the 90’s. It made quick work of thousands of lines of code.
But it still had to be tested. I've used code generators as well and it does save time, but the programmer still has to know what they're doing.
There's no question that programming is way more efficient than it was 20 or 30 years ago. And the tools that are available have really simplified things.
There was a Senior VP at a company I worked at. He would come to IT and tell a programmer that he wanted a report on his desk at 8 am that did such and such. If the report wasn't on his desk, he would fire the programmer. But, they had Quikjob and Sort and other tools which made these requests possible. Was the VP an asshole? Of course and we all hated him, but he knew it could be done.
Absolutely! I wrote test plans to go along with all that code.
When I changed jobs and went into a testing only role on Windows NT machines (give me back my DOS prompt) every time a new release came out we had to uninstall and reinstall NT. Then when I’d report a problem to the programmer they’d say “it always worked that way”. I’d get out my handy test plan and show them. This job was an exercise in futility and I only stayed a year to fulfill my headhunter contract so I didn’t have to pay a fee.
This is exactly how I see the muskrats coding.
'Cause of your tech background, take a look at this shocker from 4/16 in ArsTechnica. I posted full comment earlier today to Gary Loft.
"Government IT whistleblower calls out DOGE, says he was threatened at home. "Stay out of DOGE's way": IT worker details how Musk group infiltrated US agency."
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/04/government-it-whistleblower-calls-out-doge-says-he-was-threatened-at-home/
Gary, thank you. I immediately stopped reading and called his DC office and left a message.
For the ease of others here, this is the number:
202-224-6142.
PLEASE, pick up your phones NOW and call Crapo.
Moselle, thanks. Just called. I told him we don't trust Elon and his boys. If they need to bring a system up to date do it the right way but not in this way which just creates chaos.
THANK YOU CAROL!!
Thanks, Moselle, I called immediately and left a message. Here’s hoping his lines remain busy 24/7!
Thanks , done!
Thank you, Sheila!
I have littered the comment area as each time some good person here posted a suggestion of a Congresscritter to call, I did so.
I hope if you come across the other numbers, you call them, too.
Have a great weekend!
Done 💥
Senator Crapo? That's really his name?
Yes (ha). Pronounced ‘cray-poe’.
Maybe cray-cray?
Crapo? He is a True Believer of MAGA!
Thanks Gary, I emailed him this morning.
Gary, as a fellow traveller in tech (retired from), I totally agree with you. Most people don’t understand what ‘root access’ means but we do. The first breech was those first couple cabinet secretaries and dept heads whom the Senate approved (GSA, Treasury, OMB), and who provided the imprimatur (or ‘impression of authoritative permission’) to existing staff to allow God-level access to systems and server administrator accounts. The dam breeched, the wave spread as these idiots barged through flashing their (temporary contractor) badges. Unthinkable breech, at any tech company I worked you couldn’t even get in the door let alone the server room with these antics, yet, they buffaloed their way in. The fact that the defense/national security posts are headed by syncophantic morons and tv personalities, and now the NSA head ousted, gives rise to greatest concern. And here we are. Recalling a link, for those wanting to read about…
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/02/doge-god-mode-access/681719/
Gary, being in the profession I think you will see the full import of this article. Spread the word. Whistleblower in IT for NLRB says new Doge login credentials username/password were accessible and used by Russians within 15 minutes of being created at NLRB. And data exfiltration observed. And top management saying Shhh no one talk about this and scratch SOP, scratch reporting intrusion and exfiltration to US-CERT. The guy was threatened at his home while preparing whistleblower report - so he's come out publicly. Doge are traitors, in all the sense of that word.
"Government IT whistleblower calls out DOGE, says he was threatened at home
"Stay out of DOGE's way": IT worker details how Musk group infiltrated US agency."
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/04/government-it-whistleblower-calls-out-doge-says-he-was-threatened-at-home/
It may be a subtle difference but instead of "tariffs don't work the way he wants them to," I would say tariffs don't work the way he's believed they do for decades. This despite his B.S. in economics from an Ivy League university.
Well, Trump’s professor at Wharton did say that Trump was one of the dumbest students he ever had, and Trump wants to inflict that stupidity on the nation.
Good point. But isn't it time to consider that the "stupidity" $Trump is inflicting on America (and the world) is not really stupidity. But it is a deliberate attempt to disassemble the American leadership of the free world. That weakening our governmental structures serves two very intentional purposes.
1. Help Putin's Russia expand its influence around the world as we create humanitarian vacuums. Yes, HELP PUTIN. Not just because $Trump admires Putin - but because $Trump has been a Russian asset since the 1980s.
When banks stopped loaning to $Trump, Russians stepped in to bail him out. $Trump Jr told us so! NOTHING happens financially in Russia without Putin's direction. He controls the entire system. $Trump and Putin are intertwined like mating snakes.
2. As our prosperity collapses, the Fascists, led by a blackmailed con man will blame all previous presidents and the "Deep State" for the troubles. "See how bad 'government' is?" Time to privatize everything.
The latest shot across the bow was the announcement that $Trump wants to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He just installed Pulte (a home builder !!!???) to lead a public entity. Please read this:
https://moneywise.com/real-estate/donald-trumps-new-housing-chief-launches-major-shakeup-at-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-heres-what-it-could-mean-for-your-mortgage
Medicare and Social Security are next!
I think it is well past the time that we expect $Trump to be anything but a financial partner of Putin. Trump just allowed Putin's top finance guy in the White House. The next day, insane tariffs are levied on every country - except Russia.
I agree that Trump has been a Russian asset since the late 80s and that Russian money is what has helped create the myth of success that was sold to a gullible public. But it's more than his coziness with Putin, Trump is following the authoritarian playbook. I love James O'Brien and his low-key but devastating assessments of US and UK politics. The first segment of yesterday's show lays it all out, point by point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdnZf5PWAA
And I can’t tell you how deeply sorry I feel for those of you who actually believe anything having to do with Russia do you have a Russia on the brain it’s metastasized to your entire body.
There is a famous word in Jewish that I believe applies here and it’s called rochMones. Utter pity and sadness.
And by the way, for this, my own personal belief is Adam Chef should be hung by his ankles in public until he passes away
Yes he did. He further said Trump came to class thinking he already knew everything. Donny retains the same lack of interest in learning anything, which is dangerous in a leader.
He told the head of the Econ department at the U of Chicago, re tariffs, and I quote because I heard him: You don't know what you’re talking about.
The hubris is truly astounding.
Well, I hope you learned a little something today AA it’s not over til it’s over be it was only one day just like the past three days they were only one day and there’s 45 months left to go calm down take a breath and by the way, don’t listen to the bullshit about anything happening with our precious social Security and Medicare
Donald was doted on and protected because of his learning disability. He grew up believing he's a Very Special Boy, and nobody ever tried to disabuse him of that error. When you can't learn, but everyone around you asserts that you already know everything, a perfect storm of ignorance and hubris is created.
Fact Nanny here: Donald is the 4th of five children. His mother was quite ill for much of his early childhood and his father lacked the ability to nurture his young son. Which is to say that Donald grew up not knowing love or affection while at the same time being provided with all the creature comforts available to a wealthy family. It wasn't until Fred Jr. refused to go into the family business that Fred Sr. began using Don to get a toe-hold in Manhattan real estate circles. Knowing how unloved he was is the only thing about Trump's biography that elicits any compassion from me.
100% on target regarding the scumbag president stupidity but remember he is surrounded by ideologist like J D Vance, his most likely successor. He and others are the real danger in the near future. Thanks for your comment Kathy.
The tarriffs might be effective in some industries if we still had factories in place to replace foreign plants and equipment. We don't.
IMHO the no 1 loser is Canada, and I think he is doing it to force them to sell their sovereignity. Shades of Stalin. Putin.
He has the data from the trade representative and other sources that track all this. I don't think Musk or Navarro, et al are looking at better deals for the consumer.
Some investors use "value" analysis. Not These guys. They speculate. Trump went bankrupt 6 times. In NY he has to have a couyrt appointed monitor because he's unreliable.
Donald may think economic warfare could force Canada to capitulate, but PM Mark Carney has already signaled the country's response. And it's not capitulation.
It's important to remember that Donald has failed at every business endeavor he's undertaken. After Fred died and there was no more financial reserve for Donald, his personal finances remained in the red until he signed The Apprentice deal. The show did well because he was NOT in charge. He was merely an actor playing the role of a successful tycoon.
Donald is a failure at everything. He failed to get the Trump family accepted by NYC Society. He failed in business. He will fail in taking Canada.
The low labor costs that fueled offshoring 1980-2010: how will those costs be re-shored back to the USA? It doesn’t work. Re-shoring manufacturing and “cheap stuff made in the USA” doesn’t work as a plan, and his cabinet economists know it. The USA became a consumer goods and services-based economy.
Maybe all the kids can work the factories and fields for sub-tip wages or for $5/day. Hi Florida, I’m looking at you!
That degree was purchased by his father.
Most everyone I know who went to Wharton came home to bankrupt their family business.
There are a few minor exceptions -- and they aren't Trumpers.
Just like his draft dodging to get out of the Viet Nam war.
Would you like a list of some of the most successful people in the world that never went to college?
Remind folks that The Boston Tea Party was a revolt against tariffs imposed by another imperial government on us.
The Tea Party Republicans took an oath: "no new taxes."
These tariffs are taxes.
Do you know was awful noisy here the last three days but I don’t understand. It’s awful quiet here tonight. I’ve said it 100 times for everybody here 45 months to go be patient take a breath stop the panic. The sky is not falling like you think it’s falling which is really laughable.
Yes they are on every foreign nation that we’ve been allowing to buy our products for cheap and they come back and send us products and tear of them Daniel you;re hopeless.
What is your explanation for the tariffs he is levying on islands with no human inhabitants and, thus, no exports to the US?
Minor point but the revolt was against the Stamp Act, which taxed everything. Yes, tariffs are ultimately taxes but there isn't a line on an invoice that says tariffs.
Yeah almost the same Rachel. Wow. Omg. Oh Lord.
One of his professors in the prestigious Wharton School of Business said he was the dumbest student he'd ever had. I imagine that teacher watching this unfold and looking like a parody of Edvard Munch's, The Scream.
If he was alive today, I'm sure he'd just shake his head at the gullibility of American voters. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/12/1705902/-Former-Wharton-Professor-Donald-Trump-Is-the-Dumbest-Goddam-Student-I-Ever-Had
Did you say that when Biden was elected or when he was thrown overboard and a mental defective done nothing woman was put in his place and 73 million people voted for that idiot ?
The Death of Expertise is what a brilliant UofMN history professor calls our current epoch. People feel they have all knowledge at their fingertips (SmartPhones, social media) and can know the correct information without the need for nerdy experts. And The Dunning-Kruger effect describes the tendency of people with limited knowledge or skill in a particular area to overestimate their own competence.
Then there is also the declining cognitive abilities of many in the population, due to attention deficit (caused by rapid-fire information and stress overload).
A perfect storm.
One of the few things I remember from my high school days is a teacher saying that the global IQ was declining. That was in the early 1960s. Wish I'd known then to keep track of the evidence of his claim.
Oh, I think you’re absolutely correct about the IQ and here’s why.
One of the worst presidents in history, although he had a very good heart invented the Department of Education. Since then, we’ve decided not to educate our children. And there was back to back that up. In 1979 we were in the number one position ranked in education in the world. 30 years later we were number 18th. Today we are Ranked 40th. High school students come out of high school not even knowing how to read or do basic math. And I could tell you horror stories having only restaurants and have people come in to apply for a job when they needed help filling out the application and couldn’t tell how much change to give From a $20 bill if the bill was $18.04.
It’s not only about IQ it’s about challenging and pushing people to learn
So after a number of bankruptcies, tell me how the dummy created the wealth that he has amassed? I’ve listed you a number of people that have had bankruptcies and came out of it successfully some of the most famous people and inventors in the US history. Unfortunately, for you, Donald Trump will be one of those.
Today the stock market continues to crater while the big fool is off golfing. Welcome to our world.
I would love to see Congress limit Trump's expense account. I'm sick and tired of paying for his golfing trips every week and for his $20 million trip to go to the Super Bowl for a photo-op.
And today the market good one? If you care at all for America, which is doubtful, you would say well. Today was a good day for America but no, there’s nothing here because all you do is hate.
What are you, blind? As well as stupid? The market went up because Trump paused the damage to the world economy that he himself caused.
And I damn well know he did it because his superiors to,d him he over- reached. Not because he knows what he is doing. No hate, just reality. It bit him on that ass that he lied about everyone kissing. Trump can do no wrong, right?
You are a profound fool. Get some rest.
Just what I told you, Martin our issues in progress and it’s gonna take time to work them out because it’s been 40 years since we’ve been treated right on trade and it’s gonna take a little work to get it back to normal. And for all of those, we think that yesterday was contrived and set up well guess that’s not the case if you look at the market today, but nothing in the world has changed other than negotiations. Nothing P. A. T. I. E. N. C. E.
Well, I laid out a whole post, but somehow it got lost when I try to correct the spelling of one word, but I’ll try it all over again
You’re gonna need to simmer down and stop the hate. or it’s gonna kill you. I am not ignorant, nor the fool but you need a mirror to determine who it is and here’s why
The market did not go up today because Trump pause the tariffs . The market went up today because Trump wanted negotiations and the strategy readily set out from the beginning and the media and the market understands now. He has given the 75 countries that have come forward to negotiate power of situation to meet with him, and to renegotiate the terms of our trade and tariffs. You really don’t think too deeply do you nor too far ahead.
As I said to you many times, and I’ve told everybody here nobody has the patience and when you hate you, don’t care about patience you just care about attacks you don’t care about how embarrassing it will be when you find out you were wrong. This has been Trump strategy all along. He wants to negotiate. He’s a constant and adamant negotiator, and he got exactly what he wanted as well as he put the pressure on China big-time, who is now isolated itself.
He will spend the next 75 days, negotiating new tariff deals, and and other related deals with all these countries, and will come out better for it in 90 days or more if it takes a little bit while longer but it’s going to start immediately. It’s people like you that fit the equation if Trump found the cure of cancer, you would find fault in that
You were relishing in the fact that Trump demolish the stock market and Tesla lost his ass for two or three days, but when the Market comes back up at 95 or 90% of the losses that it took, came back in one day highest single day point increase in market history, or you can talk about is the reason is because Trump pauses tariffs you don’t care about all the money that people got back on that now we are in the driver seat once again. Hate makes you blind, Martin it makes you unable to think rationally and thoroughly.
And by the way, nothing happened in the world economy not a damn thing other than the scare tactics that your media tries to dictate to you on a daily basis and you swallow it like mothers milk.
Patience is a virtue hate is an early killer
I bet he never earned that degree; his father probably paid for that degree.
Other than the presidency, Trump has never earned anything in his life. And, despite the votes, it's safe to say that he didn't really earn that either.
The presidency was bought for Trump by Mr. Musk.
Wow Linda, you come up with some good ideas. Sometimes the one above makes me think you’re on an LSD trip or something like that.
In 90 days, Kamala Harris raised $2 billion and out spent Trump two to one in the final campaign. The idiots on the left side actually raced $2 billion for this twerk to run for president. I wouldn’t hire her to be a cashier at one of my restaurants.
B.S. is the right term for what he knows!
Wharton school has now been discredited by the orange idiot. Sorry for the decent graduates who are embarrassed by the one who is destroying their reputations.
To be fair, U Penn isn't the only Ivy that has cause to be embarrassed. Look at the number of idiots with undergraduate and/or graduate degrees from elite universities. A few years ago I had too much time on my hand and made a list of those from Harvard.
Alex Acosta
Elaine Chao
Mike Esper
Mike Pompeo
Wilbur Ross
Jared Kushner
Neal Gorsuch
Ron De Santis
Roy Mabus
Tom Cotton
Ted Cruz
Martha McSally
Ben Sasse
Pat Toomey
Dan Crenshaw
Elise Stefanik
Ben Shapiro
Agreed. I have always thought that the Ivies are not a healthy breeding ground because there are too many entitled people there.
Well, you just made my point thank you very much. Nothing against you, Pam but in general antisemitism a pretty disgusting behavior for those who supported, and for those who actually participate in it
Would you like a list of all the people that started some of the most amazing companies in the world and didn’t even have a college degree. You know there’s a saying that I’ve seen proven out in many cases, and the people I encounter in my business dealings. There are too many damn educated derelicts. Just like Jackson Browns song. That started off strong only to surrender.
People thought they could do well by studying the inter-workings of the relationship between Nepal and Ghana. Etc. Or the philosophy of Zen and how it fits into the 1800 economic matrix.
Certainly a college degree shooting for a better outcome, and usually does but only a small percentage of those folks have actually ascertained what they set out to do in the first place
You have to have a drive you have to have a ganas. You have to have the will to work long hours for many years to get what you want college degrees don’t teach any of that. And many people do it naturally with intrinsic gifts. So touting a college degree I think put you in a more assured income strata, but by no means guarantees that you’re going to be what you think you’re gonna be if you don’t want to put the work in.
Many of today’s most successful companies started out with somebody who didn’t necessarily have a degree from a revered institution so stop the nonsense OK
Just when I think your responses couldn't be more non-contributory, more nonsensical, or, importantly, more of a distraction from the discussion, you go and outdo yourself. Congratulations.
MisTBlu, tRump most certainly DESERVES his B.S. in virtually every field he has “studied”!
And that’s exactly why he’s been elected president twice once by popular vote? I for one I’m stumped John. lol
Change the freaking channel. And you’ll see why
After the last 2 days of free-fall of the stock market in response to another of tRump’s bizarre efforts at ruling the world Rick, ‘twould seem most of us, especially your Dear Leader, would benefit from “changing the freaking channel!"
I guess the vast majority of investors and funds voting with their feet must be ‘wrong’ about 47’s horsefeathers economics. we will see how it turns out, I’m sure ‘Rick sender’ has stayed fully invested and is catching that falling knife of a market (in his teeth, no less).
Cat got your tongue tonight, John? Just like the past three days it’s just another day. Why not just watch and learn, and make judgment in six months or so? Because today, all you did, was embarrass yourself for your past rants
Well, if you like history, John, try going back to 1980s on a Oprah Winfrey show when Trump touted tariffs as a way to go about fair trade and as well as I pointed out to you big proponent of terrorist were none other than Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders.
You know, I know too many PhD‘s in various fields that are utterly crazy and the predictions that they make based on what they learned in school have been 100% incorrect. Paul Krugman for example, hasn’t made a good call in years and he was actually upside down in his estimate of what was gonna happen in Trump’s first administration. Robert Reich is exactly the same in my opinion. I could use when he writes as toilet paper, and I would be very comfortable doing that. This is what happens Misty, when PhD‘s in certain devices become political pawns and buy into one side of an argument, because they staunchly support their party instead of staunchly supporting what they learned in school from a economics perspective not from a political perspective
BS is absolutely what he gleaned from his schooling. If daddy endows a chair, little Donny doesn’t have to crack a book, and if he doesn’t get good grades, the endowment goes away. Now, I’m not saying that’s what happened, it explains his negotiating technique. God help us all if those he targets cave.
Rick seems like a bot account. I base this on the amount of time he spends posting. I just attended a webinar which leads me to suspect this. In that case, he is probably a Russian agent account. So, I am grateful to the person who taught me to collapse what "he" says, so that I don't need to see it to interrupt the flow of other comments.
I voice text. I am NOT A BOT. STOP the nonsense. I am the ONLY contrary opinion here. Do you imagine that’s a good thing?
That is how gullibility happens. Only hearing and reinforcing what you already believe. No challenging what you hear? Obviously it must be true then. Nope
The left is going to have to understand that not everything that makes you a success in life is learned in school. In fact there’s a big poster I have that I picked up in college that said there are far too many college educated Derelicts in the world. People get an education in philosophy and become carpenters, which is fine, but they didn’t learn anything about carpentry in school.
Then you have people like many savants that don’t need school to take them to success take Mark Zuckerberg, for example. There were five-year-olds that could sit down in a piano with the first time and play. There are people like Bobby Fisher who didn’t learn how to play chess in school. And there are people like Elon Musk and Alexander, Graham Bell and Enrico, Femi and Thomas Edison. That took what they learned in school and enhanced it beyond anything they learned in school.
So stop doubting education as the end all and be all of a human being because that’s all the left seems to wanna do is that and keep referencing them back to some book that was written 50 years ago that is no longer applicable because the entire world has changed since then
Like all mob bosses, he believes that everyone has a price. You don't pay up he breaks your legs.
Or your bank account, your medical care, your Social Security income.
or you’re absolute absence/ignorance of reality
Badda Boom!
Well, in some cases here, Harvey, you’re correct all foreign governments have a price and he’s not breaking the legs, but he sure putting a lot of pressure on them and they’re coming to the table.
Or your economy. And he’s correct it’s called negotiating And what’s funny is when Chuck Schumer just buckled to Trump a couple weeks ago his party is going apeshit over the fact that he did that and didn’t “NEGOTIATE’ with Trump on the reconciliation bill to not shut down the government and get something out of it, but didn’t. And now to tell you how I don’t even have the synonym, stupid, dumb, idiotic, los, have shown that AOC is more popular than Chuck Schumer to succeed him in the Senate. But everyone forgets that in only four years according to her, we’re all going to die in this planet is going to implode. Lol
Everything in life is a choice/negotiation. And provided it’s not blackmail. That’s how this world gets along every single day. You negotiate with your boss for a higher salary you negotiate with your significant other in various areas of your relationship Life is a do to yourself proposition with very few exceptions
Yes please! The rest of the world needs to thumb their collective noses at this lunatic. Will it be painful? Indeed, for everyone. Will it be worth it? You bet. Make the bully look like the anal opening that he is, and he will eventually collapse in on himself. It can't come soon enough, for the entire world.
I agree. Perhaps Europe, in particular, can apply some lessons learned from Vlad's Russia towards this "administration". I would very much like to see this thing collapse in upon itself as well. I am quite concerned about this friendship and advisor in Vlad though. He has so far not allowed his situation to implode and will certainly do his best in order it not happen here. So, to me, that is troubling.
Daniel, I’m gonna wait but what would you say if Trump’s administration succeeded? Omg. Imagine the fear, the craziness, the negativity.
so as I’ve sent to any of you in the circumstance that his big beautiful bill that includes no tax on tips no tax on Social Security and no tax on overtime gets approved by Congress. What will you say then about the anal opening?
On the other hand, the past president, anal opening was sealed shut, and what turned out that everything he did was full of shit for this country.
Anyone want a bigger mess? Have we got a guy for you!
Yeah that’s what you said in 2020 and how did that work out with the non compos mentis robotic president that now coming out that he should’ve never run in the first place let alone for reelection now all the people are writing books especially Democrats that the writing was on the wall for at least 2 1/2 to 3 years. That’s your guy don’t forget it
Linda, read something yesterday that I am taking more or less with a grain of salt, that death star is preparing to throw muskrat under the bus. I am thinking it will happen once muskrat has completed the damage.
Linda, Jonathan V. Last of The Bulwark said it best last night, in a clarifying and chilling piece that lays it all out: "The American Age Is Over".
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-american-age-is-over?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&utm_medium=email&r=48m03&triedRedirect=true
Yes Doug, I read that piece. I agree. I have been saying, since last summer when I read the first chapter of Project 2025 in my book club, which was The Dept. of Education, that it was a formula for turning the US into a third world country. I taught in one and I know what it looks like. Then, as I read more I realized it would turn the US into a third world, Christian Nationalist Theocracy. Of course, it is a Kakistocracy, Kleptocracy and Oligarchy too. Chilling is correct! Also, as a history major, I think of the blood, sweat and tears that went into making the US what it is, and tantruming trump is destroying it all, like a toddler on a bender with blocks.
I agree, Linda. And I think of the complicity of the Republicans by standing by while he fiddles. And not to mix my Roman emperors, but I think of the courage it took Roman senators to get rid of Caesar. Mind you, I'm not calling for that, but it's astonishing to me that a formidable bunch of Republicans in the House and Senate don't band together and say “Enough is enough!”, get rid of Johnson (at least) and demand a return to checks and balances.
And after Musk, there will be Vance and Donalds Cabinet members, and Steven Miller especially.
Trump gets tired of people. I don't believe he likes Vance at all, do you? He treats him like the stepchild. All of the cabinet members are expendable to him. However, Stephen Miller has lasted. We shall just see. There are some predictable things about Trump, which is he gravitates to Putin and when he is in power he is a lot less likable to his adoring fans than when he is just a grievance monkey.
Hey Linda and what did Joe Biden think of Kamala Harris? Lmao. Oooops.
Well, he actually made her borders czar. how did that work out? HFS
what’s really funny about what you said Susan is the following for the last eight or nine years Elon Musk has been almost a demigod for the left inventing an automobile that helped to create a prevention against climate change. Nothing changed in the way he manufactured cars or shot off rockets or controlled. A huge company of communication services called Starlink that helped areas that couldn’t get service get service totally effed up made up hate against Elon Musk is so bereft of reality. It’s defies comprehension. All we keep hearing is he’s not elected. He’s not elected. He’s not elected. He’s not elected, which has nothing to do with the issue at hand not an effing thing.
Donald Trump could have appointed Ted Cruz or even worse, cash Patel to head up DOGE then what would have been your defense? And who would you protest against then?
I hope they, countries, people, gather in solidarity where there will be strength.
And just like the quintessential liberal hoping against America couldn’t be better said Potter. The outer world first America last. That’s what the left personifies today.
Stupid..still at your age. Wasting the time you have left obsessively trying to prove something here to yourself about your own wisdom, using hate and ignorance as well as off the wall accusations... similar to Trump actually. Dummies don't know we are all connected. Go away.
Wait? I’m the one using hate? lol omg. Do you read any of these posts at all everyone of the people here hate Donald Trump! The left are the haters around protesting Tesla, which is about the stupidest thing I have ever seen the most double standard and hypocritical thing I’ve ever seen.
Trump could’ve appointed Ted Cruz or cash Patel to head up those where were they go to protest then he’s not elected he’s not elected he’s got elected there is the hate and there’s are morons
I’m the dummy? We are not connected, and you know why we’re not connected because the left is now fully disconnected. Disconnected from the truth, disconnected from reality, disconnected because their entire being is full of TDS, MDS, and gullibility.
You were like many others here, who talked about items, hypothetically, ethereally, I have no factual specifics to back up your statements.
I’m not the one calling Trump or Elon Hitler. I’m not the one talking about fascism. I’m not the one talking about oligarchy or dictatorship
When the Democrats win an election, and if executive orders start flowing from the White House or the auto pen LOL everything is just fine but when Trump does it, it’s autocracy DISREGARDING AN ELECTION ….
You are the epitome of what they say is when the Democrats accuse the Republicans of doing something when they were actually doing it themselves. And you are the poster child for the same calling me hateful
Right now I’m thrilled to death and hate nothing other than frustration with people who don’t learn and don’t want to learn, don’t want to change the channel.
By the way, Potter, this is directed only to you. I don’t want to impugn other people here but when you start calling me stupid I have to let out a huge belly laugh. I don’t have a belly. I have pretty much been on the correct side of politics my whole life voting twice for Billy the wandering PP was probably the third best president in history, other than a few major mistakes but we all make mistakes. And you know why he was so good because he was smart enough to work with Gingrich to bring the party to agreement rather than splintering the country. And we are here today splintered because of one Barack Hussein, Obama.
So you can go along your merry way but if you have any sense at all, you’ll wait a year or so to see how things progress and then you could make a partial judgment because you have 45 more months to go to be able to evaluate as president.
The sad truth is we didn’t hear this rhetoric from you when Biden double the price of everything on a daily basis or allow us 11,000 illegal migrants in this country every day or against the general precepts of Democrats want peace I don’t like guns Biden sending hundreds of billions of dollars to Ukraine to kill people instead of trying to create peace.
I am a happy go lucky guy 90% of the time at a completely successful business career. I’ve been retired for 12 years after coming out of abject poverty as a child and right now I’m smiling every day. I have no hate at all. Merely frustration with so many misguided haters here
I would have bet a lot that you would respond. Pathetic, I am not game. Go away. PS.. I did not read this diatribe.
Rumor has it that Musk is going. Who do you all expect will be Trump’s Tool for Chaos?
I would say Trump is and will always be the one who will be the main tool for chaos, and with Musk gone, people with notice it more and remember how tired they got of him during covid. The new covid is tariffs.
You and everybody else here pretty much.
When it spills over to Trump, he will no doubt respond, "Tariffs? I don't know anything about tariffs! Elon, must have done those. Elon, get in here right now, and tell everyone about your tariffs!!"
Did Elon send you to Mars already? I.e or aka what planet are you living on? Just for history sake’s Trump has been talking about tariffs since interviewing on Oprah Winfrey show back in the early 80s.
“……the tariffs don't work in the way he wants them too.”
Oh they’ll work exactly as he wants them to. Tarrifs put more money in the treasury which he will (pretty much already does )control. Money is power, he wants both.
We shall see. I have my thoughts about this, but they are too bleak to post. I am in Europe, and I know my groceries will still be cheaper even with tariffs,
Food here is way cheaper than in the USA, and the cost of living is lower. Germany is ranked 23 and the US 13. I think we should look at these numbers again next year.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp
Of course, I will be spending much more when I come back to the USA, so it is a lose-lose.
Maybe you haven’t noticed we just had an election and he has the power and he already has the wealth and he’s 78 years old and could live on $1 billion a year for the rest of his life and never run out of money. Let’s have some patience. Shall we knee jerk reactions or seldom correct?
I am wondering if the Euro will replace the US dollar as the main currency of trade. Or perhaps the Yuan... as a worst-case scenario.
Trump is banking on crypto. We shall see. It is early days, but feels like years. It is too many years of Trump.
Well welcome to the real world ROBIN many huge countries I’ve been talking about this for years and years like China Brazil, etc., to change the world’s currency barometer. And guess what it could happen having nothing to do with today because they’ve been working on it for decades.
How about give Mr. Trump a quiet time to enjoy his golf? No one deserves continued criticisms without Sunday holoidays. After all he was elected, unlike Musk. We must share our responsibility and giving him a quiet weekend is one way.
Another ignorant soul talking about musk wasn’t elected. Yikes. I have never seen so much misguided hate in my life. As I’ve said 20 times here posting Trump could’ve picked Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio or anybody to head up those now what would you say? Why don’t you talk about what those is accomplishing instead of who’s the head of doge idiot
Looks like we have another troll. Best to ignore from here on out…
What about the hundred thousands of your hypocrites walking in the ts Monday with signs that read FREE SPEECH. Do you think it would be better if the government didn’t listen to you from here on out?
He’s still just trying to stay out of jail.
Like Netanyahu.
Who is now cavorting with Orban!
That’s actually going to be the J6 committee and Adam shift and not necessarily in that order. I’m sure we’ll be looking at some of the 51 liars as well
Oh, the friendly tourist BS.
Your head may have been under sand but the people who weren't watching Fox saw the attempt to steal the election by violent mob attack, organized by Trump.
Yeah William I’m sure a few hundred people are going to overthrow the government only if you’re totally delusional. But it’s OK when one black man dies to create $2 billion worth of damage kill 25 police policeman burned down cities take over police precincts and occupy large portions of north western cities. Only one person died on January 6 and she was an innocent bystander shot by police. Hmmmmm with no convictions and the guy who accidentally killed George Floyd was convicted so what was all they mayhem for? And like I said earlier, it’s been a good day. I hit a nerve people or maybe waking up.
Troll
Are you a Russian troll? Or is this just fun for you- poking fun as our nation’s foundations burn to the ground?
When you read the post, I just made with quotes and speeches from the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama, Obama.
Obviously, denial is King here I don’t wanna sit and paste all day, so please look them up for major speeches denoting that Pelosi and Bernie supported tariffs fervently and that the inventor of doge were actually Bill Clinton and Barack Obama ooooooooops
And please take something for your Russian delusion
🙄
Crashed the economy.
Went golfing.
Uhhuhhuhuhuhuh.
That’s about as high as Trump’s intellectual level is going at the moment: the Beavis & Butthead level.
What could go wrong with the scenario you described Duch?
To the scumbag president's intellectual level, include all of his followers and you have a complete picture. Sad but true.
A mentally and physically deteriorating mob boss’s side hussel. I am not convinced he know his left from his right side currently. Who ever is in front of him showering praise and suggesting tariffs based on a distorted AI model (Musk/Doge) or firings of key cybersecurity experts (Loomer).
This is a bit of a back story in some of the nuttier tariff impositions, reminiscent of the dead people getting social security data usage. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/04/revealed-how-trump-tariffs-slugged-norfolk-island-and-uninhabited-heard-and-mcdonald-islands?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Why don’t you change the channel and do something too confirm or deny Social Security’s problems? DOGE.GOV. AND THEN LOOK AT THE INTERVIEW WITH THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF SOCIAL SECURITY HAVING TO DO WITH DOGE. IT WILL SHOCK YOU INTO BELIEVING.
Heather: "Republican members of Congress could stop Trump at any time. In the case of tariffs, they could simply reassert their constitutional power to manage tariffs. If they choose not to and the economy doesn’t recover and thrive as Trump keeps promising, voters can be expected to hold them, as well as him, to account.".
Grassley asserts congressional authority to oversee trade. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-republican-pushes-congressional-approval-presidents-tariffs-2025-04-03/
Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, joined Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington in introducing a bipartisan bill to rein in presidential authority over tariffs and give Congress more control over future trade duties.
Why It Matters
The bipartisan bill comes a day after President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day," in which he imposed a new round of sweeping tariffs on foreign imports, reigniting debate over executive power in trade policy.
Several Republicans, many of whom are Trump allies, have raised concerns about Trump's tariffs, warning that they will raise prices and derail the economy. Many economists have warned that significant tariffs could spark a recession and that American consumers would end up shouldering the burden of the tariffs as importers pass on costs in the form of higher prices.
Maybe this is the start of shared government. https://jerryweiss.substack.com/
Daniel, Thank you. I attempted to call Sen Grassley, but his DC office voicemail is full.
I was able to get through to the Cedar Rapids voicemail at 319 363 6832
I thanked him for opposing the tariffs, and also mentioned that as an agricultural state, the farming community needs the USAID to be reversed, and that seniors will be left sick and in poverty if the safety nets are effectively GONE thanks to Trump. I ended by saying that Trump is NOT faithfully executing the laws of the US and it is time to remove him.
I am asking all the LFAA readers to stop right now and call his office.
EDIT: I also called Sen Thune and MAGA Mike Johnson. I said that although I'm not their constituents, I am calling them because of their leadership roles. I said that the tariff impact on the market is draining my retirement funds, and that with SS, Medicare and Medicaid on the chopping block, they will leave seniors sick and impoverished. I couldn't get through to MAGA Mike's DC office so I called a district one.
Sen Thune 202 224 2321
Rep Johnson 337 423 4232
PLEASE everyone, stop reading and call their offices now. Thank you.
Great. Ernst and your House members should be hearing it.....
Not just farmers. Car dealers, students will lose Pell grants and loans will be called.
I think nationally, national security is important. https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/in-the-news/iowas-us-senators-representatives-want-more-aid-ukraine
Tell Johnson to stop the Fake National Emergency which will stop the tariffs.
Daniel, what some senators are trying, won't result in any practical action unless M. Johnson decided to do something positive for this country. I'm not hopeful.
We work on it every day. You obviously are not following Feathers of Hope. The protests should be tactical. Don't waste time on Democrats or MAGA Republicans. 22 senate Republicans and dozens of Republican House members support Ukraine funding.
Musk's humiliation in Wisconsin should be an object lesson to Reps in majority Dem districts like mine.
If their constituents and donors protest, we'll pick up a few.
https://twitchy.com/amy-curtis/2025/04/03/flashback-pelosi-on-china-trade-deficits-and-tariffs-n2410909
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/04/03/watch-nancy-pelosi-in-1996-assails-u-s-free-trade-with-china-is-this-reciprocal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1uHvCMM3c
Nancy Pelosi in 1996 a fervent supporter of tariffs check the link above in her own words and Bernie Sanders in his own words in 2008 on C-SPAN doing exactly the same.
You are not only misinformed Daniel but uninformed
America had a choice when NAFTA came around pay Americans a little bit higher wage or buy goods cheaper from other countries and so for 40 years the middle class has been disappearing and you wonder why ? Now China produces about 80% of our medicines. I hope you’re happy.
I was for targeted tariffs when we still had an infrastructure. Unfortuanately corporate vultures like Mitt Romney sold the goose that laid the golden egg. The plants in my hometown were razed... The workers had to relocate...to Mejico. El Trumpo as #45 fortified NAFTA.
Need to find the wormhole in space and go back in time....
In all Trump is trying to do to bring all those factories back. By the way, when was Romney president? He was a senator. And now plants are coming back $5 trillion have been committed to build factories and businesses here. Did you hear the auto workers union speaking yesterday the fireman’s union yesterday they were excited and they’re backing Trump 100% because he’s going to bring back factories. That’s the goal. The decision America is gonna have to make which it made it back in the days was we’d rather buy cheap goods from elsewhere, then produce them here and pay American workers a higher wage. And now we’re sitting at the point where China imports us all our medicine great call huh? We can buy jeans for less and refrigerators for less while American sit on the sidelines out of work especially the middle class.
Well our most dangerous enemy is now a petulant child who traffics in perverted ideologies, who is holding our freedoms hostage, destroying a once healthy economy, diminishing accountability by the government, depressing public access to news and education and public debate - darkness is swallowing our country.
@ Peter Pappas. Every member of the Trump family, his cabinet, etc should be scrutinized to see whether they are shorting.
Looks more like an extortion racket
Republican members of Congress have the constitutional authority to regulate tariffs, yet many have allowed former President Trump to act unilaterally in this area. They could reassert their power at any time, particularly if his tariff policies harm the economy. If the economy fails to improve, as Trump repeatedly promises, voters may hold not only him but also Congressional Republicans accountable for inaction. Their continued support or silence implies shared responsibility for the outcomes of Trump’s trade strategies. With clear constitutional tools available, their decision not to act could have serious political consequences. In a democracy, elected officials are expected to serve as checks and balances—failing to do so can shift blame and electoral backlash onto the entire party.
And the maggots got hustled! Screwed, left behind, fired, forgotten! 4F
Never cared about anything, did he, really, just his bloviating ego! Now he can play golf and fiddle, with himself.
Love the English term…’He’s real wanker!’ We used the term jerk, he’s that too! Maybe they are the same thing…playing Mr Potato Head! “I’m just looking for my balls, they were here someplace?”
But the bottom line is he’s really Putin’s ‘asshole for hire’…Manafort made that deal many years ago. And got screwed too.
Trump's tariff "operation" & Musk's DOGE with surgery by chainsaw will not kill the "patient", but will bring on recession or worse...economic pandemic, panic, depression on a scale that most of us have never experienced.
Trumpian malevolence & malignant stupidity will tank the economy. It’s what Republicans do. https://newrepublic.com/article/193360/trump-tank-economy-liberation-tariffs
When MAGAs realize how Trump policies screw them: "I blame Biden. He shoulda done a better job explaining how Trump's policies were gonna screw people like me. That's why I'm still MAGA.”
Trump World & CalvinBall: ignore facts & science; make rules up as you go…
It IS a side hustle to him! What is the likeliest result of these over-the-top tariffs? One by one, the CEO's of companies hurt by the excessive tariffs will come to Trump and beg for tariff relief. And Trump will grant the relief graciously...after a suitably humiliating amount of groveling and the payment of cash or favors or both. Putin will be very pleased by the toppling of the U.S.'s booming economy and the loss of our premier position of leadership. Putie might even pat Twumpie on his iddle head for this gift.
Everything he's ever done has been a side hustle, he doesn't know anything about real work, even in his own businesses.
And hopefully if everything goes right, Mr. Pappas in two weeks or maybe three, depending upon intermit intermingling circumstances, there will be a bill presented to Congress, no tax on tips , no tax on Social Security, and no tax on overtime.
The perfect remedy to help Trump? Are you effing kidding me? It will close our border. It will increase our military, and it will help assure further manufacturing business in the United States.
Dream on....
The only one dreaming are the Democrats. They are in total in complete disarray and their approval rating which was 36% a month ago lowered to 27% two weeks ago is now at 21% according to CBS and NBC and CNN
And all they need to do is instead of pushing all the energy into resisting is to organize an agenda. Have a goal have a plan select a couple of leaders that have some ideas that the American people see is rational and helpful for the country. Right now they have none of that. And a country needs at least two parties.
who let the troll out?
Stop feeding it and it should go away.
It's a "propaganda lamprey: round mouth and all."
Facts let the troll out. Go read the links, then come back and let’s talk.
I’m a non-fiction reader, but thanks anyway
Yeah, no tax on social security because social security will be eliminated. Solved that one.
Did you even read Heather’s newsletter?
You probably said it right. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime--well there will not be either overtime or jobs or tips coming in from non-existent jobs. And Social Security will not be taxed because it will be closed, shuttered, and collected monies will go to those who have dismantled it.
Lmao.
I’m curious if in your reading about or thinking about the return of manufacturing jobs to the US you’ve factored in the research that robots/AI are projected to take over all manufacturing jobs in the next couple of years. I think the assumption is that moving manufacturing back here will “bring back” jobs? But what if the assumptions behind all of this disruption (and lost value of capital in the markets) are wrong?
By the way, Kate, I would also like to add one other thing that just dawned on me when AI comes to fruition , it will make production of goods and services less expensive, which indeed will lower prices in many cases because it won’t need the manpower in specific industries and such
Yeah, but guess what AI builds needs human help to build robots. It takes people to be involved in the manufacturer, production and design and construction of the robots and yes right now many of our cars are built with AI, but there are parts that have to be built and there is construction that it has to happen and there is maintenance that has to happen. Continued maintenance. And people have to run them. There are industries that will use AI and there are some that will not to major degree.
Well, and it’s not a couple of years it’s gonna take a lot longer than that and along the way people are gonna get educated and how to deal with this, but they are still going to be the middle class not the rich and not the poor unless the poor want to become more educated which they should
And lastly, Kate, I don’t ever deal in what if’s. I am a very results oriented individual in fact, all the minutia and all the talk and all the BS and all the fighting and all the political arguments along the way mean nothing to me whatsoever If things work out, that’s what I look at if they don’t that’s what I look at. And that’s why more and more the unions are now supporting Trump because they see that plants and jobs will come back, including as you saw hopefully yesterday the United auto workers
Add to that that so far other companies have added some $5 trillion to our economy or will be adding in the form of factories jobs plants and industry and I’m excited about the fact that’s some of that at least to begin with will be in medicine and prescription drugs Which you’d have to admit. It’s pretty scary when the vast majority of our drugs are not produced in China.
Also, this is a major step. It’s a major rework and reinventing and read structuring of our middle income job class so it’s not gonna happen overnight.
I’m not happy at the pace that Is being pushed, but I’m a novice. I like the overall concept a lot by the way as does Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders and I hope you’ve seen those speeches that they made if you haven’t please get back to me and let me know and I will send you the links.
"You’re going to see employment leaping starting today,” in fact, both automaker Stellantis and appliance manufacturer Whirlpool announced layoffs because of the tariffs." This reporting reveals, in my opinion, a fundamental flaw of American management practice. That is working people are bearing the cost ofuncertainty under changes in economic policies, while stock owners can maintain living.
Peter, I usually call him death star, but my other nickname for him is mafia don and he is certainly living up to that one.
Good news for the April 5 marchers.
The U.S. House of Representatives can be bi-partisan if only three Republicans agree to Dem Hakeem Jeffries as its Speaker, so Dems take committee chairs from the most ludicrous MAGA now in them.
The three joining Dems can have committee chairs, with guarantees that no Dem will oppose them in the 2026 elections – and that Dems will support the three if any MAGA primaries them.
Then, Hakeem’s first vote: Constitution’s Article 14, Section Three. As U.S. highest law, not even corrupt Clarence court can interfere. If the House has no 2/3 to clear him, Trump must vacate office.
Here it is, in its entirety:
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
The challenge is to find three Republicans with a backbone.
Given the results of last Tuesday’s elections, maybe, just maybe, there might be a very few. Besides political support, Democrats are going to have to think about physical security for any Republican who jumps ship, including his or her family. We have descended into having to consider threats from MAGA goon squads. Brown shirts, anyone? Is there a Krystalnacht in our future?
I'm thinking, Ralph, Don Bacon of Nebraska and Mike Lawler of New York.
#3? Not sure.
A selling point for any Republicans thinking about his or her future might be a question; Do you want to go down in history as one of the few Republicans who stood up to save the nation? Who refused to sit and watch your country get flushed down the toilet. A real patriot as opposed to MAGA.
Because, in the end, MAGA is going to lose. Authoritarians always do.
Greedy bastards surrendered any humanity long ago. Is there a poor Repub around, besides the MAGAts?
But maybe they don't lose for a *very* long time and drag the country down in the meantime. Just look at Putin. Not that Russia is a great example of a previously thriving country.
Feathers of Hope has a list.
Here 3 Cuban American House Republicans represent majority Democrats.
Call, email, picket Gimenez, Diaz Balart, Salazar. All have protested parts of Trump immigration policies. Gimenez, born in Cuba, was our Dem county mayor to 2020.
Also CANF, Cuban American National Foundation .... "Based in Miami and Washington, DC, CANF engages in cultural activities, supports education and research, and conducts various events, including lectures and conferences. Historically, the organization has been known for its hardline stance against the Cuban government..." Miami (305) 592-7768. The Republican donor base is connected here. 202 530 1894.
Good, Daniel.
Any of these three could do the job (along with Don Bacon and Mike Lawler as I suggest, above).
But why not more Republicans who can admit to the crisis we inhabit, and admit to the unprecedented need for a bipartisan Congress at least for a while -- but initially Dem-controlled, just to get rid of the Putin Manchurian Candidate, the orange pestilence?
I just received the following letter from Don Bacon regarding Putin's puppet Donald Trump.
Thank you for contacting our office to share your views. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with you on this issue.
Let me be clear: Russia started this war. Vladimir Putin is war criminal with no regard for international peace and security. By making the reckless and unprovoked decision to invade the sovereign state of Ukraine, Putin plunged Europe into the largest military conflict since World War II. Despite recent attempts to muddy the waters, we must remember Russia and Putin are entirely to blame for the bloodshed in this conflict. Ukraine desires democracy, free markets, and the rule of law. As the leader of the free world, America has both a moral obligation and a national security interest in ensuring Ukraine's freedom.
I have consistently opposed any approach that would reward Putin for his savage aggression. A just and durable peace must be our goal but not peace at any cost. While I welcome the Administration’s serious efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine, I maintain that any agreement must include strong security guarantees from the United States and Europe. Recent history makes clear that we cannot trust Putin to keep his word without enforceable protections. I believe that any requirement for Ukraine to cede territory must also be accompanied by enhanced security assistance from the United States and a European-led military presence in Ukraine.
I also strongly believe that any peace negotiation regarding this conflict must include Ukraine in the conversation. It is unwise and self-defeating to sideline the very nation fighting for its survival.
Like many of you, I believe we must take a hard line with Russia to end hostilities and achieve a durable peace and share your concerns about public statements that appear to treat Putin favorably. By standing with Ukraine, we stand on the right side of history and maintain our position as the indispensable leader of the free world.
The stakes in this conflict could not be higher. This isn't just about Ukraine – it's about preserving the international order that has maintained global peace and prosperity for the last eighty years.
I will continue to advocate for a strong, principled American response to this crisis. Our national security interests and our values demand nothing less.
Again, thank you for contacting our office, and please feel free to do so at any time. It is an honor to represent you and the Second Congressional District of Nebraska.
Sincerely,
Rep. Don Bacon
Member of Congress
Goddamn, he's good. Honorable.
Thank you, Gary.
Phil B. Spec. 5, U.S. Army Vietnamese translator/interpreter, 2 Sept. '69 -- 4 Apr. '72
I don't often agree with him, but I'm with him on this.
As stated above, I already called his office. How about others here do the same?
Don Bacon
202 225 4155
The democrats should have voted down the CR and shut down the government. Shumar's explanation that the shut down was the worst thing that could happen. Really?
I think it will not really work if there are just a few who are willing to peel off — as others have said, they will be physically terrorized by MAGA fanatics and dismissed like Cheney, Kinzinger, and Romney.
I believe it will not work until enough non-MAGA/reluctant Trump Republicans and independents who voted for Trump in 2024 make it clear that they’ve had enough and they are demanding Congress do something.
At that point I can see dozens or scores of Republicans on the Hill taking a stand. People who know they likely will not get reelected if they stick with Trump. So the threat of a Trump primary is not really there. There were 30 Republicans identified to have won by a smaller margin than the two Florida Republicans just won by on Tuesday, for example.
This bigger crowd would first need to be were willing to get rid of Johnson, like you said — and put in Hakeem Jeffries or even one of the “defectors” — it does not necessarily have to be a Democratic Speaker to get this done, that might be asking too much anyway.
Then I think they should impeach. It will be much stronger and much more accepted by the public (less coup-like) if it were led by Republicans anyway – – like Goldwater et al going to the White House and telling Nixon he needed to resign.
The best part about an impeachment is that they could impeach Vance at the same time – – indeed they must. I think his crew (BROligarchs Thiel, Yarvin, Sacks, etc) are even more dangerous than Trump. Trump and Vance have both certainly committed enough high crimes and misdemeanors in these past 75 or so days to pass the impeachment requirement.
Between this (totally unsurprising) tariff fiasco, the recent bonkers firing of anyone with any experience at NSA at the direction of the white supremacist conspiracy theorist Loomer, and of course, signalgate, DOGE’s dismantling of democracy via the implosion of the federal government—both of them could be gone at once and Mike Johnson would not be in line to be president. If it could only be done if one of the Republicans who crossed over were voted Speaker, so be it. This is not actually a democratic opportunity to take power in a few months rather than in four years; this is the people’s attempt to rescue the global economy and western democracy and restore their country to the rule of law. 🤷♀️
Phil, I took your suggestion and just left voice mails on both their phones. I told them that I am not in NY, but I AM in the US, and I am begging reasonable Republicans to STOP Trump and what the Project 2025 is instituting.
LFAA Tribe: here's their numbers. Please call. Thank you.
Don Bacon, DC office 202 225 4155
Mike Lawler, DC office 202 225 6506
So Phil, so far you have two maybe and one not sure? I wouldn't bet. We are talking about the maga party here ,not the republican party that dont exist any more.
Yes, Ricardo. We're in a very bad place.
The billionaires have succeeded far beyond the dreams of the original 1971 Powell memo. The international oligarchs have united, triumphed far beyond the imaginations of any and all media supposedly following power.
And schools? All around the world? Just dutiful handmaidens to the worst of the corrupt, the most incorrigible of the dehumanized testers.
Sadly, they would suffer the same fate as Liz Cheney.
Her book, which is excellent, is titled "Oath and Honor." I doubt she has any regrets. She wondered whether or not to run for office after Jan 6, knowing that she would lose. A Republican she admired encouraged her to run, saying that she shouldn't be afraid to lose in service of the truth. She is so brave, and a hero of mine. Not that I agreed with any of her policies, but when Jan 6 showed her what Trump was made of, she never wavered.
This is what I've been saying all along. We must fund security details for any Republicans (and their families) who are willing to cross the aisle.
I would hope the EU, while negotiating with Trump, makes ties around the world w other tariff-stricken countries to shore up business around the US. It would only make sense to double-deal Trump. The only businesses truly trapped are the American ones who either resource or manufacture somewhere else.
We are. We already do. The EU has trade deals all over the world, and this is an opportunity to strengthen them (e.g. with Canada, Asia, Latin America).
I work for a small, independent, US based company in a field where 90% of the goods in my industry are produced in China. I have no idea what happens next.
It wouldn't make any sense for the EU to trust the scumbag president on any negotiation. They have to have a plan A deal with other countries and a plan B with the US. Who would be the net looser here ?. Not hard to imagine.
I believe the applicability of the 14th Amendment was considered in the context of Trump's second impeachment, after the Jan. 6 insurrection. Despite the plain language of the "Disqualification Clause", the argument was made that it did not apply to the President, and that there was no official mechanism for determining if someone had "engaged in insurrection or rebellion". There was enough wiggle room that the current Supreme Court could find a way to ignore it.
Of course if trying to change a legally elected government by fraud and force isn't Insurrection I don't know what is.
Right now all forms of official mechanism are being crushed or ignored.
And this SCOTUS sure does know how to ‘wiggle!’
Though at a certain point perhaps 5 of them will not have the stomach to wiggle anymore. This guy is stoking financial terror internationally.
Or the Hill could always by-pass the court the old-fashioned way, might be easier:
Do you reckon that the egomaniacal act of putting a horse‘s head in between the sheets of every single country in the world, including islands inhabited solely by penguins, resulting in a global economic meltdown, would constitute either a high crime or a misdemeanor? Not to mention the countless illegal acts he has authorized DOGE to make as his regime topples our democracy by dismantling the federal government, as well as the shipping off of immigrants to foreign prisons with no due process? McConnell seems much more willing to buck Trump these days and if their portfolios take a big enough hit, I’m thinking enough Republican senators can be persuaded to join the handful they already have—third time’s a charm!
Much appreciated and needed - thought provoking and hopeful idea. Thanks
Phil Balla,
This rule was created by men/women who though imperfect recognized and respected our human need for rules, law and order....and compassion.
The person who has the title of "President" follows his own rules. His minions are laughing, joking, raking in the "dough" while they can....destroying our friendships throughout the world, destroying the foundations of our government once held by sacrificial, though imperfect heroes. Poverty, abuse, suffering and cruelty will be on the rise.
Disease and catastrophic weather events are also happening....who is organizing aid to the broken and helpless...those who have lost family and home??? Are you all partying at Mara Lago??? Did you not realize with power comes responsibility for those under your care?
We knew this was/is Trumps character. His "mob" is as he is and enjoying this time....they can not believe how easy it was for the great America to begin to crumble. How easy it was to brainwash "Christians?".....to use men and women with more ego than brains or love of this country. The "light " America has been to the world is diminished.
Will heroes arise: thank you Jasmine Crocket....thank you Corie Booker! I see little by little, more and more are rising up.
I am looking forward to April 5!
I am begging people who live in Republican districts to call or email their representatives and DEMAND they act to reverse ALL of Elon's cuts; to STOP the SAVE act; and to IMPEACH TRUMP. I have other issues as well, but I read to limit your concerns to three things.
TRUMP, by virtue of the kidnapping of immigrants and Signalgate (among other issues I'm sure) is NOT "faithfully executing the laws of the nation".
Yesterday, I tried to call Durbin and Duckworth, my senators. Durbin's voice mail doesn't allow messages. Duckworth's (all 6 offices, DC and Illinois) automatically put me on hold, then after a moment, said the staff was unable to answer due to call volume. I emailed them both, and my House rep as well.
I TRIED to call various top Congress people. Many of those aren't accepting voice mail, and their emails refuse me because I'm not in their district.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep bugging the *stuff* out of them!!
Unfortunately, talking to Kevin Hern is a monumental waste of time. He simply ignores anyone who does not sing PINO's praises, and in my case tried to pretend I was not one of his constituents. (how I wish that were true!) You would have better luck talking to a brick wall.
Yes Republicans are like frogs in a warming pot of water. With every action by Trump it gets more uncomfortable for them. Right now there are 5 squawking but not budging. When legislators are forced in the budget negotiations to cut medicare and social security so that the wealthy cam have tax breaks it will be more than Vets applying heat to frogs. Nixon was impeached only when sufficient Republicans put down the Kool Aid and saw their impending combustion.
Phil, we need more opinions like yours. Too many grudges that are not helpful.
So JD Vance would become president? How is that an improvement?
True enough, Sophie.
Though, too, we know the fat orange criminal has long-standing, cretinous, villainous, money-laundering and other ties to Putin and many other deeply corrupt Russian oligarchs.
Vance, only his ties to U.S. high tech billionaires.
Not sure that’s actually an improvement. Both are vile and destructive.
but what 3 Republicans would ever do this?
With so much happening on any given day, it's heartening to know you continue to track and document it all for us, Heather. And yes, a tanking market couldn't have a better opening bell mascot than Four Seasons Total Landscaping man himself, Rudy Giuliani.
.
I'll bet that Heather can't believe she had to write that.
The neo-fascist take over and destruction of the USA.
In 4 months...... the world will be unrecognisable in 4 years.
I fear for what they (sic) will do when it all starts going wrong for them.
I don't know about better, but it fits.
Republicans make laws; they don't follow them. That's their ideal anyway.
On Amanpour & company this evening, Ms Amanpour noted that the Norwegian Ambassador to N.A.T.O. asserted that this careening tariff scheiße violates Article II of the N.A.T.O.; (s)he is correct.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/03/Tv/video/amanpour-trump-tariffs-german-foreign-minister-annalena-baerbock
"Article 2
"The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them."
Of course, Team Treason wants the U.S. to exit N.A.T.O. https://www.nato.int/cps/ua/natohq/official_texts_17120.htm
I have no doubt that is coming. Hungary’s Orban denounced the ICC today so he could host Netanyahu.
Yep! Time for criminal huddling!
Orbán is about to face EU Treaty Article 7 proceedings, which will lead to Hungary losing voting and veto powers in the EU until it re-establishes democracy. That will cost Hungary a lot more than friendship with Netanyahu, Putin and Trump will bring.
Great. The sooner, the better.
Yeah, it’s already late. Many of us in the EU are thoroughly fed up with the delays in dealing with Orbán.
P.S., and while the democracies are at it, pull all N.A.T.O. and E.U. funding as well as assets from Hungary; let the man out of central casting for the Star Wars bar-room scene know he is going to be on his own. https://www.tiktok.com/@its.hunique/video/6966179381165165829
There's not much that's peaceful and friendly about demanding Greenland from Denmark and refusing to take outright invasion off the table, nor in insisting you'll absorb your closest ally and friendly neighbor, against their wishes.
Baerbock has really distanced herself from other German politicians in her scope and positioning in Europe. This will benefit her and Europe/Germany. She has been very "hard nosed" along with the Baltic and Slavic Statespersons who live on the "front line" with Putin. I can understand that a German politician is not going to express outrage over Israel's continued aggressiveness in their Region, but she should have made some remarks about the perfidy of Orban's exit from the ICC during Netanyahu's recent visit to Hungary, where he should have been arrested for crimes against humanity.
Well, the discussion was primarily about the terrorism by tariff. So, I do not fault Minister Baerbock though the comments you call for would have been most helpful. Nevertheless, I am sympathetic with Germany. ✌🏽
While she has a substantial land buffer between her and Russia, Germany is the only of the four core N.A.T.O. powers -- U.S., U.K., France and Germany -- who does not possess an independent nuclear strike capability, albeit small. 😳
So, Germany could arguably be a logical target were Russia to go nuclear beyond use of tactical weapons in Donbass or possibly using the nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhia as a giant dirty bomb. That creates the sense of vulnerability that Germany faces. 😰
Should Russia attack, trusting the U.S. to deploy her twenty nukes based in Germany would be shakey. Germany sets an example for repair or entrenchment of republicanism after a very dark past into democracy; we need her and other allies now. 🤝
Germany's ascent into a great power democracy, especially with her history in the first half of the last century and the horror of the Holocaust, places her in a unique position to call out Israël's hypocrisy for her genocidal intent displayed in Gaza.🪞
Ned this was also on my radar. Thanks for fleshing it out so thoroughly.
Well, the credit readily goes to Mmes Amanpour and Baerbock. ✌🏽 But, hey, I lived in N.Y.C. and D.C. long enough to take credit when it is not due. 😉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annalena_Baerbock
For the US to exit NATO requires an Act of Congress. But there’s no need for a formal departure to undermine it, as is happening now.
Thank you for crystallizing yet another day of dissolution. Someone has to hold this all together, even if it’s only possible with powerful words and commanding history right now.
They say to buy the dips in the market. But I’m not sure if there is any sage advice to buy the malignant sabotage of a narcissistic Russian agent wielding AI-generated tariffs like a reanimated 1930s gilded cadaver. Anyone know if there’s a clichéd truism for that?
I am channeling my current despondency into community this Saturday at the nation wide HANDS OFF protest. Maybe you should too! https://handsoff2025.com/
And I've sublimated my rage into a dispassionate analysis of why the right wing is dismantling the CDC, NIH, and FDA: it comes down to power, ideology, and money. Maybe a little public health survival guide I crafted at the end of this post adds another string to hold this all together: https://mccormickmd.substack.com/p/heres-why-they-are-dismantling-the
We lost a lot of money when the market tanked yesterday. Hopefully, we lose a lot more today.
Let's hope the State of Wisconsin files criminal charges against Elon Musk for bribing voters to vote against Judge Crawford. And they take him into custody and hold him without bail. I'm sure he's a flight risk.
'Buy the dips'...'don't try and catch a falling knife'...'Don't worry about return on principal, worry about return of principal'. Current P/E ratio is 26.82 after today's losses. Historically, Mean:16.14 Median:15.05. Shiller P/E ratio (earnings adjusted for inflation) is 33.32 Mean:17.23 Median:16.04. Warren Buffett is sitting on $334B in cash. FYI.
Ill be at one, Doc
I’m not sure, but does MD stand for mental defective? I’m just asking for a friend
Before reading go to read the incredible supportive initiative of Tariffs by Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders in the wrong words
The Democrats are handling DOGE in the very same way. Clinton-Gore did a lengthy TV announcement about reducing the size of government and minimizing the waste and fraud. THEN Barack Obama himself said the same exact thing and initiated the same practice that DOGE Performing today and eliminated 1/2 of 1 million federal positions and I didn’t hear a peep out of anyone of you. In addition, he also deported some 2 million illegals during his term. The silence was, and is still deafening
Rick, obviously you have an agenda but what is your purpose in denigrating people commenting? It is not winning you any respect.
Someone actually liked his bs
I noticed. I know HCR is trying to tamper down raw trolling. I am not sure that is what Rick is doing. He seems to have a real passion for tariffs as a policy tool and approved of this all out assault even as it pertains to an island of penguins. (The calculations used to fill the tariff tableau’s in the …soon to be paved..Rose Garden reminded me of his hurricane sharpie stunt and I doubt he will acknowledge the errors made vis-à-vis those remote islands.) Ironically, this contraction of global trade probably is good for the other creatures who call this globe home, although it will not help the Ellen Wilson/Jackie Kennedy roses.
He seems to have time to go back and peruse every statement ever made in any circumstance. A tried and true Republican strategy. Like how they got Dems to ditch Al Frankin. James O’Keefe another who distorts, and creates venom to paint Dems with. They are legion, it seems
I have no passion for tariffs although Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders do and I’ve posted four quotes from them in long speeches they gave in 1996 in 2008 affirming their desire, fervent desire for tariffs. Check out the links they’re here somewhere.
Americans are not very patient when it comes to doubt and I understand that, but I’ve never seen so much ridiculous misinformed uninformed rhetoric in a long time one of the reasons that Democrat party is in such disarray and CNN puts their approval rating of the party of 21% now down from 36% just four weeks ago as I keep doubling down on incorrect
For starters, why don’t you just check out the links I sent you first ones about tariffs and then one’s about doge then when you have some information that you didn’t have before, maybe you’ll take a different perspective
I'm guessing he liked his own post...
Hope so
Will you be in one of the militias that will kill protesters tomorrow?
No, I leave all the violence lately to the Democrats killing the vehicle that they loved for 15 years. Sitting there, like children hammering on a toy car on the sidewalk, they’ve lost their minds. Maybe choreograph dancing, will solve the problem? Yikes Or perhaps the violence and murder and killing of police and destruction of cities by the Democrats, because of one dead black man whose police arrest Cut off his airway by mistake? As if it were intentional. Not to mention that the policeman was arrested and convicted. 2 BILLION DOLLARS OF DAMAGE SND SOME 600 INJURED AND 25 POLICE KILLED. Citi‘s taking over police precinct burnt to the ground.
The only one killed on J6 was an innocent civilian.
Ashli Babbitt ignored a direct order of a Capitol police officer, and she had a 6 inch knife in her backpack. She was not innocent.
Ooooooh. And she couldn’t have been controlled by the police. Wow without killing her. Was he aware of her knife? Even though he killed her, he didn’t wound her. He didn’t tease her. He didn’t try to wrestle with her. He just shot her. And when George Floyd died $2 billion worth of damage 25 police killed cities bird to the ground pretty much a police precinct burnt and neighborhoods taken over in commandeered by violin protesters.
If that was your daughter Would you want killed or captured?
Here are some more interpretations of what "MD" might stand for:
Marshmallow Dispenser
Moderately Delusional
Muffin Detective
Magnificent Doodler
Mistaken Dinosaur
Mustache Developer
Mysterious Dancer
Mild Disappointment
Mango Destroyer
Memory Defragmenter
Magical Doorstop
Midnight Diver
Monotonous Droner
Meticulous Doodad
Mayonnaise Devotee
You can use any of these on your next half-baked exposition, courtesy of Claude.
Manic dufus
Mendacious dipwat
Melancholy dumbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82sUTJugT_s Speech from Bernie Sanders, demanding affirmative support and approval of tariffs 2008.
Next one will be Nancy Pelosi doing exactly the same in 1996.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5euzuDFsybo
Feel free to deny fax that’s not a problem for me. These words are not from my mouth they’re from the actual supporters of tariffs. Take a listen and be informed.
Now in my next little misinformed diatribe missive, let’s see if I can address Bill Clinton and Al Gore in the early 90s a major push for what exactly doge is ding today Let me also find the video of Barack Obama saying the exact same thing while he fired/dismissed 500,000 federal workers and not a peep out of anybody here. Not to mention you also deported 2 million illegals.
I’ll do that in my next post because I don’t wanna overwhelm you with facts
PS and I’m very excited about something this morning. Looks like I hit a nerve. Good. Maybe a wake up call is exactly what this group needs.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-04-mn-273-story.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOKL4YFJOVU
https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/20/us/gore-jumps-into-the-job-of-cutting-us-waste.html And here was one from your favorite newspaper
One more coming https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-new-effort-crack-down-waste-and-fraud This is from the White House itself.
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/white-house-launches-campaign-cut-waste-vice-president-take-making-gover
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/50773
YOUR “INVENTORS OF DOGE’”. Two Democrat presidential leaders. I’m so proud of them.
What kills me about most of you most of you don’t care about the waste and cuts that were making you care about who’s doing them a.k.a. Elon Musk
Trump could’ve very easily given this task to any of his Cabinet members Bessent? Lutnick. Then what would you have said?
And your response very civil let’s take down Tesla one of the most loved cars by Democrats for the decade Pathetic
Maybe now you’ll be informed
I took the time to read the articles you provided links for. I don’t think they prove what you think they do.
Every president in the modern era has had plans for reducing governmental “waste, fraud and abuse”. It is a popular goal. The difference is in how the plans were to be implemented.
According to the information in the links you posted –
Clinton proposed a reduction of 100,000 government jobs over four years, to be accomplished primarily by attrition, not layoffs.
Although accurate figures are difficult to pin down, CBS has reported that Trump and DOGE have fired at least 216,000 government employees in three months.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/layoffs-job-cuts-march-2025-third-highest-ever-recorded-doge/
Clinton also called for a “National Performance Review”, with participation of 5-10 officials from each major federal agency, over a “crash” 6 month period.
I don’t believe Musk has invited the participation of any agency officials, locking them out of their own buildings instead.
In his FY 2010 budget, Obama proposed more than 120 program terminations or reductions. Congress approved 60 percent of the proposed cuts to discretionary programs.
Trump and Musk have not sought Congressional approval for their actions.
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-new-effort-crack-down-waste-and-fraud
Obama and Vice President Biden established a “a new oversight and accountability board to help federal agencies improve their performance and reduce waste, fraud and abuse across government.” The board was to include “11 members, including agency Inspectors General, agency Chief Financial Officers or Deputy Secretaries, an official from the Office of Management & Budget, and other such members the President may designate. – With regular cabinet meetings to report progress to the Vice President.”
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/white-house-launches-campaign-cut-waste-vice-president-take-making-gover
Obama also planned to use targeted “payment recapture audits”, in some cases using specialized private auditors. The approach was “demonstrated through pilot programs to be highly effective.”
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-new-effort-crack-down-waste-and-fraud
In contrast, Trump has fired many of the government Inspectors General, whose role was to “conduct independent and objective audits, investigations and inspections; Prevent and detect waste, fraud and abuse; Promote economy, effectiveness and efficiency; Review pending legislation and regulation; and Keep the agency head and Congress fully and currently informed.”
https://www.ignet.gov/content/frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=Conduct%20independent%20and%20objective%20audits,pending%20legislation%20and%20regulation%2C%20and
Instead, Trump has allowed Musk to install teams of programmers with no experience in government systems to hack and slash through agencies with no apparent planning, care, or precision, and no Congressional approval.
As for the tariff situation, selected clips of Sanders and Pelosi do not convey a full understanding of their positions. Tariffs have been selectively used in the past, to support specific goods and industries in the U.S.
Trump is slapping them on entire countries at exorbitant rates. Again, there is a significant difference in the details of implementation.
You can call it anything you want feel free to call attrition. it’s still the same thing. Not to mention that Obama, based on findings here released 500,000 federal employees and reported over 2 million illegal immigrants.
Now, tell me how many protests you heard about when he was doing this?
They intended to do everything that does is doing today. Maybe the process is different but unfortunately Trump is pushing against time that he doesn’t have. For your information to things she’ll probably occur. And I’m hoping it doesn’t happen but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Democrats come up with some kind of incredible plan to impeach Donald Trump once again.
Second history has told us that every time and it’s only been five times that he president enters his term of office and has the complete control of the House and Senate in the succeeding midterm elections at least one house has turned for the other party every single time.
So he’s trying to turn out the builder he’s promised America, which is been includes no tax on tips no tax on Social Security no tax on overtime a stronger military, a stronger army, a stronger border.. he doesn’t have eight.
Did you by any chance watch the video of the Clinton-Gore backdrop of the thousands of documents that they showed that were waste and abuse that they were going to get rid of ? Again, my point is you didn’t hear anything from the left when this was happening not about the federal employee ‘ATTRITION” nor the federal worker layoff.
Obama made several speeches which I have not linked all of them specifically about how many times and how many things he wanted to do to shrink the size of government. Exactly how do you think that happens?
And one other thing that Trump is doing the Biden and gore, and Obama didn’t do was investigate and have a full investigative team and all segments of the administration before them specifically initially before them and determine the incredible amount of payments that were being paid out and not going to where they were supposed to go
And hopefully heard of them all the schemes that were paid overseas for crap. And like, for example, in the last week of Biden‘s term, he set aside $2 billion for the. I forgot her name the lady in Georgia to supply refrigerators and appliances to essentially Black people and of course all the money didn’t get to where it was supposed to go, but that’s just a few of the things. Really and honestly interested to see where all this waste and abuse is and you’re an honest person who’s looking for the truth. Try this. DOGE.GOV. Every single day they post, monies that they find fraud waste and abuse, and you can see exactly what it is. The it’s so unimaginable, and the items are actually laughable like trying to train transgender mice in somewhere in Africa. I mean it to suckers beyond belief.
At least you have the courage and desire to find out the truth and seek out the truth and while I agree with you to some extent that the Manor is a mess in which does is working in slightly different than Obama and Clinton did technology is certainly change that substantially and the ability to address waist and Fried has become a lot easier because it’s all online now. In any event, end of story thanks for getting back to me and for your research. I respect you for doing so
Read above the links about Pelosi and Sanders and weep
Unfortunately, at 71 I don’t have the employment nor the time to make back the money he’s forcing out of my meager 401k with his insane games. This scares me tremendously.
A month ago or so I saw tariffs coming and converted as much as I could stomach to a money market fund in my retirement account earning a cool 5% in interest.
I did exactly the same thing. I took 75% out just before the inauguration and then on January 31 I had it all taken out of the market and put into something that was a little safer.
The Senate GOP seems ready to take back fiscal control, given that Chuck Grassley has introduced a bill that would require Congressional approval for new tariffs.
But then there's Mike Johnson, who will be reluctant to put it on the House floor for fear of angering Trump.
I see a major Senate / House shakedown about to happen.
Now I better understand how DJT engineered multiple bankruptcies in his business. Here we go again?
Why are We Surprised About Today's Stock-Market Plunge? DJT is the Supreme Wealth Destroyer... DJT is Simple-Minded, and his Dementia is getting Worse... Didn't DJT's MisManagement of COVID Crash The Market in March 2020? DJT has squandered Billions of $, and has filed for Bankruptcy 6-Times... In the year 2000, the USA had a Balanced Budget, and was slated to payoff the National Debt by 2010... Then came GWB, and his Forever-Wars, and DJT's Tax-Cuts for the Wealthy... The Wealthy own the Corporations thru their Funds, and Stock Holdings... DJT was a 'Successful Businessman' only in a Simple-Minded Fantasy Reality Show.... DJT never really ran a large-complex organization... DJT 'Crashed' his first Presidential Administration... DJT is the Perfect Orange Puppet for Putin, and Musk... Putin wants to Destroy the U.S. led Western-Order, Musk wants to Pillage the USG for his own Ends... Note which Agencies have been Crushed by Musk... Keep an Eye on China... The Chinese play an extremely Long-Game, and they are are starting to Fight Back...Per Tom Freidman, Chinese Tech is starting to Eclipse American Tech... China does not have a Mad Orange Emperor in Charge.... Tom Freidman wrote today in the NYT, that his Chinese Friends are asking if DJT is America's Mao Tse-Tung...
The best negotiator for Vlad.
You better get in your bomb shelter the Russians are coming the Russians are coming the Russians are coming didn’t you know?
Apache, the scumbag president is also a puppet for Peter Thiel that controls the Manchurian JD Vance. the most likely agent orange successor in the near future. That's the real danger.
You are absolutely correct about Peter Thiel. The orange moron is only the distraction while the authors of project 2025 are still implementing every piece of that BS that was written. Vance was also one of the authors so therefore they have it all set up now that everybody is in fear of their money being lost. I wish someone would do some investigating into how much has been implemented from 2025 and that the people who authored are pulling the strings. The orange moron has no brains just oversize ego.
Well look who doesn’t invest in the stock market? I bet you sold everything today and yesterday and you have no more invested in the market, right? Please when you post try to tell people the truth. And you’re actually quoting Thomas Friedman oh my God help help pathetic why don’t you “Paul Rudd, Krugman and Robert right when they both said that trumps administration would cause a recession in. First administration when job growth was the fastest when well wealth growth was the fastest for middle income, earners in recent history.
Tom Friedman ? I’d be embarrassed to mention that name
Hey at least he’s a real economist…
Bankrupting the US citizens this time.
Hey Jack, would you like to hear the names in the list of people who had bankruptcies and came out of it with Much success…. OK, Abraham Lincoln, henry Ford Steve Jobs, PT Barnum, Milton Hershey, Donald Trump, George Foreman, Larry King, Cyndi Lauper, Mike Tyson, American Airlines Elton John, General Motors, Henry Heinz and certainly let’s not forget Walt Disney Recognize any of those names
Pretty sure they did not have 6 bankruptcies a piece despite all the advantages of being born wealthy, or fraud and felony convictions to their names. They didn’t even have foreign countries/ Putin via Deutsche Bank Cyprus to bail out their other failing ventures.
He is skilled in the art of ruining a business, walking away with a sum of money and leaving others holding the bag. He is a great communicator and salesman but not so good at management. He is now managing our economy. Think about it.
He’s a goddamn tv magician…not presidential in the slightest sense
Hello Jack... Communicator... DJT typically unleashes a Torrent Of BS... He wears out the listeners... Do You Think That His Speeches Will Be Quoted in 100Years?... DJT is a Con-Man that Preys on People....
He is a master propagandist to his base and pretty much only his brainwashed base. He has them convinced that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Many millions believe this complete lie. Nobody in history has done better at propaganda. Never underestimate his skills in certain areas. As for his general fund of knowledge, he is woefully inadequate.
Hello Jack... 'Propagandist' is appropriate... So was Hitler... Look at how that turned out for the Germans... ;-)
Well, I thought about it it took me about a nanosecond. The man is worth about 15 billion today.. Hotels in golf courses around the world with his name on them a social media site worth 10 billion. Poor guy. He can’t seem to manage a thing. Other than being elected by the popular vote for the second time.
Let me name you a few other people who ruined their business and came back winning like Trump. Let’s start with Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, PT, Barnum, Steve Jobs, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Elton John, Milton, Hershey, HJ, Heinz, and this little guy name Walt Disney just to name a few
And you’re sitting there waiting for your Social Security check and you’re going to critique Donald Trump‘s wealth and fortune?
How to quote a very infamous guy. Think about that
The orange one says it is worth 10 billion. I am skeptical.
Well, I’m not the one who says it norris Trump apparently his social media company, truth social , is worth $10 billion in and of itself.
I’ve read that in many places. Not to mention that’s not that critical that he is worth that much but I did mention to someone earlier here that Donald Trump could spend $1 billion every year as long as he live and never run out of money and they are totally against Trump, but they agreed with that statement.
R we looking forward to recession and bankruptcy???
So do you still see that on the horizon? Liberals have become the worst predictors of tomorrow, than dead people. Try living in the moment as I recommended to a few other people shut off the TV don’t read the paper don’t blog here and you’ll notice that almost nothing in your life is changed. Progress is being made in the correct direction, curbing crime, closing the border, lowering prices, creating jobs and manufacturing back to America
Hey Liz, technically we’re already bankrupt. We’re writing checks without any money in our account. And I think right now, or in the next few months, our debt service will be more than our entire military budget, which is the largest portion of our budget. How about that?
What are the problems with not only the liberals but liberal so called economists who are wrong 95% of the time like Paul Krugman for example or Robert Reich for example. Donald Trump first took office Paul Krugman said we’re going into a recession and the next thing you know the middle class and gain more monthly income than they had in two decades and the economy was booming before Covid. Stock market was up tremendously as was the overall economy. Gas prices were just over two dollars. Inflation was 3% mortgage rates were 3 1/2% and as soon as Biden took office inflation more than double mortgage rates more than doubled almost tripled. Gas prices went up double about two bucks… that’s the definition of Paul Krugman’s prediction
But you democrats haven’t had a decent crystal ball or Ouija board in years. And you should stop trying to use them! wait for the evidence to present itself, and then you can talk about recession and bankruptcy. And in the midterms, if things are not doing well, I’ll be on your side arm in arm
Two headlines from the April 3, 2025 Boston Globe
1) "Trump administration sends Harvard list of demands to avoid cancellation of billions in federal funding."
2) "Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage award for certifying 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6"
Website: https://www.jfklibrary.org/
Email Address: profileincourage@jfklfoundation.org
Until yesterday, Harvard's endowment was $52BILLION and a real profile in courage is Liz Cheney! An educational institution capitulating to a dictator and Pence (who never wavered in his support of trump) receiving an award for "courage" for doing his job one freakin' time! Every.Single.Day the insanity just keeps coming from every direction.
Harvard is giving out democracy 'Participation Trophies'.
Lol...
I disagree with you on Pence. I never had much time for the man, but on January 6th 2021, he faced down a violent crowd of insurrectionists, his own boss, and half his party, and certified that election. When faced with fascism and an attempted coup, doing one’s job can be the bravest thing.
Pence's alternative was not doing 'the easy thing' or going along with the crowd. It was violating the Constitution, his oath of office, violating God's strictures as he saw them as a religious guy and engaging in an overt act in an Insurrection, a crime. The crowd was not going to stop and leave the Capitol if he had refused to certify the election. Not a hero, just a guy who reluctantly followed the law after 4 years of being an enabler to a criminal.
You seem to dismiss (or not know) the sheer violence of fascism. Confronting it is an admirable action, including in people we disagree with.
Are you aware that the famous Pastor Niemöller was also a religious nationalist ? Yet when it was time to stand up to the Nazis, he did so, and was sent to concentration camp as a result.
Yeah, and Brave Pence was sent to a Fox News studio and on a book tour where he made millions of dollars. America is not Nazi Germany.
A violent mob is a violent mob, whether it’s wearing a brown shirt or a red hat.
Is cruelty the point? Every day it seems the goal is to destroy our democracy, ruin our alliances, and decimate the finances of our citizens. Today was a blood bath for many of us.
It is the point.
"All of the people who support an authoritarian power structure are equally authoritarian as well. Someone who uses this strategy reconnects themselves to the world through what Fromm calls a type of sadomasochism. Two words there—sadism and masochism: sadism being the desire to control others, to dominate exploit or steal from others; masochism being the desire to submit to some power and be controlled or dominated. The authoritarian is sadistic in the sense that they want to support an authoritarian setup so that other people and groups will be controlled. But they are masochistic in the sense that they themselves want to submit to that authority as part of the process.
Both of these are a direct sacrifice of their freedom and individuality. See, as a sadist, you cannot exist unless if you have somebody else to control. You’re no longer capable of being an individual at that point. And as a masochist, same thing, you cannot exist unless if there’s somebody out there to control or dominate you. But consider this. Freud said and Fromm agreed that you never really see sadism in a person without some type of masochism attached to it, and vice versa. He says Hitler may have been an extreme example of somebody who was sadistic, but he was always masochistic towards his position within history and the ideas of fate and chance.
People with this authoritarian mindset will often escape from freedom by looking around them and finding out where the power structures lie. They’re very good at searching out and finding where there’s a concentration of power. Then masochistically they submit and insinuate themselves into that power structure. They become one small part of this power structure—something they see as bigger than themselves, something that’s compensating for their weaknesses as a scared individual—and then they’ll use their position as a foot soldier of that authoritarian to then take out their sadistic tendencies on other people in the name of this thing that they’ve submitted to.
The point is this: in this state, they are no longer individuals. They are no longer free. They have retreated back towards the womb, back to a set of social conditions that can tell them how to live, what to think, who the enemy is. And they spend their days limiting the freedom of others, creating chains for people."
https://www.philosophizethis.org/transcript/episode-151-transcript?rq=sadomasochism%20
I visited the United Nations in 1962 when I was seven years old. I have understood that we are really one human family here on planet Earth since that day. The UN acknowledges that while we may argue using violence to settle our arguments is a path to global destruction. And while it has failed to achieve its mission of preventing such violent outbreaks, the foundational truth that we are one human family (even though we may disagree between family members) remains. 
I know that Trump and Musk and Vance and Putin and Peter Thiel cannot conceive of us all being one family here on planet Earth, but that does not mean we who do understand that factual reality in our hearts and souls should stop advocating for a global transformation in keeping with that truth. 
I believe that advocacy work must be front and center in all the efforts we make to stop Trump. I say this because it is not enough to say what you want to stop. It is also important to say what you want to start. We cannot defeat fascism by saying we want to keep democracy alive. People don’t know what democracy can give them, which is why so many didn’t vote in 2024. We must make the case that democracy can give us the transformed world that has been waiting to be born for many decades now!
I encourage everyone to study the work of Buckminster Fuller to see an example of how far back the advocacy efforts for a world where we relate from the truth of being one human family goes. 
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller.
good point Steve Brant
You’ve got it, JaKsaa! Happy to meet another fan of Buckminster Fuller’s work! And you’re welcome!
Big protests tomorrow!
Ask yourself, ask your family, your friends, everyone:
Are you better off than you were four months ago?
Well, since it’s only been 60 days. How do you know we always greater presidential accomplishments in 60 days. You people crack me up. Read above links on Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders, staunch support of terrors in the wrong words.
Watch and learn folks
Can who-ever owns this hound put a muzzle on him, please?
Ignore him/her. He’s just here to stir us up.
He is an ego maniac like his hero.
From his profile it appears he's focused on trolling HCR for whatever reason...
It’s apparent who owns that hound: his own Dear Leader. A more pathetic example of MAGA lame-brained ineducability you’ll not find. Just block his nonsense.
I wish muring and blocking kept him out of the comment section. Ugh. He’s a tiresome nuisance.
Especially from my perspective on the other side of the world, this news update is so ridiculous that it's hard to believe it's true. Professor Richardson, thanks for the summary and for pointing out that Republicans in Congress could stop this mess at any time. We all need to put pressure on our congressional representatives to find the courage to stand up to this chaos.
They won’t
Pressure them anyway, please.
I'm afraid you're probably right, or a lot of damage will have been done by the time more than a few step up.
Recent history can’t find any…
I was referring to how Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska recently voted for a Democratic Senate resolution demanding that the 25% tariffs on Canadian products be rescinded. I know it's not much and probably won't go anywhere in the House, but it could be a start.
I don’t think I could stand the shock if Rand Paul ever did anything sensible.
Let us not forget the famous Hillel quote: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?"
An "American First" without any values has become "America Alone." That does not translate into a prosperous, democratic America. I am hopeful that this Saturday, April 5, with the motto Hands Off!, we, the people, will show our strength, will make it clear that we are with the rest of the world in demanding that this lawless administration stop its march toward autocracy.
Trump's AI team is so smart they put a tariff on imports from a little island occupied solely by penguins! As the Duke would say, "This cannot stand."
I would like to nominate our resident MAGA troll to be the ambassador to the Heard and McDonald Islands. He and the residents can toss guano at each other.
lol ~
Interesting times indeed. As a historian, it must be especially fascinating to be in the midst of events that will be analyzed and written about for many years to come.
The epic stupidity of Cheetolini and the abject cowardice of the GQP congresscritters makes for a dangerous brew . . .
Actually, the rebirth of manufacturing in this country. So you here and all of us will have to decide is it worth it to have manufacturing here and pay workers a decent wage and have to pay slightly higher prices for that or is it better to offshore all our important and vital needs to people that aren’t four dollars a day for example Or $.20-$.30 an hour. The reason the middle class is gone is because we chose the latter.
People want to pay less we’re good and services, but didn’t realize what was happening to American manufacturing and factories. And now most products will be made by robots built by Americans factories, built by Americans and jobs to run the robots bite Americans. You choose. Do you really wanna count on China for all her medication which we do now? Do you wanna have the same lack of products because of Covid and having to halt shipping services etc. and be at the wheel of foreign governments for our survival or should we take care of ourselves first and then worry about the world?
tweedle dee dee, dum d'dum dum dum...help me, Jesus...
You better be praying because there’s a good chance you’re beyond help
Oh my. A true Trump cult member.
Nope not at all but nice try Pam. I hate it comes out of his mouth but I love what comes out of his pen and you should do the same. Stop listen to the bullshit rhetoric you hear on the mainstream media telling you they’re gonna steal your Social Security and they’re gonna steal your Medicare, when nothing even close is true.