The only real question i ponder these days is this: In 4 years, how much will trump/musk et al have lined their pockets with off the backs of American voters? Some enterprising media "influencer" should start a running clock to chart it. I suspect day by say the numbers will explode.
Best of all is Leon's quote: "American's must suffer hardships."
"In 1930, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, in an effort to alleviate the effects of the... Anyone? Anyone?... the Great Depression, passed the... Anyone? Anyone? The tariff bill? The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act? Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?... raised tariffs, in an effort to collect more revenue for the federal government. Did it work? Anyone? Anyone know the effects? It did not work, and the United States sank deeper into the Great Depression."
Just to throw this out there, Trump's first term tariffs did not lead to the dire consequences that many thought, and Biden left many of Trump's tariffs in place, and no dire consequences, no Great Depression 2.0.
Those first Trump term ones were targeted tariffs, not blanket ones. And more importantly, if you want to use tariffs to discourage trade with one adversarial country (e.g. China) then you have to form the policy to encourage trade from friendly countries (e.g. Canada and Mexico).
Tariffs are a tool, like anything else - and tools have to be used correctly.
Good, it's about time someone does something about the drug cartels. I am for telling the President of Mexico that either they do something about the flood of illegal immigrants and the human trafficking and drugs, or we do it for them. I would use our military to wipe out the cartels like we wiped out Isis.
President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum's response to Trump's tariff threat:
"Mexico City, November 26, 2024
Dear President-elect Donald Trump,
I am writing to you regarding your statement on Monday, November 25, concerning migration, fentanyl trafficking, and tariffs.
You may not be aware that Mexico has developed a comprehensive policy to assist migrants from different parts of the world who cross our territory en route to the southern border of the United States. As a result, and according to data from your country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters at the Mexico–United States border have decreased by 75% between December 2023 and November 2024. Moreover, half of those who arrive do so through a legally scheduled appointment under the United States’ CBP One program. For these reasons, migrant caravans no longer arrive at the border.
Even so, it is clear that we must work together to create a new labor mobility model that is necessary for your country, as well as address the root causes that compel families to leave their homes out of necessity. If even a small percentage of what the United States allocates to war were instead dedicated to building peace and fostering development, it would address the underlying causes of human mobility.
On another note, and for humanitarian reasons, Mexico has consistently expressed its willingness to help prevent the fentanyl epidemic in the United States from continuing. This is, after all, a public health and consumption problem within your society. So far this year, Mexican armed forces and prosecutors have seized tons of various types of drugs, 10,340 firearms, and have detained 15,640 individuals for violence related to drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the Mexican Congress is in the process of approving a constitutional reform to classify the production, distribution, and commercialization of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs as a serious crime without bail. However, it is publicly known that the chemical precursors used to produce this and other synthetic drugs are illegally entering Canada, the United States, and Mexico from Asian countries. This underscores the urgent need for international collaboration.
You must also be aware of the illegal trafficking of firearms into my country from the United States.
Seventy percent of the illegal weapons seized from criminals in Mexico come from your country. We do not produce these weapons, nor do we consume synthetic drugs. Tragically, it is in our country that lives are lost to the violence resulting from meeting the drug demand in yours.
President Trump, migration and drug consumption in the United States cannot be addressed through threats or tariffs. What is needed is cooperation and mutual understanding to tackle these significant challenges.
For every tariff, there will be a response in kind, until we put at risk our shared enterprises. Yes, shared. For instance, among Mexico’s main exporters to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago. Why impose a tariff that would jeopardize them? Such a measure would be unacceptable and would lead to inflation and job losses in both the United States and Mexico.
I am convinced that North America’s economic strength lies in maintaining our trade partnership. This allows us to remain competitive against other economic blocs. For this reason, I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace, and prosperity for our nations. I hope our teams can meet soon to continue building joint solutions."
The only real question i ponder these days is this: In 4 years, how much will trump/musk et al have lined their pockets with off the backs of American voters? Some enterprising media "influencer" should start a running clock to chart it. I suspect day by say the numbers will explode.
Best of all is Leon's quote: "American's must suffer hardships."
Right.
And get ready for those Day One tariffs! If there's something you know you rely on that comes from Canada or Mexico, stock up.
Glad my chile's from NEW Mexico!
Apropos:
"In 1930, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, in an effort to alleviate the effects of the... Anyone? Anyone?... the Great Depression, passed the... Anyone? Anyone? The tariff bill? The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act? Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?... raised tariffs, in an effort to collect more revenue for the federal government. Did it work? Anyone? Anyone know the effects? It did not work, and the United States sank deeper into the Great Depression."
Sounds like you have a Racket piece brewing yourself!
Nah...just saw it in a Tweet and thought it was worth sharing here (especially for the Bueller fans)!
Classic! 😃
So, Trump and Biden used them correctly, got it.
Ah, but we're talking about what he states he will do going forward - and that is incorrect use.
So: WAFO.
Just to throw this out there, Trump's first term tariffs did not lead to the dire consequences that many thought, and Biden left many of Trump's tariffs in place, and no dire consequences, no Great Depression 2.0.
Those first Trump term ones were targeted tariffs, not blanket ones. And more importantly, if you want to use tariffs to discourage trade with one adversarial country (e.g. China) then you have to form the policy to encourage trade from friendly countries (e.g. Canada and Mexico).
Tariffs are a tool, like anything else - and tools have to be used correctly.
Good, it's about time someone does something about the drug cartels. I am for telling the President of Mexico that either they do something about the flood of illegal immigrants and the human trafficking and drugs, or we do it for them. I would use our military to wipe out the cartels like we wiped out Isis.
Yes, we know you don't think Cam.
Welcome back, ready for more?
President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum's response to Trump's tariff threat:
"Mexico City, November 26, 2024
Dear President-elect Donald Trump,
I am writing to you regarding your statement on Monday, November 25, concerning migration, fentanyl trafficking, and tariffs.
You may not be aware that Mexico has developed a comprehensive policy to assist migrants from different parts of the world who cross our territory en route to the southern border of the United States. As a result, and according to data from your country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters at the Mexico–United States border have decreased by 75% between December 2023 and November 2024. Moreover, half of those who arrive do so through a legally scheduled appointment under the United States’ CBP One program. For these reasons, migrant caravans no longer arrive at the border.
Even so, it is clear that we must work together to create a new labor mobility model that is necessary for your country, as well as address the root causes that compel families to leave their homes out of necessity. If even a small percentage of what the United States allocates to war were instead dedicated to building peace and fostering development, it would address the underlying causes of human mobility.
On another note, and for humanitarian reasons, Mexico has consistently expressed its willingness to help prevent the fentanyl epidemic in the United States from continuing. This is, after all, a public health and consumption problem within your society. So far this year, Mexican armed forces and prosecutors have seized tons of various types of drugs, 10,340 firearms, and have detained 15,640 individuals for violence related to drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the Mexican Congress is in the process of approving a constitutional reform to classify the production, distribution, and commercialization of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs as a serious crime without bail. However, it is publicly known that the chemical precursors used to produce this and other synthetic drugs are illegally entering Canada, the United States, and Mexico from Asian countries. This underscores the urgent need for international collaboration.
You must also be aware of the illegal trafficking of firearms into my country from the United States.
Seventy percent of the illegal weapons seized from criminals in Mexico come from your country. We do not produce these weapons, nor do we consume synthetic drugs. Tragically, it is in our country that lives are lost to the violence resulting from meeting the drug demand in yours.
President Trump, migration and drug consumption in the United States cannot be addressed through threats or tariffs. What is needed is cooperation and mutual understanding to tackle these significant challenges.
For every tariff, there will be a response in kind, until we put at risk our shared enterprises. Yes, shared. For instance, among Mexico’s main exporters to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago. Why impose a tariff that would jeopardize them? Such a measure would be unacceptable and would lead to inflation and job losses in both the United States and Mexico.
I am convinced that North America’s economic strength lies in maintaining our trade partnership. This allows us to remain competitive against other economic blocs. For this reason, I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace, and prosperity for our nations. I hope our teams can meet soon to continue building joint solutions."
Just so you know, I didn't take myself out of the game, I was blocked from commenting. But if I'm allowed, I will get back in with both feet.