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Vote for Pedro
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Reagan was right. Do you know anything about Smoot-Hawley?
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smoot hawley thingy is on the ballot?
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No, but your vote could affect tariffs.
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so a yes or no in california is going to make the tariff stuff go away?
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Not exactly
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Let’s just say it could be a step in that direction.
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I think tariffs might go away if control of congress changes hands (which largely depends on which party does a better job of rigging elections) and the Supreme Court chooses the Constitution over partisanship.
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saw the senate had a vote on it...
but house ain't moving this year
quite possible next year it will all be a non issue...
can clearly see each interview given... the language being used is basically letting the courts know that none of it was possible without the tariffs... so will be very interesting how they rule in this
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None of what was possible without the tariffs?
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maybe spend some time on it ... watch the interviews with the treasury sec. ...or some others that are part of the trade negotiations
they have definitely thought this out... and making sure of hitting some talking points that the court will hear .... it will be hard to refute.
btw, if the courts came back and said NOPE to trump... you can't do these TARIFFS on china. what do you think the next course of action might be?
i am all for getting the precursor shit out.... at whatever it takes. and it seems that tariffs are the only tool we have at this point to get them to do anything. china seemed very ok with keeping 10 of the 20 percent of the FENT tariff on.... so we shall see. its going to be a yearly negotiation ... which it should be... as china mostly quite making purchases, immediately after the last deal. ..... so those tariffs can be snapped back if need be.... which china does not want. no shit. quit killing our people.
the tariff threat certainly got mexico to deploy soldiers on the border in the first and second terms... not quite sure how much canada is doing quite yet. ... they very big into the cartel stuff also... with the money laundering... and even labs.
can you come up with any other solution ... to get countries to the table? or maybe things were good and no need
it all depends on what you are going after
the old talking points of tariffs are not good... and will cause inflation... so far has not really happened. until it does, not that big of deal. .... i am also good with a little pain... if it solves that shit coming over the borders... basically killing almost a 100k per year of our people.... and of those, some real tragic accidental ones
the treasury might have 300b at the end of this year....
pay down our debt... pay some interest on it. solves some issues... maybe pay some snap bene's with it
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So you’re saying we have to have tariffs to force other countries to do what we want them to do? I don’t think that will end well, The reason other countries send drugs to the USA is because Americans want them so badly and are willing to pay for them. Prohibition didn’t put a stop to drinking and tariffs won’t end drug use.
Prices haven’t gone up a lot because Trump flip flops on tariffs every five minutes, but most things I pay for have gotten more expensive this year. There’s even an acronym for Trump’s flip flops: TACO.
If you think that reduced competition from blocking foreign goods won’t raise prices, I’m not going to explain basic economics to you. Maybe you understand that if tariffs jack up prices on foreign goods domestic suppliers will be able to raise their prices. Of course that will only happen if billionaires want to maximize their profits.
We have over $33 trillion in debt. $300 billion is less than a tenth of a percent of that. Trump added $7.8 trillion to the national debt during his first term as president. I don’t think math is your strong point.
China is bigger and stronger than the USA. Sad but true. We can’t make China and the rest of the world do what we want them to with tariffs. Look at how they got tired of our bullshit and decided to buy their soybeans somewhere else. Our farmers are in a world of hurt because of tariffs.
If tariffs are so great and Trump didn’t want to get them shut down by the courts, he should have done them the right way— by going through congress rather than fake emergencies and executive orders.
But you could get to keep your precious tariffs anyway. Americans have lost faith in the most politicized court in many decades and John Roberts and his pals could rule in Trump’s favor. They already said he can’t be held accountable for any act he claims is official. Why do you think they call Robert’s the kingmaker?
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Reagan was right.
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I really don't enjoy chiming in on blogs that discuss trade policy, macro economics, etc... But when I read something where it is obvious that basic economics is understood and weaponized and a few over generalizations make it sound more like venting as much as reasoning. It’s not ignorance, it’s more like half analysis, half frustration. In short form "talking points" from someone that understands surface level policy, yet lectures.
You’re repeating a lot of talking points, but most of what you said shows a surface level understanding of trade and policy rather than real depth.
Tariffs are not about forcing anyone to do anything. They are one of several tools used to correct imbalances when another country benefits from unfair practices. Pretending that the United States has no leverage is exactly how we ended up with decades of one sided trade deals that weakened our own industries.
You also seem to confuse strategic tariffs with protectionism. Targeted tariffs can strengthen domestic supply chains and improve negotiating power. That is not chaos or flip flopping. The reason prices have stayed mostly stable is because global producers adjusted, which is what effective leverage is supposed to achieve.
On debt, listing big numbers without context does not prove anything. Every administration adds to the debt. What matters is the return on that spending. Compare investments that bring back manufacturing and jobs to trillions spent on failed foreign wars and bureaucratic waste, and the difference is obvious.
As for the claim that China is bigger and stronger, that is simply FALSE. The United States still leads in GDP, innovation, military capability, and the global reserve currency. If you are going to make sweeping claims about decline, at least use current data.
And blaming the courts every time a ruling does not go your way is not an argument. It is an excuse.
So before lecturing others about basic economics, take a closer look at how trade policy actually works when a nation uses its power intelligently. The world is not an introductory textbook, and the United States is not a bystander in its own economy.
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I will try to address each of your points here.
If you read the comments you saw that I was responding to starfish when he claimed we could use tariffs to force other countries to bend to our will. Trump has talked endlessly about doing just that.
I see you think Trump’s tariffs are not employed to serve his protectionist agenda but you must not be paying attention when he speaks. Using tariffs to try and “bring back manufacturing and jobs” is actually the definition of protectionism. Jobs come from economic expansion and closing our nation off to trade will do the opposite and cause contraction.
The amazing gains in our prosperity over the last 80 years could never have been accomplished without the expansion ofinternational trade.
I’m not sure where you spend your money but I see prices rising every day. Maybe some producers have absorbed a portion of the increased costs from the small initial rounds of tariffs. When they reach the high levels that Trump wants producers will not be able to sacrifice enough profits to avoid raising prices.
My debt numbers were a direct response to the assertion from starfish that we can pay down our debt with tariff revenues. At this rate I believe it would take over 1100 years to eliminate the national debt with tariff revenues. You are right to dismiss the idea that we can eliminate our debt with tariff revenue. Trump added more debt than any previous two-term president in his first term alone.
Do you realize Trump is gearing up for a foreign war with Venezuela? Im not sure how you can miss that. Did you notice where the USS Gerald Ford is headed? Moving aircraft carriers is not done lightly. It’s more than just saber rattling.
On China, their GDP is projected to surpass ours by 2030. Their innovations in energy, science and technology are leaving us behind even now. It’s quite likely that China will get to the moon before we can return. I don’t think they will plant a flag and go away for the next fifty years.
You can argue about whether world is moving away from using the dollar as a reserve currency but it’s a real possibility.
As of 2025, China has the world’s largest standing army with about 2 million active-duty personnel and a rapidly expanding naval fleet, now the largest in the world by ship count, with over 370 vessels.
The Supreme Court will do as it chooses but I think you have failed to see how often the Trump administration blames the courts when they don’t get their way. Are you paying attention?
If you don’t understand how trade has led to prosperity, increased competition and advances in technology at the same time it contains inflation I can’t help you.
We need to learn the lessons of history or we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of our past. The Smoot-Hawley tariffs might not have been the sole cause of the Great Depression but they absolutely made it much worse. It’s claimed that repeating the same actions and expecting different results is the definition of insanity but here we are.
Maybe you should listen to Ronald Reagan when he says tariffs are bad.
The complacency of believing American economic, scientific and military might can never be challenged is a recipe for disaster. The world is changing and withdrawing from it will never make us stronger or more competitive.
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Yes on 50
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You vote yes on 50 if you’re a cuck
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50 will obviously pass.
If you understand what is happening, Republicans want to cheat to retain control of the House. The fucking losers in Texas listened to Trump to gerrymander 5 extra Republican seats.
Prop 50 counters that with 5 extra Democrat seats.
So Republicans can go fuck themselves if they think they are going to cheat to remain in power..
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50 will pass because California is full of Kool aid drinking uninformed people
if you have dislike Newsom or the fucking democrats vote NO.
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funny... couldn't resist could ya 
i am forced to look at the pass-50 commercial on youtube about 10 times per day... the whole fucking thing. the cast of characters in the commercial... pretty fucking scary.
i think being seen with them would be embarrassing .... jasmine... looks like a CK WHR
but i also know whey she is there...
it was probable that the california thing was going to happen regardless... and look at most of the states already.
you come in and act like the dems haven't done it?
if california leaders had their way... there would be ZERO pubs in congress... regardless of voter population percentages
stop it
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Consider me a kool-aid drinking cuck!
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California actually had taken anti-gerrymandering measures before Trump pushed Texas to do it.
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ok
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I will admit I’m glad Jasmine Crockett wears less makeup and hair product than Trump.
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Prop 50 will undo the independent districting measure signed into law 2010.
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That’s exactly what it will do, but only temporarily.
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omg... how cute
you think that there is anyone here going to be SWAYED ?
stop it.
there is zero such thing as temporary ... i think even arnold (that put this thing forward), said the same thing
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Nobody is ever swayed, especially in today’s politically polarized environment. I miss the times when both parties could work together to compromise and people on opposite sides of the aisle didn’t feel they needed to hate each other.
Whether you and/or Arnie believe Prop 50 will temporarily undo redistricting by an independent commission, that’s exactly how it’s written. After 2030 Prop 50 specifies a return to an independent redistricting committee.
It’s sad that we have gone from a nation that lets voters choose its leaders to one that lets politicians choose their voters but here we are. The midterm elections may well come down to a contest over which party is better at rigging elections. Unfortunately Trump and Texas have a head start on that.
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does it matter if it's temporary? the change will be done... and the votes will have happened
think about it. when its time to change in the future, will they let it happen if its going to be negative for them?
maybe in the future... they can figure this stuff out.
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Maybe you can see into the future but my powers of prognostication are limited. Like most people I’m just looking at the text of the Proposition and perhaps making some educated guesses.
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based on batting average of about a 1000 ... we know the answer. for either party
regardless... looks like its a done deal
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My apologies for forgetting to post this earlier when we discussed price inflation.
Three out of these four things have been going up most of the year:
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Scantron:
"We have over $33 trillion in debt. $300 billion is less than a tenth of a percent of that."
Actually, it's close to 1%
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I’m sure you’re right. I bet I dropped a zero. I’m not good with such large numbers. Imagine how embarrassed I am.
In that case we could pay it down with tariff money in 110 years. Give or take.
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i think it best to let them use their numbers
btw... i never said the 300b was the end all be all... for a partial year of it
but i am for it... so keep it coming
pretty sure when its all set... when the dems get back in power... in about 12years... they will not cancel the tariffs.... biden didn't cancel them when he got in
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I think there were a lot less smaller tariffs when Biden came in.
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I generally think it’s a fool’s game to try to predict our political future more than a couple of years in the future, but if the 2026 elections aren’t canceled or hopelessly rigged I think the democrats have a good shot at taking back at least one house of congress. I also think the democrats could win the presidency in three years if we still have real elections by then.
Of course you know Trump will most likely proclaim a state of emergency, declare martial law and cancel future elections for the rest of his life.
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Tariffs, especially as used by Trump, aren't meant to be a be all end all. They're being used to force the other party to renegotiate trade. Yes, things get hurt in the duration and get far more media attention than the things that benefit. Meanwhile there's the $300B collected.
The alternative is to accept the continued loss of manufacturing, an unbelievably high debt, and to fuel everyone else's prosperity. So many marvel at China's growth (tech, infrastructure, manufacturing, military, living standard, etc.) in just the last several decades. How did that happen without including our trade imbalance?
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Yes, Trump claims we can bend the world to our will with tariffs while raking huge sums of money.
Of course the reality is that evene if either of those goals are possible, it’s going to be one or the other and not both. If a country bends to our will Trump will let them off the hook for paying tariffs and if they refuse to follow our demands they will be charged tariffs. You can’t really have it both ways.
But here’s the deal: if we put our thumbs on the scales and make it easier for American companies to compete with other countries it will weaken them. They won’t need to be competitive if we handicap the competition by driving up their prices with tariffs or stop them from selling goods in the USA. If we force other countries to raise their prices in order to pay the tariffs and remain profitable then American companies will have no incentive to compete on price. They can raise their prices prices American consumers pay for goods until they are slightly cheaper than highly tariffed foreign goods. Capitalism is all about maximizing profits.
If we manage to close our markets to foreign goods and emerging technologies that Trump despises then China and other countries will step in and develop the next generation of future technologies such as batteries, solar energy, wind energy and other such things while Trump keeps us stuck in 20th century technology like fossil fuels.
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Let me say it again: Trump added about $7.8 trillion to our national debt in his first term, which is more than any previous president did in two terms. No wonder he has referred to himself as the king of debt.
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I love my country and I want to believe it is the best and the most powerful but I’m going to face facts. China is closing on our vaunted air power and could soon overtake us. I’ve already mentioned how their army and navy have left us behind.
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The ridiculous argument that gerrymandering by California is permanent is that Prop 50 would be voided if Texas doesn’t cheat. But Texas cheated and the Dems finally grew some balls and fought back against the cheating Republicans.
Trump is unpopular. The tariffs are shit for the economy. The government shutdown is due to Republicans fucking over Obamacare. Trump caring more about a $300 million ballroom than feeding the hungry (desecrating the White House) or healthcare for over 20 million people.
Republicans see the writing on the wall. Cheat or lose the House. Fuck them.
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omg... just relax
did you see us in here crying when AUTO pen was running the country?
jerk off more please it will help you
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You didn’t think auto pen was running the country until Biden was already out of the Whitehouse, or Mar a Lago 2 as it’s now known.
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dude... we KNEW IT WAS HAPPENING FROM DAY ONE
stop it
maybe not the AUTO PEN part.... but knew that he was not the one running the country
funny how you make your lil statements.
obama said as much on colbert to boot.... but we knew he has zero ability to run the country.... all the signs where there.
when he needs to be walked off the stage
he is reading the directions given to him for a speech
just stop the nonsense
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).gif)
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you laugh about that
sooo just take it now... and stop being a baby about it all
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If I’m going to predict anything it’s that democrats will dominate elections in Virginia, New Jersey and California. I like to bet on sure things.
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when they cheat... it's a sure thing
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