Here's a headline on this "Black Friday" morning: "Five things to consider buying before new tariffs take effect."
Oh no, so we are assuming that major new tariffs are upcoming. The headline suggests it is fact. The better bet is that the president-elect's take on tariffs is a bluff. It is like the law of gravity that tariffs would aggravate inflation. And polls show that a prime reason - perhaps No. 1 - for Trump voters to vote the way they did, is their belief that he can bring down prices.
I hate to imply that many people are naive, but hey the government likes inflation because it enables government to rake in more tax dollars, this at a time when the deficit looks like a hair-pulling five-alarm fire.
Is being pro-tariff really a Republican position? I don't think it is.
"Free trade" is the proverbial double-edge sword.
The headline about "five things to consider buying" is on "Yahoo! News" on this day after Thanksgiving, 2024. How was your "turkey day?" Don't feel sorry for me but I was alone. I couldn't even get breakfast at Caribou Coffee because their oven is down or "on vacation" as their pithy sign announces. Caribou has had lots of rough-going in its history here. Their breakfast sandwiches are quite good.
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| Michael Lackey |
Michael was there yesterday. He gets buried in books and papers. He's happy to do a little chatting also. The morning was my only opportunity to do any socializing. After that it was being at home with my thoughts of Thanksgivings past. And because I write blogs I did some reminiscing.
The headline for my post suggests that I wasn't really "alone" for Thanksgiving because I could conjure up the pleasant memories of Thanksgivings past. With my uncle and aunt in Glenwood, Howard and Vi. We got together for so many years for the major holidays. We'd go back and forth between our residences.
My memories warmly embrace the Williams family dogs, three small house dogs who enriched us as much as anything. My blog post is on my "Morris of Course" site. It includes photos of my parents as well as Howard and Vi. My parents? Many of you would remember: Ralph and Martha. Ralph was a "music man" at UMM. Here is the link to my post:
Are we going to tire of Trump getting in front of cameras every day to say things that get our attention? We haven't tired of it yet. Looks like the public buys what he is selling. I have no problem respecting Republicans even the very conservative kind. If they wish to talk in an intelligent way about principles, fine. America needed to elect Ronald Reagan in 1980. But I was in no mood to simply condemn the Democrats.
Remember when Gerald Ford ran against Jimmy Carter? They were so amicable with each other. Wouldn't that comity be therapeutic now? I'm wondering if America will pay the price for embracing a man at present who is so terribly combative and disrespectful. And he has kept doing it right up until yesterday: Using a sharp tongue to try to eviscerate Kamala Harris. This is in spite of the fact Trump won.
Why not some magnanimity? Shouldn't the public insist on this? Or is America a changed place from what it once was?
I am very concerned about Americans actually changing their behavior because of what Trump says he is going to do. Don't you realize we cannot count on this man's word? I hate suggesting that maybe I'm less naive than you all. But look at the headlines. Americans are supposed to buy certain things now "before the tariffs." IMHO Trump and his Republicans wouldn't dare implement such a thing, not if it's going to be hard on Americans' pocketbooks.
Same with all the talk of "deportation camps" for the "illegals." Aside from being a terrible look - almost smacking of what Germany did in the dark chapter of history - we'd be getting rid of so many people who are willing to work for low wages. Republicans want to kick people out who are happy to work for low wages? Shall we say "counterintuitive?"
And this too would be inflationary. The government is not going to cut its own throat.
If the worst scenario happens, we all know DJT and probably his whole party will say "it's not our fault." DJT simply "blames." He'll blame whoever is convenient to blame. Most often I suspect this would be the "deep state."
I would like to see the Republican Party step back to more of what it used to be, minus the foreign wars propped up by the Cheneys. Cut out the wars and look for a leader in the mold of Reagan. Doesn't this make sense? This hold on power by this amoral human named Donald Trump is one of the most puzzling things I've seen.
Character simply doesn't count? And the Republicans subscribe to this attitude? Of all people? It is a long time before the inauguration. Think of how festive and happy the inauguration would be if it was for Kamala Harris. First woman president.
It is very hard for a Democrat to win because of how "conservative media" goes on the attack for any perceived weakness or vulnerability. As if Republicans have none of these. They in fact have them in spades. Try pointing some of them out and the local MAGA crowd will laugh and scoff. You're just a "Trump hater."
Try pointing out some Republican policy weaknesses or failings w/ Trump and the conversation will surely end with the DJT person saying "so what?"
Isn't that something? So it becomes literally impossible to win an argument with these folks. I frankly think it's like when you're in junior high and trying to argue with someone who just says "so what?" Perhaps in the lavatory. Yes, it is on that level.
Alas there is nothing I can do about it. DJT and the Republicans have total control now. Let's see what happens. But I don't think this will include tariffs, pilgrims.
Addendum: Man, typing "magnanimity" is a sobriety test! I had to punt at first.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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