I think and hope history will say Trump's biggest mistake is motivating the 30% that usually stays out of politics, by making it an us vs them equation he is pushing them to the left because while before they just wanted to live their lives, now they can't. When you lose your health insurance or you can't afford groceries or you can't afford to have a child let alone but a house it's a lot harder to just ignore politics!
Earlier, I read on Wonkette that That Guy had slapped tariffs on French products for not joining his pretend-UN. I didn’t believe it. Isn’t that sweet and naive of me?
In the meantime, I read that it was actually happening, so now I’m a little sadder. I hope it means an aggressive price cut on French wines for European countries. Hiccup!
The EU as a whole needs to let him know that they are sorry, but they can no longer host U.S. bases in their countries. If he wants to be an asshole, he has 24 hours to pick up his toys and go home.
Before I retired I had $70K in T-Bills and Savings Bonds. Liquidated them right when I retired and my cash sits in my credit union share account. I knew this was coming.
I had slightly more than that when they put me on unpaid "administrative leave" in 2007. All I could do is watch my funds evaporate. Even after taking it all out of the usual Vanguard stonks and into money markets, I was still losing money to negative interest and administrative fees. I finally just withdrew it all, paid the penalties, and used the remainder for the down payment on my house which will never be paid off in my lifetime, but gotta have a place to live anyway.
Let's all find cheap local places to buy food. Food is one of the most important things, and if you can still get it without shelling out too much, you'll do all right.
It has been disconnected from real productivity a long time ago. That's what you get for believing economists.
I read somewhere that only 3% of investment is in real productive capacity (so building new factories or buying new production equipment. A few examples: You buy a new tractor for your farm? That counts. You buy existing shares in a tractor factory? That does not count. You buy new shares or obligations sold by a tractor company to fund a new factory? That counts.)
While replacing my front door last summer I found that my house used to be wrapped in 90 lb rolled roofing material. The very definition of a tar paper shack.
Edit: It's still wrapped in that, but it's covered with particle board strakes now.
Last week I cashed out the last 8500 in my 401k, the only retirement savings I had, to pay for all the disasters that have befallen me in the last 5 months. A failure of the wiring all over the house accompanied by now heat for 18 winter days, catastrophic water main leaks, the breakdown of washer, dryer, microwave. Most of the rooms are still dark, maybe because the circuits were fried.
I’m an elusive swing voter who has no opinions about politics outside of grocery prices. I’m too busy to care about fascism or look up what a tariff is. I’m about to go into the voting booth and pull the lever for a convicted criminal because someone told me Harris was a genocidal maniac.
So make sure you get your ass to the polls and vote for a representative who will stand against Trump and protect yourself from Mayhem like me.
Ta, Erik. Lucy Parsons was a flawed human being, but an effective one. Solidarity forever!
Recommend >>
Death in the Haymarket: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing that Divided Gilded Age America
I very much appreciate your pieces, Dr. Loomis. There is so much I don't know that I don't know.
I think and hope history will say Trump's biggest mistake is motivating the 30% that usually stays out of politics, by making it an us vs them equation he is pushing them to the left because while before they just wanted to live their lives, now they can't. When you lose your health insurance or you can't afford groceries or you can't afford to have a child let alone but a house it's a lot harder to just ignore politics!
Another banger of a piece, Lord Doctor Erik of Loomis! 🫡
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT9XlQi0yew
Warren Zevon live on David Sanborn's Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music...yeah, you know which song😁
So, then, where's the Ken Burns series, "AMERICAN LABOR 1608-2026"?
Don't make me hit you again!!!
"Americans they saw as saps and suckers for capitalism"
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
Earlier, I read on Wonkette that That Guy had slapped tariffs on French products for not joining his pretend-UN. I didn’t believe it. Isn’t that sweet and naive of me?
In the meantime, I read that it was actually happening, so now I’m a little sadder. I hope it means an aggressive price cut on French wines for European countries. Hiccup!
Not as of today.
No, That Man put the tariff on because all the EU countries did "🖕🏼" over attacking Greenland.
That’s yesterday’s tariffs
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-threatens-tariffs-french-wines-get-macron-join-board-peace-2026-01-20/
These are today’s
He's just a common bully. Give in and your country's life is over.
The EU as a whole needs to let him know that they are sorry, but they can no longer host U.S. bases in their countries. If he wants to be an asshole, he has 24 hours to pick up his toys and go home.
all the more wine for our friend Martini Glambassador!
OT:
From Bloomberg: O hai, Trump is fucking up everything with his threats to Greenland
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-20/wall-street-s-calm-shattered-by-greenland-and-japan-shocks?srnd=homepage-americas
Trump Pocketed ‘At Least $1.4 Billion’ in the Past Year — Shocking NY Times Editorial Reveals
https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-pocketed-at-least-1-4-billion-in-the-past-year-shocking-ny-times-editorial-reveals/
He's gonna be DEAD soon. HAHAHA!
Disgusting. If a Democrat did this blood would be flowing in the fucking streets.
shocking
Trump has turned the presidency into his personal bank account.
Ok, I'm gonna go do something constructive. Peace out.
Good for you. Let's all do that.
And it starts--Danish pension fund dumping US Treasury securities
"The US is basically not a good credit and long-term the US government finances are not sustainable," says chief investment officer
https://bsky.app/profile/anneapplebaum.bsky.social/post/3mcufissjw22f
More dumping of US Treasury securities to come...
More for me, you Eurolibs! Ha. HA, I say!
Woo hoo! 💪🇩🇰
And this will finally cause the 1% to push for Dump Trump. He's fucking with their revenue stream. The MAGAS will revolt, and the GOP will splinter.
Chuck and Hakeem will offer concessions to patch them up. Kumbaya and all that noise.
Will no-one drive a stake through the heart of the GOP, make sure it stays dead?
Chuckles & Hakeem: The "Strongly Worded" and "Rebuke" Team! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
That could be mine. Smart move.
That sucks.
~Aspiring to Retire
Before I retired I had $70K in T-Bills and Savings Bonds. Liquidated them right when I retired and my cash sits in my credit union share account. I knew this was coming.
I had slightly more than that when they put me on unpaid "administrative leave" in 2007. All I could do is watch my funds evaporate. Even after taking it all out of the usual Vanguard stonks and into money markets, I was still losing money to negative interest and administrative fees. I finally just withdrew it all, paid the penalties, and used the remainder for the down payment on my house which will never be paid off in my lifetime, but gotta have a place to live anyway.
International bonds ETF maybe?
Not doing any investing as long as Shithead or Tammy Faye Vance are in the Oval Office.
The brown shirts are in Maine. Several sightings. Just fucking great.
Keep your eyes open for responses from the Senate candidates......
Nazi Nosferatu doesn't like the governor.
This was mentioned on Rachel Maddow last night. For why?
He hates the governor and the Somalis here. Both have been here a long time. Plus he lost here.
Maybe Stephen King is getting under Baby Donnie's skin.
For sure
Is a snowball fight in order?
That's how they started the American Revolution. Remember Crispus Attucks!
Where in Maine?
Bath. BIW is a safe space for them. Lots of chump support there. Holed up at the residence inn there.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pwmba-residence-inn-bath-brunswick-area/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0
If you want to contact them, here's the info. It's a matter of public record.
Thanks.
Thank you.
They are probably targeting Lewiston.
Yup. Not far at all. Nor is the people’s socialist republic of Portland.
🤬
Dow is down 500 points because the FFOTUS is wanting more tariffs, which devalued the US Dollar.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/19/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
Keeping an eye on VIX--the Volatility Index and it has jumped up past 20 when the Wall Street Casino opened this morning.
So Lutnick is making some money off this.
Our beggary is his class' bonuses.
Central banks around the world should be selling their U.S. bonds.
It's going to get a helluva lot worse before it gets any better.
The Fetid Fascist has fouled this nation's future too damned thoroughly.
Let's all find cheap local places to buy food. Food is one of the most important things, and if you can still get it without shelling out too much, you'll do all right.
I wonder if the stock market actually matters for real life. It seems to be steaming along while the country crashes.
It has been disconnected from real productivity a long time ago. That's what you get for believing economists.
I read somewhere that only 3% of investment is in real productive capacity (so building new factories or buying new production equipment. A few examples: You buy a new tractor for your farm? That counts. You buy existing shares in a tractor factory? That does not count. You buy new shares or obligations sold by a tractor company to fund a new factory? That counts.)
That's why I bristle when I hear stockholders referred to as "investors." Sure, a few are, but the rest are all just along for the speculative ride.
Where does "large consumer goods company buys radio air-time to run ads for their products" fit in?
Thanks. Now I understand the disconnect. The intense focus on the importance of the stock market as a measure of real life always seemed weird to me.
It's 1929 all over again at the Wall Street Casino!
You betcha!! Next stop, "Hooverville".
Tar-paper shacks with giant gold "TRUMP" signs on the front.
While replacing my front door last summer I found that my house used to be wrapped in 90 lb rolled roofing material. The very definition of a tar paper shack.
Edit: It's still wrapped in that, but it's covered with particle board strakes now.
"Trumptown"
Somewhat. For the youngs, it's completely irrelevant. For middle age folks that have some cash in a 401k, it's semi-important.
Last week I cashed out the last 8500 in my 401k, the only retirement savings I had, to pay for all the disasters that have befallen me in the last 5 months. A failure of the wiring all over the house accompanied by now heat for 18 winter days, catastrophic water main leaks, the breakdown of washer, dryer, microwave. Most of the rooms are still dark, maybe because the circuits were fried.
Thanks. I learned something new.
I would say that's a big "No."
Because he's a DUMBASS ORANGE MOTHERFUCKER.
I’m an elusive swing voter who has no opinions about politics outside of grocery prices. I’m too busy to care about fascism or look up what a tariff is. I’m about to go into the voting booth and pull the lever for a convicted criminal because someone told me Harris was a genocidal maniac.
So make sure you get your ass to the polls and vote for a representative who will stand against Trump and protect yourself from Mayhem like me.
"Wait, CNN would like to ask you some more questions"
hi neighbor!!
"Swing" voters piss me off. It's probably not fair but they do. PICK A FUCKING LANE!
The dying throes of White Supremacy are, and will continue to be ugly, brutal and unspeakably stupid.
I swung once, back in 2008. Seemed to get stuck as a liberal voter, however.
The lane is "me, myself and I".
OMG this is great. I can totally see the commercial for this.