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Revenant's avatar

If dropping tariffs caused the Great Depression then what caused the panics of 1792. 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1884, 1893 and 1907? Wouldn't you think that somebody might have doped this out before the Mad King's Galaxy Brain Sanhedrin twigged to it?

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KEITH TAYLOR's avatar

And over there on the thrice-accursed The Federalist website, some lying swine by the name of Sean Davis is writing - of course he is, it's The Federalist - that "Tariffs are the Only Way to Restore America's Long-Term Economic Health." He also compares the U.S. to "a properous farmer, now surrounded by enemies and competitors, who, over time, outsourced most farming activities to his neighbours," and the result was disastrous dependency. Oh, no.

But the good news is that "President Donald Trump has understood these dynamics."

Masses of consistent evidence show that he understands nothing, and knows nothing.

Well, Davis does perceive, and admit, that there will be some short-term pain as part of the process. I'd predict a lot, a LOT, of long term pain, especially for the most vulnerable, and it's a sure thing that Trump and the denizens of The Federalist won't be the ones suffering it. And even in the long term, the result will not be the glorious prosperity Davis and his ilk are fantasizing about. Even supposing the idea is valid - I think not, and people a lot more knowledgeable in economics than I are also thinking not - it would depend for a good outcome on Trump and his administration being efficient, fair, hard-working and honest.

Any person who thinks that is likely would believe in the Easter Bunny too.

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Sharon Neuer's avatar

The way the tariffs were calculated is possibly even worse https://futurism.com/trump-tariffs-signs-ai

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JCfromNC's avatar

From a newsletter from Steve Jackson Games that I got this morning, on how the new tariffs are going to make boardgames hella more expensive:

//

Here are the numbers: A product we might have manufactured in China for $3.00 last year could now cost $4.62 before we even ship it across the ocean. Add freight, warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution margins, and that once-$25 game quickly becomes a $40 product. That's not a luxury upcharge; it's survival math.

Some people ask, "Why not manufacture in the U.S.?" I wish we could. But the infrastructure to support full-scale boardgame production – specialty dice making, die-cutting, custom plastic and wood components – doesn't meaningfully exist here yet. I've gotten quotes. I've talked to factories. Even when the willingness is there, the equipment, labor, and timelines simply aren't.

//

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Agent of Chaotic Respite's avatar

We're going to Serf City USA.

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Zyxomma's avatar

Ta, Dok. We believe we'll be OK in our isolated pied-à-nuage. I still need more firearms training, and I have to learn to drive. Fortunately, beloved husband is a great teacher.

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Lumpy Tapioca's avatar

Maybe against the locals, but Trump has jets and missiles and bombs and drones.

Anyone hoping to cosplay Wolverines! aren't going to see "the whites of their eyes".

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Zyxomma's avatar

Not at all. Strictly for self-defense; not for going to war. And any American who doesn't know how to drive is asking for trouble.

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Lumpy Tapioca's avatar

Like Hooverville, but for added excitement, over 500 million privately owned guns.

We're gonna need a bigger backhoe.

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Hank Napkin's avatar

I do hope Sir will put on his hotelier cap and help me select the right cardboards for my improvised shelter. I really, truly want it to have that "TrumpTouch™".

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Celia Smith's avatar

Paint it gold.

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David McBride's avatar

Very apt …Trump and the GOP are riding America straight to hell 🤮

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Kirsty Gnome-Poledance Himmler's avatar

Interesting that the tariff list is missing Russia.

Must be an oversight.

Cuba, North Korea and Belarus are also absent.

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Kirsty Gnome-Poledance Himmler's avatar

US get 80% of its potash (fertilizer) from Canada.

15% from Russia and Belarus.

US produces single digits % of its own.

I'm sure Trump would be happy to flip those numbers.

I thought it was odd to tariff something you don't make.

Now we know why.

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Kirsty Gnome-Poledance Himmler's avatar

Oh, Navarro on now.

When you're explaining, you're losing.

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Kirsty Gnome-Poledance Himmler's avatar

"Liberation Day becomes Liquidation Day"

~ John Forte/CNBC

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Hank Napkin's avatar

I guess this proves that freedom isn't free.

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Bagels of Doom's avatar

I hate prop comedy.

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Satanic Pancake's avatar

In his defense, he *is* a rape expert.

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