cubsfan

So, I'm curious how you resolved the cognitive dissonance between being a passionate Trump supporter on China with the belief that the government should try to keep away from business. It feels like, if America wants to go this path of eliminating China from supply chains, it requires either massive tariffs or extreme regulations--basically the government completely destroying the supply chain of many businesses. (FWIW, I agree with you that Western countries ought to disassociate from China for all the reasons you say, but I can say that because I'm fine with government interfering with business for the greater good. But I don't see how one solves this problem if one believes the non-interference of government in business is the greater good. Can you enlighten me?) Richard - no simple answer because I am a free trade believer as well. But like our energy situation of 20 years ago - was it really wise to be reliant on Iran, Iraq, Venezalua, etc for our energy needs? Isn't this country in a vastly better situation now being energy self sufficient? Of course we are - and perhaps a combination of government policy on drilling and American ingenuity made the difference. That's what I'm saying about China - and our key industries like drugs, medical and tech. Clearly we don't want to be dependent on them for ALL or a MAJORITY of this anymore. Like players in the Middle East - why be overly dependent on people that hate us and we can't trust? Certainly we wouldn't do it for defense products - as a country we need to prioritize those key businesses. So how government moves us in that direction - trade wars, tariffs, tax holidays to bring cash home, etc - we ought to get there. And if Trump makes us see the benefits to employment opportunities for our citizens - it's just another bonus for the country. After this disaster, we are really going to needs those jobs. Like many things in life - you make these tradeoffs for the national interest and our citizens.

Say what you like boys - but this China virus raises important issues about the merits of globalization in general and the wisdom about outsourcing key industries like drugs, medical equipment, tech, etc, etc. to a dangerous and dishonest nation like China. Remember, Russia has always been the enemy Not Trump's fixation on China? Wrong boys. We don't need to bring back those jobs and focus to the US, like the President as fought for against his detractors. No reason - maybe now? Trump has been absolutely ridiculed and skewered for taking on China for 3 years - remember? Let's ignore China's behavior as a serial trade cheater, stealer of technology, patent violator and currency distortion. Remember how dangerous Trump has been with tariffs and trade wars and reckless negotiations to get China back in line? And what a fool he has been to voice the opinion that it's NOT China's destiny to surpass the USA in GDP - that our country and citizens were worth fighting for against a Chinese juggernaut. Trump exposed China once and for all - imprisonment of Muslims, organ harvesting of political prisoners, spying on citizens, violent suppression of Hong Kong, etc. BUT YEA, let's outsource all our key industries to them because we can trust them! If there is ONE THING this virus episode demonstrates - we can't trust China for the good of our future. Let's outsource our dependence to a nation that would NOT tell us or the world the truth for 3 months about a disaster in the making. Trump has been right all along - nitpick at his handling of this all you want gentlemen - and think of how Joe Biden would have handled this disaster. I'm sure he would have found a lot of ways for his son to profit from "our friends" the Chinese Communist government. The economic toll from this event is going to be immense - and Trump will be proven right, even though this may cost him re-election. The President's job is to lead us through this, give us confidence we will survive this and rebuild, and assure us he is doing everything that can be done to get us through this crisis. His naysayers will continue to try use this event to destroy him - and play armchair quarterback with the rear view mirror - in spite of the fact he's right about American self-sufficiency and a re-calibration of our relationship with China.

And I applaud you for this - this has been an extremely worthwhile thread with some great minds. Demonstrates the difficulty of solving this issue.

Given the Communist party covered up the issue and did not declare an emergency until a couple of days before. Thank China for letting 10,000 /day or whatever fly into the USA during the coverup, before the Trump ban.

President Trump was the first world leader to ban flights from China and he was roundly condemned as a xenophobe and a racist.

Great - but the long knives in the media are out and so is a majority of the group in the Coronavirus thread. They're entitled to their opinion. I'm just voicing mine as to the convenient short term memories.

And rightly so - if there is one thing this President has been right about for 3 years - it's dependence on China. The haters will never give the man an ounce of credit during a crisis obviously, but the average Joe will do so. Seems like this crowd is real critical of Trump handling of this crisis. Too bad really. I mean the President is ALWAYS fair game for criticism given his position - but the "open border" crowd and all the folks that don't want border security and fences - want to have it both ways. No screening or profiling - let any body in at any time. Remember all that crap? The crowd that loves China - and detest how Trump was out to destroy China. Yet China covers this shit up and causes a world-wide disaster. LeBron James and Trump critics must be happy now... Oh, right crowd, our REAL enemy is Russia, not China - remember? But now you have your armchair quarterback reasons to really bring Trump down - instead of band together as real citizens should do under their leader during a crisis. Very patriotic. And of course, President Trump is a bigot for being the first to impose a travel ban on January 31 from China: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/ The first world leader to have to balls to do it - yet his liberal critics condemned him as a racist and xenophobe. Too bad some of you want to have it both ways...I would love to see how the Dems would have handled this crisis. In the end, President Trump's 3 year effort to distance us from dependence on China is looking more and more brilliant. But perhaps, Corona virus will accomplish what your beloved Russia Hoax, Mueller Investigation and countless other feats of Presidential backstabbing didn't accomplish for you: Bring down this President for good.

IMHO - the link RTF just posted is a must read. Not pleasant, but critical consideration.

I agree - it's such a fast moving situation. It does demonstrate the wide range of outcomes due to the unknowns.

Perhaps this Morningstar assessment has been posted already: https://www.morningstar.com/articles/971254/morningstars-view-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-economy

oh, geez, I'd be laughing if I didn't have to change mine..

Thanks - nice to see some real quantification of what the actual capacity and constraints are all about. Great contribution.

LMAO - that'll be the day!

Nice explanation - thanks for pointing out the differences.

Gregmal - thanks for MSGN idea - out at $17.05 Shrinking share count very compelling. Nice idea. Hope to get another shot.

Saw this years ago a few times on PBS - have searched for it many times and could never find it again. Very entertaining -with all the "youngsters". The moderator is quite talented. Many thanks for posting!

And I believe - it was mentioned during that discussion - that for the right situation, use of debt might be used.. so for that reason, I thought the acquisition figure could be in the area of $150B.

Shocker! -- will be interesting to see if they hire another investment manager

The main point you might have missed is the clueless/partisan Mainstream Media - so out of touch with America. Anyone that trusts them, like we used to in the old days, is fooling themselves. My "speculation" is that Trump will be impeached, but the real damage will be to the Media once again, when he is re-elected. The damage to the media is permanent and long-lasting - as it will be to the Democratic Party until they fix themselves. Including the credibility of those suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, like some on this thread.

The NYT poll had Trump at 15% chance of winning the night before the election. Most polls were in that 10-20% odds for Trump. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/upshot/presidential-polls-forecast.html CNN Poll - Trump chances = 9% https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/07/politics/political-prediction-market-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/ Such is the out of touch media --- totally clueless on Trump's election chances........totally clueless on Russian/Trump collusion. Hell, for 3 YEARS - the Media has been totally clueless and totally partisan. Why in the world would you assign them ANY credibility now?? And now we are supposed to believe the media about the Ukrainian Hoax?? Try 0 for 3 - and the Media is done...

Yup - thank you for posting that article Jurgis - it's a good one. After 30 years in software sales (15 as a rep, 15 as a manager) - you see this rat race and lack of empathy. The arrogance and elitism that results is frightening. And then I see the same types in my neighborhood berate the Mexican landscapers and Polish housecleaners for a better price and are so proud of themselves when the beat them down - and brag about it. And I ask myself - "are they cheap? or do they just love to win?" - I think this article answers that question. Thanks for passing it on.

Pupil - wow, what a great explanation. Thank you!

This would describe Chicagoland metro area on the residential side - below 500K, moving. As you move closer to $1M - disaster.

Good article about American higher education -and how the system morphed to much higher costs over time: https://amgreatness.com/2019/09/01/from-icon-to-just-a-con/ The "Prescription" is quite interesting, although the chances of reform the author puts at zero. Reason? too many imbedded interests

Those goat jokes were hilarious