Political Posts

[Gregmal]

See a lot of the issue again is...these same people whom have been falling for everything all the time and are almost always wrong...keep making these predictions. They keep saying prices "will" go up. Theyve been doing it for months now. Where are we seeing these prohibitive increases? Answer right now, nowhere really. No, you guys are wrong about everything so we dont get to put weight on your future forecasts. But to the bizarre example of "toilet paper"...again, theres been no demonstrable increase. And if there was, and it's problematic...not being able to afford an item under $1-2 going up by a nickel or a dime isnt a tariff problem....it's a you problem. I mean if that 94c 4 pack went down 20%...that aint saving those people either. So no, we dont need to be driving the entire country's macro policies on some hinge that involves "saving" the 94c 4 pack of toilet paper is problematic crowd. 

Edited August 8, 2025 by Gregmal

[73 Reds]

3 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

See a lot of the issue again is...these same people whom have been falling for everything all the time and are almost always wrong...keep making these predictions. They keep saying prices "will" go up. Theyve been doing it for months now. Where are we seeing these prohibitive increases? Answer right now, nowhere really. No, you guys are wrong about everything so we dont get to put weight on your future forecasts. But to the bizarre example of "toilet paper"...again, theres been no demonstrable increase. And if there was, and it's problematic...not being able to afford an item under $1-2 going up by a nickel or a dime isnt a tariff problem....it's a you problem. I mean if that 94c 4 pack went down 20%...that aint saving those people either. So no, we dont need to be driving the entire country's macro policies on some hinge that involves "saving" the 94c 4 pack of toilet paper is problematic crowd. 

Yeah, the same people who complain about the price of eggs routinely spend $7+ on a Starbucks Latte.  When their complaints are entirely contrary to their own behavior,  they look and sound like the fools they are.

[Gregmal]

7 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Yeah, the same people who complain about the price of eggs routinely spend $7+ on a Starbucks Latte.  When their complaints are entirely contrary to their own behavior,  they look and sound like the fools they are.

Totally. Forget the fact that theyve been eating(literally) 10-15% annual price hikes on their lattes for the last two decades all in the name of supporting corporate greed and some barista union that needs $25 an hour because they chose to takeout $100k+ in student loans to pursue some dumb liberal arts degree.....

[dwy000]

37 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

The candidates you've consistently supported believe the answer to everything is raising taxes. The same way you take anything Trump does and completely fabricate this notion that anyone whom disagrees with you politically supports it...dont we get the reciprocal logical assumption?

 

Bottom line is, in general, the US macro position many feel is unsustainable and some measures are necessary to alleviate it. In almost all of them, there is some obvious burden. Austerity is a no go. Cutting spending seems damn near impossible. Raising taxes is an option. If you're doing so, theres different ways to go about it. Simply upping brackets gives people no choice. Upping certain product costs that come from outside the country is another, but it gives the consumer a choice. Unless I guess if 94c 4 packs of toilet paper are a problem for you....so again...the logic is pretty simple. I dont need to agree with or support every aspect of it. As I said in April, I kinda think tariffs are dumb, but also dont get why everyone else gets to impose them but then this TDS faction of the country is like "thats fine but not us!"...

First, there are few or no candidates I've consistently supported so that's just wrong. Ive stated I used to vote republican consistently pre-Trump.  

 

And there's one thing we absolutely agree on and that is the current situation is unsustainable and can only be solved thru higher revenues for the govt.  That being said, Trump has never argued that the reason for tariffs was revenues (he holds them up as benefits but never the primary reason).  In fact he claimed for the longest time that Americans dont pay the tariffs.  

 

This is my biggest issue with Trump. There are many issues I support that he backed and I hoped for the best.  Then thru stunning levels of incompetence and lack of execution he not only fucks up the goal but makes it worse!  Despite the tariffs the whole finance bill is adding $4T to deficits!!!  The complete opposite impact.   DoGE was a great concept completely fucked up again that now appears to have cost more in dollars and inefficiencies than it saved. 

 

If Trump actually put.forward a coherent rationale for tariffs as a whole and how the individual agreement fit into that we.wouldnt have the complete chaos with it we do now. 

[dwy000]

37 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Agreed.  So why is it OK for them to tax us (the US) but not OK for us to tax them?  

They dont tax us with tariffs.  They tax themselves. And we aren't taxing them, we are taxing ourselves. 

[cubsfan]

1 hour ago, Malmqky said:

 

I'm a free market kinda guy, think tariffs are a bad idea in general. 

 

But, I've come around to the view they may be needed to counteract government subsidized "fox in the hen house" type situations (how China subsidizes BYD and car manufactures in Europe can't really compete).

 

I think that's an excellent post and you're getting to the crux of the matter.

With all these countries using tariffs and non-tarriff barriers to make it unattractive for US exporters - we're going to find out when some of these governments/producers start subsidizing the tariffs to stay in the US market.

[dwy000]

34 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

See a lot of the issue again is...these same people whom have been falling for everything all the time and are almost always wrong...keep making these predictions. They keep saying prices "will" go up. Theyve been doing it for months now. Where are we seeing these prohibitive increases? Answer right now, nowhere really. No, you guys are wrong about everything so we dont get to put weight on your future forecasts. But to the bizarre example of "toilet paper"...again, theres been no demonstrable increase. And if there was, and it's problematic...not being able to afford an item under $1-2 going up by a nickel or a dime isnt a tariff problem....it's a you problem. I mean if that 94c 4 pack went down 20%...that aint saving those people either. So no, we dont need to be driving the entire country's macro policies on some hinge that involves "saving" the 94c 4 pack of toilet paper is problematic crowd. 

Most of the tariffs literally kicked in yesterday. And businesses had stocked up massively in preparation (why the huge movement between 1q and 2q).  The real test will be thru the rest of the year. And certainly if.youve visited a supermarket recently you can see it for yourself. 

Edited August 8, 2025 by dwy000

[Marco Van Basten]

1 hour ago, dwy000 said:

Have you been to a supermarket recently?  Just about everything is costing more. The $0.30 on the lettuce by itself isnt much but multiple that across almost every product. I wasnt surprised to see Costco sales up - just price increases alone would lead to that. Not buying a new car used to be a choice for most people - one that is no longer a choice for many. 

 

Taxing American consumers hundreds of $bns for reasons that have still never been explained by the administration is kinda dumb (how's that tariff on the UK where we have a trade surplus?).  But hey, you dont need an explanation.  If Trump says its good that enough for the cult. 

You want prices to go down?  Cut welfare and social programs, cut government waste.  40% of NY State is on Medicaid - hence not working full time, 45% of all kids born in the US in 2023 were on Medicaid.  Once people actually have to have a job to support themselves, wages will decline and so will cost of labor inputs.  Meanwhile, demand for goods and services will decline as inefficiency and fraud embedded in these programs are reduced.  Cut government spending - when has government allocated resources well?

Also, end rent control - Milei eliminated it in Argentina and rents went DOWN 40%.  100,000 rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments in NYC are empty because it does not make economic sense to renovate them, meanwhile rents are skyrocketing.  

Edited August 8, 2025 by Marco Van Basten

[cubsfan]

Furthermore, with inflation basically under control - and all the "experts" looking wrong on the "tariffs will cause inflation and wreck the economy" - tariffs are looking pretty good with the surpluses. A wonderful way to help reduce the deficit.

 

And now with manufacturing moving back to the USA - the tariff strategy looks brilliant.  Want your products to be competitive? Well, just manufacture in the USA.

[73 Reds]

8 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

They dont tax us with tariffs.  They tax themselves. And we aren't taxing them, we are taxing ourselves. 

LOL, so how do foreign tariffs help our economy?

[dwy000]

1 minute ago, 73 Reds said:

LOL, so how do foreign tariffs help our economy?

Huh??  They're not intended to.  Like most tariffs (except for ours under Trump) theyre not there to punish but are intended to insulate local producers (at the expense of the local consumer).  Kind of the reason we dont have cheap Chinese cars here. 

 

Explain how the 15% tariff on the UK or the 50% tariff on Brazil - both countries where we have a trade surplus- benefits the US?

[dwy000]

10 minutes ago, Marco Van Basten said:

You want prices to go down?  Cut welfare and social programs, cut government waste.  40% of NY State is on Medicaid - hence not working full time, 45% of all kids born in the US in 2023 were on Medicaid.  Once people actually have to have a job to support themselves, wages will decline and so will cost of labor inputs.  Meanwhile, demand for goods and services will decline as inefficiency and fraud embedded in these programs are reduced.  Cut government spending - when has government allocated resources well?

Also, end rent control - Milei eliminated it in Argentina and rents went DOWN 40%.  100,000 rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments in NYC are empty because it does not make economic sense to renovate them, meanwhile rents are skyrocketing.  

Thats all fine and dandy but how do tariffs help with that?

[73 Reds]

1 minute ago, dwy000 said:

Huh??  They're not intended to.  Like most tariffs (except for ours under Trump) theyre not there to punish but are intended to insulate local producers (at the expense of the local consumer).  Kind of the reason we dont have cheap Chinese cars here. 

 

Explain how the 15% tariff on the UK or the 50% tariff on Brazil - both countries where we have a trade surplus- benefits the US?

So every country that complains about our tariffs has no reason to complain because we are just taxing ourselves?  And every country that imposes tariffs is only hurting themselves with extra taxes?

[dwy000]

4 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

So every country that complains about our tariffs has no reason to complain because we are just taxing ourselves?  And every country that imposes tariffs is only hurting themselves with extra taxes?

They're complaining because there's no rhyme or reason behind it and it changes weekly and on a whim.  Its Japan coming in and asking "what are looking to achieve" and Trumps team going "well what are you offering?".  Its not trade policy its theater. 

 

And yes, any country that imposes tariffs is hurting themselves and their consumers.  Some countries decide that is worth it to support local industry but most, over the past 50 years have been reducing tariffs because they recognize they are more harmful than helpful.

[73 Reds]

Just now, dwy000 said:

They're complaining because there's no rhyme or reason behind it and it changes weekly and on a whim.  Its Japan coming in and asking "what are looking to achieve" and Trumps team going "well what are you offering?".  Its not trade policy its theater. 

 

And yes, any country that imposes tariffs is hurting themselves and their consumers.  Some countries decide that is worth it to support local industry but most, over the past 50 years have been reducing tariffs because they recognize they are more harmful than helpful.

Why would they care at all if we are only "taxing ourselves"?   If we accept your position, our tariffs are meaningless to them.

[dwy000]

4 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Why would they care at all if we are only "taxing ourselves"?   If we accept your position, our tariffs are meaningless to them.

They care because their businesses export to the US of course!  It doesnt mean theyre all unfairly limiting imports from the US.  Again, UK and Brazil.  The average tariff on US industrial products in the EU was 1%. 

 

The funny part is that if consumers just pay the tariffs (which they will as long as there are no cheaper alternatives), it doesnt impact them at all.  They're still sending the same stuff over and Americans are just paying higher prices for the same goods. 

Edited August 8, 2025 by dwy000

[73 Reds]

Just now, dwy000 said:

They care because their businesses export to the US of course!  It doesnt mean theyre all unfairly limiting imports from the US.  Again, UK and Brazil.  

 

The funny part is that if consumers just pay the tariffs (which they will as long as there are no cheaper alternatives), it doesnt impact them at all.  They're still sending the same stuff over and Americans are just paying higher prices for the same goods. 

By George I think he's got it!  And that is precisely the reason Trump was elected President - to put America first.

[dwy000]

21 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

By George I think he's got it!  And that is precisely the reason Trump was elected President - to put America first.

And precisely why I say even when the policy issue is something I agree with he fucks it up royally thru lack of strategy and incompetent execution. 

 

How is charging American consumers hundreds of $bns of taxes putting America first?

 

Curious, why do you think what Trump is doing with tariffs is good?  I get that you immediately support anything he says but why is what he's doing here good for Americans?

[LC]

49 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

How is charging American consumers hundreds of $bns of taxes putting America first?

 

Well how else is he going to fund massive tax breaks for the 1% and massive spending which he can redirect to friendly entities, without declaring a "tax" on the low/middle classes? 

 

Same shit, different day.

 

I'd complain about it but @73 Reds would call me a fool

I should just go to church on Sunday and vote for a rapist on Tuesday

[73 Reds]

45 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

And precisely why I say even when the policy issue is something I agree with he fucks it up royally thru lack of strategy and incompetent execution. 

 

How is charging American consumers hundreds of $bns of taxes putting America first?

 

Curious, why do you think what Trump is doing with tariffs is good?  I get that you immediately support anything he says but why is what he's doing here good for Americans?

Please share with us how you would have addressed the issue of the rest of the World imposing tariffs on our products thereby rendering them non price-competitive or completely shut out of foreign markets?  You have no answer because it simply wasn't happening.  If the end result is access to more markets at more competitive prices, we win.  If we start making more profitable stuff in the US, we win.  But the usual commentators jump to (largely wrong) conclusions before the results are permitted to play out, which will take a lot more time than what has passed since election day.   But keep on complaining - its all music to the people that support an effort being made. 

[Parsad]

3 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Have you been to a supermarket recently?  Just about everything is costing more. The $0.30 on the lettuce by itself isnt much but multiple that across almost every product. I wasnt surprised to see Costco sales up - just price increases alone would lead to that. Not buying a new car used to be a choice for most people - one that is no longer a choice for many. 

 

Taxing American consumers hundreds of $bns for reasons that have still never been explained by the administration is kinda dumb (how's that tariff on the UK where we have a trade surplus?).  But hey, you dont need an explanation.  If Trump says its good that enough for the cult. 

 

But egg prices are down!   

 

Fuck Canada, but billions of eggs from Turkey helped bring the price down.  So much for increasing U.S. production and self-sufficiency! 

 

Now Brazil is the one of the largest egg producers in the U.S. as well. Vive Bolsonaro! 

 

Cheers!

[dwy000]

2 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Please share with us how you would have addressed the issue of the rest of the World imposing tariffs on our products thereby rendering them non price-competitive or completely shut out of foreign markets?  You have no answer because it simply wasn't happening.  If the end result is access to more markets at more competitive prices, we win.  If we start making more profitable stuff in the US, we win.  But the usual commentators jump to (largely wrong) conclusions before the results are permitted to play out, which will take a lot more time than what has passed since election day.   But keep on complaining - its all music to the people that support an effort being made. 

The rest of the world is gonna do what theyre gonna do.  We can put selective tariffs on products to try and address selective protectionism by other countries but there isnt a single country in the world that had blanket tariffs on the US.  The US economy has grown massively by reducing tariffs and entering into free trade agmts with our major partners.  Theres always going to be disputes and issues but boy has that served us well in the global economy for decades.

 

Now we are actively encouraging global partners to diversify trading relationships and increase non-US activity. 

 

Now instead of avoiding the question maybe you can answer it. How is the current trade debacle helping improve lives for Americans?  Maybe start with the UK and Brazil where we have (had) trade surpluses and then get to the ratiinale for 39% on Switzerland (huh?).  Or the 15% on Japanese cars but 50% on steel to make cars in the US. 

[Parsad]

14 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Please share with us how you would have addressed the issue of the rest of the World imposing tariffs on our products thereby rendering them non price-competitive or completely shut out of foreign markets?  You have no answer because it simply wasn't happening.  If the end result is access to more markets at more competitive prices, we win.  If we start making more profitable stuff in the US, we win.  But the usual commentators jump to (largely wrong) conclusions before the results are permitted to play out, which will take a lot more time than what has passed since election day.   But keep on complaining - its all music to the people that support an effort being made. 

 

Trump passed the burden on to the U.S. consumer...which ultimately will hit middle-income and lower-income people the hardest...think Prince John from Robin Hood...Obama being Richard the Lion-hearted!    

 

If he used Buffett's tariff certificate idea, the burden would have been on the importers/exporters...not the consumer, manufacturer, retailer or government.  

 

Cheers!

[73 Reds]

Just now, dwy000 said:

The rest of the world is gonna do what theyre gonna do.  We can put selective tariffs on products to try and address selective protectionism by other countries but there isnt a single country in the world that had blanket tariffs on the US.  The US economy has grown massively by reducing tariffs and entering into free trade agmts with our major partners.  Theres always going to be disputes and issues but boy has that served us well in the global economy for decades.

 

Now we are actively encouraging global partners to diversify trading relationships and increase non-US activity. 

 

Now instead of avoiding the question maybe you can answer it. How is the current trade debacle helping improve lives for Americans?  Maybe start with the UK and Brazil where we have (had) trade surpluses and then get to the ratiinale for 39% on Switzerland (huh?).  Or the 15% on Japanese cars but 50% on steel to make cars in the US. 

Your answer is "the rest of the world is gonna do what they're gonna do".  Enough said.  And read my prior post for your answer.  You may not like it but who cares?  And yet again try framing a proper question (don't know what a trade debacle is but certainly can recognize when change was needed).

[73 Reds]

1 minute ago, Parsad said:

 

Trump passed the burden on to the U.S. consumer...which ultimately will hit middle-income and lower-income people the hardest...think Prince John from Robin Hood...Obama being Richard the Lion-hearted!    

 

If he used Buffett's tariff certificate idea, the burden would have been on the importers/exporters...not the consumer, manufacturer, retailer or government.  

 

Cheers!

That was a good idea.  But I didn't hear anyone but Buffett suggesting it while the US got hosed.