The BLUE PRESS JOURNAL

We aim to be a voice in the ongoing political discourse, providing both factual information and opinionated analysis, from a progressive or center-left perspective, free from the direct influence of major
established Main Street Media.

  • Tariffs – a history lesson and how they increase prices for Americans

    Nearly a century ago, a disastrous law played a significant role in triggering the Wall Street crash of 1929 and plunging the world into a devastating depression. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff, which covered approximately one-quarter of all imports, ignited tensions with U.S. trading partners and led to a drastic reduction in American imports and exports. This painful lesson taught Americans the high cost of trade wars, and serves as a stark reminder that we must carefully consider our trade relationships.

    Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) recently expressed serious reservations about President Trump’s tariff plan, highlighting the detrimental effects of tariffs. As Sen. Rand Paul aptly stated, “Tariffs are simply taxes… Taxing trade leads to reduced trade and higher prices.” It is crucial for Republicans to fully understand the negative impact of tariffs as we strive to establish sound fiscal policies in our government.

    During the previous Trump administration, retaliatory tariffs from trade partners sparked a widespread trade war that negatively impacted various sectors of American industry, including agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace, motor vehicles, and distilled spirits. Canada has already announced retaliatory measures targeting Kentucky products such as peanut butter and whiskey, which will ultimately result in increased costs for American consumers. Senate McConnell emphasized the importance of maintaining strong alliances with our trading partners to ensure the long-term prosperity of American industry and workers, stating that trade wars with allies disproportionately harm working people.

    It is imperative that we approach trade policies with caution and foresight, prioritizing collaboration with our allies rather than engaging in harmful disputes. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards fostering mutually beneficial trade relationships for the benefit of all.

  • Inflation up … Trump poll numbers down

    Trump, predictably, is refusing to accept any responsibility for the surge in inflation that occurred in January. Despite his bold claims that he would immediately reduce costs upon assuming the presidency, the reality is quite the opposite. At the Republican National Convention, Trump boasted about ending the supposed inflation crisis, lowering interest rates, and decreasing energy costs through increased drilling. However, experts are quick to point out the absurdity of these promises, which are now proving to be nothing more than empty rhetoric.

    The tariffs imposed by Trump on China, as well as those on hold for Mexico and Canada, along with the new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, are only expected to worsen the situation. The CEO of Ford has even warned that these tariffs will have devastating effects on the auto industry, potentially leading to layoffs. It’s worth noting that Ford generously donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, so it’s no surprise that they’re feeling the pinch now.

    Inflation is on the rise, consumer confidence is plummeting, and Trump’s approval rating is at an all-time low for a new president. Despite all this, legislative progress remains at a standstill. A recent poll found that a whopping 66% of Americans believe Trump isn’t doing enough to lower prices. In January alone, inflation increased by 3% from the previous year, marking the largest one-month jump since 2023. It seems that the warning signs are clear, but whether Trump will take heed remains to be seen.

  • Farmers left behind by Trump Policies

    Rural America really showed their love for Trump in the last presidential election, but now they’re feeling the burn. Farmers are shocked that the Trump-Republicans are actually following through on their promises to cut back government programs. Who would have thought?

    Farmers are just trying to make a living, but now they’re getting hit where it hurts – their wallets. The USDA promised them money for conservation and clean energy projects, but now Trump is putting a pause on all that. Thanks a lot, Mr. President.

    Elisa Lane, a 44-year-old farmer, is feeling the heat after investing in solar panels for her farm. She thought she was getting a sweet deal with that $30,000 subsidy, but now Trump is making her sweat. America first, right? Well, apparently not for the farmers.

    The National Farmers Union is not happy about this situation either. They’re demanding clarity on funding and making sure farmers aren’t left in the dust. But hey, who needs food aid from American farmers anyway, right?

    The cherry on top of the sunday is the shocking discretion of USAID, which has triggered a pause on over $340 million in vital food purchases and shipments, leaving countless American Farmers crops stranded in uncertainty.

    Thanks, Trump.

  • Trump Tariffs will raise the average price of a car $1,000 to $1,500

    President Donald Trump has implemented a 25% tax on foreign steel and aluminum, which has had significant implications. In the past, tariffs have strained U.S. relations with key allies and led to increased costs for downstream industries.

    The steel and aluminum tariffs are particularly impactful on U.S. allies, with Canada being the largest supplier of foreign steel and aluminum to the United States. Research conducted in 2020 by Harvard University and the University of California, Davis, revealed that while the tariffs did create 1,000 jobs, they also resulted in a loss of 75,000 jobs in other sectors.

    A study conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission in 2023 found that in 2021, production at downstream companies decreased by nearly $3.5 billion due to the tariffs. This offset the $2.3 billion increase in production by aluminum producers and steelmakers that year.

    To put this into perspective, a typical car contains approximately 1,000 pounds of steel, costing around $6,000 to $7,000 per vehicle. Therefore, a 25% tariff will raise the cost of a car by $1,000 to $1,500. These tariffs have far-reaching consequences that impact various industries and the economy as a whole.

  • How to save $4 Billion without raising one dollar from average Americans!

    Exciting new polling data released this morning by Navigator Research reveals that a whopping 57 percent of Americans are worried that Trump will go overboard in cutting the federal government and axing crucial programs. On the flip side, 30 percent are more concerned about Trump’s efforts being thwarted and taxpayer dollars going down the drain.

    Interestingly, a staggering 66 percent of people are not on board with Trump’s executive order that makes it tougher for Medicare to haggle for lower prescription drug prices. Even 43 percent of Republicans are giving it a thumbs down.

    If the GOP wants to show they mean business about slashing the deficit by a cool $4 billion, they could throw down the gauntlet and challenge the Trump administration to back a 1 percent surtax on billionaires. Just imagine, a 1 percent tax on Elon Musk alone could rake in $4 billion deficit reduction goal.

    Perhaps being the party that stands up for government actions benefiting all Americans isn’t such a bad move politically after all.

    Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the massive budget deficit. Sure, it’s a real issue. But guess what? The deficit is actually being driven by increased entitlement spending, not discretionary spending, which has been on a downward trend as a percentage of the federal budget and GDP.

  • Federal Judge Unleashes Fury on Trump Administration for Recklessly Ignoring Court Order to Cease Funding Freeze!

    In a bold move, Federal Judge John McConnell of the District Court of Rhode Island has called out the Trump administration for blatantly disregarding his order to cease the freezing of federal funds. The administration’s actions directly contradict a restraining order issued by Judge McConnell on Jan. 31, which blocked the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo authorizing a broad freeze on Jan. 27.

    The chaos and confusion caused by the OMB memo were felt across the nation, with payments portals for essential programs like Medicaid, Head Start, and housing suddenly going dark. Health centers, daycares, and support programs for the disabled were left hanging in uncertainty.

    President Donald Trump’s relentless assault on federal institutions during his first three weeks in office has even shocked Republican-appointed judges. The Washington Post’s Aaron Blake noted that Chief Justice John Roberts, a key figure in the judiciary, has grown weary of the drama Trump is bringing to the courts. Roberts recently criticized public officials for attempting to intimidate judges and baselessly accusing them of political bias.

    It is time for the Trump administration to respect the rule of law and comply with court orders. Judge McConnell’s demand to immediately restore frozen funding must be heeded to ensure the stability and integrity of our federal programs. The judiciary will not tolerate any attempts to undermine the independence and impartiality of the courts.

  • RI federal judge says Trump administration violated funding freeze court order

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A Rhode Island federal judge on Monday found the Trump administration in violation of a court order, telling the new president to “immediately restore frozen funding.”

    U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell granted a “motion for enforcement” of a temporary restraining order, or TRO, he signed last month, blocking President Donald Trump’s freeze of Congress-approved funds across the country.

    “The states have presented evidence in this motion that the defendants in some cases have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds,” McConnell wrote in his decision Monday. Full story here

  • Trump Says U.S. Will Impose 25% Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum Imports

    It appears that Trump is planning to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, he announced Sunday, just what the American automotive industry needs – because who doesn’t love a good challenge, right? And guess who gets to foot the bill for this brilliant idea? That’s right, folks, it’s us! Get ready to say goodbye to jobs from the factory floor all the way to the dealership.

    But hey, why bother focusing on bringing down the cost of eggs and groceries when we can just make everything else more expensive, am I right? Clearly, Trump’s priorities are crystal clear – he couldn’t care less about the average American. Not only will these tariffs drive up prices, but they’ll also likely trigger retaliatory tariffs from other countries, sparking a full-blown trade war. Because who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned economic showdown, right? Thanks, Trump!

  • Another week of chaos under Trump

    Trump’s week of lies, court actions, and federal government chaos has been a real treat for those of us who enjoy a good dumpster fire. The president’s strategy seems to be to bombard the media with so much nonsense that we all just throw our hands up in exhaustion and confusion.

    His latest antics include making wild claims during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he apparently had a vision of the U.S. taking control of the Gaza Strip. Because, you know, that’s totally realistic.

    The ongoing tariff conflict with Canada and Mexico has surprisingly resulted in a neutral outcome for the United States. Meanwhile, China remains largely indifferent to the threats issued, continuing to pursue its own economic interests without concern for these tensions.

    In true Trump fashion, he also managed to misspell his way through an accusation about the government paying off Politico. Classic.

    And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more absurd, he decides to create a fake issue about “anti-Christian bias” that apparently requires a whole task force to investigate. Because that’s definitely what we need to be focusing on right now.

    But hey, at least we’re still waiting on those executive orders to lower gas prices and make eggs more affordable. But who needs real solutions when we can be distracted by imaginary problems.  Classic Trump.  

  • USAID was investigating Musk’s Starlink’s Contracts in Ukraine

    Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been heavily criticizing USAID, but recent reports suggest there may be more to Musk’s targeting of this agency than meets the eye. Despite accounting for less than one percent of the federal budget, USAID was actually conducting an investigation into equipment from one of Musk’s companies at the time of his attacks.

    According to a report on Tuesday, USAID’s inspector general was looking into a public-private partnership between Musk’s Starlink and the Ukrainian government. The USAID Office of Inspector General, Inspections and Evaluations Division, has initiated an inspection into USAID’s oversight of Starlink satellite terminals provided to Ukraine.

    Musk has publicly denounced USAID as “evil” and a “criminal organization,” but the fact that the agency was investigating Starlink activities raises questions about Musk’s true intentions. Several federal agencies have expressed concerns about the legality of Musk’s actions, with allegations that DOGE may be violating federal privacy laws by granting access to certain systems to Musk’s associates.

    DOGE, staffed by young individuals in their 20s, is reportedly engaging in risky and potentially unlawful activities. Musk’s influence within the government could potentially be used to further his personal wealth, despite his claims of USAID’s criminal behavior.

    In light of these developments, Musk’s accusations of criminality may be seen as ironic, as it appears that his own DOGE activities may be in violation of federal laws and could be considered criminal behavior.