Blue Press Journal

Author: Staff Reporter

  • Farmer in Upstate New York gets Lesson on Trump Tariffs

    Economists are sounding the alarm, cautioning that tariffs will pose a significant financial burden for homeowners and the real estate industry. This is due to the fact that the U.S. heavily relies on Canada for building materials.

    The impact of these tariffs is not limited to homeowners and the real estate sector; American farmers are also feeling the squeeze. A recent story in the Syracuse sheds light on this issue. According to Syracuse.com reporter Geoff Herbert, a dairy farmer named Gilbert, who owns Adon Farms in Potsdam, New York, found himself facing a hefty bill for livestock feed imported from Ontario, Canada. The recent tariff resulted in Gilbert having to pay an extra $2200 for his feed order.

    Despite President Trump’s claims, tariffs are actually paid by domestic importers, not foreign exporters. Gilbert, like many other farmers, is now grappling with the added costs imposed by these tariffs. The situation is further complicated for Adon Farms as the price of the milk they sell is determined by a local co-op, and there are no nearby U.S. suppliers for their feed.

    Additionally, other significant challenges have been pointed out by Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, indicating that several businesses are facing difficulties as well. A local manufacturing company anticipates an increase of $16 million due to rising raw material costs from Canada, while a paper mill is experiencing distress as the specific type of wood required for production is exclusively sourced from northern regions.

    One must wonder, where is Congresswoman Elise Stefanik? The staunch Trump supporter appears to have neglected her voters during a time of urgent need, failing to take decisive action on tariffs and the devastating consequences they have wrought.

    As if things weren’t tough enough, the prospect of levies on fertilizer or farm equipment looms on the horizon. It seems that MAGA land, where Adon Farms is located, is now facing the real-world consequences of Trump’s policies. How do MAGA voters feel about these developments? It’s a question worth pondering as the impact of tariffs hits close to home.

  • Trump Defying Upholding the Rule of Law

    Never before in the history of the United States have we been faced with a president who so blatantly disregards the law. The implications of this lawlessness are immense and affect us all.

    The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has unequivocally rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to appeal a court order mandating the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Despite the government’s claims that Garcia is a terrorist and a member of MS-13, which is false, he is still entitled to due process. If the government truly believes in its position, it should have faith that it will prevail in the legal proceedings. The fact that Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported further emphasizes the need to right this injustice.

    It is worth noting that Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, who delivered this decision, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan – hardly a liberal figure. This is not a matter of political ideology, but a matter of upholding the rule of law.

    The Supreme Court has also ordered the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, yet the Justice Department and President Trump have obstructed this process with lies and deceit. The government’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for due process and the constitutional order that our country is built upon.

    It is clear that the Trump administration has no respect for the law, and we must not forget that the president himself is a convicted felon. We cannot allow Trump to continue flouting the law. If we do not hold him accountable, no one is safe from his disregard for justice. Stand up for the rule of law, for justice, and for the integrity of our democracy.

    Remember, the president is entrusted with the solemn duty to faithfully uphold the law! Yet, shockingly, he fails to do so!

  • UPDATE: Fourth Circuit Rejects Trump’s Appeal

    The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has decisively rejected the Trump administration’s appeal in the Abrego Garcia case, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported and is now being held in El Salvador without any charges or due process. This is not just a legal matter, but a fundamental issue that should concern all Americans.

    The court made it clear that the government cannot simply hide away residents of this country in foreign prisons without following due process. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not just a name on a piece of paper – he is a human being who was taken from his home and unjustly sent to a foreign prison.

    Under federal regulations, the government must prove that an individual is no longer entitled to protection from removal. This process must be carried out according to the law, not through shady deals with foreign governments. The government cannot correct its mistakes by further perpetuating injustice.

    The Fourth Circuit’s ruling serves as a stark warning to all Americans about the erosion of our liberties. The Trump administration’s disregard for due process and defiance of judicial orders has plunged us into a constitutional crisis. It is imperative that we stand up for justice and demand accountability from our government. This case is not just about one man – it is about the very fabric of our democracy.

  • Voting Rights Group Challenges Trump’s Directive

    This week, a federal judge will be hearing arguments in three cases brought forth by national Democrats and voting rights groups. These cases challenge President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on elections, which includes a provision requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.

    The crux of the issue lies in the fact that Trump’s order oversteps his authority by attempting to exert control over an independent agency – the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. This agency is responsible for setting voluntary voting system guidelines and maintaining the federal voter registration form.

    The Constitution clearly states that the power to determine the “times, places, and manner” of elections lies with the states, not the president. Additionally, the Elections Clause grants Congress the authority to “make or alter” election regulations for federal offices, without mentioning any presidential involvement in election administration.

    In an exciting turn of events, 19 Democratic attorneys general have already taken action by asking the court to reject Trump’s executive order. Stay tuned as this legal battle unfolds and the future of voting rights in federal elections hangs in the balance!

  • RFK Jr.: How Many Stupid Statements can you make in one Press Conference?

    As researchers grapple with the perplexing rise in autism rates, Kennedy has boldly declared his intention to intervene. Despite lacking medical expertise, Kennedy has taken it upon himself to delve into the issue.

    RFK Jr. convened a press conference this week to delve into the latest findings unveiled in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report revealed a troubling surge in apparent autism rates, skyrocketing from 1 in 36 children to 1 in 31. Shockingly, the data from 2022 indicated a higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among 8-year-old children, particularly in Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific Islander children compared to their white counterparts.

    Kennedy adamantly asserts that “environmental factors” are the driving force behind this alarming increase, dismissing genetic influences. In his former capacity as chairman of Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy vehemently propagated the debunked theory that vaccines trigger autism, accusing the CDC of deceit to downplay the severity of the situation. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, including a comprehensive study in Denmark in 2019, Kennedy remains steadfast in his beliefs.

    The newly established Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), a division of HHS, has been tasked with monitoring autism rates. The AHA amalgamated several previously autonomous offices, amidst widespread budget cuts and layoffs within the agency. Kennedy hinted at future studies exploring the potential impact of medication, mold, food additives, air and water pollution, and advanced parental age on autism rates, with many reputable researchers concurring that enhanced screening is pivotal.

    The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network issued a poignant statement, attributing the surge in autism diagnoses to improved screening accessibility and heightened awareness. The organization emphasized the urgent need to address the economic and racial disparities influencing the timely and accurate diagnosis of autism, highlighting the correlation between higher income levels and increased diagnosis rates among Black and Hispanic children.

  • Tariffs are Taxes on American Consumers

    The Constitution clearly states that taxes must originate in Congress. Tariffs, as a form of tax, are straightforward in their nature.

    President Trump’s implementation of “reciprocal” tariffs on over 180 countries is facing legal challenges from various businesses. These challenges have led to lawsuits being filed against the administration in both the U.S. Court of International Trade and a federal district court in Florida.

    Efforts are being made to expedite the case to the Supreme Court, as the implications of Trump’s tariffs on businesses are imminent. While most tariffs have been put on hold for a 90-day period to allow for negotiations, China remains a notable exception with tariffs as high as 145 percent on its products.

    The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not provide the authority to impose such tariffs. The trade deficit, which Trump claims as the basis for these tariffs, is not an emergency nor an extraordinary circumstance.

    The question arises whether our country will be governed by emergency decrees or by the democratic processes and decisions of Congress. A recent resolution to repeal Trump’s 25 percent tariff on Canada was supported by four Republican senators, including Paul, Collins, Murkowski, and McConnell. However, the resolution faces challenges in the House.

    Senator Grassley emphasized during a Senate Finance Committee hearing that the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate both interstate and foreign commerce. It is evident that Trump’s tariffs are not well-received among GOP senators.

  • Senate Republicans Break the Senate

    Senate Republicans have graciously decided to pass a budget resolution that will benefit the billionaires of our nation, because who needs money more than the ultra-wealthy, am I right? They are so kind as to break the budget rules in order to make sure these tax cuts go through smoothly.

    The first part of their plan is to extend the temporary 2017 tax cuts, because we all know how important it is to keep those billionaires happy. And of course, they want to make these tax cuts permanent, because why stop at just a few trillion more in skewed tax cuts after 2034?

    The Republican Senate is outrageously stepping up its efforts to balloon the public debt for generations ahead! Who cares about fiscal responsibility when catering to the whims of billionaires is the priority, right?

    And if they can ram through these lasting tax cuts with a mere 50 votes, just imagine what other extreme MAGA schemes they might attempt to bulldoze past us with that fragile majority. Who cares about bipartisan backing when you can trample all over dissent?

    But hey, who needs to follow the rules when you can just bypass the parliamentarian and do whatever you want, right? Who cares about democracy when you have billionaires to please?

    So, let’s all give a round of applause to the Senate Republicans for their dedication to making sure the ultra-wealthy get even wealthier, while the rest of us just sit back and watch. 

  • President Continues to Ignore a Direct Supreme Court Order

    President Donald Trump and his administration are blatantly disregarding a Supreme Court order by refusing to take action to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant wrongly sent to the Salvadoran prison CECOT, back to the United States. This defiance of the law is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

    If the President continues to ignore a direct Supreme Court order, he must be impeached and removed from office. The rule of law must be upheld, and no one, not even the President, is above it.

    The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on April 11 clearly stated that the Government must facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and ensure that his case is handled properly. Abrego Garcia was unjustly removed along with other immigrants and sent to CECOT, despite being granted withholding removal status.

    The fact that lawyers for the Department of Justice have admitted that Abrego Garcia was wrongfully removed is a clear indication of the injustice that has been done. If Trump is allowed to defy this ruling, it sets a dangerous precedent for all Americans.

    Imagine a scenario where anyone can be labeled a gang member without evidence, denied due process, and sent to a foreign prison for life. This would be the end of the Constitution and the rule of law in the United States. We cannot allow such a travesty to occur.

    It is imperative that we hold our leaders accountable and demand that they respect the law. The future of our democracy depends on it.

  • The 2017 Tax Law: A Failed Promise of Economic Growth

    President Trump and his Administration’s Council of Economic Advisers have been spreading falsehoods about the impact of the 2017 tax law. Despite their claims, there is no evidence to support the idea that the tax cuts, which primarily benefited the wealthy and corporations, actually boosted the economy during Trump’s first term.

    In reality, the original legislation did little to stimulate economic growth before the pandemic hit. Business investment rates actually slowed down after the tax law was enacted, as did consumer spending. Research into the law’s key provisions has also failed to provide any evidence supporting the Trump Administration’s assertions.

    While the Trump Administration promised that the corporate rate cut would lead to a $4,000 increase in household income, the Federal Reserve Board discovered that workers in the bottom 90th percentile of their firm’s income scale saw no change in earnings as a result of the tax cut.

    Proponents of the 2017 tax law made grand promises about its potential to boost the economy, but these promises never materialized. There was no significant impact on GDP growth, investment, or wages. Instead, the tax law ended up reducing federal revenues and widening income and wealth inequality by favoring households in the top 1 percent.

    When combined with cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, as well as sweeping tariffs, the 2017 tax law will ultimately lead to higher costs for low- and moderate-income families, while the wealthy continue to enjoy substantial tax breaks. The reality is clear: the 2017 tax law failed to deliver on its promises of economic growth and prosperity for all.

  • Is Trump Playing with a Full Deck?

    The ongoing saga of Trump’s tariff decisions has left many wondering if he’s playing with a full deck. It’s like he wakes up each morning in a parallel universe and decides to shake things up just for fun. The fact that no one is questioning his mental fitness is mind-boggling.

    The stock market took a nosedive earlier this month when Trump announced his grand tariff plans. While the market did recover slightly after he backtracked on some of them, consumer confidence is still in the dumps. It’s like a rollercoaster ride in the market, and not the fun kind.

    Trump claims he took a cognitive test during his physical exam, but can we really trust those results? Probably not. His reckless tariff decisions could end up costing American families big time. A study from Yale University estimates an average of $4,700 per year per family. Ouch.

    It seems like Trump is just winging it with no real plan in sight. Some folks on Wall Street are starting to wonder if he’s not just unpredictable, but maybe a few fries short of a Happy Meal. The Yale Budget Lab analysis paints an even bleaker picture, predicting higher prices and job losses.

    So here we are, with a guy running the country and the economy that most people didn’t even vote for. God help us all.