Tag: trump

  • Trump’s $400 Million Jet: A Luxurious Gift or Bribe?

    Nothing screams “we love bribes” quite like a $400 million plane. Donald Trump is set to receive a super luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar, also known as a “flying palace.” Because, you know, who doesn’t need a flying palace?

    White House counsel David Warrington has advised the Trump administration that it would be “legally permissible” for the donation of the aircraft to be conditioned on transferring its ownership to Trump’s presidential library at the end of his term. So, basically, Trump gets to keep a $400 million plane? How convenient.

    This whole arrangement is being described as “unprecedented,” with questions being raised about the legality of the Trump administration, and ultimately the Trump presidential library foundation, accepting such a valuable gift from a foreign power. A foreign regime giving a jet to a former president, all in the name of it being used for the Trump library? Sounds like bribery happening right in front of our eyes.

    So, while we’re all dealing with increased tariff taxes, rising egg prices, and having to cut back on our Christmas shopping, Trump gets a $400 million plane to add to his lifestyle once he leaves office. Because, you know, who doesn’t need a fancy new toy to fly around in?

  • Dr. Casey Means for Surgeon General: Can it get any crazier?

    Just when we thought Trump’s picks for his administration couldn’t get any crazier, in walks his Surgeon General, Dr. Casey Means. Her academic achievements include dropping out of a medical residency in otolaryngology, and her medical license is currently inactive according to Oregon medical board records. Dr. Casey Means has been known to promote the idea that chronic disease is caused by diet and lifestyle choices, a theory that seems to align with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s talking points.

    Her life’s work supposedly includes co-founding Levels, a business that claims to sell glucose monitors, co-writing the book Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health, and promoting an eight-day online course on metabolic health, but one might wonder if these ventures truly deliver on their promises.

    In her various speaking engagements, Dr. Casey Means emphasizes the importance of metabolic health, a topic that excites many alternative health practitioners. She has even claimed that “the universe” speaks to her and that people can “manifest” their desires by writing them down. Perhaps she believes the body is just a “radio receiver” for divine messages, as she wrote in a newsletter from October 2024.

    Dr. Casey Means’s tendency to make statements about medicine and health that lack scientific backing is concerning. Her preferred treatment method, functional medicine, is not a recognized medical specialty and often involves unnecessary tests and unproven supplement regimens.

    It’s becoming increasingly clear that Trump may not have a clue what he’s doing. With his age and lifestyle (hello, daily Big Macs), it seems like he’s lost touch with reality and is showing his advanced years. It appears that his habit of watching TV and selecting cabinet members based on their on-screen appearances has left America with some of the most bizarre choices for our government. It’s starting to feel like we’re stuck in a really bad reality TV show.

  • The Consequences of Trump’s U. K. Tariff Deal on U.S. Automakers

    The so-called Trump Tariff deal with the U.K. is actually a disaster for America and U.S. auto makers. Let’s not forget that the U.K. tariff is still higher at 10 percent on everything except for 100,000 cars. The previous tariff rate was around 3 percent, but now Trump has decided to crank it up to 10 percent. 

    Under this deal, it will now be more cost-effective to import a UK vehicle with minimal U.S. content than a USMCA compliant vehicle from Mexico or Canada that is made up of half American parts. This is a real slap in the face to American automakers, suppliers, and auto workers.

    GM has indicated that levies could result in a loss of approximately $5 billion from its profits this year, whereas Ford anticipates experiencing a $1.5 billion impact.

    America’s “big three” automakers wasted no time in expressing their displeasure with President Trump’s latest trade agreement with the United Kingdom. As a result of the increased tariffs on imported goods, Stellantis had to halt production at plants in Canada and Mexico, both of which are subject to taxes on foreign vehicles. The council, which represents Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis, is not holding back in criticizing the president. Despite having factories in the United States, these companies are bracing themselves for significant setbacks due to the tariffs imposed by Trump. It’s almost as if the president doesn’t realize the interconnectedness of the auto industry across North America. But hey, who needs a thriving auto industry anyway, right?

  • Empty Ports a ‘good thing’?

    Can you believe the Longshoremen’s Union actually supported Donald Trump after he promised to slap massive tariffs on countries? Did they not realize that fewer ships at ports would mean fewer jobs for their union members? It’s like shooting yourself in the foot and then wondering why you can’t walk!

    Chinese freight vessels are avoiding the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach like the plague, thanks to Trump’s tariffs. The trade war and recession fears are hitting major ports hard, with a significant drop in container vessel traffic. It’s like watching a sinking ship in slow motion.

    Despite the obvious negative impact on jobs and the economy, Trump seems unfazed. When warned about the consequences for truckers and dock workers, he actually praised the downturn, claiming it means the country isn’t “losing money.” Because, you know, less ships from China is definitely a win in Trump’s book.

    ILA President Harold Daggett must be thrilled with Trump now. I mean, who wouldn’t love a president who puts American working people last while claiming to be their greatest friend? With friends like Trump, who needs enemies, right?

    The ILA Leader said his union now regards President Donald Trump as one of the greatest friends of Organized Labor and champion of the working men and women of this country. ILA President Harold Daggett

    The reality is crystal clear: these tariffs are not about putting ‘America First’ – they’re about putting American workers dead last. They’re a recipe for job losses, higher costs, and economic instability that will hit every corner of the country. But hey, at least we’re losing less money, right? Thanks, Trump!

  • Trumps New Deal Triples Taxes On Americans 

    History Lesson on Tariffs and Taxes, Boston Tea Party.

    Trump is proudly touting a new deal that will have Americans shelling out three times the amount in taxes for British products. How exciting! Who doesn’t love paying more for the same stuff they bought last year?

    According to Trump’s trusty chart, this new trade agreement with the United Kingdom will rake in a whopping $6 billion in “external revenue” – a fancy term for the extra cash U.S. Customs will be collecting from American importers. The cherry on top? A nice, round 10% tax rate on nearly all goods, which is three times higher than what we were previously paying for goods from across the pond. Thanks, Trump!

    Economist Justin Wolfers from the University of Michigan is absolutely ecstatic about this new tariff, describing it as “ridiculously high”! Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple, and their impact cannot be underestimated.

    But fear not, dear consumers! Our beloved importers will graciously pass along these added taxes in the form of higher prices, ensuring that we get to enjoy the full benefits of this new deal. It’s like a gift that keeps on giving – straight from our wallets to the government’s coffers.

    And let’s not forget Trump’s impressive grasp of how tariffs work. Who needs a history lesson on the Boston Tea Party when we have a president who thinks he can single-handedly impose taxes on incoming goods? Congress? Who needs ’em! The real heroes here are the spineless Republicans who are too busy cowering in the shadows to stand up for us hardworking Americans.

    So here’s to Trump and his brilliant new deal – may our wallets be forever empty and our British goods forever overpriced. Cheers!

  • The Cost of GOP Tax Cuts: Medicaid Cuts Will Hurt Millions

    GOP is pushing for the poor to shoulder more burdens for Medicaid just so they can funnel tax cuts to the wealthy elite.

    The GOP is proposing a plan that would force low-income Americans to pay more for healthcare so that the wealthy can receive tax cuts. Congressional Republicans are considering a highly regressive proposal to increase Medicaid premiums and copays in order to offset the cost of tax breaks for the rich. This means that the Republican bill will ultimately cut healthcare for children, seniors, Americans with disabilities, and working families.

    Another harmful option being considered by the GOP is implementing work requirements for Medicaid recipients, despite evidence showing that such requirements do little to increase employment and only make it harder for eligible individuals to receive benefits. It is clear that Republicans are using deceptive tactics to push through a reckless plan that will hurt millions of Americans.

    The Republican plan to provide handouts to billionaires and corporations will come at a significant cost, including kicking millions of Americans off their health insurance, raising the cost of living through tariffs, and increasing child hunger.

    Cuts to Medicaid also pose a threat to hospitals, nursing homes, and safety-net providers nationwide, with many providers relying heavily on Medicaid funding for their operations.

    It is unconscionable that the GOP is willing to sacrifice the health and well-being of millions of Americans in order to benefit the wealthy. The consequences of their actions will be devastating, leading to closures of hospitals and providers in rural and underserved areas. It is time to hold Republicans accountable for their harmful policies and prioritize the needs of all Americans.

  • The Truth About Canada’s Trade Deficit with the US … What Trump is Not Saying

    A lot of people don’t really get the whole trade deficit situation with Canada that Donald Trump keeps bringing up, plus the tariffs he’s slapped on Canadian goods. Honestly, this trade setup is pretty complicated, and we think Trump doesn’t really grasp all the little details.

    Canada and the US have one of the closest economic relationships in the world, with billions of dollars worth of goods and services exchanged between the two countries every year. However, there is a common belief that Canada consistently runs a trade deficit with its southern neighbor. But is this true?

    First, it’s important to understand what a trade deficit is. A trade deficit occurs when a country imports more goods and services than it exports to other countries. This means that the country is spending more on foreign goods and services than it is earning from exports.

    When it comes to Canada’s trade relationship with the US, the numbers can be interpreted in different ways. On one hand, it’s true that Canada imports more goods from the US than it exports. In 2019, for example, Canada imported $314.2 billion worth of goods from the US, while it only exported $266.9 billion worth of goods to the US. This would appear to show a trade deficit of $47.3 billion.

    However, when it comes to trade in services, the picture is different. In 2019, Canada exported $61.3 billion worth of services to the US, while it imported $53.5 billion worth of services. This means that Canada had a surplus in trade in services with the US of $7.8 billion.

    When you add the trade in goods and services together, the overall picture changes. In 2019, Canada’s total exports to the US were $328.2 billion, while its total imports from the US were $367.7 billion. This would appear to show a trade deficit of $39.5 billion.

    But it’s important to note that this trade deficit includes the cost of oil and other energy products that Canada imports from the US. If you exclude these products, Canada’s trade deficit with the US is significantly smaller.

    Furthermore, it’s important to consider the broader economic context. Canada and the US are each other’s largest trading partners, and the flow of goods and services between the two countries is highly integrated. Many of the goods that Canada imports from the US are used as inputs in Canadian exports, and vice versa. This means that the trade relationship between the two countries is more complex than simply looking at the value of imports and exports.

    In conclusion, while it’s true that Canada imports more goods from the US than it exports, the picture is more nuanced when you consider trade in services and the broader economic context. When you add trade in goods and services together, Canada does have a trade deficit with the US, but it’s smaller than it might first appear. And when you exclude energy products, the trade deficit is even smaller. Ultimately, the trade relationship between Canada and the US is highly integrated and benefits both countries.

  • Fact-checking President Trump on two important false claims he makes about Canada

    First, Trump claims that Canada is a high-tariff country. However, the reality is that Canada was ranked 102nd out of 137 countries in terms of average tariffs. In fact, Canada has lower average tariffs than the United States. Trump often focuses on Canada’s agricultural tariffs, specifically highlighting the high dairy tariffs. What he fails to mention is that these high dairy tariffs only apply after a certain quantity of tariff-free U.S. exports to Canada, a quantity that was negotiated in the USMCA agreement. The U.S. is nowhere near reaching these maximum quantities.

    Secondly, Trump claimed that Canada spends less money on its military than practically any nation in the world. The truth is that Canada is actually the 16th highest military spender globally. So, while the president may use the word “practically,” Canada is far from being one of the world’s lowest military spenders.

    It is evident that President Trump’s misinformation is causing leaders of most countries to take his statements with a grain of salt.

  • Tariffs Affect Holiday Gift Budgets

    It is difficult for the writers of this blog to admit, but Former Vice President Mike Pence is correct on this particular issue. Former Vice President Mike Pence recently stated that keeping toys affordable is a crucial aspect of the American dream. President Donald Trump has suggested that American families may need to adjust to living with fewer toys due to his trade policies.

    President Trump expressed that young girls do not need an excessive amount of dolls and can be content with a few. Mattel, the company behind Barbie dolls, has announced potential price increases to offset the impact of Trump’s tariffs. As American families face rising prices across the board due to these tariffs, they may need to scale back on holiday gifts to accommodate for the increased costs.

    The Trump administration’s decision to implement broad-based tariffs against various countries, without targeting those who have been exploiting trade relationships, is concerning. These policies may lead to inflation, negatively impacting consumers and the overall American economy. Instead of a strategic approach to trade and tariffs, President Trump appears to be adopting a reckless “break everything and see what happens” mentality.

    It is important to recognize that this approach could result in significant financial burdens for the average American consumer, while also leading to reduced services. All of this is being done to provide tax breaks for billionaires.

  • Trump’s Uncertain Stance on Due Process: A Threat to Democracy

    During a riveting interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Donald Trump shocked the nation by expressing uncertainty about his obligation to uphold the U.S. Constitution, specifically when it comes to the right to due process for immigrants. When asked by moderator Kristen Welker if he agreed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that everyone in the United States is entitled to due process under the law, Trump simply replied, “I don’t know.”

    Trump’s response strikes at the very heart of constitutional democracy. The Fifth Amendment clearly states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This fundamental protection applies to all individuals, not just citizens, and has been upheld time and time again by the highest courts in the land, including the Supreme Court.

    In a shocking twist, Trump argued that providing due process would be too time-consuming, citing the potential for “a million or 2 million or 3 million trials” if the government were to swiftly deport those accused of criminal activity, such as suspected gang members from Venezuela. This approach not only violates the Constitution, but it also poses a grave danger to the principles of justice and fairness that our legal system is built upon.

    The legal system exists to ensure that accusations are separated from guilt, to safeguard against false charges, and to prevent unchecked government power.

    Trump’s flippant disregard for this cornerstone of American law should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. The very essence of our democracy is at stake, and it is imperative that we stand up and defend the principles that have guided our nation for centuries.