This administration wants us to inhabit a fantasy world of 'jam tomorrow' prosperity delivered by a Pied Piper, who has become dangerously disconnected from reality.
Thank you for this. I’m not an economist, but even I can see where this is all headed. People are going to become desperate and he will fan the flames into civil war. It’s a horrible prediction but I fear it’s not wrong.
You’re welcome. The idea of my pieces Ana is the hope that just everyday people can read them and get an unvarnished assessment of where we are. The aim here is to give people the knowledge to make informed decisions to protect their interest to the best of their ability.
My concern is for those that are merely passengers on this runaway train.
"Passengers on a runaway train." That's how I feel. I understand the situation, but have yet to see how to change it. The consolidation of the executive, legislature, and judiciary around Trump is not only bigger than me, but bigger than the fragmented lack-of-response which is all it engenders.
Great article, the enormous hit on us is going to be landing very hard . All the subsidies for health insurance premiums ,energy along with the increases to prices for groceries is full front and center. Will the Democrats present any push back now on the bill and tarifs during the debt ceiling negotiations? Now I share a headache 😞
I work at a retail establishment,and I see the rise in prices on all kinds of products in real time.It's gotten crazy,and sometimes I can't believe how expensive a handful of items has gotten!
I feel the same astonishment on the other side of the counter,as prices for things I bought only a few weeks ago,have already gone up again.
Also it feels like my pay is shrinking,but I looked on my online pay stub my taxes have gotten higher,I'm assuming us working class stiffs are being made to make up for the loss of revenue because morbidly wealthy people don't have to actually pay any taxes.
I'm so tired of all this bullshit.Stop the world and let me off...
While I appreciate the scope of the article, the positive take on the Chinese economy fails to mention their considerable weaknesses. The difficulty of learning Chinese, their extreme authoritarianism, and cultural racism make it a wholely transactional country. They look like a leviathan, but it is a house of cards. To me, that it is beating us is a testament to our failures more than their successes.
Thanks for your contribution to the conversation Dan. The Chinese economy faces some significant challenges, in particular in relation to the property market. With the greatest respect, the stereotypical take on their extreme authoritarianism is I feel somewhat overplayed.
I know a number of westerners who live there who would undoubtedly take issue with your take on their cultural position. Are there cultural issues, undoubtedly, but the US need only look in a mirror right now before throwing stones in glass houses.
The eradication of poverty is very real. The streets of their cities are very safe. I know a number of westerners who have travelled there and commented that they felt safe walking the streets at any time of day.
While it’s not somewhere I would consider living, many Westerners now frequent and work there speaking very highly of the experience. Nobody is questioning their human rights problems, but given the issues now in Western society, I hardly think we are qualified to sit in judgement.
I do accept to some degree that China have inherited the failure of the US, but it was US money seeking cheap labour that delivered the China that is now a threat. You can now visit China visa free if you use it as a transit destination, far from being insular they open for business are proud of their achievements. I dare say it would be easier and safer to travel to China than the US at the moment. How telling is that?
Are they a threat, clearly they are and their overcapacity in manufacturing is not healthy for the West as they will dump cheap goods. No question.
As for AI the US should be very worried and I suspect they are behind all the bullish bravado.
I only added my points to offer nuance to the conversation. China is an interesting and sophisticated country, full of contradictions, just like the US. The west is not in a position to judge, but there is a value in assessing both the strengths and weaknesses.
I do agree that westerners living there see it as generally positive. However, they do see a sterilized version of China. The experience of the Chinese, especially minorities and those from non-dominant Han linguistics groups, is very different. All I can say is, over the last 40 years of my travels in China, I see more and more people that are reconciled to living a constrained life. I would tend to compare China's strategy to 煮豆燃豆萁.
And you never know what will happen. China has a long strategic horizon, but then again, 塞翁失馬.
Thanks for the lucid economic analysis of the Trump administration’s post-truth dismantling of the economy and American society. Their Orwellian language is designed to confuse and delude. It helps to see clearly the real impacts.
One aspect I haven’t seen rational commentary on is the economics of what the administration is/will do with the military. They are burning through millions (from which budget exactly?) with performative use of the military and National Guard domestically, and this current use of the Navy off Venezuela. Both seem to be authoritarian show, but there are deeper implications if the America First agenda draws down the military from its current global force structure. Like the other Departments will that foretell massive layoffs? And by alienating our former allies, won’t that significantly the US war equipment manufacturing sector? The DOD is a huge driving part of US government spending and US employment in every state. Potential huge negative impacts for jobs and revenue. This seems consistent with administration actions to weaken the economy and weaken US global influence and presence.
Your thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks for what you do.
I have written extensive about his use of the military, but only in the context of voting suppression. I’m happy to take a look at the economic impact though.
THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY IS NOT OVER! IMPERATIVE NEXT STEPS!!!
No Kings Day was a spectacular display of Solidarity! Great to see the resistance growing but the fight to save our democracy is far from over. The Resistance Must Unite!
We are struggling to meet our goal to bring down the tRump. All of our resistance efforts have failed. Seven million just isn't enough! We only need a mere 3.5% or 11 million American citizens exhibiting ongoing daily SUSTAINED resistance to meet this goal. Going to a protest every few months is not going to accomplish anything! We must choose to do something every day to show that we want our democracy back. Resistance United gives everyone opportunities and options to build and support the new Civil Rights Movement daily!
STEP 1) Spread the Word - Warn everyone about the evil coming out of the White House. Make our resistance actions go viral!
There is no movement without Calls for Action! We must become vigilant about Spreading the Word. Read and share the links throughout this article. Make them go viral! They give you something to talk about and explain why everyone should be supporting this New Civil Rights Movement.
Senator Sanders talks about the disparities between the MAGA rich and the average American. The numbers are outrageous! The billionaire oligarchs must pay their employees fair wages and pay the same taxes we do!
STEP 2) STOP SHOPPING and spending money unnecessarily! Quit making the billionaire oligarchs richer! They are the true rulers of this country. They control how the government is run. They underpay their workers and hog all the wealth for themselves! We must demand better wages and the end of the administration from hell!!! Boycott billionaire chain businesses and they themselves will call for the tRump's resignation!
STEP 3) OCCUPY DC to continue to show the world that the American Stands United!
OCCUPY DC is a sustained occupation of the nation’s capital. The vision is to bring millions of people to DC to “surround the White House; surround the Capitol; and surround the Supreme Court” everyday, in a sustained, non-violent way, beginning Nov 5, and lasting until the Trump regime falls. This IS NOT a one day march or rally.
PROTESTS show the world we're willing to stand up for our civil rights! Many communities have weekly protest that are just as important as our mass protests. Find a chapter near you.
SLOWING DOWN THE ECONOMY is a safe and powerful way to resist for those can't risk their jobs or are afraid to attend a protest.
OCCUPING DC is for our brave civilian heroes and peaceful warriors willing to go all out to save our democracy!
There are more options below. Which option is best for you?
These vital next steps are the most powerful ways to support the Anti-tRump / Fight the Oligarchs Resistance Movements:
Thank you for your clear whole picture explanation of our economic unraveling. It’s difficult to see the patterns when I get a bit every week or day. Thank you for putting the puzzle together. Aha!
Well, we sure are getting smarter. Hat's off to your contributions. The deeper we go into destruction, the more clarity we get about the world and the more that people get activated. It's like a giant race between good and evil. Maybe that will be the tale future historians, if good wins, will tell.
Thank you for this. I’m not an economist, but even I can see where this is all headed. People are going to become desperate and he will fan the flames into civil war. It’s a horrible prediction but I fear it’s not wrong.
You’re welcome. The idea of my pieces Ana is the hope that just everyday people can read them and get an unvarnished assessment of where we are. The aim here is to give people the knowledge to make informed decisions to protect their interest to the best of their ability.
My concern is for those that are merely passengers on this runaway train.
"Passengers on a runaway train." That's how I feel. I understand the situation, but have yet to see how to change it. The consolidation of the executive, legislature, and judiciary around Trump is not only bigger than me, but bigger than the fragmented lack-of-response which is all it engenders.
It’s a massive challenge, believe me, I recognise that. Unfortunately Democrats seem unable to deliver a unified response, which is the real tragedy
Chicago and Illinois have prepared brilliantly for Trump's invasion. With any luck, that could become the template for the resistance.
Great article, the enormous hit on us is going to be landing very hard . All the subsidies for health insurance premiums ,energy along with the increases to prices for groceries is full front and center. Will the Democrats present any push back now on the bill and tarifs during the debt ceiling negotiations? Now I share a headache 😞
I have to double check my research again and again as I look at the potential impacts because it terrifies me and I don’t even live there.
I work at a retail establishment,and I see the rise in prices on all kinds of products in real time.It's gotten crazy,and sometimes I can't believe how expensive a handful of items has gotten!
I feel the same astonishment on the other side of the counter,as prices for things I bought only a few weeks ago,have already gone up again.
Also it feels like my pay is shrinking,but I looked on my online pay stub my taxes have gotten higher,I'm assuming us working class stiffs are being made to make up for the loss of revenue because morbidly wealthy people don't have to actually pay any taxes.
I'm so tired of all this bullshit.Stop the world and let me off...
Such a valuable article! Thank you! P.S. As a migraine patient, I share your pain! Feel better soon!
Excellent article and well researched. Can’t wait to read Part 2. Hope you feel better soon.
You are doing a valuable public service.
Thank you Jeffrey, you are very kind. All I can do is my best.
Thank you for this extensive assessment!!
You’re most welcome Kathleen
Wow, powerful words. The urgency to wake up is so clear from this article. I’m anxiously waiting for part 2, and seriously dreading it as well.
While I appreciate the scope of the article, the positive take on the Chinese economy fails to mention their considerable weaknesses. The difficulty of learning Chinese, their extreme authoritarianism, and cultural racism make it a wholely transactional country. They look like a leviathan, but it is a house of cards. To me, that it is beating us is a testament to our failures more than their successes.
Thanks for your contribution to the conversation Dan. The Chinese economy faces some significant challenges, in particular in relation to the property market. With the greatest respect, the stereotypical take on their extreme authoritarianism is I feel somewhat overplayed.
I know a number of westerners who live there who would undoubtedly take issue with your take on their cultural position. Are there cultural issues, undoubtedly, but the US need only look in a mirror right now before throwing stones in glass houses.
The eradication of poverty is very real. The streets of their cities are very safe. I know a number of westerners who have travelled there and commented that they felt safe walking the streets at any time of day.
While it’s not somewhere I would consider living, many Westerners now frequent and work there speaking very highly of the experience. Nobody is questioning their human rights problems, but given the issues now in Western society, I hardly think we are qualified to sit in judgement.
I do accept to some degree that China have inherited the failure of the US, but it was US money seeking cheap labour that delivered the China that is now a threat. You can now visit China visa free if you use it as a transit destination, far from being insular they open for business are proud of their achievements. I dare say it would be easier and safer to travel to China than the US at the moment. How telling is that?
Are they a threat, clearly they are and their overcapacity in manufacturing is not healthy for the West as they will dump cheap goods. No question.
As for AI the US should be very worried and I suspect they are behind all the bullish bravado.
I only added my points to offer nuance to the conversation. China is an interesting and sophisticated country, full of contradictions, just like the US. The west is not in a position to judge, but there is a value in assessing both the strengths and weaknesses.
I do agree that westerners living there see it as generally positive. However, they do see a sterilized version of China. The experience of the Chinese, especially minorities and those from non-dominant Han linguistics groups, is very different. All I can say is, over the last 40 years of my travels in China, I see more and more people that are reconciled to living a constrained life. I would tend to compare China's strategy to 煮豆燃豆萁.
And you never know what will happen. China has a long strategic horizon, but then again, 塞翁失馬.
Match that stereotype against China's leading in 57 of 64 industries.
Martin, intense article. Thank you. 1 thing I'll push back on is your percentage of democrats believing the tarrif scheme. Majority don't.
I’ll need to double check my notes on Democrats because I thought it odd too but found more than one source, so I felt obliged to include it.
Thanks for the lucid economic analysis of the Trump administration’s post-truth dismantling of the economy and American society. Their Orwellian language is designed to confuse and delude. It helps to see clearly the real impacts.
One aspect I haven’t seen rational commentary on is the economics of what the administration is/will do with the military. They are burning through millions (from which budget exactly?) with performative use of the military and National Guard domestically, and this current use of the Navy off Venezuela. Both seem to be authoritarian show, but there are deeper implications if the America First agenda draws down the military from its current global force structure. Like the other Departments will that foretell massive layoffs? And by alienating our former allies, won’t that significantly the US war equipment manufacturing sector? The DOD is a huge driving part of US government spending and US employment in every state. Potential huge negative impacts for jobs and revenue. This seems consistent with administration actions to weaken the economy and weaken US global influence and presence.
Your thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks for what you do.
I have written extensive about his use of the military, but only in the context of voting suppression. I’m happy to take a look at the economic impact though.
Do you mean to tell me that Trump was fibbing when he stated that the money is flowing into the country…trillions he said?
I think that sums it up Judi. 🤣
RESISTANCE UNITED
THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY IS NOT OVER! IMPERATIVE NEXT STEPS!!!
No Kings Day was a spectacular display of Solidarity! Great to see the resistance growing but the fight to save our democracy is far from over. The Resistance Must Unite!
We are struggling to meet our goal to bring down the tRump. All of our resistance efforts have failed. Seven million just isn't enough! We only need a mere 3.5% or 11 million American citizens exhibiting ongoing daily SUSTAINED resistance to meet this goal. Going to a protest every few months is not going to accomplish anything! We must choose to do something every day to show that we want our democracy back. Resistance United gives everyone opportunities and options to build and support the new Civil Rights Movement daily!
STEP 1) Spread the Word - Warn everyone about the evil coming out of the White House. Make our resistance actions go viral!
There is no movement without Calls for Action! We must become vigilant about Spreading the Word. Read and share the links throughout this article. Make them go viral! They give you something to talk about and explain why everyone should be supporting this New Civil Rights Movement.
Senator Sanders talks about the disparities between the MAGA rich and the average American. The numbers are outrageous! The billionaire oligarchs must pay their employees fair wages and pay the same taxes we do!
https://youtu.be/ewpGDPft7Mo?si=e1Gmre_zW1P-J3pK
THE LYING KING
The tRump is hurting Democrats and Republicans a like - they just don't know it yet. An overview of the hate the tRump has unleashed in America.
https://onemommy.substack.com/p/maga-should-know-the-truth-about?r=113nff
STEP 2) STOP SHOPPING and spending money unnecessarily! Quit making the billionaire oligarchs richer! They are the true rulers of this country. They control how the government is run. They underpay their workers and hog all the wealth for themselves! We must demand better wages and the end of the administration from hell!!! Boycott billionaire chain businesses and they themselves will call for the tRump's resignation!
Support these economic resistance movements:
BOYCOTT XMAS Economic Slow Down:
https://onemommy.substack.com/p/boycott-xmas-to-save-the-usa?r=113nff
BLACKOUT THE SYSTEM:
https://onemommy.substack.com/p/blackout-the-system-second-wave?r=113nff
STEP 3) OCCUPY DC to continue to show the world that the American Stands United!
OCCUPY DC is a sustained occupation of the nation’s capital. The vision is to bring millions of people to DC to “surround the White House; surround the Capitol; and surround the Supreme Court” everyday, in a sustained, non-violent way, beginning Nov 5, and lasting until the Trump regime falls. This IS NOT a one day march or rally.
More information about OCCUPY DC Mass Movement: https://onemommy.substack.com/p/occupy-dc-mass-movement-starting?r=113nff
PROTESTS show the world we're willing to stand up for our civil rights! Many communities have weekly protest that are just as important as our mass protests. Find a chapter near you.
SLOWING DOWN THE ECONOMY is a safe and powerful way to resist for those can't risk their jobs or are afraid to attend a protest.
OCCUPING DC is for our brave civilian heroes and peaceful warriors willing to go all out to save our democracy!
There are more options below. Which option is best for you?
These vital next steps are the most powerful ways to support the Anti-tRump / Fight the Oligarchs Resistance Movements:
Get the details here:
RESISTANCE UNITED - Details:
https://open.substack.com/pub/onemommy/p/resistance-united?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=113nff
EVERY DAY WAYS TO SUPPORT THE ANTI-TRUMP / FIGHT THE OLIGARCHS RESISTANCE:
https://open.substack.com/pub/onemommy/p/learn-how-you-can-support-the-anti?r=113nff&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Thank you for your clear whole picture explanation of our economic unraveling. It’s difficult to see the patterns when I get a bit every week or day. Thank you for putting the puzzle together. Aha!
Well, we sure are getting smarter. Hat's off to your contributions. The deeper we go into destruction, the more clarity we get about the world and the more that people get activated. It's like a giant race between good and evil. Maybe that will be the tale future historians, if good wins, will tell.