Fnord 2,225 Posted March 4 6 minutes ago, Patented Phil said: It’s a ridiculously good result - not a “desired effect”. Biden’s February 2024 illegal border crossings were 140,841. Trump’s February 2025 number was 8,326. Sure, no need to quibble over verbiage. It's a rousing success, assuming you voted for Trump. I did not, and immigration has never been a topic I'm super invested in. It means more to you than it does me. But yes, it's been a very successful "promise kept." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HB Localboy 122 Posted March 4 4 minutes ago, edjr said: okay squissy. Keep up the lies Most of us that voted for Trump think he is doing even better than we were expecting. Greatest Prez Ever! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fumbleweed 543 Posted March 4 Just because a person is concerned about the current flow of things doesn't mean they regret not voting for Kamala Harris. That's like saying the seafood isn't as good as it used to be, so I'm going to start eating at Long John Silver's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patented Phil 1,469 Posted March 4 14 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said: Serious question: in what way do trade imbalances hurt us? I’ve never understood this. National security for starters. Remember during Covid when China withheld some pharmaceuticals and other health supplies from us? Do you think it’s a good idea that hardly any semiconductors are manufactured in the US? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HellToupee 1,741 Posted March 4 26 minutes ago, EternalShinyAndChrome said: Absolutely no one is saying that who voted for Trump. 4 years of a guy in the grips of dementia who shite his pants at the Vatican with a degenerate son who had free access in the WH and the do-gooders happy. But oh noes Trump 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Real timschochet 6,703 Posted March 4 2 minutes ago, Patented Phil said: National security for starters. Remember during Covid when China withheld some pharmaceuticals and other health supplies from us? Do you think it’s a good idea that hardly any semiconductors or manufactured in the US? OK an argument could be made that we shouldn’t have trade imbalances when it comes to items important to national security. But that’s very few trade goods. The vast majority of trade involves items that have nothing to do with security but which gives our lives pleasure: avocados for instance. Why would a trade imbalance with those be bad for us? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HellToupee 1,741 Posted March 4 2 minutes ago, Patented Phil said: National security for starters. Remember during Covid when China withheld some pharmaceuticals and other health supplies from us? Do you think it’s a good idea that hardly any semiconductors are manufactured in the US? Not a good idea at all but one of the greatest deterrents of a military conflict with China is our reliance of prescription pharmaceuticals made in China Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 6,580 Posted March 4 7 minutes ago, HB Localboy said: Most of us that voted for Trump think he is doing even better than we were expecting. Greatest Prez Ever! Most is not all. HTH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MTSkiBum 1,620 Posted March 4 https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow GDP dropping this fast is not a good sign. Latest estimate: -2.8 percent — March 03, 2025 The GDPNow model estimate for real GDP growth (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in the first quarter of 2025 is -2.8 percent on March 3, down from -1.5 percent on February 28. After this morning’s releases from the US Census Bureau and the Institute for Supply Management, the nowcast of first-quarter real personal consumption expenditures growth and real private fixed investment growth fell from 1.3 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, to 0.0 percent and 0.1 percent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawkeye21 2,398 Posted March 4 37 minutes ago, jonmx said: I am actually ecstatic beyond belief. I never imagined Trump's assault on the deep state would happen so rapidly. It was always my #1 issue and I am extremely pleased. His handling of Ukraine is refreshing. Just need to convince that the deep state Ukrainian puppet to negotiate for a peace agreement. I haven't heard any farmers around her complaining yet. Doesn't mean they aren't upset, I just haven't heard it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryskids 6,749 Posted March 4 34 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said: I understand, though disagree, that a justification can be made for tariffs when other countries have unfair trading practices against us. But that’s not the case with Mexico and Canada. We had trade agreements that I be line were pretty fair- first NAFTA, and then the one Trump negotiated: which to his credit was even better than NAFTA. Now we have unilaterally torn those up. This is a fair take. I am open to having been wrong about Trump's plans with tariffs. I had thought that they were merely a negotiating tool, but it increasingly appears that Trump likes tariffs for the long haul. If so, as you said, reciprocating tariffs are fine, to try anyway. The good thing about tariffs is that they are under Trump's direct control, so if the train starts going off the rails, he has the power to remove them and, in Trumpian fashion, pretend they never existed. 25 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: The narrative that countries are taking advantage of us was created by Trump and is simply not true. European autos for example: Quote Hopes are fading that a quick settlement might be possible as the European Union concedes that yes, its 10% tariff is unfair and offers to change its rate to the U.S.’s 2.5%. The U.S. is complicating the issue with complaints about VAT, the EU’s 20% sales tax. A White House official, Stephen Miller, said the VAT charge makes the EU’s tariff an effective 30%, and this will have to be lowered. https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilwinton/2025/02/18/no-quick-fix-likely-for-eu-automakers-in-us-tariff-dispute/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegeneral 3,142 Posted March 4 11 minutes ago, Hawkeye21 said: I haven't heard any farmers around her complaining yet. Doesn't mean they aren't upset, I just haven't heard it. These are the types of stories I have been seeing pop up Link Link Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 15,322 Posted March 4 48 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said: Serious question: in what way do trade imbalances hurt us? I’ve never understood this. Hallowed out factories in the mid west might give you a clue. But Fock those people. Give em food stamps and fentanyl and tell them to keep quiet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 7,329 Posted March 4 We can add tens of thousands of laid off federal employees to those former factory workers. Thanks Don! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,388 Posted March 4 25 minutes ago, Fnord said: That sentiment is valid, but the glee they took in these people's lives being upended was... uninspiring, to put it in the nicest possible terms. Other terms might be inhumane, disturbing, out of touch, vile, disgusting... you get the idea. I would hope you share the same sentiment watching Magas, Magas here, express glee in "owning the libs", cheering on women and minorities losing their jobs for the destruction of DEI, others losing their jobs in the name of efficiency, etc. Two wrongs don't make a right but our culture is at a terrible point right now. Both sides are guilty of finding enjoyment in the suffering of others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HB Localboy 122 Posted March 4 Just now, MDC said: We can add tens of thousands of laid off federal employees to those former factory workers. Thanks Don! Somebody has to pick the fruit and clean the toilets after all the illegals are deported. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fnord 2,225 Posted March 4 26 minutes ago, MTSkiBum said: https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow GDP dropping this fast is not a good sign. Latest estimate: -2.8 percent — March 03, 2025 The GDPNow model estimate for real GDP growth (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in the first quarter of 2025 is -2.8 percent on March 3, down from -1.5 percent on February 28. After this morning’s releases from the US Census Bureau and the Institute for Supply Management, the nowcast of first-quarter real personal consumption expenditures growth and real private fixed investment growth fell from 1.3 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, to 0.0 percent and 0.1 percent. I guess we know which agencies will be next up for DOGE to hollow out. Can't let the Census Bureau and ISM distort the narrative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fnord 2,225 Posted March 4 4 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: I would hope you share the same sentiment watching Magas, Magas here, express glee in "owning the libs", cheering on women and minorities losing their jobs for the destruction of DEI, others losing their jobs in the name of efficiency, etc. Two wrongs don't make a right but our culture is at a terrible point right now. Both sides are guilty of finding enjoyment in the suffering of others. Of course I do! But, like @RLLD, I attempt to use some intellectual integrity on the situation. Hopefully I'm much more successful than he is. Taking pleasure in other people's misfortune is never okay. Except when it's the Green Bay Packers, of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 15,322 Posted March 4 It’s transitional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryskids 6,749 Posted March 4 52 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said: Serious question: in what way do trade imbalances hurt us? I’ve never understood this. Another fair question. Trade imbalances aren't inherently bad. I have a trade imbalance with Amazon. My employers had a trade imbalance with me. That being said, tariffs are a lever with which to manipulate the complex interaction between supply and demand. I'm inclined to support reciprocal tariffs, to level the playing field. Probably also as a tool against countries that use child/slave labor. When you increase tariffs, imports cost more which is bad, but companies move manufacturing here which employs people to provide them money to buy things. Our recent alternative strategy, which has been to keep imports cheap and print money to give to people to spend, does not strike me as sustainable in the long run. As such, I think it's worth letting this play out for a while and see what happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 754 Posted March 4 1 minute ago, Fnord said: Of course I do! But, like @RLLD, I attempt to use some intellectual integrity on the situation. Hopefully I'm much more successful than he is. Taking pleasure in other people's misfortune is never okay. Except when it's the Green Bay Packers, of course. Well, you are falling way short in your "attempts". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,893 Posted March 4 48 minutes ago, Fumbleweed said: Just because a person is concerned about the current flow of things doesn't mean they regret not voting for Kamala Harris. That's like saying the seafood isn't as good as it used to be, so I'm going to start eating at Long John Silver's. I specifically said I do not regret my Trump vote. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HB Localboy 122 Posted March 4 9 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: Cheering on women and minorities losing their jobs for the destruction of DEI, others losing their jobs in the name of efficiency, etc. If you aren't smart even to fly you shouldn't be a pilot. All we want are people to do the work they are qualified to do. The world needs ditch diggers too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,893 Posted March 4 I do agree with earlier posts that is seems everyone is freaking out because we are using tariffs, when quite a bit of the country already does, especially against our products. I get the fear factor, and i get the media ramping it up, like they love to do, because they are anti Trump...always and for everything he does. So that's why I am taking a wait and see approach. See if the markets etc settle down after the initial panic that is starting to spread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fnord 2,225 Posted March 4 9 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said: It’s transitional. I'll take "how HT describes his recent gender affirmation to his wife for $100, Alex." 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegeneral 3,142 Posted March 4 46 minutes ago, MTSkiBum said: https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow GDP dropping this fast is not a good sign. Latest estimate: -2.8 percent — March 03, 2025 The GDPNow model estimate for real GDP growth (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in the first quarter of 2025 is -2.8 percent on March 3, down from -1.5 percent on February 28. After this morning’s releases from the US Census Bureau and the Institute for Supply Management, the nowcast of first-quarter real personal consumption expenditures growth and real private fixed investment growth fell from 1.3 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, to 0.0 percent and 0.1 percent. There’s a fix for that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fumbleweed 543 Posted March 4 13 minutes ago, supermike80 said: I specifically said I do not regret my Trump vote. I know. I wasn’t responding to the original post. Just speaking in general terms. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HB Localboy 122 Posted March 4 Looks like another 30 pages of people arguing and not one person changing their opinion. The absolute definition of worthless waste of time and energy. So sad some people have been doing this here for 20 years now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EternalShinyAndChrome 4,068 Posted March 4 1 hour ago, edjr said: okay squissy. Keep up the lies You shut yur wh0re mouth! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 7,329 Posted March 4 Remember how during his first term, we were told Trump is a colossal ass hole, but that’s the price we have to pay for a booming economy? His second term will be like that, without the booming economy. Just the ass hole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maximum Overkill 1,957 Posted March 4 2 hours ago, HB Localboy said: the democrats trying to start a civil war not Trump Mentally ill Crossdressers vs NORMAL HUMANS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EternalShinyAndChrome 4,068 Posted March 4 26 minutes ago, jerryskids said: Another fair question. Trade imbalances aren't inherently bad. I have a trade imbalance with Amazon. My employers had a trade imbalance with me. That being said, tariffs are a lever with which to manipulate the complex interaction between supply and demand. I'm inclined to support reciprocal tariffs, to level the playing field. Probably also as a tool against countries that use child/slave labor. When you increase tariffs, imports cost more which is bad, but companies move manufacturing here which employs people to provide them money to buy things. Our recent alternative strategy, which has been to keep imports cheap and print money to give to people to spend, does not strike me as sustainable in the long run. As such, I think it's worth letting this play out for a while and see what happens. Yep! All the Doom and gloom trolls are losing their s*** and the tariffs haven't even started yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 754 Posted March 4 8 minutes ago, EternalShinyAndChrome said: Yep! All the Doom and gloom trolls are losing their s*** and the tariffs haven't even started yet. They don't realize they are the ones spreading the fear in the market. I doubt these libs even own any stock shares but if they do, I hope they are all pulling their money out so I can swoop in and buy them on the cheap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,893 Posted March 4 18 minutes ago, Fumbleweed said: I know. I wasn’t responding to the original post. Just speaking in general terms. Oh I know Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weepaws 3,173 Posted March 4 55 minutes ago, HB Localboy said: Looks like another 30 pages of people arguing and not one person changing their opinion. The absolute definition of worthless waste of time and energy. So sad some people have been doing this here for 20 years now. And yet, here you are. Shame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nobody 2,657 Posted March 4 Everyone needs to chill. This is Trump we're talking about. Even if the tariffs suck and we get nothing from them, as soon as Trump's poll numbers start to tank, he'll claim he made the greatest deal in history by getting nothing, claim victory, and the tariffs will be gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frozenbeernuts 2,246 Posted March 5 9 hours ago, supermike80 said: The tariffs seem like a bad idea on the surface. The economy is slowing down, too quickly. The Ukraine issue. I do not regret my vote for Trump. No way I could vote for Kamala. But I can't sit here and tell you I am confident all that is happening right now gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. It's early, time will tell, but yeah, I'm a bit nervous. Trump wants some type of market reset. None of this is unexpected. I'm down with it because I think the rebound will come relatively fast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horseman 2,438 Posted March 5 9 hours ago, supermike80 said: The tariffs seem like a bad idea on the surface. The economy is slowing down, too quickly. The Ukraine issue. I do not regret my vote for Trump. No way I could vote for Kamala. But I can't sit here and tell you I am confident all that is happening right now gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. It's early, time will tell, but yeah, I'm a bit nervous. 9 hours ago, Strike said: Can't disagree with you @supermike80, and not just on the Tariffs. We'll see what happens, and no way I would have voted for Kamalatoe, but if only for the border issue there was no way I could vote for anyone other than Trump. You're both smarter than this. None of this is a surprise, NONE. It was bound to be termutious in the beginning. Take advantage of that. We aren't there yet, but, if these trends continue it's a great buying opportunity. Do the opposite of everyone who is acting on emotion and buy buy buy. We've been due a real correction for 3 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horseman 2,438 Posted March 5 22 minutes ago, Frozenbeernuts said: Trump wants some type of market reset. None of this is unexpected. I'm down with it because I think the rebound will come relatively fast. If covid was any indication , a global foking pandemic that shut down ALL manufacturing and supply chains, it's going to be a rocket ship. Tarrifs are nothing compared to what happened in 2020. Timing the bottom whether it's small or large dip is going to be tricky. DCA. Hopefully everyone has some cash reserves, I have a bunch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frozenbeernuts 2,246 Posted March 5 1 minute ago, Horseman said: If covid was any indication , a global foking pandemic that shut down ALL manufacturing and supply chains, it's going to be a rocket ship. Tarrifs are nothing compared to what happened in 2020. Timing the bottom whether it's small or large dip is going to be tricky. DCA. Hopefully everyone has some cash reserves, I have a bunch. Historic printing pushed that along, which we won't see this time around. Already seeing reports that Trump may roll back the tariffs tomorrow. If nothing else this is entertaining. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
