THE TARIFF GRIFT
Trump’s tariffs are sold to you on the basis that American manufacturing will increase because the cost of foreign-made products will be equivalent to those made in America. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE–IN FACT–IT IS 1000% WRONG. Let’s examine the auto industry. United Auto Workers in this country earn about $5,200/month in wages–plus another $3,000/month in benefits. Contrast that with the wages and benefits earned in the countries that export the most cars to America, Mexico and Japan. The Mexican wage average for auto workers is $315/month; in Japan, it’s $1,300/month. We import from South Korea where their auto industry wages approximate $1,333/month. Do you think a 100% tariff on cars imported from those countries–which represent well over 50% of all imported cars–will put foreign car prices on par with American-made car prices? When we look at clothing (Vietnam wages at $162/month, India at $95/month & Pakistan at $111/month), appliances (South Korea at $1,333/month), tools (Japan at $1,300/month), it is obvious that the US imposition of tariffs is a total failure. Trump is using his presidential powers (illegally if you read the US Constitution) to negotiate bully deals like minerals in Ukraine, Greenland, Nigeria and elsewhere. Tariffs are simply a weapon. They have nothing to do with economic or diplomatic objectives.
A SCARY THOUGHT
Based on the latest wealth distribution stats, the wealthiest 1% of Americans have the financial resources to purchase THE ENTIRE REAL ESTATE HOUSING MARKET. All this while 42 million American suffer food hunger anxiety. What does that say about us?
SOME SCARIER THOUGHTS
We all know by now that none of the Trump menagerie members have a clue. The latest examples continue to be RFK Jr. who still pushes his anti-vax theories, promotes a slowly decreasing Tylenol causes autism agenda and other silly, proof-less ideas. Now we have Dr. Mehmet Oz with his ridiculous statement regarding Trump’s price pressure to reduce the cost of weight loss drugs. According to Oz, Americans could lose up to 1.4 billion pounds by using these drugs. But the arithmetic fails. Using that total, every man, woman and child in America would need to lose about 393 pounds to reach his stated goal. Another Trump outlier is Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General, who is sponsoring a new stamp with the likeness of Muhammed Ali. Imagine all the DEI program erasures, food stamp elimination, and abortion regs forced on African-Americans by the Trump Administration and then picture a black man being honored. Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing? And now to the king…Trump has his own foul-ups to promote (1) The Thanksgiving meal in 2025 costs less than the Biden T-giving Day meal–especially when you count only half of the items. Trump left that part out. And (2) Trump is touting a $2,000 check for every man, woman and child in the US as a “tariff rebate”. Problems: (1) that would cost the government nearly $700 billion payable now when the tariffs are bring in $30billion/month. (2) The (Not so) Supreme Court is judging whether Trump had the authority to impose any tariffs so the $2,000 check may never go into the mail. (3) Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, announced that there would be restrictions on who is receive the $2,000 check. And, (4) Remember that Trump talked up a $5,000 check earlier this year–how did you spend yours? (It never materialized.)
THE SCARIEST THOUGHT
The GOP has shown that it will cheat to win any election. In 2026, they fear loss of control of Congress so they gerrymander wherever they think they can minimize anti-GOP results. But what if Trump decides to use his pardon power? Try to imagine Trump PARDONING ALL PRISON INMATES IN ALL SWING STATES. Nationally, there are nearly 2 million prison inmates and many in swing states: GEORGIA HAS 50,000; ARIZONA HAS 34,000; WISCONSIN HAS 21,000; PENNSYLVANIA HAS 39,000; MICHIGAN HAS 33,000; AND NEVADA HAS 10,500. What would stop Trump from offering freedom in exchange for their vote in 2026? Do you think any prisoner will say “No, I prefer to stay in jail”? Given Trump’s abuse of the pardon power, his fear of losing the Congress in 2026 and his desire to rule beyond 2028–this move to release the worst criminals in the country is like asking the fox to watch the hen house. He has nothing to lose to try it and a lot to gain if he makes it happen. At worst, he’s a lame duck president; at best, he’s ruler of the US until death.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN NON-FINANCIAL EXECS CONTROL VAST RESOURCES?
Taking the temperature down a bit, let’s reflect on another sad and ever growing mess, the buyout of college coaches when influential alums are dissatisfied with their performance. The latest example is Brian Kelly, former football coach for the Louisiana Tigers. He was fired recently and is now suing the university for his severance package which includes a $53 million payout. Of course, the state’s Governor says this is an abomination but it’s also a reality. When the dust from the suit settles additional tuition, fees and room and board costs will be added–despite the facts that (1) this is an educational institution and should not have the tail wag the dog on costs; and (2) 98% of the student body does not participate in sports of any kind. The other obvious examples of failure at the University President level is the capitulation to Trump where DEI programs are eliminated in exchange for Federal grant money that was already approved and factored into the university budget. Cowardice at the highest levels is the most noticed failure and one none of the school’s graduates will ever shake. Reputations are built over a long time horizon; but lost over night. And once lost…
STOCK MARKET OBSERVATIONS
This week has seen some wild and hefty swings in the stock market. To the casual observer, these changes reflect tariff discussion, government shutdown, the Epstein file saga, deliberations about the “Fed” cutting interest rates again in December, events outside the US, and possibly other sector-specific happenings. But, if you look closer, there seems to be a pattern. On big move days the Dow 30 Industrials take the lead but on lesser change days the focus seems to be more broad based and defensive. Maybe this pattern is typical but we think rarely does such significant movement occur in the same week–a very short time span for so much price change. We live in turbulent times and many individual investors react haphazardly and without adequate judgement but the “big money movers” like trust funds, endowments, hedge funds, mutual funds, super wealthy individuals–all seem to be hyper-sensitive this week, causing rapid and radical price changes. Final point: Warren Buffett, considered by some as the most savvy investor on the planet, has accumulated nearly $300 billion in cash–far more than he ever has previously. Another scary thought…what is he expecting?
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A GOD
Maybe it’s a bit early to mention Christmas but it occurred to us at www.anothersview that the world must prepare itself for the joy that the Christmas season can bring. For some it will be a sadness that stems from loss of a loved one, a job loss, or some other tragedy. And for some others, it will be just another habitual spending, giving and receiving event. But for a select few, it will be a time to recognize the “reason for the season”. THERE IS A GOD. How many people do you think even briefly think about CHRISTmas as the birth of the Creator of the Universe? It seems that every year we lose more contact with the true meaning of the season. We read that 16% fewer people identify with “religiosity” in 2025 than did in 2023. In 2 two short years the world seems to the only focus. So we thought we’d offer you a challenge. We’re going to show you how to prove to yourself that there is a God.
- Look around you at all the earth is. Then ask yourself “how did all this happen?” Some will say “the big bang theory”. Some may have other theories that ignore God and try to describe the world as a natural phenomenon. So, let’s try this: We want you to assemble all the geniuses that have ever existed. Think DaVinci, Einstein, Edison, Hawking. Add anyone else you choose. Now put them in a room and tell them to make anything. Give them as much time as they request. After a while come back and ask what they have constructed. When they conclude that they have nothing to show for all their efforts because they had no materials to work with, look outside and ask yourself “how could such a world exist unless some agent/entity/being could create it from nothing?” The ancient philosophers struggled with the existence of God partially because they worshipped state-sponsored numerous gods as statues or in temples. They couldn’t recognize any of their gods as able to create the world but they dared not to deviate from the “religion” of the state.
- As you prepare for the holiday season, we suggest you reflect on the beauty of this planet and all the surroundings we cherish, the social life with families and friends, the multiplying of joys and the division of sorrows, the warmth of caring and the satisfaction of sharing. Then–when you truly immerse yourself in those thoughts–acknowledge where all this opportunity was given life. We’ll post holiday sentiments as the season nears but we wanted to lay a proper foundation for our readers to maximize their understanding and enjoyment of the most human time of the year.
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