Friends, they said he couldn't do it...but he did it, all right! DJT has sealed a trade deal with the EU that should prove highly advantageous for the USA. Basically, it imposes a 15% tariff on EU exports to us, while we get expanded tariff-free access to European markets. With any luck, this should help even out the trade relationship we have with Europe, which thus far has been very unbalanced -- in favor of the Euro-weanies. The markets will be pleased, needless to say! There will be no scorched-earth trade war with Europe.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xylk3d07o
The Democrats are plumbing new depths in terms of their national popularity, which is good news, but the American people have plenty of doubts about Trump and Republicans too. I wouldn't pop the champagne corks just yet...
Apparently, Texas is considering some redrawing of its Congressional districts BEFORE the next Census in 2030. This would be to obtain additional safe seats for Republicans in advance of the 2026 midterm elections. If you're a Republican, that probably sounds super! If you're a Democrat, it sounds downright scary, which is leading quite a few blue states to ponder some retaliatory redistricting of their own. Gerrymandering has become a more and more salient feature of American politics, but we always used to fight these battles just once a decade. Now we may fight them continuously! I predict this won't end well.
Finally, here's my latest article! It focuses on the restrained, balanced approach to antitrust prosecutions that the Trump/Bondi DOJ is taking, and why Alphabet/Google has to remain in the antitrust crosshairs.
Dr. Waddy from Jack : Wow! This guy is irrepressible ! I don't understand how this agreement was reached, it does seem to put the EU at a disadvantage. But it was reached, both sides seem satisfied and it probably ends the prospect of a destructive trade war with the EU. The EU negotiator who said of DJT, "he's tough but he is a deal maker" hit it on the head .
ReplyDeleteWe may well be living through one of the most significant Presidencies in our history.Its certainly the most astonishing in my experience. He's making his domestic "detractors" look like insects.
Yep, this presidency is so significant, that before you know it, the Bondi DOJ will be able to predict and prevent Walmart stabbings. Great deals with EU and all that, but U.S. society and culture are bleeding to death figuratively and literally. MAGA= "Murder and Guts Abound" Looking forward to more "fun" incidents like cars driving into crowds waiting to get into sleazy nightclubs.
DeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I think I see a few possibilities in this redistricting issue:
ReplyDeleteThere has been some speculation that Texas could go "purple" . I'd hate to think that could happen in Texas of all places but if it is plausible, maybe those who can do so seek to head it off through redistricting. Hey, NY Gov. Hochul said it; "all's fair . . . ."
Maybe some Texans seek to help increase GOP majorities in Congress to ensure continuance of President Trump's unprecedented reforms during his remaining term. We cannot be at all sure that he will be succeeded by one as canny , gutsy , and historically significant as he is. And when he leaves, his legacy must be protected from viciously vindictive far left predation.
Our majority is so very thin in the House and a little less so in the Senate. I think they will be continued or increased because President Trump is on a monumental winning streak now with little reason to think a reversal may be forthcoming soon. But a loss of majority in either branch could bring a halt to this almost incalculably positive and much unlooked for fillip to our national fortune worked by this extraordinary President. Some may advocate redistricting to prevent this.
I am very much in favor of no holds barred combat with the completely unprincipled "American" left. But I think you are right in expressing doubts about some possible consequences of unscheduled redistricting. I'm reminded of how filibustering used to be incidental and accomplished only by continued physical occupation of the podium. Now it is so routine that it is assumed that a super majority vote (of 60 in the Senate) is necessary to invoke cloture.
Politics is a blood sport made ever more so by the far left's now 60 year fanatic campaign to destroy America. We have seen a vast revival of common sense in Federal policy making in the last six months, inspired by an hombre President. Common sense may well say that if we have to get down and dirty to defeat a far left which has no limits to its incipiently totalitarian methods, then WE MUST.
". . . to invoke cloture and enable a vote on a bill." Jack
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I think your essay about a modernized application of the antitrust laws to prevent information and cultural brokers from working monopolies is well constructed and supported. Of course it must be done with care lest precedents which could be useful to a future dem perverted DOJ be set.
ReplyDeleteThe history of our economy manifests a continuing , sometimes beneficial, tension between the extremes of completely free enterprise governed only by competition and market, and the far leftist view that government is the only just arbiter of economic intercourse. The late 19th and early 20th century abuses practiced by robber barons and "company towns" have been mitigated by government only as far as to enable an economy the almost universal material well being of which is unprecedented. And government has until now stopped the far left from imposing their beloved comprehensive , proven catastrophic strictures on our economy.
The present Administration's effort to use antitrust laws in a cautiously creative manner looks to be in keeping with this fortuitous dynamic in our economic history so far. Though I am mostly ignorant of even the basics of economics, I certainly think your reasoning above is well taken.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: You customarily back your comments with creditable empirical evidence and polls are that, though one form vulnerable to ambiguity and/or manipulation. I think your cautions against overconfidence on our side are legitimate, given the polls you have cited. Perhaps polls showing a slight edge to the Dems in preferences in Congressional election reflect the strength of incumbency or neighborly regard for "good old so and so" who we've always voted for (even though in Congress he or she , almost of necessity, votes to support Schumer and Jeffries from oppressed lala land NY state. ) We see no "DINOS" in that setting, only some nevertheless disruptive "RINOS", yes? So let us be as unified as the far left is (or was).
ReplyDeleteIts best that we do not give in to any assurance that our country is well on the way to deliverance from its bizarre 60 year radical curse. How very wrongheaded it would appear to historical personages or from contemporaries enmired in dysfunctional hellholes that anyone in the U.S. could consider themselves ill served by American citizenship. So many would consider us possessed of almost fantastic good fortune and well being and would be appalled to know that a significant faction of our polity believes our country to be evil and worthy of punishment and destruction. "Don't you people realize how lucky you are?!"
The "American"far left is imbued with a perfectionism borne by its faith in a future the political correctness and idealism of which cannot be proven but which they recklessly embrace as their goal. And America's growing disenchantment with that is, I think , reflected in the poll which indicates that some 60+ % of those polled trust the GOP more than the far left captured Dem party.
My gut, for what its worth, tells me that common sense America is, due to incredibly good luck in motivating an extraordinary leader like DJT, progressing well in finding its way out of the near despair we faced in 2016 with the expected ascension of Hillary. We have a probably one time only opportunity to stop the fanatic America haters from working their reflexive insanity. We must stay at battle stations until the battle is won. Lets be encouraged but not slowed down by our present good fortune. Lets carry on and carry through until America is saved.If we don't, a revived radical left would be glad to take from us all we own and cherish.
Anonymous, "U.S. society and culture are bleeding to death figuratively and literally"??? That would suggest that some huge increase has occurred in crime and violence since your bete noire DJT reestablished his grip on power. That is simply not the case. Facts matter!
ReplyDeletehttps://counciloncj.org/crime-trends-in-u-s-cities-mid-year-2025-update/
Jack, I'm not against a little gerrymandering now and then...if it works, but the problem is that blue states can play these games every bit as often and as well as we can. Democracy will be the loser, if this redistricting craze gets out of control, but by no means can we be sure that Republicans will be the winners... In any event, this kind of nonsense is probably unavoidable, so the GOP better be prepared to "go nuclear".
Thanks for being open to the possibility that the logic of antitrust actions must be expanded to include consideration of the danger of social/cultural monopolies. I agree that this isn't, strictly speaking, a power that we want government to have, or Big Tech, but in the end SOMEONE or SOMETHING has to referee both the economy and society, and my vote is for Trump's DOJ to put on its umpire hat and do its level best.
No argument here: patriotic Americans need to keep their foot down on the Trumpian accelerator -- HARD! Momentum can shift so so quickly. Let's not kid ourselves.
What a damn shame that Pres. Clinton failed to deport the perpetrators of the Oklahoma City Federal center, and Columbine High School in Colorado massacres. What a damn shame!
DeleteRight you are. No huge increases in crime and violence, as such. Badly worded comment on my part. The point intended is that no matter what the Trump administration does, I believe mall shootings, high school shootings, and other such tragedies will continue to occur, no matter who the President is, which indicates a deeply embedded rot in our society. I'm speaking in general terms, obviously, but the problem is there. In my opinion, it's a spiritual problem that even Trump and his people can't cure.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I see your point about redistricting getting out of control. It smacks of "changing the rules in the middle of the game". If we are driven to it by relentless far left amorality (which I think was Gov. DeSantis's concern in Florida ) then perhaps we must.
ReplyDeleteRight now, the far left's disingenuous insistence that illegal aliens be counted in the census (thus, they think, bolstering Congressional representation for leftist "sanctuary"cities and states ) is a vital factor in this. Can mid century census be useful in countering and eventually ending this characteristic radical misuse of our democracy? If properly referried they may provide empirical evidence which COULD be used to to that end.
Mid decade census, rather. Jack
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I guess you're trying to suggest that non-migrants can commit dastardly crimes just as well as migrants can, to which I reply: DUH! So what?
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally agree that Trump can't wave a magic wand and make violence and selfishness disappear... Far from it. He can, however, remove some illegal immigrants who also happen to be hardened criminals from American society altogether, and why would anyone who prizes social peace object to that?
Basing Congressional reapportionment on the voting eligible population, rather than the gross population, is a great idea, which would also benefit Republicans considerably. Whether there is any way to do that outside of a once-in-a-decade census, however, I'm not sure. I would tend to doubt it. Those things are in the Constitution, after all...not that we always adhere all that strictly to that old thing.