It's not my fault you decided to show up and humiliate yourself more quickly than any other poster in the history of the board. I mean, you literally asked the poster a question -- a "serious question" -- that had already been answered twice. My 10 year old can understand what he was saying. Why can't you?
And why no conservative in my lifetime has backed tariffs. They still don’t, but a lot of republicans now do.
I am 1000% on board with the culture change trump and Hegseth want to bring to the military. He has the intelligence to do the job, however he lacks the wisdom and experience necessary to deal with the business side of the job. He understands the problems that have plagued the business side but he likely has no clue how to fix it and is going to be totally dependent on others. That isn't a good thing. I also think he will gravitate to spending so much time on the cultural part that the other things get neglected. We really can't afford that given the issues with modernization that need to be corrected.
Trump's use of tariffs have been beneficial in some regards. The stated use and the actual use haven't aligned and I suspect they won't this time. Where I disagree with him is in his use of tariffs as a threat, and the first line of negotiating at that. I don't think he will use them as he publicly states. Say what you want about him but he did major in economics at Wharton. I'm not claiming that made him an expert, but he does understand the negative effects indiscriminate use entails. When all is said and done, I don't think we will see tariffs used in a shotgun manner other than with china.
I'm suspicious about that degree.. He transferred in only after a family friend pulled some serious strings to get him admitted. He and his attorneys have threatened to sue any private or public school or testing agency that releases any of his grades or scores. Under those circumstances, I see no reason to believe that he earned a degree even if he has one.
Maybe, but it is a concept that a high school student can grasp. I see no reason to treat this any differently than mexico paying for the wall, or canada becoming the 51st state, or he will end the russia war before he takes office. He will be surrounded by intelligent people who can grasp the economic concepts. I will become a hell of a lot more concerned if the actions start to mirror the bluster.
As we discussed in the other thread (superrific also made a good point about the interest on the national debt rising), the mere threat of tariffs are already causing real damage to the American people and businesses. And that will continue for at least the next 18 months and probably more.
When will we see some of these intelligent people?
Fair points of concern. I agree with your earlier statement (I think it was you) that Hegseth, after a year or so on the job, may be viewed as a spectacular success or failure. - he’s that much of a wildcard. This pick could work out really well or really not so well.
Monday
I'm genuinely curious which of Trump's previous appointments would you consider a "spectacular success"?
Which, other than Zeldon, circles us back to initial responses in this thread to his nominations. Don’t forget who Bondi replaced.
What is the basis for this assumption? Even if he did understand them, that understanding would have to surmount the obstacle of his narcissism. But it's clear that he doesn't, because of the way he has always talked about the trade deficit. The trade deficit is DEFINITELY something he doesn't understand.
The accounts payable director would have more relevant experience.
Trade deficits. Whether a strong dollar is good or bad. Who pays for tariffs. Are tariffs (generally speaking) good or bad for the economy.
I don’t disagree but I was trying to be as judicious as possible while still making my point. My original post said “manager” but I gave him a promotion in a subsequent edit.
The two that jump out to me were Pompeo and Haley.