Was explaining to David (11) the tariff stuff and what a tariff is and he was like “you mean like what started the revolutionary war?” And I was like; yes exactly.
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They were also helpful to the great depression........
And like the dust bowl we have floods , hurricanes, fires, tornadoes increase and FEMA decrease.
SS cuts .....dollar. ..
It's all coming together
My 11 year old just asked me why he wasn’t holding to “The Great Compromise” where the “legislative, judicial, and executive branches were created to do what the country needed.” 🤯
Interestingly, my daughter is adopted and has experienced more hardship than most adults. She very much counts on the government (and everyone else) to be fair.
RE the news article, it’s horrible that wealthy college educated Americans are now dying at rates seen among the poorest Europeans, which is 40% higher rate than the wealthiest Europeans. The poorest Americans are dying at an 80% higher rate than the wealthiest Europeans. We’re a third world nation
I have served students like your daughter as a special education paraprofessional in a rural middle school. So many people don’t understand that trauma affects academic performance and the right to get extra support in public schools as mandated by the DOE makes a positive impact.
You are so right. Luckily my daughter is in a school that is not Title 1, and has the most amazing teachers and staff ever, so she hasn’t needed special accommodations, but if she were in a Title 1 school and/or didn’t have great teachers, the DOE dismantlement would be catastrophic. (Cont).
Don't let them of the hook. They are educated. They know what this will do. As long as they have warning they can short markets and make a killing on our deaths.
It’s great to focus on the Administration, but don’t forget to focus on individual Representatives and Senators who go-along to get-along. They’re looting our economy by their sins of omission as much as by their sins of commission.
This is excellent! As a retired fifth grade teacher, I love to read this. His did a great job. I used to get my kids riled up over that past. Let’s hope we all get riled up over the present.
"These kinds of regimes can be hard for the inhabitants of democracies to understand, because their primary goal is not to create prosperity or enhance the well-being of citizens."
"Their primary goal is to stay in power, and to do so, they are willing to destabilize their neighbors, destroy the lives of ordinary people, or—following in the footsteps of their predecessors—even send hundreds of thousands of their citizens to their deaths."
"Modern autocrats differ in many ways from their twentieth-century predecessors. But the heirs, successors, and imitators of these older leaders and thinkers, however varied their ideologies, do have a common enemy. That enemy is us."
"To be more precise, that enemy is the democratic world, “the West,” NATO, the European Union, their own, internal democratic opponents, and the liberal ideas that inspire all of them. These include the notion that the law is a neutral force, not subject to the whims of politics; "
"and that there can be independent journalists and writers and thinkers who are capable of being critical of the ruling party or leader while at the same time remaining loyal to the state."
Yes, that's what we live here in Alabama. Taxation without representation. State and Federal Senate level.
Can't call state peeps, calls go to VM, then hang up.
Senators in DC FORGETA OUT IT. Haventbeen able to call in months. No one answers.
I wondered why Trump was being allowed to set tariffs against the Constitution? Does the Congress have the authority to alter the Constitution w/o an actual Amendment??
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act needs to be challenged as it's unConstitutiobal!!
Congrats, Chris, your 11-year-old knows as little about tariffs as you do. The Revolutionary War wasn’t about tariffs—it was about taxation without representation, genius. If you think slapping tariffs on foreign imports equals colonial revolt, maybe stop pretending you passed history class.
It was about the wealthy in this pseudo-country not being able to trade their goods on the open market because of the English mercantile system.
"Taxation without representation" was just the rallying cry they used to get the rest of us onboard. The English were also arrogant enough to use force.
Right. We know what to do about it. Fight the tariffs. Don’t buy shit. Use the money to unelect every Republican from now until the red bobblehead and all his ilk are gone, gone, gone. Together we have deeper pockets than the billionaires.
No, we need to hold the GOP congress accountable. Surround and protest at their homes and offices. When they fear their constituents more than Elon's campaign contributions to primary challengers and US, they might act. We need non partisan patriotism NOW.
I hope you can explain it to the rest of us too. And please explain why every country in the world except Russia will be levied these tariffs, including islands with just penguins.
Some scholars argue that the economic hardship caused by Smoot-Hawley and other factors contributed to Japan's increasingly aggressive foreign policy, which ultimately led to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Silly how our children understand this but half the voters this election didn’t. You know what the difference is between them? Children ask questions to understand the world. MAGAts believe what they’re told and question nothing they’re fed. We must destroy the Republican mis/disinformation machine.
So #HerbertHooverTrump has decided we should live through the Depression again!!!
#TrumpIsAnIdiot #Tariffs The Trump Era will be known as the Dumb Ages!
What if present horrors lead to a $25.00 an hour minimum wage, universal health care, UBIs, childcare and educational assistance? We need to flip the script somehow, even though many of us will be collateral damage.
Explain WHY they’re doing it! Obviously Elon & Peter Thiel want this as part of their plans for the future…. (Like JDVance) so what are they thinking? Why is this useful to them and the future they’ve planned for themselves/America/World?
Ah yes, and right before the Bostonians threw the king's tea in the hahh-bahh and switched us to coffee forevermore, they tarred and feathered the king's tax collector, r'mber? I thought tar and feather sounded so silly when I was a kid haha. Ah.
It has nothing to do with their tariffs on US goods. NY Post:”The specific “reciprocal” tariff rate was half of the current trade imbalance because “the president is lenient and he wants to be kind to the world,” a Trump aide told reporters.”
Well… at least he’s not depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury or transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.
That’s where we are! An 11 year old is smarter than the moron in chief. Mind you, your kids and mine will be more educated than the generation behind them will be. Thanks Musk and Trump!
Chris,
For heavens sake, GET REAL!!!
A 11 year old, is at least two grade
levels above Trump’s intellectual capability.
Don’t waste our time reading nonsense pliffth
I’ll tell you, a lot of the history chapters (especially the 1800’s) blended together in middle school, but the one recurring theme that always stuck with me is that tariffs never worked.
Every time we raised tariffs, everyone else just raised tariffs against us, and everyone loses in the end.
Nobody has ANY understanding of history. They haven't spent any of their adult life learning the context of their own world outside of insane conspiracy theories
I keep coming back to the mantra "keep 'em stupid". That's how it works and people keep electing those that continue the cycle and gradually lowering the standards and budgets accordingly.
Exactly. The way to control a population is to control their education. Having control over knowledge gives you control over the narrative.
I'm not sure when exactly, but America overhauled the education system to make better workers. Instead of replacing parts in workplaces, they replace people.
This was my kids (11 & 14) reaction as well. They proceeded to explain the Boston Tea Party and Whiskey Rebellion to me. How is it that 5th graders understand economic policy better than our president?
Congrats on confirming that Trump supporters are mentally below an 11 year olds grasp of both history AND economics.
The only reason this is all so amusing to me is because of my German ancestry and an appreciation for schadenfreude.
Why does NPR & others interview economists who try to explain the reason& long term thought behind this as if Trump had a serious, well thought out plan.
Stop acting like he's just got a unique idea with a plan.
It makes me feel so sick when I read academic and well considered articles on Trump. The dispassionate description of his actions are disgusting to me but that's needed. Can't get revved up 100% of the time. Positive and normative difference sorta.
Phase 1: No Ukraine funding. Weaken Europe
Phase 2: Take Panama Canal
Phase 3: Weaken Canada & Mexico economy. Take Greenland
Phase 4: Give Taiwan to China
Phase 5: Split Ukraine/EU w/ Russia & China
Phase 6: Don't expect elections
When I was 11yo in 1990 I remember thinking he was the richest man in the world &must be smart.
By 1999 & that Rosie O'Donnell texting fued & other news stories, I saw him as an idiot who inherited millions. He was fun to laugh at. Cannot believe so many blue collar think he's for real. Dumb!
Was explaining to my sister that food bank food might eventually not be enough.
"Then what will people eat?"
"Based on what happened a century ago, they will eat dirt."
There is a cult of ignorance in the US, there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge'.
Hey, random Brazilian here: could you explain or ask your son to explain what's revolutionary about these tariffs? I'm a Sociology professor and I was quite curious about his line of thinking. And congratulations on raising your boy!
The child was recognizing that import tariffs were a catalyst for the War for American Independence. In the US it is typically called the Revolutionary War.
Great, now with this context of you calling what for us is "just" the Civil War the Revolutionary War, it explains a lot. It's fascinating that someone at the beginning of school is already realizing this.
In the US "The Civil War" is referring to the war from 1861-1865 between the North and South United States over slavery.
"The Revolutionary War" is the war from 1775-1783 between the United States and Great Britain that established the United States as a separate country.
I was more familiar with "Tea Party" and similar terms and less with the whole independence thing. A lot of my background in this topic of your history comes from Engels' military writings when he talks about the Civil War, so I guess we can put that one down to the Germans.
I now realize the confusion I made between the Civil War and the War of Independence. It's really curious that the "adults in the room" don't realize the correspondence between things. Good luck to you.
The American Revolutionary War (1777-1783) was fought against Great Britain for our independence.
The Civil War (1861-1865) was between the Northern states (the Union/ United States) & the Southern states (the Confederacy/ Confederate States) primarily over abolishing slavery.
The kid was referring to the American Revolution. It started bc Britain went, "We just spent a lot of money helping you guys (the American colonies) fight the French and Indians, and we'd like to recoup those costs. We're taxing your tea, sugar, rum, stamps, and other things."
The Americans went, "Wtf, you did not consult us AT ALL about that decision. ('No taxation without representation'). I ain't paying no taxes. We're boycotting those things now."
The next few years involved tumultuous political back-and-forths, until one night, a group of Americans disguised themselves as Native Americans, snuck onto a British ship in the Boston Harbor that was full of imported tea, busted open the crates, and dumped it all into the ocean.
MAGA is a Terrorist Organization , ICE is a Secret Police Force Conducting Ethnic Cleansing , Elon Musk is an Oligarch the US has many ,
Trump is a Foreign Backed COUP Figurehead "Useful Idiot" .. This is not an Administration , This is a Regime , And the USA is "Occupied" ..
It's time to start removing these white collar corporate criminals from decent society, since our Generals are failing in their duty to protect us from the enemy Within.
David's already miles ahead of half the pundits on TV. Tariffs sparking rebellion isn't just history—it’s a reminder. When the people are squeezed while the powerful profit, unrest isn’t radical—it’s inevitable.
Trump loves tariffs bc he’s going to collect them using the newly formed ERS and put in a “wealth fund” that he manages, meanwhile businesses line up to kiss the ring and ask for exemptions - the grift king! It never stops
The difference is that the Boston Tea Party was just about taxes but taxation without representation.
Democrats have representation, they were just in the losing end during the 2024 elections.
The pundits are working the zealots up into a frenzy and they’re going to act like they didn’t start it
Sad that your 11 year old understands the effects of tariffs, but no one in the government can break out the Crayons and tell it to a 70 year-old who uses an orange one to make himself look…, healthier?
He understands. His administration understands. The US economy will crash and the wealthy will buy our homes, stocks, and resources for pennies on the dollar. A fire sale.
MAGA actually believes WE are currently engaged in the 2nd American Revolution. Project 2025 explains this. It will be bloodless, if the left allows it, is what I read. Do they plan on sending everyone, that will not obey in advance, to a ElSalvador Prison or GITMO?
I want to see you cover this: Explain to your viewers how this is a power grab intended to reduce Congress's power. Wake people up because the way out of this is to get the GOP congress to realize the real danger and join the Democrats in an impeachment. Or they will lose their jobs too.
Yes, I know. I just found it humorous that the person he was talking to sounded like my 11 year old grandson. I am vigilantly attempting to break him of the "like ” habit.
On another note, the light bulb turning on was refreshing and sad at the same time. Catch Richard Quest on CNN NEWSNIGHT,
Comments
Don’t be a little bitch prodding Americans to die in the street.
Please let it be a civil war.
And like the dust bowl we have floods , hurricanes, fires, tornadoes increase and FEMA decrease.
SS cuts .....dollar. ..
It's all coming together
https://mises.org/mises-daily/american-tariffs-and-wars-revolution-depression
#Republicans #economy #sin
"As of 2020, over half of the members of Congress were millionaires and the median net worth of members was approximately $1 million."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_wealth
"These kinds of regimes can be hard for the inhabitants of democracies to understand, because their primary goal is not to create prosperity or enhance the well-being of citizens."
Donald J. Trump.
Sorry.. but couldn't resist.
Can't call state peeps, calls go to VM, then hang up.
Senators in DC FORGETA OUT IT. Haventbeen able to call in months. No one answers.
Sit down and write them a letter
Perhaps visit their office—weekly.
Take some friends.
Join up with Indivisible.
Go on Mobilize and join existing groups and events.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act needs to be challenged as it's unConstitutiobal!!
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Smoot-...
I mean he would pretend he does but he absolutely WOULD NOT.
"Taxation without representation" was just the rallying cry they used to get the rest of us onboard. The English were also arrogant enough to use force.
#TrumpIsAnIdiot #Tariffs The Trump Era will be known as the Dumb Ages!
Prepare.
https://youtu.be/yuOHbyuanbY?...
For heavens sake, GET REAL!!!
A 11 year old, is at least two grade
levels above Trump’s intellectual capability.
Don’t waste our time reading nonsense pliffth
Every time we raised tariffs, everyone else just raised tariffs against us, and everyone loses in the end.
https://aiwillybillhuman.substack.com/p/liberation-day-or-lobotomy-day-trumps
I'm not sure when exactly, but America overhauled the education system to make better workers. Instead of replacing parts in workplaces, they replace people.
The only reason this is all so amusing to me is because of my German ancestry and an appreciation for schadenfreude.
https://gofund.me/ae01c144
Stop acting like he's just got a unique idea with a plan.
No plan. Making things up as he goes.
Importers will pass it through to businesses, and businesses will pass it on to consumers. We’re the only ones paying for it.
Call it a tariff. Call it an import tax. Call it a fee. Who gives a shit?
Sales tax. Get it right everyone.
Semantics, Semantics. Who gives a shit! what you call it. It's stupid & will do the opposite of anything Trump people claim.
outside of our bsky (and other terminally online) bubbles people just aren't ready to admit we have a Mad King
planning for *evil* would be much easier. at least it's predictable; methodical.
there's no counter-strategy to chaos. entropy will win.
Phase 2: Take Panama Canal
Phase 3: Weaken Canada & Mexico economy. Take Greenland
Phase 4: Give Taiwan to China
Phase 5: Split Ukraine/EU w/ Russia & China
Phase 6: Don't expect elections
*Domestically: tank economy, gut institutions
I don't believe Trump understands or knows what's going on. He just likes attention & "good tv"
Waiting for Vance or Ted Cruz next.
Ted Cruz was 2nd in 2016. That's really not better.
I don't trust "We the people" any longer. Not the USA people.
He has no business sense.
As @lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com said months ago: Trump is so incredibly, unimaginably STUPID.
By 1999 & that Rosie O'Donnell texting fued & other news stories, I saw him as an idiot who inherited millions. He was fun to laugh at. Cannot believe so many blue collar think he's for real. Dumb!
Certainly more so when compared to tRUMP and his maggots.
"Then what will people eat?"
"Based on what happened a century ago, they will eat dirt."
Isaac Asimov
https://bsky.app/profile/jjindc.bsky.social/post/3llu6wqqzs227
This revolution will be televised.
Manbaby will be in the bunker in a week.
"The Revolutionary War" is the war from 1775-1783 between the United States and Great Britain that established the United States as a separate country.
The Civil War (1861-1865) was between the Northern states (the Union/ United States) & the Southern states (the Confederacy/ Confederate States) primarily over abolishing slavery.
(1/4)
(2/4)
(3/4)
(4/4)
just a thought
Good times.
His intentions are war.
Every kind.
Trump is a Foreign Backed COUP Figurehead "Useful Idiot" .. This is not an Administration , This is a Regime , And the USA is "Occupied" ..
Thus the need to Revolution and establish our own currency
I mean, this was the last straw for many
Since DOGE has seized our currency…..
And there is a whole list of others too.
David or Trump???
I'm betting on David.
Democrats have representation, they were just in the losing end during the 2024 elections.
The pundits are working the zealots up into a frenzy and they’re going to act like they didn’t start it
Sad that your 11 year old understands the effects of tariffs, but no one in the government can break out the Crayons and tell it to a 70 year-old who uses an orange one to make himself look…, healthier?
Congrats on raising a thinking child.
For the sake of all, I hope not.
Those first flights had some women on them. The women were returned to the US.
A president declaring an "emergency" with no legit cause just to claim power is a crooked president worthy of impeachment.
Like well done!
On another note, the light bulb turning on was refreshing and sad at the same time. Catch Richard Quest on CNN NEWSNIGHT,
Walking to 4th grade one morning, my son (HCHS 2025) asked me why the government didn’t just give everyone $1m and solve poverty.
Me: what would happen next?
Him, after a min: a loaf of bread would cost 1,000,005!
I grinned for a week.