davesumnersmith.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

As of April 2024, foreign countries own approximately $7.9 trillion in US Treasury securities — or 22.9% of total US debt. Japan owns just over $1.1 trillion, while China owns $749 billion. What happens if China were to call in the American debt - or perhaps invade Taiwan?

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

"Never in history has a President of the United States capitulated to the enemy. Never has anyone supported an aggressor against an ally. Washington has become Nero's court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers & a jester high on ketamine." French Sen Claude Malhuret

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Russia isn't actually very powerful in either economic & military terms. Why does it cast such a big shadow over Europe?

submitted 3 days ago • 5 comments

Since when has it made political sense to pick a fight with your allies and cosy up to your enemies?

submitted 3 days ago • 4 comments

Are you worried Europe is on track for armed conflict with Russia?

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

The US Stock Market is looking very nervous & the US dollar is losing value. Trump's trade war with the rest of the world is going to drive higher prices for American consumers & businesses too. Is reality about to dawn on the Trump cultists?

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

Do you welcome the UK housing minister's promise to abolish the centuries-old leasehold system in England & Wales before the end of this parliament, and the government's plans for an outright ban on new leasehold developments?

submitted 7 days ago • 7 comments

At the same time as threatening Ukraine, the USA is sending record levels of military aid to Israel. Netanyahu says Trump is "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House." Has the US president got his priorities right?

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

The US is reported (in Bild & FT) to be conducting secret talks to fund rebuilding of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. It not only wants to profit from the sale of Russian gas, but also seize substantial power over energy supplies to Germany & its neighbours. Thoughts?

submitted 7 days ago • 2 comments

The USA can no longer be seen as a dependable ally. Europe must act collectively to defend against Russia. There has never been a better time for the UK to negotiate terms for quickly rejoining the EU. Should Keir Starmer go ahead & do so?

submitted 8 days ago • 8 comments

This would be an opportune moment for @Keir_Starmer to move decisively toward the UK rejoining the EU, wouldn't it?

submitted 9 days ago • 5 comments

What did Trump & Vance display yesterday?

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

Trump's only success was to unite Europe in its contempt for Vance & himself.

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

What is a clear sign of stupidity?

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Who is the most untrustworthy: Putin or Trump?

submitted 10 days ago • 3 comments

Trump thinks international deals taken by a previous president can be rescinded if their successor considers them to be a fool. He hasn't really thought that through, has he?

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

It's time, isn't it, for the whole of Europe to chart a different path from the USA?

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

Will Trump be impeached for working as a Russian agent?

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

Should the US still be considered as an ally of Europe?

submitted 18 days ago • 2 comments

Trump couldn’t give a damn about Ukraine or Europe. He merely seeks personal benefits. Trump wants to tell his US fans, "I achieved peace. I saved money. I won valuable Ukrainian mineral rights for the USA. And who cares what Putin does next?" Should Europe let this happen?

submitted 19 days ago • 1 comment

It says something about Trump, doesn't it, when the only foreign countries that like him are Israel and Russia?

submitted 20 days ago • 2 comments

What broke Britain?

submitted 20 days ago • 1 comment

What would it take to make the UK a good place to live?

submitted 21 days ago • 2 comments

Would you be happy to pay extra taxes to increase the defence budget?

submitted 22 days ago • 3 comments

Do you see the USA and UK as allies?

submitted 22 days ago • 1 comment

Would you like to live in the USA?

submitted 23 days ago • 2 comments

Given that the UK can no longer rely on the USA for anything, doesn't it make sense to get closer to the EU?

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

Semaglutide (the drug sold as Ozempic & Wegovy) is popular for assisting weight loss & reducing the chances of psychotic illnesses, liver cancer, infections & pneumonia. Now tests show it also reduces consumption of alcohol & cigarettes. Would you use it if you could get it?

submitted 25 days ago • 1 comment

Would you welcome an end to war in Ukraine negotiated by Trump & Putin?

submitted 25 days ago • 1 comment

At what point did you first feel you were becoming just like your parents?

submitted 30 days ago • 1 comment

Maybe it’s not Russia or China who are most intent on taking over sovereign nations. Looks like it’s actually the US. Not only does its crazed president want Canada to be the 51st state. He also wants Greenland, Panama Canal, and now Gaza, too, as a 'prime real estate opportunity'.

submitted 33 days ago • 2 comments

The US will take over Gaza, suggests Trump, permanently relocate the Palestinians who have lived there for decades and turn it from “a hellhole” into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. Is he 'power crazed', or is there something more sinister going on?

submitted 33 days ago • 1 comment

Is the USA experiencing its very own Liz Truss moment?

submitted 34 days ago • 1 comment

Do you agree with the EU diplomat who observed “The Brexit project, breaking away from the EU to create a global Britain, didn’t work. We thought it wouldn’t work because the UK is European, geographically and economically."?

submitted 35 days ago • 9 comments

Sorting out the economic mess left by the Conservatives is proving even more difficult than anticipated, isn’t it?

submitted 47 days ago • 3 comments

The Liberal Democrats' leader Edward Davey has observed that with Trump in the White House, it's more important than ever that all the countries of Europe work together. Do you agree?

submitted 48 days ago • 1 comment

Ever bought a book from IKEA?

submitted 49 days ago • 3 comments

Why is it that so many people (particularly younger ones) are very reluctant to use their phones to make or receive calls?

submitted 50 days ago • 1 comment

How are you feeling about Trump’s inauguration?

submitted 50 days ago • 1 comment

One-third of workers aged 18 to 24 took time off last year to deal with mental health issues, compared with one in ten workers aged 55+ Around half blamed having to work unpaid overtime or having to work extra hours to deal with the increased cost of living. Are you sympathetic?

submitted 52 days ago • 2 comments

When can we expect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister & Hamas’ military chief to face the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza?

submitted 53 days ago • 0 comments

Hypocrisy? In the same breath as condemning Chinese plans to seize Taiwan, Trump makes ominous, growling noises about taking control of Greenland, Panama & even Canada 'to protect American economic & defence interests'. We're entering very dangerous times, aren't we?

submitted 53 days ago • 1 comment

The UK's national debt rose from 64.7% of GDP in 2010 to 99.5% last July - the highest level since the 1960's. Where did all the money go?

submitted 55 days ago • 2 comments

DonaldTrump should be jail - not the White House. Special Counsel Jack Smith's long-awaited report finally reveals Trump would have been tried & convicted of crimes over his failed attempt to cling to power in 2020 if he had not won the presidential election in 2024.

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

While Musk argues for another General Election in the UK, Trump threatens to take over Panama & Greenland by force. Who is the more unbalanced?

submitted 61 days ago • 2 comments

Alexa: Show me a metaphor for the next 4 years of the Trump presidency...

submitted 63 days ago • 0 comments

How big a factor is Brexit in the economic & social problems afflicting the UK?

submitted 67 days ago • 3 comments

Why has the last decade seen such a dramatic rise in the number of people (particularly younger people) not working due to long-term illness & mental health problems?

submitted 69 days ago • 0 comments

Modern culture prioritises success in all its forms. It also offers an easy way out if one is unsuccessful: Blame someone else! Politicians like Trump & Farage capitalise on this mindset. They don't offer real solutions but merely legitimise blaming others for ones own failures

submitted 73 days ago • 0 comments

60% of the UK population is overweight or obese. What's the problem with weight-loss drugs?

submitted 74 days ago • 2 comments