A conservative is someone who distrusts government power; he believes government should always be subordinate to the writ of Moses and the Grand Convention of 1787.
"A conservative is someone who wishes to hold onto institutions, customs and ideas — like an old pair of boots — until they no longer give good service. At the heart of it is a respect for laws and traditions."
I've been hanging around the various Bonner platforms, programs, initiatives, and enterprises since the 90s, with my first up-close and personal intro to Bonner with his minimum opus, "What Went Wrong in the 20th Century", a copy of which was given to me by my then chiropractor, who said, "Here, you'll LOVE this." A salesman, especially a bought-in salesman, is always a sucker for another salesman, especially another bought-in salesman, and off Mr. Bonner and I went. As you can see, I'm still here.
Over the years, he has delivered to me many an insightful gem, the quote above representing another in this (to use his term) genre. I have compulsive tendencies, not outright OCD (maybe) but definite leanings. The "old pair of boots" mention compels me to reveal my conservatism: I can't bear to part with anything. When a shirt of mine gets sadly beyond the pale, I will generally have my wife cut the back out of the tatters, as the back is generally still serviceable, and have her make a handkerchief out of it. That way, I can still carry my old "friends" with me, never having truly to part with a beloved article that became part of the "weave" of my life. I have quite a collection of these, and I guess they'll burn them with me when the last day arrives.
Yes, it's crazy, but a guy takes his comforts where he can find them. And, as Bill points out, it qualifies me for inclusion in the really conservative Conservatives' Club. Best always. PM
IMO being conservative does not mean recycling customs, institutions and old clothes.
-
It means holding steadfast to long established proven morals and values.
-
A conservative is not a luddite.
Conservatives are at the forefront of today's issues and challenges precisely because they understand the established protocols and are able to progress within those existing parameters.
Your take is always appreciated. I was trying, in a light-hearted fashion, to piggyback something Mr. Bonner had also light-heartedly offered. I didn't consider the comment a bedrock analysis of conservatism. Full disclosure: I am also a Luddite. Despite my shortcomings, I fight like hell for traditional-values America and a time when the country still had a basic consensus on things such as the Bill of Rights and the political structure based on promotion of the individual as opposed to the collective. Best always. PM
Paul, your desire to recycle shirts made me laugh; it’s not something I’ve done (I may yet try, though) but I recognise the habit. I certainly take my time throwing boots away, while motorbike jackets and gloves never die.
The conservative innately understands that money has a value and therefore demands value for money. It’s like breathing for us, it comes so naturally. Liberals tend not to understand the concept which is why they can’t run anything efficiently.
Being an old hot rod guy, I know about recycling. My old shirts and any other material is cut up for the polishing and cleaning rag bag. Hot Rodders must be the epitome of a conservative, knowing the value of second hand parts to rebuild into new cars.
Trump is not on the political spectrum. He is really apolitical. What he is a practical deal maker. Sometimes win/win and sometimes win/lose but always a deal. BTW what would expect with a life-long business man in the White House? Some days his behavior is liberal and some days his behavior is conservative, it really depends of nature of the deal. I kinda like the departure from the sh*t show known as American governance.
Bongo Bill is still wallowing around in the dumpster. I think he's found the bottom and may be trapped under all the detritus. The total garbage he spews would be great fodder for a standup routine on The View for all the little Democrat Progressive Mindless Nihilist wackos in the audience. They would cheer and laugh and love every bit of it. The problem with Bongo is he doesn't even try to be an unbiased commentator. He gives the left-wing lamestream media side of the story assuming there is no counter argument to any of it and ignores the good policies that Trump has implemented. Trump and Vance are far from perfect. Would you rather have the team of Harris and Walz? How do you think our country would look after one year of them? Bongo would be bumping into those two in the dumpster he intellectually lives in.
I can't help myself: You, BB, seem to think/believe that all Trump routinely does is "grab women by the crotch " because he voiced some bragging claim that he did that - but I believe he made it up because THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FEMALE OR MALE EVER MAKING THAT CLAIM! Sounds like locker-room BS to me - such as making a 150-foot putt bouncing off a rock in the creek beside the 18th green with "winner takes the other's car home! at risk". And don't forget all the times Trump was caught at "Lolita Island" which I believe was "once and done" after Trump saw the BS so many liberals were just sucking up! [Clintons - here they come, trip after trip after trip! ]. But you simply want to make as much BS about Trump because you are "left in the dust". Hidey Ho, neighbor!
At a place I once worked, in the men's room there was a graffito which read" "Early to bed and early to rise; fish like hell and make up lies." You have to be a man, the XY kind, to understand. Best always. PM
Trump defies any historical political or party label, no question. I am 68 and voted consistently Republican all my adult life until 2016. I would never vote for a Democrat so chose a write-in candidate that year, believing Trump had no chance and Hilary would be our next President. We were all shocked. I voted for Trump in 2020 because I thought he was by far the lesser of two evils. Again in 2024 I withheld my Trump vote in favor of a write-in candidate. (I must confess that I live in a blue state where the Democratic Party candidate always wins and my vote has been, for over 40 years, a throw-away vote. Had I lived in a swing state Trump would have gotten my vote as the lesser-of-two evils candidate in all 3 of his runs).
Today I am solidly an independent voter. I have no loyalty to the Republican Party as I believe they are irresponsible and feckless and have let the American people down in favor of money and bigger government. The Democrats? I would call them and their handlers simply evil.
BB-First of all what Trump isn’t is a liberal one-sided bullshitter like you. You tell half-truths and make it sound that Trump is the devil. Everyone in the past administrations have done the same thing over and over and expect a different result. Trump is doing things differently in hope of getting better results. It will take time to undo what has been done in the past. You forgot to mention that Trump has made peace throughout earth; yes, he has attacked some countries you forget to mention these bombings were against terrorists. As I mentioned before you need to take much stronger laxatives in order to relieve your brain from all the poop; maybe you’ll think clearer in the future and be fair in your reporting.
Please be careful speaking about terrorists, Abe. A few weeks ago former Al-Queda leader and headchopper Al-Jolani was a guest of honor at the White House. Before he became the new dictator of Syria the State Department was offering a $10 million reward for him. I vaguely remember a quote attribute to Reagan - One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Perhaps he said that after he welcomed the Taliban for a White House meeting.
Pres Trump’s promises and policies are largely meaningless without Congress’ legislative support. So where is all the criticism of Congress’ inaction and calls to action?
Trump has control of both houses of Congress. What legislation has he tried to push through? Maybe he's spending too much time worrying about the Epstein blackmail operation files?
Pres Trump dies not have lock-step control over either house of Congress like the Democrat Party exhibits. There are too many “progressive” (actually big-government “regressive”) Republicans who favor the global elitist philosophy (just a different type of authoritarianism).
If Trump actually has legislation he wants passed why doesn't he use the bully pulpit. Address the voters, explain his plans, and urge them to demand that their representatives take action. What legislation does he want passed now.
Bill's assessment of our current president is the best I've read to date. He's a born ready-fire-aim guy.
I'm curious how he will explain that the hallmark of his Administration to date -- his world trade disrupting tariffs -- was unconstitutional compelling the refund of millions of dollars of monies illegally assessed American importers.
Tom, You are correct, of course. I jumped the gun.
I based my presumptive statement on the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises."
This clause establishes Congress's primary authority over tariffs and taxation, ensuring that any duties imposed are uniform across the United States.
Amazin', Jimm, you keep thinking there is any respect for the U.S. Constitution in Washington, D.C. There isn't...........it has all been bought and paid for. Money, Money, Money is the law of the land. Congress takes the money (yes - there are a rare few but they have been sidelined early - nobody really listens to them) and then Congress ducks. Unfortunately, the American military isn't what it used to be and its failing which no one seems to see is the lack of logistics. Oh, yes - expensive technology but no logistics. Without logistics all we have are nuclear weapons and threats, threats, threats. One of these days that will be tested. The U.S. has become much worse than a rogue state - hard for this ol' man to imagine what lays ahead.
Yes, it's like Roman senators debating about the Republic long after it has become a military dictatorship run by whoever is Emperor at the moment. A facade of forms still in place, but the substance of the Republic leached out by the stresses of maintaining a "known world" empire. Our anti-imperial republic nearly a century ago became a global spanning all-oceans-dominating empire which, like the empires before it has a "expiration" date. When is that? Beats me.
"China now accounted for over 80 percent of fishing in the waters off Argentina, Ecuador, and Peru.
China is ranked as the world’s worst nation in a IUU fishing index. Its fleet, by far the largest in the world, is regularly implicated in overfishing, targeting of endangered shark species, illegal intrusion of jurisdiction, false licensing and catch documentation, and forced labour."
Ol' Man: would China's blatant disregard of international fishing conventions qualify it as a rogue state? (it's ok; you can admit it: yes) But, seeing as the USofA is "worse than a rogue state", add China to the list of where I'll but you a ticket. Hurry, before the economic collapse hits, that you've predicted NLT the end of 2026!
"The U.S. has become much worse than a rogue state..."...what a crock of USDA, Grade A, Horsepuckey
So, you packing up and moving to N. Korea or Iran? Those are rogue states, and according to you, the US of A is worse. Hell, name the one you want, and a first-class ticket there for you is on me!
No Logistics? Here once again is more of your silly dreamed up bullshit. So tell me how in the hell did we get bombers from the mainland US all the way to Iran and back again if it were not for logistics.
Thank you, once again you prove my point that everything you offer as what you see as truth came right out of the bulls ass.
My God, get your facts straight or get your own column like Billy did, this way you to could tell half truths to further your stupidly naive view of the world.
Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient and effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption to meet customer requirements. The only needed service on that mission was Air Refueling enroute to Bombers. Todays supply of parts to DOD is not good.
Air Force closed all their Depots and parts are not stored except for "just in time" resupply adopted after car manufacturing processes. The FMC rates (Fully Mission Capable) of Air Force planes is less than 50% in some cases waiting on parts from manufactures. If the units I was associated with would of had todays FMC rates our units would have been deactivated because we couldn't meet mission requirements.
Lots of points of view. Too many to address fulsomely in this forum.
However, of them, I agree with the need to have a domestic supply of critical medicines regardless their cost.
I recall some years ago the Pentagon admitting that its ships patrolling near China had in their dispensaries medicines Made in China.
These medicines were high quality/low cost but their acquisition was incongruous given their source and the USN's mission.
Finally, of course, we all want a dynamic economy based on producing high quality affordable goods and services.
But inhibiting imports to necessitate domestic production and their commensurate jobs compels John Q. Citizen to pay more for what could be made at less cost abroad, even if cost is burdened by VAT.
Congress has not approved Trumps tariffs. If the founding fathers wanted the president to have the authority also, why didn't they include the office also?
It will be interesting to see how Supremes have ruled on this.
Nobody knows what President Trump is. Even mirrors file restraining orders against him.
They tried labels, Strongman, Showman, Statesman, Businessman,
turns out he’s more like a vending machine that only sells ego-flavored soup.
At first people thought he was a joke.
A mascot who escaped from a cereal box and wandered into power. They laughed, then the cereal started passing laws.
Trump doesn’t believe in systems, he believes in levers, any lever.
Pull it, break it, rename it, sell it, sue it, staple it to your forehead.
Democracy? He treats it like a hotel towel. Looks nice, feels nice, but you know someone already wiped something strange on it.
Trump says he loves the people, that’s true, in the same way a cat loves laser pointers. As long as the crowd claps, he hears wisdom. When they boo, suddenly they’re foreign.
He doesn’t lie, he performs.
Facts aren’t wrong, they’re just badly marketed. He doesn’t attack democracy, he just keeps asking it rude questions in dark alleys.
“Why do you need votes?”
“Why do you need rules?”
“Why can’t you just trust me with everything, forever, with no receipt?”
They thought he was chaos, he’s not chaos, chaos is honest. He’s a deal wearing a suit. He shakes hands with tomorrow and steals its watch.
They said he wasn’t conservative, they’re right, he’s not liberal either.
He’s not anything that requires loyalty to an idea bigger than himself.
He belongs to the rarest ideology of all:
Me-ism.
And Me-ism only has one law:
If it helps me, it’s sacred. If it opposes me, it’s suspicious. If it exposes me, it’s treasonous and probably ugly.
Somewhere, a conservative is polishing an old boot and whispering, “I just wanted stability”, and Murphy’s Law replies, “Best I can do is President Trump.”
The trouble, of course, is that the detractors and insurrectionists vs Trump also don't believe in laws or norms unless they get to write them, in other words, their power to control their neighbors to their own benefit. George Carlin's oral monkey poo laden "Why I don't vote" routine makes the same point. If BB can suggest a path to a credible "conservative" alternative to Trump, the Biden cabal, Newsome, etc etc, it might be interesting, but I take it that BB and his compadres spent a few decades looking for such an electable consensus and has given up on the project. Fair enough. Better to focus more on "plan B' that doesn't assume the continued continent-wide polity that we who grew up in its protective shadow are familiar with. R A Heinlein's novel "FRIDAY", now several decades old, might be a good read to stimulate thinking about our respective plan B's. That and Gibson's speculative fiction.
Trump is a 1980's Democrat. He was never a Fiscal Conservative. We saw that in the first term, but proved it without a doubt with the failed DOGE program. The only way Trump could be described as conservative is when compared to the current day Democrats. It makes him conservative from a relative position. He has made it clear he is like everyone else in the Ruling Class. How long do we have to wait for our Milei?
Conservative today means men are men and women are women.
Borders secure and authentic equality amongst races.
...and yes! ...less gov't.
"A conservative is someone who wishes to hold onto institutions, customs and ideas — like an old pair of boots — until they no longer give good service. At the heart of it is a respect for laws and traditions."
I've been hanging around the various Bonner platforms, programs, initiatives, and enterprises since the 90s, with my first up-close and personal intro to Bonner with his minimum opus, "What Went Wrong in the 20th Century", a copy of which was given to me by my then chiropractor, who said, "Here, you'll LOVE this." A salesman, especially a bought-in salesman, is always a sucker for another salesman, especially another bought-in salesman, and off Mr. Bonner and I went. As you can see, I'm still here.
Over the years, he has delivered to me many an insightful gem, the quote above representing another in this (to use his term) genre. I have compulsive tendencies, not outright OCD (maybe) but definite leanings. The "old pair of boots" mention compels me to reveal my conservatism: I can't bear to part with anything. When a shirt of mine gets sadly beyond the pale, I will generally have my wife cut the back out of the tatters, as the back is generally still serviceable, and have her make a handkerchief out of it. That way, I can still carry my old "friends" with me, never having truly to part with a beloved article that became part of the "weave" of my life. I have quite a collection of these, and I guess they'll burn them with me when the last day arrives.
Yes, it's crazy, but a guy takes his comforts where he can find them. And, as Bill points out, it qualifies me for inclusion in the really conservative Conservatives' Club. Best always. PM
IMO being conservative does not mean recycling customs, institutions and old clothes.
-
It means holding steadfast to long established proven morals and values.
-
A conservative is not a luddite.
Conservatives are at the forefront of today's issues and challenges precisely because they understand the established protocols and are able to progress within those existing parameters.
-
Many renowned iconoclasts were conservative.
Your take is always appreciated. I was trying, in a light-hearted fashion, to piggyback something Mr. Bonner had also light-heartedly offered. I didn't consider the comment a bedrock analysis of conservatism. Full disclosure: I am also a Luddite. Despite my shortcomings, I fight like hell for traditional-values America and a time when the country still had a basic consensus on things such as the Bill of Rights and the political structure based on promotion of the individual as opposed to the collective. Best always. PM
Paul, your desire to recycle shirts made me laugh; it’s not something I’ve done (I may yet try, though) but I recognise the habit. I certainly take my time throwing boots away, while motorbike jackets and gloves never die.
The conservative innately understands that money has a value and therefore demands value for money. It’s like breathing for us, it comes so naturally. Liberals tend not to understand the concept which is why they can’t run anything efficiently.
Best Always; JN.
Being an old hot rod guy, I know about recycling. My old shirts and any other material is cut up for the polishing and cleaning rag bag. Hot Rodders must be the epitome of a conservative, knowing the value of second hand parts to rebuild into new cars.
Trump is not on the political spectrum. He is really apolitical. What he is a practical deal maker. Sometimes win/win and sometimes win/lose but always a deal. BTW what would expect with a life-long business man in the White House? Some days his behavior is liberal and some days his behavior is conservative, it really depends of nature of the deal. I kinda like the departure from the sh*t show known as American governance.
Bongo Bill is still wallowing around in the dumpster. I think he's found the bottom and may be trapped under all the detritus. The total garbage he spews would be great fodder for a standup routine on The View for all the little Democrat Progressive Mindless Nihilist wackos in the audience. They would cheer and laugh and love every bit of it. The problem with Bongo is he doesn't even try to be an unbiased commentator. He gives the left-wing lamestream media side of the story assuming there is no counter argument to any of it and ignores the good policies that Trump has implemented. Trump and Vance are far from perfect. Would you rather have the team of Harris and Walz? How do you think our country would look after one year of them? Bongo would be bumping into those two in the dumpster he intellectually lives in.
I can't help myself: You, BB, seem to think/believe that all Trump routinely does is "grab women by the crotch " because he voiced some bragging claim that he did that - but I believe he made it up because THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FEMALE OR MALE EVER MAKING THAT CLAIM! Sounds like locker-room BS to me - such as making a 150-foot putt bouncing off a rock in the creek beside the 18th green with "winner takes the other's car home! at risk". And don't forget all the times Trump was caught at "Lolita Island" which I believe was "once and done" after Trump saw the BS so many liberals were just sucking up! [Clintons - here they come, trip after trip after trip! ]. But you simply want to make as much BS about Trump because you are "left in the dust". Hidey Ho, neighbor!
At a place I once worked, in the men's room there was a graffito which read" "Early to bed and early to rise; fish like hell and make up lies." You have to be a man, the XY kind, to understand. Best always. PM
Thumbs Up!
Trump defies any historical political or party label, no question. I am 68 and voted consistently Republican all my adult life until 2016. I would never vote for a Democrat so chose a write-in candidate that year, believing Trump had no chance and Hilary would be our next President. We were all shocked. I voted for Trump in 2020 because I thought he was by far the lesser of two evils. Again in 2024 I withheld my Trump vote in favor of a write-in candidate. (I must confess that I live in a blue state where the Democratic Party candidate always wins and my vote has been, for over 40 years, a throw-away vote. Had I lived in a swing state Trump would have gotten my vote as the lesser-of-two evils candidate in all 3 of his runs).
Today I am solidly an independent voter. I have no loyalty to the Republican Party as I believe they are irresponsible and feckless and have let the American people down in favor of money and bigger government. The Democrats? I would call them and their handlers simply evil.
BB lost me in this article when he quoted so called comedian Seth Meyer. If you're gonna quote a true comedian, try George Carlin.
BB-First of all what Trump isn’t is a liberal one-sided bullshitter like you. You tell half-truths and make it sound that Trump is the devil. Everyone in the past administrations have done the same thing over and over and expect a different result. Trump is doing things differently in hope of getting better results. It will take time to undo what has been done in the past. You forgot to mention that Trump has made peace throughout earth; yes, he has attacked some countries you forget to mention these bombings were against terrorists. As I mentioned before you need to take much stronger laxatives in order to relieve your brain from all the poop; maybe you’ll think clearer in the future and be fair in your reporting.
Please be careful speaking about terrorists, Abe. A few weeks ago former Al-Queda leader and headchopper Al-Jolani was a guest of honor at the White House. Before he became the new dictator of Syria the State Department was offering a $10 million reward for him. I vaguely remember a quote attribute to Reagan - One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Perhaps he said that after he welcomed the Taliban for a White House meeting.
Cartero, "Well said "
I agree
Your enemy today is your friend tomorrow
Tell us what you think of Biden!!
Pres Trump’s promises and policies are largely meaningless without Congress’ legislative support. So where is all the criticism of Congress’ inaction and calls to action?
Trump has control of both houses of Congress. What legislation has he tried to push through? Maybe he's spending too much time worrying about the Epstein blackmail operation files?
Pres Trump dies not have lock-step control over either house of Congress like the Democrat Party exhibits. There are too many “progressive” (actually big-government “regressive”) Republicans who favor the global elitist philosophy (just a different type of authoritarianism).
If Trump actually has legislation he wants passed why doesn't he use the bully pulpit. Address the voters, explain his plans, and urge them to demand that their representatives take action. What legislation does he want passed now.
This is one for the books Bill! Bravo!
Spare us your analysis of what Trump isn't. Its the TDS stupid.
Bill's assessment of our current president is the best I've read to date. He's a born ready-fire-aim guy.
I'm curious how he will explain that the hallmark of his Administration to date -- his world trade disrupting tariffs -- was unconstitutional compelling the refund of millions of dollars of monies illegally assessed American importers.
Jimm, maybe you could wait for the Supreme Court ruling?
Tom, You are correct, of course. I jumped the gun.
I based my presumptive statement on the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises."
This clause establishes Congress's primary authority over tariffs and taxation, ensuring that any duties imposed are uniform across the United States.
Amazin', Jimm, you keep thinking there is any respect for the U.S. Constitution in Washington, D.C. There isn't...........it has all been bought and paid for. Money, Money, Money is the law of the land. Congress takes the money (yes - there are a rare few but they have been sidelined early - nobody really listens to them) and then Congress ducks. Unfortunately, the American military isn't what it used to be and its failing which no one seems to see is the lack of logistics. Oh, yes - expensive technology but no logistics. Without logistics all we have are nuclear weapons and threats, threats, threats. One of these days that will be tested. The U.S. has become much worse than a rogue state - hard for this ol' man to imagine what lays ahead.
Yes, it's like Roman senators debating about the Republic long after it has become a military dictatorship run by whoever is Emperor at the moment. A facade of forms still in place, but the substance of the Republic leached out by the stresses of maintaining a "known world" empire. Our anti-imperial republic nearly a century ago became a global spanning all-oceans-dominating empire which, like the empires before it has a "expiration" date. When is that? Beats me.
"China now accounted for over 80 percent of fishing in the waters off Argentina, Ecuador, and Peru.
China is ranked as the world’s worst nation in a IUU fishing index. Its fleet, by far the largest in the world, is regularly implicated in overfishing, targeting of endangered shark species, illegal intrusion of jurisdiction, false licensing and catch documentation, and forced labour."
Ol' Man: would China's blatant disregard of international fishing conventions qualify it as a rogue state? (it's ok; you can admit it: yes) But, seeing as the USofA is "worse than a rogue state", add China to the list of where I'll but you a ticket. Hurry, before the economic collapse hits, that you've predicted NLT the end of 2026!
"The U.S. has become much worse than a rogue state..."...what a crock of USDA, Grade A, Horsepuckey
So, you packing up and moving to N. Korea or Iran? Those are rogue states, and according to you, the US of A is worse. Hell, name the one you want, and a first-class ticket there for you is on me!
No Logistics? Here once again is more of your silly dreamed up bullshit. So tell me how in the hell did we get bombers from the mainland US all the way to Iran and back again if it were not for logistics.
Thank you, once again you prove my point that everything you offer as what you see as truth came right out of the bulls ass.
My God, get your facts straight or get your own column like Billy did, this way you to could tell half truths to further your stupidly naive view of the world.
Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient and effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption to meet customer requirements. The only needed service on that mission was Air Refueling enroute to Bombers. Todays supply of parts to DOD is not good.
Air Force closed all their Depots and parts are not stored except for "just in time" resupply adopted after car manufacturing processes. The FMC rates (Fully Mission Capable) of Air Force planes is less than 50% in some cases waiting on parts from manufactures. If the units I was associated with would of had todays FMC rates our units would have been deactivated because we couldn't meet mission requirements.
Global Reach: Unmatched ability to project power via the C-17 and C-5 fleet (Airlift remains the world's premier '911' force).
02.
Experience: Decades of real-world supply chain management in Europe and the Middle East have created a highly competent professional cadre.
03.
Rapid Pivot: Successful implementation of AI-driven predictive maintenance and "Condition Based Maintenance Plus" (CBM+).
For sure, but don't forget about the political nature of all Supreme Courts, sadly.
...our manufacturing business has several new accounts due to tariff's.
I don't know what you are rambling on about...
We're even. I don't understand your assertion
The tariffs are working as planned.
Ultimately beneficial to U.S. sovereignty and security.
Without which the U.S. trajectory was ever more reliance upon adversaries.
-
Although the Constitution addresses Congress as the primary authority.
It does not prohibit the President.
There is no question about the legality of tariffs with congressional approval.
If the SCOTUS does rule against the tariffs, congress can and needs to step in.
-
Why would any Patriot not support the tariffs at this stage in the game.
Canceling the tariffs now would be economic suicide.
I disagree with each of your three paragraphs
All Trump's tariffs did was make imports cost more
He'd better serve the nation if he'd reduce the deficit
...what you may not understand...
Manufacturing is returning to the U.S.
Our family's manufacturing company has new customers from the EU.
We have never shipped to the EU!
-
Do you want medicines and essentials produced by adversaries?
Why do you think there were shortages during the pandemic?
Do you approve of being 2nd in line? (first to be last).
How do you think we got into this dependency in the first place?
-
Tariffs hurt some and benefit others, that's why they are not taxes.
You and I pay foreign VATs to most every country we trade, which are taxes...
Lots of points of view. Too many to address fulsomely in this forum.
However, of them, I agree with the need to have a domestic supply of critical medicines regardless their cost.
I recall some years ago the Pentagon admitting that its ships patrolling near China had in their dispensaries medicines Made in China.
These medicines were high quality/low cost but their acquisition was incongruous given their source and the USN's mission.
Finally, of course, we all want a dynamic economy based on producing high quality affordable goods and services.
But inhibiting imports to necessitate domestic production and their commensurate jobs compels John Q. Citizen to pay more for what could be made at less cost abroad, even if cost is burdened by VAT.
Congress has not approved Trumps tariffs. If the founding fathers wanted the president to have the authority also, why didn't they include the office also?
It will be interesting to see how Supremes have ruled on this.
Nobody knows what President Trump is. Even mirrors file restraining orders against him.
They tried labels, Strongman, Showman, Statesman, Businessman,
turns out he’s more like a vending machine that only sells ego-flavored soup.
At first people thought he was a joke.
A mascot who escaped from a cereal box and wandered into power. They laughed, then the cereal started passing laws.
Trump doesn’t believe in systems, he believes in levers, any lever.
Pull it, break it, rename it, sell it, sue it, staple it to your forehead.
Democracy? He treats it like a hotel towel. Looks nice, feels nice, but you know someone already wiped something strange on it.
Trump says he loves the people, that’s true, in the same way a cat loves laser pointers. As long as the crowd claps, he hears wisdom. When they boo, suddenly they’re foreign.
He doesn’t lie, he performs.
Facts aren’t wrong, they’re just badly marketed. He doesn’t attack democracy, he just keeps asking it rude questions in dark alleys.
“Why do you need votes?”
“Why do you need rules?”
“Why can’t you just trust me with everything, forever, with no receipt?”
They thought he was chaos, he’s not chaos, chaos is honest. He’s a deal wearing a suit. He shakes hands with tomorrow and steals its watch.
They said he wasn’t conservative, they’re right, he’s not liberal either.
He’s not anything that requires loyalty to an idea bigger than himself.
He belongs to the rarest ideology of all:
Me-ism.
And Me-ism only has one law:
If it helps me, it’s sacred. If it opposes me, it’s suspicious. If it exposes me, it’s treasonous and probably ugly.
Somewhere, a conservative is polishing an old boot and whispering, “I just wanted stability”, and Murphy’s Law replies, “Best I can do is President Trump.”
The alternatives would have been a total disaster which we may still suffer in the future.
The trouble, of course, is that the detractors and insurrectionists vs Trump also don't believe in laws or norms unless they get to write them, in other words, their power to control their neighbors to their own benefit. George Carlin's oral monkey poo laden "Why I don't vote" routine makes the same point. If BB can suggest a path to a credible "conservative" alternative to Trump, the Biden cabal, Newsome, etc etc, it might be interesting, but I take it that BB and his compadres spent a few decades looking for such an electable consensus and has given up on the project. Fair enough. Better to focus more on "plan B' that doesn't assume the continued continent-wide polity that we who grew up in its protective shadow are familiar with. R A Heinlein's novel "FRIDAY", now several decades old, might be a good read to stimulate thinking about our respective plan B's. That and Gibson's speculative fiction.
Trump is a 1980's Democrat. He was never a Fiscal Conservative. We saw that in the first term, but proved it without a doubt with the failed DOGE program. The only way Trump could be described as conservative is when compared to the current day Democrats. It makes him conservative from a relative position. He has made it clear he is like everyone else in the Ruling Class. How long do we have to wait for our Milei?
Not until all suffer for decades.