The US seems to be split into two camps — each viciously opposed to the other. There are those who love the Big Man, almost no matter what he says or does. And there are those who despise him.
Well written Billy, If only things were that black and white. You seem to suggest events are either with no gray which just is not the case. Personally, I think DJT has become a buffoon, yet, he is doing exactly what needs to be done. For decades, the world has dropped their ass on us. Without a punch back. What did that get us:
* 20 MM illegals
* massive import of drugs
*drained SPR
*weak military
*Democrats articulate in name calling and blatant lying
*Schumer 5 years ago bitching TRump is doing nothing to remove Maduro, 2025 bitching he took him out
* Cops being faulted for enforcing laws that they themselves (Dems) put on the books
When do they get back to governing the country as opposed to faulting everything he does, Today they would fault him if he indeed found a cure for cancer. It’s quite enough.
Should Trump shut his mouth more, absolutely, Should the DEMS and there useless leader do the same, for sure. I think the previous commentator is dead on. There is a group of us whom feel the alternative is worst. Could you imagine if Kamala got in? All of the asterisks above, and more would be amplified to the detriment of everyday Americans.
Look what happened in NJ - Sherrill wins on an affordability platform. What is the first thing she does? Raise the state sales tax, raise the state income tax - who is shitting who? This is why Trump won, at least the man does what he says he will do, despite all the bluster. Everything he has/is done/doing was his pre-elected platform.
Sorry you have TDS, but it is time make use of the tools God has given us, as opposed to letting them decay/rot/sit idle.
Agreed, but a little pushback on "Trump is a buffoon" comment. Trump seems to have two different personalities as you allude to. One is buffoonish, the other is all business. You might not agree with all the things he wants to do, but he is very serious about getting things done.
‘For decades, the world has dropped their ass on us.’ - You forget, probably since post WW2 that American companies have scoured the world buying up anything they thought had value with their pumped up fake money. I my country they own a bucket load.
"The US seems to be split into two camps — each viciously opposed to the other. There are those who love the Big Man, almost no matter what he says or does. And there are those who despise him, again almost no matter what he says or does."
It seems to me that there is at least one more camp. A camp that finds much of what Trump does and says as bizarre, yet still prefers him to the alternatives we've been offered. What astounds me about the far left (which seems to control the democatic party) is that it never seems to occur to them that they can win by dropping their most extreme positions.
The again, maybe it's just like pro wrestling, and the only real concern is audience engagement.
How about some constructive comments about all of those suffering from TDS.
I live in the Twin Cities (born in 1948 and a Vietnam Vet) and actually have relatives that suffer from TDS. I refuse to associate with them anymore - they are not thinking clearly, some are either on drugs, unemployed because they refuse to do anything that can't be done on a cell phone or computer, sucking the system for every possible benefit they can get for nothing, etc., etc.
I personally believe that most of what you are seeing is fear that the "suck" is coming to an end.
They are the reason that this country is in the position it is in. You cannot support this volume of society and its suck. They are the reason we are going to go under eventually.
Give them constructive jobs - like picking up trash on the highways before paying them to do nothing.
Some comments about how they cannot support ICE and the removal of illegal migrants, and especially those who already have violent track records would be helpful.
How about some bashing of those actually paying these folks to create havoc and call for them to cut off the funding (more free stuff) in every major city.
I am too old to consider moving out of the country but have suggested it to younger folks close to me. My current thought is "Thank God that I probably only have a few years left to enjoy this current less than wonderful country".
It is sad that many of my friends feel the same disappointment. We’re waiting it out, being grateful that there is something left for which to be grateful.
Maybe some of those looking for easy work could help by sending out W-2s to the paid protesters. I doubt that has been done before. I wonder if some of the politicians that have attended the protests aren't also paid. Good way to get around campaign laws.
Mr. K, Well, there are two Americas: Third World America comprised of about 50 third-world cities run almost exclusively by Democrats; and, First World America comprised of the suburbs and small town/rural areas. If younger folks can live outside the cities, they should be okay.
The problem I see is the same one Bill O'Reilly has pointed out in the past: lots of these cocooned/sheltered women in the suburbs who like to shout about how they love all the illegal immigrants and the little black and brown people in the U.S. third-world cities. It's derisively known by conservatives as "virtue signaling." It is despicable hypocrisy because if you asked these harpies if they would accept illegal immigrants moving into their suburban neighborhoods or public ("affordable') housing placed in their suburban neighborhoods, they would scream bloody murder. In other words, these women love all these folks--from afar--i.e., as long as they keep their distance.
Gas under 2 bucks, inflation down to under 3 %, gdp over 5% taxes at their lowest in decades. Maduro gone from Venezuela. Border secure. Illegal felon, rapist, murderers,pedophiles and gang bangers gone. Trillions of dollar investments into America. Wages going up and most prices stationary. People with ira’s and retirement plans accumulating wealth. What the hell’s not to like. He isnt the perfect man but neither are you Bill. I for one am liking what I see.
BOB, You have most of it right but I'm worried it's all nothing but a smoke screen to cover up the demise of the American system...the US will continue to exist into the future but not under the same freedoms and conditions that we all Americans are use to.
Mark, your right and we all know this can only end badly. Buying gold and silver is the only saftey net I see but somewhere down the road is the reckoning.
Maybe you missed the fact that the pedos who were caught up in the Epstein blackmail operation are still out there, except the government won't reveal their names or investigate who was behind the honey pot operation.
Clinton did not show up for questioning, perhaps he feels his involvement with Epstein falls under presidential duties. Like learning how to train interns.
You stated the pedos were gone. I thought I missed a news story that all those pedos involved in the Epstein blackmail operation had been arrested. I guess you may have been talking about other pedos?
There is a third camp: the middle. They have been rendered mute/ineffective by the extremes of both parties and the money that invests in those extremes. The middle needs to get back in the game…not sure how that happens given the polarity in the country. Perhaps as the pendulum, which swung right in opposition to wokeness and ineptness, will hit the middle before it proceeds to “the warmth of collectivism” (God help us).
Per Gallup as reported today in John Ellis’ excellent Substack: “A record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025, surpassing the 43% measured in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, equal shares of U.S. adults — 27% each — identified as either Democrats or Republicans”
Ol' Smithy I so wish you were right. Unfortunately, this ol' man sees the only thing lying ahead is a crash of epic portions. The right/left or conservative/liberal or peace/war or whatever else separates us Americans so dramatically can only be undone by a complete and utter collapse. And, as the World continues to turn away from the U.S. and find alternate paths, the U.S. loses. We need the products of other countries - the U.S. is far, far from being self-sufficient and sanctions, tariffs, nor threats of war encourage others to trade with us. Currently, the only thing keeping America afloat is the amount of US$ floating around the world but this is losing its attraction and power. As for wars, the U.S. is good for maybe two (2) weeks then logistics fail. I don't see any way out but a complete collapse. Again, an ol' man muttering...........
I find myself in that "Middle" group. I voted against Kamala Harris and the wokness the democrats were continuing to hawk in the election process. My hopes were a Trump likeness to Argentinas Mila but seems like we got a Trump full of bloviation and full of himself. My brother in law told me that while Trump was building the Atlantic city Trump casino which I think was in the 80's Trump stiffed a lot of little guy contractors out of money for work the did on completing the casino. A lot of local contractors were never paid for labor and materials they provided under contract.. bankruptcy had been Trump's best business partner over the years. If the democrats would have run someone better my vote may have gone that way. Trump was just the least of two evils at the time but has shown his colors in his actions. I think of myself as an independent thinker and voter and with what's on both sides of the isle I don't care for either side. Off to Costa Rica I go.
And independents rarely win - just no base and no corporate backing. As radical as the political leans are it is hard to see how this ends without a disaster.
Trust me on this, Tom - I don't want to be right either. I am rapidly approaching my ninth decade and don't need what lies ahead. I think for us ol' folks is going to be horrific. I just don't see any other way.
Ol' Man...You still holding on to your prediction of economic calamity by the end of this year?
On Jan 2nd you wrote: "...believing the media and a delusional narcissist like Trump has a clue of how to help America gets its house in order is just so sad. Hope you have a Great 2026! By the mid-term, it is going to be horrific" (from your post above, clearly "horrific" is your preferred word)
I agree wholeheartedly that the Fed and Powell should have been investigated during Trump's first term, especially when they cut interest rates to 0% to .25% on 3/15/2020. That and massive money printing helped set the stage for more future inflation. The Fed's suppression of interest rates is helping to destroy the moral fiber of the US, disincentiving saving, encouraging reckless spending and creating bubbles that essentially benefit the wealthy classes.
Absolutely. The problem is (well there are many as you point out so I’ll just name one) that Congress doesn’t do their job, because they have zero incentive to reign in the FED. The FEDs Statuatory mandate is stable prices. Translated to language a Normie could understand, that means zero. Congress has never forced them to follow the law.
And if course, why would they. Via insider trading and other mechanisms they also benefit from the Cantillon effect of the FEDs lose money policies.
The FED's real mandate is to protect the big banks at the taxpayers' expense. The other reasons are one of the best marketing slogans of all time! People are still buying it!
Most of the FED is PhD's that are book smart but have never experienced a significant financial downturn. (Also, they will never be able to relate to the "middle class")
The suppressed rates you mentioned, how could they have known the distortion they were causing.
The FED is the problem. A private monopoly started by master monopolists with the help of the NY Slimes lying in 1907. In 1913, they inked the deal.
The founders preached against central banks. AND centralized government. You keep the government local where they never get enough power that they cannot be smacked back in line by the locals.
Combine central banking and centralized government and allowing the national ownership of Banks and the press (another monopolization) and you get fake news and no competition. This means the organized crime family known as the deep state can do whatever they want.
Originally you had to own property and pay taxes to vote. That way the people who voted had skin in the game and determined how THEIR money was spent.
The moment they changed the rules from a republic to “our democracy”, by allowing one man one vote the end began because as soon as those who do not pay into the system realize they can steal from those who don’t, the democrat party gets born and the buying of votes with other peoples money began. Breathing is not a qualification for voting, it should be earned.
This never would have happened it they stuck to the plan made by some of the smartest humans ever to walk the earth.
It will go belly up. And then the same leaches that voted to fleece productive people will stupidly vote for more free stuff promised by the democommies.
Then the real darkness similar to Argenta will over shadow America for a very long time… at least 100 years.
These are mega cycles. The only difference between now and the past is there is no America to escape to.
I always enjoy your missives and respect your point of view. What the last 4 years under Biden did to this country is a game changer, teat it down let the fourth turning be a significant redirection of the country. The millennials and Z’s will either platform this political change or go in a socialist direction. Financial competence in refurbishing the building should fall on the Fed. They shouldn’t be oblivious to basic spending of taxpayer money.
The most important for me is the immigration issue at hand. Living in South Texas for the last 20 years has made me (most recently) very sympathetic to immigrants who have been productive and great citizens. Trump’s policies need to be very specific as to who he is trying to remove from this country because the MSM WILL NOT report the truth.
Another dumpster dive from Bongo Bill. He laments about drug smugglers "especially when they cling helplessly to the wreckage of their boat" as if the first strike wasn't meant to kill them. But I can understand the concern on Bongo Bill's part as he clings helplessly to any coherent rational thought process he might still have! He sets up the strawman that the populace is divided into irrational anti-Trump and pro-Trump camps, while he is firmly in the center as an honest, impartial observer. What a crock. There are enough distortions and half-truths in his column to warrant several paragraphs of rebuttal at a minimum. But I don't have that much time to waste.
While diving in tbe dumpster please do some research into Trump's pardon of ex Honduran president Hernández who had been convicted for moving over 400 tons of cocaine into the US. Trump says it was a Biden politically motivated prosecution. However, the prosecution was ongoing during the first Trump term and here's a little something from Univsion 8/19/2019 -"Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was identified Friday as a co-conspirator in a drug trafficking and money laundering case against his brother, according to document filed in U.S. district court."
So while some people may celebrate the killings of small time suspected drug smugglers a big time trafficker was given his freedom. In fact retired DEA Mike Vigil said Hernández was bigger than Pablo Escobar and El Chapo.
Yes, Cartero, I will stop everything I'm doing and do some research just for you! We all know you're a Trump hater and, like Bongo Bill, will focus only on the negative when it comes to Trump and present info that is one-sided and most likely out of context. By the way, it is not a matter of "celebrating" the killings of the drug smugglers. These people are part of a drug network that kills people.
Sorry. I replied down below. Basically why dodge the question by attributing it to a Trump hater taking things out of context. The facts are the facts - Donnie pardoned a big time drug trafficker and the document was filed in a US District Court during the first Trump administration. But just for your info, I'm not on either team and I think all four presidents this century were mediocre corrupt lying politicians. The scum rises to the top. At least I didn't change my opinion of Trump like JD Vance did. Check this out -Vance stated he went "back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon... or that he’s America’s Hitler".
Sorry for bothering you. I just find it amazing that there are so many people in tbe country who support Trump's policy if blowing up small boats but have no problem with his pardon of not only a big league drug trafficker but several other criminals convicted of laundering drug money.
I don't know anything about the "big league drug trafficker" or the other criminals you allude to. The internet is full of BS. I'm sure there are counter arguments to your accusations. I'm just not going to spend my life going down every rabbit hole and accusation against Trump like all the BS the Democrats have accused him of and continue to accuse him of. In any event, I see the two events as mutually exclusive with absolutely no connection to one another.
Exceptional in what areas? During his first term the national debt increased by about $7.8 trillion. Last year the national debt increased by around $2.4 trillion. He always did say he was the king of debt and he's exceptional at it. In which areas do you find him exceptional?
BB you are so full of crap I don’t know how your brain functions. Your anti-Trump and anti-Israel rhetoric is well documented. My feeling is that the Federal reserve should be closed. They function as a department to protect the banking system. Interest rates should be a functioning of the free market. Other wasteful departments include the dept of energy and dept of education among others. You also say nothing about Trump helping the Iranians; much more than Obama did during his administration. This uprising in Iran could change the complete Middle East; it could result in less terrorism throughout the world which is sponsored by the Ayatollah Iranian regime. Take a strong laxative; maybe you will be able to think clearer.
Abe, as I recall from a little history that the federal reserve was set up by bankers . Not You and Me and the USA government gave its blessings. May be wrong as My memory does seem to fade over time.
I don’t love Trump but I don’t suffer from TDS either. He has at the very least exposed the Democrats and the Left for what they are: deranged, unhinged, evil and totally out of their depth on virtually all issues and yet want to control your life from the womb to your grave. And, at this point despite his obvious flaws which you well articulate he is by far the better alternative to the other mob.
Maybe it's time to join the "Vote for Nobody" party. Nobody will listen to you! Nobody will reduce the national debt! Nobody will investigate the Epstein blackmail operation!
My 1 year rate of return is 88%. With 40% cash at 12% it would likely be 60%…no I didn’t do the math, but 60% is close. What’s your 1 year rate of return?
Well written Billy, If only things were that black and white. You seem to suggest events are either with no gray which just is not the case. Personally, I think DJT has become a buffoon, yet, he is doing exactly what needs to be done. For decades, the world has dropped their ass on us. Without a punch back. What did that get us:
* 20 MM illegals
* massive import of drugs
*drained SPR
*weak military
*Democrats articulate in name calling and blatant lying
*Schumer 5 years ago bitching TRump is doing nothing to remove Maduro, 2025 bitching he took him out
* Cops being faulted for enforcing laws that they themselves (Dems) put on the books
When do they get back to governing the country as opposed to faulting everything he does, Today they would fault him if he indeed found a cure for cancer. It’s quite enough.
Should Trump shut his mouth more, absolutely, Should the DEMS and there useless leader do the same, for sure. I think the previous commentator is dead on. There is a group of us whom feel the alternative is worst. Could you imagine if Kamala got in? All of the asterisks above, and more would be amplified to the detriment of everyday Americans.
Look what happened in NJ - Sherrill wins on an affordability platform. What is the first thing she does? Raise the state sales tax, raise the state income tax - who is shitting who? This is why Trump won, at least the man does what he says he will do, despite all the bluster. Everything he has/is done/doing was his pre-elected platform.
Sorry you have TDS, but it is time make use of the tools God has given us, as opposed to letting them decay/rot/sit idle.
Agreed, but a little pushback on "Trump is a buffoon" comment. Trump seems to have two different personalities as you allude to. One is buffoonish, the other is all business. You might not agree with all the things he wants to do, but he is very serious about getting things done.
I agree with your assessment. Thanks.
‘For decades, the world has dropped their ass on us.’ - You forget, probably since post WW2 that American companies have scoured the world buying up anything they thought had value with their pumped up fake money. I my country they own a bucket load.
Let’s also not forget you were willing to sell. Cannot buy if you do not sell.
Like the Venezuelans. They're willing to sell, now.
"The US seems to be split into two camps — each viciously opposed to the other. There are those who love the Big Man, almost no matter what he says or does. And there are those who despise him, again almost no matter what he says or does."
It seems to me that there is at least one more camp. A camp that finds much of what Trump does and says as bizarre, yet still prefers him to the alternatives we've been offered. What astounds me about the far left (which seems to control the democatic party) is that it never seems to occur to them that they can win by dropping their most extreme positions.
The again, maybe it's just like pro wrestling, and the only real concern is audience engagement.
Bundemania
How about some constructive comments about all of those suffering from TDS.
I live in the Twin Cities (born in 1948 and a Vietnam Vet) and actually have relatives that suffer from TDS. I refuse to associate with them anymore - they are not thinking clearly, some are either on drugs, unemployed because they refuse to do anything that can't be done on a cell phone or computer, sucking the system for every possible benefit they can get for nothing, etc., etc.
I personally believe that most of what you are seeing is fear that the "suck" is coming to an end.
They are the reason that this country is in the position it is in. You cannot support this volume of society and its suck. They are the reason we are going to go under eventually.
Give them constructive jobs - like picking up trash on the highways before paying them to do nothing.
Some comments about how they cannot support ICE and the removal of illegal migrants, and especially those who already have violent track records would be helpful.
How about some bashing of those actually paying these folks to create havoc and call for them to cut off the funding (more free stuff) in every major city.
I am too old to consider moving out of the country but have suggested it to younger folks close to me. My current thought is "Thank God that I probably only have a few years left to enjoy this current less than wonderful country".
It is sad that many of my friends feel the same disappointment. We’re waiting it out, being grateful that there is something left for which to be grateful.
Maybe some of those looking for easy work could help by sending out W-2s to the paid protesters. I doubt that has been done before. I wonder if some of the politicians that have attended the protests aren't also paid. Good way to get around campaign laws.
Mr. K, Well, there are two Americas: Third World America comprised of about 50 third-world cities run almost exclusively by Democrats; and, First World America comprised of the suburbs and small town/rural areas. If younger folks can live outside the cities, they should be okay.
The problem I see is the same one Bill O'Reilly has pointed out in the past: lots of these cocooned/sheltered women in the suburbs who like to shout about how they love all the illegal immigrants and the little black and brown people in the U.S. third-world cities. It's derisively known by conservatives as "virtue signaling." It is despicable hypocrisy because if you asked these harpies if they would accept illegal immigrants moving into their suburban neighborhoods or public ("affordable') housing placed in their suburban neighborhoods, they would scream bloody murder. In other words, these women love all these folks--from afar--i.e., as long as they keep their distance.
Gas under 2 bucks, inflation down to under 3 %, gdp over 5% taxes at their lowest in decades. Maduro gone from Venezuela. Border secure. Illegal felon, rapist, murderers,pedophiles and gang bangers gone. Trillions of dollar investments into America. Wages going up and most prices stationary. People with ira’s and retirement plans accumulating wealth. What the hell’s not to like. He isnt the perfect man but neither are you Bill. I for one am liking what I see.
While Bongo Bill won't admit it, he is firmly in the TDS camp.
Headline! Americans and I live in fear! They might get shot while attempting to run over and ice agent.
BOB, You have most of it right but I'm worried it's all nothing but a smoke screen to cover up the demise of the American system...the US will continue to exist into the future but not under the same freedoms and conditions that we all Americans are use to.
Mark, your right and we all know this can only end badly. Buying gold and silver is the only saftey net I see but somewhere down the road is the reckoning.
Maybe you missed the fact that the pedos who were caught up in the Epstein blackmail operation are still out there, except the government won't reveal their names or investigate who was behind the honey pot operation.
Cartero, in case you missed it we are not talking about Epstein here. There is way more to all that case then you or I will ever know.
Clinton did not show up for questioning, perhaps he feels his involvement with Epstein falls under presidential duties. Like learning how to train interns.
You stated the pedos were gone. I thought I missed a news story that all those pedos involved in the Epstein blackmail operation had been arrested. I guess you may have been talking about other pedos?
There is a third camp: the middle. They have been rendered mute/ineffective by the extremes of both parties and the money that invests in those extremes. The middle needs to get back in the game…not sure how that happens given the polarity in the country. Perhaps as the pendulum, which swung right in opposition to wokeness and ineptness, will hit the middle before it proceeds to “the warmth of collectivism” (God help us).
Per Gallup as reported today in John Ellis’ excellent Substack: “A record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025, surpassing the 43% measured in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, equal shares of U.S. adults — 27% each — identified as either Democrats or Republicans”
Ol' Smithy I so wish you were right. Unfortunately, this ol' man sees the only thing lying ahead is a crash of epic portions. The right/left or conservative/liberal or peace/war or whatever else separates us Americans so dramatically can only be undone by a complete and utter collapse. And, as the World continues to turn away from the U.S. and find alternate paths, the U.S. loses. We need the products of other countries - the U.S. is far, far from being self-sufficient and sanctions, tariffs, nor threats of war encourage others to trade with us. Currently, the only thing keeping America afloat is the amount of US$ floating around the world but this is losing its attraction and power. As for wars, the U.S. is good for maybe two (2) weeks then logistics fail. I don't see any way out but a complete collapse. Again, an ol' man muttering...........
Just added something I found after posting here. The problem with independents is that in many (most?) states, they have no voice in the primaries…
I find myself in that "Middle" group. I voted against Kamala Harris and the wokness the democrats were continuing to hawk in the election process. My hopes were a Trump likeness to Argentinas Mila but seems like we got a Trump full of bloviation and full of himself. My brother in law told me that while Trump was building the Atlantic city Trump casino which I think was in the 80's Trump stiffed a lot of little guy contractors out of money for work the did on completing the casino. A lot of local contractors were never paid for labor and materials they provided under contract.. bankruptcy had been Trump's best business partner over the years. If the democrats would have run someone better my vote may have gone that way. Trump was just the least of two evils at the time but has shown his colors in his actions. I think of myself as an independent thinker and voter and with what's on both sides of the isle I don't care for either side. Off to Costa Rica I go.
Where pray tell in Costa Rica?
Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco'.
Nice down that way. Have property up in the Tamarindo area. Getting too crowd and over-built now. Do like the weather on the coast though.
Ditto
And independents rarely win - just no base and no corporate backing. As radical as the political leans are it is hard to see how this ends without a disaster.
I think that those who become independents do so to avoid the burden of defending right or left.
None of the democrats did in the last presidential primary. The candidate with the most votes was not allowed to run by their leaders.
oh geeze your still spewing your bullshit - you make zero sense and we guess just love to hear yourself as if what you offer matters - what a joke
I hate for you to be right but I am afraid you may be.
Trust me on this, Tom - I don't want to be right either. I am rapidly approaching my ninth decade and don't need what lies ahead. I think for us ol' folks is going to be horrific. I just don't see any other way.
Unfortunately, I agree. Sad, but true.
Ol' Man...You still holding on to your prediction of economic calamity by the end of this year?
On Jan 2nd you wrote: "...believing the media and a delusional narcissist like Trump has a clue of how to help America gets its house in order is just so sad. Hope you have a Great 2026! By the mid-term, it is going to be horrific" (from your post above, clearly "horrific" is your preferred word)
... it is sad that we had to resort to a narcissist to remedy the acts of a senile.
Even more sad because the senile was to remedy the acts of the narcissist...
“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions”.
The FED has never set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions.
The FED is a hot mess. And Powells reign has made it worse. Frankly. He should have been under investigation in Trumps first term.
I agree wholeheartedly that the Fed and Powell should have been investigated during Trump's first term, especially when they cut interest rates to 0% to .25% on 3/15/2020. That and massive money printing helped set the stage for more future inflation. The Fed's suppression of interest rates is helping to destroy the moral fiber of the US, disincentiving saving, encouraging reckless spending and creating bubbles that essentially benefit the wealthy classes.
Absolutely. The problem is (well there are many as you point out so I’ll just name one) that Congress doesn’t do their job, because they have zero incentive to reign in the FED. The FEDs Statuatory mandate is stable prices. Translated to language a Normie could understand, that means zero. Congress has never forced them to follow the law.
And if course, why would they. Via insider trading and other mechanisms they also benefit from the Cantillon effect of the FEDs lose money policies.
The FED's real mandate is to protect the big banks at the taxpayers' expense. The other reasons are one of the best marketing slogans of all time! People are still buying it!
Most of the FED is PhD's that are book smart but have never experienced a significant financial downturn. (Also, they will never be able to relate to the "middle class")
The suppressed rates you mentioned, how could they have known the distortion they were causing.
The FED is the problem. A private monopoly started by master monopolists with the help of the NY Slimes lying in 1907. In 1913, they inked the deal.
The founders preached against central banks. AND centralized government. You keep the government local where they never get enough power that they cannot be smacked back in line by the locals.
Combine central banking and centralized government and allowing the national ownership of Banks and the press (another monopolization) and you get fake news and no competition. This means the organized crime family known as the deep state can do whatever they want.
Originally you had to own property and pay taxes to vote. That way the people who voted had skin in the game and determined how THEIR money was spent.
The moment they changed the rules from a republic to “our democracy”, by allowing one man one vote the end began because as soon as those who do not pay into the system realize they can steal from those who don’t, the democrat party gets born and the buying of votes with other peoples money began. Breathing is not a qualification for voting, it should be earned.
This never would have happened it they stuck to the plan made by some of the smartest humans ever to walk the earth.
It will go belly up. And then the same leaches that voted to fleece productive people will stupidly vote for more free stuff promised by the democommies.
Then the real darkness similar to Argenta will over shadow America for a very long time… at least 100 years.
These are mega cycles. The only difference between now and the past is there is no America to escape to.
IMO the two camps are minimally occupied.
The bulk of inhabitants to this analogy want neither but have no choice.
I always enjoy your missives and respect your point of view. What the last 4 years under Biden did to this country is a game changer, teat it down let the fourth turning be a significant redirection of the country. The millennials and Z’s will either platform this political change or go in a socialist direction. Financial competence in refurbishing the building should fall on the Fed. They shouldn’t be oblivious to basic spending of taxpayer money.
The most important for me is the immigration issue at hand. Living in South Texas for the last 20 years has made me (most recently) very sympathetic to immigrants who have been productive and great citizens. Trump’s policies need to be very specific as to who he is trying to remove from this country because the MSM WILL NOT report the truth.
My takeaway from Bill's excellent assessment of our nation's divide: Our government's "checks and balances" are too fragile to restrain the Executive.
My forecast: Trump will be impeached for the third time by the House but acquitted by the Senate
Another dumpster dive from Bongo Bill. He laments about drug smugglers "especially when they cling helplessly to the wreckage of their boat" as if the first strike wasn't meant to kill them. But I can understand the concern on Bongo Bill's part as he clings helplessly to any coherent rational thought process he might still have! He sets up the strawman that the populace is divided into irrational anti-Trump and pro-Trump camps, while he is firmly in the center as an honest, impartial observer. What a crock. There are enough distortions and half-truths in his column to warrant several paragraphs of rebuttal at a minimum. But I don't have that much time to waste.
While diving in tbe dumpster please do some research into Trump's pardon of ex Honduran president Hernández who had been convicted for moving over 400 tons of cocaine into the US. Trump says it was a Biden politically motivated prosecution. However, the prosecution was ongoing during the first Trump term and here's a little something from Univsion 8/19/2019 -"Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was identified Friday as a co-conspirator in a drug trafficking and money laundering case against his brother, according to document filed in U.S. district court."
So while some people may celebrate the killings of small time suspected drug smugglers a big time trafficker was given his freedom. In fact retired DEA Mike Vigil said Hernández was bigger than Pablo Escobar and El Chapo.
...but Trump now has allies in Honduras, whereas without the pardon things would have turned in disfavor to Trump.
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Trump; there is no right or wrong, good or bad.
... only go with it and prosper or be eaten.
Yes, Cartero, I will stop everything I'm doing and do some research just for you! We all know you're a Trump hater and, like Bongo Bill, will focus only on the negative when it comes to Trump and present info that is one-sided and most likely out of context. By the way, it is not a matter of "celebrating" the killings of the drug smugglers. These people are part of a drug network that kills people.
Sorry. I replied down below. Basically why dodge the question by attributing it to a Trump hater taking things out of context. The facts are the facts - Donnie pardoned a big time drug trafficker and the document was filed in a US District Court during the first Trump administration. But just for your info, I'm not on either team and I think all four presidents this century were mediocre corrupt lying politicians. The scum rises to the top. At least I didn't change my opinion of Trump like JD Vance did. Check this out -Vance stated he went "back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon... or that he’s America’s Hitler".
Cartero, it's not that I'm trying to dodge your question as much as it is that I have zero interest in what you have to say, and even less time.
Sorry for bothering you. I just find it amazing that there are so many people in tbe country who support Trump's policy if blowing up small boats but have no problem with his pardon of not only a big league drug trafficker but several other criminals convicted of laundering drug money.
I don't know anything about the "big league drug trafficker" or the other criminals you allude to. The internet is full of BS. I'm sure there are counter arguments to your accusations. I'm just not going to spend my life going down every rabbit hole and accusation against Trump like all the BS the Democrats have accused him of and continue to accuse him of. In any event, I see the two events as mutually exclusive with absolutely no connection to one another.
...gee Cartero...
I agree with a lot of what you wrote.
However, to state Trump is mediocre?
You make it clear you do not favor him.
But I don't think even you can put him in the mediocre column.
The fact your rants often focus on him is telling.
He is exceptional, if not exceptionally disliked...
Exceptional in what areas? During his first term the national debt increased by about $7.8 trillion. Last year the national debt increased by around $2.4 trillion. He always did say he was the king of debt and he's exceptional at it. In which areas do you find him exceptional?
...Trump is exceptional hornswoggling folks into believing he is an economic conservative for one.
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Trump is exceptional at shaking the globe... or did you not notice?
Some of it exceptionally good!
...some of it exceptionally not so good.
But definitely not mediocre...
BB you are so full of crap I don’t know how your brain functions. Your anti-Trump and anti-Israel rhetoric is well documented. My feeling is that the Federal reserve should be closed. They function as a department to protect the banking system. Interest rates should be a functioning of the free market. Other wasteful departments include the dept of energy and dept of education among others. You also say nothing about Trump helping the Iranians; much more than Obama did during his administration. This uprising in Iran could change the complete Middle East; it could result in less terrorism throughout the world which is sponsored by the Ayatollah Iranian regime. Take a strong laxative; maybe you will be able to think clearer.
Abe, as I recall from a little history that the federal reserve was set up by bankers . Not You and Me and the USA government gave its blessings. May be wrong as My memory does seem to fade over time.
Don
You are correct. It was done by bankers to protect bankers
Abe
Good point. Bongo Bill is full of sh*t.
I don’t love Trump but I don’t suffer from TDS either. He has at the very least exposed the Democrats and the Left for what they are: deranged, unhinged, evil and totally out of their depth on virtually all issues and yet want to control your life from the womb to your grave. And, at this point despite his obvious flaws which you well articulate he is by far the better alternative to the other mob.
Exactly!
Biden, Democrats, leftists, liberals and their loonies were Public Enemy #1.
I vote for Trump each time as opposed to the others, yet for me he is Public Embarrassment #1.
The degradation of the American political system is now a reality tv show.
Maybe it's time to join the "Vote for Nobody" party. Nobody will listen to you! Nobody will reduce the national debt! Nobody will investigate the Epstein blackmail operation!
I thought I was paying for a financial news letter???
PS: When are you going to answer my question that Buffet’s 33% in cash is too much, but your 40% isn’t? Fortunately I’m 1% in cash.
My 1 year rate of return is 88%. With 40% cash at 12% it would likely be 60%…no I didn’t do the math, but 60% is close. What’s your 1 year rate of return?
Beautifully expressed Bill!
I guess the cultists who worship the guy don’t believe in the Golden Rule!
Bill, I agree with your post but I would like it much more if you remove a slight antisemitic smell. From some other articles too.
...slight?