Andy1

If both the far left and the far right are upset with Pope Leo, then he is probably doing his job well.

It’s taken me a few rereads to see what you are getting at about the socialism comment. Every time dems propose modest tax increase, increases in fuel efficiency standards, health care, or just about any progressive social policy, the immediate reaction by the right is to scream socialism/communism. Now Trump (the guy with the golden toilet) is imposing the largest tax increase in history, telling Americans they should be happy with less, and all we hear is crickets from the right. I totally agree with how progressive tariffs would and have differed from the moronic Trump approach. The Trump tariffs are on everything and everywhere, and that means they are really not about anything they claim. The reason for them is not about trade deficits since they apply to countries we have trade surpluses with. There is no national trade deficit emergency, which is what Trump declared, since we have had trade deficits for 50 years. They are not about curbing fentanyl (the justification originally used) since they apply to all countries. It’s not about returning jobs to America since they apply to everything, including products or food items we will never produce here. If it were about helping American companies, there would be stated policies, gradual implementation with predictability so business could plan and adapt and incentives would be offered. None of that applies. So by default, it’s about something they can’t say. And that answer is likely the greed for wealth and power of a megalomaniac and corporate greed of the oligarchs. Everything else is distraction for justification of their actions. They can’t lie about the economy though. When store shelves are empty and prices are stupid high, people will know why. Companies will show the Trump tax on their invoices. Trump has put himself in quite a box of his own making. The pressure is on to deliver amazing trade deals. Otherwise he, his party and his economy will be a colossal failure. The extreme Trump agenda may be what brings a future public backlash favoring more social democratic policies and anti corruption legislation.

So Trump now taps into Fox entertainment for yet another key position. He just can’t get enough of Fox in his administration as he hires only the finest, most qualified people. This just shows that you can get just about any job in government working for Donald if you first get your training at Fox.

There's a lot of truth to this. If it wasn't so hard or took so long I'm sure more people would do it legally. 20 yrs ago, it was at least 10 years to get family members here legally, even if they were financially sponsored by an American citizen. That is ridiculous and a sign that the system is completely broken. Before, Republicans always said that legal immigration can’t be fixed until illegal immigration across the border is stopped. Well, that time is now. Fact is, America needs a lot of legal immigrants to do alot of jobs Americans won’t do. A lot of jobs just need bodies we don’t have to do them. Instead, Trump and Republicans doesn’t want legal immigrants either.

I hope I’m wrong but in the coming months, I fully expect Trump to insult, mock or demean Pope Leo. Trump will call it a joke or claim it is not an insult as he usually does. Trump will feel the need to knock the new Pope down a notch. A man on the world stage who draws bigger crowds and more admiration than him; and who speaks a message of love for others and who criticizes or opposes any of Trumps actions will drive him nuts. Interesting choice by the cardinals.

That article is 100% right. There is no longer a Free market. Instead Trump is using his power to determine winners and losers in his economy. The tariffs are whatever he wants without the logic of policy behind them. All based on the phony rationale of a national emergency.

This is quite an interesting thread with the discussion on theology and history of the churches practices, etc. Sounds like most of us, myself included, have a Catholic background regardless of which side of the political spectrum we are on. We all may be looking at each other in the church pews. I just hope the Cardinals choose someone who can continue to speak truth to politicians and be a voice for peace, democracy and advocate for the poor, homeless and disadvantaged across the globe. Carry on chaps…

Here is a good description of the impact of the Trump tax on an American company. This is just one example that you can multiply by thousands of impacts on similar businesses. Either the Chinese companies will sell product since they will be able to undercut American business on price or Chinese manufacturers will end up buying out the American brands as they sink in the Trump economy. Then China will own the brand and the manufacturing.

This Trump stunt is typical for our psycho president. He always attacks and defiles what others revere. He attacks John McCain as a loser, POWs are losers, he insults pastors, he calls military generals idiots, he mocks disabled people, he mocks Gold Star parents, he says experts are idiots, he doesn’t put his hand on the Bible for his inauguration, and now he mocks the Pope. He does all of this because of his psychological need to prove he is superior to everyone else. It comes from his damaged psyche and broken brain. If he insults and defiles what society respects, reveres and loves, he sullys his target and he gains power in his mind. He forces his supporters to choose who they revere more - Trump or his target. They almost always choose him, so their devotion to him grows as they can’t criticize his actions. … Just my opinion…

This is all a bit weird. Singing the beautiful Amazing Grace over Trump as he is impatiently waiting for it to be over. All this for a dope who wouldn’t put his hand on the Bible at his inauguration. I wonder what he is thinking as they are all singing around him.

Port of LA web cams https://www.portoflosangeles.org/news/livestream

And/or…. You will be happy working in a factory or a great coal mine!

Yes, because that was inflation, and everyone understood it was a combination of pent up desire to spend with international supply chain disruptions due to Covid. That happened all over the world with the US being better than many nations. Prices rising now are completely due to Trumps tax when he was hired by a majority of Americans to reduce prices for the average family.

I think the reports I’ve seen say an average increase in costs for a family of 3-5k per year. I haven’t seen any concrete proposals for reduction of taxes.

Agree based upon covid times. Wearing a mask is a slight inconvenience and remember the defiant opposition by many to that. Sacrificing thousands of dollars each year for the Trump tax is an exponentially higher level of sacrifice that is being mandated.

This is such a complicated topic. To me it seems to be a failure of parenting, education system and society. American society glamorizes athletes and entertainers but ignores or belittles academic achievement. Glitz and glam sells so that is what our culture is about. Parents and kids are brainwashed by Tiktok, etc. Tech companies impose their algorithms on us, shaping our society, with no regulation by the government. People now have the attention span of a flea. If information can’t be presented in 10 seconds, brains shut down. We need public service announcements on parenting like the no smoking campaign of old.

So Trump claimed he got 200 trade deals done. Poor Bessent has to go on tv explaining they are actually “sub deals”. 🤨 I’m pretty sure I have a sub deal done to buy a new car at my below invoice asking price. I’m not going to get ripped off by those dealers.

Do laws matter? Which ones must be followed by whom? At least it was encouraging to see Menendez, Dem from NJ, prosecuted for corruption by the DOJ under Biden. Would DOJ under Trump do similar? I doubt it. I’m sure there is plenty of corruption to find if they look for it.

All the psychotherapy by tv analysts directed to Shedur is over the top. The kid has had every advantage he could get up to this point. No one is crying tears for all the other players, who have struggled from much harder backgrounds, who are still waiting to hear their name called. Whatever happens, Shedur is probably set for life, unlike so many others.

The x.com article below from April 6th is a great explanation of why Trump tariffs won’t work. Some stuff has changed since he wrote this but principles still apply.

What we are watching is the incompetency of authoritarian style leadership. Boss wants tariffs so everyone must get in line and talk the talk. Ignore the economic experts because they disagree with the boss. There is no public policy behind the reason for the tariffs. No one knows what the hell it’s all about. First it’s fentanyl, then it’s the deficit, then we are going to become factory world, it’s on everything from every country, etc. It’s all just whatever the boss wants and who pays him off. He is literally just making it up from day to day based on the mood of the day. On, off, on, national emergency, countries dying to make deals, still don’t see any deals, Japan tried to negotiate but they couldn’t get an answer on what the administration wanted so talks stopped. Trump doesn’t have a clue and everyone around him are afraid to do or say anything that isn’t what he wants because no one knows what that is because there is no policy. Corruption and incompetency.

I’d love for someone to explain to me why Trump is like a giant magnet for anyone who has been to Russia. In other administrations, the only staffer with Russian connections might be the ambassador. With Trump they are like flies on a bologna sandwich. It’s like visiting Moscow is the last part of training to be selected as “only the best and brightest” by Donald.

Agree. Sounds like words from someone incapable of empathy. The cameras will be there so he will be happy.

Trump has a history of promoting inexperienced, unqualified people to high level positions because he knows they will be loyal to him. They don’t have the wisdom gained by age or experience to form principles of integrity. He knows he can manipulate them to do things other more experienced people wouldn’t do.