Trump’s Day One: A Bold Agenda to Reclaim America
This is the top law enforcement officer in the country actually telling the American people that a federal judge has no right to do what the Constitution of the United States obligates that judge to do. The Trump administration is at war with the rule of law. Well done maga.
https://x.com/WalshFreedom/status/1902478010730639468
Even the way this woman speaks is bizarre. A complete sycophant. The real question is does maga simply not understand the Constitution or do they just believe it's optional?Fox: "The Fed lowered its economic growth forecast and raised its inflation forecast, signaling concerns about potential stagflation. Uncertainty is back in the markets, the Dow is down 200 points, the Nasdaq down nearly 142...'
"I do think with the arrival of the tariff inflation, further progress may be delayed," Powell said.
I know I know this is what you voted for!! " Tariff inflation" just what we've been waiting for!More of trump reclaiming America? More of what you voted for?
U.S. Turned Away French Scientist Over Views on Trump Policies, France Says..
The French authorities said the academic had been traveling to a conference near Houston when border officials blocked his entry because of conversations found on his phone.
A French scientist was prevented from entering the United States this month because of an opinion he expressed about the Trump administration’s policies on academic research, according to the French government.
Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister for higher education and research, described the move as worrying.
“Freedom of opinion, free research and academic freedom are values we will continue to proudly uphold,” Mr. Baptiste said in a statement. “I will defend the possibility for all French researchers to be faithful to them, in compliance with the law, wherever they may be in the world.”
The U.S. authorities denied entry to the scientist and then deported him because his phone contained message exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed his “personal opinion” on the Trump administration’s science policies, Mr. Baptiste said.
Wow. This bunch is really incredible. How long before this starts happening with citizens?
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/worl … sages.htmlWhen you checked out this story did you come across the US response to the French spokesman's claims:
"The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory — in violation of a non-disclosure agreement — something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal,” she said."
GAWell the plot thickens, curious to see how the French government responds to these accusations
"The scientist was working for France’s publicly funded National Center for Scientific Research. Representatives for the center said that he did not wish to speak to the media, but they did not immediately respond to the Department of Homeland Security’s allegations against him."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/worl … trump.htmlThe NYT paywall stops me from responding to it, but . . .
.
I had heard a blurb about this issue that included the Los Almos statement but didn't catch its context until your post. So, the headline and claim sounded bogus.
In follow-up, in almost all sources checked, the only 'detail' referred to was the Baptiste statement. Since there aren't any 'facts', yet, beyond that statement, everyone is writing the same story. Even Snopes couldn't fact-check it.
GA
Kudos—I hadn’t caught that little gem. The media really flipped this one on its head. It’s getting harder and harder to keep up with all the reports being twisted into a tangled mess.
Where did this response come from? I read the entire article and have not come across it?
https://www.thetimes.com/article/french … hatgpt.com
"However, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the scientist’s deportation had nothing to do with his political beliefs.
“The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory — in violation of a non-disclosure agreement — something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal,” McLaughlin said.
“Any claim that his removal was based on political beliefs is blatantly false,” she added.
The Los Alamos facility, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a nuclear research centre where scientists developed the first atomic bomb in the 1940s.
The scientist was told he would be investigated by the FBI for possible links to terrorism. His equipment was confiscated and he was put on a plane back to France the following day."
Yikes the name of a human being --- a quote! REFRESHING!She's a spokesperson for the administration though... We know how the Trump administration folks like to play fast and loose with facts. I would expect corroboration on this.
Your claim needs a strong counter because it presents a one-sided narrative while making broad, fear-inducing assumptions. First, the article provides no details on the scientist’s politics, his exact statements, or any security concerns that may have been associated with his entry denial. It also frames the situation as a case of suppression of free thought without evidence that his comments alone were the determining factor.
Let’s be clear: the United States, like any sovereign nation, has the right to determine who enters its borders. If this scientist was denied entry, we should ask whether it was strictly due to his opinions on Trump’s policies or if there was another factor involved. The U.S. denies entry for a range of reasons, including visa violations, security concerns, or past travel history. Was he using the correct visa for the conference? Had he overstayed a visa in the past? These are critical questions that are left unanswered.
Beyond this, let’s talk about the framing in the comment: “More of what you voted for?” Absolutely. We, as Americans, elected Trump with a mandate to enforce border security, uphold American interests, and ensure that those entering the country do not pose a risk—whether ideological, security-related, or otherwise. The suggestion that this is some kind of creeping authoritarianism ignores the fact that border security under previous administrations—including Obama’s—also saw cases of individuals being turned away for various reasons.
And let’s flip the script for a moment. If the Biden administration had turned away a scientist for being critical of his policies, would the same outrage exist? Or would it be dismissed as a routine border enforcement measure?
The core issue here is trust. Americans voted for Trump because they believed he would take control of policies that had become weak, enforce immigration laws, and ensure that foreign nationals do not have free rein to enter the country under any pretense. This kind of selective outrage is designed to provoke fear, but the reality is that the U.S. government has broad discretion over who it admits—just like France does. Would France tolerate a scientist who had made strong statements against Macron’s policies? Probably not without scrutiny.
Let’s also not forget that many foreign academics lean politically left and have historically been critical of Trump. Was this scientist involved in activism? Had he been working against U.S. policies in a way that raised red flags? Until those questions are answered, this story remains incomplete and highly slanted.
Here is what is being reported --- The French scientist in question, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, is affiliated with France's National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and specializes in the space sector. On March 9, 2025, he arrived in Texas to attend a conference near Houston, likely the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held from March 10 to 14.
ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE
During a routine inspection at the airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers examined his electronic devices and discovered private messages criticizing President Donald Trump's administration's research policies. These messages were reportedly interpreted by officials as expressing "hatred towards Trump" and potentially qualifying as "terrorism." Subsequently, the scientist was detained, an FBI inquiry was briefly opened and then closed, and he was deported back to France the following day.
TRUTHOUT"If the Biden administration had turned away a scientist for being critical of his policies, would the same outrage exist? Or would it be dismissed as a routine border enforcement measure?
I absolutely, 100%, without a doubt what harshly criticize any administration taking this action. This is an authoritarian move . A French scientist's phone today turns into my phone tomorrow... We are back to the freedom of speech argument. I don't believe in attacking speech just because you don't like it. It's interesting how so many on this forum have forgotten their arguments about free speech back in the day that Elon was taking over Twitter .
Yet now it is somehow not okay to criticize dear leader?Your view, I disagree totally, I think I made my case, and you have made yours.
Our current president was shot at once, and there was a second attempted assassination that missed. Given these circumstances, I think it is prudent to maintain a vigilant eye on who enters our nation. The ability to turn away individuals deemed subversive at the U.S. border is governed by immigration law, which grants border enforcement officials significant authority to determine who can enter the country. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the U.S. government can deny entry to foreign nationals based on security concerns, including individuals believed to be involved in activities that could threaten national security. This can include those engaged in espionage, sabotage, or advocating for the violent overthrow of the government. The law also allows for exclusion of individuals involved with terrorist organizations or who participate in terrorist activities. Historically, individuals associated with communism or totalitarian ideologies have also been subject to exclusion, though this is less emphasized today.
While border officials have broad discretion, any denial of entry must be grounded in specific legal criteria and must comply with constitutional protections like due process, giving individuals the opportunity to challenge such decisions. However, the definition of "subversive" can be subjective, and these decisions must be supported by clear evidence to avoid potential legal challenges. Balancing national security and individual rights can be contentious, and such actions are subject to legal review to ensure they do not infringe on constitutional rights.
Hopefully, we hear more in the coming days about this man, and why immigration found him a threat.
I fully realize subversive speech against our government is fine. I don't, and I hope this kind of freedom of speech is stopped --- it generally breeds hate, which I note daily in society. Something that has come about rather quickly over the last decade. Yeah, hate speech is not my cup of tea, and I hope to can be controlled."I hope this kind of freedom of speech is stopped --- "
WOW
Okay so it has been established that you are against free speech as defined by the Constitution.
Looks like you would have faced consequences for your speech about Biden then right?Your comment is hyperbolic, baiting, and frankly silly. I haven’t said anything about Biden that could be considered subversive. I’ve questioned his job performance in good faith, shared my views on his health and cognitive abilities, and always aimed to back up my opinions when criticizing Biden or his administration. I’ve been more than open with some people here, especially those I feel share similar views, and I’ve addressed those conversations directly, naming names and making it clear that I’m sharing my perspective. I understand that my communication style can be very straightforward, but I make a sincere effort to exercise my freedom of speech with some decorum. I don’t mince words or dance around issues with fluff.
I see your style of communicating at times just baiting and much of the time you divert. When cornered you fall on well-overused lines that attempt to bait. As the above comment. Insinuating you have established my interpretation of free speech... all kinds of silly
March 20 Promise kept --- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that the University of Maine System (UMS) has agreed to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep transgender athletes out of women's sports.
Well maybe he can classify transgenders as "Invaders" and deport them also?? One can only hope right?! The fact that localities cannot handle their little rec league sports teams is laughable. But maga loves big government overreach.
People have lost a significant amount of their retirement funds and the economy is in the shitter but please tell me more about five transgenders... LOOK HERE NOT THEREWhy so salty? President Trump was always clear about his plan to get biological men out of women's sports—promise kept. I guess you could say MAGA actually wants the government to step in when men competing in women's sports are putting females at a disadvantage (or worse, causing them harm). Funny how common sense is suddenly controversial. But hey, at least I can say I respect a president who acknowledges reality: there are two biological sexes, and one is fully capable of physically overpowering the other in sports.
And honestly, I will never understand how liberals can take a logical issue—or even a basic moral value—and flip it upside down into something that defies all common sense. What should be an obvious, intelligent standard in society somehow gets twisted into a battleground of nonsense.
Sorry if this sounds blunt, but it’s just the truth as I see it. It’s long past time for more people to speak up instead of constantly trying to placate. Appeasement hasn’t bridged the deep divide in this country—it’s only made it worse. Fence-sitting needs to end because all conservatives are getting from it is a sore backside.Smaller government means the federal government staying out of issues that can be handled at a local level, doesn't it?
On our way to a better nation--- President Trump says the U.S. is breaking records with the number of people wanting to join the military — a stark contrast from just six months ago.
Is patriotism on the rise?
"President Trump's assertion that the U.S. is breaking records with the number of people wanting to join the military reflects recent positive trends in military recruitment. After facing significant challenges in previous years, the Department of Defense reported a 12.5% increase in armed services recruitment from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024, with numbers rising from 200,000 to 225,000 recruits.
DEFENSE.GOV
The U.S. Army, in particular, exceeded its fiscal year 2024 recruiting goal by enlisting 55,150 active-duty soldiers, slightly surpassing its target of 55,000.
U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND
This marked improvement is notable compared to fiscal year 2023, when the Army recruited 50,181 active-duty soldiers, falling short of its goal of 65,500.
U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND
As of March 2025, recruitment efforts continue to show strength. The Army has already achieved 73% of its annual recruitment goal, and the Navy has sent 5,000 more sailors to boot camp than at the same point last year.
THX NEWS
The Air Force is also on track, with all components meeting or exceeding their recruitment targets for this time of year.
AIR & SPACE FORCES MAGAZINE
These developments indicate a significant turnaround in military recruitment, aligning with President Trump's statement about record-breaking interest in joining the military. "
One word sums up my view --- YEAH!"the Department of Defense reported a 12.5% increase in armed services recruitment from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024, with numbers rising from 200,000 to 225,000 recruits".
DEFENSE.GOV
That's under the Biden administration.
The U.S. Army made changes to boost recruitment during the Biden administration, including rolling out a prep course to help lower-performing recruits meet standards.
Military experts said it’s too early to say how President Donald Trump has or hasn’t influenced military recruitment six weeks into his term. The administration did not provide data to back the claim about what has happened under Trump.
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2 … joe-biden/Again silly --- Dear--- I posted the facts, some promising news--- period. I hold little basis when it comes to facts. You have a very big problem with deciphering context. I can assure you--- I don't leave out facts that might not suit my views or agenda. I in no respect made any claims that Trump was fully responsible for these stats... You have a real chip on your shoulder.
"These developments indicate a significant turnaround in military recruitment, aligning with President Trump's statement about record-breaking interest in joining the military. "
I see nothing in that statement that isn't truthful, aside from the facts and stats I provided. It must be awful to live with such a biased attitude, constantly searching for something negative where there is no evidence to support it. It's truly sad.
The S&P 500 heads for its 5th straight losing week....more winning. I know, more of what you voted for... And even more good news that we have more tariffs to look forward to... Hopefully that can wipe away whatever retirement savings people have left ?
Misinformation "The S&P 500 heads for its 5th straight losing week." Willow
AP The S&P 500 index ended this week with a slight gain, snapping a four-week losing streak.
How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 3/21/2025
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated 2:17 PM CST, March 21, 2025
Share
U.S. stocks shook off a weak start and ended slightly higher, enough to break a four-week losing streak.
The S&P 500 edged up 0.1% Friday after being down for most of the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.5%.
Stocks have been losing ground for weeks over uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. A trade war between the U.S. and its key trading partners threatens to worsen inflation and hurt both consumers and businesses.
Nike fell sharply as tariff and other concerns weighed on its financial forecasts.
On Friday:
The S&P 500 rose 4.67 points, or 0.1%, to 5,667.56.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 32.03 points, or 0.1%, to 41,985.35.
The Nasdaq composite rose 92.43 points, or 0.5%, to 17,784.05.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 11.65 points, or 0.6%, to 2,056.98.
https://apnews.com/article/wall-street- … 46b942b07e
And even more of what you voted for.. great news especially for those of you maybe building new homes..
"The week-to-week framing lumber composite price increased 0.4% on March 14, 2025, rising to $485 per 1,000 board feet. Amid swelling uncertainty about tariffs, the price of softwood lumber was the highest since June 2023. Lumber prices are currently 14.9% higher than they were one year ago."
https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics … ber-pricesOnce again knee deep in a complicated issue that you did little research on --- Stats and facts First what does year-over-year indicate---The year-over-year increase of 14.9% means that lumber prices have risen that much compared to the same date one year prior—March 14, 2024. So, the time period for the annual change is from March 14, 2024, to March 14, 2025.
The week-to-week increase of 0.4% refers to the change from the previous week, meaning it compares March 14, 2025, to March 7, 2025. A very small increase, now under Biden--- now your taken increase.
Year-over-year comparisons indicate how prices have changed over a 12-month period, in this case from March 14, 2024, to March 14, 2025. This metric is commonly used to track long-term trends, smoothing out short-term fluctuations. The 14.9% increase suggests that economic factors, supply chain conditions, and market demand over the past year have contributed to the rise.
Since this comparison covers a period beginning under the Biden administration, any policies or economic conditions affecting lumber prices during that time would have developed before March 2025. While tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and housing demand all play a role, this increase does not reflect any specific actions by Donald Trump, as he was not in office for most of that timeframe.
It just seems Biden never addressed problems as they occurred, he just ignored them.
Maga is seriously anti-free speech, really against the Constitution. All that talk about patriotism and loving the Constitution was just complete nonsense.
"Georgetown Law School’s dean on Thursday rebuffed an unusual warning from the top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C., that his office won’t hire the private school’s students if it doesn’t eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Dean William Treanor told acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin that the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating what Georgetown’s faculty teach or how to teach it.
“Given the First Amendment’s protection of a university’s freedom to determine its own curriculum and how to deliver it, the constitutional violation behind this threat is clear, as is the attack on the University’s mission as a Jesuit and Catholic institution,” Treanor wrote in a letter addressed to Martin.
In a letter dated Feb. 17 but emailed to the dean on March 3, Martin said a whistleblower informed him that Georgetown Law School “continues to promote and teach DEI.”
“This is unacceptable,” he wrote.
Martin warned the dean that his office wouldn’t consider any Georgetown law students for jobs, summer internships or fellowships until his “letter of inquiry” about DEI programs is resolved.
My god, what is wrong with these people?
https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-ge … ca6967fe9dYes, my God what is wrong with this dean? I would love to share--- but it would be so insulting most likely get me in some hot water.
It's fascinating that the claim of “anti-free speech” and being “against the Constitution” is being thrown around, especially when the issue at hand isn’t about free speech at all, but about who controls hiring practices and what values those hiring decisions reflect. The U.S. Attorney’s office simply exercised its right to make decisions about who it hires—something every organization has the authority to do. Private employers—including government agencies—don’t have to hire from any particular school, and they certainly don’t have to hire someone whose values don’t align with theirs. In this case, the U.S. Attorney’s office doesn’t agree with Georgetown’s focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and has chosen to make hiring decisions based on that. This has absolutely nothing to do with free speech.
Let’s talk about the Constitution for a moment. The First Amendment certainly protects free speech, but it doesn’t protect the right of any institution to force its ideology on others, especially when it comes to things like government employment. The government has a legitimate interest in hiring employees who align with its goals, and if a law school’s programs or curriculum don’t align with those goals, it has the right to make hiring decisions accordingly. Georgetown Law is still free to teach whatever it wants, but the government doesn’t have to hire its students if their values conflict. That’s not an attack on free speech or the First Amendment—it’s basic common sense about how institutions operate within a democratic society.
Now, about the argument that this is an attack on Georgetown as a Jesuit and Catholic institution—that’s another layer of inconsistency. Catholic institutions have long faced pressure to abandon their religious and moral values to comply with secular pressures, especially when it comes to issues like gender ideology or abortion. This very same crowd making noise about “attacks” on religious freedom often praises and supports policies that force religious institutions to bend to secular values. But now that a government agency has made a hiring decision based on its own values, suddenly, we’re supposed to pretend that this is an unthinkable violation of religious rights?
Lastly, it’s worth noting the double standard in play here. When conservative voices are excluded from universities or when conservative students face discrimination for their beliefs, there’s no outcry. But the minute a government agency decides it doesn’t want to hire students from a school promoting certain policies, the Constitution is invoked as if it’s being trampled on. Let’s be honest: this isn’t about free speech or the Constitution; it’s about who gets to control the narrative and whose values dominate public institutions. And when conservative figures start to stand up for their values, suddenly, the Constitution is in jeopardy? It’s time to apply some common sense here.
DEI is pretty much just another failed ideology, that was not accepted by many.You can stand up for your values without bullying private institutions. Do you realize that you have made a case for it being perfectly okay for the government to tell an institution to drop certain policies or change its curriculum to suit the needs of that government? And if they don't, that their graduates will not be hired. You just said that that's okay. So much for small government
The government has a legitimate interest in hiring employees who align with its goals, and if a law school’s programs or curriculum don’t align with those goals, it has the right to make hiring decisions accordingly.
I expect equal opportunity in hiring especially from the government since my tax money pays for its very existence. The agencies I worked for hired based on education, experience and kept their ideological biases and preferences off of the table. I just thought that I should clear that upI completely agree with the importance of hiring based on education, experience, and merit, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved in funding government agencies. What I’m getting at, however, is that today there's often a lack of outcry when conservative students or voices are marginalized in university settings, even though the principle of equal opportunity should apply in those cases too. It seems that when certain groups or ideologies face exclusion, the narrative often shifts away from fairness and towards personal beliefs—whether on the left or right. My point is, that we should strive for a system where ideological biases don’t play a role in hiring decisions across the board, not just when it’s convenient or when it impacts a specific group.
To divert a bit, there is always going to be a disconnect between conservatism and higher education, it is a given.
We have what is the combination of youth, inquiry and discovery, as opposed to the status quo. Conservatism is contrary to the idea of critically questioning what you are told.
Dick and Jane primers we move beyond and begin to ask questions and get the stories from those whose voices were never previously heard contrary to "George Washington cuts down the cherry tree" or "How the West was Won"
Students question and challenge traditional values as being relevant in a changing world from what they were always told. I did with classes on indigenous people, Hispanics, African-American studies and women's studies perspectives. A period where revisionist views were just beginning to come into their own. Perspectives that Trump currently wants to eliminate from education as "woke". Perspectives that I would have never learned under conservatives "keep to the script" approach.
Sorry, to meander from the current path of the thread.
Trump is somewhat like a steamroller ---
In his second term, President Trump has made significant strides both domestically and internationally, continuing to fulfill his promises. Domestically, he has focused on securing the U.S. border, achieving historic lows in illegal immigration, and deporting dangerous migrant criminals. His administration has expanded the border wall and implemented stronger enforcement policies, working to ensure safety and security for American communities. Trump is also working on a comprehensive budget bill that addresses crucial issues, including tax relief for middle-class Americans, investments in infrastructure, and cuts to wasteful government spending. His economic plan includes new tariffs to promote domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on foreign products, and encourage job creation. On education, Trump has made strides in expanding school choice, supporting charter schools, and ensuring better funding for schools in disadvantaged areas, giving parents more control over their children's education.
Internationally, Trump has been active in securing the release of American hostages, including negotiating with the Taliban for the release of a U.S. citizen, demonstrating his commitment to protecting American citizens abroad. He has also worked on reducing crime and supporting law enforcement in the U.S., providing the resources needed to combat gang violence and terrorism while cracking down on illegal firearms trafficking. Trump’s administration continues to focus on improving healthcare and veterans’ services, ensuring that veterans receive the care they deserve and working to lower healthcare costs for American families.
On the opioid crisis, Trump has taken decisive action to reduce drug trafficking and expand addiction treatment options, focusing on controlling the flow of fentanyl and supporting recovery programs. In energy, Trump has continued to prioritize U.S. energy independence by lifting regulations that hindered energy production, while also investing in clean energy technology to ensure a sustainable future. His administration is also actively working to reduce America’s involvement in foreign conflicts, with a strong focus on bringing U.S. troops home from overseas. This includes his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, where Trump is using his diplomatic experience to encourage peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He has pushed for a fair and lasting resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of reducing military involvement and prioritizing negotiations for peace.
In an innovative move, President Trump appointed Elon Musk to head up the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk’s leadership in this role is aimed at streamlining government operations, reducing bureaucracy, and fostering greater technological innovation within federal agencies. With Musk’s expertise in engineering, technology, and efficiency, this department seeks to apply private-sector strategies to improve government functions, making them more responsive, cost-effective, and modernized for the 21st century.
In summary, President Trump’s second term has been marked by bold action on a range of critical issues, from securing the border and reducing crime to reforming education and tackling the opioid crisis. His efforts to end the war in Ukraine, improve economic conditions, secure American interests globally, and implement efficiency reforms with the appointment of Elon Musk to DOGE reflect his ongoing commitment to the promises made in his first term.Can't forget he has stamped out DEI...Recused our stuck astronauts--- Gosh, I just know I have forgotten to add tons. Does he ever let any problem slip by?
Making America Great Again--- and quickYou have absolutely got to be kidding. None of what you mentioned is even a faint reality.
what program has expanded addiction treatment?
Which border policy or immigration action has he taken that isn't in court right now? None.
Tax relief for the middle class!? His tax plan favors those at the very top in terms of income. I haven't seen one credible analysis that says otherwise.
investments in infrastructure? do you mean like this? Putting his name on a project that was made possible by Biden's infrastructure act??
Improving services in healthcare for veterans? I guess you missed the veterans March in Washington last week... The cuts to the VA are hitting home. I have specifically mentioned several programs in the Doge thread that have been axed.
Improved energy production by lifting regulations.... Can you tell us more about those regulations and their impact to our air and water? Actually I believe a judge just put a pause on those ... Thank God. Again, I posted those regulation cuts in the Doge thread and specifically talked about "cancer alley" in Louisiana. You mentioned an investment in clean energy, what is that??
"Trump has made strides in expanding school choice, supporting charter schools, and ensuring better funding for schools in disadvantaged areas, giving parents more control over their children's education.
Absolutely none of that is true. And there are no programs for expanding school choice or charter schools. How does dismantling the Department of Education give parents more control over their child's education?
Also, DEI isn't the Boogeyman you think it is. Stamping out photos and history of black brown and indigenous people is not a positive accomplishment. Maga continually twists DEI into something it is not. Do you ever wonder why they want you to believe mistruths about DEI?
He has wrecked an economy that was continually trending upward under Biden.
That's why the protests are growing daily and Republicans have to hide from their constituents... There is nothing great or prosperous about the current state of the country.I’m not here to defend the long list of what Trump has accomplished to you. To be honest, I’m not trying to educate or lecture anyone. I will be honest, I ignored the long line you listed. I take the time to point out what I believe to be facts, share my perspective, and, yes, I’m aware it might irritate some with the truth. But I will answer the first question you asked.
"You have absolutely got to be kidding. None of what you mentioned is even a faint reality.
what program has expanded addiction treatment?" Willow
"Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis"
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. renewed the public health emergency declaration addressing our nation’s opioid crisis, which will allow sustained federal coordination efforts and preserve key flexibilities that enable HHS to continue leveraging expanded authorities to conduct certain activities in response to the opioid overdose crisis.
“Although overdose deaths are starting to decline, opioid-involved overdoses remain the leading cause of drug-related fatalities,” HHS Secretary Kennedy said. “This Administration is going to treat this urgent crisis in American health as the national security emergency that it is. Renewing the Opioid Public Health Emergency Declaration affirms the Administration’s commitment to addressing the opioid overdose crisis and is one of many critical steps we will take to Make America Healthy Again.”
The public health emergency, first declared under President Trump’s leadership in 2017, was set to expire on March 21, 2025. Today’s renewal extends the emergency for 90 days. The declaration of a public health emergency provides the Secretary with certain authorities necessary to respond to the emergency. The Department has relied on this declaration to facilitate voluntary information collections, expedite demonstration projects related to substance use disorder treatment, and expedite support for research on opioid use disorder treatments. These activities facilitate multi-level coordination across the public and private sector alike, which ultimately, will continue to save lives.'
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/secretar … hatgpt.com
I can assure you that everything I added to my comment is well-supported by factual information. It seems like you may not be fully considering the broader scope of the issues at hand. Instead, you might be relying on biased sources that provide limited facts and often offer little more than speculation without any solid quotes or evidence.You've made a lot of very broad general statements without any foundation. Trump has done VERY little since coming into office . Most of what he has tried to do has been stopped by the courts due to illegality.
But opioids? Come on. The reality is that many experts credit public health measures implemented by the Biden administration. Opioid-treatment medications such as buprenorphine, methadone and naloxone, also known as Narcan, are far more widely available now.
"Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid has also emerged as a leading source of insurance coverage for addiction treatment and healthcare related to street drug recovery. Some Republicans have proposed deep budget cuts that could impact Medicaid funding..."
Meanwhile, elon and trump have fired roughly 10 percent of federal workers focused on addiction at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
We have incompetent often downright crazy people running every area of government.
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-53 … y-overdose"We have incompetent often downright crazy people running every area of government. "
That we do. We see Oregonians, aghast at their drug problem, providing safe places and needles to shoot up with.
We see cries for legalization of hard drugs in states with a drug problem, keeping the addicts out of prison so they can extend their drug usage.
While Trump and conservatives in general work to limit drug usage, liberals cry about it and then encourage it. Incompetent and crazy people indeed.What about money for treatment programs for those who seek them? Instead of money for prison? Syringe services programs help protect communities by preventing infectious disease and they are a point that offers resources for those willing to take them. That's not a bad thing. Americans are going to do drugs regardless. In my opinion we're better off legalizing them. Our war on drugs has failed and making them legal would erase the enormous profit motive for trafficking and thus diminish crime and violence.
Yes, we spend great amounts for treatment. Of which I don't think even 10% is effective; as a method to fight drug usage it is a failure as it stands.
Sure thing that free, clean needles help prevent drug usage. Only a liberal would think that would work.
"Americans are going to do drugs regardless."
And there we have it: an excuse for failure and a reason to spend vast amounts of taxpayer dollars for zero return. It is the liberal way of thinking, for sure. But it is also interesting to hear that making drugs illegal will diminish crime (it will, but ONLY because it is no longer a crime to shoot up); it will certainly not reduce the other crimes associated with drug usage."Sure thing that free, clean needles help prevent drug usage. Only a liberal would think that would work.
No one makes this claim. At least no one with any credibility. It's not a drug prevention measure. It's a public health measure.
And I don't know, what would cartels do if drugs were legal?
We all have our personal perspectives and experiences that lend to how we see the world.
I am in the process of trying to understand how likely the Trump Administration's efforts to divert the pending disaster on our doorstep will meet with success.
Its why I am always reading and watching things from far-flung places, I am not interested in the propaganda the MSM is trying to push down my throat, I am more interested in what is really going on, than what they want me to believe is going on.
To that end, I listened to this young man (about 25), not because he has the experience and wisdom I have... I have 30 years or more on him... but how he perceived the last ten years and what is currently going on in America... it's a different perspective, a younger one that may represent a greater whole for his age.
So I offer this, timestamped to bypass some of the lesser interesting preamble to get to the meat of his comments... enjoy:
https://youtu.be/mQfNRC_OWYA?t=594
"Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis"
Is he offering cod liver oil, vitamin A or ivermectin? Actually he seems to think steroids cure everything. The man is an absolute kookOn this issue we agree. I cannot understand how that man is smart enough to even feed himself, let alone participate in government.
Here is what he is steamrolling in terms of the environment.. reason to applaud? I know it's what you voted for...
The EPA, under the current administration, has announced plans to roll back or eliminate 31 environmental regulations, impacting areas like air and water pollution, and climate change, in what the EPA head called "the most consequential day of deregulation in American history".
Here's a breakdown of some of the regulations targeted for cuts:
Air Pollution:
Rules limiting harmful air pollution from cars and power plants.
Restrictions on the emission of mercury, a neurotoxin.
Rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants.
Clean Water:
Clean water protections for rivers and streams.
Climate Change:
Climate change regulations.
Other Regulations:
Rules on the use of certain chemicals.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/e … HINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20In%20what,power%20plants%2C%20climate%20change%20and
Is he lying? Is he demented? If he is truthful, who is running the government?
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Trump said he did not sign the proclamation invoking the alien enemies act...
“And I don’t know when it was signed because I didn’t sign it,” he said. “Other people handled it. But [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio’s done a great job and he wanted them out. And we go along with that. We want to get criminals out of our country.”
Trump later reiterated that he is letting Rubio “handle it” even though the proclamation features Trump’s signature.
Is little marco running the government??
"Other people handled it” is basically trump’s way of saying, “Don’t look at me when this backfires.”
The guy who claims to be the ultimate dealmaker suddenly has no idea what’s happening in his own administration...
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-cl … 7035fa192b
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1903219399726862563Judge blocks Trump's transgender military ban...
At this point, are any of his executive orders holding? Why can't he let Congress do their job? He has taken them completely out of the equation and chooses to act with these illegal executive actions...
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes of Washington, D.C., ruled that the ban violates the equal protection clause because it discriminates based on transgender status and sex.
Reyes said the ban “is soaked in animus.”
“Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact,” she wrote.
She added, “Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender servicemembers have sacrificed — some risking their lives — to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them.”
The Animus is the point though isn't it? The foundation of this entire Administration is animus lol .. I know, I know y'all voted for animus and you got it in spades!
https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pol … rcna194741U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes of Washington, D.C. was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2022. Another far-left judge—surprise! I can't wait for the mess to reach the Supreme Court so that laws can be set in place to address these extreme ideologies. Ideologies have no place in our courts. Thankfully, we have the right person in the White House to bring about the changes we need in these biased courts. We the people sent our candidate to the White House to complete what he promised. The left nut jobs have no right to usurp a president's mandate. Disgusting, the lot of them. They are attempting to prevent the president from doing his job. Wonder why they don't realize this is one reason, and there are many, that the Democrats were booted out.
Hopefully these types of cases continue--- Trump will show cause that this huge problem needs to be addressed with great speed. Dems just continually step on their own feet. One must really smile when watching this kind of crazy.Oh yes another judge who is rogue and bias just because of who she was appointed by and of course that she disagrees with dear leader... Prevent the president from doing his job?? He can't act illegally. He can't do whatever he pleases. Why do you want to take away the judges job? The judicial and the executive branch are co-equal remember? Did you judiciary is doing its job in terms of making sure the executive is adhering to the law. Maga folks really do want to throw away the Constitution don't they?
How did this judge act on "extreme ideology" as you have stated rather than interpreting existing law?
Folks screaming bias every time a judge hands down a decision they disagree with is really an empty argument. Apply the law.Yes, another overstep by the federal courts. My comment already covers my full view, so no need to repeat it. As I mentioned, I’m hopeful that more biased judges will enter the mix, which will help Trump's concerns about these biased rulings get resolved quickly before the Supreme Court. I believe his case will be won and set an important precedent that’s much needed.
Ideologies do not belong in our schools, workplaces, and most importantly our courts.So do Trump appointed judges apply "ideology" also? Or this is just a democratically appointed judge thing?
How did the judge applied ideology though and not law? If you read the entire ruling you'll see application of the law. How does this come down to bias?I have to ask, can the courts rule against anything Trump does without it always being defined as overreach, merely because the ruling is not what Trump wants?
That is what I am thinking this will lead to.
I think the Trump Administration is drawing fire on these issues now... so that they can then attack the ability of lower courts to interfere with the EO.
Prior to 2026 expect new legislation to be introduced and passed that would disallow any singular judge to stay an Executive Order or interfere with the President's abilities and efforts in any meaningful way in the future.
Such efforts will require Circuit Court level approval or higher before they can intercede with the actions and operations of the Executive Office.
This is an oversight... it was never intended that one lowly Judge could arrest the Executive Office and put the interests of the Nation at risk.
It needs to be corrected... asap.Why shouldn't I cry bias for every Supreme Court decision made by conservative appointed judges?
An EO is not a law, as you remember from civic classes, Congress makes the law.
Republicans can introduce this “new legislation”, but passing it is another matter as it would neutralize the Courts allowing his Eminence to do as he pleases without check. It is contrary to separation of powers prescribed in the Constitution and will not be allowed.
Such is the mark of a true despot. Whatever Trump proposes must past the litmus test of the courts, period….It's a failure of government.
It's the same as a new hire employee being able to go into a board meeting and dictating to a CEO what the company can and cannot do.
The Democrats are of course delighted that this is working, it is the reason why they flooded the courts with activist judges that put politics above law and reason.
The government will adapt so this can never happen again, or the government will faulter, and this very same tactic will be used the next time Democrats gain power to shut down the EO.
I recognize you and others that support this lunacy and the 'anything is justifiable' even the destruction of our nation (including your social security retirement checks) for your side to 'win'.
That is what "my side" still doesn't seem to get. Your side works towards the complete destruction of America, the Constitution, and is willing to bend the knee to anyone that shares in that goal... Jihadists, terrorists, communists...etc.Why is Judge Boasberg just fine when he rules in Trump's interest but when he doesn't he is bias? rogue? It's ridiculous to bring these attacks on judges when many of them have ruled in his favor previously. At the end of the day, these judges are doing their constitutionally defined duty and acting without partiality. Trump cannot cry and whine when things don't go his way. Biden didn't and he was struck down by the courts many, many times by judges appointed by both liberals and conservatives. The undermining of the judiciary is dangerous and needs to stop
Just like Republicans resisted executive Orders from Democratic administrations.
Executive Orders do not cross into the purview iof the prerogative belonging to other branches of Government. Trump is not a King, and you see Ken, I wont have a King.
As I have said before, we are on completely opposite poles, and yes I will sacrifice my SS check before I let the rightwing tyrant get a win.The only real threat to my social security check comes from the Muskrat and his indiscriminate chain saw. What conservatives always ignore is the fact that they’re principles more important than money. My side works towards the destruction of the American Political right in all of its manifestations. And, I am most dogged about seeing the task through.
Republicans want to pretend their tax cuts are free. A new report says otherwise.
The Congressional Budget Office has bad news for the GOP....
Republicans have a trifecta, which means they’re trying to pass more expensive tax cuts that will disproportionately go to the rich.
How expensive? They’ll cost $4 trillion over the next decade and would increase upward pressure on the debt ratio by 50 percent. How disproportionate? America’s top 0.1% would get a tax cut of $278,000 while 28 million households in the bottom 80 percent would have no change in their tax bill and 14 million in the bottom 80 percent would actually have their taxes go up.
On Friday, the Congressional Budget Office released a report estimating that permanently extending the Trump tax cuts without paying for them would in fact be very costly. The national debt “would reach 214 percent of GDP in 2054, 47 percentage points higher” than if the tax cuts aren’t extended. The CBO’s report goes on to say that extending the Trump tax cuts would harm the economy and increase consumers’ borrowing costs.
Congratulations maga, more of what you voted for! Fingers crossed that most of you are in the bottom 80% and will feel the most impact!
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61255Explain, please, if you will:
1. Why is a fair, equal (based on percentage of tax paid) tax cut unfair? If it is done by equalizing dollar amounts then one group (the one with more income) will pay an even MORE disproportionate amount than they are now. And if you give it all to the poor, that exacerbates the problem of some people paying the bill for others. Yes, if everyone gets a 10% tax cut a great many people will see nothing; reasonable as they PAY nothing, so a cut in what they pay is zero.
So how is it "unfair"? Just because the 1% has more than you do and you want it for yourself? Is that all there is behind that greedy grab?
2. How does cutting costs more than a proposed tax cut increase pressure on the debt? Grade school arithmetic shows that to be false. Are you simply assuming that there will be no cuts in spending? In spite of the work being done, are you so confident that liberals will be able to stop Musk's work? Or is it just that in 4 years your projection is that Democrats will once more take over the government and increase spending indiscriminately without increasing taxes? What are you using for the basis of that arithmetic that 10-8+3 >10?I though it was Cred doing the Arith. I cross-check, and it was Willowarbor. It seems some dudes here need to go back to primary school to do a refrerhers arithmetic.
Instead of copying the Congressional budget office analysis, I will refer you to read it. All the answers are there. Tax cuts aren't free though, it's a major loss of revenue that Trump has no replacement for.
The CBO highlights a few points that would be detrimental to the economy if Republicans continue down this path:
A new round of Trump tax giveaways will increase the primary (non-interest) deficit by $4 trillion. A previous CBO estimate found they would cost $4.6 trillion with interest.
By 2054, extending the Trump tax giveaways would increase debt to 214 percent of GDP, growing almost twice as fast as under current law. The extension would be responsible for adding almost 30 percent to the national debt.
A new round of tax cuts would mean that long-term economic growth would be slower, and interest rates would be higher.
CBO’s report can be found HERE...
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61255
https://www.taxnotes.com/research/feder … cuts/7rssf
The CBO also highlights a few points that would be positive in the Biden economy --- They fell far shore, as they have a long history of doing--- Do you ever really look at the full picture?
The CBO initially projected a strong economic recovery under Biden, predicting that GDP would surpass pre-pandemic levels by mid-2021, unemployment would steadily decline below 4% by 2026, and inflation would be managed without triggering a recession. They also expected productivity gains and long-term economic stability. However, many of these projections were significantly off the mark. While GDP did recover initially, growth slowed sharply in 2022 and 2023 due to high inflation and rising interest rates. Inflation surged to 9.1% in mid-2022, far exceeding expectations and forcing aggressive Federal Reserve interventions. Productivity gains never materialized, with labor force participation lagging and businesses struggling with worker shortages. Meanwhile, federal debt skyrocketed beyond CBO estimates, surpassing 120% of GDP by 2023. Despite optimistic forecasts, the reality of Biden’s economic policies has been marked by persistent inflation, slowed growth, and increased national debt—demonstrating that the CBO’s initial projections were far too optimistic.
They have a spotty record of accuracy.
https://www.cbo.gov/topics/budget/accur … hatgpt.com"The CBO initially projected a strong economic recovery under Biden, predicting that GDP would surpass pre-pandemic levels by mid-2021, unemployment would steadily decline below 4% by 2026, and inflation would be managed without triggering a recession".
All of that came true...
https://www.cbpp.org/research/economy/t … n%20ended.The CBO's reputation is just very poor.
In this report, the Congressional Budget Office assesses the quality of the baseline projections of deficits and debt that it has made each spring from 1984 to 2023. Since its inception, CBO has regularly published a budget baseline—projections of federal revenues, spending, deficits or surpluses, and debt held by the public—along with a forecast of the nation’s economy. As required by law, the baseline reflects the assumption that current laws governing taxes and spending will generally remain unchanged.
The projections are not predictions of budgetary outcomes; rather, they give lawmakers a benchmark for measuring the effects of policy options or proposed legislation. The projections encompass the current year—the year in which the projections are made—and a period of 10 years in the future (or 5 years in the case of baseline projections made before December 1995).
To assess the quality of its projections, CBO has adjusted them to account for the estimated effects of legislation enacted after the projections were developed. That way, the focus is on the projection errors: The resulting differences between projected and actual deficits and debt exclude the effects of subsequent legislation.
CBO measures the quality of its projections by their tendency to be overestimates or underestimates (centeredness), by the spread in the size of errors (dispersion), and by how much actual outcomes differ from projected ones (accuracy).
The results of CBO’s evaluation are as follows:
Deficits. CBO has tended to overestimate deficits. Projections for the budget year have been more accurate than those for the 6th and 11th years, mainly because changes in the economy and a variety of other factors are more difficult to anticipate over longer time horizons.
Debt. The agency’s debt projections have been centered for the budget year and 6th year but have tended to be overestimates for the 11th year. The projections have been less accurate over longer time horizons. The dispersion of errors has been much larger for debt projections than for deficit projections because errors in annual debt projections compound over the projection period. As a result, CBO’s projections of debt are more uncertain than the agency’s projections of deficits.
Comparison With the Administration’s Projections. For years for which comparable projections are available, 1993 to 2023, errors in CBO’s budget-year projections of deficits were similar to errors in budget-year projections of deficits made by the Office of Management and Budget.
Effects of Enacted Legislation. On average, errors in CBO’s deficit projections have been substantially smaller than the estimated budgetary effects of legislation enacted after the projections were made.
American war planning usually takes place in highly secure facilities. But the Trump administration planned its strikes on the Houthis using a group chat—and accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor in chief,
There are no words other than DUMB AS HELL to describe this bunch...Hegseth and Gabbard on down. Was Pete drunk?
This is what happens when you put unqualified imbeciles from the Fox couch in charge...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeffrey-go … at-signal/Oh yes just more of reclaiming America.... Fingers crossed that maga folks specifically get to feel these impacts, yes what you have voted for...
Long waits, waves of calls, web crashes: Social Security is breaking down
The Social Security Administration website crashed four times in 10 days this month because the servers were overloaded, blocking millions of retirees and disabled Americans from logging in to their online accounts. In the field, office managers have resorted to answering phones in place of receptionists because so many employees have been pushed out. Amid all this, the agency no longer has a system to monitor customer experience because that office was eliminated as part of the cost-cutting efforts led by Elon Musk.
And the phones keep ringing. And ringing
The federal agency that delivers $1.5 trillion a year in earned benefits to 73 million retired workers, their survivors, and poor and disabled Americans is engulfed in crisis - further undermining the already struggling organization’s ability to provide reliable and quick service to vulnerable customers, according to internal documents and more than two dozen current and former agency employees and officials, customers and others who interact with Social Security.
Financial services executive Frank Bisignano is scheduled to face lawmakers Tuesday at a Senate confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the permanent commissioner. For now, the agency is run by a caretaker leader in his sixth week on the job who has raced to push out more than 12 percent of the staff of 57,000. He has conceded that the agency’s phone service “sucks” and acknowledged that Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service is really in charge, pushing a single-minded mission to find benefits fraud despite vast evidence that the problem is overstated.
The turmoil is leaving many retirees, disabled claimants, and legal immigrants needing Social Security cards with less access or shut out of the system altogether, according to those familiar with the problems.
“What’s going on is the destruction of the agency from the inside out, and it’s accelerating,” Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said in an interview. “I have people approaching me all the time in their 70s and 80s, and they’re beside themselves. They don’t know what’s coming.”
And don't forget that you have Lutnick saying it's okay if a senior misses a check... They'll just wait to see if it comes next month. Don't you just love the carefree attitude of a billionaire? Let them eat cake!!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/long-waits-w … 11118.html
Social Security is telling its staff that customer service is about to get a lot worse...YAY?!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/social-secur … 05948.htmlOh my--- again stepping into an issue that has now been an issue for decades. Where ya been? Now I will just point out the last four years--- but So website is notorious for the manyproblem--- for decades.
Yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) website and IT systems have had reliability issues for many years. The website has experienced multiple outages due to aging infrastructure, software glitches, and external cybersecurity threats.
For example:
2024: Major outages occurred in July (linked to a global IT failure caused by CrowdStrike) and September (due to a hardware issue).
2023: Users frequently reported access issues, especially when the SSA website introduced new security features.
2022: System failures and planned maintenance led to temporary downtimes, affecting online services.
2019-2021: The SSA acknowledged that outdated technology contributed to slow response times and occasional outages, prompting modernization efforts.
Many of these issues stem from the agency relying on decades-old mainframe systems, which make upgrades and security improvements challenging. Congress has pushed for SSA IT modernization, but progress has been slow due to budget constraints and bureaucratic delays.
But good news--- it is being worked on, under Biden,and now Trump
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has initiated several efforts to address longstanding issues with its website:
Website Redesign: In December 2022, the SSA launched a redesigned website aimed at enhancing user experience through a fresh homepage and improved navigation.
SSA
Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) Investment: In October 2024, the SSA received approximately $30 million from the TMF for three projects focused on upgrading online services and backend systems to improve customer experience.
U.S. General Services Administration
Organizational Changes: In February 2025, the SSA closed its Office of Transformation, responsible for website development and maintenance, as part of a cost-cutting initiative. This move has raised concerns about potential disruptions and declines in website functionality.
You just never dig deep enough. Always grasping at the negative, and never looking at what is possitive. The media has many using this form of mindset.
It would also seem that those left with their jobs at SSA would value keeping them, do the jobs they were hired to do, and stop complaining It is clear many changes are and will be made to ensure better service. SSA again has been a mess for many decades. Do a bit, just a bit of research on the many issues over the decades. It has been a source of embarrassment for a very long time.If it's been an issue for decades, why would the administration go in and close locations and reduce staff? Doesn't really seem like a common sense solution to a decades-old problem. But hey enjoy the debacle, it's what you voted for. I will go ahead and post later the responses representatives are getting from their constituents who are having nightmares with their social security interactions now.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have worked on initiatives to make the system better. The reality is, the old ways just haven’t been cutting it for decades. Social Security has been struggling with backlogs, staffing issues, and inefficiency for so long, so new approaches are absolutely needed.
The problem, though, is that the media tends to focus more on the negatives rather than looking at the broader picture. Trump's plan to improve Social Security or any of his initiatives might get criticized in the headlines for certain flaws or bumps along the way, but they’re blowing these issues out of proportion. It’s like they’re taking these common complaints—ones that have existed for years, under both administrations—and suddenly making them “newsworthy” because they can feed into the narrative of things falling apart under his watch.
The thing is, these are issues that have been around for decades. It’s not like they’re just popping up now. The fact that the media has decided to focus heavily on all the negative aspects, ignoring the bigger picture, does a disservice to the real work that’s being done to fix these systemic problems. We need to keep pushing for change, but the way the media amplifies the negative can sometimes prevent people from seeing the long-term vision and the steps being taken to make a difference.
I guess this will be a true test to see if what Trump is doing will work or fail... I chose to wait and see. In my own view, this was a long time coming.Again, my common sense tells me that shutting down offices while now requiring people to come into offices for certain services and reducing staffing levels on top of that isn't a real smart idea. Those are. the kinds of changes that are going to lead to grief and public outcry.
Advocates warn these sweeping moves could lead to seniors and people with disabilities having a harder time getting help with their crucial benefits.... That's the point though isn't it?
That sort of seems to be the end goal of this Administration. it's what this bunch does best... Government working against the people instead of for themI think it's important to highlight that the closure of 47 out of 1,470 offices isn't as drastic as it might initially seem. These specific offices were likely underutilized, and such closures could be part of a larger strategy to allocate resources more effectively. With limited budgets, it makes sense to focus on improving services in areas that have higher demand, rather than continuing to operate offices that are barely used. Streamlining operations and enhancing online services can actually make a huge difference in delivering more efficient and timely assistance to those who need it.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has faced criticisms for years regarding inefficiency and outdated systems, so it makes sense that the focus would be on modernizing and improving the way people access services. By improving online services and pushing for more streamlined operations, the SSA could ultimately provide better access for more people, even if that means reducing in-person offices in certain areas.
For those who may struggle with online access, the SSA has committed to ensuring that alternative support options are available, such as expanded help over the phone or through local community centers. It's not about abandoning people, but instead making sure that the system becomes more adaptable and accessible in a way that meets the needs of the majority. Additionally, the funds saved from closing inefficient offices can be reinvested into improving the quality of services overall, including enhancing staff support where it's truly needed.
While change can be difficult, especially for people who rely on these services, the goal here is to make the system more effective and responsive in the long term. If the SSA is indeed underperforming, this might be a necessary step to turn things around and make sure the agency can serve citizens more efficiently, ultimately benefiting everyone.
Just time to push on with change--- the SSA needs a lifelne.
From AARP March 26, 2025 . . .
Social Security Delays Plan to End Benefit Applications by Phone
AARP opposes new ID-proofing rules that could force millions to file claims in person
https://www.aarp.org/social-security/ph … n-delayed/
"In the face of opposition from AARP and an outcry from older Americans, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is delaying a plan to end applications for most types of benefits by phone and exempting people with disabilities from the new rules when they do go into effect.
The agency said March 26 that a new policy requiring many applicants to complete claims online or in person rather than by phone, announced eight days earlier and initially set to take effect at the end of March, will be delayed until April 14.
Starting on that date, people applying for retirement, survivor or family benefits will need to use an online My Social Security account or make an appointment at a local SSA office to show proof of identity, a necessary step in filing for benefits or reporting a change in bank direct deposit information to receive payments.
Applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare will continue to be able to “complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office,” the agency said. The SSA handles Medicare enrollment on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services.
The policy shift and the initial two-week timetable to implement it drew strong opposition from AARP, which said the new requirements would place a heavy burden on Social Security applicants and beneficiaries who live in rural areas, have mobility issues, or lack access to a computer or the Internet."
**********
Much more information at the article provided by the advocate American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Well worth the time to read.Who is excited for higher car prices? I know, I know it's what you voted for...
In a Wednesday sales forecast call, Cox Automotive chief economist Jonathan Smoke said increases in tariffs would be “highly disruptive” to North American vehicle production, potentially leading to tighter supply and higher prices.
“By mid-April, we expect disruptions,” Smoke said. “We expect sales to fall, new and used prices to increase, and some models to be eliminated if those tariffs persist.”
But with the tariff expected to hit both imported vehicles and key auto parts like engines and transmissions, consumers can expect price hikes "across the board." That includes new cars, used cars, maintenance costs and even insurance premiums, since accidents involving new parts would be more costly..."
Beautiful, right? Hoping maga folks have had a new car purchase on their agenda... Wouldn't want you to miss taking part in these hikes!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/ca … 678312007/Just for the curious. Its probably a good thing winter tires are not in demand now.
Top Tire Suppliers to the US:
Thailand: Has become the largest U.S. trade partner for motor vehicle tires.
Mexico: A significant source of tire imports.
Japan: Another major supplier.
Canada: A notable source of tires.
Vietnam: Also a significant supplier.
China: A major source for tires.Let's look at the current, the now--- instead of hand-wringing.
President Donald Trump recently announced a 25% tariff on all imported passenger vehicles and key auto parts, effective April 2, 2025. This policy is anticipated to significantly increase the cost of cars, trucks, and SUVs in the United States, with price hikes potentially ranging from $4,000 to $12,000. Many domestic automakers, such as General Motors and Ford, will also be impacted due to their reliance on international supply chains.
AP News
Some manufacturers have already responded to the impending tariffs. For instance, Ferrari has announced price increases of up to 10% on certain models to partially offset the 25% tariff, though it will absorb part of the cost to mitigate the impact on consumers.
MarketWatch
Electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla may experience minimal impact, as they produce all their U.S.-sold vehicles domestically. This positions them advantageously compared to competitors who rely more heavily on imports.
The tariffs are expected to raise costs for U.S. consumers and could lead to higher prices for new vehicles. This may make used cars a more attractive option for buyers, potentially benefiting retailers like CarMax and AutoNation.
While the tariffs have been announced, their full effect on car prices will become more evident after they take effect on April 2. Consumers are advised to stay informed about these developments, as they may influence decisions regarding vehicle purchases in the near future
We could even look at auto companies heading back across our borders in the long run. GM is already talking. The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expressed support for the tariffs, anticipating that they will revitalize the U.S. auto industry and create jobs by encouraging automakers like GM to invest more in domestic manufacturing.
However, as of now, GM has not made any official announcements regarding plans to increase domestic production or shift manufacturing back to the U.S.
Plus -- Another positive-- United Auto Workers (UAW) union's support for the recent 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts from several reputable sources.
UAW President Shawn Fain praised the tariffs, stating they could end the "free trade disaster" and potentially bring thousands of good-paying auto jobs back to working-class communities in the United States. Additionally, the UAW expressed that these tariffs might lead to adding shifts or lines in underutilized auto plants, thereby revitalizing domestic manufacturing. These perspectives highlight the union's belief that the tariffs will encourage automakers to invest more in domestic production, benefiting U.S. workers.
The Wall Street Journal
Promise kept!Were you really excited under Biden to see everything priced higher? And as for car prices, I don’t think we've seen them rise that much since ol' Joe departed —at least not yet. But just so you know, car prices did definitely b rise during Biden’s time. In fact, from 2021 to 2023, the average price of a new car jumped by about 25%, with the average price hitting nearly $50,000 in 2023. Yikes!
Yes, car prices have risen oh so slightly in the past two months. According to data from CarEdge, the average price of a used car in March 2025 was $25,128, with prices increasing slightly during the spring car-buying season due to increased demand. Similarly, new car prices have remained near record highs, with the average transaction price in January 2025 at $48,641, according to CarEdge. So good to see people out buying cars again.I think you sidestepped the whole issue of the tariffs that will begin on April 2nd... Bringing up the cost of imported cars and parts used in American made cars by 25%. If sales are up right now it's due to the massive advertising on television about buying a car before the tariffs hit... Trump was voted in on economic issues. Higher car prices are yet another fail. If people thought that prices were high under Biden, You ain't seen nothing yet
Your information is not correct. There are some caveats: Importers of cars covered by the North American trade deal known as the USMCA will ONLY face the tariff for the “non-U.S. content” of their vehicles. And those USMCA-compliant auto parts will be TARIFF-FREE.
This little gem was neatly tucked into an article CNBC posted today--- soooo many may have missed that paragraph. I have seen a ton of misinformation skirting the facts regarding the tariffs that will go into effect on April 3.
This means that if a car is made using parts from North America (U.S., Canada, or Mexico) under the USMCA trade deal, only the parts that come from outside these countries will be taxed. The North American parts won't have extra tariffs for now, but in the future, the Trump administration may create a system to apply smaller, separate tariffs to different parts.
Actually, some American cars have decreased in price in the past couple of months. I am not sure all the tariff talks will even do much to American automakers. The USMCA deal pretty much insulates the Big Three automakers in Michigan. Certainly, foreign cars will see increased prices. But our UAW and all their workers love Trump, as will most Michiganders.
UAW President Shawn Fain praised the tariffs, stating they could end the "free trade disaster" and potentially bring thousands of good-paying auto jobs back to working-class communities in the United States. Additionally, the UAW expressed that these tariffs might lead to adding shifts or lines in underutilized auto plants, thereby revitalizing domestic manufacturing. These perspectives highlight the union's belief that the tariffs will encourage automakers to invest more in domestic production, benefiting U.S. workers.
The Wall Street Journal"only the parts that come from outside these countries will be taxed.
"The confusion is around the fact that, even though American-made vehicles are exempt from a tariff, there is no such thing as a truly American-made vehicle. Even the most American-made car contains a good percentage of parts imported from other countries. Those parts could now be subject to 25% taxes paid by the importers, in this case the car companies, to bring them over the U.S. border."
Most are predicting that car prices will rise significantly.
"The charges could be felt within months by consumers, with car prices almost certain to rise, by perhaps 11% to 12% according to one estimate, "
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock- … 03-27-2025
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ … 687247007/
U.S. health department plans to slash 10,000 jobs as RFK Jr. upends agencies...
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans 10,000 job cuts at his department.
The reductions could affect teams that respond to disease outbreaks, approve drugs and help people with their insurance coverage...cuts are also happening to employees at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Do they ever think about the consequences? I guess this will affect mostly magas so maybe a silver lining there... They are getting what they voted for.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/27/rfk-jr- … -cuts.html
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/rfk … s-bdec28b0RFK Jr. has announced a major restructuring of the Health and Human Services Department (HHS), which includes cutting 10,000 jobs and consolidating several agencies. The media, as expected, is spinning this as a reckless move, but let’s focus on what RFK actually said. His goal is to streamline operations, cut inefficiencies, and refocus on real public health issues, particularly chronic diseases. He made it clear that bureaucracies tend to grow bloated over time, often losing sight of their purpose, and this overhaul is meant to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used wisely.
His exact words? "Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants. This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves. That's the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again." That’s a far cry from the doomsday narrative being pushed in the media.
He also reassured the public that this isn’t about weakening HHS but making it more effective. "I want to promise you now that we're going to do more with less." The plan involves reducing HHS divisions from 28 to 15 and closing half of its regional offices, with major cuts at agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH—institutions that many Americans have lost trust in due to bureaucratic overreach and mismanagement.
This restructuring is expected to save about $1.8 billion a year, but of course, critics are already claiming it will harm public health efforts. RFK’s argument, however, is that slashing ineffective bureaucracies will actually improve public health outcomes. The real story here isn’t about reckless cuts—it’s about holding bloated government agencies accountable and ensuring they actually serve the American people instead of just growing for the sake of growth.
For RFK’s full statement and details on the restructuring, check out this Reuters report.
https://news.yahoo.com/more-americans-s … 10590.html
Trump is on a downhill slope, imagine this when it has not been 100 days into his administration. Can I hope that this may be the beginning of the end?A good read!
"A modest number of Democrats who were willing to “give Trump a chance” late last year have reverted back to opposing the president after seeing how he spent his first months back in office...."
The honeymoon is over. Folks voted on the economy and his focus has been everywhere else.
And the good news just keeps rolling in. more of what you folks voted for...
Trump team revokes $11 billion in funding for addiction, mental health care
State and county public health departments and nonprofit groups are reeling after the Trump administration announced abrupt cancellation and revocation of roughly $11.4 billion in COVID-era funding for grants linked to addiction, mental health and other programs.
"This is chopping things off in the middle while people are actually doing the work," said Keith Humphreys, an addiction policy researcher at Stanford University, who also volunteers doing harm reduction work with people in addiction. He warned the move could trigger layoffs and treatment disruptions.
"Services will be dropped in the middle. Bang, the clinic is closing. It's a brutal way to make these cuts," Humphreys said.
The federal grant funding had been scheduled to run through September 2025. In a statement sent to NPR, a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it made sense to freeze the program immediately.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago," the statement said, adding that the Trump administration will refocus funding on America's "chronic disease epidemic."
Drug overdoses linked to fentanyl and other substances have declined sharply in recent years, thanks in part to a surge in funding for addiction treatment during the Biden administration. But street drugs still kill more than 84,000 people in the U.S. every year, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
President Donald Trump has made fentanyl smuggling a top concern during the opening weeks of his administration, extending an emergency declaration linked to the street opioid.
But his team has also rapidly slashed the number of federal researchers focused on addiction and Trump pardoned a tech mogul convicted of building a "dark web" platform used to traffic illicit drugs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is also being merged into a new organization, called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), as part of a restructuring of HHS that's expected to eliminate 20,000 federal employees.
The move to rescind funds that include addiction-care grants drew criticism from experts who warned progress reducing overdose deaths could be reversed.
"DOGE is now actively cutting funding aimed at reducing overdose deaths by clawing back money from states," wrote Regina LaBelle, an expert on drug policy at Georgetown University who served in the Biden administration in a post on social media. "With overdose deaths still exceeding 80,000 annually, is DOGE declaring victory?"
Addiction experts told NPR they are now bracing for what many believe will be deep cuts to Medicaid funding, which provides the largest single source of insurance coverage for drug and alcohol treatment nationwide.
"It's very hard to look at the budget framework created by Republicans and imagine a scenario other than Medicaid being cut severely," Stanford University's Keith Humphreys said. "It's a frightening prospect. That will be extremely painful for families facing addiction."
OH WELL... Fingers crossed that maga folks will get to feel the full impact in their states. After all, it's what you voted for.
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/27/nx-s1-53 … th-fundingThe Trump administration has been forced to cancel most of its planned visit to Greenland after facing backlash from Greenlanders, and will now only be visiting a U.S. military base on the territory.
In advance of the visit, American representatives knocked on doors to see if any Greenlanders would welcome Ushless Vance into their home. Every single person told them no....LOL
Trump says US will 'go as far as we have to' to get control of Greenland
LOL America First? No wars? Let's be real maga folks, you follow where ever dear leader wanders. So yes, more of what you voted for...if it's war, I hope you folks get to feel the largest impact.
Wow, now that is what I call an icy reception.
Trump is out of carrots, will he revert to the stick?
This wont be a very good look for American foreign policy from abroad.'Our message to Denmark is very simple,” Vance said. “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.”
He repeatedly claimed the island was vulnerable and that the United States had “no other option” than to ramp up its presence there.
I used to think trump's talk about Greenland was just his typical crazy hyperbole but now I believe this “No other option” statement is an unambiguous warning... It's what the intelligence community would characterize as a clear indication of a impending conflict. Not sure what this is going to look like but I think we are seizing control of Greenland.Yes, I thought that it was just another absurdity from this administration, in the same vein as speaking of Canada as the 51st state.
How is he going to spin this? He might expand the capacity of the military bases to gain control of the island since he and his plans are not popular with the civilian population there. Will Denmark just sit on the sidelines as a member of the EU and just let this just transpire? We will see.
More for maga to celebrate...#winning
Just in: Inflation progress stalled in February.
PCE inflation rose 0.3% in February and 2.5% in the past 12 months. That's the same as January.
"Core PCE" (excluding food & energy) rose 0.4% in February and 2.8% in the past 12 months. That's a hotter than expected and up from 2.6% the prior month.
Bottom line: Inflation remains a problem and President Trump's tariffs are going to exacerbate it.The economy is a very big problem- unfortunately, the last administration ran it into the ground. A silver lining --- the election, people showed that people took note and voted the Democrats out of the White House.
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If the report on inflation levels do not decrease next month, I will be on him like flies on you know what. And more Americans should be as well….
After all, he promised and boasted throughout his campaign that he would ‘fix it”.Some promising news---- In February 2025, the United States experienced an annual inflation rate of 2.8%, a slight decrease from January's 3.0% rate. The energy sector contributed to this decline, with energy costs decreasing by 0.2% year-over-year, notably with gasoline prices falling by 3.1% and fuel oil by 5.1%.
On the negative side---Conversely, natural gas prices saw a 6.0% increase during the same period.
Food prices continued to rise, registering a 2.6% increase over the year. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr … hatgpt.com
Absolutely not...Looking at the metrics, we have done considerably worse since Trump took office. Biden had the economy moving in the right direction and Trump has reversed that trend.
Trump had one job to do.
It wasn't to rename a gulf.
It wasn't to seize Greenland.
It wasn't to make Canada a state .
It wasn't to fire millions of Americans.
It wasn't to fight every judge.
It wasn't to fight all our allies.
It wasn't to golf.
It wasn't to upend social security.
It wasn't to kiss Putin's ass.
It wasn't to arrest college students for their speech.
It wasn't to cry about his portrait.
It was the economy..
One freaking job. And he utterly failed.
Your daily reminder that the GOP
do not care about you...just more of what you voted for.
Senate Overturns Rule Limiting Bank Overdraft Fees to $5
Lawmakers voted to invalidate a rule adopted last year by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It now moves to the House....
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/us/p … -cfpb.htmlDow tanks 760 points.
Turns out, economic policy made of tariffs, vibes, and executive roulette isn’t a market favorite.
So much winning… unless you checked your effing 401(k) today?NEW: Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson HALTS the attempted shutdown of the CFPB, finding Acting Director Vought's stop-work order and dismantling efforts likely violate law, risking irreparable harm to consumers.
The judge says the Trump administration must reinstate and preserve the CFPB's contracts, as well as its data, operational capacity, and protect employees' ability to perform legally required work.
The judge rules that the evidence suggests Trump, Musk, Vought and others intend to fully dismantle CFPB — likely illegally — and do it quickly so there’s no chance to reverse course.
Can this administration do ANYTHING according to the law? Is Congress going to get to do its job? Like ever?Your comment is full of political bias and makes broad assumptions about both the legality of the administration’s actions and Congress’s role. Just because a judge issued a ruling doesn’t mean the Trump administration’s actions were outright illegal. This is a preliminary decision, likely part of a temporary injunction, which is common in legal disputes. The CFPB itself has been controversial for years, with many conservatives arguing that it holds too much unchecked power. The Supreme Court already ruled in Seila Law LLC v. CFPB that its single-director structure was unconstitutional, so dismantling or restructuring it isn’t necessarily unlawful—it’s a policy position that deserves legal scrutiny. The complaint about Congress not being able to do its job also seems misplaced because the executive branch has broad authority over how agencies are run.
If Congress truly wants to protect the CFPB, it has the power to pass legislation rather than relying on courts to maintain the status quo. The assumption that Trump, Musk, and Vought are working together to illegally dismantle the CFPB before anyone can stop them is purely speculative. While Trump and conservatives have made it clear they want to limit the agency’s power, that doesn’t automatically make their efforts illegal.
The comment also leans into hyperbole by suggesting that the Trump administration operates entirely outside the law. Every administration, whether Republican or Democrat, faces legal challenges to its policies. Biden’s student loan forgiveness, for example, was blocked by the courts, but that didn’t mean he was lawless. Legal disputes are part of governance, not evidence of criminality. While it’s fair to debate the role of the CFPB and how the administration is handling it, jumping to biased conclusions and assuming bad faith does little to foster an honest discussion.I reported what the judge said...The judge ruled that the evidence suggests Trump, Musk, Vought and others intend to fully dismantle CFPB — likely illegally — and do it quickly so there’s no chance to reverse course.
The President does have certain powers to influence or attempt to shut down agencies, but the process depends on the legal framework surrounding each agency. One way the President can influence an agency is through executive orders, which can direct the reorganization or restructuring of federal agencies. However, these orders must comply with existing laws and statutes that govern the agency’s existence and powers. For instance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created by the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, making it a statutory agency. A President cannot unilaterally eliminate or dismantle it without legislative action.
Another tool the President has is the budget. The President can propose a budget that limits funding for an agency or significantly reduces its operational capacity, but this action requires Congressional approval. If Congress does not approve, the agency will continue to receive funding as previously allocated. In the case of the CFPB, the agency’s funding is not part of the standard congressional appropriations process but is funded through the Federal Reserve. The President can influence this, but it would require legal or legislative action.
The President can also impact an agency's function by appointing or removing key personnel, such as the Director of the CFPB. Appointing someone who shares the President’s views on reducing the agency's influence or power is one way to exert control. However, some appointments, especially high-level ones, are subject to Senate confirmation. Under Trump, Mick Mulvaney was appointed as acting Director, and later Kathy Kraninger oversaw the agency. These appointments were focused on reducing regulations and enforcement, but they could not dismantle the agency outright without legislative change.
To permanently shut down or restructure an agency like the CFPB, the President would need to work with Congress to pass legislation. During Trump’s presidency, there were attempts to reform or defund the CFPB, and bills were proposed to change the agency’s structure, like replacing the director with a commission of members or even repealing Dodd-Frank entirely. However, such measures did not pass through Congress. Ultimately, Congressional action is needed to change or close an agency created by law.It is a good bet an appeal will be filed against U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson's preliminary injunction, which halted the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He is certainly on a roll winning regarding appeals. It also appears the Trump administration's cases are being heard with great speed.
When did threatening a sovereign nation become part of the America First agenda?
Trump puts America's interests first?
You mean the US will invade Greenland and take it because it is stronger.
Taking what you want even when its not yours is not really "America first", its being a criminal...thinking that you need another country's territory does not make up a legitimate claim to that territory… And there are no big threats against Greenland... except for a hostile American takeover.
Amd Trump? reiterated his previous claims that the US needs Greenland for “world peace”. “I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it,” the US president said at a press conference at the White House on Friday. “And if Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them.”.
This kind of language is not normal. It's not okay. This is the type of dictatorial BS you'd hear from Putin.Dr. Peter Marks, the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine regulator, has resigned, an official at the Department of Health and Human Services said Friday.
In a resignation letter to acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Marks wrote that undermining confidence in vaccines is “irresponsible, detrimental to public health, and a clear danger to our nation’s health, safety, and security.”
He said that he had been willing to work with Kennedy to address any concerns about vaccine safety and transparency.
“However, it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote.
The timing of this is unsettling. Who's left to speak the truth? RFK JR is a crackpot. Fingers crossed that measles befalls as many maga as possible, it's what you voted for... You'll be okay though, I've read cod liver oil is a great help!
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-n … rcna198682I would surmise that he was allowed to resign in many businesses instead of being terminated. Very good of RFK... Nothing more pitiful than grasping at a 15-minute media blurb.
Had to repost this---" Fingers crossed that measles befalls as many maga as possible, it's what you voted for... You'll be okay though, I've read cod liver oil is a great help! " Willow
What a statement, to hope people suffer to make a, in my view, hateful point. But I have noted this a very sad symptom of TDS.
Let me remind you that the CDC claims it is spreading due to unvaccinated travelers-- I wonder just who this let in millions of unvaccinated migranys/travlers. Again you always step in it, always posting issues that lead the Biden administration.Let me remind maga folks how much they have praised RFK Jr.... Meaning support of his quackery. Support of his alternative "medicine" and theories. It's what maga voted for. Remember all the posts on this forum about how pleased maga posters were about Jr's confirmation? I certainly do. Nothing mean about that, just the facts. I previously posted about maga supporters giddy over measles and planning parties. How stupid is that? But I sort of consider it as Darwin at work...
The mother of the child who died was quoted as saying "it was her time" her other four kids were also afflicted and she treated them with vitamin A and inhaled steroids... Said she wouldn't do anything different and would never choose a vaccine.
Contributing factor in the rising number of measles cases? Vaccine misinformation...
Hospitals in Texas now, on top of dealing with the measles outbreak, are now dealing with concurrent vitamin A toxicity.... The stupidity of all of this is just incredible. And no, this has nothing to do with travelers. The initial outbreak started in a very closed off rural religious community.
Regardless of where it came from, it's spreading because we have a fool in charge who is anti-vax. These are the consequences of what maga voted for. It's time to let go of "but Biden but Biden" Maga owns all this.You do understand, of course, that Texas's problems did not start with the election. It did not start with Trump's candidacy. It started long before any of that.
So just why are you insinuating that it is all Trump's fault (it's spreading because we have a fool in charge who is anti-vax. These are the consequences of what maga voted for)? That people wanted it to happen? Is it just more hate filled rant about Trump, or is there some actual reasoning behind it?Trump chose RFK Jr for the cabinet position fully aware of the man's anti-vax history. Bobby's rhetoric /misinformation on vaccines has certainly had an impact on people.
What I note from your comment is hyperbolic mush--- and I note you did not address the Biden administration's part in letting so many unvaccinated people over our borders. I mean, the CDC noted that- called them travelers. Maybe put some of the blame at your guy's feet.
Again, your statement --- ". Fingers crossed that measles befalls as many maga as possible, it's what you voted for... You'll be okay, though, I've read cod liver oil is a great help!" Willow
Just says so much about your character. I don't find the statement odd coming from a liberal just in my view, offensive.We've always had immigration. But we haven't had a measles death in decades... Has nothing to do with Biden or immigrants and everything to do with the vaccine misinformation that is spreading like wildfire by kooks like Bobby. But yes, this is what Maga voted for. As far as anything else that you've claimed in your post, you have really nothing to back it up. Biden was restrained by the actual immigration laws. He didn't subvert the law to "let people in" as you wrongly claim. His actions were struck down by the courts many times.
Again, in case you forgotten, asylum can be claimed at the border... No matter how many show up at that border and they have the right under law to wait in this country. What does that have to do with Biden? The problem with discussing immigration with many Maga folks is that they don't really seem to understand the law.any have simply bought into all of the "open borders "nonsense. If Maga knew any better you'd be insulted that your leaders think your group is that uninformed. But I think they'd be right.
A gentle reminder to all MAGA voters affected by the presidency: you voted for this. Your choice was against democracy and your own rights. If you need someone to blame, look no further than your own judgment, character, and decisions. You voted for this sh*t and you're gonna have to suffer like everyone else.
Blame for what? Your comment doesn’t make much sense. You assume that those who voted for Trump are disappointed—where do you get off making that claim? You can speak for yourself, but speaking for others? Get real. I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen so far from President Trump and his administration. It’s odd that you think you can predict how others feel.
There is absolutely nothing to be pleased with, a tanking stock market? People losing their retirement funds? Inflation rising? The functions of agencies that people depend on being cut to the bone? Our country taking over Greenland? Alienating all of our previous allies? Tariffs that will make just about everything cost more for people who are already struggling under the Trump regime? He has done absolutely nothing that benefits the average American
If you're going to critique policies and their impact, I’d expect a bit more research and a better grasp of how these factors play into each other. Taking on such diverse, complicated issues requires more than just pointing out the negatives—it requires understanding the full scope of what’s happening and why. You can’t just throw out claims without backing them up with facts or acknowledging the bigger picture.
Again, I share my view- I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen so far from President Trump and his administration.
I note that you feel very differently.
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cp … hatgpt.com
As of February 2025, the annual inflation rate was 2.8%, down from 3.0% in January. The core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, was 3.1% in February, easing from 3.3% in January.
Trading Economics
These figures suggest that inflationary pressures were moderating in early 2025. However, recent economic developments, including changes in consumer spending and the impact of trade policies, may influence future inflation trends.
For the most current information, it's best to monitor official releases from the BLS and reputable financial news sources.Was war on the bold agenda?
"President Trump said in an interview with NBC News nothing is off the table in his desire to acquire Greenland — including "military force."
"No, I never take military force off the table," Trump said in a Saturday phone interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker. "But I think there's a good possibility that we could do it without military force."
Asked what message annexing Greenland would send to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the rest of the world, the president replied, "I don't really think about that. I don't really care."
Oh my. I think we're up shits creek aren't we?
Maga folks... Is this what you voted for? Or is the answer just as simple as you will support absolutely any action or ideas Trump has?
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/30/nx-s1-53 … -greenland"Oh my. I think we're up shits creek aren't we?"
Yes, we are. Trump is reducing America to no less a tryrant on the world scene than Xi or Putin. That "shining mountain on the hill" has been reduced to a dung heap.
Trump supporters or Trumpbots would never acknowledge the "truth" out of sheer stubbornness and pride. But when they begin to question the viability of Social Security and offering cuts, people become irreparably concerned when their money gets funny.
And to think that they called Biden a war monger?Yes, in a country that once stood as a symbol of freedom of speech, now you have the risk of being snatched of the street by the police without uniforms and detained without order. Pure state terrorism with the goal to suppress freedom of speech!
It is so easy to brake things down, but it is incredible hard to build things.
"Stocks slid again Monday on further pessimism on the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and renewed fears of a related recession, a fitting end to a brutal month and quarter for equities..."
Who is excited for"liberation day?" More winning, more of what you voted for? Well not for many ..
I do believe that people who voted for Trump are sobering up, and seem to be realizing that they have made a terrible mistake.
The latest AP poll released on Monday finds Trump with an overall net (-14) approval rating. 42% of the country approves of Trump, and 56% disapprove. This reality stands in contrast to Trump’s claims to NBC News that he has the highest approval rating of any Republican president in 100 years...
Oh my, another in the "is he just lying or is it dementia" category..
His own Joint Chiefs nominee, Dan Caine, just testified that the “Sir” story Trump loves to tell is pure fiction. Another day, another fabrication from a man who can’t stop deceiving. When will his supporters wake up to the con? Truth matters, Trump doesn’t.
https://x.com/BarryMarkson1/status/1907141532173693226Reclaiming America one mistake at a time?
In the "oops" category...
Trump administration admits Maryland man sent to El Salvador prison by mistake..
The Trump administration is getting blowback for confirmed and potential errors in its rush to deport hundreds of men to El Salvador last month.
On Monday night, immigration officials admitted to deporting a Maryland man to El Salvador due to an "administrative error."
Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who lived with his U.S. citizen wife and child, was identified as being on one of the three deportation flights to El Salvador last month that are the subject of several lawsuits. Immigration advocates claim those flown to El Salvador did not receive due process.
"The government's filing was pretty shocking because they admitted everything that we alleged," Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, the lawyer representing Abrego Garcia and his family, told NPR.
Although Justice Department lawyers acknowledge the mistake in Abrego Garcia's case, they say there is nothing federal officials can do because he is now in custody of another country....
OH WELL... Are you freaking kidding me?
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-53 … ador-errorTrump has investments coming in right and left!
Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025, several major corporations and foreign entities have announced significant investment commitments in the United States. Below is a list of notable pledges:
Apple Inc.: Pledged to invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over four years, aiming to create 20,000 jobs. Plans include opening a 250,000-square-foot factory in Houston to manufacture servers supporting its AI system.
OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank: Announced a joint venture named "Stargate," committing an initial $100 billion to AI infrastructure, with potential investment up to $500 billion over four years.
Business Insider
JCB: British machinery manufacturer JCB announced an expansion of its new factory in San Antonio, Texas, doubling the planned size to 1 million square feet with a $500 million investment, expected to create up to 1,500 jobs.
Latest news & breaking headlines
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC): Committed $100 billion to establish semiconductor manufacturing operations in Arizona, marking the largest foreign direct investment in U.S. history.
The White House
CMA CGM: The French shipping company plans to invest $20 billion in U.S. shipping and logistics, aiming to create 10,000 jobs. Initiatives include tripling its U.S.-flagged fleet, upgrading port facilities, and establishing a Chicago airfreight hub.
Eli Lilly and Company: Announced a $27 billion investment in U.S.-based manufacturing.
The White House
DAMAC Properties: Committed $20 billion to build new data centers in the U.S.
Clarios: The Wisconsin-based energy storage company plans a $6 billion expansion of its U.S. manufacturing operations.
The White House
Stellantis: Announced a $5 billion investment to reopen its Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant, aiming to re-employ 1,500 workers and improve its U.S. manufacturing network.
WSJ
GE Aerospace: Plans to invest $1 billion in manufacturing operations across 16 states, creating 5,000 new jobs.
The White House
Merck: Announced an $8 billion investment in the U.S. over the next several years following the opening of a $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility.
The White House
Johnson & Johnson: Committed to investing more than $55 billion in the U.S. in the coming years.
WSJ
Hyundai: Poised to unveil a $20 billion U.S. investment program.
WSJ
Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged at least $600 billion in U.S. investments over four years during a call with President Trump.
Business Insider
March 3 --- "WASHINGTON (AP) — Chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plans to invest $100 billion in the United States, President Donald Trump said Monday, on top of $65 billion in investments the company had previously announced.
TSMC, the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer, produces chips for companies including Apple, Intel and Nvidia. The company had already begun constructing three plants in Arizona after the Biden administration offered billions in subsidies. Its first factory in Arizona has started mass production of its 4-nanometer chips".
United States Investment Accelerator: On March 31, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the United States Investment Accelerator. This entity is designed to oversee the CHIPS Act program and expedite corporate investments exceeding $1 billion, particularly in semiconductor production.
The White HouseHe is actively working to create more job opportunities across various industries, and I believe he's doing a great job attracting investors. He's putting in a lot of effort, and I don't understand why anyone would view this negatively.
"Trump's first-term tariffs reduced total manufacturing employment by a net 2.7%, Aaron Flaaen and Justin Pierce, economists at the Federal Reserve Board, wrote in 2024. That's after accounting for a 0.4% boost to employment in manufacturing jobs protected by tariffs, they found.
The 2018-19 trade war "failed to revive domestic manufacturing" and actually reduced jobs in the broad manufacturing sector."
What did they say about doing the same thing and expecting a different result?
Another gem from his first term... How do these fools live with themselves? ...
https://x.com/CalltoActivism/status/1907906009840128282
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/10/do-tari … ay-no.htmlTo attract investors and ensure the development of industrial infrastructures is pathway of economic development. Trump was doing the right thing.
Oh bless her heart... She's here for the outfits..
OOP! DHS Accidentally Tells Ukrainian War Refugees to Self-Deport...
CBS News reported the Thursday email read, “DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole. Unless it expires sooner, your parole will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice.”
The alert added those who failed to self-deport would “be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States.”
The message concluded, “Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you… Please depart the United States immediately.”The country has had enough of Trump, Musk and MAGA...
'HANDS OFF': Protests ERUPT Today Across America ... From our largest cities to the smallest towns.
The power is with the people...always. and they are PISSED
And dear leader? Well he's golfing for a third day...
Reports of up to 10,000 currently marching down 5th avenue in NYC
https://x.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/19 … 9366705196Yes, the protests are EVERYWHERE, and Trump nor Republicans can afford to ignore the voices of so many. They are even protesting Musk and Trump policies in Europe.
This IS the Helter-Skelter I promised as the by product of the Trump Administration.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol … 868543007/Come on, Cred- when is there a weekend when liberals are not protesting something?
Shar,
I agree. Maybe they need a new hobby.
I always enjoy when people interview these protesters and none of them seem to know or understand what they're protesting.
It's comical.It is comical until they take it to the level of disruption or violence. As they have with Tesla.
Yes, the attack on the white house wasn't comical at all!
Expected this kind of comeback from someone — but let me be clear: I don’t excuse one side over the other, and I’m not wired to play that game.
The conversation was about the protest happening that weekend. My honest view? Liberals often take things too far in the name of protection — becoming unruly, breaking laws, destroying property, and too often causing harm to others. And they never disappoint on the silly scale.My honest view? MAGA often take things too far in the name of protection — becoming unruly, breaking laws, destroying property, and too often causing harm to others. And they never disappoint on the silly scale.
....
Do you understand what I'm saying. If you generalize you always miss the point. Liberals this, liberals that. That's the same thing as me saying that all republicans attacked the White house. If you generalize you never get anywhere and are spreading miss information.
When someone scratches with a car key on a Tesla, it is not all liberals that are doing this, nor accept this kind of behavior.
About the protests yesterday. Tens of thousands of people protested. Wouldn't it be a wonder if nothing happened at all? At such a scale there are always situations that become more heated. And of course especially these are in the news.I have no issue with why liberals protest. My point is that they protest frequently, and sometimes, their actions become unruly and destructive. Honestly, I don't often care about the specific cause they’re protesting because, as a rule, I don't agree with what they stand for.
So, when I say — My honest view? Liberals often take things too far in the name of protesting a cause, becoming unruly, breaking laws, destroying property, and too often causing harm to others. And they never disappoint when it comes to the absurd. I don’t feel I’m generalizing; this is my perspective, shaped over many decades of witnessing liberal protests.
Your comment is one I would expect from someone with a more liberal perspective. I could almost predict every word you used, as it’s a pattern I’ve seen before in these discussions. It would seem we have shared our views, but they differ. I acknowledge your view.Sharlee, my comment is not about the issues. But it is to put all liberals in in one box. That's the same thing as putting all republicans in one box.
You have a lot of shades. From extreme left wing to center to extreme right wing.
That was all I wanted to say.I understand your point about avoiding putting any one group into a box. Naturally, individuality comes into play when considering all human beings.
In my view, when a group shows up to protest, it's usually safe to assume that the majority are there to support a cause and can be seen as a group with a shared agenda. Would everyone in the group be inclined to break the law? I would assume not.
My honest view is that liberals often take things too far in the name of protesting—becoming unruly, breaking laws, and at times destroying property or causing harm to others. This is what I’ve personally witnessed, and it’s hard to deny what you’ve seen with your own eyes.
We can agree on the importance of individuality, even if we differ on how some liberals conduct themselves during protests.
It's clear time to agree to disagree. Our views differ. I note your view, and appreciate your right to share that view.
I’m not at war with you, despite what Kathleen felt the need to share. Confrontation is the nature of a political chat—I’m usually the one being confronted, as was the case here. But we both shared our views respectfully. White flag up --- walking away
People are pissed, they've lost a significant amount of their retirement savings. I don't know about you but I don't think that's funny...
No, that's stupid. It shows an intense amount of ignorance toward the market. Anybody, with ANY experience with the market knows these periods happen. They usually occur every other year. It's no big deal. The market always come back as history has shown. Bear markets happen, market corrections, all of this stuff has happened before and much worse. The market still came back.
Of course, that would require knowledge and understanding. They type of thing almost nonexistent on the left.This didn't just "happen" this was intentionally inflicted upon people. Trump was warned that this would be the result and he went ahead anyway.
I agree with President Donald Trump when he says, "Sometimes you have to take medicine."
He is trying to fix an out-of-control national debt that could bankrupt the nation. democrats have done absolutely NOTHING about it in the past four years except make it much, much worse. They have NO plan or idea on how to resolve this issue.
President Donald Trump has taken a bold move. A bold move was required. The alternative was to have the United States go bankrupt.He is trying to fix an out-of-control national debt
Non-partisan analysts estimate that the Senate-approved budget if enacted, could increase the federal debt by approximately $5.7 trillion over the next decade. A full array of Republican tax cuts could increase deficits by $9.1 trillion over 10 years...
https://www.pgpf.org/article/full-array … onal-debt/A lot of people don’t realize that the U.S. borrows money just to keep things running because we don’t have a revenue surplus like some other countries. Essentially, we spend more than we make, so we are forced to borrow. Borrowing helps cover the difference and keeps us afloat. Without it, we'd be in very big trouble, with essential services at risk and potentially facing financial collapse.
That said, relying on borrowing isn't a perfect solution—it means more debt and higher interest payments down the line. While we’re not technically insolvent right now, it’s not a situation we can keep relying on forever. The reason we can keep borrowing is because the U.S. dollar is still trusted around the world, and we can issue debt in our own currency. But if we keep going like this, it could start limiting our options and cause bigger problems down the road.
In my view, Trump realizes this great problem and hopes to bring in revenue and rebuild our economy, and rely less on borrowing or at best cut the amounts we borrow. Our debt is too high and can't be ignored any longer. We can't afford to be the world's piggy bank any longer.But his budget/ tax plan expands the debt, adds to it, blows it up?
I think you are missing a lot of key factors when criticizing Trump’s tax and budget plan. Sure, the tax cuts led to a short-term increase in debt, but that doesn’t account for all the other parts of his agenda. It wasn’t just about tax cuts—Trump had a whole strategy to boost the economy, including deregulation, bringing jobs back, promoting energy independence, and changing trade policies. The idea was that by lowering taxes, businesses and consumers would have more money to spend, which could lead to more jobs and higher tax revenue down the road. If the economy grows, tax receipts typically go up, which could help reduce the need for borrowing. The focus shouldn’t only be on the immediate debt increase, but on the long-term plan to grow the economy and eventually cut down on that debt.
Trump's agenda is multifaceted.
But, Mike this laid egg is not something that we have seen since the pandemic in 2020. So, it is not every other year and its implications are not to be ignored. Such a catastrophic drop always has a specific cause and is not just a market blip, maybe the rightwinger can actually wake and smell the coffee instead of pretending that nothing is happening?
I think we're rivaling a 1987 collapse now. We will see what happens today but the market is an absolute roller coaster this morning.
Cred,
I could supply you with many articles concerning the handling of a "Bear Market" which is where we are at. I could also supply you with many articles about "Market Corrections."
Understanding this would put things into perspective.
I'm telling you as someone who has dealt with the stock market for years what is happening is nothing new. It has dropped more and been worse in the past.
Don't forget, just like all the other times in history as well as in 2020, the market comes back. It ALWAYS comes back.
It is NOT a catastrophic drop. It is a market decrease.What a difference a few months makes.
December... The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. stock market is on track for its strongest two-year performance of the century.
Remember when Trump predicted the market would collapse under President Biden? LOL
The stock market reached record highs under Biden
MAGA cried and wailed over momentary 9% inflation. Pretended that egg prices were going to bankrupt you. And now? bending over for the largest tax increase since WWII.
Make it make sense.True enough. I was expecting far worse today... My bad for listening to the fear mongerers.
The fools woke up early and sold sold sold ... I was expecting it to fall further, but only an hour into trading the big money started stepping in and buying.
For instance TSLA dropped down into the 215 range before shooting back up over 250 before settling back down to around 235... Roughly where it was on Friday.
Sadly I was waiting for it to dip under 200... Never got close.
Not the sell off I was hoping for ...but I'm sure the media Credence watches is calling it the end of the world...and all Trumps fault.“Not the sell off I was hoping for ...but I'm sure the media Credence watches is calling it the end of the world...and all Trumps fault.”
It is the media the world watches and contrary to that are the delusions that Trump and his henchmen want to deceive us all with. And, yes, it is Trumps fault, isn’t it always?Smart people don't even know what MSNBC or CNN are saying... unless they are in politics or the media business... everyone else sane has figured out to turn that nonsense off and get on with life.
Perhaps, but when Wall Street aficionados, renown economists and nail biting members of the Republican party get nervous, those street protests may well point to a more fundamental issues. Scholarship and science is always taking a back seat to Trump’s intuition? That is not logical.
A few interesting facts regarding Trump and tariffs.
During Donald Trump's first term (2017–2020), the total revenue collected from tariffs was as follows:
2017: $34 billion
2018: $41.3 billion President Donald Trump began implementing significant tariffs during his first term, with key actions initiated in 2018:
2019: $70.8 billion
2020: $70.9 billion
total of approximately $217 billion in tariff revenue collected over the course of his first term.
Biden's term with Trump's Tariffs in place
Here’s the tariff revenue collected under President Biden’s administration:
Fiscal Year 2021: $84.3 billion
Fiscal Year 2022: $102.3 billion
Fiscal Year 2023: $92.3 billion
Fiscal Year 2024 (projected): $88.07 billion
This brings the total tariff revenue during Biden’s first term to around $367 billion. Trump's tariffs remained. With these exceptions ---March 2022: The U.S. and the United Kingdom reached a trade agreement that partially lifted tariffs on UK-produced steel and aluminum. In exchange, the UK removed retaliatory tariffs on over $500 million worth of American exports, including whiskey and motorcycles.
CNN
September 2024: The Biden administration finalized increases to tariffs on certain Chinese-made products. Tariff rates were raised to 100% on electric vehicles, 50% on solar cells, and 25% on electric vehicle batteries, critical minerals, steel, aluminum, face masks, and ship-to-shore cranes, effective September 27, 2024.
During President Barack Obama's administration (2009–2016), the United States collected the following amounts in customs duties (tariffs):
2009: Approximately $32 billion
2010: Approximately $33 billion
Tax Foundation
2011: Approximately $34 billion
2012: Approximately $35 billion
Tax Foundation
2013: Approximately $36 billion
2014: Approximately $37 billion
2015: Approximately $38 billion
2016: Approximately $39 billion
Trump's tariffs have achieved some of their goals, such as generating revenue, protecting certain U.S. industries, and pressuring foreign governments to address trade imbalances. However, they've also had negative side effects, global trade tensions, and retaliatory tariffs. The real challenge is in finding a balance where tariffs achieve the desired outcomes without unintended consequences.
In my view, fair trading would be very beneficial for America. If the U.S. could strike trade deals that ensure a level playing field—where both sides adhere to the same rules and standards—it would not only help protect American industries but also lead to more sustainable growth."During Donald Trump's first term (2017–2020), the total revenue collected from tariffs was as follows..
He "collected" it from who? Where did the money come from that comprised the reported numbers?
Your post compares the past use of targeted tariffs... The mess he has currently enacted are not targeted toward products but entire countries.It seems you're overlooking the simple fact that, regardless of who technically paid the tariffs at the border, the U.S. government collected real revenue—billions of dollars—thanks to the tariffs Trump put in place. That money went into our Treasury, and Biden has kept most of those same tariffs because they’re generating income and leverage in trade. Sure, some costs are passed to consumers, but that doesn’t erase the fact that the tariffs brought in revenue and were used as a strategic tool. It’s not just about who paid—it’s about what the U.S. gained from it. I support the new tariffs—just time to put up or shut up..
Who pays the tariff... Where does the "real revenue" come from? Out of whose pocket?
Come on, the importer pays the tariff and the source that ultimately sells the item to the public decides how much of that tariff cost to pass on to the consumer. We, the people are picking up the tab.
Working on keeping promises...US revokes all South Sudan visas, bars future issuance until deportees are accepted
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday announced the U.S. will revoke visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and no others will be issued, effective immediately.
Rubio attributed the change to "the failure of South Sudan's transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner," according to a statement posted on X.
The U.S. Department of State on Saturday wrote in a statement that it is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to "stop taking advantage" of the U.S.
"Enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States," according to the statement. "Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them. "
The department said it "will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation."
The East African country is currently on the verge of civil war, with escalating armed conflict, mass displacement and severe food insecurity.
Previously, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, suspended its operations, to include visa, passport, and other routine consular services, on April 22, 2023.
The move comes after the Trump administration in February ended a deportation shield for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it would revoke the statuses of more than 300,000 nationals protected by Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The Trump administration has deported more than 100,000 illegal migrants since taking office, according to a New York Post report citing a DHS official.
This administration means business... They are a team working to bring about Trump's promises to the American people.Tja...We live in uncertain times on a global scale. Personally I blame it on Social Media, the influencers and the podcasts who talk have discovered that seeding hatred, controversial points of view and lies is more profitable than the an ordinary conversation.
"A gentle reminder to all MAGA voters affected by the presidency: you voted for this. Your choice was against democracy and your own rights. If you need someone to blame, look no further than your own judgment, character, and decisions. You voted for this sh*t and you're gonna have to suffer like everyone else." - Willowarbor
As a general rule, I don’t usually respond to your comments, but this one really caught my attention. I don’t see anyone here who supports Trump complaining about his actions or having any regrets about voting for him and his agenda. In fact, it’s pretty clear from the posts that those of us who voted for him continue to back his agenda and expected some turbulence along the way. I was actually pleased to see you write more than one sentence—until I realized it was a quote.
No Kathleen (and Willow) my vote was against the status quo, against business-as-usual, against bloated government, against us, taken advantage of, etc. Our government is limited by the U.S. Constitution!
We have given a pass here, made an exception there... and over time, created a government, which is everything but --- limited!
Someone was needed to redirect and reconstruct, and someone is!
Be patient, good things will come. to us.
Democrats and Republicans, both, have made a royal mess of things for decades, and this much is clear, the damage done isn't going to fix itself.
Looks like Trump's approval polls are holding steady, even with the tariff shake-up.
Poll Date Approve Disapprove
Rasmussen April 7 48 51
Morning Consult April 4-6 46 52
J.L. Partners April 1-3 47 42
Reuters/Ipsos March 31-April 2 43 53
YouGov/Economist March 30-April 1 46 49
Marquette March 17-27 46 54
ActiVote March 1-30 48 49
Wall Street Journal/Fabrizio 27 March-April 1 46 51
CBS March 27-28 50 50
Harvard/Harris March 26-27 49 46
Chart values at --- https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-a … te-2056843The market is having a good day.
"Wall Street Soars As Trump Teases Trade Deals, Magnificent 7 Add Over $500 Billion In Market Value"
U.S. stocks surged in early trading Tuesday after President Donald Trump hinted at progress on some trade deals with key trading partners, easing fears of global trade disruption stemming from recent tariff announcements."
https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macr … rket-valueI'm feeling genuinely encouraged by the recent news that President Trump has indicated over 50 nations are now willing to come to the table for tariff negotiations. This is a strong signal that global momentum is shifting. I truly believe we're witnessing a turning point—one where open dialogue and fair trade can begin to reshape international relationships. I remain optimistic and have real faith that the tide is turning in a positive direction.
I believe in President Trump's agenda and have full confidence that he’s committed to delivering on his promises. He’s shown time and again that he won’t cave to pressure from the political establishment. I trust that he’ll keep fighting with everything he’s got to build a stronger, more prosperous America. I see his vision and share it. I am ready for any ups or downs.
Yes, this is where Trump is taking us. Who would believe that I would support actions like this.
I can have no affinity for such a man
https://news.yahoo.com/news/trump-admin … 45675.htmlDespicable. I'm quite certain she's been decorated many times more than our Secretary of Defense...a DUI hire.
So we fire a female Vice Admiral who apparently was on a "woke" list, whatever that is, and yet Whiskey Pete is still in the job after texting military plans for an impending attack that could have endangered the pilots executing the mission? One of them deserved to be fired and it wasn't the Vice Admiral.Despicable. I'm quite certain she's been decorated many times more than our Secretary of Defense...a DUI hire.
``````
Yeah, Driving Under the Influence, that is a good one. A drop out from Alcoholics Anonymous has the gall to attack a career military officer without a reason.
Another win for Trump in the Supreme Court --- second within days---
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with the Trump administration and upheld the mass firing of tens of thousands of probationary federal employees, granting a request for an emergency administrative stay on a lower court order blocking the firings.
The majority of the high court ruled that the plaintiffs, nine non-profit organizations who had sued to reinstate the employees, lacked standing to sue.
"The District Court’s injunction was based solely on the allegations of the nine non-profit-organization plaintiffs in this case. But under established law, those allegations are presently insufficient to support the organizations’ standing," the court said in an order.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson would have denied the application for a stay.
It's evident that our courts are functioning as they should, with cases related to Trump's policies progressing through the legal system and likely reaching the highest court. This should provide citizens with confidence that our system is working effectively."This should provide citizens with confidence that our system is working effectively.".
I think we all know that as soon as one decision goes against Maga we will hear the familiar refrain of "rogue, bias, ideological judges" once again... It's predictable. Happens every timeI'm not sure if you're referring to users here specifically or the public more broadly. We have so few users, and I think it's fair to say most here trust the courts. But in a broader sense, the media often targets the judiciary and frames decisions in political terms.
I think I see most Maga folks on this forum scream "rogue" every time a ruling goes against this Administration. Really without fail.
Chalk one up for the First Amendment...
A Judge just ruled that Trump can't ban reporters from The White House.
Judge Trevor McFadden...
The court simply holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists—be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere—it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints. The Constitution requires no less."
Defendants shall immediately rescind the denial of the AP’s access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other limited spaces based on the AP’s viewpoint when such spaces are made open to other members of the White House press pool.
FANTASTICI will say that is a win. Rachel Maddow, step right up!
trump will now refer to that presiding judge as a Marxist?"trump will now refer to that presiding judge as a Marxist?"
A glorious topper...
DC US District Judge Trevor McFadden — nominated to the federal bench by Trump in 2017.
Trump administration has the option to appeal Judge Trevor McFadden's ruling that mandates the restoration of the Associated Press's (AP) access to White House events.
Wonder if he will appeal this.ruling.Wonder why we're not hearing the usual chorus of "rogue judge" I'm guessing he will let this one go and the AP will be allowed back in and ignored.
Why on Earth is Trump signing executive orders targeting Miles Taylor and Chris krebs? Ordering DOJ Barbie to investigate them? This is dictatorship. This is sickening but please tell me more about weaponization...
This is the President, in the Oval Office, using the vast powers of the office to single out for punishment a single person for the crime of telling the truth.... Let that sink in.
This should terrify folks. This should provoke bipartisan outrage. This alone justifies impeachment.
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1910065764968931546Look like the economy is going just fine. This was out today.
"Inflation falls in March as annual core consumer prices rise at slowest rate in four years
March's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation pressures eased considerably last month, with annual core prices rising at their slowest pace since March 2021. But it could be the last time investors see moderating price growth as President Trump's tariff spree threatens to upend recent easing trends.
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.4% over the prior year in March, a slowdown from February's 2.8% annual gain and ahead of economist expectations of a 2.5% annual increase.
On a month-over-month basis, prices declined 0.1% — the first time monthly CPI prices have fallen since May 2020. This was also below the 0.2% increase seen in February and a beat compared to economists' estimates of a 0.1% monthly uptick.
On a "core" basis, which strips out the more volatile costs of food and gas, prices in March climbed 0.1% over the prior month, cooler than February's 0.2% monthly gain and ahead of economist expectations of a 0.3% increase.
Over the last year, core prices rose 2.8%, a deceleration from the 3.1% annual core price increases seen in the prior-month period and the slowest annual rise in core prices in four years.
Overall, March delivered the second straight monthly decline in headline and core CPI inflation.
The report greets investors less than 24 hours after markets rallied on the latest trade development: a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for most countries and a simultaneous increase of US levies on Chinese imports.
Although Trump has paused reciprocal tariffs (for now), the 10% baseline duties that went into effect last weekend for most countries remain. Mexico and Canada still face a separate set of duties related to fentanyl, while separate industry-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos remain unchanged.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inflatio … 04886.htmlTrump's policies haven't come into full effect yet...
Yet March's data is "backward looking" and doesn't reflect the trade policy changes orchestrated by the Trump administration, noted Kay Haigh, global co-head of fixed income and liquidity solutions in Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
"This could easily be the last really good CPI day for a while," Claudia Sahm, former Federal Reserve Board economist and current chief economist at Century Advisors, told Yahoo Finance following the data's release. "The tariffs that have gone into effect [but] it's going to take time for it to show up in the data."
More importantly, Americans don't feel fine about the economy. Poll after poll reflect the the unhappiness with all things cost of living...
But I have to ask, what policy or policies specifically can you name that would be directly responsible for inflation not increasing as rapidly?
Anyone??Encouraging to see overall inflation cooling and some key prices beginning to ease — it’s a sign that steady efforts are paying off and we’re moving in the right direction. As someone who follows stats closely, I believe they reflect more than just numbers — they factually track consumer confidence. When prices stabilize or drop, people feel more secure in their spending, which strengthens the economy from the ground up. Data like this gives real insight into how Americans are experiencing the economy day to day. I am keeping a positive attitude.
I think we're seeing a boost in consumer confidence because we have a new guy in the White House who’s focused on rebuilding our manufacturing sector, creating more jobs, and working toward a stronger economy. His plan to bring in more revenue includes bringing back jobs by revitalizing manufacturing, pushing for infrastructure investments to create jobs and long-term growth, making tax reforms to encourage business investment, and working toward energy independence to reduce costs and support local industries. All of these moves are aimed at creating a more stable economy for everyone.
Key Signs of Price Relief:
March 2025: Consumer prices fell 0.1% month-over-month — the first monthly drop in nearly 5 years.
February 2025: Prices rose 0.2%, which was already a slowdown from earlier months.
Annual Inflation: Year-over-year CPI in March was 2.4%, down from 2.8% in February and 3.1% in January.
Core CPI (excluding food and energy): Also eased to 2.8%, from 3.1%.What efforts are paying off? Specifically. What policy action can you connect to this slight cooling?. Not aspirations, not ideas but actual policy that has been put into place.
I mentioned twice in my previous comment that I feel it's all about consumer confidence. "I think we're seeing a boost in consumer confidence because we have a new guy in the White House."
Confidence is something that can’t be easily measured, but many people might be noticing all the efforts he's putting in—whether it’s the investments he’s secured, the executive orders that show he’s sticking to his promises, or his determination to tackle things like tariffs and criminal migration. With the border more under control, among other things, there’s a lot going on. I don’t need to list all the reasons I have confidence in Trump.
This morning, an American woman who had been held in a Russian penal colony for a year was released, thanks to a deal secured by Trump. He is focused on addressing real issues and does not ignore this woman's plea for help. This is an example of a kind act that builds confidence in a president. He cares about our citizens and is working for the People.What does it mean when you have confidence in a lack of policy though? If people are going to link any sort of positive movement in the economy to trump, you're going to need to point actions in terms of real policy that created that movemenet not just people's feelings.
He got an American citizen released from russia? Fantastic. What happened to the idea of quickly ending the war in Ukraine??
"..whether it’s the investments he’s secured,...
Another data center project bites the dust... Microsoft is no longer moving forward with its previous plans to invest $1 billion in three data center campuses in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron. Ohio... Why would any one invest here with the lack of stability under this administration? What they say one day can be reversed the next... LOL even when they say that it won't be. I mean this is just patheticAs of April 2025, President Donald Trump has signed over 112 executive orders to inates policies. Here are just a few from AI
cluding immigration, trade, taxation, regulation, and foreign affairs. Here's an overview of some key initiatives:
Immigration Policies:
Mass Deportation Initiative: President Trump has initiated what he describes as the largest domestic deportation operation in American history, utilizing military units alongside civilian agencies to remove undocumented immigrants.
Los Angeles Times
Border Security Measures: The administration has deployed the National Guard to cities with high crime rates, aiming to enhance public safety.
CNN
Travel Ban Expansion: The existing travel ban has been expanded to include refugees from Gaza, further restricting entry from certain countries. CNN
Termination of Birthright Citizenship: An executive order has been signed to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents without legal permanent residency.
Los Angeles Times
Trade and Economic Policies:
Tariff Implementation: President Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on virtually all foreign goods, with higher tariffs on imports from countries like China and Switzerland, aiming to protect American jobs and industries.
Los Angeles Times
Tax and Spending Cuts: The administration has proposed significant tax cuts, including lowering corporate tax rates to 15%, and has faced challenges in passing these measures due to concerns about increasing the national debt.
Regulatory Rollbacks: Efforts have been made to reduce federal regulations, particularly in the fossil fuel industry, by eliminating restrictions to promote increased domestic energy production.
U.S. News & World Report
Foreign Policy Actions:
Middle East Engagement: The administration has taken a more aggressive stance in the Middle East, including approving arms sales to Israel and proposing significant changes in response to the Gaza conflict.
The Guardian
Ukraine Conflict Response:
Domestic Policy Initiatives:
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): Established under Elon Musk, DOGE aims to reduce federal spending, streamline bureaucracy, and has overseen significant layoffs of civil servants to increase governmental efficiency.
Wikipedia
Education Policy Changes: The administration has proposed eliminating the Department of Education, using federal funding to influence K-12 schools to adopt merit-based pay for teachers, abolish tenure, and remove diversity programs.
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service
Civil Service Reforms: easier to dismiss federal workers by classifying thousands as outside civil service protections, aiming to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.
. Environmental and Energy Policies:
National Energy Emergency Declaration: President Trump declared a national energy emergency, directing the Department of Justice to challenge state climate laws that allegedly exceed constitutional authority. This move aims to bolster energy production amid rising demand from sectors like artificial intelligence and high-tech manufacturing.
AP News
Rollback of Water Efficiency Regulations: An executive order was signed to eliminate water flow restrictions on household appliances, particularly showerheads, sinks, and dishwashers. The administration argued that previous regulations reduced functionality, and the new order restores the 2.5-gallons-per-minute water flow standard to enhance consumer choice and convenience.
New York Post
2. Maritime Industry Revitalization:
Maritime Industry Revitalization Initiative: President Trump signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing the U.S. maritime industry to counter China's growing dominance in global shipping. The order mandates agencies to develop plans to restore domestic shipbuilding and strengthen the maritime workforce, emphasizing national security and economic prosperity.
WSJ
3. Educational Policies:
Expansion of Educational Freedom: An executive order was issued to promote school choice initiatives, including vouchers and charter schools, to provide families with more accessible educational options. This aims to empower parents to select the best educational settings for their children, irrespective of income or location.
Mosey
Foreign Policy Actions:
Withdrawal from International Organizations: The administration withdrew the United States from certain United Nations organizations and reviewed support for all international organizations. This action reflects a shift towards prioritizing national interests and reassessing international commitments.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
National Security and Foreign Policy:
Designating Foreign Terrorist Organizations: President Trump signed an executive order designating certain cartels and organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This designation enhances the U.S. government's ability to target these entities with sanctions and other measures to disrupt their operations.
Wikipedia
Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC): The administration imposed sanctions on the ICC, responding to investigations into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. personnel. This move reflects the administration's stance against what it perceives as unwarranted scrutiny of American forces.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
2. Social Policies:
Protecting Second Amendment Rights: An executive order was issued to reinforce the protection of Second Amendment rights, aiming to prevent federal overreach into firearm ownership and usage. This action underscores the administration's commitment to safeguarding gun rights.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
Establishment of The White House Faith Office: President Trump established the White House Faith Office to engage with religious communities, ensuring that faith-based organizations have a voice in federal policy discussions and can access government resources for community support initiatives.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
+1
Wikipedia
+1
3. Trade and Economic Measures:
Imposing Duties to Address Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain: The administration imposed duties on imports from the People's Republic of China to combat the flow of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, into the United States. This measure aims to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs contributing to the opioid crisis.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
Establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund: Plans were announced to establish a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund, intended to invest federal revenues in various assets to generate returns for future generations. This initiative seeks to strengthen the nation's financial position and support long-term economic stability.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
+1
Wikipedia
+1
4. Education Policies:
Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunities: Executive orders were signed to promote school choice, including support for charter schools and voucher programs, aiming to provide families with more options for their children's education. This policy reflects a push towards greater educational diversity and parental control.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling: The administration issued directives to eliminate curricula and programs in K-12 schools that it deems promote radical ideologies, aiming to ensure that education focuses on foundational academic subjects without political bias.
Global Law Firm | DLA Piper
5. Legal and Judicial Actions:
Addressing Legal Firms' Practices: Executive orders targeted major law firms accused of weaponizing the judicial system and supporting political opponents. Actions included revoking security clearances and restricting federal building access for certain firms, sparking debates about legal ethics and the politicization of the legal profession.
Business InsiderNot one of those can be linked to inflation growing less last month...
Any of them could help boost consumer confidence. Consumer confidence refers to how optimistic people are about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation. It’s a bit tricky to pinpoint exactly what drives it because it’s influenced by many factors, like economic conditions, job security, and even political stability. But overall, it’s that sense of assurance people feel when they’re confident about spending.
February saw a modest rebound, with retail sales inching up by 0.2%. This slight increase followed a sharper 1.2% decline in January, indicating that while there was some recovery. We saw more growth in March,
Example of consumer spending -- For instance, Costco reported robust performance in March, with total sales rising 8.6% year-over-year to $25.5 billion, highlighting sustained consumer demand despite economic uncertainties. This spending occurred across many sectors.
Consumor confidence is individule. But it can be measured by overall spending.
The tariff situation could cause consumers to hold back on spending, but it might also end up not having that big of an impact. We’ll have a clearer picture of consumer confidence once next month’s stats come in. That said, Trump has been adjusting tariffs for the past couple of months, and we’re still moving in the right direction.
I think we will see good stats; thus far, we are headed in the right direction, and it appears that consumers are behind Trump through all the ups and downs.Consumer confidence or sentiment, in my opinion, is not always an accurate reflection of the economy because it is subjective and can be influenced by factors beyond objective economic data, meaning it does not always align with actual economic conditions.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/20 … e-economy/This was my point. It appears that this confidence may be coming due to Trump and the new administration. As I said, this confidence is an individual mindset. Are they comfortable with spending? The stats in the past couple of months show consumer confidence. Next month, we will see how the consumer feels about the tariffs and do they have confidence in the government and Trump's policies. The economy in the past months is going in the right direction, as it did in 2024. Not sure why you feel our economy is going in the wrong direction. The numbers just don't show that.
Energy prices have experienced a decline recently. In March 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.4% annually, with the energy index decreasing by 2.4% month-over-month. This decline was largely driven by a significant drop in gasoline prices.
Business Insider
Additionally, on April 9, 2025, Brent crude oil prices fell below $60 per barrel for the first time since February 2021, amid concerns over global trade tensions and increased oil output from major producers. Although prices rebounded later that day following a reversal in U.S. trade policy, the initial drop contributed to the overall decrease in energy prices.
Home loan rates have generally decreased in recent weeks. As of April 10, 2025, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.62%, down from 6.88% at the same time last year.
New car prices experienced a modest decline at the start of 2025.
Some food comodities have come down; some have not.
You might want to realize many are very satisfied with how all is going. It is also ovipus some are not.
9-0 Supreme Court UPHOLDS a court order requiring the Trump administration to bring a Maryland man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, back to the U.S. after mistakenly deporting him to El Salvador.
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