And then privatize all those benefits we used to expect as part of our responsibilities/benefits; public education, snap, USPS, NOAA, NIH, SS, Medicare/Medicaid..
Serious question here—given the intentional destruction of the federal government, the US economy and the ongoing national security domestic and foreign threats and breeches, are Trump & bros teeing up the United States for a President-assisted invasion by a foreign (Russian) power? Is anyone talking about Trump & bros as legit Russian assets?
My dad was an intelligence analyst and said that it is extremely likely that the KGB approached Trump as they approached him (my dad), a low-level analyst. He said the practice was to approach all "important" people by handing them a business card. The first approach was very casual, but of course if people took the bait, more intense conversations would happen.
'From the KGB's point of view, the most appealing quality about Trump was probably that he had a personality that was ideal for a potential asset - vain, narcissistic, highly susceptible to flattery, and greedy. It was unclear whether time invested in developing him would pay off, but that's the way the KGB sometimes operated. It was like throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing what would stick.' from the book
To clarify, it could be an economic invasion, a more extensive political invasion, a bioterror invasion, and yes also an actual invasion. Weakening of the FDA, elimination of DOE, installing non-scientists/doctors in leading public health, ousting military, infecting institutions -higher ed, justice/legal, health care do nothing but weaken the ability of the people of the US to engage, respond to threats. Just sayin.
This is sabotage. Worse yet, it’s got to be fought with all our might, and that’s using REALLY technical market information in a message hard to convey. Gotta simplify it to-
Trump’s ripping us off like a mobster from his billionaire crypto to cutting deals swaying our country’s lenders, just like your bank pulling the plug on your equity line or home mortgage. IMHO
I am going to use some of this material to write a letter to the editor. I try to keep to 200 words, and I’d like to put in some info on how under Dem leadership the economy grows. And how to fight this steal…Republicans honor your oath! Stop Trumps exec orders! I have some facts from Simon’s With Dems things get better. I was looking for it the other day. Simon I hope you are updating and will make available again.
Is JD Vance any better? How can we make sure to broaden discussion to include Vance and others who would take over -- even if Trump weren't 'our leader'.....
In my opinion, Vance is better and worse. Better because he's actually smart and must know that this tariff policy is insane. Worse because he's smart and is vengeful (bad for the universities, but perhaps not for medical research?). MAGA types don't seem to like Vance, however, so I'd be cautiously optimistic if we were to get rid of Trump for Vance.
As this post indictates, riches, even the moderately wealthy like a lot of us will weather it out but the foreigners will not because they do not have to.
Definitely an outstanding discussion with Rob Shapiro! So helpful to be able to see the perfect storm clearly so we can use it when speaking with others, writing letters and making calls. Thanks to Simon and Rob for the enlightening conversation and to all hopium members for their dedication...we have to burst the pipes!!!
I just figured it out: MAGA does not mean for Trump's gang to Make America Great Again, instead it means when we get rid of him, his replacement will need all those MAGA hats delivered to Democrats to Make America Great Again!
Simon - First I want to thank you for daily encouraging your followers and readers to keep the faith and fight in ways that may block many of Trump's worst policies and instincts. However, I think we need to think even farther outside the box. Most the "wins" have been in court - courts have blocked the Administration, either temporarily or permanently, from doing what the Administration said it would do. That only brings us back to the status quo, and we, the American taxpayers pay for the Justice Department and other government agencies to defend his policies and edits. I hope we can go on the offensive -- to push back so that there is some real cost to the horrible, and in many cases hateful, policies he seeks to enact/decree. To find a way to take from him both his power and his intrusion in our lives. In filing lawsuits, the "opposition" is defending, is reactive. I hope that very smart, creative and thoughtful folks will propose ways to go on offense and push back Trump's battle lines.
This was an excellent discussion. I have so much more understanding about what is going on now and I really appreciate all that you’re doing for us Simon.
Thanks. I used the information from this interview in my calls to Tillis and Budd this morning. I do believe that Tillis understands how the markets function (he has lots of money in the markets!), so think that he might one day grow a spine and vote against Trump. This will be especially true if former NC governor Roy Cooper announces that he is going to run for senator, because Cooper is extremely popular and will give Tillis a strong run for his money. This will change Tillis's political calculus because he will have to factor in the non-MAGA Republican voters, who will probably lean towards Cooper. Cooper is expected to announce this month. (PLEASE! PLEASE!) Budd I have less hope for, but people are complicated and I continue to call him seven days a week.
What about tanking the economy being deliberate so corporations can just buy everything up for cents on the dollar?
And then privatize all those benefits we used to expect as part of our responsibilities/benefits; public education, snap, USPS, NOAA, NIH, SS, Medicare/Medicaid..
Serious question here—given the intentional destruction of the federal government, the US economy and the ongoing national security domestic and foreign threats and breeches, are Trump & bros teeing up the United States for a President-assisted invasion by a foreign (Russian) power? Is anyone talking about Trump & bros as legit Russian assets?
Of course Trump is a Russian asset. But the idea Russia would invade the US is absurd.
Just reading Craig Unger's American Kompromat. Yes, Russian asset since 1980s.
My dad was an intelligence analyst and said that it is extremely likely that the KGB approached Trump as they approached him (my dad), a low-level analyst. He said the practice was to approach all "important" people by handing them a business card. The first approach was very casual, but of course if people took the bait, more intense conversations would happen.
Whoa.
'From the KGB's point of view, the most appealing quality about Trump was probably that he had a personality that was ideal for a potential asset - vain, narcissistic, highly susceptible to flattery, and greedy. It was unclear whether time invested in developing him would pay off, but that's the way the KGB sometimes operated. It was like throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing what would stick.' from the book
To clarify, it could be an economic invasion, a more extensive political invasion, a bioterror invasion, and yes also an actual invasion. Weakening of the FDA, elimination of DOE, installing non-scientists/doctors in leading public health, ousting military, infecting institutions -higher ed, justice/legal, health care do nothing but weaken the ability of the people of the US to engage, respond to threats. Just sayin.
This is sabotage. Worse yet, it’s got to be fought with all our might, and that’s using REALLY technical market information in a message hard to convey. Gotta simplify it to-
Trump’s ripping us off like a mobster from his billionaire crypto to cutting deals swaying our country’s lenders, just like your bank pulling the plug on your equity line or home mortgage. IMHO
Milk
And
Gut
America
The next red hat
I am going to use some of this material to write a letter to the editor. I try to keep to 200 words, and I’d like to put in some info on how under Dem leadership the economy grows. And how to fight this steal…Republicans honor your oath! Stop Trumps exec orders! I have some facts from Simon’s With Dems things get better. I was looking for it the other day. Simon I hope you are updating and will make available again.
Is JD Vance any better? How can we make sure to broaden discussion to include Vance and others who would take over -- even if Trump weren't 'our leader'.....
In my opinion, Vance is better and worse. Better because he's actually smart and must know that this tariff policy is insane. Worse because he's smart and is vengeful (bad for the universities, but perhaps not for medical research?). MAGA types don't seem to like Vance, however, so I'd be cautiously optimistic if we were to get rid of Trump for Vance.
I suspect that, to be a successful fascist, some part of the populace has to like you.
Where are the very rich? Are they and their families somehow protected from this possible significant crisis??
As this post indictates, riches, even the moderately wealthy like a lot of us will weather it out but the foreigners will not because they do not have to.
Enjoyed this talk very much..... a perfect storm -- explained so clearly. Thank you both.
Outstanding! Thank you! What can we do about DOGE?
Definitely an outstanding discussion with Rob Shapiro! So helpful to be able to see the perfect storm clearly so we can use it when speaking with others, writing letters and making calls. Thanks to Simon and Rob for the enlightening conversation and to all hopium members for their dedication...we have to burst the pipes!!!
So informative. So terrifying. Will someone. SOMEONE please realize
That trump does
Not want
To
Help the USA. He is working to destroy our country. Everything points to this conclusion. Why does everyone think he has normal intentions??
I just figured it out: MAGA does not mean for Trump's gang to Make America Great Again, instead it means when we get rid of him, his replacement will need all those MAGA hats delivered to Democrats to Make America Great Again!
😂thanks for a moment of levity!
Simon - First I want to thank you for daily encouraging your followers and readers to keep the faith and fight in ways that may block many of Trump's worst policies and instincts. However, I think we need to think even farther outside the box. Most the "wins" have been in court - courts have blocked the Administration, either temporarily or permanently, from doing what the Administration said it would do. That only brings us back to the status quo, and we, the American taxpayers pay for the Justice Department and other government agencies to defend his policies and edits. I hope we can go on the offensive -- to push back so that there is some real cost to the horrible, and in many cases hateful, policies he seeks to enact/decree. To find a way to take from him both his power and his intrusion in our lives. In filing lawsuits, the "opposition" is defending, is reactive. I hope that very smart, creative and thoughtful folks will propose ways to go on offense and push back Trump's battle lines.
Thanks, Simon! This is really clear -- and terrifying. I'm sharing it widely.
Encouraging news yesterday from Texas. Small cracks!https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/gop-endorsed-candidates-lose-ground-tarrant-county-texas-nonpartisan-elections/287-818039b4-cec6-460c-8259-774a9895aa46
This was an excellent discussion. I have so much more understanding about what is going on now and I really appreciate all that you’re doing for us Simon.
Thanks. I used the information from this interview in my calls to Tillis and Budd this morning. I do believe that Tillis understands how the markets function (he has lots of money in the markets!), so think that he might one day grow a spine and vote against Trump. This will be especially true if former NC governor Roy Cooper announces that he is going to run for senator, because Cooper is extremely popular and will give Tillis a strong run for his money. This will change Tillis's political calculus because he will have to factor in the non-MAGA Republican voters, who will probably lean towards Cooper. Cooper is expected to announce this month. (PLEASE! PLEASE!) Budd I have less hope for, but people are complicated and I continue to call him seven days a week.