Surprise! Treasury Department Reports an Unexpected +$27 Billion Surplus in June, Compared to a -$71 Billion Deficit in June 2024 Under "President" Biden

The increased revenues come from Trump's tariffs.

Americans who aren't used to seeing the words "government" and "surplus" in the same sentence are in for a surprise.
The federal government ran at a surplus in June, according to the Treasury Department, meaning money coming in surpassed money going out.
And it was largely money coming in from President Donald Trump's tariffs that made the difference, according to news reports.
According to CNBC, tariffs collected on goods imported into the country for sale totaled $27 billion for the month, up from $23 billion in May, and a whopping 301 percent more than the figure from June 2024, when President Joe Biden was in office.
In that month a year ago, the government ran a $71 billion deficit, CNBC reported.
Completing the turnaround, the June 2025 surplus number compared to a deficit in May of $316 billion, according to CNBC. (The deficit in May 2024 was even higher, $347 billion, Reuters reported at the time.)
According to the Treasury Department report, tariffs, recorded as "Customs duties," were still a small part of the government's revenue.
With the government's largest revenue streams -- including individual and corporate income taxes -- making up $236 billion of the month's revenues, Social Security and retirement taxes combining for $487 billion in government revenue for the month, the $27 billion in tariffs is comparatively small.
But the difference is substantial, since, according to the financial news website Investing.com, analysts "had expected a deficit of $41.5 billion."
As CNBC put it: "Increasing tariff collections are helping shore up the government finances."

Trump's economic advisor predicts that Trump's tariffs will raise $3 trilly over the next ten years.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said that tariffs will raise $3 trillion in new revenue over the next decade.
"The bottom line is that President Trump has produced a huge amount of tariff revenue with the tariffs we've seen in the first half of the year," Hassett told ABC News on Sunday. "The Congressional Budget Office has said that tariff revenue over the next 10 years, which will help reduce the deficit and secure our entitlement programs, is $3 trillion. And consumers haven't seen that.
"You know, consumer price index, inflation rate now is the lowest it's been in over a decade. And so what President Trump has always said is that the foreign suppliers, the foreign governments are gonna bear most of the tariffs, it's being visibly seen, and I think that that's probably affecting his negotiating position, because we've got all this empirical evidence that his position has been proven correct in the data."

The last time the government generated a monthly surplus was back in 2017, Trump's first term.

JUST IN: US Treasury hits surplus for June 2025 thanks to Tariffs, leftist CNBC admits.

The $27+ billion surplus came as a surprise after the $316 billion deficit in May.

The last time a surplus occurred was during President Trump's first term in 2017. pic.twitter.com/cXM9BHzUFg
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) July 11, 2025

Posted by: Ace at 02:24 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 14, 2025 02:23 PM (N1DT3)

2 Almost like everything we've been told for the past 50 years has been wrong...

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 14, 2025 02:24 PM (N1DT3)

3 LIES! Tariffs kill!

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2025 02:24 PM (ExV1e)

4 But tariffs are bad...

Posted by: steevy at July 14, 2025 02:25 PM (YwEeS)

5
The posts are flyin' today!

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2025 02:25 PM (xp7+v)

6 Only other countries can use tariffs for their benefit...

Posted by: steevy at July 14, 2025 02:25 PM (YwEeS)

7 Unpossible! I was told that tariffs would crash the economy and kill puppies!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (u73oe)

8 I'm a trained economist (though that's not my job now) and the biggest failing economists have is believing that their theories that work with all other things being equal HAVE TO work like that in the real world.

I had a very good professor (who was an Austrian, btw), who would often say "When I look out the window, it doesn't work like that"

That's the kind of humility economists need.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (N1DT3)

9 We really need a deficit of credentialed cretins.

Posted by: Anna Puma at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (6iQ9H)

10 But, but, tariffs bad. Everyone says so.

Posted by: Martin Tell at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (sFNX2)

11 I looked at the pattern.

Over the past 5 years, June is somewhere between a slight slowdown in growth to a continuation of the growth in May.

An outright reversal is...unusual.

We'll see.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (GBKbO)

12 Trump gets lucky again!

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (Qr870)

13 Sometimes it's nice to be the biggest dog in the yard.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (u82oZ)

14 Heh. A lefty acquaintance had recently complained to me that Trump doesn't care about people; he only wants to win.

Personally, I think Americans benefit when Trump wins.

Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (rF2iL)

15 "Here's why surpluses are actually a bad thing."

Posted by: 496 at July 14, 2025 02:27 PM (Wk8nw)

16 14 Heh. A lefty acquaintance had recently complained to me that Trump doesn't care about people; he only wants to win.

Personally, I think Americans benefit when Trump wins.
Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (rF2iL)

========

"So?"

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:27 PM (GBKbO)

17 Replacing unfunded spending with tariff revenue can only reduce the calculated GDP! Why does Trump want to crush the GDP numbers!

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 02:27 PM (D7oie)

18 15 "Here's why surpluses are actually a bad thing."
Posted by: 496 at July 14, 2025 02:27 PM (Wk8nw)

=======

"This will lead to Congress just spending more. Trump is betraying MAGA."
-Charlie Kirk, 75% probability

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:27 PM (GBKbO)

19 Now if we can only get congress to cut spending we will be cooking with grease.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 14, 2025 02:28 PM (XV/Pl)

20 I like how a wag whose name I cannot recall (sorry, wag) who said "this isn't a surplus. Its an interest payment."

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:28 PM (dfIr7)

21 Assume a can opener . . .

Posted by: Shipwrecked Economist at July 14, 2025 02:28 PM (wVcYX)

22 "When I look out the window, it doesn't work like that"
-------

The window?

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2025 02:28 PM (Qr870)

23 21 Assume a can opener . . .
Posted by: Shipwrecked Economist at July 14, 2025 02:28 PM (wVcYX)

=======

"Next to the spherical chicken?"
-Shipwrecked physicist

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:29 PM (GBKbO)

24 I had a very good professor (who was an Austrian, btw), who would often say "When I look out the window, it doesn't work like that"

That's the kind of humility economists need.
Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (N1DT3)

We just need to assign the correct calculation to the "Util" to understand the actual value of Marginal Utility.

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 02:29 PM (D7oie)

25 Don't tell the Dems. They'll scream "we can afford health care for illegals, sex "reassignment " surgery for minors, pay off student loans..."

Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 14, 2025 02:29 PM (Ry3Y5)

26 “I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up,” Obama said at the event on Friday, according to excerpts of his remarks exclusively obtained and released by CNN.

“You know, don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something,” he reportedly said, expressing his disdain for the collective embrace of Democratic victimhood.

... but .. but victimhood is the currency of the realm

Posted by: SMOD at July 14, 2025 02:29 PM (RHGPo)

27 Is that good?

Posted by: eleven at July 14, 2025 02:29 PM (fV+MH)

28

April Fooool!

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (63Dwl)

29 Economists and weather forecasters. Often wrong, never in doubt.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (u73oe)

30 The fact that tariffs are raising so much money, while prices and inflation are trending down, gives credence to the theory -- espoused by geniuses like The Blade and others here -- that most if not all of the cost of the tariffs would be absorbed by the foreign exporter.

Basically, it was foreign exporters -- perhaps in cahoots with US importers -- making obscene profits and are now making less obscene profits.

Some foreign governments (such as Japan) are subsidizing their companies' tariff costs.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (iFTx/)

31 I don't nood Great Expectation haterz.

Posted by: eleven at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (fV+MH)

32 Golly!

Posted by: Nobel Prize Economist and Enron Advisor Paul Krugman at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (wVcYX)

33 This is what I voted for.

Posted by: Not tired of winning at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (bcy1V)

34 So.. are we dead yet?

Posted by: Reforger at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (lPvx2)

35 Heh. A lefty acquaintance had recently complained to me that Trump doesn't care about people; he only wants to win.

Personally, I think Americans benefit when Trump wins.
Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at July 14, 2025 02:26 PM (rF2iL)

That acquaintance read that somewhere. It's classic persuasion and sloganeering.

Taking an obvious strength of Trump's and turning it into an apparent weakness.

Them for 10 straight years: Trump's a loser! Trump Steaks! Trump University! Felon!

Trump: (wins repeatedly)

Them: Trump only cares about winning!

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (Qr870)

36 I thought tariffs were a huge tax on the american middle class, were horrible economic policy, cause rampant inflation and invariably led to trade wars and never raised any money?

Was I misled on that?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (uCjyK)

37 30 The fact that tariffs are raising so much money, while prices and inflation are trending down, gives credence to the theory -- espoused by geniuses like The Blade and others here -- that most if not all of the cost of the tariffs would be absorbed by the foreign exporter.

Basically, it was foreign exporters -- perhaps in cahoots with US importers -- making obscene profits and are now making less obscene profits.

Some foreign governments (such as Japan) are subsidizing their companies' tariff costs.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:30 PM (iFTx/)

=======

Tariffs are a government fee. They don't increase the money supply. If they do anything to the money supply, it's reduce dollars flowing because of increased prices on targeted foreign goods.

They are minorly deflationary.

But every economist who screamed that tariffs are inflationary for the past 3 months will get paid more to teach economics than me.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:32 PM (GBKbO)

38 This is yet another "experts say" that's false. That keeps happening.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 14, 2025 02:32 PM (2ocoG)

39 Unexpected by whom?

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (viF8m)

40 CNBC, and all the rest, including those "economists" are utter clowns. Buffoons of the highest order. Completely devoid of integrity. And deserving of zero respect.

Posted by: Lady in Black at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (qBdHI)

41 Tariffs are a tax on the American consumer!!! - Those People

The corporate tax rate is too low!!! - The Same People

Posted by: mikeski at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (DgGvY)

42 He just raised tariffs on Mexico and the EU too.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (u73oe)

43 So I don't know, obviously, but I thought I read somewhere that this surplus is a one time thing due to accounting tricks, such as bringing revenue forward or one time charges, etc., and that once this washes out of the system it will be back to deficits.

Anyone know if that take has any basis in reality?

Posted by: SimoHayha at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (5/e+B)

44 I think we all should stop and think about this for a minute.

Yes, this is more tax revenue for the US treasury. Yes, tariffs should bring jobs back to the US.

But have you thought about what effect this has on Chinese oligarchs and the CCP? They now have to pay slightly more money in order to sell in to the US economy.

That hardly seems fair to them.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (uCjyK)

45 Its funny how with tariffs the left/FNM has finally discovered people PAY the money the government gets from taxes.

Unlike pretty much every other type of tax though some of the money that tariffs raise come from foreigners...

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (t0Rmr)

46 Might I humbly suggest that we take our tariff windfall and:

1) Slash spending, and
2) Pay down the National Fucking Debt?

Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (wtvvX)

47 Can we officially now declare the media are retards?

Posted by: Weasel at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (rAX2y)

48 You know why the narrative was that tariffs were inflationary?

Because the right had effectively used inflation as a bludgeon against Democrats last year, and inflation sounded scary.

There was never any economic reason to say it or believe it.

But, I'm sure that the next report over in the NYT is believable and well-researched and trustworthy.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (GBKbO)

49 Anyone know if that take has any basis in reality?
Posted by: SimoHayha at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (5/e+B)

All you have to do is look at where you read it.

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (Qr870)

50 But the last thread told me America Is Doomed!

Posted by: Can't keep up at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (bcy1V)

51 I think we all should stop and think about this for a minute.

Yes, this is more tax revenue for the US treasury. Yes, tariffs should bring jobs back to the US.

But have you thought about what effect this has on Chinese oligarchs and the CCP? They now have to pay slightly more money in order to sell in to the US economy.

That hardly seems fair to them.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (uCjyK)
________

It might cost $21 bucks now ....

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (iFTx/)

52 Trump needs to slap the economists with a tariff. That'll teach them.

Posted by: Blast Hardcheese at July 14, 2025 02:35 PM (V362x)

53 43 So I don't know, obviously, but I thought I read somewhere that this surplus is a one time thing due to accounting tricks, such as bringing revenue forward or one time charges, etc., and that once this washes out of the system it will be back to deficits.

Anyone know if that take has any basis in reality?
Posted by: SimoHayha at July 14, 2025 02:33 PM (5/e+B)

Yes, it's always budget gimmicks. There is no way the US is not at a massive budget deficit by the end of the year. Like every other year.

That said, it's more of a way to refute the stupid lies about tariffs our Free Trade (tm) Betters have been pushing on us for 40 years.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:35 PM (uCjyK)

54 But have you thought about what effect this has on Chinese oligarchs and the CCP? They now have to pay slightly more money in order to sell in to the US economy.

That hardly seems fair to them.

Superhero referencing post on this coming in this afternoon boss!

Well, presuming Paolo lets me get to my work computer in the house. Hard to write an article on my switch in the cuck shed after all

Posted by: Jonah Goldberg at July 14, 2025 02:35 PM (t0Rmr)

55 >>Trump's economic advisor predicts that Trump's tariffs will raise $3 trilly over the next ten years.

Woo-hoo! We have $3T in new spending opportunities over the next ten years!

Posted by: Congress at July 14, 2025 02:35 PM (Y1sOo)

56 I have as many hands as a Hindu God, if not more!

OTOH . . .

Posted by: Nobel Prize Economist and Enron Advisor Paul Krugman at July 14, 2025 02:35 PM (wVcYX)

57 All that sweet sweet potential graft
The poli-tick-ians weep

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at July 14, 2025 02:35 PM (Ch4Qk)

58 If only anyone was still alive to know.

But, we're all dead from the first election of Trump, first Trump tax cuts, the end of net neutrality, the withdraw from the Paris Accords, the end of Roe v. Wade, the second election of Trump, the end of USAID, the the mass firings of federal workers, and now the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill.

I'm dead so many times now, I've lost count.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at July 14, 2025 02:36 PM (JThEY)

59 46 Might I humbly suggest that we take our tariff windfall and:

1) Slash spending, and
2) Pay down the National Fucking Debt?
Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (wtvvX)

lol, no.

But if you donate $5 TODAY, we'll stop the Big Spending Washington machine!

- RNC

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:36 PM (uCjyK)

60 It's a write off, Jerry.
They just write it off.

Posted by: Kramer at July 14, 2025 02:37 PM (bcy1V)

61 Sid hardest hit.

Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:37 PM (wtvvX)

62
But have you thought about what effect this has on Chinese oligarchs and the CCP? They now have to pay slightly more money in order to sell in to the US economy.

That hardly seems fair to them.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes

Muh lice bowr!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh![ at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (xG4kz)

63 Are any countries trying to reach a trade agreement? I just see more and more tariffs being enacted. I'm willing to wait them out but I would like to see more success in getting them to the table.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)

64 So can we start paying down the debt, or will we just find something to waste it on (glares at Ukraine)?

Posted by: Methos at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (zLwRl)

65 61 Sid hardest hit.
Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:37 PM (wtvvX)

======

Dude just wants to vote for Vance.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (GBKbO)

66 You know why the narrative was that tariffs were inflationary?

Because the right had effectively used inflation as a bludgeon against Democrats last year, and inflation sounded scary.

There was never any economic reason to say it or believe it.

But, I'm sure that the next report over in the NYT is believable and well-researched and trustworthy.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (GBKbO)
_____

Well, I think it also was appealing on a lizard brain level. If inflation means higher prices, and tariffs mean imported good will cost more, then tariffs mean higher prices/inflation. Right? A lot of people swallowed that formulation, including more than a few commenting on this smart military blog.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (iFTx/)

67 Its funny how with tariffs the left/FNM has finally discovered people PAY the money the government gets from taxes.

Unlike pretty much every other type of tax though some of the money that tariffs raise come from foreigners...
Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (t0Rmr)

Only little people pay taxes. Little people like you lot.

Posted by: Zombie Leona Helmsley, Queen of Mean at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (wVcYX)

68 61 Sid hardest hit.
Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:37 PM (wtvvX)

I'd say Sid is AI except for the intelligence part....

Posted by: It's me donna at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (VE6XX)

69 Can Jerome Powell read these words and know what to do? Fuck that Cuck.

Posted by: pudinhead at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (W3T6M)

70 Justin O'Donnell @ODonnell4NH Jul 12
The Govt had a $27,000,000,000 surplus one month.

The National Debt is $37,000,000,000,000.

The Surplus was 0.07% of the debt.

$76,750,000,000 in interest accrued on the national debt in the same month.

Tariffs aren't gonna fix the spending issue

Justin O'Donnell @ODonnell4NH Jul 13
By the way, it wasn't the first monthly surplus in 20 years, it was the 7th in 4 years.

Heck, the one in April was 10x as big, at $240 billion, but they never bragged about that because they didn't have the Epstein drama to distract the MAGA base from

Justin O'Donnell @ODonnell4NH 23h
Not to mention, it wasn't even a real surplus!

Just moving expenses from June to May, and increasing your outlay in May doesn't change that June didn't bring in enough revenue to cover June Expenses.

What's the difference between Bookkeeping and Accounting?
https://tinyurl.com/ywvvsuep

And I recall something about June 1 being a Sunday meant expenses were treated differently.

Posted by: andycanuck at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (2yoRf)

71 Are any countries trying to reach a trade agreement? I just see more and more tariffs being enacted. I'm willing to wait them out but I would like to see more success in getting them to the table.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)
----------

I think a number of them didn't believe the pause was actually a pause. In fact, experts in our own country probably advised them to wait it out.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (tT6L1)

72 66 Well, I think it also was appealing on a lizard brain level. If inflation means higher prices, and tariffs mean imported good will cost more, then tariffs mean higher prices/inflation. Right? A lot of people swallowed that formulation, including more than a few commenting on this smart military blog.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (iFTx/)

=======

"All rises in prices are inflation," is easy to understand.

And no economist who said anything along those lines should be treated with anything other than contempt and derision.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (GBKbO)

73 Because the right had effectively used inflation as a bludgeon against Democrats last year, and inflation sounded scary.

There was never any economic reason to say it or believe it.

It sounds valid, at first pass, because in theory tariffs cause companies to raise prices to pay for the tariffs, resulting in inflation. But in reality is a lot more complicated and actual, professional, and allegedly trained economists should have known better.

And perhaps they did, but ignored it to attack Trump. Or maybe they're just fools locked into an ideology. Maybe economics as a body is simply not scientific or rigorous so they cannot understand stuff like this. I don't know.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (dfIr7)

74 63 Are any countries trying to reach a trade agreement? I just see more and more tariffs being enacted. I'm willing to wait them out but I would like to see more success in getting them to the table.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)

Why? I'd like to see more success in enacting tariffs.

Why would anyone want to continue to allow this massive off-shorting of jobs and importing of third world labor that is destroying the culture of this country from the inside out.

It only benefits a small group of wealthy and influential people and is killing off vast swarths of our country by the day.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (uCjyK)

75 >>So can we start paying down the debt, or will we just find something to waste it on (glares at Ukraine)?

Trump just announced in the Oval with the head of NATO by his side that the EU will by buying weapons from us for Ukraine. Won't be costing us a penny.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:40 PM (viF8m)

76 Trump's economic advisor predicts that Trump's tariffs will raise $3 trilly over the next ten years.

-----------------------------------

Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it. Seems like they just took the 26 billion surplus and multiplied it out by 120.

Figners crossed and all, but I have my doubts.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at July 14, 2025 02:40 PM (OGOaV)

77 Any time I hear a report about what "Economists" think, I treat that equivalently to what financial "experts" say about what stocks you should buy. In both instances, they are telling you what they want to happen, not what any sort of science actually happens, and in both cases they usually have personal incentives to pushing things to happen that way as well.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at July 14, 2025 02:41 PM (B9Prs)

78 Justin, what is the source for your assertions? Grok or ChatGPT?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 14, 2025 02:41 PM (tT6L1)

79 Well, I think it also was appealing on a lizard brain level. If inflation means higher prices, and tariffs mean imported good will cost more, then tariffs mean higher prices/inflation. Right? A lot of people swallowed that formulation, including more than a few commenting on this smart military blog.

Right, and it makes sense at first pass. But as Dolly's husband notes: not every price increase is inflation or inflationary. And its much more complicated, because tariffs don't seem to be affecting most consumer goods, like gasoline, food, books, etc.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (dfIr7)

80 I think regardless of how cooperative they are, every other country should be charged an import fee (tariff)

we need to stop being the major importer and become an exporter

enough "nation-building" - we did more than enough!

Posted by: Black Orchid at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (Pv3Rg)

81 The left does not earn money nor work a budget. They are financially illiterate.

Posted by: Eromero at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (LHPAg)

82 >>> 71 Are any countries trying to reach a trade agreement? I just see more and more tariffs being enacted. I'm willing to wait them out but I would like to see more success in getting them to the table.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)
----------

I think a number of them didn't believe the pause was actually a pause. In fact, experts in our own country probably advised them to wait it out.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (tT6L1)

Yep, it's going to take time for most to be convinced it's real and not a bluff.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (ULPxl)

83 You know why the narrative was that tariffs were inflationary?

Because the right had effectively used inflation as a bludgeon against Democrats last year, and inflation sounded scary.

I agree with this. The left simplified inflation to just higher prices and then argued that of course a tax on goods would lead to higher costs

Overal this argument seems to have gone the way of the egg price argument...

First there was not inflation/price spike, then it was Trump's fault, and now they just don't talk about it

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (t0Rmr)

84 Don't tell the Dems. They'll scream "we can afford health care for illegals, sex "reassignment " surgery for minors, pay off student loans..."
---
Yup.

And, related to below, I'm reminded of the early scene in Interstellar, the PTA conference, where they are berating him for allowing his daughter to read an older textbook. Instead of the corrected one.

Something like, we can't have people dreaming of the stars when those resources could be better used to help those here on Earth.

They kill our dreams, put us in cages to subsist on scraps and tell us we should be grateful they are taking care of us.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (JThEY)

85 Unexpected by whom?
Posted by: JackStraw

The Spanish Inquisition?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 02:43 PM (77rzZ)

86 Right, and it makes sense at first pass. But as Dolly's husband notes: not every price increase is inflation or inflationary. And its much more complicated, because tariffs don't seem to be affecting most consumer goods, like gasoline, food, books, etc.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (dfIr7)

Inflation is almost always caused by monetary policy, not fiscal policy.

No one is claiming that raising the corporate or personal income tax rates will cause massive inflation.

But printing a shit ton of money can.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:43 PM (uCjyK)

87 But every economist who screamed that tariffs are inflationary for the past 3 months will get paid more to teach economics than me.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:32 PM (GBKbO)

If it makes you feel better, I shall pay them the same to teach economics as I pay you.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2025 02:43 PM (ExV1e)

88 >>Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it. Seems like they just took the 26 billion surplus and multiplied it out by 120.

>>Figners crossed and all, but I have my doubts.

They've been right about the tariffs so far and the experts have been wrong. It's not like tariffs are a new idea, it was one of the very first things the 1st Congress voted to enact. It is how this country was financed for decades and we prospered.

It wasn't until the income tax came into being we got stupid and forgot that tariffs work. It's why pretty much every other country on the planet uses them against us and has for years.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:43 PM (viF8m)

89 The left does not earn money nor work a budget. They are financially illiterate.

The only time in recent memory I've heard the left say we shouldn't spend money because we couldn't afford it was Trump's wall in 2016.

So we can afford $8T/year, but not the additional $5B back when the budget was $4T....

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (t0Rmr)

90 Scott Bessent = Rockstar

That is all.

Posted by: Orson at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (dIske)

91 The left does not earn money nor work a budget. They are financially illiterate.
Posted by: Eromero at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (LHPAg)

Innumerate, even!

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (wVcYX)

92 Are any countries trying to reach a trade agreement? I just see more and more tariffs being enacted. I'm willing to wait them out but I would like to see more success in getting them to the table.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)
_

Yes, there are. Some aren't, though. They have made the calculation that paying higher tariffs is better than lowering their own tariffs and/or opening their markets to American goods (which is almost always Trump's requirement for negotiation).

Trump was 100% correct that the USA was getting prison-raped in the ass by the entire rest of the world. Even with higher tariffs, a good portion of the rest of the world is still getting over on us so well that they seen no need to negotiate.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (iFTx/)

93 17 Replacing unfunded spending with tariff revenue can only reduce the calculated GDP! Why does Trump want to crush the GDP numbers!

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 02:27 PM (D7oie)

Does anyone know approximately when the 2nd QTR CY 2025 GDP report will be released?

I expect a positive number. Meaning no TrumpCession for at least 9 months. As a result I also expect My Betters will tell me the US is in a deep recession because yada, yada, yada, despite not meeting the technical standard definition of recession. The same Betters told me when we met the technical definition of recession during FJBs term, we were no in recession because yada, yada, yada, outweighed the GDP trend.

I do find some comfort in knowing exactly what lies My Betters will tell me. That is easy peasy.

Posted by: Gref at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (aBgBM)

94 >>> 74
==
Why? I'd like to see more success in enacting tariffs.

Why would anyone want to continue to allow this massive off-shorting of jobs and importing of third world labor that is destroying the culture of this country from the inside out.

It only benefits a small group of wealthy and influential people and is killing off vast swarths of our country by the day.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:39 PM (uCjyK)

You'd think the commies would be on board with a huge corporate tax increase for H1Bs and "offshored" jobs.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (ULPxl)

95 April of 2024 and 2025 both held surpluses, as well as Sept of 2024. At least it is what Treasury shows...

https://tinyurl.com/mrjudtdy

Posted by: Coldwarvet at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (7t0kC)

96 The main flaw with tariffs, from a politician's perspective, is that its difficult to translate into graft and it doesn't work as easily or effectively into manipulating behavior. So no matter how good it is, its not gonna be favored over other methods of revenue.

And frankly, those are the only reasons that politicians like taxes. They clearly don't believe you actually need government revenue to spend or we wouldn't be over 35 TRILLION in debt.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (dfIr7)

97 We're as surprised as you.

Posted by: GOP at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (/U5Yz)

98 >>I think regardless of how cooperative they are, every other country should be charged an import fee (tariff)

They are. Every country starts at 10% and then there is negotiation to see what additional tariffs they will be paying.

Ass, grass or gas. Nobody rides for free.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (viF8m)

99 Are leftists still screaming about Smoot Hawley? Because I know they've been using Smoot Hawley as a talking point lately but, with nothing which resembles context.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (tT6L1)

100 unusual_whales @unusual_whales Jul 11
US had a budget surplus of $27.01 billion in June, compared to a deficit of $71 billion, due to tariffs, per CNBC
unusual_whales @unusual_whales Jul 11 ['pro' report BTW]
June saw a surplus of just over $27 billion, following a $316 billion deficit in May.

Read more: unusualwhales.com/news/us-ha…
US had a budget surplus of $27.01 billion in June, compared to a deficit of $71 billion, due to...
The U.S. government logged a rare surplus in June, thanks in part to a jump in tariff revenues that gave federal coffers an unexpected boost, the Treasury Department said Friday. After running deep...

Rick Kennedy @RickKennedyTX17 Jul 12 Replying to @unusual_whales
“The Treasury also acknowledged that June’s numbers were flattered by timing quirks. Without those calendar adjustments, the month would have ended with a $70 billion deficit.”
https://tinyurl.com/yeyd48s9

Posted by: andycanuck at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (2yoRf)

101 -People's Hippo Voice

Pretty quotable movie, that one. Best thing I've seen in ten years.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (vd6bO)

102 Might I humbly suggest that we take our tariff windfall and:

1) Slash spending, and
2) Pay down the National Fucking Debt?
Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (wtvvX)

Or, follow me here.... we start a war in the ME. -- GOP consultants

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (ExV1e)

103 But printing a shit ton of money can.

Every dollar we give to an undocumented immigrant has a multiplier effect.

On my bank account. Oh sorry, I mean on the economy.

Posted by: Some Dem Officeholder at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (t0Rmr)

104 Economics is in the same department as all the "social" and "studies" degrees.

It's not a math.

It's not a science.

It's mostly a philosophy.

Paul "Enron Advisor" Krugman has a Nobel Prize in Economics.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (JThEY)

105 I'm betting this a surprise to everyone but Trump.

He said this would happen.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (7fElN)

106 I think regardless of how cooperative they are, every other country should be charged an import fee (tariff)

They are. Every country starts at 10% and then there is negotiation to see what additional tariffs they will be paying.

Ass, grass or gas. Nobody rides for free.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:45 PM (viF8m)
______

"Yea, we told ya"

-- Ratt

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (iFTx/)

107 Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (iFTx/)

Hopefully their non-cooperation will lead to more domestic production.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (VofaG)

108 93 Does anyone know approximately when the 2nd QTR CY 2025 GDP report will be released?

I expect a positive number. Meaning no TrumpCession for at least 9 months. As a result I also expect My Betters will tell me the US is in a deep recession because yada, yada, yada, despite not meeting the technical standard definition of recession. The same Betters told me when we met the technical definition of recession during FJBs term, we were no in recession because yada, yada, yada, outweighed the GDP trend.

I do find some comfort in knowing exactly what lies My Betters will tell me. That is easy peasy.
Posted by: Gref at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (aBgBM)

=======

If you took out the imports from Q1's GDP, it would have been very solidly positive. There are accounting reasons (good ones) to treat imports as negative for the calculation of GDP, but that's where all of the -0.3% drop and a lot more came from.

With that spike of imports to avoid tariffs out of the way, the rest of the economy will be able to operate as normal.

Minimum will probably be about 3.5% GDP growth.

Can't forget the deregulatory efforts that are also going on.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (GBKbO)

109 Ass, grass or gas. Nobody rides for free.

So Columbia could pay their tariffs in the form of nubile young wimmins?

Posted by: Some Moron at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (t0Rmr)

110 Trump was 100% correct that the USA was getting prison-raped in the ass by the entire rest of the world. Even with higher tariffs, a good portion of the rest of the world is still getting over on us so well that they seen no need to negotiate.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (iFTx/)

Agreed. These trade deals were never about economic policy, they were primarily about the foreign policy interests of the Deep State.

For example, we need to trade with China so that they see the error of their ways and become a freedom loving capitalist democracy like us.

In other words, we've been using the US economy (and the standard of living of US citizens) to nation build around the world, with the usual level of success we have with nation building.

The people connected to the deep state get rich and powerful from this arrangement. The rest of us (including the US treasury), not so much.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (uCjyK)

111 'Unexpectedly'

Posted by: MSM at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (XeU6L)

112 >>So Columbia could pay their tariffs in the form of nubile young wimmins?

Doubtful. They aren't negotiating with me.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (viF8m)

113 Basement dwelling international trade experts hardest hit.

Posted by: Going deep. Out. at July 14, 2025 02:48 PM (SQmE5)

114 I'm betting this a surprise to everyone but Trump.

Honestly I think it was. It certainly surprised me. I figured tariffs were just an effective way to leverage other nations into more fair trade practices, I did not foresee the revenue. Between that, heating up the US economy, spending cuts, and lowering the prime rate, we could actually reduce the debt.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:48 PM (dfIr7)

115 There is no way the US is not at a massive budget deficit by the end of the year.

Except that the US has money coming in every month. And money going out every month. And the reported surplus is for a single month without taking into account anything which happened before, or will happen hence.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2025 02:48 PM (ExV1e)

116 Epstein !

Posted by: MSM at July 14, 2025 02:48 PM (VE6XX)

117 Ass, grass or gas. Nobody rides for free.

So Columbia could pay their tariffs in the form of nubile young wimmins?
Posted by: Some Moron at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (t0Rmr)

Columbia the university or Colombia the country?

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 14, 2025 02:49 PM (wVcYX)

118 102 Might I humbly suggest that we take our tariff windfall and:

1) Slash spending, and
2) Pay down the National Fucking Debt?
Posted by: Tex Lovera at July 14, 2025 02:34 PM (wtvvX)

Or, follow me here.... we start a war in the ME. -- GOP consultants
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2025 02:46 PM (ExV1e)

----------
That's a little too on the nose.

Posted by: Seems Legit at July 14, 2025 02:49 PM (PMtkd)

119 Trump just announced in the Oval with the head of NATO by his side that the EU will by buying weapons from us for Ukraine. Won't be costing us a penny.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2025 02:40 PM (viF8m)

Huh. Well, that's a nice change of pace.

Posted by: Methos at July 14, 2025 02:49 PM (zLwRl)

120 Why is the first article under "Personal Finance"?

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (8avO+)

121 Do the folks coming and going to Epstein Island have to pay any tariffs?

Posted by: Comet Pizza Customers at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (rfMRc)

122 Ghislaine Maxwell is willing to tell all to Congress. Don't believe a damn word that come from her dirty mouth.

Posted by: GOP at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (/U5Yz)

123 Emoluments!

Posted by: The media we USED to watch at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (bcy1V)

124 Columbia the university or Colombia the country?

Well, if you are a wealthy CEO I'm sure we could arrange something...

Posted by: Some Spherical Blue Haired Columbia bureaucrat at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (t0Rmr)

125 So Columbia could pay their tariffs in the form of nubile young wimmins?
Posted by: Some Moron at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (t0Rmr)

Columbia the university or Colombia the country?
Posted by: Count de Monet at July 14, 2025 02:49 PM (wVcYX)

The country is more likely to have nubile young women.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (2ocoG)

126 Anyone heard from Rand Paul and Thomas Massie on this?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 14, 2025 02:50 PM (u73oe)

127 So Columbia could pay their tariffs in the form of nubile young wimmins?

From what I've seen of Columbian actresses and models, they have a surplus.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (dfIr7)

128 Trilly is silly

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (63Dwl)

129
[recollects Barky making snide comment]

“He just says, ‘Well, I’m going to negotiate a better deal.’. Well, what, how exactly are you going to negotiate that? What magic wand do you have?'

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (XeU6L)

130 Anyone heard from Rand Paul and Thomas Massie on this?

"This is a bad idea that will ruin our country for reasons you have to take our word on!"

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (dfIr7)

131 Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it. Seems like they just took the 26 billion surplus and multiplied it out by 120.

Figners crossed and all, but I have my doubts.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at July 14, 2025 02:40 PM (OGOaV)

Government projections. We have a datum and assume that things will continue without change forever.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (ExV1e)

132 In other words, we've been using the US economy (and the standard of living of US citizens) to nation build around the world, with the usual level of success we have with nation building.

The people connected to the deep state get rich and powerful from this arrangement. The rest of us (including the US treasury), not so much.
-----------------
Yep. Our missionary pursuits will kill us.

Posted by: pudinhead at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (W3T6M)

133 2 Almost like everything we've been told for the past 50 years has been wrong...
Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 14, 2025 02:24 PM (N1DT3)

Way more than 50, but yeah.

Posted by: A lifetime of gaslighting at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (TbWk/)

134 91 The left does not earn money nor work a budget. They are financially illiterate.
Posted by: Eromero at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (LHPAg)

Innumerate, even!
Posted by: Count de Monet at July 14, 2025 02:44 PM (wVcYX

Nah. They're just fuckin' stupid.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at July 14, 2025 02:52 PM (g8Ew8)

135 Anyone heard from Rand Paul and Thomas Massie on this?

Busy counting the silver dimes in Ft. Knox?

Posted by: Maj. Healey at July 14, 2025 02:52 PM (/U5Yz)

136 There is no way the US is not at a massive budget deficit by the end of the year.

I have no idea how feasible this is, but if we keep having budget surpluses every year, I guarantee you we're not at a deficit at the end of the year. DEBT still, but not deficit.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (dfIr7)

137 “He just says, ‘Well, I’m going to negotiate a better deal.’. Well, what, how exactly are you going to negotiate that? What magic wand do you have?'

As the world's most obvious closeted gay, Obama would of course be interested in "magic wands".

Posted by: Ian S. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (2ocoG)

138 Where does the EU get its money?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (63Dwl)

139 Kevin Hassett is great. Wonkish, cheerful and tough. He's outmatched every shit-weasel reporter they've thrown at him, and always with a smile.

Posted by: Ordinary American at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (WHfpM)

140 Lefty economics

1) I want a new iPhone
2) I don't have $2K
3) Therefore someone should buy me a new iPhone

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (t0Rmr)

141 How many millions will die, thanks to our surplus?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (wBaIH)

142 What difference, at this point, does it make?

Posted by: Old Lady Rodham at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (bcy1V)

143 I thought tariffs were a huge tax on the american middle class, were horrible economic policy, cause rampant inflation and invariably led to trade wars and never raised any money?

Was I misled on that?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (uCjyK)

Apparently these same people think that all other nations hate their own middle classes, have terrible policies, have rampant inflation, trade wars and huge deficits.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (8avO+)

144 Speaking of Gen Z... the voice of a generation?

https://tinyurl.com/evy9wtks

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (uCjyK)

145 Where does the EU get its money?

They print it, same as everyone else.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (2ocoG)

146 Where does the EU get its money?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (63Dwl)

The increase to 5% each agreed to that Trump negotiated?

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (VofaG)

147 143 Apparently these same people think that all other nations hate their own middle classes, have terrible policies, have rampant inflation, trade wars and huge deficits.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (8avO+)

=======

The rest of the world waging a trade war on the largest economy in the world is easy to win when America doesn't fight back.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (GBKbO)

148 Where does the EU get its money?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (63Dwl)

assessments on the member states.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (8avO+)

149 [recollects Barky making snide comment]

“He just says, ‘Well, I’m going to negotiate a better deal.’. Well, what, how exactly are you going to negotiate that? What magic wand do you have?'
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (XeU6L)

-------

The wand is between the two huge rocks called balls.

But I understand how Obama might not know.

Posted by: Seems Legit at July 14, 2025 02:55 PM (PMtkd)

150 How many millions will die, thanks to our surplus?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (wBaIH)

Recently I read about the '44/'45 offensives by the Soviets at the end of WWII in some detail.

And they have constant "victories" where they would lose 10X as many men but the Germans retreated.

It is a testament to how little the Soviets cared about their own soldiers even after they'd turned the corner in '43

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:55 PM (t0Rmr)

151 Is the GOP pounding the table and promising to get to the bottom of this surplus issue, yet?

Posted by: Weasel at July 14, 2025 02:55 PM (rAX2y)

152 As the world's most obvious closeted gay, Obama would of course be interested in "magic wands".

"Its for massaging tired muscles just like the hand held showerhead!!!"
--Single women

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:55 PM (dfIr7)

153 I saw $3 Trilly pen for 50 Cent at D.C. Armory in '04.

Posted by: ShainS at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (b4A3z)

154 Where does the EU get its money?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

Don't all the member states have to kick in a certain amount each year based on population or GDP?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (77rzZ)

155 Between that, heating up the US economy, spending cuts, and lowering the prime rate, we could actually reduce the debt.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor
==
A large driver of the deficit is Fed Reserve holding interest rates too high given the normal risk premium over inflation rates. Joe Biden junta left a steaming pile of short term debt financing to be rolled over the next term.

Since long term interest rates have trended down, Powell has kept the US interest rates high (while cutting them a half a percentage during Kamala's run for the WH under much higher inflationary measures). Powell is easily responsible himself for adding perhaps 50-100 billion this year to the deficit.

Guy needs to go for policy reasons and it turns out he lied to Congress as well about the Fed Reserve HQ revamp. About 700 million over budget but with all kinds of amenities for staff and their higher ups that Powell denied such as a private elevator to executive dining for Powell and cronies. A garden on the roof for parties, etc. and so on.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (ctrM5)

156 Where does the EU get its money?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (63Dwl)

The increase to 5% each agreed to that Trump negotiated?
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (VofaG)

That's money going to armaments and soldiers for NATO. As if they will do it.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (8avO+)

157 If they tariffs are so bad why are all of our fake allies against them?

Posted by: Boss Moss at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (NaR/G)

158 143 I thought tariffs were a huge tax on the american middle class, were horrible economic policy, cause rampant inflation and invariably led to trade wars and never raised any money?

Was I misled on that?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (uCjyK)

Another spectacular lie they have no intention of retracting or apologizing for, as they ready the next spectacular lie.

Posted by: Ordinary American at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (WHfpM)

159 132 In other words, we've been using the US economy (and the standard of living of US citizens) to nation build around the world, with the usual level of success we have with nation building.

The people connected to the deep state get rich and powerful from this arrangement. The rest of us (including the US treasury), not so much.
-----------------
Yep. Our missionary pursuits will kill us.
Posted by: pudinhead at July 14, 2025 02:51 PM (W3T6M)
Wasted big time taxpayer money on democracy building for people who did not want demoracy. Hell, even I don't want democracy, I've lived in one 76 years. I want a Constitutional Republic.

Posted by: Eromero at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (LHPAg)

160

It's a TAX!!!!!

REEEEEE!!!!!!!

Posted by: pawn at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (QB+5g)

161 The left does not earn money nor work a budget. They are financially illiterate.
Posted by: Eromero at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (LHPAg)

And assholes!

Posted by: Wait, that's TJM, never mind at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (TbWk/)

162 Kevin Hassett is great. Wonkish, cheerful and tough. He's outmatched every shit-weasel reporter they've thrown at him, and always with a smile.

Yeah one of the more frustrating things in the past here was some people claiming "Trump had to use all those past GOPe rejects [in his first term], there isn't anyone else qualified!" I knew that was false, but without anyone to point to, all I could do was frown.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (dfIr7)

163 160

It's a TAX!!!!!

REEEEEE!!!!!!!
Posted by: pawn at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (QB+5g)

======

It's more like a fee, really.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (GBKbO)

164 161 The left does not earn money nor work a budget. They are financially illiterate.
Posted by: Eromero at July 14, 2025 02:42 PM (LHPAg)

And assholes!
Posted by: Wait, that's TJM, never mind at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (TbWk/)

======

I don't get it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (GBKbO)

165 151 Is the GOP pounding the table and promising to get to the bottom of this surplus issue, yet?
Posted by: Weasel

We're busy right now investigatin' on all of these special committees. We'll get back to you. - Jimmy Comer

Posted by: Maj. Healey at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (/U5Yz)

166 I knew that was false, but without anyone to point to, all I could do was frown.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 02:57 PM (dfIr7)

——————

Turn that frown upside down!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (u73oe)

167 Never fear. Congress will spend it faster than your wife spends your paycheck.

Posted by: Dave's not here, man at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (raPis)

168 Would any professional economist ever predict Trump policies would be successful?

Posted by: Still lurking up north, read some, don't comment much at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (kTd/k)

169 The federal government ran at a surplus in June, according to the Treasury Department, meaning money coming in surpassed money going out.
.......

Blasphemy.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (UjdFS)

170 That's money going to armaments and soldiers for NATO. As if they will do it.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (8avO+)

I think they are purchasing these weapons from that fund and just transferring them to Ukraine.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (VofaG)

171 158 143 I thought tariffs were a huge tax on the american middle class, were horrible economic policy, cause rampant inflation and invariably led to trade wars and never raised any money?

Was I misled on that?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (uCjyK)

Another spectacular lie they have no intention of retracting or apologizing for, as they ready the next spectacular lie.
Posted by: Ordinary American at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (WHfpM)

Facts don't matter. Results don't matter. Only dogmatic propaganda matters.

Posted by: For the Left and NeverTrump, which aren't much different now at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (TbWk/)

172 That's with the usurous interest rates.

Posted by: Boss Moss at July 14, 2025 02:59 PM (NaR/G)

173 How many millions will die, thanks to our surplus?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (wBaIH)

Recently I read about the '44/'45 offensives by the Soviets at the end of WWII in some detail.

And they have constant "victories" where they would lose 10X as many men but the Germans retreated.

It is a testament to how little the Soviets cared about their own soldiers even after they'd turned the corner in '43
Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2025 02:55 PM (t0Rmr)

You need to read something besides what the losers wrote to make themselves look good. Sure, they might loose a lot breaking through the front at the start of the offensive, but after that they are chasing the Germans back for a hundred miles and capturing all kinds of men in the 'fortress cities' and other pockets.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:59 PM (8avO+)

174 When you see that money is flowing to men who deal not in goods but in favors; when you see that men get rich not by work but by graft and your laws no longer protect you against them but protect them from you, you know your society is doomed.

Paraphrased Ayn Rand was really prescient.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 14, 2025 02:59 PM (gpah0)

175 Would any professional economist ever predict Trump policies would be successful?
Posted by: Still lurking up north

Kudlow?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:00 PM (77rzZ)

176 Why aren't German boys defending the Fulda Gap?

Posted by: Boss Moss at July 14, 2025 03:00 PM (NaR/G)

177 Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:59 PM (8avO+)

So the Soviet’s count of dead are exaggerated?

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:00 PM (VofaG)

178 Recently I read about the '44/'45 offensives by the Soviets at the end of WWII in some detail.

And they have constant "victories" where they would lose 10X as many men but the Germans retreated.

It is a testament to how little the Soviets cared about their own soldiers even after they'd turned the corner in '43
Posted by: 18-1

Cornelius Ryan touched on that in his book recounting the last days of the 3R. General Heinrici was the German general charged with defending the Eastern Front and his tactics caused the high casualties of the Reds. For example, all Russian offensive began with artillery barrages--so Heinrici abandoned the front lines and then met the Russians head on when they tried to advance. Result massive Red Army casualties.

FWIW, he was one of the last German generals to be dismissed by Mustache Man and he was told to basically get the hell out of Dodge to avoid being purged by the Chief Mad Bugger himself or his remaining henchmen.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (ctrM5)

179 Yes, tariffs are taxes. The best kind of taxes. Taxes on production that's been outsourced to countries with cheap labor and zero environmental standards.

We don't live in an Adam Smith world where Britain buys cotton from Georgia because they can't grow it. We live in a world where Boeing outsources critical flight software to the cheapest Indian programmer to save a few bucks.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (Z9km2)

180 Guy needs to go for policy reasons and it turns out he lied to Congress as well about the Fed Reserve HQ revamp. About 700 million over budget but with all kinds of amenities for staff and their higher ups that Powell denied such as a private elevator to executive dining for Powell and cronies. A garden on the roof for parties, etc. and so on.

Yeah these guys all act like kings in their departments and turn it into a party zone. What, exactly, does he do other than set that rate? Why is he paid so much and why does he have so many employees? Why is the budget so high?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (dfIr7)

181 That's money going to armaments and soldiers for NATO. As if they will do it.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (8avO+)

I think they are purchasing these weapons from that fund and just transferring them to Ukraine.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (VofaG)

There really isn't weapons there to send to Ukraine. The state of their militaries is a shocker, and ours might not be much better aside from front line strength.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (8avO+)

182 176 Why aren't German boys defending the Fulda Gap?
Posted by: Boss Moss
========
Not really an issue anymore than the Brenner Pass is.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (ctrM5)

183 Americans who aren't used to seeing the words "festive" and "little hats" in the same sentence are in for a surprise.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at July 14, 2025 03:02 PM (HTa/G)

184 Top. Men.

https://tinyurl.com/38ah6f6a

Posted by: Maj. Healey at July 14, 2025 03:02 PM (/U5Yz)

185 As the world's most obvious closeted gay, Obama would of course be interested in "magic wands".

Your words are hurtful and untrue.

Posted by: Lindsey Graham, Closeted Homosexual at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (rfMRc)

186 Yeah these guys all act like kings in their departments and turn it into a party zone. What, exactly, does he do other than set that rate? Why is he paid so much and why does he have so many employees? Why is the budget so high?
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (dfIr7)

Pournelle was dead on with his Iron Law of Bureaucracy.

Posted by: Self-serving at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (TbWk/)

187 Speaking of Gen Z... the voice of a generation?

https://tinyurl.com/evy9wtks
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (uCjyK)
___

Fake, but probably 99% accurate from Z's perspective. Decades of pro-Mexican propaganda and Corona and Dos Equis commercials have brainwashed the younger generations into thinking Mexicans are cuddly little hispanic teddy bears who just like to chill. Pay no attention to the rapists, murderers, sex traffickers, cartels, and backwards, 17th-century views on sexual relationships.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (iFTx/)

188 Yeah these guys all act like kings in their departments and turn it into a party zone. What, exactly, does he do other than set that rate? Why is he paid so much and why does he have so many employees? Why is the budget so high?
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (dfIr7)

"Why do we delegate one of congresses primary and enumerated functions (setting monetary policy) to an unaccountable group of wall street bankers who live like kings and can tell any elected official in the US to go fuck themselves despite us living in a so-called representative republic?" might be the better question.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (uCjyK)

189 Afternoon, folken,

I'm glad and more than glad to hear this. My president knows what he's doing -- in more areas, at least, than his predecessors in this century, and probably in my lifetime.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:05 PM (omVj0)

190 76 Why aren't German boys defending the Fulda Gap?
Posted by: Boss Moss For the same reason they go 40 kmh on the Autobahn. They are sissy boys.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at July 14, 2025 03:05 PM (/U5Yz)

191 Top. Men.

__________ ____________

People still fall for the O'Keefe Honeypot?

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (Z9km2)

192 187 Speaking of Gen Z... the voice of a generation?

https://tinyurl.com/evy9wtks
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 02:54 PM (uCjyK)
___

Fake, but probably 99% accurate from Z's perspective. Decades of pro-Mexican propaganda and Corona and Dos Equis commercials have brainwashed the younger generations into thinking Mexicans are cuddly little hispanic teddy bears who just like to chill. Pay no attention to the rapists, murderers, sex traffickers, cartels, and backwards, 17th-century views on sexual relationships.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (iFTx/)

Yes, fake, and a stupid question with a stupid answer. The only correct answer to that stupid questions is "neither."

Posted by: Both Indians and Mexicans have true rape culture BTW at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (TbWk/)

193 That's money going to armaments and soldiers for NATO. As if they will do it.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 02:56 PM (8avO+)

I think they are purchasing these weapons from that fund and just transferring them to Ukraine.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 02:58 PM (VofaG)

Its been a while since I read my Glantz, but Russian overall losses was not 10-1, Russian force ratios weren't 10-1 even in 45. And despite being starved for infantry in 45, they managed to advance steadily all the way to Berlin.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (8avO+)

194 Fake, but probably 99% accurate from Z's perspective. Decades of pro-Mexican propaganda and Corona and Dos Equis commercials have brainwashed the younger generations into thinking Mexicans are cuddly little hispanic teddy bears who just like to chill. Pay no attention to the rapists, murderers, sex traffickers, cartels, and backwards, 17th-century views on sexual relationships.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (iFTx/)

Eh, I thought it was funny. But I also very much like the Mexicans and our Central American amigos who I've worked with / interacted with.

Unfortunately, time for them to go home. The sex traffickers AND the ladies with the babies on their backs selling candy on the 6 train.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (uCjyK)

195 "Why do we delegate one of congresses primary and enumerated functions (setting monetary policy) to an unaccountable group of wall street bankers who live like kings and can tell any elected official in the US to go fuck themselves despite us living in a so-called representative republic?" might be the better question./i]

I understand the principle behind it: that way they are not subject to the whims of any one president or party. But the truth is, they are subject to one party's whims and unaccountable to the American people which is even worse.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (dfIr7)

196 Nice

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (xcxpd)

197 I think the tarriffs are going up in August as the Nancy boys of yourope pretend to be tough.

Posted by: Boss Moss at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (NaR/G)

198 Yeah these guys all act like kings in their departments and turn it into a party zone. What, exactly, does he do other than set that rate? Why is he paid so much and why does he have so many employees? Why is the budget so high?
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

Same thing as the Institute of Peace. Basically Powell has been running the Fed at a massive loss of hundreds of billions while supporting the Biden junta's idiotic economic policies. Powell never said a discouraging word to such idiocy as the Nude Green Eeel or other money drops on illegals, etc.

Independent agencies were theorized to bring technocratic skills and insulation from the awful populists way back when. Turns out, they are just as political, stupid, and shortsighted as politicians are because of agency capture. Party (the Dems) became the unifying glue of the whole Borg of bureaucracy and even the Democrat party. This allowed the bureaucracy to play the opposition party blocking rollbacks when the Courts, Congress, or the Presidency were GOP controlled.

Trump is finally doing something about it. We will see how successful he will be at it but his hits on the Bureaucracy are unprecedented historically

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:07 PM (ctrM5)

199 By the way, I asked Miss Linda to update all of you on my surgery adventure this morning. No problems, except that I am stiff and sore; not sure the Tramadol + ibuprofen is working enough. I'm sitting with an ice pack in place.

Not sleepy at all despite having only five hours last night. Maybe it will hit me tonight about nine and I'll be off to bed for nine hours. Wouldn't that be nice.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:07 PM (omVj0)

200 How many millions will die, thanks to our surplus?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (wBaIH)

---------------------------------

I mean, given how many people died after Net Neutrality and Covid, how many of us are left, really?

Posted by: No One of Consequence at July 14, 2025 03:07 PM (OGOaV)

201 Just got out of a meeting, and thought I should share a thought about the previous Thread.

Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.

Posted by: David Hogg, Harvard graduate at July 14, 2025 03:08 PM (0sNs1)

202 Since late January it is amazing to see what President Trump, DOGE, and others have done to help our country dig out of the black hole (of Biden's brain).

Yet the people scream, "Epstein." Which will someday be solved. Let's first deport every single illegal who's added to the black hole of money debt by fraud. If you pay taxes you are paying for them. Glad they cut USAID, too.

I want them all gone. I don't really care, Margaret, if they chew on their arms on airplanes nor suffer with "elephant sized mosquitos" at Alligator Alcatraz.

I wish someone would suggest pay for view for Alligator Alcatraz, with $ going to the national debt or paying for their transport planes. I would gladly watch this show and laugh at the weenies. Sign the deportation forms, barbarians! Adios! *Farsi good bye*

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at July 14, 2025 03:08 PM (6PCLE)

203 201 Just got out of a meeting, and thought I should share a thought about the previous Thread.

Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.
Posted by: David Hogg, Harvard graduate at July 14, 2025 03:08 PM (0sNs1)

======

Proper word would be alumna.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:08 PM (GBKbO)

204 This is gold: Hegseth just pulled the DOD out of the Aspen globalist summit at the last minute. https://tinyurl.com/5n7rtwu8

Posted by: beckster at July 14, 2025 03:09 PM (NLtte)

205 Yeah these guys all act like kings in their departments and turn it into a party zone. What, exactly, does he do other than set that rate? Why is he paid so much and why does he have so many employees? Why is the budget so high?
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:01 PM (dfIr7)

Pournelle was dead on with his Iron Law of Bureaucracy.
Posted by: Self-serving at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (TbWk/)

You don't get more money by saving on your allotted budget. You get less. You don't get more power either. If they transferred other departments to you for being under budget, that might help.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:09 PM (8avO+)

206 The latest "worry" promulgated by the media is that coffee prices will rise because of tariffs on Brazil. The stuff is already overpriced, and I've resorted to using Cafe Morro espresso blend from Aldi and using one less teaspoon of grounds per pot. Is this likely to be a worry at the grocery store?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:09 PM (omVj0)

207 I understand the principle behind it: that way they are not subject to the whims of any one president or party. But the truth is, they are subject to one party's whims and unaccountable to the American people which is even worse.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (dfIr7)

I'm aware of the argument, it just makes about as much as sense as the argument for a permanent bureaucracy in DC.

We have to ignore everything we know about people, the entire purpose of our constitutional checks and balances, and common sense to assume that the people in those jobs are all truly non-political with unquestionable morals who are experts who just want to do what is right for the country.

Obviously that's not how the world works.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:10 PM (uCjyK)

208 I have personal experience that some suppliers are trying to pass "tariff expense" onto buyers, but there are these pesky things called contracts that prevent that. I've had to slap three vendors down on that in the last few weeks.

It's possible that some prices will actually go up when firm price contracts expire. Of if enough buyers are stupid enough not to read their contracts.

Posted by: Martin Tell at July 14, 2025 03:10 PM (sFNX2)

209 The numbers I learned is that Germany lost about 1.2 million on the Eastern front and the Soviets lost 11 million.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:10 PM (VofaG)

210 Just got out of a meeting, and thought I should share a thought about the previous Thread.

Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.
Posted by: David Hogg, Harvard graduate at July 14, 2025 03:08 PM (0sNs1)

Aren't you out of work and begging people for money online?

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:10 PM (8avO+)

211 Fake, but probably 99% accurate from Z's perspective. Decades of pro-Mexican propaganda and Corona and Dos Equis commercials have brainwashed the younger generations into thinking Mexicans are cuddly little hispanic teddy bears who just like to chill. Pay no attention to the rapists, murderers, sex traffickers, cartels, and backwards, 17th-century views on sexual relationships.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:03 PM (iFTx/)

Eh, I thought it was funny. But I also very much like the Mexicans and our Central American amigos who I've worked with / interacted with.

Unfortunately, time for them to go home. The sex traffickers AND the ladies with the babies on their backs selling candy on the 6 train.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:06 PM (uCjyK)
____

I think the sex traffickers and ladies with babies selling candy are joined at some point in a Venn. I think probably half those babies are someone else's and used solely as props. Indeed, the whole operation is probably run by organized crime as a fencing operation. I don't believe every 6 train has exactly one -- only one! -- lady with a baby selling the exact same candy.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:11 PM (iFTx/)

212 Have seen Fulda's gap lately? She's really let herself go. No self-respecting dude wants to be anywhere near that thing.

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:11 PM (77rzZ)

213 Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.
Posted by: David Hogg, Harvard graduate at July 14, 2025
======

Proper word would be alumna.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025

***
Well done, TJM!!!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:11 PM (omVj0)

214 Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.
Posted by: David Hogg
------

The pillow company remains a monument to your insight and understanding of the realities of business and manufacturing.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2025 03:12 PM (XeU6L)

215 Who lost more men in WWII on the Axis side -- Krauts or Japs?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:12 PM (77rzZ)

216 Who lost more men in WWII on the Axis side -- Krauts or Japs?
Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:12 PM (77rzZ)

The Germans by far

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (VofaG)

217 The other odd thing to report is that little Dagny the aloof Siberian cat has climbed up to the lamp table next to me and is dozing half on and half off the sofa arm. She has never done this with me. Does she think I'm sick?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (omVj0)

218 That acquaintance read that somewhere. It's classic persuasion and sloganeering.
Posted by: ... at July 14, 2025 02:31 PM (Qr870)

He probably read it in the Financial Times (which Trump reads, BTW). He reads the FT for his job and was enthusiastically promoting it to us. I suppose he left a section on the table headlined with how Trump's tariffs were going to ruin everything for our benefit so we could see how wrong we were.

The couple are both academics and are convinced their students won't be able to find jobs in the next few years. They have personally tightly restricted their budget because Trump's cuts are going to decimate their paychecks. So far they have not noticed that their paychecks are fine and their students are fine. But then, they also haven't noticed that their jabbed relatives repeatedly get Covid infections and can't stay out of the hospital while we vaccine-deniers were one and done.

Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (rF2iL)

219 213 Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.
Posted by: David Hogg, Harvard graduate at July 14, 2025
======

Proper word would be alumna.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025

***
Well done, TJM!!!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:11 PM (omVj0)

=========

*flexes Latin knowledge*

*is two words*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (GBKbO)

220 I think the sex traffickers and ladies with babies selling candy are joined at some point in a Venn. I think probably half those babies are someone else's and used solely as props. Indeed, the whole operation is probably run by organized crime as a fencing operation. I don't believe every 6 train has exactly one -- only one! -- lady with a baby selling the exact same candy.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:11 PM (iFTx/)

Yes, I would imagine it's all an organized scam and the babies are not theirs. I don't know how they all have the exact same aged children bundled on their backs, and as you say, have the exact same collection of "chocolat, sucar" and say the exact same things and act the exact same way.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (uCjyK)

221 You don't get more money by saving on your allotted budget. You get less. You don't get more power either. If they transferred other departments to you for being under budget, that might help.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:09 PM (8avO+)

This is how every agency operated. It's why fire and police insist on sending 3-4 manned vehicles apiece to every minor fenderbender, or five patrol cars to a call about a guy taking pictures of a townhouse community for a real estate agent to post a listing. Then when they go to the city/county/state with their budgets they can say just how expensive it is keeping the community SEEEEFFFFFF, and they just have to have more money. Otherwise there will be blood flowing in the streets and unfettered commercial photography.

Posted by: Same old same old at July 14, 2025 03:14 PM (TbWk/)

222 218 The couple are both academics and are convinced their students won't be able to find jobs in the next few years. They have personally tightly restricted their budget because Trump's cuts are going to decimate their paychecks. So far they have not noticed that their paychecks are fine and their students are fine. But then, they also haven't noticed that their jabbed relatives repeatedly get Covid infections and can't stay out of the hospital while we vaccine-deniers were one and done.
Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (rF2iL)

========

"Trump canceled my Social Security check!"
-Lib Boomer who has not missed a single social security direct deposit

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:14 PM (GBKbO)

223 Anyone heard from Rand Paul and Thomas Massie on this?
Posted by: Duke Lowell

How about Justin Amash? Oh, right...

Posted by: weft cut-loop at July 14, 2025 03:14 PM (mlg/3)

224 I’m just here to call dibs on your stuff.

Posted by: Dagny the all of Siberian cat at July 14, 2025 03:14 PM (u73oe)

225 So TJM is only illiterate in English?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:15 PM (77rzZ)

226 The cartels in Mexico are vicious. But read anything about the Mexican Civil War 1910-20 and you shouldn't be surprised

Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 14, 2025 03:16 PM (Ry3Y5)

227 206 The latest "worry" promulgated by the media is that coffee prices will rise because of tariffs on Brazil. The stuff is already overpriced, and I've resorted to using Cafe Morro espresso blend from Aldi and using one less teaspoon of grounds per pot. Is this likely to be a worry at the grocery store?
---------------
One of the biggest reason we joined Costco, besides gas prices, was the savings on Coffee.

Posted by: pudinhead at July 14, 2025 03:16 PM (W3T6M)

228 “Mr. Biden himself has hired a new personal lawyer, Amy Jeffress of Hecker Fink.”

Jeffress is married to DC District Court Judge Chris Cooper. He is presiding over a few lawsuits against the president.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at July 14, 2025 03:16 PM (/U5Yz)

229 >>> 217 The other odd thing to report is that little Dagny the aloof Siberian cat has climbed up to the lamp table next to me and is dozing half on and half off the sofa arm. She has never done this with me. Does she think I'm sick?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (omVj0)

Well, you *do* have an injury of sorts, correct? Is she purring at you?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 14, 2025 03:16 PM (ULPxl)

230 225 So TJM is only illiterate in English?
Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:15 PM (77rzZ)

======

I would show off my literacy of Quenya, but my keyboard isn't right.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:16 PM (GBKbO)

231 The revenue comes from you and me.

Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at July 14, 2025 03:17 PM (4raCh)

232 231 The revenue comes from you and me.
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at July 14, 2025 03:17 PM (4raCh)

======

You're a foreign exporter shipping to the US who can't increase prices on the exports because of existing contracts?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:17 PM (GBKbO)

233 Obviously that's not how the world works.

Yeah I assumed you knew the argument already. The flaw we have is that nearly every new thing added to government that is over and above the constitutionally-permitted limits of it deliberately avoids the checks and balances because people in power hate that.

The "spoils" system of appointing people for example was flawed in that it would enrich cronies and yes-men, but it was checked and balanced by the term limits of presidents and the elections. Voters didn't care for how he did things? He's out on his ear and we get a new bunch of cronies.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:17 PM (dfIr7)

234 A surplus from a new tax though is not the victory I’m looking for. I’m all for a surplus from deep spending cuts.

Liberals try and make the same case that consumers don’t pay the tax when they jack up corporate taxes, energy taxes, windfall taxes, etc.

Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2025 03:18 PM (g0oCT)

235 213 Despite what Mr. O'Spades says, I'm an alumnus of an (perhaps the) elite University, and I've done all right so far.
Posted by: David Hogg, Harvard graduate at July 14, 2025
======

Proper word would be alumna.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025

Alu-min-i-um.

Posted by: UK Karen at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (wVcYX)

236 "The other odd thing to report is that little Dagny the aloof Siberian cat has climbed up to the lamp table next to me and is dozing half on and half off the sofa arm. She has never done this with me. Does she think I'm sick?"

Didn't you just have an operation?

Posted by: pawn at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (QB+5g)

237 Is this about me?

Posted by: Fulda at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (bcy1V)

238 Absenteeism at CA farms said to be around 70% due to ongoing immigration raids.

http://tiny.cc/9ddp001

70% of California's entire agricultural labor force is illegal. I knew it had to be high, but that's insane. No wonder both parties are nuts for illegals. CA alone does about $60 billion a year in cash receipts for farm output. That's more than enough to buy a plurality of Senators.

Posted by: bonhomme at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (lIio7)

239 The "spoils" system of appointing people for example was flawed in that it would enrich cronies and yes-men, but it was checked and balanced by the term limits of presidents and the elections. Voters didn't care for how he did things? He's out on his ear and we get a new bunch of cronies.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:17 PM (dfIr7)

Right. It also had the added benefit of giving you one throat to choke.

"This government official sucks, and I'm holding you, Mr. President, personally responsible."

Now it's "well, shit, the executive branch does whatever they want, and it's damned near impossible to fire anyone, so how can you blame your elected officials for how they act? We'll see if we can update the processes."

Easy way to shift the blame from a person to an intractable "process"

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (uCjyK)

240 WOW - if relevant:

John Kiriakou
@JohnKiriakou
4h

John Brennan was responsible for the approval of visas to many 9/11 hijackers. As the CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia, he was linked to several uninvestigated, questionable incidents.

I discuss this and more with @MelKShow

https://tinyurl.com/5ensb35c

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at July 14, 2025 03:20 PM (3447G)

241 Wolfus, last night Keiko, the gorgeous long hair calico who has been visiting our yard at night laid down on the grass a few feet away from me. She's either stray or feral and has always bolted before, but she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at July 14, 2025 03:20 PM (B3wyN)

242 A surplus from a new tax though is not the victory I’m looking for. I’m all for a surplus from deep spending cuts.

Trump for all his positives does not seem all that interested in cuts. He's trying to balance the budget through leaner, more efficient government, a scorching hot economy, and tariff revenues. And it can work but cuts have a double benefit of reducing government power to constitutional limits, and reducing debt.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (dfIr7)

243 The couple are both academics and are convinced their students won't be able to find jobs in the next few years. They have personally tightly restricted their budget because Trump's cuts are going to decimate their paychecks. So far they have not noticed that their paychecks are fine and their students are fine.
Posted by: Emmie
=======
They are smart enough to cut their spending but it will not be because of Trump. It will be because US academia is collapsing in value added for Americans. Due to lack of demand, a lot of private colleges and even state schools in places like Illinois, etc. have enrollments that are spiraling downward.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (ctrM5)

244 I approve of Ade's referring the the previous executive as "President" Biden.

We should awlays those quotation marks.

Remember when Barry Bonds broke all the Home Run records and then he was later suspected of taking steroids, and fans of opposing teams would hold up a sign with a giant asterisk, implying that Bonds's record weren't legitimate, and that he should have an asterisk next to his name in the recoird books?

We'll, we should do the same with Biden.

He wasn't really president.

Posted by: zombie at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (pMi6S)

245 The numbers I learned is that Germany lost about 1.2 million on the Eastern front and the Soviets lost 11 million.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:10 PM (VofaG)

the West German military historian Burkhart Müller-Hillebrand (de) published the third volume of his study of the German Army in World War II Das Heer 1933–1945 that listed OKW casualty figures and his estimate of total German casualties. Müller-Hillebrand maintained that the OKW figures did not present an accurate accounting of German casualties because they understated losses in the final months of the war on the eastern front and post war deaths of POW in Soviet captivity. According to Müller-Hillebrand actual irrecoverable losses in the war were between 3.3 and 4.5 million men. Overall Müller-Hillebrand estimated the total dead and missing at 4.0 million men.[23]

You also have to remember is that Germany took many prisoners in the early war and routinely starved them to death. These would swell the 'dead' number for the Soviets in the early war.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (8avO+)

246 Posted by: bonhomme at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (lIio7)

I guess they are going to have to spring for mor automation. Also what happened to migrant farm worker temporary visas?

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (VofaG)

247 The cartels in Mexico are vicious. But read anything about the Mexican Civil War 1910-20 and you shouldn't be surprised
Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 14, 2025

***
One of my Spanish teachers in high school mentioned that Mexico had the first Marxist revolution in history, even before the USSR. See the Pancho Villa raid on Columbus, New Mexico, in 1916, handled by "Black Jack" Pershing.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (omVj0)

248 When it comes to gaps:

Thigh >> Mineshaft >> Fulda

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 14, 2025 03:22 PM (wVcYX)

249 John Brennan was responsible for the approval of visas to many 9/11 hijackers. As the CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia, he was linked to several uninvestigated, questionable incidents.

I discuss this and more with @MelKShow

https://tinyurl.com/5ensb35c
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at July 14, 2025 03:20 PM (3447G)

not surprising.

But also,

"that was like 20 years ago, so move on and talk about autopens" - everyone when you talk about Epstein or anything related to the intel agencies.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:22 PM (uCjyK)

250 241 Wolfus, last night Keiko, the gorgeous long hair calico who has been visiting our yard at night laid down on the grass a few feet away from me. She's either stray or feral and has always bolted before, but she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.
------------------
Let her smell your feet. That's the next move in the courtship.

Posted by: pudinhead at July 14, 2025 03:22 PM (W3T6M)

251 244 We'll, we should do the same with Biden.

He wasn't really president.
Posted by: zombie at July 14, 2025 03:21 PM (pMi6S)

=======

Biden's Treasury Secretary said that no Treasury Secretary has had direct access to the payment systems of the US since 1948.

No president has had access to the government's payment systems through his political appointees since Eisenhower.

Can we say any president since has been president?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:22 PM (GBKbO)

252 204 This is gold: Hegseth just pulled the DOD out of the Aspen globalist summit at the last minute. https://tinyurl.com/5n7rtwu8
Posted by: beckster at July 14, 2025 03:09 PM (NLtte)

I love this! Like Lucy holding Charlie Brown's football, last minute: "You are not going!

I looked at the speakers. Sounds like a bunch of globalist (I typed originally globulists and that fits, too) bullsharte global gobbledgook. Gobbledy goop ala Gweneth? Peace through rigmarole and diagrams. Oh, just shut up!

I love you, Pete Hegseth!

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at July 14, 2025 03:22 PM (6PCLE)

253 Wolfus, last night Keiko, the gorgeous long hair calico who has been visiting our yard at night laid down on the grass a few feet away from me. She's either stray or feral and has always bolted before, but she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at July 14, 2025

***
Maybe in a few years, say five or six, your visitor and my Dagny will deign to acknowledge us.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:23 PM (omVj0)

254 Absenteeism at CA farms said to be around 70% due to ongoing immigration raids.

http://tiny.cc/9ddp001

70% of California's entire agricultural labor force is illegal. I knew it had to be high, but that's insane. No wonder both parties are nuts for illegals. CA alone does about $60 billion a year in cash receipts for farm output. That's more than enough to buy a plurality of Senators.
Posted by: bonhomme at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (lIio7)
____

If we are talking just manual labor in agriculture, I think it's probably 90% illegals. There are probably a few legals and citizens in supervisory positions, but the guy actually picking the shit are almost exclusively illegal. It's like yard service workers in suburban NYC and NJ -- 99% illegals.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (iFTx/)

255 As another thought, while "DEFUND THE POLICE" is retarded because of the motivation and the goals, taking a hard look at their budgets, staffing, and quantitative and qualitative aspects of utilization would be a very wise thing to do. Dogpatch doesn't need a Bearcat or a goddamn MRAP. Not every emergency call requires a dozen firefighter-paramedics, or a half-dozen squad cars. There's a fuckload of waste, abuse and bloat that could be eliminated without diminishing efficacy. But few people want to talk about that because the Thin Blue Line crowd is just as knee-jerk and dogmatic as BLM.

Posted by: Accountability isn't anti-law-and-order at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (TbWk/)

256 she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo

======

You have been rated 'edible, if no battle is required'

Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (RErwz)

257 See.................. President Biden's policies are working !!!!!

it just took Trump to implement them to make it work !!!!

Posted by: Mike Hunt at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (aKoaI)

258 "The other odd thing to report is that little Dagny the aloof Siberian cat has climbed up to the lamp table next to me and is dozing half on and half off the sofa arm. She has never done this with me. Does she think I'm sick?"
*
Didn't you just have an operation?
Posted by: pawn at July 14, 2025

***
This morning. But I'm sitting up on the couch. Do you think she knows?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (omVj0)

259 257 See.................. President Biden's policies are working !!!!!

it just took Trump to implement them to make it work !!!!
Posted by: Mike Hunt at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (aKoaI)

======

Biden's last speech as president said that any growth in the economy under Trump would be because of Biden's policies.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:25 PM (GBKbO)

260 Absenteeism at CA farms said to be around 70% due to ongoing immigration raids.

http://tiny.cc/9ddp001

70% of California's entire agricultural labor force is illegal. I knew it had to be high, but that's insane. No wonder both parties are nuts for illegals. CA alone does about $60 billion a year in cash receipts for farm output. That's more than enough to buy a plurality of Senators.
Posted by: bonhomme

Also more than enough to buy equipment, depreciate the equipment, write it off & buy more.
Gotta be cheaper than weekly cash paydays.

Posted by: rickb223 at July 14, 2025 03:25 PM (+bLMA)

261 The "spoils" system of appointing people for example was flawed in that it would enrich cronies and yes-men, but it was checked and balanced by the term limits of presidents and the elections. Voters didn't care for how he did things? He's out on his ear and we get a new bunch of cronies.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:17 PM (dfIr7)

Right. It also had the added benefit of giving you one throat to choke.

"This government official sucks, and I'm holding you, Mr. President, personally responsible."

Now it's "well, shit, the executive branch does whatever they want, and it's damned near impossible to fire anyone, so how can you blame your elected officials for how they act? We'll see if we can update the processes."

Easy way to shift the blame from a person to an intractable "process"
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:19 PM (uCjyK)

It had the disadvantage that right after the start of the term when the new president is maximally busy there is a huge added turnover. Lincoln had this issue at the start of the ACW. On the other hand, fewer hangover traitors from the other party.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:25 PM (8avO+)

262 she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo

Your aura has changed shape and color.

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 14, 2025 03:25 PM (wVcYX)

263 If we are talking just manual labor in agriculture, I think it's probably 90% illegals. There are probably a few legals and citizens in supervisory positions, but the guy actually picking the shit are almost exclusively illegal. It's like yard service workers in suburban NYC and NJ -- 99% illegals.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (iFTx/)

We’ve had these illegals for decades so a lot of these workers are anchor babies.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (VofaG)

264 she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo

======

You have been rated 'edible, if no battle is required'
Posted by: 2009Refugee

*snort

Posted by: rickb223 at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (+bLMA)

265 Yeah, I'm writing some big checks here to cover the tariffs. I hope everyone is happy.

Posted by: jwest at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (lnMN4)

266 260 Also more than enough to buy equipment, depreciate the equipment, write it off & buy more.
Gotta be cheaper than weekly cash paydays.
Posted by: rickb223 at July 14, 2025 03:25 PM (+bLMA)

=======

They could rent the equipment, as well, instead of buying it.

A whole field of potatoes in a couple of days.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (GBKbO)

267 Trump for all his positives does not seem all that interested in cuts. He's trying to balance the budget through leaner, more efficient government, a scorching hot economy, and tariff revenues. And it can work but cuts have a double benefit of reducing government power to constitutional limits, and reducing debt.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor
=======
Trump is pragmatic in that he sees no upside to pushing cuts that Congress will not approve. A puny rescission bill (about 9.1 billion) is currently in front of the Senate (after passing the House) but it gores some sacred cows for some senators like PBS, NPR, and other useless shit.

Trump called Ryan's bluff in the first term by giving Congress a budget proposal that had massive cuts in government. Ryan instead pivoted to bleating about cutting Social Security which is their go to move to forestall budget cuts (see earlier thread).

The major drivers of the structural deficit are Social Security (there will need to be another move to up the retirement age to 65 and 70 which would stabilize it), Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid got some modest pruning in the BBB reconciliation bill. Medicare is untouched so far.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:27 PM (ctrM5)

268 265 Yeah, I'm writing some big checks here to cover the tariffs. I hope everyone is happy.
Posted by: jwest at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (lnMN4)

You sir, are a true Patriot!

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:27 PM (uCjyK)

269 Do you think she knows?

Smell like the hospital?

You are less stressed subconsciously?

You visited her while in Spritland?

Posted by: pawn at July 14, 2025 03:27 PM (QB+5g)

270 241 Wolfus, last night Keiko, the gorgeous long hair calico who has been visiting our yard at night laid down on the grass a few feet away from me. She's either stray or feral and has always bolted before, but she has begun giving me these long stares while she sits on the fence or in the yard.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at July 14, 2025 03:20 PM (B3wyN)

Have you put on a few pounds lately?

Posted by: Rich marbling at July 14, 2025 03:27 PM (TbWk/)

271 I think it's the tuna sandwich he carries outside.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2025 03:27 PM (UjdFS)

272 "The other odd thing to report is that little Dagny the aloof Siberian cat has climbed up to the lamp table next to me and is dozing half on and half off the sofa arm. She has never done this with me. Does she think I'm sick?"
*
Didn't you just have an operation?
Posted by: pawn at July 14, 2025

***
This morning. But I'm sitting up on the couch. Do you think she knows?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (omVj0)

She absolutely knows. My female cat slept right by the break on my arm 24-7 virtually from the day I broke it to the day the doctor pronounced it healed. On the side it was broken. At the hip not the head or feet. She never slept in that spot before or since.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (8avO+)

273 A whole field of potatoes in a couple of days.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

A whole apartment in an afternoon! Two coats!

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (77rzZ)

274
This is gold: Hegseth just pulled the DOD out of the Aspen globalist summit at the last minute. https://tinyurl.com/5n7rtwu8
Posted by: beckster

A promotional video released by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth forecasting “drone dominance” has been recast after Metallica successfully demanded the removal of one of their songs from the offering.

The original clip used Metallica’s 1991 metal anthem “Enter Sandman” as Hegseth can be seen speaking to camera as he explains how his department is fulfilling the Oval Office order.

“This is the future,” he declared. “We’re in the fight. We’re in the fight to win it. And we’re never gonna back down.”

The track has since been scrubbed from social media after the band objected to a copyright breach per its unauthorized use.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (63Dwl)

275 Never stop nudging the argument Left, CNBC. That's all you've got. Once you start reporting the "Real News," people will never believe you again.

Posted by: Kurtz at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (LRhmV)

276 I think it's the tuna sandwich he carries outside.
Posted by: wth at July 14, 2025 03:27 PM (UjdFS)

A tiger's favorite food!

Posted by: Calvin at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (wVcYX)

277 268 265 Yeah, I'm writing some big checks here to cover the tariffs. I hope everyone is happy.
Posted by: jwest at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (lnMN4)

Oh noes you can’t humble brag about your most recent purchases of luxury cars.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (VofaG)

278
Well, you *do* have an injury of sorts, correct? Is she purring at you?
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 14, 2025

***
I don't know about "at" me, but she is purring. With her it's hard to tell unless you put an ear to her side or run a finger along her voice box.

When I came back from oral surgery years ago, little Oreo the part-Persian climbed up in bed and slept the afternoon with me. Clearly she knew something was wrong. I'm not lying in bed this time right now, so I wonder how Dagny can know.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (omVj0)

279 The Eastern Front of World War II resulted in staggering casualties, with the Soviet Union suffering the most, followed by Germany. Estimates vary, but the Soviet Union lost between 8.8 and 10.7 million soldiers and 10.4 to 13.3 million civilians. Germany sustained around 5.3 million military deaths, primarily on the Eastern Front.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (Ovc06)

280 This morning. But I'm sitting up on the couch. Do you think she knows?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (omVj0)

Maybe she wants the piece they took out?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 14, 2025 03:29 PM (HZLHo)

281 Churchillian in Nature from the Greatest President in a Trillion Years ......

Former Greatest Ever President Obama’s message to Democrats is to “just toughen up” amid frustration with the political landscape under President Trump.

“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up,” Obama said in remarks at a private fundraiser Friday in New Jersey, according to excerpts of his remarks obtained by CNN.

“Don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something,” he said.

Posted by: Mike Hunt at July 14, 2025 03:29 PM (aKoaI)

282 Yeah, I'm writing some big checks here to cover the tariffs. I hope everyone is happy.
Posted by: jwest at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (lnMN4)

—————-

I’m fucking ecstatic, thanks for asking.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (u73oe)

283 If we are talking just manual labor in agriculture, I think it's probably 90% illegals. There are probably a few legals and citizens in supervisory positions, but the guy actually picking the shit are almost exclusively illegal. It's like yard service workers in suburban NYC and NJ -- 99% illegals.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (iFTx/)

We’ve had these illegals for decades so a lot of these workers are anchor babies.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (VofaG)
______

Possibly, but if they're legal citizens then they aren't as pliable and desperate as illegals. I suspect the laborers are a rotating crop of illegals paid and treated as basically slave labor. In suburban areas, they gather at the crack of dawn in 7-11 parking lots and wait for the trucks to come to pick out workers they want for the day -- like a slave auction. I doubt any of these are legals.

Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (iFTx/)

284 280 This morning. But I'm sitting up on the couch. Do you think she knows?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:24 PM (omVj0)

Maybe she wants the piece they took out?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 14, 2025 03:29 PM (HZLHo)

My mother had a double hip replacement. I was very disappointed to find out that she didn't even request to keep the originals.

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (KbCG3)

285 Maybe in a few years, say five or six, your visitor and my Dagny will deign to acknowledge us.
___________
She deigns to accept the food I put out; primarily leftovers the other cats have failed to finish.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (fElA8)

286 They could rent the equipment, as well, instead of buying it.

A whole field of potatoes in a couple of days.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for thrills with John Frankenheimer at July 14, 2025 03:26 PM (GBKbO)

Farm work has been largely mechanized for 100 years.

There are no longer hundreds of people hand picking corn in fields at harvest time, requiring a massive amount of seasonal labor.

This "we need illegals or we'll starve to death" talking point is insulting to our intelligence.

The illegals working on those farms have what many of us would consider decent jobs, and Americans should be working those jobs, and Big Ag should have to follow American employment laws, like the rest of the country. (currently, farm work is exempted from a lot of labor laws, but not from immigration laws, and yet somehow this is the status quo.)

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (uCjyK)

287 265 Yeah, I'm writing some big checks here to cover the tariffs. I hope everyone is happy.
Posted by: jwest
=====
Previously you were around talking about how much Covid relief money you got and your tax breaks. Que sera sera.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (ctrM5)

288 Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at July 14, 2025 03:28 PM (Ovc06)

Under 2 million on the eastern front . 1.2 million is what I read long ago,

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (VofaG)

289 But few people want to talk about that because the Thin Blue Line crowd is just as knee-jerk and dogmatic as BLM.
-----

I'd be more inclined to be Thin Blue Line if they're weren't so willing to prostitute their image with motorcyle cops. Those cops are police, they are revenue machines and I resent that any police force even pretends otherwise.

Posted by: Crusader at July 14, 2025 03:31 PM (TN0g+)

290 The track has since been scrubbed from social media after the band objected to a copyright breach per its unauthorized use.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

Did they actually forget about copyright, or did they just go ahead and use it anyway because they thought Metallica wouldn't give them the rights?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:31 PM (77rzZ)

291 They could rent the equipment, as well, instead of buying it.

A whole field of potatoes in a couple of days.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

True. I see huge pieces of equipment going up and fown the highway at certain times of the year.

Farmer that has land and doesn't want to deal with planting and harvest hires out the job.

Same with hay. We grow it. Someone else cuts & bales it. We could negotiate a deal on how much we could keep.

Posted by: rickb223 at July 14, 2025 03:32 PM (+bLMA)

292 I think it's the tuna sandwich he carries outside.
Posted by: wth

=====

As a young'n, I tamed a feral barn kitten. One, from a litter of 3. It took a lot of patience, and a lot of treats.

He went on to become a chunky lovable pet. His siblings kept the homestead free of mice, and occasionally taught our German shepherd that cornering a feral cat leads to nose wounds.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 14, 2025 03:33 PM (RErwz)

293 Possibly, but if they're legal citizens then they aren't as pliable and desperate as illegals. I suspect the laborers are a rotating crop of illegals paid and treated as basically slave labor. In suburban areas, they gather at the crack of dawn in 7-11 parking lots and wait for the trucks to come to pick out workers they want for the day -- like a slave auction. I doubt any of these are legals.
Posted by: Elric The (One and Only) Blade at July 14, 2025 03:30 PM (iFTx/)

Look at the "Trade Parade" leaving the Hamptons every day at 6-7pm. Thousands and thousands of beat up old pick up trucks and 1993 Honda Civics with NJ temp plates full of Hispanic people leaving one of the richest areas to drive home to whatever hovels they live in.

I would wager almost 100% of them are illegals.

And there is absolutely no reason US citizens can't mow the lawns of $20 million seasonal mansions, and they should get paid appropriately for that.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:33 PM (uCjyK)

294 Alumnanatti.

Posted by: Boss Moss at July 14, 2025 03:33 PM (NaR/G)

295 This morning. But I'm sitting up on the couch. Do you think she knows?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025
*
Maybe she wants the piece they took out?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 14, 2025

***
No leftovers. They opened me up, pushed some stuff back in, and sealed the breach (I hope for good).

Maybe Dagny scents something odd about me since I got the antibiotics and anesthesia.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:34 PM (omVj0)

296 Wait until no tax on tips, no tax on social security, handing pensioners formerly off-set SS funds due to changes in laws, and so on. Oh, and Assisted Living Care facilities needing more money - much more - is or Pop goes home.

Medicare/medicaid pikers need to be removed from rolls and paying towards their existence; illegals need to be out of hospital ERs and the zillion 'underground' physician & PA services that have been setup for them. Student loans, federal loan programs need total restructuring & enforcement.

If your children are being raised by others, that's where the $ goes. Time to stop addicts, etc. from still receiving funding if they don't seriously try to improve their own lives.

Stop marijuana in any form & other questionable drugs for those that need to have jobs. They're not supposed to be using & driving. How can employers trust they won't injure someone else - or kill themselves - on the job? Who insures them?

How ya gonna make the pikers work?
Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program Expanded Significantly After Anxiety Was Added As A Qualifying Condition, Study Shows, 9 July 2025

Can't save everyone but the idle mind IS the devil's workshop..

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at July 14, 2025 03:35 PM (NFX2v)

297 The illegals working on those farms have what many of us would consider decent jobs, and Americans should be working those jobs, and Big Ag should have to follow American employment laws, like the rest of the country. (currently, farm work is exempted from a lot of labor laws, but not from immigration laws, and yet somehow this is the status quo.)
Posted by: Harry Paratestes

Harry, with all due respect, I come from a farming state and visit it frequently. Plus I interviewed farmers for the various ag surveys in summer to pay for grad school back in the day and come personally from a farming family. The illegals, more or less are not present much in large rowcrop farms. That is because the equipment is incredibly expensive and often the only person that ends up operating it is the farmer or one of his family due to trust. Modern cotton pickers or combines run close to a cool million nowadays, tractors of the sort used for field operations are GPS guided, network linked, and damn near drive themselves.

Most of the illegals, if any, work at agri processing plants (cotton gins, grain elevators, livestock, produce, etc. where low skill and nasty working conditions prevail).

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:35 PM (ctrM5)

298 A Hawaiian judge ruled that ICE can't pick up illegals at Home Depot locations. No, I have no idea what the legal basis for that is. I'm pretty sure HD isn't mentioned in the Constitution.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 14, 2025 03:35 PM (2ocoG)

299 As a young'n, I tamed a feral barn kitten. One, from a litter of 3. It took a lot of patience, and a lot of treats.

He went on to become a chunky lovable pet. His siblings kept the homestead free of mice, and occasionally taught our German shepherd that cornering a feral cat leads to nose wounds.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 14, 2025

***
You got him right during that narrow window when even a feral can be socialized, I guess.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:35 PM (omVj0)

300 It's right there in the Home Depot Clause of the Constitution.

Posted by: Boss Moss at July 14, 2025 03:36 PM (NaR/G)

301 I don't understand these economists who completely squander their reputations in service of the Democratic Party and the verminous media. My reputation would matter too much for that.
To be fair I don't have any kind of reputation to protect, but still.

Posted by: Still lurking up north, read some, don't comment much at July 14, 2025 03:36 PM (kTd/k)

302 It had the disadvantage that right after the start of the term when the new president is maximally busy there is a huge added turnover. Lincoln had this issue at the start of the ACW. On the other hand, fewer hangover traitors from the other party.

Every system has its drawbacks but to me the one that makes people in power the more accountable is superior to the one that makes them less so, whatever the drawbacks.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:37 PM (dfIr7)

303 So Columbia could pay their tariffs in the form of nubile young wimmins?
Posted by: Some Moron at July 14, 2025 02:47 PM (t0Rmr)

Colombia has legal prostitution, and lots and lots of weed and coke. The only ones to ride for free in Bogotá are the politicians, and only the senior ones at that.

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 03:37 PM (D7oie)

304 Noodus icenana

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 14, 2025 03:38 PM (omVj0)

305 Look at the "Trade Parade" leaving the Hamptons every day at 6-7pm. Thousands and thousands of beat up old pick up trucks and 1993 Honda Civics with NJ temp plates full of Hispanic people leaving one of the richest areas to drive home to whatever hovels they live in.

I would wager almost 100% of them are illegals.

And there is absolutely no reason US citizens can't mow the lawns of $20 million seasonal mansions, and they should get paid appropriately for that.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at July 14, 2025 03:33 PM (uCjyK)

"Doing the jobs that Americans won't do" is pure bullshit. Americans WILL do the jobs, but they won't do it for sub-minimum wage off the books, which is what agribusiness and the Muffys and Thurstons of the world want. "Nobody wants to work anymore" - not at wages that were sub-entry-level in 1994 they don't.

Posted by: Market-clearing wage? Never heard of it. at July 14, 2025 03:38 PM (TbWk/)

306 Who lost more men in WWII on the Axis side -- Krauts or Japs?
Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:12 PM (77rzZ)

The Germans by far
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:13 PM (VofaG)

Japanese military casualties during World War II are estimated to be between 2.5 million and 3.1 million.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:38 PM (8avO+)

307 It's right there in the Home Depot Clause of the Constitution.
Posted by: Boss Moss

That's where they talk about Drills of Attainder, right?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2025 03:38 PM (77rzZ)

308 Medicare/medicaid pikers need to be removed from rolls and paying towards their existence; illegals need to be out of hospital ERs and the zillion 'underground' physician & PA services that have been setup for them. Student loans, federal loan programs need total restructuring & enforcement.

Posted by: L
=====
Medicaid finally got congressional attention and cuts were made precisely where you wanted them. Same with student loans for grad school. Currently student borrowers are being dunned again after 5 years including garnishing wages, tax returns, etc.

Medicare is an age related attachment to Social Security which makes it much harder to fix. Most likely, medicare taxes will go up by a couple of percentage points in payroll taxes.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:39 PM (ctrM5)

309 You got him right during that narrow window when even a feral can be socialized, I guess.

Ferals can be socialized even as adults. I did so with one long ago by putting food on one side of the porch every night and then sitting quietly at the opposite end of the porch. It took about 2 months if I remember correctly.

Posted by: Crusader at July 14, 2025 03:39 PM (TN0g+)

310 You got him right during that narrow window when even a feral can be socialized, I guess.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

=====

Yes

I can still hear Dad, working in the garage, calling him "fatcat", and joking "you should go tell your siblings what a great deal you have here in the house. "

Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 14, 2025 03:39 PM (RErwz)

311 Where does the EU get its money?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (63Dwl)

Taxes, printing, and most recently getting loans from the US.

AT POWELL'S HIGH RATE!

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 03:39 PM (D7oie)

312 277 268 265 Yeah, I'm writing some big checks here to cover the tariffs. I hope everyone is happy.

hmm I wasn't super happy before but ...

ok well you've convinced me!

Posted by: Black Orchid at July 14, 2025 03:40 PM (Pv3Rg)

313 It had the disadvantage that right after the start of the term when the new president is maximally busy there is a huge added turnover. Lincoln had this issue at the start of the ACW. On the other hand, fewer hangover traitors from the other party.

Every system has its drawbacks but to me the one that makes people in power the more accountable is superior to the one that makes them less so, whatever the drawbacks.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at July 14, 2025 03:37 PM (dfIr7)

Yes, you can go back 5000 or so years and see what happens when the 'mandarins' have more power than the executive power.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:40 PM (8avO+)

314 301 I don't understand these economists who completely squander their reputations in service of the Democratic Party and the verminous media. My reputation would matter too much for that.
To be fair I don't have any kind of reputation to protect, but still.
Posted by: Still lurking up north
=========
Because to them, it is akin to becoming an atheist. The Party is their faith.

Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:40 PM (ctrM5)

315 Where does the EU get its money?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2025 02:53 PM (63Dwl)

Taxes, printing, and most recently getting loans from the US.

AT POWELL'S HIGH RATE!
Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 03:39 PM (D7oie)

At this point, I don't think the EU has direct taxing power. This pisses them off a lot. Once they get that it is all over for Europe.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:41 PM (8avO+)

316 "Doing the jobs that Americans won't do" is pure bullshit. Americans WILL do the jobs, but they won't do it for sub-minimum wage off the books, which is what agribusiness and the Muffys and Thurstons of the world want. "Nobody wants to work anymore" - not at wages that were sub-entry-level in 1994 they don't.

so I always had an American dude - a neighbor even! - doing the grounds. just realized why the ELITES don't want to hire him or someone like him

I talk to him! he comes by, we shoot the shit, talk about our gardens, etc. he makes fun of my orchid problems.

these people just want quiet slaves! they don't want to do the chit-chat!

Posted by: Black Orchid at July 14, 2025 03:42 PM (Pv3Rg)

317 A Hawaiian judge ruled that ICE can't pick up illegals at Home Depot locations. No, I have no idea what the legal basis for that is. I'm pretty sure HD isn't mentioned in the Constitution.
Posted by: Ian S. at July 14, 2025 03:35 PM (2ocoG)

So? Have ICE, or observers in civilian clothes set up across the street, and observe the illegals with telescopes (and video, of course). When a group of them enter a vehicle, radio the vehicle's description and tag number to ICE agents a block or two away to pull them over.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 14, 2025 03:42 PM (b47tW)

318 Whig, high interest rates make borrowing too painful, it reduces inflation, mildly in this case, borrowing where the zero rates under Biden encouraged it.

Inflation is in part money printing, but in our fiat system money isn't actually printed as much as it is borrowed into existence. A loan is imaginary money until the borrower pays it off to "make it real" , and if the rate of interest charged the borrower is less than the actual increase in value it brings, it is inflationary just as if the Fed made the machine go brrr. We are still inflationary, but the people the high-ish interest rate is hurting the most is the EU central bank.

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 03:47 PM (D7oie)

319 Japanese military casualties during World War II are estimated to be between 2.5 million and 3.1 million.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:38 PM (8avO+)

Germans lost 5+ million total.

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:49 PM (VofaG)

320 As a young'n, I tamed a feral barn kitten. One, from a litter of 3. It took a lot of patience, and a lot of treats.

He went on to become a chunky lovable pet. His siblings kept the homestead free of mice, and occasionally taught our German shepherd that cornering a feral cat leads to nose wounds.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 14, 2025 03:33 PM (RErwz)

I think housecats are never as feral as say Wildcats. They've been in close association with people even as unfed alley cats and barn cats (and most barn cats are at least partly fed) for too long. I've also seen 'switches' in a housecat where one day a cat that never was a lap cat suddenly is. Its like they have a caution level and an affection level and one day the caution setting drops and all sorts of new behaviors show up.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:50 PM (8avO+)

321 Japanese military casualties during World War II are estimated to be between 2.5 million and 3.1 million.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:38 PM (8avO+)

Germans lost 5+ million total.
Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:49 PM (VofaG)

thus, as you say, the Japanese lost a lot less.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:50 PM (8avO+)

322 But the townships just care about their permit fees. They damn right know many independent contractors have no employees as per their state registration but pick up loads of illegals for roofing, drywall, etc.

What about industrial cleaning services? Burn or poison a worker and what workers comp or state disability when injured (or deceased) do they get? Drop one off a roof; who's responsible?

Homeowners have been under investigation, too, depending, but we pay - just like the men killed in the Baltimore bridge. And, frankly, the employers & states love it.

And the unions do not stop it.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at July 14, 2025 03:51 PM (NFX2v)

323 so I always had an American dude - a neighbor even! - doing the grounds. just realized why the ELITES don't want to hire him or someone like him

I talk to him! he comes by, we shoot the shit, talk about our gardens, etc. he makes fun of my orchid problems.

these people just want quiet slaves! they don't want to do the chit-chat!
Posted by: Black Orchid at July 14, 2025 03:42 PM (Pv3Rg)

Some of the fellows that have the tech want to justify it and like the process.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:51 PM (8avO+)

324 Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2025 03:50 PM (8avO+)

👍

Posted by: polynikes at July 14, 2025 03:52 PM (VofaG)

325 Most of the illegals, if any, work at agri processing plants (cotton gins, grain elevators, livestock, produce, etc. where low skill and nasty working conditions prevail).
Posted by: whig at July 14, 2025 03:35 PM (ctrM5)

A good number work in ag and wildland fire fighting in the summers, and construction and fast food in the winter. A fair number also work in ag through labor contractors, who are supposed to do the vetting by e-verify.

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2025 04:03 PM (D7oie)

326 A large number of Federal expenditures were shifted back into May because June 1 fell on a Sunday. Hence the huge May deficit and the June 'surplus'. 'Tis mostly an illusion caused by the calendar.

Posted by: Guy Fleegman as Crewman #6 at July 14, 2025 04:04 PM (vydmm)

327 Monthly surpluses are not that unusual, often during tax collection months.

https://tinyurl.com/4tyw4jxh

Posted by: MartynWW at July 14, 2025 05:31 PM (vXpHP)

328 More Lies and Fake News from CNBC the Lying Peacock News just like ABC,CBS and CNN

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at July 14, 2025 06:09 PM (wGqjj)

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