The great tariff balancing act

"The bottom line with both Mexico and Canada is simply this. Life will go on, we will again be friends and neighbors, and nobody is going to be absorbed by anybody. We will however, live on a more level playground. 

I am going to go out on a limb and say something unkind about the Trump administration. And it has to do with tariffs. Tariffs are not new to us - we have seen them for years. But this new round of tariffs, starting on Wednesday, could shock our economic system - until they work. Are they going to be bad? Hopefully, not. But here is where I think the Trump team needs a "do better". Explaining more in detail "the why" we are doing this. 

Are we adjusting our tariffs on Canada and Mexico to get their attention on illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl over our borders? I think yes - do a degree. But more than that, we have a huge imbalance of trade between our two neighbors - Mexico and Canada. Some of the tariffs that Canada has put on our dairy products has shut us out of the Canadian market. Is that fair? I thought Trump's solution had merit - reciprocal tariffs. Whatever we get charged, we also charge them. Period. If that is not fair, somebody smart needs to explain that to me.

If tariffs will lead to more onshoring of our products, I really understand that. Globalism has hurt us from a national security standpoint. We found that out in spades during the Covid shutdown. Trump found out also, that many of our meds are made offshore. Many by unfriendly countries. In addition, much of our manufacturing is done offshore. We have become assemblers, not manufacturers. The Trump team wants this fixed and fixed soon.

Here however, is the "bump" in the road. Some of our offshored manufactured items are made at slave labor wages - like $3/hour. When we bring them back onshore and build them with union labor, we might be paying $30/hour to build the same item. The plus up, is getting good paying labor jobs back in the USA. The downside will be paying more for some items which will be made here again. Trump wants anything made here to pay zero tariffs. Things which continue to be made overseas, will pay high tariffs. This - is the great tariff balancing act. 

In the meanwhile, we seem to be having a spat with Canada over how things are changing. The fact of the matter is, we have been playing "big brother" with Canada for some time now. Or as some call it, Canada's "Sugar Daddy". Why is that? Canada is inches away from pure socialism, and it is not working well for them. That is why Trump has teased them about becoming our 51st state. Life would be better for Canada as part of the USA. With Trump, that was tongue in cheek. With Canada, them were fighting words!

The bottom line with both Mexico and Canada is simply this. Life will go on, we will again be friends and neighbors, and nobody is going to be absorbed by anybody. We will however, live on a more level playground. Everybody is going to have to adjust to that. We are not out to screw anybody (especially our neighbors), nor do we want to be screwed. This is the new reality. We all need to get used to it.  

No going back now...

"By 2035, humanoid bots will be everywhere. In the factories, in the military, in education, in the fields, and in the homes. What does this mean? As one futurist put it, we are coming to end of the age of work as we know it. Will that be a good thing or a bad thing? Stay tuned. We are on this road, and there is no going back now."     

Just when you think you have had a chance to catch your breath, you hear about something else which could be changing sooner rather than later. I recently learned about a man who is helping to make AI humanoid bots for the military. Before you start having nightmares about Android soldiers carrying 50 caliber machine guns shooting the place up - relax. These bots are to take care of things that are done in a non-combat setting. At least, that is what the plan is for in the beginning.

This is progress. This is the road we are on. AI in everything. I ask my wife yesterday after a news story came on the radio about AI, if she was tired of hearing about AI. Immediately, she said "YES"! I then (gently) told her to get used to it, as we have really just started down this road. AI in everything will be as common as plastic in most things. AI is here, and there is no going back now.

AI is going to be part of our military just like MREs are today. And it is not just us who are looking to infuse AI in as many things as possible. Here is the part which is really insane about where AI is going. Now that quantum computing is off and running, AI and quantum computing will go together like peanut butter and jelly. Both right now are "tiger by the tail" technologies. What is meant by that? There are a whole lot of "ifs" and "maybes" as we continue to develop both of these new technologies. Danger? Maybe. Opportunities? Hope so.

But the biggest change that many of us will notice by 2030 is a four-letter word - work. How many jobs will be replaced by AI loaded bots who can do our jobs better and cheaper? More than you think. There will not be some people thrown out of government jobs like the DOGE committee is doing right now. Instead, there will be entire industries which will be automated from head to toe. And housework and yard work? Relax - there will be bots for that also. Then the question begs to be asked - what are we going to do? No working for a living, and less and less work to do around the home. And this will only be by 2030. Just imagine what life will be like in 2040. There is one thing about progress - there is no going back now.

It is estimated that by 2030, there will be over a quarter million humanoid bots in the country. Most will be used in manufacturing. That means, most will be replacing human type jobs. By 2035, humanoid bots will be everywhere. In the factories, in the military, in education, in the fields, and in the homes. What does this mean? As one futurist put it, we are coming to end of the age of work as we know it. Will that be a good thing or a bad thing? Stay tuned. We are on this road, and there is no going back now.     

 

A vastly unserious man

 

"Can this state survive back-to-back governors like Dayton and Walz? Probably will. And after Walz, who will the chattering class elect? Maybe Keith Ellison? But that is Minnesota for you. Land of 10,000 lakes and over 1,000,000 morons."    

One of my left leaning friends once accused me of not agreeing with Tim Walz on anything. Let me set that record straight. When Walz referred to himself as a "knucklehead" after the VP debate, I agreed with him. So there.

I also think that if anybody can turn this state red, it will be Tim Walz. Already, since he has taken his comedy act into other states, Minnesota has demonstrated we are a bunch of morons because we voted for this guy. Twice.

Just like Joe Biden knocked Jimmy Carter out of his position as worst president ever, Tim Walz has knocked Mark Dayton out of our worst governor ever. And we had these two guys, back-to-back! Why? The inner part of the Twin Cities. Especially the Cedar Riverside area. Once you go there, you understand. But this little part of Minnesota, seems to dictate how our statewide elections go. Every time. Every candidate. If they are a jackass, they get elected. MNGOP - not so much.

Tim Walz is a perfect example of the Peter Principal. If not for being a teacher or elected to the House and then Governor's chair, he might just be unemployable. Why? He is all hat and no cowboy. Or as President Trump would put it, a very low IQ person. But here he is - here he still is. How in the world could he get re-elected after watching part of Minneapolis burn down? Just ask the voters in Cedar Riverside. Out state, we know this guy is a moron and has wasted our tax money on pure crap. In the Twin Cities, this "knucklehead" is a rock star.

After Walz was cheering on the mutts who are burning Tesla's and torching Tesla dealerships, Elon Musk called Walz an "evil man". Maybe more stupid than evil, as the state has big investments in Tesla. So, to cheer against Tesla is really like cheering against your own state.

I also blame Walz for being asleep at the switch while Feeding our Future was robbing us blind. Some liberal white gal and a bunch of Somali cohorts robbed this state of millions upon millions of dollars. Even though some have already been found guilty in a court of law, where is the money? That is our money. Can we get it back? Probably not. This is all on you Timmy, you knucklehead! 

Can this state survive back-to-back governors like Dayton and Walz? Probably will. And after Walz, who will the chattering class elect? Maybe Keith Ellison? But that is Minnesota for you. Land of 10,000 lakes and over 1,000,000 morons.    

 

Want Elon to go away? Then quit giving him fodder

 

"For those who hate Trump, hate Musk, hate DOGE and most of all, hate the good things this team is doing for America, I feel for you. It is not easy living with all that hate. Here are the facts - even if Elon goes away, DOGE will not. Why? Our eyes have been opened on how much deep cleaning this country needs. What do I say to DOGE? You go boy!"

Elon and part of this DOGE team were on Fox with Bret Baier last night, discussing just exactly what they are doing. Guess what? It is not to rip off people's money nor private information. Actually, to find paydirt, they don't have to dig very deep at all. Most of what they have found so far has been "low fruit on the trees". In other words, because the cleaning team has not been present for decades within the federal government (forget about the GAO - they did not do much), all kinds of financial fodder is there for the discovery. 

I will now quote (paraphrase) that very flawed Jasmine what's her name out of Texas - "Our government is a hot a** mess". Please - no hate mail from the government lovers out there. I will put it in vernacular that we can all understand - Elon and the DOGE team are only doing surface cleaning right now. But on some very important areas, they are doing a deep clean. If - Elon and DOGE had the time and funding to do a deep clean on all parts of our federal government, the results would be stunning and jaw dropping. Our DOGE dividend checks would be rather large I would say.

Who hates Elon and his team the most? Government loving democrats. They hate Elon so much, they are setting EVs on fire. Wait - what? Are we not building EVs to help with climate change? And is not Tesla the number one EV in America? And if we burn an EV, won't that put more unwanted carbon in the atmosphere? Yes, yes, yes - they know all that. But they don't care. What? Why not? Because the hatred of Donald Trump (and now Elon Musk to boot), and their love of this failed government system, is more important than results.

Did you know one of the unpaid people on the DOGE team is a multi-billionaire? The man who came up with Airbnb? He too, is not trying to steal anybody's money. What he has seen has shocked him. The backwardness of some of our government systems. He has volunteered to replace the handwritten system of the government retirement system and make it digital. Why? Two reasons: he hates inefficiency and also and more importantly, he is a good American. You see, many of the DOGE team are working for nothing when with their skills, they could be using this time to make oodles of cash on the outside. But they are patriots, and they care.

BTW - If you get a chance, every now and again check in on the Telsa YouTube site. It seems that when you stock up on good employees in your organization, and have them share your vision, you don't need to be onsite for good things to happen. Tesla is coming out with a Tesla cellphone and Tesla table. Both of which are cheaper than what is on the market right now, and much better. Tesla is also building humanoid AI robots like crazy. Most of what is being built this year will be used in Tesla's factories. Oh yes - Tesla keeps popping out EV cars like gangbusters. All this while Elon is working on DOGE.

For those who hate Trump, hate Musk, hate Tesla, hate DOGE, and most of all, hate the good things this team is doing for America, I feel for you. It is not easy living with all that hate. Here are the facts - even if Elon goes away, DOGE will not. Why? Our eyes have been opened on how much deep cleaning this country needs. What do I say to DOGE? You go boy!

  

Are the days of milk and honey on the horizon?

"What does this really mean? Think of Elon Musk. How many thinks he is going right now for the good of our country. For the good of the world. Trump is the same way. Think big, do big. Don't be afraid of the cliff; learn how to travel on it. The days of milk and honey are within our grasp. We just need the collective courage to get there."      

When the term the Great Reset was used during the Biden debacle, many thought it was the completion of what Obama had started. A reset of our economy from free traders to globalist slaves. From a republic (not democracy Democrats!) to a socialist gulag. But thanks to millions of citizens and patriots, that never happened. Came close but never happened. Why bring this up? Because I think the real Great Reset is happening right now.

Our new president, who has been in power now for just over two months, has a vision which is going to reshape America. How much so? These will not be changes which will tinker around the edges. These changes will change everything. Some will be easy changes; some will not be. Some changes will happen with not so much as a ripple, others will cause us to hold on tight. 

I don't want to dwell on this, but it needs to be said one more time. When Biden came into office, he stopped everything good that Donald Trump had started during his first term. Not because what Trump did was bad for America - it was only because of the visceral hatred this old man with a black heart had for his predecessor. But - when Trump came back into office and had to put out numerous fires, it was not due to hatred of Biden. It was due to the fact the nation (and world) was on fire. Many immediate changes were needed. The train was about ready to go off the tracks.

What is Trump's vision with many of his changes? Peace for starters. Right now, the world is tinkering with WW III. Trump wants us to back way, way away from that cliff. Trump also wants the suffering middle class to taste the same winning wealth the fat cats have tasted on Wall Street over the past few years. He wants America to be a fair trader on the world market - reciprocal tariffs are a good place to start. He wants to onshore what has been offshored over the past few decades. He wants more of an ERS and less of an IRS. In short, this Golden Age of America can also be called the coming land of milk and honey.

History is being written each and every day. Trump's vision is clear, and his goals are reachable. His team shares those goals. I think an easy way to describe this remaking of America through the eyes of Donald Trump is like this - for way too long, America has been a minimalist. Sure, great things have happened, but the great things could have been greater. During this term, Donald Trump wants America to think big and bigger yet. We should no longer be minimalists. We should embrace positive change.  

What does this really mean? Think of Elon Musk. How many thinks he is going right now for the good of our country. For the good of the world. Trump is the same way. Think big, do big. Don't be afraid of the cliff; learn how to travel on it. The days of milk and honey are within our grasp. We just need the collective courage to get there.      

We don't know what we don't know

 

"Many of us were attracted to watch the Star Trek series on TV when we were younger. Some of us still watch it. Why? The Enterprise was full of explorers. To go where no person has gone before. Even though that show was fiction, here is the truth. We are by nature, also explorers. And now in this Golden Age of America, much will be discovered. Much will be learned."

By now, many of us have seen the suspected towers which lie under the Gaza Pyramids. State of the art ground penetrating radar shows "something" that might be buried underneath these great and powerful structures. Many scientists are about jumping out of their skins over this discovery. Others are saying - not so fast. It might just be a glitch or a "nothing burger". Or - it could be something which would have us re-evaluate the past 4,000 years of our history. Bottom line - we just don't know what we don't know.

However, it this does have a grain of truth in it, what we see on the surface is only the tip of the iceberg (so to say). These columns (or whatever they are), stretch down over 400 meters. Some are speculating they might be a giant battery, that the ancients had the knowledge of how to build. Others say they are supports for these very heavy surface pyramids. Whatever they are, they are massive. Or they are just a blip in the radar. We simply don't know what we don't know.

On that subject, the research which is going on with quantum computing has hit a bit of a roadblock. This too, has evolved into a mystery. When a souped-up quantum computer at Google was working on a complex problem, something unexpected and scary happened. The computer started to print out things which were not a bit a part of a solution to the problem. In fact, they repeated, and seemed to have some kind of intelligence behind them. It was so unnerving, that Google stopped the computer midstream. Why? Some scientists think we might be tapping into places we should not be. Another realm or another dimension. Or it could just be a glitch. Bottom line again - we don't know what we don't know.

Finally, did you hear about the Microsoft discovery? They made a discovery which could rock physics to the core. Ever since we were at the age of awareness, we have known there are three states of matter. Solid, liquid and gas. Microsoft might have discovered a fourth state. And it is strange. Somewhere between solid and liquid and has memory. What does this mean? This could be a real breakthrough in better materials and in super conducting. Or - it could just be a mistake. More research is needed. Right now, we know very little. Again, we don't know what we don't know.

Many of us were attracted to watch the Star Trek series on TV when we were younger. Some of us still watch it. Why? The Enterprise was full of explorers. To go where no person has gone before. Even though that show was fiction, here is the truth. We are by nature, also explorers. And now in this Golden Age of America, much will be discovered. Much will be learned.

Soon, the expression of "we don't know what we don't know", will be changed to be "Now we know". Get ready - the ride is just starting. 

 

Is there life after government work? Absolutely!

"To those government workers who have lost their job, here is what I will say to you. Take some time, get it together, and shake off the fact that you lost a job. There is life after government employment. Heck, there is life after any kind of employment. Losing a job is just a bump in the road - but the road goes on. Focus on the long view. You will be fine."  

True confessions. I was a government worker. Employed by the US Government for 21 years. And now, for the past 15 years, I have been drawing a government retirement check. Okay - my 21 years was in the United States Navy - part of the US Government. As nice as it was to be in the Navy, as nice as it is to draw a very modest retirement check - neither were guaranteed to me. I know a lot of folks who for a variety of reasons, did not make their twenty years. They left the Navy with some memories, and zero retirement.

As nice as it is to get this modest retirement check from the Navy, I could not live on it alone. Not even close. I also had a career in defense contracting, where I got some retirement benefits. I also had a shorter career towards the end of my working days at IBM. Again, I got some retirement benefits. Why bring this up? The Democrats are screaming and crying like banshees that government folks are being RIFFED and will receive no retirement. Most are new hires. Wah, Wah, Wah. Go find a private sector job like I did. Life will go on.

ICYMI - President Trump is bringing back hundreds of industries which will employee tens of thousands of people. As one economist puts it - we will soon have way more job opportunities than available people. It is really as simple as this - it you want a job; you can find one. Period. If you don't want to work, it does not matter how many jobs are available.

Here is the long and short of it. Was every job I worked at a blue-chip job? An "A" job? Not even close. Some were, most were not. But they were jobs. Something to do which brought in money. Paid the rent. Kept food on the table. Most folks when working at a "B" job or even a "C" job, always have their antennas out. Waiting for that better job to reveal itself. That is what the American dream is all about. We are only limited by ourselves - the opportunities are always out there.

Do I feel bad for those government workers who have been RIFFED. Sure do. I feel bad for anybody who has lost a job. But that is part of life these days. When I worked at Control Data in the 1980's, the company was going through a huge downsizing. Every week, another group of people were let go. The standing joke was, we all gained five pounds from all the cake and coffee farewell parties we went to every Friday. The people left, but the work remained. Those who survived the RIFFING, ended up with a lot more work. Same money, more work. But at least it was a job.

To those government workers who have lost their job, here is what I will say to you. Take some time, get it together, and shake off the fact that you lost a job. There is life after government employment. Heck, there is life after any kind of employment. Losing a job is just a bump in the road - but the road goes on. Focus on the long view. You will be fine.  

     

The real enemy of the state - largess

"Largess is now and always has been the real enemy. But just like a spoiled child, taming this beast might end up being a bridge too far. Why? Way too many pet rocks. Spoiled children do not like to have their pet rocks taken from them."       

CEOs, like Donald Trump, are accustomed to running organizations which are structured and accountable. Even with that, there are times when any organization can become large and unwieldly. But even the worst of the worst in the private sector, does not hold a candle to the mess in our federal government. Why? Way, way too large. Way, way too unaccountable. And in the past, way, way too many untrained and unaccountable idiots pulling the levers of power.

I can't even count the number of times I have heard over the years - "Let the feds pay for it." Most of the time, that little voice in my head (which I obtained from going to business school), asks, "I wonder if that is in the budget". The answer is most always - "No." But because of the largess of the federal government, and the lack of synchrony that exists therein, tons of money is spent and wasted, and nobody knows about it nor cares about it. That is - until now.

"Government efficiency". Now that is a phrase which ranks right up there with "jumbo shrimp" or "Naval intelligence". Is it even possible to have a government which is efficient? Even more efficient than it is now? To hear the screaming and caterwauling from the left every time DOGE tries to cut or reduce something, reminds me of the old days - when people would have lifesaving surgery with minimal pain killers or no anesthesiologist present.

How bad is the cure for this out-of-control spending spree we have been on with our government? Lefties, who have for years worshipped at the altar of EVs and everything green, are now torching and keying Tesla cars and trucks. In fact, the phony senator from Arizona who has a twin astronaut brother, recently sold his "life-giving" Tesla just to spite Elon Musk. Then to make matters worse, this phony senator bought a gas guzzler GM truck instead! Why? This guy, like many of his peers, are addicted to sucking on the teat of government, more so than their own phony convictions.

What is the real enemy of our state right now? The left? The right? Elon? How about the largess of government. As much as I would like to vilify the left and indemnify the right, both sides are guilty of growing our government into this untamed behemoth. Largess is now and always has been the real enemy. But just like a spoiled child, taming this beast might end up being a bridge too far. Why? Way too many pet rocks. Spoiled children do not like to have their pet rocks taken from them.       

Time for the Saudis to get engaged

"Bottom line? We don't have the time nor money to mess with these guys. Either turn this task over to the Saudis and NATO, or finish it ourselves, using massive force. Shock and awe, baby! This is not good. Sooner or later, we could lose some sailors should the Houthis get lucky. It is simply not worth it." 

The Red Sea. Natures ultimate choke point. If someone were to craft a sea lane which could be used by a bunch of sheep herders to cause havoc in the world of international shipping, it would like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. For some reason, the US Navy needs to send its warships over there to expend millions of dollars of missiles to protect ships flying all flags from being hit my drones and missiles. make sense to you? Me neither. 

This area is ripe with dirtbags. Pirates from Somalia just down the coast, and of course the real troublemakers - the Houthis from Yemen. These two tribes, right out of the stone ages, are more trouble than they are worth. But they are trouble. And Yemen has the backing of the evil infested Iranians. Again, the questions which begs to be asked - why just us? I know the Saudis have some history with Yemen. But the Saudis have good weapons to fight with. They are in the neighborhood. And they could or should - help out.

Trump and Hegseth have both said they will escalate this campaign so long as the Houthis continue to draw breath. A protracted war will not work with these goat herders - just ask the Saudis. My opinion for what it is worth - go big or go home. It is just a matter of time before a goat herder gets a lucky shot off and takes down one of our Super Hornets. Then we could have another Black Hawk Down type of situation. What to do then? Unleash the dogs of war. Carpet bomb the city of Sanaa (using our B-52's, B-1's and B-2's) until the Yemeni government restores law and order in the area.

Bottom line? We don't have the time nor money to mess with these guys. Either turn this task over to the Saudis and NATO, or finish it ourselves, using massive force. Shock and awe, baby! This is not good. Sooner or later, we could lose some sailors should the Houthis get lucky. It is simply not worth it. 

So far, "unleashing hell" on these guys looks more like ops normal. I guess my idea of unleashing hell with our great military looks a bit different. Time to quit messing around. We have bigger fish to fry. Just ask Australia, as Red China is now surrounding that island nation.   

Living on the edge of tomorrow...

"What will the battlefield look like in 2030? Nothing like today. Robotic armor, robotic jets, maybe even some robotic soldiers. AI will be in just about everything. In the next few years, changes will be coming fast and furious. Why? We are truly living on the edge of tomorrow..."   

It just seems like yesterday that our F-22 and F-35 were best fighter jets in the world. But that was yesterday. And speaking of yesterday, that is when the grand reveal was announced. Our Commander in Chief and Secretary Hegseth, announced the award of our new "tomorrow land", 6th generation fighter jet. And it is going to be a doozy.

After years of secret testing, Boeing was awarded the contract for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet. The first thing which went through my mind when I heard this story was this - Boeing? Isn't that the company who could not get a capsule working to bring two astronauts' home from the ISS? Isn't that the company who has stuff falling off of passenger jets in mid-flight? When I was in the business, a winning company needed to be responsible and responsive. With Boeing, the responsible thing is questionable.

In any event, it seems like every country who is now out of the stone ages is either developing a 5th or 6th generation fighter or are working as a teammate with other countries to do the same. Why is this such a big, hairy deal? After all, we are still flying the F-18 Super Hornet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-15 Strike Eagle, the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightening. What is so special about this new F-47? Short answer - plenty.

One of the criteria for the new NGAD fighter was that it would operate well with "loyal wingman" drone planes. In other words, you might see six advanced fighter jets coming at you, and only one being manned. Behold the age of robotic aerial dog fights! These new F-47 are going to be practically invisible to radar, have a huge standoff advantage with missiles, and have the ability to fly very fast and very high. But what about our existing inventory which I just listed? In a word - the F-47 will make them obsolete.

Wait a minute! Isn't Elon and the DOGE team looking at the Pentagon for some serious cuts? And won't this new plane cost trillions to manufacture and maintain? Yes, and yes. But here comes the dose of reality. If we don't do this, if we don't build this plane, the baddies of the world who are also developing 6th generation fighters, will be able to pick off our existing fighter jets with abandon. Yes, 6th generation technology will be that much of a game changer. With it, you dominate. Without it, you lose. It is as simple as that.

What will the battlefield look like in 2030? Nothing like today. Robotic armor, robotic jets, maybe even some robotic soldiers. AI will be in just about everything. In the next few years, changes will be coming fast and furious. Why? We are truly living on the edge of tomorrow...   

  

"Slow walking" Donald Trump

"Go ahead Democrats. Keep it going. Find another pinheaded judge to work your evil wares. While you are at it, get used to saying President Vance. Why is that? That is what you will be saying from 2028 to 2036."  

The first time Trump was president, the Democrats had liberal judges file stop orders against many of the programs Trump was trying to promulgate. It seemed to work well for the Democrats, as even though much of what Trump wants to do accomplish is popular with half the country. But - these megalomaniac judges have the "power" to thwart the will of the people. Even though Trump accomplished much during his first term, so much more could have been done if not for Democrat inspired lawfare.

Chuck Schumer, during his final days of mismanaging his power in the US Senate, rushed through confirmation of over 200 lifetime appointment judges. Why? These were all ideologues, and the Democrats know these new judges would once again "slow walk" many of the policies Trump was going to enact. How is it working so far? In the eyes of the Democrats, so far, so good. Many of Trump's initiatives are tied up in Democrat led kangaroo courts. 

This time however, Trump was ready for this manmade delay to his programs. He put together a top-notch legal team. He nominated Pam Bondi to be the AG. Why? Pam Bondi is as tough as tail and wicked smart. She can see through this canard the Democrats are trying once again. How are many of these challenges going to end up? All the way to SOCUS. However, if Trump was more like Biden, he would tell the judges to eat dirt and die, just like Biden did with SOCUS on the student loan issue. But Trump is too smart to fall into that lawfare trap.

What does the American public think of this new lawfare crap of the Democrats? The American public who voted for Trump just so he could keep his promises? They hate it, and they hate the Democrats more and more every day. This "party of compassion" and "the party of the little guy" has devolved into a bunch of selfish losers. They have no platform - except "Trump bad". Many times, the Democrats act more like Commies looking for trouble than Americans. And trust me - this does not go unnoticed.

Go ahead Democrats. Keep it going. Find another pinheaded judge to work your evil wares. While you are at it, get used to saying President Vance. Why is that? That is what you will be saying from 2028 to 2036.  

  

The pet or the master?

"Government can get out of control. Government has gotten out of control. WE are the MASTERS - not government. Our almost $40T worth of debt shows that we have become PETS to an authoritarian and expensive MASTER."

This is an age-old question. Is government our pet, or has it become our master? Somehow, somewhere, this issue has become a totally political question. But this very important question has been known since the start of our great Republic. How so? Ben Franklin said when our Constitution was signed, " I agree to this Constitution...and I believe, further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years and can only end in despotism, as others have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other." WOW!

Elon Musk is finding all kinds of ways our government has grown out of control. The Department of Education is a prime example. For many Democrats, this agency is a perfect example of how government has become the master. How getting rid of this agency is like pulling the needle out of the arm. Letting the pet become the master. But here are the facts - this agency has done more harm than good. We have spent over a trillion dollars on this waste of space, only to have our test scores plumet. The Republicans know it is time for this agency to go - the Democrats will fight until their last breath to keep it.

John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other [type if people]". Let that sink in for just a minute. One of our most famous and important founders believed that our Constitution was made for moral and religious people. Period. Full stop. It won't work for people who are neither. Democrats are out to secularize our Constitution as much as possible. How so? Joe Biden wanted Congress to incorporate abortion, the killing of the unborn, into our Constitutional law. Moral and religious people stood against that atrocious plan, and it did not happen. 

And of course, one of Ben Franklin's most famous quotes during the founding - "[It is] a Republic, if you can keep it." Oh my, I do think of this one often. Like, every time the Democrats tell us we live in a democracy. No - we don't. Never have, and hopefully, never will. But no matter how many times Democrats have been reminded of that error in their speech, they keep on making it. Why is this important? We would grind to a halt in a pure democracy. No representation, and everybody votes on everything. Frankin was right - a Republic, if we can keep it.

Government can get out of control. Government has gotten out of control. WE are the MASTERS - not government. Our almost $40T worth of debt shows that we have become PETS to an authoritarian and expensive MASTER.

Donald Trump wants to make us all MASTERS once again. Not PETS - but MASTERS. Government needs to be shaved down to size. Here ye this Democrats - we will be PETS no longer.  

The endless swamp...

"Where is the endless swamp? Mostly in Washington, but you can also find it in Minnesota. Plus, many other blue and clueless states. The progressive left continues to try and paint Donald Trump as the enemy of the state. In reality, all the left needs to do is look in a mirror."   

Back when I was in the Navy, I did a two-week active-duty tour at a very remote station in an unusual place. It was called the Dismal Swamp. When word got out, many of my non-Navy friends had great fun with the fact I was leaving my family to go to a large and foreboding swamp for two weeks. One of my friends asked me if I had ticked someone off in my chain of command. In any event, when I got down there, it was indeed a swamp. And it was foreboding. And it was large - almost endless.

Why bring this up? Because the real swamp is in Washington DC (actually, not that far from the Dismal Swamp). But the swamp in Washington seems to go on forever. It touches many parts of our government, which means it also touches so many parts of our lives. Donald Trump again is acting like a Knight in Shining Armor, trying to drain all or most of this swamp. But as hard as he tries, the swamp just pops up in another part of government.

BREAKING NEWS: A Democrat appointed judge has ordered the two astronauts who caught a ride back to Earth on a SpaceX capsule to be returned to the ISS. Why? SpaceX is owned by Elon Musk who is a friend of Donald Trump. Once back on the ISS, the two astronauts are to be sent back to Earth on a Boeing manufactured capsule. The fact that the Boeing space capsules are sub-par to the SpaceX capsules does not matter. It is the principal damit! The principal of TDS!

Currently, the government is littered with restraining orders, written against all the good things that Trump's administration is trying to do. That would include if Trump cured cancer. ALL these orders were promulgated by Democrat judges with extreme prejudice. In other words, all these lefty judges are part of the endless Washington swamp. 

Biden was ordered by the SOCUS not to forgive student loans. Biden gave the SOCUS the figurative middle finger and ignored them. Not one Democrat said a peep. But now, even though Trump has not ignored any of these orders, the Democrats are howling like pigs in heat that he has. Why? That new mental illness called TDS. Most Democrats have it - and have it bad.

Here is one big problem with taking on Donald Trump. Well, more than one problem. First, Trump does not like to lose and knows how to win. Second, he has most of the country in his corner. Third, Trump is tougher than nails. The left can go running to every leftie judge in the country for orders to stop Trump. The left can burn every Tesla they find. They can spray paint buildings, swear on TV, and act like total asshats. All that does is make Trump look better and more presidential.

Where is the endless swamp? Mostly in Washington, but you can also find it in Minnesota. Plus, many other blue and clueless states. The progressive left continues to try and paint Donald Trump as the enemy of the state. In reality, all the left needs to do is look in a mirror.   

Judge them not, Judge!

"Maybe the only gift that Biden left us was the ability to ignore judge's orders. When he first did that to the SOCUS (because he did not believe the Trump appointed jurists gave the court legitimacy) it ticked me off. But now I see the method in his madness. What is this leftie judge going to do? Order Trump arrested? Been there, done that." 

DC District Chief Judge James Boasberg. Let that name marinate for a while. Why? He is yet another activist judge, who under Barack H. Obama, received a lifetime appointment to a federal bench. And not only is he an activist, but so his wife. He is the lefty who signed an order stopping the Trump administration from deporting the worst of the worst in illegals. Gang members. MS-13 and Tren de Aragua types of baddies. Of course, this judge did not give a flying fig when Biden let them (illegally) into our country. But he sure has his undies in a wad that Trump sent them down to El Salvador's super max prison.

Now since the planes had already left for El Salvador, this judge is demanding answers by noon today. Like, why was his goofy order not followed. Even I, who does not know much about such matters, knows the answer to that one. First off, Trump did follow the law. It is an old law, but still on the books. But here is the cement to make sure it was okay. Back in the days of Sleepy Joe Biden, when he tried (for political reasons) to forgive student loans, the SOCUS directed him not to do it. Biden's response? He did not have to listen to a court he did not agree with. Thus, he ignored the court. And so should Trump.

The left has become very good at finding leftie judges to side with their socialist viewpoints. Tie Trump up at any cost. But the days of lawfare are over. Trump was elected on a platform of getting these bad apples out of the country. The nation's chief law enforcement officer (AG Pam Bondi) thinks the Trump administration is doing the right thing. Most of America thinks Trump is doing the right thing. Only this dying virus called liberalism thinks otherwise.

Here is the interesting part of this issue. El Salvador is doing us a favor by housing these criminal aliens. If we had to put about 250 gang members in our Colorado super max for life, it would have cost us a mint. El Salvador only requested $6,000,000. Cheap at half the price. Plus, this prison in El Salvador is also a super max. These baddies can be with their own types down there and live happily or unhappily ever after. 

Maybe the only gift that Biden left us was the ability to ignore judge's orders. When he first did that to the SOCUS (because he did not believe the Trump appointed jurists gave the court legitimacy) it ticked me off. But now I see the method in his madness. What is this leftie judge going to do? Order Trump arrested? Been there, done that. 

Trump is doing what is good for America. This crazy judge is going what is bad for America. My opinion? Tell this judge to put his orders where the sun don't shine. Sorry - that was the old me talking again.  

Will a war dog like Putin ever want peace?

 

"Some say that because of Russia's history (warlike history), armed conflict is in their blood. If it is not Putin calling the shots, then it will be the next guy up. In Russia, there will always be a next guy up. After WWII, Russia is paranoid about being conquered and massacred once again. Now that paranoia is in Russia's DNA. It runs through Putin's blood. Will Putin ever truly want peace? Stay tuned..."  

"Never trust a Russian!" That was a shirt I had printed up back in 1983. Why? After doing what I did in the Navy, I knew how Russians thought. How those thoughts often times turned into actions. What happened in 1983 that prompted me to have that shirt made? KAL flight 007. For no reason whatsoever, this flight from New York to Seoul was shot down by a Russian fighter jet. All 267 souls on board were lost. Why did Russia shoot down a Boeing 747 passenger jet? It had accidentally strayed over Soviet airspace and the Russians did not recognize it was a passenger jet. Really? That was typical Soviet BS.

The current KGB trained leader of the Russian Republic is a chip off the old Soviet bloc. This time, instead of shooting down an innocent airliner full of passengers, he surrounded a neighboring country with armor. Then at the right time, he attacked. Without mercy, he attacked. For the next three years, the Russian meat grinder ground up portions of Ukraine. Tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians were killed. Schools were bombed. Hospitals were bombed. It was straight out of the Soviet, now Russian, playbook.

Now we stand at the threshold of peace. Ukraine has agreed to some terms which involve having trust that Russia will abide with those terms. That will be a stretch. Putin has some cards on the table right now which show he is large and in charge. He has a bunch of Ukraine soldiers surrounded in that small area of Russia Ukraine was able to take over. Now, the Ukrainians are going to be slaughtered if that is the directed that Putin wants to go down. Putin said if the Ukranian fighters put down their arms and surrender, they will be spared. Really Putin? Just like the passengers on KAL 007 were spared.

Don't get me wrong, I want peace in Ukraine. This is an opportunity for everyone. It is an opportunity for the US and Ukraine to develop some Rare Earth minerals deposits. It is an opportunity for Russia to repopulate after losing over 100,000 troops. It is a chance for Ukraine to once again become the "breadbasket" of Europe. Or - it is the chance for Putin to once again show what a two-faced dictator and butcher he is. This is make or break time for Europe. A wider war or a cease fire. 

Now is the time not to poke the bear. Yesterday, it was reported that President Duda of Poland would like the US to deploy nukes in his country. I really don't think that is a good idea right now. Putin is way, way too unstable to have this kind of provocation this close to his motherland. If we do get to a peace, it will be as fragile as fragile can be.

Some say that because of Russia's history (warlike history), armed conflict is in their blood. If it is not Putin calling the shots, then it will be the next guy up. In Russia, there will always be a next guy up. After WWII, Russia is paranoid about being conquered and massacred once again. Now that paranoia is in Russia's DNA. It runs through Putin's blood. Will Putin ever truly want peace? Stay tuned...  

 

The mother of all food fights - coming soon!

"Maybe the progressives can build an alter to government in one of the deserted park and ride lots. Might as well - nothing else happening there. Just miles and miles of empty concrete."   

I need to start off with a moment of confession. My wife and I were invited to ride the North Star on its inaugural trip downtown to the Target Center. It was a big deal, as this was going to be the crown jewel of the train system which would fix the traffic on Highway 10. From the get-go, it never had the projected ridership. It was expensive to run. And then Covid hit. Then the Floyd riots happened. Then the lack of law and order in downtown Minneapolis became the norm, so nobody wanted to work downtown anymore. Now the North Star is a ghost train, going nowhere.

But - during the glory days of the choo-choo trains, many bought the snake oil the Met Council was selling. So much so, gigantic park and ride lots were built by North Star stations. High density housing was built. Some shopping amenities went up. Collectively, the northern burbs stuck a zillion or so dollars into this dream. BNSF, who owns the tracks was also involved. So was the federal government. Money flowed like water in the streets after a Minnesota thunderstorm. And then yesterday, in the local paper, it was announced that the Met Council was soon to pull the plug on this failed train.

Now the fun starts. Everybody wants their money back - and there is a lot of money that went into this lemon. Think the fed is going to take a laissez faire attitude on the money they put into this thing? Not with DOGE running around! Who do we sue? Where do we go to get our money back? The Met Council, who were the villains behind this train? The unelected, unaccountable Met Council, who so many citizens and patriots despise? Good luck suing them! They get their money from - us. It would be suing ourselves.

Most companies, if they had a horrible investment like the North Star go south - they would have learned from it. They would have fired people and then moved on. Not the State of Minnesota. What did the state learn from this debacle? Nada. Zip. They could or would do it again. Why? Our money is like Monopoly money to them. Whereas these days, every dollar is make or break to many families, the state does not care. Their pet agency, the Met Council certainly does not care. Thus, the citizens are stuck squeezing this lemon, right next to the empty North Star park and ride lots.

This is a great civics lesson. Who pays when everything turns up crap instead of roses? Do we all take a financial bath? What about all that infrastructure, which now looks like a ghost town? Here is the lesson most of us citizens and patriots already know. Government sucks at most things. And yet, many progressives worship government.

Maybe the progressives can build an alter to government in one of the deserted park and ride lots. Might as well - nothing else happening there. Just miles and miles of empty concrete.   

What is "Kill Switch"?

"Each one of these jets are awesome and have their supporters. And (this is the buzz kill) - each one is very expensive. How to choose and what to choose from what is available right now. I know which of the above I like - all of them."

Like many Minnesota "red" activists, I got to know Pete Hegseth. He is a good guy, a loyal and dedicated American. And, like many Minnesotans, I was delighted when President Trump picked Pete to run the Pentagon. My opinion? Running the Pentagon these days might be the toughest job in Washington. Not just because the last crew made such a DEI mess of it, there is a lot going in right now. So much so, I am finding out new stuff about what the DOD folks are up to all the time. I can only imagine what Pete is learning.

Not too long ago, it was decided as good as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning are in air dominance, they soon will not be dominant enough. The Pentagon needed something faster, stealthier, and loaded with AI. A bidding competition was held, and it was kept very secret. It went under the code name Kill Switch. The winning design would have a new nomenclature. It was to be a new fighter jet called the F-45 Condor.

Once the cat was out of the bag (so to speak), and some were seeing this UFO like jet flying around at breakneck speed, it was decided to disclose just a bit of what this new jet was. "Show some leg", as the expression goes. For example, this new jet is almost invisible on radar all the time. It can fly at Mach 2.0 without using afterburners. Its ceiling is around 75,000 feet. The person giving this briefing said the reason only some of this jet's capabilities were disclosed in the public realm, is simply this - if we are willing to disclose this much, just imagine how much of this jet's prowess is still kept under wraps. Let the Russians and Chinese stew about that!

Back to the dilemma at the Pentagon. There are folks who still think the F-22 Raptor is the best of the best and want to keep upgrading it. The supporters of the F-35 Lightning think with the addition of the Block 4 upgrade, this jet might be the best. The Navy loves the newer F-18 Super Hornet, and it is awesome. Plus, there are the old timers who think the newest version of the tried-and-true F-15 Eagle might still be a very tough fighter and good to have around.

We can't forget about the new bombers such as the B-21 Raider and the SR-72 Darkstar.  Finally, those who are looking over the horizon at tomorrow, still want us to invest in the NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) fighter jet, along with its accompanying fleet of AI robotic Loyal Wingman jets. Wow! That is an impressive list!

Each one of these jets are awesome and have their supporters. And (this is the buzz kill) - each one is very expensive. Hegseth has been asked to give the Pentagon a small "haircut" to help out the DOGE initiative. How to choose and what to choose from what is available right now. I know which of the above I like - all of them. But pay no attention to me - I am just an aviation fan. Hey, I even still like the F-4 Phantom. Noisy but deadly, that was one heck of a plane.

What is Kill Switch? It is an old name for a new jet. If you ever run across an article or YouTube on this jet, give it a read or a view. To say it is impressive would be an understatement.     

You do you; I will do me

"For my liberal friends who are pro-choice, here is another pro-choice option. You do you; and I will do me. Choices. What a fine word to use in every context except abortion. How am I going to do me? Support Donald Trump and all his forward thinking."

Interesting story about the federal tax on Social Security (SS). As most of us know, Donald Trump thinks a huge boost he could give to our seniors on fixed income is not taxing SS. Instead of just pennies on the dollar yearly increase with a SS COLA adjustment, taking the tax off of SS would do wonders for many. The other day, I posted that only an idiot who receives SS would not be excited about this needed change. And I got some responses on that.

One or two of my more liberal friends thought that was a terrible idea. Why? It was Trump's idea. The reasoning of the liberals was that most seniors could afford paying this needless tax. Why pay it? To keep the largess of government just that - largess. It is not just they would volunteer to keep paying this tax for themselves - like true progressives, they want ALL of us to keep paying this tax. To this idea I respond with a modern day cliche' - "You do you; and I will do me". In other words, if you want to keep paying this tax - go for it. As for my wife and I, we CAN'T WAIT until this tax goes away.

Most liberals bristle at two of Trump's ideas which have great merit to the patriots and citizens. First, like just stated, no federal tax on Social Security. The second, is the "DOGE Dividend". That one really causes Democrats hackles to stand at attention. But then yesterday, an idea was floated by the administration which would eclipse the other two. This one will really drive the loony left bat poop crazy. No tax on any family making under $150k/year. That would cover just about every senior family I know. A game changer? HECK YA!

Here is something for those who think that Donald Trump is taking us over a financial cliff. He is not. His only problem is he is a very high valued thinker who comes up with great ideas long before the rest of us do. And the bed wetter's who watch the stock market hour by hour, should do themselves a favor - start looking at the long game. The market is doing just fine. Cutting the size of government, normalizing tariffs to be fairer, bringing more industry on shore, and changing our source of national income from internal to external, are MASSIVE changes to our norms. But they are necessary changes to our norms. Having a national debt of almost $40T is NOT a norm we should accept! Expensive and bloody endless wars are NOT norms we should accept! Once again, Trump is right, and the statists are wrong.

For my liberal friends who are pro-choice, here is another pro-choice option. You do you; and I will do me. Choices. What a fine word to use in every context except abortion. How am I going to do me? Support Donald Trump and all his forward thinking. Hero of the middle class. Hero of the working man. Hero of America.   

Largess - that needle in the arm thing...

"Meanwhile, the mega growth in government continues in Social Secuity, Medicare and Medicaid. How are we going to stunt the growth in these big three and growing items? No clue. But something does need to be done."     

For many years of my upbringing, I would often hear about the dangers of Big Government. Not knowing much about politics back then, I didn't give that much thought. However, as my life progressed, I started to see how the tentacles of Big Government got into our everyday life. How Independence Day started to be "Dependence Day" instead. The federal government, which was first created to be the protector of the states, slowly became the "Nanny State". That was all cool until we found out it take over $37T in debt to own it. And that is a country killer.

The saying I keep hearing recently is "when you cut the fat, the pigs squeal." Ronald Reagan wanted to get rid of much of our largess in government back in the 1980's. He did okay, but the "swamp" had already grown to Herculean proportions. Today however, it is much worse. Enter Donald Trump term one. Trump also decided it was time to drain the swamp. Again, the swamp fought back. The swamp went after Trump. Impeached him twice. Rigged the next election. Then we had Joe Biden who did nothing but pour gas on the fire. Now things were really a mess.

Here we sit, with the proverbial needle stuck in our arms. Suprise! Donald Trump got elected once again. This time he brought Elon Musk with him to help drain the swamp. Get rid of government largess. Easy job? Absolutely not! For those who are addicted to the "needle of government", getting the needle out of the arm is not going to be easy. "Leave it alone!", the clamoring masses would shout. "You are killing our kids, throwing grandma off the cliff, and making our water and skies dirty." All that sophism without one grain of truth. But who cares about the truth? This is the new narrative of the loony left. Leave our government alone!

Been people try to "get clean" after years of drug addiction, it is seldom easy. In fact, it is damn hard. But when drugs are ruining your life, taking the cure becomes very important. Usually a matter of life and death. So, it is with shaving down the size and largess of government. The size of government is not the enemy to many who are addicted. The enemy are those in the DOGE group. What once was sacrosanct, are now cuttings, laying on the floor.

Currently, the Department of Education is being whittled down. Eventually to be totally eliminated. Why? Waste of space. Waste of money. Who then, will educate our kiddos? Not the feds - they suck at it. It will be done by the states. In an ideal world, it would be done by the individual school districts. That is called decentralization. It has been proved to work much better than largess. Why? Puts the power closer to the people.

This fight to "right size" our government will take years. Trump wants the DOGE group to be done by our 250th anniversary as a country. I have doubts that will happen. This fight will go on ad nauseum. Meanwhile, the mega growth in government continues in Social Secuity, Medicare and Medicaid. How are we going to stunt the growth in these big three and growing items? Maybe first, getting rid of people who are over 150 years old. Other than that - no clue. But something does need to be done.     

As the axe man comes for the Department of Education

"It took a guy like Trump to stand up to the largess of the swamp and find driftwood for the axe man to take care off. Reagan tried getting rid of the Department of Education, and as good as he was, he did not get far. But Trump will finish the job. Make America Smart Again. That is part of MAGA - right?" 

Wait - what if Trump can't close the Department of Education without some Congressional approval? What is Trump does not get that approval? Starting last night, Trump is doing the next best thing. He has notified people who work at this waste of space, that about 50% of them will be defined as "excess" and will be laid off. That is a lot of people, and that is the first step. The layoffs started last night and will continue on through the week. This might be the playbook for other areas that Trump wants to cut, when the courts are making it difficult to do so. In reality, all Trump wants to do is return the control of education to the states.

Every time somebody in the press questions why it is important to get rid of this "most cherished" federal institution, all Trump does is quote statistics. Number 40 out or 40 in developed nations, number 1 out of 40 developed nations in money spent per pupil. Plus, every year we graduate young folks who don't know a Dit from a DUH! Many kids drop out, many are habitual truants, and many just don't care. As we go into a time where knowledge is king, the way we educate kids will allow them only to become serfs. It is disgusting and without merit.

Besides the largess of the Department of Education, who else is to blame for the flame out of our once revered education prowess? Teacher Unions. In this state, Education Minnesota. Many who work for teacher unions are loads at best. At worst, they are enemies of the state. They do NOTHING to help teach kids. They are only interested in lining their own pockets. The sooner they go away, the better off our kids will be.

I read an article this morning telling how nervous each and every person who works at the soon to be extinct Department of Education is right now. Good - they should be. This gravy train is about over. Working for the federal government, once thought to be the best "forever job" in America, is soon to be thought of otherwise. Once the axe man is done with the Department of Education, the only thing remaining will be bad memories and trillions of dollars squandered.

It took a guy like Trump to stand up to the largess of the swamp and find driftwood for the axe man to take care off. Reagan tried getting rid of the Department of Education, and as good as he was, he did not get far. But Trump will finish the job. Make America Smart Again. That is part of MAGA - right? 

 

Market built on globalism; main street built on MAGA

"In any event, whether goods are made by man or machine, it will be better to have them made on shore. But to get them back over here, might be like "pulling the needle out of the arm" for some industries. Trump knows that. That is why he is incentivizing companies by offering them zero tariffs to make stuff here."

Donald Trump's ship of state is starting to make its big turn. And it will be painful for some. Why? Our stock market is built on two things - instant gratification and globalism. Why is that? That is just the way we are. Trump has told us the Chinese are in for the long haul, and they have a long view on many things. We don't. A friend of mine, every time there is a market correction or significant downturn, will say things like, "Trump cost me a fortune the other day." Not he didn't. It did not cost you a penny, unless you sold.

An instructor I had in business school would always say this about the market - "It is like a roller coaster. Sometimes up, sometimes down. The only people who get hurt on a roller coaster are those who jump off while it is down." In other words, hold tight and don't get your undies in a wad. For reasons of national security and in order to have many more domestic jobs, it is good to onshore what has been offshore. BTW - we are getting socked with tariffs and other taxes (like VAT) when we buy or manufacture overseas. And if China and India ever stop producing many of our meds, we would be screwed, blued and tattooed (as we said in the Navy).

How long will it take to switch our economy to almost 100% onshore manufacturing? Long after Trump's term is done. But much can be done while he is still president. Will the stock market come back? Even to where it is over-valued. Maybe. However, if this correction means that the ERS will help offset the IRS, we will all develop more wealth by keeping more of what we earn. All of a sudden, we are talking about help for main street and not as much for wall street.

There is however, one fly in the ointment with manufacturing here or abroad. AI and robotics. Jobs that were to go to the American worker, might go to an American bot instead. A technologist I follow (Julia McCoy), often talks and writes about the coming work revolution. How many of our jobs in the next five years will NOT be done by humans. Millions of jobs, performed flawlessly by this army of bots, which will be made before 2030. Elon Musk alone wants to make millions of Optimus bots. Some to run his factories, others to sell to the public.

In any event, whether goods are made by man or machine, it will be better to have them made on shore. But to get them back over here, might be like "pulling the needle out of the arm" for some industries. Trump knows that. That is why he is incentivizing companies by offering them zero tariffs to make stuff here.

When will the market get better? Are we all going to be poorer? My advice - start looking at the calendar and not the clock. As was said in the TV show Kung Fu, "Patience grasshopper". Plus, as our president would say, "Things will be fine. We have the cards." And we do.