Blog: If I understand this

I read that crypto currencies are used by criminals to hide money, as there are little to no traceable records kept.  And that an industry or business can get an exemption or a lower tariff rate.  And that Trump owns some crypto.  So, gee, how would all that fit together?  Hint: You buy enough of Trump’s crypto and voila!

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Stephanopoulos then asked about a video Trump posted over the weekend on Truth Social which said stoking a stock market slump was a “wild chess move” that would force the fed to lower interest rates. – Hmmm, isn’t there a way to profit off a stock slump IF you know that’s going to happen?  Is it called “selling short?”  or “buying low?”

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News:  A second unvaccinated school-aged child in West Texas died from a measles -related illness, a hospital spokesman confirmed Sunday.  – That’s two on you, Bobby Jr.

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The Constitution assigns the power to regulate foreign commerce and impose tariffs to Congress, not the White House.  Seems clear to me.  I think that Don Don is counting on the courts to let him usurp this power, and others.  And yes, Congress has given up much of its authority here by letting presidents declare so-called “emergencies,” but they can take the power back.

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Our weather is now trending from low 60’s and partly cloudy, to upper 60’s and mostly sunny.

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World Health Day is observed every year on April 7 to mark the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). 

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So, Trump’s thugs mistakenly send an innocent family man from Maryland to that prison in El Salvador.  Ok, bring him back!  But, no, they are asking the Supreme Ct. to prevent a judge from demanding that, and also saying, well it’s too late, he belongs to El Salvador now!  And this is the party that loves to use the word “family.”  Of course, they also say they “back the blue.”  Except when they beat up cops for Trump . . .

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I saw somewhere:

Morons

Are

Governing

America

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I get emails from VoteVets.  Today they said there is a serious build up of our forces in the Middle East going on.  Let’s see, how about a fabricated attack?  Gulf of Tonkin?  Saddam’s mass weapons?

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Our VP: “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” Vance told the Fox News show.  — Peasants?  Really?  Yet they can load us money?  And manufacture stuff?

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I graduated from the academy in 1968.  The Dow was 903 and this:

In 1968, a good yearly income would have been considered to be over $10,000. 

My overtime rate, as an officer on the ships, was $4.23 an hour.

And yes, fresh out of school, we all made over $10k if you sailed enough.  And you could buy gold for about $20. An ounce.

And no one knew how much a rookie Mickey Mantle baseball card would be worth.

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It is a shame that someone has to post this:  Don’t believe fake Trump post about George Soros paying protesters.  This is right up there with Sandy Hook dead kids being actors.

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From Huffpost:  He (Trump) again showed political and business leaders around the globe that he knows nothing about how trade works but is nevertheless certain that he does.

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In re: to tax rates:  At the federal level, the highest marginal tax rate increased rapidly after World War II, peaked at 92% in 1953, and remained above 70% (I think it was JFK who lowered it to 70%, as a thank you to rich people who supported him) until the early 1980s, after which it fell dramatically to just 37% today.  Not to mention the tax laws that make it easier for very wealthy to pay less, (capital gains, depreciation on buildings, limit on social security deductions, etc.) and defunding the IRS so more people can cheat. Keep in mind that those high rates were not on all a person’s income, just the amount that was over what was considered a wealthy amount at the time – that first portion was taxed at a lower rate.

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Cartoon:  Wife, at the front door, holding a box, to husband: “I don’t want to worry you, but the guy who just delivered your pizza is your financial planner.”

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Trump signed an Executive Order on Tuesday that will slash regulations on coal, expedite coal leases on federal lands and provide legal guarantees to prevent future administrations from reversing course.  Trump praised “clean, beautiful coal” during the signing, according to a pool report. – Well, he either doesn’t know it’s the dirtiest fuel, does not care, or both.

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And remember, kids: Congress gave presidents power over tariffs. They could aways take it back – A few Rs seem ready to do that, but are there enough of them? Update: Mike Johnson says he has found a way to block the House from taking the tariff power away from Trumpy.

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I didn’t think this was legal: Trump Administration Says IRS Has Agreed To Help It Hunt Migrants – Again, I think T is hoping the Supremes will back him up. And if they do that, illegals will not take jobs that withhold social security taxes, whereas many of them do now.  I have seen this – the illegals will all use the ss number of their boss.  So, all their contributions go in his account.

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Sign I saw:  My wife thinks our kids are spoiled, but I think most kids smell like them.

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Thought of the Day:  “If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.” – Latin Proverb

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Vatican City is the only nation in the world that can lock its own gates at night. It has its own phone company, radio, T.V. stations, money, and stamps. It even has its army, the historic Swiss Guard. Provided by FactRetriever.com

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Today, April 9^th, is the anniversary of Lee’s surrender in 1865.

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The Trump administration has ended funding to U.N. World Food Program emergency programs helping keep millions alive in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and 11 other impoverished countries, many of them struggling with conflict.  The World Food Program calls it a ‘death sentence’ – Yes, damn those poor kids for wanting to eat every day!  And never mind that American farmers can sell their crops to the program.

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Per MSNBC:  The average American household is expected to pay nearly $5,000 more per year out of pocket as a consequence of these new tariffs. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are pushing new tax cuts for Elon Musk and Trump’s MAGA billionaire donors.  But wait, they’re the job creators, right?  Isn’t this a good thing?

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And this, from a Congressman from New York: “Congress can act: IEEPA (the emergency powers act Trump has misused for his tariffs) has a safeguard. Any member of Congress can force a vote to terminate the president’s IEEPA authority. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

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So, just now, Wednesday, Trump suspended most tariffs, and the Dow went up over 2,000 points.  It still makes me think he is manipulating the market for personal gain.  But I am not a broker.

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Enough for today.

All take care,

Kevin