I know a lot of people are hurting right now, including many folks in these comments, because of what's happening with the economy. I completely understand if someone reading this comment wants to tell me to shut up, and that's fair - I'm genuinely sorry about what you're going through. But I think there's an important point worth making here.
What we're witnessing is essentially Trump handing everyone the golden ticket to take him out of power permanently. His approval has always hovered around the same mediocre numbers, but the one thing keeping him afloat (if you consider always being unpopular “afloat”) was that people could say "he might be terrible, but my 401k has never been happier." That argument is evaporating fast. His economic approval rating, which sat at a comfortable 56% back in January, has now plummeted to 37% according to the latest Quinnipiac poll. And if you thought pausing the tariffs was going to restore his losses, I think Elise’s article illustrates that we are all about to feel the longterm harms of one man’s stupid, stupid fumble with the economy. The number one reason low-propensity voters gave him the benefit of the doubt has now become his biggest vulnerability.
So I think it's worth considering how to strategically harness this awful situation for the biggest silver lining possible: the end of Trumpism. But it's going to take some discipline. I don't mean to sound condescending—it's just a framework I've found helpful. Social media isn't your diary. It might feel cathartic to wish pain on fellow Americans for all to see, but that's shooting yourself in the foot. No stranger reading that will be convinced to see things your way. Find a more private outlet for that frustration. Group chats with likeminded friends can do wonders for this purpose. Or better yet, join a local political group you align with. They’ll be happy to vent with you.
When it comes to public discourse, I recommend wearing your altruistic hat. People will either regret their Trump vote or they won't. Some will stand by their decision for reasons that might seem incomprehensible to you, but being openly judgmental isn't productive. What brings people to the table are acts of service and genuine kindness. That doesn’t mean you have to forgive them for their role in this disaster, I’m just saying that acknowledging others’ humanity can go a long way toward your own interests.
I keep thinking about that woman who spoke to The Daily podcast in yesterday’s episode—the veteran turned entrepreneur who did everything right and was about to hit her big break when these economic forces hit. Now she's wondering if she'll lose her home. I haven’t finished listening to it yet, so I’m not sure if it covers her personal politics. I have no idea who she voted for, and frankly, it doesn't matter. She needs to sort out her own politics, not me. But if you want to win elections, you have to convince people your candidate will improve their actual lives. And a lot of people are about to see their lives in turmoil because of partisan politics.
It reminds me of the Young Lords in 1960s NYC. These college students had all the education to intellectually understand what their hometown community needed, but the community wanted action, not words. They had garbage piling up on sidewalks while the government ignored them. The Young Lords listened, then piled that garbage into the streets and set it on fire, causing massive traffic problems. Suddenly, the government paid attention, and the Young Lords earned community trust. For a while it seemed like they were on their way to being an enduring political force. Their eventual downfall came from internal politics, but the lesson stands: find a voter with a need, fill that need, and once you have their trust, don't abuse it.
This economic chaos gives us a chance to apply that lesson. Instead of mocking Trump voters who are hurting, what if we (average concerned citizens) organized community support networks for those facing foreclosure? What if we created job banks for people whose small businesses are failing under these tariffs? What if we assisted people who are suddenly finding it impossible to get their Social Security benefits? What if we showed up with actual solutions rather than "I told you so"? That's how you build a wider political tent—not through smugness, but through genuine service when people need it most. If this kind of thing sounds good to you, let me know because I want to help make this a reality.
As always, thank you to this little community of journalists and commenters for all of your insights. I look forward to reading what you write every weekday morning. Hang in there!
Thank you Timothy for saying this! I have been thinking this for a while now and wish more people saw it this way. Divisiveness is what got us in this mess in the first place and further mocking, saying “I told you so” and the like only helps Trump succeed. I think the stories in The Small and The Mighty teach us exactly this. There is so much strength in compassion and empathy.
So many comments everywhere of "FAFO," "I told you so," or "Are you happy you voted for this?!" While the feelings are valid (I have them, too), sharing them is not helpful. For a group of people bent on willfully ignoring every fault of their chosen leader, they're not going to come around this way. Heck, has anyone ever heard, "I told you so!" and said, "You're so right. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways!" Of course not!
We MUST put ourselves in their shoes by thinking, "If I finally realized that something/someone I previously thought was right is actually very, very wrong, how would I want to be approached so that I could change my ways without feeling shame and humiliation?" (Let's face it -- those feelings are the main reason most people stubbornly refuse to change. Admitting we were wrong is hard for everyone.) The answer is with kindness, compassion, and grace.
A much more productive response, then, would be along the lines of, "So you thought he was great before but now you see otherwise? Great! Glad to have you on board. Welcome to the team!" Love covers a multitude of sins and all that. Shaming people just drives them away from wanting to fix things and perhaps farther into the darkness (orangeness?).
Sharon once (maybe more than once) said that one of the biggest problems Democrats have is that they don't offer to pull up more seats to the table. That stuck with me because I hadn't noticed and wasn't sure I agreed at the time. (To be clear, I've never identified with a political party, and I'm a huge extrovert who always wants to add more seats at the table, so it was probably my own blind spot, lol!) But I see it everywhere now, and if we refuse to allow others a seat at the table, we will never be able to fix this.
Great message Timothy! FDR/Democrats were able to win and maintain control of government for decades following the 1929 Wall Street "crash" because they DID NOT vilify nor demean Republican voters. They unified the country by empathizing with everyone, because we had two things in common: 1) We were all Americans, and 2) All Americans were suffering. Economists and political scientists can argue the finer points of the New Deal...but it is universally agreed that it was not partisan. It did not pit American against American.
This. More of this. Thank you, Timothy Patrick, let’s empathize and get to work helping. While actions are temporary, the damage from a bomb lasts. Our neighbors and our livelihoods will need nurture for a long, long time.
Keep reminding us. I lose myself in the fear and anger all of the time anymore. I have no patience left for people who don't believe they should care about the well-being of others and who don't take accountability. I also need to take accountability and realize that as unfair as it is (and it is entirely unfair), we need to have infinite patience and acceptance in order to allow people to question themselves.
I'm sure I will continue to fail. But I'll keep trying.
Maybe it's that critical moment when we each find something that is making a meaningful difference, we begin to let go of the anger and expectation. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
Thanks for sharing this, Sara... I do also have to admit, easy for me to say on all of this. Everyone's ability to negotiate their own emotions is not only a matter of discipline, but is also the product of differing circumstances. I don't know your background, but I'm going to guess the average person is more affected by this than I am, me being a middle aged gay dude with no children and no mortgage. I just wanted to acknowledge that to say, don't be too hard on yourself if the news is affecting you deeply.
I find myself in the same arena too, Sara! I am in a new ‘place’ after somatic therapy, but this is REALLY trying!!! I also live in Texas where Monday held more bill proposal for looser and looser gun regulations, today we had a school shooting in Dallas, and tomorrow is yet ANOTHER school voucher bill attempt. It’s exhausting!!
Part of my work is the cognitive shift from anger & wanting accountability for the abject cruelty & racism underlying the administration’s actions. However, I know that those of us who allow ourselves to be a mobilized by anger, and seeking answers from people that are probably never going to come. And playing into their overall strategy. Division is the fuel- and I have to remind myself of this. Winning is not the point- Being the kinder, wiser person - without being condescending - is ultimately where I need to land.
One of the hardest parts of this administration is not knowing who is safe anymore. I used to trust my fellow Americans. I don't anymore. Anyone who is watching what is happening with joy is a threat to freedom, integrity, and happiness. I'm at my limit of being understanding toward trump supporters and it's only been 3 months. I tried, but there's only so many gut punches I'm willing to take.
In July I messaged one of my neighbors to ask if she wanted to go to the pool. She didn't answer for many hours and when she did said "So sorry, I was at the trump rally (when he got shot)! It was crazy!"
I had no idea she was a supporter and never would've guessed.
We're still friendly but my entire viewpoint on who she is changed.
My line today has become if you're still not horrified with the disregard of the Constitution in just the last day, you are the problem. Also have we all forgotten the cults of the 90's and what happened? Or did that just really stick with me in my teens?
It also takes a certain amount of empathy and self-reflection to be able to read historical accounts and realize how you could easily have been swept up among the "bad guys," or to at least be able to understand what made those leaders and movements so alluring and how we can all be tempted to rationalize away red flags because this group makes us feel smarter, stronger, safer, etc.
We only ever want to see ourselves occupying the heroic role in each of those stories, and to tell ourselves that we'd "never" find ourselves using an alluring end to justify the disturbing means, but that can blind us to the simple fact that "the line between good and evil runs not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts." [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]
I know this does not directly correlate, but your comment made me think a lot about social media and our current "convenience" culture. Specifically how we have learned that certain corporations/owners are evil and don't share our values and yet we continue to use/buy their services en masse because it's so much easier than giving them up. But it's not just about convenience; our lives have been tied up into them.
I struggle with this myself. I did, after a lot of deliberation, delete my Facebook account, my personal instagram account, and my threads accounts, and stopped subscribing to Amazon prime. Those steps felt huge to me because I used all of those services a lot, and while I don't exactly miss these services, there are some friends I never talk to now because I am not there, and I miss those people.
I still have my small business instagram account (though I limit myself to only 5 minutes a day now, to check my messages) because SO MUCH of my business is/was happening there, I used it to grow my business, and people still send messages there despite all requests to use other avenues. Other people also like to tag me in posts, and it just feels like something I need to keep if I want to remain relevant in this industry.
I was just in an argument with someone about this. They were of the opinion that "everyone should just stop using these unnecessary services" and that if we weren't, we were supporting fascism (or some such extremist view.) Thankfully my business is a few years old, I personally don't NEED Instagram anymore to get it off the ground. However, I know people whose entire businesses run on Instagram, or Facebook, and would be a huge struggle without. I am considering starting a new business venture and am also having difficulty envisioning it working without a social media presence on the "major" sites. And yes, it's pretty easy to NOT shop on Amazon... for me. But that doesn't mean it is for everyone.
I truly can’t believe it’s gotten so bad, so quickly. Yesterday’s latest spectacle in the Oval was sickening, with Trump and the president/dictator of El Salvador laughing about how there’s no way wrongly deported Abrego Garcia is ever going to be allowed to come home, in spite of the Supreme Court’s order. And this self-inflicted damage to our economy, that was the “envy of the world,” before Trump’s inauguration? First, after all the chaos and upheaval and cuts to vital government services, Elon Musk’s DOGE has found only a sliver of the waste, fraud or abuse it promised to uncover, while at the same time getting rid of the offices and people who have apparently been doing a pretty effective job at actually keeping waste, fraud and abuse to low levels. But all of that pales in comparison to the effect that higher Treasury Bill rates will have on the budget. Already, the amount we pay just as interest on the national debt every year is over a trillion dollars, more than even the entire defense budget. With this stupid tariff war, that will only get worse. But just watch, Trumpists ( fka Republicans) will be telling us we need to cut Medicaid, SNAP and other benefits for the “takers” so we can extend these “desperately needed” tax cuts for corporations and high earners. Guess this is what you get when you elect a convicted fraudster and multiple bankrupt to run your country.
I really don’t understand the end game here. Respectfully, does this administration and its economic policy makers truly think these policies are a good idea? I know the phrase “short term pain for long term gain” has been used a lot, but it seems it’s more than short term [price] pain and a deeper loss of confidence- which equate to long term pain… is there a way these policies actually help? I don’t see it but so many people keep doubling down on it.
I’ve read that privatization is the secret ultimate goal - that they want things to get so bad that they can sell bits and pieces of what was once publicly available to all, like a liquidation sale. And when services get bad enough (longer wait times and clogged toilets at National parks, for example) we are going to accept an opportunity of “improvement” (like a new buyer taking over the park, promising to fix the problems they made). We must remember how things were, and resist.
Remember, old Donnie said “I know what the hell I’m doing!” And his MAGA cult believe him. I see long term pain and destruction of our democracy and economy.
A crashing economy, thanks to the uneducated trump voter. President Biden oversaw the biggest economic swing after the global pandemic. He had the best economy in the world, and set records for job growth and the stock market. All of this, yet trump voters specifically called out a bad economy under president Biden as the reason for their votes. There’s a difference in the high price of goods, and a healthy economy and the price of goods is what they were upset about. The uneducated part comes into play because they thought the president had control of those prices. We have chosen a free market economy and the only people who can set prices for goods and services are the owners of the companies. Everything cost more during the pandemic due to shipping and supply chain issues. Those owners saw what people were willing to pay and decided to be greedy and keep prices high even when their costs went down. Are there ways to address this? There absolutely are, but it’s in addressing things like tax issues as an incentive to lower prices. Trump is never increasing taxes on businesses owners, never. Trump supporters did absolutely no research on this and believed that trump could just make them lower prices because he told them to. Now we all get to suffer a botched economy because of their lack of knowledge. There is not one thing trump has done to make America great. He’s made us poorer, a global laughing stock, less safe and completely represented by unqualified people who will do irreparable harm to the country 🤬🤬🤬
I remember the last time I heard about investing in gold…it was during the 2008-2014 economic recession. I am not taking this as a good sign. I know costs are about to go up and spending is about to go down. In my household we are purchasing essentials or parts we need before everything skyrockets.
I'm increasingly hearing that the bastion of technology, finance, and freedom is no longer the US but other parts of the world. And it is all self-inflicted. We are taking something that was "great" and making it weak. We were not the laughing stock of the world but we are becoming a a thing of horror. Lord have mercy. Deal with those in power that they may turn us back from disaster.
As I witness all the horror around us I am astounded by the failure of the system of checks and balances built into the U.S. Constitution. I never realized Americans were so susceptible to propaganda, brainwashing and apathy. I appreciate how Germany became Nazi Germany and fascism rose in other countries. I watch it here and feel shame.
Trump is doing trump. Himself first and foremost. He is- and has been- a deeply corrupt individual. I hold the republicans responsible. They could stop this tomorrow. I continue to do what I am able to do- call my legislators everyday. Protest as often as I can. Volunteer and look after my neighbors. The small and mighty can fight back.
I don’t understand how the current administration wants to simultaneously devalue the dollar to help re-industrialize the economy while still maintaining the dollar as the world’s reserve currency for all the perks. This seems like a hubristic goal for even the very best of econimists, and none of these folks are invited to the planning table. I understand targeted manufacturing of defense and chips, but it feels like the administration is just pulling economic levers to see what happens without a clear tactical goal.
Twenty-five years ago, I remember hearing an 'unbelievable' quote: "Europe ruled the 19th Century; The United States ruled the 20th Century...and China will rule the 21st." That quote hasn't crossed my mind since. Then came Trump 2.0. 'Nuf said.
I've heard this a few times over the years. I didn't ever NOT believe it, I just also somehow didn't expect it. That pesky cognitive dissonance again. They have been playing the long game, and it's working.
My husband works in the airline industry and the news that China just cancelled orders for 200 aircraft from Boeing is causing shockwaves this morning. He reckons our 401k s are now 201 k s. and we were due to retire next year. That is now on hold. I voted for democracy because I’m a European history major which doesn’t make me an expert but I’ve read about autocratic regimes in textbooks. We need to get loud right now. Tell your reps - to their face if possible - that we are not a banana republic!
What's most infuriating is that a sizeable chunk of Americans excused racism, bigotry, and misogyny because they thought he would make the economy "great". I wonder if any of them regret selling their souls based on the lies of an incompetent swindler.
I really don't think it's about politics. There's a cult of personality masquerading as politics. There are people all across the political spectrum that are horrified by what's going on. Unfortunately, what's going on has nothing to do with politics - politics requires the ability to disagree on policy. This isn't possible I'm the current environment. There is no policy boundary past which this "administration" won't go. This has everything to do with unfettered power, not policy or administration of policy.
I know a lot of people are hurting right now, including many folks in these comments, because of what's happening with the economy. I completely understand if someone reading this comment wants to tell me to shut up, and that's fair - I'm genuinely sorry about what you're going through. But I think there's an important point worth making here.
What we're witnessing is essentially Trump handing everyone the golden ticket to take him out of power permanently. His approval has always hovered around the same mediocre numbers, but the one thing keeping him afloat (if you consider always being unpopular “afloat”) was that people could say "he might be terrible, but my 401k has never been happier." That argument is evaporating fast. His economic approval rating, which sat at a comfortable 56% back in January, has now plummeted to 37% according to the latest Quinnipiac poll. And if you thought pausing the tariffs was going to restore his losses, I think Elise’s article illustrates that we are all about to feel the longterm harms of one man’s stupid, stupid fumble with the economy. The number one reason low-propensity voters gave him the benefit of the doubt has now become his biggest vulnerability.
So I think it's worth considering how to strategically harness this awful situation for the biggest silver lining possible: the end of Trumpism. But it's going to take some discipline. I don't mean to sound condescending—it's just a framework I've found helpful. Social media isn't your diary. It might feel cathartic to wish pain on fellow Americans for all to see, but that's shooting yourself in the foot. No stranger reading that will be convinced to see things your way. Find a more private outlet for that frustration. Group chats with likeminded friends can do wonders for this purpose. Or better yet, join a local political group you align with. They’ll be happy to vent with you.
When it comes to public discourse, I recommend wearing your altruistic hat. People will either regret their Trump vote or they won't. Some will stand by their decision for reasons that might seem incomprehensible to you, but being openly judgmental isn't productive. What brings people to the table are acts of service and genuine kindness. That doesn’t mean you have to forgive them for their role in this disaster, I’m just saying that acknowledging others’ humanity can go a long way toward your own interests.
I keep thinking about that woman who spoke to The Daily podcast in yesterday’s episode—the veteran turned entrepreneur who did everything right and was about to hit her big break when these economic forces hit. Now she's wondering if she'll lose her home. I haven’t finished listening to it yet, so I’m not sure if it covers her personal politics. I have no idea who she voted for, and frankly, it doesn't matter. She needs to sort out her own politics, not me. But if you want to win elections, you have to convince people your candidate will improve their actual lives. And a lot of people are about to see their lives in turmoil because of partisan politics.
It reminds me of the Young Lords in 1960s NYC. These college students had all the education to intellectually understand what their hometown community needed, but the community wanted action, not words. They had garbage piling up on sidewalks while the government ignored them. The Young Lords listened, then piled that garbage into the streets and set it on fire, causing massive traffic problems. Suddenly, the government paid attention, and the Young Lords earned community trust. For a while it seemed like they were on their way to being an enduring political force. Their eventual downfall came from internal politics, but the lesson stands: find a voter with a need, fill that need, and once you have their trust, don't abuse it.
This economic chaos gives us a chance to apply that lesson. Instead of mocking Trump voters who are hurting, what if we (average concerned citizens) organized community support networks for those facing foreclosure? What if we created job banks for people whose small businesses are failing under these tariffs? What if we assisted people who are suddenly finding it impossible to get their Social Security benefits? What if we showed up with actual solutions rather than "I told you so"? That's how you build a wider political tent—not through smugness, but through genuine service when people need it most. If this kind of thing sounds good to you, let me know because I want to help make this a reality.
As always, thank you to this little community of journalists and commenters for all of your insights. I look forward to reading what you write every weekday morning. Hang in there!
Thank you Timothy for saying this! I have been thinking this for a while now and wish more people saw it this way. Divisiveness is what got us in this mess in the first place and further mocking, saying “I told you so” and the like only helps Trump succeed. I think the stories in The Small and The Mighty teach us exactly this. There is so much strength in compassion and empathy.
100% yes to all of this. Count me in!
So many comments everywhere of "FAFO," "I told you so," or "Are you happy you voted for this?!" While the feelings are valid (I have them, too), sharing them is not helpful. For a group of people bent on willfully ignoring every fault of their chosen leader, they're not going to come around this way. Heck, has anyone ever heard, "I told you so!" and said, "You're so right. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways!" Of course not!
We MUST put ourselves in their shoes by thinking, "If I finally realized that something/someone I previously thought was right is actually very, very wrong, how would I want to be approached so that I could change my ways without feeling shame and humiliation?" (Let's face it -- those feelings are the main reason most people stubbornly refuse to change. Admitting we were wrong is hard for everyone.) The answer is with kindness, compassion, and grace.
A much more productive response, then, would be along the lines of, "So you thought he was great before but now you see otherwise? Great! Glad to have you on board. Welcome to the team!" Love covers a multitude of sins and all that. Shaming people just drives them away from wanting to fix things and perhaps farther into the darkness (orangeness?).
Sharon once (maybe more than once) said that one of the biggest problems Democrats have is that they don't offer to pull up more seats to the table. That stuck with me because I hadn't noticed and wasn't sure I agreed at the time. (To be clear, I've never identified with a political party, and I'm a huge extrovert who always wants to add more seats at the table, so it was probably my own blind spot, lol!) But I see it everywhere now, and if we refuse to allow others a seat at the table, we will never be able to fix this.
Great message Timothy! FDR/Democrats were able to win and maintain control of government for decades following the 1929 Wall Street "crash" because they DID NOT vilify nor demean Republican voters. They unified the country by empathizing with everyone, because we had two things in common: 1) We were all Americans, and 2) All Americans were suffering. Economists and political scientists can argue the finer points of the New Deal...but it is universally agreed that it was not partisan. It did not pit American against American.
This. More of this. Thank you, Timothy Patrick, let’s empathize and get to work helping. While actions are temporary, the damage from a bomb lasts. Our neighbors and our livelihoods will need nurture for a long, long time.
Keep reminding us. I lose myself in the fear and anger all of the time anymore. I have no patience left for people who don't believe they should care about the well-being of others and who don't take accountability. I also need to take accountability and realize that as unfair as it is (and it is entirely unfair), we need to have infinite patience and acceptance in order to allow people to question themselves.
I'm sure I will continue to fail. But I'll keep trying.
Maybe it's that critical moment when we each find something that is making a meaningful difference, we begin to let go of the anger and expectation. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
Thanks for sharing this, Sara... I do also have to admit, easy for me to say on all of this. Everyone's ability to negotiate their own emotions is not only a matter of discipline, but is also the product of differing circumstances. I don't know your background, but I'm going to guess the average person is more affected by this than I am, me being a middle aged gay dude with no children and no mortgage. I just wanted to acknowledge that to say, don't be too hard on yourself if the news is affecting you deeply.
I find myself in the same arena too, Sara! I am in a new ‘place’ after somatic therapy, but this is REALLY trying!!! I also live in Texas where Monday held more bill proposal for looser and looser gun regulations, today we had a school shooting in Dallas, and tomorrow is yet ANOTHER school voucher bill attempt. It’s exhausting!!
We can do this!! Peace out!!
Solidarity from Houston. It is truly exhausting.
Part of my work is the cognitive shift from anger & wanting accountability for the abject cruelty & racism underlying the administration’s actions. However, I know that those of us who allow ourselves to be a mobilized by anger, and seeking answers from people that are probably never going to come. And playing into their overall strategy. Division is the fuel- and I have to remind myself of this. Winning is not the point- Being the kinder, wiser person - without being condescending - is ultimately where I need to land.
“Now the US. government is the preeminent source of turbulence and unpredictability.”
President Trump, everyone in his administration, and everyone that voted for and continues to support him are responsible.
Look in the mirror.
What part have you played?
What part will you continue to play?
Well said!
One of the hardest parts of this administration is not knowing who is safe anymore. I used to trust my fellow Americans. I don't anymore. Anyone who is watching what is happening with joy is a threat to freedom, integrity, and happiness. I'm at my limit of being understanding toward trump supporters and it's only been 3 months. I tried, but there's only so many gut punches I'm willing to take.
I understand. When I meet white women now, I think, “are you a good witch or a bad witch?”
Yes! Omg. I'm questioning everyone now.
In July I messaged one of my neighbors to ask if she wanted to go to the pool. She didn't answer for many hours and when she did said "So sorry, I was at the trump rally (when he got shot)! It was crazy!"
I had no idea she was a supporter and never would've guessed.
We're still friendly but my entire viewpoint on who she is changed.
I'm adopting that lol
My line today has become if you're still not horrified with the disregard of the Constitution in just the last day, you are the problem. Also have we all forgotten the cults of the 90's and what happened? Or did that just really stick with me in my teens?
People have very short memories.
It also takes a certain amount of empathy and self-reflection to be able to read historical accounts and realize how you could easily have been swept up among the "bad guys," or to at least be able to understand what made those leaders and movements so alluring and how we can all be tempted to rationalize away red flags because this group makes us feel smarter, stronger, safer, etc.
We only ever want to see ourselves occupying the heroic role in each of those stories, and to tell ourselves that we'd "never" find ourselves using an alluring end to justify the disturbing means, but that can blind us to the simple fact that "the line between good and evil runs not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts." [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]
I know this does not directly correlate, but your comment made me think a lot about social media and our current "convenience" culture. Specifically how we have learned that certain corporations/owners are evil and don't share our values and yet we continue to use/buy their services en masse because it's so much easier than giving them up. But it's not just about convenience; our lives have been tied up into them.
I struggle with this myself. I did, after a lot of deliberation, delete my Facebook account, my personal instagram account, and my threads accounts, and stopped subscribing to Amazon prime. Those steps felt huge to me because I used all of those services a lot, and while I don't exactly miss these services, there are some friends I never talk to now because I am not there, and I miss those people.
I still have my small business instagram account (though I limit myself to only 5 minutes a day now, to check my messages) because SO MUCH of my business is/was happening there, I used it to grow my business, and people still send messages there despite all requests to use other avenues. Other people also like to tag me in posts, and it just feels like something I need to keep if I want to remain relevant in this industry.
I was just in an argument with someone about this. They were of the opinion that "everyone should just stop using these unnecessary services" and that if we weren't, we were supporting fascism (or some such extremist view.) Thankfully my business is a few years old, I personally don't NEED Instagram anymore to get it off the ground. However, I know people whose entire businesses run on Instagram, or Facebook, and would be a huge struggle without. I am considering starting a new business venture and am also having difficulty envisioning it working without a social media presence on the "major" sites. And yes, it's pretty easy to NOT shop on Amazon... for me. But that doesn't mean it is for everyone.
I truly can’t believe it’s gotten so bad, so quickly. Yesterday’s latest spectacle in the Oval was sickening, with Trump and the president/dictator of El Salvador laughing about how there’s no way wrongly deported Abrego Garcia is ever going to be allowed to come home, in spite of the Supreme Court’s order. And this self-inflicted damage to our economy, that was the “envy of the world,” before Trump’s inauguration? First, after all the chaos and upheaval and cuts to vital government services, Elon Musk’s DOGE has found only a sliver of the waste, fraud or abuse it promised to uncover, while at the same time getting rid of the offices and people who have apparently been doing a pretty effective job at actually keeping waste, fraud and abuse to low levels. But all of that pales in comparison to the effect that higher Treasury Bill rates will have on the budget. Already, the amount we pay just as interest on the national debt every year is over a trillion dollars, more than even the entire defense budget. With this stupid tariff war, that will only get worse. But just watch, Trumpists ( fka Republicans) will be telling us we need to cut Medicaid, SNAP and other benefits for the “takers” so we can extend these “desperately needed” tax cuts for corporations and high earners. Guess this is what you get when you elect a convicted fraudster and multiple bankrupt to run your country.
I really don’t understand the end game here. Respectfully, does this administration and its economic policy makers truly think these policies are a good idea? I know the phrase “short term pain for long term gain” has been used a lot, but it seems it’s more than short term [price] pain and a deeper loss of confidence- which equate to long term pain… is there a way these policies actually help? I don’t see it but so many people keep doubling down on it.
I’ve read that privatization is the secret ultimate goal - that they want things to get so bad that they can sell bits and pieces of what was once publicly available to all, like a liquidation sale. And when services get bad enough (longer wait times and clogged toilets at National parks, for example) we are going to accept an opportunity of “improvement” (like a new buyer taking over the park, promising to fix the problems they made). We must remember how things were, and resist.
I am sad to say I believe you are absolutely right
Remember, old Donnie said “I know what the hell I’m doing!” And his MAGA cult believe him. I see long term pain and destruction of our democracy and economy.
Follow the money - privatization is the goal.
A crashing economy, thanks to the uneducated trump voter. President Biden oversaw the biggest economic swing after the global pandemic. He had the best economy in the world, and set records for job growth and the stock market. All of this, yet trump voters specifically called out a bad economy under president Biden as the reason for their votes. There’s a difference in the high price of goods, and a healthy economy and the price of goods is what they were upset about. The uneducated part comes into play because they thought the president had control of those prices. We have chosen a free market economy and the only people who can set prices for goods and services are the owners of the companies. Everything cost more during the pandemic due to shipping and supply chain issues. Those owners saw what people were willing to pay and decided to be greedy and keep prices high even when their costs went down. Are there ways to address this? There absolutely are, but it’s in addressing things like tax issues as an incentive to lower prices. Trump is never increasing taxes on businesses owners, never. Trump supporters did absolutely no research on this and believed that trump could just make them lower prices because he told them to. Now we all get to suffer a botched economy because of their lack of knowledge. There is not one thing trump has done to make America great. He’s made us poorer, a global laughing stock, less safe and completely represented by unqualified people who will do irreparable harm to the country 🤬🤬🤬
It’s maddening and I truly can’t believe how many people are saying ‘I’m choosing to trust him’ Like he’s some profit.
I remember the last time I heard about investing in gold…it was during the 2008-2014 economic recession. I am not taking this as a good sign. I know costs are about to go up and spending is about to go down. In my household we are purchasing essentials or parts we need before everything skyrockets.
Same. It’s a scary time.
I'm increasingly hearing that the bastion of technology, finance, and freedom is no longer the US but other parts of the world. And it is all self-inflicted. We are taking something that was "great" and making it weak. We were not the laughing stock of the world but we are becoming a a thing of horror. Lord have mercy. Deal with those in power that they may turn us back from disaster.
As I witness all the horror around us I am astounded by the failure of the system of checks and balances built into the U.S. Constitution. I never realized Americans were so susceptible to propaganda, brainwashing and apathy. I appreciate how Germany became Nazi Germany and fascism rose in other countries. I watch it here and feel shame.
Trump is doing trump. Himself first and foremost. He is- and has been- a deeply corrupt individual. I hold the republicans responsible. They could stop this tomorrow. I continue to do what I am able to do- call my legislators everyday. Protest as often as I can. Volunteer and look after my neighbors. The small and mighty can fight back.
This is such a "Let them eat cake" moment.
I don’t understand how the current administration wants to simultaneously devalue the dollar to help re-industrialize the economy while still maintaining the dollar as the world’s reserve currency for all the perks. This seems like a hubristic goal for even the very best of econimists, and none of these folks are invited to the planning table. I understand targeted manufacturing of defense and chips, but it feels like the administration is just pulling economic levers to see what happens without a clear tactical goal.
Twenty-five years ago, I remember hearing an 'unbelievable' quote: "Europe ruled the 19th Century; The United States ruled the 20th Century...and China will rule the 21st." That quote hasn't crossed my mind since. Then came Trump 2.0. 'Nuf said.
I've heard this a few times over the years. I didn't ever NOT believe it, I just also somehow didn't expect it. That pesky cognitive dissonance again. They have been playing the long game, and it's working.
My husband works in the airline industry and the news that China just cancelled orders for 200 aircraft from Boeing is causing shockwaves this morning. He reckons our 401k s are now 201 k s. and we were due to retire next year. That is now on hold. I voted for democracy because I’m a European history major which doesn’t make me an expert but I’ve read about autocratic regimes in textbooks. We need to get loud right now. Tell your reps - to their face if possible - that we are not a banana republic!
What's most infuriating is that a sizeable chunk of Americans excused racism, bigotry, and misogyny because they thought he would make the economy "great". I wonder if any of them regret selling their souls based on the lies of an incompetent swindler.
No disrespect, but... "it's not about politics"??
I noticed that too. Stop making excuses... this is absolutely about politics! Trump's politics are those of instability and untrustworthiness.
I really don't think it's about politics. There's a cult of personality masquerading as politics. There are people all across the political spectrum that are horrified by what's going on. Unfortunately, what's going on has nothing to do with politics - politics requires the ability to disagree on policy. This isn't possible I'm the current environment. There is no policy boundary past which this "administration" won't go. This has everything to do with unfettered power, not policy or administration of policy.
Excellent article. Now how do we get this clear headed information out to independent voters, young men and others who turned to Trump in 2024?