Some facts sure would be useful on the whole dairy issue. Trump complaining that NAFTA is at fault for the Canada-US dairy dispute, is 100% inaccurate. 

 

The problem is over production and mainly to do with ultra-filtered milk. The fact that Canada has long used a system of supply management has nothing to do with the problems facing Wisconsin dairy farmers. In fact, those farmers have no issue with the Canadian industry. 

 

The fact that the US enjoys an almost 400 million dollar trade surplus with Canada in the dairy industry, should be clue number one that trade is not the problem, in particular NAFTA. 

 

Is there some protectionism at play? Of course, the agricultural sector is probably the most protected industry in almost every country in the world, but it always has been. 

 

Not surprised this issue is once again over his head. If Trump truly wants to help dairy farmers in Wisconsin, he should come up with a supply management plan that helps them make better use of their product at home, for a fair price. 

 

What an idiot. 

I've always assumed that our trade deficit with other countries--such that there is any--has far more to do with the reduced cost of labor in those countries than with tariffs or what not.   I've avoided really trying to understand the reality of global trade, but I see now that my ignorance leaves me a bit prone to political-based rather than rational-based arguments.

I've always assumed that our trade deficit with other countries--such that there is any--has far more to do with the reduced cost of labor in those countries than with tariffs or what not. I've avoided really trying to understand the reality of global trade, but I see now that my ignorance leaves me a bit prone to political-based rather than rational-based arguments.

Part of the problem seems to be that if you ask six different economists, you’ll get six different answers. At least that is my experience so far in trying to improve my knowledge base.

 

Except on one thing: trade wars are bad for all.

Edited June 11, 20188 yr by TheLeviathan

 

I'm really applauding the tariff responses from Mexico and others. Targeting Trump states to hopefully send a message. There is no question this will hurt the economies. They should also have put it in corn... That would have been a big wake up to the Midwest.

 

Farmers realize this. It's the people in the rural communities that support agriculture that for some reason still haven't picked up on just how damaging this all is. Every major farm organization I track (National Corngrowers, National Soybean growers, National Cattleman's, and a few more) have all informed members how damaging this would be for members and to urge their Congressperson to deliver a message on how hurtful these will be to the base of the White House's support.

Holy crap. Did the use the voice over guy for Jabberwocky? (for those few who get the reference).

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/06/12/reporters-thought-this-video-was-north-korea-propaganda-it-came-from-the-white-house/?utm_term=.6d7d32c4246a

Yeah that video is garbage. The fact our president had it made... even more garbage. The hypocrisy on this topic is overwhelming for me. Obama said he would have talks with everyone. Kim would have lept at the chance. Conservatives blasted Obama for even mentioning having peace talks. Now, Trump meets Kim for 20 minutes and it is the greatest feat in foreign policy ever.

 

I'm glad they're talking. I'm glad we are easing tensions on the peninsula. I hope we put together a document that has meaning. Kim is getting everything he wanted at this point, without real concessions. As long as they stop testing missiles over Japan and Guam, I don't really view them as a threat.

 

I'd be cautious about putting all my eggs in the North Korea basket if I was Trump. Although, he did say if it deteriorates (my word not his, not sure if he knows it), he would make up some excuse about it. Seriously. Make up an excuse. Mind. Blown.

Edited June 13, 20188 yr by Badsmerf

Even though there's so much dirt on Trump's election tampering/financial crimes--heck, Cohen might flip?--and that Trumps balls deep into NK/Russia (and also he's a orange, racist, sexist clown...), the issue that may gain the most traction is the immigration policy of separating parents from their children.  The issue seems to be gaining more media traction and it's a viscerally awful policy. 

Edited June 14, 20188 yr by PseudoSABR

Trump this morning on the White House lawn talking about the dictator who has terrorized his people and murdered to stay in power:

 

“He speaks and his people sit up and [pay] attention. I want my people to do the same”

I am sure a lot of Trump's people do exactly that. I am not a Trump person.

 

But he does control all three branches of government right now. The other two do his bidding, so he is as close to being a dictator as we have had in my lifetime.

Edited June 15, 20188 yr by jimmer

I wonder how much of his front lawn performance art this morning was due to knowing Manafort was getting his bond revoked and would soon be going to jail.  Also, the rumors of Cohen flipping have become more pronounced.  

At this point, I've tired of paying attention. It is an assault on my values every day to listen to Trump. I'm so fed up with Republicans for doing his bidding, and Trump himself, that I just can't wait until November. Hopefully, or country comes to our sense.

 

At this point, I've tired of paying attention. It is an assault on my values every day to listen to Trump. I'm so fed up with Republicans for doing his bidding, and Trump himself, that I just can't wait until November. Hopefully, or country comes to our sense.

The problem is I think a lot of people are tuning out. And I fear that means they won't bother to go vote. 

 

The problem is I think a lot of people are tuning out. And I fear that means they won't bother to go vote. 

I'm terrified of what happens if the Dems don't win in 2018. It'll be seen as a Trump referendum and if Trump wins it? Jesus.

The world is filled with afraid people that want someone to tell them what to do. Look at how Europe is going in a lot if areas.

 

I don't know how this changes. We need to move from a species of scarcity thinking to abundance thinking, but we are failing at that somehow.

He is making his way up to Duluth this week.  Hope he can make the Iron Range great again!

 

I'm terrified of what happens if the Dems don't win in 2018. It'll be seen as a Trump referendum and if Trump wins it? Jesus.

 

The Dems aren't winning the Senate. Their only hope is to win the House and gum up the works a bit. 

 

He is making his way up to Duluth this week.  Hope he can make the Iron Range great again!

 

My sister has friends with parents still up there, and she does hear a lot of pro-Trump when she does go out to the bar. They are hoping he will bring the mines back to their former glory.  So much more is automated now, that even if the mines are at full strength, it is not going to bring back things like they were pre-1980.  Plus, I cannot imagine any corporation investing their profits in the mining towns like they did in the past.  That profit would need to go to the CEOs and the shareholders.

 

My sister has friends with parents still up there, and she does hear a lot of pro-Trump when she does go out to the bar. They are hoping he will bring the mines back to their former glory.  So much more is automated now, that even if the mines are at full strength, it is not going to bring back things like they were pre-1980.  Plus, I cannot imagine any corporation investing their profits in the mining towns like they did in the past.  That profit would need to go to the CEOs and the shareholders.

 

This is true in general.  Corporations have every reason to believe that the return on investing in their workers is lower than their investment into lobbying.  

 

It's one, of a few, reasons we have stagnant wages.  We need targeted tax breaks for companies that raise wages.  (Among other things)

 

My sister has friends with parents still up there, and she does hear a lot of pro-Trump when she does go out to the bar. They are hoping he will bring the mines back to their former glory.  So much more is automated now, that even if the mines are at full strength, it is not going to bring back things like they were pre-1980.  Plus, I cannot imagine any corporation investing their profits in the mining towns like they did in the past.  That profit would need to go to the CEOs and the shareholders.

My family works for the mines up there and the railroad.  The mines are as busy as ever, as are the shipment by trains out there.   He's doing good.

 

My family works for the mines up there and the railroad.  The mines are as busy as ever, as are the shipment by trains out there.   He's doing good.

 

That is good to hear.  I had a friend whose husband's family is up there and I know there were talks of lay-offs and shut downs, but that was a couple of years ago. It could have been just that mine or just a bad stretch.   It also seems like the peaks and valleys come and go a little more quickly now, although my family has now been gone long enough and know fewer people there that I don't have as good of a feel for what is happening up there.

My family works for the mines up there and the railroad. The mines are as busy as ever, as are the shipment by trains out there. He's doing good.

when you say he's doing good, you mean your dad? I ask cause you said your family at the beginning, then you said he at the end.

Edited June 18, 20188 yr by jimmer

when you say he's doing good, you mean your dad? I ask cause you said your family at the beginning, then you said he at the end.

Sorry it wasn’t clear. I meant the President is doing good and helping out my family. Love the moves he’s been making the first year and a half in

Edited June 19, 20188 yr by AZTwin

Sorry it wasn’t clear. I meant the President is doing good and helping out my family. Love the moves he’s been making the first year and a half in

Ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification.

Sorry it wasn’t clear. I meant the President is doing good and helping out my family. Love the moves he’s been making the first year and a half in

What moves and how did they help?

Ok, full disclosure. Trump is right, the last pair of baseball cleats I bought was during a trip to Minneapolis, I admit that in an effort to avoid paying "tariffs" when returning home, I rubbed dirt all over them and scuffed them to make it look like I had owned them for quite some time. 

 

I apologise for treating Americans so unfairly. 

Sorry it wasn’t clear. I meant the President is doing good and helping out my family. Love the moves he’s been making the first year and a half in

That is all erased by throwing children and babies into concentration camps. Sorry I can’t share your opinions but this man is nothing but evil. Tattoo that ‘666’ across his forehead and that about covers it.

 

IMHO, of course.

 

Ok, full disclosure. Trump is right, the last pair of baseball cleats I bought was during a trip to Minneapolis, I admit that in an effort to avoid paying "tariffs" when returning home, I rubbed dirt all over them and scuffed them to make it look like I had owned them for quite some time. 

 

I apologise for treating Americans so unfairly. 

BUILD THAT (NORTHERN) WALL!!

That is all erased by throwing children and babies into concentration camps. Sorry I can’t share your opinions but this man is nothing but evil. Tattoo that ‘666’ across his forehead and that about covers it.

 

IMHO, of course.

Concentration camps? What are you talking about. He is saving many kids. He is finally enforcing the law which caused 12,000 to be in detention centers while everything got sorted out. The media focused on the 2,000 that were separated from their families. But what about the other 10,000? Those were separated from people other than their parents. These are their smugglers, coyotes, etc which often traffick these kids in the sex trade. It’s pure evil and we are helping these kids.

 

As for the other 2,000? He fixed that with an executive order (which can be reversed by democrat president) after Democrats punted on changing the law. But I mean what happens to adults when they are jailed normally? Child protective services separate the adults from the kids. This is happening in the United States every day. I’ve seen arguments that we need to have a heart and take in people for asylum because of the rough conditions of Mexico (drugs, murder, cartels) but we need to encourage those to go to one of the many port authorities throughout Mexico to apply for asylum legally. It is much safer for the children. We can’t have children make that dangerous trek.

Wow

Concentration camps? What are you talking about. He is saving many kids. He is finally enforcing the law which caused 12,000 to be in detention centers while everything got sorted out. The media focused on the 2,000 that were separated from their families. But what about the other 10,000? Those were separated from people other than their parents. These are their smugglers, coyotes, etc which often traffick these kids in the sex trade. It’s pure evil and we are helping these kids.

 

As for the other 2,000? He fixed that with an executive order (which can be reversed by democrat president) after Democrats punted on changing the law. But I mean what happens to adults when they are jailed normally? Child protective services separate the adults from the kids. This is happening in the United States every day. I’ve seen arguments that we need to have a heart and take in people for asylum because of the rough conditions of Mexico (drugs, murder, cartels) but we need to encourage those to go to one of the many port authorities throughout Mexico to apply for asylum legally. It is much safer for the children. We can’t have children make that dangerous trek.

If your life is in immediate threat from violence, the long process of legal immigration attempt isn't very helpful.

 

And when you are arrested in America, yes you and your child could be separated, but they will be placed with other family or a qualified care home. They won't be thrown in a cage with inadequate food, water and healthcare, and supervised by people not trained or equipped to do so.

 

And do you have a link supporting your claim that 83% of these children are being separated from predators?

 

Just because these people are breaking the law, doesn't mean we shouldn't treat them with dignity and compassion. They are human beings, and it's understandable why they want to come here.

 

If a person's argument is compassionate and empathetic, but insistent on enforcing the law, well I can respect that.

But too often i see arguments that show almost a glee for their mistreatment, and zero empathy for their situation. That's where I get lost, and tune out arguments that might otherwise be compelling.

Edited June 22, 20188 yr by Mr. Brooks