enjoyed this—nice to learn a bit of Eastern history unfamiliar to the Western schooled. Garry should mine his dual heritage more because the mutual ignorance between East and West presents an iron curtain of the mind. The argument too is persuasive by any measure of logic.
You give too much credit to a nakedly personalist ploy by calling it strategy. If only concern for national interest was among the factors motivating our dear leader. At least we would have something substantive to quarrel with. As it stands, all we have is transparent bad faith. I believe this is worse, but am open to dissenting opinions.
These geopolitical fanfics always leave Europe out of the equation entirely, seemingly because they can’t actually imagine it as an independent power. But of course America gaining Russia would necessarily mean losing Europe.
What strategic benefit would there be in giving up Europe for a country with a fraction of its population and an even smaller fraction of its economy? Not much, which is why really this isn’t about geopolitics at all, deep down it’s all just about vibes.
Free trade benefits the consumer but when business colludes with government the result is protectionism where the consumer loses due to necessary inflation that comes with such policy Tariffs are a form of protectionistic policy which are contrived out of a paranoia that the Orange Cheeto has fabricated This developed fantasy that the strongman has created now gives him the reason to slap tariffs on other countries that are “ripping us(US) off”
But it’s just a fantasy, a game Cheeto is playing with the American electorate The unfair advantage that Der Fuhrer claims is of America’s own doing Even if manufacturing could be brought back to the US….and that’s a big if…..with all the cost constraints such as labor, regulationary hurdles, and property costs production would still be feasible in the US But instead of businesses working to create a manufacturing base they have lobbied the Cheeto for a protectionisitc policy ie tariffs And even if businesses tried to manufacture they have been out of the loop for so long that they would produce an inferior product that would not sell on the global market
Cheeto’s upside is that he creates a middle class tax to an already financially strained economic group so he can fund his tax cuts for the uberwealthy donors, all the while cultivating a plutocracy which can remain in power forever Meanwhile Der Fuhrer destroys the democratic republic
The strength of China and Russia is that they don’t have a revolving door of political leaders - consistency. That is also a weakness, their ability to evolve is restricted.
The U.S. needs to focus on its own shortcomings, and not on weakening others to achieve its interests; stop pointing its finger at “bad” others, and look in our own mirrors at the potentialities and frailties within!
We have become altogether too enraptured about the myths or symbols of our presumptive greatness, and too unconscious to loss of what makes a people great.
Is America a collection of businesses that cares only about its transactional inter-relationships, or is it a nation that honors the differences between real people, and the strengths those differences portend?
If people truly want to be part of a collectively great nation, we need to “grow up” to carry the water for that greatness, not spend our time complaining that others are taking advantage of us; about America being some kind of victim!
Thank you for offering your wisdom in the interview with Steve Schmidt. I agreed with every single point you made. If Democrats were smart they’d hire you as a consultant.
enjoyed this—nice to learn a bit of Eastern history unfamiliar to the Western schooled. Garry should mine his dual heritage more because the mutual ignorance between East and West presents an iron curtain of the mind. The argument too is persuasive by any measure of logic.
Sino Russian history very interesting, piques ones interest. The advice very sound.
thanks
With Trump tariffing his allies, he's effectively forcing them to trade with China instead.
You give too much credit to a nakedly personalist ploy by calling it strategy. If only concern for national interest was among the factors motivating our dear leader. At least we would have something substantive to quarrel with. As it stands, all we have is transparent bad faith. I believe this is worse, but am open to dissenting opinions.
These geopolitical fanfics always leave Europe out of the equation entirely, seemingly because they can’t actually imagine it as an independent power. But of course America gaining Russia would necessarily mean losing Europe.
What strategic benefit would there be in giving up Europe for a country with a fraction of its population and an even smaller fraction of its economy? Not much, which is why really this isn’t about geopolitics at all, deep down it’s all just about vibes.
Cheeto’s Trade Game
Free trade benefits the consumer but when business colludes with government the result is protectionism where the consumer loses due to necessary inflation that comes with such policy Tariffs are a form of protectionistic policy which are contrived out of a paranoia that the Orange Cheeto has fabricated This developed fantasy that the strongman has created now gives him the reason to slap tariffs on other countries that are “ripping us(US) off”
But it’s just a fantasy, a game Cheeto is playing with the American electorate The unfair advantage that Der Fuhrer claims is of America’s own doing Even if manufacturing could be brought back to the US….and that’s a big if…..with all the cost constraints such as labor, regulationary hurdles, and property costs production would still be feasible in the US But instead of businesses working to create a manufacturing base they have lobbied the Cheeto for a protectionisitc policy ie tariffs And even if businesses tried to manufacture they have been out of the loop for so long that they would produce an inferior product that would not sell on the global market
Cheeto’s upside is that he creates a middle class tax to an already financially strained economic group so he can fund his tax cuts for the uberwealthy donors, all the while cultivating a plutocracy which can remain in power forever Meanwhile Der Fuhrer destroys the democratic republic
The strength of China and Russia is that they don’t have a revolving door of political leaders - consistency. That is also a weakness, their ability to evolve is restricted.
The U.S. needs to focus on its own shortcomings, and not on weakening others to achieve its interests; stop pointing its finger at “bad” others, and look in our own mirrors at the potentialities and frailties within!
We have become altogether too enraptured about the myths or symbols of our presumptive greatness, and too unconscious to loss of what makes a people great.
Is America a collection of businesses that cares only about its transactional inter-relationships, or is it a nation that honors the differences between real people, and the strengths those differences portend?
If people truly want to be part of a collectively great nation, we need to “grow up” to carry the water for that greatness, not spend our time complaining that others are taking advantage of us; about America being some kind of victim!
Thank you for offering your wisdom in the interview with Steve Schmidt. I agreed with every single point you made. If Democrats were smart they’d hire you as a consultant.