July 25 Open Thread: The Same Letters That Spell ‘Coward’ Also Spell ‘A Crowd.’
Do Republican senators like tariffs? No! What will they do about them? Nothing! A number of Republicans who support America’s idea of “free trade” have questioned Trump’s call for $12 billion in relief for farmers who are going to be hurt by retaliatory tariffs. Will they act? Please. Remember, until more than 30 members agreed to the plot, the Roman Senate didn’t move against Caesar.
A tape of Trump discussing a payout to a Playboy model with fixer Michael Cohen was aired yesterday on CNN. I’m inclined to not care, but this guy says they reveal more than you might think.
Today’s news is full of poll results that show the SS Trump is listing badly to starboard, as media outlets finally get around to noticing that every president has support from his base, and that the real story about Trump’s Ugly Party is his poor showing with independents. Greg Dworkin of Daily Kos provides a roundup full of links for those who take solace in polls.
In the future, all reprints of “1984” will feature Trump on the cover, now that he’s told his followers that what they see and hear isn’t true. Personally, I was happier in the Brave New World.
Interesting story by Henry Grabar about the declining use of cash, focusing on the growing number of businesses that refuse to accept it and why. Turns out that for many small businesses, the 2% card fees are balanced out by eliminating cash registers, bank deliveries and all the other hassles associated with cold cash.
One operation that won’t be taking either cash or plastic is Ivanka Trump’s fashion brand. The presidential lust object abruptly pulled the plug on the business Tuesday, claiming the decision wasn’t due to finances. Yeah, right. Like a Trump would ever walk away from a nickel.
You’re probably right on the tariff issue. Although, there’s a story out there that if Trump imposes 25% tariffs on foreign cars, some R’s will be reallyreally angry:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/trump-pushes-25-percent-auto-tariff-as-top-advisers-scramble-to-stop-him/2018/07/25/f7b9af04-8f8a-11e8-8322-b5482bf5e0f5_story.html?utm_term=.3224e8b9492f
As ever expect nothing from the Republicans until the money is right, that and the usual cowardice and fear of Trump’s base. Will they turn down the 12 billion for farmers? Nope. Will it go to “family farms”? Nope. Will it be labeled as welfare by the Republicans? Hell no! Will they be back for more and will they have to wait in line behind dozens of other would bail out recipients? Hell Yeah!