Truth
And Consequences
Representatives of the administration admit the “average American family” will experience pain and suffering as a consquence of “Liberation” tariffs. Donald John Trump is on record for saying “I don’t care” about the effects of the implementation of this part of the Project 2025 playbook. And neither do the other two branches of our government. They have given the Mad King latitude to declare and act upon any “national emergency” that suits his needs and purposes.
Manipulation
In the late 1800s, Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) famously observed “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Data manipulation is an old and dishonorable game. Mark Twain is attributed with putting the problem more succinctly as “figures don’t lie. but liars can figure.”
On 03 Apr 25, Newsweek estimated that the Liberation Day tariffs would force the “average American household” to spend an extra $4,200.00 a year. This is worse than callous, cruel, and irresponsible economic policy. It is an untenable, unsustainable, and unnecessary societal disaster.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Let us consider how that works BEFORE the Liberation Day tariffs begin to bite.
Test Case: Income
Our test case includes households with a single wage earner being paid $7.25 an hour. This rate of pay yields an income of $14,790.00 a year with no time off (less $345.00 in federal withholding of 10 percent on income over $11,250.00.) This tax payer has $290.00 a week to support the health, safety, and welfare of an “average” family unit comprised of 3.15 persons. It’s that 0.15 toddler that causes a lot of budget problems.
Test Case: Expenses
The $290.00 of hard-earned weekly income is subject to taxes on funds spent using or consuming property or services. Water, food, and shelter fall in this category. Deduct mandatory fees for utility services. Communication and transportation expenses further deplete the weekly paycheck. Child and elder care costs are the blessing and bane of the “typical” family. And, there is the requirement to pay insurance premiums on property financed by a source granting credit to our minimum wage earner at rates of interest that make one’s eyes water.
The “average” family budget does not have margin for putting money aside for emergencies and luxury purchases. Economists accept findings that indicate about 1 in 5 families do not have the ability to meet a $400.00 emergency expense without going into debt. Which, of course, will carry interest rates that will strain the stream of income even further.
However
Lest this situation appear unfair or completely impossible, let us remember that $7.25 an hour is a lot of latitude for an immigrant used to living on less. And a sole dependable source of income at this level is something that will support a single person pursuing a carrer opportunity. The effects of the Liberation Day tariffs are going to sting. Donald John Trump may not care about direct and consequential domestic and international damage and pain his wilful and self-serving strategies may cause.
I do.
American carnage, indeed.
Stay Mindful and Focused
Donald John Trump understands that wealth is tied to faith and opportunity. While he distracts and disrupts global markets with Liberation Day, his sons are feathering the family nest in anticipation of a global agreement to go to an imaginary money system. Mr. Magic intends to make the barely United States of America the “Crypto Capital” of the world. He really needs another term in office to smooth out the details.
With a Little Help from His Friends
While his tariff strategy proceeds to rob Peter to benefit Paul, Mr. Big is hyping modest tax adjustments to the income of the “average” American family.
A strategy was sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means on 09 Jan 24 that he may find useful. The Fair Trade Act of 2023 (H.R. 25) is a proposal, not a law. It would substitute a national sales (consumption) tax for the current income tax. It sounds pretty good until you understand that it intends to eliminate “entitlement” programs put in place during the last 90 years.
Under the bill, family members who are lawful U.S. residents receive a monthly sales tax rebate (Family Consumption Allowance) based upon criteria related to family size and poverty guidelines.
The states have the responsibility for administering, collecting, and remitting the sales tax to the Treasury.
Tax revenues are to be allocated among (1) the general revenue, (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund, (3) the disability insurance trust fund, (4) the hospital insurance trust fund, and (5) the federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund.
No funding is authorized for the operations of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2027.
Finally, the bill terminates the national sales tax if the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution (authorizing an income tax) is not repealed within seven years after the enactment of this bill.
Anthem
“Tell me the wretched truth about America, because that speaks to our greatness.” Senator Cory Booker. Senate speech of 01-02 Arp 25.
Our history includes breaking covenants with allies. That is the ugly truth.
And all three of our branches of government at one time or another have broken their oath of office to work to the best interests of We the People. That is our immediately wretched situation.
What feels so singular about this moment in our history is the impunity, malice, and delight attached to a sustained and purposeful daylight assault on custom and rule of law domestically—all in service to enrichment of our chapter of the Intergalactic Billionaire Boys Club.
Liberation Day is just part of the Endless Day One voted into being by our 119th congress. Our “typical American family” may not understand what just happened to its prospects. However, our immigrant tradition embraces ANY chance to survive as an opportunity to prosper.
With that in mind, let us keep our resistance simple, strategic, and constructive.
Let us pull up our socks and step into the breach now, every Power of One person dissatisfied with the results and consequences of Election 2024. Let us put into play our persons and our purses to demand:
1. A return to positions of principle those persons, institutions, and organizations betraying a public trust in their integrity when bending a knee, kissing the ring, funding the personal wealth, or furthering the ambitions of Donald John Trump.
2. The bringing of criminal charges against Musk and articles of impeachment against Trump.
3. Referendum and recall of congressional representatives not faithful to their oath of office and/or unresponsive to the concerns and wishes of their constituents.
4. Creation of a Shadow Cabinet charged with daily briefings of administrative assaults upon the rule of law, the health, safety, and welfare of We the People, and simple decency.
Go, team, go.
Excellent explanation of what is happening, why it makes sense to the billionaires, and what We The People need to keep doing to say no to the lies, manipulations, and intimidations of the bullies. Let's focus on what we CAN do, every day, to follow your anthem and spend less energy on rage.