Economics
Tariffs and Oligarchy
What is a tariff? It is a tax placed on items imported from another country. Does the other country pay the tax? No, the American importer pays the tax and then passes the increased cost of the product on to the consumer. Who benefits? If tariffs become the major way of collecting taxes it is the wealthiest members of society. People with lower incomes spend most of their salaries or hourly wages on their daily needs. When prices rise, because of the across the board tariffs, they will pay taxes on most everything they buy. Wealthier people make money they don’t need for ...
RETURN OF THE ROBBER BARONS 4.0
TIME TO REDISTRIBUTE THE WEALTH
NORTH DAKOTA NON-PARTISAN LEADER 1918 - - HISTORY REPEATS
https://digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/ppf/id/24639/rec/706
Senior citizens are rightfully concerned about the “security” of Social Security. We hear endless
warnings claiming the program is insolvent and bankrupting the federal government. The
“Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) would happily gut and privatize the program
(something the Robber Barrons of Wall Street have wanted since its establishment under the
Franklin D. Roosevelt ...
Budget Chaos in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Senator Chris Larson is concerned about the impact on Wisconsin's state budget from Trump's cuts to federal funding. The cuts being implemented at the federal level will create havoc with the Wisconsin state budget. Senator Larson has introduced emergency legislation – the Frozen Federal Funds Emergency Act – to help deal with this problem.
The proposed bill requires the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if the Trump funding cuts are implemented. The extraordinary session would “consider” providing money from the “budget ...
Jalisco and the Refugee Crisis
Jalisco state in Mexico rings in the ears with mariachi music and brightly dressed dancers twirling, while onlookers toast glasses of tequila. Both this iconic music and the even more iconic drink fermented and distilled from the blue agave are said to have been born there. Nat King Cole and Elvis sang the praises of Guadalajara, Jalisco's capital, and the beaches of Puerto Vallarata will undoubtedly tickle the memory circuits of many folks from Central Wisconsin. Colorful and inspiring, Jalisco is also home to one of Mexico's brutal drug cartels and ...
RETURN OF THE ROBBER BARONS 3.0
THE POLITICIAN WILL HAVE TO DISGUISE HIMSELF
Non-Partisan Leader Cartoon 1917
https://digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/ndsu-npl/id/45/rec/68
North Dakota State University Archives
The Non-Partisan League was formed by the farmers of N.D. because neither the Republicans nor the Democrats of that time were serving their interests. The League would go on to establish the public Bank of North Dakota in 1919 which serves the people of N.D. to this day.
Americans are frightened and appalled by the current assault on traditional federal ...
Economic Conundrums
“There is always enough for the needy, there is never enough for the greedy.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” Edward Abbey environmentalist and author
Most of us would be better off if we spent less, spent more wisely, and saved more. But what happens to an economy based on consumer spending when consumers don't spend? If we all do what is good for our personal situation will the economy crash?
American consumer capitalism is full of conundrums. Consumer spending drives the economy but is often not good for ...
YOUR TAX RECEIPT
People like to complain about taxes. Polls tell us most people think the tax system is unfair and they pay too much. But what most people think is rarely reality. There are many false beliefs about who pays, how much we pay and where it all goes.
“Most conservative criticisms about the ill effects of taxes are exaggerated or untrue. Taxes are in fact good -- they are dues we pay to enjoy the numerous vital benefits that government provides for our society” This quote is from Dr. Douglas J. Amy, Professor Emeritus of Politics at Mount Holyoke College and author of ...
Costs of Foolishness
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” Bertrand Russell (1872 –1970), British philosopher
The fools and fanatics currently in control of our country have no understanding of what government is about, how it operates, or the importance it has for people and society. But they are “certain of themselves” and their anti-government ideology. Many people are going to be hurt, and many will literally die from their ignorant, mean spirited, shortsighted actions.
John Adams ...
Destroying America
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” President Abraham Lincoln
“If President Trump wants to change our nation’s laws, he has the right to ask Congress to change them. He does not have the right to violate the United States Constitution. He is not a king.” Senator Bernie Sanders.
Our country is in crisis. Our government has been seized by a dictator wannabee and a cabal of super-wealthy, authoritarian extremists who want to destroy all the social progress of the last ...
Building the Resistance
The 24-Hour Economic Blackout
Back in December I wrote about using our power as consumers to oppose the Trump wrecking crew. (“Now what? Tactics for resistance,” The Duluth Reader, Thursday December 5, 2024). In that article I suggested taking the fight to the wealthy Trump supporters by reducing our spending and not buying from companies that supported him.
I am not the only one pushing this tactic. I recently got an email saying that comedian Jon Stewart has been calling for Friday, February 28 to be a “24-hour Economic Blackout.” I have not found Jon's ...