It’s already afternoon on the East Coast and here in balmy LA the minority of apartment dwellers in my neighborhood who actually venture outside on occasion are already gone off to work or run yet another errand. I can tell because from where I sit I can see my street and I actually see vacancies. So I know I’m somewhat late in musing today. If you noticed, more power to you and you of course have my gratitude.
Most days, I’m typically inspired by something I’ve read, seen or heard that I’m emotional about. Often, based on my cursory analytics of what typically resonates best, that’s something I find intriguing in media. More often than not lately, I’ll veer toward politics. But, frankly, since January 20th that’s become more of a chore and at the rate things have been going in that world it’s getting harder and harder to strike a balance between my bottom-line belief that people have the right to express their opinions regardless of my desire to agree with it and the dug-in heels of reactors who are increasingly hateful of me regardless. I’ve written many times about this in recent days and I’ve tried to explain my specific approach, ever reminding of the fact that contrary to conventional wisdom nothing in democracy is a truly binary choice, and the choices I make are sometimes unique. Unless one capitulates or has unwarranted faith, you’re seen as a traitor.
And this morning’s newsfeed didn’t help my mood. When I finally did wake up (it was an admittedly trying night; again, don’t mix migraine and stomach medication without eating something first), stories like this from CNN’s Lucy Bayly and John Towfighi were omnipresent:
US stocks tanked Tuesday morning after President Donald Trump made good on his threat to levy tariffs on Canada and Mexico, paving the way for a global trade war as leaders of both trading partners threatened retaliation.
The hefty tariffs imposed by the Trump administration could contribute to a crash in the global economy, similar to the Great Depression of the 1930s, said Andrew Wilson, the deputy secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, according to the Wall Street Journal. “Our deep concern is that this could be the start of a downward spiral that puts us in 1930s trade-war territory,” Wilson said.
The Dow fell by 800 points Tuesday morning, or 1.86%, and the broader S&P 500 slid 1.87%. The Nasdaq Composite was down by 1.68%, after dipping into correction territory earlier. The VIX, Wall Street’s fear gauge, surged to its highest level this year.
If you are fortunate enough to have something invested in the stock market, that probably matters to you. Me? I was even more distraught by these observations from NBC NEWS’ Brian Cheung and Rob Wile:
Just after midnight, 25% duties came into effect against Canada and Mexico. An additional 10% levy was imposed on Chinese goods on top of another 10% tariff that took effect in February. A lower 10% duty was placed on Canadian energy imports. The U.S. imports billions of dollars’ worth of goods from those nations across a range of sectors. Among the common Mexican imports that may see price increases: cars, fruits, vegetables, beer, liquor and electronics. And from Canada: potatoes, grains, lumber and steel.
I’m not running out to buy a car any time soon and if anything fewer people buying lumber might make my place of business a tad less noisy. But I do like me some fruits, vegetables and an occasional potato. I couldn’t afford them this week, and now it sure looks like I won’t be able for a longer while. My lunches this week were obtained from the pantry that services the more needy employees at said place of business, and that usually means mac and cheese and chicken ramen. Hmmm…maybe that explains my symptoms?
And tonight the genius who was chosen to lead what used to be the free world who expects us to be patriotic and condone this will disrupt prime time to brag about this and more to an increasingly divided and ineffective Congress, inevitably provoking parochial cheers and catcalls akin to a middle school assembly. Thank goodness there’s at least some decent sports on to counterprogram it.
I’m literally worn down from challenging people who I think I share more values with to stop whining and complaining and lamenting into the void. And I’m even more wound down from those who are joining him on a victory lap–at undoubtedly a faster pace–in thinking we willingly signed up for all of this and more. I didn’t, and I honestly don’t think you fully did, either?
You think these kind of tariffs are warranted because of the proliferation of fentanyl? Witness the unmitigated bullsh-t spewing from one particular toady’s craw that Cheung and Wile offered up:
Appearing on CNBC on Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick doubled down on the threat posed by fentanyl flows, even as official U.S. data shows a recent significant downturn in interdictions. “This is not a trade war, it’s a drug war,” Lutnick said.
Reality check, Howie. It takes a buyer AND a seller for this to matter. The most recent data from ADDICTION RESOURCE suggests that a single gram of the synthetic stuff costs $150-$200. If you can afford that, you’re probably not all that concerned about how much veggies and carbohydrates are going for–and you may not be all that hungry.
Yet if I bitched any more than I already have I’d be falling down the exact same rabbit hole that infuriates me of late–the rabbit hole of true but ultimately meaningless despair. And much as I couldn’t in good conscience cast a vote for Word Salad Queen, I can’t allow myself to be as guilty as those I rail against.
So no fruits and veggies for a while. Probably also need to hold off on that oil change until my coupon comes in the mail. And simply accept the fact this is the existence that a plurality of US chose and this is just the cost of doing business.
Yep, I got nothin’. And pretty soon, neither may you.
Until next time..