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Donald Hodgins's avatar

(What if there are no pieces) -- The current President is leading us down a road none of us wish to be on. People are struggling as it is, why force them to suffer even more. The powers that be simply don't understand that 78% of all the households in this country live paycheck to paycheck. They financially can't play the game Trump has on the table. Some people are at a loss to think Mr. Trump majored in economics while he languished away his time in college. I would love to see his transcripts, sadly they've been locked away under lock and key, with explicit orders that they are to be shown to no one. Who has their colligent history kept a guarded secret? With our economic world in tatters, what plan does Mr. Trump have for what is coming next. He's turned his back on all our traditional allies and sided with our long standing foes. Like rising smoke on a windy day, any form of certainty seems impossible to hold on to. What positivity comes from chaos, what goals do we nurture while we shrink in fear? Trump's mental instability grows more apparent by the day. My question that keeps ringing in my ears; why in the hell doesn't someone stop the fool. Has he dispatched with all the checks and balances we put in place to protect us from monsters like himself. April the 5th--make some noise. Like Richark Goodall; "Don't stop believin."

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DZK's avatar
Apr 5Edited

If he can produce no transcript, he has no degree. Period.

(At this point, I wouldn't even trust any transcript he could manage to produce without valid chain of custody documents!)

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Jan's avatar

If he has done well and scored a great result on his college record, he would be publishing them! He loves to brag, so why would he hide good grades?

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mary emerson-smith's avatar

when trump asked for president obama's grades i had a good laugh. since obama was on the law review at harvard he had to be in the top 10% of his class. trump loves to mention that he went to 'wharton' hoping that people will mistakenly think he earned their mba ( which is clearly false! ) the grades for his bachelors degree are a mystery.

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Jan's avatar

That is why he won't let them release the grades

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Klare K.'s avatar

Obama was the first Black editor of the Harvard Law Review, a brilliant speaker and person. Trump just couldn't stand what Obama was and is, so he had to try and find a way to diss him (the whole "birther" lie). He couldn't stand for Obama to be what he wasn't.

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mary emerson-smith's avatar

bellseye!

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mary emerson-smith's avatar

aka bullseye!

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Donald Hodgins's avatar

Klare--Too late, Obama is twice the man Trump could ever hope to be.

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Klare K.'s avatar

Try TWENTY TIMES THE MAN the orange maggot could ever hope to be!

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Beverly Russo's avatar

His grades are not a mystery. One of his professors said that Trump was the dumbest student he ever had. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/12/1705902/-Former-Wharton-Professor-Donald-Trump-Is-the-Dumbest-Goddam-Student-I-Ever-Had

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Susan Cavalieri's avatar

He thinks everyone else is stupid and we won't figure that out.

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mary emerson-smith's avatar

or that we are not curious enough to fact check!

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Gary harmon's avatar

Thanks Susan. It seems that 77 million voters are so stupid they haven't figured out what DT is really up to and those of us who didn't drink the Orange Kool-Aide are going to suffer for their stupidity and racism. GH

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mary emerson-smith's avatar

the power of projection!

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Stephen Brady's avatar

Because his dad wrote big checks to UPenn to get him his degree. It is the very same thing as the Sicilian doctor in ‘The Godfather’ who got his medical degree through the good offices local mafia boss despite not knowing anything about medicine… we are all on the receiving end of Frederick tRump’s corruption.

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DZK's avatar

How about Allen Weisselberg, his former CFO who was jailed for perjury, and who doesn't even know what GAAP is - if he's not lying ‽

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Laura Crumbley's avatar

Along with his Tax Returns! The man is a fake and a failure. Tell me one successful business.

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mary emerson-smith's avatar

six businesses down the drain, but a casino?!

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Margaret Rivera's avatar

Thank you for that question that I ask at least 2x a day everybday!!! Why the heck doesn't someone stop him!! He's trashingnthe economy as well as.the US Constitutuon along w/our rights -- freedom of speech right now and you know voting rights are next

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Jan's avatar

I have been asking that question every day! How does this monster manage to get away with the everything?

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MLRGRMI's avatar

Men with no spines. So much for patriarchy being a good thing. They again shoot themselves in the foot.

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Seldom Seen's avatar

Can't argue with that!

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Stephen Brady's avatar

Because powerful people stand to gain from having him in the WH.

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Susan Cavalieri's avatar

Because he put all of his monster bully friends in positions to help him because they just go along with him.

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William Farrar's avatar

Republicans are ideological/religious cult members or opportunists riding a wave.

Democrats are opportunistic careerists, hoping to stay on the gravy train, except for wave making, fire breathers like AOC and Chis Murphy.

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Kate Brousseau's avatar

And Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Bernie!

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SURYA-PATRICIA LANE HOOD's avatar

The GOP and Heritage Foundation do NOT want him stopped. They have an agenda for the USA, It is called totalitarianism; a "form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator and is (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc." This has been the aim of the GOP for years helped by a media that slants the news because it makes the news appear more sensational. and sellable,

Trump's narcissism is a tool they use, He lives in a bubble surrounded by people who tell him what he wants to hear. That is why there is a disconnect between what he says and reality. Amending our Constitution to serve their needs and getting rid of our democracy gives them the power they crave to enslave us and make themselves wealthy at our expense . If it sounds diabolical, that is becuase it IS diabolical. The possibility is sitting on our doorsteps.!

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Philip Miller's avatar

Because we had so many opportunities over the last 4 years. Nothing stopped him. Now surrounded with his crime syndicate.

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Laura Crumbley's avatar

I don't expect an election in 2026

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SURYA-PATRICIA LANE HOOD's avatar

As long as our Constitution is intact, there will be an election in 2026. If it were easy to amend the Constitution, Trump would have done that already. It takes 2/3rds of the House and Senate each to amend it then 38 States have to ratify it before it cam become law. .

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Cyndi Magill's avatar

Just came back from a rally. It was to say the least heartwarming that the smaller towns in Maine are having rather large protests. We are not alone my friends. We made a lot of noise today and Nope...We can't stop believing!!

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Lark Leonard's avatar

Also in New Hampshire & Vermont! Fabulous turnouts and that in a cold spring rain! My heart sang.

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Marc Nevas's avatar

Cindi, that’s great to hear.

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Marc Nevas's avatar

There are about 1000 people at our rally with more arriving and our town only has a population of 10,000.

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Lisa Blake's avatar

I went to the one in Seattle! Huge!

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Camille Kelly's avatar

He has a paid for degree and what is the point in seeing transcripts? We all know he was a poor student and his legacy is proof that he's ignorant, uneducated and a poor businessman.

If someone says you can't see it, you know it's not good. Won't change MAGA minds because they will just look past it anyhow.

I want someone in congress or politics or news reporting to go on the air and ask these questions like, what if this happens when people can't eat or live? What are you going to do about that? If the working class who supported you can't live and eat, will you save them?

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Klare K.'s avatar

CAMILLE, and everyone: I want another congressperson, like Cory Booker, to go on the air every single day to ask WHY Congress or the Courts aren't dragging Trump out of office UNTIL IT IS AN ACCOMPLISHED FEAT!

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Lynn Argetsinger's avatar

Ken Martin just announced they are forming a People’s Cabinet, like Professor Timothy Snyder advocated for. Finally! A coordinated cohesive out there!

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Klare K.'s avatar

How do interested citizens get in touch with the People's Cabinet? I would love to keep up with their activities and their policies if and when they create any. Who is Ken Martin, Lynn?

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Lynn Argetsinger's avatar

Ken Martin is the new DNC Chair. The concept of a Shadow Cabinet (or People’s Cabinet) was proposed by Professor Timothy Snyder (author of “On Tyranny” and “On Freedom”) and has been advocated for by Jessica Cravin, Rachel Maddow, Jon Stewart, Willie Nickels, and many others. https://democrats.org/news/dnc-chair-ken-martin-launches-peoples-cabinet-to-fiercely-counter-trump-administration-chaos-and-lies/

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Klare K.'s avatar

Thank you for this info! I'll look it up tonight. During the first Trump admin, I read so many revelatory books about him, but I somehow failed to read Tim Snyder's. People keep bringing his name up, so I better get to it, this time around.

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steve reed's avatar

Me too, except daily is probably too often. Perhaps weekly or twice weekly.

see my comment. And it should be a number of people, and not just Dems, IMO.

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Klare K.'s avatar

I have not been able to find the comment you are referring to. I feel that if Dems and other well-known celebrities like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert and John Oliver would step up daily, taking turns, Trump and the repugs might get the idea that we are a force to be reckoned with and aren't going to go away. If enough people would pronounce Trump mentally ill DAILY and unfit to serve, and not back down, the Repugs might finally start to wake up out of their pathetic stupor and realize the irreparable harm they are causing, and allowing the Dumpster to cause, the rest of the world. Especially if they repeat often enough that they are committing the high crime of treason, a federal crime that carries with it the death penalty. 😳

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Ellen W.'s avatar

Nobody mentions dump’s first 2 years of college at Fordham. Daddy dearest most certainly engineered a spot at Wharton. What a waste!

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Elizabeth's avatar

What stops "them" is fear of civil war. The militias are ready and anxious to fight.

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Linda Nation's avatar

This little ole grandma is getting mighty pissed off with this administration's wanton destruction of my country. And I live in Texas, the gun capital of the world. I'd put my sharpshooting ability against any effin' pretend militia's ability. They've destroyed too much and if I can't live my retirement in peace, neither will they. Bring on civil war; I won't be a subject in a tyrant's world.

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Seldom Seen's avatar

You go get 'em, girl.

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Klare K.'s avatar

Love it!! Finally, somebody who sounds like me! Thank you for speaking out against what Trump is doing!!!

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Victor Kamendrowsky's avatar

The militias are next to worthless. The loyalty of the armed forces is something else.

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Elizabeth's avatar

Victor

While they weren't exactly a militia, the Proud Boys and friends seemed effective on Capital Hill albeit for one day. Tim Alberta revealed extensive evangelical militias ready to fight if Trump, the second coming, had lost.

Can you help me to understand why you suggest they are next to worthless in causing havoc leading to a civil war or even as an excuse for a civil war. I can imagine scenarios where they could be used as a trumped up reason to use the military in country or in contiguous countries.

The loyalty of the army? An interesting question. Can't imagine that recent cuts to veterans services stirring them to support the regime, but what do I know. Look at the ICE agents and their masks and cruelty going into churches and schools and homes. Just "following orders" so suppose the military will do the same now that strong and loyal leaders have been turfed.

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SURYA-PATRICIA LANE HOOD's avatar

When push comes to shove, will the majority of the armed forces members turn on their own people at the edicts of a tyrant? They take an oath to first and foremost pledge to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, bear true faith and allegiance. In the military, there is a chain of command and each person in the military knows who the person is above them. If the orders are illegal, that person has the duty to disobey manifestly lilegal orders.

A militia is a supplementary force of civilians used in emergencies.

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William Farrar's avatar

Donald, It seems that Trumps most loyal voters are taking it in the shorts, to which I say schadenfreude https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/04/farmers-tariffs-trump-trade-war-00271146?nname=politico-toplines&nid=0000018f-3124-de07-a98f-3be4d1400000&nrid=42ecbc9c-a83f-4180-b2df-1ff110f90989

You would be surprised at the number of government employees that voted for Trump because of DEI and they thought that Trump would get rid of that sluffer, black or gay in the next cubicle.

Somehow they still are hanging on, believing that it was all a mistake, and their lord and savior will rectify. his approval rating is still where it was prior to the election.

Yeh, it is bad that all of us will have to take a hit as well, No pain no gain, at least I can salve my soul knowing that the very people who elected him are getting the worst of it.

It is going to take pain to change, if no pain then no change. Trump is claiming that there will be short term pain, and long term gain, but the tariff's won't rebuild American industry in three years, and foreign consumers are not going to pay for products produced by higher paid wage earners.

If a Foreign consumer can by a BYD (Chinese EV) for $10,000 are they going to pay $40,000 for a Chevy Volt?

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Pamela's avatar

Like Obama said yesterday, WE HAVE TO DO IT. Nobody is coming to save us. We have to do something and probably sacrifice something. That is what I think too. Today, millions came out to the rallies around the country for the HANDS OFF movement. It gladdens my heart. Let's keep the momentum going until he is GONE.

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Robot Bender's avatar

IMHO, he and the top 0.01% want a North Korea or Russia with themselves at the top.

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Elizabeth's avatar

Why? They are two very poor countries.

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Seldom Seen's avatar

I googled this so not necessarily accurate but...

Putin's net worth: $200 billion

Kim Jong-un's net worth: $5 billion

It's good to be king!

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Linda Querry's avatar

“ Di Prima said of Kelley. "'Donald Trump was the dumbest goddamn student I ever had!' He would say that [Trump] came to Wharton thinking he already knew everything, that he was arrogant and he wasn't there to learn." Kelley likely taught hundreds of students over the years, so it seems like Trump made quite the negative impression.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-scathing-claim-one-of-donald-trump-s-college-professors-reportedly-made-about-him/ar-BB1n8qeG?ocid=iehpLMEMh8

trump is an excellent con man, but at everything else he is an abhorrent human being, pathological liar, cruel, greedy, incapable of feeling empathy or remorse, but even worse he delights in getting even and inflicting pain and suffering on others, He is a virulent pathogen, and unfortunately we elected him again, our very own predator in chief,

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Seldom Seen's avatar

Dan Aykroyd: Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shutoff by "Dickless" here.

Mayor: "Is this true??"

Bill Murray: It's true. This man has no dick!

Ghostbusters, 1984

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Mmerose's avatar

Love it. Currently hunting the comments for some high falutin' Shakespeare I saw earlier. Can you say "metaphors fail?"

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steve reed's avatar

More Than 500 Law Firms Back Perkins Coie in Fight With Trump

The firms signed a legal brief supporting Perkins Coie, calling the president’s actions a threat “to the rule of law.” The largest firms declined to sign.

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SURYA-PATRICIA LANE HOOD's avatar

Why someone doesn't someone stop Trump? He won the election according to our Constitution. Had Jill Stein not run for the Green Party, Harris would be our president. Trump won by a very thin margin; 1.5%.

As long as Trump keeps within the law, there is nothing that can be legally done.

Trump is narcissistic and ii lives in a bubble surrounded by GOP handlers who tells hin what he wants fo hear. At some point, he is going to say or do something that is illegal that is not in his capacity as President and there are American lawyers know know what to do when that happens.

Otherwise, we just have to sit tight and make sure our Constitution is kept in tact as is so that the elected Republicans can be voted out of office. In the interim, write, email, call or visit your elected officials and let them know what you think of them and the way they are doing their job.

Election 2026 may seem a long time from, today but a very short time for a politician to do all that needs to be done in order to get reelected. They are already gearing up to fundraise, etc. and their staff keeps tally on every form of communication to their office, pro or don on what issues so that he elected official knows what concerns his/her constituents has.

Communicating with them may not seem to be important to us but it is very important to them . They know your thoughts will become a check nark on a ballot in the not too distant future,

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Kenneth Fry's avatar

"why in the hell doesn't someone stop the fool".

How? Trump won. Voters were stupid. Democrats have almost no power, and Republicans are either too scared of Trump and Musk or, worse, agree with him.

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Alexandra's avatar

I think that the chaos is designed to get those affected, for example business executives and nations, to beg for exclusion from the tariffs in exchange for a large monetary contribution (= tribute).

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B Wilson's avatar

No one is stopping him because Musk has implanted mind control chips into the brains of the Congressional Republicans.

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Erudite's avatar

Maggots …. Trump is killing FEMA so the super rich can get a desperately needed tax cut … maggots you voted for this … it was in project 2025 … when the next hurricane, flood, fire, blizzard, strikes … and you’re wiped out … YOU VOTED FOR IT … the super rich will send their thoughts & prayers from their new yacht …

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steve reed's avatar

I kinda like the corporations getting screwed by tariffs--the ones that helped put Trump in office that is. My gut speaking.

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John Miller's avatar

I kind of like it too. Millions will suffer, probably some will die (I Include myself in that group), but I at least like that corporations are getting screwed. And some white shoe law firms, too.

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Brooks Keogh's avatar

good point-i think what's left of fema is now in KY/tenn and elsewhere after the recent storms and tornadoes-recount?

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Dee Conrad's avatar

Say it loud!!

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Erudite's avatar

"What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind" is a quote from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 1

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michael field's avatar

I would suggest that the following quote from King Lear is more apposite.

Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind

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steve reed's avatar

"I will not tell you what I know. For now it is my grief, but then it would be yours."

Oedipus Rex. Mrs AI can't give me the quote because of copyright restrictions, she says.

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Phil Kuhn's avatar

Sophocles was the reputed author of Oedipus Rex - no copyright laws in Ancient Greece

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Gary harmon's avatar

Thanks Steve. I get the joke but someone needs to tell Mrs. AI that Will S. died in 1616 and I'm pretty sure any copyright available in England in those days is as dead as he is. But don't put it past DT and his new AI techno-thieves will try to charge a royalty use fee, on anything, to the the hordes of their ignorant followers. Cheers... GH

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Victor Kamendrowsky's avatar

Appropriate quotation, thank you, Erudite.

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Mmerose's avatar

I've got it, guys! The dernier cri! "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall....."

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Dr. Stephen A. Ragusea's avatar

Higher prices for sure, recession or depression possibly, but the big one is the lack of respect and rage at America already flowing from the rest of the world, especially our former friends. I think there will be major long term losses resulting from this ridiculous return to the erroneous world of Smoot-Hawley Land.

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JudithMontreal's avatar

Canadian here, as our PM Carney has stated, we're done with the US, trust has evaporated.

And, it's far from over. Trump has his dumb, greedy, grifty moves, however, how much of the trump destruction has been influenced by the 2025 psychopath christo-fascists, those busy little sewer rats scurrying about in the background, plotting their ascent (with putin on speed dial). These fascists may even be okay with economic collapse because it renders populations weaker, helpless in fighting back. Burn it all down....and rebuild from the bottom up - their blueprint is working and ahead of schedule.

I want to know, how many republican politicians in state and federal positions are closet nazis? We need only to look at Mike Johnson, and a host of lunatics in the House, the infiltration is clear.

No one seems to be talking about the equally horrific alternative if trump gets ousted, impeached or croaks: JD Vance, another little fascist, ripe for the job. Will this ugly fascist regime pursue imperialistic war mongering activities towards its former allies. It is a real fear.

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Catherine Logsdon's avatar

Has Canada found a way to revoke Musk's Canadian Citizenship? There must be a way the US can do it. Then we can shave his head and deport him to China. And ban the importation of all Tesla products. I wonder if there is any chance we can start movement to nationalize, Space X, all oil companies and banks?

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Seldom Seen's avatar

Nationalize SpaceX, Tesla and X. Deport Musk without due process to El Salvador. He wouldn't last a day.

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Catherine Logsdon's avatar

I'd vote for that.

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JudithMontreal's avatar

I'm told Canada can't easily revoke Musk's citizenship. The way Canadians feel about him, I would think he doesn't want to come back. I don't think any country wants him. There's always Mars.

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Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

The thing about Vance is his lack of even a scintilla of charisma (of course, I can’t see Trump’s either), and the evidence of Vance’s anti-Trump rhetoric before Theil boosted him onto the billionaire gravy train.

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John Miller's avatar

Dear, dear Canada. Every trip I ever made there I received friendly and thoughtful welcome. I am so sorry that this miserable, wicked regime has destroyed our wonderful partnership forever. I have thought for some time now that almost all of the republican politicians are nazis - not just some. They do not even bother to hide their glee any longer. I think Vance will be much worse. He is intelligent and devoted to big tech and is a bigoted white nationalist, while 47 is a blundering fool that the regime uses as cover while they proceed with the takeover. And I share your fear - I think Greenland is not the only country they intend to invade. The hawks are slobbering.

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JudithMontreal's avatar

Canadians understand most Americans are horrified with what's happening in your country - a 'hostile' takeover by a deeply corrupted, unrecognizable fascist republican party. The population is under siege.

We, too, are angry, upset and frightened about what's in store - for all of us.

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steve reed's avatar

well this must not stand. Very very few people want to see one man have this much power. And lest we forget, Trump is lowering our cybersecurity defenses making us at risk from a destructive Putin cyberattack.

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Gary harmon's avatar

Thanks Judith.

Well put. On a lighter note; will our friends in Canada please let our PBS stations re-run The Red Green Show one more time? It ran from 1991 for 15 years and was a real hoot! Hopefully this can happen before our psycho DT finally closes the border and puts PBS out of business. Thanks to all our Northern friends for being such good neighbors for the last several centuries. You deserve better.

Cheers... GH

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Jan's avatar

Sadly, you may be right! The rich get rich while the poor get poorer is an old phrase but quite appropriate at this point. I wonder how the rich will feel when they have to drive by families living in their cars, IF they can keep the cars

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Robot Bender's avatar

They won't care, if they even bother to look.

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Jan's avatar

True. Like trump, they just don't care about anyone who isn't rich. They will probably call trump to have him deport them to another country!

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SLSRPH's avatar

The way I used to hear that was "The rich get richer and the poor get babies." Pregnancy enforcers have Project 2025 behind their efforts to make that happen.

Which brings to mind another old saying about women barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. In other words, unable to flee and thus forced to do whatever the man she married tells her to do (cook, clean, have sex when and how he wants it, and raise "his" [not her] children)

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John Miller's avatar

I don't think it will bother them at all. After all, if those people weren't so lazy they wouldn't live like that.

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Erudite's avatar

Greenland … if you accept trump … trump will: - persecute your gay residents - persecute any black residents - persecute your Inuit citizens - layoff your government employees - eliminate any social programs funding - approve any mining, oil, coal, minerals, pipelines or other industrial plants without question any where - eliminate any regulations on pollution …. Trump is a dictator & you will become his slaves … look how Trump treats Puerto Rico … he only wants to take from Greenland

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Elizabeth's avatar

trump has been accepted. He is your President Steven and everyone elses.

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Lisa Dekker's avatar

No, maybe he was accepted on Election Day by 49% of voters. Since then, every day has brought more reasons to resist the dismantling of our democracy from this Putin Puppet and his billionaire tech bros.

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Jan's avatar

He might reside in the White House (or Mar a Lago) but that does not mean that the majority want him OR voted for him. We just cannot figure out how to stop him because it has never happened before!

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Klare K.'s avatar

See my comment above.

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Beth Fitzpatrick's avatar

I'm assuming you don't know history Elizabeth...Putin had a direct hand in Ukraine's elections in the early 2000's when they were trying to vote in a more democratic president, and the exact same election tampering techniques were used in the 2024 Nevada elections and will soon be proven in the other swing states...Trump wasn't CHOSEN by the majority...he cheated to get the job. AND THATS PART of what he owes Putin.

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Diana Smith's avatar

Not mine... Never mine. I feel sure that if the election happened now that Donald Trump would not be president.

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Elizabeth's avatar

Even when we don't vote or don't vote for evil men, if they win, they represent the country internationally, manage domestic policy and budgets, Make appointments, because they are the President. All Americans have him as president. Now, if you don't like him, what action do you take to protect the constitution and human rights.?

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Klare K.'s avatar

Kill him just as soon as anyone gets the opportunity, just as soon as the opportunity arises. Shit, look at how many lives Trump has already destroyed!!! Old Testament in the Bible: "An eye for an eye" . . .

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Chris's avatar

While I think there will be a recession in the US, I don't think it will be limited to this country. I think Trump has upended the entire world economy. I also worry that he will use the disaster to declare an emergency that would give him even more power than he has already tried to claim with his executive orders.

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steve reed's avatar

He will make the call on a national emergency mid April is it? DOD and Rubio to make recommendation, or appearance of a recommendation.

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Jill Kelterborn's avatar

The tariffs are going to turn the rest of the world against the US. Many countries will find other ways to do their trading. The US will be isolated. 🇨🇦

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Robot Bender's avatar

It's already happening.

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Erudite's avatar

ALL  DOGE  CUTS  GO  DIRECTLY  TO  THE RICH  … the cuts are required by conservatives for their votes for the tax cuts ….  No cuts … no tax cut for the rich … thus ALL  DOGE  TAX  CUTS  PAY  FOR  THE  TAX  CUT  FOR  THE  RICH  ….. all the things cut are direct paying for a huge freebee dollop for the rich! STARVING CHILDREN will not have USAID FOOD because that money is going to the US rich. “Waste, Fraud and Abuse” is a lie …. “Government Efficiency” is a lie … they are fake tag lines to sucker the public to sell the budget deficit cuts required to get conservative votes to pass trumps tax cut for the rich.  The only driver is to get the tax cut for the rich.   1000 children will starve in Ethiopia (USAID DOGE cuts) and a poor US single mothers child will not get medical treatment (Medicare DOGE cuts) all to pay for a US rich persons new sports car tires (Trumps tax cut for the rich).  Very simple.   Children starving in Africa, US sick children losing healthcare, homeless veterans sleeping in the cold, fired agency staffers, cancelled renewable energy projects, etc …. These fund the Trump tax cut for the rich …… DOGE  CUTS  ARE  REQUIRED  FOR  CONSERVATIVE  VOTES  TO  PASS  TRUMP’S  TAX  CUT  FOR  THE  RICH

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Harvey Hild's avatar

While none of us like what Trump and Musk are doing in Washington, just remember they have an upcoming midterm election coming up soon. We carry the big stick and they know it.

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Catherine Logsdon's avatar

If anyone bothers to swing the stick.

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Harvey Hild's avatar

Just remember VOTE BLUE!!!

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J. Sena's avatar

Bring manufacturing back to America? Who took manufacturing to Asia in order to increase profits? It's those same fatcats that are now making a power grab. We all know it takes years to force companies to bring back those low jobs, build and set up factories, train and hire people to work in those new factories. Chips act is perfect example of a slow time-line to a functioning and productive factory.

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Kate Brousseau's avatar

Here's an idea: bring call centers back from India & other countries. Used to be here. Now when you need an answer to a problem with your bill or product the person helping you on the phone or online chat is not in USA.

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Pete Gorton's avatar

absolutely! We in Australia have the same challenge, and it's so much easier speaking with a local. Many of the external call centres are staffed with highly qualified people, but they think differently...

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J. Sena's avatar

And in my experience, they speak from script, inefficient!

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Klare K.'s avatar

Yes . . . It would be SO NICE to be able to talk with Americans again who speak good English!!!

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Kate Brousseau's avatar

Most of the call centers folks I have spoken to have excellent command of English & many can think through a problem.

MY POINT is that these jobs could be brought back to US and provide JOBs for Americans.

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Klare K.'s avatar

Kate, I agree with what you have said here, BUT, I always feel first a sense of letdown and disappointment, rarely do I get a person who is warm and friendly, although when such a person comes on the phone, that is always so nice, I always feel let down that I don't know what country they are in and I can't ask, and I just feel a sense of isolation, like there is an unbreakable barrier or wall between us as human beings.

At any rate, if call center jobs come back here, it would be nice and a good thing if people want them.

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Juanita N Barnett's avatar

And, as Robert said, AI will have produced soooo many new ways to produce products without human intervention that bringing manufacturing back to the U. S. Will be a moot point anyway.

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Jeff Sweeney's avatar

Bill Clinton and the neoliberals enabled the shift to global manufacturing.

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Klare K.'s avatar

It ain't gonna happen -- we'll be rid of Trump first before that will happen!

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Erudite's avatar

There are Managers, leaders and drivers. The president of the US needs to be a leader. Jimmy Carter was a great& brilliant man but he was a manager. Trump is a driver. Drivers can get things done but leave carnage & chaos in their wake. Democrats at this moment … we need a bona fide Democratic leader to step forward. A quote from Braveheart is “if you will just lead them … they will follow you”

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Dennis King's avatar

Steven, I agree with you about Carter, but I disagree with you about trump, whom I take to be a destroyer at his core of the important things to life - first of all the basic civil guarantees of the US Constitution, then the order of law from that document, then the recompense to the citizen in full measure of services rendered to the economy as well as to the state. trump cares only for himself and nothing for the benefit of us, the peons. The fact is that he is gleeful to watch us suffer, the hallmark of a demented, sadistic narcissist. We who actually work will be left to pick up the pieces of a shattered world after he is gone. Let it be soon!

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Victor Kamendrowsky's avatar

millions are following Trump, and telling them that he lies to them hasn't had any effect. He has promised them wealth and greatness. What can a democratic leader offer?

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Erudite's avatar

Free advice - plant a vegetable garden this spring …. You may need it given the Trump/MAGA apocalypse/chaos/anarchy … it’s a little work but not that complicated … you’ll be shocked by how much it produces … be smart … grow some of your own food this year

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Robot Bender's avatar

Working on it. Stockpiling nonperishables, too.

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Seldom Seen's avatar

Yes. A Covid lifestyle once again.

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Joan Ragan's avatar

I remember a story on OPB's "This American Life". The guy had been employed as a supervisor in the Rubbermaid factory in the midwest. In about the 70's when rubbermaid wanted to put it's products in Walmart the CEO's went to Arkansas to transact the deal. Walmart said your prices are to high. Rubbermaid closed the factory and moved it to Mexico. The supervisor was paid to go to this new factory and train the locals. Then he was laid off as all the workers here had been. You can't know why we lost factories in the US without some disturbing facts that also included tax breaks from OUR government for moving factories! It's true the rich get richer in so many destructive ways. Joan Ragan

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Marc Nevas's avatar

How many of us will be showing up today at one of the demonstrations in one of the 50 states? Hit like if you plan to be there! ✌️

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Marc Nevas's avatar

What has been your experience at the demonstrations today?

Here in Silver city there will be five marches converging on the park in the center of town in about an hour.

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Marc Nevas's avatar

We are now over 1000 people with more arriving all the time. That means it’s over 1/10 of the population of our town.!

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Camille Kelly's avatar

Ours ended at 4pm west coast, we had thousands, hard to count because it was a walking the streets protest. Mostly positive honks and thumbs up and a few trump supporter assholes who astonishingly all acted, and looked the same and were around the same age.

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steve reed's avatar

500 to 1000 in St Louis county, maybe more, with other protests in city. A cold rainy day. Loads of positive car response. Protestors fired up. Spirits good.

Even protest in podunk town in red VA area.

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Catherine Logsdon's avatar

Two signs: Hands Off all non-profits and Hands Off anything to do with health.

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Erudite's avatar

“I don't have to tell you things are bad. ….. there's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there's no end to it.

We all know things are bad -- worse than bad -- they're crazy …. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy ….. I want you to get mad!

I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot. I don't want you to write to your Congressman …

All I know is that first …. you've got to get mad ….. So, I want you to get up now …… I want all of you to get up out of your chairs …. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell,

"I'm as mad as hell,

and I'm not going to take this anymore!!"”

- Movie Network, 1976

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Seldom Seen's avatar

I'm mad as hell!

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Lois W. Halbert's avatar

Booker was so brave. It helped get people fired up.

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Lois W. Halbert's avatar

April 5th is my brother and husband's birthdays. But also important is the protests across our nation. I watched Cory. It was wonderful.

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Ellen's avatar

Cory Booker's epic speech, among many other things, was a vital Anti-Memory-Hole innoculation during this Orwellian moment.

In recent weeks, the agents of ignorance killed the DoE and of Museum & Libraries, censored government websites, pulled the plug on NOAA's data, and cow the press into saying what Trump wants and suppressing what he doesn'r.

Booker read into the permanent, PRINTED Congressional Record from 12 well-researched binders of information on 12 topics ranging from ICE disappearing migrants and US legal residents, to layoffs of federal workers, to corruption in Trump's administration, to violation of the first amendment and separation of powers — I don't have the exact checklist of twelve, but he read from a wide range of named and credible sources that will now be preserved in about the most protected document file we have left.

That includes reams of letters to reps wirh eyewitness testimony, newspaper articles, analysis by thinktanks and experts, comments by government officials ranging from judges to governors to past administrations to members of the military...most of them named with citations. He told who had compiled these quotes and why. He included conservative sources and liberal.

As a former classics MA who knows how much history and how many primary sources are preserved only in quotes and fragments compiled by other people, I can tell you, that man just did an invaluable service: compiling as comprehensive a record as possible on the first 71 chaotic days of Trump and Project 2025's attempt to dismantle the United States of America.

That's not just a gift to historians, although it will be. It's easier to unscramble your hard drive if you know what a hacker did.

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Seldom Seen's avatar

I cannot find a summary of the 25 hours. I suppose it will be posted eventually.

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Ellen's avatar

The Guardian UK's article gives at least a bare-bones summary of what was said with a few excerpts And mind you, I myself was only listening for most of the last 4 hours. Towards the end he thanked his staff for putting together those binders and summarized the checklist of topics they attempted to tackle (apologizing for not getting to everything they did; other Senators spelled him by asking him longwinded questions giving him time to rest his voice although not to sit):

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/02/senator-cory-booker-takes-a-stand-speech-donald-trump-25-hours

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Ellen's avatar

Plus they have a transcript of his introduction. He wasn't quite as sharp at the end as at the beginning, but after 25 hours he was more eloquent, coherent, witty and sharp-minded x100 than the no-nothing infesting the white house.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/03/cory-booker-speech-transcript-excerpt

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Seldom Seen's avatar

Good! Very good! Inspiring! Just what I was looking for!

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