Steven 'JP' Dionne: Tariffs seldom interrupt the momentum of the problem

To The Daily Sun,

Propagandists representing the Trumpian-Ayotte philosophy cling to the delusional bias that "horse-and-sparrow" economic principles work best for the community. 

"Things are better with Republicans in control." A "lie of omission." 

Since 1975, through legislative action and executive order, Republicans have redistributed approximately $80 trillion in wealth to the top 1% of Americans. (rand.org). Wealth, not earned, but legislated.

One contributor recently stated, “Multiple administrations from both parties have failed to act to eliminate the annual fiscal deficit.” Since 1961, two American presidents have balanced the budget: Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton, period (cbpp.org).

One contributor, well-versed in the use of delegitimization rhetoric, stated that the national debt exploded by $15 trillion under Joe Biden. The truth is, Donald Trump approved $8.4 trillion of additional borrowing, compared to Biden’s approval of $4.1 trillion. A sidebar, Biden created 14.5 million jobs, while Trump lost 3 million jobs (crfb.org).

Earlier this summer, I read a misleading composition. After cutting through the narcissistic editorializing, I discovered a paltering comment: "tariffs are complex’’ (BS). It’s a simple baseline equation. An example, in 2023, the U.S. imported $500 billion worth of Mexican farm produce. Had Trump’s 25% tariff been applied, it would have cost American consumers an additional $125 billion in a single year (statista.com).

Do these words sound familiar? "We should beware of demagogues who declare trade wars against our friends, weakening our economy and security,’’ Ronald Reagan, 1989.

In 1776, Adam Smith published the primer of modern economic thinking, "The Wealth of Nations." In 1930, Congress disregarded Smith’s free-market theories, passing the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, to save American jobs. By 1933, 18 million Americans had no job and no income. 

Not afraid of universal tariffs? Readers will be.

Steven "JP" Dionne 

Laconia