One thing I can't stand about the current administration is just how much they resemble a schoolyard bully. It's never their fault, they are always the victim, and they cry their actions have repercussions. Why is it hostile and political to display the tarriffs to the consumer? Can you imagine how ridiculous it would be if a local politician introduced a new sales tax and then got mad at the businesses for showing the new tax to consumers?
The thing that really bugs me is that I'm 43, I'm getting older, I'm open to conservative ideas. I want to see ideas debated in the public forum. And most of all, I want to see leaders inspiring people with like an optimistic conservative vision. Family, personal responsibility, etc. I could totally see some version of a conservative platform that I would vote for. But man, there's no way for these people.
It's astounding how self-victimization works so well for demagogues. Some people will buy that they're under constant attack and irrationally sympathize with them.
When was the last time the White House spokesperson for a different administration publicly called the free market actions of a private company "hostile"?
I'm sure an example, or something like it, could easily be found to make a whatabout argument. The INSANE difference, in both volume and degree, of "comparable" things is the fact they'll never accept. They'll just double down. It's a death spiral.
Trump is turning all the dials up to 11 and that does actually make a difference. Some administrations / governments using bully tactics some of the time does not mean we can't call out one that uses bully tactics all of the time at high intensity and without concern for the broader impacts.
