When the Man Who Bankrupted a Casino delivered remarks about imposing a new series of global and reciprocal tariffs on the United States’ trading partners, he commented that this country was much richer in the time before progressive taxation was introduced in 1913.
Of course, Donald Trump feels that way.
His whole MAGA-Project 2025 program is all about returning American society to the time of the Gilded Age when mostly Rich White Social Darwinist Imperial Isolationist Manifest Destiny Nationalists prevailed, and Everyone else served them and bore the brunt of paying for running the government by paying…wait for it…the costs imposed by tariffs.
In Trump’s world view and that of his billionaire supporters, tariffs are great because it is a tax hike for everyone outside the one percent who are about to see their 2017 personal and corporate tax cuts continued by the American Duces’ obedient sycophants in Congress.
While the American People are getting screwed with tariffs that will raise commodities like auto vehicles and parts, groceries, cell phones, and computers, the Musk/Trump/Vance Central Committee is doing everything in their power to increase costs on poor and middle class Americans by proposing cuts to Head Start, Air Conditioning and Heating Aid, Feeding Poor Children, Meals on Wheels for Seniors, Prescription Drug decreases, Energy Efficiency, Pell Grants, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
This is the most Anti Working Class and Anti Middle Class American Government in United States History.
Arizona Democrats have unleashed several reactions condemning the Trump Tax Increases.
On KTAR yesterday, Governor Katie Hobbs called out the chaos and lack of strategy with the Trump tax hike proposals.
In her remarks, she said:
“…At the end of the day, these tariffs are nothing more than a tax increase and that tax increase will be passed on to consumers. When you’re talking about tariffs on vehicles, even cars that are made in America. There are many parts and pieces that they rely on from manufacturers out of the country. And there is no way for a manufacturer to just pick up and move on a dime like that. So, there needs to be some strategy around these tariffs that actually helps grow the economy. That actually makes sure that goods are produced in America in a way that is beneficial to consumers and creates jobs. But this is, like, random. Maybe we’ll do a tariff. Maybe we’ll threaten with a tariff. Maybe, but without actually considering the cost is just detrimental. And businesses are concerned about the uncertainty of the climb…It’s just chaos, and that is not good for the economy at all.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego commented in a press release from the Maricopa County Democratic Party:
“Phoenix jobs rely on common-sense, consistent trade policy. Reckless tariffs are not only bad for business, but they raise prices on grocery store staples like fruit and vegetables and place a heavier burden on Arizona families working to make ends meet.”
Arizona House District Three Representative Yassamin Ansari posted a video on social media where she said:
“…Apparently, Liberation to Donald Trump means jacking up prices for you and your life. Mexico for example, is a key trading partner for Arizona, so when we enact tariffs on Mexico, that means you’re going to pay more for groceries. It means housing costs will go up, and life will be more expensive each and every day. Trump’s tariffs are estimated to cost Arizona businesses and consumers around eight million dollars per day, and the cost for each household could be an additional $1,200 per year. Things like cucumbers, avocados, tomatoes, and other fresh produce could cost more than six times what they do. Now, these tariffs will also impact critical supplies like steel and aluminum, which we use to build cars and homes. So, in a time where we already have a significant housing shortage and an affordable housing crisis, we’re going to see the cost of building homes and, therefore, buying homes become more expensive. Some companies have already made it clear that they intend to pass along the cost of the tariffs to their customers. They are not going to sacrifice their profits. They’re not going to give up any of the money that they make, but prices will be more expensive for everyday Americans like you and me. I’m not here to argue that all tariffs are bad because that is certainly not the case. But what we’re seeing from Donald Trump is extreme volatility. We’re seeing tariffs on some of our closest allies like Canada and Mexico and no thought whatsoever to the consequences of what the actions will be, including higher cost of living for the rest of us. Donald Trump himself has admitted that all of us are going to feel pain during this time because of the tariffs that he’s putting in place. The Stock Market has also not seen any gain since his election, and consumer confidence is at an all-time low. That’s why I’ll be introducing legislation to lower housing costs, lower utility costs, and overall make life more affordable for arizonans. Stay tuned.”
Arizona House District Four Representative Greg Stanton posted:
“Higher tariffs mean higher prices for Arizona families and businesses. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle need to understand: this chaos ends when Congress takes back its Constitutional authority over international commerce.”
Senator Ruben Gallego, while waging a war on Veterans Administration cuts by placing a hold on that department’s nominees, commented on the tariffs:
“There’s a way to protect American workers without causing chaos. Today on ‘Liberation Day,’ I’m calling for an Inspector General at USTR so we have transparency and accountability in our tariff policies.”
Senator Mark Kelly also issued a video statement where he discussed, like Ansari, the real-life hardships people will suffer due to this Trump tax hike.
“Hey, folks. It’s Liberation Day. According to President Trump. Not so sure what we’re being liberated from. But to me, this appears to be a massive tax increase on the American people. He’s going to put tariffs on many of the products and goods and things that families rely on, and it’s going to make costs go up. And it’s a mistake to be doing this. And he doesn’t seem to be listening to anybody about how bad this is. I talked to business leaders and economists about it. I’ve had a hard time finding a single person who thinks this is a good idea. We’re gonna see some pain from this. You know, folks who are trying to afford rent and groceries and maybe trying to afford having their kid on a soccer or baseball team are going to be impacted. Prices are going to go up, and unfortunately, the President doesn’t seem to understand the economic impact that this is going to have.”
Arizona House Democrats posted:
Arizona Senate Democrats posted:
Arizona Democratic Party Chairperson Robert E. Branscomb released a statement criticizing the tariffs that read:
“Trump’s Liberation Day will feel like a day of incarceration for the millions of Americans who are already drowning in debt and struggling to keep up with the cost of living. Donald Trump has taken an axe to working-class families’ protections, stripping funding for healthcare, increasing inflation, and making the cost of living more expensive. People are furious this Administration is doing nothing for them, and we are going to continue to organize and fight back against the disastrous policies Trump and Musk are pushing.”
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Mindboggling incompetence, lies, and laziness. If there are trade issues with certain nations there is a international framework to resolve issues. But this would require actual competance and work. Something the Trump gang of thieves are incapable of doing. This is the easy, lazy, “I’ve got to get back to the golf course” form of work. And of course it will fail to achieve, what exactly? The rationales keep shifting, who knows? But when the entire economy goes to hell, it will be someone else’s fault and John K. will exercise massive mental gymnastics defending it.