Trumponomics

[Ruserious]

Here's more info that's coming out. I'm sceptical about the ny post source but I've seen charities waste a lot on overhead so I tend to believe this.

USAID’s Haiti scandal is staggering. The U.S. sent $4.4B after the 2010 earthquake—yet less than 2% reached Haitians, while 56% lined the pockets of D.C. firms.

The Red Cross claimed to shelter 130,000 people—but built just SIX homes.

No transparency. No accountability. USAID and NGOs refuse to answer where the money went—while Haitians were left with nothing.

https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/opinion/how-usaid-squandered-billions-in-haiti-and-around-the-globe/?s=09

 

[Shadrach]

Here's more info that's coming out. I'm sceptical about the ny post source but I've seen charities waste a lot on overhead so I tend to believe this.

USAID’s Haiti scandal is staggering. The U.S. sent $4.4B after the 2010 earthquake—yet less than 2% reached Haitians, while 56% lined the pockets of D.C. firms.

The Red Cross claimed to shelter 130,000 people—but built just SIX homes.

No transparency. No accountability. USAID and NGOs refuse to answer where the money went—while Haitians were left with nothing.

https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/opinion/how-usaid-squandered-billions-in-haiti-and-around-the-globe/?s=09

If this true, it's an outrage! But wasn't it the job of those Inspector Generals that just got fired to prevent this from happening? The Government knows about the possibility of this happening, and I thought they had Watchdogs in place to prevent this from happening? What is True? Are there Watchdogs or not?

 

[Ruserious]

But wasn't it the job of those Inspector Generals that just got fired to prevent this from happening?

If it's true then they weren't very good and needed to be fired.

 

[Shadrach]

If it's true then they weren't very good and needed to be fired.

I agree with you, about these so called abuses of funds. It seems when there is blood in the water, the Sharks gather in a frenzy, and the rumors fly! The Red Cross and FEMA provide a lot of temporary shelters, In trailers, tents, Coliseum's, etc. for people in Emergencies, here and abroad! Their job is NOT to build long term housing! We all know that in times of Natural disaster's, it takes time to even access hard hit places. I have heard of funds, medical supplies, being Hijacked by Armed Militia's on route to these disasters and seizing the goods in many Conflicts in the Congo, Sudan, maybe Haiti? This is not the Red Cross's fault!
You say 2% went to Haitians, and 56% went to firms in D.C. where did the other 42% go? A problem in places like Haiti, is the people in control take these goods for themselves, or to sell them on the Black Market! Again Not The Red Cross's Fault! I don't believe they refused to answer questions about accountability! This sounds like over exaggeration to me by someone, for reasons Unknown?
Recently on the news, with The dismantling of USAid, the Food and medicine destined to hungry, starving children was, and IS being held up in warehouses at ports around the globe, Spoiling! by the US Government Now! All for the DOGE saying they want to eliminate wasteful spending. These supplies are not Wasteful Spending! They are Crucial Life Saving Supplies for these Victims! If there is waste in other departments then tighten that up, but Food and Medicine is not Wasteful Spending. To hold that up is CRUEL and INHUMANE! Again I say, this is the job of the Federal Government to control all aspects of these Grants, and relief Supplies!
There are Farmers in America, that were promised lot of money for food already delivered, and have invested lots of Money on projects that the Government promised it would pay for, for Food Grown in the upcoming Year! One Farmer said, if he Does Not receive the Money, he will Lose His Farm! There are many American Farmers being Devastated by these New rules, that were Not thought out Properly! And the Sad Joke on them, IS
They Voted for the Madman, That will Destroy their Livelihoods!

 

[Hawk256]

Oh and About those Owners of Sports Teams, They are Owning those Teams as Tax Shelters! This money is a Drop in the Bucket for Them!

You do understand that he is cutting out breaks to make their taxes much higher, not the other way around? How is it a bad thing that government will claw back millions from them? You really sound you don't want Trump to succeed at anything at all and would rather have the taxpayers continue to lose money and keep adding to the 36 trillion of debt instead of paying it down some. You say the only reason Trump is doing it to give it to the rich and there is zero evidence of him doing that. Pure speculation by people that want him to fail at any cost.

 

[Shadrach]

You do understand that he is cutting out breaks to make their taxes much higher, not the other way around? How is it a bad thing that government will claw back millions from them? You really sound you don't want Trump to succeed at anything at all and would rather have the taxpayers continue to lose money and keep adding to the 36 trillion of debt instead of paying it down some. You say the only reason Trump is doing it to give it to the rich and there is zero evidence of him doing that. Pure speculation by people that want him to fail at any cost.

Oh Dear Friend, don't believe that he is doing this for the betterment of the people. This is another smokescreen. These rich people are not going to lose anything. These rich people are going to save Trillions in Tax breaks. This should Not be allowed to Happen. Since they are so filthy Rich, make them pay big time Taxes, Not give them Tax Breaks!
When they start taking away peoples SS and disability payments, cut Medicaid, and Medicare, School lunch programs for poor kids, Infrastructure maintenance and rebuilding, the People that voted him in, that live in the Red States. Will wake up, but it will be too late! When they and their Parents start losing Farm subsidies and everything skyrockets in Price. When the Insurance corporations increase fees and the Hospitals and Doctors and Prescription drugs skyrocket in Price. People are going to Flip Out!
If you want to believe that this Man is going to do good things, then go ahead. More power to you. That is your right! I don't believe this is going to turn out well for anybody. I don't want to argue over it, because What you and I think is irrelevant! There is even talk that he wants to change the Constitution and stay President forever! Good Luck America!

 

[Hawk256]

The Wealthy will spend more money helping the Poor, just doesn't Work!

Imagine a US without Musk or Bezos. Thousands of jobs gone. A lot them good paying so the government will get at least 25% of those salaries in income tax. The government also gets 7 to 12% sales tax on every item Amazon sells. Do you think we are talking peanuts? Musk paid 11 billion in taxes last year and Bezos payed 1.4 billion just for personal taxes, not including their companies.. What a worthless bunch. Who needs them.

Since they are so filthy Rich, make them pay big time Taxes, Not give them Tax Breaks!

He is taking away their big tax breaks that they have been getting, not giving them more. I don't know how to make it any clearer.

There is even talk that he wants to change the Constitution and stay President forever! Good Luck America!

This is one of your problems, you parrot something you heard instead of following actual facts.

 

[Shadrach]

Imagine a US without Musk or Bezos. Thousands of jobs gone. A lot them good paying so the government will get at least 25% of those salaries in income tax. The government also gets 7 to 12% sales tax on every item Amazon sells. Do you think we are talking peanuts? Musk paid 11 billion in taxes last year and Bezos payed 1.4 billion just for personal taxes, not including their companies.. What a worthless bunch. Who needs them.

He is taking away their big tax breaks that they have been getting, not giving them more. I don't know how to make it any clearer.


This is one of your problems, you parrot something you heard instead of following actual facts.

OK, They were the Bosses of these companies. How they got started, I don't know. I did hear the Working conditions at Amazon was very Rigid. Some said that There was such little time allowed for bathroom breaks, they pissed in a Bottle! Sure these companies created a lot of jobs. I don't deny that. As far as how much they pay in Taxes, I don't know. If you think you do fine! Maybe you're right? Maybe Your Wrong?
What do you mean taking away Tax they have been getting and not giving them more? Yes they say they want to take away some Tax breaks from a few Rich FAT Cats that own Sports Teams. Not the Corporate leaders! This Year They are getting Huge Tax breaks Again! If the Government wants to rein in wasteful spending. Then Stop giving these Billionaires Huge Tax Breaks, and make them pay a lot into the System! And Stop providing Israel with Free Money, and Bombs!
That and finding Wasteful spending would provide a lot of money, that could Wisely spent on the Infrastructure, Health care, Education needs of the Americans, and Even help Countries around the World improve their lives!
Hey, buddy You Parrot the Conservative Republican playbook Word For Word sometimes! I told you, I am not a Part of Any Party, except the ones, We have fun at and get High!
I actually saw on the news organized meeting Like The big CPAC's with placards that had Trump's face looking like A Caesar, with the Writing on it Trump 2028 and Forever! This was on the Television visually, not just Words!
And Hey, Can you try to Stop being so Nasty and Sarcastic. I am not your Enemy. I am just posting my Opinion. That's what the Forum is about. You are free to post your's also. It's OK if We don't agree!
I also want to point out I'm living on Bali, with people that don't have a clue, or give a damn about American Politics! We are a Million miles away, from all that Madness, andI I like it that way. What I think is, but a drop of water in the Ocean, or a single grain of sand on the beach!

 

[Bob]

Here's more info that's coming out. I'm sceptical about the ny post source but I've seen charities waste a lot on overhead so I tend to believe this.

USAID’s Haiti scandal is staggering. The U.S. sent $4.4B after the 2010 earthquake—yet less than 2% reached Haitians, while 56% lined the pockets of D.C. firms.

The Red Cross claimed to shelter 130,000 people—but built just SIX homes.

No transparency. No accountability. USAID and NGOs refuse to answer where the money went—while Haitians were left with nothing.

https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/opinion/how-usaid-squandered-billions-in-haiti-and-around-the-globe/?s=09

The NY Post isn't known for being credible. Just sayin'.

 

[harryopal1]

It is in the nature of human endeavour that rarely do outcomes match intentions. Of course there is waste in US aid as there is in every department and activity. I am not sure if there are any templates that factor in what level of waste is expected and reasonable with any program. So easy then to fire a shotgun and be satisfied that many targets have been hit but another thing altogether in throwing a bomb at foreign aid that completely wipes out everything and which ultimately questions the legitimacy of any expenditure whatever the original analysis that decided expenditure was necessary.

In conservative economic terms the wiping out of national debt is a grand thing whatever the human costs. Trump can still feel secure and loved during this exciting period of cost cutting. It will be interesting, if not entertaining, to see how long before human compassion for victims and care for broader social concerns begin to rise and question this present passionate zealotry.

 

[Hawk256]

Maybe you're right? Maybe Your Wrong?

A little research and you will see that I am absolutely right.

Yes they say they want to take away some Tax breaks from a few Rich FAT Cats that own Sports Teams

They have to start somewhere and we are talking about more than peanuts.

That and finding Wasteful spending would provide a lot of money,

That is exactly what they are trying to do.

Hey, buddy You Parrot the Conservative Republican playbook Word For Word sometimes! I told you, I am not a Part of Any Party, except the ones, We have fun at and get High!

I give facts for everything I say, you don't have to like it but it isn't just I heard blah, blah blah like you.

And Hey, Can you try to Stop being so Nasty and Sarcastic. I am not your Enemy. I am just posting my Opinion. That's what the Forum is about. You are free to post your's also. It's OK if We don't agree!

I'm not nasty just calling out your drivel for what it is and I won't stop until you do.

I also want to point out I'm living on Bali, with people that don't have a clue, or give a damn about American Politics! We are a Million miles away, from all that Madness, andI I like it that way. What I think is, but a drop of water in the Ocean, or a single grain of sand on the beach!

Then stop posting things that you don't know or care about just because you think you may have heard it somewhere and it's negative about your president.

 

[Hawk256]

It is in the nature of human endeavour that rarely do outcomes match intentions. Of course there is waste in US aid as there is in every department and activity. I am not sure if there are any templates that factor in what level of waste is expected and reasonable with any program. So easy then to fire a shotgun and be satisfied that many targets have been hit but another thing altogether in throwing a bomb at foreign aid that completely wipes out everything and which ultimately questions the legitimacy of any expenditure whatever the original analysis that decided expenditure was necessary.

In conservative economic terms the wiping out of national debt is a grand thing whatever the human costs. Trump can still feel secure and loved during this exciting period of cost cutting. It will be interesting, if not entertaining, to see how long before human compassion for victims and care for broader social concerns begin to rise and question this present passionate zealotry.

I agree with most of what you said but the plan at this point isn't to cut all that money forever, just review it before it's handed out. In the long run it shouldn't affect legitimate programs, only in the short term while being reviewed. I can't think of any other way to do it if you are going to review every program. Driving down a 36 trillion dollar debt isn't easy and may not not make everyone happy. Let's give it some time to see first, then we can make a better judgement. It's only been a few weeks.

 

[fastpitch17]

I agree with most of what you said but the plan at this point isn't to cut all that money forever, just review it before it's handed out. In the long run it shouldn't affect legitimate programs, only in the short term while being reviewed. I can't think of any other way to do it if you are going to review every program. Driving down a 36 trillion dollar debt isn't easy and may not not make everyone happy. Let's give it some time to see first, then we can make a better judgement. It's only been a few weeks.

Ah, you do realize that trump's purpose in raising the debt ceiling is to add to the federal deficit?

 

[Hawk256]

Ah, you do realize that trump's purpose in raising the debt ceiling is to add to the federal deficit?

He hasn't asked to raise the debt ceiling, just to extend it so we are less likely to default and face shutdowns again, Congress was trying to raise it or even actually do away completely with it before Biden left office.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/trump-wants-extend-us-debt-ceiling-says-doesnt-want-see-default-2025-01-07/

 

[fastpitch17]

He hasn't asked to raise the debt ceiling, just to extend it so we are less likely to default and face shutdowns again, Congress was trying to raise it or even actually do away completely with it before Biden left office.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/trump-wants-extend-us-debt-ceiling-says-doesnt-want-see-default-2025-01-07/

He certainly did. Even the link you provided states he wanted the debt ceiling raised. His proposal for the one, maybe two big bills includes raising the debt ceiling 2 trillion dollars.

 

[harryopal1]

Trump and Zelenski are reported to be moving close to a deal for US access to Ukrainian minerals. Trump says this is a way of the US recovering money for military support in the Ukraine. A critical question will be who decides the value of minerals extracted. Multinationals have a habit of engaging in egregious behaviour when operating in foreign countries. Ukraine is unlikey to have the mining equipment for extraction and US companies will presumably do the extraction. Will the value be the estimated value of the raw material or valued less extraction costs. If the latter the obvious ploy will be that a US company sets up a Ukranian branch. Then the head office loads all kinds of devious charges on the branch so that the net result of the value is minimal.

 

[Shadrach]

Trump and Zelenski are reported to be moving close to a deal for US access to Ukrainian minerals. Trump says this is a way of the US recovering money for military support in the Ukraine. A critical question will be who decides the value of minerals extracted. Multinationals have a habit of engaging in egregious behaviour when operating in foreign countries. Ukraine is unlikey to have the mining equipment for extraction and US companies will presumably do the extraction. Will the value be the estimated value of the raw material or valued less extraction costs. If the latter the obvious ploy will be that a US company sets up a Ukranian branch. Then the head office loads all kinds of devious charges on the branch so that the net result of the value is minimal.
View attachment 4650

Oh, The Great Orange One, wants Zelensky to give America, half of their rare Earth minerals forever, for helping out stopping Putin before! Now he wants Putin to have whatever he wants too! This sounds like such a great deal for the Ukrainian People! (JOKE)
It makes me wonder, Why doesn't he ask Israel to give back The $;Billions already given to them, in Cash and Bombs? His Humanitarian Generosity amazes me!
Do you think Don-Old will give Zelensky a Kiss, When he Bends Over?

 

[centurion]

Trump and Zelenski are reported to be moving close to a deal for US access to Ukrainian minerals. Trump says this is a way of the US recovering money for military support in the Ukraine. A critical question will be who decides the value of minerals extracted. Multinationals have a habit of engaging in egregious behaviour when operating in foreign countries. Ukraine is unlikey to have the mining equipment for extraction and US companies will presumably do the extraction. Will the value be the estimated value of the raw material or valued less extraction costs. If the latter the obvious ploy will be that a US company sets up a Ukranian branch. Then the head office loads all kinds of devious charges on the branch so that the net result of the value is minimal.
View attachment 4650

Like Freeport mine for the last 60 years.

 

[Balifrog]

Trump and Zelenski are reported to be moving close to a deal for US access to Ukrainian minerals. Trump says this is a way of the US recovering money for military support in the Ukraine. A critical question will be who decides the value of minerals extracted. Multinationals have a habit of engaging in egregious behaviour when operating in foreign countries. Ukraine is unlikey to have the mining equipment for extraction and US companies will presumably do the extraction. Will the value be the estimated value of the raw material or valued less extraction costs. If the latter the obvious ploy will be that a US company sets up a Ukranian branch. Then the head office loads all kinds of devious charges on the branch so that the net result of the value is minimal.
View attachment 4650

All those metals are internationnally traded and have a market rate, just like gold or oil.

The big question is the extraction cost.
As you see on the chart, lithium prices for example are very low, and some mines may not be economically viable.

 

[Hawk256]

He certainly did. Even the link you provided states he wanted the debt ceiling raised. His proposal for the one, maybe two big bills includes raising the debt ceiling 2 trillion dollars.

That is not the way I understood the article but if that it what he wanted why would have torpedoed the democrats wanting to raise the ceiling or even do away with it? That would have given him exactly what he wanted according to you. I guess it comes down to to how you define extend. Are they talking about extended the time? Which is the way I understand it. If not why wouldn't they just use the word raise like they did for the democrats. Either way I assume you would rather see the government shut down that would 100% happen if we do nothing?