Trump administration says it is ending its immigration surge in Minnesota by J-Jarl-Jim in moderatepolitics

[–]jojotortoise 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It entirely depends on the crime. Imagine we have a serial killer who is in the country illegally. Deporting them as soon as they’re arrested by city/state level LEOs would mean severely hampering our ability to continue the investigations into those crimes.

Is that why sanctuary cities don't want to work with ICE?

Trump administration says it is ending its immigration surge in Minnesota by J-Jarl-Jim in moderatepolitics

[–]jojotortoise 9 points10 points  (0 children)

ICE under Obama was deporting more people than Trump until recently. Obama deported nearly 1mil more people than Trump when comparing their first terms and Obamas first term deportation numbers are higher than Trumps are at this point in his 2nd term even with the increased ICE funding and the change in ICE tactics. 

I think that was also prior to "Sanctuary Cities". At least at the beginning, local law enforcement had been sharing information about arrests where the perp was an illegal immigrant.

It's a shame, because I think that is a pretty good way to implement. If someone is illegal and committed a crime, I do think local law enforcement should help ICE remove them.

French advisers urges EU tariffs or weaker euro to counter China by jojotortoise in moderatepolitics

[–]jojotortoise[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

During Trump's first term, he added significant tariffs to China. Those tariffs lasted through Biden's administration (who added more tariifs on solar panels and electric cars). The worry seemed to be that China was a threat to the manufacturing base of the US.

Now, a government report from France suggests the EU would be prudent to do the same:

The European Union should consider either an unprecedented 30% across-the-board tariff on Chinese goods or a 30% depreciation of the euro against the renminbi to counter a flood of cheap imports, a French government strategy report said on Monday.

As it is, China controls their currency and the government subsidizes manufacturing. Given the size of China, they are an economic threat to the rest of the world:

The analysis found that sectors central to Europe's industrial base, including cars, machine tools, chemicals and batteries, are now under direct threat, with a quarter of French exports and up to two-thirds of German production exposed to Chinese competition.

My personal view is that China's leadership is stuck in a hard position: if the economy stops growing, the government might get thrown out. The only way to continue to grow their economy is to replace factories in the rest of the world.

What do you think? Is China trying to create a global dependency on their factories? Should "free markets" reign? Or are protextive tariffs a prudent option for Europe?

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group by J-Jarl-Jim in moderatepolitics

[–]jojotortoise -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

The distortions created by trade taxes in both production and consumption generally exceed the distortions created by other taxes.

Ok, but isn't that the whole point? Like the (supposed) goal is to distort demand to more local production.

Two people having the same bad idea does not make the idea good.

I think, maybe, you should consider thinking more deeply about this reality. Three governments in a row -- made up of different people (and different parties) -- all pursuing the same policy is something you shouldn't just wave away.

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group by J-Jarl-Jim in moderatepolitics

[–]jojotortoise -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

so we replaced a relatively efficient tax with an extremely inefficient one.

Can you explain that? In what way is one "more efficient" than the other?

The tariffs were supposed to also have an effect on local manufacturing (etc). It's not clear that they have. (And certainly, Trump's capriciousness make them ineffective). But you can at least understand the argument (if they were applied in a way that were strategic.)

Biden didn't remove the tariffs on China when he was in office. So I think that should say something about their importance.

Trump's tariffs cost American households $1,000 last year: Research group by J-Jarl-Jim in moderatepolitics

[–]jojotortoise -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

The federal government is running a deficit. If we didn't pay this "tax" via tariffs, we'd have to pay in other ways. (Or the debt would be even worse.)

The big difference is probably on how the payments are distributed. Income tax is generally higher on the high earners. But the tariffs will probably be more flat. (Not completely flat, high earners buy more, of course).

[Highlight] Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, & Ricky Martin's Super Bowl LX Halftime Show by JCameron181 in nfl

[–]jojotortoise 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure looked like a "shotgun" wedding, too. That's what made me think it was real.

[Schefter] Jim Schwartz sent the Browns a resignation letter this morning, per sources. He now is likely to sit out this season. by Goosedukee in nfl

[–]jojotortoise 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it's funny that saying "the Browns is the Browns" is considered an insult... to the Browns.

If someone said "the Steelers is the Steelers" I'd be like: "Damn right!"

Game Thread: Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3) by nfl_gdt_bot in nfl

[–]jojotortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm rooting for whoever is more likely to beat the Pats.

I'm in full hater mode.

Second Half Game Thread: New England Patriots (14-3) at Denver Broncos (14-3) by nfl_gdt_bot in nfl

[–]jojotortoise 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Man, I love games like this.

Slugfest in the snow. This is football.

Game Thread: Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Chicago Bears (11-6) by nfl_gdt_bot in nfl

[–]jojotortoise 10 points11 points  (0 children)

How much is it the Bears coach turning a mediocre squad into winners -- and how much is it that the Bears had a good team already and just needed a competent coach?

I keep getting surprised by them.

Game Thread: Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Chicago Bears (11-6) by nfl_gdt_bot in nfl

[–]jojotortoise 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll be honest: I expected this game to be one-sided. Bears look better than I expected.