What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Ed Anger]

CNN does suck though. Fuck, MSNBC is more watchable now. Even with ubercunt Katy Tur and Joy Reid, who neck looks like a jumbo tootsie roll.

[The Minsky Moment]

I thought that the reasonable relation to the funding was brought up by O'Connor in her dissent--she thought that there was not a reasonable relation to the funding in the case--and not something address/required by the majority opinion.

It's in the majority opinion, albeit downplayed.  They also cite the same cases O'Connor cites.  The opinion gets around it by contending that the argument was conceded by the lawyers for South Dakota.  It's a typical Rehnquist fudge.

[The Minsky Moment]

So I'll readily admit I don't really understand finances, but a 20% import tax would perhaps hurt Mexico financially by lowering exports but ultimately it would be American taxpayers paying for the wall, no?

Yes, it is a 20% tax on Americans consuming Mexican goods.  It is the exact opposite of "Mexico will pay for it."

Yes but at some point Mexico will be made to pay.  It's the future tense so there's always the possibility it could happen.

[The Minsky Moment]

Wouldn't a 20% tax on Mexican imports fly on the face of WTO rules?

Not a trade law expert by any means, but my understanding is that even if NAFTA went away Mexico would still be entitled to MFN treatment under the WTO rules.  If so, Trump would either have to blow up the WTO or extend the 20% tariff across the board on all WTO members.  Or invade and conquer Mexico, withdraw them from the WTO, and then grant them independence.

[Valmy]

Or invade and conquer Mexico, withdraw them from the WTO, and then grant them independence.

So you are telling me there is a chance.

The Democrats defeated a Tariff of Abominations once. Maybe they can do it again.

[Razgovory]

Well, let's hope Trump hasn't spent a lot of time playing paradox games.

[Fate]

conquering mexico sounds like a great idea. perhaps we should start by inciting a revolution among US ex pats in cabo san lucas, cancun, and cozumel? 

[Valmy]

conquering mexico sounds like a great idea. perhaps we should start by inciting a revolution among US ex pats in cabo san lucas, cancun, and cozumel? 

Definitely a dangerous and heavily armed bunch

[The Minsky Moment]

Realistically the 20% tariff thing is just talk, an opening Trumpian salvo in his NAFTA "renegotiation".  Expect lots of bluster and rhetoric before he finally accepts a few meaningless token concessions and declares bigly victory.

[MadImmortalMan]

When you start at 20%, you have a lot of negotiating room.

[HVC]

When you start at 20%, you have a lot of negotiating room.

I don't know, when you start that big you have to stay big or it looks like you lost. And to someone with trumps ego appearances matter more than facts.

[viper37]

I like how viper thinks that "corrupt liberal moron" is some kind of objective fact.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponsorship_scandal

[DGuller]

Two suspected American spies arrested in Russia. 

[viper37]

Hope you guys don't like imported Mexican wares:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38764079

Mexico imports quite a lot of US goods too.  When they retaliate, the US will lose access to a big market, and since there's no trade deals with Asia or Europe, there will ultimately be less exports for US companies.

[viper37]

I think they didn't want to work for this administration. Understandable, but it really leaves a mess behind.

if that is the case, great job guys. Mass walk offs of senior civil service + Trump goofball appointees will be a winning combination, I'm sure.

I guess it's always a tough choice.  Stay there to limit the damage but see yourself hampered by incompetent morons named by an incompetent president and make a choice between obeying stupid orders or not doing your duty.  Or, the alternative is to quit and have nothing to do with this clusterfuck knowing full well you'll be replaced by yes-sir type of people who will blindingly obey orders.