[equaviator]

"The point is this country SHOULD BE self sufficient because you NEVER KNOW when we will have to be!!"

This is a goal of the Trump tariff objectives, however long or short term. I think of it as an investment that should realize monumental gains over the next 3-10 years and beyond. It's not without it's risk factors, but because of what's at stake and the potential for ultimate success, this is the only "common sense" way to get there. It's one of the things I voted for and I'm all strapped in for this historical trajectory. Given that it won't necessarily be smooth sailing from the get-go; but if you can afford to enjoy the ride at this stage then good on you! Nevertheless, we will eventually be well on our way to a new Promised Land and in some ways, we're already getting there. STAY THE COURSE!

[Paul R.]

The question is, what will the political landscape be in the fall of 2026?

I’m as future oriented as anybody - hell, I’ve lived all my life “for the future”, much more than most(!), but what I’ve found out too late is that if you kill yourself B4 you get there, that doesn’t work very well either.

If the retirees and farmers turn on Trump in the mid-terms, MAGA is hosed. :-(

In the longer term, do we create lots of blue collar jobs in factories, or do those factories go to mostly advanced automation and AI?

This also begs the question of whether factory jobs as most FReepers seem to envision them are the best we can do for our people, or can we put people to work doing things that are more rewarding and ultimately more productive and enriching for both individuals and our country?