The economy

Dadar

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2003
3,975
3,095
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Don’t consider myself a trader by any means, but did rotate a significant portion of my liquid holdings into IAUM.

Energy stocks look expensive already.

The top 10% already account for half of consumer spending and it’s rapidly getting worse.

Think we are going to have a lot of pissed off voters in a year.
Uranium is a big factor. Russia dominates the supply

From AI: Following recent tit-for-tat restrictions, Russia continues to export uranium to the United States using a waiver system from both countries. In 2023, Russia was the largest single foreign supplier of enriched uranium for U.S. nuclear reactors. However, U.S. imports of Russian uranium fell substantially in 2024 following legislative action. The ultimate goal of U.S. policy is to end all imports from Russia by 2028.

 
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Rastafarian

Senior
Aug 21, 2025
782
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Uranium is a big factor. Russia dominates the supply

From AI: Following recent tit-for-tat restrictions, Russia continues to export uranium to the United States using a waiver system from both countries. In 2023, Russia was the largest single foreign supplier of enriched uranium for U.S. nuclear reactors. However, U.S. imports of Russian uranium fell substantially in 2024 following legislative action. The ultimate goal of U.S. policy is to end all imports from Russia by 2028.

Yikes. Not familiar with the uranium enrichment biz but that seems like a future bottleneck!
 

baltimorened

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
3,736
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Yikes. Not familiar with the uranium enrichment biz but that seems like a future bottleneck!
yea, I don't know how we allow ourselves to become so depend on potential adversaries for things we need. We can complain about this "bring manufacturing back to the US" but bringing the right things back seems critical.

In a similar vein, I watch a lot of the business shows and it seems as if our investment houses and a lot of us that invest in them are putting our money into Chinese companies directly tied to the CCP. So, in effect, we're financing the Chinese government and most don't even know it. I don't know if this kind of thing is a part of Trumps "enemies within" but boy they should get information out to the public so more people know what's really going on.

If I recall, there was some deal during the Obama administration - not picking on him - when we sold our uranium or rights to our uranium to the Russians. Given where we are, that might not have been the smartest decision, but hindsight is 20-20
 

LafayetteBear

All-American
Nov 30, 2009
32,147
7,903
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Maybe true but what's the solution? For decades there have been fewer jobs that require manual low skill labor and more jobs that require working with your head. IMO we've done a poor job getting less educated people up to speed. Add the fact IMO work ethic has suffered. Younger people don't want to work in a factory. They'd rather drive a delivery truck.

I saw the CEO of Ford talking about people waiting 2+ weeks to get their cars repaired because they can't find mechanics. I did a quick look on Indeed and average pay for mechanics at car dealers is $75k - $125k which isn't bad but they can't get people.
Yet another Penn State Test Board refugee. Welcome, bdgan.
 

tboonpickens

Heisman
Sep 19, 2001
19,070
33,262
113
remember when the price of eggs was a big deal?

 

tboonpickens

Heisman
Sep 19, 2001
19,070
33,262
113
It's hilarious that the one part of Covid that Trump didn't botch was Operation Warp Speed and that's the only part that his ignorant followers cry about now. They conveniently skip over the damage Trump's other various derelictions of duty did to the economy, and Biden's administration pulled the correct levers in response to Trump's missteps to prevent a full-on recession/depression.

Then Trump came back and as basically every Republican before him who has sat in the WH in recent memory immediately started chipping away at our humming economy and putting everyone except his buddies at the very top of the food chain at risk. The stock market, which is not the economy, is being propped up by an oncoming AI bubble while employment rates are falling steadily and the price of products/services continues to rise. Meanwhile Trump is starving farmers and destroying affordable insurance options for millions of Americans (the majority of whom don't have $5000 in savings or anything approaching a substantial 401k).



 
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dpic73

Heisman
Jul 27, 2005
26,829
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It's hilarious that the one part of Covid that Trump didn't botch was Operation Warp Speed and that's the only part that his ignorant followers cry about now. They conveniently skip over the damage Trump's other various derelictions of duty did to the economy, and Biden's administration pulled the correct levers in response to Trump's missteps to prevent a full-on recession/depression.

Then Trump came back and as basically every Republican before him who has sat in the WH in recent memory immediately started chipping away at our humming economy and putting everyone except his buddies at the very top of the food chain at risk. The stock market, which is not the economy, is being propped up by an oncoming AI bubble while employment rates are falling steadily and the price of products/services continues to rise. Meanwhile Trump is starving farmers and destroying affordable insurance options for millions of Americans (the majority of whom don't have $5000 in savings or anything approaching a substantial 401k).




And to think he's not even a quarter of the way through

1759545870766.png
 

Rastafarian

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Aug 21, 2025
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I’ve seen this play out in a few areas with middle and upper class illegal immigrants. I’m skeptical that it will impact much because most illegal immigrants aren’t living in homes with much pricing power. Homes next to the highway in Fresno CA aren’t exactly in demand.
 
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baltimorened

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
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What's infuriating is bailing out Argentina, only to see them sell their soybeans to China and now we have to bail out our own soybean farmers. Talk about a dumbass choice.
yea, somehow that doesn't make sense.

So we bailout Argentina for $20 billion, and turn around and bail out farmers for an estimated $24billion. Trump is a businessman, he has to know this doesn't make sense. There must be something untold in this story.
 
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yoshi121374

Heisman
Jan 26, 2006
12,525
21,291
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yea, somehow that doesn't make sense.

So we bailout Argentina for $20 billion, and turn around and bail out farmers for an estimated $24billion. Trump is a businessman, he has to know this doesn't make sense. There must be something untold in this story.

No he really isn't. He's a real estate investor. All of his business attempts outside of that realm have been largely failures until he figured out a new group of rubes to bilk.

The myth that Trump is a business genius because of his wealth is just wrong. He has failed up after Daddy gave him 200 million. It's been reported that he would have been wealthier had he invested the money instead of attempting to prove his business genius.
 
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UrHuckleberry

Heisman
Jun 2, 2024
8,437
17,221
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yea, somehow that doesn't make sense.

So we bailout Argentina for $20 billion, and turn around and bail out farmers for an estimated $24billion. Trump is a businessman, he has to know this doesn't make sense. There must be something untold in this story.
It is also slightly different in that it isn't his money he is giving away.
 
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TigerGrowls

Heisman
Dec 21, 2001
41,564
31,170
113
yea, somehow that doesn't make sense.

So we bailout Argentina for $20 billion, and turn around and bail out farmers for an estimated $24billion. Trump is a businessman, he has to know this doesn't make sense. There must be something untold in this story.
According to Bessent the Argentine allotment is an investment that will appreciate. Not a handout. China will have to come back in and buy soy beans later.
 

TigerGrowls

Heisman
Dec 21, 2001
41,564
31,170
113
No he really isn't. He's a real estate investor. All of his business attempts outside of that realm have been largely failures until he figured out a new group of rubes to bilk.

The myth that Trump is a business genius because of his wealth is just wrong. He has failed up after Daddy gave him 200 million. It's been reported that he would have been wealthier had he invested the money instead of attempting to prove his business genius.
It's a myth that yoshi can make a valid statement on Donald Trump.
 
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firegiver

Heisman
Sep 10, 2007
72,705
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The illegal migrant farmers and their families that I knew growing up, worked on peach and strawberry farms in the upstate of SC. They lived in CINDER BLOCK SHACKS. What the hell are we talking about bro? They don't live in 3k sq foot mcmansions. The construction workers BUILD the homes. So... now you are going to drive costs up higher since there are less workers. Do you even have the capacity for critical thinking skills?
 

PalmettoTiger1

Heisman
Jan 24, 2009
12,164
11,947
113
The illegal migrant farmers and their families that I knew growing up, worked on peach and strawberry farms in the upstate of SC. They lived in CINDER BLOCK SHACKS. What the hell are we talking about bro? They don't live in 3k sq foot mcmansions. The construction workers BUILD the homes. So... now you are going to drive costs up higher since there are less workers. Do you even have the capacity for critical thinking skills?

Yes there is truth to the squalor of the work camps.

There is also truth that these migrant workers lived in their home countries in as worse conditions.
 
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bdgan

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Oct 12, 2021
3,768
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The illegal migrant farmers and their families that I knew growing up, worked on peach and strawberry farms in the upstate of SC. They lived in CINDER BLOCK SHACKS. What the hell are we talking about bro? They don't live in 3k sq foot mcmansions. The construction workers BUILD the homes. So... now you are going to drive costs up higher since there are less workers. Do you even have the capacity for critical thinking skills?
Do you and dpic support hiring illegal immigrants? Do you support employers paying below market wages or even minimum wage? Do you support them being paid under the table? That's what it sounds like you support because you're compassionate and want lower prices.
 
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firegiver

Heisman
Sep 10, 2007
72,705
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Do you and dpic support hiring illegal immigrants? Do you support employers paying below market wages or even minimum wage? Do you support them being paid under the table? That's what it sounds like you support because you're compassionate and want lower prices.
No, I don't support employers hiring illegal immigrants. But guess what? They do. Conservative, Republican voting business owners hire more illegals than anyone else in this country. I've talked with many of them and they don't actually support this deportation crackdown. I view this entire issue as a scape goat. And its a perfect scape goat, because if someone on the GOP side comes out and defends hiring illegals, they will definitely get investigated. We as a society are being led to believe so many of our issues are because of illegals, or legal asylum seekers. I think thats just BS and all a distraction while we have the militarization of our police force enacting a police state.

Anyway, do you support deporting those who are on asylum pending trials? Do you support asylum? Do you want the congress to actually pass laws clarifying asylum process and funding judges etc to allow this? Do you just want to not let anyone in? Does that apply only to South Americans or Europe and Asia as well? Why don't we demand congress fix this situation? Why is everyone ok with the President constantly declaring emergency when its BEEN THIS WAY FOR DECADES.
 
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bdgan

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No, I don't support employers hiring illegal immigrants. But guess what? They do. Conservative, Republican voting business owners hire more illegals than anyone else in this country. I've talked with many of them and they don't actually support this deportation crackdown. I view this entire issue as a scape goat. And its a perfect scape goat, because if someone on the GOP side comes out and defends hiring illegals, they will definitely get investigated. We as a society are being led to believe so many of our issues are because of illegals, or legal asylum seekers. I think thats just BS and all a distraction while we have the militarization of our police force enacting a police state.

Anyway, do you support deporting those who are on asylum pending trials? Do you support asylum? Do you want the congress to actually pass laws clarifying asylum process and funding judges etc to allow this? Do you just want to not let anyone in? Does that apply only to South Americans or Europe and Asia as well? Why don't we demand congress fix this situation? Why is everyone ok with the President constantly declaring emergency when its BEEN THIS WAY FOR DECADES.
Don't put words in my mouth. I generally prefer republicans to democrats but my discussions are primarily focused on policies rather than party.

My position quite simple:
  • It's not acceptable for people to be here illegally. I support actively searching for those who've committed crimes and having them deported. If other illegals are caught up in that search I also support their deportation but I wouldn't make it a focus of the search.
  • My approach would be to starve them out rather than to hunt them down. I would implement e-verify and employers who don't comply would face significant fines. I would also shut off all benefits to illegals. If they can't work and can't receive benefits they'll leave on their own.
  • Asylum hearings are a joke. People seeking asylum should do so legally by presenting themselves at a legal port of entry. They should wait outside the country for the judge to decide. There's no way that we can hear 15 million cases and subsequent appeals. Besides that a lot of illegals never show up for their hearings and only a minority of those who do are actually granted asylum. The biggest reason people enter illegally is because they are looking for a better life. That's not a legal reason for asylum.
  • I would accept a program to give people who have been working for some time illegally to stay but I would never give them citizenship. I might also subject them to a financial penalty.
  • I want merit based immigration that meets our needs. We might need farm workers but we also need scientists. Allowing a disproportionate number of poor low educated people who don't speak the language is a recipe for disaster.

Now back to you. You seem to support illegals for their low wages. Do you deny that?
 
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firegiver

Heisman
Sep 10, 2007
72,705
18,708
113
Don't put words in my mouth. I generally prefer republicans to democrats but my discussions are primarily focused on policies rather than party.

My position quite simple:
  • It's not acceptable for people to be here illegally. I support actively searching for those who've committed crimes and having them deported. If other illegals are caught up in that search I also support their deportation but I wouldn't make it a focus of the search.
  • My approach would be to starve them out rather than to hunt them down. I would implement e-verify and employers who don't comply would face significant fines. I would also shut off all benefits to illegals. If they can't work and can't receive benefits they'll leave on their own.
  • Asylum hearings are a joke. People seeking asylum should do so legally by presenting themselves at a legal port of entry. They should wait outside the country for the judge to decide. There's no way that we can hear 15 million cases and subsequent appeals. Besides that a lot of illegals never show up for their hearings and only a minority of those who do are actually granted asylum. The biggest reason people enter illegally is because they are looking for a better life. That's not a legal reason for asylum.
  • I would accept a program to give people who have been working for some time illegally to stay but I would never give them citizenship. I might also subject them to a financial penalty.
  • I want merit based immigration that meets our needs. We might need farm workers but we also need scientists. Allowing a disproportionate number of poor low educated people who don't speak the language is a recipe for disaster.

Now back to you. You seem to support illegals for their low wages. Do you deny that?
I didn't put words in your mouth. I asked you questions.
You put words in my mouth in your last statement. I told you in my response I didn't support hiring illegals. I don't have a problem with most of your points. I think THE USA, was built on immigration. I also understand boarder protection. But I do support asylum seekers having a path to citizenship, that is supposed to be how it works.
 
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baltimorened

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
3,736
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The illegal migrant farmers and their families that I knew growing up, worked on peach and strawberry farms in the upstate of SC. They lived in CINDER BLOCK SHACKS. What the hell are we talking about bro? They don't live in 3k sq foot mcmansions. The construction workers BUILD the homes. So... now you are going to drive costs up higher since there are less workers. Do you even have the capacity for critical thinking skills?
so the migrants in Chicago and NY are building their own houses? come on, man
 
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baltimorened

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May 29, 2001
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I didn't put words in your mouth. I asked you questions.
You put words in my mouth in your last statement. I told you in my response I didn't support hiring illegals. I don't have a problem with most of your points. I think THE USA, was built on immigration. I also understand boarder protection. But I do support asylum seekers having a path to citizenship, that is supposed to be how it works.
I think the US was built on legal immigtation
 

bdgan

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
3,768
3,808
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I didn't put words in your mouth. I asked you questions.
You put words in my mouth in your last statement. I told you in my response I didn't support hiring illegals. I don't have a problem with most of your points. I think THE USA, was built on immigration. I also understand boarder protection. But I do support asylum seekers having a path to citizenship, that is supposed to be how it works.
OK so let me ask again because I don't understand your position. Do you think asylum seekers should be allowed to cross the border illegally and then seek asylum? Or do you think they should apply from their own country? Also what do you think should be done with the existing farm workers who are here illegally? Should they be given legal status? Should they be counted in the census for determining representation? Should they be allowed to stay and work without penalty?

FWIW the USA was built on immigration because we didn't have many people. The population was just over 60 million when people started entering through Ellis Island. Now it's 340 million so the approach shouldn't be the same as it was back then. The immigrants who entered back then swore an oath not to become a public charge. In other words they could never receive any form of social welfare.
 

baltimorened

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
3,736
2,725
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OK so let me ask again because I don't understand your position. Do you think asylum seekers should be allowed to cross the border illegally and then seek asylum? Or do you think they should apply from their own country? Also what do you think should be done with the existing farm workers who are here illegally? Should they be given legal status? Should they be counted in the census for determining representation? Should they be allowed to stay and work without penalty?

FWIW the USA was built on immigration because we didn't have many people. The population was just over 60 million when people started entering through Ellis Island. Now it's 340 million so the approach shouldn't be the same as it was back then. The immigrants who entered back then swore an oath not to become a public charge. In other words they could never receive any form of social welfare.
never mind, not an argument worth making. Folks on the left won't support open borders, but will definitely be against ICE and deporting those here illegally. The concept of public charge is seemingly foreign to them. Just my observation
 

firegiver

Heisman
Sep 10, 2007
72,705
18,708
113
Yes there is truth to the squalor of the work camps.

There is also truth that these migrant workers lived in their home countries in as worse conditions.
Ok....??? Why do we scapegoat them? Did Jesus blame the poor for the problems of the rich? Go pray on that