The Left’s Cultural Drift, Western Values, and the Challenge of Islam

 

Western civilization, built on principles of individual freedom, family, faith, and nationhood, faces a dual challenge: an internal shift driven by progressive policies and an external tension with Islamic ideology. The Left, in its pursuit of inclusivity and social change, often undermines the stability of Western values while appearing to accommodate an Islamic worldview that resists modernity. This essay argues that the Left’s resentment of traditional norms, coupled with its reluctance to confront Islam’s incompatibilities with democratic ideals, threatens the fabric of civilized societies. By examining these dynamics, we can better understand the stakes for the West’s future.

Western Values vs. Islamic Ideology

Western civilization prizes individual liberty, free expression, and gender equality—values that have evolved over centuries. In contrast, many interpretations of Islam, rooted in 7th-century texts like the Quran and Hadith, emphasize submission to religious authority and strict social hierarchies. While some Muslim-majority countries, like Qatar or Indonesia, have embraced aspects of modernity, others enforce Sharia law, which can restrict education, limit women’s rights, and punish dissent. For example, a 2020 Pew Research study found that 79% of Muslims in 15 surveyed countries supported Sharia as the official law, though interpretations varied widely.

This ideological divide creates tension. Sigmund Freud noted that “civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.” Yet, in regions where strict Islamic governance prevails, discourse often gives way to violence against perceived infidels or apostates. The 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in France, perpetrated by Islamist extremists, underscores this challenge. While not all Muslims endorse such acts, the reluctance of some Islamic leaders to condemn them fuels concerns about integration into Western societies.

The Left’s Resentment of Stability

The Left’s approach to modernity often seems at odds with the stability that underpins Western civilization. Liberals champion policies like open borders, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, arguing they promote fairness. However, these policies can erode traditional structures. For instance, sanctuary city policies in places like San Francisco have been criticized for shielding criminal non-citizens from deportation. A 2018 Center for Immigration Studies report noted that 22% of federal inmates were non-citizens, despite being 7% of the U.S. population, raising questions about enforcement priorities.

The Left’s cultural stances also spark debate. Support for transgender athletes in women’s sports, as seen in cases like Lia Thomas’s 2022 NCAA swimming victories, has frustrated many who value fair competition. Similarly, protests against Israel’s self-defense following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks—often led by progressive activists on college campuses—suggest a selective empathy that overlooks Hamas’s documented use of human shields (per a 2014 Amnesty International report).

These actions reflect a broader pattern: the Left prioritizes marginalized groups, even when their causes conflict with broader societal norms or security.

Why does the Left seem to resent stability? Some argue it stems from a rejection of traditional hierarchies, viewing them as inherently oppressive. Yet, this resentment can lead to contradictions, like defending Islamic practices that clash with liberal values like gender equality. The Left’s alliance with Islam appears less about shared ideals and more about a shared opposition to Western traditionalism.

Undermining Family and Faith

Western religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism emphasize family, faith, and community—values that anchor societies. The Left, however, often leans atheistic, prioritizing individual expression over collective tradition. This shift manifests in policies that challenge parental rights, such as school curricula promoting gender identity without parental consent. A 2023 Rasmussen Reports poll found 60% of parents opposed schools teaching gender ideology to young children, highlighting a disconnect.

The Left’s empathy for minorities sometimes overshadows broader societal needs. For example, unrestricted immigration policies can strain public resources. In 2022, the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated illegal immigration cost U.S. taxpayers $116 billion annually, diverting funds from veterans or the elderly. Meanwhile, the Left’s push for universal voting rights, regardless of citizenship, raises concerns about electoral integrity, as seen in debates over California’s 2015 voting law expansions.

This focus on inclusivity can undermine merit and discipline. Lowering educational standards—such as graduating students who can’t read at grade level—produces ill-equipped adults. A 2021 National Assessment of Educational Progress report showed 23% of 8th graders were functionally illiterate, a trend critics link to lax policies. And recently San Francisco recommended “equity grading” for its 14 High School's students. For some a grade as low as 41/100 will earn a C grade, 21/100 passing, plus no homework or attendance considered in their overall grade. By shielding underachievers from accountability, the Left risks fostering dependency, not empowerment.

Coddling and Its Consequences

The Left’s cultural approach often reflects a “participation trophy” mentality. In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 6.3 million able-bodied adults were out of the workforce, despite job openings. This may stem from a lack of discipline in education and upbringing. For instance, relaxed student loan policies—such as 2022’s proposed forgiveness plans—can incentivize borrowing without accountability, burdening taxpayers with $400 billion in costs, per the Congressional Budget Office.

Vocational training, once a public school staple, has dwindled, leaving many unprepared for practical careers. The Left’s view of government as a universal provider echoes socialist principles, prioritizing safety nets over self-reliance. This coddling can produce adults who expect rewards without effort, undermining the work ethic that drives Western prosperity.

The Left’s Misreading of Islam

The Left often defends Islam as an oppressed minority, dismissing concerns about “Islamophobia” without addressing underlying issues. Yet, global terrorism trends—such as the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, linked to Islamist groups—show that extremism remains a challenge. A 2021 Europol report noted 57% of terrorist attacks in Europe were jihadist-inspired, despite Muslims being a small minority.

Liberals argue that integration and dialogue can reform radical elements, citing successful Muslim communities in places like Canada. However, this optimism overlooks Islam’s political dimensions. Unlike Christianity, which largely separates church and state, some Islamic interpretations demand governance by religious law. The Left’s reluctance to critique this, as seen in their defense of hijab mandates in certain communities, risks enabling ideologies that clash with democratic norms.

Laura Loomer’s May 18, 2025, X post highlighted pro-Hamas, anti-Trump protesters waving a BLM-Palestinian flag hybrid near the Washington Monument, illustrating the Left’s alignment with anti-Western causes. This isn’t universal among liberals—many critique Islamic extremism—but the vocal progressive wing often drowns out such voices.

A Hypocritical Blind Spot

The Left’s inclusivity can mask hypocrisy. When 50 migrants arrived in Martha’s Vineyard in 2022, local leaders—known for supporting open borders—quickly called the National Guard to remove them. This “not in my backyard” attitude reveals a gap between rhetoric and action. Similarly, the Left’s defense of Islam rarely engages with its practices, like honor killings or female genital mutilation, documented in regions like Pakistan (per a 2020 Human Rights Watch report).

This hypocrisy extends to cultural battles. The Left champions DEI but ignores its costs—like reduced hiring standards in critical fields. A 2022 study by the Manhattan Institute found 40% of companies reported lower performance after prioritizing DEI over merit. By shielding Islam and other causes from scrutiny, the Left risks becoming an enabler of anti-Western ideologies.

A Path Forward

Can the West find common ground with Islam or the Left? Some Muslims embrace democratic values, as seen in reformist movements like the Muslim Reform Movement, founded in 2015. However, Islam’s political aspirations—evident in groups like the Muslim Brotherhood—require honest scrutiny, not appeasement. The Left must recognize that defending Islam uncritically aligns them with forces that oppose their own principles.

The Left’s broader cultural project—open borders, eroded merit, and weakened traditions—threatens the West’s resilience. Liberals aren’t inherently anti-Western; many seek justice and equality. But their policies, driven by guilt or idealism, often ignore practical consequences. The 2024 election cycle, with debates over immigration and education, showed 53% of Americans favored stricter border policies (Gallup), signaling a demand for balance.

To preserve Western civilization, the Left must prioritize accountability, merit, and cultural cohesion over ideological purity. They must engage with Islam’s challenges, not as bigots, but as defenders of the freedoms they claim to cherish. Without this awakening, the Left, Democrats, risk a continued erosion of the values that once defined it.  

Reliance will be needed more on the established and accepted values of the conservative, the faith, family, and country focused citizenry. 

By Tom Balderston

Author and Blogger

Visit also: Understand-Islam.com

The Islamic Doomsday Clock

 The Islamic Doomsday Clock 

 

Background

The Muslim world is without parallel in its desire to take the whole world upon itself, form a Caliphate, a one-world order, with an Islamist at its head.  The is not a religious movement.  It uses religion as a ruse, just as Muslims are permitted to lie to non-Muslims to advance the cause of Islam. Islam lies to the world that it is a religion, and even moreso when they say it is “a religion of peace.”

We are all familiar with Communism.  Communism is a political system of governance and control.  It is not a religion.  It prefers a supreme leader, such as Putin, and the Government becomes the caretaker for the people.  What citizens in a Communist controlled country do is dictated by their Government, even as to benefits they may enjoy.  This happens whether or not citizens approve. They are to be thankful to the State for what they are provided.  Providing for themselves is considered selfish and any enterprise that enables profiteering, or capitalism, is viewed with distain and is best when taken over by the government and shared.

Islam is akin to communism.  It seeks a political leader that is a strident adherent to the tenets of this ideology as outlined in their manual, or the Quran.  It has a historical figure as a leader, called a prophet, to provide that religious appeal, and words spoken by him, his lifestyle and habits, are memorized praised and condoned. The history of Islam from its foundation around 600ad has been compiled loosely and mostly from oral recall and traditions.  Many of the ‘memorizers’ died in combat before their recall was ever possible.  The text of the Islam’s manual is not god inspired, but drafted, written and re-written, by leadership that succeeded the original, Muhammad.  It is thus a man made political system with judgements and punishment as dictated by conquerors and marauders.  Even the words of Muhammad were never fully documented for 100 to 200 years after his demise.  Muhammad was murdered, poisoned, by Abu Bakr, the father of the 6 year old Aisha, the child Muhammad married and consummated the marriage upon puberty, when she was 9.  Abu Bakr then became the first leader of the army Muhammad raised and his followers. The Quran did not exist at that time. 

It was from the world of Muhammad, the army he formed to avenge local people that did not consider him a religious leader, that a body of followers after his death were kept together to continue to profit from raiding caravans and unprepared cities and citizens for personal gain.  This practice required a percentage of whatever was stolen to be shared with the leadership.   He came from a home that welcomed many viewpoints, even those that had a god as a focal point.  A moon, an idol, an animal, a symbol, or a substance might have been honored by different sects, different Arab cults.  Muhammad’s family invited this diverse group to gather is peace each year to sell their hand-made crafts. A grand bazaar.  A structure was built to house the many idols which satisfied the gatherers.  But Muhammad objected and protested this practice.  He pointed to only one of the many idols as the only idol to be idolized (or worshipped).  He disrupted the business.  He needed to leave the area to avoid persecution.  In his new location he formed a group of men to raid caravans, of which he was familiar with their routes, going to his hometown to hurt them as he was here by their lack of acceptance.  By the time of his death his army was large.  Any that tried to take the spoils they earned and return to their homes were denied, often killed, and so loyalty was forced upon his troops and their criminal habits continued.  

That was 1400 years ago and the army has grown to over 1.4 billion, maybe more.  Yes, there are more Muslims than there are communists, but it is still not a religion.  It never had a presence in Europe until recently.  The Muslim conquerors were stopped at the border of France and Vienna, never occupying any part of Europe or Scandinavia or England until after WWII. Once inside the walls of this free world, a Christian free world, the Doomsday Clock began ticking.  It was aided also by the wealth of the impoverished Muslim nations created by the discovery of oil. 

Islam, as in communism, is the overseer of the people. They are told by their governing body how to live, daily requirements, some, how to dress, and how they should worship. Not worshipping is not allowed, they must worship the god of their leaders and their leaders as gods. They are also told who to like and who to hate, even how much they are required to give in charity. Independence is not an option. Choice is limited. There is no freedom.  

Reading the Clock

Read the clock starting a 1 o’clock.  “Target an open democratic society.”  Europe was always a target.  The fundamentalists wanted to continue to raid and conquer.  But after WWII they did not have to fight to take territory, they were invited in.  The free world needed labor to continue to grow.  Wealthy nations, more industrial, more educated, are less prone to have large families, as is the need in agrarian nations. Welcoming immigration from poor areas was an attraction to those willing to work.  Muslim nations received invitations and Muslims arrived.  They were happy to work, to earn and to send money home.  At first, as a minority, they simply enjoyed this new world, surprised at the lifestyle and freedom, but kept to themselves, even began to assimilate, especially their children.  The door was open.

At 2 o’clock, the word was out.  There is money and opportunity in the free world.  Migration began in earnest, in much larger numbers, from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, North Africa, and elsewhere.  Uncivilized persons unfamiliar with how the free world lived brought their beliefs with them, often too their slovenly ways.  

By 3 o’clock Muslim men saw the opportunity with infidel women with whom they were permitted by their scripture to take advantage of, even rape, without consequence.  They were surprised when there was local punishment.  Their excuse, “but this is our belief, our religion, Allah allows it.”  

Between 3 and 4, the attraction of financial stipends and other monies offered by Islamic charities, so to speak, was reason enough to live in communities with other Muslims.  It also became a requirement to attend the area mosque and have children go to the madrassas to receive the benefits.  And by 4 there were communities readily identified as Islamic. Retail and food stores catered to them. Halal foods were available.  It was not uncommon to see residents dressed in the clothing of their prior homeland.  

Then came the requests for special privileges.  5 o’clock. Female doctors for the women.  No female doctors for the men.  The allowance of local rules more in compliance with Sharia. Halal foods available in the public schools. Times for prayer 5 times each day.  As a percentage of the total population their numbers were still low, may 2-3%.  They enjoyed the freedoms, but avoided accepting the culture where they now lived, some did, but the teachers and preachers advised against it, wanting to keep the purity of their ideology in tact.  They began to have more children.  

Wanting to have their enclaves represented in local councils and to have their policies established, seats on local boards and councils were sought.  They had their own bloc of supporters to elect their officials. They targeted seats that would give them the loudest voice.  This is the 6 o’clock stage, You could be assured the Muslims able to vote were not objective in making their choice.  In certain areas even the mayor is a Muslim, or a Congressperson. The population continues to grow as well as the community, occupying a larger area.

More emboldened the Muslims call upon each other at prayer time to gather, even in the streets, to bow to the ground and pray.  Rows upon rows of Muslims on their prayer rugs calling out to Allah.  Traffic is disrupted.  Onlookers walk around them.  A collective mumbling can be heard.  This is 7 o’clock and the Islamists are making their presence known, and want protections to continue to do what they are doing.  Under the ruse of religion, they pray, but pray to their anti-Christ and goal of achieving greater dominance where they are.

Next thy might create their own political party.  Or within existing political parties sub-groups, squads, to enable them to join together having one voice.  They become louder the larger their entity. They seek favorable legislation, always containing elements of Sharia, as well as hate laws, suggesting they are the oppressed and need protection.  Al the while they are growing their army focused on conquest of a new land. Global expansion.  The foreign money continues to flow, more for universities and non-Muslim politicians to garner their acceptance and support, or to just look the other way (while they are counting their money).  It is 8 o’clock somewhere. 

Islamohobia, Islamohobia, becomes the immediate reaction from the Muslims wherever objections to their habits, their practices and their demands are raised.  To maintain the growing fabric of their society within they call upon the elected officials, their own and those they prop up for laws, laws against Islamophobia.  Right.  No one would object to Islam.  Your want to complete, free speech you know, well that cannot be allowed.  It is 9 o’clock and your freedom of speech is under attack.  Christians and Jews cannot speak out for fear of retribution and punishment.  In some cases they cannot pray openly as that might offend a Muslim. Muslims can pray in the streets.  Not so for Christians.  Where did all this sudden sensitivity com from? It is political and suppressive.  The legislative agenda are all oriented to wards the Muslims.  Polticians still call it a religion.   The police are on-board.  There are communities now where the national police cannot enter, as it is a no go for them.  Only the Islamic State police, the monitors of all that is Islam are allowed, and Sharia law is practiced within the gates.  The Muslims want Sharia Law for the entire country.  They are working on getting there.  The oil rich are helping.  More and more mosques are built.  While is Islamic country no new churches, god forbid a synagogue.  In fact churches are being burned.  Christians and Jews marginalized, even killed.  Anti-semitism is on the rise.

And then the grounds of major institutions have Muslims gathered to protest Jews and Christians and their community leaders for not doing more for the Muslims.  They still say they are oppressed.  They are the victims. They point to foreign lands where conflict with Muslims is on the rise and seek support and sympathy for the Islamists.  The Islamists are aggressive yet claim they are not.  When they do attack it is to defend themselves against the hatred lodged against them.  They can lie, in fact do so through fake propaganda.  Their manual tells them to lie (Takiyya and Kitman) to advance the cause of their ideology.  It is good.  And lie they do.  The liberal press eats it up and sides with the Muslim, often publishing their false reports, narratives and photographs.  Leftists appear to be accomplishes.  Even those that would otherwise be subjugated to the wrath of Islam, the gays and the trans, in unity with their so-called oppressed Muslim associates parade and protest against Israel, against the Jew, and for the Islamist, the killers of babies and families.  It is 10 o’clock and terror attacks are prevalent throughout the world.  The Islamists are eradicating the non-Muslims whenever and whenever possible, and when they can get away with it.  And the main stream liberal press ignores it. 

What can happen as the 11th hour approaches? Non-Muslims will be fed up with the penchant to yield to the Muslim. Non-Muslims have rights too. They lack the killer training and brainwashing, but have had enough. They will resist the building of more mosques, the establishment of Muslim only enclaves, the blaring of the Adhan call to prayer, the establishment, use and application of Sharia Law, the Islamist’s treatment of women, as slaves, and the constant violation of human rights prevalent in the Islamic sphere of influence. Cries for their return to their original Muslim nation will be heard. They will begin to understand Islam is not peaceful, nor a religion, but a political scheme to achieve an end that only accepts Islam, its ways, its culture (or lack thereof), and an empire headed by zealots. They will begin result is a civil war. The barbarian Islamists against the civilized world, a return to the 7th century or modernity continued. There will be war. By countries and then globally. 

The Islamist’s expectation at 12 o’clock is victory, an empire greater than the Ottoman’s achievement . One leader, Sharia Law everywhere, thieves without hands, 60 year old men with 10 year old wives, and many more. Churches burned. Bibles destroyed. Israel crushed. Open centers where adulterous women are stoned. Smiling men. Shrouded women. The Adhan blaring 5 times each day. No freedom, just adherence to Islam. The Muslims then will be left to killing only those other Muslims they consider disobedient to the Quran, Muhammad or Allah. The decision makers will remain at odds. The works will become a primitive desert anew. 

A Warning

Beware. The clock is ticking. If Islam can be stopped early in it’s cycle, all the better. If not, then doomsday will arrive one country at a time. The UK and EU are vulnerable. 

By

Tom Balderston

Author and Blogger

Visit also TomBalderston.Blogspot.com

Trumpanomics

Well, as many of us voted for Trump and the Republicans, many of us are clueless of the economics of Trump’s programs.  

Border
What we have been though with respect to the Border is positive.  Very little to no illegal immigration is a good thing. How many Americans welcome illegals, as good natured and welcoming as any one of us may be?  As the Trump Administration attempts to remove (deportation) the most criminal element among illegals, he finds resistance on the part of his opposition which calls for the use of “due process.”  Due Process would require each individual appear before a judge and plead his case for asylum, a process which the news has reported would take countless years given the number (millions) of illegal invaders.  Prior Democratic Administrations (not Biden’s) , such as Clinton’s and Obama’s, deported millions without due process.  So why now?

We have a process for legal immigration that includes proper vetting.  If more immigrants are needed, why not just increase the numbers, encourage and welcome those we feel will be true to American values and valuable, culturally compatible, additions. 

  
What consideration was given American citizens when the Biden Administration and Homeland Security, under Mayorkas, allowed a waterfall like Niagara of unvetted migrants into America. Where was the due process as simple as a little careful consideration of We The People? They walked in and were surreptitiously flown in, by the thousands.  Many were given SSNumbers and untold benefits, exceeding what we’ve given our veterans, and for which these people never paid into the government system to earn.  Many elderly receive less than what the Biden Administration was providing, for which the elderly worked and paid their FICA taxes (the funding source for Medicaid and Social Security).  Certainly this is neither fair, nor equitable, nor legal.  That raises the question and concern for the Democrat’s programs favoring open borders and gracious gifting of benefits, which included food, phones, housing and cash.  The numbers are staggering. 

There is a “due process” to enter our country. If you are going to skip that to gain access, you don’t get to hide behind it to avoid leaving. Quoting Jesse Watters (Fox News): “You can't break into the country and ignore the process of coming here and then want a process to leave. You cannot cut the line to come here and then ask to be put in a line to go home” 

But if it becomes a requirement one idea is to provide paperwork and a court date to each illegal for their due process, but deport them and allow them to return on the assigned date to be heard.  Meanwhile they are gone.

DOGE
As for DOGE.  Who can possibly object to government efficiency? Who can object to uncovering corruption and abuses in Washington? Many of us have been suspicious of politicians, both sides of the isle, enriching themselves while in office, many using inside information to enrich themselves.  Insider trading is a questionable practice, punishable, for all of us, but not for Congress. Credit Elon Musk as a patriot.  He risked his business to uncover corruption, mis-use and abuse in the many departments and agencies in DC.  For this he has suffered the wrath of Democrats who before DOGE, embracing green energy, loved Electric Vehicles (EVs), and now given the revelations protest Tesla, even causing destruction of this mostly made-in-America EV.  Musk is not even a majority shareholder.  The hypocrisy of Democrats, their malfeasance, is costing taxpayers, from Elon and his contingent of bright young computer geeks, to the rest of us.

NGOs
The there is the recent exposure of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), private, non-profit entities, funded by the Federal Government using tax dollars that have been used in far too many instances to fund political family members pet projects, or entities that employ politicians family and friends, even donors,  These NGOs operate independently.  Many were uncovered helping mostly Democratic political candidates and their campaigns, some Republicans too. Family members, it was discovered, were paid annual salaries far in excess of their political partner (husband or wife), in some cases over $1,000,000 annually.  And many had a purpose that sounded good, even well intended, such as for environmental purposes, human rights, conservation, and addressing poverty issues.  Support for the creation of certain entities by a given member, or members of the House or Senate appears all too convenient, insider relationships and knowledge paving the way for their inception. Even to the extent of one supporting the other’s legislation (“I’ll back yours, if you back mine”) to favor a personal cause or want.  Very incestuous, indeed. And an audit of a given NGO would leave serious doubt as to the stated function actually being performed, or the dollars spent  going to the cause.  They could have been slush funds for the CIA, or other covert operations, as well as coffers for political pet projects otherwise never possible to receive approval by Congress itself.  And there are cases where a large campaign donor was given a grant orchestrated by the elected official for an NGO in amounts far greater, millions, even billions, verses thousands.  Then the donor could profit from the NGO easily being reimbursed for their political campaign donation. 

Other Issues
Then there are the issues of: 

1.) women only in women’s sports,  

2.) that a women is only biological, 

3.) the anti-semitism on college campuses running amok, 

4.) collegians and others supporting bizarre Islamic actions, while in many situations wearing the black and white Keffiya scarf of the Gazan, and defending hate-filled, hate-fueled Gazans and Palestinians (Islam), even after the many pictures of the unconscionable hedonistic killing of Jews in Israel, 

5.) registration of illegals to vote, renaming illegals and given them fake IDs (passports or ID cards with new names) so that ICE cannot locate them, 

6.) Democrats defending illegals while not defending Americans (like those kidnapped in Gaza or families as victims of illegals), 

7.) the rights of parents to raise and educate their children as they see fit, not just based on religious issues, and 

8.) the judicial system seeking to undermine decisions by the President, an individual elected by millions upon millions being overturned by a judge appointed by a Democrat, a judge exceeding their judicial authority. SCOTUS will be kept busy and cannot act as expeditiously as necessary.   Many of these legal cases shouldn’t even be, but disgruntled and hate-filled individuals and groups are willing to spend millions of dollars on frivolous matters, mostly it seems, just because of their Trump Derangement Syndrome, judge shopping to have their case heard and supported. It is difficult to find the logic or justification for their efforts.  Much of what the current President is proposing has popular, even majority support, but is being stonewalled by minority opposition.  The opposition all too often has no logical counter proposal, they just want to say “no” to anything Trump. And then 

9.) there are the protestors, many times the same individuals arriving by bus in city after city, carrying printed placards (union print shops of course), and paid to protest for or against issues that they may not even understand.  They just want the $20/per hour they receive.  And it was Greg Gutfeld that rightly noted many of the protesters are not attractive, seem needy, and cover their faces.  They are afraid to be a face of what they supposedly represent.  Why do they not have jobs. and lastly 

10.)  Fentanyl and the Cartels having their way with America.  Is there going to be a battle of the cartel armies against our military for access to the wealth of this nation and those they can make dependent on their supply.

Tariffs
The trade imbalances with just about every country, where we have purchased far more from them, than they from us, call it good will, or international trade, initially helping others more than America, has now become a problem. Why should we be expected to subsidize others.  How many Countries do the same?  Tariffs already exist and the imbalance is a result of tariffs on foreign goods coming to America at substantially lower percentages than what foreign entities place on our exports.  Are they protecting their industry or just profiting, or both.  So why shouldn’t we do the same. 

Trump’s current proposals are now effecting everyone's pocket books, or stock portfolios, and thus Tariffs have become an issue.  Trump may have jumped in with his whole body too soon, exceeding a more sensible approach.  Among many of my associates they have suggested it would have been less disruptive to begin negotiations with 4 or 5 countries at a time.  Even so, many have come to the table and there is favorable (for US) progress. Then there is China. This tariff dilemma, causing so much volatility, centers on the bulls, or bullheaded leaders, Trump vs XI. 

The irony of China’s current reluctance to negotiate is that China sells about 5 times as much to the USA than we sell to China. (9/2024, for the month, China imported $11.26 billion, and exported $31.81 billion). The impact on China will be greater.  So you’d think they‘d be more rational.  For the year 2024 alone the imbalance with China was about $150 billion.

Consider China’s thinking regarding Trump’s actions, spokesman for China (Chinese U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong on 4/23) saying this, 

"Under the guise of reciprocity and fairness, the U.S. is playing a zero-sum game, which is essentially about subverting the existing international economic and trade order by means of tariffs, putting U.S. interests above the common good of the international community and advancing hegemonic ambitions of the U.S. at the cost of the legitimate interest of all countries.” 

Oddly enough, “putting U.S. interests above the common good of the international community” was intended to make America look bad, but Trump’s focus is on America, the common good of our Nation. What Trump is doing is good for America.

Due to our willingness to keep tariffs low we have lost middle class jobs and industry, and for a number of goods (like pharmaceuticals and chips) have become dependent on foreigners. The international community has been taking advantage of US for their so called “common good” to our detriment for decades. (One example Canada’s tax on milk from the USA is over 250%). 

 
I must admit I agree with this Administration that it is time to level the playing field.  Also the capital markets are not the gauge to consider as many middle class workers are not active investors.  What they are most interested in is good paying jobs, opportunities to be gainfully employed.  We need steel, drugs, computer chips, and other goods manufactured here so as to maintain our independence.  In America a better product will be made than China makes. Sure we can continue to buy supplies from others but not to the extent a disruption in supply might cripple our economy.

In Summary
Trump has a short window in which to accomplish changes that benefit Americans in ways they will be thrilled and will continue to support his Administration and Republican candidates for office in 2026.  He needs to see results by Spring of 2026, at least.  He needs Congressional support to achieve his objectives and that of those who elected him. 

The Democrats are offering very little.  They just attack the man, his team, and his efforts.  But they are generally good at it and you can expect, with the main stream media mostly in the liberal/progressive camp, and willing to lie and to ignore reality, the adverse news towards anything Trump, and the paid for protests, will place a negative spin on anything Trump says or does.  Results will be his defense.  
Have patience.  The stock market will be an early indicator. 

Enough said for now.

Tom Balderston
Author and Blogger