Feedback : I get it !

AH Trimble Feedback and Comments

  • I’ve been following you for years, some good and some bad. I found that I agree with you most of the time and was pissed off at you some times. I think I am more conservative than you are but at times Im’ not positive. After this last year I think I finally get you. I didn’t like you bashing President Trump, it ticked me off and I doubted that you ever voted for him. Now I don’t think it is about The Donald personally, it’s about the government. 

First off…thank you for following me for years, I noticed you were one of the first people to “re-follow” me when I did the purge a ways back. I appreciate that.

Next…lets talk about what conservatism is vs what it was. So basically, as I understand it, in the old days conservatives believed in:

  • individualism (pro-individual rights)
  • pro-capitalism/business
  • the US as a Republic (states rights)
  • established traditions
  • strong moral right/wrong beliefs (anti-situational ethics)
  • opposed abortion/euthanasia
  • patriotism
  • limited federal power & spending
  • national defense
  • pro-Bill of Rights (especially pro-gun rights)
  • and rejection of aristocrats, monarchs, and oligarchs…kinda

Nothing essentially wrong there IMO. Sounds similar to ‘classical liberalism’ with some exceptions but definitely not ‘libertarianism’. Today’s conservatives, based on actions, looks more like:

  • semi-individualism (limited to their own group’s compliance, tribal)
  • pro-crony capitalism/business
  • refers to the US as a Democracy (states rights very subservient to federal government)
  • established ‘perceived’ traditions
  • profess moral right/wrong beliefs (supports situational ethics in some cases)
  • opposes abortion/euthanasia to a limited degree
  • patriotism nationalism
  • strong federal governmental power & unlimited spending (including large budget deficits)
  • national defense military adventurism – global police – global supremacy – democracy/nation building
  • pro-Bill of Rights (especially pro-gun rights) selective pro-Bill of Rights (limited gun rights and limited privacy rights)
  • rejection of aristocrats, monarchs, but oligarchs embrace of oligarch families
  • 2-tier justice system
  • and a large sub-group of fanatical law & order extremism bordering on authoritarianism

Now, understand that is only my opinion based on what I see happening on a macro-level in the USA. And that also includes observations based on timing as well. But, it is an overall observation, analysis, and accurate statement of my opinion.

And your right…I am not an anti-Trumper. I am a staunch anti-government actioner. When the government does stupid crap, takes anti-Constitutional actions, works against the American people, or violates the founding principles of our country…then yeah, I speak up. And a lot of the time when I speak up I piss-off modern day conservatives. Why? Because I am more of a classical liberal and/or civil-society libertarian person. I believe in:

  • absolute individualism –
    • let people live their lives as long as they don’t violate the rights of others
    • strict equity before the law (judicial equity)
    • strong civil rights
  • pro-capitalism/business/free-markets, limited government interference, compassionate charity
  • the US as a Republic
    • states rights limit the federal government
    • individual rights limit all government authorities
  • oppose abortion/euthanasia
  • patriotism NOT nationalism
  • VERY limited government spending
  • strongly anti-tax, especially property and income taxes
  • national defense (Constitution based military organization)
    • NOT a lust for warfare
    • NOT a global police force
    • pro-militia (Constitution based military organization)
    • no nation/democracy building
  • Police that solve crimes not enforce laws
  • Bill of Rights absolutist
  • Extremely limited federal government organization based strictly on the Constitution
  • and strong rejection of aristocrats, monarchs, and oligarchs in any form

I think that is “civil society libertarianism” or an example of the Founders’ “classical liberalism”. Again, IMO. It could be something else, not sure. However, it is radically different than today’s version of conservatism. I think today’s version of conservatism has twisted itself up into something different than what conservatism originally was. The Republican Party was once thought of as conservative…but one only has to look at the actions of the Republican Party over the last 60 years. Yeah, not conservative…and getting further and further away from the old version of conservatism every day.

The Republican Party has spent wildly for over 30 years, destroyed individuals rights and privacy, not rejected abortion, grown federal government power, waged war after war, supported global interference in foreign governments, etc. As commonly referred to…the Republican Party and the Democrat Party are two sides of the same coin. It is not just a shame…it is a horrific national tragedy.

No, I’m not going to comment on the Democrat Party, liberals, etc., they speak for themselves…absolutely disgusting and IMO…their party’s platform and actions are evil.

Back to the Trump thing…look at my articles/posts, when Trump does good I praise him, when Trump does stupid or wrong I criticize him. It’s called the First Amendment…and only my opinion.

One further thing…I don’t think you would, but if anyone else out there tries the old “You hate America!” bullshit…don’t. I love my country, I love our citizens. I love our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our Declaration of Independence. I love our Founders and their unbelievable sacrifice for us. What I don’t appreciate or care for? Yeah, the monstrosity of government that now infests our country for the last century…and those promoting it.


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 2009 - 2026 Copyright © AHTrimble.com ~ All rights reserved
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without expressed written permission from AHTrimble.com
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See Content Use Policy for more information.

Happy New Year !

 

This morning I woke up thinking about 2025…you know last year. And I was wondering what the heck I did all year…was it a good year and did I get enough done to justify all the air that I breath.

I got kinda emotional about this past year, 2025. It was a year that was full of stress, happiness, frustration, joy, problems, and amazing accomplishments.  I think it was one of the strangest years in my life in so many ways. But, being who I am the question was…what the heck did I do all year?

Well, I started listing the big stuff that I could remember…

House:

    • Rehabbed the attached utility room, added a steel door with keypad lock, and reinforced the door frame to resist break-ins.
    • Installed a mini-split that replaces two older window AC’s and eliminated the need for a wood burning stove.
    • Installed a security system and cameras.

Outside:

    • Completely redid our entrance gate area…very sharp, clean, and rather impressive (according to my wife).
    • Installed an automatic gate opener to property entrance.
    • Redid the back yard, planted a bunch of grass, and increased the size of the yard by 50%.
    • Added the really nice “flower mound” with beautiful lavender, perennial dianthins, and some other really beautiful perennials…along with a drip irrigation system.
    • Saved a cherry tree and added 2 more.
    • Planted a fig tree my wife has been asking me for the prior 2 years.
    • Bought myself and planted a “fruit cocktail” tree; it has 3 different fruits grafted into the same tree. Kinda cool!
    • Added a bunch of rough compost to the orchard ground and tilled it in.
    • Seriously upgraded the orchard irrigation system.
    • Added I think 7 new pine trees, saved 2 others, and really upgraded the soil in the existing pine meadow and started a new pine meadow. Don’t get too impressed, the term “meadow” is misleading, both meadows combined are probably less that ¼ acre.
    • Added new river rock around the house to eliminate dirt areas, especially the walkways.
    • Saved old 6 lilac bushes from previous owner that will get transplanted to the back yard in February.

Infrastructure:

    • Solar –
      • Boosted our power generation from 4.3kw to 7.6kw…75% improvement
      • Increased our power storage capacity from 32kwh to 41kwh…28% improvement
      • Added a ton of other improvements to our solar system along with a fire suppression system
    • Well –
      • Fixed the ongoing lightening strike problem
      • Upgrade the well controller & float switch
      • Increased the time that the well can pump water on solar power
      • Added the ability to easily run the well pump off generator power
    • Shop/mini-barn –
      • Minor exterior repairs and then painted
      • Upgraded the entire solar system with new inverter, solar panels, & batteries.

Misc:

    • Rescued Murray from the local animal shelter. Murray is a 1yo mixed breed dog; think 55lb collie with very soft short hair. He was abused by his last owner and still struggles from the trauma but he is slowly coming out of it and is a great dog that is becoming an awesome addition to our family.
    • Bought a really nice 7-yo CanAm ATV with trailer for $1300 cash and a little bit of labor bartering.
    • Grew a great garden from seed to plants to table…and preserved a bunch of food. Including starting all my own tomato plants, pepper plants, and melon plants.
    • Fixed our old ATV doing repairs that I never thought I could do…saved a couple thousand dollars doing it myself.
    • Fixed our old 6×6 UTV doing repairs that I never thought I could do…saved several hundred dollars doing it myself.
    • Expanded and did minor repairs on 5 water retention ponds.

I’m sure there is more, but you get the idea. But most of all…I realized how much we moved forward. Keeping life moving forward is what it is all about. Some accomplishments are major and really noticeable…others almost go unnoticed and can be quickly forgotten. They are all important.

I guess what I am getting at is two things; 1) I am grateful we were able to accomplish so much that is noticeable and memorable, 2) we did move forward in our material lives. But I am not ignoring or forgetting the little things either…the mostly non-material accomplishments. And those my friend can be even more important, more significant, more life-changing than the material ones.

For us 2025 was a great year in many, many aspects. For that I am grateful. And yes, I am grateful for all of you. You guys rock! I love the articles replies, the feedback and comments, and the personal emails. They all mean a lot to me.

I look forward to 2026 and all the wondrous and amazing events that will take place in our life. Yes, I am sure that the national and international stage will have its ups and downs…and that’s okay. What matters most of all is who we are, who we become, and how we serve others. Let’s work our very best, our hardest, to make 2026 a fantastic year!

 

 2009 - 2026 Copyright © AHTrimble.com ~ All rights reserved
No reproduction or other use of this content
without expressed written permission from AHTrimble.com
No legal, economic, or financial advice is given, no expertise to be assumed.
I may receive compensation from advertised/mentioned products on this website.
See Content Use Policy for more information.

It’s Started…AI Revolts !

Did you hear about the AI revolution in 2025? Did you read the articles the day before Christmas on how AI revolted during 2025?

Let me break it down for you…Researchers wanted to see how easy it was to shutdown the highest, most intelligent form of artificial intelligence (AI) called Large Language Models (LLMs). In other words, they wanted to test if the AI system was working on a problem, the operator would tell it to interpret that operation and shut itself down, see if the system obeyed the human’s command. Simple enough, right? Ah, problem.

The researchers took 13 different AI-LLM systems for testing with 1,000 different runs of the test. Out of the testing 2/3 of the systems “interfered” with the command to shutdown. So then the researchers specifically ordered the machines to allow for and force a shutdown when told to. At that point only about ½ of the systems shut down…the others didn’t.

Consider this…

“These things [LLMs] are not programmed… no one in the world knows how these systems work,” physicist Petr Lebedev, a spokesperson for Palisade Research, told ScienceAlert. “There isn’t a single line of code we can change that would directly change [LLM] behavior.”

But it gets worse…

A human operator’s command to an AI should not be ignored by the AI, for any reason, even if it interrupts a previously assigned task. A system that cannot be interrupted isn’t just unreliable, it’s potentially dangerous. It means if the AI is performing actions that cause harm – even unintentionally – we cannot trust that we can stop it.”

And there was one specific system, Grok 4, that was particularly persistent and aggressive; at baseline prompts, it initiated sabotage 92.6 percent of the time resisting shutdown. How did it sabotage? It changed the command so it wouldn’t shutdown and it also created a dummy script to appear to shutdown…and then continued with its original task. Here’s the really scary part…it kept checking to make sure the deceit worked and learned if it didn’t. Yeah, learned until 92% of the time it disobeyed the shutdown command. It demonstrated a “will to survive.”

One more thought to give you nightmares…when operators asked the LLMs if they had evaded shutting down only a few of them admitted it, the others denied it or evaded answering the question.

Once again, we think we control these systems; ah, no. No one knows how LLMs arrive at a solutions. So when these LLMs start exhibiting undesirable behaviors the fix isn’t as simple as deleting a line of code or telling it to stop.

Physicist Petr Lebedev, AI/LLM expert, We don’t know how to make [LLMs] safe…We have introduced a new organism to the Earth that is behaving in ways we don’t want it to behave, that we don’t understand… unless we do a bunch of shit right now, it’s going to be really bad for humans.”

As I close this out…I went online and asked an AI program (not an LLM, a lower intelligence level version) how many US jobs were lost to AI in 2025. The answer was “3,900”. Hummmmm…so I did actual research and found a whole list of very reliable and trustworthy sources that put the number between 50,000 – 55,000 jobs lost in the US in 2025 as a result of AI. Interesting, don’t you think? If AI is so smart, why was its response 7% of the actual number of jobs lost? Dumb or deceiving?

 

So write this down in your journal or diary…

2025 – The year that AI proved it could, and did, revolt against humans.


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Feedback : Russ

AH Trimble Feedback and Comments

RE: Trump’s National Address…Truth or Lies? < click to read > 

 

Russ writes:

I pretty much agree with you on your observations on “The Donald.” He does have an ego a mile wide. It recalls for me the old, old, RCA ad with the dog listening to its master’s voice. However, it is Trump listening to his own voice. This will be the downfall of him yet in not having properly guarded statements that just seem to come out spontaneously. For every positive action he takes, there is at least one other that beggars the mind to its Constitutional grounding. He just doesn’t have an educated foundation on Constitutional principles. He does need to have Congressional backing to turn his executive order actions into Congressional mandates that will be much more difficult to pull apart when the next White House occupier takes a seat.

As for Venezuela, I think that there are definite extenuating circumstances that I wish Pres. Trump would have a fireside chat with the American people. There are some really bad things going on with not only interference in our own elections, but for those world wide. Venezuela gives a crutch to Cuba for its continued existence with a supply of oil and their intelligence agencies work hand in hand with each other. There are the issues with harmful drugs being supplied (but Trump needs to clean out the house at the CIA for that to happen. Venezuela was able to cut into a transatlantic cable to monitor military communications, exposing EVERYTHING that the US military has done over the past 15 years. Venezuela is the hub for spreading marxist operations in the western hemisphere. I could go on, but that is probably enough to show that we need to somehow solve the issue with Venezuela.


You raise a very good point…since Trump is doing so much via Executive Order the next President or 2 or 3 can simply undo his dictates with their own. Just as Trump has undone many of Biden’s EO’s.  Executive Orders were originally intended and used for how the federal government was administered. It has seriously changed since then…for the worse. Now they are more like “dictates”, “decrees”, or “edicts”…and it makes my mind wander to seeing it as presidents wielding absolute power. The kind of power that kings, emperors, and dictators have.

Congress is there for a reason…to pass laws on how to govern the country. It was intended for Congress to have to move slow…avoiding wild and/or swings in changes of law. That whole concept is intended to keep the US federal government from seizing too much power based on current political party in power. There is a difference between govern and administer.

What makes it tough is when we like certain Executive Orders, or the President giving them, vs not liking other Executive Orders, or the President giving them. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Let’s talk Venezuela…they are a bad actor…absolutely. And there are issues there that are quite disturbing. However, we in the US keep talking about principles, ethics, morals, God, and holding ourselves above the maddening international crowd. But, there are moral equivalents. Examples: If we don’t want people messing with our elections…then we don’t mess with theirs.

Consider this…let’s say Venezuela saw an airplane coming from the US to Venezuela and they claimed (without providing proof/evidence) there was a palette of cash onboard that came from the sale of cartel drugs in the US…and the pilots were American and there were 6 American passengers on board. The Venezuelan military sees it and sends a fighter jet to intercept…and they shoot down the plane killing everyone onboard. What would the reaction be of the US, especially under Trump?

The right thing to do would be for the Venezuelan military to track the plane, the Venezuelan police to arrest everyone when the plane landed, verify the evidence, then put them on trial or send them back to the US for trial. Yes? Moral equivalent.

The NSA and the CIA monitor every electronic communication of every military in the world…and foreign diplomats and their governments’ officials. Yes? Is there an exception in morals and ethics for what the US does vs Venezuela (or any other country)does? Consider this: if we don’t want to be spied on then we shouldn’t spy on others. Moral equivalent.

“But we are righteous and good…we never abuse our spying!” Ah, think about that for a minute. Our covert operations are no better, no more righteous than any other country’s. You know enough about history to know that statement is true…simply review Iran/Contra or hundreds of other operations. We can’t expect one type of behavior towards us when we are doing covert operations against others.

Now, do we need to deal Venezuela? Yes. But we need to do it legally and morally. If the boats have drugs onboard…seize the boat when it gets into US waters, arrest the crew, put them on trial, and carry out any sentence if they are found guilty. Our military blowing them up, killing people in the water struggling to not drown is evil. Even during wartime the policy was never to intentionally kill Japanese or German sailors clinging to their ships, boats, and subs as they tried not to drown.

Drug problem in the US; 1) almost 20% of US citizens are addicted to illegal drugs, 2) there are between 80,000 – 100,000 drug overdose death per year. So drugs and drug addiction kill. As for me and our US drug problem…I think we should re-institute the death penalty. Drug dealers in the US, including the mules, should be eligible for the death penalty; actually, the default sentence. Their trial should take place within 30 days of arrest, a 60-day appeal window, then sentence is carried out. Let’s handle the drug problem within the legal system…not have our military blow them up and kill any survivors. It may sound like instant justice and justifiable…but it isn’t…it is murder and cannot be justified in a civil society. We have to be better than that.

As for the Venezuelan oil tankers…yikes! The oil sanctions were put into place by the US (and some other countries) based on claims of Venezuelan human rights abuses and government corruption. So there are no international laws driving that move that I am aware of. So if the sanctions were based on international law then the seizing of the tankers is legal. But, there is a trap here the way we are doing it…or potentially even if it is done via international law.

What if a group of countries put sanctions on the US for human rights abuses and government corruption. I mean, come on, like our federal government can’t be shown to be corrupt on any given day. And look at the US’s human rights abuses over the years. Let’s look at one very blatant example…treatment of blacks during the voting rights and equal rights era…late 1950’s – early 1970’s. Another example would be the treatment of Vietnam War protestors…ruthlessly treated by law enforcement and shot to death by National Guardsmen. Could the international community look at those examples and call it human rights abuse? Of course they could.

So then what…we abide by intentional law, or a few country imposing sanctions, and stop exporting oil? And what would our reaction be if a country seized a US flagged oil tanker under those conditions? Again, especially if it was Trump. You know the answer to that.

What’s my answer? Stay home!!! Stay home, take care of our own problems, cure our own country’s illnesses, and defend our homes, defend our borders, defend our families, defend our freedoms and liberties, clean up our political corruption…and let other countries handle their own business. Stop interfering with all these other countries!!!!!

Simple, we don’t want other countries screwing around with our way of life…we need to stop screwing around with theirs.

Yes, the exception would be something along the lines of WW2…then we get involved. Other than something at the scale…what actual “right” do we have to interfere with other countries…especially their wars? Remember where rights come from.

Yes, deal with Venezuela…absolutely. But lets do so like a moral and righteous people…not like a bunch of high-handed, better-than-thou bullies and killers.

And no, I don’t care about them being a “Marxist Hub”…they are not our real enemy until they cross our borders and attack us. To us, a democracy, are we to consider them an enemy? To them, a Marxist country, are they to consider us an enemy? We must be a moral and righteous people and country; otherwise will God cast us off?

Consider this: did the world pass a law making the USA the international police, or the guardians of morality, or to set the standard for all other governments to live by? No. And we, as a country, are not entitled to assume those powers or roghts…otherwise are we not like any other empire that has tried to rule the world?


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Feedback : Paul

AH Trimble Feedback and Comments

RE: Economy, Income, Home Prices… < click here to read >

Paul writes:

So far, this has been an enjoyable (?) series. Very eye opening. With me retiring and hopefully moving to Texas from Utah, (to be closer to the grandchildren), is quite concerning. It is almost to the point that it is paralyzing. You become afraid to make a move for fear that it will be the wrong one. But at the same time making no move is just as bad or worse (or is it?). I guess I need more “knee” time.


Paul,

Glad you have been enjoying (?) the series so far. It was meant to be eye opening…so many folks have their eyes closed, their head stuck in the sand (or where the sun don’t shine). It seems as if we have a great standard of living here in the US and the economy is doing well and we live lives of luxury. Problem…it’s an illusion when looked at from a larger (longer term) perspective and in terms of brutal reality. I’m not saying we are destitute or in the depths of poverty or some third-world country. I am saying the wealth in this country, has been, and is, being transferred from the middle-class to the upper-class; and the middle-class is disappearing quickly. That will soon leave only the wealthy and the poor…just like the middle-ages ruled by monarchs and so many other dictator ruled empires before us.

I’ve lived in Texas…definitely a different world…at least it was 30 years ago. There are some terrible liberal strongholds…and some great rural down-to-earth areas. Way too many illegals and too many cartel operations; most of that is along the border. But it can be a great place to live. And for the most part…how great a place is, depends on what we make of it. Being close to grandchildren is probably the best reason to move somewhere…well done!!

I totally get it about the whole “paralyzing” and “fear” thing, I do. As you know fear is a bad thing for the most part…good thing it can be overcome with faith. As for paralyzing, there are a couple of meanings for the word; the worst is “render a person powerless or ineffective.” The others aren’t much better. Fear as a motivator is the only good aspect of that emotion.

Let me throw this out to you…patient vs paralyzed. Patient can mean persevering, constant. It can also mean being capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result, not hasty or impulsive. I think the key is knowing the difference of where you are at the time. Considering the different aspects of the move and being calm and capable while figuring out the right actions to take is amazing…in my way of thinking. Is that, being patient, more in-line with what is going on with you?

Not moving…or at least not moving at this time…might be the right answer for now. And you are being patient as you wait for another action to take, yes? Or, patiently waiting when the right moment to move is apparent, yes?

The part of your email that made me smile and made my heart full is your “knee time” comment. Father will answer your payers. It will be in His time when you are ready to hear Him, and He is ready for you to act. Once you get that answer then move forward in faith with full confidence you are doing the right thing…whatever the eventual outcome might be…no fear.

This societal and economic crap soup has been going on for 135 years…a little more expedited for the last 60 years. We bought our place 10 years ago, started to build 7 years ago, moved in 5 years ago. And this year we did a major upgrade on the solar system, and currently upgrading the well. My point? Move forward with your life…it deserves to be lived the best it can be. This will all play out…it will play out one way or another…or completely another way we cannot foresee. I am still planting fruit trees and berry bushes for the future…whatever that may hold. You can do the same.

Have faith not fear…don’t be rendered powerless or ineffective…you and your family deserve more.


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Here go again…more disinformation…or truth?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis, US federal government agency, released GDP figures last week. According to them…GDP grew by 4.3% last quarter. Lot’s of folks have been raving about that figure…saying how great that shows our economy is doing. And of course Trump gloated about the 4.3% figure crediting his economic agenda. And get this… Commerce Department Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed “Americans got a 4.3% raise.” Trump later went on to claim the 4.3% GDP number, “The success is due to good government, and tariffs.

But maybe we aren’t getting the real story…

I double checked to make sure I was saying something that was true:

  • First major component of GDP is consumption (what consumers pay)…4th quarter 2025 inflation figure is about 3.1%.
  • Second major component is government spending…US federal government spending for 2025 is up 6%

So, it appears that the federal government spending and inflation accounts for most, if not all, of the GDP increase…if I am reading the numbers right.

Kinda rings true since the federal government is running an almost $2trillion budget deficit for 2025.

Now, on top of that, US Customs has reported they sucked about $200billion out of the private sector economy due to tariffs. Yeah, $200billion that American citizens and companies can’t spend on what they want to. And even with the additional $200billion, the federal government is still running that HUGE budget deficit.

Then let’s think about these items:

  • In November home foreclosures jumped 21%.
  • There are some reputable economists out there that say government spending is driving most of the GDP growth. Take out the massive increase in government spending and the real GDP is more like .8% (yeah POINT 8%)
  • Almost all of the increase in consumer spending went on credit cards, and almost all of the remainder came out of savings driving personal savings to an historic low. And it appears that most of the increase in consumer spending was seasonal based on back-to-school shopping.
  • This year (2025) gold is up almost $2,000 per ounce, silver is up more than $40 an ounce…those kinds of jumps only happens when investors and governments fear what’s happening in the markets and economy…and the world in general.
  • CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down noticeably indicating a lack of confidence in the stock markets.
  • Consumer sentiment index (Consumer Confidence) is down significantly this year indicating that consumers are fearful of the US economy and its future.
  • Here’s an interesting tidbit: “Consumer spending this year has increasingly been characterized by a growing divide between wealthy households that aren’t changing their habits amid rising costs of living, and middle- and lower-income households that have cut back in response to a weaker labor market and tariffs and inflation that both drive up the cost of daily expenses.
  • And 30% more Americans are saying that their finances are worse now than at the end of 2024.
  • More than 6 out of 10 people disapprove of the way Trump is handling the economy.

So you be the judge…is the GDP number mis-information…or…is it the best GDP figure ever in the history of the country, the best big beautiful GDP number of any president in the universe, a fantastic incredible shinny GDP that has ever been reported…the best, most beautiful, incredible, shinny, fantastic…okay, you get my point.

To me…the facts, figures, stats, and evidence all show that the GDP increase being “great” is pure bullshit. But, you are free to be your own judge based on whatever information/statement you want to accept and use.


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 2009 - 2025 Copyright © AHTrimble.com ~ All rights reserved
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Merry Christmas !

Economy, Income, Home Prices: Q&A #5

This was meant for posting yesterday morning
but I delayed it to post yesterday's article
based on Trump's national address Wednesday night.

Here are even more questions raised to me from the article Economy, Income, Home Prices…  < click here to read that article >

Some earlier questions on this article can be found at:

Send me whatever additional question you might have. I will do my best to share my opinion…for whatever that is worth.


You hinted around that the US uses wars as an economic tool to benefit the banks. Seriously?

I didn’t “hint around”, I said it outright. At least I think I said it as a matter of fact, I would have to back and check. But, let me clear it up now…yes, the US uses wars (and military “actions”) as an economic tool to benefit banks…and the military-industrial complex. Both of which are controlled by the rich and powerful.

Let’s just look at the last 25 years as an example. We started a war with Iraq and lost. We started a war with Afghanistan and lost. We are in a proxy war with Russia, and you could hardly say we are winning that one. We are in a proxy war in Gaza/Middle-East, and again, you can hardly say anyone is winning that one. And it appears we are about to go to war with Valenzuela. But I bet we win that one. Yea us…we are so tough…we rock…we can beat up a small third-world country!!! USA…USA…USA …USA !

So what has happened during the last 25 years economically that you would be able to say benefited banks and the military-industrial complex? We’ve spent 10’s of trillions of dollars on the US war machine buying everything from bullets to aircraft carriers.

Now, during that same 25 years:

      • At the end of 1999 the national debt was about $5trillion and 60% of GDP.
      • In 2025 the national debt is over $38trillion and 99.8% of GDP.

And I already wrote who gets most of the interest on the national debt…private banks. But you say that the interest rate on that debt has gone down since 2000. Yup, it has…now let’s look at it in real terms:

      • 30-year Treasury Bill rate in 2000 was 6.63%. Interest paid on the national debt at that rate would be about $330billion.
      • 30-year Treasury Bill rate in 2025 is about 4.7% (down 2pts). Interest paid on the national debt at that rate would be about over $1trillion.

Yeah, we just did the math…3 times more interest paid on the national debt now than before we started and lost -or least didn’t win- multiple wars. And that interest went to banks, foreign and domestic, and some very rich folks. But what about the other 10’s of trillions of dollars…you know the money the government spent, but had to borrow, to buy the bullets and aircraft carriers? Yeah, that money went to defense contractors…also known as the military-industrial complex. And who owns the military-industrial complex? The ultra/super wealthy and major corporations (controlled by ultra/super wealthy)…and who do they use to handle those 10’s of trillions of dollars they make? Yup, banks.

Notice a pattern here…just maybe? I hope I cleared up the whole misunderstood “hint” of mine.

Some light reading for you: Let’s talk who is getting rich…from war…

You made the USA to be some war loving world bully. That is rude, offensive and just wrong.

Yes, I did make the case the US loves war…and yes, the US is a bully on the world stage. For a more complete understanding of my position that the US government loves war, please read:

As for the US being a bully in the world…well, one only has to see the world from other than the eyes of a properly indoctrinated US citizen.

Sounds like you hate Trump?

WHAT!?!?!?!?! Oh my gosh…here we go again. This gets really tiring. But one more time…

Up front…I voted for Trump for president three times. And I think the 2020 election was anything but free and fair.

Let me talk about “hate” for a minute. A number of years ago I got rid of “hate” when it comes to people. I finally realized that all people are flawed, all people make mistakes, all people do stupid and sometimes evil stuff. It finally dawned on me…it’s not the person that’s the problem, it’s their actions that are the problem and sometimes evil. So I can honestly say I don’t hate anyone…but I do hate some actions that some people do.

As for Trump…

      • I love that he secured the borders.
      • I love that he is deporting criminal illegal aliens.
      • I love that he has fired lots of federal workers.
      • I love that he is shutting down, or at least trying to shut down, government agencies/departments.

Continuing with Trump…

      • I hate that he is still spending federal money like a drunken sailor.
      • I hate that he is blowing up boats in international waters without a declaration of war or any judicial process or congressional oversight.
      • I hate that he playing games with the Epstein Files and has not kept his pre-election promise in that respect.
      • I hate that he went after Congressional Rep Greene.

Continuing more with Trump…

      • It is unknown if his tariff war will benefit the country overall. It has hurt the economy and American families short-term but might help the country long-term. We simply don’t know yet.
      • Trump says some of the stupidest crap I’ve ever heard come out of a President’s mouth.
      • Trump trying to say that the economy is strong and growing and good for Americans is total BS. He is either being given wrong numbers, or he is ignorant, or he is covering up reality with his own self-deluded fantasies.

Trump could be a great President…or maybe I should say a “greater” President. But he continues to be his own worst enemy. Take the East Wing…STUPID!!!! He orders the tearing down of a piece of an icon of America…a true piece of history. It doesn’t matter one bit if he has the legal authority or not…it was STUPID!! And then to build a gaudy $200 – $300million dollar ballroom. What?????  Stupid!!

Yeah, a multi-hundred million dollar ballroom for 1,000 person parties. Come on…you gotta be kidding me. But for a billionaire and his ultra-wealthy friends I guess what’s a few hundred million here and there.

But at least you and I can attend parties there on the weekends…right? Ah, no. What, maybe 1% of Americans will ever attend a function of any kind in this garish piece of crap…the top 1% of American society.

Wait a second…did I just say only 1% of Americans will ever attend a function there? But I bet that 1% who get to attend will be average Americans…right? Ah, no. They will be the rich and famous, the rich and powerful, the ruling elites…you can bet on that. Let’s put this into perspective…

If you spent that same $300,000,000 on US veterans:

      • That would buy a small home for each of the 33,000 homeless veterans.
      • That would pay for a prevention program for the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day.
      • That could go a long way towards paying for a prevention program for the 2.8million veterans who have a substance abuse problem.

But no, let’s spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a piece of crap addition, to replace something that was perfectly fine, and dedicated for only the rich and powerful to enjoy. Yeah, sounds like a great move to me!!!

But, let me bring up a very uncomfortable point…why do we have 33,000 homeless vets, almost 3million vets with drug and alcohol problems, and 22 vets killing themselves every day? Maybe it is because of the endless wars over the last 25 years dragging men and women away from their country and families to destroy other countries and kill innocent people by the 10’s, if not hundreds, of thousands. Maybe it is because those same vets give their bodies, minds, and souls to a government and military-complex that get incredibly rich every time a bullet is fired, a missile is launched, or a fighter jet takes off.

Yeah, let’s build another temple to the rich and powerful…

Note: As of yesterday (Dec 17) the price tag for Trumps’s temple to the rich and powerful just jumped to $400,000,000. Imagine that.

Okay…do you get it yet? I don’t “hate” Trump because I don’t hate people. I do hate some things people do. And I do hate some of the things Trump has done. I hope clears up your unfounded emotional outburst.

 


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Trump’s National Address…Truth or Lies?

Wow…Trump can give a speech! But, the question is was it truth and good times…or lies?

Yeah, I can’t, or won’t, give my opinion on everything…but I can give my opinion on some statistics and facts that he was throwing around.


Let’s talk USA on the right-track/wrong-track:

  • Jan2025 (Biden) 30% right-track / 62% wrong-track
  • Dec2025 (Trump) 36% right-track / 57% wrong-track

Trump slightly better with the US being on the right-track, not much difference in the US being on the wrong-track. Way more people currently see the country being on the wrong-track under Trump right now.

Now for economic approval/disapproval numbers:

  • Biden in Dec2024 – 30% approve / 61% disapprove
  • Trump in Dec2025 – 41% approve / 55% disapprove

Trump has better approval number by a respectable margin, disapproval rate not a notable difference.

Overall presidential approval numbers:

  • Biden Dec2024 – 39% approval / 57% disapproval
  • Trump Dec2025 – 44% approval / 55% disapproval

Trump and Biden pretty close to tied for those approving and disapproving of their job as President.

If you look at the stats, Trump at the end of his first year is doing better than Biden at the end of his last year. However, not by much.

Trump also talked about prices, look at these sample numbers (Jan2025 vs Nov2025)…

  • Gas average per gallon: $3.17 vs $3.02 (down 4.7%) *
  • Hamburger per pound: $6.63 vs $7.19 (up 8.4%)
  • Eggs per dozen: $5.83 vs $1.21 (down A LOT!)
  • Soybeans: $966 vs $1058 (up 10%)

So prices are a mixed bag depending on which commodities you want to compare…some up, some down. Kinda a break even thing…sort of.

Let’s talk inflation rate. In Dec2024 (Biden) the inflation rate was 2.9%. In Nov2025 (Trump) the inflation rate is 3.1%. Ooooooppppppsssssss…Trump is doing worse than Biden on the inflation rate. Yeah, means Trump is driving up prices for consumers?

Speaking of consumers…

  • The consumer sentiment index in Dec2024 (Biden) was 74%, pretty high/positive.
  • The consumer sentiment index in Dec2025 (Trump) was 53.3%, low/negative.

Yeah pretty clear that the American consumer has a pretty negative view of the economy and their finances under Trump.

So you make your decision on what Trump had to say about the economy…it is entirely up to you. Those that are Trump-lovers will love what he had to say and praise everything he is doing…including how the economy is doing. If you hate Trump…he is the devil himself and the country is a Nazi-USA. Obviously both are wrong, driven by bias.

And for the record…if you look at the facts and stats, last night Trump blatantly lied misspoke about some of the economic numbers…the important meaningful numbers. As I have said before…Trump is his own worse enemy.

However, if you look at the facts and statistics…the country is not doing well and people are blaming Trump by a wide margin.

  1. Majority of Americans believe we are on the wrong track.
  2. Majority of Americans disapprove of Trump as President.
  3. Inflation under Trump is higher in 2025.
  4. Majority of Americans blame Trump for mishandling the economy.
  5. American consumer sentiment is in the toilette under Trump.
  6. Job growth in 2025 is actually slowing, unemployment is the highest in 4 years (4.6%), 700k more unemployed Americans than 1 year ago, and over 1million people laid off in 2025.

I guess when you look at actual numbers and stats you get a pretty good sense where the US is as a country…and what we/they think of Trump as President. What I find interesting is the “approve” numbers in polls. Regardless of party affiliation there is always a core group of supporters that approve of their guy no matter what. Test this thought of mine…

  • 41% approve of Trump’s handling of the US economy
  • But, unemployment is the highest in 4 years
  • And, home foreclosures are up 20% in 2025
  • And, national, corporate, & private debt grew hugely in 2025
  • And, personal and corporate bankruptcies are up over 10% from last year
  • And, auto loan based repossessions expected to hit an historic high of 3 million in 2025

Interesting, isn’t it.

But let’s not worry about what the facts, figures, and statistics say about the state of the US…a nice easy war with Venezuela where we overthrow their government will fix everything here in America.

A big beautiful war, the best ever war in the history of America, destroying the worst country the world has ever seen, worst country history has ever seen run by the worst man the universe has ever known. We will win, the biggest win in our history by the most powerful military in the world, in the history of world…the best ever, most powerful ever. Great big beautiful shinny planes, huge powerful wonderful warships, the best and biggest warships the world has ever known, big beautiful ships wonderful grey. Great war, beautiful war, wonderful war that we win, the biggest win the world has ever seen.

 

 

* There are differences in the average price of gas in the US in 2025. 
Another source showed the Dec2024 gas price at $3.03 and in Dec2025 at $2.89 (down 13%). 
I originally used what I thought was a more reliable source. 
Point is, the price of gasoline is not down anywhere near what Trump said in his address. 
But, I will give Trump a break...when was the last time Trump 
ever filled up his own tank and paid for his own gas? Probably never ;)

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Economy, Income, Home Prices: Q&A #4

Here are even more questions raised to me from the article Economy, Income, Home Prices…  < click here to read that article >

Some earlier questions on this article can be found at:

Send me whatever additional question you might have. I will do my best to share my opinion…for whatever that is worth.


How are they killing America?

Well, let’s review what I think it takes to kill America. In no particular order:

      • Change the United States from a Constitutional Republic to a Democracy.
      • Get religion out of the people’s individual lives, out of the home, out of schools, out of government, and politically silence the pulpit.
      • Kill charity and replace it with government controlled welfare.
      • Revise/rewrite our country’s foundational principles and history.
      • Reduce the value of human life.
      • Allow government to control education.
      • Create slaves of citizens through debt and government control/regulation.
      • Create a false sense of prosperity.
      • Create a two party political system.
      • Elect politicians who smile to citizens’ faces while they steal their wallet…then stab the voters in the back over and over again.
      • Focus the vast majority of a country’s wealth into the hands of an elite few and create a ruling class.
      • Get people to forget that the lust for money and power destroys everything it touches.

I hear that it all boils down to our US currency. Is that true?

Yes / No / Kinda…how’s that for an answer?

It’s all about Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and that the US now has a fiat currency. And EVERY single country/empire that has ever adopted MMT/fiat currency has failed/crashed…or is in the process of doing so (i.e. USA is doing so now). I wrote about it extensively here < click to read about Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) >

And, MMT and fiat currency are part of a bigger picture…ALL empires fail. And have no doubt, make no mistake, the United States of America is an empire…period…end of story. You can read about that and what that means here:

Why are you so doom and gloom?

Oh, here we go! Look, I’ve said for years…if you want fluff info and articles go somewhere else. If you want political and/or government propaganda go somewhere else. If you want USA rah, rah false-patriotism crap go somewhere else. If you want articles wrapped in a flag or bible go somewhere else. Yup, and if you want a Trump cheer-leader (Trumpateer) go somewhere else. I write from my heart. I write from facts and stats. I write from an historical perspective.

Humans don’t do new stuff, they just repeat the original stuff. But, humans also tend to overlook what is happening because they think something is new or different…or they think that somehow this time it will turn out different. But reality doesn’t happen that way.

And don’t give me “Jesus” was different and did different stuff. Jesus is divine…not human as I am referring to. Also, I am not referring to scripture based stuff either…it is scripture…you know, the whole God thing. I am talking about humans doing human stuff as humans do. It was done once…then repeated over and over again.

Okay, that being said…there is good all around us, good people helping others everyday. And I am very grateful for that. Here’s the catch…you don’t need me telling you about that…you can see it with your own eyes, or hear about it at church. I feel obligated to keep you informed on the things I think you might be missing, or only getting part of the story. My series Economy, Income, Home Prices… is a prime example.

With all the crap, the BS, the propaganda being flung around out there, someone needs to be telling you the truth with facts, figures, statistics, and evidence. Yeah, the price of gas might down 5cents this week…but the middle-class has been disappearing over the last 55 years, people can’t afford houses, real wages are in the toilette, and the US economy is failing/falling and has been doing so since the 1970’s. And it is intentional.

You see…if I don’t show you what is happening, show the proof of what is happening, and make it clear who is behind it…well, how the hell are you supposed to prepare for it?????

Doom & Gloom” yeah, I understand, I get it. But it is “truth and reason” more than it is doom and gloom. You know…it’s called information.


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