Tariffs = Taxes = Good?

Let’s make this real simple…”tariffs” are taxes…period. And consumers pay taxes…hence, consumers pay for tariffs. Sure, companies who import the products that tariffs are applied to pay the tariffs originally, but then pass that cost on to consumers in the form of higher cost of those products. So, when you hear a particular product coming in from a foreign country will have a tariff applied, it means the price of that product will go up to the US consumer.

Now the question is, “Are these ‘Trump’ tariffs good?” The answer: Absolutely “YES!” and a little “no” mixed in.

Historically speaking the United States was funded primarily through tariffs (including import duties), excise taxes, and land sales. For the first 126 years (+/-) of US history there was no Constitutionally approved income tax. Income tax was not formally adopted until 1916 with the rise of the radical leftist Progressive movement. And the US did just fine funding the federal government during that 126 years…other than a war with itself that killed about 170,000 of its own citizens (almost 6% of the entire US population) in a civil war. For that the federal government forced a form of income tax on the US population to pay for all those deaths.

But what about the ‘Trump Tariffs’???

I have no idea of what is in Trump’s head and exactly what he wants to accomplish by imposing tariffs on good from foreign countries. But, I do clearly know what will happen…and what could happen.

First – The price to the US consumer of ALL goods from foreign countries on which tariffs have been imposed will go up. How much? That depends on the % of the tariff and how much the importing company decides to pass on to US consumers. But the prices will go up.

Second – It will slow down the US economy. When you take money out of consumer pockets and send it to the US federal government that consumer has less money to spend on goods and services such as food, fuel, cars, TVs, clothes, etc.

Third – Some manufacturers, exact numbers entirely unknown, will build and makes “stuff” in the US that previously was imported from foreign countries to avoid tariffs…some of those tariffs may be very high such as 25 – 60%. Take a ‘widget’ that cost an importing company $100 to buy, then they have to pay a 25% tariff to get it into the country. That makes the cost of that product now $125. But, they figure they can make that same ‘widget’ in the US for $115. So they start making it here in the US to reduce their cost of goods.

Fourth – A possible outcome may be that foreign countries who impost high tariffs on US goods…such as China 67%, India 52%, and Japan 42%…will reduce their tariffs so the US will reduce our tariffs against their countries’ goods.

So a great question right now would be…”Are reciprocal tariffs a good thing?NO! They are a great thing!!!!! For years and years and years other countries have charged higher tarries on US goods while we had no or very low tariffs on their imported goods. Hence, we were paying welfare checks to other countries to strengthen their economies and protect their companies and protect (and increase) their jobs. Bottom line…Americans were suckers paying hard earned money so other countries could benefit from us. STUPID!!!!

Reciprocal tariffs are a truly great concept…a great way for the US to treat those who abuse us by sucking money out of our economy for some foreign country’s benefit. You charge us a dollar on our goods, we will charge you a dollar on your goods. Fair is fair!!! The US needs to stop being the world’s welfare checking account!!!!!

So why did the US government tolerate high tariffs on US goods for the last 60 years to begin with? Well, that is a simple one…globalists. Globalists want everyone in the world to be equal…well, at least the lower-class folks. For globalists there are only two classes of people…the rich elites, maybe .5 – 2% of the world’s population, and then the lower-class folks…also known as the working class people. Sound familiar? It should…communism…but on a global scale. And tariffs was a perfect way to suck money out of the US economy (biggest and best in the world) and move that money to all other countries to improve/equalize their wealth.

Oh, and the rich elites skim a hefty amount right off the top making them far, far richer. And then remember this…he who controls the tariffs controls populations…yeah, called power.

When did the US middle-class start to disappear? Oh yeah, in the early 1970’s…the same time tariffs on US goods started to take off, global trade became the big thing, the US was taken off the gold standard, and the US dollar officially became a ‘fiat currency’. Sound familiar? Since that same time, early 1970’s, US manufacturing began its decline; accelerating when China came online as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse.

Are you seeing how this all fits together?

So why would Trump start a tariff war? Let me be clear…Trump is NOT staring a tariff war! Trump is simply fighting back in that war that began long ago. I believe what he is trying to do is this:

  1. Bring manufacturing back to the US. And in doing so that creates manufacturing jobs…and that might rebuild the middle-class. And it would make the US more self-sufficient in the industries in which manufacturing does return to the US.
  2. Tariffs will help fund the US federal government. Tariffs are paid by importing companies to the US federal government to fund government activities and/or pay towards reducing the national debt or paying to service that debt.
  3. Change the world culture. For many decades other countries have been living on US welfare in the form of their tariffs on US goods imported into their country.

Don’t discount this global culture shock! For instance, the European Union charges 39% tariffs on goods imported from the US. That means that a EU Jeep dealership would normally pay let’s say $20,000 for a new jeep to imported to the EU for them to sell. But, when you add the 39% tariff on that Jeep it now costs almost $28,000 to get it on the EU dealership lot. The EU dealerships then sell a whole lot less Jeeps because they are very expensive compared to EU made cars. That $8,000 difference in price…well, that goes straight to their EU government! And that reduces the number of US jeeps sold, which reduces the number of Jeeps made, which reduces the number of American jobs to manufacture Jeeps.

Since the early 1970’s the United States of America has been one HUGE welfare checking account for the world. When governments around the world no longer can suck US dollars out of the pockets of US taxpayers…well, they are going to struggle with that…and it won’t be pretty.

Here is the main problem with “reciprocal tariffs”…at the very least, the best case scenario, it will be 2 years before manufacturers will bring plants and associated jobs back to the US in any meaningful way. Some industries such as automobile manufacturing could take 10 years to get manufacturing plants up and running with those nice middle-income jobs. Can the US survive that long economically in the mean time?

Then again…maybe there is a more important, a more applicable, maybe a more urgent question we should be asking…

 

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MidNite Solar Battery Review & Install – Part #1

If you watch it on youtube please do me a favor and “like” it. And you can even subscribe to my channel there as well 🙂


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I miss him…

It’s been one year ago today that Sparky passed on…

This was him in 2019. He was helping me build our house. Just before I took this picture he had been playing around the building site, dirty as all get out, and he was so happy to just be…yeah, just to be.

I was living alone in a cabin (less than 300sq’) without water, no toilette, no shower, no stove, pretty much just roughing it. He was my companion the whole time…a faithful one. He was so patient and loving…a God-send. Every morning I would wake up with him curled up laying behind my knees.

There is so much more to say but I just can’t today.

I miss him.

Will the US survive?

The other day, thew 17th to be exact, I posted an article…okay, more of a rant…on the US and the rest of the world economically speaking. I made it clear that the US historically is a giant welfare checking account for the rest of the world. Also, in that article I raised 3 questions:

  1. Can the US turn this around?
  2. Can the US be saved economically?
  3. Is there hope for the US long-term?

In this article I will answer those questions. Although in reality, they boil down to a single question…

Will the US survive?

I know this is another “long read”. But to understand the situation there has to be context. That context is facts, figures, evidence, statistics, and history. Without those, this would all be my personal opinion. Oh wait…it is all my personal opinion…you have to decide for yourself what you believe to be true.

By the time you are done reading…well, the answer will be clear if you know what we are looking for. Meaning, can the US “survive” as what exactly…if at all.

Let’s look at 3 solid undeniable, indisputable economic facts:

  1. Personal debt of US citizens is at an historic high…and growing.
  2. Corporate debt of US companies is at an historic high…and growing.
  3. US national debt is at an historic high…and growing.

For this part of the conversation we will address the national debt. The total US debt is now well over $36trillion dollars, heading quickly towards $40trillion…maybe 1 – 2 years…2 years tops.

Here is a figure I want you to clearly understand…in 2025 the US will pay out just about $1trillion in interest on the US national debt. That’s about a 2.7% interest rate on the total US debt.

And finally, before I deep dive into the numbers…the US government is currently spending about $6trillion per year in the government budget…of which about $1.2trillion is a deficit. Yeah, meaning we are borrowing $1.2trillion each year so the government can spend it. Here’s an odd fact to consider…the amount we are borrowing each year for the government to spend is almost what the interest paid is each year to pay for the national debt. Odd, don’t you think?

Here we go…

For this scenario we the people decide that the US government will become fiscally responsible. It takes over a year but, Congress passes the Fiscal Responsibility Act in 2026. There are two major provisions; 1) the US will operate on a balanced budget each year, 2) the US will pay off the US national debt over 100 years. Yeah, I know…100 years sounds like a long time to pay off the debt, but hang in there with me. And since it took until late 2026 to pass this legislation, the national debt is now $40trillion (probably more in real terms, but we will call it 40 for this case).

So the first thing that needs to happen is eliminate the $1.2trillion deficit each year to comply with Part #1 of the 2026 FRA. Now the annual US government budget (money remaining) is only $4.8trillion with the elimination of the annual deficit. And just to make it easy, we will keep the interest rate on the US debt at 2.7% for the next 100 years.

So here is what we are looking at in the US for federal government budget and spending…

  • Total available annual budget for 2027 is now $3.3trillion after making the debt payment and the interest payment. That is 60% of what the current budget projection is for 2027.
  • So to balance the budget we will have to reduce government spending by 40%.

Well, here is where we run into a bit of a problem. The US government currently spends money on the following each year:

  • 24% on Medicare and Medicaid (health insurance)
  • 21% on Social Security
  • 13% on the military

That totals 58% of the current budget. So if we only have 60% of the current budget left to spend…and we keep spending 58% on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the military…that leave exactly 2% for the ENTIRE remaining US federal government spending…2% !

Do the math…that is $96billion total for the rest of the US budget outlays. Want to get an idea of how much of the remaining current budget money covers? That covers less than 1/5th of just the benefits for veterans and federal retirees. AND NOTHING ELSE FOR ANYTHING ELSE !

Bottom line…

paying off the US national debt is a 100% impossibility

…even if we spread it out over 100 years.

Depressed yet? Well, heck…don’t be. Modern Monetary Theory says that sovereign governments not only don’t have to pay off national debt…they can keep borrowing forever…as much as they want ad infinitum. Sounds great, right? Ah, no.

Here’s a question to ask yourself…Do prices of goods go up or does the value of the dollar go down?

Take this example:

  • 1874 (150 years ago) the price of gold was $23 per ounce
  • 2025 (current +/-) the price of gold is $3,000 per ounce

Did the price of gold go up? Or, did the value of the dollar go down?

To answer that question try this…Did anything at all change in the actual gold? Yes, there is way more of it now than 150 years ago so it is not a diminishing supply issue. And the weight of that gold, 1 ounce, is the same today as 150 years ago. So the only logical answer is…the actual/real value of gold stayed the same…but, the value of the dollar diminished by 13,000% since 1874.

Here’s another example:

  • In 1874 you could buy 1 acre of Virginia farmland for $9 (just less than ½ oz of gold at the time).
  • In 2024 that same acre of Virginia farmland was about $5,000 per acre (about 1.6 oz of gold)

Did the price of Virginia farmland go up…or did the value of the dollar go down?

Now, think about it…in 2024 you would have to provide 160% more gold to buy that acre of Virginia farmland (150 years later). But, if you were paying in US dollars you would have to hand over 55,000% more US dollars!!!! So the value of that land about tripled but the dollar amount paid for that same land went up 550 times. So the dollar tanked during the 150 year time span.

When prices of “stuff” is compared to US dollars…the value of the US dollar is evaporating.

Again, let’s look at this…

  • 100 years ago the price of silver was about $1 per ounce.
  • A brand new house in a middle-class neighborhood would run you about $6,200…about 6200 ounces of silver.
  • Today a brand new house in a middle-class neighborhood will run you about $410,000…12,000 ounces of silver.

So 100 years later you have to hand over less than twice the number of ounces of silver for that average home. But, you have to hand over 66 times more US dollars for the same house. Yeah, that means the US dollar is worth 3% of what it was 100 years ago when looking at real value.

What does that mean…the US dollar is all but worthless when compared to actual “value” of goods in our everyday lives. In other words…the US dollar is not worth the paper its printed on. And that means its “fiat” currency. Yup, there is no actual value to the US dollar…none whatsoever. The true value of the dollar went away in the 1971 when President Nixon took us off the “gold standard”. Yeah, prior to that you could redeem dollars for actual physical gold. And, in 1964 the US stopped redeeming US dollars (silver certificates) for actual physical silver…the same year the US stopped putting silver in US coins.

So what is the US dollar backed by? Nothing…absolutely nothing. Look at a $20 bill…US currency. It says right on the front of the $20 bill…”Federal Reserve Note”. Ah, you know what a “note” is? It is a “loan”, a “promise” to pay…nothing more. And to make maters worse…it isn’t even a promise to pay from the US government!! The “Federal Reserve” is a private company owned by banks…NOT owned by the US government.

Granted, the $20 bill states “This note is legal tender to all debt public and private” But, consider this…if it is not from the US government, but from a private company (Federal Reserve), who actually backs that claim of it being “legal tender”?

US currency…nothing, absolutely nothing, of real value…real value went away more than 50 years ago. Today US currency is only backed by faith in the US government…or more correctly faith in the Federal Reserve. Yup, nothing more than a promise that the money is good.

Ah, but what about the US dollar’s actual worth…

  • Compared to land 100 years ago the US dollar is now only worth .2% of its value…point 2% !  (yeah, way less than 1%)
  • Compared to gold 150 years ago the US dollar is now only worth .8% of its value….point 8% !  (yeah, less that 1%)

But, you say, “that is ancient history!!!” Ah, no.

The US dollar comparisons between 2014 and 2025:

  • Average home prices…US dollar down 50%
  • Average price per gallon of gasoline…US dollar down 29%
  • Average price of new car…US dollar down 53%
  • Spot price of Silver…US dollar down 80%
  • Spot price of Gold…US dollar down 150%

You got that? Even since 2014 the US dollar is WAY down!!! 30 – 150% when compared to the real value of real goods.

And check this out…during that same time period average US wages were only up by 18%. Think about that folks…the average wage in the US was up less than 20%…while the dollar lost real value from 30 – 150%!!!!!!

That is losing ground economically big time!!!!! But you know that…you are living it. And those economic losses are just as real over the last 10 years as it has been over the last 100 or 150 years. And that is fact!

Summary –

We’re screwed!!!

Here’s what we are looking at:

  • The US dollar is only worth a fraction of what it once was…even 10 years ago.
  • The prices of everything are skyrocketing.
  • Real wages are only rising a fraction of what prices are.

The average American is tanking economically. And the facts, statistics, and evidence prove that beyond any doubt.

But let’s go back to the original question…

Will the US survive?

The answer is no. Plain and simple the US cannot, will not, survive…period. There is no scenario where the US survives…period. There are no facts, no evidence, no statistics, no anything to show that it does, or even can, survive.

Consider these historically proven facts

  • No country in the history of the world has survived economically that practiced Modern Monetary Theory…none. The US practices Modern Monetary Theory.

  • Every previous fiat currency that has ever existed in the history of the world has failed. The US dollar is a fiat currency.

  • Every previous empire that has ever existed in the history of the world has fallen. The US fits exactly the definition of an “empire”.

So, once gain, no the US will not survive. And if you look at facts and statistics the US is already falling/failing/collapsing as a country. EVERY single piece of evidence, every fact, every statistic proves it to be true. It is all around us…every day…everywhere…YOU see it. Well, you only see it if you take emotion, bias, and ignorance out of it.

It is no longer a matter of the US falling…it is a matter of when it hits bottom. Since the US currency is only based on “faith”, that faith could be shattered tomorrow or next week or next year or 20 years from now. But know this…the US will crash.

Did you notice that I didn’t even mention business or personal debt? Yeah, throw those two devastating issues into mix and you know for 100% certainty that the US cannot be saved. No country can sustain all of our debt and use fiat currency.

What does this mean to you personally? Simple…

When you are in debt, you are a slave. The debt holder is your master. You are in servitude to whomever you owe money to. And the government, any level of government, is the worst of all slave owners. And ALL levels of government in the US are horrific when it comes to their slaves; brutal, unforgiving, cruel. Doubt me?

  • Taxes are debt by definition.

  • Government can take your wages if you don’t pay your taxes.

  • Government can take your company/business if you don’t pay your taxes.

  • Government can take your home if you don’t pay your taxes.

  • Government can put you in prison if you don’t pay your taxes.

  • Government decides what amount your taxes are.

  • Government officials (i.e. bureaucrats and judges) decide if you not paying your taxes…and what your punishment will be.

So who are your masters? Who are the American slaves?

So, personally speaking, the best you can…get out of debt…stay out of debt. All-in-all…be as self-reliant as possible and form communities of safety.

We could go on for hours regarding this topic…but bottom line…

The US is falling, will continue to fall, will crash, and will disappear. Your responsibility is to protect your family against evil and the brutal times that are already here and the much worse times to come.


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 2009 - 2025 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.
See Content Use Policy for more information.

BigCorp vs Workers & Foreign vs Domestic

WARNING: I am on a roll…and I am mad…and I am frustrated…and I am fed up. In this article I provide lots of facts and statistics…but I also go on a rant a time or two. And yes, I inject some rather unpleasant (i.e. colorful) language. You have been warned…continue reading at your own risk.

Last Wednesday (3/12) I wrote about the “pimple on our butt”…Canada. Let me be clear once again…they are little more than a “pimple” economically. They screw us over economically big time implementing far larger tariffs -penalties- on American goods imported into their country than we impose on their goods imported into the US. And that just ain’t right! Why should we subsidize Canada’s economy when they don’t do crap for us?

Economically speaking…they are complete losers when compared to the USA…they are barely 60% of the US standard of living when comparing per capita income to GDP. Canada is third-world status compared to the US. Can you imagine for a minute if the US stopped subsidizing their economy? Could Canada even exist without our welfare payments?

But, is Canada the exception or the rule? Unfortunately the US has been subsidizing the entire world for decades…improving the life of dozens and dozens of foreign country’s citizens while destroying our own middle-class…OUR United States middle-class!! Yeah, let’s look at facts…the US middle-income/middle-class has shrunk by nearly 20% since 1971. And the US lower-income/lower-class has grown by nearly 20% in that same time period. Gee, you think there is a correlation there?

Okay, let’s think about this for a minute…US manufacturing jobs have been steadily going downhill since the 1970’s. Oh wait, net imports of goods and services was pretty much zero in the early 1970’s. Here it comes…by 2020 it had ballooned to $600billion more of goods and services imported from foreign countries (net imports). So where exactly did those manufacturing jobs go? Oh yeah…to foreign freaking countries!

Let’s talk China for a minute…in 1970 we had no trade with China. By 1980 we were importing more than 300% more goods from China than we were exporting to them. By the year 2001 we were importing about 10 times more goods from China ($100billion) than we were sending them. By 2022 that dollar amount of imports from China went to $525billion!! A 500% increase!!!!  All the while they are charging us import tariffs.

Here’s a little related tidbit for you to remember…in the early 1970’s the average home cost $31,600. By the end of 2024 that had jumped to $510,300. That is more than a 1600% price increase in the average US home!!! While we were rapidly increasing our imports from China. Hhhhuuummmmm?

Now, just to throw a couple pieces of history into the mix…

  1. In the 1970’s President Nixon “normalized” relations with China. In other words, opening up trade with China. And if you look at his politics…Nixon was a liberal and Progressive by any definition, but he was also an authoritarian and globalist as well.
  2. Then in 2001 what happened? Ah, yeah…9/11 terrorist attack. And who was at the helm…Bush. And he implemented some serious socialist economic policies in 2007 – 2008 to “save” the country from the Great Recession. And there is no question that Bush was a rabid authoritarian and globalist. For crying out loud…his father, prior President, was a damn CIA agent!

Coincidence and/or correlation in those historic event outcomes?

So the middle-class began shrinking in the 1970’s at the same time that US manufacturing jobs began their significant drop…at the same time the US was a “net zero” in overall foreign trade and no trade with China…at the same time homes cost $31,600. Then Nixon opened up China and foreign trade in general…enter the “global economy.”

Then, starting in 2001 until the 2020’s our imports from China went up more than 500%. And also, homes jumped 315% during the same time period…and that includes the downturn during the housing crisis period (The Great Recession).

Do you think there might be some correlation or connection between historic events and our economic situation?

Back to “BigCorp vs Workers & Foreign vs Domestic”…

Here is something for you to consider…as of 2021 the good ole USA ranked 186 out of 197 for import tariffs. That means the United States of America had virtually no import tariffs compared to the rest of the world. Yeah, you heard the horror stories about Canada’s 250% tariff on some imported US goods. But that story, along with hundreds of others, could they be one-off evidence? Hang on a second…the global tariff ranking mentioned above is hard fact…proof that the US is a giant welfare checking account for the rest of the world.

And for those who want to challenge Trump’s allegation about Canada being a far higher tariff country than the US…Canada’s average tariff rate is 2.35%…the US’s rate is 1.47%. Yeah, do the math…Canada’s average tariff rate is almost 40% higher than the United States’.

Here is an additional fact that will want to make you throw up…since the mid-1970’s the United States has provided trillions of dollars in foreign aid to countries around the world. And that figure doesn’t include military aid (i.e. freebies) or the free money during the Great Recession. The US giving trillions of dollars to countries who in return impose huge tariffs on imported US goods. And to make matters worse…that foreign aid (i.e. welfare) represents a huge portion of the entire US national debt! That’s a triple loss for the US!!!  Does it also show we, the USA, are stupid or what? Or, is there something else going on?

All of this is proof positive…the United States of America is one big…HUGE…global welfare checking account. We are the sugar daddy for the entire world. And all the while:

  • our annual federal deficit grows to unimaginable and unsustainable levels
  • our country loses manufacturing jobs and the ability to provide for ourselves
  • home prices skyrocket and homes become unobtainable for many families
  • our middle-class shrinks while the poor increase
  • our national debt balloons to an untenable size
  • our median household income (inflation adjusted) has decreased significantly since the late 1980’s
  • during the US Great Recession of 2007 – 2009 while US citizens were losing their homes, losing their jobs, losing everything…the US Federal Reserve sent trillions of US dollars to foreign central banks to prop up their countries and their citizens

Do I need to go on? The bottom line is the US is funding the world…we are paying for everyone’s prosperity while our country is going down the toilette economically for the last 50 years.

So let all the other little pimple countries like Canada whine and complain and throw temper tantrums all they want. They only succeed economically because we are paying for it! They enjoy whatever economic good-fortunes they have because the good ole US writes the check for them.

And don’t even get me started on who protects foreign countries militarily! If it were not for the US military…there would be very, very few democracies left in the world. So let the petulant little countries cry their eyes out about the big ole mean USA…screw ‘em!!!

Summary –

Domestically the US suffers economically because we fund the world with our money. We buy their crap at the expense of US jobs and ever lowering real income for our own people. We charge a fraction of the import tariffs on foreign goods compared to what other countries charge on US goods…taking that hit financially as well.

President Trump, you go right ahead and balance the tariff trade war!! And while you’re at it…cut foreign aid to ZERO!! If you do so, manufacturing will come back to the US, job #’s will grow, income will grow, our economy will grow, the middle-class will grow once again…and we once again will become a self-sustaining country. Hopefully.

But why won’t that happen? The rich bitches (elites) of the world, and specifically those in the US.

Here’s something to show what I mean…the disparity in income between between the average American and the top 5% of American earners is a great stat to look at. From the mid-1970’s to 2024 the difference in income disparity between those two groups went wild. Rich American vs average American income growth disparity is 260% greater now than in the mid-1970’s. So tell me who exactly is benefiting the most from “free trade”, low tariffs, and a global economy? Yeah…the rich folks ya’ll…and a big time -HUGE- difference.

The bottom line…

  • Globally, foreign vs domestic, the foreign countries are benefiting from, and destroying the United States economically.
  • In the domestic view, the big corporations and rich folks, are benefiting from, and destroying the middle & lower class economically.

And before any morons give me crap about US nationalism or Marxism advocacy…SCREW YOU!!! That is only a vain attempt on your part to discredit facts and actual evidence.

But for clarity sake…yes, I am a US Nationalist! From the dictionary –

Nationalism is an ideology that elevates one nation or nationality above others and promotes its culture and interests. It can also refer to support for the independence or self-determination of a nation or people.

So you’re damn right I am a US Nationalist…take care of US citizens, US companies, and the US economy FIRST!!!

As for anyone who thinks I am an advocate of Marxism or Marxist ideas against rich folks…you’re an absolute idiot, clown, imbecile…or worse. What I advocate for is a strong American economy, a strong American manufacturing base, and both honesty and fairness when it comes to hardworking American workers. America can only survive as a strong Constitutional Republic if we have a strong middle-class…and “they” have been destroying that for 50 years.

And just to make sure there is no confusion or doubt in what my opinion is on who is to blame…the world’s elites. Yup, call them rich globalists, the WEF members, CFR members, Illuminati, central bankers, or whatever you like. I don’t give a  damn what they are called…they are destroying the United States of America!! The facts, stats, and figures prove it!!

Do those destroyers have allies in the US? Of course they do…for the most part they are called politicians. They are mostly Democrats, but there are plenty of Republicans in that camp as well…probably most Republicans. And no I am not ignoring the bankers and corporate heads.

Folks, there are a lot of those destroyers right here in the US. Many of their faces are well-known, others no-so-much, and then some are all but invisible. And I bet most of us have voted for a bunch of them, and/or worked for them, over the last 5 decades.

Can the US turn this around? Can the US be saved economically? Is there hope for the US long-term? < I answered the questions – click here >

Well, maybe that should be another topic for another day. For now…< I wrote about that topic – click here >

Those people who whine and complain about the US…who cry about US increasing tariffs…who whimper about mean ole Trump putting America first…just do everyone around you a favor…SHUT THE HELL UP ! No one wants to hear your petulant little child temper tantrums.

Try this on…Why don’t you try accepting reality and appreciate all the checks the US has written over the last 50 years. Or recognize that the US stepped up during two world wars and beat the bad guys for everyone else. You know, we could have just stayed home and let the ocean defend us…but nope…we stepped up for you.

If you don’t like this article…if you don’t agree with this article…if you are mad about this article…if you are butt hurt about this article…then go to your little safe space and SHUT THE HELL UP!! I am sick and tired of all the economically non-important countries and their spoiled self-aggrandizing politicians, and their annoying citizens getting their panties in a wad.

GET OVER IT ! !

If you read this far I really want to thank you. This has been amazingly therapeutic for me, something I’ve wanted to get off my chest for a long time. I feel much better now. Again, thank you.


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 2009 - 2025 Copyright © AHTrimble.com ~ All rights reserved
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SOLAR: New Battery Bank – Part #2

I already explained in painful excruciating detail about the ‘needs’, ‘issues’, and ‘resolutions’ of the new battery bank in Part #1. I also explained why the change/upgrade, but for those of you who missed it…

  • I thought there was a battery with a problem. Turns out there wasn’t.
  • I had already committed to selling my largest LifePo4 battery (230ah) to a good friend.
  • I realized that with some trading and selling the remaining 2 existing batteries, the new battery bank would be a net zero 20% increase in power storage at no additional cash outlay.
  • I realized that the upgrade would also bring me some added benefits and efficiency in my system overall since the batteries communicate with each other and with the system’s computer “brain.”

What battery did I choose? Let’s hit the “process” first.

I have had lithium (LifePo4) batteries for 3+ years now; 2 Elites and 1 Trophy. The Elite battery manufacturer went out of business so their warranty is useless and no support for them whatsoever. The Trophy battery is awesome but can’t communicate with the Elites or my system’s computer. And since the batteries aren’t matched exactly they do discharge and charge at different rates. When the chance to get a matched set of batteries came along that can all communicate with each other and with the system I couldn’t turn that opportunity down. Especially when it would be a net zero outcome, money wise.

When I started looking for batteries to purchase I came up with a number of features that were important to me:

  1. Name brand – wanted to be able to trust the brand of a manufacturer that had proven themselves to make quality products.
  2. Local support – wanted to be able to call on someone locally to help with the batteries if needed.
  3. Good warranty – no matter how good a battery is, no matter how good the manufacturer is, there is always a possibility that something might go wrong with a battery. And I wanted that to be covered by a warranty that means something.
  4. Well built – wanted a battery that had quality components, high quality cells, high quality BMS, and protected external terminals.
  5. Communication – wanted the batteries to be able to talk with each other to coordinate their operations. I also wanted the battery bank ‘master’ battery to be able to talk to my system’s computer ‘brain’ to help with system efficiencies and reporting.
  6. Price – wanted a battery on the lower end of the retail price scale. However, this wasn’t a truly high priority…more of a ‘want’ vs ‘need’.
  7. Design – wanted a small profile server rack battery vs wall mount unit since I had limited vertical space available.

Initially I considered the following batteries:

  • EG4 LL-S Lithium $1,250
  • EG4-LifePower4 $1,142
  • Pytes V5 LiFePO4 $1,592
  • SOK 48V 100Ah PRO $1,202
  • ECO-WORTHY 48V 100Ah LiFePO4 $899
  • VATRER POWER 48V 100AH LiFePO4 $899
  • ExpertPower 48V 100Ah 5KWh Lithium LiFePO4 $949
  • Trophy 48V100E-1 $1,745

I eliminated the ExpertPower and Vatrer pretty quickly after some research due to their short time in business and unknown quality of build. On top of that, the support and warranty aspects were questionable. I have used Eco-Worthy products before and I like them even though they are not at the top of the quality chart. But I eliminated them as well due to support and warranty issues even though the build quality looks pretty good.

I cut the Pytes out due to their price…just way out of my budget. I really like the SOK battery! Great build quality, field serviceable, good warranty, solid communication protocol, and a decent price. On top of all that…SOK has been around for awhile and has a sterling reputation, but no local support for them was their only drawback. I figured I might live with that single negative.

Both EG4 batteries are decent batteries from a well-known company. Decent build quality, good performance, supposedly EMP hardened, comm capable with my system, decent warranty, but no local support. They were still in the running in #2 and #3 slots. I love Trophy batteries!! If I needed internal heaters in the batteries I would choose Trophy hands down. They are great batteries and their customer support is unmatched. However, I don’t need heaters and the price tag put it at the top of the expensive list…out of range for my project budget.

If I had to choose I would go with the SOK, but…

A buddy of mine owns a solar installation company about 10 miles from where I live. He is a good friend of mine and I’ve bought equipment through him before. Not only that, I previously managed to do a little trading with him when I did my major upgrade almost 2 years ago. Obviously I had to talk with him and see what he thought about my battery upgrade.

He listened to all my reasoning and I asked him for his opinion. He asked me if I had seen the MidNite Solar server rack battery. I had not. He showed me a unit he had in his shop’s showroom…it looked very sharp, clean, and well-built. He told me he had installed about 100 of them so far with no issues, no problems, no warranty claims, nothing but good results. He also personally knew one of the partners/owners of MidNite, even stayed at his house before.

I have used MidNite Solar products for years and installed lots of their equipment but had no idea that they carried a line of batteries. I had 100% confidence in the company and their product quality. I asked him my price per battery and was pleased with what I heard. I had something he wanted and so we agreed to a trade for 2 of the 8 batteries. But…I had to do my research before committing to a purchase.

ALL of my research showed that these batteries are absolutely Tier 1 products. However, they don’t have an LCD screen on them but that’s okay. Why? Coz…I am over being too much of a tech-head. I don’t need to be monitoring individual cell voltage, 4 different temperatures of the box interior, etc. The best proof that you built a good system is when you don’t want to, and don’t have to, monitor it. Sure, I will monitor it for the first 30 days or so just to ensure that all is working correctly, but after that…forget about it!

Choice: MidNite Solar MNPowerflo5 $1,099 (retail)

First bonus was the communication capability with my Victron system built in. Second bonus is the rack that comes with the batteries at no additional cost. Third bonus…dark start. When a battery becomes discharged to minimum safe level it is designed to shutdown. Almost all batteries then have to then be charged with an accessory charger or “jump started” to wake them back up; not these batteries. As soon as there is sufficient PV or genset power the battery will wake up on its own and begin to charge…nice! And to be honest…I love the white color vs the traditional black box battery scheme.

Decision made! MidNite Solar MNPowerflo5 was my choice. Order placed…waiting somewhat patiently. (Should be here sometime between March 19 – 21 with any luck.)

Yeah, then came the configuration process…how to group the batteries together for the best, safest, and most efficient configuration. Many folks use a stackable server rack system with a built-in busbar. However, that is not how these batteries stack in this case. So a vertical busbar on each side ( + & – ) is not on the plan. What I worked out though is, in my opinion, a better option. Why? Splitting the batteries into 2 sets and protecting each with a Class T fuse. I cover that in Part #1 < click here to read that >

The entire footprint is only 2’ deep by 3’ wide and approximately 26” tall. That fits well inside the current footprint minimizing the impact on the utility room. The wiring will be very clean and well-organized and mostly hidden.

Let me explain how I replaced the dual vertical busbars mentioned earlier. First off, understand that connecting each battery individually to a busbar is the most efficient way to configure a battery bank. That enables each battery to individually transfer current to and from the system equally among all batteries. While I can’t quite do that, I will be able to configure the system that is probably 99% as good in the transfer of current, but 100% better in protecting each set (½ of the batteries) in the bank from each other. To accomplish that I bought a Victron Lynx PowerIn Class T unit.

First off, there is an internal 1000amp busbar…plenty of busbar to handle the system’s current. And there are two connections to that busbar…each protected by its own Class T fuse. Why is that important? Should a catastrophic current overload (massive amperage) occur sending current into the battery bank, both sets of batteries are protected with a 225a Class T fuse. Should the current overload originate from a battery, the set’s Class T fuse will isolate the set of batteries from the system and the other battery set.

And here is a nice little bonus…the Victron Lynx PowerIn Class T unit, being part of the Victron family of Lynx components, connects seamlessly with the PowerIn unit I am using for ‘distribution’. That makes the system much cleaner, much more professional, and much safer than anything I could engineer. And that my friend is one of the many reasons I love Victron equipment…modular (use only what you need) and everything built to work together…and the best product quality on the market.

Now, there is a hidden bonus to moving to MidNite Solar batteries…removing the Lynx Shunt from the system. Since the battery bank (via the ‘Master’ battery) connects directly to the system’s computer “brain” (Victron Color Control GX unit), it transfers all the required/needed system information, eliminating the need for the shunt unit. And that allows me to sell that shunt unit to help offset costs of the upgrade.

Here is a graphic of what the PowerIn ‘distribution’ unit does…So all-in-all we are getting great batteries from a high-quality company that will work very well with our existing system. Now, let me explain this to you…it takes time to figure this stuff out. And I have 13+ years of building solar systems…and 7 years of building whole-house off-grid solar systems. I spent probably 40 – 60 hours over a couple months to come to the point we are now. But…it was time and effort well spent!

When put together it will look something like this…

I think at this point I will do a series on the “build” and include video. Watch for it !

 


Articles in this Series –

SOLAR: New Battery Bank – Part #1


Related Articles –

 


Q & A Time…Ask me a solar question or send me a message…

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨





 

 

 2009 - 2024 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.
See Content Use Policy for more information.</p

Canada : The pimple on our butt !

Yeah, I’m about to voice my opinion on the little twerp of a country called Canada and why I think they are a little 2-year old petulant child.

Before I do that let me share one thing that may make a difference…I am second generation US citizen on my dad’s side of the family. Yeah, my paternal grandparents came from Canada…thank God they left Canada and came to the US and started a great life here for their family…in a decent and real country.


There is some debate about how dependent the US is on Canada economically. Ah, no. Let’s look at some facts…

Facts:

  • Population: 41million – Canada vs 330million – USA
  • National GDP: $2.5trillion – Canada vs $30trillion – USA
  • Per capita income: $55,000 – Canada vs $90,000 – USA
  • World ranking of per capita income: 18th – Canada vs 7th – USA
  • Aid provided to foreign countries: $6billion – Canada vs $55billion – USA
  • Standard of living: 29th – Canada vs 12th – USA

So reality speaks volumes…The USA dwarfs Canada in every conceivable economical way! If you want to be brutally honest…when comparing Canada to the USA…well, Canada starts looking like some third-world country.

And PLEASE President Trump don’t make Canada the 51st state!!! It would drag down the United States to a ghetto level country. And that is before we start talking taxes. Canadian taxes are anywhere from 30 – 100% higher than taxes in the US (Corporate, Individual, VAT, Capital Gains). They can keep their tax nightmare to themselves!

Now let’s talk trade…Canada sends $66billion more of their goods to the US than we send to them. Yeah, let’s talk a very real number for a minute…Canada sends a total of about $450billion of their goods to the US each year. That means the US provides almost 20% of Canada’s GDP!!! In real terms that means if the US stops accepting goods from the US…well, Canada collapses. Yeah, their GDP drops to that of Spain and Mexico…third-world status.


But not to be out-done…let’s talk politics:

  • Canada is a democratic-socialist country.
  • They heartily endorse abortion (infanticide).Oh wait…that sounds a lot like eugenics.
  • They also are in love with euthanasia. Yeah boy, Canada makes it legal for anyone expected to die from a medical condition can have the government approval to kill those folks instead. And that includes anyone with physical disabilities. And in 2027 it will cover anyone with mental illness. Even the United Nations raises the warning sign about their love of killing their own people. Wait a second…doesn’t that sound like eugenics?
  • Canada embraces socialism in their health care system.
  • Canada does not support freedom of speech, they have stringent censorship laws. In Canada you can go to prison if you say anything resembling “insensitivity or bigotry” as defined by their federal government.
  • Canada is rapidly and radically anti-gun! To possess a gun in Canada their federal government must approve your “possession and acquisition licence”…and it gets worse. Their government hates for their people to possess guns…and all of this applies to BB guns as well!

Wait a minute…get this…

  • Up until 1982 Canada was still ruled by England!
  • But still today, who is the head-of-state in Canada? King Charles of England!!!

So folks…get over Canada!! Canada is little more than a pimple on the butt of the United States. Canada is rather insignificant in the big scheme of things. The US can easily exist and thrive without Canada…Canada collapses without the US. And that is before the fact the US military is the big-brother that keeps Canada safe. Without the US, Canada could be overrun and defeated by countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, Eritea, or Morocco.

And finally, let’s talk about leadership…

  • Former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Pierre James Trudeau, nothing more than an empty-headed, empty-suit, pretty boy from an old-money political oligarch family. Arguably one of the least intelligent leaders the world has known in the last 200 years.
  • Incoming Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney…some facts about him…
    • Career banker, former head of Canada’s central bank (their Federal Reserve Bank)
    • Climate and Enviro Nazi
    • Globalist in every sense of the word
    • True believer in Davos
    • Big time carbon tax advocate
    • His person mantra “Arise and do the work of humankind.
    • Former employee of Goldman Sachs
    • Big supporter of Greta Thunberg
    • Calls himself “The champion the green transition among a coalition of banks, asset managers and insurers around the world.”

To recap Canadian leadership…Trudeau was an empty-suit moron that was ruining their country for the last 10 years. Carney is everything that is wrong in the world…the ultimate example of a rich global elitist…who will soon be running their country.

Canada’s importance in the world…yeah, not so much. Think about this…the US is #1 trading partner of Canada…63% of ALL Canada’s trade in the world is with the US. Look at it this way…The US trades more with Canada than the other 20 Canadian trading partners COMBINED!!! Canada as a world economic power…well, it just isn’t.

And if you are thinking about getting twisted up about Canadian lumber controlling the house building in the US…don’t! Canadian lumber products represents only about 12-17% of total consumption of the US house building industry. And that can easily be made up by US forests and lumber industry…easily!

To be fair and compassionate…there is some good to be found in Canada…

  • Pierre Marcel Poilievre is a Canadian politician who has been the leader of the official opposition and of the leader of the Conservative Party. This guy is a plain speaking, down-to-earth, intelligent, commonsense guy that is brave enough to tell it as it is.
  • About 40% of Canada is called “conservative”…meaning more intelligent generally speaking. But, I am not entirely sure how Canadian and US definitions of “conservative” match up. But it does give some margin of hope…slim as it might be.
  • Canadian bacon rocks! Although it isn’t really bacon…it is ham. Must be a language thing.

Basically, Canada is a huge, fat “nothing burger” in the bigger scheme of things…and certainly when it comes to importance to the United States. Okay, granted…Canada ain’t even much when it comes to relevance in the entire world if truth be told.

And let me close with this…Canada’s history-based relationship with the US…well, remember Canada sided with England in our war for independence from English tyranny and oppression. And when the war was over…and the US won…the enemy English loyalists (Tories) ran to Canada for sanctuary. Canada remained part of that British Empire until 1982…and Canada is still under the English Monarchy today.


So, when it comes to Canada…

Forget about ‘em!

* But many of them are nice clowns 🙂

P.S. For anyone wanting to talk Canadian hockey…

  • Canada only has a single MLB baseball (real sport) team. It’s been more than 3 decades since Canada won the baseball World Series. And then, only twice in more than 3 decades.
  • Canada has only a single NBA basketball (real sport) team…Toronto Raptors. In 3 decades they won 1 Championship.
  • Canada doesn’t even has a NFL football (real sport) team.
  • As for hockey, is hockey even a real sport?  Nah! Just a fistfight on a frozen pond!


Related Articles –

 

 2009 - 2025 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.
See Content Use Policy for more information.</p

SOLAR: New Battery Bank – Part #1

Thought I would reach out to the solar tech-heads today. I wrote previously that I thought I had a problem with one of my 3 LifePo4 batteries (1x230ah + 2x205ah). Turns out that it wasn’t actually a problem, I was still getting my full amp hours from the “bank” of batteries; one would just unload faster than the others. However, I already had put into motion replacing all my batteries…which would increase the overall power storage by 20%.

Current power storage capability 32.8kWh…about 40 hours of power with no additional sunlight.

After the upgrade the power storage capability 41kWh…about 49 hours of power with no additional sunlight.

I thought I would share the whole thought process on how I was going to configure the new battery bank. Why is that important? There is a balance between cost and benefit when it comes to installing solar components. But the overriding factor is safety…1) don’t injure anyone handling the components and 2) don’t burn down the house from a fire that starts from the solar equipment/install.

There are two additional factors involved here –
  1. There are some efficiencies to be gained by having each battery “brain” (mini-computer) hooked to each others; and the “master brain” (mini-computer) of my overall solar system. Having the batteries talk to each other coordinating their charging/discharging, etc. does help. And the system’s “master brain” can better coordinate the interaction of all system components.
  2. Below is a picture of the current battery side of the system. As you can see it looks a bit conflicted and confused. Although it works fine the aesthetics leave something to be desired. If the time comes to sell our place, heaven forbid, having a neat professional installation will, if not add value, will surely not detract from it. And yes, I will do a before and after picture to show what I mean.

To get the most out of this post you need to have a basic understanding of electricity and solar. But if you don’t, that is okay, you can always ask me questions.

First off is the electricity I currently use:

  • Average AC load: 8.5aAC – 20aAC (1kw – 2.4kw), Daily Average 20kWh
  • Normal Max AC load: 37aAC – 85aDC (2kw – 434kw)
  • Maximum AC Amperage: 84aAC (42aAC per each AC leg – each inverter)
  • Maximum DC Amperage: 194aDC (97aDC each leg – each inverter) – (2.3 DC amps for each 1 amp AC)
Proposed Battery Bank Design –
Each Battery Bank –
  • Battery bank consists of 2 battery sets
  • Each battery set consists of 2 batteries each
    • Batteries parallel daisy chained with 6” x #2awg (200a capacity rated at that length)
    • Set connected to Lynx with 24” x #2awg (200a capacity rated at that length)
    • Each set capable of 100a (based on internal BMS & circuit breaker)
  • Each battery bank is connected to system via The Lynx Class T unit (1000a busbar)
  • Each of two battery banks’ capable of 200a (split between 2 battery sets)
  • Each of two battery banks’ over current protection device is 225a Class T fuse housed in the Lynx Class T unit
Issues / Resolutions –
  1. Issue – Protecting 2awg wire between batteries.

Resolution – Battery internal BMS (100a) & internal circuit breaker (125a) protects the 2awg wire between batteries. 2awg rating for 6” length is 200a capacity.

  1. Issue – Protecting 2awg wire connecting battery set to Victron Lynx Class T unit.

Resolution – Battery BMS (100a) & circuit breaker (125a) protects 2awg wire between battery set and Lynx. 2awg rating for 24” length is 200a capacity.

  1. Issue – Protecting each bank from the other bank due to dead short.

Resolution – Lynx Class T unit has 225a Class T fuse on each bank.

  1. Protecting system due to dead short in batteries.

Resolution – Lynx Class T unit has 225a Class T fuse on each bank.

New Battery Bank DC Loads –
  • System
    • High Average: 20a
    • Normal Max: 85a
    • Maximum: 194a
  • Each of two battery banks
    • Average: 10a
    • Normal Max: 42.5a
    • Maximum: 97a
  • Each set of two batteries each
    • Average: 5a
    • Normal Max: 21a
    • Maximum: 49a
  • Each battery
    • Average: 2.5a
    • Normal Max: 10.5a
    • Maximum: 24.5a

Battery Nominal/Maximum for Charge/Discharge (as per battery spec sheet): 75a nominal 100a maximum

The Victron Lynx Class T unit w/2 battery bank connections

  • Each bank has dedicated 225a (20kAIC) fuse for over-current protection
Worst Case OPerational Scenario –

Problem: 3 out of 4 battery sets go off line. Dumping maximum 194a draw onto one battery set.

Outcome: Maximum draw still withing rating of 2awg wire between each battery, from battery sets to Lynx. And, current spread out over 2 batteries in set is still under 100a of BMS cutout if the draw is split equally between each battery in the set. And still under 125a of each battery’s circuit breaker if the draw is split equally between each battery in the set. If full draw hits a single battery before damage can be done to #2awg wire the BMS will shut down the battery and the battery internal circuit breaker will open stopping the flow of current.

If the current would somehow manage to keep flowing and increasing in amperage, the 225a Class T fuse will blow at the upper end of the #2awg wire carrying capacity before the wire fails.

Summary –

Solar power is complex but not un-doable for the average person. The key is learning and then applying commonsense to any problem once that problem is understood. Here I had no complicated problem…just had to apply the basic of electricity to the problem and the solution would be clear. Although, when “opinion” is added in, then there could be a number of correct answers.

Remember the overriding factors; 1) safety – don’t get anyone hurt, 2) safety – don’t burn the house down. Both are accomplished by the new battery bank configuration. Also, accomplished is economy. I was able to use a whole bunch of existing equipment and supplies such as wire/cable.  And also accomplished were the side benefits of some increase in efficiencies, some increase in stored power, and better overall system quality.

Part #2 will be which battery brand I chose and why.

Personal Note: I thought you might get a kick out of seeing my current battery bank. And yes, I will show an “after” picture as well.

Articles in this Series –

SOLAR: New Battery Bank – Part #2


Related Articles –

 


Q & A Time…Ask me a solar question or send me a message…

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨





 

 

 2009 - 2024 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.
See Content Use Policy for more information.</p

SitRep – (03/10/2025)

Oh boy…so much to write about…most of which you already know and have seen on the news. But there is at least 10 times that much below the surface…and almost all of it ain’t good. If you want to skip the fluff, you can go right to the “summary” if you wish.

I will try to give you enough details to back-up what I am saying but not so much material to bore you to pieces.


Topis to cover in this SitRep:
  • Trump & Musk Plan Working
  • Economy
  • Europe
  • Crime & Violence
  • Illegal Alien Gangs & Push Back
  • Politics
Trump & Musk Plan Working –

Yes, the Trump/Musk is working. The obvious is shrinking the government, and it is working; working for how long might be a good question to ask. They have the Dems’ organization working against them, they have the federal employee unions working against them. They have most judges working against them, including the SCOTUS for the most part. They have the federal bureaucracy working against them. They have many Repubs working against them. And they have internal Administration members working against them…as in Cabinet level officers. And they have the FBI, CIA, NSA, and most of the Pentagon and military-industrial complex working against them.

I could be wrong, wholly or partially, about the military-industrial complex. Since Trump and Vance are both very pro-big military guys, the military-industrial complex may be with them. Especially when they are talking HUGE spending programs like the “Golden Dome”.

How long Trump, Musk, & Vance can battle all of those opponents and still score enough “wins” is up for debate. The forces arrayed against them are greater than the mortal forces with them.

And yes, stating the obvious, they have most of the world leaders and the world’s elite working against them as well.

Economy –

The economy is in horrible shape…a leftover from the Biden/Harris regime. And yes, it was absolutely intentional that those two traitors, along with their conspirators, left it that way.

Trump is NOT making the economy any better. Inflation is up considerably. Of course, inflation right now is not Trump’s fault but he isn’t bringing it down immediately as he promised. But it was a hollow and unrealistic promise to begin with…and he knew that when he made that promise.

Look, the S&P is down 6% since Trump was sworn in…and that ain’t good. Oil futures are down 13%…and that might sound good. However, the price of gasoline at the pump is basically unchanged. Those two price indices combined paint a bad picture. We are paying the same price at the pump but speculators are expecting the demand of oil to be much lower in the very near future. What does that tell you? To me it whispers…economic downturn. I hope and pray my opinion is wrong.

Then there are the tariffs…I think there should be reciprocal tariffs; that is only fair. But there will be economic pain as the country gets use to it. The question is how long the pain will last and how painful it will be. It is nobody’s guess, anybody’s guess, at this point. And the economy will suffer till we adjust.

Unemployment was up 11% in 2024 over 2023. That is significant. The January 2025 unemployment rate is now up as well. Granted Trump is not at fault for either number. But what it does show is this…the economy is hurting big time. And if Trump/Musk government employee firings and layoffs continue unabated…unemployment will get bloody and the corresponding economic numbers will suffer as well.

The economy is all but a wreck. The question is how big of a wreck will it get.

Europe –

Europe, more specifically the European Union is a mess…and getting worse. Not only do they have a war in their midst, Islamic terrorism is rising. And they are really starting to feel the pressures of their illegal and legal immigration policies/problems. And it will get far, far worse in the months and years ahead.

Germany in particular is living on unstable ground. The rise of nationalism and ultra-nationalism is gaining strength. Many sectors of traditional German society are finally rejecting the radical left and protesting the massive immigration problems. Along with a sharp rise in terror attacks by immigrants, it is combining to make an explosive situation just begging for a nationalist strongman to come along. And that didn’t work out well for them the last time…or for the world.

Crime & Violence –

Crime and violence in the US is spiraling out of control…and the vast majority of that increase is coming from the illegal alien invasion. You can say/think what you want…or the radical left and media can say what they want…but the facts and evidence clearly show that the rapid increase in violence and crime in the US is coming from illegal immigrants.

The real problem looming on the horizon is this…the radical law & order freaks. The “snap back” or “pendulum swing” of increased law & order could easily be even worse than the increase in crime and violence. Why? It’s called authoritarianism…this is just what the elites want and have been planning for. Why else do you think they allowed the invasion?

Illegal Alien Gangs & Push Back –

At some point we will see a significant upswing in violence from the criminal gangs in the US…almost exclusively the illegal alien gangs. They will push back like they do in their own/previous countries. Gangs such as MS13, Tren de Aragua, Surenos, Paisas, and 18th Street will lash out at some point fairly soon. They won’t tolerate the unopposed ICE raids. Why? Those raids affect their power and ability to make money.

Along with that…we can’t ignore the retribution that is occurring, and will increase, from the drug cartels. Their enforcers/gangs are organized, well-armed, and ruthless. As ICE and the DEA crackdown on them…you can count on an increase in retaliation.

Politics –

Politics is a HUGE mess right now. You might think Trump has won the day and rules Washington. Ah, no.

The political scene is a mess, a big bloody brawling mess. You have the standard Dems vs Repubs. But you also have Dems vs Dems, Repubs vs Repubs, establishment vs outsiders, and a whole host of folks and groups fighting each other. Kinda like brother vs brother. And it will get worse…much, much worse in the days ahead.

The normal political apple cart has been tipped over, then flipped, then upended, then rolled over…and is in the process of being crushed. Trump is behind much, maybe most, of it but no doubt he is in the middle of it. What appears is happening is only the tip of the iceberg. And in defense of Trump…I honestly think he is doing what he feels is right, I do. But there is a much, much larger game being played…and he is playing into their hands. The hands of the true power players.

And if you think ALL of this is a good thing…well, no offense intended…you are out of your freaking mind!!

The chaos and instability is creating power vacuums which are screaming to be filled with someone…anyone. And trust me…there are folks standing by to fill those power vacuums that are your worst dreams come true.

Summary –

This country is a complete mess right now, chaos rules. The economy is on the brink of collapse, politics is nothing but a mess, the in-fighting is in the red zone…and the rest of the world is being destabilized by all of it.

Are there good things happening? Yup, of course there are. But, all of it combined is creating nothing more than a huge, HUGE, mega chaotic and unstable mess. And when countries get in a mess like this, where chaos reigns and so many power vacuums exist, it rarely turns out well.

Now, more than ever, is the time to keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground. There is so much happening behind the scenes and in dark smoke filled rooms. And I am telling you…none of it is for the good.

If you think Trump has this all under control and that he is running it all his way and he is designing the future…you are wrong, dead wrong. Trump is only a player, a single player, in the game that is taking place right now. The real power players are in the shadows pulling the strings.

I am telling you under no uncertain terms…prepare yourself and your family.


Related Articles –

 

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Masterful : Trump !

I’m sure everyone has been waiting on pins and needles to hear my take on Trump’s speech last night. Uh, right.

I watched his speech last night from start to finish and my #1 take-away…Trump is a masterful politician. Yup, he knows how to play to the crowd and to the cameras. He knows all the buttons to push…good and bad. He knows how to gin up a crowd and play to people’s emotions. Trump…a consummate politician.

My favorite moment of the night…

“The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense.” Then Dems clapped in support of the Ukraine/Russian War and the hundreds of billions sent to fund that war. “You want to keep it going for another five years,” Trump shot back before singling out Senator Warren. Pocahontas says yes.”

If you remember, it was Warren that claimed she was native American when there is zero DNA in Warren to back up that claim.

No doubt Trump has upset the apple cart in his first 40 days in office. Most of which I am thrilled to see. Slashing the federal workforce is fantastic!! Let’s get it down to about 20% of what is was under Biden. Finding waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer hard earned money is amazing!!! Let’s cut the federal budget by at least 3 – 4 trillion dollars! Reciprocal tariffs is just common sense and will help American companies and workers like never before! Yes, there may be some issues and pain along the way, but reciprocal tariffs is a great long-game move.

I am 100% in favor of border security…and I mean SECURITY!! Sending the military to the border is exactly what they should be doing and should have been doing all along…protecting America. What I am not in favor of are the border patrol checkpoints located away from the border. These are nothing more than “Papers pleaze! Show us your papers!!”

The “Privileges and Immunities Clause” of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of movement of US citizens within the United States. And that right has been upheld for 150 – 200 years through various Supreme Court cases. But for some reason the Federal government, in its quest to establish a police state, has ignored those rulings and the Constitution.

Let Border Patrol finally do their job…ON THE BORDER! And they can keep their freaking hands off US citizens inside the US. Better yet…eliminate Border Patrol and return the job to the US military.

The most discouraging part of the speech appeared multiple times during non-political moments when Trump was recognizing people for their sacrifices, loss, achievements, and special circumstances. For the most part the Dems were silent in their behavior…shameful!

I am going to back track for a moment…here is my replacement #1 take-away…

The United States is irrevocably split…the US Empire is fractured to the point of no return. Granted, Trump may give back some much needed glory and prosperity to the old USA, but he can’t save it. Why? Simple…the Republican and Democrat parties…our two party system. President George Washington saw it over 200 years ago and warned us against splintering into a two political party system. We, citizens of the US, ignored that warning and we are speeding down the path of our destruction. And history has proven there is no exit ramp for our destruction. Sadly, there is no desire of either party to even look for that exit ramp…they are both too concerned, too dedicated, too obsessed with their lust for power and money.

More than ever there is a need for all good people to decide who they are, what they believe in, and then follow through with those convictions. Political parties and politicians, are not the answer, they have never been the answer…and never will be. We have been repeatedly warned for nearly 300 years that government is not, and never has been, the answer…government is the problem.

For 200 years the following has been true…

“That government is best which governs the least.”

But there is actually more to that quote that is often left out…

“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.”

Is that possible today? Of course not…the political parties and politicians have seen to that.

By figuring out who you are and what your principles are gives you the ability to discipline yourself…and become self-reliant. And self-reliance…well, it is the goal is it not.

 

 2009 - 2025 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.
See Content Use Policy for more information.</p