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  • in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184253
    zerosum
    Participant

    Recognize Problem # 1

    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/cost-security-impact-higher-defense-spending-debt-laden-nations

    The Cost Of Security: The Impact Of Higher Defense Spending On Debt-Laden Nations

    by Tyler Durden
    Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 – 06:20 AM
    Authored by Robert Burrows via BondVigilantes.com,

    In an era of rising geopolitical tensions, many nations are ramping up defence spending to bolster security. However, for countries already burdened with high debt, this creates a fiscal dilemma: how to fund military expansion without worsening financial instability.

    Nowhere is this debate more pressing than in Europe, where Germany—historically the continent’s fiscal anchor, undertook a historic change to its fiscal policy.

    The burden of debt and defence
    An increase in defence spending presents a strict trade-off for heavily indebted countries. Governments must either:

    Raise taxes – politically unpopular and potentially damaging to growth.

    Cut other spending – risking social discontent as welfare programs, infrastructure, or education suffer.

    Borrow more – worsening fiscal deficits and increasing interest costs.

    Many western nations, including France, Belgium and the UK, already have debt-to-GDP ratios exceeding 90%, a level often associated with slower economic growth and rising debt-servicing costs. Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive, meaning every additional dollar or euro spent on defence further strains government finances.

    Germany, with its historically cautious fiscal approach, has long provided Europe with a sense of stability. But if Berlin abandons its “Schuldenbremse” (debt brake), the consequences could ripple across the entire region.

    Germany’s debt brake: The last fiscal anchor in Europe is creaking!

    If Germany does abandon its debt brake, two major risks emerge:

    Loss of fiscal discipline across Europe

    Germany has historically been the economic stabiliser of the eurozone, often pushing for fiscal restraint in countries like Italy, Spain, and France. If Germany embraces deficit spending, other nations may follow suit, leading to a more relaxed approach to debt across Europe.

    This could weaken confidence in European government bonds, raising borrowing costs for highly indebted nations.

    Increased risk of inflation and market instability

    More deficit spending will likely fuel inflationary pressures

    Investors will demand higher yields on European sovereign bonds, putting additional strain on public finances.

    A fractured European fiscal policy could weaken the euro, making imports more expensive and eroding purchasing power.

    What happens next?
    Tighter monetary policy: If increased government spending fuels inflation, central banks may be forced to keep interest rates higher for longer, slowing economic growth.

    Greater EU fiscal integration: If Germany relaxes its debt rules, there may be renewed calls for collective EU borrowing (like the COVID recovery fund) to share the burden. Will the Europhiles finally get their wish, or will we see a slow Balkanisation of Europe as high outstanding debt forces countries’ hands?

    Market reactions: Investors could reassess European sovereign risk, leading to rising bond yields, particularly for countries with weaker fiscal positions. This could introduce a new level of uncertainty and volatility into the European market.

    Ultimately, while stronger defence capabilities are necessary in an uncertain world, the financial cost could be as destabilising as what is raging on Europe’s doorstep.

    If Germany, Europe’s traditional fiscal anchor, shifts toward looser debt policies, the eurozone could face a new era of fiscal uncertainty—one that challenges the economic stability of the entire continent.

    For now, the fiscal boost will be seen as a positive, higher growth, higher inflation and a stronger euro.

    Also, don’t forget that it’s not just Germany increasing spending. Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal need to increase defence spending considerably from here, which should fuel growth and inflation further.

    The UK is in a similarly challenging position. The UK government must carefully navigate its foreign policy to maintain strong economic and security ties with both Europe and the US, balancing conflicting interests. It seeks close trade and regulatory alignment with the EU to protect economic and financial stability while avoiding commitments that could constrain its post-Brexit sovereignty.

    At the same time, it prioritises a deep security and economic partnership with the US, aligning on defence and geopolitical strategy, even when American policies diverge from European interests. This balancing act requires diplomatic agility to avoid being caught between two major allies with differing trade, defence, and global governance priorities.

    With the tectonic plates shifting, time will tell how this all unfolds.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184252
    zerosum
    Participant

    A 3 way Mexican stand of between Russia, the West and the Lenders.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184251
    zerosum
    Participant

    Ask an expert, to forecast you future
    For positive and negative population projections, you can refer to the work of Adrian Raftery, a prominent statistician and demographer who has contributed to probabilistic population projections for the United Nations.
    His work explores both optimistic and challenging scenarios for global population trends.

    Additionally, the United Nations Population Division regularly publishes reports like the “World Population Prospects,” which provide a range of projections based on different assumptions.
    These reports are widely regarded as authoritative sources for understanding future population dynamics.

    1 https://www.demographic-research.org/articles/articlesbyauthor/1565
    2 https://ourworldindata.org/

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184249
    zerosum
    Participant

    The meaning of DOUBLESPEAK is language used to deceive usually through concealment or misrepresentation of truth;

    ‘The Coalition of the Willing” to support a just and enduring peace for Ukraine. Around 25 countries, including European partners, the EU Commission, NATO, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand are expected to join the virtual meeting.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184243
    zerosum
    Participant

    Ceasefire
    The example that “Israel ceasefire” is using is the model that the west wants to use in Ukraine.
    “You stop. We won’t.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184242
    zerosum
    Participant

    NATO LIES
    This might be a good time for NATO Sec.-Gen. to explain what NATO is all about.

    Are they really a defense alliance?
    Then why are meddling with Ukraine, a country that is not a member?
    The argument that strengthening Ukraine means weakening Russia does not count:
    As long they are not under attack, any initiative must be consider aggression and not attack.

    What was NATO’s business in Afghanistan?
    In Libya?
    In Syria?
    None of these countries attacked NATO members.

    And what is NATO’s business with China and Taiwan?

    Trump made clear that if Europe sends soldiers to Ukraine, and if those soldiers get attacked, their country can not call for Article 5-assistance.
    Why does Trump have to say that, why is the NATO Sec.-Gen.silent on this topic?

    Why does the NATO Sec.-Gen. not have anything to say on NATO’s failure to prevent the war in Ukraine?
    After all, NATO’s defense spending is several times that of Russia.
    After all, NATO has been moving forces closer and closer to Russia’s border, not least in Ukraine.
    NATO holds nuclear exercises every year, NATO has held several large excises in Eastern Europe, just before the war.
    Yet, none of this posturing has deterred Russia from invading Ukraine.

    And none of the preparations NATO has made since 2014 has put NATO into a position to help Ukraine stop Russia in its tracks, swiftly after the invasion.
    Quite the contrary, just as in Afghanistan, NATO is about to lose another war.

    How about NATO Sec.-Gen. stands up and explains what NATO is all about.
    Now. And in the future? Why do we need NATO, and what does NATO need to look like to do its job?

    Posted by: Marvin | Mar 15 2025

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184237
    zerosum
    Participant

    Lies and secrets.
    Participate in an undeclared war. (Don’t tell the tax payers)
    Who is in the coalition of the willing Ukraine? (code word for “War”)

    The Coalition of the Willing will meet tomorrow as world leaders drive forward action to support a just and enduring peace for Ukraine. Around 25 countries, including European partners, the EU Commission, NATO, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand are expected to join the virtual meeting tomorrow morning.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 15 2025 #184233
    zerosum
    Participant

    Peace – don’t hold your breath – Details 30 day ceasefire

    Kursk Region – kill zone – surrender – take POWs – “terrorism.” they committed mass crimes – mercenaries

    Sanctions – $300 billion or so in Russian assets “seized” – as in stolen –

    secrets/Lies – Zelensky already gave away to the Brits – Odessa etc.

    Enforcement – peace keeping – violations
    ————

    History lesson
    • The Minsk Agreements and Why They Failed (Proud)

    ————-
    • The EU’s Plan For ‘Peace’ Is To Buy More Weapons With Taxpayer Money (RT)
    • EU Aiming To Revive Military Industry – Politico (RT)

    https://swentr.site/news/614215-eu-militarization-white-paper/
    https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0034_EN.pdf
    ———-
    secrets/Lies
    • AFK: Former CIA Agent Tasked With Reining In Intel’s ‘Black Budgets’ (RCW)

    AFK will be free to follow the money.
    Passed over for a job at CIA, she now oversees the entire CIA budget as well as the budgets for the 17 other agencies that collectively make up the intelligence community.
    “My job is to arm Tulsi and John,” AFK replies, referring to Tulsi Gabbard, director of National Intelligence, and John Ratcliffe, director of the CIA.
    ——————-

    • Trump Invented The Shutdown Vaccine: It Turns Out To Be DOGE (JTN)
    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday told the conference that he would support the measure.
    That led to 10 Democrats joining with Republicans to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold.

    The turnaround came as Democrats voiced concerns over handing Trump too much power through a shutdown and as Elon Musk stoked fears that the government would simply permit a shutdown indefinitely to accomplish the goal of dramatically reducing the size of the government.
    —————

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 14 2025 #184194
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-phone-call-asks-putin-spare-lives-ukrainian-troops-surrounded-kursk

    Putin Calls For All Ukrainians In Kursk To Surrender, ‘Sympathetic’ To Trump’s Request To Spare Lives

    by Tyler Durden

    Putin responded that he was aware of Trump’s request, adding that Russia was willing to consider it.
    “If they lay down their arms and surrender, [we] will guarantee them their lives and dignified treatment in accordance with international law and Russian legal norms,” the president said.

    But Putin also emphasized the “numerous crimes against civilians” in the region, also has hundreds of thousands of citizens have fled over the last six months of the Kursk occupation on risky operation ordered by Zelensky.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 14 2025 #184191
    zerosum
    Participant

    Copilot and I
    Do you have info on the May 2 2014 massacre in Odessa

    The May 2, 2014, massacre in Odessa, Ukraine, was a tragic and violent event during the unrest following the Euromaidan protests. Clashes erupted between pro-Maidan and anti-Maidan groups, culminating in a fire at the Trade Unions House. Pro-Maidan activists reportedly attacked a pro-Russian camp, leading to anti-Maidan protesters seeking refuge in the building. The fire, which broke out during the confrontation, resulted in the deaths of 48 people, with many others injured2.

    The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently ruled that Ukrainian authorities failed to prevent the violence, ensure timely rescue efforts, or conduct an effective investigation. The court ordered compensation for the victims’ families4.

    1 en.wikipedia.org 2 http://www.peoplesworld.org 3 The Kyiv Independent 4 english.nv.ua

    —————–
    https://www.moonofalabama.org/2025/03/echoes-of-the-may-2-2014-odessa-massacre.html#more

    March 14, 2025
    Echoes Of The May 2 2014 Odessa Massacre
    ————-

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 14 2025 #184190
    zerosum
    Participant

    http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76459

    Meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council
    Vladimir Putin held a briefing meeting with permanent members of the Council via video link Security.

    March 14, 2025

    Colleagues, good Evening!

    We will begin work, and today we have the planned issue of restoring Russian-American relations.

    We know that the new administration, led by President Trump, is doing everything to restore at least some of what was practically reduced to zero, destroyed by the previous US administration. This process is not easy, if not difficult. Nevertheless, as everyone knows, I had a telephone conversation with President Trump, and our Foreign Minister had the first contacts with his American counterpart, and Russian presidential aide [Yury] Ushakov met with his counterparts. So, in general, the situation is beginning to move. Let’s see what will come of it. We will deal with this topic today. We have two speakers: Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Naryshkin Evgenievich.

    But, before I begin work, I would like to say that we have read today’s address by US President Mr. Trump to spare the lives of servicemen of the Ukrainian army, parts of which are blocked by Russian troops in the zone of the invasion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region.

    In this regard, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that Ukrainian militants have committed numerous crimes against the civilian population in the invasion zone. These acts, as I have already said, are qualified by the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation as terrorism.

    At the same time, we understand President Trump’s call to be guided by humanitarian considerations with regard to these servicemen. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that in the event of the laying down of arms and surrendering, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation.

    For the effective implementation of the call of the President of the United States, an appropriate order is needed from the military-political leadership of Ukraine to lay down their arms and surrender.

    I propose to move on to the agenda for which we have gathered today. You are welcome I give the floor to Sergei Lavrov.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 14 2025 #184181
    zerosum
    Participant

    @ John Day
    Good blog.

    Will your blog have an influence with the answers that The AI will come up when looking at The #1 problem that Trump is trying to fix with Tariffs?

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 14 2025 #184155
    zerosum
    Participant

    Scraping operations.
    https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/russia-reparations-peace-details
    Russia: reparations + peace: Details of the Russian peace plan.
    Article by Marat Khairullin with illustrations by Mikhail Popov.
    Zinderneuf
    Mar 07, 2025

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 14 2025 #184152
    zerosum
    Participant

    “Introspective” means contemplating “one’s own thoughts, feelings, and sensations; self-examination,”

    Do we, (TAE, RIM, Comments), do a better job of Web crawling and Scraping than AI?
    Are our inputs included in the info gathered by the different AI?

    How AI gather information.
    AI gathers information through various methods, including web scraping and crawling, utilizing APIs, analyzing data from sensors and systems, and even through licensing agreements and publicly available datasets.
    It employs a neural network, a type of deep learning, which is trained on massive volumes of text data to discover linguistic patterns and associations.
    But it doesn’t always provide accurate information.
    This is because its responses are based on patterns it has seen in the text that it was trained on.

    Web crawling and Scraping operations.
    AI Web Scraper works by imitating the human way of surfing the internet.

    When crawling, the AI web scraper makes use of algorithms to scroll the websites on the web and collects the data that might be useful for several purposes.
    ————–
    Taking care of PROBLEM #1 $36 TRILLION
    The United States’ deficit increased by a record-breaking $1.1 trillion during the first five months of the current fiscal year, new data from the Treasury Department showed.
    The new numbers, released Wednesday, showed the deficit between October 2024 and February 2025.

    Trump solution: Make everyone pay. (Tariffs)

    SEC. Lutnick says Donald Trump’s Goal is to have ZERO Taxes for anyone making less than $150,000 per Year — Force Countries to pay a Membership Fee to sell in America

    • President Trumps goal is to have external revenue taxes.. not internal taxation on its citizens

    https://x.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1899925243189170457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1899925243189170457%7Ctwgr%5E2ee29a356a0306eaa7306e73f95cc038c6af22fb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theautomaticearth.com%2F2025%2F03%2Fdebt-rattle-march-14-2025%2F
    ————-

    President Donald Trump has expressed his readiness to meet and speak with his Russian counterpart after President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was open to a US-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine but raised numerous questions about its practical implementation.
    The Russian president voiced support for a potential 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict on Thursday, but warned of loopholes and strategic disadvantages, outlining Moscow’s concerns over how such a truce could be enforced.
    Systems of “control and verification” to monitor a ceasefire are not in place but should be agreed.
    The Russian leader suggested that further direct discussions with his American counterpart would be necessary to find a viable solution, but officials have yet to confirm any specific timeline for such talks.

    Russia delivers main ceasefire demands to US – Reuters

    • No NATO membership for Ukraine
    • No NATO ”peacekeepers” in Ukraine
    • Ukraine is denazified/demilitarised
    • The 4 Donbass regions are recognised as Russian territories plus Crimea

    In exchange:
    • Cease of all hostilities
    • Peace and stability for Ukraine
    ————

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 13 2025 #184113
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://tass.com/

    13 Mar, 10:49
    IN BRIEF: Russia for truce, but ‘nuances’ remain — highlights of Putin’s remarks to media

    The notion of a ceasefire is valid, and Russia supports it; however, there are several issues that require further discussion, President Vladimir Putin stated following talks with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko.
    The Russian leader emphasized that Moscow is prepared to negotiate the next steps toward ending the conflict in Ukraine and reaching acceptable agreements based on the rapidly evolving situation on the ground, which is shifting in Russia’s favor.

    TASS has compiled the key statements made by the president.
    READ MORE …

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 13 2025 #184107
    zerosum
    Participant


    Putin Wants a Buffer Zone US Delegation Heads to Moscow Military Summary And Analysis 2025.03.13

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 13 2025 #184103
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-lays-out-demands-talks-with-us-ukraine-sources-say-2025-03-13/

    Russia lays out demands for talks with US on Ukraine, sources say
    By Erin Banco and Jonathan Landay
    March 13, 2025

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 13 2025 #184102
    zerosum
    Participant


    BREAKING: Putin Issues First Statement on Zelensky’s Ceasefire Decision!
    ———–

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 13 2025 #184101
    zerosum
    Participant

    Don’t hold your breath.
    Peace, life not death are the conditions for a 30-day ceasefire.

    Russia first needs to receive “detailed information” on the proposed ceasefire.

    Kiev claims sovereignty over Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
    These territories officially became a part of Russia after each of them held referendums in 2014 and 2022.
    Moscow has repeatedly stated that the status of these regions is non-negotiable.
    After a nearly 9.5-hour meeting, the two sides released a joint statement in which Kiev agreed to a 30-day ceasefire while the US announced the resumption of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

    Facts are hidden by Secrets and lies.

    —————
    Less people, Less gov., Improved services and Living standards.

    Trump Is the World’s Worst Dictator


    Trump Is the World’s Worst Dictator
    Victor Joecks | March 12, 2025
    ————–

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 12 2025 #184082
    zerosum
    Participant

    Secretary Rubio stays focused on the primary objective, to get both sides to agree to come to the table, with an interim goal to talk about the conditions for a 30-day ceasefire.
    Don’t hold your breath. How long has Israel been negotiating with Amas/Palestine?

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #184061
    zerosum
    Participant

    Another Peace Opinion
    https://www.moonofalabama.org/2025/03/trump-opts-for-more-war-with-russia-1.html#more
    March 12, 2025
    Trump Opts For More War With Russia
    The Trump administration has decided to resume the provision of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine. It is thus aiming at escalating the conflict.

    The outcome of yesterday’s talk between a Ukrainian and a U.S. delegation Saudi Arabia was not completely in favor of the European/Ukrainian idea of a 30 day ceasefire restricted to air and sea attacks. But it opened the desired pathway to prolonging the war.

    The U.S. asked the Ukrainians to accept a 30 day long ceasefire offer. This would of course only be implemented if the Russian side agrees to it. Meanwhile the U.S. resumes all war support for Ukraine. The outcome demonstrates weakness on the U.S. side:

    According to the latest from Riyadh, Ukraine says it is ready for a 30 day cease fire. If this is what Washington “extracted” from the Ukrainians, it is operationally meaningless. With Russia on the brink of winning in Kursk and elsewhere, the Russians won’t accept any such deal. If it is a ruse to allow the US to resume arms shipments to Ukraine, knowing Russia will reject it, the so-called peace initiative is a dead letter.
    ‘The ball is now in Russia’s court’ was the media slogan launched by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obediently repeated by various European underlings.

    But why would or should Russia agree to this when the idea seems to be to trap Russia:

    This marks a significant shift in the US approach to ending the conflict. Previously, Washington sought to pressure Ukraine into accepting a US- and Russia-brokered deal largely on Moscow’s terms. Now, America is attempting to strong-arm Russia into accepting a ceasefire as the first step toward a broader peace plan — warning that if Moscow refuses, “we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here”, as Rubio put it.
    Whether Russia will agree remains uncertain. Moscow has repeatedly stated that it does not view a ceasefire as viable without a broader framework for negotiations. But the parties are far from agreeing on this broader framework. Russia’s demands are clear: above all, legal recognition by Ukraine and the West of Russia’s annexed territories as part of the Russian Federation.

    The u-turn by the Trump administration, from pressure on Ukraine to new bellicosity to Russia, leaves a question:

    So what does the Trump Administration think it is doing by retying the Ukraine millstone to its neck? This isn’t Trump’s war. The Oval Office row provided him with the perfect excuse to cut Zelensky loose, even put new elections as the condition for providing much help, and provide only bare bones support (not that the US could do more than that on the weapons front) so as to blunt criticism that the US was abandoning Ukraine, as opposed to getting them to sober up about their true condition.
    Yves Smith, quoted above, sees four potential reasons:

    the U.S. really believes that Russia is in a bad shape economically,
    the U.S. really believes that Russia would and wants to profit from a ceasefire,
    the neocons (i.e. Marco Rubio and the Europeans) have played Trump,
    or (most likely):

    Finally, Trump may, even more than before, be in “All tactics and no strategy is the noise before the defeat” mode. It is becoming more and more apparent that his top priority is dominating any interaction, no matter whether that advances any long term aim. Trump and his allies derived pleasure from beating up on Zelensky during and after the White House row. Even though Zelensky asked for it (at a minimum by not donning a suit), what did the US gain? Zelensky ran around Europe, getting support that bolstered him at home. The US, despite holding the cards, got bupkis in Riyadh aside from some optics.
    Since 2014 the Ukrainian side has multiple times agreed to this or that ceasefire after its forces received a strong beating. It also immediately broke each of its promises.
    https://x.com/RWApodcast/status/1899530873743045041
    The defeat of its incursion into the Kursk region of Russia will have motivated it to accept the U.S. position. But what force could make it stick to a ceasefire if Russia would agree to one?

    The current situation on the battle field is very much in Russia’s favor. Any pause in fighting would allow the U.S. and its allies to accumulate more arms and ammunition for Ukraine. Russian forces are well supplied and not in need of a break in the fighting. Should the Russian leadership agree to a pause it would open itself to considerable critique from Russian nationalists and hardliners.

    Russia, at the same time, wants to keep its friends in China and the Global South on its side. Pressure from them is the only reason I can think of that might push Russia into accepting a temporary ceasefire deal. But there has been no public noise in this direction from China or other BRICS and Global South countries so far.

    Russia has yet to receive the official result of the U.S.-Ukrainian talks. It will not react to media noise before having read those.


    Recently three U.S. bloggers, Judge Napolitano, Larry Johnson and Mario Nawfal, had an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (video, transcript). It is as always refreshing to follow Lavrov’s reality based reasoning about the conflict over Ukraine.

    Posted by b on March 12, 2025 at 16:39

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 12 2025 #184059
    zerosum
    Participant

    Face the truth!
    Canada has budget deficits. Canada needs more income to balance their budget/spending.
    How can Canada get more money/taxes from you?

    reciprocal tariffs Cheer, clap,clap,clap

    Canada tariffs news: Trump’s levies arrive, Ottawa responds

    CTV News
    https://www.ctvnews.ca › world › trumps-tariffs › article
    Canada, following a dollar-for-dollar approach, is levelling retaliatory reciprocal tariffs on the United States, worth $29.8 billion.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 12 2025 #184039
    zerosum
    Participant

    The Bank of Canada has cut its overnight lending rate by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent, it announced on Wednesday, as an ongoing trade war with the U.S. begins to strain the Canadian economy.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 12 2025 #184038
    zerosum
    Participant

    You and TAE are part of the “influencer” that are trying to fix/righten/stabilize our economic/social structures.
    Peace
    Reflect/reality check on these points of view.

    ————-
    https://x.com/realstewpeters/status/1899648879563337982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1899648879563337982%7Ctwgr%5E3a452c11c136c2ffe32e56586d4fc966f791eb8a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theautomaticearth.com%2F2025%2F03%2Fdebt-rattle-march-12-2025%2F
    ———–

    30 day cease fire.
    But will Putin agree?

    All Ukraine troops must withdraw from Crimea and the four regions.
    There must be a signed (not by Zelensky!) document that says Ukraine will not be part of NATO.
    Only then can a truce maybe be considered.

    • 30-Day Truce: US Lifts Pause On Intel & Military Aid To Ukraine (ZH)

    There’s as yet little incentive for him to enact a temporary ceasefire, given as Trump recently admitted… he has all the cards (and Zelensky doesn’t).
    By all accounts the Russians are fast taking back territory in Kursk and advancing along front lines in the Donbas.
    Likely Russia fears that Kiev could simply use this ceasefire as an opportunity to rearm, rest, resupply and regroup
    – especially given Washington just said the US arms and intel pipeline is back on.

    Moscow is likely to see this is simply a matter between Washington and Kiev, and it appears to be a version of Zelensky’s ‘partial ceasefire’ which demands a halt to all air assaults.

    “Trump should immediately remove all sanctions, not only against Russia but against every country.
    This will boost the dollar’s role as the international medium of exchange, save the basis of American power, and reassure the Kremlin that the Cold War is indeed over.”

    • What Should Trump Do? (Paul Craig Roberts)
    ————-
    The Europeans chasing a “mirage that no longer exists, stubbornly hiking ‘tax and spend’, whilst doubling down on mass immigration and overpriced energy, oblivious to the flashing red lights in the [financial markets] as government debt yields rocket to their highest levels since 1998”, as Allister Heath outlines.
    In other words, the suggestion is that Friedrich Merz, Macron and Starmer are talking about how they are going to turn around their countries – via a massive infusion of debt – into defence superstates.
    Yet, at some level of consciousness, they must realise that it is not doable, so they settle instead for presenting themselves as ‘world leaders on the international stage’.
    ———-
    Tariff War.
    Who will pay/collect the tariffs?
    Who/where will the income go?
    Who will gain/suffer win/lose?
    Must meet/discuss a renewed USMCA relationship.
    ————-
    If Musk and the DOGE boys can cut a trillion dollars of funny money out of 2025 spending, they’ll gut most of the inflation, too.
    They might even get us under the 2% inflation that the Fed targets because the Powers That Be — the ones who politically benefit from spending money we don’t have — long ago decided that 2% annual inflation is good for us, actually.
    But that’s a discussion for another day.

    https://x.com/AutismCapital/status/1899207851824066919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1899254896081469715%7Ctwgr%5E3a452c11c136c2ffe32e56586d4fc966f791eb8a%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theautomaticearth.com%2F2025%2F03%2Fdebt-rattle-march-12-2025%2F
    ELON MUSK: “I’m just here trying to make government more efficient and eliminate waste and fraud. So far our savings at this point exceed $4B a day. Unless we’re stopped, we’ll get to a trillion dollars in savings.”
    ————
    DO NOT PAS GO. GO TO JAIL

    • USAID Staff Rush To Shred And Burn Documents (RT)
    “Destruction of evidence is a crime,”

    The acting executive secretary of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Erica Carr, has directed remaining staff to destroy sensitive documents stored at the agency’s former headquarters in Washington, DC, according to an internal email.
    ————
    “All of our “growth” for the last five years is due to unsustainable deficits that will haunt generations of Americans yet to be born..”

    • Brace Yourselves: The Next Media BIG LIE Is About to Drop (Green)

    Before I tell you about the legacy dinosaur media’s next BIG LIE, I need to show you how they’ll sell it.
    It starts, as these things always do, with the Left attempting to control the language to alter your perceptions about how the economy performed under Presidentish Joe Biden and will perform under President Donald Trump.
    We might be done with Biden but he isn’t done with us, as you’re about to see.
    ————-
    What motivates you. What you think. What you see. is being manipulated.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #184016
    zerosum
    Participant

    In an effort to convince the U.S. that Ukraine is serious about peace and in the hope that Washington will resume military aid and intelligence sharing,
    Kyiv is also reportedly proposing a partial ceasefire covering long-range drone and missile strikes, as well as hostilities in the Black Sea.

    It remains to be seen how ready Russia is for any peace deal,

    Russia will probably just point out that the law that prohibits any Ukrainian to negotiate with Russia is still in place.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #184012
    zerosum
    Participant

    US won’t impose 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum after Ontario suspends electricity levy

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #184007
    zerosum
    Participant

    Ukraine agrees to 30 day cease fire.
    “cross my heart and hope to die”

    (Attest to the truth of something; solemnly assure someone that the truth has been spoken.)

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183975
    zerosum
    Participant

    Yesterday is gone.
    USA, Canada relationships

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183973
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/trump-ford-ontario-electricity-tariffs-trade-war-1.7480234
    Trump says U.S. will double steel, aluminum tariffs in response to Ontario’s electricity levy

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183972
    zerosum
    Participant

    Palestinians are not equals
    https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/additional-measures-to-combat-anti-semitism/
    Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism
    The White House
    January 29, 2025

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183970
    zerosum
    Participant

    The more you got the more you can lose.
    What Is a Bear Market?
    A bear market is when investment prices drop 20% from their most recent high.
    Bear markets are scary, but they can also be good investment opportunities.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183961
    zerosum
    Participant

    Ignorance is bliss. ( a person who does not know about a problem does not worry about it.)

    While the diaspora abroad can serve as an asset – lobbying for pro-Ukrainian legislation, advocating for sanctions against Russia, and sending money to relatives back home – it cannot directly compensate for the workforce depletion or stimulate domestic economic growth.

    Human losses are compounded by damage to infrastructure, industrial capabilities, and material resources.
    The ongoing hostilities have inflicted substantial damage, and recovery will require tens of billions of dollars.
    When it comes to supplying the army, the losses are even more evident.
    In the past three years, Ukraine has exhausted the huge reserves of Soviet weapons that it had before the war.
    Western supplies have mitigated the problem, but it will be difficult to maintain the scale of supplies at the required levels without ongoing gigantic financial investments.
    The abrupt shift in Washington’s stance has further complicated matters, as the bulk of aid came from the US.
    As for territorial losses, their final extent remains uncertain.
    But one thing is clear – restoring the country’s 1991 borders is no longer a realistic objective.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183958
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/23/xavier-becerra-biden-administration-future-00153737

    Xavier Becerra plots political future after Biden administration
    The Health and Human Services secretary is making moves to run again in California. Maybe even too many moves.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 11 2025 #183955
    zerosum
    Participant

    @ those darned kids

    More info

    WE GOT YOUR ASS COVERED
    (Biden protected everybody involved with covid 19)
    For every new law, get rid of 10 laws

    https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-8773/pdf/COMPS-8773.pdf
    PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT

    https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PREPact/pages/default.aspx
    Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_immunity
    Legal immunity

    https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-29108.pdf
    Liability protections begin on March 27, 2020, and extend through December 31, 2029.

    . Liability protections for Qualified Persons authorized under Guidance issued by this
    Department as an Authority Having Jurisdiction to respond to a declared emergency,

    XIV. Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program
    42 U.S.C 247d–6e
    The PREP Act authorizes the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) to provide benefits to certain individuals or estates of individuals who sustain a covered serious physical injury as the direct result of the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures, and benefits to certain survivors of individuals who die as a direct result of the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures. The causal connection between the countermeasure and the serious physical injury must be supported by compelling, reliable, valid, medical, and scientific evidence in order for the individual to be considered for compensation. The CICP is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Information about the CICP is available at the toll-free number
    1–855–266–2427 or http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/.

    XV. Amendments
    42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(b)(4)
    Amendments to this Declaration will be published in the Federal Register, as warranted.
    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 247d–6d.
    Dated: December 6, 2024
    Xavier Becerra,
    Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    [FR Doc. 2024-29108 Filed: 12/10/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 12/11/2024
    (Biden protected everybody involved with covid 19)
    ———–

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 10 2025 #183928
    zerosum
    Participant

    Positive demonstrations will get the message out and prevent being accused of being “anti”.
    Compliment/positive posters of Israeli, Zionists for all their military actions.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 10 2025 #183903
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/ontario-slaps-25-increase-electricity-exports-us-response-trumps-trade-rcna195655
    Ontario slaps 25% increase on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to Trump’s trade war

    Ford’s office said the new market rules require any generator selling electricity to the U.S. to add a 25% surcharge.
    Ontario’s government expects it to generate revenue of $300,000 Canadian dollars ($208,000) to CA$400,000 ($277,000) per day, “which will be used to support Ontario workers, families and businesses.”

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 10 2025 #183893
    zerosum
    Participant

    Secrets and Lies

    Ukraine-Russia is a proxy war of the USA-NATO.

    I want them, (Vladimir Zelensky), to want peace. – Trump
    Trump halted all weapons deliveries to Kiev and restricted intelligence sharing in the hope of persuading Ukraine to be more receptive to his mediation efforts.

    Russia has stated that a lasting peace is impossible without addressing the root causes of the conflict, including NATO’s expansion eastward.
    Moscow has demanded that Ukraine drop its aspirations to join the US-led bloc,(NATO), and become a neutral country with a restricted army.
    Russia has also said Ukraine must renounce its claim on Crimea and four other regions that have voted to become part of Russia since 2014.

    Western European politicians have produced a constant stream of contradictory and absurd statements, each more unrealistic than the last.
    Policy on the Ukraine crisis has devolved into a cacophony of noise with no practical direction.
    European leaders, (NATO), have no idea how to maintain their positions if peace with Russia is restored.
    Much of the rhetoric about European rearmament, to defend against Russia, is little more than posturing.

    ————-
    Problem #1, $36 Trillion debt/loans/leverage.
    US is in a crisis.
    US is in a triage mode.
    Trump’s solution, ( tariffs, DOGE)
    Trump has confirmed that the tariffs on USMCA, and all imports will take effect on April 2.
    ———-
    EU has cancelled the Romanian election, and has now prevented the most likely presidential winner Georgescu from running in the new election. There are massive riots on the street.

    I think what happens in Romania is very important for what happens in rest of south-eastern Europe. If things turn around, then the EU is ripe for dismantling.

    Posted by: unimperator | Mar 10 2025
    ———–

    The Trump Administration’s Silent Complicity as Syrian Death Squads Slaughter Alawites, Christians

    30,126 views Mar 9, 2025

    Western media reports that hundreds if not thousands of civilians are being slaughtered by US-European-Israeli-Turkish-backed death squads sweeping through ethnic/religious minority villages in Syria;
    ———–
    Peace

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 9 2025 #183837
    zerosum
    Participant

    Collection of Points of view/Opinions/facts – Irrelevant, change, right/wrong, illusion,
    ———
    • A New American Empire: Trump, Russia, and The End of Globalism (Kashin)

    The American empire extended its reach through growth, financial dominance, leverage, military alliances, and ideological influence.
    This model, however, has become increasingly unsustainable.
    ————-
    • U.S. Admits Ukraine Proxy War Defeat (SCF)
    Marco Rubio made a damning admission.
    In one fell swoop, the narrative justifying the NATO-backed war for the past three years was exposed as a naked lie.
    It is not about “defending Ukraine” from alleged Russian unprovoked aggression.
    It is a proxy war.
    This war has appalling losses.
    Three years of the biggest war in Europe since World War Two has resulted in over one million deaths – mainly on the Ukrainian military side
    – and hundreds of billions of dollars and euros wasted,
    which the American and European public will pay over generations through debts.
    Emptying the inventory of military equipment.
    Modernizing application of warfare: drones, economic, electronic.
    This war is an abominable crime perpetrated by Washington and its European allies.
    The Trump administration has realized that the evil of this fraudulent war must stop.
    ———–
    • Acute Dementia: Europe Declares War On Russia All Over Again (Pepe Escobar
    Allegedly to be financed to the tune of 800 billion euros – money that no one has, and would have to be loaned then repaid with sky-high extorsion interest rates to the usual international financial system vultures.
    In practice, buying more overpriced American weapons – and “rearmament”
    Other than the U.S., NATO simply has no military worth.
    And Washington under Trump 2.0 simply will not be involved in the next European War.
    The U.S. has satellite systems for targeting but no one else in NATO has them.
    ———–
    The King’s letter to President Trump was a diplomatic masterstroke.
    ————
    The UK’s transfer of the proceeds from Russia’s frozen central bank funds to Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has said.
    On Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal said that Kiev had received a first tranche worth about $1 billion from the UK, secured by the proceeds from the Russian assets.
    He said the funds would go toward “strengthening” Ukraine’s defense and voiced hope that all frozen Russian assets would be “confiscated and transferred” to Kiev.
    Speaking to reporters later in the day, Volodin said Britain “will have to give back to Russia what they are now so generously giving away,” adding that Moscow has “every reason to respond in kind.”
    ————-
    President Trump on Saturday implored ‘All Republicans’ to vote on a 99-page spending bill that would keep the government funded through September, as a March 14 deadline approaches for the latest government shutdown threat.
    Johnson is setting up the bill for a vote on Tuesday.
    As Bloomberg notes, unlike previous shutdowns, this one would impact all discretionary spending since none of the 12 appropriations bills have been signed into law.
    ————–

    • Federal Judge Denies Request to Block DOGE From Accessing Treasury Data (ET)
    —————-
    • Something Huge for the MAHA Movement Is About To Happen (Margolis)

    Something is poisoning the American people.” Now he’s taking his fight directly to the corporate boardrooms of Big Food.
    ————–
    Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Washington’s decision to halt intelligence sharing with Kiev proved that without the West’s direct involvement “Ukraine would not be able to… launch long-range missiles at our territory.”
    Commenting on Tuesday on the halt of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed cautious optimism, noting that if the US were to suspend supplies altogether, it would “probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace.”
    ————–
    Tusk’s speech followed his recent accusations that Moscow is fueling a new arms race, and calls for fellow EU nations to ramp up defense spending.
    The Kremlin has criticized Tusk’s rhetoric as confrontational and militaristic.
    Moscow has rejected accusations that it poses a military threat to Europe, with President Vladimir Putin dismissing the claims as “nonsense” designed to justify increased military budgets.
    —————-

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 8 2025 #183793
    zerosum
    Participant

    Using a scalpel
    https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/restoring-public-service-loan-forgiveness/

    Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness
    The White House
    March 7, 2025
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1. Purpose. In 2007, the Congress established the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program to encourage Americans to enter the public service sector by promising to forgive their remaining student loans after they completed 10 years of service in those jobs while making 10 years of minimum payments.

    The prior administration abused the PSLF Program through a waiver process, using taxpayer funds to pay off loans for employees still years away from the statutorily required number of payments. Moreover, instead of alleviating worker shortages in necessary occupations, the PSLF Program has misdirected tax dollars into activist organizations that not only fail to serve the public interest, but actually harm our national security and American values, sometimes through criminal means. The PSLF Program also creates perverse incentives that can increase the cost of tuition, can load students in low-need majors with unsustainable debt, and may push students into organizations that hide under the umbrella of a non-profit designation and degrade our national interest, thus requiring additional Federal funding to correct the negative societal effects caused by these organizations’ federally subsidized wrongdoing.

    As President of the United States, I have a duty to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution and our national security, which includes ending the subsidization of illegal activities, including illegal immigration, human smuggling, child trafficking, pervasive damage to public property, and disruption of the public order, which threaten the security and stability of the United States. Accordingly, it is the policy of my Administration that individuals employed by organizations whose activities have a substantial illegal purpose shall not be eligible for public service loan forgiveness.

    Sec. 2. Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The Secretary of Education shall propose revisions to 34 C.F.R. 685.219, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury as appropriate, that ensure the definition of “public service” excludes organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose, including:

    (a) aiding or abetting violations of 8 U.S.C. 1325 or other Federal immigration laws;

    (b) supporting terrorism, including by facilitating funding to, or the operations of, cartels designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations consistent with 8 U.S.C. 1189, or by engaging in violence for the purpose of obstructing or influencing Federal Government policy;

    (c) child abuse, including the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children or the trafficking of children to so-called transgender sanctuary States for purposes of emancipation from their lawful parents, in violation of applicable law;

    (d) engaging in a pattern of aiding and abetting illegal discrimination; or

    (e) engaging in a pattern of violating State tort laws, including laws against trespassing, disorderly conduct, public nuisance, vandalism, and obstruction of highways.

    Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    in reply to: Debt Rattle March 8 2025 #183783
    zerosum
    Participant

    Suddenly, the MSM and Ukraine are reporting that Russia is “Bombing the Hell out of Ukraine”
    Trying to say,” It’s all the fault of Trump for not helping.”

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