Trump's Terrible Tariffs

Everything Is More Expensive

Yesterday I had my hair colored- an activity I do more frequently than I’d like. But I’m completely gray and it’s one of the few nods to vanity I allow myself.

Anyway, when I went to pay, I was informed that the price had gone up. Because the hair dye is made in China. Who knew?

Later in the day I did some online browsing for handbags. I had zero intention of buying one, but I do like to see the newest styles. I went to my favorite brand’s website and saw that they too had increased their prices. I did a little online digging and read that once again, tariffs were to blame. Dang.

Little by little, or maybe all at once, it feels like the price of almost everything has gone up. By more than a teeny bit. Like 5-10 percent.

I can definitely cut out some things. I do not need another handbag- (I wrote that more for my benefit, not yours.) Even getting my hair colored is a luxury- I’ve considered just embracing the gray but there never seems to be a good time. That could change.

But my hair is not the point. The point is that *CF Trump’s tariffs are ruining everything. Remember back when he said that he’d bring the price of eggs down as soon as he was elected? Of course you remember- he said it over and over.

I honestly have no idea what the price of eggs are this week- I haven’t purchased any since before Passover. I’m giving my cholesterol a little chance to recover. But I CAN tell you that eggs are the least of our problems.

Some companies are actually adding a tariff charge to their bill so that when you check out you can see why you have sticker shock. I appreciate their transparency. However, instead of just saying “tariff tax,” I feel they should say “Trump’s tariff tax.” Besides the lovely alliteration, Americans should be reminded why they are paying more. And that reason is Trump’s hubris- his thinking that he could bully the rest of the world into bowing to his will.

A few days ago Trump said he was negotiating with China. Which turned out to be lie number 1,764, 973. China’s commerce spokesperson responded that “China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal.”

This week’s cover of The Economist shows a wounded eagle with the headline “Only 1,361 Days to Go.” And even after Trump is gone, it will take our economy a while to recover.

Trump’s approval rating has been steadily declining. It’s even worse than his first term which makes sense. To quote Miley Cyrus- he “came in like a wrecking ball.” And wreck he did.

I guess online browsing is still free. But knowing how much more expensive everything is than just a few months ago makes it less fun. In fact it’s kind of depressing.

But there’s one thing that’s still free. And that’s protesting. And resisting in every way possible. Since I won’t be shopping much, I will have more time to write, call, and make some noise. Glass half-full I guess. As long as it’s not filled with anything imported.

*Convicted Felon