I am sure that the countries debt is a real problem and it is out of control. I am afraid that it won't be addressed until it is very late in the game to change course. This is not a MAGA development.

It is ABSOLUTELY a MAGA development. Pouring gasoline on a fire is a problematic development if your goal is extinguishing the fire. When an alleged fire fighter (republican) is the one pouring the gas on the fire, that is a very problematic development for those interested in fighting the fire. The last president to actually reduce the deficit was Clinton, and his success was immediately undermined by Bush. The republicans long ago gave up any actual claims to being fiscal hawks.

The tariff stuff is not at the same level of concern. It may surprise you and go OK or it may need adjustments along the way.

Faith is an interesting thing. It leads us to believe in things that are not possible, not desirable, and not true. Tariffs will not surprise us by going ok. They will hit consumers hard and cause a significant recession. The damage caused to the US dollar is already reflected in this latest Berkshire earnings report. As the report notes, it is likely to get worse.

The worst part of what is happening in the first six months of this administration is the assault on information. The attacks on public broadcasting, government produced data, the broadcast media, the universities, and first amendment activism, makes it increasingly difficult for people to get reliable facts, reinforcing the faith based systems of knowledge the current administration prefers.

As an investor, this is a disaster. How can I determine what is going on in the economy if the data I rely on from the BLS is being censored? As a retiree, how can I trust the inflation data that determine my cost of living increases for social security?

We are frogs in a rapidly warming pot and it won't be long before we are cooked.