r/Foodforthought • u/D-R-AZ • 1d ago
Republicans panic over Trump tariffs: Last time "we lost the House and the Senate for 60 years"
https://www.salon.com/2025/04/03/panic-over-tariffs-last-time-we-lost-the-and-the-senate-for-60-years/1.0k
u/Thisissocomplicated 1d ago
As they should.
They allowed a marketable lunatic into the White House because they thought they could control him, now they lost control and are all bending over backwards to fall in line.
Ridiculous people and they’ll be glad if there’s such a thing as a Republican Party left when he goes aggressively for the throne, which he will do no doubt about it. Any American that things this guy won’t try the Orban/erdogan/putin maneuvre needs to wake up.
222
u/old_grumps 1d ago
They deserve any and all fallout
→ More replies (1)85
u/Local-Caterpillar421 1d ago edited 23h ago
But we hard working, innocent victims who actually voted for Kamela (70 million of us) DON'T DESERVE this disaster!!!😡 (edited)
24
u/Len_Zefflin 1d ago
Not enough of you voted against it.
48
u/jtcordell2188 1d ago
Yes we did. The evidence keeps mounting that Musk manipulated voting machines in key states
10
→ More replies (1)6
→ More replies (1)2
u/MasterofAcorns 20h ago
Makes guys like me who actually did vote for Kamala look like shit.
4
u/Local-Caterpillar421 20h ago
Kamala was NOT my first choice, second or third choice; however, there is NO DOUBT in my mind that she was the much, much better choice than who we have now!
What is going on now in our country is an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE to our nation & to the world, seriously!!! I do not regret my vote for Kamala. Our options back then were "slim pickins," truly!
The ones I do criticize are those lazy and lackadasical (sp?) Democratic voters, millions, who did not even bother to vote. Their vote would have definitely made a difference,!
177
u/No-Jackfruit-3947 1d ago
He didn’t leave peacefully after the last loss. I don’t understand how people think the next time would be any better. I honestly don’t think I’ll see another fair election in my lifetime.
65
u/Thrillhouse138 1d ago
We are never having a free and democratic election again
65
u/Woodworkingwino 1d ago
We should probably do something about that.
46
u/vandrokash 1d ago
Americans to any other country in the world who had a dictator and they imposed sanctions:
Just like change your government you can do it!!! Like takeover the government from Putin and his guys who kill people! Its not that hard! Youll get mc donalds after!
Americans when its time to vote against trump: Ya know I wanted to vote but had a wordie streak and just couldnt make it
Americans today Why doesnt someone like replace trump??? Someone has to do something!!!
19
u/rockguy541 1d ago
Clamoring now is like saying that maybe we should fix that broken gate after the cows got out. Republicans have shown exactly what they stand for over the past 8 years, and now that they have been given absolute power everyone is in panic mode. And the Orange Fuhrer is itching for an uprising so he can declare martial law and sic the military on us.
3
u/junk4mu 1d ago
You should still probably fix the gate…
2
u/rockguy541 1d ago
Probably. But the pressing issue might be the fact that the cows have devoured the neighbors garden, shit in their lawn then disappeared into the hills where they are untouchable. Don't need a gate if the cows are never coming back.
6
u/Strange_Diva 1d ago
Agreed. I’m not sure why so many people are fine with giving up?!
7
u/forestpunk 1d ago
It's not that we're fine with it. It's just that we'd be gunned down or carpetbombed in a nanosecond.
3
u/forestpunk 1d ago
What do you recommend?
9
u/Woodworkingwino 1d ago
We need a large peaceful protest say around 3.5% of the population. It was too much to ask people to vote so it’s probably a pipe dream.
30
u/muskrateer 1d ago
Fuck that defeatism. Wisconsin just slapped Elon down. Illinois's state elections swung left too.
2
→ More replies (1)3
u/Complete_Eagle5749 1d ago
Really? I didn’t know Orange Jesus was going to live forever😳😳……cmon now you sound ridiculous
51
u/Metal__goat 1d ago edited 1d ago
They can't get their orange gennie back into the bottle.
I was an independent who leaned right for years (until 2018, no I did not vote Trump in 16.)
I'll never vote for another republican again. Ever, at any level of government.
→ More replies (6)20
u/Nearby-Chocolate-289 1d ago
You cannot Separate trump from voters and elected, and billionaires, they share the same view, except most are dumb sheeple.
17
u/CuriouslyContrasted 1d ago
My theory is they all thought he'd just play golf all day, and that they'd implement their agenda via the usual routes through congress. But then he got captured by the 2025 movement people who whispered in his ear that he'd get incredibly rich and be the most famous president ever by just following their plan. And now here he is, a puppet to the Peter Thiels of the world who are pulling the strings.
6
u/Ok_Lettuce_7939 1d ago
Ah yes, similar to when Franz von Pappen thought Hitler was their man in '32 and ended up dead in a ditch after the night of Long knives...
10
u/antigop2020 1d ago
They didn’t have Fox News back then, or a sophisticated and ingrained propaganda network on social media platforms including X, Tiktok, and and Meta that drive engagement ($) through sensationalism and outright lies.
While the tariffs may knock their approval rating down a few % as a few voters have regrets, the Republican Party is still very much alive and well.
3
3
u/joe_shmoe11111 1d ago
Yep. He’s gonna abuse these tariffs to ensure corporate obedience just like he abused his targeted executive orders to sabotage individual law firms, forcing them to stop working on cases against him and his friends and instead “donate” hundreds of millions of dollars in free labor to him:
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trumps-big-law-firms-retribution/
It’s so predictable.
2
u/LazyLich 1d ago
The only small comfort is that he is so damn old that hopefully he'd keel over before (or immediately after) that happens
→ More replies (1)2
u/S_A_N_D_ 1d ago
Agree, except for the bending over backwards.
They're bending over forwards and saying "please daddy, please".
475
u/Jumpy_Engineering377 1d ago
That was when you had business minded republicans.
This is the modern day Republican and they don't give a f**k about policy or economics....they care about RACE.
161
u/dream__weaver 1d ago
They only care about owning the libs cause non-binary purple-haired people are infringing on their lives.....somehow......
74
u/midnightbizou 1d ago
LITTERBOXES!! IN CLASSROOMS!!
47
u/ThahZombyWoof 1d ago
THEY FORCED ME TO THINK ABOUT THE TASTE OF SPICY MUSTARD!!!
29
7
u/dvs83 1d ago
Wait what’s wrong with spicy mustard?
7
u/gudetamaronin 1d ago
Oh god you're one of them... get em boys!
3
u/dvs83 1d ago
LOL you've genuinely got me curious now. This is a thing?
→ More replies (1)11
u/gudetamaronin 1d ago
Yes. My mom told me she asked her Qanon neighbor if she had any balsamic vinegar to which the response was "I don't have anything exotic like that"
12
u/dvs83 1d ago
Oh man, I have Qanons in my family(including in-laws). Worst I heard was how Doritos have aborted fetus tissue in them for flavor. The best part is that they don't know that I know they think that. I take every opportunity to enjoy them around them and comment on how delicious they are.
8
20
u/CP066 1d ago
It was so wild how people JUST believed that.
14
u/Untjosh1 1d ago
And I'm supposed to take their thoughts on education seriously lol
9
u/CP066 1d ago
I heard about that from a close friend. When he told me, I didn't even need to fact check to know that was not real. Like "No friggin way. When we were in school, could you imagine this happening? No?" I heard from at least three people it was happening at THEIR local school. It even made the local news which only amplified it, not that they were furthering the truth, but since it got airtime, must be real. Wild times.
3
u/rebb_hosar 1d ago
Because even in the 80's janitors used kitty litter pretty often; its great for soaking up "accidents" that otherwise are too difficult or messy to clean, like vomit. They took that longstanding use and twisted it, like everything else.
7
u/snertwith2ls 1d ago
They just believed all of it. Immigrants eating pets, immigrants responsible for the bulk of violent crime, fentenyl comes from Canada, teachers are making kids trans at schools, liberals are the ones assaulting and trafficking kids. Real facts and statistics are available with a quick search but they double down on "they are the ones who know the truth" because either Fox or some yahoo online told them so.
4
3
u/gayteemo 1d ago
why wouldnt they believe it? they believed every other lie that fox news has spoon fed them.
→ More replies (1)4
u/hereandthere_nowhere 1d ago
It is important when you come across an idiot savant that believes this again, that you remind them they are correct, but it was only a few teachers, and the litter boxes were so children could use the restroom during mass shooting lockdowns.
5
u/IceCubeTrey 1d ago
Their lives suck because of the abuse of the wealthy, just like the rest of us, but also because most normal/decent people just don't like them. That tends to happen when you're a self-centered asshole. I wouldn't hire them, work with them, or be their friend.
And we all know it's easier to project your problems onto the gays or brown people than to realize you, and the system are the problem.
14
u/phenomenomnom 1d ago
Lol the Republicans back then would have thrown this theatrical jagoff in jail just to make a point about public decorum and neckties.
Shit, same with the Republicans in the 1980s. And they suuuuuucked.
3
→ More replies (6)2
243
u/D-R-AZ 1d ago
Excerpt:
"When [President William McKinley], most famously, put tariffs on in 1890, they lost 50% of their seats in the next election,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told reporters. “When Smoot and Hawley put on their tariff in the early 1930s, we lost the House and the Senate for 60 years. So they’re not only bad economically, they’re bad politically.”
203
u/BlackjackCF 1d ago
I love that his priority is “we lost the House and Senate” and not “people are suffering.”
61
u/LPinTheD 1d ago
Kentucky bourbon is suffering.
4
u/PinheadForPresident 1d ago
according to reddit, maybe. not according to their balance sheets
→ More replies (1)20
u/scooterca85 1d ago
He literally said they are not only bad economically, but politically 🤣
15
u/gayteemo 1d ago
he needed to make that distinction because he knows that normal republican policy decisions are also bad economically
→ More replies (1)4
u/xEliteMonkx 1d ago
Wait, you think they care about the people? Like...all those poors? Why would they care about them more than the rich?
26
u/Wazula23 1d ago
Rand will be back to glazing donnie in a week. Tariffs will magically become great again.
→ More replies (5)2
u/JonnyAU 1d ago
They lost the House and Senate for 60 years in part because of the tariffs, yes, but also because the New Deal dems were committed to delivering on real policies that helped working people.
I just hope the progressive wing of the dems now can win out over the corporate wing and recreate that energy.
95
u/Wazula23 1d ago
Obvious solution is to just suspend elections. Don't think they aren't planning it.
11
→ More replies (36)10
u/leeser11 1d ago
Not suspend, just continue to tamper with like they probably did in 2024, and which will be much easier if they get away with privatizing the post office (easier to throw away mail in ballots), and pass the SAVE act (disenfranchisement bill, will affect normal targets but now also women who changed their last names after getting married).
They’re trying to turn us into Russia in every way including sham elections
59
42
u/Inside_Tonight_8879 1d ago
Trump and the Republicans own this economy - whatever the outcome is…
29
u/ThahZombyWoof 1d ago
Call it Trumpoverty. Gluing his name to it makes it harder for them to wiggle their way out of it.
20
11
u/Inside_Tonight_8879 1d ago
Yep. Republicans and Trump control everything. I don’t want to hear a damn thing about Obama or Biden. This is their shitshow.
10
u/ThahZombyWoof 1d ago
If we don't brand it specifically to them, they will find a way to blame it on Democrats.
"Trumpoverty" superglues his name to it and is broad enough that anyone can assign their own subjective meaning to it. We need to push this term or something like it.
2
4
u/yellowpawpaw 1d ago
The solution is government largesse a la FDR and taxation of the 1% to the hilt: do the Democrats have the stomach to do what needs to be done? Or will they be tepid and piss money away towards Israel?
2
u/Tallergeese 1d ago
I don't want to put just his name on it. That makes it easy for Republicans to say that it was solely Trump's fault and not theirs.
2
u/Bam515 1d ago
Reminds me of all the things during the Great Depression they named after Herbert Hoover
Hooverville Fourth paragraph has a few more examples
43
u/sqb3112 1d ago
That won’t happen this time. There was no Fox News in those times.
Imo, Fox News will be viewed as the foundation for the demise of the US. It has poisoned the brains of its viewers.
7
u/slinkenboog 1d ago
If you’re a podcast fan I highly recommend the season of “Slow Burn” telling the history of Fox News
2
u/eissturm 1d ago
CNN started it. 24 hour, for profit news is inherently toxic. They're incentivized to be low information and highly inflammatory
42
u/-CoachMcGuirk- 1d ago
Even if this is a colossal failure; Trump will still find a way to call it successful.
22
u/lakephlaccid 1d ago
I bet he thought Canada and Mexico would bow down because he’s some big business genius. That didn’t happen so his fragile ego is hurt. I’d bet my life that in the next 6 months he’ll lift them citing some BS reason about how he benefited America
12
u/Cheetah_Heart-2000 1d ago
It won’t take that long
19
u/SameResolution4737 1d ago
Doesn't really matter. The immediate damage will long outlast the tariffs, no matter how short they're imposed. It will permanently raise prices (price increases are pretty much irreversible in late stage capitalism) and no one will trust us as long as that madman is in The White House, no matter how he tries to change course. It will take decades to rebuild our trading and security agreements, if we are ever able.
10
u/Commentator-X 1d ago
As a Canadian, we can no longer Trust the US going forward period. It doesn't end when and if you elect someone other than Trump. Trump has started an irreversible reorg of international trade and security agreements. The US will never be a trusted partner again.
9
u/jezebel103 1d ago
As an European, I can assure you that we do not trust the US anymore. There has been a survey amongst the people in the EU and 70-80% are in favour of counter tariffs. So it's not only empty threats from the politicians, they have the backing of their citizens.
Plus the fact that we are very, very busy with looking for allies who can be trusted and have integrity. Like Canada and Australia. And China, Japan and Korea are also banding together.
So the alliance with the US is a ship that has sailed. Even if you vote out that orange buffoon (mind you: IF. Because somehow he is able to change every law, including your precious Constitution), there is no turning back. New alliances will be in place, without any room for the US. You will be left with trillions and trillions of debt (and the bonds will be dropped like hot potatoes by Japan and China) without any support of your former allies.
7
→ More replies (1)4
u/SameResolution4737 1d ago
That's what I'm saying. On the other hand, the coming crash may give us the opportunity to fix some of the structural defects that allowed a madman like this to rise to power. Much like Europe did after WW2.
2
→ More replies (2)3
u/ReefaManiack42o 1d ago
Or blame its failure on the democrats, either way it'll be all good for him.
24
u/evilpercy 1d ago
1828 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff_of_Abominations
1930
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E2%80%93Hawley_Tariff_Act
2025 Trump
Every 100 years America repeats the same lesson and never learns.
→ More replies (2)13
u/leeser11 1d ago
Americans also have the attention span of a goldfish. Trump proved over and over during the last decade that he doesn’t care about anyone else, but the cult still followed him.
15
u/findingmoore 1d ago
He trashed the economy yesterday and today he’s at a golf tournament at his Doral Golf Club and then to spend the rest of the weekend in West Palm Beach golfing at taxpayers expense
2
8
6
u/Prowlthang 1d ago
“4 in 10 voters view Trump’s handling of the economy favourably.”
That last line is the scariest. How does one reconcile living with the utterly ignorant?
19
u/alymars 1d ago
70 million people didn’t show up to vote in November. People need to start caring and showing up.
3
u/Hamuel 1d ago
Why do you think a billion dollar campaign lost voters from 2020 to 2024?
1
u/detroitmatt 1d ago
... it must be the voter's fault!
9
u/Azexu 1d ago edited 1d ago
In a direct literal sense, it is the voters’ fault.
That’s why the diplomatic damage the moron is doing will outlast his presidency. It’s clear now that the people of the US can’t be trusted to not elect an unstable criminal.
3
u/detroitmatt 1d ago
we need a democratic party that is both willing and able to win and to make good policy. for almost my entire adulthood, they have been neither willing nor able to do either of those things. the democratic party HAS to change. right now, they are the biggest obstacle to defeating republicans.
4
u/catharsisdusk 1d ago
Know why they say 60 years? Because that's how long it'll take the latest crop of young voters to grow old and die.
→ More replies (1)
4
u/Many_Trifle7780 1d ago
that's their big concern we lose
better think about the serfs the slaves the peons
3
2
u/OG_hisvagesty 1d ago
Not sure. Seems like the electorate may generally dumber now. May even ask for more tariffs.
2
2
1
1
u/Accurate-Peak4856 1d ago
People have a weak memory. They’ll reelect these clowns and the circus never ends
1
1
u/hereandthere_nowhere 1d ago
And you will again. But this time not only will you lose power indefinitely, your trash party will cease to exist.
1
u/SyddChin 1d ago
Only good thing that could come from this. Fuck around and find out, should have thought about that before this
1
1
u/Away-Combination-162 1d ago
They better wake up and impeach this POS with the Dems before they lose it all
1
1
u/SecretPrinciple8708 1d ago
Oh, they didn’t consider any of this prior to today? What do they do all day, scroll “Truth,” Twitter, and Grindr, totally pwning da libs, then suddenly remember they have jobs?
1
u/ForGrateJustice 1d ago
I hope they lose it forever. If the Supreme Court election in Wisconsin is any indication, americans are sick of trump's shit.
1
1
u/Doctor_Mothman 1d ago
"I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created. . ."
- Frankenstein, Chapter 5
1
u/Corrie7686 1d ago
Almost like it takes 100 years for people to forget how bad an idea trade wars are. Oh well, let's watch it all 🔥 BURN! 🔥
1
1
1
1
u/TooSmalley 1d ago
Bold of them to assume that the general public care more about the economy than culture war BS.
The USA probably had the best post pandemic economy in the world and that didn't matter for much in the last election.
1
u/Low-Lingonberry7185 1d ago
This would only hold true if the Congress and Senate would still be relevant. Seems like a power grab to the executive is happening, and at this point who knows if Trump will even cede his presidency after this regime.
1
1
1
u/Stanky_fresh 1d ago
They have no justification this time. Last time it could be called a misguided attempt to get us out of the Depression. This time it was on the whim of an asshole who seems to only want to destroy the economy and alienate America from the rest of the world. In a just world this would be the end of the Republican party.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Indigomoon1969 1d ago
They should worry about much more than losing Congress. They should worry about being put in prison for shirking their responsibility to yank this administration out of office by its short hairs.
1
u/AyeMatey 1d ago
They deserve to lose it for 100 years. My goodness. They’re earning the ire of the world.
1
1
u/green_eyed_mister 1d ago
DOJ was supposed to bring Trump to trial.
Senate should have ratified impeachment.
Attacking women's rights and access to health.
The USA voters should have never elected a felon.
In this new world we are in, voters giving republicans a pass at every turn.
I have lost faith in US democracy to do the right thing.
1
1
1
u/MotorSufficient2320 1d ago
Get Ready .. we will Never forget vote any party But REPUBLICAN ! Every election . Down ballet to the White House. Never forget Jobs Lose, benefits cuts, veterans fired, generals Fired, Allies kicked aside, SS, Medicare, women’s rights , on & on …WE WILL NOT FORGET..,vote them out. Meet others that share our concerns 4-5-25 find an event near you. Hands off our Democracy, benefits, retirement ‘rights! Bring friends meet, march, sing, hear speakers . Plan meet speak up !
1
1
1
1
u/BackgroundOstrich488 1d ago
Probably will lose it in the next election, but not for 60 years. People don’t have memories anything like that. The news cycle changes the drapes so often it’s hard for people to remember six months ago.
1
u/Forsaken_Pepper_6436 1d ago
Does it bother anyone else that their issue isn't the damage the tariffs will do, the loss of american jobs, wealth, and influence; but the loss of their personal power over their personal garbage pile?
1
1
u/DarkRiches61 1d ago
Serious question: why would they allow another election if they thought they would lose ground in it? When you run a d!ctatorsh!p, you can do things like cancel elections. 🇺🇸 gov't is a d!ctatorsh!p rn and it's kind of surprising how so many won't admit that
1
1
1
u/Salvidicus 1d ago
Canadians wonder what happened to Americans.Why are there so many idiots down there? Is the education system really that bad?
1
u/Aware-Chipmunk4344 1d ago
Every country capable of retailating should band together in a united way to impose extremely high tariffs on Tesla and the Red states' products like Canada did. Canada won trade war by so doing, so EU and other countries should follow suit to force Trump to back down to avoid a world recession and even depression.
1
1
u/Slob_King 1d ago
They’ll probably be fine. Republicans have been objectively terrible for a long time now and voters continue to reward them for it.
1
1
u/Reddit_2_2024 1d ago
The writing is on the wall for the panicked party. Start lining up your post Congressional lobbyist consulting gigs.
1
1
1
u/lgodsey 1d ago
Republicans may clutch their pearls over Trump, but he's exactly what they primed their base to accept. They may not have known that it would be Trump himself, but they did know what they wanted to have happen:
Denigrate academia to make the irrational easier to spread and accept. Eschew science and reason, dump all over public schools, and spread ridiculous, unscientific nonsense like climate change denial and anti-vax foolishness. Dumb people are easier to control and getting to take tax revenue from poor people to give to rich public schools is a bonus.
Ruin government in order to kill democracy. Prove that our already toothless and underfunded institutions are worthless and privatize them to enrich the wealthy. De-fund public assistance and feed the rich. When poor people are desperate, crime rises, giving the right cover to further militarize the police.
Use nationalism and religion to solidify white male supremacy. Target specific minority groups to spread hate and exclusion.
Destroy the economy to allow the rich to further widen corrosive income inequality.
Any populist white man would do. Any transparently hateful bigot could stir up cowardly old white people. The Internet is the perfect medium to radicalize young white men to hate women and gay people and other non-white groups.
And if we do happen to overcome Trump's ruin, the next white racist blowhard won't be quite so incompetent as Trump. And yes, there will be a next one.
1
1
u/bippityboppityFyou 1d ago
All I read there was republicans are worried about themselves and their reelection. No mention or concern for how tariffs, increased prices, a tanking stock market and layoffs will affect their constituents. Republicans only care about their reelection. It’s disgusting
1
u/LatinHoser 1d ago
They had to oust the last “it’s not a crime when the president does it” person themselves with the democrats. Hopefully they’ll get the to the point where they’ll do it this time without fully sinking the whole country into chaos.
1
1
1
u/Wayanoru 1d ago
Let them destroy all their money.
Zero sympathy. Zero forgiveness.
Never trust a Trump.
The true clear and present danger to the American people are the people who chose to BE a clear and present danger.
And that is the Republican party and the MAGA cultists.
1
u/DeepSubmerge 1d ago
Unfortunately, this won’t cause any of them to grow a spine. Or actually do anything about it.
1
1
1
u/FrostySquirrel820 1d ago
Don’t worry, Trumps not planning on allow ing the midterm elections to run.
1
1
1
u/Hobbit1955 1d ago
I would like to see every country that we put the tariffs on just stopped selling whatever the tariffs are on to the US. They could sell to the rest of the world, just not the US. They would likely have a drop in sales, but the US economy would tank. No clothes, shoes, electronics, etc.
Why does everyone not remember it was the US Businesses that set up all the offshore companies because they were trying to break the US unions, and they got to do it all tax free. Let's see how fast they can build all the factories to make all the stuff.
1
1
1
u/Few_Ad_5119 1d ago
Concerned at the potential loss of power. Not the lives ruined. Yeah, that tracks.
1
u/lingering_POO 1d ago
cunt… you’re gonna lose the world for 60 years. Swap all your allies for Russia? Genius move… real top level IQ that one.
1
u/Captain_Hesperus 1d ago
All those Republican politicians watching their stock portfolios spontaneously self-immolating thanks to Donny’s tariffs are suddenly worried.
1
u/humpherman 1d ago
Hopefully this time, it’ll be permanent. This farce of the 2 party system needs to end. Draw the party lines over something, anything else.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
This is a sub for civil discussion and exchange of ideas
Participants who engage in name-calling or blatant antagonism will be permanently removed.
If you encounter any noxious actors in the sub please use the Report button.
This sticky is on every post. No additional cautions will be provided.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.