Can I just throw in an extra special fuck-you to Scott Bessent who opined recently that “Americans ready to retire aren’t worried about day-to-day’ market fluctuations”? First of all, what the hell would he know about what concerns ordinary people who’ve had to work for a living, and not trade other people’s labor for their own profit? But second, and much more important, THESE ARE NOT DAY-TO-DAY MARKET FLUCTUATIONS! “Market fluctuations” are a few points up a few points down maybe a small slide for a week… not GLOBALLY CRATERING MARKETS IN FUCKING FREE-FALL WITH NO END IN SIGHT! I mean in a way, he’s right. You’re up a little today, down a little tomorrow, generally trending (hopefully) up, even if not by much, this is not cause for concern. And anybody who’s breathlessly watching every wiggle in the graph line and panicking at a day or two of downward movement has any business in the stock market. But this is NOT what’s happening. every index in the world fell off a cliff on “Liberation Day”, and absent some indication that the administration will eventually wake up from this fever dream of “tariffs as medicine”, this isn’t going to change. So if you’re a few weeks from turning 65 and watching the 401(k) you’ve put money into every month for 26 years and your life savings go up in flames in real time and just as a cherry on top, Elon Musk shredding the Social Security that you’ve been paying into for 50 years, you damned well ARE concerned with what you’re seeing unfold.
And Scott Bessent doesn’t get to decide how you feel about it. Fuck that guy.
For anyone who hasn't been following the Griffin challenge in the NC courts closely, please check out this statement from the NC Board of Elections. As they noted, this will almost surely be challenged, but this also contains information on how to premptively correct the deficiency if you believe that you are one of the voters impacted:
It contains a link to this tool which allows you to easily check whether or not you are a voter whose ballot has been challenged: https://ccnc.me/GriffinList
If you are an NC voter or know someone who is, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD to everyone you know who might be impacted.
Also on the topic of Voter Rights in NC, I would like to share a call to action from You Can Vote, a non-partisan 501c(3) organization that helps register voters here in NC. See the link below for details on the Call to Action.
A bill recently introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives (House Bill 127) would make You Can Vote’s current work a crime. They would no longer be able to help voters get registered in the communities where they live, work, or attend school.
Thomas, brilliantly spelled out. Everything you said is so true and the only thing I have a problem with is accepting those who voted for the Felon-in-Chief but are sorry now. I have no sympathy for them. It's not like he didn't actually tell them that he didn't care about them at all, just their votes.
Aim this at the billionaire class as well, Tom. They wanted tax cuts on top of tax cuts and businessmen wanted fewer (as in 'none') regulations against trashing the environment, employing unsafe working conditions for their serfs, er, workers. I hope they choke on all of - we're probably going to.
Good Morning, I enjoy reading your column. Your perspective, at times, gives me much reflection. Recently, your message has been laced with more emotion than substance. This last blog/column is beneath you. I would try to mirror your position and responses like A. Dunn or J. Hood. Take Care, Sir.
Trying to pretend to be "sophistacated" while the world is burning is one of the reasons we're in the situation. Thomas is condemning a total lack of sophistication in economics, diplomacy, national security, healthcare, etc., on behalf of a portion of our population that is relishing, celebrating, and proselytizing ignorance and regression.
Carol, I agree that it would be nice to be nice, but Thomas is expressing his rage, the same rage I feel about what is happening to us and our country. It is beyond outrageous, so I get his unsophisticated rant and will add him to my growing prayer list!
Tom, there's another perspective on the Republican-inspired MAGA movement. It's a wake-up call for all good people. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, is often credited with saying, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Although the authenticity of this quote is debated, Yamamoto's time in the United States before World War II made him keenly aware of America's immense industrial and military potential.
In a similar vein, the MAGA movement's actions have attempted to replace the Constitution's foundational principles with religious ideals that stray from Christ's teachings. This unprovoked assault has had two major effects: it has made many aware of the Constitution's vulnerabilities and instilled in them a determination to address these issues. The corrective measures that follow will aim to prevent any future attempts by unscrupulous politicians to undermine our system. We will tackle this challenge and ensure it doesn't happen again. The midterms will offer an opportunity to get the ball rolling.
Tom, I understand your concerns regarding President Trump. His policies have had adverse effects on the economy, disrupted international trade, dismissed vital government personnel, and appointed individuals lacking necessary qualifications to his administration. Furthermore, his conduct has disrespected a nation and its leader who are committed to preserving democracy. President Trump's manner of speaking often utilizes simplistic language and can be perceived as offensive.
You are correct in pointing out that Trump is not the primary issue. The fundamental problem resides with those who support him without reservation—politicians such as Tom Tillis, J.D. Vance, and numerous Republican members of Congress. These figures facilitate Trump's actions.
To progress beyond Trump’s influence, it is crucial to vote these enablers out of office. Even if his MAGA supporters fail to comprehend those tariffs ultimately burden consumers or that the Constitution governs our legal framework, they will likely express dissatisfaction when Trump's policies increase living costs, lead to job losses and small business failures.
Can I just throw in an extra special fuck-you to Scott Bessent who opined recently that “Americans ready to retire aren’t worried about day-to-day’ market fluctuations”? First of all, what the hell would he know about what concerns ordinary people who’ve had to work for a living, and not trade other people’s labor for their own profit? But second, and much more important, THESE ARE NOT DAY-TO-DAY MARKET FLUCTUATIONS! “Market fluctuations” are a few points up a few points down maybe a small slide for a week… not GLOBALLY CRATERING MARKETS IN FUCKING FREE-FALL WITH NO END IN SIGHT! I mean in a way, he’s right. You’re up a little today, down a little tomorrow, generally trending (hopefully) up, even if not by much, this is not cause for concern. And anybody who’s breathlessly watching every wiggle in the graph line and panicking at a day or two of downward movement has any business in the stock market. But this is NOT what’s happening. every index in the world fell off a cliff on “Liberation Day”, and absent some indication that the administration will eventually wake up from this fever dream of “tariffs as medicine”, this isn’t going to change. So if you’re a few weeks from turning 65 and watching the 401(k) you’ve put money into every month for 26 years and your life savings go up in flames in real time and just as a cherry on top, Elon Musk shredding the Social Security that you’ve been paying into for 50 years, you damned well ARE concerned with what you’re seeing unfold.
And Scott Bessent doesn’t get to decide how you feel about it. Fuck that guy.
This is so well stated Thomas. Wish it wasn't all true!
Preach it, Brother Mills!
For anyone who hasn't been following the Griffin challenge in the NC courts closely, please check out this statement from the NC Board of Elections. As they noted, this will almost surely be challenged, but this also contains information on how to premptively correct the deficiency if you believe that you are one of the voters impacted:
https://www.ncsbe.gov/information-voters-challenged-election-protest
I received an email from Common Cause that led me to this webpage: https://www.commoncause.org/north-carolina/press/new-online-tool-helps-nc-voters-find-out-if-their-ballot-is-challenged-by-jefferson-griffin/
It contains a link to this tool which allows you to easily check whether or not you are a voter whose ballot has been challenged: https://ccnc.me/GriffinList
If you are an NC voter or know someone who is, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD to everyone you know who might be impacted.
Also on the topic of Voter Rights in NC, I would like to share a call to action from You Can Vote, a non-partisan 501c(3) organization that helps register voters here in NC. See the link below for details on the Call to Action.
A bill recently introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives (House Bill 127) would make You Can Vote’s current work a crime. They would no longer be able to help voters get registered in the communities where they live, work, or attend school.
https://www.youcanvote.org/latest-news/2025/hb127#action
Well said.
A worthy rant indeed!
Proud to know you and to be one of your subscribers. Thanks for saying, OUT LOUD, what many of us are thinking.
Thank you, Thomas! I feel good for the first time in weeks
.I now know I have an ardent, informed, articulate, pissed-off ally in the fight for America! God damn, it's great to have you leading our resistance.
Thomas, brilliantly spelled out. Everything you said is so true and the only thing I have a problem with is accepting those who voted for the Felon-in-Chief but are sorry now. I have no sympathy for them. It's not like he didn't actually tell them that he didn't care about them at all, just their votes.
BooYah!
Way to let it rip….
If we're anything less than totally fucked, i'd like to hear that rationale.
Aim this at the billionaire class as well, Tom. They wanted tax cuts on top of tax cuts and businessmen wanted fewer (as in 'none') regulations against trashing the environment, employing unsafe working conditions for their serfs, er, workers. I hope they choke on all of - we're probably going to.
Good Morning, I enjoy reading your column. Your perspective, at times, gives me much reflection. Recently, your message has been laced with more emotion than substance. This last blog/column is beneath you. I would try to mirror your position and responses like A. Dunn or J. Hood. Take Care, Sir.
I agree with your sentiments, but we am sorry that you can't find a more sophisticated way of expressing yourself.
Trying to pretend to be "sophistacated" while the world is burning is one of the reasons we're in the situation. Thomas is condemning a total lack of sophistication in economics, diplomacy, national security, healthcare, etc., on behalf of a portion of our population that is relishing, celebrating, and proselytizing ignorance and regression.
Carol, I agree that it would be nice to be nice, but Thomas is expressing his rage, the same rage I feel about what is happening to us and our country. It is beyond outrageous, so I get his unsophisticated rant and will add him to my growing prayer list!
Quite sophisticated if you ask me. This is not the time to be sophisticated. But no one asked me.
Tom, there's another perspective on the Republican-inspired MAGA movement. It's a wake-up call for all good people. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, is often credited with saying, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Although the authenticity of this quote is debated, Yamamoto's time in the United States before World War II made him keenly aware of America's immense industrial and military potential.
In a similar vein, the MAGA movement's actions have attempted to replace the Constitution's foundational principles with religious ideals that stray from Christ's teachings. This unprovoked assault has had two major effects: it has made many aware of the Constitution's vulnerabilities and instilled in them a determination to address these issues. The corrective measures that follow will aim to prevent any future attempts by unscrupulous politicians to undermine our system. We will tackle this challenge and ensure it doesn't happen again. The midterms will offer an opportunity to get the ball rolling.
Tom, I understand your concerns regarding President Trump. His policies have had adverse effects on the economy, disrupted international trade, dismissed vital government personnel, and appointed individuals lacking necessary qualifications to his administration. Furthermore, his conduct has disrespected a nation and its leader who are committed to preserving democracy. President Trump's manner of speaking often utilizes simplistic language and can be perceived as offensive.
You are correct in pointing out that Trump is not the primary issue. The fundamental problem resides with those who support him without reservation—politicians such as Tom Tillis, J.D. Vance, and numerous Republican members of Congress. These figures facilitate Trump's actions.
To progress beyond Trump’s influence, it is crucial to vote these enablers out of office. Even if his MAGA supporters fail to comprehend those tariffs ultimately burden consumers or that the Constitution governs our legal framework, they will likely express dissatisfaction when Trump's policies increase living costs, lead to job losses and small business failures.