Thursday, March 20
Robert Reich -The biggest upward transfer of wealth in history
Friends,
Donald Trump believes his tariffs will bring so much money to the U.S. treasury that the U.S. will be able to afford another giant Trump tax cut.
But Trump’s tariffs — and the retaliatory tariffs already being imposed on American exports by the nation’s trading partners — will be paid largely by the American working class and poor.
And the people who will benefit most from another giant Trump tax cut are America’s wealthy.
It will be a giant upward transfer of wealth.
Trump has made astronomical estimates about how much money tariffs can raise.
“We will take in trillions and trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before,” he said during his recent joint address to Congress. “Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again.”
Last Sunday on Air Force One, Trump was even more ebullient. “We’re going to become so rich, you’re not going to know where to spend all that money,” he said.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that if Trump’s already-announced tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada went into effect, they’d bring about $120 billion a year into the U.S. treasury, and $1.3 trillion over the course of 10 years.
Among Trump’s first actions at the outset of his second term was to order the treasury to establish an “External Revenue Service” to collect tariff revenue that would enable the U.S. to pay down its debt and reduce taxes.
Howard Lutnick, Trump’s secretary of commerce, said on Fox News in late February that the goal of the External Revenue Service “is very simple: to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and let all the outsiders pay.”
At A Glance
Does wearing a hat cause baldness?
Meet the man who stole billions in crypto. (via YouTube)
How being antisocial could hurt your health.
Go back in time with this spring break time machine.
Dolphins welcome NASA astronauts back to Earth.
The stats on why people bet on March Madness.
What happens if you shoot a gun in space.
Clickbait: New Zealand celebrates the world's ugliest animal.
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs, and Tyler, the Creator among headliners tapped to perform at 2025 Lollapalooza in Chicago (July 31-Aug. 3); see full festival lineup (More)
> "Fire & Rain" stage musical using James Taylor's music in development (More) | "Happy Gilmore" sequel sets July 25 release date on Netflix (More)
> NCAA men's basketball tournament kicks off with "First Four" matchups; see latest bracket (More) | ... and women's tournament begins tonight; see "First Four" schedule (More) | NCAA to allow athletes to negotiate name, image, and likeness deals with schools before their enrollment (More)
Science & Technology
> Meta reports global downloads of its open-source Llama AI model tops 1 billion (More) | How generative AI works (1440 Topics)
> China's BYD says it has developed electric vehicle charging platform capable of recharging cars as quickly as filling a gas tank (More) | How EVs work (1440 Topics)
> New study finds cells lining organs and skin generate electricity when injured; discovery may lead to new wound-healing therapies (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets resume sell-off (S&P 500 -1.1%, Dow -0.6%, Nasdaq -1.7%) following two days of gains (More) | Tesla shares drop 5.3%, down 53% since all-time peak in December (More)
> Google to acquire cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32B, the largest acquisition in company history; also marks the largest-ever cybersecurity acquisition (More) | Google 101 (1440 Topics)
> Pharma giant Pfizer sells remaining stake in British healthcare group Haleon, maker of brands including Advil, Sensodyne, and more (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin hold hourlong call; Putin agrees to 30-day suspension of attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure (More) | Chief Justice John Roberts makes rare public statement rebuking Trump for calls to impeach federal judge who paused deportations (More)
> Paris police remove hundreds of migrants from downtown theater following monthslong occupation of venue (More)
> Family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student who disappeared while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, acknowledge she likely drowned (More) | Development of story captured public attention; see overview here (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
DOGE
Trump's Department of Government Efficiency is locating and recommending to Congress that waste and redundancy be removed from government spending. On the surface, no one should object, however, that is exactly what is happening.
The Democratic Party is using Democratic Appointed Judges to issue injunctions to slow down and possibly stop what DOGE is doing.
Why?
The Democrats claim that:
- DOGE is using a chainsaw rather than a scalpel
- DOGE has no plan of attack
On the other side of the coin, DOGE is finding billions of dollars of wasted spending and thousands of employees that are simply not needed and are removing them.
Can you imagine our government spending 50% less of what they are currently spending and what that would do to the taxes we are currently paying?
Additionally, let suppose we save 50% in spending but keep our same level of taxes, then our government should be able to offer FREE HEALTHCARE TO EVERYONE or come damn close to doing that.
I don't waste my money, and I don't want our government to waste my tax dollars either.
Square waves: The deadly chessboard pattern threatening sailors
People on a fishing boat in the Aegean Sea had an unsettling experience when they noticed square waves creating a chessboard-like pattern all around them. This phenomenon, which quickly drew concern, is an unusual sight in the ocean.
Square waves, also known as a cross sea, are caused by two interacting wave systems traveling at different speeds and trajectories.
This activity was examined by Dr. Silvio Davison from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR) in Venice, Italy.
Understanding waves – the basics
Ocean waves are nature’s way of keeping the sea in constant motion. Wind blows across the surface, transferring its energy to the water and creating waves that can travel thousands of miles.
The size and strength of a wave depend on three things: wind speed, how long the wind blows, and the distance it travels over open water (also called fetch). The longer and stronger these forces act, the bigger the waves get.
Wednesday, March 19
Solar System Facts
Our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, five officially named dwarf planets, hundreds of moons, and thousands of asteroids and comets. Our solar system is located in the Milky Way, a barred spiral galaxy with two major arms, and two minor arms. Our Sun is in a small, partial arm of the Milky Way called the Orion Arm, or Orion Spur, between the Sagittarius and Perseus arms. Our solar system orbits the center of the galaxy at about 515,000 mph (828,000 kph). It takes about 230 million years to complete one orbit around the galactic center.
Spring Vacations for Retirees
Here are some specific ideas for spring vacations in the US, catering to different interests:
For Culture and History Buffs:
Charleston, South Carolina:
Explore the historic streets, visit antebellum mansions, and enjoy the city's vibrant culinary scene.
Savannah, Georgia:
Wander through the charming squares, take a ghost tour, and relax on the beaches.
New Orleans, Louisiana:
Immerse yourself in the city's unique culture, enjoy the music, and sample the delicious cuisine.
Washington D.C.:
Visit museums, monuments, and explore the city's rich history.
For Nature Lovers:
Sedona, Arizona: Experience the stunning red rock formations and enjoy hiking and outdoor activities.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Witness the geothermal wonders, wildlife, and scenic beauty.
Yosemite National Park, California: Explore the granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: Marvel at the vast canyon and enjoy scenic drives and hikes.
For Beach Lovers:
Florida:
Savannah, Georgia:
Wander through the charming squares, take a ghost tour, and relax on the beaches.
New Orleans, Louisiana:
Immerse yourself in the city's unique culture, enjoy the music, and sample the delicious cuisine.
Washington D.C.:
Visit museums, monuments, and explore the city's rich history.
For Nature Lovers:
Sedona, Arizona: Experience the stunning red rock formations and enjoy hiking and outdoor activities.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Witness the geothermal wonders, wildlife, and scenic beauty.
Yosemite National Park, California: Explore the granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: Marvel at the vast canyon and enjoy scenic drives and hikes.
For Beach Lovers:
Florida:
Enjoy the warm weather, beaches, and water activities in cities like Miami, Key West, or Myrtle Beach.
San Diego, California:
San Diego, California:
Relax on the beaches, explore the city's attractions, and enjoy the mild climate.
Outer Banks, North Carolina: Experience the rugged coastline, lighthouses, and charming towns.
For a Relaxing Getaway:
Palm Springs, California: Enjoy the desert landscape, golf courses, and spas.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Relax on the beach, stroll along the boardwalk, and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.
Asheville, North Carolina: Explore the mountains, visit art galleries, and enjoy the city's craft brewery scene.
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Discover the unique art scene, cultural attractions, and the city's Spanish colonial architecture.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Enjoy the beaches, lighthouses, and charming towns.
San Antonio, Texas: Explore the historic River Walk, visit the Alamo, and enjoy the city's Tex-Mex cuisine.
Other Ideas:
Road Trips: Explore national parks and scenic routes across the country.
Cruises: Consider a cruise to a warm destination or explore the coastline.
Tours: Join a guided tour to explore a specific region or theme.
Outer Banks, North Carolina: Experience the rugged coastline, lighthouses, and charming towns.
For a Relaxing Getaway:
Palm Springs, California: Enjoy the desert landscape, golf courses, and spas.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Relax on the beach, stroll along the boardwalk, and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.
Asheville, North Carolina: Explore the mountains, visit art galleries, and enjoy the city's craft brewery scene.
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Discover the unique art scene, cultural attractions, and the city's Spanish colonial architecture.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Enjoy the beaches, lighthouses, and charming towns.
San Antonio, Texas: Explore the historic River Walk, visit the Alamo, and enjoy the city's Tex-Mex cuisine.
Other Ideas:
Road Trips: Explore national parks and scenic routes across the country.
Cruises: Consider a cruise to a warm destination or explore the coastline.
Tours: Join a guided tour to explore a specific region or theme.
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