foregoneconclusion

At this point, it's already clear that the Trump administration only has two goals when it comes to economics:

A. Do as much damage to the U.S. and world economy as possible. 

B. Stuff pockets with $$ from insider trading and corrupt/illegal financial dealings.

The Trump administration tries to claim everything is an emergency or national security related. But they never like to provide any evidence of either claim. 

radarthekat said: Meanwhile, in more advanced economies those offshored jobs are replaced with better, higher-paying jobs in STEM, engaged in R&D, engineering, product management, creative design, and entrepreneurial pursuits that create whole new industries.

One of the easiest and most obvious ways to improve the economy and give a lot of people jobs is to update/improve infrastructure throughout the United States. It's the proverbial low hanging fruit due to the fact that the United States has largely neglected infrastructure due to its obsession with enormous tax cuts and ridiculously expensive wars.

But the GOP doesn't like that idea because it would show the general population that democratic governance works for them. They like the "factories" concept because it's entirely oriented around private business. 

Afarstar said:

Big congrats to Tim Cook for his quiet and thorough diplomacy. All the Cook naysayers should hang their heads in shame. 

Cook wasn't practicing diplomacy. He was paying a bribe. 

For anyone interested in facts about the current U.S. debt level, here are the primary drivers of that debt...

A. The George W. Bush administration ending the Bill Clinton tax surplus that was being used to pay down the debt.
B. The George W. Bush administration tax cuts.
C. The George W. Bush administration invasion and occupation of Afghanistan.
D. The George W. Bush administration invasion and occupation of Iraq.
E. Loss of tax revenue caused by the Great Recession
F. The Donald Trump administration tax cuts.
G. Loss of tax revenue caused by the Global Pandemic.
H. The DOGE cuts to the IRS.

The GOP plans additional multi-trillions in tax cuts on top of that in the near future.