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A Tariffic Shakedown - Our Grifter In Chief [1]
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Date: 2025-04-06
I recently made the case that 20th century dictators all had one thing in common: "... once in power, they immediately began dismantling societal norms and safeguards, consolidating all control, making themselves untouchable."
I want to continue with that theme and point out another characteristic they all shared: Every one of them became extremely wealthy, some obscenely so, while in power.
Why do you suppose that is?
Actually we could pose the same question with regard to many of today's dictators, most notably two of Trump's personal pals, Vlad and Kim.
Vladimir Putin is purportedly worth over $200 billion. Kim Jong-un's worth is tough to determine, due to the secrecy of the regime, but US and South Korean officials have uncovered bank accounts held in China, Austria, Luxembourg, Russia, and Switzerland. So he's certain to be in the upper tier of that multi-billionaire club as well.
So how do you think Vlad and Kim (and all the other despots) got so much money?
Pulling themselves up by their bootstraps? Pinching pennies? Sound financial advice?
They all became obscenely rich by grifting. By stealing everything they could, as fast as they could, with both hands; often leaving their countries' economy in shambles. They took a huge cut out of every financial pie produced or delivered, and squirreled it away in offshore bank accounts.
Anyone brave enough to try to stop them, or refuse to go along, was dealt with... severely.
That's how they got so rich.
This is what Trump's tariff scheme (I'll leave all his other grifts for another day) is about. Countless politicians and pundits have been flailing about trying to come up with some logical rationale for what he's doing.
But it's not complicated... it's a mobster shakedown.
I would wager my last Social Security check (before it gets switched to crypto) that every country hit with the tariffs has had, or soon will have, a visit from a Trump emissary, advising them how much they need to pony up, and what account it needs sent to, if they want to see the tariffs removed or reduced.
It's just a two bit shakedown racket, by a two bit hustler, attempting to emulate and keep up with his two bit dictator friends.
No great mystery here. Not when it comes to Trump.
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