Presnock

23 hours ago, Walker88 said:

I think both are you are right.

 

The debt is not as much of a problem as its nominal number suggests, as US debt to GDP is less than most Euro nations (except Netherlands) and much below Japan. Provided the debt doesn't grow too quickly, and it gets 'serviced', the debt bomb need not explode for a while.

 

That being said, the current POTUS may well bring about the dollar's demise by his idiocy. DOGE is not bringing spending down much at all. Even its modest claims of 'savings' are proving to be false. Nothing DOGE has done or can do will be anything compared to the damage to the deficit the proposed tax cuts will do. Also, as was seen clearly in his first term, that ta cut not only did not 'trickle down', it did nothing for the economy. Growth under 45 was in the bottom 30% of all Quarters since the end of WWII even before he mishandled Covid. National Debt rose considerably more than US GDP, so even the modest growth was just debt fueled.

 

Now the President is alienating allies. That is a major threat to the dollar, since foreigners still fund 30% of the US deficit. Since his election, about half a trillion dollars of foreign-held debt has been sold. That isn't much, but it may portend a trend, a trend exacerbated by POTUS' policies and alienation of allies. Also, let's not forget POTUS once said live on CNBC he would consider defaulting on foreign-owned debt. People now know that when he says silly things, he eventually does them.

 

If foreigners go on a buyers' strike, or sell USTs they now hold en masse, US rates rise. That will slow growth and hurt the stock market, which would keep foreign money out of the US equity market. If the Fed tries to compensate by printing money and buying up USTs, then all those new USDs are hardly collectors items. The dollar will tumble.

 

The BRICS are not only growing in number, they are moving away from the dollar. China could kill the dollar if it decided to make capital flow into and out of the yuan easier. Yes, it would take time for outsiders to build trust in the CCP, but China could take the long term approach and become more capital friendly.

 

The one thing all can bet on is that if there is a good way to handle trade and economics and a bad way to do it, this President will choose the worst way. He did that as a businessman, relying on his daddy and puffery until saved by Mark Burnett and his Game Show. Absent that, POTUS is the epitome of that old joke:

 

How do you make a small fortune?

 

Answer: Start with a large one. (for POTUS, that was daddy)

Well written and agree he has no way to improve the economy as he is a total idiot when it comes to that - he has shown so by failing at many different endeavers!  He is a threat to our world for sure IMHO.  SCARY for this old retiree living on a government pension.

1 hour ago, WDSmart said:

I certainly HOPE the US dollar is "safe." I depend on it. However, with Trump as president, I do worry about this. 😞  

ัyou and me and I believe every US for sure retiree here and probably a lot from other countries.  If ELON and his boys continue striking at Social Security, some of those old folks are former military vets too and just won't idly sit by watching their and their families lives destroyed by these rich idiots at the helms of different offices. IMHO anyway.

If you think that the traffic in BKK HAS BEEN bad, how about yesterday?  trains and highways around BKK shut down by government, malls after eveactuating shoppers, locked their doors and refused entry even for people to come get their cars parked at the Mall, plus condo buildings evacuated and their people too were out in the streets plus all traffic basically came to a standstill as the roads just became parking lots.  A horrible situation for many folks yesterday!  Hopefully now everything will be back to just crowded streets instead of parking lots only.

15 hours ago, thaibreaker said:

They actually did not join as a full membership. Thailand joined as partners in January. A full membership is still discussed.

amended my comment a couple of days ago yeah, partner member - saw a video today that BRICS has begun a campaign now, bought 600tons of gold and that Trump has outlawed them from internal US activity plus a USD $100K tariff on any of them trying to kill the dollar.

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Trump’s fishing 

and now he will find "someone" to confirm his claim althoughj that individual probably just became very rich.

On 3/27/2025 at 10:51 AM, JonnyF said:

 

I think they had no choice.

 

If you keep pumping out lies, insults and race baiting, people will switch off. The people have spoken and they love what Trump is doing. 

you just contradicted yourself, you said pumping out lies.etc people will switch off then you say theylove what Trump is doing.  Mae up you mind please.

On 3/27/2025 at 11:01 AM, Maxbkkcm said:

What are the causes? 
 

Is it due to the size of the roads that are too narrow? Is it because a lots of lands on the side are private? So it reduce size of driving.

 

Or is it because there is too much cars? Apparently way more than 5 years ago but not sure about that.

 

What’s your take on this? 

came to BKK 1972 - too many cars then, and the other 3 times I worked at the Embassy on Wireless road - same thing, too many cars, and like most old old cities can't either move the people or get them to move for other buildings. In 1976 one could stand on the embassy roof (2 story building in those days) and overlook the entire city as there were only about two (chokchai bldg and Dusit Thani Hotel) over 2-3 stories.  Look at it today - full of condos and bldgs to cater to tourists and parttime visitors/office workers

On 3/26/2025 at 4:53 PM, spidermike007 said:

You are right and the reality is that a lot of us live really well here and we have a lot to be thankful for. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. And many are struggling to make ends meet, in an environment that is stupidly over priced. 

 

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me.

 

Also you can live here on a relatively limited income, I can't do that in the US right now. 

AMEN to this comment and as usual right on the mark!

Yo

16 hours ago, jas007 said:

He did win the election and he is now President.  And I think most people would agree, even any this point, that the alternative, Harris, would have been a disaster for the country.  So, perhaps people should get over it and try to have a positive attitude.  

Yessir, the first time, he won IMHO because many dems crossed over to vote against Hillary.  The second time the dems had BIDEN or HARRIS, both totally inept and not even close to being qualified IMHO to be president.  But then again, I originally a Republican, then independent but could not bring myself to vote for him either so I sat it out.  I didn't feel it could be worse than the dems but now I am beginning to feel that Trump truly wants to destroy the US economy.  He seems hellbent on going into a recession - as it won't affect him nor his rich buddies, only the average citizen.  This latest "glitch" solidified all my feelings about how dangerous he could be.  Horrible for the citizens IMHO.  And not totally sure we Americans here won't be affected either.

21 hours ago, sstuff3 said:

Trump 25% tariffs = "Harsh"

Thailand tariffs 100% - 300% = "Silence"

😂

Oh the irony and hypocrisy!

Trade should be reciprocal, America is finally taking steps in that direction. 

As a rich nation, FAIR trade should be the main driver in the trade agreements.  I do realize that different govt see thinks differently but I am looking through the window of freedom and success.

21 hours ago, Bohemianfish said:

Americans are getting screwed. Especially, the everyday people, farmers, who voted for him. There's no good news in America these days. The cuts and tariffs are absolutely damaging to our food programs, farmers, to consumers who will pay higher and higher prices. 

From the notes I get daily from friends in different areas of the US, most of them feel betrayed by Trump so far and it only seems to be getting worse daily - their opinions anyway.

21 hours ago, Bohemianfish said:

Americans and all citizens getting absolutely screwed over tariffs. There is NO good news here in America anymore. The last two months have been a nightmare and its' getting way to expensive to live here and will continue to get worse. The cost of food will continue to skyrocket and price of goods. Farmers are getting screwed. Everyone is getting screwed. What will the next four years look like?

Fortunately, we are not rich or poor. But we will not be able to replace our 26 year old cars that we keep running and the price of cars is expected to rise $12000. Used cars are too expensive. Car part will skyrocket.

 

21 hours ago, Bohemianfish said:

Americans and all citizens getting absolutely screwed over tariffs. There is NO good news here in America anymore. The last two months have been a nightmare and its' getting way to expensive to live here and will continue to get worse. The cost of food will continue to skyrocket and price of goods. Farmers are getting screwed. Everyone is getting screwed. What will the next four years look like?

Fortunately, we are not rich or poor. But we will not be able to replace our 26 year old cars that we keep running and the price of cars is expected to rise $12000. Used cars are too expensive. Car part will skyrocket.

 

Hey, you obviously haven't seen the news clip about all that is happening with Trump announcing that people must realize,".   they have been in power two months and this the first glitch and everything else has been perfect" I guess my schooling doesn't allow me to understand that THIS is the first GLITCH and all else is PERFECT, based on the daily news clipss.

22 hours ago, Reddavy said:

They have always been hated. Bunch of loud mouth ignorant hillbillies

I lived and worked around the world in many different countries.  I never was accosted and hated but usually had many friends in those countries.  I usually spoke the language so could communicate with them and they always seem to have a lot of questions about America and life there so that seem to be hatefilled to me.  Sorry for those that have obviously hung around the wrong Americans.  People who feel like that should look the mirror and consider what others think of them!

17 hours ago, Zack61 said:

I, personally, agree with the Thai real estate policy. If they opened up for foreigners to buy into their real estate market prices would soar and almost every Thai person would be locked out of the market unable to compete with foreign investors. It would be an absolute sh!t show and they would be slaves within their own country. 

looking at how many have to live here, seeing the minimum wages, etc, they already seem like slaves! IMO

31 minutes ago, sambum said:

 

"Som nam na!"

I kinda like the one that explains just how bad ELON and his team have screwed folks - an 84 (I think that is the right age) didn't get a check for so he called (when hey still could and asked and told them that he wasn't dead yet so was entitled to more checks.  Then they told him well to confirm that you are alive you have to come in person to the nearest office.  He made his way there and the line waiting to talk to one of two SS people there was over 50 people long.  After waiting for 4 hours and not getting very far, he saw a gap and jumped the line screaming hey take me I am still alive!

Not sure how long the regular citizen, who paid into SS his whole career and then can't get his check because he doesn't have a computer or know how to use one anyway, can no longer call the SS office and now the only one is hours away and he has to arrange transportation and then wait in a line to find  out why they aren't sending him his check he has been getting for 17 years straight with no problems!  ELON couldn't care less, he doesn't get SS and is worth too  much anyway to so why would he care.

1 hour ago, jas007 said:

I'm not so sure they're full members, yet.  As far as I know, they're just a so-called "Partner Country" of BRICS, which is a step towards full membership.  

correct!

3 hours ago, jas007 said:

I thought they just applied to join BRICS?  

 

Anyone know what kind of cars they make in Thailand and ship into the USA?  I can't imagine, off the top of my head. 

https://thailand.prd.go.th Russia invited them to join in Dec and they officially joined as of 01 January 2025

19 hours ago, worgeordie said:

It was a bad news day for you Yagoda , but don't worry there will be others,

as 4 more years to go ...

 

regards worgeordie

Yeah, IF and I emphasize IF the congress and IG's do a valid investigation not only of this chat call but how many chat calls like this have occurred since these amateurs took over their posts.  But seeing as how they blatantly lied before the Congressional hearing until it forced the magazine to publish even more of the chat and shows just how uncaring and no feelings of wrong doing by this crowd and Trump.  These people are a really dangerous crowd for Americans IMHO and since they all have money they couldn't care less than they do now.  Even if kicked out, how would they suffer?  Not at all.  Unless some heads roll then it will only get worse in my opinion.  I hope the original classification put on the military strike by the pentagon is revealed so that we can see just how terrible this breadh was.  I am  sure the local offices of Russia and China are sorry this happened as they will now lose this source.  But then again, since Trump is the President, he will probably just continue to pooh pooh it.  I did notice that some of the administration said "well  Biden and his folks used SIGNAL, but then some lower level folks left over from his administration clarified that no classified was allowed by the Biden folks on this type signal.  Scary for sure.  Even if the Russians or China saw the info, they most likely would not alert the Huti folks as it would mean that this SIGNAL chat line was compromised and the IDIOTS might begin using a really secure means of communication.