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IMPORTANT ISSUES! THESE ARE NOT SOLICITATIONS
“When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.”
— Jonathan Swift, 18th Century Irish Satirist
At the heart of MAGA is the cruelty and idiotic belief system of one man. He tells MAGA what it needs to follow and they blindly go along with it. To Hell with reason and logic. And it’s this cruelty and anti-intellectualism that I reject. So why am I quoting Swift? Well, from time to time, I think of all of us as that “true genius” surrounded by Trump and his minions.
Since the beginning of this second Trump Regime, what’s enraged me are the group I have often called The Enablers. People who on paper would seem to be a bulwark against this dunce and his movement. But instead, these enablers will say and do anything to be a part of this administration…American democracy, norms, and its people be damned. Honestly, who knew what was holding us back from absolute madness in the first Trump Administration was the decency of…Mike Pence and William Barr?
But worse than being bootlickers, many of these enablers are also fools. I’m not getting over my skis when I say we have a federal government being run by card-carrying members of the galactically stupid. I’ve written a few thousand words about the idiots in the Justice Department: The Fool of the North, i.e., the US Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Rosen and Pammy Jo with the Bad Hair. But today we focus on another member of these incompetent sycophants: Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Now I admit, I know little about farming with some knowledge coming from what my husband tells me when reminiscing about his college experience driving past cornfields on I-57 to his Big Ten school. And he grew up in the Chicago suburbs so he doesn’t know much about farming either. If Rollins wants to tell me she knows more about planting seasons, fertilizer, or seeds, sure, she’s got me there. But I do know a few things about Econ 101 and this wondrous thing called The Internet, and in this regard, I’m here to tell you what Rollins is shoveling stinks worse than manure. She may know how to plant things, but in cult service of Convicted Felon Donald Trump, Brooke wants to pretend like her alternate universe economics will never face scrutiny.
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What am I talking about? Beef. As in, where’s the American beef?
This past week, Trump announced the Regime would allow up to 300,000 METRIC TONS (which is about 661.4 MILLION POUNDS) of foreign ground beef, tariff-free into our country for the next 90 days. He refuses to say from which country this flood of mystery meat will be coming. He also refuses to say which American company has committed to selling this foreign beef “at 25 percent below current market prices."
Trump falsely claimed that he closed this black box of a deal because beef prices soared under Biden all while the American cattle herd “fell to its smallest size in modern history” on his watch. And Brooke Rollins jumped on that bullshit bandwagon and also blamed Biden for some nonexistent war on cattle. LIES.
Now, I hear you when you say, “Katie, there’s a thousand horrible things going on right now, so why are we talking about beef?” Because Dear Reader, Donald and Brooke are this week’s Exhibit A on why we must confront this administration on every lie. Put simply, we give no quarter to their gaslighting and lies of convenience.
So let’s take this nonsense apart, piece by piece. And a shout-out to Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast for doing a show almost a year ago about rising beef prices; as soon as I heard the story this week, I immediately re-listened to that episode to confirm that they’re all – no surprise – full of crap.
First, the herd. Yes, the U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest size in more than 50 years. But this isn’t about presidential politics. Instead, the culprits are simpler: years of drought, wildfire, and massive increases in feed, land, fuel, and veterinary costs. Over time, this reality has made it difficult to near impossible for independent ranchers in this country to operate successfully.
But that’s not all. As is the case in most industries, big corporations just hammer the little guy. In this instance, four companies control a significant percentage of U.S. beef processing capacity. This concentration allows these companies to set the price for what they will pay ranchers on one hand and what they charge grocery chains for meat on the other. Yes, the prices these processors pay ranchers is increasing. But if the ranchers’ input costs are also increasing, they’re still left treading water. Bottom-line: if you wanted to have an honest conversation about what ails the industry, processor consolidation and market transparency would be at the top of the list. But we all know that doesn’t happen in this era of corrupt big money politics.
Second, rising prices and the timing of this announcement. As we all know, Trump was elected a second time based on the fraudulent representation that he would lower prices on day one. And once he got into office? Well, the prices, they continued to rise. When it comes to beef, it’s important to remind everyone that Trump has already dipped his fat, ugly toes in the beef pond. In February, Trump signed a proclamation allowing for the importation of 80,000 metric tons of Argentine beef on favorable terms on the theory that it would lower prices for American families. At that time, the ranchers objected to this maneuver because importing more beef wouldn’t rebuild the American herd or address why ranchers were getting crushed in the first place. And we can’t forget the $20 BILLION Argentinian Great Beef Bailout of 2025. How did that help American farmers?
Several months later, the number has jumped from 80,000 metric tons to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef. And why? This brings me to the 90-day clock. It doesn’t take an economist to tell you that this timing has nothing to do with market dynamics, but instead, the November midterms are – you guessed it – about 90 days away. So even though Trump will tell you he “loves” America’s cattle farmers, the fact of the matter is he will stick it to these folks if it means votes at the ballot box.
Third, let’s delve into prices some more, particularly the criminal dunces running this show. I’m stating the obvious when I say that Convicted Felon Donald Trump has spent his entire second term manufacturing supply shocks to the domestic economy on a routine basis. Since 2025, we have suffered Trump’s stupid tariff tantrum that raised costs on the inputs that ranchers and processors depend on. And now we have an unending, illegal, very expensive war with Iran that has rattled global markets and supply chains at exactly the moment market participants could least absorb it.
So we shouldn’t be surprised that the problem is metastasizing. “Blame Joe Biden”? That may be the Trump Regime’s favorite chorus to sing, but they can’t crap on the rug and blame the dog for it. Frankly, I’m surprised things haven’t unraveled more quickly. But that’s a testament to the resiliency of our economy in the face of these idiotic losers and their actions.
Justin Tupper, president of the United States Cattlemen’s Association declared, “You don’t put America first by putting U.S. cattle producers last.” Colin Woodall, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President, said that “flooding the market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd.” While one agricultural industry insider said, “It’s going to just piss off farmers and ranchers.”
Cheaper beef – even if temporary – is a good thing. But, as is the case in all things Trump, he doesn’t get to set the house on fire and then demand credit for showing up with a thimble of water to try and put the fire out. I've got a beef with the corruption and the grift so I’m raising the steaks and demanding we cull the herd and get rid of Trump and the Republicans in November!
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Yes!
The threats only work when we surrender. Love that!
Exactly!
Meanwhile Target had been going through a rough time 😏
I haven't shopped at Target once since they caved.
Me either!
And I quit Amazon at least 18 months ago. An old phrase from The Depression
might fit the idea of 'quitting Amazon,' if doing so seems like going 'cold turkey.'
----------------
Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, Or do without.
----------------
Similarly, our apparent addiction to apps of unending variety is likely
far more wasteful than it is beneficial. And you can't use the
'saves time' reason when justifying them. Convenient is the
'thin entering wedge,' but it's also the lid to 'Pandora's Box.'
AMAZON is not the cheapest and don't protect their employees.
WE always check out EBAY where many are just individuals.
After the BEZOS WEDDING, won't go there!
WE have 2 church-run THRIFT SHOPS that are bargains!
(One church provides the local FOOD PANTRY space.)
People pass away and families clean out homes!
Kids outgrow clothes and toys - the best REUSE and RECYCLE!
WE also have several great SALVATION ARMY STORES - but they don't take
all donations - great source for FURNITURE!
They're always first to step up when families loose their homes.
Ohio is in play, North Carolina is in play, Maine is in play, Nebraska is in play, Iowa is in play, then there is Alaska. I believe Texas is already decided. Would be nice if people in Florida stepped up to vote, but typically not the case. Remember, democrats need five states to flip because Pennsylvania with Fetterman is now on the path to changing parties.
Every time I hear about a department of justice lackey failing, flailing in a courtroom with a judge that asks valid questions, I always come back to what the judge should say to this fake lawyer. Where did this lawyer get their license? And, when I refer you to the bar for an ethics investigation for the case in front of the court, how does that look on the lawyer's resume when the DOJ starts its purge in 2029?
The truth must be told and you do it each and every day
tRump's FAKE LAWYERS?
tRump dragged the SWAMPS for these BOOBS!
And SMILING DELUSIONAL LOSER BESSENT thinks he's gonna fight the BOND MARKET?
WHISKEY HEGSETH can't protect the U.S. SOLDIERS!
MAGA GOP approved the nomination of TODD BLANCHE!
FOX NEWS BOOB JEANNINE PIRRO needs to go as well!
The FLOPPY SUBWAY SANDWICH lawsuit defined her incompetence - the JURY refused to convict, but she's had other BLUNDERS!
GREG OLEAR posted this - it's lengthy, but enlightening: :
Todd Blanche Is Already Historically Awful
How Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department stacks up against the best and worst Attorneys General in U.S. history.
Greg Olear
Jul 21, 2026
The New York City Bar Association took the extreme step of writing a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, urging the Senate to reject his nomination. “Mr. Blanche has taken actions that we believe make him unfit to lead an ethical and independent department of justice that is essential to our nation’s democracy,” the City Bar writes. “Mr. Blanche’s record—particularly the actions he has undertaken as Deputy Attorney General and Acting Attorney General—conclusively demonstrates his lack of commitment to the integrity, professionalism and independence that the Senate should require and the American people should expect of the highest law enforcement official in the land.”
https://gregolear.substack.com/p/todd-blanche-is-already-historically
Thank you Scott
The truth must be told and you do it each and every day
Who needs coffee when Scott brings the news like this - WOWIE!!
...re: your questions:
________________
Alaska is in play. What other states feel more likely
to flip than they did a year ago?
-------------------------
-------------------------
TEXAS. And we Texans need strong, CAPABLE leaders,
not sycophant boot-lickers
________________
A judge asked the DOJ what they needed 17 million people’s
files for. They had no answer. What would you have asked them?
--------------------------
--------------------------
What is your next job going to be?
________________
Stop killing the wild horses. Close the loophole too, where they are sold cheap, then resold to be killed.
I'm still very concerned about voting by mail across the country. Not an option where I live, but the current head of post office has made it clear he is willing to do whatever Donald wants. What's to stop them from simply trashing all the mailed vote that come through, or worse yet, opening them to check who the votes are going to before sending only the "right" ones on?
Drop boxes are usually outside Board of Election buildings. So staff take the ballots inside each night. The (one) drop box in my county has a 24hr surveillance camera filming the activity.
Use available drop boxes for mail-in ballots.
Who transports the ballots?
That's a federal offense no matter who does it. Would they want to go to prison for Trump? There's no guarantee he'll pardon them if they're caught and they'll still have legal fees to pay.
One can only assume that some of his cult members don't think any further ahead about consequences than he does. Who knows? Holding tension until January (and beyond?) is not doing me any good.
Harris please let the tension go. It is not helping and it is not doing you any good. Let it go and know WE are in this fight together. :-)
Thank you for kinds words. I try, but it's hard. I'm blessed/cursed with a high level of empathy, and I simply *feel* all of this more than many folks do, sometimes physically.
Harris, please know I too am in the full of empathy/sympathy mode of being. I have that strange capacity to jump into action when needed and later find myself a bundle of fear and anxiety. To some extent sharing thoughts here on Scott's Substack and a few others seems to help. I think it lets me know that there are still many fine people in our country! And around the world! :-) One of the people I have come to rely on for settling my nerves here on Substack is a British yoga instructor who puts out weekly little things to do that help! She is always a good email to find, with both free and paid subscriptions. No need to do anything but listen for a few minutes and feel better. You can look for her at 'Jo from Yoga for Tired People', here on Substack.
Stop killing the wild horses. Close the loophole too, where they are sold cheap, then resold to be killed.
While I agree with you wholeheartedly. please consider adding a PETITION when you post:
Wild horse protections slashed in 2026 budget proposal, opening door to mass slaughter
The proposal cuts Bureau of Land Management funding by 25% and removes bans on killing federally protected animals, putting 64,000 wild horses and burros at risk.
https://www.speciesunite.com/news-stories/wild-horse-protections-slashed-in-2026-budget-proposal-opening-door-to-mass-slaughter
PETITION:
https://secure.speciesunite.com/page/176278/petition/1