Let Them Eat Flat Screens


Posted originally on Mar 27, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

Antoinette Marie

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent continually denies that tariffs will become a tax on consumers. When asked if the Trump administration was comfortable with the rising cost of goods, Bessent declared, “the American dream is not ‘let them eat flat screens.’”

“Not at all,” Bessent replied. “What I’m saying is the American dream is not ‘let them eat flat screens.’ If American families aren’t able to afford a home, don’t believe that their children will do better than they are [doing], the American dream is not contingent on cheap baubles from China, it is more than that. And we are focused on affordability, but it’s mortgages, it’s cars, it’s real wage gains.”

If tariffs become more widespread the inflationary effects will cause the affordability of items to rise. No one can afford to repair their homes when lumber costs are soaring. Builders are forced to raise costs on new housing starts, for example, when materials rise in expense. The issue here is not the demand for cheap Chinese goods but the demand for essentials like energy, steel, etc.

Auto prices are at an all-time high. We steered away from pushed EVs on the public but are refusing to permit cheaper Chinese autos in our country. Autos are being targeted hard by tariffs and manufacturing costs have becoming astronomical. China is able to produce cheap autos because manufacturing costs are far less.

Treasuries impact mortgage rates and are largely driven by supply and demand for US government debt. When inflation rises due to tariffs, bondholders demand higher yields to offset the decreased purchasing power. This leads to declining bond prices and rising interest rates across the board, including for mortgages.

As for wages, businesses will face higher operating costs due to tariffs and have less revenue to pass on to employees. Worse, businesses seeking to avoid reciprocal tariffs may simply leave the US.

Politicians should not quote Marie Antoinette. The French people made her pay with her head when the economy turned down. Bessent and others advising Trump fail to understand the broader impact of stifling free trade. Furthermore, these statements are out of touch with the cost of living crisis as informed Americans know that tariffs will impact far more than the cost of a flat screen TV.

Will You Fight for Germany/Ukraine?


Posted originally on Mar 27, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

GermanyUkraineWarPropogandaRecruitment

They are preparing the European public for the inevitable—European troops on the ground in Ukraine. “Will you fight for Germany? None of us wants war, but we already have to prepare for it. How ready are we really?” German magazine Stern states on its latest cover.

Germany has been discussing reintroducing mandatory military service since the war began—a war that was never Germany’s battle but always the obligation and responsibility of the German people. Over a decade ago, Germany knew they were going to fight Russia and Ukraine will be their entryway. I discuss this in detail in my book, “The Plot to Seize Russia” in detail. The West could not simply enter Russia without giving the public a reason for warfare and creating countless fake flags, demonizing its opponent through propaganda, and attempting to weaken its military through a proxy war. We are now embarking on the beginning of the third world war, thanks to the manipulation of the elites in power who have no regard for human life.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in May 2024 that he was “convinced” that Germany “needs a form of military conscription.” While there is no conscription, Germans are required to register for a potential draft before they turn 18. By June of 2024, I was informed by multiple personal sources that this registration had been extended to include women. One reliable source informed me that her female family friend was sent a notice to register at 59 years old.

The only safe demographic seems to be the 17+ million migrants in Germany. There is a reason that this magazine cover was not forced to feature a diverse individual. Sorry, but most of these male migrants refused to fight for their own nations and were protected by the German government to ensure they never had to.

This sentiment is spreading across Europe, and governments are beginning to warn the people through media messaging that they should prepare for war. The Bundeswehr, Germany’s military, currently has around 262,000 troops, but it would like to boldly increase its size with 200,000 additional troops and will spend €100 billion in a special fund to modernize its military.

European leaders have demonized US President Donald Trump for insisting upon a ceasefire. The world saw him publicly yell at Zelensky for sending hundreds of thousands of men off to die as countless troops perish daily in a war that Zelensky knows he cannot win. Europe is prepared to replenish Ukraine’s military by sending its own soldiers. They have already released the propaganda whereby fighting for Ukraine’s independence equates to fighting for European independence. Trump’s victory may have prolonged the inevitable, but global warfare is indeed inevitable.

The Kallas Plan – Destroy Russia AND Europe


Posted 0riginaly on Mar 27, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

The European External Action Service is intended to ensure diplomacy and peace throughout Europe, but the new head, Kaja Kallas, has been promoting the opposite. “[T]he European Union wants Ukraine to win this war” against Russia, Kallas tweeted out. Her response prompted ten European diplomats to speak out. “She (Kallas) is still acting like a prime minister,” said one EU diplomat to Politico. The former Estonian PM is a known neocon who was installed in her current position to push the war narrative. Worse, Kallas has aspirations to one day lead NATO.

Kallas has been blinded by her newfound role and overestimates her power. After Zelensky’s infamous meeting with Trump, Kallas declared Trump was unfit to lead the US, tweeting “the free world needs a new leader.” Not exactly the response of a diplomat. She immediately released demands to the 27 European Union members, demanding 1.5 million rounds of artillery ammunition and additional aid for Ukraine. People began calling the €40 billion the “Kallas Plan” as she alone felt that she had the authority to dictate defense spending for the entire European Union.

Her proposal angered many European leaders who saw that Kallas was coercing them into contributing additional aid to Ukraine based on the size of their individual economies. Yet another unelected bureaucrat dictating a blanket policy for Europe. She reacted to the criticism by asking for €5 billion in artillery shells, but everyone is aware she will demand more.

One European diplomat openly praised her extreme measure, stating, “We are in 1938 or 1939,” and “it’s not the time to hold back processes.” Kallas herself said she received “broad political support” despite the pushback from elected European leaders, especially those in Southern Europe unprepared to make a major donation to Ukraine based on a percentage of their GDP. This is part of the strategy to bolster Europe’s military power now that NATO’s top donor is not in favor of World War III.

The European Union is a complete and utter disaster. Brussels is home to unelected neocons who have never had the best intentions for Europe. It is impossible to set blanket policies for 27 nations and expect the repercussions to be equal. Elected officials are overridden by Brussels at every turn, as we recently saw with Hungary being silenced for voting against yet another aid package. Allowing the elected leaders to vote is simply a show as the bureaucrats in Brussels know they hold the ultimate authority. The Kallas Plan and future endeavors of this nature aim to not only destroy Russia, but to destroy Europe financially.

NATO only Threatens War – Europe is Not Interested in Peace


Posted originally on Mar 26, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

NATO threatens WWIII 2025_03_26

There is not a single European leader who has made a statement. All they constantly do is insult and threaten war. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said: “If anyone were to miscalculate and think they can get away with an attack on Poland or on any other ally, they will be met with the full force of this fierce alliance. Our reaction will be devastating,” he declared in Warsaw. “This has to be very clear to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and anyone else who wants to attack us.”

They know nothing about military strategy, nor are they interested in peace. Instead, they want war and will create a false flag to achieve that goal. Europe is in very dire condition. Cyclical Storm Clouds are gathering. The Eurozone has reached a dramatic inflection point, and the refusal to address the debt consolidation from the outset has put Europe at risk for a severe sovereign debt crisis. But the stakes today are incredibly high. If one member fails, this will disrupt everything, weakening the Eurozone beyond repair.

Constantly threatening war and a single attack on Poland will bring a devastating retaliation if you are pushed to that point. You MUST attack the entirety of the Eurozone. You would need to take out NATO headquarters before they could even run to their bunkers.

Sun Su Art of War Know Your Enemy

Putin criticized Lenin, saying he was not a statesman; he was just a Bolshevik. You can now say the same about all of these European leaders. There is not a single statesman among them. These morons are placing the entire world at risk because they think threats work. History demonstrates that it will never work. They neither understand Russia. Worse still, they certainly do not understand themselves. They have waged a proxy war against Russia via Ukraine and think they can defeat Russia conventionally, and their threats will prevent a nuclear exchange. This proxy war guarantees this will be WWIII.

Mississippi Eliminates the Income Tax


Posted originally on Mar 24, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

1913 Income Tax

Good news for the people of Mississippi—lawmakers have finally removed the state income tax. Mississippi is now joins Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Texas, and Wyoming in eliminating this excessive and predatory taxation practice.

The first income tax was created in 1861 during the Civil War as a mechanism to finance the war effort. In addition, Congress passed the Internal Revenue Act in 1862, which created the Bureau of Internal Revenue, an eventual predecessor to the IRS. The Bureau of Internal Revenue placed excise taxes on everything from tobacco to jewelry. However, the income tax did not last and was not renewed in 1872. In the Springer v. United States 102 US 586 (1881), the Supreme Court upheld the income tax.

The origin of the current income tax on individuals is generally cited as the passage of the 16th Amendment, passed by Congress on July 2, 1909, and ratified February 3, 1913. It was on June 16, 1909, President William Howard Taft, in an address to the Sixty-first Congress, proposed a two percent federal income tax on corporations by way of an excise tax and a constitutional amendment to allow the previously enacted income tax.

Once this Marxist concept of direct taxation was created, then the government must know everything we do, track us for it assumes we all cheat and lie, and in the process, it is hunting money globally to the point that world economic growth has been declining.

Those against Mississippi eliminating the income tax are proponents of big government. They are concerned that the lost revenue will hurt the public sector and low-income residents will be disproportionately burdened as other taxes are likely to rise. Yet, eliminating the income tax will directly lead to Mississippians receiving a larger take-home pay. Businesses, especially small businesses, end up taking on this tax as is passed through from entities to the individual owner who is unable reinvest those funds into his or her company. Businesses will now have the ability to become more competitive and attract a more desirable workforce.

The state has until 2037 to determine how to manage its budget without robbing its citizens and punishing workers. Income tax will fall from 4% to 3% in 2027 and then will see a 0.3% reduction until it is eliminated entirely.

Income tax is a relic of failed economic policies that governments refuse to abandon because it gives them direct control over the wealth of the people. When you tax income, you reduce incentives to work, invest, and innovate. Governments use the tax as a reason to continue perpetual spending that always leads to deficits. States do not need this tax to function. States need to operate within their means to function without punishing the people for fiscal mismanagement.

Nations Issue Politically Charged US Travel Advisories


Posted originally on Mar 24, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

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Numerous nations are warning their citizens not to travel to the United States ahead of the busiest months for tourism. These are not true travel warnings but fabricated suggestions to deter people from visiting the United States for political reasons. These “advisories” are making worldwide headlines as the world turns its back on America.

Globalist leaders disagree with America’s policy of securing the border. “A criminal conviction in the United States, false information regarding the purpose of stay, or even a slight overstay of the visa upon entry or exit can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation upon entry or exit,” Germany’s foreign ministry stated. Yet, anyone visiting a foreign nation must meet these same requirements and could be denied entry for an array of reasons.

Three German citizens were separately denied entry in recent weeks, and their stories made worldwide headlines. This is standard operating procedure, as these travelers had incorrect papers. The same instance happened with a woman from the United Kingdom who was denied entry for having an incorrect visa. Again, none of this is new or a cause for concern.

Still, the United Kingdom issued a warning to potential travelers. “You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules,” the guidance reads. Precisely—you must abide by the rules to gain access to a foreign nation.

Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a travel advisory for the United States but for a different reason. The United States now requires passport holders to state their assigned sex at birth—male or female—on their record. There are only two options, and yes, this is a safety concern. Someone could easily create a fake identity to enter on illegal grounds. Customs officers must see identification that matches the person in front of them. Denmark is now warning citizens that they could face discrimination.

Other nations like Canada have unofficially advised citizens to take precautions when visiting the United States.

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research found that the tourism sector added $2.36 trillion to US GDP in 2023, a 7% increase from the year before. Over 18 million Americans are employed in this crucial sector.

These advisories are not intended to protect the people. There is no danger in visiting the United States. In fact, Europe has increased its entry requirements more so than the United States, but Trump derangement syndrome has spread like a pandemic.

SCOOP: OMB Will Start Impoundment, Steve Bannon Discusses Existential Threat Of Debt


Posted originally on Rumble By Bannon’s War Room on: Mar 22 2025, at 1:00 pm EST

Why the Fed Cannot Reduce Rates to Offset Tariffs


Posted originally on Mar 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong

Interest Rates Percent

President Donald Trump is urging the Fed to cut interest rates to offset the inflation that will be caused by tariffs. “The Fed would be MUCH better off CUTTING RATES as U.S.Tariffs start to transition (ease!) their way into the economy,” Trump wrote. “Do the right thing. April 2nd is Liberation Day in America!!!” Reducing interest rates will NOT offset inflation caused by tariffs because the two variables are not directly related.

Tariffs increase costs due to supply, while interest rates influence demand. When tariffs are imposed, the cost of imported goods rise, increasing prices for consumers and businesses. This cannot be offset by lowering interest rates, as rate cuts stimulate borrowing and investment rather than addressing price increases caused by trade barriers. In fact, lower interest rates can exacerbate the problem by weakening the currency, making imports even more expensive, further fueling inflation.

Historically, tariffs have led to stagflation—rising prices combined with economic stagnation—rather than the demand-driven inflation central banks typically target. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff of the 1930s, for example, severely disrupted global trade and worsened the Great Depression. Similarly, Trump’s trade war with China during his first term did not lead to any economic boom but instead forced businesses to adjust supply chains, raising costs for consumers.

Lowering interest rates in this environment offsets capital flows, decreasing confidence and weakening the purchasing power of the currency. The result is a cycle in which consumers face higher costs while the central bank loses the little control it has to manage inflation. The idea that the Fed could actually control inflation is based on outdated Keynesian economics concepts that were drafted when the US had a balanced budget. Now, most demand comes from the government itself, the largest borrower and creator of debt. This is why Jerome Powell spoke out against Joe Biden for creating the largest spending package in US history and multiplying the public sector. The government will never pay off its debts, and the interest payments on that debt alone have been astronomical.

Relying on rate cuts to counter tariff inflation ignores the root cause of the issue. The real solution lies in reducing trade barriers and not relying on tariffs to increase the demand for domestically made goods.

Transitory Tariff Inflation?


Posted originally on Mar 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

Powell Jerome

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said he expects inflation to be “transitory,” a word reminiscent of America’s situation three years ago when the Fed repeatedly urged the public to underplay inflation as it would improve. Conditions did not improve, as we later learned, and the Fed will have a hard time convincing the markets that this time is different.

“It can be the case that it’s appropriate sometimes to look through inflation, if it’s going to go away quickly, without action by us, if it’s transitory,” Powell said. “That can be the case in the case of tariff inflation. I think that would depend on the tariff inflation moving through fairly quickly and, critically, as well on inflation expectations being well anchored.”

Consumer spending is crucial to the US economy. Retail spending in February increased 0.2% after declining 1.2% in January, according to the Department of Commerce, but fell beneath predictions for a 0.6% monthly increase. Total sales from December 2024 to February 2025 rose 3.7% from the same period one year ago, but growth remains minimal.

People do not spend when confidence is low. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey indicated a 10% decline in consumer sentiment this March compared to February, citing a “high level of uncertainty.”

The National Federation of Retailers stated that February sales had slowed as a direct result of tariff threats. “Consumer spending dipped slightly again in February due to the combination of harsh winter weather and declining consumer confidence driven by tariffs, concerns about rising unemployment and policy uncertainty,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Unease about the probability of inflation and paying higher prices for non-discretionary goods has the value-conscious consumer spending less and saving more. But for the moment, year-over-year gains reflect an economy with strong fundamentals.”

Retail is America’s largest employer in the public sector, adding $5.3 trillion to annual GDP. One in four Americans, 55 million people, are employed through this crucial sector.

Naturally, the cost of living is causing much upheaval as people spend more on less and save what they can. It would be ignorant to say that tariff disputes do not have a direct negative impact on the economy. Powell likely coined a new term, “tariff inflation,” which I expect we will hear more frequently.

German Govt Warns Travelers Not to Break U.S Law During Trump Administration or They Might Lose Visa Access or Future Entry


Posted originally on CTH on March 20, 2025 | Sundance

The funny thing is that EU countries are viewing this statement from Germany as if it is a negative assertion against President Trump.

The German government, and newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is warning its citizens that if they travel to the United States they should be careful not to break the law.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns travelers that violating U.S. law while President Trump is in office, might get them removed from the U.S. or lose their visa entry privilege.

BERLIN — The German government has sharpened its travel advice for the United States.

According to its website, Berlin’s Foreign Office now warns its citizens that tougher immigration enforcement under U.S. President Donald Trump could land travelers in detention or see them face deportation.

It updated the guidance after several German nationals were detained at U.S. entry points, some held for days before being sent back. Officials now explicitly warn that even minor infractions — such as overstaying a visa or misstating travel plans — could trigger immediate deportation or a ban on future entry. (read more)

This is a major story throughout the EU gaining widespread attention.  Yet, to be brutally honest I thought it was a spoof article at first.  Apparently, most Germans believed they could break the law in the USA without any consequence.

This feels like some kind of ‘winning’, but I’m not exactly sure how to define it. 😂