(DON THOMPSON / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

I’d like to think most Americans aren’t…hmmm, how do I frame this?…let’s say, intellectually challenged. That sounds so much better than…well, stupid. But you really have to wonder about the tens of millions of folks who love soon-to-be Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump…even more than money in their pockets.

Last week, Trump - inexplicably - proposed a 10 percent tariff on every product imported to America from other countries. The Trump crowd went wild…applauding and cheering…ultimately launching into a “USA…USA…USA” chant.

Okay. I can only guess that Trump missed the day tariffs were taught in Economics 101. But what are the chances that all those Trump fans were absent the very same day tariffs were explained?

Tariffs amount to - as most of us know - a tax paid by consumers of the importing nation…increasing in this case the cost of an item by 10 percent. For example, a refrigerator from Mexico - famous for not paying for Trump’s wall - that costs $1,320…would cost $132 more…$1,452.

Since nearly 50 percent more consumer products are imported into the U.S than exported….the average American would pay about $1,500 more a year…and get nothing for it. The tariff doesn’t make Americans buy more American products either.

If you’re thinking American corporations would leap forward to take an economic bullet for Americans, let me disabuse you of that thought. The U.S. Supreme Court considers corporations as individuals…less the hearts, of course…but history shows American companies simply increase prices, as well…just a couple percentage points less.

So, I have to ask, why would someone running for ANY office promise you price increases. And, follow-up question, why would voters clamour to pay more…and not get a thing out of it? Those who thought 5 percent inflation was bad…should be outraged. They are not.

That doesn’t leave much wiggle room for Republicans who are…oh, yes, intellectually challenged. No, I’m sorry, but that’s simply stupid. It is, however, consistent. These are the same folks who are sending money to Donald Trump.

For those unaware…Donald Trump’s lawyers - those defending him of civil claims and felony charges - are burning through $90,000 every day. That’s why the grifter has stooped to hawking Bibles and gold high-top sneakers that a pimp wouldn’t wear.

Republicans don’t seem to mind…the price you pay to flip the middle finger at President Biden, Democrats, Liberals, woke folks, people of colour, women, immigrants and poor folks.

Quite frankly, Trump selling Bibles is a little like Hitler selling Menorahs. There you have it…$59.99…complete with copies of the Declaration of Independence, The U.S. Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance…all bound in faux-leather. So much for separation of church and state. Trump fans even get a printed copy of Lee Greenwood’s handwritten chorus to “God Bless the U.S.A.” song from 1984.

Forget that rather than selling Bibles, he’d do well to buy one…even read it. Far from Biblical scholar status, Trump couldn’t name a single favourite Bible verse when asked while campaigning in 2016.

“Too personal,” he said. Then, asked whether he liked the New or Old Testament…Trump answered, “It’s about 50-50.” Almost like he never cracked open a Bible.

But the Evangelicals love him.

Trump claims none of the profits from Bible sales goes to his campaign, and why would anyone question this obvious paragon of truth?

However, the website uses Trump's name, likeness and image "under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC." Trump, by the way, is listed as the manager, president, secretary and treasurer of CIC Ventures LLC in legal filings.

Still, MAGA Republicans keep sending their hard-earned money to this charlatan.

Trump likes to spend other people’s money…rather than his own…something he’s done his entire life. Any way you look at it…the conclusion is the same: Both Trump and his supporters are exactly what they appear to be…one a corrupt grifter…the other…a whole lot of stupid folks.

— Don Thompson, an American awaiting Canadian citizenship, lives in Vernon and in Florida. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Don has been a working journalist, a speechwriter and the CEO of an advertising and public relations firm. A passionate and compassionate man, he loves the written word as much as fine dinners with great wines.

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