Category Archives: Politics

Trump’s Tariff Plan: Impact on Consumers, Jobs, and Global Trade

Posted on by
Reply

By: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Donald Trump recently announced his intention to impose tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. Trump has proposed a 10% increase on Chinese goods and a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico. He is leveraging border security and drug trafficking to legitimize this move.

Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods. Generally, these costs are passed on to the consumer. Car purchases, electronics and everyday items can see price hikes as a result. According to the National Retail Federation, these tariffs could reduce Americans’ spending power by $46 billion to $78 billion annually.

The idea behind Trump’s tariffs is to increase stateside manufacturing. In theory, this would increase production in the U.S. and create more jobs. However, because many items produced in the U.S. require parts from overseas, this could cause shipping delays and higher prices that could actually create job losses. Companies may opt to leave the United States to curb many of these costs.

The countries affected by these tariffs will undoubtedly make it difficult for the United States to do business and could ultimately affect the employment landscape. This strategy is an attempt to flex the economic muscle of the United States and make “Made in the USA” a point of pride while the country works to be more sustainable and independent of foreign interests.

Interest rates could potentially rise and cause strain on U.S. markets and consumer spending. This could potentially slow the economy and lessen middle-class spending power. Analysts warn that middle-income families could see their annual expenses rise by as much as $2,600 if these tariffs are fully implemented.

Trump’s assertions are already causing havoc in the markets as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso have taken a hit. Depending on who you are and where you fit in with regard to the U.S. economy, these tariffs can be beneficial or hurtful. This has yet to be seen.

Vice President Kamala Harris Concedes 2024 Presidential Election on the steps of Howard University

Posted on by
Reply

By: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Screenshot

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech on the steps of her alma mater, Howard University on Nov. 6, 2024.

Harris lost her bid for the presidency to Donald Trump. She was chosen to run by the Democratic Party when President Biden withdrew from the campaign. In doing so, she became the first woman of color to top a major party ticket. Harris raised $1 billion in three months and ran her campaign championing women’s rights and the economy.

The short runway may have been her biggest downfall. With a full campaign, many of the talking points and relationships a candidate builds could have forged a sharper sword. The gravity of this election looms over the country. Harris addressed this in her speech: “The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”

In a clear reference to Trump, Harris continued, “Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”

This election cycle will be recorded as one of the most eventful and unconventional in American history. Vice President Harris has been through the fire and hopefully has emerged stronger.

Trump Clinches Victory as Latino Voters Shift Republican

Posted on by
Reply

By: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. Trump, a polarizing figure, secured 277 electoral votes and 71 million popular votes to secure this win. Trump’s election is unprecedented; he is a convicted felon, inspired his supporters to storm the Capitol when he lost in 2020 and survived two assassination attempts. The state of Wisconsin delivered the finishing blow, taking his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, out of contention.

Trump addressed his supporters from his election night watch party in Florida, calling for unity. “It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us,” Trump said. “It’s time to unite.”

“We have to put our country first for at least a period of time,” he added. “We have to fix it.”

Despite Trump’s history of disparaging remarks, he still secured 53% of the Hispanic vote in Florida, a state he won handily. Trump won the support of 45% of Latino voters, a big jump from the 33% he secured in his loss against President Biden. It is the strongest GOP performance among Latinos since the election of George W. Bush in 2004.

Trump gained much of his momentum from Latino men, who backed him over Harris by 10 points. Over the past few months, the spotlight was on Black men and White women as the demographics that would ultimately take Trump over the top. However, Harris actually closed the gap among White women, and 8 in 10 Black men supported Harris.

As the country prepares itself for another four years of Trump, the economy, illegal immigration, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, along with the Russia-Ukraine conflict are on the short list of issues that should be addressed immediately

2024 Election: White Women Voters Hold Key to Harris’s Historic Presidential Bid

Posted on by
Reply

By Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (Photo source: instagram @kamalaharris)

This election has been historic for all the wrong reasons.

It’s 2024, and Joe Biden is president of the United States, while Vice President Kamala Harris is running to become president. Her opponent, the 45th president and a convicted felon, is believed to have incited supporters to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

All of that, for lack of a better word, sounds CRAZY! However, what’s crazier is that it’s all true and has created unprecedented political tension in this country. It permeates our computer and cellphone screens. People are choosing sides, many blindly. While Black men have been targeted as a demographic that could prevent Harris’s election, White women actually wield that electoral power. Recent election data shows this clearly: White women have consistently represented 37% of the electorate in presidential elections. In 2020, 53% of White women voted for Trump over Biden, similar to 2016 when 52% supported Trump over Hillary Clinton.

Trump has been hitting the campaign trail, energizing his base with controversial remarks and behavior. The recent rally at Madison Square Garden drew comparisons to Nazi rallies held on Feb. 20, 1939. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s comment calling Puerto Rico an “island of garbage” was met with widespread criticism.

These events have overshadowed the truly historic moment before us. Harris is an election away from becoming the first woman to hold the nation’s highest office. If successful, she would accomplish what Hillary Clinton could not. Harris follows in the footsteps of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black person and woman to run for president. In 1972, Chisholm’s campaign was considered bold and, to many, improbable. However, its impact reaches 52 years into our present.

Harris, who already made history as the first woman vice president of South Asian and Caribbean heritage, stands on the precipice of changing history. This HBCU graduate, former California attorney general and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., could become the first Black woman to hold the highest office in the land, representing progress in a country built on the foundation of racism and slavery.

When you go to the polls this week to make your selection, consider what side of history you want to be on and which historic moment matters most to you

Kamala Harris Unveils Ambitious ‘Opportunity Agenda’ for Black Men

Posted on by
1

The plan proposes $20,000 forgivable loans to help Black entrepreneurs overcome systemic barriers.

Vice President Kamala Harris announced a comprehensive plan Monday aimed at addressing economic and social challenges facing Black men in America. The initiative, dubbed the “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” outlines a series of proposals designed to boost entrepreneurship, expand access to education and job training, and tackle health disparities.

Central to the plan is a commitment to provide 1 million forgivable loans of up to $20,000 each to Black entrepreneurs and others who have faced historical barriers to starting or growing businesses. The initiative aims to partner with mission-driven lenders and community-focused banks to distribute these funds.

“For too long, Black men have felt their voices go unheard in our political process,” Harris said in a statement. “This agenda is about unleashing the untapped ambition and leadership within the Black male community.”

The vice president’s plan also includes:

  • Expanding pathways to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries, with a focus on those not requiring a college degree
  • Creating a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and digital assets to protect Black investors
  • Launching a National Health Equity Initiative addressing conditions that disproportionately affect Black men, such as sickle cell disease and prostate cancer
  • Legalizing recreational marijuana nationwide and creating opportunities for Black Americans in the emerging cannabis industry

Critics argue the plan’s scope may face challenges in Congress, while supporters praise its comprehensive approach to longstanding issues.

The announcement follows Harris’s nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour, during which she engaged with Black entrepreneurs about obstacles they face in accessing capital and growing their businesses.

Harris contrasted her agenda with former President Donald Trump’s record, citing job losses and business closures among Black Americans during his administration. The vice president’s campaign emphasized that a potential second Trump term could reverse recent economic gains for Black families.

As the 2024 election approaches, Harris’s plan represents a significant outreach to Black male voters, a demographic that has shown varying levels of support for Democrats in recent elections.

Political analysts note that the success of such initiatives could play a crucial role in key battleground states where Black voter turnout may decide tight races.

-Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Jessie Jackson says Native Americans are the lowest on the totem pole – endorses Sanders for president

Posted on by
Reply

Civil Rights activist and Operation Push founder Jessie Jackson let his voice be known today by endorsing Bernie Sanders for president of the United Sanders Jacksons endorsement of Sanders comes the day after a rally held for the presidential candidate at Grant Park in Chicago. Sanders rally drew about fifteen thousand supporters.

“With the exception of Native Americans, African Americans are the people who are most behind socially and economically in the United States and our needs are not moderate,” Jackson said in a statement the Sanders campaign released Sunday morning. “A people far behind cannot catch up choosing the most moderate path. The most progressive social and economic path gives us the best chance to catch up and Senator Bernie Sanders represents the most progressive path. That’s why I choose to endorse him today.” said Jackson

Jacksons endorsement does not come without requests. Jackson mentioned that Sanders committed to 13 different issues that he would consider. Sanders has committed to appointing a Black Woman to the Supreme Court and adding more Black women to the democratic ticket this fall. These commitments also include free tuition at public colleges and universities.

Sanders announced the endorsement on ABC’s This Week after George Stephonapoulos pointed out Biden’s wins and the overwhelming support he is getting from the democratic candidates who dropped out of the race.

“It’s no secret, George. You know politics in this country. We’re not going to get the most support of elected leaders, not most governors, not most senators,” Sanders responded. “But we are winning the support of grassroots America because we have an agenda that speaks to working people.” 

Jackson has “been a leader in helping to transform this country, an aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., so we’re proud,” Sanders said.

-Precise

Stream “It’s On Me” by Precise

Senate acquits President Trump on articles of impeachment

Posted on by
Reply

The Senate has voted to acquit President Trump on the two articles of impeachment levied against him. The tone of these proceedings have been extremely partisan. The thought that Trump would be found guilty by a mostly republican Senate was far fetched.

This impeachment process has been going on since last year. The voting today split across party lines and republicans had the advantage. The results for Article 1: Abuse of Power was 48 votes for guilty and 52 votes for not guilty. The results for Article 2: Obstruction of Congress were 47 for guilty and 53 for not guilty.

Chief Justice Roberts “It is therefore ordered and adjudged that the said Donald John Trump be, and he is hereby, acquitted of the charges in said articles.”

Trump celebrated this victory and plans a massive rally on Thursday. Based on every other rally that Trump has ever thrown this one promises to be the biggest yet. On the heels of a reality show style State Of The Union, Trump will surely be blowing his own horn.

Senator Mitt Romney is the lone republican who voted to convict President Trump of abuse of power. “The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a ‘high crime and misdemeanor,’ Romney continued “Yes, he did,”

Romney’s vote kept Trump’s victory from being unanimous. Donald Trump Jr. took to twitter calling Romney “bitter” because he could never beat the democrats.

The Trump train keeps rolling and history will see him as the third president ever to be impeached and acquitted.

Should Trump have been found guilty? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Stream “It’s On Me” by Precise

Trump’s State of The Union address was not Nancy Pelosi’s jam

Posted on by
Reply
US Vice President Mike Pence claps as Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi appears to rip a copy of US President Donald Trump speech after he delivers the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

President Trumps State Of The Union address was easily the best thing on television for an hour on February 4, 2020. Trump walked into the chamber emboldened and confident. President Trump ignored the Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi as she extended her hand to shake his. Clearly this is in response to Trumps impeachment. From that point the mood between the president and the speaker was contentious.

https://twitter.com/TwitterMoments/status/1224890057959411713?s=20

Pelosi seemed to be preoccupied and bothered during the entire speech. The democratic side of the chamber was silent for the majority of the time acknowledging a few of the citizens who were recognized, most notably 100 year-old Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee. Any mention Trump made of any accomplishment was met with silence, shouts, boos and chants from a group of democratic women wearing all white.

Trumps touted his accomplishments and praised the economy. “I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been.” said Trump The president lauded his accomplishments on issues ranging from healthcare to immigration. He spoke for about an hour and fifteen minutes and was met with overwhelming love from the republican side of the chamber. He even stopped to autograph one of his supporters ties.

An extremely telling moment was when Nancy Pelosi held up Trump’s speech in full view of the cameras and ripped it up. Clearly Trump is not her jam.

The theme of Trumps speech was “The Great American Comeback” Lets see how he comes back after this trial tomorrow.

What did you think about the State Of The Union? What stood out to you? Was Nancy Pelosi right to do what she did? Share in the comments.

Stream “I’m Dreamin” by Precise

President-elect Trump – Living the American Dream

Posted on by
Reply

I wrote this story in March of 2016 as Trump, Presisdent-elect Trump was campaigning. To be honest, I never thought this would happen. However; all politics aside what this really speaks to is our ability to accomplish anything. This gentleman has never held a political office in his life and will be inaugurated in January of 2017 as President of The United States. Read my article from March below. Let me know how you feel in the comments.

Originally written in March of 2016 for rollingout.com

Sigh. I wish I could say that we were living in bizzaro world for the past few months and this current election cycle was just a practice run for the real one. I really wish I could say that. I wish I could say it does not matter what other countries think of the United States and our choices when it comes to politics. I wish I could say that. What I can say is that if anyone is living the American Dream to the fullest it is Donald Trump.

Trump is currently racking up delegates in the Republican primaries. Nothing seems able to stop the Trump train. The son of a real estate mogul and grandson of a German immigrant is now a viable candidate for president. Looked at objectively, this is truly an example of what one can accomplish in America. Trump’s father, Fred Trump, managed to buy up sections of Queens, New York, and become a millionaire. When he died, his net worth was between 250 to 300 million dollars. Understanding the importance of generational wealth, Fred loaned his son Donald money to start a business venture of his own. Trump mentions this loan in a Town Hall he held in New Hampshire sponsored by “Today.” He said “My father gave me a small loan of a million dollars.” Donald’s business ventures have made him a billionaire. According to the most recent Forbes list, Trump is worth about 4.5 billion dollars. Trump maintains that no one knows his net worth and he has yet to release his tax documents to the public, however; he owns businesses around the world and commands the respect of business leaders everywhere. So, what does a wealthy man do to satisfy his competitive urge? He runs for president. He is so wealthy that it affords him the opportunity to essentially lend money to his own campaign. Considering he is not beholden to anyone, he says what he wants with no apologies. Every racist, sexist and asinine remark he makes only further inflates his personality and ego.

He speaks to the core of Middle America and they eat it up even if he is only doing it for show. Trump understands what this is. This is a reality show and he is the biggest star and all of his fans are eating it up and waiting for the next drink to be thrown into someone’s face. Unfortunately his fans/supporters don’t realize that he is drenching them every time he speaks.

If the United States is really serious about its politics, there is no way that Trump will be elected. Most likely he will not be elected. Regardless of what happens, Donald Trump has proved one thing. The grandson of German immigrants can become a billionaire and run for the highest seat in the land, and potentially win. He truly is living the American Dream.

Buy/Listen to ‘Speak Life’ by Precise