People Who Think They Understand Macroeconomics

[mallorys_camera]

I got into a massive argument last night with my buff but jerky neighbor-across-the-street who is a Trump supporter.

“We have a trade deficit!” he roared. “$375 billion alone with China! If you’re involved in a business deal, and you have to renegotiate that business deal, who do you hire? You hire the biggest asshole lawyer you can afford! And that’s Trump!”

“First of all,” I said, “trade deficits are not lost money in any sense of the word. They represent the value of currency, economic growth rates, investment rates etc as well as the balance of trade. You know what is a bad thing? The federal deficit. Which the asshole you voted for just increased by one trillion dollars thanks to those Republican-backed tax cuts. What are you gonna do with your $500 refund, Ken? Buy another 56-inch HD TV manufactured in China?”

Of course, I should have kept my mouth shut!

Because now I’m gonna have to wait to collect my mail until Ken has collected his mail since our mailboxes are in one big cluster by the side of the road.

Plus it was rude and aggressive, and it required the people witnessing the exchange to take sides – which is never a situation you want to put innocent bystanders in.

Some day, I’ll learn.

I just really fuckin' hate it when people who don't understand the slightest thing about macroeconomics think they do.

###

In the meantime, it’s hot.

And the exchange with Ken has put me in an excessively bad mood.

And L and I are supposed to be taking the train into the city to see The Band’s Visit because I am a Tony Shalhoub fangirl, but now I don’t want to go because I’d rather sit in my room and sulk, only I have to go because the tickets were expensive.

Comments

[thisnewday]

Well, I sort of understand how that goes, although you clearly speak from a knowledge base that I never had.

At my very first peace rally in the 'cuse, I confronted this burly motorcycle cop who had casually mingled with the small crowd gathered at Columbus Circle.

He wasn't at all belligerant, was just observing and asking an occasional question.

I, on the other hand, was filled with the righteous wrath of the newly-annointed. I don't remember if I'd been visited yet by the FBI, or if my parents had been, but it still felt very personal.

In any case, a more seasoned member of the Peace Council intervened and defused the situation. Or rather, defused me, lol.

The burly motorcycle cop later became the chief of police and gained a reputation, I think, for being tough but fair-minded and a negotiator.

For my part, I learned a little something, not enough, and continued my aimless drift through life, throwing off occasional sparks but never quite igniting in a way that made a sustained contribution to anyone else's life with the possible exception of my grandson's. And the jury is still out on that one.

So, you have my sympathy which, along with 5 bucks, MIGHT buy a you a latte in The City. (Those of us in the outlying provinces always capitalize it, you know.) And I do hope that you went to your show and allowed yourself to enjoy it.

Because you did, after all, speak knowledge to buffness and I, for one, always learn something from reading what you have to say.

Maybe His Buffness did too...

[mallorys_camera]

Well, thanks. I suspect I probably know a lot less than I think I do. And one thing I clearly do not know is when to STFU. :-)