I majored in economics, not because it was an easy subject, but because it was the most difficult of those that were available to me. Others ran away from it in droves. But it must not have been all that difficult because I also pulled down highest honors at graduation. And I learned new things. Mainly, I learned how to think for myself, not so much from economics, but from related subjects such as logic and critical analysis. I believe that Socrates must have smiled his approval at the graduation ceremonies. His words still ring in my memory banks: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Economics helps us understand more of “what is,” and “what ought to be” than in how to become an architect of change. It’s the ignoramuses who want to be the change architects. They return in droves from having their heads buried in sand past their ear lobes to tell us about “who, what, when, where, how, why, and to what extent” a new law is needed that favors them and their wealthy masters, and to hell with you and me. These are the same boys and girls who don’t know the difference between salami and baloney. More on this subject later.

Here is a truism about most economic changes. When they favor a few (e.g., unearned wealth) over the many, the changes result in greater inefficiencies for everyone. That means money is not flowing to its best use. The economy will therefore fall into a greater state of “sub-optimality” than before. And that means wasted effort and wasted money—two issues that many politicians love to declare they favor. Do it again, and again, and soon the economy will be so out-of-whack it falls into a recession, while those who suffer most must live in deeper squalor (the unspoken consequence of taking from the poor and giving to the ultra-wealthy). That is also an example of cause-and-effect at work, a part of logic and economics slow politicians can’t quite grasp.

OK. Let’s pause. This is 3rd grade stuff. When you take from A (the poor) and give it to B (the wealthy), you have made matters worse. That money goes into investments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. The same burgeoning tax-free accounts do not create jobs, do not lower prices, and help only the holder. It’s revealed in Econ101 with this equation: (M2 – M1) X V1 = 0. They merely give the holder political clout to support legislators who will do their bidding.

Now look at the 30 or so nominees Trump has offered high-level positions in his administration. They are either idiots, or unqualified thugs, most likely both. He will sink the ship of state with these ignoramuses, to use a visual example. But he will blame Joe Biden, the “radical” left, or anyone whose name pops up in his hollow head. Unfortunately, and unlike you or me, he can’t be fired.

Still, it gets worse. Trump has promised to fire all government employees who won’t sign a loyalty oath to him. He wants to pull out of NATO; abandon Ukraine; suck up to Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong Un; and then set back and watch the genius in him come to life. He also promised to slap a 100 percent Tariff on all products from Canada, Mexico, and China--the other nations come later. This action alone is tantamount to levying a huge new tax burden ($4,600) on US households—the people who must pay the tariffs. He also wants to kill Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, the same households that need it the most because of the new higher taxes. Elon Musk is reportedly behind some $2 trillion in budget cuts to guarantee that the poor get a helluva lot poorer.

About that salami shortage: Suffice to say Trump + Musk + Putin + Xi + K.J.U. = 5 idiots in a bath tub trying to play the game of “hide the salami, here come the nukes.” Not to worry. Rumor has it that group is experiencing a salami shortage that can’t be bought or stolen.

Here is the start of the list of Trump nominees you wouldn’t want near your house, your kids, or your last dollar:

• Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
• Attorney General: Pam Bondi
• Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth
• Treasury Secretary: Scott Bessent
• Labor Secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
• Interior Secretary: Doug Burgum
• Health and Human Services Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Housing and Urban Development Secretary: Scott Turner
• Education Secretary: Linda McMahon
• Energy Secretary: Chris Wright
• Commerce Secretary: Howard Lutnick
• Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy
• Homeland Security Secretary: Kristi Noem
• Veterans Affairs Secretary: Doug Collins
• U.S. Surgeon General: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat 

These are just a few of the key positions. You can find more details in the news.

OK. That is enough for today.