04-04-2025 -- Proper ProCrastinator

Howdy all. Today is day two of the tariffs and the “Liberation” of our savings as the world’s stock exchanges tumble. The concept of fair trade is a good one. Especially compared to “Free Trade” where there are no rules. Butt, and that is a big Butt, these so-called “discounted” reciprocal tariffs, are neither “fair” nor reciprocal, and certainly not a discounted rate. They are ridiculous and based upon an illogical thought process.

Ignoring the fact that they aren’t based upon other countries’ tariffs on U.S. goods entering their countries, but based upon the trade deficit the U.S. has with them. Um, the U.S. has had a very good financial state for years. Thus, the populous in the States have much more disposal income than most other countries. And, the 350 million plus customers in the States is certainly more than most others too.

As an example of how inaccurate this tariff model is, let’s assume a mythical country somewhere in the EU. This country, let’s call it Goatland, is a mountainous country, whose 350 thousand people, spend their time raising mountain goats, and the major production for export is Goat Cheese. It is a darn good tasting goat cheese, and the middle class folk in the U.S. population can’t get enough of it. So, they try to buy every pound they can. Well the Goatlanders can only sell 350,000 pounds of it a year. The rest they need for themselves.

The U.S. demand pushes up the price of the cheese to $10 a pound.. So the gross export to the U.S. is $3,500,000. What do the Goatlanders do with that money, well they use it to buy a lot of things. Mostly either made in Goatland, or nearby countries that produce it cheaper than the U.S. can. Even still, almost $350,000 ends up being used to purchase U.S. products.

So, what would this mean tariff wise? Well, the Goatlanders are only returning $1 in $10 back to the U.S., and the trade deficit is 90% per the formula chosen. Therefore, the U.S. is going to force a tariff of 45% on them. This would mean the $3,500,000 worth of goat cheese, that the Goatlanders sell in the U.S. will now cost $5,075,000.

Are the middle class U.S. citizens going to eat that extra expense, or will they decide to go without? Hey, that pound of cheese was $14.50 today, and only $10 yesterday.

Who loses in this scenario? Um, obviously the Goatlanders will be selling their cheese elsewhere, which I guess is the goal of these tariffs. But the middle class person won’t be buying “American” processed cheese to replace the Goatlander Cheese. And since the U.S. doesn’t have the right goats, and the right mountains with the right spring water and the right grasses, this is not production that will be started here.

Besides, with the inflation coming from the tariffs, the middle class U.S. citizen will be needing that $14.50 to help pay for their absolute needs. Like housing, or health care, or education for their kids.

That’s enough of that nonsense for now — These were not political statements. Just observations of the current reality.

On a more personally directed note, I did finally get one set of shelves completed.

And I’ve made the basic start on the other side. The bottom will be more tools and that sort of items. The second shelf will have slide out drawers that I can put littler items in that will be accessible. The 3rd will be those wider plywood sheets. And the fourth will have chargers and such.

Once I get that shelving unit done, I will work on these boxes sitting in my living room.

The big box is the 40W CO2 laser unit. To the right is an exhaust air purifier that will allow the CO2 laser to cut things like Acrylic, and not need out the window exhaust system. It will eliminate toxic fumes and particulate matter.

On top is some shelves for above the laser, and a step-stool which will allow me to reach those upper shelves near the ceiling. And, I think, legs for a stainless steel table for under the laser.

This is the table.

The air purifier weighs over 50 pounds. I know because I hauled a twin of that upstairs for the other laser engraver. (Diode laser).

The stainless steel table is also about 50 pounds. And then the laser itself is 80-90 pounds in that box.

Ugh, I better start doing weight training! Won’t help. I sort of roll the boxes up the steps if I can. If not, it is one step, stop, breath heavily, another step, stop, and just keep repeating.

Getting old is not for the weak… All this so I can play, and Enjoy Life