The political hypocrisy against DEI
April 30, 2025 – Opinion by DEC Vice Chair Dan Lack
Restore Congress’ power over tariffs
Upon signing the USMCA agreement in January 2020, President Trump said, “It’s the best agreement we’ve ever made.” Speaking of that same trade agreement among the three North American countries in February 2025, Trump said, “Who would ever sign a thing like this?”
People are rattled by Trump’s erratic pronouncements and chaotic policies, so it’s not surprising that consumer confidence is at its lowest level since 1952.
Overseas visitors to the U.S. fell by 11.6 percent compared to a year ago and a $90 billion hit on our economy is expected due to Trump’s hostility to foreigners. Florida’s tax revenue from Disney World will suffer. Our allies plan to cancel orders of American weapons because Trump may withhold spare parts or trigger kill switches. Farmers are losing their overseas markets. China cancelled its Boeing plane orders and it is not importing American beef.
Trump’s supporters trusted candidate Trump’s secret plan when he said, “When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One.” As I write this letter, egg prices are at an all time high of $6.22 per dozen. Trump recently posted a link to an article titled, “Shut up about egg prices.”
And he continues to attack Americans’ pocketbooks by rescinding the $8 limit on most credit card late fees that had been set by President Biden. The average late fee will return to $32.
Trump’s 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports will be paid by U.S. importers, and those increased costs will be passed onto U.S. consumers effectively as a sales tax. The Dollar Store may need to be renamed as the Two Dollar Store unless Trump caves in, as he often does.
The U.S. Constitution gives the Congress the power to enact tariffs. In 1977, Congress allowed the President to temporarily institute economic measures during a national emergency. A bill was introduced this year in the House of Representatives to give Congress 60 days to reject Presidential tariffs. All Democrats and a few Republicans support this measure.
Contact Congressmen Fine and Cammack and tell them to support HR 2665 so that Congress can reclaim its Constitutional powers.
Daniel Lack, Ocala