Taking Stock: Another Year of Trump

With another year under Trump completed, it’s time to take stock.

I was one of those who predicted that Trump would be aggressive in his immigration policies and against political opponents, and would be detrimental to our nation. I believed Trump’s social, economic, and trade policies would worsen life for people in poverty or needing assistance. And, while there may have been places where the Federal government could have been trimmed, DOGE’s cuts did not address needs or cause and effect.

So, here we sit.

Affordability remains an issue for many places and families, even if Trump and his cabinet claim otherwise.

Plans for more ICE facilities have community leaders across the nation pushing back, worrying about social and economic impacts.

Dealing with flattening revenue streams and running out of surplus funds, local and state taxes and fees are rising to compensate for Federal cutbacks.

Insurance rates and repair costs for personal vehicles are rising. So, too are healthcare premiums and healthcare costs, further eroding spending power for many families and individuals.

Housing prices are high, and Trump says he wants them to go higher.

New car sales dropped in 2025, surprising analysts who thought sales would rise.

Uncertainty among corporations is showing up in job reports. Corporate layoffs touched a level not seen since the 2008 recession. New employment is flat with companies backing off hiring plans. Minority unemployment rose, and disparities widened.

Tourism to the United States is down, affecting the hospitality and tourism industries. It’s uncertain now how proposed Trump policies to request people’s social media history might affect travelers to the United States.

Measles outbreaks continue to rise in the United States. 2025 saw 2,255 cases, the most since 2000. 2026 is expected to be worse.

These patterns culminated in falling consumer confidence in 2025.

None of this surprises me. History and science told me that this is where Donald Trump’s philosophy would lead. The results are catching up with his decisions.

And voters are awakening to the impact.

Fridaz Wandering Political Thoughts

‘Trump Gold Card’ launches, offering expedited immigration pathway with a $1 million fee

Trump shows his true colors — gold — again. Doesn’t care about freedom. Democracy. Health. People. The environment, the nation, nor the world. Just power. Wealth. Gold.

Shouldn’t be long before his campaign launches:

“Got gold?”

He’s a crime against humanity.

Life in Trump’s Alternative World

My wife and I climbed into the car. I started the engine. After over revving it, I began driving in reverse. My wife asked, “Why are we in reverse?”

“Everyone says that you get better mileage in reverse.” I swung the transmission into drive. “Now I think I’ll go this way.” I turned on the windshield wipers.

My wife peered into the sunlit blue sky. “Why are the windshield wipers on?”

“We need gas,” I declared. “We don’t have enough money for a full tank.”

“I’m starving,” my wife replied. “I thought we were going out for dinner. Where can we get something to eat?”

“We don’t have money for food. Just hold on.” I pulled into a miniature golf course. “I think I’ll play a game.”

My wife objected, “I didn’t think we have the money.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get more money.”

I went in and paid for the game. Before teeing off, I went back to the car. Jumping in, we drove off.

My wife looked around in puzzlement. “Where are we going?”

“Straight ahead.”

“This is the opposite direction of where we were going.”

“Don’t worry, I’m taking a short cut.”

“What happened to your miniature golf game?”

“I played it. Set a new record. I was stripes.”

“But you weren’t gone five minutes.”

“I know. It was the fastest golf game ever. I scored more points than anyone in the game’s history.” I steered the car into the path of oncoming traffic. “They were amazed. Said they’d never seen anyone play like that. They’re giving me a special golfing medal.”

A truck almost hit us. My wife screamed. “Get on the right side of the road. What is wrong with you?”

“Don’t worry,” I replied, “they’ll get out of our way.”

The car’s engine coughed and sputtered.

“What’s wrong with the car?” my wife asked.

“I think it’s the wind,” I answered, throwing open the door.

My wife gasped. “What are you doing? The car’s still moving. You’re going to get yourself killed.” Leaning across, she grabbed the wheel and began steering.

After turning on the radio, I leaped out of the car and rolled across a lane. A car screeched to a halt, almost hitting me. Leaving their car and coming toward me, the driver said, “Oh my God, I almost hit you. What’s going on? Are you alright?”

Beaming, I took off my shirt. “Aren’t I ripped?” I nodded toward my car as my wife managed to steer and stop it. “It’s my wife. She made me do it. She’s crazy. Doesn’t know a thing about flying. She shouldn’t be allowed near a boat.”

Stepping in front of a car, I waved my arms. “Help, help. Call the police. This guy’s trying to kill me.”

More FAFO News

Here we go again. We didn’t know…we didn’t think that it meant — yeah, fill in the ending. It’s classic ‘leopard ate my face self-pity.’

In this case, the ending is Carol, a woman in Missouri. They love Trump in Missouri. Voted strongly for him. Now they’re shocked — shocked — that it turned out that voting for Trump and his policies meant that someone beloved in their community would be affected.

A Missouri Town Was Solidly Behind Trump. Then Carol Was Detained.

“I voted for Donald Trump, and so did practically everyone here,” said Vanessa Cowart, a friend of Ms. Hui from church. “But no one voted to deport moms. We were all under the impression we were just getting rid of the gangs, the people who came here in droves.”

She paused. “This is Carol.”

So, yeah, they were okay when it was other people’s lives being torn apart and disrupted as people are deported under PINO Trump’s monstrous, careless, unthinking, and cruel deportation policies. They were okay when it was, say, someone in California, Michigan, North Carolina, Vermont, Massachusetts, Arizona, or any of the rest of the states. You thought Trump was compassionate? Thoughtful? Actually, what the fuck were you thinking, Missouri?

This is what you voted for, Missouri. I hope you start thinking more deeply about things in the future in the ‘show me’ state. Carol and the rest of us would appreciate it.

A Little Thought

Yes, this is about politics. The life aspect called Fuck Around, Find Out. Trump voter edition.

A woman posted about how bereft she was. She met a boy when she was sixteen. He was her first in all relevant ways. In love, they married and had a child.

She voted for Trump. She doesn’t say why. But that love of her life is an ‘illegal’, as the political shorthand is used. Even though he’d been in the United States before he could walk and lived here and here alone all of his life. He’d tried a few times to become a U.S. citizen. For sundry reasons, it wasn’t accomplished.

Now, fulfilling his campaign promises, Trump’s forces came and took her man away.

I surely do feel for her and her daughter. I don’t want to pile on. Explain, this is what you voted for. Nor remind her that her vote was going to upend many other people’s lives.

I really just wished she had listened to Trump before she voted. Thought about the ramifications of his promises. Then made her vote. And I want to ask her, what lessons will you take from this?

Yes, that’s what I wonder.

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