By Jim Heffernan
Finding truth is difficult. Contrasting messages swirl about continuously. Inspired by the book, “The Scout Mindset” I’ve volunteered to be a scout for the community. I am looking for truth. I have some qualifications, but I’m not infallible. If you think I’ve been decieved, please let me know. Maybe it takes more than one scout to ferret out the truth. The threats that face us can only be dealt with if we know the truth.
We’re asked to believe that tariffs will be paid by foreign countries. I’ve heard promises that tariffs might eliminate the income tax. I can see clearly that Trump’s tariffs are double-speak for a federally mandated sales tax that will be paid by Americans struggling to make it from payday to payday.
Tariffs are paid by the importer. Importers buy goods so that they can sell them at a profit. The importer will always pass on his costs. The burden will fall heaviest on the poor and middle class. My favorite source Wikipedia confirms 97% of tariffs are paid by consumers.
Tariffs might also be serving as a media distraction. Talk of tariffs distracts from bigger problems we ignore like climate change, inequality, bloated deficits, and damaging our democracy.
Logic tells me my assessment has a high probability of being accurate.
Critiques of my assessment welcome at codger817@gmail.com