Clearing up the Tariff Tangle:

A tariff is a type of tax or duty imposed on imported goods at the port. The importing company will pay the tariff at that point.

But when the foreign company sells those goods to a wholesaler or retailer, they will obviously mark up the price so they still make a profit after the tariff. The wholesaler and retailer then sell this foreign good at that elevated price to the customer.

So tariffs have the effect of raising the price of foreign goods, thus making them less competitive in the domestic market. Why would Trump raise prices via tariffs?

1) Trump has propsed to lower income taxes, so is lowering the tax penalty on production and instead taxing consumption. So it balances out and is a more favorable model.

2) This makes American products more competitive, allowing them to hire more American workers. Having to pay 15% extra on Chinese trinkets is totally worth it to bring the Rust Belt jobs. The case for tariffs is more ethical than economical.

Unpopular opinion: Contraception is sin.

Contraception, like it sin-sibling fornication, is an attempt to engage in the fun of sex without the responsibility God has demanded and designed to go along with it.

It is a denial that children are a blessing, and an unnatural sex act akin to masturbation or homosexuality.

Men, do not be so concerned with finding a woman who is completely informed doctrinally or politically. If she has a feminine spirit and submissive attitude, she will adopt your beliefs.

Women, do not be so concerned with finding a man who is completely mature or successful. If he has a masculine spirit and a virile attitude, he will grow into that which you esteem him to be.

The lie of our age is that we ought to seek "the one," who will be a prepackaged perfect custom designed specimen for our desires. The reality is that we ought to seek a spouse who has the root of the matter in them, and can grow up into the fullness of Christ.

A woman, since her primary need is for love, will want to make herself beautiful to her husband and so conform over time to his desires.

A man, since his primary need is for respect, will want to make himself worthy of the honor his wife shows him and so conform to her desires.

Happy Valentines day! ♱

Today, in the West, we honour St. Valentine—a man who risked everything to defend true love, secretly marrying Christian couples during a time in which marriage was under attack. Love creates life, and if we are to secure a future for our children, we must first actually have children. Seek love, create life, and embrace generational warfare.

@Kinism

When you see the Lord immolated and lying upon the altar, and the priest bent over that sacrifice, praying, and all the people empurpled with that precious blood, do you think you are still among men and on earth? Or are you not lifted up to heaven?

-- John Chrysostom, Ephesians Homily 3

Eustace made a step toward Caspian with both hands held out, but then drew back with a startled expression.

"Look here I say. It's all very well but aren't you -- I mean didn't you....?

"Oh don't be such an ass," said Caspian.

"But hasn't he, er, died?" Eustace asked, looking at Aslan.

"Yes," said the Lion, in a very quiet voice (almost, Jill thought, as if he were laughing). "He has died. Most people have, you know. Even I have. There are very few who haven't."

-- Dialogue from The Silver Chair

No. This is NASA trying desperately to remain relevant now that their funding is possibly getting pulled.

I am persuaded that much of the ostensibly doctrinal divides in Christendom are merely ethnic and national expressions of Christianity which have ossified into denominations or national churches.

This is not to understate the very real and often dangerous doctrinal errors which abound. Nor is it an endorsement or relativization of all these expressions.

If I have to look at one more thumbnail of trent horn's anti-Sola Scriptura videos where he's making an "I have to poop" face, I'm going to drink myself into a stupor.

We can pray for Pope Francis as a rebellious and sinful man -- pray that he repents before his last breath.

We can also pray that Rome is reformed in a more conservative and biblically faithful direction even if she doesn't fully repent.

This is part of praying for our enemies.

People bemoaning the lower deportation numbers under Trump vs Biden have a very legitimate point.

However, most deportations occur via apprehensions at the border. Since border crossings are down to near zero, of course deportations will be lower.

This highlights the main issue: deporting migrants already here will take more strategic steps.

1) Use volunteers to aid deportations
2) Stop remittances by either taxation or banking regulations
3) Cut off all Federal funding to state and local gov'ts which give benefits to illegals

If you sell all your belongings and use the cash to buy drugs, the GDP goes up. This is what Capitalism does to entire nations.
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A blessed Quadragesima Sunday to all (first Sunday in Lent). Our Savior's death and resurrection approaches.