It is the easiest thing to feel the pressure and fall back in line. It is sometimes hard to walk in the opposite direction, but it is sometimes the true road , and you will know because you will be following your conscience, As long as you have that , you will never walk alone
Well, day 7 or 8 of my wee trip arround the coasts of France and Spain. Kind of loose track of time on some of these trips, but I suppose that is part of the purpose of them.
I spend a lot of time when I am away, in my small way, raging at the inequality and injustices that are very prevalent in our world today. And sometimes I find myself in a place where I feel an attachment.
Today is one of these days as I am sitting in Maggie Farm, a small cafe in Getxo in Spain. A place dedicated to one, much more able than I, at raging against the inequalities and corruption very prevalent in western society.
I don’t have many heroes but one of them is Bob Dylan whose songs span many years of highlighting oppression and unjust wars.
One such song is Maggies farm. It is thought that perhaps in this song, Dylan was having thoughts about his transition from acoustic to electric and at the same time highlighting injustices in working conditions on farms in the US.
Whatever his motive was , it was one of his greats, alongside Blowing In The Wind, and The Times They Are A Changing. songs I will always remember from my youth.
So another day, another capachino and remember : War is where young innocents fight and die on behalf of older hypocrites who don’t .
No matter where I go in the world I try to assess a competitive standard of living with the UK . Now at present I am in Spain and my infallible method of assessment is what I call “ The Capachino Standard”
I compare the price of a capachino in wherever I am, to the price of a capachino in a comparable venue back home in Scotland.
Now, the standard I use back home is the price of a capachino in the likes of Costa or Starbucks , both of which I personally do not use back home because of their connections with the genocidal, terrorist state of Israel and the fact that. Startbucks coffee is shit.
However, both of these organisation sell a capachino for £3.65. Where I am at present in Spain and in a tourist area ( where prices are generally higher) the price if a capachino is 2 Euros, that is £ 1. 70 in UK money.
Therefore that tells me that our economy is lagging behind the Euro area by about, just less than 50%
This works in about right with the buisness I am involved in which is in the automotive industry which has seen , parts price increases of above 50% , in some cases more than 100%. Since Brexit.
Now, although I was a strident advocate for remaining in the EU in the lead up to the referendum, I have had a serious re- think since, owing to the fact that the countries in the EU and of course Britain have taken crazy and disgusting stances on both Ukraine and Gaza.
Therefore my position now would be to derive the benefits of a very large market without the adhesion to what Is becoming a failed state with the leaders at present in power in the EU.
My preference for an independent Scotland would be for membership of the EEA ( the European Economic Area)
That way we would derive the benefits without having to abide by stupid policies that the present Circus of clowns who are leading the EU Into.
So, anyway so sum up , I think all future economic standards should henceforth be in keeping with the Capachino directive .
Day 7 of my trip allong the coast of France and Spain and a few photos of the trip which has been made rather pleasant by the nice people at the dinner table.
So, day 4 of my wee sojourn to France and Northern Spain and today is the first landfall after two days at sea. Today I am in Cherbourg , nice town in Normandy with close connections to the D Day landings an interesting maritime history in particular the Cunard line.
I decided to walk into the town instead of taking the shuttle from the cruise terminal saving four euros and giving me some exercise after two sedentary days at sea, and very limited disco activity.
Some nice wee squares with cafes’ which are very much the French way of life. Sitting having a morning capachino , having ordered, using my vast diction in the French language, learned during my short period of French lessons at secondary school.
The reason for the shortness of the lessons was the fact that the lady French teacher had a mental breakdown , quite possibly occasioned ( or at least not helped) by the fact that one of the guys in the class, who shall remain nameless, and was unnaturally well endowed, had a habit of producing his dick, for some unexplained reason, during French lessons.
Now speaking of the French language, I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but most French people speak very good English but you have to wrestle them to the ground and put them into a headlock to get them to admit it , so they always seem to appreciate an attempt to at least try to converse in French. Some if you might remember my experience in Monti Carlo whilst climbing a virtual cliff face with two pieces of luggage , looking for a hotel and finding every single person in Monti Carlo who could not speak English to ask directions from.
So, sitting here in a streetside cafe with a capachino, expertly ordered, “ une capachino sil vou ple” nay bather🙂 I have found that in a town like this with a range on non descript streets it can be an idea to look out for a church or cathedral where there is generally a range of cafes and small shops. Also generally and for some strange reason the nearby location of the local red light district. Amsterdam being a good example of this, not that I am in any way looking for the red light district. Not at this time of the morning 🙂
Last two days at sea and not realy a lot going on. Disco almost non existent, although there was an attempt at one last night and had a few dances.
Well, this is me on my travels once again. This time, a very last minute cruise out of Dundee. When I say last minute, I mean just that as I only booked it a couple of days ago.
It is not my favourite cruise line but it was available and the price was reasonable. I am on the Ambition, of the Ambasador line.
Been on this ship several times in the past and prefer the Ambience which is one of the other two ships in the line.
Just had dinner, which was quite nice and at a table of six, the other five from a strange foreign country situated to the South of Scotland, all speaking an almost intelligible language formed over milennia by collinisation of multiple races.
To be fair, they were all Geordies, who are almost Scots, or at least? They would like to be.
Putin and Trump
So, as the ship sails out from the mouth of the river Tay the world holds its breath for as I speak Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have just shaken hands in Alaska.
They are there to discuss the surrender of NATO who have been fighting and loosing a war in Ukraine, for the last three years. When this war started I predicted that NATO would fight Russia to the last Ukrainian and that is more or less what has happened as Ukrain as now started conscripting women into the army.
The two leaders will probably come to an arrangement which will see the border of Ukraine reflecting the accession of the Donbas area and the Declaration of Independence, made by the people of Donbas back in 2014.
They might discuss the realise if the two Brittish colonels and the MI6 officer who were taken prisoner whilst directing attacks on Russia, by Spetsnaz team just over a week ago.
Trump, Will of course drive a hard bargain probably insisting on an option on the Kremlin to convert it into a hotel,
Anyway, interesting times ahead as I sail towards Cherbourg and contemplate the ships disco tonight.
Have a good weekend folks and remember: It is the easiest thing to feel the pressure and fall back in line. It is sometimes hard to walk in the opposite direction but it is sometimes the true road, and you will know, because you will be following your conscience. As long as you have that you will Never walk alone.
The True Economic Effects of Large Import Tariffs: A Double-Edged Sword
In recent years, discussions surrounding import tariffs have surged, drawing attention to their implications for national economies. While proponents argue that tariffs protect domestic industries and create jobs, the reality is far more complex. This week, I delve into the true economic effects of imposing large import tariffs, shedding light on who really bears the burden of these taxes and the long-term consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
Who Pays the Price?
When a country implements substantial import tariffs, the immediate effect is a rise in the prices of imported goods. The question arises: who pays these import taxes? Initially, it might seem that the government benefits from the increased revenue generated by tariffs. However, the reality is that the costs are typically passed down the line.
Resellers, faced with higher prices for imported goods, are left with two choices: absorb the additional costs or increase prices for their customers. Absorbing costs may seem like a viable short-term strategy to maintain customer loyalty, but it can quickly erode profit margins, leading to financial instability. On the other hand, passing the costs onto consumers results in higher prices, which can dampen demand and lead to a decrease in sales volume.
The Impact on Manufacturing
For manufacturing companies reliant on imported components, the stakes are even higher. An increase in import tariffs can disrupt supply chains, leading to increased production costs and potential delays. For example, a manufacturer that requires specific parts from abroad may find that the added tariffs make those components prohibitively expensive. This situation can stifle innovation, as companies are forced to choose between raising prices or compromising on quality.
Moreover, manufacturers may be compelled to seek alternative sources for components, which isn’t always feasible. The sudden shift may result in a scramble for local suppliers, who may not have the capacity or capability to meet demand, further exacerbating the situation.
The Long-Term Upside
Despite the immediate challenges posed by import tariffs, there is a silver lining that could emerge in the long term. Facing increased costs, companies may be incentivized to explore local sourcing options. This shift not only supports domestic industries but can also foster innovation and job creation within the country.
As businesses begin to invest in local manufacturing enterprises, the demand for locally produced goods could surge. This shift has the potential to create a ripple effect, leading to the establishment of new suppliers and a more robust domestic supply chain. However, this transition is not without its challenges. Companies will need to ensure that all components are available locally, which may require significant upfront investment and time.
Ultimately, while import tariffs can serve as a temporary protective measure for domestic industries, the broader economic implications reveal a more intricate landscape. The burden of tariffs often falls on consumers, while manufacturers face increased costs and potential disruptions. However, the long-term benefits of fostering local production and supply chains could pave the way for a more resilient economy.
In conclusion, the imposition of large import tariffs presents a double-edged sword—a necessary tool for protectionism that can also lead to unintended consequences. As nations grapple with their economic strategies, the need for a balanced approach that considers both immediate impacts and future potential remains crucial.
So, when Donald Trump boasts of billions of dollars coming in to the country on the back of his tariffs, he is basically talking nonsense because, short term, there is not an additional cent actually coming in to the country, as all that is happening is initially, the government are collecting huge amounts of tax from American importers, a tax that has to be paid for by higher prices to consumers or lower profits from merchants.
As I said previously, there could be long term benefits through shifting manufacturing into the US, but meanwhile, every single country on the planet will be feverishly looking for more reliable trading partners and the long term affect of that is potentially disastrous.
Have a good weekend folks and remember: there are many injustices in this World and they make good traveling companions of the silent people
Bob Costello 