Tariffs vs. free trade has shaped U.S. history, from the Boston Tea Party to the Revolutionary War and beyond. The Smoot-Hawley tariffs worsened the Great Depression, proving protectionism can backfire. Trump and tariffs reignited debate, with rising costs impacting consumers. While strategic trade sanctions help counter unfair practices, broad tariffs fuel inflation. The USMCA replaced NAFTA, promoting balanced trade. Understanding how it works, when to impose tariffs, and the history of tariffs is crucial. Instead of economic isolation, history shows targeted, temporary tariffs—coordinated with allies—work best. The ongoing trade war highlights the need for smart policies over reckless restrictions.



Sources and Citations:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Historical unemployment data during Great Depression
2. World Trade Organization - Historical tariff rates and trade volume data
3. U.S. Trade Representative Office - Current U.S.-Canada trade relationship statistics
4. U.S. International Trade Commission - Steel tariff impact analysis
5. U.S. Census Bureau - Bilateral trade relationship data

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ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

The U.S. student debt crisis impacts over 40 million Americans, with $1.7 trillion in student loans still owed, most to the federal government. The Biden administration has forgiven $127 billion in debt through programs like public service loan forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, and aid for students defrauded by private colleges. Concerns arise about loan forgiveness fairness and its impact on personal responsibility. Proposed solutions include ending federal student loans and creating merit-based scholarships for STEM fields. These reforms aim to reduce student debt, promote responsible borrowing, and prepare graduates for high-demand careers, easing the financial strain on younger generations.

How do you think the Trump Administration will handle the issue of rising student loan debt?

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What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
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ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

In this 3-part episode, Bruce reacts to national news headlines regarding Trump's executive orders at the southern border. We discuss border patrol, illegal immigration, and the designations of cartels and criminal networks as foreign terrorist organizations. Lastly, we cover what seems to be one of the most controversial decisions made by president Donald J. Trump: his plan to end birthright citizenship.

Could there be justifiable rationale behind these choices, or are we undoing our nation's long-standing DNA and right for every man and woman to pursue happiness and self-reliance? Can common sense find common ground? What are your thoughts, patriots?

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What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CommonSense4America
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Email: connect@CommonSense4America.com

ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

How many of us feel lost in the mumbo jumbo of news and opinions? In this mini-episode, Bruce Rutherford breaks down news topics such as the Syrian war, response from Israel, and what that means for America. He also tackles the response to President Trump's Cabinet picks and the depth of presidential pardons. We review these topics and more through the lenses of common sense and what effect it has on Americans.

This episode was recorded in December 2024

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What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CommonSense4America
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Email: connect@CommonSense4America.com

ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

Bruce Rutherford revisits the election results and predicts what Trump will execute in his first 100 days. This episode was recorded November 14, 2024.


A Summary of his Predictions:

1. Southern border wall will be authorized immediately.

2. Immigration laws favoring qualified applicants

3. Deportations will probably begin immediately.

4. Regulations that contribute to inflation will be rolled back.

5. The existing Trump tax cuts will be made permanent.

6. Executive department heads will be replaced by Trump.

7. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will be given a broad mandate to examine

government operations for improvements.

8. Trump will reaffirm US support of Israel.

9. Trump will try to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine. But there is a risk it could start WWIII.

10. Trump and the Republicans will do nothing about the abortion issue.

11. The Republicans will introduce voting law reforms.

Connect with us:

What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CommonSense4America
Website: www.CommonSense4America.com
LinkTree: linktr.ee/CommonSenseForAmerica
Email: connect@CommonSense4America.com

ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

When you live through wildfires in California, flooding in Texas, tornadoes in Kansas... and you witness whole communities destroyed, you start to realize how crucial FEMA is. Created by president Jimmy Carter in 1979, FEMA is one of the smarted executive orders issued by a president, but it's billion dollar budget runs out every fiscal year!

In the midst of raging wildfires of California, we reflect on this episode recorded in November 2024. Bruce intuitively talks about wildfire emergency responses, the damages he has witnessed, and the common sense support FEMA needs to respond to American disasters.

Connect with us:

What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CommonSense4America
Website: www.CommonSense4America.com
LinkTree: linktr.ee/CommonSenseForAmerica
Email: connect@CommonSense4America.com

ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

Did our founding fathers truly intend for the average American vote to only be worth 1/3 of the electoral college vote? In this episode, Bruce breaks down the electoral college, how it works, the history, and the current debate about its future.

Connect with us:

What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CommonSense4America
Website: www.CommonSense4America.com
LinkTree: linktr.ee/CommonSenseForAmerica
Email: connect@CommonSense4America.com

ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

In the wake of the riots of Jan. 6, 2021 and on the National Day of Memoriam for Jimmy Carter (today, Jan. 9, 2025), we reflect on the history of presidential elections and dissect where political tensions began.
Fake news is nothing new! It began hundreds of years ago as a tool to knock down political oppositions. In this episode, recorded 3 days before the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Bruce outlines how partisan campaigns throughout history use those tensions to deepen wedges between political lines.

Connect with us:

What are your thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment, discuss these ideas with your community, and reach out to us directly. Let us know your ideas for future episodes.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CommonSense4America
Website: www.CommonSense4America.com
LinkTree: linktr.ee/CommonSenseForAmerica
Email: connect@CommonSense4America.com

ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.