The United States Supreme Court finally acted to prevent a continuing injustice against the American people and their pocketbooks. In a 6 to 3 decision. The Supreme Court voted to stop the implementation of most of the Trump’s tariffs, classifying them as a tax not authorized by our representatives in Congress.
Tariffs are a pet project of the President that he has used as an instrument of personal power to manipulate others according to whatever mood or whim that comes his way. Up to now, he has been imposing, canceling, increasing, decreasing or adding tariffs on top of one another with little regard to world trade order or even our standing international agreements.
At the same time, he has tried to convince the public that tariffs are a good thing because the added costs are paid by the exporters and importers. He conveniently leaves out the fact that some to all the tariff assessments are added to the price of imported things we buy.
Tariffs are a tax and, as such are within the concerns of Congress. Also, tariffs mostly affect consumers, especially those with less disposable income as they must spend more of what they earn on the necessities that are mostly subject to this added expense.
The unilateral executive imposition of tariffs is part of a pattern that favors the rich at the expense of the working poor and middle class. That basic tenant is expressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill’s (OBBB) tax policy.
The most important part of the OBBB is the continuation of a major tax break for the very rich. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says that the cumulative effect of the bill is an increase in our national debt of some 3.4 trillion dollars over the next ten years. If we add the immigration deportation policy and its effect on our labor force, the deficit goes up by another 700 billion for a grand total of 4.1 trillion dollars.
The first novel I read in my early childhood was Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo first written in 1844-45. Followed closely behind in my reading was The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (1883) by author and illustrator Howard Pyle.
The story of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England was famous in his day for taking from the rich and giving to the poor. It was a fight to resist the tyrant, upset the status quo and find some relief for common folks against the conditions created by the rich and powerful.
Although the Robin Hood story is about an outlaw, its foundational message projects the notions of social justice, fairness and higher human values. The defense of the weak against the strong has always captured the imagination of most young readers.
In a sense, the Robin Hood type virtues and struggle of today brings into focus the emerging challenge of a tyranny portrayed as a new status quo. That status quo puts the generation of money and wealth for the few ahead of the interests of the many.
Whether it is tax breaks for the rich, tariffs on the common American or even a Board of Peace, a club that requires a billion dollars to get in and perhaps promises billions from a new Gaza resort, it is all about money and maintaining another major characteristic of our divided society.The Supreme Court acted out of an instinct for survival as a constitutional institution. Yet it produced a good day for democracy.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
