Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
Recall that the U.S. was founded primarily to gain independence from British rule under King George III. The founding fathers vision sought to limit the power of the executive branch. Trump has clearly breached his authority by weaponizing the federal government to target perceived enemies and execute personal vendettas. These types of actions are typical in fascist regimes. Is this how our federal government should operate in your view?
From Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American newsletter:
"Targeting Bolton has been a goal of FBI director Kash Patel, whom Trump appointed after Patel made it clear he intended to use the power of government against Trump’s opponents. 'We’re going to come after you whether it’s criminally or civilly,' Patel said in 2023 on Trump associate Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast."
"Indeed, Trump loyalist Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched criminal investigations into Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), who led the House Intelligence Committee that broke the story of Trump’s phone call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asking him to smear Trump’s 2020 political opponent Joe Biden; New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully sued Trump and the Trump Organization for fraud; and now Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who suggested on August 6 that the revision of the last few months’ jobs numbers might signal a turning point in the economy."
"Those investigations come after another Trump loyalist, William Pulte, who heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, alleged that the three committed mortgage fraud years ago. All three have denied the allegations, and Allan Smith, Steve Kopack, and Dareh Gregorian of NBC News note that accusation of mortgage fraud has long been a common tactic in opposition research on political campaigns. James’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, pointed out that the administration does not appear to be investigating Trump loyalist Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general who, divorce filings released this July show, claimed three different properties as his primary residence, thus securing lower-interest mortgages on them."
"The crackdown in Washington, D.C., seems to have far less to do with combating crime in a city where crime rates are at a 30-year low than it does with demonstrating that the administration controls the capital, the seat of the U.S. government. As conservative lawyer George Conway, who helpfully videoed the FBI raid on John Bolton’s house this morning, put it: 'If you want to have a coup against the constitutional order, you want to control the capital city.'"
Remember when our Presidents (of both Parties) were actually intelligent and knew how to comport themselves? Of course, a Democratic Socialist would be preferred...
Recall that the U.S. was founded primarily to gain independence from British rule under King George III. The founding fathers vision sought to limit the power of the executive branch. Trump has clearly breached his authority by weaponizing the federal government to target perceived enemies and execute personal vendettas. These types of actions are typical in fascist regimes.
Is this how our federal government should operate in your view?
After months of Dems screaming the worst is coming...the SP500 is at a new high and Q2 GDP came out at 3.3%. I don't care about stocks. Since 2018, I've been at 95% bond funds, and in the last 5 years, I was at 99+% bond funds.
On the other hand, Paul Pelosi has used illegal insider information for years to beat the SP500 which was extremely difficult to do. Thousands of expert fund managers failed to do that.
The well being of the country has NOTHING TO DO with the S&P 500 and the well being of the S&P 500 has nothing to do with the well being of the country. THESE ARE NOT GOOD WEEKS FOR THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
The well being of the country has NOTHING TO DO with the S&P 500 and the well being of the S&P 500 has nothing to do with the well being of the country. THESE ARE NOT GOOD WEEKS FOR THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
When the S&P 500 dropped sharply in April, Democrats shouted, ‘I told you so.’ But when it hit new highs, suddenly it didn’t matter.
When hundreds of economists predicted economic collapse, the news was everywhere. When it didn’t happen, silence. The same economists were outraged in 2025, but not when inflation was the highest in 4 decades.
When egg prices spiked, the outrage lasted for weeks.
When millions crossed the border—including thousands of criminals—we were told, ‘Nothing can be done, the border is closed anyway.’ T shut it down in one month.
Schumer and the Chicago mayor downplayed crime while strolling safe neighborhoods with security details.
In short: Democrats = DDE (Deny, Dismiss, Emotional). Every issue is treated like a level 10 emergency.
Sure, I’d gladly vote for a Clinton or a Kennedy, but until the next election, we’re not listening—just as you didn’t.
I got good lessons from Dems "It's the economy, stupid" and "Elections have consequences." I will add another, make our cities safe again.
The cost of crude oil comprises the largest component of retail gasoline prices. Key factors influencing crude oil prices: • Spot prices • Supply from non-OPEC countries • Supply from OPEC countries • The supply demand balance: inventories • Financial markets • Demand in non-OECD countries • Demand in OECD countries
A president usually has very little influence over the global forces which impact crude oil prices. To suggest that Trump is largely responsible for low gasoline prices is disingenuous.
"The White House took a victory lap for the lower fuel costs, crediting Trump with 'fully unleashing American energy dominance' in a statement on Thursday. LaVorgna said oil prices are largely a result of the president’s policies' and his efforts to get US 'allies and partners overseas' to pump more oil."
"Although it’s true that US oil production remains near all-time highs, output is little changed since Trump took office, promising to slash red tape and end President Joe Biden’s alleged war on energy."
Mr. LaVorgna appears to be just one of many sycophants within the Trump adminstration who heaps praise on the "exalted leader" to stroke his fragile ego. This administration repeatedly claims credit for alleged triumphs but never, ever admits to making mistakes—they just blame someone else. What a sad state of affairs!
I don't know what Donald J. Trump is attempting to accomplish here. He's like a fish out of water when trying to connect with people who actually work for a living!
His awkward gesturing reminds me of Rachael Gunn's Olympic performance without the pizzazz. My apologies to Ms. Gunn who doesn't deserve to be associated with the vacuous Mr. Trump!
Retail prices for regular grade gasoline in California are consistently higher than in any other state in the continental United States, often exceeding the national average by more than a dollar per gallon. Several factors contribute to this high price, including state taxes and fees, environmental requirements, special fuel requirements, and isolated petroleum markets.
I've posted the following comments in another thread—they're included here for your convenience. Another good week for the country!
The Trump administration's handling of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its inept tariff implementation have brought two of our country's greatest foes closer together while alienating a nation that could be considered a potentially important strategic ally.
"Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday pressed his vision for a new global security and economic order that prioritises the 'Global South', in a direct challenge to the United States, during a summit that included the leaders of Russia and India."
"'We must continue to take a clear stand against hegemonism and power politics, and practise true multilateralism,' Xi said, in a thinly veiled swipe at the United States and President Donald Trump's tariff policies."
Donald J. Trump doubled India's tariffs to 50% as punishment for purchasing sanctioned Russian oil. There are unintended consequences as a result. India can now purchase cheaper Russian oil after a price cut. The pressure from Trump has moved India closer to our major foes—China and Russia. Furthermore, Trump's plans to stop the Russia-Ukraine conflict have not borne fruit. He needs to really step it up in order to win the Nobel Peace Prize that he covets!
"The higher tariffs caused some ripples in the global black market, where around 6 million barrels of oil trade a day. Spooked Indian buyers dumped sanctioned Russian crude and ordered from the Middle East instead."
"But Moscow cut the price of its oil to win back its Indian customers. A now $7 difference between a barrel of Urals and an equivalent grade from Oman is too good for India’s refineries to refuse. New Delhi also gave the green light for the purchases to continue, so flows are returning to normal."
"The unintended effect of the U.S. crackdown has therefore been to make Russia’s already discounted oil even cheaper for India. As of Friday, a barrel of Urals costs India $1 less than it did before the White House first threatened the higher tariff."
"So far, the pressure hasn’t worked. New Delhi is reacting by moving closer to Russia and China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first trip to China in over seven years this week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. India’s Foreign Minister traveled to Moscow in recent days and the countries agreed to increase bilateral trade by 50% over the next five years."
Comments
Recall that the U.S. was founded primarily to gain independence from British rule under King George III.
The founding fathers vision sought to limit the power of the executive branch.
Trump has clearly breached his authority by weaponizing the federal government
to target perceived enemies and execute personal vendettas.
These types of actions are typical in fascist regimes.
Is this how our federal government should operate in your view?
From Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American newsletter:
"Targeting Bolton has been a goal of FBI director Kash Patel, whom Trump appointed after Patel made it clear he intended to use the power of government against Trump’s opponents. 'We’re going to come after you whether it’s criminally or civilly,' Patel said in 2023 on Trump associate Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast."
"Indeed, Trump loyalist Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched criminal investigations into Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), who led the House Intelligence Committee that broke the story of Trump’s phone call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asking him to smear Trump’s 2020 political opponent Joe Biden; New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully sued Trump and the Trump Organization for fraud; and now Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who suggested on August 6 that the revision of the last few months’ jobs numbers might signal a turning point in the economy."
"Those investigations come after another Trump loyalist, William Pulte, who heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, alleged that the three committed mortgage fraud years ago. All three have denied the allegations, and Allan Smith, Steve Kopack, and Dareh Gregorian of NBC News note that accusation of mortgage fraud has long been a common tactic in opposition research on political campaigns. James’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, pointed out that the administration does not appear to be investigating Trump loyalist Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general who, divorce filings released this July show, claimed three different properties as his primary residence, thus securing lower-interest mortgages on them."
"The crackdown in Washington, D.C., seems to have far less to do with combating crime in a city where crime rates are at a 30-year low than it does with demonstrating that the administration controls the capital, the seat of the U.S. government. As conservative lawyer George Conway, who helpfully videoed the FBI raid on John Bolton’s house this morning, put it: 'If you want to have a coup against the constitutional order, you want to control the capital city.'"
You’re an idiot...
It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe.
Idiot Wind... From the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol.
---Bob Dylan.
I don't care about stocks. Since 2018, I've been at 95% bond funds, and in the last 5 years, I was at 99+% bond funds.
On the other hand, Paul Pelosi has used illegal insider information for years to beat the SP500 which was extremely difficult to do. Thousands of expert fund managers failed to do that.
PolitiFact
You're turning, 'falling face first into the truth but somehow still missing it', into an art form.
When hundreds of economists predicted economic collapse, the news was everywhere. When it didn’t happen, silence. The same economists were outraged in 2025, but not when inflation was the highest in 4 decades.
When egg prices spiked, the outrage lasted for weeks.
When millions crossed the border—including thousands of criminals—we were told, ‘Nothing can be done, the border is closed anyway.’
T shut it down in one month.
Schumer and the Chicago mayor downplayed crime while strolling safe neighborhoods with security details.
In short: Democrats = DDE (Deny, Dismiss, Emotional). Every issue is treated like a level 10 emergency.
Sure, I’d gladly vote for a Clinton or a Kennedy, but until the next election, we’re not listening—just as you didn’t.
I got good lessons from Dems "It's the economy, stupid" and "Elections have consequences." I will add another, make our cities safe again.
Who is "we're"? Keep in mind that more people voted for Harris than Trump in your city of Atlanta.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/29/business/gas-labor-day-travel-energy
Key factors influencing crude oil prices:
• Spot prices
• Supply from non-OPEC countries
• Supply from OPEC countries
• The supply demand balance: inventories
• Financial markets
• Demand in non-OECD countries
• Demand in OECD countries
A president usually has very little influence over the global forces which impact crude oil prices.
To suggest that Trump is largely responsible for low gasoline prices is disingenuous.
https://www.eia.gov/finance/markets/crudeoil/
"The White House took a victory lap for the lower fuel costs, crediting Trump
with 'fully unleashing American energy dominance' in a statement on Thursday.
LaVorgna said oil prices are largely a result of the president’s policies'
and his efforts to get US 'allies and partners overseas' to pump more oil."
"Although it’s true that US oil production remains near all-time highs,
output is little changed since Trump took office,
promising to slash red tape and end President Joe Biden’s alleged war on energy."
Mr. LaVorgna appears to be just one of many sycophants within the Trump adminstration
who heaps praise on the "exalted leader" to stroke his fragile ego.
This administration repeatedly claims credit for alleged triumphs
but never, ever admits to making mistakes—they just blame someone else.
What a sad state of affairs!
Like I said.....
He's like a fish out of water when trying to connect with people who actually work for a living!
His awkward gesturing reminds me of Rachael Gunn's Olympic performance without the pizzazz.
My apologies to Ms. Gunn who doesn't deserve to be associated with the vacuous Mr. Trump!
CA and Hawaii.
Me thinks you're too kind.
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65184
Another good week for the country!
The Trump administration's handling of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its inept tariff implementation
have brought two of our country's greatest foes closer together while alienating a nation that could be
considered a potentially important strategic ally.
"Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday pressed his vision for a new global security and economic order
that prioritises the 'Global South', in a direct challenge to the United States, during a summit that included
the leaders of Russia and India."
"'We must continue to take a clear stand against hegemonism and power politics,
and practise true multilateralism,' Xi said, in a thinly veiled swipe at the United States
and President Donald Trump's tariff policies."
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-xi-pushes-new-global-order-flanked-by-leaders-russia-india-2025-09-01/
There are unintended consequences as a result.
India can now purchase cheaper Russian oil after a price cut.
The pressure from Trump has moved India closer to our major foes—China and Russia.
Furthermore, Trump's plans to stop the Russia-Ukraine conflict have not borne fruit.
He needs to really step it up in order to win the Nobel Peace Prize that he covets!
"The higher tariffs caused some ripples in the global black market,
where around 6 million barrels of oil trade a day.
Spooked Indian buyers dumped sanctioned Russian crude
and ordered from the Middle East instead."
"But Moscow cut the price of its oil to win back its Indian customers.
A now $7 difference between a barrel of Urals and an equivalent grade
from Oman is too good for India’s refineries to refuse.
New Delhi also gave the green light for the purchases to continue,
so flows are returning to normal."
"The unintended effect of the U.S. crackdown has therefore been to make
Russia’s already discounted oil even cheaper for India.
As of Friday, a barrel of Urals costs India $1 less than it did before
the White House first threatened the higher tariff."
"So far, the pressure hasn’t worked. New Delhi is reacting by moving closer to Russia and China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first trip to China in over seven years this week
to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
India’s Foreign Minister traveled to Moscow in recent days and the countries agreed
to increase bilateral trade by 50% over the next five years."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-black-market-for-oil-blunts-trump-s-india-tariffs/ar-AA1LHucm
Yes, he was. And he got my vote multiple times. A good and decent man. We could sure use a lot more like him in the Republican rabble today.