Originally about tariffs and watches ... now just political rambling

Nah. The whole "people think 50% of Americans are Nazis" is an attempt to dismiss and downplay the pointing out and criticism of fascist behavior.

There we go the first one. Not really 50% Nazis. What is it? 45% 42.5%?
The country that defeated the horrific Nazis of Germanic Europe, but here we the first one to state he isn’t sure how many Americans are Nazis.
Thank God we are not 50% Nazis. That for clearing that up.

Like it has been said, the thread veered off tariffs policy. It veered off by the bashing America and the current Administration.

The “tariff policy” in effect few weeks. Damn, let it play out. Trump didn’t get elected to sit around and let things be as is. In 4 years we will all see what the result is. If Amrica is the mess that you fear elect AOC or Newsome. Hell, elected Bernie if the old bastard is alive. Old bastard is term of endearment.

“America, the country and people, have many positives and negatives like all countries. The ‘50% Nazis’ is, I think, overstating the number but unfortunately the few seem to have an inordinate amount of influence at this time.“

Did you not read FEW? Or the previous sentence? You mentioned 50%.

National Socialism, commonly known as Nazism, is a far-right totalitarian ideology associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany. It emphasizes extreme nationalism, racial superiority, and authoritarian governance, often leading to violent and oppressive practices, particularly against minority groups.

This definition has some similarities to what appears to be happening in the US.

@Dan S ‘s point above is also salient.

If by "such demands" you're referring to @gatorcpa's point about loyalty over conscience: yes. Lots of examples.

On the larger points of name-calling, nazis, etc, I have a question for @The Father. So far, you've seemed to push back against any criticism of President Trump. Do you, in fact, believe all actions he's taken so far are good and supportable?

This, imo, is the biggest issue behind the tariffs and, more broadly, American politics presently. President Trump seems to be asking for supporters to back him on everything—this despite the huge flashing warnings we're getting about the economy (GDP shrank this quarter), the likely results of the tariffs (bare shelves are coming soon, says just about everyone), the results of slashing funding, deporting people without due process, cutting bureaucracy in the name of cutting red tape (despite that many of the agencies/jobs targeted help in important ways, from protecting consumers from financial fraud to preventing cyber attacks, etc etc etc). It is not just un- but anti-American to demand fealty to one politician's every move. I've never supported every action of anyone I've voted for, and Trump's seeming need for that is a shocking sign of weakness.

Back to tariffs: Speaking only from experience: I have a small business. I'm importing parts from China in the coming weeks. I presume the $400 or so in fees I used to pay will now be close to $6k. Mine's a tiny business, but good lord. The real-world consequences of these choices will be profound.