Without Trump, Republicans Master Debate

Honestly, who gives a damn? [The Rude Awakening] September 28, 2023 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Without Trump, Republicans Master Debate - The losers came together for another pointless argument. - DeSantis “won,” but without Trump there, it doesn’t matter. - In fact, even with Trump there, it wouldn’t matter. Here’s why. [Urgent Income Demo]( Jim Rickards calls him The Banker. He’s a financial anomaly. He doesn’t target 1,000%... 3,000%... or 5,000% gains. Instead, this former hedge fund manager is all about steady – and fast – income. And he’s among the absolute best in the world at that. That’s why YOU should [click here now to learn his strategy](. [Click Here To Learn More]( [Sean Ring] SEAN RING Good morning from lovely autumnal Northern Italy. Before I get into today’s piece, I wanted to let you know I’ll be on [Rickards Uncensored]( tomorrow, along with the hardest-working analyst in the newsletter business, Dan Amoss. Matt Insley, Paradigm Press’ fearless leader, will host the session again. Their conversation may go in a few different ways, but these topics are fair game: - Government shutdown - The surprisingly strong dollar - Civil unrest from Philly to Cali - The move from stocks to options - Energy, oil, and natural gas So please join us tomorrow, September 29th, at 10 am ET for another session of [Rickards Uncensored](. The Second Republican Debate: A Quick Summary Last night's second Republican primary debate happened at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. The candidates discussed various issues, including the looming government shutdown, immigration policy, and education. They were united in criticizing President Biden, blaming him for most of the country's current problems. However, the elephant (not) in the room was former President Donald Trump, who skipped the debate to deliver a speech in Detroit. Trump can do that because of his lead over the other candidates. His lead is so significant for two reasons: one, he’s still popular; two, the other candidates are canceling each other out. The candidates who showed up at the debate were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former US Ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. DeSantis and Christie were particularly vocal about Trump's absence, labeling it a weakness and criticizing him for adding more than $7 trillion to the national debt during his presidency. They’re correct about the $7 trillion. It’s a glaring stain on the Trump administration. Of course, they’re incorrect about Trump’s no-show. Why engage with people who have no chance of winning? Trump’s absence comes from a position of strength, not weakness. Things to Think About - Trump's Absence: Why do they even bother? With so many candidates canceling each other out, Trump’s nomination is virtually assured. If I were Haley, DeSantis, or Ramaswamy, I’d cut a deal with Trump for a cabinet post and then drop out. If I were any of the rest, I’d work on my golf game. - Immigration Policy: Christie's comments on immigration were solid and direct. Is this a sign that immigration will be a hot-button issue in the upcoming election? - The Biden Factor: All candidates blamed Biden for the country's woes. Is this a winning strategy, or do they need to offer more concrete solutions to the problems at hand? [New Biden Bucks Follow-Up Available Now]( Since posting the original Biden Bucks presentation online, millions of people have viewed it. Snopes and the Associated Press have even attempted to “fact check” and claim some warnings are false: Point being, the message has raised a storm and caused a lot of controversy. But in the time between the message and now, a lot of new developments have come to light. That’s why an update to the original prediction was just released… one which will likely be even more controversial. [>> Click here now to access the new 2023 Biden Bucks follow-up](. [Click Here To Learn More]( The Night’s Ranking 1. Ron DeSantis DeSantis took the opportunity to call out Trump's absence, framing it as a weakness. He also criticized Trump for adding to the national debt, showing he's fearless in challenging the party's frontrunner. His performance was assertive and calculated, making him the night's standout. Verdict: Yesterday’s News has shown up too late. Trump would wipe the floor with him despite his strong gubernatorial record. If I were him, I’d cut a deal for a cabinet position, but only if he’s tired of being Governor of Florida. 2. Chris Christie Christie was direct and unapologetic, qualities that often resonate with voters. He was vocal about Trump's absence and vehemently opposed mass immigration, suggesting he would deploy the National Guard to the border. Chris, you don’t have to worry about that. This is the race for the presidency, not a pie-eating contest. Verdict: Despite the satisfactory performance, drop out now. 3. Nikki Haley Haley might have had one of the most memorable lines of the night, but this doesn’t offer much in terms of policy. It does show her ability to make headlines or gain a short-term win. Haley told Ramaswamy, “Every time you talk, I feel just a little bit dumber.” We believe you, Nikki. We believe you. Verdict: Haley has no chance but can stick it out a bit longer. 4. Vivek Ramaswamy Ramaswamy was the target of criticism from other candidates, notably Haley. His modest rise in the polls made him a target, but he must offer more substance to withstand the scrutiny and climb the ranks. Clearly, gravitas costs more than $600 million, or Ramaswamy would’ve bought it by now. His philosophy and economics are sound, but he argues like a chihuahua in heat. Ramaswamy needs to cut the B-school presentation nonsense and speak like a poised man. Currently, he doesn’t. Verdict: Stick around just for the entertainment value. Then, sign on as Trump’s Treasury Secretary. 5. Tim Scott Scott didn't make any major headlines but is a well-known figure who held his own. His presence adds a different dynamic to the race, but he must be more assertive in future debates to stand out. Verdict: He’s never recovered from his disastrous first debate. Drop out now. 6. Mike Pence The former Vice President was steady but unremarkable, as usual. Given his experience and previous role, more is expected from him. Pence must differentiate himself from the other candidates to gain traction. On the night, Pence quipped, “Joe Biden doesn’t belong on a picket line. He belongs on an unemployment line.” Nobody laughed. Perhaps Pence should change his name to “Richard Cranium.” Verdict: Pence is as dull as dishwater. Drop out now. 7. Doug Burgum The North Dakota Governor is less known on the national stage, and it didn't seem like he had a breakout moment during this debate. He'll need to up his game to become a serious contender. But he won’t. It’s time to go. Verdict: “Who are ya? Who are ya?” Drop out now. Wrap Up These Republican debates are a yawning waste of time. No one cares what any of them think, and none of the candidates have a snowball’s chance in hell of unhorsing Trump. The horse-trading for cabinet positions is all that matters now. Most of these people will do themselves a favor by backing out sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the Democrats must figure out what to do with Biden. Do they chance it with him versus a resurgent Trump? Or do they let the Republicans impeach Biden and run someone else like Gavin Gruesome? We’ll see soon. Have a great day! All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening X (formerly Twitter): [@seaniechaos]( In Case You Missed It… Google at 25: A Double-Edged Sword of Innovation and Intrusion [Sean Ring] SEAN RING Happy Hump Day! Sean here, and today, we're diving deep into the labyrinthine world of Google. The tech giant is celebrating its 25th birthday, and what a rollercoaster it's been! A quarter-century of innovation, disruption, and, let's be honest, a fair bit of controversy. Miami, 1999 The February before I moved to London, I took a trip to South Beach with my friends Larry and Doc. We had an exciting time watching all the models get suntanned. I also nearly passed out from one of those alco-slurpees from Wet Willie’s. But I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my dad on the pay phone. John Ring was a long-distance truck driver before he met my mother. So, he knew the roads of the United States like the back of his hand. I remember telling him where I was, and then I heard a long pause. Next, he says, “Look over your shoulder. Is there a Shell station there?” I turned around and nearly fell over. There was a Shell station exactly where he said there was one. It was better than a magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat! Of course, it’d be much easier if I had a map. Or a map on a phone. If my phone had a screen. Then again, that stuff wouldn’t be invented for nearly a decade. But Apple invented the iPhone, and Google produced Maps. The rest is history. So, let’s raise a glass - not Google Glass - to Google, twenty-five years young today. But let’s also reflect on the not-so-great stuff as well. The Good: Pioneering the Information Age Search Engine Revolution First and foremost, Google's search engine. It's the cornerstone of their empire. Remember the dark ages of AltaVista, Lycos, and Ask Jeeves? Google swept them into the dustbin of history. With its PageRank algorithm, Google revolutionized how we find and consume information. It's the modern-day Library of Alexandria, except it fits right in your pocket. Android: The Democratizer Android, Google's open-source OS, has been nothing short of revolutionary. Android was the great equalizer in a world where Apple's walled garden could have monopolized the smartphone market. It's not just a smartphone OS; it's a ticket to the digital world for billions in emerging markets. Google Maps: The Modern Compass Google Maps has changed the way we navigate our world. It's not just about finding your way from point A to point B; it's about discovering new places, from that hole-in-the-wall café to a scenic detour you'd never have found otherwise. Google Scholar and Google Books: The Academic Goldmine Google Scholar and Google Books are godsent for researchers, academics, and curious minds. They've made millions of papers, articles, and publications accessible, breaking down the barriers to knowledge. Google Drive and Workspace: Collaboration Unleashed The suite of Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides has transformed how we work and collaborate. Gone are the days of emailing attachments back and forth. Real-time collaboration is now the norm, not the exception. [TIME-SENSITIVE: A “Second Wave” Of Inflation Is Coming]( [James Altucher]( During the 1970s, inflation lasted for years and came in three separate waves. Each wave was far worse than the last. [Today, the same exact thing is happening again.]( Is the price of food, gasoline, housing and more about to skyrocket even higher? [== > Get ready for “Inflation’s Second Wave.” Click here now to see my urgent warning.]( [Click Here To Learn More]( The Bad: The Price of “Free” Data Mining: The Invisible Trade Google's services may be “free,” but make no mistake, you're the product. Every search query, location you visit, and video you watch—it's all data and monetized. It's a Faustian bargain many of us willingly enter. But at what cost? Censorship and Algorithmic Bias Google's influence on what we see or don't see is enormous. Whether de-ranking certain news sources or complying with authoritarian regimes, Google has shown it's willing to be the gatekeeper of information, for better or worse. Anti-Competitive Shenanigans Google's dominance has led to several anti-competitive practices. From prioritizing its own services in search results to making it difficult for users to switch to competitors, Google has often used its market power to stifle competition. The Ugly: Ethical Quagmires and Missed Shots Project Maven: Crossing the Line Google's involvement in Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative focused on AI and drone technology, was a stark reminder that tech companies aren't only about making our lives easier. They're also entangled in ethical dilemmas with real-world consequences. Google+: The Social Network That Wasn't Google has had its fair share of flops, and Google+ tops the list. Despite its aggressive push, including forcing it upon YouTube users, it never caught on. Google eventually shut it down. It teaches that not even Google can force a product into success. Google Glass: Ahead of Its Time or Just Ill-Conceived? Remember Google Glass and all its Glassholes? It promised to bring augmented reality into the mainstream but became a punchline for tech elitism and privacy concerns. Wrap Up So, as we toast to Google's 25th, let's do so with a grain of salt. The company has been a driving force of technological progress, but it's also a cautionary tale of what happens when too much power is concentrated in too few hands. As a paleo-libertarian, I champion free markets and innovation. But I also value privacy and individual autonomy. Google's journey embodies the tension between these ideals. It's a company that has enriched our lives in countless ways but also poses questions about privacy, ethics, and the concentration of power we can't ignore. Here's to hoping that Google's next twenty-five years aren’t only about relentless innovation but also about greater responsibility and accountability. Until next time, keep your eyes open and your data private. All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening Twitter: [@seaniechaos]( [Paradigm]( ☰ ⊗ [ARCHIVE]( [ABOUT]( [Contact Us]( © 2023 Paradigm Press, LLC. 808 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore MD 21202. By submitting your email address, you consent to Paradigm Press, LLC. delivering daily email issues and advertisements. To end your Rude Awakening e-mail subscription and associated external offers sent from Rude Awakening, feel free to [click here.]( Please note: the mailbox associated with this email address is not monitored, so do not reply to this message. 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