Both President Trump and I attended the same university. Although he was behind me, we shared the same department, building, floor and many of the same professors. In particular we shared the same teacher of Economics 101.

The president, however, unlike myself, did not absorb the teaching of the time. Trump has actually grasped on to tariffs, because he imagines that the subject is simple, clear-cut and certain.

That is, he believes he understands how they work and the ramifications and countermeasures that accompany them. In effect, he believes that he can show off his knowledge by clinging to the idea of tariffs.

Of course, he knows nothing about the Smoot-Hawley Tariff that contributed to our Great Depression.

This is all clear to me. What is not clear is where are those around him who do understand the unintended consequences of his ignorance, poor judgment and childish view of how things work?

The explanation that I can offer is this one: There are members of his circle who consciously seek to ruin our economy — perhaps the world and the planet. For I cannot imagine that everyone at his mad hatter’s picnic is as ignorant as he.

From a poem of mine, titled “Upper Class Costume Party:”

Casting grotesque shadows beyond the gates,/ Flamingoes and hippopotamuses/ Beneath the chandeliers/ Plotting the ruination of the Earth.

Raphael O’Suna

Haiku