This is a semi-regular series that I will run on Fridays to hold discussions on a current topic from the week gone. The aim is to keep them light and conversational, though some might be heavier - regardless of the content topic itself though, just have some fun engaging and discussing with whoever happens to put in the effort in the comments section below.

I have a friend who was in a physically abusive relationship, for over a decade. I didn't know her during this time, but we were also colleagues and I would drive her to one of our clients every week for a year or two, and we got to know each other well. One of the things I asked her was "why did you stay" which is a pretty stock-standard question, but I wanted an answer directly from a person with experience and since she knows my intentions, she was willing to answer. I don't remember it word for word, but it went something like this.

I was reminded of this today when thinking of the current global economic situation at the moment that has been exacerbated by the Trump government in the US. Again, I don't blame American people for this, because one thing that the US has done very well is create a strong sense of patriotism, but the current government is gaslighting citizens and the world. They are making people think that the US has somehow been taken advantage of for all these years, by the rest of the world, when the closer reality is that it is the US and their practices that are taking advantage of everyone else.

Without the rest of the world funnelling money into the US through so many different gateways and mechanisms, the country would not be the largest consumer, nor be able to build the strongest military. It is precisely because the rest of the world hasn't taken advantage of the US, that these things are possible, so don't believe the current narrative.

For instance, the creative accounting practices of the worlds largest companies, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon etc means that they are systematically extracting value from countries, without hiring many people locally (if any) and without paying taxes. For example, in 20-21 Apple took in 9.3 billion in revenue, but ultimately paid 137 million in Australian tax. The standard corporate tax rate in Australia is 30% - they paid 1.5%. And all the others were similar. This is money that mostly ends up back in the US, to drive investments, consumption, and military spending.

Episode 5: No Humour Here
Episode 4: Your Country Sucks
Episode 3: Collapse is Inevitable
Episode 2: Show me the money
Episode 1: Strange bedfellows