Bart van Bakel

BOCHKOV: EITHER IDIOTS OR BILLIONAIRES VOTE FOR TRUMP. I'm addressing the first group. You've been robbed. You personally invited the burglar into your own home and showed him exactly where you keep your money. Don't believe me? Let me break it down for you. NO POLITICS. JUST MONEY. YOUR MONEY. FIRST. GASOLINE AND DIESEL. A year ago, gasoline cost an average of $3.04 per gallon. Today, it's $4.18. Diesel has skyrocketed from $3.69 to $6.31! These are AAA figures cited for October 31, 2026. The war with Iran and the resulting oil crisis have been major drivers of this price explosion. And now you're paying for that war every single time you fill up your tank. Expensive diesel also means more expensive transportation, groceries, and practically everything delivered to stores by truck. SECOND. TARIFFS. Trump loves telling you how brilliantly he's managed to tax foreigners. In reality, American importers pay those tariffs and pass a substantial portion of the costs on to consumers. According to estimates attributed to Yale University, that means approximately $1,100 a year for the average American household. Trump reaches into your pocket, takes your money, and proudly announces that he's robbed China. And you applaud. THIRD. TAXES. Now this is where the real magic begins. According to calculations attributed to the Congressional Budget Office, Trump's tax and spending reforms will, on average, reduce the annual resources available to the poorest 10% of American households by $1,214, while increasing those available to the wealthiest 10% by $13,622. These figures represent projected combined effects of taxes and government programs over the 2026–2034 period. You're paying for a party you weren't even invited to. FOURTH. HEALTHCARE. According to the same Congressional Budget Office, changes to Medicaid are projected to increase the number of Americans without health insurance by 7.5 million by 2034. But at least you'll still have your magnificent red MAGA hat. Unfortunately, you can't use it to pay for surgery. AND NOW FOR THE MOST INTERESTING PART. These numbers are presented as coming not from Democratic campaign flyers, but from economists' calculations, government statistics, and independent research. Of course, Trump's supporters promise that tariffs will protect American manufacturing and tax cuts will bring prosperity. Perhaps some people really will benefit. The question is: WHO EXACTLY, AND AT WHOSE EXPENSE? I can perfectly understand a billionaire supporting policies that benefit his wealth. At least that's rational. But when someone who can barely make ends meet celebrates decisions that increase their own living expenses, we're no longer talking about economics. We're witnessing some bizarre form of mass hypnosis. AND HERE'S MY FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE. The next time Trump starts telling you how he's made America rich, take out your receipt from the gas station. Look at your grocery bill. Think about how much your health insurance costs. Then ask yourself one simple question: IF TRUMP HAS MADE AMERICA RICHER, WHY HAVE I BECOME POORER? And most importantly: WHO EXACTLY HAS HE MADE RICHER? P.S. I'm gradually shifting my work from X to Substack, where I can continue writing independently. You can subscribe for free, or choose a paid subscription if you'd like to support my work. mykhailorohoza.substack.com