Hillbilly wisdom: Call it any name. A rose by any other name still smells the same. War is unpleasant. Limited conflicts lead to death for those on the front lines. Justification of the war does not bring back those who died. I believe we are at war with China. It has been said they are our biggest threat. The United States has not fired a shot in the form of munitions but we have used tariffs of various levels with limited success. When tariffs were declared unconstitutional, the president did not alter his approach but doubled down with tariffs under different rules. Not even a day passed and without consulting with anyone, he doubled down. With increased cost to the consumer and without any proof of the effectiveness of tariffs he proceeded.

The United States war with China is now taking the form of energy control. Energy control has proven effective in battles with lessor nations. As the flow of energy is brought under control through direct campaigns in Venezuela and Iran plus indirect disruptions of Russian crude to China, the line in the sand is differently being redrawn. The energy supply lines to China are being reduced. Is energy China’s weakness?

The upcoming talks between United States and China will?????

? be delayed

? be canceled

? trade with China will be stopped

? cause closer economic ties between Russia and China

? give rise to military conflict.

Like the situation in Iran, what is the end game? Surely, the president acts on behalf of Congress. Congress acts upon the will of the people. Or does the Legislative and Executive branches do whatever the King wants to do without consideration of the long term effects upon the people?