Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Trump threatens EU and Mexico with higher consumption taxes on Americans

Trump is counting on his base not understanding that tariffs are a consumption tax. They make imported goods more expensive and allow domestic producers to jack up their prices by relieving competition. “[Douglas Holtz-Eakin] added that Trump was using the letters to demand attention, but, “In the end, these are letters to other countries about […]

There’s a MAGA sucker born every minute

Looks like if you want to set up a Ponzi scheme, you just have to call it “anti-woke.” Of course, the opposite of woke is asleep. “The complaint alleges that First Liberty founder Brant Frost IV misappropriated investor funds, making payments to himself and relatives of more than $5 million and used other funds for […]

Trump just made US energy more expensive and dirtier

For eight years, we had rooftop solar. We wouldn’t have done it except that because of state law, Ameren paid half the cost. We also got a 30% tax rebate on the difference. Since we moved, there are too many trees around our house for rooftop solar, but there are more solar panels in our […]

Your kids’ and grandkids’ tax dollars at work

Trump’s BBB is a huge windfall for the Department of Homeland Security: “The bill gives ICE $29.8 billion to hire new staff and conduct deportations. That will lead to a hiring spurt of deportation officers; an additional $4.1 billion bump goes to Customs and Border Protection for new personnel. “For immigration detention, also overseen by […]

A Budget Bill That Will Harm Social Security’s Finances

Just so you know: Democrats, health advocates, and even some Republicans have spoken out against the Social Security bill firmly. They are calling it a Trojan horse cutting the safety net for millions of Americans while making up for tax breaks for the wealthiest. Mostly and if living in a house with a mortgage as […]

The Republican bill will cut Medicare

Yes, it cuts Medicaid explicitly. But it will result in cuts to Medicare as well: “But now Republicans have created another problem. They didn’t just cut Medicaid; they also have forced nearly half a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare, the health program for the elderly. “Because of a statutory requirement to automatically impose budget […]

Elon Musk: quack or idiot savant?

So it looks like Elon and I agree on something. Great minds think alike. Fools seldom differ. “WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk on Saturday doubled down on his distaste for President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax and spending cuts bill, arguing the legislation that Republican senators are scrambling to pass would kill jobs and bog down […]

Should Student Loans Be Forgiven?

As of May 24, 2024, the SBA had forgiven over 10.5 million PPP loans to businesses, totaling ~$800 billion. Another 37,938 owe an ~ $4.6 billion) and are labeled potential clawback or a code 70 (potential claw back).  Not so for student loans. These are the people who should have greater productivity at a younger […]