Leave a comment

Trump Rebrands Biden’s Drug Reforms as His Own

John Muryell

President Donald Trump this week unveiled sweeping “Most Favored Nation” drug pricing agreements with nine pharmaceutical companies, promising Americans unprecedented discounts on insulin, cancer treatments, and other life‑saving medicines. For millions of families struggling under the weight of prescription costs, the announcement sounded like long‑awaited relief. But policy experts say much of what is being promoted under Trump’s “TrumpRx” program closely mirrors reforms enacted under President Joe Biden, raising concerns about whether the public is being misled about who delivered the underlying changes. The White House highlighted dramatic examples of price reductions, including Plavix dropping from $756 to $16, Epclusa … Continue reading Trump Rebrands Biden’s Drug Reforms as His Own

Leave a comment

The Election Economy: Who’s Pulling the Strings?

John Muryell

Summary:As the 2026 U.S. election approaches, economic trends have become a battleground for political leaders and corporate powerhouses. Inflation has reached its lowest level in four years, fostering an illusion of stability. Yet beneath the surface, critical questions remain: Are political and corporate forces strategically shaping this narrative to serve their own interests? Deregulation, corporate tax cuts, and foreign energy decisions may be shifting market conditions in ways that benefit Republican messaging. Meanwhile, corporate lobbying and donations continue to shape political strategies, fueling concerns over manipulation. Voters cannot afford complacency. Scrutiny is essential to ensure that economic realities are not … Continue reading The Election Economy: Who’s Pulling the Strings?

Leave a comment

Trump and Vought’s Assault on NCAR Exposes War on Science

John Muryell

The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has sparked a political firestorm on Capitol Hill and raised alarm among scientists who warn the move is part of a sweeping ideological effort to weaken federal climate research. The announcement, delivered by Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, would break apart the Boulder‑based research center, shutter its Mesa Laboratory, and relocate or eliminate several of its programs. Vought described NCAR as “one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country,” a characterization that drew immediate pushback from researchers and lawmakers. The timing … Continue reading Trump and Vought’s Assault on NCAR Exposes War on Science

Leave a comment

The BLS Jobs Report in Question

John Muryell

When the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases its monthly jobs report, it’s supposed to be one of the least dramatic moments in Washington. For decades, both parties treated the agency as a quiet, technocratic institution where career statisticians did their work far from political pressure. This month’s report arrives in a very different atmosphere — one shaped by an abrupt firing, an unusually long delay in restoring stable leadership, and the looming presence of a new appointee widely viewed as aligned with President Trump politically, ideologically, or administratively. It’s understandable that people feel uneasy. When something that has always … Continue reading The BLS Jobs Report in Question

Leave a comment

Tariffs, Cuts, and Clawbacks: Trump’s Economic Threat

John Muryell

Donald Trump has branded his second-term economic program as “America First.” Yet behind the slogans, economists warn that his mix of sweeping tariffs, tax cuts favoring the wealthy, and aggressive Social Security clawbacks could leave ordinary Americans footing the bill. Rising costs, shrinking benefits, and mounting instability suggest that far from protecting families, Trump’s policies may be setting them up for hardship. Still, in the face of these challenges, the resilience of American communities continues to shine. Trump’s universal 10 percent tariff on imports is promoted as a safeguard for U.S. manufacturing. In reality, it acts as a hidden tax … Continue reading Tariffs, Cuts, and Clawbacks: Trump’s Economic Threat

Leave a comment

Millions Face Rising Costs as Congress Weighs Health Care Plans

John Muryell

WASHINGTON — With enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, millions of Americans are bracing for sharply higher health insurance premiums. For families who rely on the subsidies to keep monthly costs manageable, and for patients with chronic conditions who depend on stable coverage, the financial gap between competing proposals in Congress is substantial — and potentially life‑changing. The subsidies, expanded under the Biden administration, are scheduled to lapse on Dec. 31. If Congress fails to act, premiums are expected to rise by about $1,000 on average for the more than 20 million … Continue reading Millions Face Rising Costs as Congress Weighs Health Care Plans

Leave a comment

Trump’s Tariffs, America’s Bailout

John Muryell

When Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on America’s trading partners, his administration branded them a “lifeline for the middle class.” Supporters claimed tariffs would protect U.S. jobs and industries. But years later, the reality is undeniable: higher consumer prices, disrupted supply chains, lost export markets, and taxpayer-funded bailouts. The latest example came in December 2025, when Trump announced a new $12 billion bailout for farmers. The aid, scheduled to begin distribution in February 2026, is intended to offset losses from retaliatory tariffs that slashed demand for U.S. crops such as soybeans, corn, wheat, and pork. This bailout was not triggered … Continue reading Trump’s Tariffs, America’s Bailout

Leave a comment

The Fight for Warner Bros.: A Hostile Bid With High Stakes

John Muryell

The Fight for Warner Bros.: A Hostile Bid With High Stakes David Ellison’s hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery has sparked growing alarm across the entertainment industry, political watchdog groups, and media‑freedom advocates, who warn that the attempt carries not just corporate implications but profound risks for the independence of one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions. Yet even in this moment of uncertainty, something powerful is emerging: a renewed awareness of how deeply people depend on free expression, honest journalism, and the creative voices that help us understand ourselves and one another. This isn’t just a business … Continue reading The Fight for Warner Bros.: A Hostile Bid With High Stakes

Leave a comment

The Supreme Court Is Abandoning Its Duty

John Muryell

The Supreme Court’s decision to allow Texas’ mid‑decade congressional map to stand is the latest in a growing series of rulings that critics say reveal a troubling institutional pattern: when confronted with disputes that could disadvantage Donald Trump or his political allies, the Court repeatedly chooses inaction, delay, or procedural escape hatches over direct constitutional enforcement. For many Americans — especially those whose communities have fought for decades to be fairly represented — this isn’t just another legal setback. It feels like a painful reminder that the system designed to protect their rights can still turn away at the very … Continue reading The Supreme Court Is Abandoning Its Duty

Leave a comment

Trump’s Approval Plummets to 36% as GOP Fractures

John Muryell

Washington, D.C. — December 2025. President Donald Trump is facing some of the lowest approval ratings of his presidency, leaving him politically isolated as Republican lawmakers and allies quietly step back. Recent polls show Trump’s approval sinking into the mid-30s, with disapproval nearing 60%. A Gallup survey in late November placed his approval at 36%, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll recorded 38%, a nine-point drop since Inauguration Day. Even within his own party, support has slipped by seven points in just one month — a rare fracture in a base once considered unshakable. These historically low numbers are more than statistics; … Continue reading Trump’s Approval Plummets to 36% as GOP Fractures