Tag: economy

Leave a comment

Victory There, Crisis Here

John Muryell

President Donald Trump’s surprise military operation in Venezuela — culminating in the capture of Nicolás Maduro — has unleashed a wave of political and public backlash inside the United States. While the administration hails the raid as a decisive victory, early reactions suggest the move may deepen Republican vulnerabilities heading into the upcoming congressional elections. Trump’s decision to launch a high‑stakes raid in Caracas came without congressional approval or public debate. Editorial voices across national outlets have stressed that Americans were not consulted, and many remain unconvinced of the operation’s relevance to their daily lives. “I didn’t ask for this. … Continue reading Victory There, Crisis Here

Leave a comment

U.S. Economy’s Boom Masks Uneven Reality

John Muryell

The U.S. economy is powering ahead with its strongest growth in two years, but experts say the boom is far less stable than it appears. Washington, D.C. — The U.S. economy is expanding at its fastest pace in two years, with gross domestic product (GDP) rising 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025. On paper, it looks like a boom. Yet economists caution that the gains are uneven, leaving many households burdened by debt, rising prices, and stagnant wages — and raising fears that the fragile expansion could tip into recession. Affluent households continue to spend freely on travel, luxury … Continue reading U.S. Economy’s Boom Masks Uneven Reality

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

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

Tariffs Aren’t a Lifeline. They’re a Landmine.

John Muryell

In a Newsweek opinion piece dated September 11, 2024, tariffs were branded a “lifeline for the middle class.” But this wasn’t economic analysis—it was political spin. The claim came from Kenneth Rapoza, a trade lobbyist writing under Newsweek’s opinion banner, not its editorial board. His framing ignored overwhelming evidence of consumer harm, job losses, and supply-chain disruption. By presenting tariffs as salvation, the piece misled readers and distorted the economic reality facing millions of American families. Tariffs didn’t rescue the middle class—they drained it.This is economic gaslighting. When U.S. businesses import goods, they pay tariffs—but they don’t absorb those costs. … Continue reading Tariffs Aren’t a Lifeline. They’re a Landmine.

Leave a comment

White House Claims Trump Has Improved Affordability; Critics Question the Data

John Muryell

This week, the White House declared that “Despite Democrat lies, President Trump has excelled in improving affordability in his first nine months.” The statement, posted on the official @WhiteHouse account, highlights falling gas prices, reduced costs for select consumer goods, and recent pharmaceutical pricing deals. But for millions of Americans, the reality behind those numbers tells a deeper story—one of quiet resilience, economic strain, and the daily pursuit of dignity. Grocery prices have increased by 2.7% over the past year, and utility bills have risen by 12% nationwide. While some Thanksgiving food baskets have dropped in price, many contain fewer … Continue reading White House Claims Trump Has Improved Affordability; Critics Question the Data

Leave a comment

Tariffs, Bailouts, and Broken Promises: The Real Cost of Trump’s Economic Playbook

John Muryell

President Donald Trump’s second term has unleashed a wave of aggressive trade deals and industrial interventions aimed at reviving American manufacturing. From billion-dollar equity stakes in companies like Intel to sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, the administration is reshaping the U.S. economic landscape. But while some sectors are seeing short-term gains, the long-term consequences are hitting hardest where resilience runs deepest—in the homes, fields, and factories of working Americans. In early 2025, the U.S. added 10,000 manufacturing jobs, with the auto sector leading the charge. Foreign investment surged, with Japan, South Korea, and the EU pledging over $1.3 trillion in … Continue reading Tariffs, Bailouts, and Broken Promises: The Real Cost of Trump’s Economic Playbook

Leave a comment

Tariff Tyranny: How the Supreme Court Could Greenlight Economic Dictatorship

John Muryell

Imagine waking up to find the President has taxed your business into oblivion—without a single vote from Congress. That’s not a hypothetical. That’s Trump’s tariff regime. And now, the Supreme Court is poised to decide whether one man can rewrite global trade policy, bypass Congress, and call it “national security.” If they rule in his favor, it won’t just be a legal technicality—it’ll be a constitutional collapse. On November 5, the Court will hear arguments challenging Trump’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These include so-called “fentanyl tariffs” targeting China, Canada, and Mexico, as well … Continue reading Tariff Tyranny: How the Supreme Court Could Greenlight Economic Dictatorship

Leave a comment

Smoke Over Substance: Trump’s $550 Billion Japan Trade Claim Collapses Under Scrutiny (updated )

John Muryell

Smoke Over Substance: Trump’s $550 Billion Japan Trade Claim Still Defies Economic Logic President Donald Trump’s announcement of a $550 billion trade agreement with Japan—including a 15 percent reciprocal tariff and a 90 percent U.S. profit share—landed with signature fanfare. Still, beneath the spectacle, the deal remains fraught with economic implausibility, missing documentation, and conspicuous political optics. In a post on Truth Social and remarks at a White House reception, Trump declared, “Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 billion into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits.” He cited expanded Japanese market access for U.S. exports … Continue reading Smoke Over Substance: Trump’s $550 Billion Japan Trade Claim Collapses Under Scrutiny (updated )