Today, the Social Security Administration announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026: a whopping 2.8%. That works out to about $56 extra a month for the average retiree. Now, I’m not knocking an increase. Every bit helps when folks are trying to stretch a fixed income in today’s economy. But calling this a “boost” feels…
3% Inflation Is the Quiet Thief That Won’t Leave the House
The latest numbers put inflation at about 3%. That may sound mild compared to the 9% wildfire we endured in 2022, but let’s not fool ourselves. It still means higher prices, thinner savings, and slower progress for families already stretched to the limit. Politicians in Washington can pat themselves on the back all they want,…
When Tweets Trump Tact: A Lesson in Cooling Off Before Calling Out
President Trump has never been accused of underreacting, and his latest dust-up with Canada proves the point. When an ad popped up north of the border quoting Ronald Reagan about “the dangers of protectionism,” Trump slammed the brakes on trade talks faster than you can say “NAFTA.” There was just one small problem: the ad…
Trump’s Sanctions on Russia: A Strong Move, But Long Overdue
When President Trump announced sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s energy sector yesterday, many of us who value peace through strength let out a long, relieved sigh. Finally. After months of drawn-out talks and mounting civilian deaths in Ukraine, Trump is putting his money where his mouth is. The sanctions — targeting Russia’s two largest oil…
The Grijalva Mess Is a Bad Look for Washington
The State of Arizona has done something extraordinary, and not in a good way. It has sued the United States House of Representatives. The reason? Because the House, under Speaker Mike Johnson, still hasn’t sworn in Adelita Grijalva, the Democrat who won September’s special election to fill the late Raúl Grijalva’s seat. Her election is…
The Supreme Court and the Sword: A Case That Could Redefine Presidential Power
There’s a tug-of-war playing out across America right now, and it’s not between two candidates or even two political parties. It’s between the Constitution’s two halves: federal and state power. President Trump’s latest legal battle over deploying the National Guard in cities like Portland, Chicago, and San Francisco has pulled that rope tighter than it’s…
A Fragile Dawn in Gaza
The Trump-brokered ceasefire remains technically intact, but it’s hanging by a thread. There have already been limited strikes following alleged violations, and both sides are quick to point fingers. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is no less dire: food, medicine, and aid are desperately needed, yet delivery remains tangled in the usual web of politics,…
John Bolton’s Indictment: Justice Without a Team Jersey
So, John Bolton has now joined the “Indicted Former Officials Club.” The federal government dropped an 18-count indictment on him this week for allegedly mishandling classified documents. That’s eight counts of allegedly sharing defense secrets and ten counts of holding onto them like they were baseball cards. Now before anyone starts yelling “witch hunt” or…
The Risks and Rewards of a Trump–Putin Summit in Budapest
As we all remember, President Trump and Vladimir Putin already met once this year: the much-ballyhooed Alaska Summit in August 2025. It was chilly in more ways than one. The meeting produced no binding agreement, no grand peace plan, and no Nobel-worthy handshake moment. But what it did produce was symbolism, lots of it. It…
Don’t Let Politics Hold the Troops Hostage
It’s mid-October 2025. The leaves are turning, daylight is shrinking, and Washington, D.C., remains locked in a standoff. Congress never passed its funding bills. The government is shut. We’re now on Day 16 (if you’re keeping score). The halls of power echo with partisan recriminations, press releases, and the occasional soundbite about “who’s to blame.”…
The Independent Christian Conservative 