Social Security’s 2.8% Raise: Better Than Nothing

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…

Trump, Lisa Cook, and the Federal Reserve Soap Opera

Episode I: As the Fed Turns Last month, I wrote a piece about President Trump, the Federal Reserve, and their messy custody battle over “independence.” Well, the plot has thickened, and we’ve officially entered soap opera territory. Welcome to this week’s episode of “As the Fed Turns.” Here’s the recap: President Trump tried to fire…

Trump, the Fed, and the Battle Over Independence

On Monday, President Trump announced—through a Truth Social post, of course—that he’s firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The reason? Allegations of mortgage fraud. The claim is that back in 2021, Cook listed two separate properties as her “primary residence” in order to secure more favorable loan terms. If true, that’s a big problem, because…

Do Tariffs Work? Only If You Know How to Use Them

There’s a meme making the rounds that says, “If tariffs don’t work, then why does nearly every other country on earth use them?” It’s got that smug, sarcastic vibe, but buried in the snark is actually a worthwhile question—so let’s take it seriously for a second. So... do tariffs work? The short answer? Sometimes. But…

Trump’s Tariffs Are Bold—but Are They the Right Move for America?

President Trump’s latest round of tariffs—rolled out with all the drama of a national emergency declaration on April 2, 2025—marks one of the most sweeping trade maneuvers in modern U.S. history. A universal 10% tariff on all imports, along with steeper penalties for “unfair traders” like China (54%) and the European Union (20%), signals a…