President Trump’s proposal to suspend the federal gas tax comes at a politically obvious moment. Gas prices have surged amid the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian pressure, and ordinary Americans are getting clobbered at the pump. Trump floated the idea after prices rose past $4.50 per gallon, while the federal gas…
Gas Prices, Political Promises, and the $3 Mirage
There are few things in American life more emotionally charged than the number glowing on a gas station sign. It’s basically our national mood ring, except instead of telling us how we feel, it causes how we feel. So, when Energy Secretary Chris Wright and President Trump start publicly disagreeing about when gas will dip…
When Oil Prices Rise, Do “We” Actually Make Money?
During a recent discussion about rising energy costs, President Trump offered a characteristically blunt assessment of the situation. The United States, he argued, is now the world’s largest oil producer, so when oil prices go up, “we make a lot of money.” On the surface, that sounds logical enough. If you sell something and the…
Trump’s Credit Card Rate Cap Gambit Is Politics First, Policy Last
President Trump’s call to impose a temporary cap on credit card interest rates has unsettled his own party. The proposal—framed as a one-year, 10% ceiling on APRs beginning in early 2026—has been marketed as decisive relief for consumers drowning under historically high interest rates. Yet beneath its populist appeal lies a familiar pattern: bold proclamation…
When Voters Are Hungry: A Call to Authentic Renewal
At its surface, a recent Voto Latino survey reported by The Hill is striking but not shocking: a growing number of Americans are disillusioned with both major political parties, and many — especially non-voters — would consider a third-party choice in the next presidential election. Poll respondents from across the political spectrum agree that both…
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…
When Numbers Mislead and Inflation Teases: A Look at the Economy, Tariffs, and Rate Cuts
Well, the economic tea leaves have been tossed on the table again, and they’re not exactly painting a crystal-clear picture. We just got a trifecta of reports: turns out job growth wasn’t nearly as strong as we were told, wholesale prices actually dipped a little (that’s the “good news,” though don’t break out the confetti…
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…
Tariffs, Trade, and Tough Talk: How Should America Respond to China’s Latest Salvo?
Well, here we go again. Another round in the ongoing heavyweight bout between the United States and China. Yesterday, China raised tariffs on American goods to a whopping 125%—a direct response to the U.S. upping its own tariffs to 145%. It’s like watching two toddlers in a sandbox throwing handfuls of gravel at each other…
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