The Washington Post points out there is no precise medical or legal definition of “late-term,” and “many doctors and scientists avoid that language, calling it imprecise and misleading.”
The Daily Beast also notes that only 1.3 percent of abortions are performed after 21 weeks of gestation, and the idea that a woman can get an abortion moments before giving birth is “not how medical care works.”
The use of “dog whistles” aka “coded” labels has been common for many years but until recently has been out of the mainstream of conversation. The current administration aided by a neer do well Congress has brought these “coded” statements and words to common use. Along with this common usage the administration has trashed agreements put in place to prevent war and improve trade. Tariffs (taxes) put in place to offset the “tax” policy that was supposed to benefit everyday Americans and threats to bad actors who were in a state of containment with the approval of our now alienated allies. The administration has in a few years undermined our economy, foreign affairs and put us on an isolation footing all because of “dog whistles”.
One of the reasons I write this letter to you each day is to arm you with the facts and analyses you need to respond to the garbage coming out of Trump’s Republican Party.
Today I want to talk to you about Social Security.
The trustees of Social Security — of which yours truly was once a member — say the program will be able to pay full benefits only until 2033. After that, Social Security will be able to dole out only roughly 77 percent of benefits due.
This summer, Ohio’s Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren in proposing to raise the payroll tax cap so people with higher incomes pay more into the program.
Fairly suddenly, the idea is emerging as an acceptable fix among other GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Tom Cole (Oklahoma), the influential chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
Cole thinks the political blowback from Social Security benefit cuts would be far worse than a comprehensive solution that includes raising taxes.
It’s another example of Republicans deserting Trump, who thinks the “fix” for Social Security is to repeal taxes on Social Security benefits. Trump’s fix will not save Social Security. In fact, quite the opposite. Without the revenue from Social Security taxes, the Social Security trust fund will run out of money even sooner.
I’m encouraged by what looks like the start of a Republican turnaround on this. Not only are Republican deserting Trump but they’re beginning — just beginning — to become sensitive to what average voters need and want.
Contary to conventional wisdom, the reason Social Security is running out of money is not because so many boomers are retiring.
The Social Security trustees anticipated the boom in boomer retirements. This is why Social Security was amended back in 1983, to gradually increase the age for collecting full retirement benefits from 65 to 67. That change is helping finance the boomers’ retirement.
The real reason Social Security is running out of money is something the trustees never anticipated: how much of the nation’s total income is going to the top.
Had the pay of American workers kept up with the trend decades ago — as well as their growing productivity — their Social Security payments would have kept the program flush.
Yet income subject to the Social Security payroll tax is capped. No dollar of earnings above the cap is taxed.The cap in 2026 is $184,500.
So, as the rich have become far richer, more and more of the nation’s total income has escaped the Social Security payroll tax.
A CEO earning $20 million a year pays Social Security taxes on roughly 1 percent of their income, while a worker earning under the cap pays Social Security taxes on 100 percent of their income.
They both end up paying the same amount of money into the program. This isn’t fair.
The rise in the amount of income above the cap due to inequality has cost the Social Security Trust Fund reserve more than $1.4 trillion since 1983.
The solution is obvious: Scrap the cap and make therich pay more in Social Security taxes.
One plan introduced by Democrats in Congress would eliminate the cap on earnings over $250,000 and also subject investment income to Social Security taxes.
It’s estimated that this would extend the solvency of Social Security for the next 75 years without raising taxes on 93 percent of American households.
Bottom line: Trump’s plan will destroy Social Security.
The Democrats’ plan will save it — and do so fairly. Remarkably, Republicans are coming around to this plan.
If we want to ensure Social Security’s long-term future, and that working people can retire with dignity, we must make the wealthy pay their fair share.
Friends,
One of the reasons I write this letter to you each day is to arm you with the facts and analyses you need to respond to the garbage coming out of Trump’s Republican Party.
Today I want to talk to you about Social Security.
The trustees of Social Security — of which yours truly was once a member — say the program will be able to pay full benefits only until 2033. After that, Social Security will be able to dole out only roughly 77 percent of benefits due.
This summer, Ohio’s Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren in proposing to raise the payroll tax cap so people with higher incomes pay more into the program.
Fairly suddenly, the idea is emerging as an acceptable fix among other GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Tom Cole (Oklahoma), the influential chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
Cole thinks the political blowback from Social Security benefit cuts would be far worse than a comprehensive solution that includes raising taxes.
It’s another example of Republicans deserting Trump, who thinks the “fix” for Social Security is to repeal taxes on Social Security benefits. Trump’s fix will not save Social Security. In fact, quite the opposite. Without the revenue from Social Security taxes, the Social Security trust fund will run out of money even sooner.
I’m encouraged by what looks like the start of a Republican turnaround on this. Not only are Republican deserting Trump but they’re beginning — just beginning — to become sensitive to what average voters need and want.
Contary to conventional wisdom, the reason Social Security is running out of money is not because so many boomers are retiring.
The Social Security trustees anticipated the boom in boomer retirements. This is why Social Security was amended back in 1983, to gradually increase the age for collecting full retirement benefits from 65 to 67. That change is helping finance the boomers’ retirement.
The real reason Social Security is running out of money is something the trustees never anticipated: how much of the nation’s total income is going to the top.
Had the pay of American workers kept up with the trend decades ago — as well as their growing productivity — their Social Security payments would have kept the program flush.
Yet income subject to the Social Security payroll tax is capped. No dollar of earnings above the cap is taxed.The cap in 2026 is $184,500.
So, as the rich have become far richer, more and more of the nation’s total income has escaped the Social Security payroll tax.
A CEO earning $20 million a year pays Social Security taxes on roughly 1 percent of their income, while a worker earning under the cap pays Social Security taxes on 100 percent of their income.
They both end up paying the same amount of money into the program. This isn’t fair.
The rise in the amount of income above the cap due to inequality has cost the Social Security Trust Fund reserve more than $1.4 trillion since 1983.
The solution is obvious: Scrap the cap and make therich pay more in Social Security taxes.
One plan introduced by Democrats in Congress would eliminate the cap on earnings over $250,000 and also subject investment income to Social Security taxes.
It’s estimated that this would extend the solvency of Social Security for the next 75 years without raising taxes on 93 percent of American households.
Bottom line: Trump’s plan will destroy Social Security.
The Democrats’ plan will save it — and do so fairly. Remarkably, Republicans are coming around to this plan.
If we want to ensure Social Security’s long-term future, and that working people can retire with dignity, we must make the wealthy pay their fair share.
The daily airing of grievances from Trumpelstilskin is like a never ending “Festivus” celebration especially the airing of grievances! As voter who enjoys a good joke, these elections are no joke. We have elected a grifter and thief whose misdeeds will haunt us for a long time. By the time his criminal acts have been reversed the USA may be close to being a second or third world country. Depending on who the next President is, we may be floating alone until our ship of state is righted. Step one of the correction is vote, vote, vote. This is one time I advocate for Dems in hopes that they don’t do stupid stuff but do their due diligence and impeach “Don the Con”.
Never trust a Hedge fund Manager
Remember Sears and Kmart? This is one well known ruination and gutting of National long-time companies. Kmart and sears were both facing decreasing sales due to poor Management(?). That being said, a hedge fund manager bought both companies and “reenvisioned” a turn around with better Management and removing outdated systems aka modernization! these actions stripped a huge number of 20 yr. plus employees of their pensions (or most of it). These employees continued to work in site of their loss until the companies finally folded. Meanwhile ” fast Eddie” sold off licensing rights and manufacturing of trusted brands (Craftsman, Kenmore to name a couple). Within 2-5 years of the hedge fund taken over these companies they no longer existed as stores. Now we have Scott Bessent as treasury secretary who made his bank as a hedge fund manager and is now in charge of our (the United States Treasury) money. How much more will be stolen from us during this administration?
– Trump’s 2025 impeachment over threats to Congress highlights deepening political polarization and risks to democratic norms.
– GOP fractures over Trump’s policies and 2026 campaign endorsements raise uncertainty about midterm election outcomes.
– Market volatility persists as Trump’s tariff agenda and regulatory threats disrupt energy, tech, and financial sectors861076-0.61%.
– Investors prioritize gold861123-1.77%, quality equities, and international diversification to hedge against prolonged political uncertainty.
– 2026 midterms may delay market stabilization as impeachment fallout and trade disputes prolong legislative gridlock.
The U.S. political landscape in 2025 has been defined by a volatile interplay between executive overreach and legislative pushback. The House of Representatives’ December 2025 impeachment of Donald Trump-passed with bipartisan support-has intensified concerns about political polarization and its ripple effects on markets. As the 2026 midterm elections loom, investors must grapple with how this heightened uncertainty could reshape sector dynamics, legislative agendas, and risk management strategies.
The Impeachment Context and GOP Unity
The impeachment of Trump, spearheaded by Rep. Al Green’s H.Res.939, centered on his “dangerous threats of execution” against Members of Congress and “abuse of power in threatening federal judges.” While the House vote of 237–140 reflected bipartisan consensus, it also exposed fractures within the GOP. Trump’s subsequent endorsement of 2026 candidates and aggressive economic messaging-such as his push for tariffs to “revitalize manufacturing”- have further polarized the party. This internal discord raises questions about the cohesion of the Republican base, which could influence midterm outcomes and, by extension, legislative gridlock.
Historical Market Reactions to Political Uncertainty
Historical data suggests that midterm elections often reduce political uncertainty, leading to market stabilization. For instance, the S&P 500 has posted positive returns in the 12 months following midterms for 18 consecutive cycles since 1946. However, the 2025 impeachment proceedings complicate this pattern. Unlike past midterms, where gridlock was seen as benign for markets, the current environment features explicit threats to democratic norms- such as Trump’s rhetoric and the Bright Line Watch’s findings on declining public trust in democracy. These factors could prolong volatility, particularly if impeachment proceedings delay legislative clarity.
Sector-Specific Vulnerabilities
The potential for Trump’s policies to reshape economic priorities has already triggered sector-specific risks. For example: – Defense and Energy: Trump’s emphasis on tariffs and “America First” policies could boost domestic manufacturing and energy sectors in the short term. However, retaliatory trade measures from allies may offset these gains. – Technology: Tech firms face headwinds from Trump’s calls for stricter regulation and supply chain reshaping, which could disrupt global operations. – Financials: The Federal Reserve’s independence has been a focal point of Trump’s rhetoric, with Morgan Stanley warning that his pressure on monetary policy could drive investors toward gold and bonds as hedging tools.
Investor Strategies in a High-Volatility Environment
Investors are recalibrating portfolios to mitigate risks tied to political uncertainty. Key strategies include: 1. Diversification Across Asset Classes: Morgan Stanley recommends reducing exposure to small-cap and unprofitable tech stocks while prioritizing quality large-cap equities and real assets. Gold, up over 8%, has emerged as a favored hedge.
The blowback from a Narcissist and incompetent leader.MA
A fact we have learned the hard way, we have a world class grifter running his mouth, not the country. Every move he makes is designed to bleed the country for as much cash as he can, this has been his style from years back, make big plans and abandon them when the going gets tough usually leaving his partners holding the bag aka bankrupting 3 casinos (house lost in these cases). There is no redemption other than impeachment!
Comments Off on Gold prices are down! Trumpelstilskin’s fault!
You may remember one of his many boasts (lies): “Only I can fix it!”. That statement should read: only I can cock it up! As previously stated “Trumplestilskin spinning gold into crap! The gold market has steadily shown (until now) growth for years and now under the management of this administration and its corps of unqualified cabinet members we (USA) are saddled with 40 trillion in debt, high inflation, an ill-used Whitehouse and an illegal war that we can’t get out of. Meanwhile Trumpel bloviates his way on his behalf. I daresay Trumpel thinks the treasury is his own private cashbox.
President Donald Trump has “dug himself into the deepest hole of his life” by starting the Iran war, and knows he’s at a disadvantage, one top foreign policy analyst says.David Rothkopf told The Daily Beast Podcast that the president, after nearly six months of war and the expiration Monday of a truce deadline, faces several problems of his own creation, including weapons shortages, declining troop morale, and ego-fueled expenditures. Iran, meanwhile, has only become more emboldened.”He has dug himself into the deepest hole of his life,” Rothkopf, the Daily Beast’s chief global affairs columnist, told host Joanna Coles. “He was better off with his bankrupt casinos in Atlantic City than he is with this war in Iran.”
Trumpelstilskin is delivering on his promise while campaigning for the Presidency. As always, he attributes his actions aka failures to someone else. It’s odd that his entire administration has no experienced people in the cabinet and one has to wonder why he was elected! He has effectively left this country vulnerable with illegal expenditure of munitions in Iran. Impeachment is required to save the nation. Any legislator who disagrees needs to leave office with him. Remember who they are supposed to work for!
It is apparent that the Presidiot and company use “pre lies” to cover their lies. This method of communication is common among Dictators, the downside is that it takes ordinary people a minute to catch on to this tactic. Major instances of the “pre lie”: Condition of the East wing’s condition to raze it and build a ballroom with someone else’s money (ours), removal of the venerated Rose Garden to install a marble clad, Patio. The “remodeling” of the reflecting pool (or perhaps we should say the “greening of the reflecting pool) again with someone else’s money (the taxpayers). we couldn’t possibly list the grand scale of the “pre lie” in this administration but we do have a sense of it
Suppose the Dems attacked the Capitol? Would the “Trumpel” acolytes be so supportive of the government? Now that the true direction of this administration is evident, where is the outrage? Are the MAGA and Trumpers going to attack the capital and the white House? Loving the grift and malfeasance? The spending of Military capital on an undeclared war, causing a shortage of munitions without a backup plan. The administration is living well on the tariffs, inflation and any other means of theft. Isn’t it time to take off the blinders and see the GOP for what it really is? Meanwhile the grift and lies continue unabated.
Comments Off on What It Should Not Be About! Ephemeral Whims!
This past year has been an eye opener. The Congress has all but capitulated to the whims of Trumpelstilskin. The evidence of his malfeasance and downright criminality shows in every sector of America and our allies on all sides. Without making an impossibly long list, look at his increase in wealth on the backs of citizens medical plans, tariffs which affect American consumers and general ignorance of the role of President. His cabinet choices are disasters and have been the reason for medical crises, job losses and the desecration of public buildings inside and out. One of the most egregious acts is an attempt to push legislation that would prevent he and his family from prosecution for his outright theft of public funds.
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