By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Hodges, a former Virginia National Guard member, criticized the deployment of National Guardsmen and federal agents to patrol Washington D.C., arguing that they are not properly trained for law enforcement duties. He believes that the troops and federal agents are not specialized for these roles, with many of the federal officers being investigators who typically work behind a desk. Hodges noted that if the president truly wants to help local law enforcement, he should allow D.C. to manage its own budget and restore funding cuts from FEMA.
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Inflation Is Soaring Again—and It’s All Trump’s Fault
The reality is, the economic winds are changing, and the numbers are looking grim. Inflation, that sneaky little beast, is rearing its head again, and the data is hard to ignore. We’re looking at a core rate that’s higher than expected, and the experts are already predicting worse to come. The consensus seems to be that the policies of a certain former president have set the stage for this, and that the coming months might be even tougher, with the potential for stagflation and even a recession.
Now, let’s be clear, it’s not just a matter of abstract economic theories; the impacts are already hitting home. From construction costs skyrocketing to everyday consumer prices creeping up, the cost of living is becoming a real burden. We’re seeing this play out in everything from appliances to home renovations. It might not feel like a huge deal if your income is flexible, but the rising costs can be felt on everything, and those staple items are increasing in costs for all.
It’s a complex situation, but it’s hard to ignore the role of the policies that were enacted. Tariffs, for example, which have an undeniable impact on the prices of goods. The idea that someone else is paying the tariff is a simplification, and ultimately, the end consumer bears the brunt of these increased costs. This goes directly against those that said that paying high prices is patriotic.
This doesn’t come down to one single cause. We cannot forget that the problems have been compounded by political actions, and the rhetoric used, but that isn’t really the disease, that is the symptom. And the Republicans who should be challenging that are not. Some are even supporting the problematic policies.
The people that benefit from it are not those living everyday lives. The politicians and billionaires will continue to be fine, while those who voted for him are struggling under a different economic reality.
The solution is not a simple one, and there’s no quick fix. We’re talking about a systemic problem, and a long road ahead. The solution will require more than just changing the numbers. It will take more than just a change in political leadership. The solution is complex.
Let’s be frank; even after it has happened, and the truth has become clear, there are still those who refuse to see the reality. The denial is very real. The excuses and obfuscation are plentiful. We’re hearing that everything is someone else’s fault and that the facts don’t matter.
It’s important to understand that this is not just about abstract numbers. It’s about the real-world impact on real people. The potential for job losses, the increasing difficulty to afford necessities, and the potential for an economic downturn.
This isn’t about political point-scoring; this is about acknowledging the very real challenges that lie ahead. This is about understanding the choices we made that led us here and the hard work it will take to get out of this.