President Putin has downplayed concerns about Russia’s slowing economic growth, attributing it to a deliberate effort to curb inflation and maintain macroeconomic stability, despite expectations of a slowdown from 4.3% to around 1% GDP growth. This stance echoes similar comments from the Central Bank Governor, who denies the existence of a recession, although data suggests a technical recession based on quarterly GDP declines. However, this contradicts prior statements from Russia’s Economic Minister as well as reports suggesting the government is considering increasing the value-added tax to manage its budget deficit and preserve reserves, potentially conflicting with Putin’s previous tax assurances.
Read More
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.
Read More
Mayor Bowser expressed confidence in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under Chief Smith’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of maintaining community trust to prevent a breakdown in crime-solving efforts. She highlighted the potential for disaster if residents lose faith in the police, hindering communication and cooperation. Despite downplaying the extent of the federal government’s influence, the mayor acknowledged the president’s authority in declaring an emergency while affirming that the MPD would continue to operate under local and federal laws.
Read More
Trump’s BLS nominee suggests suspending jobs report, and the implications are pretty striking. The idea, apparently, is to simply stop reporting the jobs numbers altogether. It’s like a magician making a problem disappear, but instead of a rabbit, you get… well, the truth. The basic logic seems to be: if you don’t test for COVID, there’s no more COVID; likewise, if you stop publishing job reports, there are no more job losses. Simple, right?
The potential motivation behind this move is pretty clear: to obscure the reality of the economic situation. Some see it as a way to cover up the administration’s failures, much like a shell game.… Continue reading
U.S. layoffs surged in July, reaching their highest level since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 62,075 job cuts announced. This represents a significant 29 percent jump from June and a 140 percent increase compared to July 2024. The rise is attributed to government downsizing, corporate restructuring, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Sectors such as public agencies, tech firms, and retailers are leading the cuts, with automation and AI linked to over 20,000 layoffs in 2025.
Read More
Amidst warnings of an impending recession, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to reduce military spending over the next three years, despite current spending reaching nearly $172 billion annually. This decision follows warnings from economic officials regarding dwindling resources and a slowdown in wartime economic growth, despite 4.3% growth in 2024. Russia faces challenges including high inflation, labor shortages, and the impact of Western sanctions, leading to cuts in non-military spending, particularly social programs. Furthermore, private industries are suffering, and banking officials have privately warned about a potential crisis next year, while the country struggles with reintegrating returning veterans.
Read More
Why, after a decade of marriage equality, do we still hear the echoes of warnings that it would lead to societal collapse? The simple answer, it seems, is that some people just don’t like it when the world doesn’t conform to their narrow worldview. They predicted the end of days, a descent into chaos, the breakdown of all that is good and holy. Yet, here we are, still standing, still functioning, and still, for the most part, the same civilization we were before.
The arguments themselves were often absurd, filled with hyperbolic claims about the future of marriage, family, and the very fabric of society.… Continue reading
Economic data released Thursday presented a mixed picture of the US economy. The final estimate of Gross Domestic Product showed a decline of 0.5% from January to March, with consumer spending growth slowing significantly. However, business investment remained positive, and new orders for durable goods surged. While unemployment claims increased, and the GDP decline was due to trade deficits, the Federal Reserve is likely to focus on inflation risks and the labor market when making decisions on interest rates.
Read More
In a stark economic forecast, the Federal Reserve projects aggressive stagflation for the remainder of 2025, anticipating 3 percent inflation, a 1.4 percent GDP decline, and 4.5 percent unemployment. This projection follows the Trump administration’s consideration of increased aid to Israel and the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which significantly increases the national deficit. Fed Chair Powell reiterated that the current economic downturn stems directly from President Trump’s tariffs. The Fed maintains its current interest rate policy despite the projected stagflation.
Read More
US retail sales have plummeted, marking the largest drop in four months. This significant decline reflects a widespread shift in consumer behavior, driven by a confluence of factors impacting the financial well-being of many Americans. The most immediate and palpable reason is the simple lack of disposable income. With the rising costs of essential goods like food, rent, and medical care, many are finding it increasingly difficult to afford even basic necessities, let alone discretionary purchases. This financial strain is leading individuals to drastically curtail their spending, prioritizing essential expenses and delaying or foregoing non-essential items altogether.
This reduction in consumer spending is visible across various sectors.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood