GOP Virginia Lawmaker Doused in Gasoline, Set on Fire in His Office – Attacker Identified and in Custody

Attack on Danville City Councilman

On Tuesday, Lee Vogler, a City Councilman from Danville, Virginia, was attacked in his office at Showcase Magazine. The attacker, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, doused Vogler with five gallons of gasoline and set him on fire. The Danville police stated that this incident appears personal rather than political.

• The attack occurred on a Wednesday around 11:30 a.m. when Hayes forced his way into the magazine’s office where Vogler was present.

• After pouring gasoline on Vogler, the assailant followed him as he tried to escape and ignited the gasoline, setting Vogler on fire.

• Vogler was quickly airlifted to a burn center and is reportedly awake and able to speak.

• Hayes, who was involved in a personal issue as his wife recently filed for divorce, fled the scene but was apprehended by police shortly after.

• The police confirmed that the two men know each other and the motive for the attack does not relate to Vogler’s role as a councilman.

The incident is currently under investigation, with the Danville Police Department set to provide further updates, as Hayes remains in custody. The extent of Vogler's injuries is not fully known at this time. 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/07/breaking-virginia-lawmaker-doused-gasoline-set-fire-his/

DOJ Files Memorandum in Case to Unseal Epstein and Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony and a Look Into the Cases Cited to Justify Their Release

DOJ Motion & Legal Context

• Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a detailed Memorandum in Support of Motion asking courts in the Southern District of New York to unseal grand jury transcripts from federal sex-trafficking cases against Jeffrey Epstein (2019) and Ghislaine Maxwell (2021) TIME+8The Washington Post+8Reuters+8.

• This filing came after President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek public release of any relevant grand jury testimony, subject to court approval AP News+9FOX 26 Houston+9NBC4 Washington+9.

Legal Framework: 2nd Circuit’s In re Craig Factors

The Second Circuit’s 1997 ruling in In re Craig allows courts to unseal grand jury records under “special circumstances,” weighing various factors:

1. Seeker’s identity

2. Defendant or government opposition

3. Reason for disclosure

4. Specific content sought

5. Age of proceedings

6. Status of principals/families

7. Public availability of material

8. Surviving witnesses

9. Secrecy needs The Guardianhttps://www.kgns.tv+1New York Post+1AP News

The DOJ’s memorandum addresses each factor in turn, arguing public interest is sufficient and that only minimal risk to victims or third parties exists https://www.kgns.tv+7The Daily Beast+7New York Post+7.

What’s in the Transcripts

• The transcripts include testimony from only two law enforcement witnesses:

  • One FBI agent, for Epstein’s 2019 grand jury;

  • The same FBI agent, plus an NYPD detective, for Maxwell’s 2020–2021 grand jury sessions The Daily Beast+4The Washington Post+4The Guardian+4aljazeera.com+9https://www.kgns.tv+9New York Post+9The Guardian+1New York Post+1.

• Observers and former prosecutors note federal grand jury proceedings are highly streamlined in SDNY, with limited testimony—often "just enough to secure the indictment" https://www.kgns.tv.

• Much of the substance reportedly overlaps with already public testimony given during Maxwell’s trial or in civil litigation AP News+1The Guardian+1.

Status & Likely Outcome

• A Florida federal judge has already denied DOJ’s motion to unseal transcripts tied to a 2005–2007 grand jury in Palm Beach the-independent.comThe Washington Post.

• In SDNY, judges have questioned whether the DOJ’s arguments meet the special circumstances threshold, given that victims and witnesses are underaged survivors, and one defendant is deceased the-independent.comhttps://www.kgns.tvABC News.

• Those judges have ordered DOJ to provide more detail on legal factors and asked Maxwell’s counsel whether she opposes or supports the unsealing motion—her lawyers have requested access to the transcripts to assess the impact ABC Newscbsnews.com.

Legal experts generally expect the New York courts to deny the request, citing precedent that public curiosity alone is not enough to override grand jury secrecy rules The Washington Post+1the-independent.com+1.

Second‑Circuit Precedent

• In In re Craig, a historical grand jury case was unsealed because the public interest outweighed secrecy concerns.

• Still, the Second Circuit cautioned that its decision does not mandate unsealing in every case—courts maintain discretion under the special circumstances doctrine TIME.

• A 2015 SDNY case (In re Nat. Sec. Archive) permitted release of grand jury records related to the Rosenberg spy trial, after the witness’ death and years of public debate courthousenews.com.

Summary Table

Issue	DOJ Claim	Likely Court View
Public interest	High, bipartisan, and sustained	Interest alone generally insufficient
Scope of transcript	Testimony from 2 investigators, largely redundant	Not revealing new facts
Defendant’s stance	Epstein deceased; Maxwell may respond	Lack of Maxwell’s position could weigh against
Time elapsed	Not old, still politically charged	Recency may increase secrecy need
Witnesses alive	Yes—FBI agent, NYPD detective	Risk to ongoing investigations and privacy
Secrecy risks	Low, redactions proposed	Courts often err on side of secrecy

Moving Forward

• Judges in SDNY will now await Maxwell’s input and assess whether DOJ has made a compelling case under Craig factors.

• Decisions in both the Maxwell and Epstein SDNY cases may take weeks or months.

• Court-ordered redactions and limited disclosure (e.g., synopses instead of full transcripts) are possible.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/07/doj-files-memorandum-case-unseal-epstein-maxwell-grand/ 

Sen. Mike Lee Will Introduce Bill To Halt Federal Judges’ Control Over U.S. Attorneys

Sen. Mike Lee's Proposed Bill to Restore Executive Powers in Appointing U. S. Attorneys

Sen. Mike Lee from Utah plans to introduce a new bill that aims to give the president the power to appoint U. S. attorneys without interference from the courts. This move comes in response to recent disputes over appointments made by the Trump administration.

• U. S. attorneys, appointed by the president, enforce laws in 94 judicial districts but require Senate confirmation.

• If the Senate does not confirm a U. S. attorney within 120 days, the attorney general can appoint an interim U. S. attorney. If that interim position is not filled, district courts can then appoint a U. S. attorney.

• There have been recent cases where district courts denied appointments made by the Trump administration. For example, in New York and New Jersey, judges refused to continue interim appointments.

• To navigate this, Attorney General Pam Bondi used a workaround by naming someone as "first assistant" to allow the president to appoint the individual as acting U. S. attorney under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.

• Sen. Lee's bill seeks to remove the requirement for district courts to appoint acting U. S. attorneys, allowing the attorney general to appoint someone until the president's choice is confirmed by the Senate.

• Lee argues that the president should have the authority to choose his top law enforcement officials, emphasizing the importance of separation of powers.

Sen. Lee's proposed legislation aims to streamline the process of appointing U. S. attorneys by limiting judicial involvement. The effectiveness of this bill in a divided Congress remains uncertain, but it reflects the ongoing tension between the judicial and executive branches of government. 

https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/31/exclusive-sen-mike-lee-will-introduce-bill-to-halt-federal-judges-control-over-u-s-attorneys/

Senate recess plans under fire amid push to confirm Trump nominees

 Senate Recess and Nominee Confirmations During August

With Congress on recess throughout August, President Trump’s nominees face delays in confirmation, as he seeks ways to expedite the process.

1. Recess Impact on Confirmations:

President Trump has urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the August recess to confirm a backlog of nominees. However, the Senate plans to hold "pro-forma sessions" to avoid Trump making recess appointments.

2. Republican Blame on Democrats:

Senate Republicans blame Democrats for blocking confirmations, stating that it's unprecedented for no nominee to be approved via voice votes or unanimous consent.

3. Recess Appointment Block:

Trump previously considered recess appointments for controversial choices but was stopped by the Senate’s decision against pursuing that option. The pro-forma sessions keep the Senate nominally active, preventing these appointments.

4. Republican Concerns and Proposals:

Some Republicans, like Senator Mike Lee, criticized the chamber's approach, insisting that the Senate either fully recess or not leave at all to allow for proper confirmations. Others echoed similar sentiments against the "fake" sessions intended to block Trump's appointments.

5. Budget Challenges:

Alongside nominee confirmations, budget concerns loom due to a September 30 deadline for appropriations bills, which complicates the Senate's ability to focus on confirmations.

6. Blue Slips Tradition:

Trump has called for Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley to abolish the blue slip practice allowing local senators to veto nominees, claiming it hinders effective appointments.

7. Contrast in Confirmation Pace:

Despite Trump’s frustrations, some Senate members argue that the current pace of confirmations is faster than during his first term, with over 100 nominations confirmed compared to 55 by this point in 2017.

The combination of August recess, political maneuvering, and budget pressures complicates the confirmation of President Trump’s nominees, with frustrations expressed from both sides regarding the process and traditions hindering progress.

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/wedsenate-recess-plans-under-fire-amid-push-confirm-trump-nominees

Kamala Harris Says She Won’t Run for Governor of California in 2026

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Into the Abyss: How Bad Can the Covid Vaccine Story Get?

 

Claims and Their Problems

1. Excess Death Attribution to Vaccines (18–30 million)

   • Flawed Attribution Logic: Attributing most post-2020 excess deaths to vaccines assumes a causality that isn’t demonstrated with direct evidence. Most epidemiologists and public health researchers attribute excess deaths from 2021 onward to a mix of delayed medical care, long COVID, mental health crises, economic disruption, and other indirect pandemic effects.

   • Rancourt et al. Study Criticism: The study cited (17 million deaths) has been widely criticized for serious methodological flaws, including oversimplified modeling, selective country data, and failure to adjust for key confounders.

   • VAERS Data Misuse: VAERS is a passive, unverified reporting system. Its data cannot be used to estimate incidence rates without rigorous adjudication, which this analysis lacks. Overreporting, underreporting, and misattribution are all common and known problems with VAERS data.

   • No plausible biological mechanism supports a sudden global spike in vaccine-caused deaths at the scale implied.

2. Fertility Declines (27–200 million “lost” births)

   • Misinterpretation of Trends: Fertility was declining globally well before the pandemic, especially in higher-income nations. Lockdowns, economic uncertainty, and social disruptions are more likely explanations than vaccination.

   • Studies Claiming Huge Fertility Drops: Some reports showing large drops (like 30% reductions) are based on very small samples or fail to adjust for confounders such as pandemic stress, postponement of pregnancies, or changes in relationship patterns.

   • No solid evidence from large-scale longitudinal studies suggests that COVID-19 vaccines cause permanent female infertility.

3. Future Excess Death/Fertility Collapse Predictions

   • Speculative Extrapolation: Estimating 13 million future deaths and 180–200 million future “missing” babies involves stacking multiple speculative assumptions (e.g., % with permanent spike protein expression, future risk equivalency, etc.).

   • Permanent Spike Protein Expression: While long-term expression in some cells has been noted, it's not evidence of widespread permanent damage. Such findings are preliminary, small-scale, and not representative.

   • Confusing Long COVID with Vaccine Injury: Claiming “7% of global adults have long vaccine” based on overlaps with long COVID prevalence is unsupported and misleading.

What the Scientific Consensus Shows

• Vaccine Safety: Large-scale studies and global surveillance confirm that serious adverse events from mRNA vaccines are rare. Known risks (e.g., myocarditis in young males) are significantly outweighed by the benefits in preventing severe COVID-19.

• Pregnancy and Fertility: Multiple high-quality studies show that COVID-19 vaccines do not reduce fertility or increase miscarriage risk. In contrast, COVID-19 illness itself poses risks to pregnancy and fertility.

• Excess Deaths: Most credible excess death analyses (e.g., by The Economist, WHO, and national statistical offices) find pandemic-related disruptions, not vaccines, to be the major drivers.

What to Watch For in Such Arguments

• Cherry-Picking: Isolated studies, often preprints or non-peer-reviewed, are used to support dramatic conclusions.

• Correlation ≠ Causation: Deaths occurring after vaccination are not automatically caused by it. Large populations will always include coincidental adverse outcomes.

• Stacked Speculation: Compounding assumptions to reach massive numbers (e.g., “if 1/3 of 20% of 50%...”) produces big figures without strong foundational evidence.

The worst-case scenario outlined—claiming tens of millions of deaths and hundreds of millions of missing or future-lost lives—is not supported by credible empirical evidence. It mixes circumstantial data, speculative extrapolation, and known misuses of data sources like VAERS. While it's crucial to monitor vaccine safety continuously, and some adverse effects are real and serious for small subgroups, there is no scientific basis for calling the COVID-19 vaccination campaign the “worst man-made disaster in history.”

https://brownstone.org/articles/into-the-abyss-how-bad-can-the-covid-vaccine-story-get/

Good for Texas! “Gerrymandering is good, and we need more of it.”

This column offers a spirited and unapologetic defense of partisan gerrymandering as both legitimate and necessary political warfare in today’s hyper-partisan environment. Echoing Kurt Schlichter’s recent argument in Townhall, the author contends that Republicans must aggressively redraw congressional maps to match the tactics long employed by Democrats in blue states. He praises red states like Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Missouri for fighting “blue-state fire with fire,” particularly through mid-cycle redistricting that may significantly expand GOP control of the House.

The piece underscores the imbalance in representation, especially in states like California where Republicans constitute a large minority of the electorate but hold a disproportionately small number of congressional seats. This, the author argues, justifies red-state gerrymandering not just as a political necessity but as a corrective against years of Democrat-dominated district manipulation.

Of particular note is the discussion of Louisiana, where a federal court forced the Republican-controlled legislature to adopt a 4-2 congressional map favoring Democrats. The author criticizes this move as judicial overreach and expresses hope that the Supreme Court will both overturn the current Louisiana map and potentially invalidate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which he sees as outdated racial engineering.

The column combines political strategy with legal optimism, portraying redistricting as not just a tool of self-preservation but a moral imperative in the face of Democrat hypocrisy and institutional bias.

• Defense of Gerrymandering: The author, echoing Kurt Schlichter, argues that gerrymandering is not only legal but morally necessary in today’s political climate, especially for Republicans in red states.

• Democratic Hypocrisy: Blue states have long gerrymandered with impunity (e.g., California), while decrying red-state efforts to do the same. Republicans are simply playing by the rules Democrats set.

• Texas Map Praised: The newly redrawn Texas congressional map aggressively consolidates blue districts and is celebrated as a model for GOP redistricting strategy.

• Electoral Imbalance Highlighted: California Republicans make up 40% of the electorate but only control 17% of congressional seats — a disparity cited as justification for red-state countermeasures.

• Census Manipulation Critique: The author accuses blue states of “census gerrymandering” — inflating their populations with illegal aliens to retain congressional seats post-census.

• Louisiana's Legal Battle: A federal judge forced Louisiana to adopt a more Democrat-friendly 4–2 map, which may be overturned in the Supreme Court case Callais v. Louisiana.

• VRA Section 2 Under Fire: The author hopes the Court not only strikes down the Louisiana map but invalidates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which mandates race-based districting — a standard he deems outdated and unfair in 2025.

• Modern Black Representation Cited: The success of black Republicans like Tim Scott, Byron Donalds, and John James is used to argue that racially gerrymandered districts are no longer necessary for fair minority representation.

• Strategic Restraint from GOP: The GOP appears to be holding back on redrawing Louisiana's map to avoid mooting the Callais case and to pursue a broader legal victory that could benefit red states nationwide.

• Long-Term Goal: If Section 2 is overturned, Republicans could redraw maps across red states without racial gerrymandering requirements, potentially expanding the House GOP majority to 235–245 seats.

• Conclusion: Partisan redistricting is framed as political hardball — and as long as Democrats continue to do it, Republicans must respond in kind. The new Texas map is cited as a triumph of this strategy.

https://spectator.org/good-for-texas/

‘So Many Crosscurrents’: Mark Halperin Describes Why US Has ‘As Confused An Economy As We Have Ever Seen’

Mark Halperin’s recent appearance on Fox News offered a pointed diagnosis of the current U.S. economic landscape: a confusing and contradictory environment where traditional economic signals and responses are seemingly out of sync. Despite a solid 3% GDP growth driven partly by reduced imports, Halperin emphasized that the overall picture is clouded by a variety of unpredictable factors — trade policy, supply chain instability, seasonal consumer behavior, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

At the heart of Halperin’s analysis lies a key contradiction: while classic economic theory suggests you don’t cut interest rates in a growing economy, the Trump administration and parts of the Federal Reserve are advocating for rate cuts. This disagreement was highlighted by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s reluctance to cut rates, despite dissent from two Fed governors and growing political pressure. Halperin underscored that Trump’s economic team — including figures like Scott Bessent — has a strategy centered on trade reform, energy policy, and healthcare innovation, but the Fed appears indifferent to the administration’s goals.

The segment revealed a deepening rift between fiscal leadership and monetary policy — a dynamic that could shape everything from mortgage rates to consumer confidence going into the fall.

• Confused Economy: Halperin described the current economic state as one of the most “confused” in history, citing conflicting forces like tariffs, supply chains, and seasonal consumer trends.

• Strong GDP: U.S. GDP grew by 3% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations — largely due to falling imports.

• Interest Rate Irony: Classic economics suggests interest rates should not be cut during economic growth — but the Trump administration is still pushing for cuts.

• Trump's Economic Plan: Halperin notes Trump and his team (including Scott Bessent) are pursuing a multifaceted strategy focused on trade deals, energy, and healthcare technology.

• Federal Reserve Tension: Fed Chair Jerome Powell is holding interest rates steady, resisting political pressure to cut — despite dissent from two governors (Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller), the first such dual dissent since 1993.

• Mortgage Rate Disconnect: Powell clarified that the Fed sets short-term rates, not mortgage rates, though its policy indirectly affects long-term borrowing costs.

• Political Clash: Trump criticized Powell for being “Too Late” with policy adjustments, revealing an ongoing feud over the direction of monetary policy.

• Looking Ahead: Halperin believes a rate cut may still occur in the fall, aligning with the administration’s expectations and pressure on the Fed.

https://dailycallernewsfoundation.org/2025/07/30/so-many-crosscurrents-mark-halperin-describes-why-us-has-as-confused-an-economy-as-we-have-ever-seen/

Senate Republicans Must Get Rid of Liberal Parliamentarian Before Next Big Beautiful Bill

President Trump's Budget Bill

- Push for "big, beautiful" budget bill by Trump faced a political blunder.

- An unelected bureaucrat, Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, became influential in Congress.

- Need for change before proceeding with the new budget process.

Federal Engagement and Abortion Funding

- Trump campaigned to reduce federal involvement in abortion issues.

- Despite disagreements, the commitment to tackle difficult issues is acknowledged.

- Pro-life leaders in the House aimed for a 10-year cut on funding to Planned Parenthood.

- The Senate reduced the funding cut to just one year.

Role of the Senate Parliamentarian

- MacDonough played a key role in removing crucial Republican-backed provisions from the budget.

- The parliamentarian is an unelected position created for advisory purposes, not as a check on Congress.

- Appointed by Harry Reid in 2012, MacDonough has ties to both Republicans and Democrats.

Status Quo and Political Intrusion

- The parliamentarian can uphold the status quo and resist change.

- Senate rules do not mandate that lawmakers follow the parliamentarian's advice.

- Historical precedents of overruling the parliamentarian exist (e. g. , Rockefeller in 1975, Lott in 2001).

Recent Actions and Reactions

- In 2013 and beyond, both parties have changed rules to bypass the parliamentarian's authority.

- Recently, Republicans voted against the parliamentarian regarding California's emission standards.

- GOP lawmakers criticized the influence of the unelected bureaucrat on proposed legislation.

Strategic Implications for Republicans

- A one-year funding cutoff is seen as strategically unwise for upcoming elections.

- There are calls for the Senate leadership to replace MacDonough to avoid future obstacles.

- Failure to address this issue may jeopardize Republican chances in the 2026 elections.

- Urgency for Republicans to act decisively on budgeting processes.

- Need for a procedural adviser aligned with Trump’s platform to support their legislative agenda. 

https://www.lifenews.com/2025/07/30/senate-republicans-must-get-rid-of-liberal-parliamentarian-before-next-big-beautiful-bill/

House Intel Chair: Declassified Docs Show Obama-Directed Psyop

Rep. Rick Crawford’s insights into the newly declassified House Intelligence Committee report reveal a damning portrait of the U.S. Intelligence Community’s role in perpetrating and covering up the now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion narrative. As the newly seated chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Crawford lays out a powerful case that the Obama-era Intelligence Community, led by figures like John Brennan and James Clapper, willfully manipulated analytic standards and cherry-picked intelligence to cast suspicion on President-elect Donald Trump.

The report strongly criticizes the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) as a politically motivated document based on flawed sourcing, particularly the now-discredited Steele dossier, and notes that crucial evidence contradicting the "Putin helped Trump" theory was ignored. More troubling still, Crawford outlines how this narrative was bolstered by a compliant and eager corporate media, effectively turning them into co-conspirators in what he calls “a psychological operation against the American people.”

In Crawford’s view, this wasn't mere error or misjudgment — it was an orchestrated hoax at the highest levels of government, driven by political animus and covered up for years. He warns that the key architects of this “travesty” have not only escaped accountability but continue to profit from their roles in the deception.

• Early Insight: Rep. Rick Crawford joined the House Intelligence Committee in early 2017, as the Russia collusion narrative was being shaped.

• Flawed ICA: The Jan. 6, 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment was based on dubious sourcing and ignored analytic standards required by ICD 203.

• Single-Narrative Bias: Contrary evidence suggesting Putin may have preferred Clinton or was indifferent was ignored to support a pro-Trump bias theory.

• The Steele Dossier: Intelligence leaders like Brennan insisted on including the discredited Steele dossier despite knowing it was opposition research funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

• Analytic Integrity Breached: CIA analysts expressed concerns over the dossier’s validity, but Brennan allegedly responded, “Yes, but doesn’t it ring true?”

• Media Complicity: The mainstream media played an active role in amplifying the collusion hoax, acting as “willing accomplices” rather than objective journalists.

• Suppressed Report: Efforts to release the 2020 staff report clearing Trump were blocked until President Trump’s return to office in 2025.

• Psyop Allegation: Crawford characterizes the IC’s actions as a psychological operation against the American people, orchestrated by the Obama administration.

• No Accountability: Despite the massive deception, most key players have avoided punishment and are now media contributors or private sector “experts.”

• Dangerous Precedent: Crawford warns that the lack of justice and continued misinformation poses ongoing risks to democratic trust and national security.

• Continuing Concerns: Recent investigations into other ICAs suggest this politicization of intelligence may not be isolated to the Russia hoax.

• Final Verdict: Crawford calls the collusion narrative “the largest, deepest, widest hoax in American history” — and one that the perpetrators remain disturbingly proud of.

https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/30/house-intel-chair-says-declassified-docs-show-obama-directed-psyop/

Mother O’ Mercy! Is This the End of the Cal Bullet Train?

California High-Speed Rail Project

- Began as a statewide voter referendum in 2008

- Intended to fund a high-speed rail system from San Francisco to Los Angeles

- Has become a financial burden with no completed railroad

Recent Developments

- Trump administration announced withdrawal of $4 billion from the project

- Trump criticized the project as a "train to nowhere"

- California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to sue for reinstatement of funds

Financial Concerns

- Initial estimated cost in 2008: $33 billion

- Current estimated cost: $130 billion, with no operational parts

- Earliest completion projection for Central Valley line: 2030 to 2033

- Project has missed all deadlines

Challenges in Construction

- Construction is ongoing in Central Valley, but more than 300 miles remain

- Major geographic challenges including mountains and required tunneling

- Planned tunnels at Pacheco Pass and through the Tehachapi Mountains not in preliminary planning

Future Cost Projections

- Significant financial obstacles ahead, especially in more complex terrains

- Estimated costs could rise to nearly $250 billion, possibly underestimated

- Current California state budget: $321 billion

Funding Difficulties

- Lack of prospect for private investment complicates funding

- Governor Newsom faces pressure between project funding and addressing other state priorities

- Potential impact on public-employee pensions and healthcare for undocumented immigrants

Future of the Bullet Train

- Full completion of the project is unlikely

- Democrats will push to complete the 171-mile stretch to avoid political backlash

- Potential for the completed segment to be the least traveled high-speed line in the world

- Completion might be declared a success by future governors despite financial implications

Historical Context

- California's politicians display significant misjudgment regarding the project

- Current state of the project may serve as a warning about the consequences of ignoring economic realities

- The California bullet train serves as a cautionary tale for future infrastructure projects

- Need to respect economic laws to avoid dire financial outcomes 

https://mises.org/mises-wire/mother-o-mercy-end-cal-bullet-train

One Chart To Kill The Medicaid Lies For Good

Headline Analysis

- Questionable headlines from various news outlets about Medicaid cuts.

- Examples of misleading headlines include:

- "Democrats use new tactic to highlight Trump’s gutting of Medicaid"

- "GOP governors stay silent amid plans to slash Medicaid spending"

- "Rural hospitals brace for financial hits"

- "Another report suggests Medicaid cuts could lead to thousands of deaths"

- Main issue: All headlines are based on the claim that there are cuts to Medicaid.

Medicaid Spending Trends

- Medicaid spending has been increasing consistently since 2010.

- A significant jump in spending occurred in 2021 following Joe Biden's expansion of the program.

- The OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill) allows spending to continue increasing, just at a slower rate.

- Medicaid under OBBB remains higher than pre-Biden spending levels.

Misrepresentation of Medicaid Cuts

- The notion of "slashing" and "gutting" Medicaid is false.

- The spending trajectory under OBBB is higher than the previous trend line until 2034.

- Claims about rural hospital closures and loss of coverage are exaggerated.

Press and Political Response

- Individuals reliant on Medicaid may exaggerate potential impacts to protect benefits.

- Democrats may exploit claims of spending cuts for political gain.

- The press is seen as too liberal or ill-informed to accurately report Medicaid changes.

- A call to counter misinformation with factual spending charts is suggested.

What’s wrong with them all? They are all based on one big, fat lie. There are no cuts to Medicaid.

 

https://issuesinsights.com/2025/07/31/one-chart-to-kill-the-gutting-medicaid-lie-for-good/