by Daniel Brouse April 4, 2025 The answer: it’s complicated — and highly uncertain. In the short term, interest rates have dropped to recent lows. Markets are increasingly pricing in the likelihood of a recession due to escalating global trade tensions. As a result, expectations are rising that the Federal Reserve may begin cutting interest […]
Tag Archives: economy
Market Chaos: VIX Surges 39.56% Amid Escalating Trade War Fears
by Daniel Brouse April 3, 2025 The VIX (Volatility Index), often called the “fear gauge,” measures market expectations of volatility over the next 30 days. A 39.56% spike in the VIX is highly significant and suggests extreme uncertainty and fear among investors. Key Implications of Today’s VIX Surge: Panic Selling & Market Turmoil – A […]
Posted in Business, Finance, freedom, Government, International, Law, Politics, taxes
Tagged economy
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Trade War!
by Daniel Brouse April 3, 2025 On April 2, President Trump unilaterally declared a trade war against the rest of the world, imposing protectionist tariffs on 180 countries — calling it “Liberation Day.” This action was taken without congressional approval and in direct violation of the Constitution. A coalition of world leaders from diverse countries […]
Posted in Business, Finance, freedom, Government, History, International, taxes
Tagged economy
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Fighting a Mean Bear Market in a Trade War
by Daniel Brouse April 3, 2025 Today, one of the stock market indices officially entered into bear market territory. A bear market is typically defined as a decline of 20% or more from recent highs in a broad market index, such as the Russell 2,000 Small-cap stocks. This downturn signals a shift in investor sentiment, […]
How Tariffs on Guitars and Pianos Could Impact the Next Generation of Musicians
by Daniel Brouse April 3, 2025 An economist just referenced Little Richard to illustrate how tariffs might impact young musicians. Little Richard, known for his energetic vocals and piano playing, also had a band called “The Upsetters,” and while he wasn’t primarily a guitarist, he had notable guitarists in his band, including Jimi Hendrix. Due […]
Liberation (From Your Money) Day: Largest Tax Increase in History
April 2, 2025 On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a series of new tariffs under the “Liberation Day” initiative, targeting multiple countries and sectors. The key measures include: Universal Tariff: A minimum 10% tariff on all U.S. imports. Country-Specific Tariff Examples: China: 34% tariff on imports. Although challenging to calculate precisely, this appears […]
Posted in Agriculture, Business, Energy, Environment, Finance, International, Politics
Tagged economy
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Trump’s Record Breaking Tax Increase
by Daniel Brouse April 1, 2025 Republicans and Libertarians Implement the Largest Tax Increase in U.S. History Despite historically opposing taxation in all forms—often citing the Boston Tea Party as a foundational principle—Republicans and Libertarians are now enacting what amounts to the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Their longstanding stance that taxation justifies revolution […]
Trump Economics: Immediate Economic Deterioration
by Daniel Brouse April 1, 2025 The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model estimate for real GDP growth (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in the first quarter of 2025 has been revised downward to -3.7% as of April 1, a significant drop from the previous estimate of -2.8% on March 28. This sharp decline reflects increasing signs of […]
Financial Ethics and Legal Controversies: Trump, Musk, and Conflicts of Interest
Financial Disclosure and Conflict of Interest Regulations for U.S. Presidents and Officials When a U.S. president takes office, they—as well as their cabinet members, high-ranking officials, and anyone with substantial influence in the administration—are generally required to disclose all financial activities. This process is designed to ensure transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and uphold ethical […]
Posted in Business, Finance, freedom, Government, International, Law, liberty, taxes
Tagged economy
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The Impending Economic Impact of April 2 Tariff Announcement: A Global Crisis in the Making
by Daniel Brouse April 1, 2025 The Washington Post has reported that sources indicate the April 2 tariff announcement is set to impose an across-the-board 20% tariff on a broad range of imports. Such a drastic move would have far-reaching implications for the global economy, potentially triggering the most significant worldwide economic downturn since the […]
Posted in Agriculture, Business, Energy, Environment, Finance, freedom, History, International, Politics, taxes
Tagged economy
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